Rob gets Transferred to Sol!

Dearest Family in the World,

Let´s just say that this week has been a week of...surprises. On Saturday Night at about 10:30, Elder Dawson and I received a phone call from the Zone Leaders. They were calling to announce the transfers that were going to occur Monday afternoon at 12 in the Stake Center near the temple. Elder Rands, one of our zone leaders from Washington, told me the sobering news that I was to be transferred my first time in the mission field. So after 8 months and one week in the beautiful area of Aranjuez, I was to leave and start anew in another area of Madrid. It was a roller coaster of emotions. I am sure that you can understand a little bit, as the thought of being in a new area, a new companion, a new everything, was very, very foreign to me. But also, I was very excited, this being my first transfer, my second area after 10 months into the mission, and to be honest, it would have been very hard for me to stay another six weeks in Aranjuez. After walking those same streets for so long, it is just hard on my mind. I am not complaining, because we had and are going to have lots of success there, but...I have been there a long time and am ready for the change.

So the next day, Domingo o Sunday, I kept it a secret to all the members until after the 3rd reunion. Everyone started giving me directions, mine to them, and they begged me to stay in touch. I also had the chance to be able to say goodbye to all the recent converts that are still in Aranjuez. So I am very grateful for that privilege. Giselle, the Brazilian who is going to be baptized this Saturday, just started crying when she heard. To be honest I think she could be part of the problem that I left. She had told me about 1 week ago that she loves me... more than just a love between brother and sister in God type love. She also had asked me to baptize her but resisted until she cried again. She assured us that she was doing it for the right reasons, and I accepted. But now I will not be doing it. I didn´t want to, as it is always better that the members perform the service. There is more that needs to be done to fellowship and more help in the future, when the members are more involved. We explained to her all of that, but ultimately it is her decision.

The most touching thing was that night when we went over to the Alvarez family, and had Noche de Hogar (family home evening) with them, Michael and his mom and brother, and with a nonmember friend. We watched the movie the Restoration. Everyone felt the Spirit as usual and we had a wonderful evening talking, taking last pictures, and saying a very long goodbye. Right before I left, I gave Michael Alvarez, the recent convert, a last hug and told him I loved him. He didn´t seem too sad, which made it easier for me, but when we were about to leave the door, Elder Dawson pointed me over to where he was sitting and he was there...sobbing. He had taken off his glasses and was just overwhelmed with emotion. I felt a great love that he had for me as he sat there, but even more than just the love he had for me, I felt that he was crying in gratitude, for the blessings that he had received because of his baptism. The Lord had prepared Michael to be baptized in this time and I was so blessed to be able to be there and be an instrument in the hands of God to walk hand in hand with him along the path. I felt very humble as he sat there crying, everyone in silence, the girls crying, and I thanked my Heavenly Father for the blessing of being able to be His humble servant here in Aranjuez for so long. I know that I was sent to help Michael, and Michael knew it too. I think that is why he was crying so much. A way of thanking me, I guess.

So my experience in Aranjuez was...priceless and a miracle. To say the least. I learned from Elder Carr how to love the people and from Elder Dawson how to be diligent always and how to maintain focus to accomplish goals. I learned so much from the members, non members, and the investigadores (investigators) and the experiences I have had there, surely have changed and shaped my life.

So Sunday and Monday morning I packed and at 9:30, Elder Dawson and I headed up to the Stake Center in Madrid. We got there with plenty of time to spare, so that we could mingle with the missionaries that were leaving for home and the others that were getting transferred. I think that 30 of the 33 companionships were changed in this transfer meeting. So do you want to know where I am... You have to wait a little longer...Maybe I will just tell you on Sunday.

Nah!, I am not that heartless.

So about sixty of us missionaries were in this room with the assistants and President Watkins up front. After the prayer they started reading off the assignments. Zone Leaders of the zone Las Afueras...Elder Gerrbo and Elder Ketchum.. etc. Then they named all of the missionaries and district leaders in that zone(that was my old zone by the way.) Then they started with the next zone. The Zone Leaders for the zone Cuatro Caminos...Elderes Moreno y Driggs...AHHHHH!!!!

Let´s just say that after that announcement I completely zoned out for the other two zones. So in case that you are thinking this is a joke. It´s not. I am a zone leader. I am exercising a lot of faith in President Watkins and the assistants, who make the decisions, and I am...ok. I was a little overwhelmed at first. But I am getting more and more confident as time goes. It is crazy, especially since I completely skipped District leader. I feel that I am missing some sort of preparation. But, in all things we must trust in the ways of the Lord. So I have been here 2 days now, this is my third. We actually work in Sol. It is part of our area. You should look at some pictures in the internet because it is very famous. Elder Moreno is from Cádiz Spain and speaks limited English. That´s ok because I can now communicate in Spanish, but that is surely my biggest weakness and fear as a Zone leader. Not being able to communicate and express myself correctly. I love the area and we are going to have a lot of success.

I have to write my informe to President Watkins now, but I love you all and ask that you please pray for me and us. I assure you that I am praying for you. I am excited to talk to you Sunday at 4 o clock in the afternoon our time. and our number again is 627.484.727

I will be awaiting your warm voices.

With all my love,

Elder Driggs.

P.S. I am still trying to get you pictures. Lo siento.