30 MAR 2020: Transfer 13 Week 1 - Craziest Week of My Entire Mission...

그래서... 좋은 아침입니다!!

This past week has easily got to have been the craziest week of my entire mission.... So starting on Saturday of last week (not this most recent one, but the one before), we pick up our Mission President and his wife from the airport in the morning. He had to go to the States quickly in order to get surgery on his shoulder. After his surgery he's told its a good thing he did because it was worse than they expected. After that, for that day and Sunday we would spend our entire days working on transfers. Which was really an incredible experience, and I've been beginning to see why and where I was placed throughout my mission. Also, our President is truly and inspired man and hearing him pray is like listening to a man truly talk with God. Which is what we all do when we pray, but listening to him pray is particularly special. So we do transfers and while doing so we are hit with different scenarios:
1) the basic transfer considerations (Will they get along? How will they work? Who would be good for them? Who are our leaders? Etc)
2) What if we get quarantined?.... So we need leaders to be well spread out to look after the mission (especially since we cover all of New South Wales) and make sure they're all on task
3) Are new missionaries able to come in Australia? While we were in that room we heard about a mandatory 2 week self isolation period for all those who fly into Australia... Which would mean that our new missionaries would have to be alone for 2 weeks.... Then we get word that they're coming a week later... Different news kept coming in so we had to create scenarios for if we get new missionaries and if we don't get them...

So because of that, the process was much longer and was more than any other transfer experience ever hahaha!  It was still good though. Everyone kept the mood light while we got work done. President and Sister Runia were cracking jokes and it was great to be around them even though things were not going as planned. There was a point where Sister Runia and I were laughing so hard our stomachs hurt. The kind of laughter that you just can't stop and makes it worse when you look at each other. All the while our President was on a phone call with someone else and was super confused on what was going on. Definitely a highlight of my mission hahaha!

Fortunately, we finish transfers in time and get the word out. We would later get word that the new missionaries would be reassigned to their home countries. Then Monday, we picked up my new companion since my old companion was finishing up his mission - Elder McKeon. My new companion is Elder Ritchie from Mesa, AZ! We never knew each other but it'll be good to have someone from the mission so close by, after its all said and done. I'm excited to be with him!

Tuesday, we do the leavers activities with those leaving on Wednesday. But to start that day we get word that President wants to move an entire zone out of their areas out of precaution of the Coronavirus... So we worked on those new assignments on who goes where and how will they still work the city and what there temporary assignments will be. So another mini transfer. So that was a bit crazy and tricky. Then we enjoyed leavers activities!

Later that day we got swamped with questions and concerns as we also worked on the mission all having the proper 14-day emergency supplies and the remainder of those assignments for the City Missionaries (the ones now living outside of their zone) and working on other stuff. So I end up going to bed at 3am... then start the next day at 4am... This whole week we got so little sleep it's not even funny... Ok maybe a bit funny hahaha But anyways we drove the leavers to the airport and say one of the hardest goodbyes. It was really special group that left. My companion and I came to know over the past 6 months of my mission and grew very close too. Then the rest of the group filled with those that I flew into Australia with on day 1 and who have become my best friends. It was hard, but as soon as they were gone President said "let's go!" In a cheery attitude because he knows that goodbyes are hard and we could spend all day being sad, but there was work to do.

So we get back and transfer days are always hectic for Assistants. We go through the office and help the senior couple missionaries working the mission's administration needs, answer Missionary questions, run errands for our President and do it all again a couple hundred times. Then run the airport again that night for 2 more missionaries.

This week we'd gone to the airport 4 times....
We had some trouble missionaries keep us and President up till 12am. It ended up being a little miracle for one of the trouble ones because it set him straight and committed him to the right path.

A couple days ago we were told that Australia is shutting down state borders (New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, ACT, etc.) With government officials leaving Canberra, President pulls out missionaries from there too. So another mini transfer on where to put them and how they will work for the time being.

We spend a day preparing and setting up for the mission wide video conference. We organized and reorganized area assignments and cars and loving arrangements. 

It's been crazy... So others tell me that I look so tired... I feel tired... But it's great to feel this way and be able to help in this capacity. I've also become grateful for the areas that I've served in. Throughout my mission, I've served in 5 of the 6 massive zones that we have. Leadership in most of the them so I know not only my areas but the other areas in the zone as well. Because of this I've been pretty useful hahaha because I know the areas for the most part. My companion now is also really great, but he's really only served in 2 zones, primarily in one... So he really doesn't know any of the other zones, so it falls on me to make decisions and give info. It's been crazy and hectic but I've enjoyed doing it. Tedious and frustrating at times, but I'm grateful I get to contribute in this capacity on this scale. Definitely an experience not many get to have. So I'm grateful.

We'll see what lies ahead for us this week. There are chances we could come home and that would be the end of my time as a missionary. Or we could stay and get quarantined. Not quite sure and maybe we'll find out today. All I know is that God has a plan and whatever happens I'll be ok with it. Until then, "what eer Thou Art, act well thy part" (from a talk that my best friend sent me - https://speeches.byuh.edu/devotional/what-eer-thou-art-act-well-thy-part). 

We cannot predict what will happen in the future, but it is possible for us to predict what WE will be like in the future. So whatever we're given and whatever we choose to do, do it well. I love you all, and have a great week!

Elder Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 시드니 선교부

09 MAR 2020: Transfer 12, Week 5 - Crazy busy and I just love my Mission President and wife!

안녕하세요 여러분!!

Hey how are you all doing?? Sorry it's been ages since I last wrote my email but things have been crazy busy. So this past week we ran a mission challenge, kinda like some friendly competition to help some missionaries work, help some get creative, help inspire and to help make Missionary work a little more fun!! So we had that going from Tuesday to Saturday and it actually went really well! A lot of missionaries told us that they really enjoyed it and it helped a lot of missionaries find new people to teach and see some miracles. So we had the mission working really hard this past week and had some fun while doing so!!

While doing so we got to take a trip down to Canberra to help the missionaries down there and work them a bit. It was cool to go down and see the Capital of Australia! It was a good trip and to visit some other missionaries along the way. Get out there and get to know everyone. Help those missionaries who were far off to not feel so far off.

So this past week has been a bit crazy... President Runia is a very busy man. Very busy. And I have a lot of respect for how he composes himself, works hard, never complains, and strives to take care of his wife despite it all. Even if he's had a super rough day, he'll go home and clean and do other chores so his wife doesn't have to. Just the little things. What I've also come to admire about him is how obedient he is. He is a man that is characterized in Alma 13:3

"on account of their exceeding faith and good works; in the first place being left to choose good or evil; therefore they having chosen good, and exercising exceedingly great faith"

He is a man of great faith, great love for his family and great love for our Heavenly Father and our Savior. Listening to him pray... You can sense the relationship he's developed and the love he especially has for the missionaries. I love it and it's something that made me want to improve. My prayers. To really strengthen my relationship with Heavenly Father. To give heartfelt prayers and learn to really converse with him. So I've been working on it and my prayers have been improving and a more enjoyable experience.

In addition, I love the scriptures. Especially the Book of Mormon. I'm not the most consistent... Especially since with this new area and position keeps us pretty busy with stuff always coming up and not always a consistent schedule, I tend to get caught up with it all. But when I've sat down and just opened it up, it feels like aloe Vera on a sunburned skin... So refreshing. So soothing. Especially when teaching of the Savior. Recently while reading I came across a verse in Alma 9:26-27

"26 And not many days hence the Son of God shall come in his glory; and his glory shall be the glory of the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace, equity, and truth, full of patience, mercy, and long-suffering, quick to hear the cries of his people and to answer their prayers.
27 And behold, he cometh to redeem those who will be baptized unto repentance, through faith on his name."

For some reason while reading this... It touched my heart. The Saviour is truly there for all of us. He really is full of patience, mercy, long suffering and quick to hear our prayers... No matter how unworthy we feel. He's there. In addition, while playing the closing hymn for our District Counsel Meeting "I stand all amazed" the same kind of thing hit me...

"I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.
I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,
That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died."

It truly is incredible and I'm grateful that we have a Savior. Who is there for us. Who is there exactly because we are imperfect and we would make mistakes. I'm grateful.

Well I hope you all have a great week!!

10 FEB 2020: Transfer 12 Week 1 - Transfers, Bye Korean Program 😭

안녕하세요!!

잘 지내고 있나요?? 잘 지내면 좋겠어요!! I hope yous are doing well! Things in Sydney have been crazy lately with the fires that have covered us with ash and smoke, then as of recent we've been getting slammed with so much rain (which I'm not complaining), and high winds that have knocked down heaps of trees. So Australia has been very bipolar lately.

So in addition to the ever changing weather, I also have been changed... at least areas... You know how I've been serving in the 1 Korean area in this mission?? Well... My Korean career has officially come to an end... Got our transfer call and I will now be serving in Normanhurst... the reason why I know my Korean is over... cause my transfer call came from my Mission President... I'll be serving with him and helping the whole mission from now on...

Really super honored because of how great and wonderful President and Sister Runia are. My companion, Elder McKeon, and I were talking one night and we both wouldn't be surprised if President Runia were to become an Apostle one day. He's so incredible and learning from him and his wife will be one of the greatest experiences of my mission. I'm excited and nervous, but grateful for this opportunity. When President Runia called me, he told me that he expected to have me serve in this capacity for the remainder of my mission... So there we go, that's my mission everyone! Excited for what's to come!

Lately I've been thinking a lot about my commitment and future commitment to the church and Heavenly Father. This past Tuesday, as the Assistants to the President (AP), we were able to do a temple session with the missionaries that were going home. And I've been really pondering about the Covenants we make. In the Book of Mormon, in the book of Mosiah it talks of a people that were united in their covenant to serve God and keep His commandments. In the temple we make sacred covenants with great, wonderful blessings in store. Covenants that are important to keep. Promises that we make with God... What helped put it a little more in perspective for me was during a conversation with President Runia. We had picked up the new missionaries from the airport on Wednesday and on Thursday we were doing the new missionary training (APs and Mission President and his wife). So after we finished our trainings, we chatted with President Runia about his interviews with the new missionaries and a question that he asks each of them during his interview: "Can I count on you to be obedient (to the missionary rules and standards)?" He asks them that so later on, if things aren't going so well he can remind them of how they told him that he can count on them to be obedient... And that's almost what Heavenly Father asks of us when we make promises with Him. "Can I count on you to keep my commandments? To remember my Son? To bear one another's burdens?" When we are baptized and go through the temple, we promise Him, we tell Him " Yes you can"... Which is heavy... Because it is... These are essential things for our salvation, for our progression after this life... Fortunately, He knew we'd be imperfect, so He provided us a Savior. Jesus Christ. It's through Him we can change and are able to re-promise and re-say "Yes Heavenly Father, you can count on me."

I love you. I hope you have a great week. Remember the promises you've made and stick to them. Be someone Heavenly Father can count on. 사랑하고 정말 보고 싶어요!! 我爱你! 好想你!!

Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 시드니 선교부

20 JAN 2020: Transfer 11, Week 6 - More and More Korean food!!

안녕하세요!!

잘 지내셨나요?? Hope you all had a good week! I know it wasn't too long since I last emailed but... yeah...

So this week! We had a Zone Challenge this past week which inspired a lot of missionaries to work hard and have some fun in the meantime. Especially when the reward is our mission president allowing us to go see a show at the OPERA HOUSE!! We ended up working hard and were able to see Cirque Stratosphere at the OPERA HOUSE!! It was sooo cool to be able to go into the Opera House and the show was also really cool! It was like a circus type show, and it was really fun! It was kind of nice to take a little "break" or to just enjoy ourselves.

So in our area, we've got 1 KOREAN Lady (백정희, or Sharon) getting ready to get baptized!! While we've been reteaching her the lessons, I've had my first experiences with teaching in Korean!! It's all been very humbling... As I feel like a super green missionary... Algoods though, a little humbling is good every now and then... It's slowly coming though, understanding is a lot better and just gotta work on speaking. Been eating SOOOO much Korean food it's been great!! Plus Elder Son is teaching me how to cook! Cooking instructions are in Korean so wish me luck! Hahaha

The missionary work is picking up in our ward, just having to rebuild the trust in Elders and slowly get to family's homes after the holidays. Definitely different though from the Samoans and Tongans haha from getting fed everyday to... not so much haha algoods though because it's not about the food, it's nice, but we just wanna get in the home and share our message about the Book of Mormon, then invite to read or share it!! Missionary work is MOST successful with members. We need members to find those who are ready to listen and learn. Then the Book of Mormon is the way to do so, the tool to gather Israel.

Things are moving along now and we're starting to get busy. Trying to get our English class going. I've had a lot of mixed feelings as of lately... I'm within my last 6 months, I've been out here for a bit, excited to go home, but also know there's more I need to give and more to learn... Plus, don't think things will be the same back home, or at least I won't be the same... It'll work out, but yeah... Mission is great and I'm so grateful for it in my life. It'll be something that I'll look back upon for the rest of my life. As of recent, I guess the way I've seen the mission is a way to get you pointed in the right direction for the rest of your life. The testimony you develop, the studies you do, work ethic you have, relationships you try to develop, and so forth, are meant to set you up for the rest of your life. And depending on how you do or go about it, will determine whether your shooting for the stars or just in the dirt. So some big and heavy stuff. Maybe I think too much and just have a big head hahaha But regardless, I'm grateful for the knowledge I've gained about the Gospel of Jesus Christ, that as I've striven to follow His example I've seen the quality of life we can have. I'm glad I still have time and I'm excited for the rest of it. Love you all and have a great week!

Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 시드니 선교부

16 JAN 2020 - Transfer 11 Week 5

Helllllooooo 여러분!! I hope your weeks have great and.... full of worthwhile things! Things have been moving along here in Australia. We got the chance to go to the temple today and how wonderful it is to have temples. Last time I went was about 5 months ago which has felt like ages, but it was so refreshing and empowering. I'm so grateful for the Plan of Salvation, Plan of Happiness, Plan of Redemption. It is through this that we can answer the big 3 questions: Where did we come from?, Why are we here?, and Where are we going? Additionally, it offers us hope and joy in knowing that things will work out and we can be reunited with family to never be separated again.

So this week has been a pretty good week actually. We're getting over the slowness of families being away for the holidays, really hot or smoky days, and people not wanting to be bothered because of the holidays. We've been able to visit a lot of families and get them on the Book of Mormon grind and get them mindful of missionary work. We've been super busy the past couple days and it's felt great! I was able to go on a tradeoff with an Elder in my district - Elder Halverson, serving in the Ryde Chinese Ward. I have a lot of respect and admire this Elder for his hardwork, focus, and love for the Gospel. I was there in the same district when he first started his mission, back in Bankstown when I was with Elder Smith. At that time he was full of fire and excitement for the work, and to this day he still is. It's cool to watch him grow a bit, and to go out and watch him work. We spent some time walking on the streets and he is fearless and will talk to everyone on the street. Bold, because he will jump right into who we are and what we are sharing. Different style from me, as I go for a more natural approach with conversation and lead that into who we are and what we share. But it was really neat being 2 Americans walking down the street of little China, talking to people who at first say they don't speak English then he will switch into Chinese. Or even one family who tried it, but said they were Korean so I step up and they just said in English they were Christian and had to go hahaha It was fun!

I have been enjoying my time as an actual Korean speaker. I'll admit it's been hard though. I wish I could say that I'm out there speaking perfect Korean or teaching super well, but no.... For those who travel to different countries to learn a language, I finally know how you feel. To add to the frustration, I've been out for 16 months. l, having figured out my way to connect with people, joke, empathize, teach and everything to function as a missionary. However, all of that suddenly disappeared when I needed to switch it into Korean... where normally I'm pretty talkative and like to laugh and joke with members or people in general... I've become quiet and shy.... Normally, I'd brush it off and just say algoods, in time it'll get there. In time, I'll be able to learn and be effective... but... no... Last week I hit my last 6 months of my mission and it's been scary.... Where I'm at with the language, is not where I wanted to be. Also, whether or not President will keep me in this area is not certain. Whether or not my next companion will be Korean is not certain. I've been grateful for my companion, Elder Son, who has been so helpful and patient. I've learned so much from him and he's really helped my Korean. But I know he's gotta go... He's been in this area for 6 months... down to my last 2-3 weeks with him.... But life goes on...

Life in the city has been really great and fun and exciting. Always new things to see and new people to meet. I just can't believe it took me 15 months to get here. BUT not a bad way to start finishing up my mission. SOOOO much good food!! SOOOO much Korean food!! I'm set, my decision is made that I will visit and try to live in Korea for a bit through the Army. I love the food here, but every Korean I meet says the food is far better in Korea hahaha so it must be Heavenly in Korea!!

Anyways I hope you all have a great week as I slowly become a full Korean.

Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 시드니 선교부

06 JAN 2020: Transfer 10 Week 4 --> Transfer 11 Week 3 - Transfers, Greenie Again, Baptism!!!!

안녕하세요 여러분!!!

Sorry it's been so long since I last emailed. But a lot has happened since so I'll jump right into it. So last time I was in Blacktown with Elder Carter and Kaburara. At the end of my time there, we committed a girl to be baptized who had been coming to church for awhile and been taught all the lessons by the missionaries!! She was going to get baptized during our transfer day, but then her mother changed her mind last minute... So almost, but that's alright because she still knows the church is true, just needs to wait. It'll be good because it'll give her some time to prepare.

After that, we got transfer calls!! Elder Carter stayed in Blacktown. Elder Kaburara got sent to the Bush up in Tamworth! Then I finally get sent to KOREA!!! Or in other words, Summer Hill!!!!! Summer Hill is the remnant of the old Korean areas in this mission, where there used to be the Korean branch several years ago. Also it covers some areas that are VERY Korean. I've dreamed of coming to this area for my whole mission. Summer Hill also covers the City!! So I finally made it to the city!! Then to top it off, my companion is Elder 손유성, a KOREAN!!! I've never been so excited to be in an area as much as I was to come here. I was literally jumping for joy. After 15 months I finally made it...

The first day in this area was completely in Korean and I was so happy I could cry. We had service with a Korean couple, 안 형제님과 황 자매님. Afterwards, they took us out to eat KOREAN FOOD!! (Pro tip for future Returned Missionary Brandon Escamilla, if you want to see the happiest human on earth, take him to eat Korean food and sit back and watch the joy!!) We had Korean food with the Korean couple, speaking in Korean. Then afterwards we walked around the area we ate Korean food and it was in mini Korea, or Strathfield. Just Koreans EVERYWHERE. Then my companion was Korean... I could've cried hahaha In our ward, there is also a KOREAN Sunday School!!! Where the Koreans in the ward break off and meet up!!

So my Korean is at a level of.... able to learn... Which isn't a bad area because I've got the basics and fundamentals down, but just lacking in vocab and then the dialect. So I understand and speak Standard Korean. Not a bad place, but different from conversational Korean. In English, there is proper English but then there is conversational English where there is slang, English sayings, fast, slur, omission of words and so forth... Korean is no different... and for having only served with a Korean for 3 months of the past 16 months... I've been getting wrecked with the older speaking in their thick accents, and the young people with the slang and so forth... Since being here, I feel like a brand new missionary... I have this experience and idea of how to go about the work, but I almost can't use any of it because of the language. Lessons I've come to teach heaps, explanations, conversational skills, people skills and so forth... Nothing... because of the language... Heavenly Father surely knows how to keep His children humble... I've been sufficiently humbled these past 3 weeks. Last night with a Korean family, I was told that I was so quiet. Or rather they told my companion in a Korean like I couldn't understand.... Which is partially true... I just process slowly and it takes time to come up with a response... So by time I understand and think of something to say, the conversation has since flown by.... So things have been hard in that aspect. Frustrated with myself, the process and the fact that I am running out of time... They say, it's ok you'll learn and get there. Which would be fine at the beginning of my mission, but by time I get the hang of it and learn it... my time is up.... So I'm just trucking along, because there's only one way I'll get there... I think if anything I need to learn how to spend more time on my knees and reliant on Him rather than my own abilities...

I've been blessed with a very patient and great companion though. We've gotten along so well it's like we've been together for a long time now. He's very helpful with my Korean, and I've been able to help with his English. He cooks very well, and we have had so much Korean food together. I honestly think that I have used chopsticks more than I've used a fork or spoon hahahaha I wouldn't have it any other way hahaha A great missionary.

Serving in the city has been so great, fun and a dream. So many places to explore for Pday, good food to eat, great missionaries to serve and serve with. After having spent most of my mission with Samoans and Tongans, I've come to love with Islanders. Now I'm amongst the Chinese, Korean, etc, and I really love the Asians as well. Kind of funny, so all my areas besides my first area have been wards with so much diversity. Mostly Samoans and Tongans, but also Filipino, South American, Asian, etc. That being said, it's been "Spot the Aussie" in each ward and I haven't served among the.... Aussies... or white people in awhile... So when I came to Summer Hill where there is a lot of Aussies, it was a mini culture shock hahahaha It's been awhile since I was a part of the diverse minority hahaha algoods though, just funny to think about.

So this past Friday was a huge blessing. We had the chance to go back to Blacktown for a baptism of the little girls we were teaching!! They asked me to baptize one of them and Elder Kaburara to do the other girl. It was so good to see them again. One of the girls told Elder Kaburara that she missed us, and that broke my heart. Made me think of and miss my sisters. But, I can't think of any greater experience than to walk in that water with them and baptize them.... My first baptism and it was the greatest experience ever. Especially having been with them during all the lessons. The fun times we had. So special...

Well I hope you all have a great week, can't believe I'm down to my last 6 months... Time flies... Love you all, 사랑해요!!

Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 시드니 선교부