Hello there!
So, as my madre correctly guessed, that homesickness thing I had was only a one day thing. It's always only one day, but it's still not the most fun. But I've been cured of it for now, and that's good!
Also, I just got all my music copied on my flash drive! Wooo!! Music this week! That's exciting. Oh, more on the random front, I got some pouch this week! However, due to time restraints, I may or may not be sending a mail package until next week. P-days seem to be some of the busiest days of the weeks. It's slightly ridiculous, but oh well. Thus is life.
So, the work seemed to be coming along fairly well. We had a lot of families that we were working with, and we were teaching a lot of people, but then we had a mini zone conference on Saturday and found out that we've been lacking some things in our teaching, namely challenging to baptizm the first lesson. Because of that, we also realized that many of our investigators aren't really progressing, so...we're kinda starting over with our families. But it was good to have this realization, because now we know what we need to do and we have a bit of a fire to do so. Well, I do at least. I believe Elder Larrea is a bit trunky, but he works hard when I do, so I just gotta keep working hard. Today was the last chance for transfers until the new mission president comes...which is only a couple of days away. President Ghent should be here the 29th-ish, and we'll see what changes he makes. I'm kinda hoping for a change. I always love change, and a change of scenery would be very welcome. I'd love to serve in Quito; however, "Iré y haré lo que el Señor ha mandado...." [I will go and do what the Lord has commanded.]
We'll be having another baptizm this week, which is exciting because we've been working with this investigator for a bit, and she's super excited to receive a baptizm. For awhile we had to make sure there was another member or someone with us when we taught her because she kept on subtly flirting with me, but that phase has since passed (thank goodness. You don't know how awkward it is to teach someone about the Gospel when they're flirting with you.). Also, she's friends with another of our recent converts, so hopefully they can strengthen each other and help each other seguir adelante. [go ahead]
So, after receiving some of the letters which I did (oh, Elizabeth, the other elders in the zone found your drawings absolutely hilarious and awesome, as did I), I decided that I needed to tell you guys something: No matter how hard things get, no matter how many troubles we have, they can all be fixed and we can live in peace once again if we turn to the Lord. Some people think that they have too many things going on to bother praying or reading the scriptures, let alone going to church. However, I can promise you that if we put the Lord first, we will be blessed. It's a promise that the Lord Himself made to us. If we first seek to obtain the kingdom of heaven, we'll be blessed with the necesidades...chuzo, necessities...that we need in this life. We will be blessed with a way to make it through all the storms and everything that the adversary throws at us. We have to turn to the Lord first in all things; school, car issues, housing issues, family issues, everything. He has given us all, and He has the power to give us more. He wants us to have a happy life, but we have to follow His commandments first. Like it says in Doctrine and Covenants 136:31, the Lord will test His followers to see if they will persevere through these tests, and if they do then they are worthy to enter into the kingdom of His Father. All in all, remember to always turn to the Lord first, and he will provide a way to conquer all trials and adversities. Remember Doctrine and Covenants 121:7 (or look it up!). [My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment.]
Oh, madre, assuming that you still have your "new" Escape when I get back, can I drive it? I have a feeling I'm going to be itching to go driving, and stick is the only way to go.
I was a tad worried to hear that Robby had a bad rash, but I'm glad that it's clearing up now. I hope everyone else is healthy as well.
I feel like there was something else that I needed/wanted to tell you guys.... I can`t seem to remember what it is though. Hmm. Well, okay, I'll just repeat something that I've already said, because it seems to be very important to me right now. Turn to the Lord first, and He will bless you. Please don't think that you don't have time to do so. Reading the scriptures doesn't take more than a minute, maybe two, every day. Even if it's just one or two verses every day, that still counts, and you will find more faith and more strength. Pray every day. The Lord commanded the Nephites to pray to the Father in the name of Jesus Christ always, and to ask for things from the Father. Christ knew that when you ask the Father with faith, in the name of Christ, you will receive what you are asking for. I know that this is true because I have put it into practice time and time again. We're pretty weak, everyone. We need all the help that we can get, and we have God on our side (Romans 8:31). [What shall we then say to those things? If God be for us, who can be against us?] He wants to help us. He wants us to have the happiest life that is possible. Turn to Him, and your burdens will be lifted. The easier life is the life with Christ on our side. But we cannot just say that we have faith in Christ, because faith without actions is dead. We have to show that we have faith. We have to always show that we have that faith, and we can start doing so by doing three things constantly: reading the scriptures daily, praying daily, and going to church every week. If you do these things, and you do them with the intent to act on whatever personal revelations that you receive, you will receive more of everything good. It's a promise.
I love you all, and I am so very glad to hear that you're doing well. It's still a bit weird to hear that people miss me, and I'm not really sure why it's weird, but don't miss me too much, because before you know it I'll be back ("from outer space..."...or from the future??). Thank you all so much for your support; it really does mean a ton to know that I have so many people praying for me. Thank you all. I can't wait to hear from you guys again! Keep writing letters, and I promise I'll do my best to reply to you as quick as is possible. Thanks again for everything, and I love you all very much! Cuidanse!!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
P.S. THAT'S WHAT I NEEDED TO SAY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!! I know I'm a bit early, but my letter to you probably won't arrive for quite some time, so here's your happy birthday wish. Happy Birthday!! I hope your day is über feliz (snap, Spanish AND German!) and full of rest and happiness. Also, happy birthday to Aunt Ginny! Her birthday was a couple of days ago, but still, better late than never. Happy birthday all! I love you!!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Monday, June 20, 2011
June 20, 2011
Hello everyone!
So here I am, writing again. The days really do fly by, but every day seems to remind me just how much time is left. I seem to be going through a weird phase were I'm excited to do the work, but occassionally I remember how much longer I have. I think it's called homesickness or something like that, but I've heard that it's pretty common to feel every now and then. I have some remedies that people have sent me, so I think I'll try using those. But no worries, I'm still working hard and serving with all my might (and sorry if this is kinda like water to douse the any fires that I sparked last week. I'll try to throw in something a bit more flammable). It might just be an off day for me. We got permission to watch Kung Fu Panda 2 today, but all the movies that they sell here are pirated, and I really didn't feel right about that, but zone activities are mandatory, so I had to go. That put me in a slightly disgruntled mood, and also I feel like it was a waste of time. There were other things that I would have liked to do, but oh well. Thus is life.
During one of our baptizm (I'm never going to spell that word correctly) sessions that we had this week, we missionaries sang a special number (like we do every time), and this time we sang "I Am a Child of God." [ http://lds.org/media-library/video/general-conference-october-2010?lang=eng#2010-10-5031-i-am-a-child-of-god ] First Elder Buckland and I sang the first line in English, then Elders Larrea and Rodriguez sang the second verse in Spanish, then we all sang the last verse in Spanish. The amazing part was that I remembered all the words to the first line, and I have my wonderful mother to thank for that. I also had the opportunity to remember my very first memories, back when I was five (I don't exactly have the memory of an elephant). My mom would sing "I am a Child of God" to me every night before I went to sleep, and I still remember those times. I remember that song only because my madre sang it to me. [He and I also sang it in Sacrament Meeting when he was 5 as well as every night - well, I sang and he stood next to me looking cute.]
Why do I tell this story? To help you all realize how important families are. There's a reason that families have been ordained by God. There's a reason that the prophets encourage us to spend so much time focusing on the family. Families aren't just for this life, till death do us part. No, families are eternal. We have this wonderful opportunity to be able to live with our families in the presence of God, our Heavenly Father, for all eternity. How amazing is that? There isn't a greater blessing for anyone in the world. We need to protect our families here on earth so that we have this opportunity, because not all will have this opportunity. Only if we follow the plan that God has put in place for us will we have this opportunity. God's whole plan is for us to return to live with Him with our families. All we have to do is follow that plan. And how do we follow it? By starting out with three things; reading the scriptures as a family, by praying daily as a family, and by keeping the Sabbath holy as a family. Everything that we do to build ourselves up spiritually we have to do as a family, also. Protect your families everyone. There's a reason that Satan is trying to destroy the family. It's because the family can become strong enough that Satan can't have a hope of winning. It's because we can only receive exaltation as a family. Also, families that are strong in the gospel will help the individuals in the family to conquer their shortcomings and faults and will build each other up. 4 or 5 people fighting against one adversary is much better odds than one person alone. I would encourage everyone to work hard to strengthen their families. The lessons that we learn in the family stay with us throughout our life. If we start off strong we're more likely to finish strong. Don't procrastinate the chance to strengthen your families. Start now.
Things are still going well with Elder Larrea. There's always room for improvement, but that doesn't mean that Elder Larrea is horrible and isn't working at all. He teaches well and is a hard worker if you work hard as well. I just have to remember to keep working hard.
Happy Father's Day!! I know I'm a tad late, but thus is the life of a missionary. I'm glad to hear that Dad had a good Father's Day. Quiet celebrations are sometimes the best. Most of the time they're the best, actually. Anyway, Happy Father's Day again! Love you Dad!
Oh, I'm including a couple of pictures, and one is of Anita, the young mom that I told you we'd be baptizing, and we did so directly before Sacrament Meeting this week! Woo early morning baptizms! I was very happy to see her be baptized, and very honored to be the one to perform the ordinance.
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I was able to find a speaker unit last week, but I have yet to have the chance to put my music on the USB drive because this computer doesn't have a CD drive. Grrr. Possibly another week minus music, but that will change.
I was very glad to hear that dad was able to give a blessing of comfort. My testimony of the priesthood has really been growing as of late. The priesthood is so amazing, and I am so very thankful that the priesthood has been restored to the earth after its absence. I am so honored to be able to hold the priesthood worthily and have the chance to exercise it so frequently. I hope everyone can gain a stronger testimony of this wonderful authority eventually, because it's really what makes or breaks this church. I am thankful that we know that we have the authority to perform these saving ordinances, and to act in the name of Christ to help bring about the salvation of men.
Well, that's about all that I have for this week. I hope everyone is still doing well. Oh! I was able to send some letters out this past Thursday, but I didn't get a chance to respond to several letters, and also I got some more pouch today, so I'll keep on working on responding. Thank you all for your support, and remember that if we put Heavenly Father and Christ first, we will be blessed in all aspects of our lives.
I love you all!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
So here I am, writing again. The days really do fly by, but every day seems to remind me just how much time is left. I seem to be going through a weird phase were I'm excited to do the work, but occassionally I remember how much longer I have. I think it's called homesickness or something like that, but I've heard that it's pretty common to feel every now and then. I have some remedies that people have sent me, so I think I'll try using those. But no worries, I'm still working hard and serving with all my might (and sorry if this is kinda like water to douse the any fires that I sparked last week. I'll try to throw in something a bit more flammable). It might just be an off day for me. We got permission to watch Kung Fu Panda 2 today, but all the movies that they sell here are pirated, and I really didn't feel right about that, but zone activities are mandatory, so I had to go. That put me in a slightly disgruntled mood, and also I feel like it was a waste of time. There were other things that I would have liked to do, but oh well. Thus is life.
During one of our baptizm (I'm never going to spell that word correctly) sessions that we had this week, we missionaries sang a special number (like we do every time), and this time we sang "I Am a Child of God." [ http://lds.org/media-library/video/general-conference-october-2010?lang=eng#2010-10-5031-i-am-a-child-of-god ] First Elder Buckland and I sang the first line in English, then Elders Larrea and Rodriguez sang the second verse in Spanish, then we all sang the last verse in Spanish. The amazing part was that I remembered all the words to the first line, and I have my wonderful mother to thank for that. I also had the opportunity to remember my very first memories, back when I was five (I don't exactly have the memory of an elephant). My mom would sing "I am a Child of God" to me every night before I went to sleep, and I still remember those times. I remember that song only because my madre sang it to me. [He and I also sang it in Sacrament Meeting when he was 5 as well as every night - well, I sang and he stood next to me looking cute.]
Why do I tell this story? To help you all realize how important families are. There's a reason that families have been ordained by God. There's a reason that the prophets encourage us to spend so much time focusing on the family. Families aren't just for this life, till death do us part. No, families are eternal. We have this wonderful opportunity to be able to live with our families in the presence of God, our Heavenly Father, for all eternity. How amazing is that? There isn't a greater blessing for anyone in the world. We need to protect our families here on earth so that we have this opportunity, because not all will have this opportunity. Only if we follow the plan that God has put in place for us will we have this opportunity. God's whole plan is for us to return to live with Him with our families. All we have to do is follow that plan. And how do we follow it? By starting out with three things; reading the scriptures as a family, by praying daily as a family, and by keeping the Sabbath holy as a family. Everything that we do to build ourselves up spiritually we have to do as a family, also. Protect your families everyone. There's a reason that Satan is trying to destroy the family. It's because the family can become strong enough that Satan can't have a hope of winning. It's because we can only receive exaltation as a family. Also, families that are strong in the gospel will help the individuals in the family to conquer their shortcomings and faults and will build each other up. 4 or 5 people fighting against one adversary is much better odds than one person alone. I would encourage everyone to work hard to strengthen their families. The lessons that we learn in the family stay with us throughout our life. If we start off strong we're more likely to finish strong. Don't procrastinate the chance to strengthen your families. Start now.
Things are still going well with Elder Larrea. There's always room for improvement, but that doesn't mean that Elder Larrea is horrible and isn't working at all. He teaches well and is a hard worker if you work hard as well. I just have to remember to keep working hard.
Happy Father's Day!! I know I'm a tad late, but thus is the life of a missionary. I'm glad to hear that Dad had a good Father's Day. Quiet celebrations are sometimes the best. Most of the time they're the best, actually. Anyway, Happy Father's Day again! Love you Dad!
Oh, I'm including a couple of pictures, and one is of Anita, the young mom that I told you we'd be baptizing, and we did so directly before Sacrament Meeting this week! Woo early morning baptizms! I was very happy to see her be baptized, and very honored to be the one to perform the ordinance.
I was able to find a speaker unit last week, but I have yet to have the chance to put my music on the USB drive because this computer doesn't have a CD drive. Grrr. Possibly another week minus music, but that will change.
I was very glad to hear that dad was able to give a blessing of comfort. My testimony of the priesthood has really been growing as of late. The priesthood is so amazing, and I am so very thankful that the priesthood has been restored to the earth after its absence. I am so honored to be able to hold the priesthood worthily and have the chance to exercise it so frequently. I hope everyone can gain a stronger testimony of this wonderful authority eventually, because it's really what makes or breaks this church. I am thankful that we know that we have the authority to perform these saving ordinances, and to act in the name of Christ to help bring about the salvation of men.
Well, that's about all that I have for this week. I hope everyone is still doing well. Oh! I was able to send some letters out this past Thursday, but I didn't get a chance to respond to several letters, and also I got some more pouch today, so I'll keep on working on responding. Thank you all for your support, and remember that if we put Heavenly Father and Christ first, we will be blessed in all aspects of our lives.
I love you all!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
Monday, June 13, 2011
13 de junio 2011
Hi there! (points to anyone who imagined that in Dug's voice)
This week has absolutely flown by. It has been so fast, seriously. I'm fairly sure that yesterday was last Monday, but yesterday was actually Sunday, so yes, a full week has indeed passed by. But yeah, we've been rather busy this week, and by busy I mean we've been contacting like crazy. We had actually run out of investigators (progressing or otherwise), so we had to do quite a bit of contacting to find more people to teach. Well, we found people alright. We found 6 families this week and 21 new investigators, so that was pretty good. Some of them are already progressing very well towards actually coming unto Christ, and some aren't quite as far along, but that's why we're here! To help people come unto Christ. I get the impression that a lot of people still think that the reason I'm out here is just to baptize people, and that isn't it at all. Yes, I am here to baptize people, but that's because baptism is the door to the path to eternal life. We're here to start them on the path and make sure that they have the foundations necessary to remain on that path for this life and after death, too. Sure, it's nice to have a baptism, but it's even nicer to see that person want to follow Christ, and not just for a moment in thier baptism, but for the rest of their lives. We baptize people so that they can have the opportunity to return to live with our Heavenly Father again, and to receive eternal life. Not everyone has the chance to live in God's presence again, but that's why we're out here, to give people that opportunity. Only through baptism by the correct authority do we have the ability to live in God's presence again, and so we're also here to baptize people, knowing that it's a prerequisite for eternal life. So that's our purpose here; to invite people to come unto Christ by helping them understand and receive the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is; faith, repentance, baptism by immersion, reception of the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and enduring to the end (that was almost difficult to write in English). It's only an invitation, but we hope and pray with everything that we've got that someone will accept our invitation.
Just wondering, who wrote the little bit of Spanish in the beginning of the letter to me this week? Whoever did, good job for correct conjugations and everything! [It was Madre - with the help of Google Translate.]
I am absolutely loving it out here. Some of you might think that I'm just saying that so that you won't worry about me, but I honestly, 100% am telling the truth when I say that I am loving it here and wouldn't leave here right now for anything. I have a job to do here. Countless people are depending on me to help them see what they've been missing in their lives, to save them from themselves and the world, and to help them remember the blessings that they've received from our Heavenly Father. I have a sacred calling matched only by a handful in the world. I am here saying and doing what the Lord would say and do, because I have been called by God and set apart by those with the authority and priesthood of God to be a representative of Jesus Christ, the Creator of the World, our Savior and Redeemer. My calling is more important to me than anything else right now, and I wouldn't dare think of coming home. What if I did come home now? How many people wouldn't receive the Gospel because I went home? How many people would have been able to be sealed as a family in the temple if I hadn't gone home? How many people could I have helped save from possibly dying because of addictions or leading dangerous lifestyles? The importance of my work here, the Lord's work, is just too great to even toy with the idea of going home.
The investigators that we have now are doing pretty well. We have some getting ready for baptism in the upcoming weeks, including one this week (a 16 year old mom of a 2 year old actually) and a few in the next week. We even found out that some of the people that I thought were members at church were actually investigators that just attended a lot, and now we have lessons with them lined up, so they might be able to get baptized this week (provided they're married)! That'd be really cool, but we'll see how things work out.
I'm getting along with Elder Larrea very well. I'd send you a photo, but I haven't got a photo of us, so you'll have to wait till next week. Sorry! But yeah, we're doing well together. He teaches very well, which I kinda would expect from someone that only has 2 months left. I've also found that I like having more responsibility. More responsibility makes me work harder and makes me more confident, too, which almost sounds backwards, but it's true. Elder Buckland commented that I seemed more confident, and that it was even apparent in my Spanish, so that's cool. Oh, also, there have been questions about how my Spanish is coming, and if we look at the recent surveys taken, it's coming along fantastically. Elder Larrea was kinda showing off my Spanish to investigators for the first couple of days that we were together, and it still comes up in lessons that I've only been on my mission for 4 months but I can speak Spanish rather well. I can basically understand everything, but of course there are still some times when I am mostly completely lost. Almost everyone says that my Spanish is awesome though, so it must be pretty good. I can only really talk fluently during lessons (chuzo, I had to think how to spell lessons because lecciónes is just more natural), but that's probably because I'm rather full of the Spirit at that time, so that helps. But yeah, I'm definitely getting there.
Oh, cool happening, we contacted a SWAT-esque police officer one day. We didn't really mean to, we just noticed that there were rather a lot of these officers standing around, so Elder Larrea asked what happened, then the officer asked who we were. We said that we were missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (okay, we actually said, "Somos misionarios de la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días," but that's just a technicality), and he asked, "¿Cúal es su misión?" I actually almost laughed when he said that, because here's this SWAT guy with his semi-auto rifle (Ruger Mini-14...not that I noticed or anything), Ray Ban sunglasses, and his green barret asking a couple of missionaries "What is your mission?" It just struck me as funny. But anyway, we actually started talking to him for a couple of minutes, and he was actually really interested in us. He found it very interesting that we don't receive any money for our service, and that we actually pay to have the opportunity to spread the Gospel. We left him with a pamphlet and unfortunately didn't get to get his name or address or anything because he got called to go somewhere else, but it was still pretty cool. Also, we still don't know what was going on that caused this gathering of police officers, but that's okay!
Well, time to wrap up. OH. POUCH CAME. FINALLY. A month without pouch is a rather long time. It might have even been a little longer than a month, but either way, I was way happy to get pouch. So, like I said last week, this week I'll be sending out a letter package, and hopefully I'll have the time to write a few letters (there are rather a few to write). Thank you all for writting to me! I absolutely love hearing from you and hearing about what's going on in your lives. Keep up the good work!
Oh, family! Good job with doing all that you're doing! You're doing a great job. Jeffrey, a word of advice: finding a job is in of itself a full-time job. Just a little to think about. Mom, especially to you, congratulations! I am so proud of all that you're doing to lose weight and to finish your education. You are doing and exemplary job at being amazing. Also, Grandma sent me photos of Mother's Day, and I can see the difference already! Good job! Keep up the good work!
I love you all, and I hope that you all keep well and in good spirits. Keep praying and reading the scriptures every day (that's not just to my family or Latter-day Saints, either), and you will be blessed. It's a promise that we have from God, and He doesn't break His promises. I love you, and keep on keeping on! Cuidense!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
This week has absolutely flown by. It has been so fast, seriously. I'm fairly sure that yesterday was last Monday, but yesterday was actually Sunday, so yes, a full week has indeed passed by. But yeah, we've been rather busy this week, and by busy I mean we've been contacting like crazy. We had actually run out of investigators (progressing or otherwise), so we had to do quite a bit of contacting to find more people to teach. Well, we found people alright. We found 6 families this week and 21 new investigators, so that was pretty good. Some of them are already progressing very well towards actually coming unto Christ, and some aren't quite as far along, but that's why we're here! To help people come unto Christ. I get the impression that a lot of people still think that the reason I'm out here is just to baptize people, and that isn't it at all. Yes, I am here to baptize people, but that's because baptism is the door to the path to eternal life. We're here to start them on the path and make sure that they have the foundations necessary to remain on that path for this life and after death, too. Sure, it's nice to have a baptism, but it's even nicer to see that person want to follow Christ, and not just for a moment in thier baptism, but for the rest of their lives. We baptize people so that they can have the opportunity to return to live with our Heavenly Father again, and to receive eternal life. Not everyone has the chance to live in God's presence again, but that's why we're out here, to give people that opportunity. Only through baptism by the correct authority do we have the ability to live in God's presence again, and so we're also here to baptize people, knowing that it's a prerequisite for eternal life. So that's our purpose here; to invite people to come unto Christ by helping them understand and receive the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is; faith, repentance, baptism by immersion, reception of the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and enduring to the end (that was almost difficult to write in English). It's only an invitation, but we hope and pray with everything that we've got that someone will accept our invitation.
Just wondering, who wrote the little bit of Spanish in the beginning of the letter to me this week? Whoever did, good job for correct conjugations and everything! [It was Madre - with the help of Google Translate.]
I am absolutely loving it out here. Some of you might think that I'm just saying that so that you won't worry about me, but I honestly, 100% am telling the truth when I say that I am loving it here and wouldn't leave here right now for anything. I have a job to do here. Countless people are depending on me to help them see what they've been missing in their lives, to save them from themselves and the world, and to help them remember the blessings that they've received from our Heavenly Father. I have a sacred calling matched only by a handful in the world. I am here saying and doing what the Lord would say and do, because I have been called by God and set apart by those with the authority and priesthood of God to be a representative of Jesus Christ, the Creator of the World, our Savior and Redeemer. My calling is more important to me than anything else right now, and I wouldn't dare think of coming home. What if I did come home now? How many people wouldn't receive the Gospel because I went home? How many people would have been able to be sealed as a family in the temple if I hadn't gone home? How many people could I have helped save from possibly dying because of addictions or leading dangerous lifestyles? The importance of my work here, the Lord's work, is just too great to even toy with the idea of going home.
The investigators that we have now are doing pretty well. We have some getting ready for baptism in the upcoming weeks, including one this week (a 16 year old mom of a 2 year old actually) and a few in the next week. We even found out that some of the people that I thought were members at church were actually investigators that just attended a lot, and now we have lessons with them lined up, so they might be able to get baptized this week (provided they're married)! That'd be really cool, but we'll see how things work out.
I'm getting along with Elder Larrea very well. I'd send you a photo, but I haven't got a photo of us, so you'll have to wait till next week. Sorry! But yeah, we're doing well together. He teaches very well, which I kinda would expect from someone that only has 2 months left. I've also found that I like having more responsibility. More responsibility makes me work harder and makes me more confident, too, which almost sounds backwards, but it's true. Elder Buckland commented that I seemed more confident, and that it was even apparent in my Spanish, so that's cool. Oh, also, there have been questions about how my Spanish is coming, and if we look at the recent surveys taken, it's coming along fantastically. Elder Larrea was kinda showing off my Spanish to investigators for the first couple of days that we were together, and it still comes up in lessons that I've only been on my mission for 4 months but I can speak Spanish rather well. I can basically understand everything, but of course there are still some times when I am mostly completely lost. Almost everyone says that my Spanish is awesome though, so it must be pretty good. I can only really talk fluently during lessons (chuzo, I had to think how to spell lessons because lecciónes is just more natural), but that's probably because I'm rather full of the Spirit at that time, so that helps. But yeah, I'm definitely getting there.
Oh, cool happening, we contacted a SWAT-esque police officer one day. We didn't really mean to, we just noticed that there were rather a lot of these officers standing around, so Elder Larrea asked what happened, then the officer asked who we were. We said that we were missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (okay, we actually said, "Somos misionarios de la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días," but that's just a technicality), and he asked, "¿Cúal es su misión?" I actually almost laughed when he said that, because here's this SWAT guy with his semi-auto rifle (Ruger Mini-14...not that I noticed or anything), Ray Ban sunglasses, and his green barret asking a couple of missionaries "What is your mission?" It just struck me as funny. But anyway, we actually started talking to him for a couple of minutes, and he was actually really interested in us. He found it very interesting that we don't receive any money for our service, and that we actually pay to have the opportunity to spread the Gospel. We left him with a pamphlet and unfortunately didn't get to get his name or address or anything because he got called to go somewhere else, but it was still pretty cool. Also, we still don't know what was going on that caused this gathering of police officers, but that's okay!
Well, time to wrap up. OH. POUCH CAME. FINALLY. A month without pouch is a rather long time. It might have even been a little longer than a month, but either way, I was way happy to get pouch. So, like I said last week, this week I'll be sending out a letter package, and hopefully I'll have the time to write a few letters (there are rather a few to write). Thank you all for writting to me! I absolutely love hearing from you and hearing about what's going on in your lives. Keep up the good work!
Oh, family! Good job with doing all that you're doing! You're doing a great job. Jeffrey, a word of advice: finding a job is in of itself a full-time job. Just a little to think about. Mom, especially to you, congratulations! I am so proud of all that you're doing to lose weight and to finish your education. You are doing and exemplary job at being amazing. Also, Grandma sent me photos of Mother's Day, and I can see the difference already! Good job! Keep up the good work!
I love you all, and I hope that you all keep well and in good spirits. Keep praying and reading the scriptures every day (that's not just to my family or Latter-day Saints, either), and you will be blessed. It's a promise that we have from God, and He doesn't break His promises. I love you, and keep on keeping on! Cuidense!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
Monday, June 6, 2011
Week 18.5
Hello there everyone!
So, here I am, first day of my first companion change, and I'm doing pretty well so far. Elder Huarahuara left yesterday afternoon, so I had to spend the rest of the day with the zone leaders. It was a bit weird sending him off, but it was weirder when I met my new companion and knew that I wouldn't be working with Elder Huarahuara again. Also, I received my new compañero today. His name is Elder Larrea. He was already in our zone, actually, so I kinda know him already. Apparently he's not the most obedient of missionaries right now, but I think that's because he's "trunky" (ready to go home and such). I'll have to make sure that I work hard and be a good example, which I'm sure that I can do. He's from Peru, and he ends his mission the first week of August. Looks like I'm gonna "kill" another missionary ("killing" a missionary is when you are their last companion and send them home). That'll make two in a row. Oh, also, I'm now el compañero mayor, or senior companion. For a long time I thought that I was going to be district leader too, and the zone leaders even said that they wanted me to be district leader, but Elder Buckland is now district leader, which I'm just fine with. I'll take my extra responsibility a little at a time. Oh, and I'm still in La Concordia.
There's one family in particular that you could pray for, if you felt so inclined. They're the Mera Vallejo (Mauricio and Monica) family. They're progressing very well, but they had an interview with President Sloan and he said that he needs to get permission from Elder Nash I believe to baptize them, so extra prayers for them would be good.
I'm very glad to hear that you had the missionaries over for dinner Saturday. I'm sure that they really appreciated that. Also, that's pretty cool that Elder Silva entered the field the same day as I did. But since he's state-side, I have more time, right?
I'm very glad to hear that Jeffrey and Elizabeth are all trying new things. That's pretty darn exciting. Also, no offense to Jeffrey, but it's very odd to think that he's in a choir; moreso that he volunteered to be in the choir. Also, good luck on your campout Elizabeth! I know I'm a bit late, but these things happen.
Also, please don't worry about my stomach issues. I'm doing fine now, and if I didn't have some sort of stomach issues once in awhile, I would be a freak among the North American elders. In the beginning we all have issues, and everyone gains a bit of weight from all the rice that we eat. I don't think you guys understand just how much rice we eat. Unless we make the food ourselves, there's always rice as the main part of the meal. ALWAYS. Also, "stomach problems" and "bicicleta" mean diarrhea. It's just something that happens. I'm really ding okay, don't worry please.
I'm glad to hear that you got another letter package. What was the date of the letters you received? I didn't get to send a package this week because 1) the mail office moved, and I have to find it now (they posted the address, I just have to find the time to find it), and 2) I haven't received pouch for a month now, so I didn't write many letters, only 1. I may have to send letters less frequently, maybe only the weeks that I do receive pouch. That way I'll know what to write. Also, a lot of the time I don't have much time to write letters, even on P-days. Sorry about the inconveniences. Hopefully pouch comes this week. We kinda need it, because we've been out of Books of Mormon and planners for awhile. Also, I miss hearing from all you guys, so it'd be nice to have a little pouch this week. But thus is the life of a missionary, and the work goes on!
Oh, fun story, and a first of the mission! So, Elder Rodriguez and I were on splits, and while we were contacting a lady some dogs came running around the corner of her house. Her door is fairly close to the corner of the house, so I didn't even see the dogs till they were on top of us, and I received my first dog bite from a Jack Russel mutt. It didn't break the skin or anything, but it didn't feel that great, either. I was just fine (and still am), it was just a bit shocking, and I thought I'd relate that story since Jeffrey's always asking if I've been attacked by any dogs yet. So yes, I was attacked by one dog, and I'm grateful it was the Jack Russel that bit me and not the German Sheperd that was with him.
Well, I think that's about all I have to say for this week. I'm sure I'll have more to say next week after I've had a bit to get to know Elder Larrea more and to find out what it means to be senior companion. I was horribly nervous earlier in the week, but eventually I remembered that no matter what I'm called to do, the Lord will help me through it, because for everthing that the Lord commands of me, he has already created the way to accomplish that thing. Also, in Priesthood yesterday we learned more about the Savior, so by the end of yesterday I was ready for anything. I'm still ready, and I'll keep on working hard. Even harder now, seeing as I have more responsibility. I just have to remember that I can do it.
I love you all very much, and I hope you are all doing well. Keep strong, and remember the Lord in all that you do. He will help you all, too. He's promised that he will. I will talk to you all later. Bye!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
P.S. I'm used to the jokes about my feet. People here are always amazed at how big my feet are, and they always tell me that it's impossible to buy shoes here in my size. They've been compared to clown shoes recently (last night actually). Just thought you guys would like an extra little laugh. Bye! Love you all!
So, here I am, first day of my first companion change, and I'm doing pretty well so far. Elder Huarahuara left yesterday afternoon, so I had to spend the rest of the day with the zone leaders. It was a bit weird sending him off, but it was weirder when I met my new companion and knew that I wouldn't be working with Elder Huarahuara again. Also, I received my new compañero today. His name is Elder Larrea. He was already in our zone, actually, so I kinda know him already. Apparently he's not the most obedient of missionaries right now, but I think that's because he's "trunky" (ready to go home and such). I'll have to make sure that I work hard and be a good example, which I'm sure that I can do. He's from Peru, and he ends his mission the first week of August. Looks like I'm gonna "kill" another missionary ("killing" a missionary is when you are their last companion and send them home). That'll make two in a row. Oh, also, I'm now el compañero mayor, or senior companion. For a long time I thought that I was going to be district leader too, and the zone leaders even said that they wanted me to be district leader, but Elder Buckland is now district leader, which I'm just fine with. I'll take my extra responsibility a little at a time. Oh, and I'm still in La Concordia.
There's one family in particular that you could pray for, if you felt so inclined. They're the Mera Vallejo (Mauricio and Monica) family. They're progressing very well, but they had an interview with President Sloan and he said that he needs to get permission from Elder Nash I believe to baptize them, so extra prayers for them would be good.
I'm very glad to hear that you had the missionaries over for dinner Saturday. I'm sure that they really appreciated that. Also, that's pretty cool that Elder Silva entered the field the same day as I did. But since he's state-side, I have more time, right?
I'm very glad to hear that Jeffrey and Elizabeth are all trying new things. That's pretty darn exciting. Also, no offense to Jeffrey, but it's very odd to think that he's in a choir; moreso that he volunteered to be in the choir. Also, good luck on your campout Elizabeth! I know I'm a bit late, but these things happen.
Also, please don't worry about my stomach issues. I'm doing fine now, and if I didn't have some sort of stomach issues once in awhile, I would be a freak among the North American elders. In the beginning we all have issues, and everyone gains a bit of weight from all the rice that we eat. I don't think you guys understand just how much rice we eat. Unless we make the food ourselves, there's always rice as the main part of the meal. ALWAYS. Also, "stomach problems" and "bicicleta" mean diarrhea. It's just something that happens. I'm really ding okay, don't worry please.
I'm glad to hear that you got another letter package. What was the date of the letters you received? I didn't get to send a package this week because 1) the mail office moved, and I have to find it now (they posted the address, I just have to find the time to find it), and 2) I haven't received pouch for a month now, so I didn't write many letters, only 1. I may have to send letters less frequently, maybe only the weeks that I do receive pouch. That way I'll know what to write. Also, a lot of the time I don't have much time to write letters, even on P-days. Sorry about the inconveniences. Hopefully pouch comes this week. We kinda need it, because we've been out of Books of Mormon and planners for awhile. Also, I miss hearing from all you guys, so it'd be nice to have a little pouch this week. But thus is the life of a missionary, and the work goes on!
Oh, fun story, and a first of the mission! So, Elder Rodriguez and I were on splits, and while we were contacting a lady some dogs came running around the corner of her house. Her door is fairly close to the corner of the house, so I didn't even see the dogs till they were on top of us, and I received my first dog bite from a Jack Russel mutt. It didn't break the skin or anything, but it didn't feel that great, either. I was just fine (and still am), it was just a bit shocking, and I thought I'd relate that story since Jeffrey's always asking if I've been attacked by any dogs yet. So yes, I was attacked by one dog, and I'm grateful it was the Jack Russel that bit me and not the German Sheperd that was with him.
Well, I think that's about all I have to say for this week. I'm sure I'll have more to say next week after I've had a bit to get to know Elder Larrea more and to find out what it means to be senior companion. I was horribly nervous earlier in the week, but eventually I remembered that no matter what I'm called to do, the Lord will help me through it, because for everthing that the Lord commands of me, he has already created the way to accomplish that thing. Also, in Priesthood yesterday we learned more about the Savior, so by the end of yesterday I was ready for anything. I'm still ready, and I'll keep on working hard. Even harder now, seeing as I have more responsibility. I just have to remember that I can do it.
I love you all very much, and I hope you are all doing well. Keep strong, and remember the Lord in all that you do. He will help you all, too. He's promised that he will. I will talk to you all later. Bye!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
P.S. I'm used to the jokes about my feet. People here are always amazed at how big my feet are, and they always tell me that it's impossible to buy shoes here in my size. They've been compared to clown shoes recently (last night actually). Just thought you guys would like an extra little laugh. Bye! Love you all!
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