Elder Turner McKay Richards: Leaving the Hell I Love October 10, 2014

So..the big news. I am getting transferred. It's quite the story.

So. Friday afternoon after district meeting, President Dunn gives us a call. He asks to talk to Elder Malapula. Anyway. Elder Malapula is now going to be a Zone Leader. Which is odd to me. But yeah. So we knew he was leaving. Because there are only certain areas Zone Leaders are, and KaNyamazane is NOT one of them. Anyway. So I just figured I would be staying for probably one more transfer. I mean, it would be odd if we both left, we have a lot of people on date to be baptized and a lot of investigators in our investigator pool. So I just went around assuming that I was staying.

Then Saturday afternoon. Let me start with this. We had a soccer game. Young men against the Elders/High Priests. It was actually fun. I didn't hate my life the whole time we were playing. Imagine that. Anyway. After we were sitting in our flat and we get the transfer news. And it says I was leaving as well as Malapula. It came SUPER early. Like usually we get it at like ten at night. But we got it at like one in the afternoon. Anyway. I was pretty disappointed. And confused. Why would they white wash this area? But what can you do?

Anyway. I kind of went into this nervous frenzy and started doing all sorts of stuff. Basically, I cleaned the whole flat and packed most of my things in the time it took Elder Malapula to wash the dishes. Like I say, nervous frenzy. There was just so much to get done. With two new elders coming in, the flat needed to be cleaned. The area book needed to be spick and span. And they needed some directions. And on top of all of that, I needed to say goodbye to everyone.

So Saturday night we said goodbye to a lot of people. It was hard. But not as hard as Sunday.

Sunday we got up, got ready and went to church. They gave us both time to bear our testimonies. And Malapula went first, then me. Of course, being the emotional weirdo I am, was fighting back tears the whole time. Anyway. I sat down, and then Elder Swan announces that the closing song will be "God Be With You Till We Meet Again". I mean, COULD YOU HAVE PICKED A WORSE SONG! I couldn't even sing.

Then after church we spent time taking pictures and saying goodbyes. I think it was so hard because I had such a hard time when I first got here. I really had to focus on getting to love this place and these people. And it worked. Really well. I seriously love these people with all of my heart. The goodbyes were harder than the airport at home. When I left home, I knew I would see you guys again. But reality is, I may never see these people again in this life.

As far as the $100 goes. I bought new running shoes. And then returned them. Anyway. So I already had the equivalent of $100 in cash. So I just gave that. Anyway. I asked the Swans what to do with it. And they just said to pray about it. I thought about giving it to the Deluz family. When we went to say goodbye, I got out the envelope like three times, but it just didn't feel right to give it to them. They are struggling. But things are looking up. And they get help from the church. The people that came to mind were Mandela and Cynthia. I seriously love them so much. They were the hardest people to say goodbye to. Anyway. I gave Mandela my watch, cause he loves it. And then I explained to them that they couldn't tell anyone about what I was going to give them next. So I gave them the money and they were both shocked and about in tears. But I just felt like they were the right people to give it to. Their parents are divorced, their dad is NO help and their mom makes next to no money. There are weeks when they only have water. Not enough food. Anyway. They aren't getting church assistance, like the Deulz family is. But know that your money is going to a great cause. To a family that will build the Lords' Kingdom in South Africa.

Anyway. Saying goodbye was hard. To President Banda as well. He is an amazing man. Doing such great things for these people. I baked him cookies, wrote him a letter and gave him a tie. He always comments on how I wear "beautiful" ties. So now he can't forget me!

Sunday night we had dinner with the Swans and the Scotts and the Nelspruit Elders. We had a Braai (Barbeque). It was delicious. I have to say, I will miss the Swans a ton. They have been so great to me. I guess I just have to be thankful that I got to serve with them. I will seriously miss them. They are amazing people.

Anyway. Today we are driving to Johannesburg and then transfers are tomorrow. I will find out where I am going then. So you won't hear until next week. I have just been praying for a companion and area that I will love.

Well. This week has been good. I am hoping that everything goes well with transfers. OH!! Here are some happy things. Elder Swan called Sister Hunts Sunday night and I got to talk to her! So good to talk to her. It was too nice. Also. Elder Hunt emailed Elder Swan and told him that to tell me good luck and they said "love that Richards. He's a good boy". That made me feel good. Haha. Elder Swan also had some super nice things to say about how it was probably going to be harder for me to leave than Malapula because I am a lot better at connecting with people. Anyway. Just happy things. Always nice to hear good things about yourself.

Well. I love you and miss you like crazy. Christmas is around the corner! Love you!