First of all, I was totally wrong when I guessed how many companions I would have by the end of my mission, but that juts goes to show how narrow our point of view is compared to God's plan for us! President Blatter didn't give us any clues as to what our transfer call was going to be, except during a phone call he asked if I'd ever served English before. He already knew the answer because we'd discussed this in interviews before, and he also knew I wasn't particularly interested in serving English, but that I would pray about it if that's something he wanted me to consider.
Last week Sis. Walker mentioned how she'd like to go English speaking just to gain a different experience outside the ward we've been in for over a year now, and to gain a different set of skills. It wasn't until then that I realized it's something I should pray about and see if it really was something I should look into. So this past week with transfers looming up, I contemplated the option of going English, and strongly felt, I would be going English speaking this coming transfer.
The closer it got, the more sure I felt, and the more I looked forward to it, as I never realized it until I got back from an exchange, that it's so easy to get stuck in a rut when you're in the same place for too long; things become too routine and less inspired, and I just really needed a change. Saturday was the day of the calls, and here's the verdict: I am now going to Lacey with Sister Smith, English speaking!! It's exactly what I needed, and although I'm going to have separation anxiety as Sister Walker and I haven't been away from each other longer than 24 hours for the past 14 months, it'll be good.
And, as it so happened, I'm also going to be a Sister Training Leader which means I'll be going on exchanges with lots of fellow sisters every week. I laughed when President said that because it wasn't at all within my radar of options, and it's always been a joke between us that I would get called as an STL. Then it happened. But in my heart I'll always be Cambodian, so as I get to travel in the areas surrounding Lacey, I will forever keep my eyes out for Cambodians so I can scout out the work down there for the others who are now going to be in a trio.
In the midst of it all I feel like Dorothy whose house got swept up by a tornado and she suddenly found herself in the land of Oz. But she made friends and conquered the Wicked Witch, so we never know what will happen in Lacey. :)
The other sisters had a baptism which they asked me to give a talk on the Holy Ghost for. I'd given a talk in Khmer before, but this time the words really flowed quicker and I was able to say a little more than I have the past. It'll be the last time I speak that much Khmer for a few transfers which I'm really bummed about, but for sure I'll go back for at least my last transfer. This will be my fourth to last, so who knows what will happen those last three!
That took the cake for this week, so anything else I had planned to write is no pretty insignificant to me now. Although the work will be very different and I'll miss the people of Tacoma, I'm excited for a chance to work in a new area, and gain a new experience. After all, the church is true, no matter where you go. :)
Love you all!
Sister Dunster
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