Letter from Tacoma #55: November 14, 2016

So transfer calls have come, and I am.... STAYING, for a fourth transfer in Ocean Shores. Instead of me, my companion, Elder MacQueen, will be heading out to Silverdale. Meanwhile, I'll be getting Elder Devenburg. That's kind of funny, because Elder Devenburg came out with me to the mission in October. He will officially be the youngest companion I've ever had, and he's just as old as I am. LOL!

So, not a whole lot happened this week. It was mostly just suspense for transfer calls, because neither Elder MacQueen or I knew what was going to happen. I kind of thought I'd be leaving, while MacQueen stayed, but it turned out to be the opposite. But I'm not worried. By the end of this new transfer, I'll have spent 6 MONTHS of my mission in Ocean Shores. Even where I am now, I already know this place like the back of my hand.

I think this transfer will go by incredibly fast, for a few reasons:

1. I'm getting a new companion. Time flies when you're getting to know somebody else you just met.
2. Thanksgiving! We already have a few dinner plans set in place for that day.
3. CHRISTMAS! Despite how dark it was, I loved working during the Christmas season last year. There's just something in the air, that Christmas spirit, that just makes the world a happier place. (And just think, the next time we get transfer calls will be Christmas Eve)

So yeah, I'm excited for this transfer, as well as Thanksgiving next week.

Honestly, I don't have a lot of highlights this week besides transfer calls...

Our investigators are doing well though. Diane is still reading the Book of Mormon. She's gotten almost halfway through 2nd Nephi, so that's awesome! This Saturday we actually played some Monopoly with her during a visit... I lost hopelessly, but she had a fun time just being herself around us. I think a key thing to working with investigators is gaining their trust, so just do whatever it takes to show them you care for them and you're just another person like them.

We're still helping Rosa and her daughter with their fixer-upper of a home. We were able to help them find a plumber and a contractor, and they've got everything worked out to the point that they'll have running water and an actual front door before Christmas. They've been so grateful for our help that now they're actually interested in hearing more about our beliefs. There's a lot of potential there.

But that's about it for now. We're planning on stopping in Aberdeen and getting Domino's Pizza for Elder MacQueen's last day in Ocean Shores. I'm excited about that! I haven't had Domino's in over a year!!

And I also got this:

​Elder MacQueen's fiance found these on sale back in Louisiana, and she also knew I loved ponies, so she got one for me and one for MacQueen. (The funny part is that neither of them have seen the show. LOL) These shirts are awesome!!! (This kind of happened last week, but I forgot to put it in my email last P-Day. Oops)

Oh yeah, and you want to know what the weather is like down here? Well, last night was the worst of it. It was raining so hard, and the wind was howling. It got so bad during knocking between 5-7 that even in all my raingear, the hood of my rain jacket on, and me just looking down the whole time to keep the wind and rain out of my face, my head still got soaked from all the updraft. I've said it once, and I'll say it again, Never before in my life have I seen it rain perfectly sideways. I was glad when we finally got back indoors after that.

But that's all from me! I'm looking forward to seeing my new companion. I'll miss Elder MacQueen. He's been the best companion I've ever had so far.

And I miss you all, too!

I'm just glad Christmas is next month and I'll be able to see you then face-to-face!

Thanks for reading!

-Elder R. Austin Moe

Wa-Tac Missionary