Hey Everyone,
Well, it looks like I'm on the replacement end of another emergency transfer... At least this time there is no emergency situation, so I have had a couple days to pack. I'll be transferred this evening, whenever the Assistants to the President arrive. There are a few Elders and Sisters going home early to start school, and my emergency transfer is in response to the need created by those departures.
I have no idea where I'm going, because it seems President Durrant has chosen(at least for the time being) to keep with the current policy regarding transfers. I was able to get a little information out of the Assistants, however(don't tell...) and I know that I will neither be on a bike, nor in a leadership position.
Elder Hadlock is pretty sad that I'm leaving. He's also very nervous about getting a new companion. He will be fine, and there is a pretty full schedule for the incoming Elder tonight to get things started off here with some missionary work, but Elder Hadlock is quite unsure about the whole situation.
I've been a little down about being transferred and having to leave my longest area. I didn't think I'd ever become so attached to an area or to wards until it happened to me here. I've loved all my areas and the people there, but being here for 6 months has given me time to build some great friendships with members and nonmembers alike. When you start to run into strangers at the store(on a regular basis) who recognize you because you've knocked on their door, their friends door, and their grandma's door, it's a pretty good bet that you've been around too long. I can confidently say that I've knocked on about 90% of the doors in Rockwall, and many of them twice. Bring on area number 5.
I spent some time last night saying goodbye to the members and investigators with whom I've become the closest. I have one or two more stops to make today before I go as well. I sure hope I'm remembered well here for a moment or two.
We had a few things going on this week that made it seem to last forever. One of the most notable was a specialized training from President Durrant on Wed. In the training, he discussed some of the changes he was beginning to make regarding policy. It is very interesting to see the difference in administrative tendencies in the two presidents. President Durrant is all about the book. If it's not in the Missionary Handbook, the Mission President Handbook, or Preach My Gospel, we aren't going to do it. If it is in there, we are going to do it, and we are going to do it with consistency.
One such change that's been made that I find interesting is that we are no longer required to wear a part in our hair. It's not in any of the guiding sources mentioned, and therefore it is not a part of policy. There were a lot of excited Elders when this announcement was made. I would be excited about having some freedom of hairstyle, but now I don't know what else to do with it! My hard fought victory in taming and keeping a part my unruly hair seems to lose its sense of accomplishment now...
President Durrant has done away with a few things to encourage more personal responsibility versus constant accountability to leadership, which makes being a leader somewhat less paperwork heavy. I'm interested to see how things go with the new direction. Most of the missionaries are pretty excited about the changes.
Not a whole lot else to report at the moment, but I'll be sure to tell you all about my new area and companion next week. Until next time; be good, stay safe and keep the faith!
Much Love,
Elder Michael P. Lyman
Texas Dallas Mission
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