27 MAY 2019: From Vietnam/Samoa --> Lebanon/Tonga???

Goodaye Mates!!

Another hectic week, so let's jump right in!

TRANSFER CALLS!!! Elder Grant will be staying in Prairiewood and taking over as Zone Leader. I will be transferred to Bankstown! Which is basically Lebanon on the streets and Tonga in the chapel. Time to brush up on my Arabic... it's been awhile, wish me luck... I will be a District Leader AND..... *drum roll*..... TRAINING!!! I will have a son!! (anyone who trains a new missionary is what we call a "mom" or "dad"). So word from my old companion, Elder Scott, is that our mission president called him asking him where all the Korean areas were in the mission because there is a KOREAN coming and he wants to put him in one of those areas!! Elder Scott highly recommended Summer Hill area, which includes an area called Campsie that is filled with Chinese and Koreans. Well Campsie is partially covered by Bankstown... I've asked around where Greenies are being trained and my area is the place with probably the most Koreans, not much but some... I've asked the APs, but they said that President Runia doesn't make final decisions until they get here... So I'm on edge to find out who my Greenie will be. I'm the only Korean speaker who is training... So please pray that I get the Korean coming in. My Korean will just skyrocket through the roof!! So I've been pretty anxious these past couple days. I'm excited to train. Nervous, but we'll just go out and do the work. Give it our best and let Heavenly Father take care of the rest. I'll go to the mission office to pick him up tomorrow (Wednesday). So we'll see!!

So last week as Zone Leader was... Crazy... So I won't say what happened, but you can probably guess, in the ball park, what made it crazy.

As missionaries, we agree to a set of rules to follow. These rules, abnormal to the normal world but like all the principles and commandments of the Gospel, are meant to protect us, guide us, enable to us to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost more abundantly, and to be able to truly show by word and by deed that we are representatives of Jesus Christ and that we strive to do what He would do if He were in our position. Like the Gospel, it all comes down to obedience and submission to the will of God. In Moses 7, it gives an account of the Prophet Enoch conversing with the Lord. In verse 33, the Lord identifies 2 main commandments that He gave to the "workmanship of mine own hands":
1) "they should love one another"
2) "That they should choose ME"
However, as imperfect, mortal beings that we are, we "are without affection, and [we] hate [our] own blood." This is the lifelong struggle. The seemingly impossible commission given by Jesus Christ once in Jerusalem and once among the Nephites in early America - "Therefore I would that ye should be perfect even as I, or your Father who is in heaven is perfect."

I was listening to a talk by, then, BYU President Jeffrey R. Holland, titled "The Will of the Father in All Things". In this devotional, he identified obedience/submission to the will of God as THE greatest, lifelong struggle and pursuit of mankind. Referencing the account of the resurrected Jesus Christ's visit to the America, he read the Savior's introduction to the Nephites - "Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning." (3 Nephi 11:10-11). In introducing himself, the Savior highlighted His obedience and submission to the Father, our Heavenly Father. Of all the things that the Savior could've introduced himself with, He chose this. Identifying His obedience and submission as one of the most, if not the most, important aspect of true discipleship. As His greatest trial and accomplishment.

So if this is the case for the Savior, no wonder it is so difficult for us to do so. So how is it possible? Where do we start? King Benjamin gives us an answer: "For the natural man is an enemy to God, and has been from the fall of Adam, and will be, forever and ever, unless he YIELDS to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and becometh as a child, SUBMISSIVE, meek, humble, patient, full of love, WILLING TO SUBMIT to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth SUBMIT to his father." (Mosiah 3:19)
I invite you to take a look at your life and your decisions from this past week, and determine whether you've really been submitting your will the will of our Heavenly Father. Are there commandments that you struggle with? Have been doing your "Come, Follow Me" readings? Praying? Magnifying your calling? Finding people for the missionaries to teach??? Obedience is the first law in heaven. So if this life is the time to prepare to meet God, how can we possibly expect to be prepared to meet Him and live with Him if we were not obedient in this life.

I promise you that blessings and miracles will flow into your life as you are obedient to God's commandments. As every missionary know, "Obedience brings blessings, but EXACT obedience brings miracles." I haven't been the best and I know where I need to improve. The scriptures provide us endless examples of the miracles and blessings that can come into our life as we submit our will to the will of God -

"Blessed art thou, Nephi, for those things which thou hast done; for I have beheld how thou hast with unwearingness declared the world, which I have given unto thee, unto this people. And thou hast not feared them, and hast not sought thine own life, but hast sought my will, and to keep my commandments.
And now, because thou hast done this with such unwearingness, behold, I will bless thee forever; and I will make thee mighty in word and in deed, in faith and in words; yea, even that all things shall be done unto thee according to thy word, for thou shalt not ask that which is contrary to my will." (Helaman 10:4-5)

Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 시다니 선교부


My zone leader companion, Elder Staheli, Samoan speaking. Awesome guy and missionary.


Me and my companion, Elder Grant (wearing the Higley High School jumper) at the train station before I left.


Some pictures from Prairiewood.

20 MAY 2019 ~ Week..... : President Nelson!! Stake Conference! Tradeoffs!

여러분, 안녕하세요?

G'day Mates! Hope you've had another awesome week. This week was a pretty busy one for us too. So went on 3 tradeoffs this week. 2 with District leaders in my zone and 1 with the Traveling Trainers (2 missionaries who go around the mission, training missionaries on how to be more effective). I love tradeoffs b/c I get to see how missionaries do work in their areas. Get new ideas and inspiration. Before, I really loved them b/c I had no responsibility or "leadership", so I could enjoy it more. However, now that I'm a Zone Leader, there seems to be more pressure to GIVE the training and advice. Which is hard since many of these missionaries have been out much longer than I and have much more experience.

On Friday, I went out with an Elder Maloney from Mesa, AZ! He went to my rival high school and we found out that we actually raced each other in track race once! Found a picture of both of us in it! It was my senior year and his freshman. Small world! Anyways, he's been out about 20 months. So just right at the end. He's served all over and spent a lot of time in downtown Sydney, which means he's an awesome missionary and teacher (since they teach SO MUCH in the city). I learned so much from him. We had a lesson with these 2 girls who attend a Pentacostal church nearby, teaching the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I'll tell you he knew his stuff. They asked HEAPS of questions, but he would just whip out a scripture to answer their question right away like nothing. His answers were clear, simple, and backed up with his own personal witness and testimony. I want to share with you how POWERFUL the account of Joseph Smith's First visitation (thanks Paco) is. Far out... it was just breath taking. I wasn't paying attention, but he says he thought he saw one of the girls we were teaching tear up. What really allowed for that to take place though was the time he spent to gain his own personal witness before hand. Preach My Gospel says, "The Spirit will draw upon the KNOWLEDGE and skills you have developed to help you teach more powerfully." You can't fill a bucket of water in an empty well.

Definitely loved my tradeoff with him. I learned a lot and I developed a resolve to be better. To study harder since I haven't been doing as good as I know I can. Plus, I don't feel like I'm as good of a teacher as I should be at this point in my mission. Fortunately, I still have time to improve.

Seeing President Nelson was just... I can't explain it. When that man walked into the room. 8,000 people went silent and all rose. As he went around shaking everyone's hand on the stage. One by one. I couldn't help but think that THAT is how the Savior ministered, one by one. I could see his genuine smile and sincere interactions with everyone. I felt the love of God emanating from him. Chills flowed through my head and chest constantly. I received that additional witness that night that Russell M. Nelson truly is called of God to lead and guide His church as a prophet. He spoke of the importance of the Book of Mormon. Wow did he know his stuff. I mean, yeah I know he's the prophet, but wow. Nothing has gone past him.

This week has been a "Do Better, Be Better" kind of week. Lots has been going on as I try to be there for everyone at the same time, try to build relationships, heal some wounds, unring some bells, etc. I definitely haven't been the best and with all that's been going on, it's definitely taking a toll on my body as I just always feel exhausted. Trying to take care of everyone, not offend anyone, be more loving, PATIENT, and understanding. Sometimes it works and I feel I'm making progress, then the next second I slip up and back to level 1. I see where I want to be as a missionary, teacher, Korean speaker, companion, person, etc, then millions of other things jump in the way. However, I've gained a lot of comfort as of recent from this passage of scripture. Although, it is not as extreme externally, it sometimes feels like it internally. "And if thou shouldst be cast into the pit, or into the hands of murderers, and the sentence of death passed upon thee; if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee, know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good. The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?"

I definitely haven't been the best at handling everything that's come my way. Last night, while walking back from the train station after seeing the Prophet, I was talking with one of my flat mates, Elder Tuivaiti from American Samoa, and he mentioned how he now understands what leaders talk about when they are stressed from their position and caring for the people they watch over because he could see it in me. So I guess I wear it on my shoulders sometimes, and people definitely see. Anyways, I have one last week to try to make everything up before the end of the transfer. We'll get transfer calls next Monday! Can't believe it's already the end of my 5th transfer and I hit my 9 month mark in 2 days. Time flies... Have a great week!

Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 시다니 선교부


Elder Grant and I (current companion) at the Opera House

Part of my district at the Opera House!


I saw some members from my old area - Port Stephens!!! One of the best parts of yesterday


Sisters who were in my District last transfer


Me and my dad! 스코트 장로님! 제 사랑하는 아빠! Elder Scott, my first companion. Now he's a Zone Leader in Mortdale and I'm a ZL in Prairiewood/Liverpool. Like father, like son!


The venue for the prophet, 8,000 people!! (70% islanders haha)


My second dad, Elder Neas! Miss him heaps. He's in the city now and has 2 transfers left Elder Scott too! in 2 transfers I'll be the last assigned Korean speaker...


The Prophet!!

13 MAY 2019 ~ Week .... Happy Mother's Day!!

Happy Mother's Day!!

Hey so this is just gonna be a quick email. Heaps has been happening this week. We had Zone Conference. Our Mission President's wife gives some incredible trainings that are just always on point. I'll share some of her thoughts:
"Misconceptions of Repentance:
     1) Myth: There are hard 'steps' of repentance; truth: There are positive "fruits' of repentance
     2) Myth: The longer I wait the easier it will be; truth: the sooner you repent the free-er you will be
     3) Myth: If I'm repentant, I'll never do it again; truth: If I'm repentant, I'll always keep trying again"
There were more, but these were some of my favorite. Repentance can be a daunting task. I've been through it myself and it can be very scary and intimidating. However, the joy and peace that comes afterwards, is inexpressible. How incredible it feels to have that burden lifted. In the Book of Mormon, Alma describes this feeling in Alma 36:6-21

"And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more; yea, I was harrowed up by the memory of my sins no more. And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold; yea, my soul was filled with joy as exceeding as was my pain!"

If you have some repenting to do, get it over with. Consequences may seem high at this moment, but if you wait consequences will only increase and much harder to do so later on. 

Please keep the missionaries in your prayers. We've had a couple of missionaries in my zone go home early because of medical reasons. Heaps of other stuff has been happening as well. So please, pray for the missionaries. This week has just been hectic. Super busy, taking care of the missionaries in my zone, trying to build relationships, motivate and build them up, then try to lead our area and ward, stay on top of the missionary work in our area and then try to find time to study Korean.... I'm grateful my companion has been patient with me and all this craziness. Definitely exhausted at the end of each day. Have a great week and PRESIDENT NELSON THE PROPHET COMES ON SUNDAY!!! So I'll let you know how that goes! 안녕히 주무세요!

Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 시다니 선교부

06 MAY 2019 ~ Week....: Busy, busy, busy....

여러분, 안녕하세요?

These past couple weeks, we have just been busy!! This week we were able to go to the temple!! It was such an incredible session, and so much power comes from that. Renewed focus, hope, faith, desire and commitment to follow Jesus Christ. This time, things were just really clicked for me and my eyes were opened more.
Little miracle this week, I was on tradeoffs on Friday with the APs (Assistants to the Mission President), and I was able to give out a Book of Mormon! We were doing some train finding and just talking to as many people we could on the train. I was talking with this Uni student, who's family is originally from Ghana. Even better, he was willing to listen to the story of the Restoration! The first I've ever been able to actually share that much. He seemed willing to read, but not sure where it will lead to.

I've come to really enjoy just talking with people. Meeting people from ALL over the world! A city in my area, Cabramatta, has got to be one of the most diverse places in the world! I've met people there from Nicaragua, El Salvador, Czechoslovakia, Croatia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Laos, Samoa, Tonga, Fiji, China, (no Koreans 😭), Armenia, Jordan, Congo, etc.

Another miracle, I got 2 phone calls, each telling me they had a Korean to talk to me with at that moment. So I got to USE MY KOREAN!! It was just introduction stuff and explaining who I am and why I'm studying Korean in Australia if I'm American... yeah, the worst thing to try to explain, let alone in Korean. But it was way good. I wasn't able to teach them but it was way good to be able to use it. Studying paying off! Truly blessed with past companions and members who feel bad for me and my lack of Korean use, so they give me a chance/call whenever the time comes!

Zone Leader stuff has been super hectic. I enjoy staying busy, but definitely a hard job that I respect my past zone leaders for fulfilling the calling much more gracefully than I am. Elder Grant is great because at times I can rely on his 19 months of experience. We have Zone Conference this week, so I'm excited to here the training from our President and Sister Runia!
*Drum Roll* President Nelson, the prophet, will be coming to Sydney May 19 (Happy Birthday Paige!) AND we just got approval for ALL the missionaries to attend the huge conference in Darling Harbour!!!!!! Super excited for when that time comes!!!

Spiritual Thought:
In this last General Conference, Elder Uchtdorf said something that was so comforting:
"the Lord has never required expert, flawless missionary efforts. Instead, “the Lord requireth the heart and a willing mind.”
I am way beyond the perfect missionary. I'm not a scriptorian nor am I experienced in teaching, BUT the Lord will fulfill the rest and work with what we offer. So as you look for ways to share the Gospel, just give it your best. By small and simple things, are great things brought to pass. Do your best and He will fulfill the rest. Love you have a great week!

Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 시다니 선교부

Pics: Went ice skating for Pday, memories, went out with young men who are wanting to prepare for a mission!