Week 42 Saying Goodbye to Columbia

Winchester, Virginia is about 100 miles west of Baltimore.

Well, to start things off, tomorrow I will be transferred! It is definitely a bittersweet feeling because I truly have loved serving here in Columbia! The Branch and the work here is so amazing and I have loved every single thing about it. I am being transferred to the west part of the mission, outside of Maryland! I will be serving in Winchester, Virginia, in the Shenandoah Valley Ward! I will be serving as a Zone Leader there, which means I will be part of an English Ward. That is also a bittersweet feeling for me, because as excited and nervous I am to serve as a Zone Leader, I will definitely miss the Spanish Branches that I have served in! My new companion will be Elder Mumm, who has been out about a year and a half.

Winchester, Virginia

Shenandoah Valley

This last Saturday was an incredibly special day, the baptism of Victor Soriano! It was an absolutely amazing experience, and the Soriano family brought many friends to see! The water was incredibly cold and he started shivering as soon as he entered the water, but other than that he truly loved the experience haha! It was so exciting, and then the next day we went and had dinner with the entire family. They have changed so much since the first time I met them, and I will truly miss them so much! What an amazing experience to serve here and get to meet them!

Victor's Baptism Day

My Little Hombre

Elder Chaico & I with Victor & Jake Russin

The Soriano Family

Today was my final district meeting as district leader. I have truly loved serving around these missionaries, I have an incredible district! They work so hard and together we have put in amazing efforts. I'm grateful for that calling and grateful for all of the amazing things I was taught and was able to learn.

Roberto Lopez
(member of the Columbia Branch)

Ramirez Family
(Branch Members)

Hernandez Family
(Branch Members)

I love this quote: "No missionary can determine the lasting effects of his or her labors" This quote is from Elder Richard G Scott. Wow! And as I just typed that quote, I received a text saying that Elder Scott just passed away, so this quote has even more meaning to me right now. There are times that I definitely feel like I could've done more in Columbia, but I am so grateful for the opportunities I had and the work I was able to put in, for the incredible help of the Lord. I'm also incredibly grateful for Elder Scott, and all of the apostles of our Lord and Savior.

Well, to Shenandoah I go!

Thank you for all the incredible support, from prayers to letters, and everything in between!

- Elder Leavitt

*We received another sweet e-mail from Sister Wright this past week.

Dear Brother and Sister Leavitt, 
We have enjoyed getting to know and work with Elder Leavitt . He is such a good hard working elder and always happy and friendly with everyone.  He and Elder Chaico seem to help everyone and are always so busy!  The people that they work with all love them.  It was exciting that they had a baptism yesterday! Here are a couple more pictures for you. 
Love,  The Wrights

Elder & Sister Wright