Fresno Zone Photo - March 2017

  This is a photo of the Fresno Zone in March, I pulled it off the mission blog. Elder Schaff is in the back row, second from the right. This is a fun selfie of the group, love the smiles!

Week 34 - Take Action!

  Elder Schaff sent one and only one email home this week, this is what we got-

  "This week was crazy. It went by incredibly quickly, and was full of joys, disasters, hopes, and surprises. We had an investigator planning on getting married to his girlfriend, who is a member, so that he could be baptized, but his girlfriend informed us he is drinking (alcohol) and not telling us. Then he texted us and said they weren't getting married. That is unfortunate, but it could happen in the future. It is strange how sometimes people want to partake of the gospel, but they aren't willing to do anything about it.

 

   And now a commentary from Elder Schaff about doing what is right: It's like seeing a beautiful, juicy, fruit on a tree branch a little taller than you are. All you need to do to get that fruit is reach a bit, stretch yourself, maybe even jump if you need to. Yet some people just look at the fruit and wish it would fall down to them. They might even complain about how hungry they are, but continue to wait for the fruit!!! And while the gospel tree is more about reaching to become something more, and staying there, you get the idea. Take action! If you're wallowing in misery, start planning how you'll swim to your success. Don't let the world's tide push you to and fro when there's a path (or perhaps a current) that you know you need to take. The hope of a brighter tomorrow and progression isn't left merely to chance.

   We had this other investigator, "Ana", come to church for all 3 hours. She has had a mighty change of heart since we have been teaching her, and she knows it is right (the gospel.) The problem is, she never has time to keep the reading commitments. I'm hoping that with her newfound determination, all will work out and that she will be baptized. She is looking so good right now! She came to an Easter activity on Saturday as well. She brought her kids to church, who professed that it was extremely boring, but once they got to Primary they had fun.

 

  We have found 4 investigators this week too. One couple we had a lesson with, but didn't count as investigators yet because we aren't sure if the return appointment is for them to bash us or not. We started teaching the Plan of Salvation, all was well until we tuaght about the Spirit World. Then the guy, "L", suddenly starts dropping Bible scriptures left and right, including several from Revelation, about how once you die it is all over and that there is no way you can accept the gospel. The conversation went on, but was not positive. I was not prepared for Revelation. I had some scriptures prepared to explain the doctrine, but I really don't prepare for bashes. If they don't want it, they won't take it, but "L's" wife needs the message, her brother died in a car crash and she thinks there is no hope for him. So maybe I'll study up a bit...

    We had a Zone Conference this week, and President Clark reiterated his message from last conference of making sacrifices to achieve our true potential as missionaries. He has set a goal of 70 baptisms for April. There are approximately 90 companionships in this mission, so we'll see what happens. President's dream goal is that this mission achieves "The Power of One" at least once, which is that every companionship baptizes in a transfer. We're mustering all our faith to make sure we are getting people to progress, finding those seeking the gospel, and ensuring that we also do our part--studying for investigators and sacrificing my (our) personal will to do the work of the Lord.

    I know I'm trying to do everything I can to improve even just a little bit each day. As we learned in general conference, even just the simple, daily efforts of reading the scriptures and praying can have a profound effect on our lives. I testify of that promise. It is absolutely true. A little time doing the things of God each day brings a joy that cannot even be compared to the things the world claims as happiness.

 

    So if you chance upon reading this, evaluate where you are in your life and see what you can do to become something more, no matter how great you might be right now.

 

  "Follow Him and He will take you to heights that are new." (Him being Jesus Christ.)

--Elder Schaff

Zone Conference April 2017

I pulled these photos off of the mission blog that President and Sister Clark keep, you can visit the site directly at http://fresnomission.blogspot.com/

Fresno, Fresno East and Fresno West Zones
Elder Schaff is on the back row, 5th from the right

 

Elder Lopez and Elder Schaff are seen on the right, 3 photos up from the bottom, blue ties

Week 33 - April General Conference

  Twice a year, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints holds a general conference, the first weekend in April and October. There are four general sessions in which we hear wonderful talks from church leaders and beautiful, inspiring music. It is hard to believe that Elder Schaff's very first weekend in Fresno was 6 months ago, he arrived just in time for the October conference. Now, he and his companion just listened to the April sessions. This is how Hayden responded when I asked him if he had a favorite talk from conference-

  "Joaquin E. Costa. The new legend of church leaders adored by missionaries all across the world right now. Every missionary in my Zone was devastated when we realized that none of our investigators had decided to join us for that session, but that's how it goes. (Hayden is referring to an address by Elder Joaquin E Costa titled, "To the Friends and Investigators of the Church" here is a link, https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/04/to-the-friends-and-investigators-of-the-church?lang=eng

Elder Joaquin E. Costa
General Authority Seventy

  If you were in a normal mission, you probably watched all of conference, but President Clark sent a call-out to the entire mission saying that we would not be attending the morning and afternoon sessions of Saturday. We simply could not lose 4 hours of precious finding time on a Saturday! We were thus commissioned to go and find people to teach, and watch or download Saturday conference today.

  I thought that was crazy, but it made the light of the Sunday sessions shine even brighter. Several talks were invaluable to missionaries. So although that was a test of faith, it was a good purpose.

to be continued.... 

  "Alright, let's do this. First off, there was no time last week to mention it, but we moved apartments! The Echo sister missionaries will not be returning for a long time apparently, so the mission decided they would rather keep that apartment than the one that we had. Thus, we emptied out that apartment completely!!! That consumed a lot of our time last week. But if you think that Sister Missionaries get better privileges and apartments just "because they are girls" or because "they aren't as tough," YOU ARE ABSOLUTELY RIGHT! Their main room and kitchen are bigger than our entire apartment before! Plus, there are two more rooms and a bathroom, and walk-in closets. So what do you think of that!!!

  Well, this week was honestly a bit difficult for me because I got hit by a wave of doubt/faithlessness on Wednesday. Our investigators are all really struggling, and I felt I just didn't have enough faith to help them. The miracles that they need aren't going to come into their lives because they aren't really doing anything but acknowledging that they feel good when we come visit. But I was saved by a spiritually strong mission President when we had interviews on Thursday. He did not ask me my needs, but as we talked gave me advice of how he felt that the gospel sometimes is hard to accept; sometimes it's hard to take action. Because it's true, *This is not President'st words in the bracket* [and it isn't what some other people might preach saying that everyone is going to make it if they say they love Jesus (or whatever it is, you get the picture.)]  and because it's true it requires sacrifice to accept.

  He then said that he believes it is hard like that because if they accept it in the end, they are much more likely to have that firm testimony and keep the faith. The life changing effects of the gospel will mean more to them because they personally acted to gain those blessings. I liked that.

  In the priesthood session, I felt the Holy Ghost rather strongly testifying of giving all we can and then seeking to go and do more. I was also praying about how to be a more effective missionary, because sometimes Elder Lopez and I have had long discussions about what we should do with certain hours of the day, trying to choose the better of two good options, which is always particularly hard to do. The hardest decisions are between two really good things.

  I felt impressed upon that there is no one and only method to do missionary work. There isn't a "Ricciardi way," or a "loving way," or a "finding way," or any other ideology a missionary might feel leads him to consistent success. There is only the Lord's way. And the way to consistently execute that way, that will (if you will) of the Father, is to be seeking personal revelation each day concerning what we ought to be doing each day. 

   

  Alright, with that being said, honestly regardless of if the days are good or bad they fly by so quickly... I've reached the point where missionary work is just a joy. I've been a little sad sometimes when we don't stop to talk to groups of people because they speak English and we're the Spanish missionaries. That's a little bit of a chain stopping me there. I hope some day I'm serving in a "zebra" or dual language area, because I want to be free to talk with everyone! But the work in Spanish is good too. If everyone I talked to spoke Spanish, I'd be in. But I'm still in the United States, thus not so. I just think it's awkward to say : "We can't come back later, but other missionaries can, how does that sound?"

  Anyway, the week went by so fast I completely forgot that we rode bikes on Tuesday. We were low on miles. We get 1,600 miles in this area each month (to drive) and we were getting really close to the end of the miles, and wanted to be exactly obedient, so we biked for a day to save miles. We had 14 miles to spare, which was wonderful. Many missionaries went over their miles this month.

   

  I don't have much time to rehearse what I learned during conference, but my favorites were President Monson on Sunday, Ronald A. Rasband, D. Todd Christofferson, and Joaquin E.Costa was amazing!!!! I liked this quote: "I testify that Jesus Christ is the light that we must reflect," from Elder Benjamin De Hoyos talk, and the talk from Quentin L. Cook.

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints
April 2017 General Conference

  (This is a link to access any talk of the April 2017 General Conference, just click on a talk and read or listen, they are all very inspiring.)

https://www.lds.org/general-conference?cid=HP_SU_2-4-2017_dPFD_fGC_xLIDyL1-B_&lang=eng 

  I also love singing the 7th verse "How Firm a Foundation"  That also invigorates my soul. Out of time, ask questions if you have 'em.

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2015-03-0001-how-firm-a-foundation?lang=eng

--Elder Schaff

Week 32- A Good Week, Maybe Even Great

  I was happy to hear from Elder Schaff last night, but he kept us waiting, his blog email did not come through until nearly 9:00 pm here at home. It's too bad that he is always trying to write us at the very end of his preparation day because he is always running out of time. However, he was more positive and upbeat this week, and it appears that all is going well in the CFM. (California Fresno Mission)

  "Alright, this week was good. It was maybe even great. We're trying to get to amazing. 

  So interesting things first, right? Because I think I've written a lot of emails more like talks the last few weeks! 

    

  We had a good Sunday. It was a small miracle: Matilde came to church for the first time in about 3 months now! What a blessing! It's not over yet for my recent convert! What's more, we brought Hermano and Hermana Martinez with us to visit her and talked about the temple. When she heard their testimonies and realized that she could not go to the temple without attending church, she said right then that she wants to get to church every week. (This was on Thursday) I didn't know if that was a valid goal or if she just felt that was a good thing to say, but she made a good start by going this week and loved it. She stayed all 3 hours and the Relief Society women remembered who she was and are trying to help her more. The Lord's hand is always waiting to bless us.

  Yesterday we visited Matilde, and she gave us some fruits I had never seen nor tried before. The first is a "Nanche" or "Nance" depending on which country you are in. I didn't like it though, it was a yellow berry with a weird flavor. I was eating a berry, but it tasted like a weird cheese or something. Look it up I guess and find out what I ate! Ha!  The second fruit was a "Coyole." It's a small nut from some type of a palm tree, and there is a fleshy part on the outside that you can eat if you chew it off. The nut is super hard, so after you chew the fruit off you whack 'em with something hard and if you successfully break it something similar to coconut is your reward in the center. Look it up again... I'd never seen these things before! So that was kinda fun.

Nance Fruit

Maybe he is referring to the Cohune palm tree and it's nuts? I could not find anything the way that Hayden spelled it.

  On Saturday we had a great day. For me it was also very spiritual and uplifting.  We had 2 set appointments out of 9 hours of proselyting time available. The appointments were the last 2 hours of the day, and the first one of those ended up falling through!

  However, the story goes as follows: We began proselyting and tried to follow through with our plans to work in the area and follow up on some potentials. Well, we got one potential to open the door, she said she would like to listen, but really isn't ever home unless it is Saturday, in the which she will be found doing household chores and be too busy. We offered to help do chores next week so that we might teach her and her family, and she said maybe. We'll see what happens, but that is not the focus of this tale. We did not successfully contact anyone else that hour save for a man that was not religious. As he said, "I don't mind if you're Jehovah, Buddhist, Muslim, or Polytheistic, I'm not convinced." At that point I did not have very high hopes for the day. I imagined that the next 6 hours would probably pass like this one, wandering in neighborhoods and knocking silent doors.

    That was not the case! We visited our investigator "L", who has usually not been home, and taught her the Restoration. She liked the doctrines, and is excited to read the Book of Mormon and learn more. Then we went to our former investigators: "D" and "R" and had an excellent lesson with them. They think they need to keep listening to our message! The rest of the day was filled with a visit every hour, including a visit to a less active member that has been avoiding the church members because he doesn't want to talk with them. (Even though we had our ward mission leader with us, who is a member.) He shared an experience of his mission, promising a random Peruvian man that he would find a job the next day. The man hadn't had a job for 2 years. This was the first day of his mission. Interesting. 

  Well at that point, that evening I felt that I had been given a tender mercy of the Lord because in my heart, leaving that first hour of wandering I did not have any expectations for success, nor much enthusiasm, yet I was given this mercy of having a good day. Truly, though we are tried along this path of life, we are never forgotten by the Lord when things get rough.

  We also had a nice blessing on Friday when we knocked on the door of a potential, and a man came out that we hadn't talked to. He invited us in and we taught him The Gospel of Jesus Christ. He was glad to receive us and loved the lesson. He wanted us to return.

  This was only the 2nd time in my entire mission that we were let into a home on an initial contact. It really doesn't happen that much! (And I know that lots of people think that's missionary work!)

  This might make you laugh- we had one of the assistants with us for 3 hours because his companion got hurt so he decided to spend some time with missionaries in the zone and follow up with President Clark. We knocked the door of another potential with him, and our potential, Maria, was not there, but some English-speaking bum that storms out of the door saying "who the **** **** **** are you little ********!?!" and many swears after that. Elder Perkins, the assistant, says we're missionaries, and the guy says "get off my property, I know more about God than you stupid kids!" We stand there in shock, too shocked to move, and he swears at us some more. We leave, and he salutes the car and flips us off as we drive away. Some people just don't like God....... Heh heh.

--Elder Schaff

Week 31 - Would You Like to Hear More About the Book of Mormon?

  We didn't hear much from Elder Schaff yesterday. Just one of those days when he wasn't feeling like writing much. Sometimes I feel that way too. Some weeks I type up long letters and feel that I can't get it all down fast enough, other weeks I am not sure what to write or share with him, so it's only fair that he feels the same. Here are a few things that he did share with us though-

  "Ok, so I wanted to start the blog today like:

Táó máhkyéen Pa'kampi Mórmón, bóa? (That is: Would you like to learn more about the Book of Mormon? In Lao[tion])

  We gave out a Book of Mormon in Lao using that. A man named "Uncle Tom" taught me that a few weeks ago. Apparently it was correct, because the contacted person took it with a smile and excitement. So that's the fun story of the week. If you look at Lao, it does not look discernible though, it looks like Arabic! I wrote the sounds phonetically.

  I woke up this morning anxious to write, but I'm really not feeling in the mood right now. I was going to write a letter addressed to the blog...we'll see about that.

  I'm feeling tired. My hip suddenly started hurting, beginning on Wednesday. Pain comes in random flashes, usually doing actions like standing up or picking up my bag. It started off doing the motion of picking up my bag from the car, while standing on the curb of some street, and swinging the bag on my shoulder. Not sure if that puts pressure on the hip, but it hurt. Now that pain is spreading to other motions. So, I got a physical damper this week. (Hayden has an old hip flexer injury from cross country, I'm sure it is just flaring up again.)

  I don't know, sometimes you're really excited to email, other times it's more like a chore. Preparation day keeps getting crammed with chores and I don't like it. We don't do anything fun! In his defense, Elder Lopez doesn't like this lifestyle either, but we always have something to do. This week it's getting an investigator's mail and a required oil change on our car. So you win some, you lose some.

   I received a depressing letter from a friend.... I don't know, I'm not feeling it this email session.

  Yes Mom, I did get the package, and the shirt. Thank you! I liked getting those things from you! (I had sent a small package with a shirt I had bought him in San Juan, a small Mickey Mouse, and some candy and treats.)

  Echo 2 is doing alright, but people are progressing slowly. I'm really not sure how to describe it. I think it's just one of those, time will tell things.  Everyone that has baptismal dates didn't come to church, and people that came to church don't have baptismal dates. 

  So I am a little bogged down, but I'll be back up this week, don't worry!

  I was working on a summary of all our investigators, and listed all the people I've personally taught in my journal. (Including all the recent converts, Less-actives, and former investigators.) It was about 90 people. 

  There really just wasn't anything to write about this week. We taught some lessons to help people move along in their progress, but all of the people we have our eyes on (to be baptized) didn't meet with us this week. We didn't find any new investigators either, a bummer. The only saving grace was "Ana," her two kids, and another investigator, Adrián, at church yesterday.

I feel like I'm saying the same thing over and over again here....

Hoping to have all the enthusiasm back next week."

--Elder Schaff

Week 30 - No Transfer for This Companionship

  I was anxious to read Elder Schaff's email and find out if he was transferred, he has been in his first area since September 28th. However, there were no changes made for he or Elder Lopez, so they will continue to serve together in Echo 2. After another six weeks go by, he will end up being there for a minimum of 7 calendar months! Kind of unusual, but the Lord must know where they are needed, so we will pray that they can find more people to teach and be able to build up their teaching pool again, as many people had moved or had stopped meeting for appointments. Hayden did not write much to my email address this week, so I will try to find some lines that he sent to his Dad. This is all that I received-

  "I was not transferred!!! Echo 2 for the 5th transfer!!! Apparently my work is not yet finished, so I'm going to be working harder than ever before now!"

  "I'm going to figure out the photos and expect to send some either next week or the week after that. I have been taking them, but not a ton, because recently 2 missionaries got robbed and their cameras and wallets were stolen.... so I've kept the camera in the apartment, not the car. I am still with Elder Lopez, so we're going to try to really take it to Echo this transfer. Elder Del Carmen got transferred though, so we will have one new Elder in Echo as a result!"

  "Use most of the email I sent to dad as the weekly blog post. The picture that hopefully gets to you, forwarded from Elder Lopez, is our "special-opps-missionary" companion. Basically, the Fresno North Stake did an activity in which the Stake President received permission to ordain a bunch of youth to be full-time missionaries for the weekend. Everyone in Fresno Zone had one of these youth with them for the weekend. We taught him what we knew and worked some wonders!!!!

Elder Schaff, Special Ops Youth Missionary, and Elder Lopez

See ya next week! Good luck my family!"

--Elder Schaff  

This is some of what he sent to his Dad's email address, apparently, they were having a discussion about, why is life so hard at times and why do we have so many trials? This was a topic that had come up at a Stake Youth Discussion the night before and Michael was telling Hayden about it. Hayden responded with-

  "I also found a similar scripture, Doctrine & Covenants 136:31. If we do not have trials, how will we ever decide to build the character to become like Christ as we strive to follow His example? I have learned very many spiritual things this week. I now sympathize with Mormon or Jarom when they would write things like, "not even an hundreth part of all the teachings can be written in this book." (The Book of Mormon) When you have time pressure it's hard to get it all down! Fortunately, I have everything down in notebooks and journals.

  This week President Clark had us read a talk from President Ezra Taft Benson. It was called "Beware of Pride." And well, I thought it might be expedient that all the members of the family read that talk. It will benefit everyone (maybe not Maura if she doesn't comprehend it....) But seriously, will you do that? I promise it will bless you.

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1989/04/beware-of-pride?lang=eng

  President just sent to us that we need to "let the mission go through us, not let ourselves go through the mission," meaning that we have to be learning from this, not just doing the motions and rejoicing when we go home because we can do whatever we want to do again. Well that really hit me, because I really do love this, but sometimes those thoughts of taking naps or playing video games enter my mind. It simply isn't the time.

  So now I'm trying to become more. I'm trying to be more disciplined. I'm trying to be more humble. And the blessings are indeed coming. And it's miraculous. I'm becoming transformed. The other day I sang "I Stand All Amazed" in the car when it came on and broke down crying. The gospel is astounding, and sometimes we don't use it and life overcomes us. I think that was something that was always lacking in my personal piece of the family life before the mission. It wasn't anyone else's fault but mine, but I simply didn't understand my purpose of becoming more like Christ and preparing for exaltation. I didn't really apply the gospel. I just let it make me different from the kids in high school doing drugs and failing classes. But now it's so much more, and it's something jaw-dropping, immense, and incomprehensible, that the thing that was always a part of us can suddenly become so much more.

  And then I think of all the people that don't serve missions or haven't served yet. Where do they gain this kind of knowledge? When does the gospel hit them hard like this? I only mention that hoping that we realize that the gospel has a higher plane many neglect, but all have to learn to jump there one way or another. For me it's this mission. For others it's probably some other experience... but here I am writing with all the awe I feel this week.

  So that's what's going through me Dad! We found 6 investigators this week, and we're reactivating some less-actives. Hopefully we'll get some of our investigators to baptism, because we have about 7 that are set for baptism in April!

  I'd also like to...trademark? How do you say...oh, I think the word is "coin" a phrase? "To rejoice is a choice!"

Learned from Proverbs 15:13,15.

  Please know I always look up to you Dad and I'm always very grateful for the foundation you have laid for my life.

--Elder Schaff