Hello there!!
So, I am doing fairly well today. We just got back from a zone activity where we went to this place to see the Tsa´chilas, a native tribe here in Santo Domingo. It was pretty cool. We got to hike through the forest and such, we got to see how they do some things like make the skirts they wear, we learned that they're a peaceful, nomadic, hunter-gatherer tribe, and there are about 3000 of them in 7 different areas around here. It was pretty fun, and it was a good bonding experience for our zone.
This week has been a bit...mixed. We had a rather heated discussion among our companionship a few days ago because Elder Fernelius is having a respect problem, and it's not just with us, it's now spreading to other people. Oh, and the other elder in my photos was Elder Smith, the trainer, and he has 19 years...yeah, in Spanish you say, "Tiene 19 años," which translates to, "He has 19 years." My English and Spanish are crossing, so, yeah. Anyway, yeah, we had a rather heated discussion and Elder Fernelius still doesn't really like Elder Smith. Somehow they both still like me; even though I'm pretty much on Elder Smith's side, Elder Fernelius still at least will talk to me, so that's good. But yeah, our companionship has been going through a rough spot. Elder Fernelius doesn't seem to accept that he does things wrong, so that's a struggle, but we're trying to help him the best that we can. It's an ongoing task though.
We'll finally be having baptizms this next week, if all works out right. The funny thing is, I won't be here for them (I don't think) because an old investigator of mine in La Concordia wants me to baptize him, so I have to go back to Concordia Saturday for a bit. I'm excited though because he's an investigator that Elder Huarahuara and I found and taught, and they've gone through quite a few problems, and he had to wait for 6 weeks after his wife was baptized and have two interviews with two different mission presidents in order to get this baptizm, but he's stuck it out and is finally reaching his goal. I'm so incredibly happy for him, though it will be a little tough not beeing able to see our investigators here in Las Islas (that's my sector here in Sto. Domingo) get baptized, because Elder Larrea and I found them. It's just crazy all around, but it's crazy amazing.
Oh, so, through experimenting I have come up with the best pancake batter ever. They're so flavorful that a topping isn't even needed, though I still like to put blackberry jam on top of them (it's a whole lot cheaper than syrup). I'd give it to you guys, but honestly there isn't a set amount of any one ingredient. I just dump stuff in until it looks about right. But they are tasty. Also, turns out that making pancakes or french toast every morning for breakfast works out to about .50 cents a day for breakfast, which is darn cheap. So it's tasty and cost efficient! Huzzah!
I am very excited to hear about the trek that Jeffery and Elizabeth are going on. That seems like it'll be a ton of fun. Hopefully there will be a lot of chances for spiritual experiences, and hopefully they'll learn more skills, too.
I think I've been feeling the Spirit more this week than last. At least, that's what it seems like. There have been several times this week when the lesson came around to me to say something, and I really had no idea what to say, but I just open my mouth and words come out that work. That's definitely the Spirit working through me. It's such a good feeling, too. Also, even though we didn't have a lot of lessons this week, they were very good lessons for the most part. I am so thankful to have the Spirit to be with me.
However, with one "victory" comes another trial. This time it's trunkiness. Now don't go getting all worried, I'm not trunky as in pinning (pining?) over home all the time and wanting to come home. I recently heard that trunkiness could be called anytime that you're thinking about something that distracts you from the work here for some time. That got me thinking, and I think that I could be better in this aspect. I do frequently think of new things that I'd like to learn (something that I'm kinda learning right now is how to play the piano, but of course there aren't a lot of opportunities to practice or anything, and I'd love to learn another language after Spanish) or things that I'd like to cook (yeah, that seems a bit weird, doesn't it?), and I've realized that these things may be distracting me a bit. I could definitely work on thinking about my investigators more, but my mind seems to jump around a lot. I also find myself not really thinking about anything in particular. It's much more difficult than I thought to always be thinking of someone else, though in this case it's multiple people. I need to figure out how to do this, but I'm not sure how. I'll keep praying and studying about it though.
Well, I'm out of time basically, so I'll go for now. Oh, by the way, mail sent from Washington, D.C. gets here in about 5 days, so if you're ever in D.C. and want to send me a letter, I'll get it pretty quickly. Yeah, anyway, I love you all. I'm so proud of you, Madre, and all that you're doing to better your life in all aspects. Keep on keeping on with school...and then teach me how to study when I get back please! Thank you all for all of your support, and for all of your prayers.
I hope you all keep on being the best that you can be, and make sure to put aside time for your Heavenly Father, because He gave you this time. Just something to think about. Also, 2 Nephi 10:23-25 is one of my new favorite scriptures. I used it so many times this week. You're all free to choose! Remember that! I love you, and I'll talk to you next Monday, possibly from a new location! (Changes are next Sunday, so we'll see what happens.) Cuídense, ¿ya? Ciao!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
Monday, July 25, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
July 18, 2011
Hello everybody!
I'm doing fairly well today. We as a trio have gotten into the swing of things a bit more, and things are going smoother. The young one is still a bit headstrong, but there's a bit of hope for improvement. I think once he realizes that we're not trying to sell the Gospel to anyone things will go better (he used to be a pesticide sales guy, so he knows how to do sales well). We all get along fairly well, but Elder Fernelius is one of those kids that was probably really popular in school because his mom is from Guayaquil so he's half Ecuadorian. He'll learn eventually, and then we'll all get along a whole lot better. But if we don't, I'll probably be gone in about 2 weeks (the first week of August is transfers), and then...I'll probably be training someone just like him. Everyone says I'm going to be getting moved up, which is very probable, but we'll see.
Santo Domingo is very much more urbanized than La Concordia. It's like Colorado Springs, but...not. It's like Colorado Springs in size I guess, though it might be a bit smaller. I don't really know. I live in an apartment, and it's fairly nice except for the lack of hot water. Yeah, showers are an adventure, that's for sure. The sector is not nearly as open or receptive as La Concordia was though. We only have 4 baptizms lined up for the next month or so, and of those only 1 is really looking like she'll make it. So that's a bit depressing, but we've just gotta keep pressing on and finding more people.
Something that I feel like I could do more is listen to the promptings of the Spirit. Rather, look for those promptings more. Maybe I could study harder, maybe I could pray harder, I dunno, I just feel like there's something else that I could do to help me feel the Spirit even stronger. I'll keep praying for that though. I think that if I could recognize the Spirit even more then we could be able to find even more people.
So, one of my ongoing battles is finding out how to copy music onto my flash drive. I have it on there, but the problem is that it's in the wrong format. I need to change it to a different format so that it can play on my speakers. That's rather annoying, seeing as I have no idea how to do that. Blah. Hopefully I'll get it figured out so that I can actually listen to my music.
I'm very very glad that you're all doing well at home. Oh, I'll be sending a letter package home today because I didn't send one on Thursday. Hopefully you'll get it soon.
Oh, I'm including some photos of me with a machete because I promised that people would see me with a machete at some time. But why do I have a machete, and why am I in a house with it? Rather, why is it in our house? Well, that I don't know, but we were cleaning the house a bit today and noticed that the freezer was ridiculously frosted over. We almost couldn't put anything in the freezer due to the amount of ice. So we tried chipping out some of it with a butter knife, but it started to bend. Next we tried a pot lid, but that is rather dented now. Then I found the machete, and now the freezer has been de-iced. Machetes work for absolutely any manual labor that you could think of, basically. They're amazing tools.
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Missions are tiring. I am re-realizing that every day. I sleep so well now, and it's because we must walk 20 miles a day. Okay, maybe not...maybe yes...I don't know actually. I just know that we walk a ton. It's rather ridiculous sometimes how much we walk.
So, I don't really have much else to say. I hope you all are doing well and growing, especially spiritually. I love you all, and keep on keeping on! Cuídense!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
I'm doing fairly well today. We as a trio have gotten into the swing of things a bit more, and things are going smoother. The young one is still a bit headstrong, but there's a bit of hope for improvement. I think once he realizes that we're not trying to sell the Gospel to anyone things will go better (he used to be a pesticide sales guy, so he knows how to do sales well). We all get along fairly well, but Elder Fernelius is one of those kids that was probably really popular in school because his mom is from Guayaquil so he's half Ecuadorian. He'll learn eventually, and then we'll all get along a whole lot better. But if we don't, I'll probably be gone in about 2 weeks (the first week of August is transfers), and then...I'll probably be training someone just like him. Everyone says I'm going to be getting moved up, which is very probable, but we'll see.
Santo Domingo is very much more urbanized than La Concordia. It's like Colorado Springs, but...not. It's like Colorado Springs in size I guess, though it might be a bit smaller. I don't really know. I live in an apartment, and it's fairly nice except for the lack of hot water. Yeah, showers are an adventure, that's for sure. The sector is not nearly as open or receptive as La Concordia was though. We only have 4 baptizms lined up for the next month or so, and of those only 1 is really looking like she'll make it. So that's a bit depressing, but we've just gotta keep pressing on and finding more people.
Something that I feel like I could do more is listen to the promptings of the Spirit. Rather, look for those promptings more. Maybe I could study harder, maybe I could pray harder, I dunno, I just feel like there's something else that I could do to help me feel the Spirit even stronger. I'll keep praying for that though. I think that if I could recognize the Spirit even more then we could be able to find even more people.
So, one of my ongoing battles is finding out how to copy music onto my flash drive. I have it on there, but the problem is that it's in the wrong format. I need to change it to a different format so that it can play on my speakers. That's rather annoying, seeing as I have no idea how to do that. Blah. Hopefully I'll get it figured out so that I can actually listen to my music.
I'm very very glad that you're all doing well at home. Oh, I'll be sending a letter package home today because I didn't send one on Thursday. Hopefully you'll get it soon.
Oh, I'm including some photos of me with a machete because I promised that people would see me with a machete at some time. But why do I have a machete, and why am I in a house with it? Rather, why is it in our house? Well, that I don't know, but we were cleaning the house a bit today and noticed that the freezer was ridiculously frosted over. We almost couldn't put anything in the freezer due to the amount of ice. So we tried chipping out some of it with a butter knife, but it started to bend. Next we tried a pot lid, but that is rather dented now. Then I found the machete, and now the freezer has been de-iced. Machetes work for absolutely any manual labor that you could think of, basically. They're amazing tools.
Missions are tiring. I am re-realizing that every day. I sleep so well now, and it's because we must walk 20 miles a day. Okay, maybe not...maybe yes...I don't know actually. I just know that we walk a ton. It's rather ridiculous sometimes how much we walk.
So, I don't really have much else to say. I hope you all are doing well and growing, especially spiritually. I love you all, and keep on keeping on! Cuídense!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
Monday, July 11, 2011
Where in Ecuador is Elder Schomburg?
Hello all!
This week has indeed been rather crazy, but everything is going well. I am currently in Santo Domingo and in a trio with Elders Smith and Fernelius. Both are from the States, and Elder Smith is training Elder Fernelius, and now I'm training him too I guess. It's all rather strange, because up until yesterday I was still in a companionship with Elder Larrea. Saturday I was in an interchange with Elder Buckland, so I was in La Concordia for the night. Sunday morning we got a call that someone had called the mission president to tell him that Elder Larrea was in jail for stealing, even though he really wasn't. So President Ghent decided to change Elder Larrea to Quito for his safety or something, and this occurred while I was still in La Concordia. So for a bit I was companionless, though I was still physically with Elder Buckland. But now I'm with Elders Smith and Fernelius until at least the end of the month when we might have more changes. Whew. Yeah. I didn't even get to say goodbye to Elder Larrea before he had to go! That was a bit saddening. Oh well. Hopefully he'll actually be able to finish out his mission (all 20 days that he has left). So yeah, that's what's happened to me this week.
I was very glad to hear that Dad got to go to the St. George Temple. That sounds like a rather amazing experience. I miss the temple a bit, so I'll have to make it a priority to go when I get back. But for now, I'll focus on helping in saving the people here.
Huzzah for starting classes Mom! That sounds exciting. It'll definitely be a bit challenging, but it'll be worth it. I hope that you are able to find time to do everything that you need to do. I'm still kinda learning how to study, so hopefully you can find out how to do so sooner than I. You're doing amazing things Mom. I'm very very proud of you.
I've been asked to share a personal experience with feeling the Spirit or receiving comfort or something through prayer. Well, that's a bit hard for me right now. I can't remember anything specifically at this moment. Many times when I'm feeling down or discouraged all I have to do is say a little prayer in my heart and I almost immediately feel better. I know when that happens it's because my Heavenly Father is sending me His love and comfort. It's always amazing and incredible for me to feel that feeling, especially because it's so strong and so immediate. I know without a doubt that there is a Heavenly Father, and that he is always looking out for us. It doesn't matter how sad you are or how much strength you need, He is always there to freely impart upon us. Also, if your "mamita" makes a soup that is a bit tough to completely finish, you can always say a personal prayer while you're walking to lunch that you'll be able to recoginize the blessing of the food and that you'll be able to eat all of it, and then somehow at the end of lunch, you won't have anything left in your bowl or on your plate. He will answer absolutely all of your prayers if you have enough faith.
I'll be having a trial these next couple of weeks I'm thinking. Elder Fernelius is a bit...headstrong I guess you could say. Since I'm kinda like his father-in-law now, his training is now on my shoulders as well. He's one that kinda needs to be kept on a short leash, because if you give him an inch he will walk all over you and you won't be able to get anything done. He's a tad...prideful I guess you could say. He hasn't been in the mission long (this week will complete one month for him I think...maybe less), so he still needs to humble himself a bit. But I'm sure that Elder Smith and I will find a way to help him out.
Well, I need to go. I got a lot of pouch this week. A lot. So, I'm gonna be a bit behind (even more so), but the letters will get written. Thank you all for writing to me. Oh, the address for the offices changed. Letters and packages should now be sent to;
Misión Ecuador Quito
Calle Robles E4-515 y Ave. Amazonas
Casilla: 17-03-078
Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
Thank you everyone! I'll send a letter package this Thursday. I love you all, and I can't wait to hear from you again. Cuídense!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
This week has indeed been rather crazy, but everything is going well. I am currently in Santo Domingo and in a trio with Elders Smith and Fernelius. Both are from the States, and Elder Smith is training Elder Fernelius, and now I'm training him too I guess. It's all rather strange, because up until yesterday I was still in a companionship with Elder Larrea. Saturday I was in an interchange with Elder Buckland, so I was in La Concordia for the night. Sunday morning we got a call that someone had called the mission president to tell him that Elder Larrea was in jail for stealing, even though he really wasn't. So President Ghent decided to change Elder Larrea to Quito for his safety or something, and this occurred while I was still in La Concordia. So for a bit I was companionless, though I was still physically with Elder Buckland. But now I'm with Elders Smith and Fernelius until at least the end of the month when we might have more changes. Whew. Yeah. I didn't even get to say goodbye to Elder Larrea before he had to go! That was a bit saddening. Oh well. Hopefully he'll actually be able to finish out his mission (all 20 days that he has left). So yeah, that's what's happened to me this week.
I was very glad to hear that Dad got to go to the St. George Temple. That sounds like a rather amazing experience. I miss the temple a bit, so I'll have to make it a priority to go when I get back. But for now, I'll focus on helping in saving the people here.
Huzzah for starting classes Mom! That sounds exciting. It'll definitely be a bit challenging, but it'll be worth it. I hope that you are able to find time to do everything that you need to do. I'm still kinda learning how to study, so hopefully you can find out how to do so sooner than I. You're doing amazing things Mom. I'm very very proud of you.
I've been asked to share a personal experience with feeling the Spirit or receiving comfort or something through prayer. Well, that's a bit hard for me right now. I can't remember anything specifically at this moment. Many times when I'm feeling down or discouraged all I have to do is say a little prayer in my heart and I almost immediately feel better. I know when that happens it's because my Heavenly Father is sending me His love and comfort. It's always amazing and incredible for me to feel that feeling, especially because it's so strong and so immediate. I know without a doubt that there is a Heavenly Father, and that he is always looking out for us. It doesn't matter how sad you are or how much strength you need, He is always there to freely impart upon us. Also, if your "mamita" makes a soup that is a bit tough to completely finish, you can always say a personal prayer while you're walking to lunch that you'll be able to recoginize the blessing of the food and that you'll be able to eat all of it, and then somehow at the end of lunch, you won't have anything left in your bowl or on your plate. He will answer absolutely all of your prayers if you have enough faith.
I'll be having a trial these next couple of weeks I'm thinking. Elder Fernelius is a bit...headstrong I guess you could say. Since I'm kinda like his father-in-law now, his training is now on my shoulders as well. He's one that kinda needs to be kept on a short leash, because if you give him an inch he will walk all over you and you won't be able to get anything done. He's a tad...prideful I guess you could say. He hasn't been in the mission long (this week will complete one month for him I think...maybe less), so he still needs to humble himself a bit. But I'm sure that Elder Smith and I will find a way to help him out.
Well, I need to go. I got a lot of pouch this week. A lot. So, I'm gonna be a bit behind (even more so), but the letters will get written. Thank you all for writing to me. Oh, the address for the offices changed. Letters and packages should now be sent to;
Misión Ecuador Quito
Calle Robles E4-515 y Ave. Amazonas
Casilla: 17-03-078
Quito, Pichincha, Ecuador
Thank you everyone! I'll send a letter package this Thursday. I love you all, and I can't wait to hear from you again. Cuídense!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Happy Independence Day!!!
Hello all!
Happy 4th of July!! I hope everyone has gone all-out patriotic this year. I would if I could, but I'm kinda in Ecuador, so I can't really do that so much. Funny thing is, I'm a lot more patriotic here than I ever was in the States. I guess I just realized how good I had it in the States and how amazing it really is to be an American, so I'm now a very patriotic guy.
This week I'm doing pretty well. As a companionship we're doing pretty well, too. We have 11 people with a baptismal date between now and the 23rd, and potentially 19 if we can get them to go to church these next two weeks. But, we might not be here for the next two weeks, and that's because recently (as in yesterday), we've been receiving some problems from the ex-boyfriend of the young lady that we baptized this Saturday. She broke up with the guy about 3 days before her baptizm because he wasn't a good influence on her and she realized that, and he was pressuring her to not get baptized and such. Well, that's not so bad, right? Well, turns out that this guy also recently offered to teach our investigator (now recent convert!!) how to use guns, which is all fine and well too. But...yesterday he found Elder Buckland and said that he's been looking all around town for us (Elder Larrea and me) so that he can talk to Elder Larrea one-on-one. That's a tad worrisome, so we're stuck in Santo Domingo for at least 2 days while the new mission president decides what to do with us. It's very probable that Elder Larrea will be getting a transfer somewhere, and there's a chance that I will too. I'd be happier about that, but we have a lot of progressing investigators right now, and if we leave the new missionaries won't be able to find our investigators. (By the way, there's no such thing as a street address here. Well, in La Concordia. The streets don't have names, and the houses don't have numbers. It's rather inconvenient.) So yeah, excitingness! I'm spending my 4th of July on the run from a heartbroken and possibly armed man! Woo! Haha, but such is the life of a missionary. At least I haven't been robbed yet or anything. I'm not worried or anything though. I know that I haven't done anything wrong, that I've been doing my best to keep all the commandments, and so I will have the Holy Ghost to be with me, and I'll be watched over. I'm here doing the Lord's work, and I'm doing it with all my heart, so I will be protected. Like Alma, I'm not boasting of myself, rather of my God. He will protect me because He has made a promise with me that He will if I keep his commandments, and I've been doing my best to keep the commandments, and repenting when I've fallen short in some way, so I will be protected. Also, I know I have several people praying for me, and every pray helps. Thank you all!
How's the weather here...well, right now in Sto. Domingo it's overcast and slightly cooler, though I imagine in La Concordia it's overcast and hot. It's always the same. Mostly overcast all day, and hot. If it's Sunday, there're still clouds in the sky, but they'll never cover the sun, and the sun will bake you alive all day, and staying awake during your lessons will be the biggest challenge of the day. That's just how Sundays are. And that's how it will always be, forever and ever, because we're in Ecuador and the weather never changes. I'm starting to realize what it'd be like to be Adam in the Garden of Eden, always having perfect weather all the time, and I would have eaten the fruit too, if only for a change of scenery.
I need to give a big shout out to my lovely and wonderful mother, whom recently became a Take Shape For Life Health Coach and has lost almost 46 pounds since I left! Good job madre! I am very proud of you. I know what you're doing isn't easy, but the rewards are definitely worth it. Maybe we can run a 5k together when I get back. That'd be pretty awesome, I'm thinking. Maybe not right when I get back (January isn't the greatest time for doing 5ks), but let's do one at some time, okay?
Ah, to ask a question submitted by Robby: to be honest, I don't drink a lot of water, and if I do it's bottled. I usually drink soda (which is why I've been gordando, and which I'll be changing this week along with my new workout routine that I've actually been following; when a gringo tells you you're gordando, it's time to repent of your ways and start working out.) or I drink juice. I'd tell you the types of juice, but I'm still not quite sure the names of most of them. A popular one is guaca, which looks rather repulsive but is actually quite tasty.
I was very happy to hear that there was a Relief Society meeting where someone said that life can be hard, because you're darn straight that life can be hard. I wouldn't have it any other way though. If life was perfect all the time, how would we progress? How would we realize whom we can become? How would we learn anything? How would we enjoy life? There's a reason that life is hard. If it wasn't hard, how would we know if we have a testimony? A testimony only comes after the trial of our faith, after all. How would we enjoy the simple pleasures in life if all we ever knew was perfectness? Do you guys know what is amazing? Having carpet. Drinking out of the tap. Grass (as green as it is here, there's not really grass. Weird, huh?). Spaghetti. If life wasn't hard, we wouldn't know the blessings of those things. We should all strive to be like a grape vine. Do you know how to get a really good crop of grapes? You don't prune the vines all nice and neat. No, you have to hack them to pieces, and then they grow back even fuller and more bountiful than before. Let's take every bad situation that we're faced with and try to find the good in it, no matter how bleak things look. There's always something good about every situation. Many times it will be that we need to rely on the Lord more, or that the commandments are not restrictions, but are rather guidelines for the happiest life possible. So let's persevere through the hard times, and let the Lord stretch us and test us. After all, this life is a life of probation, a time to be tested and to see if we're worthy to enter into the presence of our Heavenly Father again. I would exhort all of you to keep on keeping on, and when you feel like you can't, remember to read 2 Nephi 4 (all of it, but the last verses are the best). The Lord will be with us through all of our afflictions and while we wander through our deserts. Trust in Him. Isn't He the reason we have this nation, too? Are we not "one nation, under God"? Keep on keeping on everyone, and relish the tests and trials.
I love you all! I'm glad to hear that you're doing well, and that you're keeping busy (my family is at least; I don't know much about the rest of you because the pouch system here isn't exactly a racing snail (woo obscure movie reference!). Keep writing, and I'll keep doing my best to respond. I love you all, and I wish you all a very happy 4th of July. Bye!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
Happy 4th of July!! I hope everyone has gone all-out patriotic this year. I would if I could, but I'm kinda in Ecuador, so I can't really do that so much. Funny thing is, I'm a lot more patriotic here than I ever was in the States. I guess I just realized how good I had it in the States and how amazing it really is to be an American, so I'm now a very patriotic guy.
This week I'm doing pretty well. As a companionship we're doing pretty well, too. We have 11 people with a baptismal date between now and the 23rd, and potentially 19 if we can get them to go to church these next two weeks. But, we might not be here for the next two weeks, and that's because recently (as in yesterday), we've been receiving some problems from the ex-boyfriend of the young lady that we baptized this Saturday. She broke up with the guy about 3 days before her baptizm because he wasn't a good influence on her and she realized that, and he was pressuring her to not get baptized and such. Well, that's not so bad, right? Well, turns out that this guy also recently offered to teach our investigator (now recent convert!!) how to use guns, which is all fine and well too. But...yesterday he found Elder Buckland and said that he's been looking all around town for us (Elder Larrea and me) so that he can talk to Elder Larrea one-on-one. That's a tad worrisome, so we're stuck in Santo Domingo for at least 2 days while the new mission president decides what to do with us. It's very probable that Elder Larrea will be getting a transfer somewhere, and there's a chance that I will too. I'd be happier about that, but we have a lot of progressing investigators right now, and if we leave the new missionaries won't be able to find our investigators. (By the way, there's no such thing as a street address here. Well, in La Concordia. The streets don't have names, and the houses don't have numbers. It's rather inconvenient.) So yeah, excitingness! I'm spending my 4th of July on the run from a heartbroken and possibly armed man! Woo! Haha, but such is the life of a missionary. At least I haven't been robbed yet or anything. I'm not worried or anything though. I know that I haven't done anything wrong, that I've been doing my best to keep all the commandments, and so I will have the Holy Ghost to be with me, and I'll be watched over. I'm here doing the Lord's work, and I'm doing it with all my heart, so I will be protected. Like Alma, I'm not boasting of myself, rather of my God. He will protect me because He has made a promise with me that He will if I keep his commandments, and I've been doing my best to keep the commandments, and repenting when I've fallen short in some way, so I will be protected. Also, I know I have several people praying for me, and every pray helps. Thank you all!
How's the weather here...well, right now in Sto. Domingo it's overcast and slightly cooler, though I imagine in La Concordia it's overcast and hot. It's always the same. Mostly overcast all day, and hot. If it's Sunday, there're still clouds in the sky, but they'll never cover the sun, and the sun will bake you alive all day, and staying awake during your lessons will be the biggest challenge of the day. That's just how Sundays are. And that's how it will always be, forever and ever, because we're in Ecuador and the weather never changes. I'm starting to realize what it'd be like to be Adam in the Garden of Eden, always having perfect weather all the time, and I would have eaten the fruit too, if only for a change of scenery.
I need to give a big shout out to my lovely and wonderful mother, whom recently became a Take Shape For Life Health Coach and has lost almost 46 pounds since I left! Good job madre! I am very proud of you. I know what you're doing isn't easy, but the rewards are definitely worth it. Maybe we can run a 5k together when I get back. That'd be pretty awesome, I'm thinking. Maybe not right when I get back (January isn't the greatest time for doing 5ks), but let's do one at some time, okay?
Ah, to ask a question submitted by Robby: to be honest, I don't drink a lot of water, and if I do it's bottled. I usually drink soda (which is why I've been gordando, and which I'll be changing this week along with my new workout routine that I've actually been following; when a gringo tells you you're gordando, it's time to repent of your ways and start working out.) or I drink juice. I'd tell you the types of juice, but I'm still not quite sure the names of most of them. A popular one is guaca, which looks rather repulsive but is actually quite tasty.
I was very happy to hear that there was a Relief Society meeting where someone said that life can be hard, because you're darn straight that life can be hard. I wouldn't have it any other way though. If life was perfect all the time, how would we progress? How would we realize whom we can become? How would we learn anything? How would we enjoy life? There's a reason that life is hard. If it wasn't hard, how would we know if we have a testimony? A testimony only comes after the trial of our faith, after all. How would we enjoy the simple pleasures in life if all we ever knew was perfectness? Do you guys know what is amazing? Having carpet. Drinking out of the tap. Grass (as green as it is here, there's not really grass. Weird, huh?). Spaghetti. If life wasn't hard, we wouldn't know the blessings of those things. We should all strive to be like a grape vine. Do you know how to get a really good crop of grapes? You don't prune the vines all nice and neat. No, you have to hack them to pieces, and then they grow back even fuller and more bountiful than before. Let's take every bad situation that we're faced with and try to find the good in it, no matter how bleak things look. There's always something good about every situation. Many times it will be that we need to rely on the Lord more, or that the commandments are not restrictions, but are rather guidelines for the happiest life possible. So let's persevere through the hard times, and let the Lord stretch us and test us. After all, this life is a life of probation, a time to be tested and to see if we're worthy to enter into the presence of our Heavenly Father again. I would exhort all of you to keep on keeping on, and when you feel like you can't, remember to read 2 Nephi 4 (all of it, but the last verses are the best). The Lord will be with us through all of our afflictions and while we wander through our deserts. Trust in Him. Isn't He the reason we have this nation, too? Are we not "one nation, under God"? Keep on keeping on everyone, and relish the tests and trials.
I love you all! I'm glad to hear that you're doing well, and that you're keeping busy (my family is at least; I don't know much about the rest of you because the pouch system here isn't exactly a racing snail (woo obscure movie reference!). Keep writing, and I'll keep doing my best to respond. I love you all, and I wish you all a very happy 4th of July. Bye!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
End of June already?
Hello there!
So, as my madre correctly guessed, that homesickness thing I had was only a one day thing. It's always only one day, but it's still not the most fun. But I've been cured of it for now, and that's good!
Also, I just got all my music copied on my flash drive! Wooo!! Music this week! That's exciting. Oh, more on the random front, I got some pouch this week! However, due to time restraints, I may or may not be sending a mail package until next week. P-days seem to be some of the busiest days of the weeks. It's slightly ridiculous, but oh well. Thus is life.
So, the work seemed to be coming along fairly well. We had a lot of families that we were working with, and we were teaching a lot of people, but then we had a mini zone conference on Saturday and found out that we've been lacking some things in our teaching, namely challenging to baptizm the first lesson. Because of that, we also realized that many of our investigators aren't really progressing, so...we're kinda starting over with our families. But it was good to have this realization, because now we know what we need to do and we have a bit of a fire to do so. Well, I do at least. I believe Elder Larrea is a bit trunky, but he works hard when I do, so I just gotta keep working hard. Today was the last chance for transfers until the new mission president comes...which is only a couple of days away. President Ghent should be here the 29th-ish, and we'll see what changes he makes. I'm kinda hoping for a change. I always love change, and a change of scenery would be very welcome. I'd love to serve in Quito; however, "Iré y haré lo que el Señor ha mandado...." [I will go and do what the Lord has commanded.]
We'll be having another baptizm this week, which is exciting because we've been working with this investigator for a bit, and she's super excited to receive a baptizm. For awhile we had to make sure there was another member or someone with us when we taught her because she kept on subtly flirting with me, but that phase has since passed (thank goodness. You don't know how awkward it is to teach someone about the Gospel when they're flirting with you.). Also, she's friends with another of our recent converts, so hopefully they can strengthen each other and help each other seguir adelante. [go ahead]
So, after receiving some of the letters which I did (oh, Elizabeth, the other elders in the zone found your drawings absolutely hilarious and awesome, as did I), I decided that I needed to tell you guys something: No matter how hard things get, no matter how many troubles we have, they can all be fixed and we can live in peace once again if we turn to the Lord. Some people think that they have too many things going on to bother praying or reading the scriptures, let alone going to church. However, I can promise you that if we put the Lord first, we will be blessed. It's a promise that the Lord Himself made to us. If we first seek to obtain the kingdom of heaven, we'll be blessed with the necesidades...chuzo, necessities...that we need in this life. We will be blessed with a way to make it through all the storms and everything that the adversary throws at us. We have to turn to the Lord first in all things; school, car issues, housing issues, family issues, everything. He has given us all, and He has the power to give us more. He wants us to have a happy life, but we have to follow His commandments first. Like it says in Doctrine and Covenants 136:31, the Lord will test His followers to see if they will persevere through these tests, and if they do then they are worthy to enter into the kingdom of His Father. All in all, remember to always turn to the Lord first, and he will provide a way to conquer all trials and adversities. Remember Doctrine and Covenants 121:7 (or look it up!). [My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment.]
Oh, madre, assuming that you still have your "new" Escape when I get back, can I drive it? I have a feeling I'm going to be itching to go driving, and stick is the only way to go.
I was a tad worried to hear that Robby had a bad rash, but I'm glad that it's clearing up now. I hope everyone else is healthy as well.
I feel like there was something else that I needed/wanted to tell you guys.... I can`t seem to remember what it is though. Hmm. Well, okay, I'll just repeat something that I've already said, because it seems to be very important to me right now. Turn to the Lord first, and He will bless you. Please don't think that you don't have time to do so. Reading the scriptures doesn't take more than a minute, maybe two, every day. Even if it's just one or two verses every day, that still counts, and you will find more faith and more strength. Pray every day. The Lord commanded the Nephites to pray to the Father in the name of Jesus Christ always, and to ask for things from the Father. Christ knew that when you ask the Father with faith, in the name of Christ, you will receive what you are asking for. I know that this is true because I have put it into practice time and time again. We're pretty weak, everyone. We need all the help that we can get, and we have God on our side (Romans 8:31). [What shall we then say to those things? If God be for us, who can be against us?] He wants to help us. He wants us to have the happiest life that is possible. Turn to Him, and your burdens will be lifted. The easier life is the life with Christ on our side. But we cannot just say that we have faith in Christ, because faith without actions is dead. We have to show that we have faith. We have to always show that we have that faith, and we can start doing so by doing three things constantly: reading the scriptures daily, praying daily, and going to church every week. If you do these things, and you do them with the intent to act on whatever personal revelations that you receive, you will receive more of everything good. It's a promise.
I love you all, and I am so very glad to hear that you're doing well. It's still a bit weird to hear that people miss me, and I'm not really sure why it's weird, but don't miss me too much, because before you know it I'll be back ("from outer space..."...or from the future??). Thank you all so much for your support; it really does mean a ton to know that I have so many people praying for me. Thank you all. I can't wait to hear from you guys again! Keep writing letters, and I promise I'll do my best to reply to you as quick as is possible. Thanks again for everything, and I love you all very much! Cuidanse!!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
P.S. THAT'S WHAT I NEEDED TO SAY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!! I know I'm a bit early, but my letter to you probably won't arrive for quite some time, so here's your happy birthday wish. Happy Birthday!! I hope your day is über feliz (snap, Spanish AND German!) and full of rest and happiness. Also, happy birthday to Aunt Ginny! Her birthday was a couple of days ago, but still, better late than never. Happy birthday all! I love you!!
So, as my madre correctly guessed, that homesickness thing I had was only a one day thing. It's always only one day, but it's still not the most fun. But I've been cured of it for now, and that's good!
Also, I just got all my music copied on my flash drive! Wooo!! Music this week! That's exciting. Oh, more on the random front, I got some pouch this week! However, due to time restraints, I may or may not be sending a mail package until next week. P-days seem to be some of the busiest days of the weeks. It's slightly ridiculous, but oh well. Thus is life.
So, the work seemed to be coming along fairly well. We had a lot of families that we were working with, and we were teaching a lot of people, but then we had a mini zone conference on Saturday and found out that we've been lacking some things in our teaching, namely challenging to baptizm the first lesson. Because of that, we also realized that many of our investigators aren't really progressing, so...we're kinda starting over with our families. But it was good to have this realization, because now we know what we need to do and we have a bit of a fire to do so. Well, I do at least. I believe Elder Larrea is a bit trunky, but he works hard when I do, so I just gotta keep working hard. Today was the last chance for transfers until the new mission president comes...which is only a couple of days away. President Ghent should be here the 29th-ish, and we'll see what changes he makes. I'm kinda hoping for a change. I always love change, and a change of scenery would be very welcome. I'd love to serve in Quito; however, "Iré y haré lo que el Señor ha mandado...." [I will go and do what the Lord has commanded.]
We'll be having another baptizm this week, which is exciting because we've been working with this investigator for a bit, and she's super excited to receive a baptizm. For awhile we had to make sure there was another member or someone with us when we taught her because she kept on subtly flirting with me, but that phase has since passed (thank goodness. You don't know how awkward it is to teach someone about the Gospel when they're flirting with you.). Also, she's friends with another of our recent converts, so hopefully they can strengthen each other and help each other seguir adelante. [go ahead]
So, after receiving some of the letters which I did (oh, Elizabeth, the other elders in the zone found your drawings absolutely hilarious and awesome, as did I), I decided that I needed to tell you guys something: No matter how hard things get, no matter how many troubles we have, they can all be fixed and we can live in peace once again if we turn to the Lord. Some people think that they have too many things going on to bother praying or reading the scriptures, let alone going to church. However, I can promise you that if we put the Lord first, we will be blessed. It's a promise that the Lord Himself made to us. If we first seek to obtain the kingdom of heaven, we'll be blessed with the necesidades...chuzo, necessities...that we need in this life. We will be blessed with a way to make it through all the storms and everything that the adversary throws at us. We have to turn to the Lord first in all things; school, car issues, housing issues, family issues, everything. He has given us all, and He has the power to give us more. He wants us to have a happy life, but we have to follow His commandments first. Like it says in Doctrine and Covenants 136:31, the Lord will test His followers to see if they will persevere through these tests, and if they do then they are worthy to enter into the kingdom of His Father. All in all, remember to always turn to the Lord first, and he will provide a way to conquer all trials and adversities. Remember Doctrine and Covenants 121:7 (or look it up!). [My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment.]
Oh, madre, assuming that you still have your "new" Escape when I get back, can I drive it? I have a feeling I'm going to be itching to go driving, and stick is the only way to go.
I was a tad worried to hear that Robby had a bad rash, but I'm glad that it's clearing up now. I hope everyone else is healthy as well.
I feel like there was something else that I needed/wanted to tell you guys.... I can`t seem to remember what it is though. Hmm. Well, okay, I'll just repeat something that I've already said, because it seems to be very important to me right now. Turn to the Lord first, and He will bless you. Please don't think that you don't have time to do so. Reading the scriptures doesn't take more than a minute, maybe two, every day. Even if it's just one or two verses every day, that still counts, and you will find more faith and more strength. Pray every day. The Lord commanded the Nephites to pray to the Father in the name of Jesus Christ always, and to ask for things from the Father. Christ knew that when you ask the Father with faith, in the name of Christ, you will receive what you are asking for. I know that this is true because I have put it into practice time and time again. We're pretty weak, everyone. We need all the help that we can get, and we have God on our side (Romans 8:31). [What shall we then say to those things? If God be for us, who can be against us?] He wants to help us. He wants us to have the happiest life that is possible. Turn to Him, and your burdens will be lifted. The easier life is the life with Christ on our side. But we cannot just say that we have faith in Christ, because faith without actions is dead. We have to show that we have faith. We have to always show that we have that faith, and we can start doing so by doing three things constantly: reading the scriptures daily, praying daily, and going to church every week. If you do these things, and you do them with the intent to act on whatever personal revelations that you receive, you will receive more of everything good. It's a promise.
I love you all, and I am so very glad to hear that you're doing well. It's still a bit weird to hear that people miss me, and I'm not really sure why it's weird, but don't miss me too much, because before you know it I'll be back ("from outer space..."...or from the future??). Thank you all so much for your support; it really does mean a ton to know that I have so many people praying for me. Thank you all. I can't wait to hear from you guys again! Keep writing letters, and I promise I'll do my best to reply to you as quick as is possible. Thanks again for everything, and I love you all very much! Cuidanse!!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
P.S. THAT'S WHAT I NEEDED TO SAY. HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!! I know I'm a bit early, but my letter to you probably won't arrive for quite some time, so here's your happy birthday wish. Happy Birthday!! I hope your day is über feliz (snap, Spanish AND German!) and full of rest and happiness. Also, happy birthday to Aunt Ginny! Her birthday was a couple of days ago, but still, better late than never. Happy birthday all! I love you!!
Monday, June 20, 2011
June 20, 2011
Hello everyone!
So here I am, writing again. The days really do fly by, but every day seems to remind me just how much time is left. I seem to be going through a weird phase were I'm excited to do the work, but occassionally I remember how much longer I have. I think it's called homesickness or something like that, but I've heard that it's pretty common to feel every now and then. I have some remedies that people have sent me, so I think I'll try using those. But no worries, I'm still working hard and serving with all my might (and sorry if this is kinda like water to douse the any fires that I sparked last week. I'll try to throw in something a bit more flammable). It might just be an off day for me. We got permission to watch Kung Fu Panda 2 today, but all the movies that they sell here are pirated, and I really didn't feel right about that, but zone activities are mandatory, so I had to go. That put me in a slightly disgruntled mood, and also I feel like it was a waste of time. There were other things that I would have liked to do, but oh well. Thus is life.
During one of our baptizm (I'm never going to spell that word correctly) sessions that we had this week, we missionaries sang a special number (like we do every time), and this time we sang "I Am a Child of God." [ http://lds.org/media-library/video/general-conference-october-2010?lang=eng#2010-10-5031-i-am-a-child-of-god ] First Elder Buckland and I sang the first line in English, then Elders Larrea and Rodriguez sang the second verse in Spanish, then we all sang the last verse in Spanish. The amazing part was that I remembered all the words to the first line, and I have my wonderful mother to thank for that. I also had the opportunity to remember my very first memories, back when I was five (I don't exactly have the memory of an elephant). My mom would sing "I am a Child of God" to me every night before I went to sleep, and I still remember those times. I remember that song only because my madre sang it to me. [He and I also sang it in Sacrament Meeting when he was 5 as well as every night - well, I sang and he stood next to me looking cute.]
Why do I tell this story? To help you all realize how important families are. There's a reason that families have been ordained by God. There's a reason that the prophets encourage us to spend so much time focusing on the family. Families aren't just for this life, till death do us part. No, families are eternal. We have this wonderful opportunity to be able to live with our families in the presence of God, our Heavenly Father, for all eternity. How amazing is that? There isn't a greater blessing for anyone in the world. We need to protect our families here on earth so that we have this opportunity, because not all will have this opportunity. Only if we follow the plan that God has put in place for us will we have this opportunity. God's whole plan is for us to return to live with Him with our families. All we have to do is follow that plan. And how do we follow it? By starting out with three things; reading the scriptures as a family, by praying daily as a family, and by keeping the Sabbath holy as a family. Everything that we do to build ourselves up spiritually we have to do as a family, also. Protect your families everyone. There's a reason that Satan is trying to destroy the family. It's because the family can become strong enough that Satan can't have a hope of winning. It's because we can only receive exaltation as a family. Also, families that are strong in the gospel will help the individuals in the family to conquer their shortcomings and faults and will build each other up. 4 or 5 people fighting against one adversary is much better odds than one person alone. I would encourage everyone to work hard to strengthen their families. The lessons that we learn in the family stay with us throughout our life. If we start off strong we're more likely to finish strong. Don't procrastinate the chance to strengthen your families. Start now.
Things are still going well with Elder Larrea. There's always room for improvement, but that doesn't mean that Elder Larrea is horrible and isn't working at all. He teaches well and is a hard worker if you work hard as well. I just have to remember to keep working hard.
Happy Father's Day!! I know I'm a tad late, but thus is the life of a missionary. I'm glad to hear that Dad had a good Father's Day. Quiet celebrations are sometimes the best. Most of the time they're the best, actually. Anyway, Happy Father's Day again! Love you Dad!
Oh, I'm including a couple of pictures, and one is of Anita, the young mom that I told you we'd be baptizing, and we did so directly before Sacrament Meeting this week! Woo early morning baptizms! I was very happy to see her be baptized, and very honored to be the one to perform the ordinance.
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I was able to find a speaker unit last week, but I have yet to have the chance to put my music on the USB drive because this computer doesn't have a CD drive. Grrr. Possibly another week minus music, but that will change.
I was very glad to hear that dad was able to give a blessing of comfort. My testimony of the priesthood has really been growing as of late. The priesthood is so amazing, and I am so very thankful that the priesthood has been restored to the earth after its absence. I am so honored to be able to hold the priesthood worthily and have the chance to exercise it so frequently. I hope everyone can gain a stronger testimony of this wonderful authority eventually, because it's really what makes or breaks this church. I am thankful that we know that we have the authority to perform these saving ordinances, and to act in the name of Christ to help bring about the salvation of men.
Well, that's about all that I have for this week. I hope everyone is still doing well. Oh! I was able to send some letters out this past Thursday, but I didn't get a chance to respond to several letters, and also I got some more pouch today, so I'll keep on working on responding. Thank you all for your support, and remember that if we put Heavenly Father and Christ first, we will be blessed in all aspects of our lives.
I love you all!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
So here I am, writing again. The days really do fly by, but every day seems to remind me just how much time is left. I seem to be going through a weird phase were I'm excited to do the work, but occassionally I remember how much longer I have. I think it's called homesickness or something like that, but I've heard that it's pretty common to feel every now and then. I have some remedies that people have sent me, so I think I'll try using those. But no worries, I'm still working hard and serving with all my might (and sorry if this is kinda like water to douse the any fires that I sparked last week. I'll try to throw in something a bit more flammable). It might just be an off day for me. We got permission to watch Kung Fu Panda 2 today, but all the movies that they sell here are pirated, and I really didn't feel right about that, but zone activities are mandatory, so I had to go. That put me in a slightly disgruntled mood, and also I feel like it was a waste of time. There were other things that I would have liked to do, but oh well. Thus is life.
During one of our baptizm (I'm never going to spell that word correctly) sessions that we had this week, we missionaries sang a special number (like we do every time), and this time we sang "I Am a Child of God." [ http://lds.org/media-library/video/general-conference-october-2010?lang=eng#2010-10-5031-i-am-a-child-of-god ] First Elder Buckland and I sang the first line in English, then Elders Larrea and Rodriguez sang the second verse in Spanish, then we all sang the last verse in Spanish. The amazing part was that I remembered all the words to the first line, and I have my wonderful mother to thank for that. I also had the opportunity to remember my very first memories, back when I was five (I don't exactly have the memory of an elephant). My mom would sing "I am a Child of God" to me every night before I went to sleep, and I still remember those times. I remember that song only because my madre sang it to me. [He and I also sang it in Sacrament Meeting when he was 5 as well as every night - well, I sang and he stood next to me looking cute.]
Why do I tell this story? To help you all realize how important families are. There's a reason that families have been ordained by God. There's a reason that the prophets encourage us to spend so much time focusing on the family. Families aren't just for this life, till death do us part. No, families are eternal. We have this wonderful opportunity to be able to live with our families in the presence of God, our Heavenly Father, for all eternity. How amazing is that? There isn't a greater blessing for anyone in the world. We need to protect our families here on earth so that we have this opportunity, because not all will have this opportunity. Only if we follow the plan that God has put in place for us will we have this opportunity. God's whole plan is for us to return to live with Him with our families. All we have to do is follow that plan. And how do we follow it? By starting out with three things; reading the scriptures as a family, by praying daily as a family, and by keeping the Sabbath holy as a family. Everything that we do to build ourselves up spiritually we have to do as a family, also. Protect your families everyone. There's a reason that Satan is trying to destroy the family. It's because the family can become strong enough that Satan can't have a hope of winning. It's because we can only receive exaltation as a family. Also, families that are strong in the gospel will help the individuals in the family to conquer their shortcomings and faults and will build each other up. 4 or 5 people fighting against one adversary is much better odds than one person alone. I would encourage everyone to work hard to strengthen their families. The lessons that we learn in the family stay with us throughout our life. If we start off strong we're more likely to finish strong. Don't procrastinate the chance to strengthen your families. Start now.
Things are still going well with Elder Larrea. There's always room for improvement, but that doesn't mean that Elder Larrea is horrible and isn't working at all. He teaches well and is a hard worker if you work hard as well. I just have to remember to keep working hard.
Happy Father's Day!! I know I'm a tad late, but thus is the life of a missionary. I'm glad to hear that Dad had a good Father's Day. Quiet celebrations are sometimes the best. Most of the time they're the best, actually. Anyway, Happy Father's Day again! Love you Dad!
Oh, I'm including a couple of pictures, and one is of Anita, the young mom that I told you we'd be baptizing, and we did so directly before Sacrament Meeting this week! Woo early morning baptizms! I was very happy to see her be baptized, and very honored to be the one to perform the ordinance.
I was able to find a speaker unit last week, but I have yet to have the chance to put my music on the USB drive because this computer doesn't have a CD drive. Grrr. Possibly another week minus music, but that will change.
I was very glad to hear that dad was able to give a blessing of comfort. My testimony of the priesthood has really been growing as of late. The priesthood is so amazing, and I am so very thankful that the priesthood has been restored to the earth after its absence. I am so honored to be able to hold the priesthood worthily and have the chance to exercise it so frequently. I hope everyone can gain a stronger testimony of this wonderful authority eventually, because it's really what makes or breaks this church. I am thankful that we know that we have the authority to perform these saving ordinances, and to act in the name of Christ to help bring about the salvation of men.
Well, that's about all that I have for this week. I hope everyone is still doing well. Oh! I was able to send some letters out this past Thursday, but I didn't get a chance to respond to several letters, and also I got some more pouch today, so I'll keep on working on responding. Thank you all for your support, and remember that if we put Heavenly Father and Christ first, we will be blessed in all aspects of our lives.
I love you all!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
Monday, June 13, 2011
13 de junio 2011
Hi there! (points to anyone who imagined that in Dug's voice)
This week has absolutely flown by. It has been so fast, seriously. I'm fairly sure that yesterday was last Monday, but yesterday was actually Sunday, so yes, a full week has indeed passed by. But yeah, we've been rather busy this week, and by busy I mean we've been contacting like crazy. We had actually run out of investigators (progressing or otherwise), so we had to do quite a bit of contacting to find more people to teach. Well, we found people alright. We found 6 families this week and 21 new investigators, so that was pretty good. Some of them are already progressing very well towards actually coming unto Christ, and some aren't quite as far along, but that's why we're here! To help people come unto Christ. I get the impression that a lot of people still think that the reason I'm out here is just to baptize people, and that isn't it at all. Yes, I am here to baptize people, but that's because baptism is the door to the path to eternal life. We're here to start them on the path and make sure that they have the foundations necessary to remain on that path for this life and after death, too. Sure, it's nice to have a baptism, but it's even nicer to see that person want to follow Christ, and not just for a moment in thier baptism, but for the rest of their lives. We baptize people so that they can have the opportunity to return to live with our Heavenly Father again, and to receive eternal life. Not everyone has the chance to live in God's presence again, but that's why we're out here, to give people that opportunity. Only through baptism by the correct authority do we have the ability to live in God's presence again, and so we're also here to baptize people, knowing that it's a prerequisite for eternal life. So that's our purpose here; to invite people to come unto Christ by helping them understand and receive the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is; faith, repentance, baptism by immersion, reception of the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and enduring to the end (that was almost difficult to write in English). It's only an invitation, but we hope and pray with everything that we've got that someone will accept our invitation.
Just wondering, who wrote the little bit of Spanish in the beginning of the letter to me this week? Whoever did, good job for correct conjugations and everything! [It was Madre - with the help of Google Translate.]
I am absolutely loving it out here. Some of you might think that I'm just saying that so that you won't worry about me, but I honestly, 100% am telling the truth when I say that I am loving it here and wouldn't leave here right now for anything. I have a job to do here. Countless people are depending on me to help them see what they've been missing in their lives, to save them from themselves and the world, and to help them remember the blessings that they've received from our Heavenly Father. I have a sacred calling matched only by a handful in the world. I am here saying and doing what the Lord would say and do, because I have been called by God and set apart by those with the authority and priesthood of God to be a representative of Jesus Christ, the Creator of the World, our Savior and Redeemer. My calling is more important to me than anything else right now, and I wouldn't dare think of coming home. What if I did come home now? How many people wouldn't receive the Gospel because I went home? How many people would have been able to be sealed as a family in the temple if I hadn't gone home? How many people could I have helped save from possibly dying because of addictions or leading dangerous lifestyles? The importance of my work here, the Lord's work, is just too great to even toy with the idea of going home.
The investigators that we have now are doing pretty well. We have some getting ready for baptism in the upcoming weeks, including one this week (a 16 year old mom of a 2 year old actually) and a few in the next week. We even found out that some of the people that I thought were members at church were actually investigators that just attended a lot, and now we have lessons with them lined up, so they might be able to get baptized this week (provided they're married)! That'd be really cool, but we'll see how things work out.
I'm getting along with Elder Larrea very well. I'd send you a photo, but I haven't got a photo of us, so you'll have to wait till next week. Sorry! But yeah, we're doing well together. He teaches very well, which I kinda would expect from someone that only has 2 months left. I've also found that I like having more responsibility. More responsibility makes me work harder and makes me more confident, too, which almost sounds backwards, but it's true. Elder Buckland commented that I seemed more confident, and that it was even apparent in my Spanish, so that's cool. Oh, also, there have been questions about how my Spanish is coming, and if we look at the recent surveys taken, it's coming along fantastically. Elder Larrea was kinda showing off my Spanish to investigators for the first couple of days that we were together, and it still comes up in lessons that I've only been on my mission for 4 months but I can speak Spanish rather well. I can basically understand everything, but of course there are still some times when I am mostly completely lost. Almost everyone says that my Spanish is awesome though, so it must be pretty good. I can only really talk fluently during lessons (chuzo, I had to think how to spell lessons because lecciónes is just more natural), but that's probably because I'm rather full of the Spirit at that time, so that helps. But yeah, I'm definitely getting there.
Oh, cool happening, we contacted a SWAT-esque police officer one day. We didn't really mean to, we just noticed that there were rather a lot of these officers standing around, so Elder Larrea asked what happened, then the officer asked who we were. We said that we were missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (okay, we actually said, "Somos misionarios de la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días," but that's just a technicality), and he asked, "¿Cúal es su misión?" I actually almost laughed when he said that, because here's this SWAT guy with his semi-auto rifle (Ruger Mini-14...not that I noticed or anything), Ray Ban sunglasses, and his green barret asking a couple of missionaries "What is your mission?" It just struck me as funny. But anyway, we actually started talking to him for a couple of minutes, and he was actually really interested in us. He found it very interesting that we don't receive any money for our service, and that we actually pay to have the opportunity to spread the Gospel. We left him with a pamphlet and unfortunately didn't get to get his name or address or anything because he got called to go somewhere else, but it was still pretty cool. Also, we still don't know what was going on that caused this gathering of police officers, but that's okay!
Well, time to wrap up. OH. POUCH CAME. FINALLY. A month without pouch is a rather long time. It might have even been a little longer than a month, but either way, I was way happy to get pouch. So, like I said last week, this week I'll be sending out a letter package, and hopefully I'll have the time to write a few letters (there are rather a few to write). Thank you all for writting to me! I absolutely love hearing from you and hearing about what's going on in your lives. Keep up the good work!
Oh, family! Good job with doing all that you're doing! You're doing a great job. Jeffrey, a word of advice: finding a job is in of itself a full-time job. Just a little to think about. Mom, especially to you, congratulations! I am so proud of all that you're doing to lose weight and to finish your education. You are doing and exemplary job at being amazing. Also, Grandma sent me photos of Mother's Day, and I can see the difference already! Good job! Keep up the good work!
I love you all, and I hope that you all keep well and in good spirits. Keep praying and reading the scriptures every day (that's not just to my family or Latter-day Saints, either), and you will be blessed. It's a promise that we have from God, and He doesn't break His promises. I love you, and keep on keeping on! Cuidense!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
This week has absolutely flown by. It has been so fast, seriously. I'm fairly sure that yesterday was last Monday, but yesterday was actually Sunday, so yes, a full week has indeed passed by. But yeah, we've been rather busy this week, and by busy I mean we've been contacting like crazy. We had actually run out of investigators (progressing or otherwise), so we had to do quite a bit of contacting to find more people to teach. Well, we found people alright. We found 6 families this week and 21 new investigators, so that was pretty good. Some of them are already progressing very well towards actually coming unto Christ, and some aren't quite as far along, but that's why we're here! To help people come unto Christ. I get the impression that a lot of people still think that the reason I'm out here is just to baptize people, and that isn't it at all. Yes, I am here to baptize people, but that's because baptism is the door to the path to eternal life. We're here to start them on the path and make sure that they have the foundations necessary to remain on that path for this life and after death, too. Sure, it's nice to have a baptism, but it's even nicer to see that person want to follow Christ, and not just for a moment in thier baptism, but for the rest of their lives. We baptize people so that they can have the opportunity to return to live with our Heavenly Father again, and to receive eternal life. Not everyone has the chance to live in God's presence again, but that's why we're out here, to give people that opportunity. Only through baptism by the correct authority do we have the ability to live in God's presence again, and so we're also here to baptize people, knowing that it's a prerequisite for eternal life. So that's our purpose here; to invite people to come unto Christ by helping them understand and receive the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is; faith, repentance, baptism by immersion, reception of the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, and enduring to the end (that was almost difficult to write in English). It's only an invitation, but we hope and pray with everything that we've got that someone will accept our invitation.
Just wondering, who wrote the little bit of Spanish in the beginning of the letter to me this week? Whoever did, good job for correct conjugations and everything! [It was Madre - with the help of Google Translate.]
I am absolutely loving it out here. Some of you might think that I'm just saying that so that you won't worry about me, but I honestly, 100% am telling the truth when I say that I am loving it here and wouldn't leave here right now for anything. I have a job to do here. Countless people are depending on me to help them see what they've been missing in their lives, to save them from themselves and the world, and to help them remember the blessings that they've received from our Heavenly Father. I have a sacred calling matched only by a handful in the world. I am here saying and doing what the Lord would say and do, because I have been called by God and set apart by those with the authority and priesthood of God to be a representative of Jesus Christ, the Creator of the World, our Savior and Redeemer. My calling is more important to me than anything else right now, and I wouldn't dare think of coming home. What if I did come home now? How many people wouldn't receive the Gospel because I went home? How many people would have been able to be sealed as a family in the temple if I hadn't gone home? How many people could I have helped save from possibly dying because of addictions or leading dangerous lifestyles? The importance of my work here, the Lord's work, is just too great to even toy with the idea of going home.
The investigators that we have now are doing pretty well. We have some getting ready for baptism in the upcoming weeks, including one this week (a 16 year old mom of a 2 year old actually) and a few in the next week. We even found out that some of the people that I thought were members at church were actually investigators that just attended a lot, and now we have lessons with them lined up, so they might be able to get baptized this week (provided they're married)! That'd be really cool, but we'll see how things work out.
I'm getting along with Elder Larrea very well. I'd send you a photo, but I haven't got a photo of us, so you'll have to wait till next week. Sorry! But yeah, we're doing well together. He teaches very well, which I kinda would expect from someone that only has 2 months left. I've also found that I like having more responsibility. More responsibility makes me work harder and makes me more confident, too, which almost sounds backwards, but it's true. Elder Buckland commented that I seemed more confident, and that it was even apparent in my Spanish, so that's cool. Oh, also, there have been questions about how my Spanish is coming, and if we look at the recent surveys taken, it's coming along fantastically. Elder Larrea was kinda showing off my Spanish to investigators for the first couple of days that we were together, and it still comes up in lessons that I've only been on my mission for 4 months but I can speak Spanish rather well. I can basically understand everything, but of course there are still some times when I am mostly completely lost. Almost everyone says that my Spanish is awesome though, so it must be pretty good. I can only really talk fluently during lessons (chuzo, I had to think how to spell lessons because lecciónes is just more natural), but that's probably because I'm rather full of the Spirit at that time, so that helps. But yeah, I'm definitely getting there.
Oh, cool happening, we contacted a SWAT-esque police officer one day. We didn't really mean to, we just noticed that there were rather a lot of these officers standing around, so Elder Larrea asked what happened, then the officer asked who we were. We said that we were missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (okay, we actually said, "Somos misionarios de la Iglesia de Jesucristo de los Santos de los Últimos Días," but that's just a technicality), and he asked, "¿Cúal es su misión?" I actually almost laughed when he said that, because here's this SWAT guy with his semi-auto rifle (Ruger Mini-14...not that I noticed or anything), Ray Ban sunglasses, and his green barret asking a couple of missionaries "What is your mission?" It just struck me as funny. But anyway, we actually started talking to him for a couple of minutes, and he was actually really interested in us. He found it very interesting that we don't receive any money for our service, and that we actually pay to have the opportunity to spread the Gospel. We left him with a pamphlet and unfortunately didn't get to get his name or address or anything because he got called to go somewhere else, but it was still pretty cool. Also, we still don't know what was going on that caused this gathering of police officers, but that's okay!
Well, time to wrap up. OH. POUCH CAME. FINALLY. A month without pouch is a rather long time. It might have even been a little longer than a month, but either way, I was way happy to get pouch. So, like I said last week, this week I'll be sending out a letter package, and hopefully I'll have the time to write a few letters (there are rather a few to write). Thank you all for writting to me! I absolutely love hearing from you and hearing about what's going on in your lives. Keep up the good work!
Oh, family! Good job with doing all that you're doing! You're doing a great job. Jeffrey, a word of advice: finding a job is in of itself a full-time job. Just a little to think about. Mom, especially to you, congratulations! I am so proud of all that you're doing to lose weight and to finish your education. You are doing and exemplary job at being amazing. Also, Grandma sent me photos of Mother's Day, and I can see the difference already! Good job! Keep up the good work!
I love you all, and I hope that you all keep well and in good spirits. Keep praying and reading the scriptures every day (that's not just to my family or Latter-day Saints, either), and you will be blessed. It's a promise that we have from God, and He doesn't break His promises. I love you, and keep on keeping on! Cuidense!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
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