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!

15 APR 2019 ~ Week 35: Transfers, Busy busy BUSY

So we got transfer calls last night! I will be staying in Prairiewood and Elder Kowallis will be going to the City! Probably finish his last 2 transfers there, he's super excited. He's been here for 7 months or so, so he needs a change of scenery. What a place to finish though!! Opera house, Darling Harbor, city, thats the place to be. My new companion is Elder Grant, who I've heard is also from AZ. Then I got a phone call from my mission president, and I will be one of the Zone Leaders for the Prairiewood Zone, watching over the missionaries in the Prairiewood Stake and then my companion Zone Leader will be watching over things in the Liverpool Stake. Usually Zone Leaders are companions but for our zone they are split. So things are going to get hectic. I was only District Leader for 1 transfer and was hoping to get another chance to do better, but now I get another chance but on the zone level... So gotta figure out how to do that, then lead the area since Elder Grant is coming into the area. I haven't even met all the members yet and it's just a very busy and a lot going on. Then still keep up with my Korean studies... Pray for me haha.

So this week we've been doing HEAPS of missionary work and it's AWESOME. Not that we havent before but we're in a stage of missionary work where we're finding people to teach, working with members and actually teaching!! This week I taught the Restoration for the first time in my mission. I've done recent convert lessons in Port Stephens, but besides that I have next to no teaching experience. It was great, I love teaching. Then I said the First Vision account for the first time too, in SPANISH! (I'll be honest, in the MTC I learned in the First Vision in Korean. Not English. I know it in English but not to recite it off the top of my head... i know I'm a bad missionary, but I haven't had any opportunities before, so I read it off the pamphlet in Spanish for Maria. Sorry all you Returned missionaries, I'll repent).

We are teaching Maria now. She is from Nicaragua that we met at the park (miracle: she was really struggling and had went to the park. She was praying that God would send help, then all of a sudden Elder Kowallis and Aloi - on tradeoffs for the day - come walking up to her. Isn't that crazy?!?) We came by and did some MAJOR backyard renovation. I'm talking 5ft grass, large tree removal, heaps of rubbish removal (like 3 shopping carts lost in the grass), etc. It's been a lot of work and all for FREE. She loves the church though. She's eagerly come for the past 3 weeks and just loves it. She was raised Catholic and has a love for the Savior. This weekend we had General Conference and she came to a session and she just absolutely loved it! When President Nelson was speaking she leaned over to us and said "that man has power" (we didn't tell her anything about him either!). We told her that he was coming to Sydney next month and she said "we have to meet him! No matter what!" (Before she was talking about going to the US to meet him). So we'll see how that goes, but man she is the best. Love Maria, so funny and just the typical abuelita haha. I can definitely see her getting baptized. So pray for her and her health.

Wasnt General Conference incredible?! We watched it this past weekend in Australia. So many favorites and all my questions were answered. I sustain our Prophet and the Apostles. I know they are called of God. If you just listen to them speak, there is power. Do you hear it? Maria was able to feel it and she had never seen these men or knew they existed until this weekend. She's from Nicaragua, lived in Japan for 5 years and now living in Australia. If she can feel their power then surely we can too. Their words are inspired and point us to the Savior. It is through the Savior that all things are possible. I'm so grateful for living Prophets and apostles who lead and guide us during these perilous times. I know The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints contains the authority and FULNESS of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It is through the Gospel of Jesus Christ that we gain Salvation. Through the mercy, the grace and merits of the Messiah. How wonderful the Atonement is. It is not only intended to pay the price of sin and satisfy the demands of justice, but has the power to heal all wounds, to help us change and eventually become even as our Heavenly Father is. I know these things are true. Have a wonderful week! 좋은 주 보내세요!

Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 스다니 선교부



Dinner with Alikies Alexanders


Maria and her amigos!


This is only half of the tree. We cut the other half last week and this tree is now gone. Also this whole yard was legit full of 5ft grass. LOTS of work, but it's been fun.

08 APR 2019 ~ Week 24: Kimchi Boys? Models? General Conference? Ministering, so MUCH!!

여러분, 안녕하세요!!

이 지난 주가 재밌어요!! 많이 했어요!! Alright first off, we were able to take part in volunteering for the Sydney Korean Festival in Darling Harbour!! It was AWESOME!! I felt like I was in Korea and used my Korean a lot! We talked to a lot of people (mainly the other volunteers) and introduced the church to many of them, showed them how normal we are and were called the Kimchi Boys! (김치 소년들)!! We were also MODELS of traditional Korean clothing (한복)! I was a part of the "royal family" and the only Non Korean in that group Haha! It was sweet AZ!!

Isnt General Conference great!! Here in Australia, we watch it next week. But as missionaries we can't wait and this is our super bowl, so we woke up at 3am Sunday to try to watch the first session, but the live stream didn't work, so we were pretty sad. From what I've been able to see, man, what incredible counsel. How blessed are we to receive continuing counsel and revelation from Living Prophets and Apostles!?!?

So a little insight from a missionary: So working with a large ward is much different than working in a small branch. It's HEAPS of fun and we get fed a lot, which is great (but not since I'm definitely getting fat... Samoans...), however, something that would really help us missionaries more than getting fed is MINISTERING. The way a ward ministers directly affects the missionaries. If there are members or recent converts that struggle, then a lot of our time is spent with them, answering their concerns, fellowshipping them, being the only people who visit them or talk to them from church, etc. However, if ministering is great in a ward, these people are visited regularly, have friends in the ward, are welcomed on Sunday, etc. Then we are able to focus on our role of teaching. Good ministering in a ward is also SO CRUCIAL when we bring new people to church. If people can feel the love of the members (hopefully almost overwhelming them with love), then it makes our job SO much easier. A lot of our time is spent visiting less active members, recent converts, etc. Which is fine, I love these people, but they would benefit so much more from fellowshipping of the members because eventually we missionaries leave. Our community should be a family that welcomes all people and supports all within, not a family that is closed off and supports those who are most convenient for them to support.

So my challenge for you (let me know how it goes) is to find someone in your ward or church community (whatever denomination) that you don't know and go and get to know them. Befriend them. If there is someone new at church, PLEASE for goodness sake reach out to them and say hi. Almost 8 years ago, my family and I decided to go to church. I was curious and wanted to learn more. If we had not received that overwhelming love and support that first Sunday, I probably wouldn't be here. However the immediate, sincere friendship and love that was extended confirmed what I felt when I first walked into the Chapel that Sunday - that I was HOME. Even more beautiful was that the opening hymn was "Love at Home", and indeed I was home and I felt God's love. That love and friendship kept coming, continually. My home ward became my family and I'll be forever grateful for them. So please reach out to others with sincere, ceaseless love and friendship. Have a great week!

Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 스다니 선교부



Hey just make sure to "Put Australia First" on travel destinations!


My outfit, trying to be Korean


The 6 other missionaries who volunteered at the festival, 4 of us are Korean speaking (my first trainer Elder Scott, 2nd from the right)


All the people who took part in the 한복 show and parade (yes we modeled on a runway and walked around the city in a little parade)


The "Royal Family" and I'm the only Non-Korean there (far right side, back row)


Friends we made while volunteering


Beautiful Darling Harbour


More Darling Harbour


Gotta love downtown Sydney

01 APR 2019 ~ Week 23: Spanish Speaking?

형제 자매 여러분! G'Day!

So crazy busy week this week. My companion is one of the Zone Leaders and I'm the District Leaders. As a part of our responsibilities, we do tradeoffs with the missionaries in our zone/districts. So, between the 2 of us, we have done 6 tradeoffs within the past 2 weeks and it's been crazy busy. During tradeoffs, my companion met a lady while working in our area. This older lady is Maria, and she is from Nicaragua! So yes, we became temporary Spanish speaking missionaries using our high school Spanish to talk with her. She is loca, in a good way, haha. Just a typical abuelita and really made me miss Mexican food (P.S. we've actually had to explain what a taco or burrito is to some people. I know, crazy). We did a lot A LOT of service in her backyard. We're going back tomorrow to finish up, and she also came to church! I think she had a good experience as we sat with her throughout and translated some stuff or explained other stuff. It was awesome!

So the miracle I mentioned last week. It's really more something that meant a lot to me than the miracle that many of you think of. Anyways, I was on tradeoffs last week with Elder Lewis (from New Zealand, Samoan speaking) in his area. We were visiting some people when all of sudden I needed to use the toilet. Yup, I know. So I ask Elder Lewis where the nearest Maccas (McDonalds) is so I can go. So we drive over to Maccas, when we get there we happen to run into the other missionaries (my companion with Elder Lewis' companion, and our flat mates). They were just finishing up with lunch and were heading out. So we go in, I go in and do my business and come out to my Elder Lewis having just ordered a meal. I was surprised b/c we planned to just skip lunch so we could have more time to visit members. Little did I know, Elder Lewis' companion's Aunt is the manager at this Maccas! So every time missionaries come in, she always feeds them. So we sit down, eat, and the aunt comes over and sits with us. We start talking, she starts guessing who I am (add Nepalese to the list) and I tell who my ethnicity. After saying, American Indian, her eyes go wide and just starts tearing up! She didn't know why she was, but she talked about the connection she feels she has since she Maori (native islander to New Zealand). She asked me what it was like being American Indian in America, and she started going off on the history of white people throughout the world and the typical stuff you hear from colored people.

It was at this time that I shared my thoughts regarding this. Yes, a lot of bad things have happened in the past. People still hate people like Columbus, Custer, Andrew Jackson, etc, for the things they did. Unfortunately this hate still exists among Native Americans. I'll admit, I used to have some of this animosity in my youth. It wasn't until I was investigating this church and I was trying to understand the Book of Mormon that my views changed and animosity disappeared. One day, I was reading in 1 Nephi 15 and it spoke about my people:
"After my seed and the seed of my brethren shall have dwindled in unbelief... been smitten by the Gentiles... after the Lord God shall have camped against them... have laid siege against them... raised forts against them... after they shall have been brought down low in the dust... (1 Ne. 26:15)
"... then shall the fulness of the Gospel of the Messiah come unto the Gentiles, and from the Gentiles unto the remnant of our seed... And at that day shall the remnant of our seed know that they are of the house of Israel, and that they are a covenant people of the Lord; and then shall they come to the knowledge of their Redeemer and the very points of his doctrine, that they may know how to come unto him and be saved.

"And then at that day will they not rejoice and give praise unto their everlasting God, their rock and salvation? Yea, at that day, willl they not receive the strength and nourishment from the true vine? Yea, will they not come unto the true fold of God? (1 Ne. 15:14-15)"

After reading this, everything went away. These horrible events had to take place among my people and people throughout the world in order for them to eventually receive the thing of greatest value to me - the Gospel of Jesus Christ. It needed to take place in order for me and my family to come "to the knowledge of [our] Redeemer... that [we] may know how to come unto him and be saved..."

So I shared these things with her. I shared her my gratitude for the the Plan of Salvation. Because of my knowledge of this, I am comforted from the loss of my Uncle and Grandpa this past year, and I know where they are. I know they are learning and free from worldly pressures, physical limitations, and pain. I testified and shared my gratitude for this Gospel. As I spoke, it was powerful, it came from my heart and was carried by the Spirit to me and the others. So far in my mission, I feel that this has been the most power I've felt testifying. It was... Incredible. (Afterwards, Elder Lewis would say the same things. That it was powerful, I was full of the Spirit and I said everything he tried to say but couldn't as if I read his mind. He was so blown away that he started going crazy and saying crazy stuff like "I wouldn't be surprised if you were the next Zone Leader or AP" "You are so full of the Spirit!" He's a funny guy and is too kind and really crazy saying this. So after this, she was moved. You could see it. Then, we continued talking, and she made a small comment saying that she wasn't a member....... My stomach dropped at this point.... I was testifying and talking to her as if she was a member and I had absolutely no idea... We continued our conversation and ended on good terms. While driving away, Elder Lewis kept asking how I knew we should go to Maccas, to "teach" this Aunt. I said it was my bowels... my bowels told me I needed to go to Maccas and use the toilet. We were just both shocked with how everything worked out and the opportunity we had to powerfully testify to this Aunt who was also touched (and how I probably wouldn't have testified or said what I said had I known she wasn't a member. Elder Lewis knew though, but never told me and was probably why he wasn't able to say the things he wanted to say. He said that I said everything he would've said anyways though). Then the greatest miracle of how my "bowels were full of mercy" that day. Have a great week!

Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 스다니 선교부



I'm basically in Vietnam, so gotta play the part with the Vietnamese hat! Next language to learn, Vietnamese!


Zone conference, Elder Li and I (one of my old companion's, Elder Neas, favorite missionaries


Us walking down the street with Maria


Tradeoffs with Elder Kapa (from Vanuatu), biking all over for the day

25 MAR 2019 ~ Week... - Already Week 4 of this Transfer?!?!

Sorry, waited to last minute to write this. Was a good week. We experienced a miracle, or a really incredible, shocking experience. I'll try to write about it next week. It wasn't super community changing, but it meant a lot to me and was powerful for my companion and I as we felt the Spirit in sharing the message of joy, hope and love that comes from the Gospel. Still don't know what's going on here in Samoa, but everyone is shocked when they find out I'm not asian but Navajo. Always shake my hand and just at me in awe. It actually made one lady start to tear up (she was Polynesian and felt a sort of connection I guess). Anyways, have a great week!

Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 스다니 선교부



Painting of aboriginal lady on a building just finished


The part of our area where we teleport to Vietnam

18 MAR 2019 ~ Week... - Great week

녕하세요!! (in Samoan),

Well this week we got fed nearly everyday... Sometimes twice a day... Even though the Sisters took all the meals from the ward meal calendar. Man this ward LOVES feeding missionaries! So many awesome families who are so keen to missionary work.

Our week was a little scattered since our third companion was finishing his mission this past week. We were saying goodbye to families till we took him in to the office on Wednesday night. He was pretty cool, and I kind of wish we could've been companion for longer, but now he's off to play professional D league Aussie basketball!

Since Elder Kaipuke went left us, we planned for this upcoming week and we are ready to tackle this next week! Super excited! I got to talk to the Korean guy in our area on the phone and it was AWESOME! Probably spoke as good as the missionaries I was in the MTC with during their first day in Korea, but it was alright and he's pretty excited to meet us and I think he's pretty keen to practice Korean with me!!

Me being Chinese and Filipino and all is back! We were having a meal with a family in the Samoan Elder's ward with the Samoan Elders and everyone was speaking Samoan and I wouldn't be surprised if I was actually in Samoa. I don't know whats going on, people talk look at me, look away, ask what I think is a question and then look at me for an answer, just a whole lot of confusion, but super cool! Anyways, they ask where I'm from and I say the States. Pretty sure that didn't answer what they were really trying to ask, so they ask me another question in Samoan and I just look at them... So fast forward to the feed, after a while they bring out rice. The father, looking super proud and keeps beckoning me that he has rice. Keeps saying rice! Rice! You want? Well I mean I like rice, who doesn't so I said sure. Well fast forward to after the dinner, after the spiritual message was given in Samoan and I just make something up to say to add to the message, we're driving back to the flat. I ask the samoan Elder if the family thought I was Chinese. They said, yeah they kept asking if you were from China. Is that why he kept asking if I wanted rice? Yeah... oh hahaha!

So I'm China man again. The Korean nametag doesnt help either. Nor Escamilla. Just having an identity crisis again. A Navajo with a Mexican last name who looks Chinese called to speak Korean in Australia and serving in basically a Samoan ward in a Vietnamese area... I'll just say that explaining all this to people is NOT EASY, not in the slightest. But hey, getting a new nickname - Elder Eski (which is what they call a cooler in Aussie land)! Anyways have a great week!

Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 스다니 선교부

 
After going to another ward's baptism, a family invited ALL 8 missionaries to a buffet... Samoans LOVE missionaries!!


Missionaries in our stake, not quite the whole zone but 2 districts


P Day sports


Dinner with the Alikie family! These guys are crack up! Kids are super sweet!

 

11 MAR 2019 ~ Week 19: A Whole New World!!

안녕하세요 Mates!!

So wow, what a week.... so...
- Sydney has got to be one of the most diverse places in the world.
- I've been moved to about 45-60 minutes from the city in the Liverpool area.
- From small branch of 30-50 to huge ward of over 200!!
- In this area, one second I'm in Samoa, the next I'm in Vietnam
- we've got a Korean Fried Chicken restaurant in our area!
- There are so many people! I'm not used to seeing people, so many Muslims, Hungarians, Vietnamese, Samoan, Tongan, Chinese, but no Koreans, YET! We'll find them though!
- There is apparently 1 less active Korean guy in our area!! His wife and kids are also Korean and his wife ONLY SPEAKS KOREAN (which means she'd be forced to put up with my bad Korean! Which means KOREAN PRACTICE!!!!! Hope you know how excited I am to meet them)
- In a flat of 5 Elders. One from Samoa, Elder Taafua. One from Utah but Samoan speaking, Elder Aloi. One finishing his mission this week, Elder Kaipuke. Then my companion who is basically Samoan speaking since he's served around Samoans his whole mission, Elder Kowallis. Don't know half of what goes on between them b/c they speak half Samoan and I just don't understand.
- District leader is tough here b/c everyone in my district and zone either already knows each other super well or speaks Samoan... Then I'm still pretty fresh and Green compared to most. So yeah...
- We had a mission conference with all 250 missionaries in our mission. Elder Nielson, the executive director of the missionary department and Elder Ardern from the Area 70 gave us a training. I got to see all the other missionaries that I've come to love, from serving with them. It was a really great day. Every missionary tells me that I'm in the best area of the mission.
- I asked my companion if they teach people in this area. He said yes and looked at me weird. I said like real lessons? Legit teaching? He said yes and thought I was weird. Man this just made my day b/c I haven't been able to do much teaching.
- Since our ward is primarily Samoan, 1) they love missionaries and 2) they love feeding missionaries. We get fed so much.
- Our ward is just so full of solid, strong, funny az members who are so keen to do missionary work.

So pumped for this transfer! I just made a complete 180°, so crazy. From nearly nothing to so much. Excited to get to work.

Elder Brandon Escamilla
에스카미야 장로
Australia Sydney Mission
호주 스다니 선교부


Pic 4 - Elder Fellingham, my fun Kiwi zone leader who goes home at the end of this transfer


Pic 5 - our whole flat doing finding


Posing in front of our flat with Elder Taafua, still fresh from Samoa.

 
Elder Wu and I. Love this guy, the most solid missionary I will probably ever meet. He goes home to Hong Kong next transfer.


My first zone leaders, Elder Wu and Tobler, such a solid companionship. The best missionaries I'll probably ever meet.

 
My trainers, Elder Scott and Neas, and my first zone leaders. Throwback to the Port Stephen days