Monday of last week, we were waiting on pins and needles to get "the call" to see who was transferring. It came when we were at Family Home Evening at a member's house. It was a little weird because it came from the Zone Leaders when usually it comes from the District Leader, and the Elder that told us was acting weird. As expected, Elder Pyne and I were told we were moving. (Expected because it made the most logical sense because we had been there the longest). But we were still skeptical. It felt weird for some reason, and especially since Elder Christiansen hadn't heard anything about it yet either (and his companion was apparently moving and they still didn't know?) But then it turns out that Elder Christiansen's phone died for an hour. The exact hour the Zone Leaders called to tell him the news. So after we found out that it wasn't a joke, we decided to just accept it, despite the weird feelings we were all getting about it.
I pack my stuff up, don't really say any goodbyes, and I just felt weird about it all. It was like I was too okay with leaving that it was an eerie feeling. Sister Gift was like "Sister Norrell, you can cry for one day in your new area and then you have to forget and just keep going on!". I felt like a heartless person because I didn't actually feel like crying at all.
Thursday comes (Transfers Day), and we are all just really nervous. People kept asking me where I thought I was going to go and I had no earthly idea whatsoever. I couldn't even make a guess! It was soo good to see everyone, though. The mission is still doing great and I love the missionaries more than ever! A ton of our leadership "died" aka, they finished their missions, so a lot of transfers was really interesting seeing who of the younger groups were stepping up to fill up the empty positions. One of the most surprising is that Elder Arne is training and becoming District Leader on transfer 4! (I am scared to see what happens when all the Sister Leadership dies in the upcoming 2 transfers!)
I was so nervous. SO NERVOUS the entire transfers meeting! I have never been that way before. And I knew why as soon as they announced my new area. Actually it turned out to be my old area. I was staying in Bangkhae. I was so shocked yet the whole time I was just like "I knew it!!!!!" It didn't even occur to me that I probably made my new companion feel really weird when I had this really confused look on my face, and then I became immediately stressed and relieved all at the same time! Stressed because I had a new companion! Meaning that my old companion, who didn't pack ANYTHING had to move that night!
Sister Sawangwong had a impression that she was going to Khon Khean, and that is exactly where she went. Thursday morning before leaving for transfers, I was considering leaving something important behind because I felt like I was going to come back. (Somehow in my mind that would register as something like testing my own faith? I didn't do it just to be safe. But I did leave my Peanut Butter there on accident, so it is a good thing I came back! So after it being a complete mad house trying to get home, get her packed, keeping our stuff out of the way, and just trying to wrap our heads around everything that was happening, we finally sent Sister Sawangwong and her new companion off to their new area, and we were left with 4 really heavy suitcases full of our stuff.
I actually joked with Sister Sawangwong about her packing just in case. And then I told her that if I came back I refused to unpack again, since transfers are only 6 weeks long now instead of 9. So that is exactly what I have done. Sister Ellis (my new companion) makes fun of me for it. Especially when I bring out a bag of clothes and search through it relentlessly for the shirt that I want to wear. I am just not taking my chances!
So this is transfer 3 for me in Bangkhae. Going on 5-6 months! Not unheard of...but I just never thought it would be me! I have seen plenty of missionaries go to transfers not thinking they were moving, and then surprise! I am just grateful that we were only an hour taxi ride away instead of a 6 hour bus ride!
Overall, I am grateful that I am back in Bangkhae. I love it so much. Saying goodbye felt too okay to be okay, and coming back I knew that I was still supposed to be here. It is weird. I felt like I left and came back a different person. It is almost like I am actually in a different area! Of course all the members were surprised yesterday about seeing me again. After asking why I didn't move, their next comment was about how long I have been here. Yep, the most seasoned in the area of all our 8 missionaries.
That's right. We have EIGHT missionaries in our area! President is moving out the troops with the intent of making Bangkhae a ward. It is going to happen and I am so glad that I still get to be here to be a part of it!
Sister Ellis is so great, and she is going to be a great force of help in this area! Already we have seen great changes being brought to pass in the 4 days we have been here.
Well, it's all over but the work! I am still in Bangkhae and I am loving it more than ever!
But who knows, next week I could be somewhere new! ;) I don't really understand the way these things work. Last minute revelation to President Senior on the day of transfers...it happens! But I guess I don't have to understand it, because I trust him enough as God's servant to have faith to go and do whatever I am called to go and do!
Long email, not a lot to report. I will have more next week! Promise!
Love,
Sister Norrell
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