The Transfer Aint Over Till the Ostrich Dances - Week 88. Serving in Laoag

Yo padres! I'M-A GETTIN' TRANSFERRED! So, here's how I found out: we were sitting in Priesthood meeting yesterday (Priesthood is first, then Sunday School and then Sacrament meeting is last) and President called and asked to talk to me. He told me I was being transferred far (so my heart dropped a little because my hope was that I would be somewhere close still so there would be a chance of seeing M and E). He then told me that I would be a senior zone leader and would also be training a new zone leader, so I assumed we were opening a new zone and the only place that is "far" and has no zone of its own is in Abra. I was a bit worried because 2013 is an election year and in an election year, Abra has troubles (the New Peoples Army), so usually western people aren't allowed there in election years. But then he told me that I would be in Sarrat (close to where I am now). He told me that our assignment is to strengthen the Laoag zone.

My companion is fairly new. I was in the office when he came into the mission. All I remember about him is that he's Hawaiian and I heard that he always speaks Tagalog - even to non-Filipino people. I think it will be a good chance to kick my language up a notch before I leave.

I am a little anxious about our new assignment as I have never been a zone leader for president B and it's very different from when the O's were here. But when I was reading the Book of Mormon yesterday, I found some great ideas and received some revelation that was so clear.

Earlier this week we went to Fort Ilocandia to get some pictures for the departing slideshow. There was a zoo there that we didn't know about! There was an enclosure with two ostriches and when we were leaving we walked by it and one walked right up to the fence until it was a couple of feet away from me (he could have pecked my eye out!). Then it started dancing! It squatted down and shook its wings and then started swaying its neck back and forth over and over for like two solid minutes! I got it on video and I'll show you when I get home.

We committed M and E to come to church and they said they have money from caroling. So yesterday when they weren't there it really hurt as it was my last Sunday there. Then a trike pulls up to  the gate and a pogi (handsome) kid in a white shirt and tie gets out, and it was M. He looked so good in his new shirt and tie (AND he tied it himself). E was also well dressed. M passed the sacrament for the first time and did so well. I gave him a copy of Preach my Gospel and he read through it for a while - he was way excited. He's such an awesome guy. I told them both that I was getting transferred and E kind of got grumpy and didn't want to talk about it. M was sad but we talked and he said he would work with the missionaries once a week to help them. Then after church, I got a text from E and she told me that she would miss me so much and thanked me over and over again. I am going to miss those two soooooo much. We are visiting them my last time tonight.


We ate at an investigator family's house last night and they are sooo legit they remind me of being home. I am excited to see them progress here. I will ask Elder K for updates. Anyways, I have to get going. We have lunch at a member's with the whole zone. I love you all so much. It was great to talk to you all on Christmas.  It gave me a boost for teaching!
INGAT!
Elder Dustan

Then we received this email on New Years Day:

So we are on lockdown right now as it is New Years Eve here and things can get crazy (that's why we are all to be in our apartments at 6pm). earlier today we were helping with transfers and stuff. We got finished around 4:30pm and then went out to M and E's. We spent some time talking and joking with them, taught them a lesson and then I had to say goodbye. It felt the exact same as when I left you guys at the airport in Ottawa. So weird that I feel like that for two random kids in some place I had never before even heard of or thought about. It was so hard to say goodbye to them.

Anyways, I have to get going. I am way sad to leave here but I guess it will be a good experience for me. I assume that I will either finish in Sarrat or only be there one transfer and then train for my last two in a new area (20+ missionaries coming in the February batch. Oh, and this transfer is 8 weeks because of the extension).
Wish me luck in Sarrat!
Elder Dustan