2 DEC 2019: Transfer 10 Week 3

안녕하세요!!

I'm sorry I've been bad with my emails. Our Pdays have been busy the past couple ones and... yeah... Anyways, so I think I've missed the last 3 weeks... So here we go...

Transfers: Staying in Blacktown with Elder Kaburara. Got a phone call the night before transfers and was asked to train a VISA waiter (someone temporarily serving in our mission until their VISA comes in). We agreed and pretty excited. Get to mission and get assigned new missionary. Turns out President pulled a fast one on us and changed the assignments. Our 2nd companion is Elder Carter from Nevada and this is his mission. Being in a trio will be fun and interesting.

We have been working and busy. We have been blessed with many opportunities to teach and invite others to come to church. Much more in these past couple weeks than the majority of my mission combined. It feels great. The ward seems to be trusting us and have been working with a lot of them. We have one guy, who's our age and wants to serve a mission, but.... he's got a lady friend that he's serious about hahaha However it's been good because he's become motivated to learn how to teach and prepare to serve a mission partially he can teach his girlfriend and help her join the church hahaha Whatever it takes! "Thus we see that the Lord worketh in many ways to the salvation of His people". We have had good discussions with him as we teach him the Plan of Salvation at a higher level, show him the resources out there and answer his honest questions of the church and why we keep the commandments. We're hoping to get other perspective missionaries on board, or just anyone else that wants to increase their knowledge. Prepare them so they can go out and share with their friends.

My other leader companion, Elder Bennett from Canada, and I have been very insync. It's incredible and truly a great thing to have. We have the same approach to helping the missionaries we look after and we have seen the fruits. Love. Love is the answer. I was told early on in my mission that love is always the answer (thanks Dave). I sort of understood it then, but had no perspective or experience. However, as I've gone throughout these past 15 months I have seen more and more how incredibly true that is. Love, especially the Love of our Heavenly Father, has the power to change all hearts. From a leadership perspective, it is the best approach. Now expressing that love, and knowing how love is received is the trick. Throughout all my companions, interactions with other people/missionaries, and advice I've been given, it all goes back to love. Then allowing that love to change us into who we can and need to become.

Throughout my mission, I have absolutely loved the missionaries I have served and served around (or at least by the end of my time with them, have come to love them). Ministering has become my favorite thing because it's learning someone's love language and then delivering it accordingly. Then watching it open up paths for further love or help to be given or lessons to be learned. It's not the easiest thing at all and requires a lot of patience, understanding, a desire to even want to understand haha, and study of the Savior. I know I'm not even the best at it either, but it's something that I've seen to be absolutely necessary for everyone. Also it's been able to flow into how I work with members and friends of the church. In our missionary study book, Preach My Gospel, there is phrase that I love at the end of ch.6 "How Do I Develop Christlike Attributes?". It says "You need to be a Christlike missionary, not just do missionary things." (I know this just doesn't apply to missionaries because these are attributes that we need to develop throughout our life). Additionally, there is a quote from C.S. Lewis that also hammers this point in "We might think that God wanted simply obedience to a set of rules: whereas He really wants people of a particular sort.” As we strive to follow the Savior, and become like Him, our capacity and ability to love will improve and those around us will be blessed for it. Also, it will allow us to become what God intended for us to become.

I was blessed to have this point taught to me, the importance of loving, ministering and being Christlike rather than just the best, while I was in the MTC (thank you Brother Bartholomew). He taught me how it is more important to become a Christlike missionary rather than the BEST missionary. That principle has blessed me throughout my mission as I've sought to love and minister to the missionaries and people around me. I'm not perfect at all, but I have been blessed with opportunities to be a tool and convey Heavenly Father's sincere love to others. Those have been the most rewarding and cherished memories of my mission.

My mission has been far from being successful in the way that most people think a successful missionary is (baptizing people, finding people, leadership, and so forth). Don't get me wrong, we are working and we still have faith for success. However, I have been tremendously blessed with opportunities to learn how to minister and love in the way the Savior would. Blessed with opportunities to serve and minister to other missionaries who need the Gospel just as much as any person we see on the street. Blessed with others who have ministered and loved me at my lowest or at my not-so-best self, and brought me up with them. I'll be forever grateful for the lessons I've learned, new family I've gained, and the love I've received. I love my mission so much and this is the best thing I could've ever done for my life. If you're debating on whether not to go, GO! You will not regret it one bit. I love you and have a great week!

Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 시드니 선교부

4 NOV 2019 ~ Transfer 9 Week 5 - Zone Conference & Repentance BE

안녕하세요!

Sorry it's been so long, but today was just a nice day to relax, study a bit and clean our kitchen. I know 2 of what I just said probably sounds like a crazy thing to enjoy for a P-Day... BUT something that I have come to truly love is studying. Pouring through the scriptures, listening to Conference talks or other talks in the background or in the shower, and so forth. ALSO spent some time cleaning our flat, and... Mom, you'll be proud of me. I enjoy a clean flat. Our flat is a work in progress because we've been super busy, but it was nice to take some time today and clean. Man this mission is working some miracles, I tell you what!

Anyways, so this week we had our Zone Conference. It was just truly inspiring. It was also a sort of wake up call in some aspects for me, to shape up and be more accountable (which happened to come b/c the other Zone Leader and I were giving a training on accountability... yeah... algood though, repentance and change is real and possible). Also I really don't care what anyone else thinks about their mission president and wife, but I'm willing to bet that I have the best of the best. One of the biggest blessings of my mission will be knowing President and Sister Runia.

We were invited to study Teachings from the Prophets, Gordon B. Hinckley, Chapter 3: Cultivating an Attitude of Happiness and a Spirit of Optimism (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-gordon-b-hinckley/chapter-3-cultivating-an-attitude-of-happiness-and-a-spirit-of-optimism?lang=eng#p28

Chapter 3: Cultivating an Attitude of Happiness and a Spirit of Optimism
From the Life of Gordon B. Hinckley. President Gordon B. Hinckley’s mother, Ada Bitner Hinckley, often said that “a happy attitude and smiling countenance could boost one over almost any misfortune and that every individual was responsible for his own happiness.” 

1 His father, Bryant S. Hinckley, also had an “inherently positive outlook.” 

2 President Hinckley recalled, “When I was ...www.churchofjesuschrist.org

In accordance with this, Sister Runia talked about how can we find more joy in our lives. Not just as missionaries but in general. She mentioned how a lot of studies made on being happy and finding joy, are found in what we do as missionaries or what she's invited us to do before:
- Get enough sleep
- Physical activity
- Write 3 things you're grateful for everyday
- Spend $$ on others
- Be present, in the moment
- Smile
- Be a slow Samaritan (not in a rush, able to help if needed)
- Talk to a stranger/start a conversation
- etc.
Additionally, there's a quote she shared from President Gordon B. Hinckley that I loved:

“Anyone who imagines that bliss is normal is going to waste a lot of time running around shouting that he has been robbed.
“Most putts don’t drop. Most beef is tough. Most children grow up to be just people. Most successful marriages require a high degree of mutual toleration. Most jobs are more often dull than otherwise. …
“Life is like an old-time rail journey—delays, sidetracks, smoke, dust, cinders, and jolts, interspersed only occasionally by beautiful vistas and thrilling bursts of speed.
“The trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride.”
I repeat, my brothers and sisters, the trick is to thank the Lord for letting you have the ride; and really, isn’t it a wonderful ride? Enjoy it! Laugh about it! Sing about it! Remember the words of the writer of Proverbs:
“A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones.” (Proverbs 17:22.)
Let there be something of a light tone in your life. Let there be fun and happiness, a sense of humor, the capacity to laugh occasionally at things that are funny.
In all of living have much of fun and laughter. Life is to be enjoyed, not just endured."

I love that. How wonderful of a ride we are on. The adventures and experiences that we are able to take part of. We know through the God's Plan of Happiness, that this life a time to prepare to return to Him, to learn of Him and be tested. So it won't be all sunshine and rainbows. However, we also learn through this plan that this life isn't the end. That death really isn't death in the sense that we think of it being, the end. Rather, it is merely a separation that is brief compared to eternity. It is sad and difficult but because of Jesus Christ we can have the hope that we will all see each other again, free from pain, suffering, and sickness.

It is also because of Jesus Christ that I've been able to see people change. In particular, a man we have been visiting. He is an excommunicated member, who is fighting to overcome his drinking problem. He has had a rough upbringing and he says he has done a lot of bad. The first time we met him, he was very drunk. Very drunk. However, he had very little hope for the future and getting back on track. He had forgotten his identity as a son of God and his potential to become so so much more. We reminded him of these things, and how through the Atonement of Jesus Christ all things are possible. It ended with him being committed to try again to stop drinking for good. That first visit was sad and I could see how some people wouldn't want to be involved with him or have gotten tired helping since he's relapsed several times before. However, we shared our Book of Mormon lesson that talks about the power that comes from it if we prayerfully study it everyday, and the things that we can overcome because of it. Additionally, the more we fill our lives with light, the darkness will gradually disappear b/c the 2 can't coexist. The promise from President Nelson is that as we do just that, fill our lives with light through the Book of Mormon every day, every piece of darkness in our lives (guilt, fear, anger, sorrow, pain, impatience, and so forth) can and will disappear, or tools will be provided to overcome them.

So after visiting him for the past 3 weeks or so, wow... He is a changed man. Are things done? No, he still has a long way to go. But from the first time I met him and when we started reading the Book of Mormon with him, he tried reading it upside down and not even being able to see. Compared to now, where his knowledge of the scriptures from the past is coming back and he prays and reads everyday, several chapters on his own. Also, we gave him a speaker that connects to a flash drive that we put 100s of Tabernacle Choir songs on it, and he's loved that. Talks about how excited he is to wake up each day and flip it on, starting the day, making breakfast, as he studies and so forth. It's been incredible to watch and be a part of the change he's going through. He's working hard to eventually be baptized again, and one day go to the temple. He's inspiring as he truly relies on Heavenly Father and uses the tools he has and that we've provided.

I'm so grateful for my mission. The experiences I've had are unforgettable. The people I've met and served with are precious and such a blessing in/for my life. The knowledge I've gained through the scriptures all point me to the One who makes it all possible ----> Jesus Christ. I'm grateful for a loving Heavenly Father who has allowed to come and enjoy this ride. Not easy, but a joyful one nonetheless. Sorry it's a long email, but hopefully it makes up for the last couple weeks... I love you and have a great week!

Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 시드니 선교부

me before my Skype nomination interview with Arizona Congressman Bigg's panel to get back into West Point.


gave a new missionary one of the classic Elder Escamilla/Tobler driver's tests, which ended with a trip to Maccas.


the girls we're prepping for baptism + our Plan of Happiness pictures

14 OCT 2019: Transfer 9 Week 2 - Settling into Blacktown

안녕하세요 여러분!!

I hope your weeks have been great, and I hope you all had the chance to watch General Conference! In Australia, we watch it a week later than yous in the States, but it was truly wonderful to watch and listen to the inspired messages from prophets, apostles and other leaders of the church. I remember times when I would count down the time until Conference would be finished. However, I find myself wanting more and wondering how the time flew by so fast!? 

There was so much that I loved about Conference, but I love this section from Elder Vinson's remarks (and no, not just because he's from Australia):
"So, the question for each of us is, are we also fair dinkum about the gospel? Because being half-hearted is not being fair dinkum! And God is not known for showering praise on the lukewarm... (Revelations 3:15-16)
"Are we true followers of Him who gave His all for us?... He who was Himself absolutely committed in His atoning sacrifice and is so now in His love, His mercy, and His desire for us to have eternal joy?...
"Please, please don’t put your total commitment off until you get around to it at some nonexistent, future time. Get fair dinkum now and feel the joy!"
I love that. Be totally committed. If you think we are just a Sunday church and you only live the Gospel during those 2 hours, you're painfully wrong. Now I understand that it's a little hard for me to say that considering I've committed my whole life for 2 years, 24/7 to be focused and centered on the Gospel and church. HOWEVER I do know there are sacrifices we can make so we can have the influence of the Gospel in our lives more than we do now. As mentioned in that same talk:
"... it’s not our successes but rather our sacrifice and efforts that matter to the Lord."

Well this has been a pretty good week. Slowly getting around to meet the members and friends of the church in this area. Then we had MLC (Mission Leadership Conference - where the leadership of the mission get together with President and Sister Runia and the 2 Assistants to the President and discuss the needs of the mission and ways to improve), which was really great and much much needed. A lot has happened but I'll share one experience from a couple days ago...

We visit the Rutikanga family and we catch 3 of the brothers and 1 of the sisters. They're an African family from the Congo. Going into this, I don't know anything about them besides that missionaries have been meeting with them fairly often (also my comp is pretty quiet and still not confident with his English, but he's trying). So I start off with the normal get to know you questions, then step into trying to figure out what they know about the church, what the missionaries have taught them in the past, what they've thought about it all, and about their knowledge of religion/Bible/etc. Well initially I figured they didn't know much, but turns out they knew a lot and didn't have the best experiences with the previous missionaries.... So we start discussing, the differences of their beliefs and ours. We discuss what is written in the Bible, what was Priesthood Authority and why it's necessary, what the need of the Book of Mormon was. Well... One of the brothers goes on a long shpeal, quoting verses of the Bible and his thoughts on Christ and authority and what it meant to be a follower of Christ. Which was all good stuff, but it was just words and lacked that "mmff" that comes when the Spirit testifies of your words. So after he finished talking, "I step up to the plate" and tell him that our invitation to all is to simply read the Book of Mormon and find out for yourself whether it's true or not. To come and see. Not to take our word alone, but to find out for yourself and receive an answer from our Heavenly Father. The sole purpose of the Book of Mormon is to testify that Jesus IS the Christ, the Son of God, and that it is only through Him are we able to to live with our families forever and to return to God's presence. The invitation at the end of the Book of Mormon is this (then I read Moroni 10:3-5, MAN the Book of Mormon is SOO powerful!!):

"3 Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.
4 And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask 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.
5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

After I read that, I could see they were surprised or touched by those verses. I continued that this is the invitation, to find out for yourself by reading it then praying to the Father with a SINCERE HEART - a sincere desire to know whether or not it's true, and not with a desire to prove it wrong - and REAL INTENT - that if you do find out it's true, that you will do something about it. I bore my testimony on how I've done just this and found out that it's true. That's why my friend and I were there as missionaries to share with the world that it's true. I learned who Jesus Christ was through this book and I know that God loves us. And because He loves us, He will answer our prayers and guide us to the truth. Because spiritual questions must require spiritual answers. He will answer our prayers - James 1:5
5 If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

I testified that God will surely answer their prayers, and tell them whether or not the Book of Mormon was true, the word of God, but they need a SINCERE HEART with REAL INTENT. I know these things are true, because I've done it myself. So will you do the same and find out for yourself? I promise that you WILL receive an answer, and it'll be up to you to do something about it.

While I spoke the room changed, it was completely quiet. As I spoke and bore testimony, I was moved myself and the Holy Ghost was very apparent in the room as I testified of truth, the Holy Ghost did as well. After I finished talking, no one said anything and they just looked at me. So I thanked them for their time, ensured they had a Book of Mormon, and closed in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

So I'm hitting a point in my mission where I'm really enjoying it (not that I didn't before hahaha but just different or more so now). Where I come back to the flat exhausted and drained from the day. Where I love talking to people and sharing what the Gospel of Jesus Christ has done for me in my life and the potential it has to change their lives as well. This past week there was a brand new Sister who was struggling, or rather, giving her companion a very rough time. Her companion had reached out to me and the other Zone Leader about her situation. We came up with a game plan, and the first part involved me calling them up and talking to the new Sister. While talking with her I asked about her background, how the mission was going, and how her companion was. Then I shared with her my sincere excitement for her mission - the experiences she would have, people she would meet, things she would learn, and who she would become. Now I know I've still got 9 months to go, but I these past 13-14 months have been life changing and I'll never be the same when I go back home. I shared with this Sister the love I have for my mission. I have had some pretty incredible experiences, met some of the best people in the world (from literally all over the world), I like who I'm becoming (long way to go but better than where I was), and my love for the Savior has deepened. It hasn't been easy, but it has been priceless for my life. I love my mission and I sometimes find myself scared or not wanting to go home... Don't worry, when the time comes I'll be ready to go but just... it'll be hard coming back into the world from this... I'm so grateful I left everything behind and came on a mission even though it was 3 years later than normal, because I've really found true joy, learned how we can have lasting, enduring joy with those we love, and most importantly come to know more of who my Father in Heaven is and what I mean to Him. This is the best thing I could've ever done. I love you all and have a great week.

Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 시드니 선교부

30 SEP 2019: Transfer 9 Week 1 - Transfers!! Bankstown --> ???

🇦🇺 안녕하세요 여러분!! 🇰🇷

Well what a week and what a transfer. I apologize for not sending an email in awhile. A lot has happened and I'll try to catch yous up.

So Kate, 김가영....

After meeting her at the train station, we met up with her at a mall in Carlingford while on tradeoffs with Elder Formica and we brought a member with us to connect from the young single adult group. As we were chatting and briefly getting to know each other, Elder Formica asked if she wanted to see our church... then before we're across the street walking around the temple!! We had a great lesson on the back patio of the temple in English a little and Korean a little. She doesn't know anything about God or who Jesus Christ is, but she knows there are good people in Christian churches. She said before she commits to anything, she needs to learn who God and Jesus Christ are first. We said we could help with that 😁 Then we've been trying to get her to come to a Family Home Evening, where some young adults get together, play some games, share a lesson about the Gospel and just have a good, wholesome time with each other. She's wanted to but work or family would come up last minute. Been staying in contact with her and she says she wants to give becoming a Christian A SHOT!!!! Very excited for her. Although she's moving this week to Kellyville... however, the Lord provides because.....



TRANSFERS....

We got the news on Saturday and I will be LEAVING Bankstown 😭 I've come to really love this area and especially the members. LOVE the Tongans and Samoans. Once we told the news to everyone at church, we had everyone trying to have us over for dinner hahaha We got about 7 families trying to have us over hahahaha today we've got 2 dinners and a couple visits. I'll miss this ward and area.
I will be moving to BLACKTOWN! I'll also be serving the Zone there, which is massive: 32 missionaries that cover such a large part of the mission. Should be good! My companion will be Elder Kaburara, from Kirabati, (Small island) my first islander companion! He's only been out for 6 weeks, so I'll be finishing his last 6 weeks of training - Greenie status and we would call him "my step-son"! I'm excited!! So as I was saying about 김가영 moving to Kellyville.... well Kellyville is just next door to my new area.... Inspiration, honestly. So will be able to keep reaching out to 김가영 and keep teaching!

I love the Book of Mormon so much. There's a promise that we often share regarding the blessings that can come into our lives when we immerse ourselves in it, and prayerfully ponder it's contents EVERYDAY. It's a promise from President Nelson, the prophet on the earth today who is called to convey Heavenly Father's love to us and provide us with the loving counsel and strength that our Father in Heaven would have us receive during these tumultuous times -

"When I think of the Book of Mormon, I think of the word power. The truths of the Book of Mormon have the power to heal, comfort, restore, succor, strengthen, console, and cheer our souls.
My dear brothers and sisters, I promise that as you prayerfully study the Book of Mormon every day, you will make better decisions—every day. I promise that as you ponder what you study, the windows of heaven will open, and you will receive answers to your own questions and direction for your own life. I promise that as you daily immerse yourself in the Book of Mormon, you can be immunized against the evils of the day, even the gripping plague of pornography and other mind-numbing addictions."

Light chases away darkness. So when we fill our lives with the wonderful light of the Gospel of Jesus Christ found within the Book of Mormon EVERYDAY, all the negative feelings, emotions, insecurities, doubts, fear, and so forth can be replaced with those promised blessings from President Nelson:
- heal
- comfort
- restore
- succor
- strengthen
- console
- cheer our souls
- make better decisions
- windows of heaven will open
- WILL receive answers to your questions & direction for your life
- immunized against evils of the day, mind-numbing addictions

So make a list of anything, actually. Grab a paper and make a column of the above blessings on one half, then make a list of anything you struggle with now, negative emotions, fear, doubt, feeling hopeless, filled with guilt, etc. Now the promise from me and the Prophet is that all the negative things you wrote down WILL be replaced with the blessings in the other column, IF you:
- PRAYERFULLY STUDY the Book of Mormon EVERYDAY
- PONDER what you've studied
- DAILY IMMERSE yourself in the Book of Mormon



The Book of Mormon has changed my life and has been the reason why I left everything. It contains the fulness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, teaching me who my Savior is and what I need to do in this life and who I need to become to return to my Heavenly Father after this life. It's brought so much peace, comfort, answers, hope and true joy into my life. I know it can for you too. Have a great week!

Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 시드니 선교부

09 SEP 2019: Transfer 8, Week 3 - MLC, Zone Conf, KOREAN!!

G'Day Mates! 안녕하세요 매이트스!!

So this week has been pretty busy! We had Mission Leadership Conference (MLC) on Tuesday (which is where the mission president and his wife, the 2 assistants to the President, 12 Zone leaders, and 12 Sister Training leaders of the mission get together and discuss the needs and upcoming changes for the mission. In addition, we had Elder Nattress of the 70 come and give us some training. He also had 2 zone conferences, each with half of the mission. It was inspiring and I was reminded of how truly grateful I am for my Savior, Jesus Christ. We watched one of my all time favorite videos: (https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/video/holiday-videos/2014-00-1420-because-of-him?lang=eng#title1) which was powerful. The Holy Ghost testified to me that Jesus Christ truly lives and that because of Him we will all live again, and we can overcome any weakness, pain, addiction. We can start over and become a new person. Coming to the knowledge of my Savior has changed my life and it's the greatest thing that could ever happen in my life. I'm so grateful.

This week I celebrate 8 years since being baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - 10 SEP 2011! The blessings that have come as a result of this decision have been unbelievable. I know God loves each of us. I know He reached out to me exactly when I needed it. I'm so grateful. The best and happiest decision of my life.

Incredible personal miracle - we are talking to people at the train station and I'm sitting there, playing my uke and this girl sits next to me. She has her earbuds in, but I just decide to talk to her. Turns out SHE'S KOREAN!!! She's been learning English for 6 months here in Aussieland and is from Seoul, South Korea! 30 MINUTES LATER... A FULL CONVERSATION IN KOREAN!!!! I couldn't believe I was actually able to have a conversation for 30 min in Korean, officially the longest I've talked to a Korean. ALSO I GAVE OUT MY FIRST KOREAN PAMPHLET!! Considering that pamphlet is the pamphlet they gave us in the MTC and I've had it in my bag this entire time... I followed her on Facebook and she was keen to come to a church activity!! This is ONE IN A MILLION just so you know, among all old Korean speakers, this never happens so this is huge. Pray that things go well and we can get her to church and start teaching her!! Her name is 김가영 Gayoung!

Well kind of a quick one this week. Watch that video! Then just ponder on who Jesus Christ is and what He can mean to you. If you want the best life you could ever live, follow Jesus Christ. I love you all, have a great week! 사랑하고 보고싶어요!! 포기는 없다! 힘 내자! 화이팅!!

Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 시드니 선교부

26 AUG 2019: Transfer 8, Week 1 - TRANSFERS!! 이동

안녕하세요 여러분!!

Sorry it's been some time since I last wrote. I've started my 8th transfer and this past week I celebrated my 1 YEAR mark Can't believe a year ago I stepped into the MTC to start a journey that would be the greatest thing I could possibly do for my life and future. I've learned so much and met some truly incredible people that have really helped me along the way. Helped and motivated me become a better person, more like the Savior. I hear of my friends continuing on with school, or reaching important milestones in their lives and it's sad to not be there or celebrate with them. However, I'm so grateful to be here in Australia speaking Korean in a ward with a bunch of Tongans, yet live with a bunch of Lebanese, while everyone continues to ask if I'm Chinese or Filipino.... It's great hahaha No but seriously, I would never trade what I've experienced and learned here in the land down unda!

So this week, transfers... This transfer hurt because most the missionaries I have served around have now gone home... Also I am now the last Korean speaking missionary left in the mission... Last of the Mohicans hahaha Some of my favorite missionaries have gone home... Sad, but now they go on to start the next mission hahaha My son, Elder Lee 이규배 장로님 got transferred ㅠㅠㅠ So sad. He went to Lalor Park. He's such a good kid, and I'm so grateful to have been with him from the beginning and watch him grow. It wasn't always easy, but one of my most loved companion. Then I will stay here in Bankstown! Round 3 let's go! Thought I was gonna get moved to one of the old "Korean" areas and train one of the 2 Koreans coming in... But hey, the Lord has something else in mind. So I'll stay here with Elder Smith, who I lived with last transfer... It'll be an interesting transfer... I'm excited though to get to serve, love and help the missionaries in this zone though. I've come to love them and it's cool that they're from all over the world: Tonga, American Samoa, Vanuatu, Fiji, China, New Zealand and so forth...

So this past week, I came across this quote from a BYU Devotional that an old companion of mine recommended (황기수 장로님, 감사합니다!) titled - "Wrestling with Comparisons". I highly recommend it. In this talk, there's a quote that really struck me:
"C. S. Lewis once proposed, “We might think that God wanted simply obedience to a set of rules: whereas He really wants people of a particular sort.”"
I love this passage because it shines a whole new light on why we should be obedient to the commandments and the counsel from the prophets. Through John 17:3 and Alma 34:32 we learn that this life is the time to prepare to meet and to come to know God. We're here on this earth to have families, learn and grow, be happy and become what Heavenly Father intends for us to become. He sent His Son to lead and guide us, to show us the way we ought to live our lives. Then established His church and gave His authority as a means and aid along the way. Additionally, His Atonement makes it possible for us change from our fallen state, imperfect condition to eventually becoming what He expects us to become - perfect (Matthew 5:48 & 3 Nephi 12:48). The way we do this is through Gospel of Jesus Christ - Faith in Jesus Christ, Repentance, Baptism, Gift of the Holy Ghost, Enduring to the End. A continuous cycle of changing and "becom[ing] the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is" (Moroni 7:48).

So we must not look past the mark when it comes to commandments. At first they may seem restrictive, keeping you from doing what YOU want or what makes YOU happy. I don't know about you, but that's a lot of YOUs and not enough Him. Because as a result of keeping the commandments, we can more fully turn our hearts to God, and be more able to always remember His Son. Allow that change to happen within you and it'll free you from the chains of this world.

Heavenly Father wants us to return home to Him, but like any good parent He wants us to shape up before coming back into the house. Take off your shoes. Not stink up the house. Don't track any mud or dirt into the house. Be kind and courteous. Be willing to clean up and help around the house, and so forth. He really wants a people of a particular sort coming home, even as He is.

Have a great week! 사랑하고 보고 싶어요!!

Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 시드니 선교부


Me and my dad's last pic together, Elder Scott


My son and I's last pic together


Last district pday at the beach


Service project at the chapel

05 AUG 2019 ~ Transfer 7 Week 5

안녕하세요!!

Short email, but this week has been a great week. Well the end of it anyways. We had Zone Conference and it was a 'kick in the butt' to get things going again. I loved it. I needed that little straightforwardness. So the next day we went to work. Talked to people all day on the trains, played ukulele for and with people (I discovered a new way to share the Gospel... Music! I wish I discovered this a year sooner, but discovering now was perfect timing because I love playing the uke and singing. It makes everything so much fun and just changes the atmosphere); visited a member in the hospital, talked to and played for more people and had a nice dinner with a member, all in a day. It was a fantastic day where we made a lot of people smile, cry, laugh and feel comforted. Shared about who we were and our message to those who wanted to know. It was a great day where God placed people in our path. We did nothing more than merely showing up and opening our mouths. Everything else was provided, the people were prepared that day.

It's been awesome to come to a realization to use your talents when sharing the Gospel. We have an Elder from Tonga who owned a barbershop back home and has been giving free haircuts to all and share the Gospel in the meantime. In one week he gave 70 haircuts. Just by using his talents and it got me thinking of what I could offer. Then I realized I've been playing around with other missionaries' ukuleles and I enjoy singing, then we were finding people at the trains with some other missionaries and they brought their uke! So we played and sang for people and it was AWESOME! People smiled, listened, chatted with us and it really help us be a light for the people! So I bought a ukulele and that's what we've been doing since. Playing for members and their kids, anywhere we can. It's really brought me a lot of joy to offer the Gospel in a way that everyone is receptive to. Love you all. 

We met 3 guys at a train station started jamming with them, they rapped while I sang and played and it was SO SWEET! They were on their way to the recording studio and they were hyped from our jam session and asked US for our number and want to get me in the studio! Hahahaha Don't know if it'll actually happen but watch out for me on Spotify! hahaha

Have a great week!

Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 시다니 선교부


(L to R) Elder Lee (my son), Me, Elder Scott (my dad), Elder Pottle (My Brother)


Pday bowling with missionaries in the zone


Group of guys we sang with in Train station


Videos of us singing with the guys in the station

22 JUL 2019 ~ Transfer 7, Week 3

안녀하세요, Malo Lelei, Malo Soi Fua, Ni hao, G'Day, etc..

How's it going?!? Things here in Aussie land have been rollin along. Weeks fly by and time is just going by so fast. So I think the last email I sent was at the end of last transfer, so updates:
- Still with Elder Lee (이규배 장로)
- Still in Bankstown
- No longer District Leader, just focusing on training Elder Lee
- People still freak out finding out about my Native American background
- We got Facebook taken away from us as a mission and it's actually been SO NICE (highly recommend to yous to take a break from social media)
- My Korean has actually improved since being with my Korean companion, but still a very long road to go...
- We've been helping teach this Korean guy that one of the Chinese Sisters found when she served in the city, but... yeah it's complicated...
- They say that the "Mission is the MTC for life". I can testify that this is true, and has been all too literal... I'll just say that Elder Lee is very much like my own son... Not even joking...

Well today I hit my 11 months on the mission. It's been quite the journey. Next month I'll hit the halfway mark, but since I'll be going home a bit early for school, it's like I'm already over halfway. Crazy.
Yesterday, I was sitting in Sacrament with a lot on my mind. I'm definitely at a hard point in my mission, where a lot has been going through my mind. I've come to love the Sacrament because it's become a time of reflection, a time receive answers to my prayers and a time where I can receive guidance if I soften my heart and am willing to accept the guidance given. Yesterday, was one of those experiences. I sat there and was reflecting when the scripture Alma 23:6 and these thoughts came to mind,

Alma 23:6
And as sure as the Lord liveth, so sure as many as believed, or as many as were brought to the knowledge of the truth, through the preaching of Ammon and his brethren, according to the spirit of revelation and of prophecy, and the power of God working miracles IN them—yea, I say unto you, as the Lord liveth, as many of the Lamanites as believed in their preaching, and were converted unto the Lord, never did fall away

"Although you may not have seen, witnessed, or performed many miracles, the miracle of your mission has been the change taking place within you. Much like the Anti-Nephi-Lehis at the time of this scripture, the miracle in their life was 'the power of God working miracles IN them', which resulted in their conversion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and never falling away. So the miracle of your mission is the change you are experiencing. Your heart, mind, desires and so forth. This is the miracle of your mission."

My heart was touched as I felt the chills run through my body, confirming the thoughts in my head. Looking back, this really has been the miracle of my mission as my conversion and knowledge of the Gospel has deepened. Christlike attributes, such as patience, charity, humility, virtue and faith, have become more apparent (hopefully, at least just a little). This mission has been challenging and very different than what I expected. However, I will be forever grateful for this. The miracle being worked within me is far greater than any miracle I may see or be a part of. Laman and Lemuel had miracles done TO them, but that is where it finished. They never allowed those miracles to work IN them. So just take some time to think about your conversion. Are the miracles around you just happening TO you or are you allowing them to take place IN you.
Have a great week!

Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 시다니 선교부



Went to the beach and had to keep that Korean going


The number of chairs = number of transfers left in our missions


Our Tongan members pulling through with the El Jannahs and KFC (if there is anything that Tongans love more than eating, it's feeding the missionaries)


group pic with some missionaries in our zone


beach again... but in missionary clothes :)


District lunch, getting some fish & chips


group selfie


Elder Lee being Elder Lee at the beach


another group selfie


group selfie

01 JUL 2019: Week 6 of Transfer 6

G'day Mates!

So things have been moving a long. Nothing too new to report. Elder Lee is adjusting, and we're actually having a pretty fun time together. It's cool to see him learn and grow, and just learn so much from this new world that is so different from Korea. I've transitioned to try to focus on helping him learn English more than him teach me Korean, because.... well... the cost-benefit of him knowing English opposed to me Korean is much greater. I still study and do my part, but I'm trying to get to learn English more. So he can participate more in lessons, visits with members, talk to people for finding, and just function as a missionary.

My heart broke a little this week during our Zone Conference. I mean I already knew it, but to hear it come from my mission president stung a little more. He mentioned all the types of missionaries and assigned languages in our mission. I'm one of 6 Korean speakers. Then he said that he's asked Salt Lake to stop sending Korean assigned missionaries (like me). They'll probably still send Koreans (from Korea) periodically, but no more Korean assigned missionaries will be sent to my mission....

So this transfer has been a rollercoaster in so many different ways. If you've seen "The Best Two Years", I've definitely related to the trainer so many times... But I feel good things are coming our way. The Korean is coming along and I'm able to speak a little more fluidly and understand a little more. We've talked to a good amount of people. We've tried the stickerboard idea that they do in Korea. We're slowly getting to meet the ward and getting the gears going. Still haven't had any luck yet, but we'll get there. I'm feeling pretty ready to smash this next week and work our hardest. It's the last week of the transfer then we'll get transfer details on Saturday or so.

If there's one thing that I've come to know, it's that this church is the restored church of Jesus Christ. That God exists and loves all His children. Although I really haven't been able to see the Gospel change anyone else's life out here, it's changed mine. I like to think that I've changed a bit since coming out. I understand what's most important. I've seen the difference between a Christ centered home and a faithless home. And so on. If you want true, lasting joy, it's found in living the Gospel of Jesus Christ on a daily basis. Mosiah 2:41.

Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 시드니 선교부