Week 82 - A Busy Week in Madera

  I actually feel incredibly blessed that I get to write to Elder Schaff and get responses from him on a weekly basis. This has not always been the case for missionaries, and I am sure that it is still not the standard in some areas. The fact that we have heard from him every week since he entered the MTC is incredible. That being said, sometimes our family asks a question and he doesn't respond, so we have to wait another week and hope that we get it resolved. Sometimes he writes and asks for things and we forget to answer, it goes both ways, and it does get frustrating. So, every week there are definite priorities. Lately, I have wanted to know if he received his replacement driver's license, how things are going with the companionship, and we have being communicating back and forth about his release date. This week, he asked for help tracking down replacement heads for his electric razor. Luckily, I found some on Amazon and was able to ship them to him. I wanted to know what kind of Easter candy he wants me to send, which is actually more serious than it sounds. I work at a Niagara Chocolate store for the 3 weeks before Easter each year and so, there are many choices, but I know that Hayden loves milk chocolate orange sponge candy. What a great thing it is that we can discuss all of these things, and hear about his mission experiences too. Here is his email from week 82-

"That's exciting that you get to put some time in at the candy store again Mom!

Sponge candy or orange milk chocolate would be fine, thanks.

While I'm petitioning for gifts, some razor heads would be nice. My razor says "Replace with Philips H056 Heads" I can't ever seem to find them, but maybe I'm not looking hard enough. Think you could send those when you send the other stuff? I'll hold out until then. 

This week we had 6 key events in Madera:

-Zone Conference on technology!

-We found an investigator named Unique!

-Exchange with my Spanish Elders!

-Taught Seminary class!

-Exchange with my English Elders!

-We gave some awesome talks in Sacrament meeting!

(Bonus: We taught a Jehovah's Witness and neither side Bible bashed!)

Zone Conference was mostly on how to use technology appropriately and be prepared for when it comes in April. (the California Fresno Mission is going to have smart phones for each missionary) But there were many spiritual teachings woven into it, and part of the training was watching a video where Elder Bednar and Elder Nielsen teach about the use of technology. Their insights made a temporal thing quite spiritual!

That Tuesday night we found Unique. She is very spiritual, and though we had met her previously, she has decided to officially investigate, as of this week. She read chapter 1 of 1st Nephi and understood what she read exceptionally well. She even referred some friends to hear the message and told them they really needed it. Hopefully it will go further, so she will have the Gospel in her life!

I went with my Spanish Elders on Wednesday, and we had a great exchange with some spiritual moments. I helped the Elders improve on their teaching skills. They were doing really well though. 

I finished our exchange and did the interviews Thursday morning, then went to exchange with our English Elders. But in between, I snuck away with my companions in the morning so we could fill an assignment of covering seminary class for the teacher. We bought donuts and did the Atonement Donut lesson. This involves having a student do 10 push-ups to earn a donut, and then having to do an additional 10 for each student in the class so that they can have a donut. Even if they reject the gift, 10 push-ups are still done to give the example of the Atonement. The lesson went well. Our volunteer managed to do 160 push-ups! We did the last 20 with him!

Anyway, the same thing on the English exchange. This District has some good Elders. Future leaders here. I helped them learn some more teaching skills, and following the Spirit, but they are on fire in the work already.

Apparently while I was gone, my companions didn't do too well together, but I think the Lord's helping them grow. Their personalities are so different, that they clash all the time, and I need to keep the peace. But we teach well and if we're not doing poorly we're doing great. Everyone's growing a lot! We set some goals this weekend and are doing much better now.

We were assigned Sacrament talks on missionary work. Elder L. spoke on how we can do the work and take courage in it. Elder C. spoke on how we can convert every day moments to missionary moments, and I hit it home teaching on the joy of missionary work. The Spirit really flowed and the combination of the three themes seemed to strike the hearts of the members. It was also one of the best talks I've given. I followed Elder Bednar's advice and ditched the notes (save it were for some bullet points and guidelines) and gave about 90% of the talk looking at the people. It was awesome and the Spirit was there.

Sunday afternoon we taught a guy named Paul who spoke with us on Thursday. He is a Jehovah's Witness that wants to learn more about who we are, but honestly. He doesn't want to argue or bash. We had a long lesson discussing some Bible passages, but testified at the end of the Book of Mormon and Restored truths. He told us that he cannot currently read the Book of Mormon, but would like to hear of prophecies from it and some key teachings to learn what it is all about and see if he should read it. It will be interesting. We'll hope for the best. He may not end up reading, but he'll at least know the truth of why he needs to by the end of next time. It was funny, one of his quotes was along these lines: "I've compared the fruits of many churches and have decided it has to be yours or mine, the others don't seem to fit."

Though The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is not typically popular in this world, those who see it's fruits come to know that it upholds everything that Christ upheld. (For it is His church!) I rejoice to serve as part of this Body of Christ.

Thought of the week: Feel that Shulehouse rock! In Ether Chapter 7 you can read an account of some of the Jaredites. One of them is a man named Shule, who restores order to the nation after his brother rebelled and messed things up. Shule established righteousness again and even forgave his brother, who then repented and the whole kingdom prospered and had joy because they were righteous. We need to be more like Shule, willing to work, stand for righteousness, and willing to forgive. What if he had not forgiven? Though blessed, he may have had his brother rebel again, as seen in other chapters of Ether. So the next time you need a random scripture hero, Shule is your man.

Love you family!  

--Elder Schaff