We did have an interesting Halloween! We spent the whole day moving into a new house! They will be adding more missionaries to Tangerang this next transfer, and so I had to buy a new house a few weeks ago. Now the contract is finalized, and we had to spend a bit of this week going around and buying new furniture and all sorts of stuff needed to furnish the house. Luckily, we had a mission couple come and take us around in their car and help us. Then on Saturday most of it got delivered and put together and we spent the day cleaning the house because it has gotten quite dirty from sitting empty for a while (and they don't do the cleaning for you when you buy a house here...lame.) Sasturday we had to move all our personal stuff into the house because we have to start living there. But there was a big leadership conference for the church in Jakarta that morning, so all the members that have cars were there, and we didn't have any way to move our stuff. So the only thing we could think of was calling a taxi, but we had too much for a normal taxi, so we had to call a luxury taxi and used what would be like the equivalent of a Cadillac Escalade taxi as our moving van because that was the only thing big enough we could think of on short notice...It was pretty funny! But it got the job done, but the driver was a bit confused... But it was the nicest moving van I've ever ridden in.
The week was good on a spiritual front as well. Mama V and V got confirmed in Sacrament meeting yesterday! That was exciting! And Brother W blessed the Sacrament for the first time and that was incredible to hear! It was so powerful! It was the most powerful sacrament prayer I have ever heard! I think it brought tears to several peoples' eyes! And he shared his testimony in testimony meeting! He is so awesome! So that was by far the highlight of the week was Sacrament meeting. I had to give my farewell, as well, though. It is hard transferring from this ward. I love it here. But Jakarta will be a good opportunity!
So, to share in Missionary Moment: Tell everyone Hi for me and how much I love them all and how appreciative I am of all their support! I don't really have too many really funny stories that I can come up with off the top of my head. But The whole experience with Brother W has been awesome! He has changed so much and become such an amazing member! And his life has been blessed in other ways! He just got a better job and so many other things! Oh, Pak M came back to church again this week for my farewell, and really loved it and wants to keep coming and I think is preparing himself to tell his old priest off and to come get baptized! Mama V's life has changed a lot--she has become a much different person in a good way--she has been blessed with more patience and she knows the peace and blessings that have come to her life through the power of the Book of Mormon. I have seen people who I had faith in, but never knew how or when the Spirit could touch them become touched and changed and converted! I know that the Book of Mormon has a special and incredible power to it that can bless anyone from reading it. The gospel is so true, there is just no way that it isn't true! I know Joseph Smith was a prophet and that Thomas S Monson is a living prophet today! And I know I am right where I need to be, that this is a calling from the Lord! Missions are hard at times (so is life), but it is all worth it. We just have to follow President Monson's advice that you sent me a picture of and "Find Joy in the Journey!"
Well, I gotta run cause I am running out of time, but I love you all and I will write you again next week from Jakarta! Have a great week! Love you!
Love Elder Wood
