Hello everyone!
It's Monday again! I don't know how this keeps happening, because I'm sure that yesterday was the Sunday of a week ago. Days seem to go by faster on the equator.
I don't really know what to say this week, actually. There were some frustrating times this week where there was one thing on my mind that had a firm hold of my mind. I had to do some praying to get it off of my mind, but I have something wonderful to report; God hears and answers prayers, no matter what they might be. If the prayer is for something righteous and good, it will be answered. I am very thankful that my Heavenly Father answers prayers.
We did find one new investigator this week, and I'm actually in his internet café right now. He didn't go to church though, so we have to change his date for baptism, which is a bit of a bummer, but I'm sure things will work out. Also, Fausto, the paralytic man, did make it to church, which is good, but he doesn't want to set a date for baptism until his physical condition gets better, so we have some more work to do with him to help him find faith. He says he has faith, but really...not so much. We'll keep helping him out though. Also, Dad, I sleep exceptionally well at night, thank you. I have actually never fallen asleep faster than here on my mission. At home I always had to lay in bed for at least half an hour, but here I'm hard pressed to stay in my bed 5 minutes before I'm out. Another testimony that prayers work!
This is very odd. I don't really have much to say today. I was all excited to read my weekly email from home, and I read it and everyone is still doing wonderfully and being blessed, and I'm doing good too...so, yeah. Huh. Oh, I got a bit of pouch today, so that was nice. It's odd, out in the boonies I got gobs of pouch, and I still get a bit, but it's not nearly as much. I think it might have something to do with US-Ecuador relations because the letters I do get are received sometimes a good week before I actually get them. Anyway, if you're still writing letters, thank you! I really, really do appreciate it. Keep writing please! I sent out a little package today, so hopefully you guys'll have mail in a couple of weeks.
I am so proud of my family. They are doing amazingly well right now (Mom has lost almost 62 pounds, all the kids are doing well and staying busy in school, Dad is happier than ever), and I know it's because they are doing their best to live the Gospel. The Gospel will bless your family, and that's a promise. I encourage everyone to give it a shot, because a couple more blessings in your life couldn't hurt.
Anyway, I think I've really run out of stuff to say. Sorry for the brevity of this letter. Hopefully next week I'll be able to write a bit more. Have fun, stay busy, read the scriptures every day (especially the Book of Mormon), and always remember to pray. I love you all very much, and I'll talk to you next week.
Love,
Elder Schomburg
Monday, August 29, 2011
Monday, August 22, 2011
An Eye Opening Week
Hello everyone!
This week has absolutely flown by. I'm pretty sure that yesterday was P-day, but it was not. Yesterday was Sunday. This week has been good though, because it's been an eye-opening week. First off, during our district meeting we really realized that we don't really have anyone who is close to being baptized. We only have one person that has a baptismal date, and that really struck home with us when we were in the meeting. That caused us to start searching for more people even more fervently, and we're still searching. We found one man that wants to learn, but he's paralyzed in the right side of his body, so it's hard for him to get around. That does mean that we get to teach him just about whenever we have time though, which is very good. Unfortunately, when we went to pick him up to go to church yesterday, his house was all locked up, meaning he had left to go somewhere, probably to a doctor's appointment. That was a bit disappointing, but we'll keep working with him.
Another eye-opener happened to me a couple of nights ago. I was reading in the Liahona [a church magazine distributed worldwide], and I was reading Elder Holland's talk from this past General Conference. I had a revelation stronger than I've ever had one, and it was about our prophet and the apostles. I have know for a long time that we have a prophet and apostles, but I had never had this knowledge go to my soul before. Saturday night I received that testimony that there are in fact prophets and apostles in these latter days. President Thomas S. Monson has been called by God to be our prophet here on the earth. He has all of the power and authority as all of the prophets of old had, and he guides us through revelations. We also have apostles, who are special witnesses of Christ, and who spread the Gospel throughout the whole world. These things are as true as the fact that the sun, the earth, and the planets exist. I know these things to be true because God has spoken the truth to me through the Holy Ghost.
I was meditating on this fact a bit directly after I received this revelation, and I thought about the title that I hold: Elder. There are two types of people in this world who hold the title of Elder; those who are called to serve as missionaries, and those who hold the apostleship. I hold the same title as those of the Quorum of the Twelve and the Seventy. I have the same duty as those who hold the apostleship do, more or less. I am to share my testimony of the Living God and His Son to the world, and I am to help bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of men. This is my sacred purpose as a missionary of the Lord. I also realized something more, something again that I have known, but that really sunk in this time. I am a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am to do and say what He would do and say. I am to act in place of the one Man who lived a perfect life, who sacrificed Himself and suffered so that everyone else could receive all that the Father has for us, and who was resurected so that we might be able to put on immortality and be judged before the Father and the Lord Himself. I am a representative of this Man. I am a representative of Jesus Christ. How great is my charge! How grand is my duty! I am so thankful that Heavenly Father gave me this testimony and the knowledge that I need to be a better servant. I know that God speaks to us if we will but humble ourselves and ask of Him. God lives, His Son lives, and the Holy Ghost will bear testimony of them as you strive to know the truth. I know this to be true with all of my being.
Okay, and now to tell a bit more about my week and respond to mi madre's letter (Spanglish!). Today we went bowling as a zone, and that was pretty cool. The bowling alley was rather old, and we had to keep score by hand, which meant that we had to learn how to do that, but now we know! Aaaaand...I am still the reigning champion of Zona Calderón. I didn't do as well today, but I did well enough to secure a victory in the championship game. That was pretty fun.
Oh! And I bought a Book of Mormon...in German! The distribution center here in Quito just so happened to have exactly 1 copy left, and the receptionist told me that it was the last one in the country, so that was pretty cool. I'm pretty sure it's been sitting on the shelf for a bit, but that's okay. I'm just excited to have found one here in Ecuador. I've been reading a little of it today (out loud), and after reading it for a bit my tongue was tired. German uses a part of your tongue that you don't even know existed. Blah. But it's still really cool.
I do not have a new companion yet, but it's possible that by the end of the month I will. Elder Maridueña has been here for almost 7 months, and that's a ridiculously long time to be in one sector.
Teaching the Law of Chastity hasn't really been too big of an issue for me yet. Generally we teach it and the people accept it. If we get to the Law of Chastity, it generally means that the investigator really has a very strong desire to be baptized, and they are generally accepting of it. It's most difficult to teach to teenage girls, and least difficult to teach to adults.
I honestly can't think of anything else that I want or need right now, other than contacts. I'm really doing pretty good. If anyone wanted to send Reese's, I would not stop them. That's about the one candy that I haven't found yet. Maybe I just haven't looked hard enough. Anyway, I'm doing just fine, thank you. :) I'll probably be buying some socks soon. My socks haven't liked Ecuador so much.
Well, I must be going now. I still have to get a haircut and have lunch, so I have to run. I love you all very very much. Oh, the picture of the pancakes is what my breakfast looks like about every day. Today was special because I made a Mickey Mouse one.
Love,
Elder Schomburg
This week has absolutely flown by. I'm pretty sure that yesterday was P-day, but it was not. Yesterday was Sunday. This week has been good though, because it's been an eye-opening week. First off, during our district meeting we really realized that we don't really have anyone who is close to being baptized. We only have one person that has a baptismal date, and that really struck home with us when we were in the meeting. That caused us to start searching for more people even more fervently, and we're still searching. We found one man that wants to learn, but he's paralyzed in the right side of his body, so it's hard for him to get around. That does mean that we get to teach him just about whenever we have time though, which is very good. Unfortunately, when we went to pick him up to go to church yesterday, his house was all locked up, meaning he had left to go somewhere, probably to a doctor's appointment. That was a bit disappointing, but we'll keep working with him.
Another eye-opener happened to me a couple of nights ago. I was reading in the Liahona [a church magazine distributed worldwide], and I was reading Elder Holland's talk from this past General Conference. I had a revelation stronger than I've ever had one, and it was about our prophet and the apostles. I have know for a long time that we have a prophet and apostles, but I had never had this knowledge go to my soul before. Saturday night I received that testimony that there are in fact prophets and apostles in these latter days. President Thomas S. Monson has been called by God to be our prophet here on the earth. He has all of the power and authority as all of the prophets of old had, and he guides us through revelations. We also have apostles, who are special witnesses of Christ, and who spread the Gospel throughout the whole world. These things are as true as the fact that the sun, the earth, and the planets exist. I know these things to be true because God has spoken the truth to me through the Holy Ghost.
I was meditating on this fact a bit directly after I received this revelation, and I thought about the title that I hold: Elder. There are two types of people in this world who hold the title of Elder; those who are called to serve as missionaries, and those who hold the apostleship. I hold the same title as those of the Quorum of the Twelve and the Seventy. I have the same duty as those who hold the apostleship do, more or less. I am to share my testimony of the Living God and His Son to the world, and I am to help bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of men. This is my sacred purpose as a missionary of the Lord. I also realized something more, something again that I have known, but that really sunk in this time. I am a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. I am to do and say what He would do and say. I am to act in place of the one Man who lived a perfect life, who sacrificed Himself and suffered so that everyone else could receive all that the Father has for us, and who was resurected so that we might be able to put on immortality and be judged before the Father and the Lord Himself. I am a representative of this Man. I am a representative of Jesus Christ. How great is my charge! How grand is my duty! I am so thankful that Heavenly Father gave me this testimony and the knowledge that I need to be a better servant. I know that God speaks to us if we will but humble ourselves and ask of Him. God lives, His Son lives, and the Holy Ghost will bear testimony of them as you strive to know the truth. I know this to be true with all of my being.
Okay, and now to tell a bit more about my week and respond to mi madre's letter (Spanglish!). Today we went bowling as a zone, and that was pretty cool. The bowling alley was rather old, and we had to keep score by hand, which meant that we had to learn how to do that, but now we know! Aaaaand...I am still the reigning champion of Zona Calderón. I didn't do as well today, but I did well enough to secure a victory in the championship game. That was pretty fun.
Oh! And I bought a Book of Mormon...in German! The distribution center here in Quito just so happened to have exactly 1 copy left, and the receptionist told me that it was the last one in the country, so that was pretty cool. I'm pretty sure it's been sitting on the shelf for a bit, but that's okay. I'm just excited to have found one here in Ecuador. I've been reading a little of it today (out loud), and after reading it for a bit my tongue was tired. German uses a part of your tongue that you don't even know existed. Blah. But it's still really cool.
I do not have a new companion yet, but it's possible that by the end of the month I will. Elder Maridueña has been here for almost 7 months, and that's a ridiculously long time to be in one sector.
Teaching the Law of Chastity hasn't really been too big of an issue for me yet. Generally we teach it and the people accept it. If we get to the Law of Chastity, it generally means that the investigator really has a very strong desire to be baptized, and they are generally accepting of it. It's most difficult to teach to teenage girls, and least difficult to teach to adults.
I honestly can't think of anything else that I want or need right now, other than contacts. I'm really doing pretty good. If anyone wanted to send Reese's, I would not stop them. That's about the one candy that I haven't found yet. Maybe I just haven't looked hard enough. Anyway, I'm doing just fine, thank you. :) I'll probably be buying some socks soon. My socks haven't liked Ecuador so much.
Well, I must be going now. I still have to get a haircut and have lunch, so I have to run. I love you all very very much. Oh, the picture of the pancakes is what my breakfast looks like about every day. Today was special because I made a Mickey Mouse one.
Also, the picture of me with all of the letters is evidence that people love me. Those are all of the letters which I have received since I entered the Provo MTC. There are several, as you can see. Keep loving me! I love receiving mail of any kind, so if you're willing to send it, I'm willing to receive it. I love you! Have a fantastic week!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
Monday, August 15, 2011
Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy
¿Que tal everyone?
Yay Spanglish! Anyway, it was really good to hear from you guys again this week. It's always great to hear from anyone, I must admit. I love hearing from all of you. It sounds like everyone is doing pretty darn well. It's exciting to hear about Jeffrey and Amber. I know that first date was a long time in coming, and I'm glad that they had fun. I also laughed to hear about Robby and his magic tricks. I can't wait to see them when I get back. I'm sure he'll be quite a magician by the time I get back.
Also, the Sacrament meeting that you guys had this Sunday sounded absolutely fantastic. I am so glad that Dad got to participate in it, too. That hymn is definitely a lovely hymn, and I'm pretty sure that I remember how it goes. I'll have to look it up at home real quick when I get back, but I am fairly certain that I really like that song. Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy I'm even more excited that Dad got to bear his testimony, which I know has grown incredibly powerful since we came back to Church. Keep on staying strong Dad. You are definitely an inspiration for me.
And Grandma's reading the Book of Mormon!! I am so darn excited about that. The Book of Mormon is such a wonderful testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ. I promise that if one reads it with the intent to discover the truth and if they are willing to act on his or her answer, they will find the truth, and they will know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know with absolutely all of my being that the Book of Mormon is true, and because the Book of Mormon is true, Christ's Church has been restored on the earth through the prophet Joseph Smith, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church on the planet, as has been stated by the Lord Himself. The Book of Mormon does indeed contain the fulness of the Gospel, which means that all the necessary steps to salvation can be found within the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon testifies that Jesus is the Christ, that He atonned for our sins, and that in the last days He will come and personally reign upon the earth. Just as Joseph Smith declared, the Book of Mormon is the most correct book in the world, and that's because it was written through revelation and translated through the power of God. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that if anyone has the desire to know that it's true, they can find out for themselves through reading it and through sincere prayer to God our Eternal Father. The only way that one can know for sure that the Book of Mormon is true is through sincere and devoted prayer. God will not lie to you. God wants His children to be happy in this life and have the chance at living with Him for eternity; therefore, God will reveal to all of you that the Book of Mormon is true if you will but put forth a little effort to know that it is true and be willing to act on your answer. I would invite all of you who read this message, members and non-members alike, to read the Book of Mormon, and after every session of reading ask God, in the name of Jesus Christ, if the Book of Mormon is true.
There's an example that I like to use to help explain to my investigators that it isn't necessary to read the entire Book of Mormon to know that it's true. Imagine that we have a cake. It's a delicious cake. Maybe it's even a Wacky Cake. How many bites do you need to know that it's a good cake? Most all of the time you can tell that a cake is good from the very first bite. It's the same with the Book of Mormon. If you want to know it's true, you can know from the very first time that you read your first verse of the Book of Mormon. I challenge all of you to take that bite of that most delicious cake, and then read the Book of Mormon. It will change your life.
Today has been a pretty fun day. We actually got to go bowling today, which was pretty fun. Now, most of you know the procedure for bowling, and before you begin there's an important step; getting your bowling shoes. Well, it turns out that Ecuadorian bowling alleys don't cater to the unfortunately large footed. I had to fit my feet into a size 13 shoe, which as almost all of you will remember is two sizes smaller than my actual size. After every frame that I bowled I had to take off my shoes to let my feet rest. It was quite a deal indeed. Also, I may or may not have definitely won. It wasn't my best game, but a 124 isn't too terrible. My companion, though he tried his hardest, wasn't able to do very well, but it was only the second time he's ever been bowling. He said he liked it though, so that's good. All in all we had a good time.
Something that I've been thinking about lately is how amazing fathers are. Every already knows that mothers are incredible, that's well known, but it seems like dads kind of get put on the back burner a bit. I've noticed though that fathers really are incredible. They have so much responsibility, especially when they hold the priesthood. As it says in Ephesians 6:4, the duty of the father is to teach his children the Gospel. As you continue reading in Ephesians you find the armour of God (verses 11-18) and how important the armour of God is for us. If it's important for all of us, how much more important is it that fathers give this gift to their children? And if a father is strong in his faith, he will provide for his children. I have seen in many cases here where even the lowest man on the totem pole and of the humblest circumstances, if he has faith, can be a grand example and teacher to his children and help them find more faith in their Redeemer and in their Heavenly Father. Also, fathers have the responsibility to be the head of their homes and to make sure that their home is a home of peace, love, and learning. This is a big responsibility as well, and it takes a lot of time and hard work. To add to all of this, the father has to provide the necessary temporal things, such as food, shelter, etc. All in all, a father is incredible, especially if he does his best to magnify his duties. I'd like to thank all of the fathers out their who are doing their best to make sure their family is well founded in Christ and is well provided for. Thank you for being good examples to your children. And I want to especially thank my dad for all that he has done. Our family has certainly seen rough patches, but my father is doing his best to make sure that his family is the happiest that they can be. He truly is magnifying his calling as a father. Thank you Dad. I love you, and I'm very proud of all that you do.
I hope everyone is doing well and is staying strong. I am so thankful for all that you guys do for me, and I am so glad to know all of you. Keep trying to get closer to God and to Jesus Christ with all of your might, and you will be provided for. That is a promise. I love you all, and I'll talk to you guys in a week! Ciao!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
Yay Spanglish! Anyway, it was really good to hear from you guys again this week. It's always great to hear from anyone, I must admit. I love hearing from all of you. It sounds like everyone is doing pretty darn well. It's exciting to hear about Jeffrey and Amber. I know that first date was a long time in coming, and I'm glad that they had fun. I also laughed to hear about Robby and his magic tricks. I can't wait to see them when I get back. I'm sure he'll be quite a magician by the time I get back.
Also, the Sacrament meeting that you guys had this Sunday sounded absolutely fantastic. I am so glad that Dad got to participate in it, too. That hymn is definitely a lovely hymn, and I'm pretty sure that I remember how it goes. I'll have to look it up at home real quick when I get back, but I am fairly certain that I really like that song. Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy I'm even more excited that Dad got to bear his testimony, which I know has grown incredibly powerful since we came back to Church. Keep on staying strong Dad. You are definitely an inspiration for me.
And Grandma's reading the Book of Mormon!! I am so darn excited about that. The Book of Mormon is such a wonderful testimony of our Savior Jesus Christ. I promise that if one reads it with the intent to discover the truth and if they are willing to act on his or her answer, they will find the truth, and they will know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know with absolutely all of my being that the Book of Mormon is true, and because the Book of Mormon is true, Christ's Church has been restored on the earth through the prophet Joseph Smith, and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true church on the planet, as has been stated by the Lord Himself. The Book of Mormon does indeed contain the fulness of the Gospel, which means that all the necessary steps to salvation can be found within the Book of Mormon. The Book of Mormon testifies that Jesus is the Christ, that He atonned for our sins, and that in the last days He will come and personally reign upon the earth. Just as Joseph Smith declared, the Book of Mormon is the most correct book in the world, and that's because it was written through revelation and translated through the power of God. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I know that if anyone has the desire to know that it's true, they can find out for themselves through reading it and through sincere prayer to God our Eternal Father. The only way that one can know for sure that the Book of Mormon is true is through sincere and devoted prayer. God will not lie to you. God wants His children to be happy in this life and have the chance at living with Him for eternity; therefore, God will reveal to all of you that the Book of Mormon is true if you will but put forth a little effort to know that it is true and be willing to act on your answer. I would invite all of you who read this message, members and non-members alike, to read the Book of Mormon, and after every session of reading ask God, in the name of Jesus Christ, if the Book of Mormon is true.
There's an example that I like to use to help explain to my investigators that it isn't necessary to read the entire Book of Mormon to know that it's true. Imagine that we have a cake. It's a delicious cake. Maybe it's even a Wacky Cake. How many bites do you need to know that it's a good cake? Most all of the time you can tell that a cake is good from the very first bite. It's the same with the Book of Mormon. If you want to know it's true, you can know from the very first time that you read your first verse of the Book of Mormon. I challenge all of you to take that bite of that most delicious cake, and then read the Book of Mormon. It will change your life.
Today has been a pretty fun day. We actually got to go bowling today, which was pretty fun. Now, most of you know the procedure for bowling, and before you begin there's an important step; getting your bowling shoes. Well, it turns out that Ecuadorian bowling alleys don't cater to the unfortunately large footed. I had to fit my feet into a size 13 shoe, which as almost all of you will remember is two sizes smaller than my actual size. After every frame that I bowled I had to take off my shoes to let my feet rest. It was quite a deal indeed. Also, I may or may not have definitely won. It wasn't my best game, but a 124 isn't too terrible. My companion, though he tried his hardest, wasn't able to do very well, but it was only the second time he's ever been bowling. He said he liked it though, so that's good. All in all we had a good time.
Something that I've been thinking about lately is how amazing fathers are. Every already knows that mothers are incredible, that's well known, but it seems like dads kind of get put on the back burner a bit. I've noticed though that fathers really are incredible. They have so much responsibility, especially when they hold the priesthood. As it says in Ephesians 6:4, the duty of the father is to teach his children the Gospel. As you continue reading in Ephesians you find the armour of God (verses 11-18) and how important the armour of God is for us. If it's important for all of us, how much more important is it that fathers give this gift to their children? And if a father is strong in his faith, he will provide for his children. I have seen in many cases here where even the lowest man on the totem pole and of the humblest circumstances, if he has faith, can be a grand example and teacher to his children and help them find more faith in their Redeemer and in their Heavenly Father. Also, fathers have the responsibility to be the head of their homes and to make sure that their home is a home of peace, love, and learning. This is a big responsibility as well, and it takes a lot of time and hard work. To add to all of this, the father has to provide the necessary temporal things, such as food, shelter, etc. All in all, a father is incredible, especially if he does his best to magnify his duties. I'd like to thank all of the fathers out their who are doing their best to make sure their family is well founded in Christ and is well provided for. Thank you for being good examples to your children. And I want to especially thank my dad for all that he has done. Our family has certainly seen rough patches, but my father is doing his best to make sure that his family is the happiest that they can be. He truly is magnifying his calling as a father. Thank you Dad. I love you, and I'm very proud of all that you do.
I hope everyone is doing well and is staying strong. I am so thankful for all that you guys do for me, and I am so glad to know all of you. Keep trying to get closer to God and to Jesus Christ with all of your might, and you will be provided for. That is a promise. I love you all, and I'll talk to you guys in a week! Ciao!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
Monday, August 8, 2011
Buenos tardes everyone!
So here I am in Quito, and I am absolutely in love with Quito. Up until now I had never thought that I'd be able to live in Ecuador. Sure, I love the country, but it hadn't been a place that I thought I could live in (yeah, I know, technically I am living here, but I meant live and call my home). But then I met Quito. Quito is amazing. Sometimes I am positive that I'm in Denver, and then I remember that no, I'm actually in Ecuador. Quito and Denver are basically the same. Well, Quito is a bit more South American-ized, but it's still really awesome. Also, I'm in the mountains! There are a couple of views here that actually almost look exactly like looking from Higby Rd. towards Mt.Herman. It's rather remarkable. Also, every day here is the same as the perfect spring day in Colorado. I love it here. Man.
So, a little more about my new area (that's not about the scenery). The ward isn't huge or anything, it's about regular size for here. We don't have a ton of investigators right now, but the ones we do have are golden, meaning they are doing everything in their power to follow Christ and are super excited about their baptisms, which will be this coming up the 13th. They are rather amazing, and we've had some really good experiences with them. We don't have a lot more investigators right now because we haven't been able to find more for a bit. Actually, for two days we couldn't work at all, which I'll be telling you all about right now.
So, Quito is wonderful and everything, but it is much colder than Santo Domingo. My body is used to the heat right now, and not so much the cold. So, starting Wednesday night, I got a cold. It wasn't too terrible Wednesday night, but Thursday morning I was pretty miserable. My throat was killing me, my sinuses were congested, my nose was running, I had a fever, the works. I managed to go to the district meeting in the morning, where I got a priesthood blessing, but after that I couldn't hardly do anything. Now comes the double whammy. As we were walking back to the bus stop from the meeting, my companion hit his head on a street sign and had to get four stitches. So after that we went back to the apartment and just stayed there the rest of the day. Oh wait, no, we went to lunch at the bishop's house, and then I called the nurse, and then we went to the apartment. That's were we stayed for the rest of that day and the next, because on Friday my cold moved to my chest and my asthma started acting up. Asthma and the hills here in Quito plus a cold just don't mix, so I just rested up, and so did Elder Maridueña. [He has his inhaler, so no one needs to worry.] But I am at about 80% now, so all is good. I still have a bit of a runny nose, but I can work and I'm not miserable at all, so that's very good.
Oh yeah, the hills. Wow, the hills. Okay, Quito is like Denver if Denver had the hills of San Fransisco EVERYWHERE. Actually, the hills here are worse because they're a lot steeper. I'm pretty sure I've seen some 60º hills here, and that's pretty dang steep. It's not fun walking up those at all. But alas!, such is the life of a missionary.
I've realized that I think I'm kind of a city guy. I like the city a lot, though I still want my own lawn, garden, and trees. Just in case any of you wanted to know.
I was so excited to hear that Jeffrey got his Patriarchal Blessing! That is so incredibly exciting. I know that mine has helped me out a ton in my life. It certainly did strengthen my testimony, too. I actually just recently read it again, but this time I studied it out. I looked up things in the scriptures to get more information, and that was an amazing experience. Also, I am going to have a wonderful, miraculous life if I keep living the Gospel and doing so with love for my Heavenly Father and for His Son. Jeffrey, study that Blessing out, and read it at least once a week. You'll find something knew every time, or your testimony will grow even more. Either way, keep studying it (when you get the hard copy, that is).
Moving to a different place or getting a new companion always strikes up a fire in me. I am so excited to work here. It's rather ridiculous. I feel bouncing-off-the-walls excited to work here, and I hope that I get to spend awhile in Quito. There are enough different areas in Quito that I feasibly could never leave Quito for the rest of my mission. I think it'd be cool to see other parts of Ecuador too though, like Riobamba and maybe even Otavalo. Places I've decided I'd be okay without seeing include: Orriente. That's basically the beginnings of the Amazon, and I've heard some stories about there that make me perfectly fine staying in the sierra for the rest of my mission, though "iré y haré las cosas del Señor" no importa donde Él me mande. ["I will go and do the things of the Lord" no matter where He sends me.]
I'm glad to hear that my letter package arrived on Saturday. July 18th seems so long ago. Anyway, my sickness actually had blessings, too. I was able to catch up with ALL of the letter writting that I had to do (which was not insubstantial). I sent out another package today, so hopefully you'll get that soon. Let's see how long it takes a package straight from Quito to get to the States. From Santo Domingo it takes 19ish days, so let's hope from Quito it's faster.
I am way excited to also hear that Jeffrey's going out with the Elders now. Getting started now is fantastic. He'll be so much more prepared for his mission if he really starts preparing now. Also, he'll see some even more interesting ways of shooing someone off, and he'll also see some miracles, because we do live in a time of miracles.
I included some photos. Two are from the window of our apartment looking out at some of the mountains that surround/are part of Quito. I don't think I got a picture of the enormous volcano that's in the distance, but I'll get a picture for next week. It's huge. It's either Mt. Cotapaxi or Pichincha, neither Elder Maridueña nor I are sure, but it's big. The mountains here don't look too much bigger than the mountains back home, but then you remember that Quito is at about 9500 feet in elevation, and back home we're about 2000 less than that. And then you look closer at the mountains, and you think, "Yep, that one's probably a good 18,000 feet tall." Cotapaxi is 6200 meters tall, which is about 2000 meters more than Mt. Elbert in Colorado. Yeah, I'm in the Andes for sure.
Well, I hope everyone is doing well still. I love you all very very much. Thank you so much for your support for me and for what I'm doing. I hope everyone keeps trying to find more ways to get closer to the Lord and to His Father. I know that the work that I'm doing is true, and is the most important work in the world. I know that this Church was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith, and we are guided today by a prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, who has the same power and authority as every prophet that has ever lived, from Adam to Moses, from Moses to Jesus. I know that this Church and this Gospel are true, and I will always know this truth. I love you all! Have a wonderful week!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
So, a little more about my new area (that's not about the scenery). The ward isn't huge or anything, it's about regular size for here. We don't have a ton of investigators right now, but the ones we do have are golden, meaning they are doing everything in their power to follow Christ and are super excited about their baptisms, which will be this coming up the 13th. They are rather amazing, and we've had some really good experiences with them. We don't have a lot more investigators right now because we haven't been able to find more for a bit. Actually, for two days we couldn't work at all, which I'll be telling you all about right now.
So, Quito is wonderful and everything, but it is much colder than Santo Domingo. My body is used to the heat right now, and not so much the cold. So, starting Wednesday night, I got a cold. It wasn't too terrible Wednesday night, but Thursday morning I was pretty miserable. My throat was killing me, my sinuses were congested, my nose was running, I had a fever, the works. I managed to go to the district meeting in the morning, where I got a priesthood blessing, but after that I couldn't hardly do anything. Now comes the double whammy. As we were walking back to the bus stop from the meeting, my companion hit his head on a street sign and had to get four stitches. So after that we went back to the apartment and just stayed there the rest of the day. Oh wait, no, we went to lunch at the bishop's house, and then I called the nurse, and then we went to the apartment. That's were we stayed for the rest of that day and the next, because on Friday my cold moved to my chest and my asthma started acting up. Asthma and the hills here in Quito plus a cold just don't mix, so I just rested up, and so did Elder Maridueña. [He has his inhaler, so no one needs to worry.] But I am at about 80% now, so all is good. I still have a bit of a runny nose, but I can work and I'm not miserable at all, so that's very good.
Oh yeah, the hills. Wow, the hills. Okay, Quito is like Denver if Denver had the hills of San Fransisco EVERYWHERE. Actually, the hills here are worse because they're a lot steeper. I'm pretty sure I've seen some 60º hills here, and that's pretty dang steep. It's not fun walking up those at all. But alas!, such is the life of a missionary.
I've realized that I think I'm kind of a city guy. I like the city a lot, though I still want my own lawn, garden, and trees. Just in case any of you wanted to know.
I was so excited to hear that Jeffrey got his Patriarchal Blessing! That is so incredibly exciting. I know that mine has helped me out a ton in my life. It certainly did strengthen my testimony, too. I actually just recently read it again, but this time I studied it out. I looked up things in the scriptures to get more information, and that was an amazing experience. Also, I am going to have a wonderful, miraculous life if I keep living the Gospel and doing so with love for my Heavenly Father and for His Son. Jeffrey, study that Blessing out, and read it at least once a week. You'll find something knew every time, or your testimony will grow even more. Either way, keep studying it (when you get the hard copy, that is).
Moving to a different place or getting a new companion always strikes up a fire in me. I am so excited to work here. It's rather ridiculous. I feel bouncing-off-the-walls excited to work here, and I hope that I get to spend awhile in Quito. There are enough different areas in Quito that I feasibly could never leave Quito for the rest of my mission. I think it'd be cool to see other parts of Ecuador too though, like Riobamba and maybe even Otavalo. Places I've decided I'd be okay without seeing include: Orriente. That's basically the beginnings of the Amazon, and I've heard some stories about there that make me perfectly fine staying in the sierra for the rest of my mission, though "iré y haré las cosas del Señor" no importa donde Él me mande. ["I will go and do the things of the Lord" no matter where He sends me.]
I'm glad to hear that my letter package arrived on Saturday. July 18th seems so long ago. Anyway, my sickness actually had blessings, too. I was able to catch up with ALL of the letter writting that I had to do (which was not insubstantial). I sent out another package today, so hopefully you'll get that soon. Let's see how long it takes a package straight from Quito to get to the States. From Santo Domingo it takes 19ish days, so let's hope from Quito it's faster.
I am way excited to also hear that Jeffrey's going out with the Elders now. Getting started now is fantastic. He'll be so much more prepared for his mission if he really starts preparing now. Also, he'll see some even more interesting ways of shooing someone off, and he'll also see some miracles, because we do live in a time of miracles.
I included some photos. Two are from the window of our apartment looking out at some of the mountains that surround/are part of Quito. I don't think I got a picture of the enormous volcano that's in the distance, but I'll get a picture for next week. It's huge. It's either Mt. Cotapaxi or Pichincha, neither Elder Maridueña nor I are sure, but it's big. The mountains here don't look too much bigger than the mountains back home, but then you remember that Quito is at about 9500 feet in elevation, and back home we're about 2000 less than that. And then you look closer at the mountains, and you think, "Yep, that one's probably a good 18,000 feet tall." Cotapaxi is 6200 meters tall, which is about 2000 meters more than Mt. Elbert in Colorado. Yeah, I'm in the Andes for sure.
Well, I hope everyone is doing well still. I love you all very very much. Thank you so much for your support for me and for what I'm doing. I hope everyone keeps trying to find more ways to get closer to the Lord and to His Father. I know that the work that I'm doing is true, and is the most important work in the world. I know that this Church was restored through the prophet Joseph Smith, and we are guided today by a prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, who has the same power and authority as every prophet that has ever lived, from Adam to Moses, from Moses to Jesus. I know that this Church and this Gospel are true, and I will always know this truth. I love you all! Have a wonderful week!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
Monday, August 1, 2011
Where in the world is Elder Schomburg today??
Well howdies all y'all!
So, where in the world is Elder Schomburg today? Turns out that he did get a transfer after all! And it's a transfer that he's wanted for awhile, too. I am now serving in Quito! Woo! I'm in Calderón, in the ward Comite del Pueblo. I am so darn excited, you don't even know. My new compañero is Elder Maridueña from Guayaquil, and he's actually only here for about another 2 weeks or so. But it's not because he's about to end his mission, no. He actually only has 2 weeks less than I do in his mission. His mission isn't actually Ecuador Quito though. His mission is in Venezuala, but he was assigned here until his visa could clear, and it looks like it'll clear pretty soon here. So yeah, that's pretty cool. He seems like a nice guy so far, but he's a bit soft spoken and he has a Guayaco accent, so it's almost hard to understand him. But I'm still doing okay so far. I'm so excited to have a Latino compañero again. I'm going to learn Spanish even faster now. Oh, also, I'm senior companion again, so that's good too. Whenever I have more responsibility my confidence levels seem to shoot up and I can work better, so I'm way excited about that. I'm just all around excited right now. Also, it's cold here! Cold in a very good way though. I love it.
So, interesting news about that whole possibly-armed guy in La Concordia. Turns out that he was looking for us so that he could get baptized. Yeah, his ex had said she didn't want to date a non-member anymore, so he decided that he wanted to get baptized. We found this out well after Elder Larrea had left though, and I don't think the other missionaries had a chance to talk to him at all. But yeah. Interesting, isn't it?
I received some pouch that kinda upset me a bit. I won't name anyone, but someone thought that the missionary program wasn't being run very well down here and also that I shouldn't wait on the mission president to make decisions about my safety. I would just like to reassure everyone that I am very fine. The missionary program here is run just about as well as any organization could be, and that's because it's run by Jesus Christ himself through revelations to our mission president and his leaders in the 70 and their leaders in the Quorum of the 12 and the First Presidency. Elder Larrea and I were moved out of La Concordia about 10 hours after we heard about the slightest chance of any danger. I have been taken care of as well as is possible during my time here. Please, do not worry about me. I tell you these things so that you can feel more in the loop and to be able to enjoy my mission vicariously through me, but if it's going to be causing undue anxiety to those back home, the emails will probably be getting much shorter. Please, do not worry about me. If you're worried, pray harder and have more faith in Christ and in your Heavenly Father. I am on Their errand here, and as a representative of Christ I will be taken care of. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride...please. (In the mission, we would call that whole paragraph a "machete." Just a fun fact.)
The baptism this weekend was marvellous indeed. It was so nice to be able to baptize him, because I was the one who found the family, and after all of their trials they're now all part of a family. After I had baptized the husband, the wife told me that I had to come back in 2 years to baptize their son, who's 6, but the husband immediately said, "No, I'm going to baptize him." That was so amazing and incredible for me to hear. I told him, "Yes, you have to." They are so very strong in the Church now, and I know that they'll stay strong for a very long time to come. I am so thankful to have gotten to know that family.
Something that I realized was that I had kinda fallen into a rut of mediocrity. Well, I've climbed out of that rut now. I've been studying harder, praying more fervently, and trying to teach with more power as of late. I am done being a mediocre elder. My calling is not to be a mediocre elder, and in truth there isn't room or time for mediocrity in the mission. I'm realizing anew just how important my calling is, and I just want to be able to work harder. I should be working up a storm in this new sector of mine. I'm so darn excited about it, too. I love new starts. I don't know why, but I always have, so this will be good for me. Very good. Also, I really appreciated the advice that I got from mi madre about writting down my non-mission related thoughts so that I'd get them out of my mind. I think I definitely will try doing that, because some of the ideas are pretty awesome, not gonna lie.
También, I am so very proud of mi madre and all that she is doing. Busy is the best way to be, and happily busy is even better. Also, it's amazing that she's gotten 100% on all of her assignments (except that one 95%) for her classes thus far. That is so very amazing. She even has 3 clients as a Health Coach, and she's lost 56 lbs. Snap. Plus, she's a mom, so that automatically adds +50 amazingness. Madre, keep on doing what you're doing. You're doing incredibly, and I know that you can keep on doing so. I love you!
[From his Madre: I include these parapraphs because Andrew has asked that I post EXACTLY what he sends home. He doesnt' want it edited or watered down - he says what he says because it's what's in his heart and mind at the time - whether it embarrasses me or causes someone to question the way in which the mission is run.]
I am so very thankful for all that my Heavenly Father has done for me, especially now when I can see the blessings even better. I am so thankful for all of you that are supporting me while I am out here serving the Lord. Thank you all for all of the prayers that you send my way, and thank you for the pouch as well. Oh, madre, I remembered things that I need! Contacts. I might be able to buy some here in Quito, but I need to get some very soon. Um...that's actually about it. Since I'm in Quito now I can probably basically buy whatever I need/want (peanut butter, here I come!). But yeah, that's about all that I really need right now.
So, the past few days I've seen a lot of Germans (I know, weird, huh?), and hearing them speak makes me want to learn German so badly. There were some on the bus today, and I just felt like they were my people, like I belonged with them. It was weird, but cool at the same time. I'm definitely learning to speak German when I get back. (Yeah yeah, I took 3 years in high school, but that doesn't even count because I don't remember hardly anything. No, Imma learn how to actually speak German like a...third...language.)
Well, I gotta go now. I love you all, and I'm so very glad to hear all of the happy things that are going on back in the States. Also, Broncos training camp?? Does this mean there will be football after all?? Anyway, I love you so very much. Thank you all for all that you do for me, and I'll talk to you all in a week (that'll probably feel like 2 days, maybe). I love you! Cuídense!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
P.S. Pictures to come next week!
So, where in the world is Elder Schomburg today? Turns out that he did get a transfer after all! And it's a transfer that he's wanted for awhile, too. I am now serving in Quito! Woo! I'm in Calderón, in the ward Comite del Pueblo. I am so darn excited, you don't even know. My new compañero is Elder Maridueña from Guayaquil, and he's actually only here for about another 2 weeks or so. But it's not because he's about to end his mission, no. He actually only has 2 weeks less than I do in his mission. His mission isn't actually Ecuador Quito though. His mission is in Venezuala, but he was assigned here until his visa could clear, and it looks like it'll clear pretty soon here. So yeah, that's pretty cool. He seems like a nice guy so far, but he's a bit soft spoken and he has a Guayaco accent, so it's almost hard to understand him. But I'm still doing okay so far. I'm so excited to have a Latino compañero again. I'm going to learn Spanish even faster now. Oh, also, I'm senior companion again, so that's good too. Whenever I have more responsibility my confidence levels seem to shoot up and I can work better, so I'm way excited about that. I'm just all around excited right now. Also, it's cold here! Cold in a very good way though. I love it.
So, interesting news about that whole possibly-armed guy in La Concordia. Turns out that he was looking for us so that he could get baptized. Yeah, his ex had said she didn't want to date a non-member anymore, so he decided that he wanted to get baptized. We found this out well after Elder Larrea had left though, and I don't think the other missionaries had a chance to talk to him at all. But yeah. Interesting, isn't it?
I received some pouch that kinda upset me a bit. I won't name anyone, but someone thought that the missionary program wasn't being run very well down here and also that I shouldn't wait on the mission president to make decisions about my safety. I would just like to reassure everyone that I am very fine. The missionary program here is run just about as well as any organization could be, and that's because it's run by Jesus Christ himself through revelations to our mission president and his leaders in the 70 and their leaders in the Quorum of the 12 and the First Presidency. Elder Larrea and I were moved out of La Concordia about 10 hours after we heard about the slightest chance of any danger. I have been taken care of as well as is possible during my time here. Please, do not worry about me. I tell you these things so that you can feel more in the loop and to be able to enjoy my mission vicariously through me, but if it's going to be causing undue anxiety to those back home, the emails will probably be getting much shorter. Please, do not worry about me. If you're worried, pray harder and have more faith in Christ and in your Heavenly Father. I am on Their errand here, and as a representative of Christ I will be taken care of. So sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride...please. (In the mission, we would call that whole paragraph a "machete." Just a fun fact.)
The baptism this weekend was marvellous indeed. It was so nice to be able to baptize him, because I was the one who found the family, and after all of their trials they're now all part of a family. After I had baptized the husband, the wife told me that I had to come back in 2 years to baptize their son, who's 6, but the husband immediately said, "No, I'm going to baptize him." That was so amazing and incredible for me to hear. I told him, "Yes, you have to." They are so very strong in the Church now, and I know that they'll stay strong for a very long time to come. I am so thankful to have gotten to know that family.
Something that I realized was that I had kinda fallen into a rut of mediocrity. Well, I've climbed out of that rut now. I've been studying harder, praying more fervently, and trying to teach with more power as of late. I am done being a mediocre elder. My calling is not to be a mediocre elder, and in truth there isn't room or time for mediocrity in the mission. I'm realizing anew just how important my calling is, and I just want to be able to work harder. I should be working up a storm in this new sector of mine. I'm so darn excited about it, too. I love new starts. I don't know why, but I always have, so this will be good for me. Very good. Also, I really appreciated the advice that I got from mi madre about writting down my non-mission related thoughts so that I'd get them out of my mind. I think I definitely will try doing that, because some of the ideas are pretty awesome, not gonna lie.
También, I am so very proud of mi madre and all that she is doing. Busy is the best way to be, and happily busy is even better. Also, it's amazing that she's gotten 100% on all of her assignments (except that one 95%) for her classes thus far. That is so very amazing. She even has 3 clients as a Health Coach, and she's lost 56 lbs. Snap. Plus, she's a mom, so that automatically adds +50 amazingness. Madre, keep on doing what you're doing. You're doing incredibly, and I know that you can keep on doing so. I love you!
[From his Madre: I include these parapraphs because Andrew has asked that I post EXACTLY what he sends home. He doesnt' want it edited or watered down - he says what he says because it's what's in his heart and mind at the time - whether it embarrasses me or causes someone to question the way in which the mission is run.]
I am so very thankful for all that my Heavenly Father has done for me, especially now when I can see the blessings even better. I am so thankful for all of you that are supporting me while I am out here serving the Lord. Thank you all for all of the prayers that you send my way, and thank you for the pouch as well. Oh, madre, I remembered things that I need! Contacts. I might be able to buy some here in Quito, but I need to get some very soon. Um...that's actually about it. Since I'm in Quito now I can probably basically buy whatever I need/want (peanut butter, here I come!). But yeah, that's about all that I really need right now.
So, the past few days I've seen a lot of Germans (I know, weird, huh?), and hearing them speak makes me want to learn German so badly. There were some on the bus today, and I just felt like they were my people, like I belonged with them. It was weird, but cool at the same time. I'm definitely learning to speak German when I get back. (Yeah yeah, I took 3 years in high school, but that doesn't even count because I don't remember hardly anything. No, Imma learn how to actually speak German like a...third...language.)
Well, I gotta go now. I love you all, and I'm so very glad to hear all of the happy things that are going on back in the States. Also, Broncos training camp?? Does this mean there will be football after all?? Anyway, I love you so very much. Thank you all for all that you do for me, and I'll talk to you all in a week (that'll probably feel like 2 days, maybe). I love you! Cuídense!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
P.S. Pictures to come next week!
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