6 Week Shafted

Sep 9, 2015
3 min read

On Tuesday, September 8, 2015 4:50 PM, Dustin Thelander <dustin.thelander@myldsmail.net> wrote:

This was an amazing week, I didn't get to email yesterday due to the holiday. I love the work that has been going on, and the Rancho Park ward and Chaffey YSA have been amazing. Brother Fraijo still is the biggest miracle of my mission so far. He is super solid in church, participates in the lessons, and does missionary work of his own. He is an example to me and to the rest of the ward. Cece was amazing this week. She had the greatest experience at church again, and she participated in the fast. Hopefully, that will aid in her fight against smoking.

We have made the most amazing progress with Jorge, and he is being baptized on Saturday and confirmed on Sunday!!!!!!!!! He is so open, fun loving, and gospel loving. I pray that his service goes well, and everyone there feels the spirit. His sister is coming into town from Mexico, so that is another great potential for a great investigator. Also, that will give Jorge a chance to do missionary work himself. The best way to learn something is to teach it.

We have a new investigator, Joyce, and she has been in America for 7 years, and comes from somewhere in West Africa. She is so teachable. She actually began our lesson with saying "can I be a Christian without being baptized?" We were stunned, and the entire lesson shifted to the topic of baptism. She even at one point told us she didn't have time for baptism classes, and we were like "we can help with that!!" She even had pencil and paper to take notes on. I, at the end of the lesson, invited her to be baptized, and she accepted!!! She has a long way to go, but she now knows what we are working towards. This all stemmed from a Bible referral. Miracles happen every day, we just need to notice them.

I did get to have a lesson and chat with the baseball guy, Noah. He is a super great kid who has gotten a little mixed up with the wrong crowd. I pray that my one meeting with him can make some sort of difference.

Saturday was no doubt the most stressful day of the mission so far. We got a call from the Assistants to the President (AP's) around 1:30, and both Elder Jennings and Brown got trainer calls. This was odd as this meant I would be leaving them for sure. We figured though that I would stick around with one of them to finish up training. Then the transfer doctrine came in around 3:00. Jennings and Brown got news that they would be remaining in the same area and training another new missionary. We were all stunned, but then I got my news. I was to be transferred to the Arrowhead ward in Hesperia. This is in the high desert. The news was shocking and a little bit sad. I loved the Ontario area, and I loved the people so much. To leave before Jorge's baptism, to leave Cece behind is difficult. I know though that I am where I need to be. My new companion Elder Coburn is the BOMB, he's a super hard worker and from what I am told this is the best ward in the mission. Yesterday, we got to spend some time with the Bishop at dinner, and then did service for another member. Today we get a little bit of time to email, and then it is off to work. Oh, and this area is all on bike. I will have some chiseled legs by the time I am done here. So, the term "6 week shafted" is the name missionaries have given to the situation when you are only in an area for 6 weeks (or for one transfer). It stinks, because just when you get to know everyone, you are gone. I love you all so much, and sorry for the short email, we have limited time today to email.

Love,

Elder Thelander