Hello everyone!
This has been an amazing week. It's also been a long and quite tiring week.
I had a crazy day Tuesday trying to say goodbye to everyone in Estanzuela. I had the chance to meet so many amazing people there, people I know I'll never forget, so we had a very full day. Everyone was shocked that I was going, including myself, but more than anything I just felt loved on Tuesday. I'll be back soon Estanzuela
After that, I packed up, said some goodbyes over the phone, and got on an early morning bus to the capital. When I got to the mission office, one of the APs took me aside and told me that Elder Ortiz is no longer going to be my companion, but that I would be with Elder Vásquez. (Hasta la próxima Ortiz) The good thing about the last second change is that I am no longer whitewashing Sión, because Elder Vásquez has been here for 3 weeks, so he knows a little bit about the area.
Another nice thing about Elder Vásquez staying around is that I am a trainer again! He's in his first transfer, but he was with the APs for 3 weeks because he got here mid transfer. I have always enjoyed training, so its been fun to do it again. Elder Vásquez is super awesome, he works really hard, and is learning very very quickly. I've really enjoyed our first week together.
The only problem is that Elder Vásquez isnt assigned to this mission. He got here at a weird time because his original assignment is to Bolivia. Which means he will be leaving me mid transfer. We have until October 11th, but I feel pretty confident that I'll be able to learn Sión by then. Wish we could have had a whole transfer together, but his mission awaits.
Here in Sión, everything's going great. I got here Wednesday, and we haven't had a moment to breathe until today. Getting to know the members, the less active families we're helping, and our investigators- on top of the regular finding and teaching - has taken up virtually every minute of these 5 days. I've loved it, even though it's been very tiring.
On Thursday, we set a baptismal date with a guy I'd never met before, but he's more than ready. The Elders before us set a baptismal date with a nice woman named Andrea, but she's still having trouble getting divorced.
We're thinking about extending a baptismal invitation to a woman Elder Vásquez and I met last week named Blanca. She's really nice (she gifts us ice cream all the time) and she read the Book of Mormon, and the pamphlet we have her, and even came to church on her own. We're so excited for Blanca, please keep her in your prayers
I wish I could send pictures of
, but it's a little bit more difficult here in the Capital where you can't use the smart phone in the street. I'll find a way to get some for next week. However, last pday I had some time, and I threw together another video recap of the transfer, so I'll attach that if you're interested.
I'm doing great, I'm feeling great, we're working hard, and I'm making the most of every minute.
Just to end this on a spiritual note, a lesson I learned this week was that the Lord truly knows better than I. I felt confused and sad about leaving Estanzuela. I wasn't really excited to be going to Sión, or for the transfer in general. But I was reading the day of transfers, and remembered the Lord's response to a mission that he, the greatest of us all, was hesitant to take on. "O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt"
Those words are so powerful, especially in context, knowing how heavy the burden he was willing to bear. I decided to try to change my attitude, to be able to say like Nefi did, "I will go and do as the Lord has commanded." No matter where he sends me, no matter what he tells me to do -- I will go and do. I'll find a way to fight through. "For I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."
In the end, that was true. I've seen miracles here in Sión already. I know this is where I'm needed right now. I know that the Lord will provide a way for me to do his will, as I learn to accept it, and let what I want go.
The mission has taught me so much, and this week I've grown a little bit more, even if it wasn't comfortable. I love you all, write me if you want to know anything else
Have a great week,
Elder Telford
1. My third son
2. Goodbye Familia Montiel
3. Goodbye Belsi
4. Goodbye Gilda and her daughters
5. Me, processing after transfer news
6. Goodbye Familia Vásquez