Transfers

July 28, 2015

¡Hola Mamacita!

So, transfers went a little bit differently this transfer. And when I say a little, I mean a lot! We had transfer calls on Saturday instead of Monday, but we were only told if we were being transferred, training, or becoming a leader. We wouldn't figure out who we were going with and where until Monday morning when we met at the office and President Jardine would tell us personally in a large meeting with all the missionaries that are being transferred. So, on Saturday night, us five Hermanas went to sushi and stuffed our faces in, then we went to the meeting we had at 8 pm as a zone to find out our fates. Usually missionaries receive a call earlier in the night from President Jardine or the APs saying that they are called to train or be a leader. We knew that there are 2 Hermanas coming into the field, so who's going to train? Haha that's always the big question. When we got to the meeting, We hadn't received a phone call and neither did the other Hermanas. What!? I thought for sure one of us was going to get that call. We went on with the meeting and our zone leader said that Hna Webb and I are staying here, together... I love Hermana Webb and I know that she loves me, but... It didn't feel right. Then they said that the trio of Hermanas were going to leave and the area would have new missionaries. What!? So we were signing each other's bye books after. We just felt so weird. We didn't feel right. Then I went to the phone to call sister Schow and tell her about the news and I saw that we had a miss call from President Jardine about 20 minutes previous. Oh no! So we ran into the hallway and called him back. Hna Webb is training!!!! We were so excited... But then what was going to happen to me? The call said that I was staying. We asked him if we were going to be in a training trio and he said no. Then he said that we weren't going to be together and that he was going to fix it... What does that mean? Am I leaving or am I staying in the zone?  The sisters area is getting shotgunned, so am I going to shotgun their area? I had no idea. But what I did know is that I was moving out of sis schow's house and that I needed to pack. A few minutes later, Hna Kaaa noticed that she received a miss call from President as well. Hna Kaaa's training!!! I am so excited for her! She will do fantastic!!

Hermana Twitchell and Hermana Webb
only together for 2 weeks

East Sacramento Zone
(Said good-bye to them)

On Sunday we got to tell the members who was staying and who was leaving... The problem was that I had absolutely no idea if I was leaving or not! I had no idea what to tell the members! 

Monday morning came and I felt calm. I had thought about all the possible things that could happen with transfers and I was prepared! I was prepared with whatever outcome came my way, It doesn't matter who my comp is or where I go! I love all the Hermanas in this mission so much! 

The meeting started and each area would pop upon the screen with a missionary's face and name, then it would show their companion. A few areas had gone by, It was fun to see what was happening with everyone in the mission. The area "Elk Grove Zone: Vineyard & Wilton wards" popped on the screen with my face and name underneath. English work. Oh. I was not prepared for this. I shakily rose to my feet as my eyes were fixed upon what lied before me. I was terrified and I am positive that it showed on my face. My companion is Sister Lalomanu. It was a lot to take in. After the meeting, President Jardine told me, "It won't be for a long time. It's going to happen more often that Spanish missionaries go into English work." I was just the first. He was trying to comfort me because he saw the look on my face. I've never had a transfer call where I've been shocked or didn't know how to react. This time I had no idea how to react or to stifle my reaction and it was in front of half the mission. 

It's funny, because I jinxed myself quite a bit this past transfer. While I was in Rancho, I would tell Hna Fly, "I'm so happy that I'm no longer in Carmichael where there aren't any hispanics! And now I'm in Rancho where there are endless possibilities!" Then I got ETed back to Carmichael. I went on exchanges with my English STLs and I said, "I love Spanish work! It's the best thing ever! I couldn't imagine it any other way!" Then she asked, "What would you do if you ever got called into English work?" I responded, "eh. That's never going to happen!" :P

So I'm in Elk Grove now, the very bottom of the mission that borders Lodi, aka Modesto mission. It's a really great area and we basically live out in the middle of no where. It's super cool! I don't know my address.  

Sister Autumn Twitchell with her new companion Sister Lalomanu  (Autumn is now an English speaking missionary)

For Elaina and Lena

Our Front room

View from our front window

It's super rural. There's cows and horses, some roosters :P our house is a guest house next to a members home. It is HUGE! It's amazing! 

Sis Lalomanu is from New Zealand, she has been out for 3 months, just barely finished training. She is super cute and super awesome!!

Hna Burke is in the Elk Grove zone as well, but in Spanish work. They just opened up Elk Grove to Hermanas. we seriously have been in the same exact areas and we always follow each other around. haha I love her!

Para Siempre Dios esté con Vos

Con Amor,

Hermana Twitchell