Transferred!

I GOT TRANSFERRED! Oh man, it was so unexpected but kind of expected at the same time. I have been called to be a zone leader in a singles ward near Cal State Fullerton University. This past week was just nuts for me. I got the phone call on Thursday night from President Bowen. As soon as I saw his name on the caller ID I knew that I would be leaving the Yale branch. When he asked me if I was willing to accept the call to be a zone leader, I kind of paused and finally said "well I’m willing if that’s really what you need me to do right now." He could tell that I really did not want to leave the Yale branch. He tried to comfort me by telling me he felt a very strong impression from the Spirit and told me how he is so impressed with the work I’m doing that he wants me to be a zone leader so I can train, uplift, and inspire the younger missionaries.

This past weekend was one of the saddest times in my entire life. I’m not kidding at all. It was so hard for me to say goodbye to everyone. I took so many pictures, received so many letters/gifts from the members, and was treated to breakfast, lunch, and dinner on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. It was such a depressing weekend but still exciting at the same time. Some of the most memorable goodbyes were definitely the Ying family (sister Ying is seriously like my second mom), the Chen family (Minnie is someone I’m really close to. her little kids are awesome), the Byers, the other Chen family (Peggy and Kevin), Shu-chih and her family, the list just keeps going on. I hung out with the Yings so much before I left. Actually the night before I left was also Olivia's last night in Irvine before she went to college so we had like a combined farewell dinner. Sister Ying went so far out of her way to give me so much stuff before I left Irvine. She wrote me 2 letters and bought me a goodbye card with some pictures of her family included in it. I'll miss the whole Ying family so much. I met with so many members these past 3 days. It was seriously like non-stop visiting people and being treated to all sorts of meals.

Yesterday will be a day that I will never forget. President Byers asked me to give a talk on Saturday night so I could share my testimony and say goodbye to everyone. I was so excited to give the talk but really nervous I would cry a lot. Surprisingly, I didn’t cry a lot but I did shed a few tears when I told everyone how grateful I am for coming to the Yale branch, for the relationships I developed with them all, and for the love they have always shown me. So many people came up to me yesterday and gave me hugs, cards, and said some of the kindest words. These people are seriously like family to me. Everyone surprised me after the 2nd hour of church with a huge farewell lunch. The whole branch combined together for the 3rd hour of church and we ate a TON! I got to take pictures with basically every single person there. I got one big group shot with all of the sisters and then one big group shot with all of the brothers and then a bunch of random pictures with other people. Before the farewell lunch, the branch asked Shu-chih to represent them all and say some kind words to me in front of everyone there. That was one of the most touching things that happened. She told the branch how much she admires me for serving a mission again after going home from Taiwan. She talked about how impressed she is with my Chinese, my ability to communicate with people, and the smile I always have. I was really touched by everything yesterday. I promised everyone that I would definitely be coming back to visit them all next year. Brother Kam actually made me promise him personally that I would come back in April to go to his mother-in-law's (sister Guo aka Guo mama) first temple endowment session. I promised Guo mama a long time ago after we baptized her that I would be there for that. I can never forget that promise. These people seriously have such a huge spot in my heart and it was so sad to leave them all. I totally thought I would be in the Yale branch until the end of my mission. I’m so grateful for being able to live in that area with those people for 10 months. I’m so grateful for being able to help 6 people join the church in the Yale branch. I posted pictures of each baptism on the bulletin board next to president Byer's office. The pictures are right above the tithing slips so now when all the members go to pay their tithing they will see my bright and shiny countenance standing next to the new converts. I hope they wont forget me. So many of the members promised me they will visit me in CT and at BYU. I can’t wait for that day when I take these awesome people around NYC or Provo

I just felt so much love all weekend from everyone. There have been times when think why did I come to this mission? Why did I leave Taiwan? But after yesterday, I knew that I really was supposed to come here. I came here for a reason and I did do a lot while I was here. I developed some of the closest relationships with these people. I will eternally be grateful to my Father in Heaven for allowing me to leave Taiwan and come to Irvine so I can serve in the Yale branch. That is probably one of the greatest blessings I have ever received. The opportunity to come here and meet these people will be something I could never trade away. Having surgery in Taiwan was one of the most tender mercies God could have given me. I’m so happy I left Taiwan and came here. I love the Yale branch. Now I just need to somehow get un-depressed and work even harder as a ZL. I have to be an example to 30 other missionaries that I have to watch over. I now have to be the most obedient, diligent, and worthy than ever before. I’m excited to be a leader. I’m 1 of 14 zone leaders out of a group of 160 plus missionaries. This is the highest calling a missionary can receive on their mission. I will do all I can to magnify it. I’m excited to be with my new companion who I actually know very well. He was my first DL when I got to California and now we will be ZL’s together. I will be serving in a singles ward here. This ward is known for being one of the highest baptizing wards in the mission. We already have a baptism planned for next Saturday. I will be attending FHE and Institute every week so we can interact with the singles and baptize their friends they bring to those activities. It will be much different teaching people in English and teaching college age single people. It should be fun and interesting though. Keep me in your prayers. I will send lots of pictures next week.
Love,
Jeremy