Riobamba!

Hello there to all of you!

So, how does this day find me? Well, it doesn't find me in Quito, that's for sure. I am in my new home now, the wonderful city of Riobamba! I'm now in the zone farthest south in the Ecuador Quito mission, and I'm thinking it's going to be a good change. I'm excited to be here, though the weather is less than desirable (chilly and drizzly), but thus is winter in the Ecuadorian sierra. My new companion is Elder Sotomayor, and it turns out that he actually has a brother in the mission who is about to go home. When I heard that I was getting changed and would be companions with Elder Sotomayor I was a confused because I'm still senior companion, but when an elder who is about to go home is put as junior companion, it's usually because he needs to be refocused, and Elder Sotomayor (the older) is a really good missionary, so that confused me. But I'm actually with his little brother, who only has 5 months as a missionary. He's from Guayaquil, and he talks like it. It's gonna be a bit difficult for me to get back into the hang of having a Latino companion, but it'll be very good. I'm no longer training, I'm just senior companion, but it will be good for me. I think I had been a bit too focused on trying to become a leader (district or zone) and let that get in the way, and then when that didn't happen, things just started going badly for me, but like I said last week, I've recognized the need to repent of my ways, and I am doing so now. Yay!

I heard that I had a package waiting for me last night, but then I got changed, so it's going to be awhile before I get any pouch I'm thinking. I used to be able to go straight to the offices to pick up anything, but now I'm a good 4-5 hours away from the offices, so that's a little less than practical. I am glad that my contacts were found though! Too bad they're in Guayaquil...I'm rather confused as to how they got there, but that's fine. I can see well enough right now to get by, and my vision may be improving slightly (my eyes get a workout now). And thank you all for sending packages! I don't know what they contain yet, but thank you for sending them! You all are amazing, and I love you!

Like my mother said in her email to me, I did indeed have something on my mind to share, but I forgot what it was...darn. Hmmm...well, yesterday I got to give another talk in church! It was interesting because I went up to tell the first counselor about an announcement that we had to make, and then he asked me if I could give a talk that day because the sister who was going to give the talk didn't come to church that day. Well, I was a bit surprised, but I accepted and ended up giving a fairly decent talk (I hope) on the Atonement. Every time I...that's what I was going to share! It's not about the Atonement, but I'll share it too, right after I finish this sentence. Anyway, every time that I study the Atonement I am more and more grateful for what my Saviour decided to do for me. He accepted the call to perform the Atonement even before the world was created, and then he decided to follow through with His decision here on earth. He didn't have to perform the Atonement; he has his free will, and he could have chosen to not atone for us. Instead, he continued with what his Father had asked him to do, and through his perfect obedience he has provided all of us with the opportunity to be saved in the celestial kingdom. This sacrifice is not free for us though. He requires that we work hard all of our life, that we too suffer for him, and that we live his Gospel in every moment of our lives. If we don't accept to do so, we reject his atoning sacrifice for us and do not receive the opportunity to receive an inheritance in the celestial kingdom. We do not get to live with God again if we do not live Christ's Gospel. It's just that simple. I know that Christ really did atone for all of our sins, and that through him, and only him, we have the opportunity to receive all that the Father has.

Now, for what I was going to share. I've realized something that has happened recently with me. Every time that I even see the name Jesus Christ my heart gives a little leap of joy. I am so grateful for him and I am so in awe by what he has done. I really have grown so much closer to him in these 10 months, and I know that if I serve him even more and with a more willing heart that I will grow even closer to him and will receive even more blessings from him. It's an amazing thing, and I wish that everyone could feel as I do. I know that everyone can, but you have to make some sacrifices and be willing to put in 100%, not 95%. The path that Christ expects us to walk is not easy. It wasn't easy for him, so how could we ever expect the path to be easy? It's not easy, but if you're willing to receive the celestial kingdom and all that the Father has, you must also be willing to do whatever that takes. It is well worth it though, no matter what it costs in this life. I testify that the blessings of the celestial kingdom, the highest of all the kingdoms and the kingdom of God, are real and are available to all of us if we but choose to receive them and then act on that decision.

(For Jeffrey: Exodus 20:12, Moses 6:54, and 2 Nephi 2:27; you are free to make your own choices and to decide who you want to be.)

Well, I have to write to the president now, so I'll be going. I love you all and I'm very grateful for all that you have given me. Have a wonderful week! ¡Chao!

[Elder Schomburg has asked that I put a link to this talk on his blog... I hope you will take the time to read and ponder it.  Gifts by President Thomas S. Monson - such a wonderful reminder at this time of year.]

Love,
Elder Schomburg

Endure to the End

Hello to all y'all!

This day has been very good so far, and I am doing very, very well right now. Today started off pretty well and has just been a really good day. We started off by studying (like good missionaries!) and then we went to the office, and I was surprised to find that I had a package for me! My package from Grandma arrived, and though I haven't opened it, the green sticker made me rather excited to open it. (I haven't really recieved anything else from anybody else for a couple of weeks now, but when I do I'll let you know.) However, right now I have no interest in eating anything at all, and that's because right after we went to the offices we went to a restaurant called the Toronto Buffet. It's an all you can eat buffet here, and as the name implies it is Canadian based. Now, you all might be wondering what on earth is a Canadian-based buffet, and I would love to tell you, but...I'm still not sure. It was a buffet just like any other buffet you would find in the States. A little smaller (i.e. not as big of a variety of food), but basically the same. It was good though. I definitely got my money's worth, and that's because I prepared for this. Yep, I ate a big dinner last night, and then this morning my breakfast was three pieces of toast and 1.5 litres of juice. And all of my preparation worked, because I ate a lot. I probably won't eat until Thursday, when we'll have another very large feast. Some of the members from the stake invited all of the missionaries in the zone Calderón to visit their house on Thursday for a Thanksgiving feast, and they've asked that we don't eat anything that day, so you know it's going to be a good dinner. I'm rather looking forward to it.

I'm very glad to hear that everything is going well with the Schomburg family and the branches thereof. Congratulations Elizabeth on the musical and your solo in Young Women's! I'm sure that you did a fantastic job, and I'll make sure to catch all of your shows when I get back.

I'm also glad to hear that Sacrament Meeting was very good this week. I'm very glad to hear that Grandma enjoyed herself, and Grandma, don't worry, I know the Book of Mormon comes in larger print, and I know that Madre is right on top of that. Also, part of what Brother Carlson shared reminded me of a talk that I just read by Elder Wirthlin. It was his last talk in General Conference before he died, and it's entitled "Come What May and Love It", and it's a wonderful talk. I would recommend it to everyone (http://lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/come-what-may-and-love-it?lang=eng&query=come+may+love <-- What is that, a link to that very talk? How fortunate!). [Not seeing his own blog while in the mission field, Elder Schomburg has no idea that Madre is always including links to talks and information for his readers, so he thinks he really hit on something special here. :) haha]

Well, now that all the fun stuff is out of the way, I'll talk about my week a little bit. Work-wise this was the worst week that I have had in all of my mission. We only taught two lessons this week to investigators. A lot of that was due to meetings, a lot was due to illness, and a lot was also due to our investigators not showing up to their appointments. Needless to say, I am slightly ashamed of the week that we had. I know I need to work harder now, and I will do so. That's part of why I'm happy today though. I have realized that I need to repent, and I am excited for that. We can do so well this week, and through diligent work the Lord will bless us. The trick is that we have to work absolutely as hard as is possible. It doesn't matter if we have to stay out till 9:30 PM every night and risk all of the robbers in Comité, we will have more lessons this week, we will help God's children progress towards eternal life, and we will magnify our callings. It will be ridiculously hard and will require me to change some things in my life (one of which is definitely going to be difficult), but it's necessary and it's more than possible. We will do it.

Oh, yesterday was pretty good though. I had been really sick on Saturday, so much so that after our mini zone conference I had to go back to the house for the rest of the day to rest, but Sunday I woke up feeling much better, which was very good because I was supposed to give a talk that day. I don't know why, but I think giving talks makes anyone nervous, because I felt a bit nervous before I stood up there. My talk this Sunday was about enduring to the end. I was only given seven minutes, but I think it was a fairly good talk. Enduring to the end is such a crucial step in our lives. Sure, there a many things that we need to do before we get to the "enduring to the end" part, but once we have performed all of the necessary ordinances, there's even more to do. Enduring isn't something that's passive. Enduring doesn't mean just not doing bad things for all of your life. It means being an active part in the salvation of everyone that you meet (yes, even you are a missionary!). It means magnifying that to which you have been called. It means doing absolutely everything possible to live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Scriptures teach us that anyone who does not endure to the end cannot receive their inheritance in the kingdom of God. There is so much involved in enduring, and though it might be hard, it is necessary and possible. Even Jesus had to endure to the end of His life. If we cannot endure this life, we do not deserve to receive all that God has for us. God's great plan is that we might become like He is, and if we can't handle just being a human, how could we ever handle being like Him? I've not really said anything that I said in my talk, this is all just now coming to me, but I promise I had a pretty good talk too!

Well, I must be going now. I love all of you, and I'm very glad that all is going well for all of you. Thank you for your support, and thank you for taking the time to write to me. I really do thrive on your letters. Have a fantastic Thanksgiving, and don't forget to take some time to think and to give thanks this Thursday and not just eat a whole bunch. I love you!

Love,
Elder Schomburg

Every Member a Missionary

Hello there my fine fellow people!

I decided that my greeting needed to be a little different, and now it is indeed.

I am doing rather well today. Today has been very relaxing, which is a nice change. We went to the offices, went to two malls, walked through a park, and wrote letters. Also, Elder Pande treated me to Subway (yep, real Subway), so that was very enjoyable. I also bought an amazingly incredible shirt, which accompanies this email. In case you can't tell, it's Yoda (yes, the same one from Star Wars) wearing purple sunglasses and with headphones around his neck, and to the bottom right it says "Ecuador". Yep, it's just about the coolest shirt that I currently own, but I found out something very useful today; Ecuadorian "large" is a U.S. "medium". Even though it's a tad snug and the sleeves are just a tad too short, it's still one of my favorite shirts ever.

We haven't had any run-ins with robbers lately, but on Saturday it was because we can run. It's fairly probable that in the next change (December 3ish I believe) all of the North Americans will be taken out of Comité because of the rising threat level. That's a bit too bad, but that just means we have to do all that is possible to make sure we have baptisms before then. Also, when Elder Pande heard about my first robbing experience he also suggested that we give the robber a folleto [brochure] the next time about the Word of Wisdom (most thieves here are drunks or drug addicts), but since then he has yet to put that into practice. When it comes down to it, running is a much simpler way to do things.

Elder Pande is doing very well. Well, now he is. This past week he got to experience Ecuador's welcome for all North Americans, meaning that he spent the better part of 3 days in the bathroom. All is well now though (go Gatorade!), and he's even more determined to work hard this week. He's a very good companion. He still has difficulty with the language, but I do too, so I just smile and correct him, and then he thanks me for correcting him. He's really a very good missionary. He has a strange sense of humor, and he's done some rather...well, he calls them "awesome" things, though I'd call them "borderline insane", but he's a good Elder. He's basically an extreme sports junkie, and he likes to do the things that people tell him can't/shouldn't be done. Either way, I'm glad to be his companion.

Talking about missionary work, Elder Pande and I recently initiated something among the congregation here. Since we need to use the members more, we handed out a paper yesterday that was titled "Every Member a Missionary" that is to help us get references from the members here. After they give us the reference, we'll set up an appointment with the reference and with the member together. Hopefully it has a lot of success, and I believe that it will. The only thing that we really need is the support of the members. If the members don't support us, we cannot do our job well. Sure, we can do our job, we can knock doors all day long and we can maybe find 5 out of 75 people that are ready to hear the Gospel, but it's not very effective that way. When a member helps us with a reference, then we don't have to search for someone to be a friend to the investigator, we'll have better luck getting an investigator to church, and the investigator will be more likely to want to hear more about the Gospel and take that crucial step of entering the waters of baptism. Members really don't know how important they are to the missionary effort. For all of you members out there, we need your help! Also, if you don't think that being a member means that you're a missionary, I would like you to read this scripture:

"And I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom.  Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in theory, in principle, in doctrine, in the law of the gospel, in all things that pertain unto the kingdom of God, that are expedient for you to understand; Of things both in heaven and in the earth, and under the earth; things which have been, things which are, things which must shortly come to pass; things which are at home, things which are abroad; the wars and the perplexities of the nations, and the judgments which are on the land; and a knowledge also of countries and of kingdoms— That ye may be prepared in all things when I shall send you again to magnify the calling whereunto I have called you, and the mission with which I have commissioned you. Behold, I sent you out to testify and warn the people, and it becometh every man who hath been warned to warn his neighbor.  Therefore, they are left without excuse, and their sins are upon their own heads." D&C 88:77-82

As members it is your duty and a commandment unto you that you "warn [your] neighbor" and to "teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom." There's a reason that within the church we call people "brother" and "sister"; we are all spiritual brothers and sisters. Do you not want the best for your your siblings? Do you not want them to experience unending joy and happiness with their families and with you? I am positive that all of you want the best for your family. Therefore, go forth and spread the good news of the Gospel! Help your brothers and sisters receive eternal life! Share what you know, and declare the truthfulness of this Gospel with the voice of a trumpet! The Lord has commanded it; therefore, it is possible to lift up your voice.

On to other topics, yay Dad! Thank you for being such a wonderful help to Madre while she has been recovering. I know that she appreciates it tremendously.

Well, I don't think I have much more to share today. I sent out a letter packet today, so some letters should arrive to some of you in roughly 2 weeks. Also, the mail system is hating me this month because even the letters that I've gotten are about a month old, which is unusual. That's okay though, I'm sure that you all still love me and are still writing. :) I have not received any packages of any kind for a bit (referring to those of you who told me that you had sent packages), but that is okay. I'll just build up my ability to be patient.

I love all of you very very much. I am so glad to be part of your family/be friends with you. I cannot wait to see you again...rather, I can wait exactly 14.5 months, and then I don't think I'll be able to wait anymore. I love you, and keep on reading the Scriptures! We've been given them for a reason! And if you have yet to start reading the Book of Mormon, I would ask you to at least test it out and pray about it. I love you, and have a wonderful week!

Love,
Elder Schomburg

No time to write...

Hello! *pantpant*

So I have 8 minutes to write. Woo! I don't have a lot to report this week. This past week was kinda crazy and frustrating. We were kinda robbed again (he didn't get anything from me, but he got $5 from my companion), so we've had to be in the house by 8 every night. I think that's been lifted now, but we're still going to be careful. I have to write up a description of the guy and everything and send it to a private investigator (seeing as it was the same guy that robbed us, only without a knife this time, and it was basically on main street). Hopefully things will calm down. This week was also a week of parties and vacations in Ecuador, so proselyting was difficult. Almost nobody was home, and when we tried to contact we didn't really meet anyone promising. We did have 5 investigators come to church, but they weren't the ones with baptismal dates, so now we have no one with a baptismal date. It's a bit frustrating, but I know that if we just keep working hard and if we talk with everybody we will find those prepared ones and we will see success. We haven't been able to meet with that family from last week because they were traveling, but this week will be better, and we'll put a date with them for the 26 of November.

I was very glad to hear that my mother's surgery was a success, and that she is recouperating now. I know that all of your prayers helped her to come through okay. Thank you for all the prayers that were said on her behalf.

Oh, stuff to send! Okay, well, if you were so inclined to send things, I could really use new socks (size 15). A green tie would be nice (that's about the only color I currently don't have), I love Reese's and peanut butter....I can't really think of much else. Oh! Music is always appreciated, though it can't have romantic or distracting lyrics, it can't have a rythym or beat that takes away from the Spirit...if it says BYU (as in it's from Brigham Young University) or the Mormon Tabernacle Choir it's pretty much okay. Umm, qué mas... That's about all that I can think of currently. I'll let you know latter if there's anything else.  [If you want to e-mail me and let me know if you're sending him a green tie or socks, I can let others know so he doesn't end up with 20 of each. :)]

I love you all, and I'm so glad for everything that you have done for me. Keep following Christ, and you will receive blessings. It's a promise. I love you! ¡Chao!

Love,

Elder Schomburg

One fish, two fish...

Hello there!!

I am doing fantastically on this wonderful day here in Quito. Today has been interesting, and so has this week, but it's all been good. Very, very good.

So today we were going to go to a zoo, but when we got to the zoo it was closed. A local told us that there was an aquarium nearby, so we went there instead. It was a rather...interesting...aquarium. It was a bunch of the fish tanks like what Wal-Mart has all lined up with some different fish, and it was in a dark hallway basically. It was a bit strange, but there were some cool fish. The really cool and really weird part has to do with the pictures of my feet included in this email. We walked through this "lagoon" type thingy and at the end there were a couple of little ponds with little fish in them. Well, they were there to "massage" your feet. Yep, you put your feet in the water and let the little fish nibble at your feet. It's not nibbling as much as sucking I guess, but either way it was a bit weird. It actually felt pretty good though, though more especially after you put your shoes back on and walk around a bit. Then you realize how soft and relaxed your feet feel. The fish eat all the dead skin cells off of your feet and leave them all clean and new-ish. It tickles a bit, and it takes a bit of getting used to, but it's well worth it. Also, the only time I took my feet out of the water was when we were leaving; all of the other missionaries took their feet out a few times because it tickled too much, but I have crazy self control (thank you siblings). It was definitely a one-of-a-kind experience.  [Little does Elder Schomburg know that women in the United States will pay around $50 for a "fish pedicure" in high end salons. haha]

Now, about my child! His name is Elder Pande (pronounced "panda"), he's from North Salt Lake, he likes basically any extreme sport, and he's my same height. Yep, we are now the Two Towers of Comité. He doesn't speak much Spanish at all, but he likes learning and allows me to correct him however many times he needs. Poco a poco he will learn. He says he is really glad that I'm his companion because I'm so obedient. It kinda makes me feel really good when people say things like that, and it definitely humbles me a lot. I'm being an example to people here, and it's not just the investigators, but the missionaries also. I'm very glad for that, and I plan on keeping it up.

We are being blessed with more people now. We recently found a family, and the father said that he had been interested in our religion because he felt empty in his life. He felt that he was living just waiting for death and that things didn't really matter much for him. He's very eager to learn and to experience the Church and fill that emptiness that he feels, and we are more than ready to help him. We've also found a few other people who seem to be ready to hear the Gospel, so I can testify that those who are obedient and work hard will receive the desires of their hearts.

This week has been super. I even got a package! I have been enjoying peanut butter in the mornings with my bread and the new Men of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir CD which I got. Thank you so very much!!!

Also, I may or may not have been super excited and amazed to hear that Elder Paul V. Johnson of the Seventy was able to stop by our house Saturday afternoon. That is such an amazing and huge blessing to our family. I'm not saying this to brag or anything, I just know that my family received a huge blessing in the form of this visit. I am so overjoyed for my family that they were able to experience such a thing. I'm positive that the Spirit will be strong in our family for a long time. It's not every day that a General Authority pays a visit to your house. Wow.

I hope all is still going well. I know that the Lord blesses those who are willing to work for those blessings and who are not afraid to trust in the Lord in every instance. I love you all, and I appreciate all that you have all done for me. Have a wonderful week! ¡Chao! [scroll down for a message from Madre]

Love,
Elder Schomburg 

Hello all,

Elder Schomburg has told me that it takes a good month and a half for any kind of package to arrive in Quito.  As this is the first of November, I am sending out this gentle reminder that Christmas is only 8 weeks away, so if you are planning to send him a package of any kind, it would be better to get it in the mail sooner than later.  If you have any questions about his needs or mission rules as far as gifts go, please feel free to e-mail me at lisakschomburg@gmail.com.

Here is his mailing address for those who need it:

Elder Andrew Michael Schomburg
Mision Quito Ecuador
Calles Robles E4-515 y Ave Amazonas
Casilla 17-03-078
Quito Pichincha Ecuador

I also received a wonderful suprise from Elder Schomburg's mission President's wife for my birthday last Friday and I have posted the photos here for everyone to enjoy.  Thank you all for your continued support and love for our son as he does the Lord's work in Ecuador.