Moms and Pops,
So, I imagine that you've been waiting anxiously for this day... Well, as I'm sure you have guessed (and as I have said in the past) I am being transferred. I am moving out of the rural wilderness areas, and I am going to Vacaville 1st Ward. Vacaville is simliar to Fairfield, just a tad smaller I think. It's in the foothills and it's a decently sized city. But, it's considered "Zion" in our mission because it has 5 wards there... Crazy, huh? My new WML was a stake president in Vacaville for the past 10 years and before that he was a counselor in the stake presidency... It's the only "functioning" stake in the mission, meaning that everything actually works how it's supposed to. We have 17 ward missionaries in that ward that are all active and all have a specific assignement... I'm excited! My new companion will be Elder Rumesh Ramiah, and guess what? He's NOT white!!! He is actually from Sri Lanka! How crazy is that? He's only been out maybe 8 months or so, but I'm stoked to be with him. From what I've heard he is just awesome, and that you can't help but love him. I will be a district leader again as well. From what I've found out, my district is pretty sweet! So, needless to say, I am very excited. We are transferring tomorrow, so I'm still in Fortuna right now. It's bitter sweet, I love this area and the beautiful scenery. But, at the same time, I'm ready to get to a normal area after being in the boondocks for the past 8 months or so. It's crazy to think that after Vacaville, I'll only have 1 more area probably... Nuts! When I talked to Pres, he was telling me a bit about Vacaville, and about my new WML... he said that President Bell (my wml) called him and asked him to send down one of the most obedient and hard working missionaries that he has to offer... I thought that that was a bit much, and I can think of other missionaries that are "better" than me in those aspects... but, I know that this is what I have been called to do. The Lord calls us in our weaknesses but He qualifies us for His work, right?
Anyway, Saturday and Sunday was AWESOME! We finished this week off (for me I finished my time off in Fortuna) with 2 baptisms!!! Doug and Jolene... Doug's story is incredible, I think I told you, if not then tell me. But, Doug's dad who is 89 years old baptized both Doug and Jolene... Not only is he 89, but he can't walk or stand on his own, you know what that meant? Yup, Elder Christensen and I dressed up to get in the font to help out Don (Doug's dad) baptize his son and Jolene. I held Don up, while Christensen helped dunk them... It took 2 times to baptize both. We did Jolene first, and Don just couldn't get her full name right (he has TERRIBLE hearing) so he said the prayer like 4 or 5 times before he even dunked her once. When he dunked her, her knee came out... so we did it again and it was gravy. Then Doug... Doug is a really big fella, probably 6'1" and around 250 or 260 lbs. His first time under, his ring and pinky finger stuck out... So we did him again; I held Don up and Christensen just slammed Doug into the water so far that he hit the bottom so that he was completely immersed haha. There was a big splash and waves everywhere. It was like an orca show, all the kids up front watching got splashed a little bit. It was hilarious. Christensen didn't mean to do it that hard, so he turned all red and got embarrassed, but it was hilarious. It's a special story though about Don and his family. Don used to be inactive, but because he decided to be active again, he baptized his wife (this was years ago) and now he baptized his son, and his son's gf (future wife), and now Doug is sharing the gospel with everyone and so is Jolene. We just picked up Jolene's son and he'll get baptized within the coming months as well, if he can stop smoking weed... It's just incredible how God blesses us with miracles... and even more how the Atonement can change who we are, it can literally change our behavior and our character... it's tough (as i'm sure we all know) but it is possible.
Other than that, it's been a great week. Good weather, for the most part. It's been raining a TON lately. But, in Vacaville, it's supposed to be hot with no wind... awesome. How is it that I always get sent to the super hot places when the summer rolls around? There is only a few places hotter than Vacaville. But, I'll be in a car, so that'll be nice.
I've been keeping up a bit with the tourny... people keep me updated. OSU should be able to go all the way, but they have a small tendancy of choking... hopefully this doesn't happen. Is Sullinger planning on going to the NBA after this year? I hope not, with all the trouble that they've been having. Keep him for another year so I can watch him play some more. I miss lacrosse... a lot, I wanna watch it!
Tanner looked SUPER thin! Wow... it blew my mind.
Well, that's about it for me. I hope you guys are enjoying your weather and your time in St. Louis! The day that I come home is coming faster and faster, it's blowing my mind... I only have 6 transfers left, that really blows my mind. I have friends in the mission, that are just 2 transfers ahead of me, and they only have 4 transfers left! Holy cow! Elder Gardner goes home May 17th... HOLY COW!!!!!! Really, this is all blowing my mind very much... Anyway, I'll not suffer you to listen to my mind explode. I love you both so so much! Thank you for your great examples! Congrats on the temple ordinance worker mom! You'll love it! I'm really excited to attend the temple with you both when I come home!
Much love,
Elder Brennan
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