Transfer to Florida October 20, 2014

So. The news. I am now in an area called Florida! Oddly enough! I also think there is an Orlando close by! Haha! 

Florida is a town. Mostly a black town. It's not super nice. Well there are areas that are very nice. But we don't work too much in those areas. But it's weird to be back in town after being in the middle of no where for ever! And dealing with township livin'! But it will be good.

The ward is GREAT. We have a big ward. The members are awesome. I love them already. There are some recent converts. The Ndlovu family. They are amazing! A single mom with Brandon who is 18. Then Tanya who is 12. And Zweli who is 7. And then Blue who is like 2. They are SUPER nice. Very warm and welcoming. I had had a hard day, but when we got to their house, all of the worries melted away. They are just so great! They remind me exactly of Rhalda and Dmitri from Vereeniging! There is also a couple. Dominic and Cyndie who remind me EXACTLY of Lauren and Chase! The way they talk, interact, everything! It's great! Cyndie is actually a teacher and plays the organ at church! How funny! 

Odd facts. The MTC and Mission Office are in our area. So are the Dunns and Area General Authority. But of course we don't see either of them often. We have a nice chapel. It's the chapel that we do all of the transfers at. But in all honesty, I would give that up to be back in the humble little KaNyamazane branch. I miss it SO much.

My companion is Elder Dzowa. He is from Malawi. Unique. I thought I would be getting an America. But nope. Another African for me. I don't mean this in a racist way, but sometimes it is very hard to be with African companions. But I am working though it all. 

If I am being completely honest. I would want nothing more than to go back to KaNyamazane and serve the rest of my mission there. I am missing the people and the place SO much. It kills me. But that's not really a possibility. Oh well. 

I remember feeling the exact same way when I left Vereeniging. Elder Wilkinson told me, while we were companions, that the first two weeks of a new area are always super hard. But then it goes back to normal. That's kind of how it worked in KaNyamazane. I am just waiting until then. And praying like my life depends on it. But let's be honest, my sanity depends on it. So...yeah.

Thank you all for the advice. I was really worried that when I wrote and read today that I would just want to come home even more. But it actually has been a blessing that I feel better. I feel a little bit more motivated. Thank you. I love you so much. 

So we live in this little flat. SO small! It's like the size of one room in my last flat. But there are several different members that we live around. Don't see them often enough. But yeah. We email at our member land lord's house every week. But today we are at his mom's because his wife is gone. Anyway. Just nice to be sitting in a home. That feels comfortable. They are the Brays. They fed us dinner last night. African version of Chips and Cheese. they used Doritos and then just tomato and onion mix and then cheese. It was good. I am going to work some of my kitchen magic and make them again with a more american twist.

I always remember this quote from Mrs. Ellis. My seventh grade math teacher. "Complaining is like a rocking chair. It gives you something to do, but gets you no where". I'm trying to keep that in mind. I have been writing a list of "good" things. Here it is.

1: The ward is great.

2:  I have a really nice matress.

3:  The Ndlovu family rocks.

4:  Dominic and Cyndie feel like Lauren and Chase

5:  I get to go to the temple on Friday

6:  Exchanges are on Friday

7:  We had two GREAT father led family lessons yesterday

8:  The members are super great (too bad we don't see them more).

9:  I get to write home every Monday for free!

10:  THIS WON'T LAST FOREVER

Anyway. There's my list for the day. I just keep thinking I will probably end up loving this place as well. It will just take time. But anyway. Positivity and Prayers are my answers. 

I don't want to stop writing, but I don't have much else to say. I feel close right now. Mom, you always say that. And I think today is the first time that I am actually feeling that way as well. I love you so much. I miss you more than I can explain. But it is great to get those small moments that help me realize that I am doing what is right. 

I love you so much. 

Love,

Turner