Elder Nelson: I AM THE FATHER!!! (Hudson Email Week 51)

What a great way to end the transfer in Lafayette with Anna's baptism. Hudson was kind enough to set up a zoom meeting so I could watch. Unfortunately, he did not remember to allow me into the meeting. He was playing the piano and left the camera at the back of the room. I sat in the Zoom waiting room while I was at Sunday School for 40 minutes. The picture came on and I hear Hudson say. Sorry Mom! Then the screen went blank.

Hudson was able to see the transfer board, legally this time, as he has been assigned to be a district leader. That will put him in charge of district councils, making sure everyone is home at night and baptism interviews for his district. He will be in a sistrict. That means he will be over 2 sets of sisters in Buena Vista Reynolds/Lee and Johnson/Crookston. He will be moving to the Gregory Mill area in the Murfreesboro zone. All the missionaries he will be serving with are new to him. The mission received 36 missionaries and only 11 were leaving for home. That means some adjustments will be made to fit everybody in. He will be living in a quad with Elder's Wiscombe and Petersen. Wiscombe will be district leader over the Stones River sisters. Hudson will be opening a new area. I guess this is what happens when you put off change for a few too many transfers. You get everything at once!

He will also miss all the great friends he has made while serving in Lafayette over the last 5 transfers (7 months) of his mission. Big expectations are waiting for him. He will be a trainer, hence the I am the father title to this email. He was almost done packing when I spoke to him this morning at 9:30. Everything was fitting in his suitcases better than the thought it would, and he was boxing up his record collection.

Wednesday: P-Day at fun park like place. CFO is a member at Mt. Juliet so he paid for everything they did. Laser tag with Cole.

Thursday: Felt sicker. Anna was feeling pressure with the baptism. Took sister Staples to meet with her. Issued her a challenge to pray and find God's will in regards to her baptism on Sunday. Loud fly buzzed during their 2 minutes of silence after. Compared her doubts to Satan trying to make her doubt the spirit. She felt good about going forth. Sister Staples loaded Hudson up with Vitamin pills. Cold called Samantha Wednesday night. Took her a Book of Mormon and she was home. She let them in!! 15 minute thought turned into 40 minutes of restoration lesson. Well mannered children. Cold calling, phone rang at 9:30 and Hudson declined it. He felt guilty and called Misty back who was sick in bed. He said he would call the next day. Verbalize your spiritual promptings to solidify you will hold yourself accountable.

Friday: Bonfire shoot! Easter eggs, accordion, and vinyl made it in the background. Hudson did not know the real name of the final band number. He called them Billie Jean and the Boys. Tech elders did not cut it out, whoops. Went with Brother Loge to interview Anna while wearing a ridiculous hat. Brother Loge will baptize Anna. Called Misty back and had a good conversation.

Saturday: Elder's told Chelsea to watch and comment. Big Tom got into it with GIF's.

Sunday: Testimony meeting was strange. A member who speaks in clauses instead of complete sentences, and says he is close to having a perfect knowledge. Chelsea stopped Big Tom from going up. Anna's baptism. She is antique and fragile. Her leg came up and she refused to do it again. After some calming her down Brother Loge alpha powered her down in the water. Anna got very cold and went home right after. Musical numbers were lack luster. Hudson did not do well on the piano during Walk in the Light. He hit the middle pedal instead of the right. Feels bad it was his final performance in the Lafayette church. Planned training during Sunday Night Devo.

Monday: Sad district council with thought of possibly leaving. Went to Print Street Pizza for final meal together. Brought confederate bass flag for everyone to sign. Sister LeSwire refused to sign flag. Hudson does not support slavery, but likes his flag. He does not feel it is a hate symbol. Connie signed it for him. Monday night, after FHE with the zone, he got notice to call President Weaver Tuesday morning.