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

June 26, 2013 - Mission President and Sister Matsumori's last week

Hey Mom!  Good news on everything that happened in the Summer Games!  Really proud of my brothers.  Also proud of Benson and Taft for their performances in school! 

Anyway here in G1 we had J finally come to church after months of him being taught!  And he said he really enjoyed it and was very pleased with how things went!  MIRACLE!  It put such a huge smile on our faces and he says he's coming this next week too.

Yesterday we had and exchange where our zone leader, Elder J, came with Elder S and me.  It was a great day and we picked up tons of potential investigators.

Did you see the worldwide leadership training?  There was a veritable army of missionaries!  I thought, "oh my goodness we are taking over the world!"  I was amazed to see all those sisters!  It's just incredible.  Also I forgot to mention last week but MY mission represented all the missions in the world at that meeting, President and Sister Matsumori, the Assistants, the Zone Leaders, and the VC trainers were all on screen, if only briefly.  It was way cool to hear Elder Holland talk to President!

This is the Matsumori's last week.  I don't have much to say.  A lot of things are going through my head.  I'll miss them terribly but I know the new mission president will do a great job. 

Anyway love you to the edge of the universe!  To the edge! Elder Schoemig

June 19, 2013 - New area, Gaithersburg

Hey Mom!  Thanks for the weekly family/friends update!  I am having a grand time here in Gaithersburg, it is a car area but we get to bike and walk around.  I just borrow our roommates bike when we need it but I plan on trying to get one for myself from the Assistants.  This area is kinda stagnant right now but it has great potential that I see.  Right now we are trying to build the relationship with leaders, visit less-actives, retain the recent converts, boost our investigators, find more investigators, work as hard as we can, sing camp-fire songs, and stay as sane as we possibly can amidst the roller-coaster of missionary life :)

Elder S is really awesome.  He like anime and manga and loves to draw so it's been super fun with him.  I really enjoy listening to people talk about things they love.  That's something I've found on my mission.  

Last week at the transfer meeting we sang the mission song to the Matsumori's and we all were bawling and what not.  I'm gonna miss em.

Speaking of tears I got teary-eyed too at thinking about how good this ward is to us.  I was thinking about how happy I am to serve people and do things for them.  I do it, and I think I can say in general, the reason we do things for other people is because what they do for us is so much more than what we can do for them.  It's all about humility and serving others.

I love you to the edge of the universe!  to the edge, Elder Schoemig