Baptisms & Transferred

The Schumacher's baptisms went well. What a day! Elder Prows and I spoke in church and we had Gospel Essentials (finally) since Wendy Nofs and Tracey Newton (James' mother) came to church. I believe that both of them will be baptized eventually. It was so awesome to see them all baptized. It was kind of like being in the temple and doing baptisms for the dead, there were so many (8). I confirmed 3 of them, James, Joshua, and Max, and participated in the others. The Spirit was very strong and I sure enjoyed the experience.

It was great to baptize Aaron Valentine on Saturday. His family is very much against this but he went through with it and will be off to Texas on Wednesday for basic training. He really liked the medallion I gave him. It really leaves them with a physical reminder of their conversion. He was confirmed on Sunday and was given the Priesthood then so he'd have it before he set off for boot camp.

I was really surprised at transfers when President Edwards said I'd be coming into Lansing and that he wanted me to accept a special assignment. I'll be serving with Elder Carlen, my trainer, for his last transfer. We'll be the Assistants together. That actually begins today, since today is transfer day. So today I'm all packed up and I'll be driving a 15 passenger van with a trailer on the back to transfer the missionaries around.

This next week will be full. We have to do transfers, send the old missionaries off on the plane, receive and give an orientation for the new missionaries (there will be 14 this transfer) and their trainers, and on Friday we have transfer planning with President Edwards. That's where we decide the district meeting topics for the mission for each week of this transfer as well as the transfer theme. This transfer zone conference will be different because a General Authority will be coming.

I'm excited to be with Elder Carlen for his last transfer before he goes home and to work more closely with President Edwards. I'm a little nervous as well, but it will be a good experience. I won't get to do as much proselyting as I have been. A lot of office work and administrative tasks as well as twice the number of companion exchanges, since we go on exchanges with all the zone leaders. That is definitely a downer--not as much proselyting in our own area. So there's a lot of mixed feelings toward it. However, as I've told President before, I sent in my papers to do the Lord's work, whatever he wants me to do I'll do it as best I can. I'll do it even when I may have a little growing and stretching to do to fill that assignment.