Oh Liebe Family,
How is everyone doing? I am doing actually really great, other than the fact that this is my last email from Graz. I guess Sister Jaynes is not always right. :) So transfer calls in general are stressful. We recieve a phone call in the morning anytime from 6:30 am to about 10:00 am. The good and bad part about transfer calls is that we have a good idea of what is happening to us based on who calls us. If you are staying in your area, you recieve a phone call from the Zone Leaders. If you are getting transferred to a new area, you recieve a call from the Assitants to the President. Last, but certaintly not least, when are Training a new missionary, President Miles personally calls you. So as soon as the phone rings, the name calling gives a lot away!
Soooo we recieved our calls on Saturday morning. Sister Ackerman and I were just getting ready for the day. I wasn't really nervous because I had just told myself that nothing was happening. Sister Ackerman and I had only been together in Graz for 1 transfer, i just didnt need to worry about anything. Besides, I love Graz. Well, all of the sudden our phone rings. I made Sister Ackerman get it. She looks at the phone and says "Zone Leaders!!" An instant sigh of relief/the attitude of "i told you so" instantly came. We were excited. I was glad and thought now I can see Petra and Daniel baptized (since their baptismal dates are the first of June)! So we continued getting ready like any other day.
Well about 20 minutes later, we get another call. My heart sank. It was the Zone Leaders. They said they may have made a mistake. They said there was a chance there was a change happening in Graz, but that they were unsure if it was with the Sisters or the Elders. WHAT?! I thought Zone Leaders didnt make mistakes. ha! So that is what we had to work with. They told us to be expecting another call. Greattttt. Well as we tried to have personal study, my brain was going crazy, but i was still pretty sure I was staying.
Finally, we get a call. It is President Miles. Sister Ackerman has no fear and just picks up the phone! President Miles told her that she would be getting a new companion in Graz, she would be working with Sister Armstrong who has been working in Vienna. You know what that means. He ever so nicely asked to speak with me next. My heart dropped. I answered the phone and he just started to laugh a little as he told me it is always hard to tell someone they are leaving beautiful Graz. I laughed too. A little. haha He then went on to tell me that I would be TRAINING this next transfer. Suprise Sister Jaynes! Wow. As if that was not enough, he kept talking. He said that my new "Golden" companion and I would be opening up the Sisters Area in Linz, Austria! I honestly could not believe my ears. I almost asked him if he knew he was talking to Sister Jaynes. hahaha
I really admire my mission President. I was probably at this point speechless. President Miles then asked me if I was ready. I had no idea what to say. But then the words and ultimately my testimony came out. I told him that I knew if God thought I was ready, then I was ready. After a few good laughs and other details Presdient Miles said that the Lord was proud of me and He knows I can do this.
What just happened? I really felt like i was in a dream. I felt like my whole world was turned upside down and inside out. No sooner after I started to wonder if that really just happened, I felt the Spirit really strong. I felt the peace, joy, and love that the Spirit is always ready to give us. It was a really special moment. Although i had a million questions and a million thoughts, I knew that the Lord would provide a way for me to do what He has asked me to do. Do not get me wrong, Sister Jaynes was still freaking out. Im still so new. My German is so simple and not even good. The one thing I do have going for me is that I love this work and I love our Savior Jesus Christ.
In Moroni 8:16, its says, "for perfect love casteth out all fear". I love this verse. I really feel like it describes my feelings right now. I do not have heaps of missionary experience, my German is not beautiful, but I got Love. haha This specific phone call and assignment really threw me off. I did not see it coming. The more I think of leaving Graz, I do get more sad. The thought of saying by to Charles and other investigators who I have seen change their lives and become Saints through the Atonment of Jesus Christ is so difficult. At the same time, I am anxious to see Linz. I am anxious to meet my new "Golden". I am anxious to see the miracles the Lord works in another part of His vineyard.
God is our loving, kind Heavnely Father. He knows us individually. I am so grateful for this knowledge. I have no idea how it will all work out or what experiences are ahead of me, but i do know it will all work out. God is in control!
Keep me in your prayers and my new Golden!
XOXOXOXOXO
Schwester Jaynes
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