How much can change in the course of a day? Everything. Everything
changed in one day. That day just happened to be transfer day.
Some of you may chuckle at that, maybe nod your head in agreement,
or just have a puzzled look on your face. For those who can relate, it's
a funny true irony.
Anywho. So here is how it all ended up. After a long long transfer,
of struggling to keep not only my companionship together but the zone. I
was on the edge of my threshold. There was one day where I was just
ready to open up a can and do things the "not so Christ-like" way. [His intolerance, impatience, and gossip was destroying the zone inside out. During zone interviews, I put it to my President this way, "There is a problem with unity in our zone President. I've been trying very hard to keep us a close-knit family out here, and you know that has been the most important thing for me. I would never come to you with this unless I had done all I could, but President, it starts with the leadership, and I am unable to overcome this racial hurtle that has been thrown at me. I can not help but have white skin." He understood as I told him the story about Almaden's confession. I had been trying to do as he said that day, but his demands were insatiable.] After
zone interviews, President informed me that Almaden was going to be
transferred, and so that helped me out. I just needed to keep it all
together and hopefully end on a good note. That next week was the
absolute hardest. [His prejudice and racism was palpable. The reason it bothered me so badly, was because it was directed at the other Americans on the island, and not at me. He could bad mouth me all day long and I could take it, but to talk crap on my team and blame their weakness on the fact they are American was intolerable.] 
Then came the Monday where we found out who was
transferred through email. Our whole zone got together and had an
incredible P-day at a white sand beach and was having an incredible time
until Almaden got the text saying he was transferred. You would have
thought someone killed his brother. He was so mad and upset, he
ruined the day for everyone. He was certain he was going to finish his
mission on Dukes, and was certain that I was the cause of him being
transferred. I let him do his thing, I'd be mad to, I understand, it
sucks, but that's what cards were played. President informed me in our
interview that he didn't want to step Almaden up, let alone to an
island, but that the A.P.s had convinced him to. It was a very similar
situation with my first area and trainer, or rather it had a similar
feeling...he was upset about the list, and I just wanted the last week
to be smooth, ok, and no problems. Well... he ruined the p-day for everyone
by throwing a fit and scheduling an FHE with a family without even
asking me, forcing us off the beach early and cutting off everyone's
e-mail time. In fact, I didn't get to email that day. Man, I was so
pissed at how selfish he was being. My head started getting hot as I was
doing everything he wanted to, but he was still being ungrateful,
contentious, and prideful. I just swallowed it...like I'd been doing the
last 5 weeks, and we had the FHE. He knew I was mad, and he laid off by
the time we got home, but I just gave him the house keys and stayed in
my truck. He went inside and I left the truck running. I wanted to go
for a drive...really really badly. But I didn't. I was able to calm down and breathe and go inside
with a much better attitude about things.
The next three days till transfer
was better, it was just running him to members and saying goodbye and
getting everything taken care of. He started telling me he was afraid he
was getting stepped down and what not. I'd just shrug and say "I
dunno...". So transfer day finally came. I shook his hand and said good
luck wherever you are going. He said ok, and he thanked me. He really
thanked me for what I had done. I was surprised by his expression of
gratitude. I smiled and patted him on the shoulder and we walked in
together. He got transferred to Batangas Zone with Elder Montesclaros,
my batch, and he's still a zone leader out there. Which is a good thing.
Monty will help him where I couldn't. Cursed white skin!
So then Transfer day happened. And my new companion came out of
Lopez! His name is Elder Ambes, and I have only heard amazing things
from everybody about him, about how he's hard working, has a lotta love
for his crew, all good things. So I met with him and finished out the
transfer meeting talking to him. I made a commitment to myself and God
that I would do everything in my power to make sure that I did
everything I could from the beginning to make this companionship
amazing. I'm getting another chance out here on Dukes so I'm going to do
everything I can to make it as fun and amazing as possible. After the
chaos of transfers, I went to the office to fill out some reimbursements
when Almaden came up to me and asked if he could speak with me. I said
alright. I finished what I was doing then walked outside. He said he got
interviewed by President. I was like...oh shoot! What happened? and he
said, "I just want to apologize for what I've done, I'm sorry." I stood
there a moment again completely stunned by this act of humility so
totally opposite to what I had seen the last 6 weeks. I had been
suffering so hard trying to get him to open up and have fun and enjoy
life even if his comp is American. Then finally, finally he
showed me that he had changed, even just a small bit. I know a racist
would never apologize to the race he hates regardless of whether there
was fault in him or not. This showed me it was all worth it, that maybe
Almaden has opened his heart if even just a little bit to me as a stand
alone white guy. Hey, its progress. I could have started crying right
then and there, just to see something as small as an apology as even
the smallest sign of validation of my effort. Its true what they say. No
effort is wasted. I'm grateful I did what I could without giving up and
just being offended and all that. I almost fell, I was so close, but I'm
glad God hooked me up and helped carry me through swallowing a gallon
of nails. I gave him a hug, thanked him, shook his hand, and thanked him
again.
So we get out of transfer day, and its the start of my new
adventures with Ambes. Man we just clicked right off the bat! We were
talking joking laughing and having a great time getting to know
each other. I think we talked more that first week then I did the whole
transfer with Almaden. It is such a relief! We picked up some amazing
new zone mates who are going to make a huge impact on the zone. I'm so so
excited. I have a great feeling about this coming transfer, we will see
how it goes. I remember coming home from that transfer day and just
pouring out my soul in thanks to God for everything he had done for me.
I'm so grateful to be on Dukes, so grateful to be a zone leader, so
grateful God loves me enough to hook me up after a really big trial. I
love my island, so I'm going to do everything I can to show God I'm
grateful for what he's given me.
So our first week together we had Leadership Training Meeting. A 3
day conference in San Pablo where we were taught the new curriculum in
regards preaching the Gospel. Oh my goodness. This training was
incredible, and it has filled me with so much fire and drive and
excitement to get out and throw down. I have a more simplified
understanding now of missionary work, what I need to teach, and how to
do it. I discovered the unlimited power of the Book of Mormon and it's
true ability to answer any question about any concern, spiritual or
temporal. I have gained a conviction it is the most powerful book on
earth, and it is the word of God. I love this book. You got a question?
Guaranteed I can answer it with the BOM. Try me. And I'm out on a
rampage now to let the world know what I know. That the Gospel saves
lives, that it brings people to God, and that Spirituality through the
Holy Ghost and revelation is the only way to find true happiness and
peace in the midst of trials and hard times. I know it, cause I have
lived it. I know this is true, and I'm so grateful I was able to
discover this fact while being trained by my mission president who is
just this awesome humble farmer guy from Idaho who's testimony inspires
anyone who hears it. I love that man.
Life is good again, it always was good, I just gotta stay grateful,
cause when we are grateful, we really do realize how amazing life is.
I love you all,
-Elder Mace
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