Happy Birthday week!

ALOOOOOHAAA!!

Oh wait, I'm in Ecuador.

So I'm doing fairly well this week. We didn't have the best week workwise, but we have found some new investigators and put some new baptismal dates with a few people, and we have hopes for even more, so all is well. Also, I decided to buy a couple of futbol jerseys today, and I got one of Milan and one of Germany, and the Milan one looks really cool. I admit, I bought it only because I like blue and like Pirelli and am fairly neutral about the team, but I like the shirt, so that's what counts.

If I was to replace what was stolen last week, it would be best (and less expensive for everyone) to just send money...well, not send money to me (because that's actually illegal, sending it through the mail or whatever), but to my mom, who could then put it in my account. But I don't think it's really that necessary. [I had asked Elder Schomburg how we could help replace his stolen items - he assumed I meant "we" as a collective, not just "we" his parents. haha]  I'm learning to shave with a regular razor, and the carry-on bag isn't something horribly necessary. I'm still happy and just going about my mission with a smile. :D Oh, and it happened while we were in a meeting with the new missionaries and the trainers. We think someone came into the chapel and into the room where the things were and they made off with a couple of things while we were in the kitchen during the snack break. There wasn't really any danger or anything, it was just an unfortunate happenstance. All is well!

Oh, yeah, changes! I'm in..........Riobamba! With Elder Miranda! Yep, nothing happened with me. But that means that the next change I'm almost for sure going to another part. I've only been in any zone for 3 changes, and then I've left. Also, Elder Miranda is a c-c-c-c-combo breaker! because I've also only ever had companions for one change, and he's still with me. So yay! This is going to be the best change ever. And "why is that?" you ask. It's because that's what I decided, and so it will be.

Currently everyone in this internet cyber except for me and Elder Miranda are playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. It's a bit loud, and there is some language that I don't appreciate so much, but así pasa.

I feel like I had a cultural tidbit to share with you this week, but...I forgot it. Sorry!

Oh hey, I got more pouch!! That was way exciting! I'm so glad that I have such good friends and family! You guys are the best. Oh! Question! Where is Elder Chandler Sperry serving? I remember Chile, but that's it. One of the young men from here just left to Chile Santiago Norte on his mission, so I was wondering if they would ever cross paths. And yes, I got Sister Sperry's package and a Valentine's package from Grandma (Judy)! Most every has been eaten already, but it was all very much appreciated. The taco seasoning will be used when I again have money to buy food that is not from my personal account. Thank you to all!!

Hey, my birthday's Friday! That's pretty cool. And I get to celebrate it with a prolonged trip to a foreign place (Ecuador)! Huzzah! And I get to celebrate it by being a superhero and helping saving people! Double huzzah!! And I get to have lunch with the one gringo family in all of Riobamba, and they know that it'll be my birthday! Triple huzzah! I'd say that's a fairly good birthday.

In response to whether or not there are a lot of Catholics in my sector, I'll give you a response to a question that I asked about a contact's religion: "The normal: Catholic." I think Ecuador is roughly 95% Catholic, followed by Jehovah's Witnesses and evangelicals (or is it evangelists? I don't know anymore). Almost all people who are Catholic here are such because their fathers are Catholic, and so are their grandparents, and great-grandparents, and so on and so forth.

I'm really trying hard to see the things that I do well in my life right now. I realized with some help last night that I focus way too much on what I don't do instead of focusing on what I do do. I feel like I'm so weak and many times I feel that I'm letting down God with the quality of my work, but Elder Miranda helped me understand that I am doing an excellent job as a missionary. I'm doing my best to put aside the world to focus on my calling, I do my best to teach with the Spirit, I'm loving, I try to better myself in my weak points...I do a lot well. I know that I shouldn't settle for who I am now, but that I can be even better while recognizing what I do well. I'll just keep doing my best to become like Christ, and I know that I will serve honorably and be blessed for all of my efforts.

Well, I don't have too terribly much more to say for today. I love you all, and I'm super glad that you're my friends and family. All the prayers that you can spare would be nice, because this week is going to be hard but wonderful. I love you! Have a fantastic week!

Love,
Elder Schomburg

P.S. If it's not a heretical request, could I somehow obtain the recipe for Aunt Wendy's green chile? Pretty please?? If not, I definitely understand. That's a fairly sacred recipe. Anyway, I love you! [Aunt Wendy's green chile is famous in our family!]

Elder Schomburg certainly didn't attach these photos, but I'm his mom and feeling nostalgic as he turns 21 this Friday. Enjoy!

¿Qué tal mis amados?

Hey, that's Spanish!  So, this week has been kinda long, but has also flown by. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. We had to go to Quito this Tuesday (where I was robbed of my carry-on suitcase and all that was in it, including my electric razor, phone charger, one of my favorite shirts, and my BYU sweatpants [ :( ]), and we came back Wednesday, then we had to go to Guaranda, which is two hours away, on Friday...we didn't get a lot done this week. It was a bit frustrating to say the least, but we tried at least. Oh, also, there's a festival this week called Carnaval, in which everyone runs around getting people wet, spraying foam at people, and other such shenanigans. If I wasn't a missionary, I would definitely get much more into Carnaval (i.e. roaming the streets Rambo-style with dual Super Soakers and water balloons out the wazoo), and I've been hoping that someone throws a water balloon at me so I can catch it and return it, but that hasn't happened. I got a face full of foam today from some teenage girls (I never expected them, but now I know that you have to expect EVERYONE), and Saturday I narrowly missed getting a bucket of water to the head. It's been fun.  Also, everyone leaves town, so that hasn't helped finding new people. But it'll end about Wednesday, and tomorrow we have to go to Ambato for the whole day for a zone conference with three other zones, so hopefully one day we'll be able to actually work and find people again. Oh, and only one more week in the change, so we'll see where I am in a week. Everything's so busy! Ahh!

Package answers: I received a Valentine's package from Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Ted and a birthday package from Grandma, but there's still no sign of the lost Christmas package nor of any other packages. I'll probably find out more tomorrow (the zone leaders didn't give us pouch this week [rather, I don't know if pouch was sent]) in the zone conference, and I'll let you know next week! I got some letters written today, but the post office was closed. Gur. Next week!

It sounds like Friday was a pretty wonderful day. Next year I'll be able to celebrate it with you! Huzzah!! I swear I'm not trunky. I'm very much involved in the work here, but I do also look forward to what I'll be able to do when I get home. I'd say it's a healthy balance.

Something came to my attention the other day when I received pouch that I think I should talk about today. I'm not sure if a lot of those who read this understand what it is that I'm doing here in Ecuador. I do understand that for those outside of the Church missions like this are a tad strange, and when my mission is different than that of every other religion that has missionaries, many could be very confused as to what my purpose is. I am here as a personal representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. I have been called by a prophet of God to say and do the same things that Christ would say and do if He was personally ministering to the same people to whom I've been sent. I have been set apart to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored Gospel by having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repenting, receiving a baptism by immersion and the proper authority, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring till the end. The authority which I have received is greater than that of any king or ruler on earth. I am not here just to converse to others about Christ or to represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; I am here to save people. My work is not mine; it is God's. I am not on my errand; I'm on His. My duty is to provide God's children in Ecuador the opportunity to return to His presence by coming unto His Son through the making of sacred and binding covenants with the Almighty Father Himself. I am not here to convince people that this Church is the one and only true church in the world, though I do testify that it is just that. I am not selling the Book of Mormon, though I do invite all to read it, meditate about it, and ask the Eternal Father if it is true. I am not studying anything here other than the Gospel. I am not working in any business or company, and I don't receive pay for what I do. I do this and am here because "the worth of souls is great in the sight of God," and every man, woman, and child deserves to make the covenant of baptism by the correct authority of God and receive the opportunity to return to His presence. I know that I hold the holy priesthood of God, and that through it I am able to help these people enter into this binding covenant. I know that the Church which I represent is the kingdom of God on the earth, and that I personally represent Jesus Christ. I hope that all now understand or at least have a better understanding of the vitality of the mission which I am serving, and the importance of my calling as a representative of Christ. I hope that you don't think that I'm boasting of my authority or anything like that, because I am far from boasting. I know that I only have this authority and only have this opportunity of serving as Christ's representative because God has permitted me to do so. I work for Him and for no one else. I only wish that you all can know what it is that I am currently doing.

Okay, well, my ears are burning, which means that I've been speaking with the Spirit, but now I must go, for my time is nigh to expire. I love all of you so very much. I am so grateful for your support and your prayers, and am very grateful for all of the letters that I receive from you. I hope that your week is a wonderful week and full of love and happiness. I love you, and I'll talk to you in a week. ¡Chao!

Love,
Elder Schomburg

Monday again?

Salutations beloved loved ones!

I am doing very well today. We played soccer for awhile today, and then we went to the mall for lunch (we've gone every week for awhile hoping and praying that Carl's Jr. will be open, but it still isn't, and no one has any idea when it'll be open). Also, Elder Fernelius received his new companion today, so we're no longer in a trio, nor are we in a quartet. Now there will be a lot less running around all of Riobamba and a lot more of working in our own sector. I'm excited about that. Yay!!

This Saturday we had a wonderful baptism of Hermano Segundo. We started half an hour late because the branch mission leader and Elder Fernelius got there late, but Segundo got baptized darnit! I love that man so much. He's so receptive to the Gospel, he's humble enough to be taught, and he wants more than anything to be a good example for his son (who is not the boy pictured in the photos). I'm so glad for him, and I was even happier that I was able to baptize him. Oh, also, I got pouch!!! A LOT. Now, why is that related in any way, shape, or form to Segundo getting baptized? Because in one of my packages was my new pair of baptizing pants, and since I'm a rather large guy and so is Segundo, I lent him my new pants (they were the only ones we had that even came close to fitting him). So my new baptizing pants received use the first day I had them, and I didn't use them! But that's okay with me! And if that was a birthday package or something (it didn't say on the box or in it), sorry for opening it early, but it appears that it was an inspired opening. Yay!! [It was in fact his birthday present - guess the card didn't make it yet!]

Thank you so very much to every who sent me pouch! I was so excited to get the packages (3!!) and letters (a lot more than 3!!). I'll do my best to write you all back and let you know how grateful I am for you all. Also, I received some pouch from some people in the ward that I may or may not know (faces/names are getting fuzzy), but I am grateful all the same!! I love you guys!! You're the best!! [THANK YOU! THANK YOU from Elder Schomburg's madre!]

In response to a question, I really haven't a clue, nor does my companion, as to why we serve missions for two years other than because the Prophet says so. Rather, Christ, through His prophet, says so. It seems like the perfect amount of time to me though. Also, in response to another question that I received in a letter from pouch, it would not be frowned upon if I received games such as chess. Playing with investigators in place of really sitting down and teaching them might not be the best approach, but I'm sure any game would help me and my companions grow closer together in our down time before bed or los lunes. It's kinda interesting, but the zone leaders actually have a ton of games (Monopoly, Uno, Scrabble Slam [which they sometimes use for language study by making new words in Spanish]), and there's nothing that says that we can't have them, so, yeah!

I read a talk by Elder D. Todd Christofferson today in the January Liahona that was really good. It's called "Recognizing God's Hand in Our Daily Blessings"
( http://www.lds.org/liahona/2012/01/recognizing-gods-hand-in-our-daily-blessings?lang=eng ) and it talks about how we should focus on the daily triumphs instead of waiting for the big things to happen. Asking God for help daily helps us to learn to trust God daily, and not just every once in a while. He uses God giving the Israelites manna every day during the Exodus as an example that God was trying to help His people understand that they needed to trust that He would provide for them one day at a time, and thus it is. It's an incredible talk, and I believe it's something that I definitely needed to hear (as it would appear from reading this talk and then having mi madre talk about the exact same thing basically in her letter). I'm glad to have heard it because I really need to trust in God and in Christ more. I need to realize and put into practice that knowledge that this is not my work, and that everything that happens right now happens to strengthen me or help another one of God's children. I just need to try every day, little by little, to completely turn my life over to Him, and all will be well.

I received a lot of good critisism from some other missionaries this week. We always try to have companionship inventories where we tell the good and the could be better about our companions, and when we did divisions with Elder Lamprecht and Elder Fernelius they gave me some really good advice. They said that I could be more confident when I'm teaching and be more excited, and I think the lack of such comes from not trusting in God sufficiently. I've started asking for those things in my prayers, and I've definitely seen a difference in my confidence levels. It feels so good to be confident about something and have other people see that confidence, and that's something that I absolutely need as a missionary. If I'm not confident about my message, how are others ever going to want to hear or do more? It really has helped asking God, and I know that He'll always give as long as I keep asking. And it really should be really easy to trust in God. He has told us that He knows that we're weak, and He will make our weaknesses strengths if we trust in him (Ether 12:27). And, as Elder Christofferson has taught us, that weakness will turn into a strength one day at a time. I really do testify of that.

Well, I believe that I'll be going now. I don't have too much else to say. We do have more investigators! Only a couple more, but more! They own an ice cream shop, and they always give us free ice cream when we go in, so that's pretty cool. Also, the husband came to Church this Sunday! Huzzah!! That was way cool. They're so going to get baptized, and I'm going to try to be the best tool for God so that He can work a miracle with them.

I love all of you very much. Thank you for all of your support and for all of your prayers. They are much needed and very welcome. Have a fantabulous week, and remember that in the darkest of moments, instead of looking down, look up. I love you!

Love,
Elder Schomburg

February in the field...

Hello to all!

Today finds me fairly well. Not fantastic, not bad, but better than "meh", so all is well. It's been another week already, something I can't quite believe. It's true that the second year goes by faster than the first. This week was pretty good. We had to do a bit of traveling for meetings, but yesterday the sisters had a baptism and their investigator asked me to baptize him, so that was really cool. I had to baptize him on my knees again because there wasn't sufficient water to do so standing up, but he got baptized! Huzzah!! And this Saturday we have a baptism of our own lined up, so that's really cool. I'll be baptizing him, but I really wanted that Elder Miranda could have done so. It's the choice of the investigator though, seeing as it is his baptism and it's the only one he'll receive in the Church. I'm mostly just glad that he'll be getting baptized.

This week our companionship has been doing a bit better. I'm going to be trying this week to better the things in myself that I see wrong in Elder Fernelius to see if things get better. I sure hope so. Not that things are bad, but they could be better.

Snow...only one more year, I shall be frockling in that lovely Colorado snow....

This has been a week of crazy dreams, also. Most of the dreams have involved the changes that are coming (changes referring to transfers). One night I dreamt that I got "subbed" (...promoted? I think that would be the word...) to zone leader and I became Elder Lamprecht's companion (he's one of the zone leaders here). Another night I dreamt that I got transferred back to Quito as district leader still. The last transfer dream I don't remember what happened. But I've also had other dreams that are just weird and confusing. These nights have been busy for me.

I don't really have a lot to write about this week, it would appear. We watched Cars 2 as a "zone" activity (in quotation marks because only 5 from the zone showed up), and I liked the first one more. It could have something to do with the one we watched today being in Spanish, but I dunno.

There hasn't really been a pick-up in the pouch yet, but I still have faith! It will come someday!

Well, sorry for the absence of significant content in this letter. It's just been another week in the field. I've been wondering if there's something that I can do more to better magnify my calling. I feel like I try and try, but I'm at 87% capacity no más. There has to be something more that I can do. Maybe I'm not being as obedient as I can be. Maybe I can plan better, or contact more people, or put more love into the lessons...blah. I just don't know. I'll get it figured out here soon. I'll probably have to revert to the User's Manual of Life (a.k.a the Scriptures), but things will get worked out.

Well, I believe I'll close for now. I love you all very much, and I look forward to seeing all of your handwriting soon! Have a wonderful week, and make sure to keep reading the Scriptures every day, saying your prayers in every opportunity, and looking for those moments to share with a friend or complete stranger what you know is true (that's especially for you, fellow Latter-day Saints). I love you!

Love,
Elder Schomburg