It's a wonderful day today, and it's also been a wonderful week. This week we worked really hard and found a lot of people. We had high hopes for a big turn-out Sunday of new investigators, but alas! almost no one came. We still have faith that the majority of them are going to progress though, so we'll keep working our hardest to help them all come to church and progress in this pathway of faith.
Being with an American companion is so very wonderful. We get along very well and are really trying to get a lot done with the zone. Also, it's a lot easier to joke around and get to know someone who speaks your native language. It's pretty wonderful. I'm so grateful to be with Elder Tuckett. Also, he has a lot of desires to work as hard as he can, and he has a lot of good ideas to help the zone progress. I think it really helps that he's a new zone leader, and I'm very grateful to be with him.
To answer some questions from mi Madre: My luggage is Chaps brand and it's holding up fine, I would definitely recommend Dansko shoes (they're still holding up after all this time; the Hushpuppies aren't doing so well, as is manifest in the photo), and I think the CTR clothing brand is pretty good. Some of the pinstriping is gone from some of my pants, and I've had to get them sewn in a couple of spots, but it's normal wear and tear. Also, watches are very handy, but they should be durable and shock-proof; my watch took a shot and now the face moves around, so I can't really use it (not to mention the battery died, so now it's just a nice ornament). Two towels would be good. Also, you don't need to bring two years worth of sprays/lotions/etc, because one can buy that stuff almost anywhere I believe. Two years of contact lenses though would be most recommendable, plus glasses (just in case). Also, if he's going to a mission in which there can sometimes be a colder climate, a sweater would be wonderful (v-neck, dark in color, and long sleeve, not a sweater-vest). [Still no mission call for Jeffrey - for those of you who are holding your breath waiting. :)]
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| Twenty months of daily walking - ouch! |
Just some advice and words of comfort for Jeffrey: Keep on keeping on! If your friends are asking you a whole bunch of questions trying to make you look less than intelligent or something, don't worry about it. Just keep studying the Scriptures, praying, attending Church meetings regularly, and doing everything possible to gain a strong testimony before your mission. Satan knows that this work is of the Lord and that this Church is the true Church of Jesus Christ, and because of that he will do anything and everything in his power to stop you from spreading the word. I think the words of Moses could help you in this case:
Even Moses received opposition from Satan, but you can do just as Moses did. You still have a work to do here on earth. You still have the Gospel to share, and you have power over Satan, no matter in what form in which he appears to you. Satan is trying to overpower you, but you can become even stronger with each trial that you conquer, so Satan is, in a sense, helping you to be stronger and trust in God more and more. Just keep on keeping on. Even when your friends try to belittle you, remember that you are a son of Heavenly Father. He will never leave you alone, and as long as you are worthy, the Holy Ghost will be with you to strengthen you. It's possible that your friends say such things because they are jealous of your confidence and that you are part of a Church in which you truly believe. Perhaps they still have a lot of questions that they haven't had answers and are trying to make you doubt your beliefs so that they can feel like their religion is just as good (or something like that). Just remember that this Church is the same that Christ established almost 2000 years ago. We have prophets and apostles who guide us towards Christ. This is the true Church. And if you need a further confirmation of that truth, just ask Heavenly Father if this is the true Church. He won't ever lie, and I testify that He answers prayers, because He answered and answers mine time and time again. You can do it Jeffrey! Keep on keeping on!13 And it came to pass that Moses looked upon Satan and said: Who art thou? For behold, I am a ason of God, in the similitude of his Only Begotten; and where is thy bglory, that I should worship thee?19 And now, when Moses had said these words, aSatan cried with a loud voice, and ranted upon the earth, and commanded, saying: I am the bOnly Begotten, worship me.20 And it came to pass that Moses began to afear exceedingly; and as he began to fear, he saw the bitterness of bhell. Nevertheless, ccalling upon God, he received dstrength, and he commanded, saying: Depart from me, Satan, for this one God only will I worship, which is the God of eglory.21 And now Satan began to tremble, and the earth shook; and Moses received strength, and called upon God, saying: In the name of the Only Begotten, adepart hence, bSatan. 22 And it came to pass that Satan cried with a loud voice, with weeping, and wailing, and agnashing of teeth; and he departed hence, even from the presence of Moses, that he beheld him not.
HEY!! GENERAL CONFERENCE THIS WEEK!!!!! WOOOOO!!!! Haha I've been telling all of our investigators that General Conference is like the World Cup of the Church (as in that's how excited I am for it). I am so very very excited for General Conference. We get to hear the voice of a Prophet of God and from Apostles of Christ. It will be just as important as when Moses revealed the Mosaic Law to the people of Israel. It will be as if Paul or Peter were talking directly to us right now. It's incredible. I would invite all who read this to watch General Conference this Saturday and Sunday at 9 am and 1 pm MST (...I think. Madre, you should correct those times if they're not correct.) [The times for General Conference are 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. MST on Saturday and Sunday. Click on the highlighted General Conference link to watch.] There's also a special Priesthood session for men Saturday night at 5 pm, so there are 5 sessions in all. [The Priesthood session is at 6:00 p.m. MST on Saturday evening.] They will be incredible, and everyone can learn something that will bless him in his life, especially if he watches all of the sessions. I'm so very very excited. Don't miss out on this opportunity to listen to modern day prophets and apostles!
Also, if you don't believe that there can be prophets and apostles today, reflect on these two scriptures: Amos 3:7 and Hebrews 13:8, which say, respectively, "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, abut he brevealeth
Well, I think that's all that I have for this day. I love you all and thank you for the prayers which you send my way. I pray for you as well and hope that this letter finds all happy, healthy, and in good spirits. Also, don't forget that, while I do return home in short order, I do still love to receive pouch, and especially packages, if at all possible. I love you! Have a wonderful and spiritual week!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
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