Transfer 15

What you think a mission will be like is nothing what a mission is like. The best way I can explain it clearly is to advise you to serve one. It's the only way you can fully comprehend its experience. My life is changing more and more as I am out here serving others and inviting them to come unto Christ through baptism. This transfer has some interesting changes and these changes are hard to swallow but I know that it is what the Lord wants me to experience next. Elder Bunton and I are BOTH being released and being called as Zone Leaders again in the Washington Seattle Mission. You might be wondering, "Well wouldn't that be good news?" In some ways... Yes, but let me explain.

I am being transferred out of the Federal Way Ward in the Federal Way Stake and moving up to Bellevue. I will be living in downtown Bellevue and laboring among the members in the Bellevue 1st and 8th wards (Bill Gates lives in the 1st ward boundaries). I will be "white washed" in as a zone leader with another new zone leader. White wash means both those missionaries are leaving and two new missionaries are coming in. Elder Bunton is staying in Federal Way and getting an experienced Zone Leader companion. They are going to accomplish great and wonderful things. I know what I want to accomplish in Bellevue and I am already scheming up some ideas. So this means there are going to be two brand new Assistants in the mission who are going to know nothing! So I have also been called as a 3rd Assistant, or in other words, the Assistant to the Assistants. I will still be coming into the office for the next six weeks training them on their responsibilities and helping them fulfill their roles. It’s defiantly going to be a challenge but I know it's what needs to happen.

Our mission needs to culture more obedience and hard work, which lead to miracles. Therefore, President is spreading it around the mission. My new companion and I will set stretching goals to involve our zone more than ever before. Our mission came just short of 100 convert baptisms for this month. We still have two days left and we need 10 more baptisms. I hope 10 companionships rise to the occasion.

I have such a strong belief in the Church and its restored gospel. I have seen my mind open up in ways I never thought possible. I am beginning to receive "treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures." I can't explain it in words and it's very personal to me but I am so grateful I have been privileged to feel my Savior's love. I know this is what I am supposed to be doing in my life right now. I know this is true and that listening to the prophets brings happiness. I love my area, investigators, recent converts, and members.

Elder Bottema