Leaving Fajardo

May 11, 2010
That's right, there are big changes coming from the mission merger and they have started this transfer. Sister Barnhurst and I will both be transferred out of the Fajardo branch. President is shrinking the zones. A few areas have already been eliminated and the big news here is that the sisters in Fajardo will be replaced with elders. That means both Sister Barnhurst and I have to find new homes. Sister Barnhurst is going back to Barbados to finish the last transfer of her mission. Since Barbados will soon become a part of the West Indies mission, President has put all the missionaries who will end there mission in June on that island so that it can be easily vacated for the WI mission.

I will be transferred to San Lorenzo. I don't know much about that area. I do know that it is mostly countryside and that my new companion is a Puerto Rico who is relatively new as a missionary. I am very nervous since we are both newer missionaries, but I am at least grateful that my Spanish will certainly improve with a native companion.

It has been very difficult to prepare to leave fajardo. We have been writing down maps, instructions, appointments, numbers and getting everything as organized as possible for the poor elders who will blindly walk into the area. On top of that we have to get our apartment ready for elders, which means getting rid of all the sisters clothing, lotions, and perfumes that have accumulated in our apartment over the years. It is very overwhelming.

William DeJesus and Karen Vasquez's Family

I am very saddened to say goodbye to Fajardo. I have truly loved this area. The branch and members have been extremely supportive. I am also sad that I will not be here to see Ivelisse and Jose be baptized. They will finish their marriage papers this weekend, and we will miss the big event by only a few days or weeks. We went over last night to say goodbye to them. It was a bitter-sweet experience. We have, of course, become very close to them and they are like my family here in Fajardo. Everyone of us cried, including Jose. They kept assuring us that after our missions, their doors are always open to us. They said if we wanted to live with them afterwards they would give us our own room, they promised to send pictures of their wedding and baptism, and Ivelisse even offered to buy us each our wedding dresses when we get married. They are so adorable. However, it was a very sweet and tender experience for me. Ivelisse pulled out her Book of Mormon and shared a few of her favorite scriptures with us. Jose bore his testimony of how this gospel was the only thing which could help him to quit smoking. I can walk away from them knowing that they know the truth. I pray that I will be able to return in the future and still see them firm and active in the gospel. They are just beginning their own legacy.

I will miss many of the other members who mean so much to me. Karen Vasquez, who I could just sit and talk to for hours if I had time. She was a member who was always willing to come out with us and her vivacious and outgoing personality made any situation fun. Hermana Carmen Martinez, who of all the members is most like my mom. We have developed a dependent and very relationship with her too.

And of course, hermana Barnhust. We share many fun memories. As a matter of fact, this past week we took a trip to the Yunque. We had so much fun! We tried to hike to the top of Mount Britton, but the time constraints would not allow that. Instead, we picked a beautiful view and filmed yoga videos in the Yunque. It was a lot of fun. Sister Barnhurst woke up extremely sore the next day.

We also had a ward Mother's day party. It was typical Puerto Rican. Lots of food and LOUD music. It was very nice though to visit with the members and share with them. My favorite, part however, was being a part of the clean-up crew. The elders, the Branch Presidents family and we stayed a little bit afterward and Presidente and Hermana Ocasio showed us how to dance. Remember, they are Puerto Ricans from the Bronx so we got both the Latino salsas and merengues as well as classics such as Thriller and other Michael Jackson songs. I really wanted to dance too, and with such excellent teachers. I guess I will just have to wait a year.

I completely enjoyed the Mother's Day phone call. I just wish it were 5 times longer. It was great to catch up on the news with my family and just listen to them talk. I miss you all so much.

Well, I love you all. I look forward to the new challenges and adventures, which I know await me in San Lorenzo. Talk to you soon!

Hermana Palmer