This is the end of one of the longest and shortest transfers of my mission

District meeting right before transfers with President and Sister Packard. Elder Williams is in the upper left corner.

This has truly felt like the longest transfer I've had yet, but it also went by really quickly. That's a prime example of the mission time paradox for you. =P

Well, no sense in keeping you all waiting. I'll be staying here in Worcester for another transfer, and Elder Williams will be getting transfers. My new companion is Elder Broadhead, and he's a farmboy from Idaho who loves to work hard - I'm very excited to get things going here with him! I've met him once before, and I'll be getting him as my companion tomorrow morning. Our whole district got shaken up - the Framingham Elders got moved to a different district, and the Marlborough Elders will be taking their place with us. We're getting ANOTHER set of sisters in our ward (hooray!!!) and the Spanish-speaking sisters will be focusing on creating a Spanish branch here in Worcester. Every companionship is changing as well, meaning that one is staying here and a new one will be coming in. It's going to be a fresh start this transfer, and I'm really looking forward to it. There's lots to be done here! 

The past week has been quite eventful. Our car had to get the brakes fixed, but the catch is that we were at a different area's apartment since we had been on exchanges that day with our Zone Leaders...so we ended up having to stay the night there at that apartment. Going about the next day, waiting for the car to be fixed, not having shaved or showered, was...interesting. I hope I never have to do that again! Also this week, we learned how to make Brazilian food with Maria, a less-active member who has been coming back to church. It was delicious! She's an awesome cook. We also got to go with the youth of our ward to the temple, because they needed more Melchizedek Priesthood holders. I was ALSO able to make a large map of our area this week for our apartment, and now I'm plotting all of the members on it (color-coded!) with thumbtacks! 

I've come to gain a real appreciation for good friends and quality leaders out here on my mission. Elder Soares (my district leader) and Elder Moser (one of my zone leaders) have touched my heart in meaningful ways and have helped me in my personal struggles, whether they fully realize it or not. Part of the joys of missionary service is being able to help other missionaries to overcome their trials and difficulties. =] 

This week, I hit 18 months being out on my mission. I can't believe how quickly time has flown by. I would gladly extend for another year or two if I could, but the Lord has other things in store for me. Hopefully my suits last for the next 6 months though - they're beginning to really wear out! The good news is that summer is here, and so I won't be needing to wear the suit coats as often, and pants are much easier to match to a coat, and less-expensive to purchase. 

We did musical firesides in Mystic, CT and Marlborough, MA this weekend - they both went very well. I love being a part of this program. This upcoming Saturday we'll be doing one in Warwick, RI, and then the next ones we do will be almost every Saturday of July: New Haven, Nantucket, and Hartford! Then we have one in August in Hingham, and we'll be doing one way out Springfield at some point between now and then. =D 

Keep up the great work everyone: be an example and a light to those around you. Godspeed! 

Love, 

Elder DeLong