ALOHA!
I found out that I'm getting transferred to Oahu this coming
Wednesday. I have been in this Area for 6 whole months now, 1/4 of my mission!
My new Companion is going to be Elder Morco, ( i served with him here, and he
is awesome!) i will be in Wahiawa, in the Millilani Zone. Its like in the
Middle of the Island. We got another Phone Call, we learned that Elder Moala is
going to get transferred too. President Said he really needs Elder Moala to be
in a Tongan Ward, Because Elder Moala is 1 of the few people in our mission
that can speak the Tongan Language. We asked why President was whitewashing us
(both people leave at the same time), and he said that he knows were doing
awesome in the ward, but my time was up, he needed Moala in a Tongan Ward, and
he needed a place to put an Elder who is going to Whitewash Train, and he knows
Kealekekua is an awesome ward for greenies. He was praying about it, and he
just felt right about it.
So because this Sunday was Fast Sunday, Me and Elder Moala
got up to bare our Goodbye Testimonies. I don't know what came over me, but I couldn't even speak. Before i even said "Brothers and Sisters
A-L-O-H-A," I was already crying. I thanked the Members for always
inviting us into their homes, and treating us like family. I thanked them for
helping me to become a better missionary. And i shared my testimony with them.
I was sobbing through the whole thing, its so easy to say hi to people, but
saying bye is the hard part. So then i Sit down, and Elder Moala gives the
Closing Prayer. Then Bishop Walters Stands up, and says that they are going to
sing Aloha Oe to us. Maybe you guys can search a video or someone singing aloha
oe. But its a goodbye song that they sing in Hawaii, when someone moves out of
the Ward they sing it. Then while they are singing it, people from the Crowd
come up on the Stand and give you a Hug, and say bye. So we were up on
the Stand, and the Whole Ward starts coming up to give us a hug, and bye. First
was a huge group of like 20 kids that we got really close to, then the rest of
the ward behind them. Its really an amazing thing, you can feel everyones love
as they sing the Hawaiian Song. A few people gave us Lei's, and Cookies, and
everything! Afterwards I asked some members if they have ever sang Aloha Oe to
Missionaries, and they said Never in Our Ward have they sang Aloha Oe to Elders
who are getting transferred. They have sung it to missionaries going home, (
cuz thats when they usually sing it), but they have never sang it to Elders who
are only getting transferred. So that made us both feel special. I have never
had a ward Sing Aloha Oe to me, but i have never gotten so close to a Ward.
They really feel like family, and it was so hard saying goodbye! Everyone was
so sad to see us go. Its kinda hard to describe what it was like, its one of
those things that you just have to be there.
So Sister Bailey and Sister Gray are planning a goodbye
party for us. Its tonight at 6:30 pm, its gonna be an ice cream social goodbye
party. They are inviting a bunch of families from the Ward to hangout and say
bye. I was so surprised to hear them setting it up, but i am so excited. I have
really felt so much Love from this Ward, and its members. I'm so grateful to
have been able to serve in this ward. Heavenly Father knew i needed to come
here, and I'm so glad things worked out to allow me to come here.
I cant think of anything else to say. We did lots of Service
this week. And we had a few awesome lessons too. I'm gonna miss Elder Moala so
much, he has been such a great companion for me. I seriously love that guy.
Thanks for reading, and thanks from all the support back home!
Elder Durocher
Me riding a Coconut Tree!
Akaka Falls!
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