Happy Thanksgiving

Hot dog burgers are basically choppsed up hot dogs on hamburger buns with condiments. I ate pretty well, actually. And yes, I`m gaining weight. I still look skinny, but I`m getting a belly, and I`ve weighed myself as well. The more acostumed I get to working out, the more I`ll fill out in general.

Concerning the water, everything turned out fine. There`s very little chlorine left in the water, but it probably killed any nasty diseases growing in the pipes. I think I`m looking a little whiter though.

So a lot has happened this last week. The hot dog burgers turned out to be part of a big going away lunch that was planned since transfers were coming up. Turns out that the ward really cares a lot for us. It really shows, because they did it again yesterday. They grilled steak and gave thank yous and testimony. There were a lot of people crying about the transfers. I`ll admit I was pretty watery as well. The ward has changed a whole lot. More people go, people are much more dedicated to helping the missionaries, and they`re just better and happier people in general. It`s been absolutely wonderful to see. I really have loved the Belenes ward and will never ever forget it, nor will I forget my experiences with Elder Wilde, Elder Record, and Elder Ramirez. We´ve been a great group of friends and better companions. I now have lots of new ties (and gave a lot away), goodbye and thank you cards, and other random gifts like christmas ornaments. If I ever come back after the mission, I`m coming back to Belenes.

Also, as a fitting end to the transfer Arturo was baptized this Saturday. He even asked to be able to share his testimony at the end of it, and said he really felt light and peaceful afterwards. I made sure Elder Ramirez was the one to baptize him. I don`t have my camera with me now (transfers) but when I can I will send photos. He got the prayer right, but had to repeat the ordenance because Arturo´s foot came out of the water. It`s fine though, and there are a number of other people who have accepted baptismal challenges lately who we have met. Also, Martín (his dad) went to church again and he liked it. There was a really good turn out at church this time around.

Now for the big news: I`m being transferred to the next zone over, Independencia, as Zone Leader. My ward is called Arquitectura and my companion will be Elder Juarez, who I met in Colima when I was green and he was District Leader. It`s really hard to leave, but I`m willing to accept the Lord´s will. I know he has much more planned for me, now that I`ve learned a lot from Belenes. I know how to baptize, to teach, to love the investigators as well as the members, and a lot of other things I didn`t really understand before. I plan on making the best of whatever I enfront now. The ward was devastated though, because the only one staying in Belenes is my greenie, and the rest of us are going. E. Wilde is going to Manzanillo and E. Record to another part of the city.

I doubt I`ll celebrate Thanksgiving in my new area, but I`ll celebrate it in my heart. Thank you all for supporting me. Just as Holley said, this isn`t just my mission, it`s the whole family`s mission. Keep praying and I`ll keep praying for you all as well. Never lose faith and never forget that love conquers all.

Enjoy Houston and say hi to Shaun and fam for me. Eat lots of turkey and make lots of memories. Drive safe as well. We have a lot to be thankful for as a family, after all. I`m having a fantastic time here, knockin´ out my best two years.

Love,
Elder Lund