July 31, 2013 - Playin football next to the Washington Monument :)

HEYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYYY.  I'm really really tired right now so don't expect a work of art outta me hahahahaha.  I've been up since 4:30 this morning, we went down to do sunrise pictures here, which turned out ok.  There were some clouds blocking it but it was an adventure.  We played football next to the Washington Monument, I was QB for one drive and yeah, we scored a touchdown.  NBD.  I then became all-time blocker and just pushed people around.  That's one of my favorite things to do on a field.  Then Elder B, me, and Elders M, P, and M (our roommates) went to get "I <3 DC" shirts for my brothas and sistahs.  We also went to the Italian sub place that's near Gallaudet.  Best subs.  We have to go when you get here Mom.  Now we're back here at the library in Germantown emailin ya.

We'll we've had some pretty good miracles these past two evenings!  We made a new friend (I'm stopping the use of investigator and calling them my friends now) named J on Monday night.  She's 17 and going to college soon but we'll teach her and then pass her along when she goes.  She has lots of Mormon friends, loves to keep up with Church news, and has some pretty good questions.  Our other new friend is J, he's a guy who used to be taught and the missionaries stopped going by.  It's a miracles because we had planned to stop by Monday night, and ended up teaching J.  Turns out when we were talking to J he mentioned he wasn't home Monday night so we knew the Lord had led us to both J and J exactly when He needed us to go there. 

Elder B is one of my favorite person's.  He reminds me soooooo much of Utah with the phrases he uses and the things he does.  It's awesome.  He went to Timpview High and graduated in 11.  He's got a really good head on his shoulders.  He has really made a big commitment to coming on a mission, and had to change his life to do so.  He was a self labeled "Jack Mormon" but now he's simply a full fledged Missionary Mormon instead.  He has the highest respect for what he's doing out here and wants to work his hardest.  I can't say enough about him.  And he's got 68 pairs of shoes at home in Utah.  He has a shoe fettish hahahaha.  

Anyway I love you tons Mom!  Can't wait to see what's in the package :)  I'll be sending some home soon too.

I LOVE YOU TO THE EDGE OF THE UNIVERSE!  TO THE EDGE!

Elder Schoemig

July 24, 2013 - New companion and pioneers

Hey Momma, what's up? Today, I received.... another trainee!  He is super cool, his name is Elder B from Provo, Utah.  I'm still getting to know him some, but I do know that he went to UVU for two and a half years before his mission, and he is so stoked to be here.  We're gonna have the best transfer.  After the meeting this morning we went to the temple and did a sealing session, it was only his second time in the temple period so it was way spiritual and he was in just awe of the sheer beauty of the DC temple.  We had an opportunity to go into the Celestial Room as well, and I told him to imagine that it was his last day in the field.  As soon as I opened the door, a wave of love and the Spirit poured and splashed around us.  It was breathtaking and tear-making.  We had a good talk in there and we prayed together.  It was fantastic.  I feel like you get better with each child you have hahahahaha.  Anyway tell me if it gets easier as you go or if it's always a struggle :)

Well a report on J, he came to church!  We have reestablished contact and he's doing fine.  Our hopes were true, he was just feeling really sick for a few weeks.  Whew!  Prayer's come true Mom, THEY COME TRUE!

Thanks for the info and everything on the family, I really enjoy it every week.  Last Saturday we had a ward picnic and it reminded me of the 24th celebration in Monroe.  Sorry you couldn't make it this year :)  But next year.... >:)

Well I'd like to say I'm thankful for my pioneer ancestors.  I'm thankful they had the courage to do what's right in their time, so I could do what's right in my time.  I am a pioneer today, not pulling and pushing handcarts, but inviting and helping people come to Christ.  We are all on the journey to Zion.  

I LOVE YOU TO THE EDGE OF THE UNIVERSE!!! to the edge, Elder Schoemig

July 17, 2013 - Zone activity and missionary work

Good Wednesday Mom!  This morning we had zone activity which was tired me right out, along with other events this week that have tired me as well  I'll get into all that later.  First things first, the Bear Lake trip sounded super fun!  Can't wait to be out on the water again, maybe I'll have the strength and coordination to do water skiing and carry on the Schoemig tradition. 

Wow, shocking to hear about that boy.  I remember the shock I felt when Ian Ceran died, or when George Wright did.  It's very sad to lose someone so suddenly.  The only comfort that is offered is that the Plan is perfect and families are forever.  That's really cool about the family getting the "Spirit of the Eagle" award and continuing the Eagle project.

I knew T's homecoming would be great.  He's one of the great ones. 

Well this transfer we didn't get a temple trip :( Huge bummer.  It's because the temple is closed for cleaning and stuff so it's necessary.  But next transfer will be a joyous return to it.  So instead, on this last week of the transfer we got together as a zone to play capture the flag.  I was one of the team captains, and we were the Green Squad.  We didn't do too well, but it's all about having fun right?  Anyway the twist was that you had these socks with flour in them and you had to hit each other to get the other out.  And there were squirt guns that you used to distract the others and heal your teammates.  It was super fun.  After we went over to the church for pizza.  It was good.

This week we did a "car fast" for two days.  Meaning we didn't use the car, on Monday and Tuesday.  We walked a lot!  It was super fun, and I'm so grateful to have a vehicle to get around in.  We talked to lots of people, and got some potentials, so we've got some direction to go these next few days, contacting them and teaching them too. 

We're being patient with J, we haven't had contact with him for a week and a half, we think he is taking a step back and thinking about being baptized and stuff.  We could use some prayers on his behalf. 

Transfers is next week, we'll see how it goes.  Elder B, one of the Assistants, told me today that some changes are coming soon to the way we do missionary work, some big changes.  I'm excited to see what goes down.

Well I better go now!  LOVE YOU AS BIG AS THE UNIVERSE!!! That pretty much covers everything :)  To the edge, Elder Schoemig

July 10, 2013 - Sea of Glory and Testimony

Hey Mom, I hate packing too!  That's why it's a good idea to have the least amount of things possible to take with you, which is why I'm going to need a little extra moneys on my home card so I can send some stuff I don't need home.  :)  (I think that went well, don't you?) 

Anyway... here's the Fourth of July celebration that you've all been waiting for!  We woke up and got ready, we went down to Rockville chapel, I BAPTIZED Ty amidst a sea of glory and happiness and a really big splash, we went to the Metro, we rode down to Chinatown, we looked at some stuffs, we walked to the Mall, we watched the parade, we listened to a Christian rock band, we walked around, we found s'more missionaries, we went to the Holocaust museum, I was horrified, it was a good experience, I reflected that I'm lucky to be an American, we went back home, we went with our investigator Jeff to a YSA activity in the most western town of our mission, Poolesville, which is suuuuuuuupah far away from everything, we had a good bbq dinner, we barely watched the fireworks because we were a little bit late, we traveled back to the apartment, there was a lot of traffic, we got home at 10:35, not as late as last year, we went to bed, end of story.   It was super fun and I really enjoyed this Fourth of July.  Different from last year but the feeling of patriotism was still the same.  It's special to be on the National Mall surrounded by the monuments, memorials, museums, and government buildings. (Sorry I couldn't think of a word that started with an "M" that described government buildings. Oh well.)

J didn't come to church this week :( on account that he had a bad night's sleep the night before.  We hope to see him tonight at Institute so we'll see how it goes.  We've been workin on trying to work with the people we've got and been given from the ward.  It's going pretty well.  The schedule seems to be fuller every week so that's good.  More people we work with=More people coming to Jesus. 

Sunday in testimony meeting I bore my testimony of the time when I went to Scout camp in Star Valley and had my first "conversion" experience.  Remember that Mom?  That was special huh?  I also talked a little about Dad's heart attack and the miracles.  I told them I told Dad he couldn't die because he had to see me and my little brothers go on missions and get married.  I told them they could count on us as missionaries and to let us help them.  It was a super great testimony.  Not used to bearing it to that many people though.  Doing it in the ASL branch means a much smaller crowd. 

Anyway, I love you to the edge of the UNIVERSE!  To the edge, your eternal son, Elder Schoemig

(Mom's note:  Sorry this is out late, we were out of town and had no service up where we were, Bear Lake.  :)  We hurry home early this morning to make it in time to go and see Elder Schoemig's best friend's homecoming report, Elder Taylor Lewis.  We are grateful for these four boys (Kenny, Jackson, Taylor and Kale) for their friendships.  Well done Elder Lewis!  We love you.)

New Mission President and Sister Cooke's blog address

Here is the new blog from the new mission president.  It is http://calledtoserveindcnorth.blogspot.com
 

July 3, 2013 - Big sister's birthday :)

Hey Mom! Thanks for all the news from home, I always love to hear what's going on :)  Out here we had a change of mission presidents, as it sounds like many others did too.  President Cooke and his wife and their two kids, J age 15 and E age 13.  They are super great I got the chance to meet them yesterday at the zone training meeting.  They talked for a little at first just a little get to know us and look forward to working with you type deal.  It is strange without the Matsumori's but I know the Cooke's are called of God and they will continue the great tradition of the Washington DC North Mission.  

I need to send a great BIG shout-out to my older "little" sister Amanda!  It's her 22 birthday today and she's the best!  If you knew Amanda like I know her you'd know that she is loving and caring of her brothers and sisters.  You'd know that she is a gorgeous dancer and fighter.  You'd know that she has an awesome testimony of Jesus Christ and family and that she is very spiritual.  You'd know that she is fun to be around especially when it's summer and the windows are down and the music is up.  You'd know that I love her... and on occasion I even give her a hug :)  LOVE YA MANDI!  

J is doing super great.  He's gonna set a date for himself to be baptized.  We had a great lesson last night with Brother A and the Spirit was there so strongly!  J is hooked.  All we gotta do is real him in and dunk him in the holy water hahaha.

Well this week will be a fun week, tomorrow is the true p-day but we were told to email today as all the libraries will be closed tomorrow for the 4th.  This is my last celebration of this nation's birthday in the Capital so I'm going to make the most of it!

I love you to the edge of the universe!  To the edge!  Oh say can you see that Star Spangled Banner yet wave, o'er the land of the free and the home of the brave?

-Elder Schoemig