October 19, 2010

Dear Family,
I have been transferred to Burton-on-Trent in the Lichfield Stake/Zone. We found out Saturday night and transfers was yesterday so that was different. It was especially different because normally we don't know we're leaving on Sunday and this Sunday meeting I was able to tell everyone. We had no heating in our building so we abbreviated church to Priesthood and Relief Society and Sacrament Meeting, although in Sacrament Meeting I bore my testimony after the Sacrament and then we closed.
It was hard to say goodbye to everyone in Kidderminster, I realized that everything I associated with missions and missionary work was tied into that city. I know almost every street and all the paths from place to place. Yesterday coming to Burton I felt like a greenie again, just didn't feel like I was continuing my mission or something, like all my knowledge had been sucked away. I was also able to visit Ann one last time (she went to church near London returning from visiting one of her daughters) Sunday night, and that was really good. Very glad she's in Kidderminster and that she wants to help the missionary work along. We talked about politics and she told me I should get into it, and who knows? I certainly haven't figured out what I want to do.
My new companion is Elder Duke and so far it's been a blast. Just so refreshing to be with a new Elder and hard worker. He's the district leader here and my dad Elder Shrubb is one of my zone leaders so it's pretty fun (dad is trainer in mission language). So far since 6:00 last night (it's now 11:16) we've given out 2 books and have 1 new investigator, which is almost half a week's finding efforts in Kidderminster. Burton or maybe just Elder Duke is just awwww relaxing and enjoyable. So hopefully this'll be the great happy and peaceful section of my mission (well I hope all the rest of it is) and that I'll have great fun and good success here.
President Ogden said during transfers if you've had hard times or struggled with something on your mission, don't think about it, don't dwell on it, Your Mission Begins Today. So I'm going to try and apply that here in Burton. I do have to say I kind of missed Elder Mower when I was leaving transfers but now... I'm grateful to be where I am.
Well I don't know the area and I don't know any of our investigators yet but hopefully soon I'll have some good stories and events to tell. It's definitely weird moving into a new area and setting everything up, Kidderminster was just a small apartment in a complex with 12 apartments, but Burton accommodations are a small house. Which is pretty nice for missionaries. Everything in England is pretty compact though, I can only imagine a couple living in this sort of house.

Can't really think of anything else but I love all of you and I'm grateful for all your prayers and advice and everything else.
Love,
Ryan