Arise and Shine Forth

Hey howdies hey!

Today finds me relatively well. This weekend was good; we had two baptisms! Woo!! And this weekend we have 3 planned with 5 more anticipated (what's the difference? A planned baptism is when someone has already had their baptismal interview and all is good to go. Anticipated is someone with the date but not the interview. And now you know.). The Tigre and Granda families will be getting baptized, as well as the Huerta family. The Huerta family was a less-active family that we're helping reactivate, and none of the children are baptized, but they're going to be baptized this weekend. We're pretty excited.

We were able to talk with the zone about obedience and working hard and everything. We put on a whiteboard all of the numbers of the zone, which weren't too bad when our numbers were up too. But when we erased our numbers, the zone could see that something was wrong. We then shared some scriptures in Helaman 4 and Mormon 2 that talked about what happens when a group of people are collectively disobedient. The assistants (President's assistants) were there too, and today Elder Lamprecht said that they had been preparing a "machete" to help refocus everyone, but when they saw what we shared, they felt it was stronger and more effective than what they were going to share. After we told them how things were, we shared with them a theme that our zone has adopted, and some of you will recognize it: "Arise and Shine Forth" (D&C 115:5, and it's also the 2012 Mutual theme). We told them that now is the time to "arise and shine forth", and that now is the time to show to all that we truly are representatives of Jesus Christ. And this week was better. The missionaries had a couple of baptisms, found some more people, and are being a bit more obedient. We're still not perfect, but the zone is trying now. It feels good to really help missionaries reach their potential.

You may wonder, "Why is Elder Schomburg playing a flute in that picture?" And the answer is: because the second counselor gave me that kena. Also, I don't play it because it's horribly difficult to play. I imagine it's like playing the flute because you don't just blow, you gotta get your ombechure [embouchure] all right and stuff (I've never tried to spell that word before, so if someone could help me out that'd be great). I can get three distinct notes out of it on a good day. It's crazy hard to play.

Today I've just spent writing informes (reports? Also, that's one of the few words that the computer says isn't misspelled...because the computer speaks Spanish, not English). That's about the only less-than-fun thing about being a zone leader.

Well...what more can I say? Oh hey, Elder Pande and Elder Papworth are both zone leaders now too! Elder Papworth was promoted the last change and Elder Pande today. Woo!! Elder Miranda is...struggling a bit in the obedience sector I believe, but two out of three isn't bad!

Some days I just really want my mission to be over with. I miss a lot of you a lot, and some more than others, and when nobody wants to listen and no one does what you say, it seems preferable to just dwell on the "what ifs...". Thoughts like "Is Michelle still there for me?", "Am I being sufficiently obedient?", and such frequently enter my mind. But then we teach someone. We talk to someone and make them smile, or I feel a prompting and act on it, and the day changes. The mission is definitely the craziest roller coaster that I've been on yet, but I definitely wouldn't change it for the world. It's wonderful.

I love you all and hope that all is going well with all. Keep on trying to grow closer to the Lord every day. If you haven't yet read the Book of Mormon with "real intent", I would invite you to do so, for "a man would grow closer to God by following its precepts than by any other book." I love you!

Love,

Elder Schomburg

Double-duty Backpack

Hi everyone!

Today I am doing fairly well. We had a lot of investigators in Sacrament Meeting yesterday (12!!) and we have a lot of people with baptismal dates (13!!). We're really excited about that, especially because basically all of the families that we've been teaching came yesterday, including our beloved Tigre family and also a family of 6 (even though only 5 came and have baptismal dates), the Granda family. We're so darn excited, and President and the assistants are excited for us too. But, unfortunately, there is a dark side to this story. 

In our zone there are currently 16 people with baptismal dates. Now, if you remember how many I said are ours, you'll see a slight problem. If we weren't in the zone, there would only be 3 people with baptismal dates. How many families were found in the zone this week? 3. How many did we (Elder Valdiviezo and I) find? 3. It's very worrisome. We think that there's some disobedience in one of the sectors, and we know that the sisters are not doing so well right now. The training sister does not have any confidence at all and the sister-in-training is a rather timid sister, so that doesn't make for a good combination. We're going to try to see what we can do to get them excited about the work and to help the whole zone be more obedient and find those people that are prepared. It's going to be a bit tough, especially because when we do divisions with the Elders they act like they work hard with us, and then we leave and they don't seem to do anything. We call it being "lámpara" (lámpara=lamp; when the Elders are around a leader, they "turn on", and when the leaders leave they "turn off".), and we're going to have to find a way to change all that. It will involve a lot of prayer, I can guarantee you of that. 

Changing topics: The picture [there was no photo attached - oops] is what resulted of me trying to play with some of the kids at Church. One night, while waiting for some investigators to come, there were a bunch of little kids outside playing with some leaves (the leaves look like aloe vera leaves, except not as thick, and they come from trees). They were using the leaves as swords, and they started to attack me, so I decided to play with them a bit. As I was dashing about, I jumped and landed in a squatting position and heard a horrible tearing sound. Yep, those were my pants that ripped, the whole seat. I went about the rest of the night with my backpack handily cinched about my waist. Also, when I told the kids that I couldn't play anymore, instead of just running off to play-fight among themselves, they mercilessly whipped me and my companion with the leaves. I just thought to myself of the scripture in the Bible when the Lord says: "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do." 

So, I only have 6 months left. Wow. That's only 4 transfers more. That's crazy. 

Well, I don't have a lot more to share for today. Next week we'll have two baptisms, which we're really excited for. I hope everyone is doing well and are doing their best to follow Christ. Oh, to answer a question that my mom posed to me; yes, I do eat popcorn, though I usually only eat it when it's served with the soups. Yep, Ecuadorians toss their popcorn into their soups, such as ceviche, encebollado, or any of the creams (cream of asparagus, tomato, etc.). I do have a way to make it...right there in a pot on the stove. None of that fancy microwave stuff for me! Okay, now I do have to go. I love you all, and I thank you all for your support. I sent a couple of letters out today, so maybe you'll be getting them sometime. I say maybe because I got a letter from my sister today that was dated in October. Okay, I love you! 

Love,

Elder Schomburg

Happy, Healthy, Strong!

Hello to all!!

This day finds me happy, healthy, strong, and in good spirits. All is well! Yesterday we had two more baptisms. Ana and Juliana, sisters of Samantha, who was baptized the last week, were baptized, and they were all very very happy. It's been quite an incredible thing to see all of the daughters of that family be baptized. The slightly silly thing is that we learned that they don't actually pertain to our ward, but to the neighbouring ward. We always teach them in the chapel, so we didn't know where they lived until the day before they were baptized. But all is well and things will be sorted out.

We were also able to find a new family, the Tigre family. And, in case you didn't guess by the name, "tigre" is "tiger", and the husband's name is Diego, just like the saber tooth tiger in Ice Age. His name would only be more awesome if it were Tony. Anyway, this family is wonderful. The wife told us that she had recently prayed to receive more guidance in her life, and then we showed up. In the first lesson, she told us that we had basically wiped her slate blank and she was starting all over again, but in a very good way. I know that the only reason that we were able to teach clearly to the family and help them see the truthfulness of our doctrine is because the Holy Ghost was able to touch their hearts. We absolutely love this family, and hopefully they'll be able to baptized the 4th of August.

Today we went to lunch at a way good Mexican food restaurant. That's what that photo of all of the missionaries is about. It was darn tasty food, too.

I don't think I have too terribly much more to say today. I hope that everyone is doing well and that all are strong and happy. There's a talk that I think would be good for everyone to go over again that President Uchtdorf gave this past General Conference. Here's the link: The Merciful Obtain Mercy Everyone should read this one again because it's wonderful. Have a wonderful week, and I love you all!

Love,
Elder Schomburg

The Reach of Divine Love

Heeellllooooooooo!!!!

Wow has this week flown by! I think I had my P-day last Monday, and then completely missed Tuesday-Thursday, kinda experienced Saturday, and now it's Monday again. Craziness.

Okay, business first. Madre, please close down my facebook account. President Ghent has recently counselled all of the mission to close down their facebook accounts, and I'm trying my best to be willfully obedient. All of those who are wondering how on earth they'll ever know when I get back or things like that, just keep following my blog. I'll make another account when I get back and I'll make sure to search you all out and "friend" you. But if you want to make sure that I don't forget you...hmm...I guess you can send an email to andrew.schomburg@gmail.com and I'll receive it when I check it in 7 months. Or you can figure out something else to do so that I remember to add you. Oh, also, Madre, President Ghent reminded us that the Church has advised us to not put any photos of converts or members on the Internet for privacy reasons, so if there are any photos of that sort it might be good to take them down. Me with my companions or other Elders is okay, but with members and converts it's not so okay. Thanks!

Okay, now that that's done, other points. Yes, I am still a zone leader. This zone is basically completely new (as in almost none of the missionaries have much time in the zone), so Elder Valdiviezo and I have to set a really good example and fix the culture of the zone. If we want an obedient zone, we have to be obedient. If we want a lot of baptisms, we have to baptize a lot. I'm incredibly excited to be here in the zone. Also, Elder Valdiviezo is a champ. He loves to work, he doesn't complain, he's way focused, and he's happy. He's a great companion so far, and this is going to be a wonderful change.

We were able to baptize Hermana Samantha this Saturday during an open house that we had in the Church. It was a very good baptism, and there were a lot of members there to support her and investigators who felt the Spirit very strongly. It was an amazing time. After the baptism the bishop of the Tarqui Ward came and asked me if I could be part of an interview that his sister and brother-in-law were doing for school. As an assignment they had to talk in English with a native English-speaker, and it turns out that I'm gringo! It was fun to be able to help them practice their English, and it was really weird to hear and see me on the video. I learned that my voice is a lot deeper than I ever imagined it to be and that I'm a huge nerd (both as in "really nerdy" and physically big). :D

I'm so very glad that there has been rain and cooler temperatures and that the fire is almost completely contained. I've definitely been praying every day for your safety. That too bad that fireworks weren't allowed, but I'd rather be able to come home to an intact house than not. Oh, culture fact: Ecuadorians like fireworks a lot and will set them off at any time of the day without need for a reason. And now you know.

Well, that's about all for today. I hope you like the photos (well, for those who only read my blog, I don't think you'll be able to see the baptism photos, but you'll see my "artsy" shot!)!

Artsy Shot

Have a wonderful day and week, and remember to keep on keeping on! Heavenly Father has not and will never forget any of you, even when it seems that everyone else has. As Elder Jeffrey R. Holland said in the April General Conference;

"I do not know who in this vast audience today may need to hear the message of forgiveness inherent in this parable, but however late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.

"Whether you are not yet of our faith or were with us once and have not remained, there is nothing in either case that you have done that cannot be undone. There is no problem which you cannot overcome. There is no dream that in the unfolding of time and eternity cannot yet be realized. Even if you feel you are the lost and last laborer of the eleventh hour, the Lord of the vineyard still stands beckoning. “Come boldly [to] the throne of grace,” and fall at the feet of the Holy One of Israel. Come and feast “without money and without price” at the table of the Lord."

I love you all very much!! Keep writing too! I'm convinced that if there's a great quantity of letters, they'll eventually overcome the Ecuadorian mail black-hole. I have faith! You can too! I love you!


Love,

Elder Schomburg

It's moving day! It's moving day!

Hola my wonderful happy family!! And all of my non-blood members of my family!! HI!

So, here I am in..........Mariscal de Ayacucho in the Zona Atahualpa. Yes, good luck saying any of that. :D I'm now with Elder Valdiviezo from Peru. It's interesting because I was in Calderón when he was "born" and now we're companions! It's going to be a good change. It's kinda funny because the zone that I'm in now touches the zone that I just left. I live about 20 minutes from where I used to live. So it's not that big of a change, but it's big enough for me.

Wow, it sounds like things are getting slightly scary there in Colorado. I know that whatever happens, learning will be done. Just keep trying to live life as in line with what the Lord has taught as is possible and you will make it through whatever happens. The Lord will be obligated to bless you if you're living righteously, but if you're not doing so, then the Lord has no promise with you. What is the best way to know if you're on the strait and narrow path or not? Constant, diligent study of the Scriptures (The Book of Mormon, the Bible, Doctrine and Covenants, The Pearl of Great Price) and the words of the modern-day prophets. In the Scriptures is the path that one must follow to be able to receive the promised blessings of the Lord, and the modern-day prophets help us apply the Scriptures to our lives now. I know that Heavenly Father has provided us with these sacred writings to guide us towards Jesus Christ and eternal life.

[To preface this section, I asked Elder Schomburg how he feels about performing baptisms.]  When I first started my mission, I wanted really badly to be able to baptize everyone that I taught. I wanted to be the person to help someone progress spiritually and take one step closer to the celestial kingdom. Now, after some time in the mission (I'm getting to be one of the old guys in the mission...what....), I have realized that what I want most is that someone can move onward and receive this saving ordinance. It doesn't matter so much who performs that ordinance, as long as he holds the priesthood and is worthy of performing such an ordinance. The important thing is that one is baptized by this authority of the priesthood or else one cannot enter into the celestial kingdom. In John 3:5 when Jesus says that one must be born of water and the Spirit or he cannot see the kingdom of God, He was talking about everybody. We know that He was baptized by John the Baptist who held the priesthood and authority to baptize. Jesus gave that authority to His disciples and gave them the commandment to go and baptize in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. With time, His Apostles were killed, and those to whom the priesthood had been conferred turned away from the pure doctrine of Christ, thus losing the ability to use the priesthood. With this apostasy God took away the priesthood from the earth, but He had promised that it would be returned when His children were ready to follow Him again. That time came in the 1820s when celestial messengers (John the Baptist and Peter, James, and John [three of Christ's original Apostles]) restored that priesthood authority to Joseph Smith. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only Church on the face of the earth that posseses this priesthood authority, and only by this priesthood authority may one receive a baptism in the same way that Jesus was baptized. So as long as someone receives a baptism by this authority, I don't care so much who it is that performs the ordinance.

Well, I'm out of time now. I love all of you and hope that you all have a wonderful week. Keep strong and keep on keeping on! I love you!

Love,
Elder Schomburg

17 months