Work, work, work - it works!

Hello all! (It's really hard to always have clever greetings.)

How is everyone on this lovely day? I hope everyone is doing well. I'm a bit tired to tell the truth. I could really use a nice nap. We haven't really done much today because I'm horribly broke ($1.70 until either tomorrow or Wednesday), but I have learned a wonderful lesson that has to do with tithing and fast offerings. Since I don't receive an income, I can't pay tithing, but from our support money we are expected to pay generous fast offerings. I usually always offer a very generous fast offering and I usually have a good amount of money left over at the end of a support payment cycle (once every 2 weeks). However, this month, for reasons that I'm not really sure about, I didn't fast nor pay a fast offering, and I now am completely broke. It's been a testimony building time for me, and I can now definitely see the blessings of paying a generous fast offering or a full tithe, if such is possible. Also, before I paid generous fast offerings I used to struggle with managing my money as well, but when I started giving more, I seemed to have more. There has never been an increase in my support payments, but I've always had more than enough. So learn from my experiences and pay a full tithe and generous fast offerings! The Lord will be obligated to bless you (see Malachi 3:8, 10 and 3 Nephi 24:8, 10).

This week we were privileged to be part of three different baptisms. Romina was able to be baptized, and when Bishop Borja was giving the welcome, he shared a little part of his baptismal interview with Romina. When he asked Romnia why she wanted to be baptized, she said, "I want to be baptized because I love Jesus." It was just such a simple and touching declaration. She is completely fulfilling the great commandment that Jesus left with us: "And thou shalt ^alove the Lord thy God with all thy ^bheart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy ^cstrength: this is the first commandment" (Holy Bible, Mark 12:30). If only we could all follow Romina's example and keep the commandments because we love the Lord with all our hearts. How wonderful that simple statement is! She is such a special little girl.

We were also able to witness another 8-year-old child, Eduardo, be baptized by his father. That was also a sweet experience. Also, William Gómez, one of our investigators, was able to be baptized as well. We're still trying to be able to pass by the rest of his family, but there are some problems there. Prayers directed his way would be welcome.

I found a cure to worrying about the future! I was studying Preach My Gospel when I found that cure. It's a quote from President Ezra Taft Benson that I really liked, and I'll even highlight the part that really caught my attention.

“I have often said one of the greatest secrets of missionary work is work!If a missionary works, he will get the Spirit; if he gets the Spirit, he will teach by the Spirit; and if he teaches by the Spirit, he will touch the hearts of the people and he will be happy. There will be no homesickness, no worrying about families, for all time and talents and interests are centered on the work of the ministry. Work, work, work—there is no satisfactory substitute, especially in missionary work.”

I have really found that to be very true this week. I have tried my best to focus on the work and just work, and it works!! It's incredible, but I haven't hardly worried about "the future" at all this week. Also, I would like to thank those of you whom decided to write to me and give me some advice. Of the advice that I received, the most common was 1) trust in God and 2) take things one bite at a time. I'm really trying to have more faith and also just slow down and focus on right now. It's really hard sometimes. I like to do things right now, and delaying them sometimes bugs me, but I'm learning. I know that Heavenly Father will provide me with what I need, especially when I am diligent and obedient. Right now I'll try to just focus on where my feet are, and later I'll figure out what I'll do, but not till I get to that point.

Jeffrey, in your down time, along with your scripture study you should be studying Preach My Gospel. If you can finish it before your mission, you'll be a lot more prepared and a better teacher than I ever was.

This week was also a bit odd in the rudeness factor. Two different people yelled at us that we're gay and today a guy greeted us on the bus with a very long and outstretched middle finger. It was just odd because I don't remember ever receiving opposition like that. It doesn't bother me at all because 1) I know that I'm not gay and neither is Elder Tucket and 2) I just choose to not let it bother me. Those occurances were rather odd though. (Jeffrey, prepare yourself.)

I had a very sweet experience yesterday during Sacrament Meeting. As I was partaking of the sacrament, I felt incredibly happy. It was like happiness was just building up in my chest and I could have burst out in shouts of praises and joy (I didn't though...you know, trying to be reverent and all...). I was just so happy! That's the second week in a row that that has happened, and I know that it's because I was worthily partaking of the sacrament. Such is the feeling when one is subject to the influence of the Holy Ghost. It's wonderful.

Well, I believe that's all for right this very moment. I love you all very much and hope that your week is fantabulous and full of spiritual experiences. I know that if you look for them, you will find them. I love you!

Love,
Elder Andrew Schomburg

Unexpected Feelings

Hello my friendly peoples!!

This day finds me well. Nothing to complain about at all, so that is very good. I've had a pretty tranquilo week, so that's good as well. I'm really trying to be diligent. Really, really trying. I've found that going running in the mornings helps me to get up and going and start the day off right, so that's handy. That means that I have to wake up 30 minutes early (my companion as well), but it's worth it to fight the non-diligent bug (aka Satan). If anyone else has other tips for me, they would be very welcome, especially from return missionaries.

We've been teaching a sweet little 8 year-old girl named Romina with her grandpa for awhile. Her grandpa's a member and she lives with him (her parents died when she was 1 1/2 years old). She is pilísimas (really, really intelligent). She has questions that many of my adult investigators have never had, and she understands all of the concepts that we teach her very well. She's such a sweet little girl too. I really love her a lot. She get baptized this Thursday, and we're very excited about that.

We've also been teaching a gentleman named William. He is getting baptized this Saturday. He always has a ton of questions, many of which come from left field, but that's okay. We've been able to satisfactorily answer all of his questions so far, and the doubts that remained have gone away as he has read the Book of Mormon. It has been wonderful to see his conversion, and I am excited to see him take the step of baptism.

Jeffrey, I give you permission to use my suitcases. They won't be brand new, but they are still in good condition and have served me well in my mission. Hopefully they'll serve you equally well. Also, you are a lucky, lucky duck. A bicycle will be so wonderful. Do you get to drive as well? That'd be chevere as well.

So, I'm encountering feelings that I did not expect to encounter about returning home: fear and anxiety. What am I going to do? I really want to follow the prophet's counsel and get married as soon as possible, but I don't really have much in the way of job offerings until summer, and I want to (hopefully) get married before going back to BYU. Then there's the issue of student loans that I took out, and how I would continue providing for that family while in school. Also, do I find a job in Colorado and then move to Provo when school time rolls around, or do I get a job de una there in Provo and live there for an indefinite time? I just don't know, and not knowing really scares me. I know that I need to just trust that Heavenly Father will bless me, especially with my faithful service, but it's still a scary prospect. Also, how do I pay for university? I don't want to get any more into debt, but my grades are nowhere near good enough for scholarships. I have kind of thought about Army ROTC, but I really want to dedicate as much time to my family as possible, and I also kind of want to do Track again, but I'm now about as out of shape as I've ever been...so many doubts and fears. Has anyone else experienced anything similar? I would love if someone could write me some good advice about what to do. I know that praying and fasting will be number one on the list, but is there anything else? Thank you in advance for your help.

Well, I don't have too much more to say. I love you all very much and am so grateful for all of your support. I hope all of you are doing well. Keep on keeping on!

Love,
Elder Andrew Schomburg

P.S. If some desire, they can write directly to andrew.schomburg@myldsmail.net to give me advice. I won't be responding to anybody that isn't family, and even to family I will most likely respond via snail mail, but I will do my best to respond. Thank you!

Trunky Paper?

Hello my fantastic friends and family and future friends/family! (I believe that covers everyone :D)

This week finds me happy, healthy, and well in general. Nothing to really complain about ni nada así. Something very unexpected happened today though: I received my "trunky paper". Those are the papers that I fill out and send to the mission recepcionist so that she can make my farewell packet... I am so confused because I'm pretty sure that I still have about 3 months to go.... I only have three months to go. Oh, yeah, I leave Ecuador the 28th of January, and I need to know to where I should fly in, Denver or Colorado Springs? Also, what is Dad's email address? And...well, contact information for you parent folks in my immediate family would be very helpful. Thank you for your colaboration.

We had two confirmations this weekend! Woo!! Patricio Pullupaxi was confirmed and also received the Aaronic Priesthood (along with Diego Almache), and do you remember Paúl Piñan? That guy who got baptized around 6 weeks ago? Well, he got confirmed as well!! Wooo!! He entered the chapel just as we finished confirming Patricio, so it really was a miracle. I was so happy. I am so happy! Also, we had 4 other investigators in the sacrament meeting, which was very good as well. It was a rather noisy fast and testimony meeting, and I thought for a second to stand up and bear my testimony about reverence, but I refrained. Perhaps we'll talk to the bishop about the reverence issue.

My companion and I are currently fighting to remember how to write in English. Even though we speak in English all the time, we still have to fight to remember some words and especially how to spell many words. It's kinda funny. [I didn't edit any spelling for him at all this time - it really is getting bad. haha]

I was so excited to hear about Palmer Divide dividing (bu-dum, tsh!!) into two wards now! Woo!!! That's incredible! I can't believe how much the Church is growing in sleepy little Monument. Pretty soon it'll be its own stake! The Monument Stake! That'd be pretty amazing and incredible. I can't wait to see that day.

Well, I don't think I have too terribly much more to say. This has been a pretty tranquilo week, but that's also kind of a bad thing. The whole zone needs to step things up and get back into shape. We're kind of on "coast" mode right now, but that'll change this week. We'll find more families and help many more people come unto Christ. I love all of you so very much and am so very grateful for the support that you offer me in your letters and in your prayers. Have a wonderful week and a HAPPY BIRTHDAY JEFFREY!!! WOOOO!! 19!!! I hope your birthday is ¡fantástico! I love you Mate!!

Love,

Elder Andrew Schomburg

P.S. Madre, no, there wasn't a letter for Robby in that letter packet, but I will be writing him here shortly. Also, I got a package from mi Abuelita, so thank you Grandma!! Hugs to all who can receive them, and handshakes to the rest!

So HAPPY!

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOHHH!!!!!

Jeffrey's going on a mission!!!! Oh wow!! That is such wonderful and incredible news! That has just made my day (and probably my week)! I am so so so very happy for him. Madre asked for a picture of my face, but my computer doesn't read my memory, sorry. Just so you know though I was smiling from ear to ear and then promptly broke out crying. I am just completely filled with joy. I could not be any happier right now than to hear that Jeffrey will be serving in the Australia Adelaide Mission. That is just...amazing. Snap. There aren't words to describe how happy I am with Jeffrey's decision to serve. I don't know why it just hit me now that he's going to be serving as a full-time mission, but it did, and I am happier than I have been in a very long time. Wow. :D Australia. Whoa! Jeffrey, you're going to come back talking like Hugh Jackman or Russell Crowe! That's awesome! Good on ya mate!! (Oh, just a side-note. I met a returned missionary while in Institute who served in Australia, and one of the dishes that he had to eat was a duck fetus still in the egg. Prepare yourself well mate haha. [I'm going to be calling you, Jeffrey, Mate from here on out.])

And Elizabeth wants to serve a mission too!! How wonderful is that! I was very excited about the prospect of 19-year-old women being able to serve, and I think I did immediately think that Elizabeth would be going on her mission in a couple of years. That's just nuts to think about though. Yay serving missions!! It's the best two years for one's life.

Okay, let's see if I can move on to other topics.(Ahhhh that's so cool that Mate's going to be serving a mission in Australia!! Woooo!) General Conference was very wonderful, especially the Sunday morning session. I especially loved President Eyring's talk about how God never hides Himself in a pavilion, but rather we create our own pavilions from our own selfish desire with which we hide ourselves and prohibit ourselves from communicating with Heavenly Father. I loved that talk. There were also quite a few parts of talks, or entire talks, that had to do with my patriarchal blessing, which I found very amazing. I am so grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who cares about the one and will help any of His children at any given time if that child will just come closer to Him. Man. I love General Conference so much. And yet again my testimony has grown concerning modern-day prophets and apostles. Watching them, one just knows that they are indeed called of God to direct His Son's Church here on earth and to guide us newly back to our heavenly abode. It's just so amazing. Woo!!

Dang, I cannot get the news of Jeffrey's call out of my head. I'm trying to find the mission boundaries, but I'm not having much luck. Moar searching!!! after I finish this letter.

Yay for healthy houseplants! One of the things that has become a desire of mine is to have my own garden. I would love that so very much. It's going to be an awesome garden, too, with a bunch of tasty vegetables and fruits. Huzzah!!

So happy!!!

Well, I really don't have much more to say. I'm just so very very happy to hear that my brother, Mate, is now going on a mission. And in March! That's a wonderful time to go on a mission. I'm so very proud of you Jeffrey!

Well, I love you all very much and am so glad to hear that all is very well in the Schomburg residence. I hope that all within the reach of this letter do their absolute best to follow in the footsteps of Christ and also to give heed to the recently spoken words of His prophets and apostles. I know that following their counsel will lead to more happiness than can possibly be imagined. I love you, and have a wonderful, splendiferous week!

Love,
Elder Andrew Schomburg (gotta differentiate now :D)

General Conference - The World Cup of the Church

HELLO!!

It's a wonderful day today, and it's also been a wonderful week. This week we worked really hard and found a lot of people. We had high hopes for a big turn-out Sunday of new investigators, but alas! almost no one came. We still have faith that the majority of them are going to progress though, so we'll keep working our hardest to help them all come to church and progress in this pathway of faith.

Being with an American companion is so very wonderful. We get along very well and are really trying to get a lot done with the zone. Also, it's a lot easier to joke around and get to know someone who speaks your native language. It's pretty wonderful. I'm so grateful to be with Elder Tuckett. Also, he has a lot of desires to work as hard as he can, and he has a lot of good ideas to help the zone progress. I think it really helps that he's a new zone leader, and I'm very grateful to be with him.

To answer some questions from mi Madre: My luggage is Chaps brand and it's holding up fine, I would definitely recommend Dansko shoes (they're still holding up after all this time; the Hushpuppies aren't doing so well, as is manifest in the photo), and I think the CTR clothing brand is pretty good. Some of the pinstriping is gone from some of my pants, and I've had to get them sewn in a couple of spots, but it's normal wear and tear. Also, watches are very handy, but they should be durable and shock-proof; my watch took a shot and now the face moves around, so I can't really use it (not to mention the battery died, so now it's just a nice ornament). Two towels would be good. Also, you don't need to bring two years worth of sprays/lotions/etc, because one can buy that stuff almost anywhere I believe. Two years of contact lenses though would be most recommendable, plus glasses (just in case). Also, if he's going to a mission in which there can sometimes be a colder climate, a sweater would be wonderful (v-neck, dark in color, and long sleeve, not a sweater-vest). [Still no mission call for Jeffrey - for those of you who are holding your breath waiting. :)]

Twenty months of daily walking - ouch!

Just some advice and words of comfort for Jeffrey: Keep on keeping on! If your friends are asking you a whole bunch of questions trying to make you look less than intelligent or something, don't worry about it. Just keep studying the Scriptures, praying, attending Church meetings regularly, and doing everything possible to gain a strong testimony before your mission. Satan knows that this work is of the Lord and that this Church is the true Church of Jesus Christ, and because of that he will do anything and everything in his power to stop you from spreading the word. I think the words of Moses could help you in this case:

13 And it came to pass that Moses looked upon Satan and said: Who art thou? For behold, I am a ^ason of God, in the similitude of his Only Begotten; and where is thy ^bglory, that I should worship thee?

19 And now, when Moses had said these words, ^aSatan cried with a loud voice, and ranted upon the earth, and commanded, saying: I am the ^bOnly Begotten, worship me.

20 And it came to pass that Moses began to ^afear exceedingly; and as he began to fear, he saw the bitterness of ^bhell. Nevertheless, ^ccalling upon God, he received ^dstrength, and he commanded, saying: Depart from me, Satan, for this one God only will I worship, which is the God of ^eglory.

21 And now Satan began to tremble, and the earth shook; and Moses received strength, and called upon God, saying: In the name of the Only Begotten, ^adepart hence, ^bSatan.

22 And it came to pass that Satan cried with a loud voice, with weeping, and wailing, and ^agnashing of teeth; and he departed hence, even from the presence of Moses, that he beheld him not.

Even Moses received opposition from Satan, but you can do just as Moses did. You still have a work to do here on earth. You still have the Gospel to share, and you have power over Satan, no matter in what form in which he appears to you. Satan is trying to overpower you, but you can become even stronger with each trial that you conquer, so Satan is, in a sense, helping you to be stronger and trust in God more and more. Just keep on keeping on. Even when your friends try to belittle you, remember that you are a son of Heavenly Father. He will never leave you alone, and as long as you are worthy, the Holy Ghost will be with you to strengthen you. It's possible that your friends say such things because they are jealous of your confidence and that you are part of a Church in which you truly believe. Perhaps they still have a lot of questions that they haven't had answers and are trying to make you doubt your beliefs so that they can feel like their religion is just as good (or something like that). Just remember that this Church is the same that Christ established almost 2000 years ago. We have prophets and apostles who guide us towards Christ. This is the true Church. And if you need a further confirmation of that truth, just ask Heavenly Father if this is the true Church. He won't ever lie, and I testify that He answers prayers, because He answered and answers mine time and time again. You can do it Jeffrey! Keep on keeping on!

HEY!! GENERAL CONFERENCE THIS WEEK!!!!! WOOOOO!!!! Haha I've been telling all of our investigators that General Conference is like the World Cup of the Church (as in that's how excited I am for it). I am so very very excited for General Conference. We get to hear the voice of a Prophet of God and from Apostles of Christ. It will be just as important as when Moses revealed the Mosaic Law to the people of Israel. It will be as if Paul or Peter were talking directly to us right now. It's incredible. I would invite all who read this to watch General Conference  this Saturday and Sunday at 9 am and 1 pm MST (...I think. Madre, you should correct those times if they're not correct.) [The times for General Conference are 10:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. MST on Saturday and Sunday.  Click on the highlighted General Conference link to watch.] There's also a special Priesthood session for men Saturday night at 5 pm, so there are 5 sessions in all.  [The Priesthood session is at 6:00 p.m. MST on Saturday evening.]  They will be incredible, and everyone can learn something that will bless him in his life, especially if he watches all of the sessions. I'm so very very excited. Don't miss out on this opportunity to listen to modern day prophets and apostles!

Also, if you don't believe that there can be prophets and apostles today, reflect on these two scriptures: Amos 3:7 and Hebrews 13:8, which say, respectively, "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, ^abut he ^brevealeth his^csecret unto his servants the ^dprophets" and "Jesus Christ the same yesterday, today, and for ever." The Lord has called prophets since Adam, and in order to continue being the same, He must call prophets today. Otherwise He would cease to be the Lord, which is impossible. If you still don't believe, watch General Conference, and then ask Heavenly Father in a sincere prayer if He has called prophets and apostles in these days. Then, pay attention to your feelings, for the Spirit works through our feelings mostly (see Galatians 5:22-3). I testify that there are modern-day prophets and apostles who fulfill the same role as that to which they were called in days of old, and that they truly guide us to Jesus Christ, our Saviour and Redeemer.

Well, I think that's all that I have for this day. I love you all and thank you for the prayers which you send my way. I pray for you as well and hope that this letter finds all happy, healthy, and in good spirits. Also, don't forget that, while I do return home in short order, I do still love to receive pouch, and especially packages, if at all possible. I love you! Have a wonderful and spiritual week!

Love,

Elder Schomburg

Gringo in da house!

Hello!!! And how good it is to say hello to you!

This day finds me wearing my handy-dandy raincoat because, well, it's raining. Also, this day finds me with a new companion! His name is Elder......Tuckett! A gringo! He's my first gringo companion in a long time (since Riobamba, but even then that didn't count much). He recently was made a zone leader, so I get to teach him all that he needs to know about being a zone leader. He seems like a pretty good guy, and I'm very excited for this change. All of the sectors in the zone had a change, so there are now 6 new missionaries in the zone. Elder Miranda is going to be training, so I'm going to be a grandpa again! Oh, and one of my "grandsons" is training, so I'm now a great-grandpa. I'm getting so old. (That reminds me: 4 months.)

This week was very nice. We had two baptisms and four confirmations! Woo! Gaya Piñán and Cristian Gamboy finally came to Church again and were able to get confirmed, and the Almache family was married, baptized, and confirmed this week. Woo! We need to find a lot more people though because we're running out of people to teach. We can do it though! With a lot of divine help, we can do anything.

We had a pretty cool spiritual experience this week. While we were teaching the Reinoso family their son came out of his bedroom. He was incredibly drunk and I didn't think that him listening to us would amount to anything at all. Anyway, he sat down next to me, listened for a bit, and then went back to his room. I thought he was leaving for good, but he just went to turn off the music. He came and sat back down next to me, and after listening for a bit more asked us for some advice. It turns out that the lesson we were teaching his parents was the Word of Wisdom, so we decided to teach him about it too. We just told him what it was in simple terms (that we shouldn't partake of alcohol, tobacco, illegal drugs, tea, and coffee), and then I felt prompted to tell him that if he really wanted to start changing his life, then he needed to start right now by throwing out any alcohol that he still had. The son got up, went to his room, came back with his alcohol, opened the door, and chucked the bottle out. That was the first time I had ever seen that. It was wonderful. Then we had to end the lesson because we had to go to the baptismal service of the Almache family, and the whole family, including the son, decided to come down as well. While in the baptismal service, the son asked what was necessary to be baptized and said that he wants to prepare to get baptized. It was a really spiritual experience. Some might say that it was just because he was drunk, but I know that he truly wants to change his life. We're going to be passing by more frequently with them, especially to help the son lay off the alcohol and everything that's destroying his life right now. Stay tuned to see how this story ends (or begins?).

Go Jeffrey and Madre for being missionaries! Woo! Just remember Alma 32 and that perhaps you are planting those seeds. Keep on keeping on! And yay for feeding missionaries! I'm sure that they were appreciative of that. I know I definitely would be. Food is one of a missionary's best friends.

I was going to send a letter packet today, but I don't think we'll have the time to do so. Sometimes I really don't like change days because all one does is wait. And then call and hear that you have to wait more. And then after you've waited all day long you can go and spend 2 hours doing everything that you need to do. But luckily this only happens once every 6 weeks.

Oh, little culture tid-bit. Instead of having a lot of really big grocery stores here, there are little corner stores on every corner (and frequently between the corners, too). They don't sell everything that a grocery store sells, but they sell snacks, eggs, milk, vegetables, and the basic necessities for Ecuadorian life. I'm going to miss those when I get back. No longer will I be able to walk down to the corner to buy a couple of eggs for breakfast, nor to buy a soda or anything like that. If I want something, I'll have to get dressed, get in a car, go to the grocery store and buy it there, which is way too much hassle. Sigh. Oh well. I guess I'll have to get used to American life again, but not for another 4 months.

Well, I love you all very much. I hope that you've already started preparing for GENERAL CONFERENCE!! WOOOO!! (That's basically become my Super Bowl.) I know that if someone prepares to receive revelation, then they will receive it. I love you and wish you all the best. Have a wonderful week!

Love,

Elder Schomburg

Do you know the Doctrine of Christ?

Hey everybody!

How is everyone doing today? I'm doing fairly well. We went to a barbeque today and ate a lot, so that was pretty cool. We've had a pretty relaxed day, but I need more relaxing. I am so tired right now. So very tired. Hopefully this won't continue throughout the week.

Last week was kind of rough for me. I felt completely burned out. I had almost no desire to work and was kind of just going through the motions. But the worst part is that I really wanted to want to work, but it didn't work out until the very end of the week, and even then it didn't work as well as I would have wanted it to work. It was really quite frustrating. Also, my lack of wanting to work reflected in the success we had this week. We only found one family and they're not progressing. Not much happened this week, so that was fairly disappointing. I just really hope that I have a better week. I know that I'm still human and every once in a while I'll subcumb (sp??) to the weakness of being human, but man does it not feel good. Someday I'll be stronger I know. I'll just have to be patient and keep working to the best of my abilities and rely on Heavenly Father when the best of me isn't good enough.

Sorry for the recent lack of pictures, but the internet café that we've been using isn't very good at reading memory cards nor anything that has memory. I'll keep trying though, and perhaps one of these days you can see all of the photos that I've been taking.

Something that I am definitely looking forward to (in some distant, future day) is good ol' American cooking (for example, Mom's baked penne with meatballs). You guys don't even know how good you have it. It's very true that there are some Ecuadorian dishes that are delicious (my favourites are morocho with empanadas, llapingaucho/potato tortillas with caucara, and shrimp ceviche), but there just isn't anything that beats good ol' American cooking. The only problem is the following: I can't hardly eat American food anymore. Remember how way back when I used to be able to eat spaghetti by the pounds? Now a little plate completely fills me up. I could eat rice forever and ever and ever, but anything that is like what I used to be able to eat I can't eat very much of now. It's a tad frustrating, but I'm sure that with practice I'll be able to get back into the swing of things.

Congratulations Elizabeth for getting a principle part in the musical!! That's awesome! Someone has to film it so that I can watch it when I get back. I'm sure that you'll do an amazing job Elizabeth.

Jeffrey, I'm horribly, terribly, ridiculously excited for you to get your mission call. I suppose that you might wonder where I think you're going to go, and to that I have to say....Germany or Ecuador, one of the two. But we will see when we see. Maybe they'll send you to Accra, Ghana! Wooo!

Robby, you hang in there! I hope you get better soon! I hope you're having fun in school and are learning a whole bunch. Keep on keeping on buddy!

I have 30 minutes left and I don't quite know what to say...

Oh, inspiration, but let's see how much of it I can write in less than 30 minutes (still have to write to President).

Something that we've really been focusing on a lot in the mission lately is the doctrine of Christ. I want you all to take a couple of moments to think to yourself and see if you can come up with a concrete definition of what is the doctrine of Christ. Okay, who was able to do so? Well, if you weren't able to do so (or even if you were able to do so), I'd like to take a little bit of time to explain exactly what is the doctrine of Christ, and to do so, let's go to the Book of Mormon.

In 3 Nephi chapter 27, Jesus Christ explains to everyone exactly what is His doctrine and His gospel. Let's read verses 13-22, breaking it down part by part.

13 Behold I have given unto you my Gospel, and this is the gospel which I have given unto you—that I came into the world to do the will of my Father, because my Father sent me.
 14 And my Father sent me that I might be lifted up upon the cross; and after that I had been lifted up upon the cross, that I might draw all men unto me, that as I have been lifted up by men even so should men be lifted up by the Father, to stand before me, to be judged of their works, whether they be good or whether they be evil—
 15 And for this cause have I been lifted up; therefore, according to the power of the Father I will draw all men unto me, that they may be judged according to their works.

 Okay, let's analyze this part. What is the principal part of Christ's doctrine? That Christ was sent to fulfill the Father's will, which was to atone for our sins. Christ has paid the price for all of us and asks that we come to Him in order to accept His Atonement in our lives. Now, how is it that we can come to Him? Let's keep reading.

 16 And it shall come to pass, that whoso repenteth and is baptized in my name shall be filled; and if he endureth to the end, behold, him will I hold guiltless before my Father at that day when I shall stand to judge the world.
 17 And he that endureth not unto the end, the same is he that is also hewn down and cast into the fire, from whence they can no more return, because of the justice of the Father.
 18 And this is the word which he hath given unto the children of men. And for this cause he fulfilleth the words which he hath given, and he lieth not, but fulfilleth all his words.

These verses teach us two principles and one of the ordinances of the gospel of Jesus Christ. First mentioned here is that we must repent of all of our sins. We must abandon all evil. We must repent completely, and in order to repent completely one must enter into the baptismal covenant. By being baptized, by one who holds the priesthood of God and by immersion, one promises to keep Christ's commandments, remember Him always, and take upon him Christ's name. These scriptures promise us that if we do these things and then endure to the end, we will be "filled": filled with joy, happiness, peace, and also the Holy Ghost. Not only will we be filled, but we will be held guiltless at the last day. What a wonderful promise. Let us keep reading.

19 And no unclean thing can enter into his kingdom; therefore nothing entereth into his rest save it be those who have washed their garments in my blood, because of their faith, and the repentance of all their sins, and their faithfulness unto the end.
 20 Now this is the commandment: Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day.

Just in case you hadn't figured out what exactly is the gospel of Jesus Christ, He tells us what it is in very clear terms: faith, repentance, baptism by immersion for the remission of sins, the reception of the gift of the Holy Ghost, and endure to the end. That is the gospel and doctrine of Christ. In order to be made pure through the atoning blood of Christ, we must have faith in Him, we must repent, we must be baptized by a priesthood holder, being immersed in water for the remission of sins, we must receive the gift of the Holy Ghost by the laying on of hands, just like the apostles of old taught, and we must endure to the very end. Anyone who says that they have received Christ in their lives but who hasn't done one of these things in reality has yet to receive Christ in his life, because Christ Himself has said here what it is that we must do to accept Him as our Saviour and Redeemer. It's so clear! And that's not all. To end, let's read the last two verses.

21 Verily, verily, I say unto you, this is my gospel; and ye know the things that ye must do in my church; for the works which ye have seen me do that shall ye also do; for that which ye have seen me do even that shall ye do;
 22 Therefore, if ye do these things blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted up at the last day.

Jesus didn't set up His Church just so that we could gather and worship Heavenly Father. Jesus didn't set up His Church just because it was a good thing to do. He established His Church so that we could know exactly what His gospel is and so that we could put that gospel into practice. My fellow Latter-day Saints, we don't attend church services every Sunday just because it's a commandment. We attend church so that we can apply the doctrine and gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives, in order that we might be made spotless through the atoning blood of Jesus Christ. We have to live the gospel in order to receive a remission of our sins. That is why Christ established His Church. Now, what happens to those who not only attend The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints but also put the gospel into practice? "Therefore, if ye do these things blessed are ye, for ye shall be lifted up at the last day." In a word: exaltation. But you have to live the gospel and not only attend church services. I absolutely love this part of the Scriptures and I know that the gospel can change lives if we allow it to do so.

Well, that's all that I have for today. I hope everyone has a wonderful week and that they can receive the strength that they need to conquer the temptations of the world. I love you all very much!

Love,
Elder Andrew Schomburg