Saying Goodbye Stinks

From: Dustin Thelander <dustin.thelander@myldsmail.net>

Well, I have been transferred, which I will cover a little later. Tuesday, we had a really good Zone Meeting, and it was in this meeting that we got some big news. It is from the missionary department headed by Elder Oaks of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles that some changes have been made. There will no longer be transfer meetings (when missionaries go to new areas to serve) or departing devotionals (when missionaries are going home). While our mission does these things well, the department does not want large gatherings of missionaries. It is a bummer, but we choose to be obedient to this council. On Wednesday, we had a great lesson with the kids. Paul has had a tough week as well as the others, and he just expressed the want to go to church. He literally said that Sunday couldn't come soon enough. I love it so much- he really loves church. Thursday was exchanges in the Greentree ward in Victorville. That was a fun and interesting time. They sometimes call this area "victomville". Not very nice, but we met some great people and even found a new investigator after teaching him about the restoration at his doorstep. The spirit was so strong- especially when we taught on the First Vision. Saturday, we helped the Marellos move. They have been a little hard to catch, but when we offered to help them move, they jumped at it. We got all of their heavy things all moved around, and they are more then grateful for our help. I pray that the help will soften their hearts, and that they will continue to take the lessons with the other elders. They sadly moved out of our area and ward. It was at the move where we got a call from our district leader. Because of the new way we have to do transfers, instead of getting all of our info at once, we would get a "packing call". So, I got the call and was told I would be packing to move with no idea of where I would go or who I would be with. That night we went over to the kids place and taught both the Plan of Salvation and the Restoration to the kids and Kathleen. They all loved the lessons, and Micalea and Kathleen talk about themselves as the Mormon duo at school. She plans on being baptized on Jan 30th, and, mark my words, I will make it back up there for that. So, being that I had no idea where I was going made Sunday a lot more stressful. I would have to say goodbye to everyone in the ward, but not tell them where I am going. Bishop made a mistake during the week, and someone didn't get their assignment to talk in sacrament meeting. So with me being transferred, along with Boltz and Bentley, we were all given the assignment to speak for about 5 min in sacrament meeting on the spot. I talked about diligence in scripture study. I think it went quite well. I have been a bit under the weather for the past week up until now, so my voice was a bit funky, but hey who cares. We had a great rest of the church block, and then we began making the insanely sad goodbye visits. We visited the kids first. This one was hard- I have literally seen these kids change their lives for the better. I consider them family; Paul and Devon like brothers and Micalea a sister. I will keep in contact for sure and will be seeing them again. We said goodbye to Jheri and Amy, the Ritters, Juan y Jocelyn, Pam and Larry, and Bill Jensen. Each was so heartfelt in their love toward me, it just melted my heart. I feel so very blessed to have been able to be in each of these people's lives and the lives of many others. We also saw the Gallaghers, and they just about died seeing me go. I love the Arrowhead ward. All of the people there will always have a special place with me. That night, a bit later, we met with the Rosado family. They are amazing and came to church that morning. Right when we got there they were running around and being a little weird. Then after about 20 min, they came out with a gift for me. It was full of some little goodies and some Frozen the movie items (last week they were watching Frozen and pointing out all of the mistakes and we thought that was super funny so that explains the Frozen gifts included). I really couldn't handle it, that was way too nice. The lesson then proceeded to be amazing. Milea, the 13 year old, at the end was in tears, she just about wouldn't let me go. She wants me to be at her baptism for sure, and I will. It was amazing to hear her say that, because she is so committed as well as the rest of the family to baptism. So, during the time that they were getting the gift ready, I got a call from the AP's. I got news that President Hobbs has called me as a District Leader. Wow, pretty dang surprising. Calls then came in around 9:45 that I would be in the Upland 1st ward with Elder Honeycutt, an elder who I came out with. Monday, I made my way down there, and we got shopping in, had a great all you can eat sushi dinner, and I got prepped for district meeting that occurred today. I had to plan the whole meeting and then go over things with the district. We are in charge of two sets of elders, excluding me and Honeycutt, and two sets of sisters. I am so excited for what this district can do. I love the area already, and I will miss Arrowhead like crazy. I love you all so much, and I have been so busy I don't have a scripture for today. I will just say to love one another, that is the way Christ lived, and we should strive to be just like him. I love you all so much.

Love, Elder Thelander

First photo is with Juan y Jocelyn

Below is the Hesperia District