On Sunday president called, last Sunday the 3rd. We just had our district conference that was awesome. We had an area authority come that was awesome. He gave a great talk about tithing and sacrifice, how as we show God we love Him thru obedience he will always show us he loves us more. It was a really cool talk, a cool story about their daughter going to college. Anyways then after the Zone Leader's and Sister Delamare came with us to drive us back to our areas. Me and Elder Vargas got home, had a good lunch and then president called. Ya he wanted to talk to me. I really didn't think too much of it at first, until he asked if I was sitting down. haha yep I'm the new office elder, or mission secretary. I was pretty shocked. He told me how Elder Nelson, the last one, thought I would be a good replacement (he didn't really, president just makes stories like that sometimes) He asked how I felt about that and I was silent for a good 20 seconds. Not only was office secretary the farthest thing from my mind (District Leader, trainer, everything was before that in my mind) but I have never wanted to be an office elder, sitting on a desk typing up spreadsheets? Ya not my idea of fun especially when I could be out teaching and doing missionary work. Oh man I was shocked, but eventually I got over it. We went out and started to work, well mostly just seeing people and to say good bye and take pictures with them. Then some stuff happened, Brother Jovan, he always works with us and is getting his papers ready for his mission, he thought we were joking and then when he figured out we were serious he started to cry!! I was touched a lot because it was kind of unexpected. I thought he was closer with Elder Vargas. It kind of hit me in the heart and made it that much harder to leave. Coming into that weekend I was wanting another transfer. I guess that's how it works out. Then later on, the Varona family, a family that I never knew cared about me at all, never wanted to listen, always busy (a less active family) told us to come over and share. So we did. I said the opening prayer and it was hard. I got a little choked up just praying for these people and the whole branch. I've met pretty much every member in the branch and it was just hard. I love those people so much, I've put in so much thought, worry, frustration and effort into that branch. I guess that is when you really love the people, when you've given them your all. Maybe that's how Christ feels, he's given so much to us and its because of that, not the love we have for him, that he loves us perfectly because he gave his perfect love to all of us. It's amazing how much you find out how important you are to people once you leave. I also learned why you usually only have one night to say good bye not 2 days like me.
Tuesday I flew up with the Zone Leaders who had Zone leader counsel that day and got with Elder Nelson and went to go get my license. Ya yep I've been driving. My comp is Elder Biado the financial secretary and we live with the Assistants to the President, Elder Agner (a filipino) and Elder Haws. Elder Haws was called the same time as me. He plays ball for BYU, hes way good, just look up Tyler Haws, he's the man, so humble too. But he cant get his license til later this week so I've been driving us all around the past week, it kinda sucks a lot.
Ya anyways so even tho I'm in the office we still get to teach, thank goodness. If not I'd go crazy. Our ward is Quezon City 2nd and our chapel is the 2nd chapel built in the Philippines, pretty cool huh? Totally opposite of Rizal in about every single way haha. No more walking (like at all), real strong ward with good ward missionaries (Return Missionaries) just way different. We're teaching this kid, Ian he's cool, 9 years old, just a cute kid, real smart, a little shy, a little chubby, kind of reminds me a lot of Noah. They've had some good baptisms lately too, I'm real excited. Just thinking about the work over there gets me excited and thinking about the work at the office gets me stressed. Oh man the baptismal records are the worst. If you misplace one they gotta get baptized over again. I do referrals and a bunch of random stuff too.
Now that I have my license tho it'll be really nice if you guys come pick me up. I still got to talk to president about it but its a long ways off so I wont worry about it haha
Anyways life is crazy, so different from the laid back life in Mindoro. I'm just trying to find time to read my scriptures and write in my journal. oh and sleep that would be cool too haha. I've been lost a few times as I'm still learning this city, my first area on this side of the mission.
Anyway I love you all, thanks for the support, the letters, emails, prayers, everything.
Elder Stover
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