This week has probably brought the biggest and
most unexpected change of my whole mission. Wow. I never expected
this... So, remember how Tabaco was my favorite area? Transfers are
in two weeks so I was hoping I'd et to stay one more in Tabaco, here's what
happened...
On Tuesday, I was on
exchanges with Elder Man Moncur. It was 6PM, we were about to tach a
lesson when a call from my Mission President, President Guanzon, came. I
ran outside and answered. We had a brief, to the point conversation.
Having hung up, I walked back and said, "Sorry, we need to leave
right now. I love you." And then looking to Max, "Elder
Moncur, let's go." He was asking what happened but I was pushing it
off. I lied, saying we had to go and find the apartment we had to get for
new elders later. We power walked straight past everyone saying the
usual, "Hey Joe!" or, "Amerikano!" At this point I
could hardly hold back tears. Moncur still hadn't noticed - still didn't
know what President actually said to me. I led us
directly to the San Carlos family. This was my favorite family in Tabaco,
the ones who finally all came to church together last week after seven years.
Came up to their house and they welcomed us in with the usual smiles.
I went straight to their bench without speaking. They all looked at
me. I stared at them until I burst. I was crying. Bawling
crying. Through the fit of tears, I explained what President had really
told me just a few minutes before... "Elder Brown... after much prayer and
fasting, the Lord has told us that you are to be the new Assistant to the
President of Legazpi Mission. Elders Madsen and Bangal (the current
assistants) will pick you up at 7PM tonight." And there it was.
I was getting emergency transferred to the office for training before
Elder Bangal goes home. I had forty minutes to take the 30 minute trike
ride home and pack all of my stuff. Moncur and I raced home and dashed
around trying to pack all my things before they got there. They showed
up, loaded my suitcases, and we left, dropped Moncur off in his area and my old
comp with other elders until transfer day...
And so....here I am!
In the Mission Office, typing this to you. This last week had gone
by so fast. I'm so tired. My companion are Elders Bangal and
Madsen. Bangal is Filipino and has been AP (assistant to the president)
for 6 months and goes home on Saturday (the real transfer day is Dec 31 but
everyone going home this transfer gets to leave early for X-mas). Madsen
has only been assistant for 3 weeks. He's from Idaho and we've been good friends
out whole missions. I actually met him in the MTC then replaced him in my
second area. I love my companions so much! We've had such a good
week together. It's already become a habit of ours to say, "I love
you," and, "You're the best!" to everyone. It's going
great.
So just so you know, being an assistant to the president us just
that. There are only two of us (three for one week while I'm in
training). Pretty much we help President with everything including
workshops, trainings, President's schedule, transfer planning, etc. On
Wednesday, we only got two hours of sleep. Remember the island I used to
get to go to twice? Well now it's its own zone so we went out there with
President until yesterday. Best part was Saturday getting to take the
truck to the most remote area of our mission - a 2hr road, then 2 more hrs on a
run down dirt path. It was super muddy and beaten down. We were so
surprised we made it. The road reminded my of a mix of driving up
Saddleback Mountain and driving in the jungle parts of the movie Jurassic Park
(see pictures). We just did a devotional there then came straight back to
the main island city.
Well, I've been tired
lately. Luckily, there's that amazing blessing called the "Enabling
Power" of the Atonement. Something I absolutely need. I'm sad
to not be in my old area. I miss it so much after getting moved so
suddenly but my prayers still go out there and I'll get to bisit a few times to
work with the new zone leaders there...
Sorry this was so long.
I assure my journals are longer! Got to go! Love you!
Elder Shane Brown
Pictures -
1. Philippines
Driver's License! I didn't even have to do a driving test. Just sign
papers, check my blood pressure and do an eye test. Remember eye tests
where you stand 15 feet away and cover an eye as you read a poster with
letters? As I sat at the desk about 6ft away from the poster, the person
just asked if it was clear then signed everything off. Hah awesome. \
2-4. My Companions
5. What rushed
packing looks like
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