Hey!
so just like the subject line says, I got Emergency Transferred!! remember how i have been sharing with you all about how much i love my new area, companion, members and so forth...well last monday, after email, about an hour or so later, i got a call from President Andaya, and he said, "elder, pack your bags, you're being emergency transfered"... and man, when i heard those words i think my heart stopped! he told me to be at the mission office the next day with my bags at 7am to meet my new companion and be put in my new area...so i was so shocked! i had every possible thing going thru my head about where i am going. i seriously thought i was going to be transferred to some random, in the middle of no where, area with some missionary that needed help. thought i was stepping down from zone leader..i thought of every possibility. i was so upset that i was transfering, life was SO good! i was loving everything!
but, so i went to the mission office the next morning, and president Andaya took me into his office, and asked why i think i am being Emergency transferred, and i told him i have no idea. and then he said, well Elder Johnson (the AP) is going home on friday, so i would like to call you to be the new Assistant...so yeah, there you have it, thats why i was emergency transferred.. i am the new assistant to President Andaya! its quite humbling and exciting! i am actually really excited, at the same time, still in shock that he called me as the new AP. All the AP's since i have been here have died in the office, meaning they were AP up until they went home. so i wasn't expecting it cuz i still have a while to go. so i will either be AP for 8 months, or step down my last 1 or 2 cycles...so we'll see. and most of the AP's gain about 20-30 lbs in the office...so thats the curse for being in the office...but i hope i don't cuz..yeah, thats just big!!
but it is good tho, i am excited to be around President Andaya a lot! he seems serious all the time but he is actually quite a joker! and as soon as Manila gives me my Passport back, i get to get my Philippines Drivers license!!! i am so excited to finally drive again!! its really exciting!

And even better, tomorrow, elder Cook is coming to Tacloban for A missionary Fireside for us. and guess who picks him up from the Airport?? WE DO!!! so i get to meet elder Cook, elder Nielson of the Seventy(he was the area presidency in Idaho i think), elder Callister of the seventy, and their wives! and we get to take pictures with them. so i am excited to meet an apostle of the Lord!
But now, i am going to be super super busy! as for as missionary work...we work when we can. since i have been here this past week, we've had one lesson! thats it! but we do our best to find time to work. thats going to be weird tho, but some how i just have to realize that i will helping other missionaries as well. i read a cool quote from President Monson this week, he said something like, "we won't be asked how many positions we held, but rather, how many people did we help?" so that really hit me and comforted me. i know this calling is to help others..help missionaries bring others unto Christ. and i will do my best to help them.
as for my companion, he is Elder Ausban. he was actually my 1st Zone leader when i got here in the mission, and now we are companions.haha its kinda funny. but he is awesome! we get a long great! he is from Stockton California and goes home in 6 weeks. its weird seeing everyone going home now. i feel like i just got here! but life is good! i am loving it! even tho my appartment doesn't have air con...the office does and the cars do so i guess its ok..haha Jk. life is good, i am loving the mission.

We did have a family come to church for the first time that is not yet members. and they are awesome. we haven't taught them yet becuase of time, but they are so ready, they are golden investigators. they have two little kids, and wants them to grow up in the church, and the mom said that she was wondering which church she should go to church at, cuz there are so many. and they really liked church yesterday, so i think they will really progress. we just felt so blessed because even tho we are so busy, we still are being blessed with success in our area. so thats one of the blessings this week. so i hope you have a great week! kids starting school now?? tell everyone i say hi! can't wait to hear from you. i miss you all and love you all! hope all is well! love you!
Love, Elder Nelson