Hey Family,
I always forget to tell you when our P-day changes because of transfers. But it wasn’t that big of a problem this week because I got e-mails from my dad and my aunt Karen. Thanks guys.
I’m being transferred. It’s so strange to write that.
Although I’ve been here in Marau just as much time as I was in Boqueriao (4.5 months) it seems like so much longer, and it’s really a lot more difficult to leave. Why? First of all, I think the fact that I spent the same amount of time as I did in Boqueriao, here in a branch with a fifth of the amount of members as Boqueriao did, really helped me get to know every single family here, know their difficulties, their successes, and I really got to focus on everyone with a lot more energy than I did in my first area. I also just had a lot more experience here, wasn’t depending on others or struggling with the language, I just got to be myself, to be a citizen of Marau and a member of the Marau branch, instead of just a stranger American who was hard to understand. More than everything, I know that I was meant to pass through this little town, that the people I met here were waiting for me here. The people here in this city will always occupy a little place in my heart. I truly wish to be able to return here one day.
So yesterday we had a baptism. Vagner da Rosa an 18-year-old nephew of a member moved here a month ago to work, and we got to teaching him, and asked him to pray, he did so, and received an answer, and said he wanted to be baptized. He didn’t know what that would require when he said that. We continued to teach him many of the commandments that he would be promising to keep if he wanted to be a member of the church, and while at some moments he got surprised or confused at our belief of the Word of Wisdom, Law of Chastity, the need to obey the Law of Tithes and Offerings, etc…., he accepted every invitation we gave him to change his life; he had a testimony of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, and that was enough. He told me that it wasn’t even a decision for him, that he wanted to be baptized and was ready to make the sacrifices he needed to. It was a great moment seeing him be baptized by his uncle, Brother Irani, the same person who had baptized his parents when they were little. There was a good spirit there. I’m so glad to have gotten the opportunity to end my time in Marau here like that.
After the baptism, we went to Sabino’s house. He was baptized when I was with K. Silva. He needed some help studying for the final English test he would have for his college course. So we stayed there, I helped him study, we talked about the baptism, his baptism, we had dinner, talked with his family. Before I got there I had been SURE that I would stay here in Marau for one more transfer, but as I talked to him, I realized that it would be the last time in a long time that I would see him and his family. He told me that when he first saw me when I got here he had the feeling that we knew eachother from somewhere. I reminded him about the Pre-mortal life, and he got surprised and said, “I hadn’t thought of that, that really makes sense!” It made me so sad to see him for the last time, but so so happy. He gave us a ride to our house and as we were saying goodbye, he said, “I will stay active in the church, don’t you worry.”
Man. How is it that I have the good fortune of getting to know these awesome people. I can’t describe the emotion to you guys enough.
So I went home, knowing that I would be transferred. Packed all my stuff until late in the night. And woke up today to receive the call that I was gettin out of town. Man. I feel like a really important time just passed for me, and I didn’t even realize it while it was happening. I wish I could have stepped back to realize it while it was happening. I could have worked more, given more, helped these people more. I know I left the area stronger, and the area left me stronger but… man, it’s so hard to leave. Maybe even harder than leaving you guys. Because, you know, I KNOW that I’ll see all of you guys again. I know that experience is waiting for me there. But I’m afraid because I don’t know that I’ll see anyone here again. I don’t know if it will work out to visit them again. And when and if I visit, I will visit not as Elder Carpenter, not as someone there to help, to be a part of the community, but as someone just passing through. At home, I know I’ll be able to return to how I was before the mission there, but here, it will never be the same again. Man.
I love you guys so much. I am so glad that our family will always be here for us. I love the mission. “The Best Two Years” doesn’t quite sum it up like it should. It’s a little less than that… and a little more. I love my God and my Savior Jesus Christ. I’m going to sign off now because I want to go visit some members before I get on the bus. For surely there will be tears tonight. Some bitter, some sweet. I love you guys. Have a good week!
Love love love, forever and ever.
Connor
P.S. Sorry that the photos aren't better. It was kind of rushed. But enjoy!
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