Farewell Fredericksburg???

Agurcia - Crandall - Steiner - Ormond - Penaloza - Clark

Dear Family,

     Weird news. I'm being transferred to Stafford.

     I thought FOR SURE that I would stay in Fred with Hermana Agurcia, we would get a third companion, and then Hermana Agurcia would be off to Temple Square (she leaves May 14th).

     On Saturday night we waited for a transfer call, but none came. We were a little confused because we thought an AP would call us at least to let us know we had another companion coming and we needed to prepare. We talked about it with Hermana Penaloza, our Hermana Training Leader (she's in Stafford), and she said we could call the AP's Sunday night. We did, and the Elder said that we had a third companion coming. We followed up with Hermana Penaloza.

     This morning, Hna Penaloza called us again to let us know that the Zone Leaders said that I was being transferred to Stafford. Hna Agurcia would stay, and I would join Hna Penaloza and her companion Hna Clark to be threesome. We were VERY confused. I love Hna Penaloza and she's a great missionary, but I thought that maybe she had misunderstood because English is her second language. 

     An hour later the AP called us to let us know that BOTH OF US were being transferred. I'm going to Stafford, and Hna Agurcia is getting switched to English, but she's staying in Fredericksburg. (Either the White Oak, Hartwood, or Massaponax ward.) A few minutes later Hna Penaloza called us and said the same thing. And then an hour later the AP called us again and said that Hna Agurcia could attend Absalon and Natalia's wedding/baptism and he reaffirmed that we were both being transferred.

     SOOO I'm in the same branch, Stafford Spanish, but now I'll be serving in Stafford. By the end of this transfer, I'll have spent half my mission in the same zone;) Except those weird three weeks in Mechanicsville/Richmond East Zone.

     It's kind of a huge headache because now we have to pack this afternoon, clean the apartment, and leave LOTS of notes for the incoming Hermanas. Fortunately I'll be in the same branch, so I can still help with the wedding/baptism and all.

     I'm also worried because the apartment of the other Hermanas doesn't have an extra bed or desk or closet space. And it gets weirder! Sister Olsen is being transferred to the Rappahannock YSA Branch (still Sister Training Leader) and so we'll be living in the same apartment. And guess where that apartment is located??? In the Accokeek ward. I'm not really sure how this is all going to work out. I'll find out tomorrow, and you can find out when we skype on Sunday:) I don't know the exact address. If you were planning on sending mail to me this week, just send it to the Jefferson Davis address because the new Hermanas can bring it to me.

     ANYWAY... What I really wanted to talk about was Elder Bednar.  And I'm dying because I left my notebook at home, but I will put some things that I remember and what all happened:

     We spent the night in Stafford and got up super early! A recent convert, Marco, drove us, the other Hermanas, and the Rockhill Sisters to Henrico (close to Richmond). (Member rides were allowed to attend the meeting.) We sat quietly waiting for about 45 minutes and then he came into the room! Everyone stood up and the Spirit was SO STRONG!

     We first heard from Sister Bednar, Elder Robbins, and Bishop Davies. Bishop Davies sang us a line from that one oldie song that Dad probably likes: "I feel good nanananana." When Elder Bednar got up to speak, he said that he was going to share that with the Brethren when he meets with them next. Then Sister Bednar ran up to the mic and said, "David, you like those kinds of songs too. Whenever we hear them on the radio, you make me guess who sang them." HAHA. So funny:)

*And another funny moment...

     Elder Bednar said, "Sisters, I want to explain to you the difference between Elders and Sisters. If a Sister earns 99 A+'s and one B, she will beat herself up over it. If an Elder gets 99 F's and one C+" and then he beat his chest and said "I'm the man!" Yes, I witnessed Elder Bednar beating his chest. He then said that us sisters are good enough:) I love him.

     We were assigned three talks to read before the meeting. He started by asking what we learned. Missionaries raised their hands and then he called on them to respond. When they did, he asked them another question to help them elaborate. It was neat to see how people received revelation right in front of our eyes! He then asked us to compare this pattern of teaching to the Oprah Winfrey show. Rather than asking questions for entertainment, or searching for specific answers, we were trying to learn from the Spirit. More than that, we wanted to act upon what we learned.

     Then we did the Q&A. Before we started, he asked how many people had received answers before asking questions. I was one of them:) Here are my questions and the answers I received:

*1. How should I respond when I discover that someone I'm dating struggles with pornography? Should I continue to date them and help them? Should I immediately break up with them?

     Elder Bednar gave an apostolic promise that if we set aside time every day for self-reflection, that we will receive promptings about what should and shouldn't be a part of our lives. I've been trying to do that every night. If I keep up with this, I will know which man should or shouldn't be a part of my eternal life. And when you put it this way, why would I ever want pornography to be a part of my life?

*2. How can future missionaries be more emotionally self-reliant? (This wasn't actually my question, but one that mom asked me.)

     Elder Bednar also said that self-reflection will make us more emotionally stable because it will strengthen our relationship with God. We will no longer need to rely on worldly things to help us manage our stress. (I received some more revelation on this, but I don't have my note book with me...sorry:(

*3. Sometimes I pray and pray and pray for something, but is this really useful? What is the balance between my petitions, my willingness to act and make it happen, understanding God's will, and respecting the other person's agency? For example, I prayed and prayed that Tanya would go to church (back in Accokeek) and I did everything I could, but she just wouldn't go. How can I make my prayers more useful while trying to respect someone else's agency?

     Don't pray for things to happen. Elder Bednar gave a bad example and good example of a sacrament meeting closing prayer. BAD: "Please help those who didn't attend this week that they can attend next week." GOOD: "Heavenly Father, when we leave our meetings today, we are going to visit those who didn't attend church this week and invite them to come next week." He said that in this example, the only thing we should ask for is inspiration so that we all don't go to the same less-active's house. Don't pray for the missionaries unless you're willing to do something to help them. Don't pray for good health unless you're going to visit a doctor.

*4. As a missionary, we have a really specific purpose. What is my purpose after my mission? 

     A lot of the focus was about how to stay converted after our missions. Someone asked that question specifically, and Elder Bednar had a heyday with it:) Sister Bednar stood up and shared an experience. Once in a Q&A session, an old man stood up and said, "the missionary who baptized me left the church. How can I help him come back?" She said that question has haunted her ever since. One of my purposes after my mission is to stay a missionary as much as possible! Elder Bednar said that if we don't feel weird after our missions (trying to adjust back), then we wasted our time and we didn't change at all. He said there are many things we've given up that we shouldn't take back.

     I know that Elder Bednar is an Apostle of our Lord Jesus Christ! He is a special witness of our Savior. I feel very privileged to have been able to learn from the true teacher, the Holy Ghost. I have learned so much about how to be a conduit of the Spirit. I have so much more to share, so I guess that will come next week;) stay tuned!

Okay I'm out of time. I love you all SO MUCH and I look forward to seeing my beautiful family this week:) 

Love, Hermana Crandall

PS - Absalon and Natalia. MAY 10TH. So excited:)