Hello my wonderful peoples!
I don't have a lot of time today (or any of the other P-days for the rest of my mission it would appear) because there's a new rule that we can only be on the internet for 30 minutes on P-days, and I still have to write to President in that time too. So here go my fingers, flying across the keyboard!
So today we went to the Basilica, a very large Catholic cathedral here in Quito. It was really cool and fairly large, and very, very cold inside, which was weird considering that it's not a particularly cold day or anything. It must be the stone structure or something. It made me feel incredibly adventuresome, and I desperately wanted to go and look at the catacombs (I know it has to have some!) but of course all of the lower levers are locked up. Oh well, someday my Indiana Jones fantasies will be made realities. I took a whole bunch of pictures too, but due to time restrictions I won't be able to download them until the next week. It was a nice tour in all, and I'm glad to have been able to go.
After the Basilica, we went to a capilla to celebrate the birthdays of some missionaries, we played Uno, Signs, Judges and Robbers, and Ninja Destruction (all the missionary games that we knew), and ate pizza. Fun was had by all.
I don't seem to have a lot of time left in the mission. I mean, I still have the greater part of a year left, but that time is rapidly passing by. It's crazy. I also want to work harder than ever right now, but it seems like there are so many things that I can do better that it's hard to know where to start. I'm trying to find things that I can do to become even more like Christ, and I'm really really way excited for the upcoming General Conference. I just know that I'll find something in one of the messages that will help me know what I can do right now to become more like Christ and to represent Him even better.
Hey, happy early birthday to Robby and Michelle!! I hope you have wonderful birthdays that are full of love, happiness, and all things wonderful!! And how lucky are you two to have your birthdays fall on General Conference weekend!! Woooo!! Not everyone gets to have prophets and apostles give their revelations to the world on his birthday. Yay!!
Everyone should watch General Conference!! Who doesn't want to hear prophets and apostles, who have been called of God to represent Him and His Son in the earth, speak to us and impart upon us the things that should be most important for the next six months?? We live in a wonderful time! God speaks to His servants now! We don't have to wander about lost, relying on our own knowledge to try to understand the will of God. We can receive this knowledge directly from His earthly mouthpieces, and we can progress spiritually! What a wonderful opportunity that we have! See lds.org for more information on how you can witness this marvellous event for yourselves!
Well, I have to go now. I love all of you, and I am so very glad for all that you all have done for me by way of supporting me, whether they be by prayers or by packages, by loving thoughts or loving notes, I'm grateful for them all and you all! Have a wonderful week!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
Monday, March 19, 2012
I know it's true...
Hey there y'all!
Well, this day has been a bit meh. I have a rather sore throat, a building headache, and we weren't able to do the activity that we wanted to do (go to a museum) because the museum was closed. How am I supposed to feed my cultural side when the museums are closed on Mondays? but hey, apart from that I'm doing fine. :)
What's the difference between a zone leader and any other missionary? Not a lot really. I just have more "office work" to do, such as write more reports and send in numbers and say why the missionaries didn't do something, etc. Other than that there really isn't a difference. I'm still a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ and invite people to come unto Him. I think that one of the most valuable pieces of knowledge that I've learned by being a zone leader is that I'm not different than any other missionary. I don't have a different purpose or anything, I just have to write more emails, give special training sessions every once in a while, go to more meetings, and keep people in line. But I'm liking it.
Family vacation! Dang! I hope you guys have a tonne of fun in San Diego! And, Madre and Dad, I am rather incredibly jealous of you being able to go to the San Diego Temple. They're always announcing temple trips in the wards/branches, you guys get to go to one of the most beautiful temples (not that there's an ugly temple, I just really like the San Diego one), and I have to wait another 10-11 months to go to the temple. You lucky ducks. [We just discovered that the San Diego Temple is going to be closed for maintenance while we are there, so we are not so lucky ducks as he thought.]
So, before I get on to the more spiritual message, I just thought I'd let you all know that I'm still "me", and being me comes with a range of desires involving motorized vehicles, though now, en vez de wanting a super fast sports car or something, I'm really, really craving a motorcycle. A Triumph Daytona or a Harley '48, to be precise. If only I hailed from a climate where 4-wheel-drive wasn't semi-necessary. Oh well, thus is life.
Okay, so lately I've been studying a lot more about the Book of Mormon and trying to put more emphasis on its use in lessons. And why is that? Because the Book of Mormon is so so so important to all of us. That bolded all means every person in the world, member and non-member alike. And why is it so important? Because if the Book of Mormon is true, and I, along with millions of others, testify that it is, then Joseph Smith truly was a prophet of God. If the Book of Mormon is true, then Joseph Smith truly restored the only Church that Jesus Christ had ever formed, and that church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and that Church is lead by a modern day prophet named Thomas S. Monson. If the Book of Mormon is true, that there is only one path that leads to the prescence of God and not multiple, as so many believe. The Book of Mormon either is true or it is not true. It can't be partly true or mostly true. It either came from God and is, as the prophet Joseph Smith testified, "the most correct of any book on earth". Those who come to know that the Book of Mormon is true will also know that "Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is his revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the second coming of the Messiah" (Book of Mormon, Introduction). The most important part of knowing that the Book of Mormon is true is the knowledge that one will receive that the Lord Jesus truly is the Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer. I have come to know who Jesus Christ is not through reading the Bible or attending church, but through reading and praying about the Book of Mormon. I know that Christ has provided me with the means to be cleansed of all of my sins, and I have the hope of being able to be part of an eternal family, because I have read the Book of Mormon and I know that it is true. I know, without one shadow of a doubt, that the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ is true. And that knowledge has helped me to know that we are guided by a prophet, called of God to guide us to eternal life. I know this, and I know that all of you can come to know this, and that this knowledge will lead you to more happiness and joy in this life and the one to come than any other knowledge that one can accumulate here on earth. I would exhort all of you to not settle for simply "good" in life, but to strive to achieve the "best". I would exhort you all to do your part and put to test the challenge that the Book of Mormon puts forth: "We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost" (Book of Mormon, Introduction).
[To request your own free copy of the Book of Mormon, click here. Or ask me (madre), I'll get you one.]
Well, I think that's all that I have for this week. I am so grateful for all of you and what you have all done to support me. Please keep doing your best to grow closer to you Heavenly Father, for in doing such you will find more happiness than anything the world has to offer. I love you! Have a wonderful week!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
Well, this day has been a bit meh. I have a rather sore throat, a building headache, and we weren't able to do the activity that we wanted to do (go to a museum) because the museum was closed. How am I supposed to feed my cultural side when the museums are closed on Mondays? but hey, apart from that I'm doing fine. :)
What's the difference between a zone leader and any other missionary? Not a lot really. I just have more "office work" to do, such as write more reports and send in numbers and say why the missionaries didn't do something, etc. Other than that there really isn't a difference. I'm still a representative of the Lord Jesus Christ and invite people to come unto Him. I think that one of the most valuable pieces of knowledge that I've learned by being a zone leader is that I'm not different than any other missionary. I don't have a different purpose or anything, I just have to write more emails, give special training sessions every once in a while, go to more meetings, and keep people in line. But I'm liking it.
Family vacation! Dang! I hope you guys have a tonne of fun in San Diego! And, Madre and Dad, I am rather incredibly jealous of you being able to go to the San Diego Temple. They're always announcing temple trips in the wards/branches, you guys get to go to one of the most beautiful temples (not that there's an ugly temple, I just really like the San Diego one), and I have to wait another 10-11 months to go to the temple. You lucky ducks. [We just discovered that the San Diego Temple is going to be closed for maintenance while we are there, so we are not so lucky ducks as he thought.]
So, before I get on to the more spiritual message, I just thought I'd let you all know that I'm still "me", and being me comes with a range of desires involving motorized vehicles, though now, en vez de wanting a super fast sports car or something, I'm really, really craving a motorcycle. A Triumph Daytona or a Harley '48, to be precise. If only I hailed from a climate where 4-wheel-drive wasn't semi-necessary. Oh well, thus is life.
Okay, so lately I've been studying a lot more about the Book of Mormon and trying to put more emphasis on its use in lessons. And why is that? Because the Book of Mormon is so so so important to all of us. That bolded all means every person in the world, member and non-member alike. And why is it so important? Because if the Book of Mormon is true, and I, along with millions of others, testify that it is, then Joseph Smith truly was a prophet of God. If the Book of Mormon is true, then Joseph Smith truly restored the only Church that Jesus Christ had ever formed, and that church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, and that Church is lead by a modern day prophet named Thomas S. Monson. If the Book of Mormon is true, that there is only one path that leads to the prescence of God and not multiple, as so many believe. The Book of Mormon either is true or it is not true. It can't be partly true or mostly true. It either came from God and is, as the prophet Joseph Smith testified, "the most correct of any book on earth". Those who come to know that the Book of Mormon is true will also know that "Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is his revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the second coming of the Messiah" (Book of Mormon, Introduction). The most important part of knowing that the Book of Mormon is true is the knowledge that one will receive that the Lord Jesus truly is the Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer. I have come to know who Jesus Christ is not through reading the Bible or attending church, but through reading and praying about the Book of Mormon. I know that Christ has provided me with the means to be cleansed of all of my sins, and I have the hope of being able to be part of an eternal family, because I have read the Book of Mormon and I know that it is true. I know, without one shadow of a doubt, that the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ is true. And that knowledge has helped me to know that we are guided by a prophet, called of God to guide us to eternal life. I know this, and I know that all of you can come to know this, and that this knowledge will lead you to more happiness and joy in this life and the one to come than any other knowledge that one can accumulate here on earth. I would exhort all of you to not settle for simply "good" in life, but to strive to achieve the "best". I would exhort you all to do your part and put to test the challenge that the Book of Mormon puts forth: "We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost" (Book of Mormon, Introduction).
[To request your own free copy of the Book of Mormon, click here. Or ask me (madre), I'll get you one.]
Well, I think that's all that I have for this week. I am so grateful for all of you and what you have all done to support me. Please keep doing your best to grow closer to you Heavenly Father, for in doing such you will find more happiness than anything the world has to offer. I love you! Have a wonderful week!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
Monday, March 12, 2012
Miracle Monday
Hey howdy hey!
I am doing fairly well on this wonderful day in Quito. Wait, did I say Quito? Well, that's not a typo, because here I am in the zone Santa Ana as the junior companion! "What?!?" you say as you read junior companion in Quito. Well, I'm the junior companion because I'm the new zone leader in Santa Ana, and my companion, Elder Rodriguez, has more time than I do, so he's the senior zone leader, and I'm the junior zone leader. So that's a bit different. Last Tuesday I received the call that the next day I would be coming here to Santa Ana as a zone leader, and I almost fell off my shoes. It really came as quite a shock, and it was a bit frustrating too because now I won't know until April what happened with all of our investigators in Riobamba. But así is the mission. I just gotta go where the Lord tells me to go and do what He tells me to do. So, until further notice, I'll just keep doing the Lord's work here in Quito.
So, what do I want to say today? I'm not quite sure. Well, maybe I'll talk a bit about enduring to the end. That seems to be the hardest thing for me to do. There are so many things to do and they all have to be done all the time, and frankly it's hard to do those things all the time. Also, one has to persevere in his decision to leave behind past things. All of these things really start adding up, and it gets pretty difficult. The world can be so tempting sometimes, and as a missionary with higher standards to follow even the "regular" things are super tempting. TV, magazines, books, etc., they're all super tempting. Waking up on time can sometimes be difficult, too. It's always just the little things, but I know that by doing the little things one is bound to be blessed by the Lord. But Satan also knows that it's easier to get someone to stop doing the little things than to get him to do the big, wrong things (I'm pretty sure C.S. Lewis wrote a book about that called the Screwtape Letters). It's just so hard to stay firm, and the results of not staying firm scare me to death. But that's why in the Gospel of Jesus Christ it's not just baptism, receiving of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. First comes faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His atonement, then comes repentance. Part of enduring to the end includes constantly having faith in the Lord and in His atonement, and when one messes up then he can repent by exercising his faith in Christ. I am so incredibly grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ. Without the atonement, none of us could ever repent. We could try and try and try, but it would never work. It would have no use. But because of the atonement, each and every one of us has the grand opportunity to admit our wrongness and the need to change our life and to really change our life and put it more in line with the will of the Father. We can forsake all of our sins and eventually return to the presence of God. We can endure to the end, having the hope that any mistake can and will be forgiven if we repent. So is enduring to the end impossible? Far from it. It's perfectly possible, and we must only rely on the Lord and have faith in His atonement in order to endure.
Less spiritual thought: The phrase of the day is, "Can you slouch down in the chair more? You're too tall." - The barber. That's something that I can never forget here; I'm a big guy. I'm reminded by it several times in a day, and it always amuses me. I guess I like being big.
Jeffrey, you hang in there! You know what is right, you know the truth, and don't ever be afraid to share it. Remember D&C 24:12; "And at all times, and in all places, he shall open his mouth and declare my gospel as with the voice of a trump, both day and night. And I will give unto him strength such as is not known among men." You shall be given strength as is not known among men to stand firm in your testimony and help bring others unto Christ, even before your mission. You're as much as a missionary as I am, and this promise is just as much for you as it is for me. You're doing an amazing job, and I am incredibly proud of who you are and who you are becoming. Keep on keeping on!!
I was a bit sad to hear that Bijou had to be put down, but I know it was for the best. Dang, me being on a mission seems to be bad luck for our pets. I'll miss Bijou, but I'm sure he's doing much better now that he's not suffering anymore. [Bijou was my 12 1/2 year old toy poodle who had developed diabetes and kidney failure - I had to make the decision to put him to sleep last week.]
Well, I think that's all that I have for right now. Oh hey, I got a bit (read: a lot) of pouch! Thank you so very much to everyone who has written me! I really am extraordinarily grateful for each and every letter that you all send me. Please keep on sending, and I'll keep on doing my best to respond. Well, have a wonderful day and week everyone! I love you all so incredibly much! Keep on doing your best to follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and if you don't know exactly what it is, you can refer to earlier in this letter or you can contact a local representative of Jesus Christ (i.e. Elder or Sister from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), though I'd recommend the latter. If you ever have questions, send them to one of my family members and my mom will do her best to transfer them to me. Or you can just write me. One of those two. Okay, I love you! ¡Chao!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
I am doing fairly well on this wonderful day in Quito. Wait, did I say Quito? Well, that's not a typo, because here I am in the zone Santa Ana as the junior companion! "What?!?" you say as you read junior companion in Quito. Well, I'm the junior companion because I'm the new zone leader in Santa Ana, and my companion, Elder Rodriguez, has more time than I do, so he's the senior zone leader, and I'm the junior zone leader. So that's a bit different. Last Tuesday I received the call that the next day I would be coming here to Santa Ana as a zone leader, and I almost fell off my shoes. It really came as quite a shock, and it was a bit frustrating too because now I won't know until April what happened with all of our investigators in Riobamba. But así is the mission. I just gotta go where the Lord tells me to go and do what He tells me to do. So, until further notice, I'll just keep doing the Lord's work here in Quito.
So, what do I want to say today? I'm not quite sure. Well, maybe I'll talk a bit about enduring to the end. That seems to be the hardest thing for me to do. There are so many things to do and they all have to be done all the time, and frankly it's hard to do those things all the time. Also, one has to persevere in his decision to leave behind past things. All of these things really start adding up, and it gets pretty difficult. The world can be so tempting sometimes, and as a missionary with higher standards to follow even the "regular" things are super tempting. TV, magazines, books, etc., they're all super tempting. Waking up on time can sometimes be difficult, too. It's always just the little things, but I know that by doing the little things one is bound to be blessed by the Lord. But Satan also knows that it's easier to get someone to stop doing the little things than to get him to do the big, wrong things (I'm pretty sure C.S. Lewis wrote a book about that called the Screwtape Letters). It's just so hard to stay firm, and the results of not staying firm scare me to death. But that's why in the Gospel of Jesus Christ it's not just baptism, receiving of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. First comes faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His atonement, then comes repentance. Part of enduring to the end includes constantly having faith in the Lord and in His atonement, and when one messes up then he can repent by exercising his faith in Christ. I am so incredibly grateful for the atonement of Jesus Christ. Without the atonement, none of us could ever repent. We could try and try and try, but it would never work. It would have no use. But because of the atonement, each and every one of us has the grand opportunity to admit our wrongness and the need to change our life and to really change our life and put it more in line with the will of the Father. We can forsake all of our sins and eventually return to the presence of God. We can endure to the end, having the hope that any mistake can and will be forgiven if we repent. So is enduring to the end impossible? Far from it. It's perfectly possible, and we must only rely on the Lord and have faith in His atonement in order to endure.
Less spiritual thought: The phrase of the day is, "Can you slouch down in the chair more? You're too tall." - The barber. That's something that I can never forget here; I'm a big guy. I'm reminded by it several times in a day, and it always amuses me. I guess I like being big.
Jeffrey, you hang in there! You know what is right, you know the truth, and don't ever be afraid to share it. Remember D&C 24:12; "And at all times, and in all places, he shall open his mouth and declare my gospel as with the voice of a trump, both day and night. And I will give unto him strength such as is not known among men." You shall be given strength as is not known among men to stand firm in your testimony and help bring others unto Christ, even before your mission. You're as much as a missionary as I am, and this promise is just as much for you as it is for me. You're doing an amazing job, and I am incredibly proud of who you are and who you are becoming. Keep on keeping on!!
I was a bit sad to hear that Bijou had to be put down, but I know it was for the best. Dang, me being on a mission seems to be bad luck for our pets. I'll miss Bijou, but I'm sure he's doing much better now that he's not suffering anymore. [Bijou was my 12 1/2 year old toy poodle who had developed diabetes and kidney failure - I had to make the decision to put him to sleep last week.]
Well, I think that's all that I have for right now. Oh hey, I got a bit (read: a lot) of pouch! Thank you so very much to everyone who has written me! I really am extraordinarily grateful for each and every letter that you all send me. Please keep on sending, and I'll keep on doing my best to respond. Well, have a wonderful day and week everyone! I love you all so incredibly much! Keep on doing your best to follow the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and if you don't know exactly what it is, you can refer to earlier in this letter or you can contact a local representative of Jesus Christ (i.e. Elder or Sister from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints), though I'd recommend the latter. If you ever have questions, send them to one of my family members and my mom will do her best to transfer them to me. Or you can just write me. One of those two. Okay, I love you! ¡Chao!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
Monday, March 5, 2012
Miracle Month...
HAI GUYS!!
So why am I so excited? Because we had 9 people come to Church yesterday! It was wonderful and so amazing! It was a miracle indeed, and I'll be recounting the story, don't you worry. And I am doing very well today. We got to watch "Tangled" again, which is definitely one of my favorite movies, and I didn't get that trunky this time! Yep, that's good. Also, the Hermanas made a caramel-corn type popcorn, and it was delicious. All in all it was a rather enjoyable day.
Okay, so, miracle time. This month has been deemed miracle month by President Ghent. The miracle is that this month every companionship will baptize at least two people. It doesn't seem like it would be a miracle, but it really is because it's never happened before. Also, there's a norm in the mission that we should do our best to show our investigators the chapel before Sunday. Well, we recently found a family of 6 (the kids only) and they have a baptismal date. We showed them the chapel on Saturday, and half of them told us that they wouldn't be able to go to church Sunday, which made us really sad. We were fasting at the time, but we were still disappointed because it looked like their baptismal date would fall through. Well, Sunday rolled around and they weren't there for the sacrament, but after that....THEY CAME!! I was so darn excited and grateful. It really was a miracle, because all of them came! So we now have 9 people with baptismal dates, because another part family (grandma, her daughter, and the granddaughter) also has a baptismal date. Woooooo!! Seriously, I couldn't be much more excited.
Also, like I had said, this is the month of miracles, and miracles require faith. I'm so excited for this month because it will be a time when my faith will grow like it has never grown before. I will have to really realize that all that I am doing is only because the Lord allows it to happen. I will really have to step aside and tell the Lord, "Okay Lord. This is Thy work. Use me as Thou will so that Thy purposes may come to pass." I know that I will end this month with more faith than I even know what to do with. I am so excited for that. When I heard what the miracle would be and that it would require works with faith, I felt something blossom in my chest, and I know that even in that moment my faith increased a ton. "I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it!"
Congratulations Elizabeth in your role in the play! That's so awesome! I know that you'll do wonderfully in your part. You guys gotta film the play for me! I wanna see it when I get back. Also, keep on working on Aaron's Camp Jeffrey! I'm so proud of you for who you've become in the time that I've been away. Also, you're not so much becoming like me as that you're really finding your own testimony and have come to a point at which you are not afraid to let people know what you know. That's something necessary to be a missionary. Keep up the good work! Madre mía! Keep working hard, and keep praying for help, and the Lord will give it to you. You most assuredly know that already, but I just thought that I'd recalcar that. The Lord will help you in all things, even the temporal things, so don't be afraid to ask!
Also, is it Robby or Dad that does the talking in the sleep? And I'm sure we've all wished that we could have a dragon head at one time or another. [It's Robby - he was shouting, "I have a dragon head" the other night in his sleep.]
I sent off a packet of letters today, so many of you shall be receiving letters in the coming weeks. Thank you all for your support, and those that I didn't write to will be written to in the...future. I was going to say near future, and in the eternal perspective it is definitely the near future, but I can't very well say when that future will be.
Well, for now I don't think I have much more to say. I'm very grateful for all of your support, and for your prayers especially. I hope all of you have a wonderful week, and that you don't forget to search for the heavenly treasures first. The things of the world will only last for a time, and then they'll all go away. The things of heaven are eternal, and will bless you in all that you do. If you don't believe me, put my words to the test. Focus on God and on His Son, and you will see the difference in your life. I love you, and I wish you all the best until next week! ¡Chao!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
p.s. Oh, by the way, the picture of the wall is a mural that I found here that I have yet to make any sense of. I figured it was a nightclub when I first saw it, but it's a mechanic's shop. Can you guys make sense of it?
So why am I so excited? Because we had 9 people come to Church yesterday! It was wonderful and so amazing! It was a miracle indeed, and I'll be recounting the story, don't you worry. And I am doing very well today. We got to watch "Tangled" again, which is definitely one of my favorite movies, and I didn't get that trunky this time! Yep, that's good. Also, the Hermanas made a caramel-corn type popcorn, and it was delicious. All in all it was a rather enjoyable day.
Okay, so, miracle time. This month has been deemed miracle month by President Ghent. The miracle is that this month every companionship will baptize at least two people. It doesn't seem like it would be a miracle, but it really is because it's never happened before. Also, there's a norm in the mission that we should do our best to show our investigators the chapel before Sunday. Well, we recently found a family of 6 (the kids only) and they have a baptismal date. We showed them the chapel on Saturday, and half of them told us that they wouldn't be able to go to church Sunday, which made us really sad. We were fasting at the time, but we were still disappointed because it looked like their baptismal date would fall through. Well, Sunday rolled around and they weren't there for the sacrament, but after that....THEY CAME!! I was so darn excited and grateful. It really was a miracle, because all of them came! So we now have 9 people with baptismal dates, because another part family (grandma, her daughter, and the granddaughter) also has a baptismal date. Woooooo!! Seriously, I couldn't be much more excited.
Also, like I had said, this is the month of miracles, and miracles require faith. I'm so excited for this month because it will be a time when my faith will grow like it has never grown before. I will have to really realize that all that I am doing is only because the Lord allows it to happen. I will really have to step aside and tell the Lord, "Okay Lord. This is Thy work. Use me as Thou will so that Thy purposes may come to pass." I know that I will end this month with more faith than I even know what to do with. I am so excited for that. When I heard what the miracle would be and that it would require works with faith, I felt something blossom in my chest, and I know that even in that moment my faith increased a ton. "I'm so excited, and I just can't hide it!"
Congratulations Elizabeth in your role in the play! That's so awesome! I know that you'll do wonderfully in your part. You guys gotta film the play for me! I wanna see it when I get back. Also, keep on working on Aaron's Camp Jeffrey! I'm so proud of you for who you've become in the time that I've been away. Also, you're not so much becoming like me as that you're really finding your own testimony and have come to a point at which you are not afraid to let people know what you know. That's something necessary to be a missionary. Keep up the good work! Madre mía! Keep working hard, and keep praying for help, and the Lord will give it to you. You most assuredly know that already, but I just thought that I'd recalcar that. The Lord will help you in all things, even the temporal things, so don't be afraid to ask!
Also, is it Robby or Dad that does the talking in the sleep? And I'm sure we've all wished that we could have a dragon head at one time or another. [It's Robby - he was shouting, "I have a dragon head" the other night in his sleep.]
I sent off a packet of letters today, so many of you shall be receiving letters in the coming weeks. Thank you all for your support, and those that I didn't write to will be written to in the...future. I was going to say near future, and in the eternal perspective it is definitely the near future, but I can't very well say when that future will be.
Well, for now I don't think I have much more to say. I'm very grateful for all of your support, and for your prayers especially. I hope all of you have a wonderful week, and that you don't forget to search for the heavenly treasures first. The things of the world will only last for a time, and then they'll all go away. The things of heaven are eternal, and will bless you in all that you do. If you don't believe me, put my words to the test. Focus on God and on His Son, and you will see the difference in your life. I love you, and I wish you all the best until next week! ¡Chao!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
p.s. Oh, by the way, the picture of the wall is a mural that I found here that I have yet to make any sense of. I figured it was a nightclub when I first saw it, but it's a mechanic's shop. Can you guys make sense of it?
Monday, February 27, 2012
Happy Birthday week!
ALOOOOOHAAA!!
Oh wait, I'm in Ecuador.
So I'm doing fairly well this week. We didn't have the best week workwise, but we have found some new investigators and put some new baptismal dates with a few people, and we have hopes for even more, so all is well. Also, I decided to buy a couple of futbol jerseys today, and I got one of Milan and one of Germany, and the Milan one looks really cool. I admit, I bought it only because I like blue and like Pirelli and am fairly neutral about the team, but I like the shirt, so that's what counts.
If I was to replace what was stolen last week, it would be best (and less expensive for everyone) to just send money...well, not send money to me (because that's actually illegal, sending it through the mail or whatever), but to my mom, who could then put it in my account. But I don't think it's really that necessary. [I had asked Elder Schomburg how we could help replace his stolen items - he assumed I meant "we" as a collective, not just "we" his parents. haha] I'm learning to shave with a regular razor, and the carry-on bag isn't something horribly necessary. I'm still happy and just going about my mission with a smile. :D Oh, and it happened while we were in a meeting with the new missionaries and the trainers. We think someone came into the chapel and into the room where the things were and they made off with a couple of things while we were in the kitchen during the snack break. There wasn't really any danger or anything, it was just an unfortunate happenstance. All is well!
Oh, yeah, changes! I'm in..........Riobamba! With Elder Miranda! Yep, nothing happened with me. But that means that the next change I'm almost for sure going to another part. I've only been in any zone for 3 changes, and then I've left. Also, Elder Miranda is a c-c-c-c-combo breaker! because I've also only ever had companions for one change, and he's still with me. So yay! This is going to be the best change ever. And "why is that?" you ask. It's because that's what I decided, and so it will be.
Currently everyone in this internet cyber except for me and Elder Miranda are playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. It's a bit loud, and there is some language that I don't appreciate so much, but así pasa.
I feel like I had a cultural tidbit to share with you this week, but...I forgot it. Sorry!
Oh hey, I got more pouch!! That was way exciting! I'm so glad that I have such good friends and family! You guys are the best. Oh! Question! Where is Elder Chandler Sperry serving? I remember Chile, but that's it. One of the young men from here just left to Chile Santiago Norte on his mission, so I was wondering if they would ever cross paths. And yes, I got Sister Sperry's package and a Valentine's package from Grandma (Judy)! Most every has been eaten already, but it was all very much appreciated. The taco seasoning will be used when I again have money to buy food that is not from my personal account. Thank you to all!!
Hey, my birthday's Friday! That's pretty cool. And I get to celebrate it with a prolonged trip to a foreign place (Ecuador)! Huzzah! And I get to celebrate it by being a superhero and helping saving people! Double huzzah!! And I get to have lunch with the one gringo family in all of Riobamba, and they know that it'll be my birthday! Triple huzzah! I'd say that's a fairly good birthday.
In response to whether or not there are a lot of Catholics in my sector, I'll give you a response to a question that I asked about a contact's religion: "The normal: Catholic." I think Ecuador is roughly 95% Catholic, followed by Jehovah's Witnesses and evangelicals (or is it evangelists? I don't know anymore). Almost all people who are Catholic here are such because their fathers are Catholic, and so are their grandparents, and great-grandparents, and so on and so forth.
I'm really trying hard to see the things that I do well in my life right now. I realized with some help last night that I focus way too much on what I don't do instead of focusing on what I do do. I feel like I'm so weak and many times I feel that I'm letting down God with the quality of my work, but Elder Miranda helped me understand that I am doing an excellent job as a missionary. I'm doing my best to put aside the world to focus on my calling, I do my best to teach with the Spirit, I'm loving, I try to better myself in my weak points...I do a lot well. I know that I shouldn't settle for who I am now, but that I can be even better while recognizing what I do well. I'll just keep doing my best to become like Christ, and I know that I will serve honorably and be blessed for all of my efforts.
Well, I don't have too terribly much more to say for today. I love you all, and I'm super glad that you're my friends and family. All the prayers that you can spare would be nice, because this week is going to be hard but wonderful. I love you! Have a fantastic week!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
P.S. If it's not a heretical request, could I somehow obtain the recipe for Aunt Wendy's green chile? Pretty please?? If not, I definitely understand. That's a fairly sacred recipe. Anyway, I love you! [Aunt Wendy's green chile is famous in our family!]
Elder Schomburg certainly didn't attach these photos, but I'm his mom and feeling nostalgic as he turns 21 this Friday. Enjoy!
Oh wait, I'm in Ecuador.
So I'm doing fairly well this week. We didn't have the best week workwise, but we have found some new investigators and put some new baptismal dates with a few people, and we have hopes for even more, so all is well. Also, I decided to buy a couple of futbol jerseys today, and I got one of Milan and one of Germany, and the Milan one looks really cool. I admit, I bought it only because I like blue and like Pirelli and am fairly neutral about the team, but I like the shirt, so that's what counts.
If I was to replace what was stolen last week, it would be best (and less expensive for everyone) to just send money...well, not send money to me (because that's actually illegal, sending it through the mail or whatever), but to my mom, who could then put it in my account. But I don't think it's really that necessary. [I had asked Elder Schomburg how we could help replace his stolen items - he assumed I meant "we" as a collective, not just "we" his parents. haha] I'm learning to shave with a regular razor, and the carry-on bag isn't something horribly necessary. I'm still happy and just going about my mission with a smile. :D Oh, and it happened while we were in a meeting with the new missionaries and the trainers. We think someone came into the chapel and into the room where the things were and they made off with a couple of things while we were in the kitchen during the snack break. There wasn't really any danger or anything, it was just an unfortunate happenstance. All is well!
Oh, yeah, changes! I'm in..........Riobamba! With Elder Miranda! Yep, nothing happened with me. But that means that the next change I'm almost for sure going to another part. I've only been in any zone for 3 changes, and then I've left. Also, Elder Miranda is a c-c-c-c-combo breaker! because I've also only ever had companions for one change, and he's still with me. So yay! This is going to be the best change ever. And "why is that?" you ask. It's because that's what I decided, and so it will be.
Currently everyone in this internet cyber except for me and Elder Miranda are playing Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2. It's a bit loud, and there is some language that I don't appreciate so much, but así pasa.
I feel like I had a cultural tidbit to share with you this week, but...I forgot it. Sorry!
Oh hey, I got more pouch!! That was way exciting! I'm so glad that I have such good friends and family! You guys are the best. Oh! Question! Where is Elder Chandler Sperry serving? I remember Chile, but that's it. One of the young men from here just left to Chile Santiago Norte on his mission, so I was wondering if they would ever cross paths. And yes, I got Sister Sperry's package and a Valentine's package from Grandma (Judy)! Most every has been eaten already, but it was all very much appreciated. The taco seasoning will be used when I again have money to buy food that is not from my personal account. Thank you to all!!
Hey, my birthday's Friday! That's pretty cool. And I get to celebrate it with a prolonged trip to a foreign place (Ecuador)! Huzzah! And I get to celebrate it by being a superhero and helping saving people! Double huzzah!! And I get to have lunch with the one gringo family in all of Riobamba, and they know that it'll be my birthday! Triple huzzah! I'd say that's a fairly good birthday.
In response to whether or not there are a lot of Catholics in my sector, I'll give you a response to a question that I asked about a contact's religion: "The normal: Catholic." I think Ecuador is roughly 95% Catholic, followed by Jehovah's Witnesses and evangelicals (or is it evangelists? I don't know anymore). Almost all people who are Catholic here are such because their fathers are Catholic, and so are their grandparents, and great-grandparents, and so on and so forth.
I'm really trying hard to see the things that I do well in my life right now. I realized with some help last night that I focus way too much on what I don't do instead of focusing on what I do do. I feel like I'm so weak and many times I feel that I'm letting down God with the quality of my work, but Elder Miranda helped me understand that I am doing an excellent job as a missionary. I'm doing my best to put aside the world to focus on my calling, I do my best to teach with the Spirit, I'm loving, I try to better myself in my weak points...I do a lot well. I know that I shouldn't settle for who I am now, but that I can be even better while recognizing what I do well. I'll just keep doing my best to become like Christ, and I know that I will serve honorably and be blessed for all of my efforts.
Well, I don't have too terribly much more to say for today. I love you all, and I'm super glad that you're my friends and family. All the prayers that you can spare would be nice, because this week is going to be hard but wonderful. I love you! Have a fantastic week!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
P.S. If it's not a heretical request, could I somehow obtain the recipe for Aunt Wendy's green chile? Pretty please?? If not, I definitely understand. That's a fairly sacred recipe. Anyway, I love you! [Aunt Wendy's green chile is famous in our family!]
Elder Schomburg certainly didn't attach these photos, but I'm his mom and feeling nostalgic as he turns 21 this Friday. Enjoy!
Monday, February 20, 2012
¿Qué tal mis amados?
Hey, that's Spanish! So, this week has been kinda long, but has also flown by. I'm sure you know what I'm talking about. We had to go to Quito this Tuesday (where I was robbed of my carry-on suitcase and all that was in it, including my electric razor, phone charger, one of my favorite shirts, and my BYU sweatpants [ :( ]), and we came back Wednesday, then we had to go to Guaranda, which is two hours away, on Friday...we didn't get a lot done this week. It was a bit frustrating to say the least, but we tried at least. Oh, also, there's a festival this week called Carnaval, in which everyone runs around getting people wet, spraying foam at people, and other such shenanigans. If I wasn't a missionary, I would definitely get much more into Carnaval (i.e. roaming the streets Rambo-style with dual Super Soakers and water balloons out the wazoo), and I've been hoping that someone throws a water balloon at me so I can catch it and return it, but that hasn't happened. I got a face full of foam today from some teenage girls (I never expected them, but now I know that you have to expect EVERYONE), and Saturday I narrowly missed getting a bucket of water to the head. It's been fun. Also, everyone leaves town, so that hasn't helped finding new people. But it'll end about Wednesday, and tomorrow we have to go to Ambato for the whole day for a zone conference with three other zones, so hopefully one day we'll be able to actually work and find people again. Oh, and only one more week in the change, so we'll see where I am in a week. Everything's so busy! Ahh!
Package answers: I received a Valentine's package from Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Ted and a birthday package from Grandma, but there's still no sign of the lost Christmas package nor of any other packages. I'll probably find out more tomorrow (the zone leaders didn't give us pouch this week [rather, I don't know if pouch was sent]) in the zone conference, and I'll let you know next week! I got some letters written today, but the post office was closed. Gur. Next week!
It sounds like Friday was a pretty wonderful day. Next year I'll be able to celebrate it with you! Huzzah!! I swear I'm not trunky. I'm very much involved in the work here, but I do also look forward to what I'll be able to do when I get home. I'd say it's a healthy balance.
Something came to my attention the other day when I received pouch that I think I should talk about today. I'm not sure if a lot of those who read this understand what it is that I'm doing here in Ecuador. I do understand that for those outside of the Church missions like this are a tad strange, and when my mission is different than that of every other religion that has missionaries, many could be very confused as to what my purpose is. I am here as a personal representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. I have been called by a prophet of God to say and do the same things that Christ would say and do if He was personally ministering to the same people to whom I've been sent. I have been set apart to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored Gospel by having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repenting, receiving a baptism by immersion and the proper authority, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring till the end. The authority which I have received is greater than that of any king or ruler on earth. I am not here just to converse to others about Christ or to represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; I am here to save people. My work is not mine; it is God's. I am not on my errand; I'm on His. My duty is to provide God's children in Ecuador the opportunity to return to His presence by coming unto His Son through the making of sacred and binding covenants with the Almighty Father Himself. I am not here to convince people that this Church is the one and only true church in the world, though I do testify that it is just that. I am not selling the Book of Mormon, though I do invite all to read it, meditate about it, and ask the Eternal Father if it is true. I am not studying anything here other than the Gospel. I am not working in any business or company, and I don't receive pay for what I do. I do this and am here because "the worth of souls is great in the sight of God," and every man, woman, and child deserves to make the covenant of baptism by the correct authority of God and receive the opportunity to return to His presence. I know that I hold the holy priesthood of God, and that through it I am able to help these people enter into this binding covenant. I know that the Church which I represent is the kingdom of God on the earth, and that I personally represent Jesus Christ. I hope that all now understand or at least have a better understanding of the vitality of the mission which I am serving, and the importance of my calling as a representative of Christ. I hope that you don't think that I'm boasting of my authority or anything like that, because I am far from boasting. I know that I only have this authority and only have this opportunity of serving as Christ's representative because God has permitted me to do so. I work for Him and for no one else. I only wish that you all can know what it is that I am currently doing.
Okay, well, my ears are burning, which means that I've been speaking with the Spirit, but now I must go, for my time is nigh to expire. I love all of you so very much. I am so grateful for your support and your prayers, and am very grateful for all of the letters that I receive from you. I hope that your week is a wonderful week and full of love and happiness. I love you, and I'll talk to you in a week. ¡Chao!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
Package answers: I received a Valentine's package from Grandma Ruth and Grandpa Ted and a birthday package from Grandma, but there's still no sign of the lost Christmas package nor of any other packages. I'll probably find out more tomorrow (the zone leaders didn't give us pouch this week [rather, I don't know if pouch was sent]) in the zone conference, and I'll let you know next week! I got some letters written today, but the post office was closed. Gur. Next week!
It sounds like Friday was a pretty wonderful day. Next year I'll be able to celebrate it with you! Huzzah!! I swear I'm not trunky. I'm very much involved in the work here, but I do also look forward to what I'll be able to do when I get home. I'd say it's a healthy balance.
Something came to my attention the other day when I received pouch that I think I should talk about today. I'm not sure if a lot of those who read this understand what it is that I'm doing here in Ecuador. I do understand that for those outside of the Church missions like this are a tad strange, and when my mission is different than that of every other religion that has missionaries, many could be very confused as to what my purpose is. I am here as a personal representative of the Lord Jesus Christ. I have been called by a prophet of God to say and do the same things that Christ would say and do if He was personally ministering to the same people to whom I've been sent. I have been set apart to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored Gospel by having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repenting, receiving a baptism by immersion and the proper authority, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring till the end. The authority which I have received is greater than that of any king or ruler on earth. I am not here just to converse to others about Christ or to represent The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints; I am here to save people. My work is not mine; it is God's. I am not on my errand; I'm on His. My duty is to provide God's children in Ecuador the opportunity to return to His presence by coming unto His Son through the making of sacred and binding covenants with the Almighty Father Himself. I am not here to convince people that this Church is the one and only true church in the world, though I do testify that it is just that. I am not selling the Book of Mormon, though I do invite all to read it, meditate about it, and ask the Eternal Father if it is true. I am not studying anything here other than the Gospel. I am not working in any business or company, and I don't receive pay for what I do. I do this and am here because "the worth of souls is great in the sight of God," and every man, woman, and child deserves to make the covenant of baptism by the correct authority of God and receive the opportunity to return to His presence. I know that I hold the holy priesthood of God, and that through it I am able to help these people enter into this binding covenant. I know that the Church which I represent is the kingdom of God on the earth, and that I personally represent Jesus Christ. I hope that all now understand or at least have a better understanding of the vitality of the mission which I am serving, and the importance of my calling as a representative of Christ. I hope that you don't think that I'm boasting of my authority or anything like that, because I am far from boasting. I know that I only have this authority and only have this opportunity of serving as Christ's representative because God has permitted me to do so. I work for Him and for no one else. I only wish that you all can know what it is that I am currently doing.
Okay, well, my ears are burning, which means that I've been speaking with the Spirit, but now I must go, for my time is nigh to expire. I love all of you so very much. I am so grateful for your support and your prayers, and am very grateful for all of the letters that I receive from you. I hope that your week is a wonderful week and full of love and happiness. I love you, and I'll talk to you in a week. ¡Chao!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
Monday, February 13, 2012
Monday again?
Salutations beloved loved ones!
I am doing very well today. We played soccer for awhile today, and then we went to the mall for lunch (we've gone every week for awhile hoping and praying that Carl's Jr. will be open, but it still isn't, and no one has any idea when it'll be open). Also, Elder Fernelius received his new companion today, so we're no longer in a trio, nor are we in a quartet. Now there will be a lot less running around all of Riobamba and a lot more of working in our own sector. I'm excited about that. Yay!!
This Saturday we had a wonderful baptism of Hermano Segundo. We started half an hour late because the branch mission leader and Elder Fernelius got there late, but Segundo got baptized darnit! I love that man so much. He's so receptive to the Gospel, he's humble enough to be taught, and he wants more than anything to be a good example for his son (who is not the boy pictured in the photos). I'm so glad for him, and I was even happier that I was able to baptize him. Oh, also, I got pouch!!! A LOT. Now, why is that related in any way, shape, or form to Segundo getting baptized? Because in one of my packages was my new pair of baptizing pants, and since I'm a rather large guy and so is Segundo, I lent him my new pants (they were the only ones we had that even came close to fitting him). So my new baptizing pants received use the first day I had them, and I didn't use them! But that's okay with me! And if that was a birthday package or something (it didn't say on the box or in it), sorry for opening it early, but it appears that it was an inspired opening. Yay!! [It was in fact his birthday present - guess the card didn't make it yet!]
Thank you so very much to every who sent me pouch! I was so excited to get the packages (3!!) and letters (a lot more than 3!!). I'll do my best to write you all back and let you know how grateful I am for you all. Also, I received some pouch from some people in the ward that I may or may not know (faces/names are getting fuzzy), but I am grateful all the same!! I love you guys!! You're the best!! [THANK YOU! THANK YOU from Elder Schomburg's madre!]
In response to a question, I really haven't a clue, nor does my companion, as to why we serve missions for two years other than because the Prophet says so. Rather, Christ, through His prophet, says so. It seems like the perfect amount of time to me though. Also, in response to another question that I received in a letter from pouch, it would not be frowned upon if I received games such as chess. Playing with investigators in place of really sitting down and teaching them might not be the best approach, but I'm sure any game would help me and my companions grow closer together in our down time before bed or los lunes. It's kinda interesting, but the zone leaders actually have a ton of games (Monopoly, Uno, Scrabble Slam [which they sometimes use for language study by making new words in Spanish]), and there's nothing that says that we can't have them, so, yeah!
I read a talk by Elder D. Todd Christofferson today in the January Liahona that was really good. It's called "Recognizing God's Hand in Our Daily Blessings"
( http://www.lds.org/liahona/2012/01/recognizing-gods-hand-in-our-daily-blessings?lang=eng ) and it talks about how we should focus on the daily triumphs instead of waiting for the big things to happen. Asking God for help daily helps us to learn to trust God daily, and not just every once in a while. He uses God giving the Israelites manna every day during the Exodus as an example that God was trying to help His people understand that they needed to trust that He would provide for them one day at a time, and thus it is. It's an incredible talk, and I believe it's something that I definitely needed to hear (as it would appear from reading this talk and then having mi madre talk about the exact same thing basically in her letter). I'm glad to have heard it because I really need to trust in God and in Christ more. I need to realize and put into practice that knowledge that this is not my work, and that everything that happens right now happens to strengthen me or help another one of God's children. I just need to try every day, little by little, to completely turn my life over to Him, and all will be well.
I received a lot of good critisism from some other missionaries this week. We always try to have companionship inventories where we tell the good and the could be better about our companions, and when we did divisions with Elder Lamprecht and Elder Fernelius they gave me some really good advice. They said that I could be more confident when I'm teaching and be more excited, and I think the lack of such comes from not trusting in God sufficiently. I've started asking for those things in my prayers, and I've definitely seen a difference in my confidence levels. It feels so good to be confident about something and have other people see that confidence, and that's something that I absolutely need as a missionary. If I'm not confident about my message, how are others ever going to want to hear or do more? It really has helped asking God, and I know that He'll always give as long as I keep asking. And it really should be really easy to trust in God. He has told us that He knows that we're weak, and He will make our weaknesses strengths if we trust in him (Ether 12:27). And, as Elder Christofferson has taught us, that weakness will turn into a strength one day at a time. I really do testify of that.
Well, I believe that I'll be going now. I don't have too much else to say. We do have more investigators! Only a couple more, but more! They own an ice cream shop, and they always give us free ice cream when we go in, so that's pretty cool. Also, the husband came to Church this Sunday! Huzzah!! That was way cool. They're so going to get baptized, and I'm going to try to be the best tool for God so that He can work a miracle with them.
I love all of you very much. Thank you for all of your support and for all of your prayers. They are much needed and very welcome. Have a fantabulous week, and remember that in the darkest of moments, instead of looking down, look up. I love you!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
I am doing very well today. We played soccer for awhile today, and then we went to the mall for lunch (we've gone every week for awhile hoping and praying that Carl's Jr. will be open, but it still isn't, and no one has any idea when it'll be open). Also, Elder Fernelius received his new companion today, so we're no longer in a trio, nor are we in a quartet. Now there will be a lot less running around all of Riobamba and a lot more of working in our own sector. I'm excited about that. Yay!!
This Saturday we had a wonderful baptism of Hermano Segundo. We started half an hour late because the branch mission leader and Elder Fernelius got there late, but Segundo got baptized darnit! I love that man so much. He's so receptive to the Gospel, he's humble enough to be taught, and he wants more than anything to be a good example for his son (who is not the boy pictured in the photos). I'm so glad for him, and I was even happier that I was able to baptize him. Oh, also, I got pouch!!! A LOT. Now, why is that related in any way, shape, or form to Segundo getting baptized? Because in one of my packages was my new pair of baptizing pants, and since I'm a rather large guy and so is Segundo, I lent him my new pants (they were the only ones we had that even came close to fitting him). So my new baptizing pants received use the first day I had them, and I didn't use them! But that's okay with me! And if that was a birthday package or something (it didn't say on the box or in it), sorry for opening it early, but it appears that it was an inspired opening. Yay!! [It was in fact his birthday present - guess the card didn't make it yet!]
Thank you so very much to every who sent me pouch! I was so excited to get the packages (3!!) and letters (a lot more than 3!!). I'll do my best to write you all back and let you know how grateful I am for you all. Also, I received some pouch from some people in the ward that I may or may not know (faces/names are getting fuzzy), but I am grateful all the same!! I love you guys!! You're the best!! [THANK YOU! THANK YOU from Elder Schomburg's madre!]
In response to a question, I really haven't a clue, nor does my companion, as to why we serve missions for two years other than because the Prophet says so. Rather, Christ, through His prophet, says so. It seems like the perfect amount of time to me though. Also, in response to another question that I received in a letter from pouch, it would not be frowned upon if I received games such as chess. Playing with investigators in place of really sitting down and teaching them might not be the best approach, but I'm sure any game would help me and my companions grow closer together in our down time before bed or los lunes. It's kinda interesting, but the zone leaders actually have a ton of games (Monopoly, Uno, Scrabble Slam [which they sometimes use for language study by making new words in Spanish]), and there's nothing that says that we can't have them, so, yeah!
I read a talk by Elder D. Todd Christofferson today in the January Liahona that was really good. It's called "Recognizing God's Hand in Our Daily Blessings"
( http://www.lds.org/liahona/2012/01/recognizing-gods-hand-in-our-daily-blessings?lang=eng ) and it talks about how we should focus on the daily triumphs instead of waiting for the big things to happen. Asking God for help daily helps us to learn to trust God daily, and not just every once in a while. He uses God giving the Israelites manna every day during the Exodus as an example that God was trying to help His people understand that they needed to trust that He would provide for them one day at a time, and thus it is. It's an incredible talk, and I believe it's something that I definitely needed to hear (as it would appear from reading this talk and then having mi madre talk about the exact same thing basically in her letter). I'm glad to have heard it because I really need to trust in God and in Christ more. I need to realize and put into practice that knowledge that this is not my work, and that everything that happens right now happens to strengthen me or help another one of God's children. I just need to try every day, little by little, to completely turn my life over to Him, and all will be well.
I received a lot of good critisism from some other missionaries this week. We always try to have companionship inventories where we tell the good and the could be better about our companions, and when we did divisions with Elder Lamprecht and Elder Fernelius they gave me some really good advice. They said that I could be more confident when I'm teaching and be more excited, and I think the lack of such comes from not trusting in God sufficiently. I've started asking for those things in my prayers, and I've definitely seen a difference in my confidence levels. It feels so good to be confident about something and have other people see that confidence, and that's something that I absolutely need as a missionary. If I'm not confident about my message, how are others ever going to want to hear or do more? It really has helped asking God, and I know that He'll always give as long as I keep asking. And it really should be really easy to trust in God. He has told us that He knows that we're weak, and He will make our weaknesses strengths if we trust in him (Ether 12:27). And, as Elder Christofferson has taught us, that weakness will turn into a strength one day at a time. I really do testify of that.
Well, I believe that I'll be going now. I don't have too much else to say. We do have more investigators! Only a couple more, but more! They own an ice cream shop, and they always give us free ice cream when we go in, so that's pretty cool. Also, the husband came to Church this Sunday! Huzzah!! That was way cool. They're so going to get baptized, and I'm going to try to be the best tool for God so that He can work a miracle with them.
I love all of you very much. Thank you for all of your support and for all of your prayers. They are much needed and very welcome. Have a fantabulous week, and remember that in the darkest of moments, instead of looking down, look up. I love you!
Love,
Elder Schomburg
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