A Lot of Changes

  I don't have a lot to report on regarding the mission life in quarantine, or what our District Leader Elder Bobadilla calls "incubation", but we did just receive many announcements regarding what is to be expected in the near future. First I want to tell you that I am happy believe it or not, even though this situation is not the most desirable thing ever. Somehow our spirits and attitudes are looking up. I mean hey, I get to have the missionary story about being in-active from church for a few months in the mission field. Definitely has been the most unexpected missionary experience I never thought I would have. What a story for the kids.

   Real quick I think I should tell you guys I know how to spin a basketball on my finger for at least 20 seconds. I also know how to bridge shuffle cards. Yeah, I'm getting pretty skilled. Girls, girls, one at a time please. 

  Alright enough joking around, here's what we were just told by our Mission President via Zoom with the whole mission:

- An estimated 10,000 missionaries will be reassigned to missions in the U.S and Canada. There's only 124 missions in the U.S so you can imagine the chaos. Currently in the Alabama, Birmingham mission we have 160 missionaries. That number will increase to 291 missionaries within the next 3 transfers or 5 months. This will probably guarantee I'll be getting a new companion next transfer. 

- We originally had only 10 zones, but then we moved down to 5 huge zones. Now we are going back to 10. We potentially will open 60 new areas and or double the amount of missionaries in an area. 

- As far as new missionaries go, they will come at the exact same pace as usual. The only difference about it is that since temples are closed worldwide, some of the new missionaries won't be endowed when they come out. They'll receive their endowment in the mission field once the temples reopen. 

- Our time for the missionaries currently in the field has not changed. I will still serve all 24 months of my mission unless the 2nd Coming of Jesus Christ happens or another worldwide pandemic storms the Earth. 

- You may be wondering, how do you get housing to fit all those missionaries coming in? President noted that we will be using extended-stay hotel rooms because the church has a hookup for some hotel businesses. Of course they do. 

- And lastly, President Allred also joked but really hinted that the Prophet and Elder Bednar may make a visit to our mission in the soon coming future. 

Alright, that's all I got. What a weird time to be a missionary, I say it everyday. 

Love y'all

--
Elder Batman