Transferred!

Olá família,

So, I was transferred after only 1 transfer in Ceilândia. To be honest we kind of knew it was coming. Last week when I wrote about transfers I had a feeling we would all be leaving because the assistants had called the zone leaders to tell us four to leave our area books really organized. Ceilândia is one of the most dangerous areas for sisters and we had some incidents there that made President reconsider keeping it as an area for sisters. It is now officially an elders´ area again.

The funny thing is during the testimony meeting yesterday a ton of members bore their testimony about missionary work and having sisters in the ward. It was a tender mercy to hear their sweet words. We found out yesterday early evening that we would be leaving for sure so we got all of our stuff together last night. I could barely sleep because I was so anxious to know where I would be going and who would be my companion. Transfers are always like this. Sister Barbosa, Sister Bojorquez, and I found out which sisters had been transferred in DF (Distrito Federal) and were trying to figure out where we would go.

And now for the big reveal....my new area. Before I say it, let me explain what happened today during the transfer meeting. President and Sister Gaertner always walk in and greet the missionaries who are close to the aisle where they enter. Today President Gaertner shook my hand and asked, "Do you know where you´ll be going, Sister Kerr?" I responded, "No, President, I don´t" to which he replied, "You´re going far away" and then he passed by to greet the next person. By that point I already knew where I would be going.

I am going to Palmas! It is a different state in Brasil; I am finally leaving DF! The sad part is Zona Palmas is so isolated from the rest of the mission. Like most missionaries just forget the Palmas missionaries exist haha. I have a feeling I will most likely end my mission there. Even though there are still four transfers for me (only 4! can you believe it?), President normally likes to leave missionaries out there for four so there is a good chance I will finish there.

Palmas is 12 hours away from Brasília by bus and we will be making the long trip tonight to get there tomorrow morning. There are 3 duplas of sisters in Palmas: Sister Timario & me, Sister Hoopes & Sister Jackson, and Sister P. Gonçalves & Sister Bojorquez.  I am so happy to have Sister P. Gonçalves close to me! :) In case you didn´t realize, three of us four from Ceilândia will be in the same zone. Sister Barbosa went to Formosa. Palmas is the hottest part of the mission...the sun is scorching there. I can´t wait to see the terrible tanlines I will have :( haha.

Anyway, that´s all for now. Our New Year´s Eve was good. At midnight we went to our front yard to watch all of the fireworks that people were shooting off. I was sad when it turned 2014 because I realized I will be home this year! There was always a little bit of safety in saying, "I go home next year"; it didn´t seem so real. Now I will be home in just 5 months. Crazy.

Hope all of you had a great start to your 2014!! Pray for me on this long journey tonight. 12 hours by bus...ninguém merece. Love and miss all of you!

Love,

Sister Kerr

PS We are emailing from the Biblioteca Nacional so I can´t send pics because I don´t have a way to connect my camera.