Dear Family,
So I want to start off by apologizing for not writing for so long.
Sorry... I just didn't feel like talking to you guys... haha just kidding! There have been some recent changes for me which hopefully will explain why I haven't written. So transfers were two Mondays ago and I thought nothing of it. One transfer in an area, first transfer as a district leader, and having LOTS of success. I told everyone there was no way I was leaving. By now I'm sure you've guessed that I was indeed transferred. President Bahr called me Sunday night and told me I was being dropped as a District Leader and being transferred.
When I heard those words my heart stopped. I couldn't believe it. I tried to think of what I had done wrong but nothing came to mind.
Then the unexpected became even more unexpected, when he told me that I was being assigned as a Zone Leader. I almost wet myself. It's now about a week and a half later, but at first I was really upset. I LOVED Paterson.
I felt cheated because I only got to be there for one transfer. When I arrived there were no investigators. Six weeks later we had six people ready to be baptized. The last day of the transfer we taught a lady for the first time who we invited to be baptized and enthusiastically accepted. It was such an amazing miracle.
Everything was perfect. I can honestly say I gave everything I had to Paterson. I loved the members and gained some incredible friendships. All of this was done in such a short amount of time, and I thought I had so much more to look forward to. I was devastated that I wouldn't be able to see the fruits of my labors. I wouldn't be able to do the one thing I desired most in my time there. Baptize. It's so frustrating being transferred twice in a row just as you were about to baptize multiple people. Leaving Ledgewood wasn't too bad because I was there for so long. My time was spent. Anything I didn't accomplish there was on me. I felt like there was so much more I could have done in Paterson. I felt like I had unfinished business.
I didn't sleep at all that night or the next. It was really hard for me to say goodbye. Obviously life goes on, and I guess the Lord needs me elsewhere. It's still hard for me to see exactly why this happened. I always try to determine the why in things. I still haven't quite figured out why I'm here (Scotch Plains) but I know I will eventually.
It still hasn't quite sunk in all the way that I'm a Zone Leader. I'm not sure who I'm fooling. Elder Roper who I lived with in Paterson and my trainer Elder Larson were both called as ZL's in their 6th transfer. It was good to talk to both of them and get advice. I have to go to meetings a lot more often now, and I have to deal with all the problems dumb missionaries cause. There has been nothing but drama since I've gotten here. So yeah, I'm basically a glorified baby-sitter.
I don't want to sound as if I'm unhappy with this new assignment, I'm actually grateful for it. Being called as a leader, especially a zone leader, doesn't necessarily mean you're a great missionary. What it does mean, is that President Bahr has complete trust in you. I am so grateful to have gained his trust. I have a great opportunity to learn even more. When you're a ZL you are able to really see for the first time the whole picture. There is so much that goes into missionary work and I have the chance to help it on a little bit of a larger scale. I hope you will all pray for me and this new calling I have. I love you all so very much!
Love Elder Tilley
P.S. my new companion is Elder Brickey. He went to Orem High with me.
Crazy right??
P.P.S. so I guess the reason I haven't written you yet is because I was busy packing one week, and the other I was dealing with shenanigans.
Once again he did not give me his new address. I will try to track it down and post it soon, I know he loves to get letters.
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