August 28, 2013 - So I guess everybody's already heard...pysch!

 

I had to title this week's response, because I read about how everyone knows how K and I saw each other at the temple.  It was all I could do not to just give her a big ol bear hug, but I restrained myself (this time, you'll find out why later this email).  We were speechless and just so excited, we got pictures with each other and K was right about her companion literally dragging her away.  She's doing the right thing and looks so happy.  Very glad I got to see her.

And here's the "psych!" part of the email........ she wasn't the only person from home I saw that day in the temple :)  Before our Member Missionary Morning (which went very very well by the way) I was standing at the top of the stairs when lo and behold, K's aunt M comes walking out of the corner of my eye.  We stopped.  Looked at each other.  Then it was all smiles and near tears as we gave each other the hugs that true friends deserve.  She whispered to me, "Oh, Kenny."  I said, "this is where I've been a missionary for the past 18 months."  That impacted me so much.  Just to see her and feel the love I have for the W family and from the W family was overwhelming.  I am reminded why I love K and his family so so so much.  It was a special moment on my mission, one I will cherish forever. 

So anyone else wanna pop into DC and say hi?  I've seen J, M, and K.  I know there's a lot more people I'm friends with than that ;)  haha just kidding, if people start coming outta the trees then I'll probably get realllllly trunky.  And we wouldn't want that to happen.  For reals.

So in the missionary section of my life, things are going well.  We don't even have to invite Jeff to church for him to show up.  He's just so natural about it.  He is so psyched for his baptism and can't wait for it.  There's so many people he wants to baptize him too.  Four of us!  Me, Elders B, S, and B I think were his top four picks but he mentioned there were more.  We'll have a time explaining the process of baptism and everything.

Things are going well.  Just the good ol' missionary life.  Not much else.  Oh, yes there is.  Went to the temple today.  LOVED IT.  You know what I'm talking about.

LOVE YOU AS BIG AS THE UNIVERSE! to the edge, Elder Schoemig

(Mom's note:  I thought this was interesting after thinking about it that he got to see all 3 people at the temple, the best place to see each other!)

A request from Elder Schoemig

One more thing to add, I am doing a part at the Member Missionary Morning this Saturday and I am looking for prayers that I will do well and inspire the members in the area to become great missionaries.  It will be at the Visitor Center and I will be talking about introducing the missionaries to your friends and family who are non-members.  It will be super awesome and a great time, but I need the Lord's help.  Thank you!

August 21, 2013 - The shortest email ever! :)

Hey!  Things are going really well, J is super excited about his baptism so that's good!  He's just getting better and better.  I don't have all the time in the world today so it'll be super  short, but just know that Elder B and I are doing super great. 

I LOVE YOU AS BIG AS THE UNIVERSE! to the edge Elder Schoemig

Pictures from mission office - donating blood :)

August 14, 2013 - 18 months mark

Hey Mom!  Well well well this past week my 18 month mark came and went, nothing exciting happening, but I guess you can officially call me a "dead sister" haha.  Can't believe those girls who were with me in the MTC are home.  Anyway, thanks for the update on everything goin on back at home.  Can't believe how close Grandpa and Grandma are to coming home!  Scary shocking.  It will be a great Thanksgiving and Dad's b-day week :)

On Sunday evening J took us down to the VC for Night of Music and Inspiration, and lo and behold, an autistic girl was there that needed an ASL interpreter!  The Sister missionaries came up to me asking if I would and of course I said yes.  It was such a treat to do that for her!  In the middle of one of the songs she just signed to me, "I love you" real slow and it was just about enough to make me cry!  That would have made the night worth it alone, but after I said goodbye to her and her mom and sister, I turned around and saw the S family from Calvert ward there!  I quickly gave them all huuuuuuuuuge hugs and talked for a while haha.  Sister S said she came in and went to Elder M, who I served with down there, and said, "Is Elder Schoemig here?" and Elder M said, "Nice to see you too!"  I really love that family and I guess they love my too!  They will be one of the main families to meet when you come out here. 

J is going off to college next week, so last night we had our last meeting with her.  It was really spiritual and I could tell she is sooooo close and she said herself, all of it makes sense and is great, but she is terrified of the perfect love which Christ has for her.  She is not used to be being able to trust someone that much and have someone look past all her imperfections and every little sin she has made and just love her no matter what.  I also realized that I am soooo blessed to know that, and so blessed to say that all throughout my years growing up I never had what J calls a "Solomon experience" meaning a turning away of what you know is true.  I may have my plentiful plentiful imperfection, but I have not doubted the doctrine and the truth and the Love of God, only have I doubted myself and my ability to live up to the call.  But I must trust in my God forever because He is forever.  

I heard a very lovely quote this week.  Make's me think of the Pink Floyd song "High Hopes."  The quote is "The higher you get, the higher you get."  Apparently it's on a shed somewhere in Idaho on top of a mountain or something.  

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

August 7, 2013 - Temple last night

Wow Mom!  You sent me a BIG email this week haha!  So happy about the baptism!  But I'm not really looking forward to a check up on my teeth.  Not that I haven't been taking care of them, it's just the principle of the thing is awful haha.  But I am gonna be ecstatic to see Dr. I.  When I flew into DC yes I flew into Dulles.  I can still remember President Matsumori's smiling face lookin at me that day.  Haven't seen the doctor yet, the appointment is for the 16th and they'll probably cut it and kill the root.  The package was (really high voice) awesome!!!  I love love love the ties, they are very pretty, to contrast most of the ugly ones I've collected out here haha.  The duckies were a fantastic touch and so were the photo albums.

Anyway just a brief update, J is on date for October 26th, that's his birthday and he said he would feel ok with that.  He's been having kinda a rough time with the YSA group around here.  He says they're all weird.  Being 23, social interaction is an important part for him.  He's been wondering if he should continue, but he knows he can't deny how much his life has improved and how much better he's getting.  We just need to find the right friend or friends for him.  He's being worked on by the Lord, that's all I know and that's where I'll trust.

Last night we went to the VC with J and it was super good.  We had a tour about the temple.  We invited J to be baptized when she knew it was true and she said she would if she knew it was.  J also brought her friend A, who's a member and waiting for his mission call, and her friend N who is not a member but is super cool and curious to learn just like J.  Elder B swears he heard N say yes to the baptism question I posed to J, so we'll have to follow up with that.  The temple was just breathtaking last night though.  Thunderclouds swirling around it, looking like at any moment they would crack open and pour their life-giving water onto the beacon of light.  But they stayed, and we walked around the temple, taking about it and other awesome temples.  N loves architecture so she's gonna look up all the other temple's too.  Oh and by the way, J's little sister is an artist and is making a painting of me, which I asked if she would do.  I'm so excited to see it!  

Better close now, pray for us and wish us luck!  I love you to the edge of the universe!  To the edge!  Elder Schoemig