G'day Mate,
I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas, and gearing up for a Happy New Year! Our Christmas was pretty busy with HEAPS of food! Started off at the Branch President's house for breakfast & calling home, an "investigator"'s for lunch, a member's for 2nd Lunch, and another member's house for a surprise 3rd lunch/dinner... The only break we had from eating was the 30 minute drive between each house... A great day though! Also I hope you're enjoying your cool, winter weather because it is hot-AZ here. It's heating up quickly and getting humid as well. We've been doing heaps of yard work service, so I'm getting a nice dark Lamanite tan. Then we've been blessed with the opportunity to test our patience and endurance with a flat without AirCon (A/C). We have 4-5 fans that just circulate the hot air. Besides that we hope people will have their hearts softened and let us into their nice, cool, AirCon filled house as they see us walking around in this hot-AZ weather... Pray for us...
***** Book of Mormon Thoughts *****
A couple weeks ago during Christmas Conference, our mission president shared how he loved the Prophet President Nelson's invitation to the Youth and the Women of the Church to finish the Book of Mormon by the end of the year.
****Side note****
I love the responses by many of the members to this invitation, who are actively striving to complete it. The willingness to follow the Prophet and not take him lightly. Similar to the responses found in the scriptures:
(1) Alma: Commanded to return to the city of Ammonihah and preach repentance, then "after Alma had receive his message from the angel of the Lord he returned SPEEDILY..." (Alma 8:18).
(2) Samuel the Lamanite: Instructed by the Lord to return to the city of Zarahemla and prophesy. Well the people wouldn't let him back in, locking him outside the walls, "therefore he went, got UPON the wall, stretched forth his hand, cried with a loud voice, and prophesied..." (Helaman 13:4).
How can we be more responsive to our Heavenly Father's instructions and invitations given through angels, Prophets, or promptings from the Spirit, in our lives?
****End of Side Note****
So President Runia felt the men were missing an opportunity to follow a Prophet's invitation. So he extended this invitation to the Elders! Originally, during my Book of Mormon study I had 2 goals:
(1) Deep study with cross-references, tabbing, etc
(2) how the Book of Mormon testifies of Jesus Christ.
I've had to scrap the 1st and just do the 2nd, and start plowing through 15-20 pg/day. I eventually got to 3 Nephi, Chapter 17 which is one of the chapters that gives an account of the resurrected Jesus Christ's personal ministry in the Americas.
****Story (If you know the story you can skip ahead to my thoughts on the story)****
Prior to this chapter, Jesus (as He did in Jerusalem) gave His sermon on the mount, talks about Him fulfilling the Law of Moses, explains that they were the "other sheep" he referred to in Jerusalem (John 10:16), and gives other teachings. So heavy, and a lot of material. Much like many of us towards the end of General Conference, He notices that the people are tired and not completely understanding everything He's saying. So He says,
"go ye unto your homes and ponder upon the things which I have said, and ask of the Father, in my name, that ye may understand and prepared your minds for the morrow, and I come unto you again."
He decides that while He lets the people rest and prepare themselves for tomorrow, He will visit other "sheep" elsewhere in the world like He had just done in America.
However, "when Jesus had thus spoken, he cast his eyes round about... and beheld they were in tears, and did look steadfastly upon him as if they would ask him to tarry a little longer with them." As a result, He decides to change His plans and stay with them a little longer, "my bowels are filled with compassion towards you", and "He did heal them EVERY ONE..." their sick, afflicted, lame, blind, etc. Additionally, He bid them to bring their little children and "He took their little children, ONE BY ONE, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them." (3 Nephi 17:21) As a result, the heavens opened and angels descended from the heavens and did minister unto the children.
****End of Story****
****Thoughts/생각들****
Is that not beautiful? The character of Jesus Christ. I love that we get this additional account in the Book of Mormon. He had a job to do, to visit the other people around the world. A task given to Him from Heavenly Father himself! If it were me, I'd probably be like, "sorry guys, gotta go. Got a job to do, really don't wanna keep Father waiting. I'll be back tomorrow anyways, so cheer up." Haha seriously though, but no this isn't what the Savior did. Keep in mind that the number of people here is about 2,500 people, men, women and children. So this isn't just taking a couple minutes to pray for everyone at once, say a general blessing, or snap His fingers and BOOM everyone's healed. No. He takes the extra time to heal them, bless and pray for them, ONE BY ONE. If you wanna do some math... If Jesus were to spend 1 minute with each person, that would add up to a total of 41 hours. If 30 seconds, about 21 hours. If 15 seconds, about 10.5 hours... Either way, it's HEAPS OF TIME. The time it takes to heal every person, to bless every child, to allow the angels to minister, and all... Just wow... This is our Savior, our Redeemer. The Son of God. The one who suffered the pains, sorrows, depression, feelings of hopelessness, loss, and failure of every single person that has lived, is living, and will ever live. This is who we strive to follow, strive to become like one day. No matter how long it takes. The Atonement makes it possible. Possible for us to repent, change and slowly but surely bring our lives in harmony with God's will and plan for us. I'm grateful that He is the head of our Church. He leads us through a living prophet today. The Book of Mormon is another testament of JESUS CHRIST. We are His restored Church. We are the Church of JESUS CHRIST of Latter-Day Saints. Not the Mormon church or Church of the Latter-Day Saints.
"And how be it my church save it be called in my name? For if a church be called Moses' name then it be Moses' church; or if it be called in the name of a man then it be the church of a man; but if it be called in my name then it is my church, if it so be that they are built upon my gospel... Repent, all ye ends of the earth, and come unto me and be baptized in my name, that ye may be sanctified by the reception of the Holy Ghost, that ye may stand spotless before me at the last day... this is my gospel." (3 Nephi 27: 8, 20-21).
I'm grateful that we were given additional scripture that gives us an additional witness of Jesus Christ. That together, we can have the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. "This [the Book of Mormon] is written for the intent that ye may believe that [the Bible]; and if ye believe that [the Bible] ye will believe this [the Book of Mormon] also” (Mormon 7:9).
Have a Happy New Year! Only 12 more hours for us until 2019! Don't really have any plans. Mission President just wants us to be in our flats by 7:30 to protect us from drunk driving or anything too crazy. Have a great week!
포기는 없다! 힘 내자!!
Elder Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 스다니 선교부
P.S. First time teaching the "Gospel of Jesus Christ" (one of the discussions) yesterday!
Our Christmas visit with Noni. We were supposed to just visit because she said that she wasn't doing anything for Christmas. However, it turns out she had some surprise plans and got busy in the morning, then when we came in the evening, she had prepared us a surprise 3rd lunch/dinner... After we had already eaten 3 full meals... She's great though!
Christmas Eve lunch with the "Good Guys"
How sure are we that the Book of Mormon took place in America?.... I mean why else would there be an Alma street in Port Stephens?
Yes that it Mia. She's the crazy one out of the 3 of us Escamilla kids.
That is Paige. Don't let her cool, chill vibes fool you. She's also crazy, but slightly less than Mia.
Merry Christmas for the Escamilla Family! Sending much Love from Mesa, Arizona and Port Stephens Australia!
안녕하세요 제 가족과 친구들!!! (**Long Email warning, you can skip to different sections if you want, such as Update, Story or Book of Mormon Thoughts, or just not read it at all because it's pretty long. Your choice, it won't bother me if you don't read it *sniff* haha kidding**)
How are you all doing? Have you been proactive with the Light the World initiative? If not, then fortunately we believe in repentance and forgiveness. So I'll forgive you, you can repent, and I'll invite you to JUST DO IT. This week is "Lighting your Family". Watch the video on lds.org and think of ways to bring light and joy to your family this Christmas season. It doesn't have to be buying their dream guitar (sorry dad), but maybe just making breakfast for your family, or cleaning without being told to (*cough* Paige, Mia *cough*). Haha but in all seriousness, take time to make your family smile AND laugh to show your appreciation for them. Our idea: make Christmas cards and give to members. Maybe throw in some treats too, but a little low on cash so maybe not haha. So yeah, just make it fun and sincere!
***** Update | 업 다이트 *****
So this week Elder Neas and I got to work! So Elder Neas is half Korean from Provo, UT but grew up in FL. He's been out for about 15 months and came from Kellyville. He's the opposite of my previous companion. Comes off as pessimistic to some people, but he's more realistic than anything. He has a sure testimony, and understands the slow work in the northern areas. He's a great worker and we get along. I'm keen of him and his method of working smarter. He's direct, communicates well and I think we'll get some work done. Additionally, he's nearly fluent since he grew up speaking Korean, so this is a huge blessing.
I've been introducing him to the area, coordinating visits with members, potential investigators, etc. It's been a good test to see how well I know the area. I learned that our area has already been knocked several times, so we've been looking through some old teaching files that haven't been updated in the online Area Book (contains all teaching records on our area) and visiting these people. As we visit, we think of how we can strategically use our "Navajo Mow" business to get in contact again. So I feel good about this. We haven't found anyone yet, but we're getting there!
***** Story | 이야기 *****
So I don't know if you remember Jacob, he has been coming to church, been taught a little, then asked about Baptism. For a while this kid was on fire, he came to us one day and said "I talked to my uncle and he said I would just have to ask my mom for permission to get baptized". We were like Whoa! We hadn't even taught him the full Plan of Salvation or asked him to be baptized! So we tried jumping on that, but haven't been able to catch him because he's always been busy with Tafe (community college) and last year of high school exams. Then he went on a trip and fell off the face of the earth... Wouldn't answer our texts, didn't come to church, youth activities or anything. Wasn't home. Nothing... Well he came out of hiding!
He came to church and (I absolutely love this branch) they welcomed him with love and kindness. He sat with us during Sacrament and he seemed happy to be here. Previously, he had asked if he could give a speech like he once saw during Fast & Testimony meeting. We weren't able to find an opportunity for him, and we never found out why. Well, we found out this past Sunday. He asked again and told us that his mother had cancer and was going into surgery in a couple days... He wanted an opportunity to talk to the Branch because he wanted to ask them to pray for his mother.
A little more about him: He lives with his Uncle because his parents split. Dad just got out of jail and mother sick. Lives in a rough, low socioeconomic area. His uncle barely scrapes by. Doesn't have much going on at home, and needs hope and help because he doesn't know what's gonna happen with his mother. He's very attached to his mother because he's always wearing the necklace she gave him. I had asked him how he's doing, he said "oh you know just a couple of breakdowns here and there, but getting by." He's a tough kid and brushes it off with jokes, but you can tell he's struggling. After church, we sent him the Mormon Message - Good Things to Come (https://www.lds.org/study/video/mormon-messages/2010-05-12-good-things-to-come?lang=eng#title1) from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (one of the 12 Apostles), and told him we planned to fast for his mom the day of her surgery and he could join us if he wanted. We hope we can teach him more about the Gospel, which will provide him the hope, peace, and support that he needs. We will be there for him too.
***** Book of Mormon Thought | 몰몬경에 대한 생각 *****
Don't you just love the Book of Mormon?!?! If you're not reading it, repent, and pick up your copy or go to this site (https://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm?lang=eng) and start STUDYING! So the story that I want to share with you, to show you some of the incredible stories there are, and that it's not a weird book that Jospeh Smith wrote but rather TRANSLATED, or remind you of a fan favorite story, is the story of the Stripling Warriors that took place around 65-64 B.C.
The Stripling Warriors consist of, initially, 2,000 young men who "entered into a covenant to fight for the liberty of the Nephites, yea, to protect the land unto the laying down of their lives; yea, even they covenanted that they never would give up their liberty, but they would fight in all cases to protect the Nephites and themselves from bondage." (Alma 53:17). At this time, the Nephites (those who kept and honored the Commandments of God) were currently in a massive war with the Lamanites (those who hated the Nephites or sought to do evil). There were parts of the Nephite nation that were struggling against the Lamanites, and heaps of men were being killed on both sides. The Anti-Nephi-Lehis (a group protected by the Nephites because of their covenant to God to never kill a person again) felt guilty that they weren't contributing anything to the war other than supplies and food, and were about to break their covenant and fight UNTIL their sons (who never took the same covenant) volunteered and made the covenant as previously mentioned.
So they move out to support the forces commanded by Antipus in the city of Judea who were being harassed by the Lamanites in the nearby city of Antiparah (who happen to be the strongest army of the Lamanites, the most numerous) and "were depressed in body as well as in spirit... and thus they had suffered great afflictions of every kind". Antipus and his men "were determined to conquer in this place or die; therefore you may well suppose that this little force which I brought with me, yea, those sons of mine, gave them great hopes and much joy." So these men are ready to get back into the fight and reclaim the land they lost to the Lamanites.
They devised a plan in which Helaman (leader of the 2,000) with his 2,000 would bate the Lamanites out of the city, then Antipus with the bulk of the army would come behind to surround the Lamanites. Well, the Lamanites see Antipus behind them and continue to pursue the little group of 2,000 to destroy them first then fight Antipus to keep from being surrounded. Well, it turns into a 2 day chase. Running for 2 full days in battle gear. All exhausted. Antipus doubled their speed during these days to try to catch the Lamanites and prevent them from overtaking the little 2,000, so extra exhausted. Well on the 3rd day, the 2,000 don't see the Lamanites. Helaman (their leader) supposes that it's a trap, but he turns to his 2,000 and asks them... "Therefore what say ye, my sons, will ye go against them to battle?"
This is it. This is the big moment. This is the biggest, strongest army of the Lamanites. No pushovers. Then these 2,000 are just young men, maybe my age, "never had fought", and were fresh 'greenies'. If they run away, no one would blame them. The odds are just horribly not in their favor. Their leader really isn't too keen on fighting, but he turns to his men. As Helaman is writing this record at a later time, he writes "...never had I seen so great courage, nay, not amongst all the Nephites. For as I had ever called them my sons (for they were all of them very young) even so they said unto me: Father, behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone; therefore let us go, lest they should overpower the army of Antipus. Now they never had fought, yet they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.
And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it." - Alma 56:46-48
What a response! Does this give you the goosebumps? Are you not inspired by their faith and confidence in God? Are you NOT ENTERTAINED!? (Sorry, got carried away). But seriously, moms pat yourself on the back, good job *fist bump*. Let's continue...
They turn back to where the Lamanites were previously, and the scene is horrendous for the Nephites. Antipus (the "general" of this army) killed. Many of the other officers/leaders, killed (sorry West Point). The soldiers are confused and worn out because there's no one to lead them and they basically sprinted for the entire past 2 days. They "began to give way before the Lamanites... the Lamanites were pursuing them with great vigor... were about to fall into the hands of the Lamanites..." Well Helaman and his 2,000 Stripling Warrior come charging in from the rear and "began to slay them exceedingly, insomuch that the WHOLE army of the Lamanites halted and turned upon Helaman." Antipus' men see this, they get themselves together and get back into the fight.
Real quick. When life is kicking your butt, and you're just confused out of your mind on what to do, but you get a relief or support. Get back into the fight like Antipus' men! Don't give up and runaway while you can. Finish the job, and come out conqueror. I hope this story is firing you up, it fired me up when I read it and as I'm typing this. Let's continue...
"... the people of Nephi, the people of Antipus, and I with my two thousand, did surround the Lamanites, and did slay them; yea, insomuch that they were compelled to [surrender]". So what happened to the 2,000, young, fresh, unexperienced outnumbered, fearless young men? Well... "not one soul of them fallen to the earth; yea, and they had fought as if with the strength of God; yea, never were men known to have fought with such miraculous strength; and with such mighty power did they fall upon the Lamanites, that they did frighten them; and for this cause did the Lamanites deliver themselves up as prisoners of war."
What can we take from this story? None of us are fighting in a literal war. Or "I'm just a 1st grader". Well yes, thank you Mia. So I guess... Find out what you can take from this story. What I love about the word of God is that there are messages specifically designed for each of us as we study them. What I get out of this, won't be what you get out of it. So I'll leave it to you to take your own message out of this. I won't tell you what I got out of it. So take some time, enjoy my story telling, and find for yourselves the message that our Heavenly Father intended for you to get out of this story. It was put into the Book of Mormon for a reason. Find out how you can apply the principle you learned into your life and grow from it. Become a better person, brother, daughter, husband, friend as a result from it. I love this story, and am grateful that we have it. So my invitation for you, as you try to become a better person, is not just be a good, better, best husband, friend, daughter, etc, but become a more CHRISTlike husband, friend, son, daughter, etc. Take more time to study the life of Jesus Christ and find out what He would do if He were in your shoes, situation, etc then DO THAT. I love you all. Our Heavenly Father loves us all. Jesus Christ provided us the way to return to live with our Heavenly Father and the opportunity to become like Him. Don't waste the gift of grace by not doing anything with it. Use it to become more like Him. Repent, be baptized/keep your baptismal covenants, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost/live in a way that entices the Holy Ghost into your life, then endure to the end and stay on the path. This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Fortunately, if you mess up at any point, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ you can get back on the path, receive forgiveness, peace of mind, and the strength/ determination/ hope to keep pressing forward. Love you all.
Elder Escamilla
Sydney Australia Mission
에스카미야 장로
호주 스다니 선교부
P.S. I hope you can hear my voice in these emails, because I find myself talking or laughing to myself sometimes when typing these up (like with the Mia thing, because I can just hear her saying that), and I just laugh at myself because I probably sound and look crazy. Haha anyways, I guess I need to find someone to teach because I'm over talking to myself most of the time (and my companion too, don't worry. no issues). Have a great week! (Mia & Paige are little sisters)
My desk set up. Koalas love Jesus!
I live in the Garden of Eden of Australia. We were finishing up our day when I saw the sunset and said, "wouldn't it be nice if we could actually see the sunset?" So we both looked at each other and quickly made our way to Soldier's Point, to this beautiful pier to see the sunset. I love these views.
My new companion's first Sunday in PORT STEPHENS!!
POTENTIAL BAPTISM!! He came to church by himself too! Totally GOLDEN! Only problem is... he's a spider (Huntsman)... But hey, D&C112:28 "go ye into all the world, and preach my gospel unto every CREATURE who has not received it." He's a creature, and pretty sure he hasn't received the Gospel, at least not YET.
안녕하세요!!!
It's transfer week this week!! WOOT WOOT!! Made it through my first transfer. Heaps more to go!! Haha don't worry, I'm not counting down, it's actually flying by faster than I thought. It feels like I just wrote my emaiil home last week. So the news for transfers... *drum roll* I....... will be STAYING in PORT STEPHENS!! Then my companion/trainer will be leaving to Mortdale to be a Zone Leader down there. I'm excited because it's kind of like an opportunity to start over and do what I wish I would've done last transfer since I'll be exposing my new companion to the area. My new companion will be Elder Neas. He is coming up from the Baulkham Hills area, and is ALSO a Korean speaking missionary. Elder Scott was companions with him in the MTC and says his Korean is a lot better than his, so I'm excited to learn some more Korean.
So quick shoutout to Army beating Navy this weekend! GO Army!! I was sitting in church (since we're basically a day ahead) and doing final preparations for my talk, when my parents start sending my updates on the game! So here I am trying to focus on meekness while Army is on a last 10-7 stand in the 4th quarter with 1:30 left on the clock. So thanks mom and dad haha.
This week we had our Christmas Conference!! It was a great break and spiritual boost with half of the missionaries (since our mission is so big). Most people caught up with old companions or old MTC companions, I.... well kind of hung out with my companion and talked a little with the missionaries I've done trade-offs with and those I came over with on the plane... Haha don't worry, it was still fun but yeah... We watched Coco, great lunch and fun outdoor games. We received some great training on just finding joy in this journey of our mission and life in general. The Plan of Salvation is also known as the Plan of Happiness. So we should be HAPPY!! So that is my goal this next transfer is to just find more joy in this wonderful journey. Like one thing, I'M IN AUSTRALIA!!! Isn't that crazy!! I sit in the left side of the car in the passenger seat and drive on the wrong, I mean opposite side of the road! I've seen wild kangaroos, koalas, and emus! I basically live in a big spider web with heaps of spiders!! So yeah, new goal.
So as far as missionary work in Port Stephens.... Well, no updates or progress... haha... yeah... I did learn something new about my companion though and just missionary work in Australia in general as he opened up/kind of broke down...
I noticed one day that we had mail at our flat, so I checked it. It turns out that he had bought a book that was more of a joke than anything as a way to get a lady, that they've met with a lot in the past, interested in religion... I jokingly/non-jokingly chastened him and this ended up being his response (he was embarrassed and felt bad that he resorted to this):
"Elder, you said it yourself, no one in Australia is interested in religion and we need to find a way to get them interested. I'm completely out of ideas. I've been out here in Australia for over a year and I've talked to thousands, tens of thousands of people, but no one is interested. Whenever I bring up religion or the Gospel, they shut off and it scares them away. I've tried everything to get them interested. Giving them a Book of Mormon, pamphlets, teaching right away. I've tried LARPing with them and becoming interested in their hobbies, but nothing seems to ever work. Maybe that's why I haven't pushed teaching people or been urgent to share the Gospel, because it always seems to scare them away. So when I bought this book, I figured it'd be a funny way to get Crystal interested in religion some day and maybe want to read The Book of Mormon someday..."
What the book was isn't necessarily important. Just trust me, it definitely wasn't the Book of Mormon, Bible, or any church material. Hearing my companion open up/break down like this really opened my eyes on his work ethic or approaches/urgency to sharing the Gospel with people. I imagine it's the same defeat he's felt learning Korean, since he hasn't progressed a lot since being in the MTC, or as much as he would've had he gone to Korea. To be honest, we're not really progressing in Korean either. We try, but get caught up with trying to find ways to do missionary work in our area. Haha geez, yeah trying to juggle 20 pins. I guess this is missionary work though. Much respect to those who have served missions. Good on you. Geez, so yeah. Lot's of joy to look for this next week haha. I think I heard this past week that they've officially shutdown the Korean program in Australia, so yeah it sounds like I'm the last Korean speaking missionary to be sent here *nervous laughter*....
So I'll leave with a thought from Book of Mormon (몰몬경) in Alma 43...
This chapter is the start of the war chapters and I think these battles can be compared to the spiritual battles we each face in our lives. At one point in this battle, the Nephites (righteous people) had surrounded the Lamanites (wicked people) as a result of clever maneuvering and leadership. So it seems like the battle should all but won. However, it was at this point that the Lamanites began to "fight exceedingly" and had "never... been known to fight with such exceedingly great strength and courage... and did smite in their fierce anger." Then "when the men of Moroni (Chief Captain of Nephite army) saw the fierceness and anger of the Lamanites, they were about to shrink and flee from them." So when they had favorable conditions and it seems like the tides changed, the tides changed AGAIN! Now the Nephites are almost ready to throw in the towel (keep in mind they needed these favorable conditions because they are less than half the number of the Lamanites).
How many of us reach this point? Where we reach those comfortable conditions where we think life is good and right where we want it. Then all of a sudden, life starts fighting back and we are faced with increased temptations, trials, challenges, problems, uncooperative, etc. What do we do? What should we do? Well I'll tell you what Moroni did...
"... Moroni, perceiving their intent, sent forth and inspired their hearts with these thoughts - yea, the thoughts of their lands, their liberty, yea, their freedom from bondage... [for] the Nephites were inspired by a better cause, for they were not fighting for monarchy nor power but they were fighting for their homes and their liberties, their wives and their children, and their all, yea, for their rites of worship and their church... doing that which they felt was the duty which they owed to their God..."
What is your cause? Why are you fighting? Is it for your family? To be a better grandmother, husband, mother, son, granddaughter, etc.? To keep your family together? Is it to stick up for your faith? To declare to others that we have the fullness of the Gospel, and Jesus Christ's original church that He established when He was on the earth is restored? Or whatever, your purpose and cause MUST be greater than that of our adversary, which is to subject us to misery and never achieving our full potential, and must be supported by our Heavenly Father. Like sticking up for your drug dealing business is not necessarily the best thing to be sticking up for and most likely not supported by our Heavenly Father, but hey do you...
As a result... "they (the Nephite army) cried with one voice unto the Lord their God, for their liberty and their freedom from bondage. And they began to stand against the Lamanites with power; and in that selfsame hour that they cried unto the Lord for their freedom, the Lamanites began to flee before them..."
This can be us as well. Find your purpose or cause for fighting and cry to the Father in the name of Christ to help you come out conqueror. Love you all. I hope you are enjoying this Christmas season. Hallelujah for Jesus Christ. His willingness to submit himself below ALL things to be born as a baby (unable to take care of himself) in a lowly manger. Hallelujah. Have a great week and find joy in this great journey of life.
Elder Escamilla
Australia Sydney Mission
에스카미야 장로
호주 스다니 선교부
P.S. I hope I don't come off as complaining or anything. This is my way to be truthful and help me reflect on the past week. I don't actually go around saying this place stinks or it's hard, but try to do what I can and take it a day a time.
P.S.S. WE FOUND KOREANS!!! Except not in our area, but also possibly in our area. More to come next week. I used my Korean for the first time out my entire 6 weeks here. P-Day was pretty great today.
So... we were on trade-offs with the Cessnock Elders and Elder Scott popped his bike tire so we had to fit 4 missionaries and 2 bikes in a car... We improvised and drove home like this on both sides of the car.
Our Branch Christmas party, we have such a fantastic and tight-knit branch family
One of last meals with Elder Scott
We saw an EMU!!
G'day Mates!
Well it's officially December and the start of Summer! I've always wanted a hot, humid, bug filled Christmas... (I hope you can hear the sarcasm haha) No but honestly the Christmas is just crept up on me, but I'm especially excited for Light the World and all the push for service since that's right up our alley!
So I'll get going on the week...
Yes we hit a kangaroo last Monday on our way to Tamworth for trade-offs with the Elders in that area... after we hit it and pulled to the side, we ran back to try to find it and we see it hopping down the road... probably to try to hit another car... It took out our headlight and bent the frame of the car so that I couldn't open my door. Therefore, I applied what I learned during Mil Move at West Point, and would have to climb in and out of my seat from the window...
So I'll be honest, these past week or 2 have sucked... Our time in Tamworth was full of doors actually slammed in our face and getting cussed at in Inverell. Then more doorknocking in Tamworth with heavy rain and getting soaked (which was great, throwback to West Point summers). Then I truly realized how little teaching I've done while being out... This week was my first time teaching the Plan of Salvation... In reality my first formal lesson beyond the little messages we try to get out or the visits we make not being able to get an actual message out. So that was really surprising and not really something I wanted to realize...
Overall, no luck at all, which made me appreciate my area a little more. However, once we got back into our area, it wasn't much better. One experience in particular... We were with a lady who we previously gave a Book of Mormon. I'll tell you now that this visit did not go well at all. She had actually tried reading the Book of Mormon and we were excited to see what she thought and all. Then... She comes at us saying it was dark and depressing and violent and graphic... You can imagine our shock and just how caught off guard we were by this comment alone. This would set the tone for the rest of the visit. There were questions that we ourselves didn't know the answers to or couldn't explain properly. Then she was openly mocking us at times. Just really catching us completely off guard. It resulted in us leaving a little defeated, and with the Book of Mormon we previously had given her... If these past 2 weeks were spiritually portrayed as a West Point Plebe boxing match, we would just be getting our butts handed to us. Just pummeled. Doors slammed. Cussed out. Mocked. People driving by and yelling at us while we're filling up the car at the servo (thats gas station in Australian haha). Unable to answer questions. Feeling like I don't know the scriptures well enough. Feeling like I'm not achieving or fulfilling my purpose as a missionary. Satan magnifying these thoughts and trying to make me doubt or give up. Feeling frustrated on how I'm possibly ever gonna learn Korean. Trying to cope with never being able to teach beyond the doorstep. Or simply trying to be worthy and entice the Holy Ghost so we can receive that inspiration and guidance. Just completely getting demolished.
After getting mocked and not being able to answer questions beyond the simple have faith or a testimony, I turned to Elder Scott and just laughed and said: "Dang, we are just getting are butts handed to us." He didn't understand what I was taking about or why I laughed. I laughed because when I've just gotten pummeled or had a rough experience at West Point, I just laughed and said dang that sucked. Haha. That's all I could do. If I worried too much about it or got discouraged then I would've just broken down. So now I laugh, because we are just getting beat up Spiritually here. Then I laugh and feel honored because I'm getting to experience the smallest portion of what prophets of old experienced. Like Alma or Sons of Mosiah or Amulek or Abinadi. Nothing quite as extreme but a portion, maybe my version of it. Then, is this not how the Savior was treated? Obviously I'll NEVER possibly fully know or understand His experience. We can't possibly, but the smallest portion, the smallest atom of an atom of an atom of understanding. He was mocked. Betrayed by friends. He performed miracles that were just cast aside. He did absolutely no wrong. People who once welcomed Him into Jerusalem with celebrations and cheering, would later be shouting for His crucifixion. Spit upon. Hated. Whipped. Carrying His own cross, the cross which He would soon be nailed upon. Then mocked at His death with a crown of thorns, a sign above Him "King of the Jews". So I feel so incredibly honored for this experience. Yeah it sucks and very hard, but I'm doing my best to share the true Gospel of Jesus Christ. When we have weeks like these past 2 weeks honestly, all I can do is look back on my testimony and what I know to be true. I dont know everything, but I do know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints IS GOD'S KINGDOM ON EARTH. THIS IS THE TRUTH. A lot of Christians and other religions are offended or find it hard to believe that we think that our church is the only true church. It's a bold statement, I admit. The lady we got mocked by said: "so you're saying Mormons are gonna be more prepared to meet God and are better than everyone else?"
Unfortunately, I didn't respond as well as I am now, it just caught me off guard because when I spoke I had no intentions of giving off this message. However, now that I think about it, yes. Not being better than others, but being prepared. People often think that we believe that we are trying to work our way into heaven. No, we can't possibly earn our way into Heaven. "...it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do." 2 Nephi 25:23. However, what we do with that grace is strive to do as Christ commanded and "be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect." 3 Nephi 12:48 and Matt. 5:48. I love the talk by Brad Wilcox "His Grace is Sufficient". Check it out and it just provides heaps of clarity on Grace and how we view it as members of the restored church of Jesus Christ. Ultimately we are preparing to dwell in the presence of God. To repent, and keep the Commandments. Follow the prophets and their instruction revealed to them from Jesus Christ. We perform ordinances given and revealed to us from Jesus Christ. So who is gonna be more prepared to meet God? Someone who has continually worked to become like His son? Or someone who only thought of Him on Sunday then did what he wanted the rest of the week? Yeah it's bold. It's not pleasing for them and us if we are not doing what we know what we should be doing. "The guilty taketh the truth to be hard" 1 Nephi 16:2. I know these things are true. Do I know everything? Absolutely not, I still have a lot to study. But there is one thing I know with as much certainty as much as I can see my hand - that is that Heavenly Father is real and we are in His church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is TRUE. Since God is the same yesterday, today and forever, He has restored the same pattern of calling prophets to lead the church that He always used like with Noah or Moses. If God were to speak to you today or give you more words, wouldn't you want it? Or would you say oh I've got the Bible or Book of Mormon, that's all I need. I would be ECSTATIC to get more words from God. What's incredible is, we do. Through the Book of Mormon. Through modern day Prophet's like President Nelson. In the Book of Mormon, we get the personal ministry of the resurrected Jesus Christ to the people in ancient Americas. The Book of Mormon was translated by Joseph Smith, not written. The Book of Mormon takes place about 600 years before Jesus Christ and about 400 years after His death. It is an additional witness, and is not meant to be an addition to the Bible but together "shall grow together, unto the confounding of false doctrines and laying down of contentions, and establishing peace." 2 Nephi 3:12.
Our invitation is to simply read the Book of Mormon prayerfully, because "if ye shall believe in Christ ye will believe in these words, for they are the words of Christ, and he hath given them unto me; and they teach all men that they should do good. And if they are not the words of Christ, judge ye—for Christ will show unto you, with power and great glory, that they are his words, at the last day; and you and I shall stand face to face before his bar; and ye shall know that I have been commanded of him to write these things..." 2 Nephi 33:10-11.
Be bold in standing up for the truth. Stay firm in what you know to be true. This is the restored Church of Jesus Christ. Joseph Smith truly saw God the Father and Jesus Christ. Watch this talk from Elder Holland, an Apostle of Jesus Christ: https://www.lds.org/study/general-conference/2009/10/safety-for-the-soul?lang=eng#title1
I love you all, keep pressing forward with a steadfast faith in Jesus Christ. Please just read the Book of Mormon. I'll invite you to read Alma 5. Give it a shot, tilly won't regret it. I say these things humbly in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Elder Escamilla
Australia Sydney Mission
에스카미야 장로
호주 스다니 선교부
Raising the Navajo flag on a members flag as a joke, replacing the Australia flag
What that 'Roo did to our whip
How many elders do you think it took to change a tire?
The end of our efforts in Inverell
좋은 데이 Mates!!
Well this was eventful well that is starting off eventful too. So let's start!
Bush fires... If you heard news of fires in Australia, that was us! The area I'm in is not quite Outback but is more wilderness but with a lot of trees. It was windy and a fallen over power line sparked a decent size fire. It was a couple miles away from our apartment and cut us off from some of our areas in Nelson Bay and Lemon Tree Passage, ruining our plans for the day. Helicopters and planes were flying over our area for 2 days straight trying to put out the fire. Some people were evacuated, but fortunately no severe damage was done. We just had to deal with the thick smoke that covered the town. All is well though.
My companion, Elder Scott, is the district leader and we have had the opportunity to do trade-offs with the other Elders in the district. So I've had the opportunity to do companion exchanges with Elder Hirst in the Charlestown area and once of our zone leaders, Elder Tobler. These were some of the best days, to see other ways missionary work is done. These Elders are great missionaries. From them I learned a lot about planning, goal setting, effective study and their experience in working with Australian people. These days were productive and felt truly Spiritually driven. It was inspiring and gave me hope that even after a full day of appointments falling through, unavailable friends we're teaching, hours of door knocking that result in "no thanks, we're good" or "that's cool, good for you everyone needs something to get them through" or "what do you have to say about what is said in Revelations about not adding anything more to these things. I've got a Bible I'm good." Then after a full day of what may seem like no progress or good was done, with 10-20 minutes left to make one last inspired visit. We could've called it a day, we had done a lot of work. It was Thanksgiving night and we had plans for a makeshift feast. We said a quick prayer to know where to go or who to visit because we had set goals for the day and we were determined to achieve those goals. Together we thought what type of person to visit and my companion for the day was able to think of someone to visit (since we were in his area).
Then finally, after a full day of what one may see as a failed day, we were blessed with the opportunity to share a message with a struggling recent convert. Before going in, we made a brief plan of what message we were gonna share after my companion briefed me on his situation. We went in and as we began sharing the message, the Holy Ghost began shaping our lesson into something completely different than we intended. We didn't even share what we planned, but we identified this good Brother's concern and struggle and were able to offer a message of hope and sincere testimony because I could relate to him with personal experience. He was struggling with feeling very inadequate compared to the other members who seemed perfect. We bore testimony to him that if church was only for perfect people, no one would be able to go. Church is a hospital for the spiritually sick, which is everyone. We all struggle with our own personal issues and no one is perfect. We told him to NEVER feel too inadequate to come to church. That church is exactly where he needed to be to overcome his issues. We encouraged him also with my favorite thing I've realized through my studies.
Who did Jesus Christ call to be His apostles? He could've called the Pharisees or Saduccess, they were knowledgeable of the scriptures and such. He could've called the rich to find His church and members. No, He called the fishermen. Even if we feel inadequate or small, think of how the apostles felt. However they went on to change the world. A couple of fishermen. Who knew. We are all fishermen in our own way, but Christ will work through our weaknesses as we realize that we need Him and rely wholly on Him. Then as we do this, He will work miracles through us. So my prayer for one opportunity to teach someone throughout the day was answered during this lesson, and it was even better as the Spirit was our companion during the lesson. He was touched immensely and we offered a prayer of gratitude for the opportunity that day.
Then the adventures continue as we make our way to our next trade off in Tamworth which is further inland and more bush/outback. Should be fun as we spend 2 days there. Then to top off the next 2 days, we hit a kangaroo on our way over. All alright, just took out one of our headlights and shook up Elder Scott a little. So stay tuned for our next adventures in Tamworth and in Australia. Strange land for sure. Love you all, take care.
Elder Escamilla
Australia Sydney Mission
에스카미야 장로
호주 스다니 선교부
P.S. We have a baptism on Saturday! First one in our area in a couple years. So everyone's excited. My companion's first baptism
Our makeshift Thanksgiving dinner with our Zone Leaders
the view of the smoke from our flat as we were studying. The smoke and fire was much worse the day before.
the remains of the fire in our area. Ton of smoke afterwards completely covering everything
In our area, instead of pigeons being the normal everyday bird, it's these beautiful parrots!!! I feel like I'm in the zoo because of the wildlife
Weird to drive on the opposite side of the road.
We hit a kangaroo but we are all alright, just took out one of our headlights and shook up Elder Scott a little.
안녕하세요!!
So this week our Mission President gave us permission to go to the temple, so our P-Day changed to today which is why I'm emailing today.
So 2 Aussie Culture... Tips... Lessons... Something...
- So Aussies call flip flops, "thongs"... Yeah I'm sure you can already guess. While we were visiting with Angela, a lady from the Jehovah Witness faith, talking with her. Her daughter walks in and says she's going to the store and asks if she could borrow her thongs... Fortunately I was already exposed to this, but it was still very weird and very... yeah...
- So in Aussie Land, Land of the Bajillion Spiders and Spider Webs in your Face, words that would be deemed as curse words in America in church are actually fine and casual. Nothing over the top, but enough to surprise you when it comes from the mouth of a member. The words I'm talking about are the upgraded versions of "darn" or "darn it". So when a member drops something at church and says "dang it" (their version), my eyes would pop open, ears perk up and kind of just look at them and see if anyone else heard it. Turns out it's doesn't have the same right in America. Don't worry Mom, I'm not gonna come back with this habit, hopefully...
So this week we finally launched an idea that I had during my first time knocking on doors. That first experience was SO GREAT that I immediately thought of a different way to do door knocking that would help us to get to know the people slamming doors in our faces (hope you heard the sarcasm). I'll be honest, that first experience really sucked. Yes part of it was because of how unkeen Aussies are of religion. Second is that I disliked how salesman like it came off as, and just felt insensitive. Contrary to our message, which is most sincere and personal message in the world. Where we are invited to find out truth for ourselves. So while we were getting yelled at for scaring kids by standing still, I noticed how unkept a lot of the lawns were. Usually, before people close the doors we tell them that we offer service, anything that they may need. Of course, we're in our white shirt and tie so I'm sure they're thinking "In those clothes?" Then since Aussie's are really turned off when talking about religion, but the closest we've got to bring lessons with people and connecting with them (like Corinne from last weeks email) came because our service would soften their hearts. So this is where the idea was born.
We've been working the past couple weeks to attain a lawn mower (which we found in a junk pile of the side of the road), getting fixed by a wizard in our ward, and fine tuning our mowing skills. We finally put everything together and put our idea to the test. As a result, the hearts are much more softened. If they are willing to keep listening after we say "We're missionaries for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints", and hear that we're offering free service. Then the responses have been a complete 180. People usually respond saying how nice that is and how they wish they had something to do but theyre ok at the moment. However the 2 lawns we've mowed, we were invited inside and able to share a quick message and make a personal connection with the family and we leave our numbers with them. As a result we learn about the many horror experiences that many Aussies have with religion in the past, which had deterred them from seeking religion. As we share our experiences, explain or church and bear testimony, you could see how they notice something different about us and our religion. Then we have a new friendship and a foot in the door.
At another door, we met a guy named, Matt. Matt is an aspiring NBA player, going to college and hoping for a shot in the States. Well he opens the door, appreciates our desires to do some service, briefly get to know him then give him our phone number on a Book of Mormon pass along card. He sees the card and starts asking questions. He's Roman Catholic and had been active with it for awhile being raised in it, but had differing views with the religion. He says he's curious and is wanting to learn more about more religions. So we give him a Book of Mormon and briefly teach about what the Book of Mormon is. He takes it and agrees to look at it. We have a lot of hope for him and he seems very promising. Maybe the next Utah Jazz player. But hearts are being softened by a lawn mowing idea that people would chuckle at. Best idea? Probably not, a lot of tome devoted to a lawn, but we've seen more results from it than the classic door knocking.
So a scripture that I read this week that I couldn't relate to more than now is found in Alma 26:36-37 "... blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of this people, who are a branch of the tree of Israel, and has been lost from its body in a strange land; yea, I say, blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land..."
I'm truly a wanderer in this strange land of Australia. People from all walks of life and with some of the strangest life situations that I've never seen or heard of before. However, Good is mindful of these people in this strange land.
"... we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen"
The fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ found in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, is for everyone. Not just Americans or the Gentiles.but for everyone. The Book of Mormon (taken place in the early Americas before and after the life of Jesus Christ) and the Bible (life in Jerusalem) combined show that God is not just the God of Israel, but of the entire world. He is mindful of all His children and wants nothing more than for them to be happy. I testify that these things are true, with every fiber of my being, I know it's true. How do I know?
Alma 5:46 "I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit..."
I love you all, our Heavenly Father loves you. You can find out for yourself and feel this love through prayer and reading the Book of Mormon. Try it out. You wont regret it.
Also, I got a phone call this week that my Cheii (grandpa in Navajo) just passed on. We'll miss you Cheii. Until we see you again, I'll do my best to take care of mom and dad. To take care of Paige and Mia. To take care of grandma. To not make mom or dad repeat themselves. I'll study hard and work hard (these are the things he'd always tell me before we said good bye to him. Every single time). I'll try to make you proud. Until I see you again, see you later Cheii. Love you.
Elder Escamilla
Australia Sydney Mission
에스카미야 장로
호주 스다니 선교부
Temple p-day at Sydney Australia Temple
My companion and I after church with the leftover sandwiches, we'll take all the free foods we can get!!
Our lawn mower idea in the working
Dinner with Branch President and his family
So the family history consultant of our branch is deaf, so when we visit with her we use a white board in order to be able to communicate with her. So as I was translating our discussion for her. I played a prank on her by writing in Korean asking "do you understand Korean?" In Korean. Luckily she has a good sense of humor so we had a good laugh about it.
G'Day Mates from the Land Down Unda!
Well I've survived a 2nd week in good ole Aussie land! So how is the work in Australia? Well it's difficult. Not many people are just religious or very comfortable with their lives. Some of the towns that we work in are a little rougher areas that I would compare to a Highland Falls just outside of West Point, and a lot of government housing. Then we also are right next to the RAAF (Royal Australian Air Force) base and there a lot of members who are in the Air Force, so I've been able to connect to them very closely because of my time at West Point. Surprisingly, every Aussie, I've told that I went to West Point, knows about West Point. Then the town we live in is like the part of Mesa that have bigger lots and properties.
So a lot of variety, but still not many Aussies are not too keen of talking about religion. So we'll either get frustrated, meet angry people or just no answer at all. So in order to change things up and hopefully get people to actually talk with us, we came up with an new idea. So usually before people close the door we tell people that we do service, whatever people need. Usually we say this while wearing our white shirt and tie, and I'm sure they're curious as to what kind of service we can offer in our white shirt and tie. So as we were walking from door to door one day, I noticed how unkept many of the lawns were and how badly they need a good lawn mowing. Sooo.... Instead of showing up door to door like a salesman, we are gonna show up with a lawn mower ready to do service! We searched all week and eventually found a broken up lawn mower, got it fixed by a genius in our branch and are all set to do some service this week. We figured this would be a good approach because most of all our people we are working with have only continued meeting the missionaries because of the service they offer and have actually had their hearts softened from the service and we've been able to share messages with them.
One example is Corinne. She's mom with 3 daughters, her husband and an absolute love for gardening. Missionaries have been going over to help with her beautiful yard and gardens for awhile now, and almost got the door slammed in their face until they offered too chop wood and have been coming over ever since. I met her for the first time this week and I don't think I've ever met anyone so perfect for the Gospel. She has got everything figured out about how to live the Gospel, strengthen your testimony, find out truth for yourself, having faith, one step at a time, just keep working, to not get frustrated from setbacks, and so forth... Except in the shape of gardening. When we got her talking about her garden, I just kept asking leading questions that would perfectly answer concerns about the Gospel or how to find out truth for themselves. Like:
- "Did you ever expect your garden would become something this beautiful when you started?"
"Oh no, never would've guessed."
- "So you're glad you started your first little garden?"
"Oh yes, if I never started I would've never been able to have any of this!"
- "It took time right? It didn't come all at once right?"
"Yes absolutely, it took a lot of time. Just one step at a time. A little here a little there."
- "So you had to continually work on it right?"
"Oh yes, if I didn't do anything then it wouldn't grow. Nothing would happen"
Basically the conversation continued like this. When talking about how life nowadays can be stressful and overwhelming with all of life's influences, I said "it was like a big mist of darkness that surrounded us and we need just something like a rod to hold onto to help us get through the fog, right?" Then she said "YES, absolutely like that." It was funny because I had just described the tree of life vision that Lehi had in the Book of Mormon, and she totally agreed with it without us saying it was from the Book of Mormon. She later took great interest in my Native American heritage (every Aussie seems to just absolutely love and are fascinated by Natives, super crazy). When trying to figure out how to transition our conversion from Native Americans to us sharing a quick Gospel message, the thought came to my mind to share the "Music of the Gospel" Mormon Message video and said, "Hey I've actually got a video on my phone of Navajo dancing and music, would you like to see it?" She was like absolutely! So we watched the video and it was the smoothest transition into a Gospel discussion I've ever seen. Not by my own abilities, but the Holy Ghost reminded me of this video that I hadn't seen in a long time but ended up being the perfect transition and we could tell that she was touched somehow by it. Her and her family are so absolutely ready. Her daughters are good and try to live good lives, she tries to instill good values on them, her and her husband are trying to give up coffee because she said it was bad for you. So perfect. Just a tiny string is keeping them back, but once it's cut they will just absolutely soak everything up and will be wonderful. I had a vision of them hosting Branch events or parties in their beautiful backyard. Kids running around and their family joining and becoming a part of the Branch family. They'll get there, I can feel it.
I know this Gospel is true. It can bless our lives in so many ways we don't even understand. But we have to let it and CHOOSE to let it bless our lives. We never force anyone, that is not the plan. We must choose for ourselves, we cannot force anyone to join. We experienced this one dinner with a good Brother of the Branch who's wife wasn't a member, but his impatience and immense desire for her to be a member was very visibly driving her away. Her entire family were members - husband, children (served missions), grandchildren (singing in Primary and preparing to serve a mission), except her. She was content with her life and thought she was doing her best to live a good life. However, we could see that the pressures from her family were affecting her and staying to drive her away and she was defensive of her beliefs. We tried sympathizing with her and told her we don't force anyone to believe our beliefs and apologized if it seemed that way. Unfortunately her husband was more impatient and aggressive of trying to get her to believe. We left the house saddened by this situation, that she was pushed away from the church, not because of the doctrine but the people. Don't be the stumbling block that keep people away from the church. Love people for who they are, whether they share beliefs or not. That's what Christ would do. Dont be a good companion friend, sibling or spouse. Be a Christlike companion, friend, sibling or spouse (cite my sources: Bro. Bartholomew, cant take credit for this).
When people ask us what we believe be firm and talk about it as if it is a fact, because it is isnt it? When people ask who is God? Dont say he's like our Father but in Heaven. Say He IS our Heavenly Father. Who is this Russel M. Nelson guy? Not: we believe or he's a cool guy who's like a prophet. No, he IS the prophet on the earth today called of God to lead and guide His church. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints IS God's kingdom and church. If people disagree then that's ok but Alma grasped this idea in Alma 5:58, "And now my brethren, what have ye to say against this? I say unto you, if ye speak against it, it matters not, for the word of God must he fulfilled." Be bold, not rude or forceful, but have confidence and faith that the things you know are true. If you don't know then you can find out. Begin with a prayer then start searching the scriptures and find out if it's true for yourselves. We often tell people that sure maybe you could prove, by cross referencing the Bible and Book of Mormon and doing historical research, that The Book of Mormon is true. But there is no power in that. Instead our invitation and the invitation at the end of The Book of Mormon is to read it and study it for yourself, then "ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall all with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost."
I've done this and it has made the greatest impact on me than anything else in the world. Enough for this Navajo, Mexican, Filipino and Chinese looking, identity crisis having boy (me) to put everything on hold, sacrifice a pretty decent future, go halfway around the world to teach people he has absolutely no family ties to or any personal connections to in order to share a message about some Book. Spend 10 weeks studying Korean for an English speaking country, in a mission that has been trying to tell Salt Lake to stop sending Korean missionaries because there isn't a need for them, but they keep getting sent. Where the previous mission president has literally said that he doesn't know why Korean missionaries are here. Where my companion has only seen 3 Korean families as members of the church during his entire year of being on his mission, and the other Korean missionaries are guessing that I'm the last Korean missionary to be sent to Australia... Many people would immediately question why they were even here. But I know it is because God loves every single one of His children. Enough to send one person who speaks their language half way around the world in order to deliver the message of the Gospel personally to them. I know this is God's work. Why else would there be Korean speakers be sent to Australia? These calls aren't mistakes, but by divine inspiration. Am I having faith and hope because that's all I have to hold on to? Absolutely, but I can't wait to meet the person or people whom I was specifically called to deliver God's message to. Until then we'll keep studying and preparing for that day. Love you all, have a beautiful week.
Elder Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
WILD KANGAROOS!!
Spider of the week
Our Branch's chapel
These Aussies, just absolutely love Natives...
Elder Scott and I trying to bring some Korean in our non Korean area.
Elder Scott and I eating some Korean food.
Change of pace, tried some bike riding rather than the car
Well, self explanatory...
안녕하세요 Mates!!
If you're getting this email, then you know that I survived my first week in Australia! It has been very eventful, well where to begin...
My trainer is Elder Scott. He's 19yrs old from Utah, and has been on the mission for 1 yr & 2 months. Great guy, very knowledgeable of the area, good relations with the members, and also a Korean speaker like me!
Unfortunately, our level is about the same... and we are placed in an area with basically no Koreans. I haven't found any yet. The closest thing is a Sister in our Branch who served her mission in Korea. So a little concerning, but that's' ok. I like challenges anyways. I can't understand the accent anyways so there's my language immersion.
We have 2 potential baptisms coming up, which is great. We have Brodie, a baptismal date at the end of the month. Then I taught Jacob during Sunday School about the Book of Mormon and the Plan of Salvation. Then after the lesson he asked me about baptism. I shared with him my experience, what baptism was, why it's important, and the blessings that come from it. I asked him if this was something he was interested in learning more about and pursuing and he said yes. Later in the meetings I overheard him say that the Gospel just makes sense. So I'm excited to work with him and help him along the path.
Next, I've come to learn a very important lesson of missionary life.... We are poor. We live pretty frugally. Haven't eaten out yet since I've been out. We've have had ghetto lunches of whatever Elder Scott has had in the trunk of the car, like half bag of chips and chocolate... But that was more of a result of bad planning... I've never felt this poor before... So throughout the day I'll end up feeling starved, which isn't the best combination with the terrible feelings of jet lag I've had. I try to keep a good attitude but sometimes I think about it too much, and then we get blessed by someone offering us food and a member feeds us a wonderful meal and I am oh so grateful. Then I'm reminded of Alma 32:37-38.
So this missionary work is a very heart wrenching work. We were visiting one lady, we call her Grandma Jack. An older lady who absolutely loves the Bible. Loves reading pieces from intellectuals regarding the Bible that provide a different perspective and further analyzes the symbolism which she just gets so excited about. The approach I guess the missionaries have been taking in our area is more of being a friend and buddy buddies with the people they visit rather than... I guess being missionaries... who would want that, crazy... anyways, our visit with her was more like us checking up on our grandma as if we were in the area and seeing if she were ok... So no real lesson was prepared... more like did you read the Book of Mormon? No? Ok, cool all good, just get to it if you can.... I'm playing Junior companion and the Greenie and trusting and following my trainer and just following his lead... lets just say that we need to change some things. Anyways, as we were visiting and listening to her absolute love for the Bible I started tearing up a little. Because this was a daughter of our Heavenly Father who was lost. I could see the veil blocking her vision. She had done fantastic by loving the Bible, but was missing the full truth. She loved the intellectual men's words, but oh how she would lose it if she realized that I had the very word of God in my hand. I could see her in a temple session and she would probably die from excitement and absolute joy as she found the full truth. The Bible had given her this much joy, can you imagine how much more joy she would have if she realized what the Book of Mormon was and that Jesus Christ's true church was on the earth?!? She'd probably have a heart attack in front of us and beg for us to do her temple work or to baptize her.
I've been having these "visions" of the families we visit. Non-member like member. These visions are of their potential. When we visit with a broken family that we do service for pretty regularly, when we were with the family together in the kitchen chatting. I have this vision of them in the kitchen but on a Sunday morning getting ready for church and eating breakfast together. The family is no longer broken, but filled with absolute love for each other. Then I snapped out of it when they ask us where the church originated. This is it. This is the moment where we would get the ball rolling to fulfill this vision I've just seen about their potential. I look to my companion waiting to just follow his lead since he's seasoned and I'm think he's thinking the same thing. This family who have never received a lesson before and are about to receive the lesson of the Restoration of the Church of Jesus Christ after several months of receiving gardening service from the missionaries. My companion opens his mouth and merely says that the church started in New York and then moved to Utah. I just sit there, absolutely shocked that this is all he could muster to get out... then before i could save and get something useful out, the moment is gone and the family needs to leave... It was a moment given to us on a golden platter and we did nothing with it.... There seems to be no spirit of urgency to get this message, the greatest message ever known to mankind, out to these people. The missionaries have been content with just making friends and visiting grandma and grandpa checking on them to see how bingo night went or how their grandkids are doing. Well don't get me wrong that's great and i think it's very important, but on the other hand, we're missionaries who are supposed to be bringing people closer to Christ. Additionally I understand every case is different and sometimes thats all we can do is be the grandkids or just offer service. But the other day we tried switching it up and actually asking if we could share a quick message and they were more than willing to listen. I don't want to make the other missionaries seem like their bad missionaries because they put on a good image for the Church and did a lot of service. But if these people are ever gonna reach their potential that God intended for them to achieve, we need to be bold and open our mouths and not be wishy washy. My companion has trouble with this. Rather than using church terms like companion or Apostle, he'll call me his "buddy or friend" when meeting other people, or call the Apostles these "good, cool, nice guys." His reasoning is that people would often get confused and ask what he meant or what those things meant. He got tired of trying to explain... I looked at him and told him, well isn't that the perfect opportunity for a missionary? To quickly and simply explain a lesson, and also to see if the people actually are listening? If they ask what is that, that's great because it shows that they're actually listening and trying to understand. 2nd it's the perfect opportunity to teach a quick overview of the Restoration or about Prophets and Apostles. Boom, easy. I think a lot of these missionaries think that they need a formal setting to teach a lesson where we're in a quiet place, free time and sitting down together. Well, as i look back we don't get very many of those opportunities because the rest of our time is spent getting yelled at by ladies who have to calm her frightened, scared to death daughter down from us merely knocking on the door and standing there, perfectly still.... So we need to take every single small opportunity we can get where people will even let us spit out that we are missionaries for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To let those small moments be led by the Spirit and allow these people to feel the special Spirit we carry with us, if we are worthy of it. This is done by having a bit of urgency and fire in your pants to share this message to every single person, the same desire that the Sons of Mosiah had in Mosiah 28:3-4. So it breaks my heart when we get to a door and they say their husband isn't home (because we can't enter a house with just the wife alone) and we say well we'll try again next week. NEXT WEEK!! Is this not the greatest blessing that anyone could possibly receive? Why not a quick scripture or video to watch later? Is this not the same fruit that Lehi desired of his sons to have that was described in Alma 32:42?! I just guess we'll let them wait to have this fruit for another week, they made it this far right? No, we can't wait. These people can't wait. They don't know it yet, but they are so desperately needing the gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives. We all do. We must share it, or else we'll be held accountable for it later. Can you imagine their response when they realize this incredible gift and find out that you've been keeping it from them this entire time? Can you hear them say "I suffered for days because of the loss of my family, because I thought I would never see them again. But you knew all along that this wasn't the case? You've known me for years but never thought to share this incredible knowledge?" We need to treat this Gospel like Gold, because it is far greater than that. Please open your mouth.
We are gonna change the atmosphere in this mission. Miracles are gonna take place and our little branch of 30 is gonna be a booming ward. You know why? Because God loves every. Single. One. Of. HIS. CHILDREN. He wants every SINGLE ONE OF US TO COME BACK HOME TO HIM. HE WANTS EVERYONE TO FIND TRUE, PURE JOY THAT MAKES OUR HEART WANT TO BURST OUT OF OUR CHEST. Have you felt this? I have. It is the greatest thing in the world. I testify that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints IS GODS KINGDOM ON EARTH. If you don't know it, then study the Book of Mormon and Heavenly Father will manifest the truth of it unto you by the power of the Holy Ghost. Please find out for yourselves, "for ye may" Jacob 3:2. And even all this ye can do if ye will Alma 33:23.
Long email, if you made it this far thank you. Not bad missionaries here. Its just good, better, best. They are in between good and better. Getting around doing some good. But i want best, and I think Heavenly Father and His Children deserve the best. I love you all, but more importantly Heavenly Father loves you. Have great week.
Elder Escamilla
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One less door to knock on during our rounds
This dinner with a part member family was a huge blessing
One of the many millions of spiders in Australia
Sharing some live oysters fresh from the ocean with Frank
Our small branch of 30 after church
