Transfers calls are in!! It's pretty crazy as usual. I don't
think I've gone through a single normal transfer. Then again, if that's the
case I don't know what a "normal" transfer would be like. I'm going to be
staying right here were I am now; the junior zone leader with Elder Archibald.
I've heard lots of awesome things about Elder Archibald; he's quite the
character I hear! Elder Jenkins got quite a surprise; he's going to Ventura to
be an Assistant to the President with Elder Reese!! That's going to be quite a
heavy assignment; but Elder Jenkins definitely has what it takes; I've learned
so much from him! I'm very grateful I had the opportunity to serve with him
this last transfer! It's crazy to think how huge of a blessing this has been; A
year ago we'd have never imagined we'd be set up for such a miraculous transfer!
We got to go to an awesome Zone Leader Training, we celebrated Christmas
together, we started our final year together, we saw a beautiful baptism and
watched that man progress in the gospel and finally get married! Eric and
Lanessa's wedding was BEAUTIFUL! It was such a powerful moment to watch them
suddenly change from youth, our peers, and instantly grow to be adults. The
bishop performed their wedding, and Eric absolutely glowed. The gospel
DEFINITELY blesses families, because they are starting on such a great foot!
Elder Jenkins and I talked about doing a road trip together around this time of
the year so that we can show each other our missions and be there for when they
are sealed in the L. A. Temple! If that happens, it'll be the coolest thing
ever.
Another crazy thing is that today we also got the "Transfer News" for
President Castro! The new President has been announced: Brother Dell C. and Sister Maurine Felix
from Cottonwood Heights, Utah have been called as mission president and wife to
succeed President and Sister Castro on or about July 1, 2014. No further details
have been released about Brother and Sister Felix at this time. It's SUPER
weird to think about them; especially since we'll be in our last transfer when
they arrive. For now, I'm excited for the chance to continue to work with and
learn from President Castro.
Elder Mortimer is taking off
for my old Oxnard area; he's going to have a blast! Elder Bautista's staying
here in Arroyo Grande with a new companion, Elder Passey. They'll get bunches
of work done! Another cool thing is that Elder Nalder is serving in Oxnard
still, but his new companion is Elder Carter! He's going to train him to be a
Zone Leader too!!! I can't wait to see them here soon!
We had a super cool miracle last night too;
right after we got out of dinner, (which had been rescheduled to be 30 minutes
earlier) we got a call from Juan, a recently returned missionary, asking us to
come to a certain hospital and give his grandfather a blessing. The poor old
man had recently suffered a heart attack, and was in the ER. We happened to be
withing a 3 minute drive of the hospital where they were. It was a really neat
blessing, and hopefully it does him well.
A miracle in the zone happened
like this; we had a goal this transfer to invite 200 people as a Zone to be
baptized. We weren't as diligent as we could have been though, and by the end
of week five, we only had invited 64. So, at the district meetings on week 6,
as well as over the phone, we committed everyone to do their best. At the end
of the week, the number of invitations skyrocketed to 132; more than double the
work we'd done the past five weeks! The best part is that out of all that, new
investigators were found, and some even set dates to be baptized on! Boldness
with the spirit really does work wonders!
Well, We'll be carrying on in the work out
here! I'm really starting to get excited about all the things going on, (It
helps now that I understand my assignment a bit better!) I'll keep you posted
on how this next transfer goes, and for now, Viva la MISION!!! I'm especially
happy to hear about Brittney's success out at Snow; I don't have time to write
anymore, but I always pray for you two.
Keep being awesome everybody!!!
Love,
Elder Matthew David Clough
