June 8th, 2020

Well everybody,

It finally happened. I have been transferred. After 7 1/2 months in Prairie Grove, they moved me up to the Central Park ward in the Bentonville Stake. I was really sad to leave. I had grown to love it there and it was like a second home to me. I didn't even get to say goodbye to everybody, but I did get to say goodbye to some people which was really nice. I was really sad to say goodbye to Sister Fisher, as is now like a Sister to me.

But funny story, so when they gave me the transfer call, they only told me the area but not who my companion was. How it works is we get on a conference call as a stake of missionaries and the zone leader will list the changes within the stake. When they didn't say my companion, I asked who it was. They said they would find out and let me know. Well, they never let me know. So, I wasn't sure and figured I would find out at transfers.

I get to transfers, which was pouring rain by the way. I got soaked to the bone. I put my stuff on, say goodbye, and head up. I arrive in Bentonville and some missionaries are showing up. One is Sister Brown who I kind of knew and she was serving in Centerton 1st. She turns to me as and says, "Sister Johanson, did you know we're serving in a trio?" I did not. SURPRISE!!!! I am in a trio with Sister Dorton and Sister Brown, covering Central Park and Centerton 1st for three weeks until Sister Brown gets her new companion.

I'm slowly adjusting to things here. It's so weird being transferred after being in one place for do long with the same person. I feel like I don't know what I'm doing right now. But it will be okay. It's been pretty fun, as we have been pretty busy. We were able to visit some members and some people we are teaching and we got to help out with a service project within the stake. It was a food drive for a local food pantry and it was pretty fun. It was really hot, although. The cool days of Arkansas are officially over.

I've been learning a lot about obedience lately, as I have been reading the Ether chapters. It really is interesting how much we can receive in life and joy if we just do what Heavenly Father asks us. We are able to be happy when we are obedient. I also was reading the part where Ether was called as a prophet. I think it's interesting as we look at where Ether came from. His grandfather was a wicked king and it says that he "did that which was wicked before the Lord," but then Ether becomes a man of the Lord. Where we come from doesn't define who we are but the choices we make. If we want to change our lives and become a better person, there is nothing but ourselves from becoming so. We always have a choice.

Anyway, I love you all and I hope you have a good week!

Love,

Sister Savannah Johanson