Prayers and Blessings

Hello Family!
WOW! I can't even believe that! That sure is a miracle. I have been praying every night for all of my family to receive blessings according to their obedience. I can definitely see that those prayers have been answered. I love what it says about prayer in the bible dictionary. The purpose of our prayers is to align our will, as His children, with His will. When prayers are answered and we receive blessings, we are at the point where our will and our Father's will are the same. Great blessings come from obedience and as we strive to become more Christlike. (and I hope dad's work keeps working out, just like that...)

"As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are His children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part (Matt. 7:7–11). Many of the so-called difficulties about prayer arise from forgetting this relationship. Prayer is the act by which the will of the Father and the will of the child are brought into correspondence with each other. The object of prayer is not to change the will of God but to secure for ourselves and for others blessings that God is already willing to grant but that are made conditional on our asking for them. Blessings require some work or effort on our part before we can obtain them. Prayer is a form of work and is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all blessings."

Oh, and Elder Stevens is one of the Zone leaders in Makati zone. Our borders touch because we are just the Makati east zone. We could walk into his zone in about 30 minutes.. so we are pretty close. I will see him on Thursday because there is a Missionary Leadership Conference (MLC) that we have once a month. Oh! And i get to go to the temple next Tuesday... So our P-day will be switched. I will email on Tuesday instead, so excited to go!

New years here was intense! We had to go inside at 6 so we wouldn't get injured from all the fireworks.... we couldn't even sleep it was so loud... we went out on our roof patio thing at midnight to see (because we couldn't sleep anyway) and saw all the fireworks... it was crazy!!! The whole city just had fireworks flying out everywhere... like the whole city was under attack! So crazy! It was just straight fireworks from like 6pm to 3am... something definitely worth seeing in this life. so cool.

This has been a full week. The work is doing great here. Elder Woodburn and I are working so so hard together and we are starting to see a lot more success. We are getting used to the area and are starting to really teach a lot of people. We have a couple potential baptismal candidates that may be ready by the end of this month or Feb. Super excited, I love being a missionary!
Have a great 2014!
Mahal ko po kayo!
Elder Schroeder
p.s. it is my companions birthday today. He is 27 now.

New Assignment- Makati City

December 23, 2013
Hello Family!

So first off, about transfers. I am in an area called Makati 1A. Elder Woodburn and I have just become Zone Leaders of the Makati East Zone. I can't believe that God and President Stucki were inspired to give us that assignment. I feel like there is so much that I need to improve on to be a better person and a missionary. I feel inadequate for the position to be honest. But I do know with all my heart, that whoever the Lord calls, he qualifies. And that I have been called of God. I have a job to do, and I know that I can do it with the Lord's help, even though I don't feel worthy of it, and I am still a relatively new missionary. Well, I have a lot of work to do that is for sure. You probably remember Elder Woodburn right. You talked to his mom a bit before I believe. He was wondering if you were still talking to her. Anyways. So I am so excited to call you guys! I will probably call around 12:15 my time Christmas day. We are allowed 1 hour and a half. I can't wait to be able to talk to you guys and I already know one of the first questions Mom will ask me...

So in our new area, we are right next to all the super rich people.. it is actually in our area.

We also have all the malls and buildings and things in a place called Global. So we have places like IHOP, Texas roadhouse, Hard Rock, and other things like that. It is like a version of America just filled with Filipinos. So so much different than my last area. We have a couple barangay's (like subdivisions) called Pitogo, and South Cembo. It is so fun to be here in Manila and to be a zone leader here. There are so many people.

(one funny thing is that both of our Lolos "grandpas" are the AP's right now. The Elders who trained both of our trainers are both the AP's... weird bloodline.) I am not sure if that made sense.... 

Anyways again. In our area we are really just trying to figure everything out. Where people live, where things are and everything. Because we are both new in the Area. Elder Woodburn knows how to get around though because his area before was just a few miles away. We are sure having a lot of fun though here in our area. We have a few good stories already.
One good experience we had just yesterday. We were going around with the ward mission leader to members and less actives houses, and we go in to teach this active member family. So we decided that Elder Woodburn would lead the lesson. And as he searches for something he wants to share I think, "darn, I have the perfect scripture that I want to share," but I gave him the lesson and let him lead it. So then when he goes to share, he shares the exact some scripture that I was thinking to share. I had received inspiration from the Spirit to share that scripture, but as we taught with unity and I let my companion take the lead... we both received the same inspiration from the Spirit. We had done no planning for what to teach this family, we hadn't even mentioned that scripture to one another before. And from the whole Book of Mormon. We were both inspired to share the exact same verse. (Alma 6:6) It is so great to have a companion that is a skilled teacher and listens to the Spirit. We are both going to learn so much from one another.
I am having so much fun teaching about the Savior in this time of the year.  I love being able to serve the Lord and be an answer to others prayers.
This Gospel is the only way. Through our Savior and Redeemer. He is the way, the truth and the light, no man can come unto the Father but by him. (that's from John 14:6). I know it, and I testify of it. I love you guys. Keep spreading the Savior's love to others.
Elder Schroeder

We had an amazing Skype session with Elder Schroeder Christmas eve!! 

He is doing well, he is healthy and very happy!  Robin

December 30, 2013

Hello Family!

Hello everyone. We sure talked to a lot of drunk people this week.... people sure do love to drink here. We had a bunch of people offer us drink on Christmas eve... anyway. What a blessing it is to serve in such a great cause. This week was a bit bumpy... everyone was super busy. Elder Woodburn and I worked our butts off and had almost no success. We had one new investigator this week when we should have like 14... soooo, we got chastised a bit from the APs... haha. Loving chastisement.... but we are really working hard and doing our best. There is no doubt in my mind that we will be blessed for our efforts in this coming year if we just press forward with steadfastness in Christ. As we exercise our faith and act on it, miracles come. 

I am loving this new area so much. The people here still have strong faith in Christ, they just tend to be more caught up in the world and a little more stubborn, there are still many that love our Savior and want to learn. One of our investigators really is having a hard time accepting our message. We had a fast as a companionship for him and I just know that God is going to soften this man's heart in his own due time. There really is no other way. I have seen it more than I ever have before. We are dependent upon the Savior for this work to progress. I am so excited to teach this man. He is such a wonderful person and has such strong faith in Christ. His wife is a member and is desperate for our help... God will soften this man's heart, I just know it. I just hope I can be a worthy enough servant to be an instrument in the Lord's hands.

I have really learned how important it is to repent. And how repentance actually works. I have always accepted the principle and know it was true.. but I haven't ever really figured out HOW it really works. I have spent a lot of study on it, a lot of pondering, and fervent prayers. I feel like I know have a very deep and solid understanding of how it works, how we can be found spotless, how we can return to our loving Father in Heaven. And I want to share it with everyone. Lets all repent! Lets all help others to repent. Lets change our lives for the better and help others to do the same. What joy there is in repentance. There is no other greater gift. I know it and I love it. Lets all set a goal for this new year to always be a better person today than we were yesterday. It is possible because of that great gift that our Kuya suffered to make possible. I love you all. Have a happy new year!
Ingat kayo palagi!
Elder Schroeder

1. sungay ng kalabaw

2. astig na kotse

3. maliit na siwsiw. kulay pink at purple

view from our apartment

cool building in our area

wall art in Makati city

Testimony of our Savior

December 16, 2013

Hello!

Sorry, I didn't bring my cord for my camera today.

The details with the call, I will Skype you guys for sure and it will most likely be around 10:30 our time... and I am not sure what day either. Do you want me to call you on your christmas day? cause I am a day ahead here.... and make sure you tell me what email your Skype account is under since you changed your email around.

THIS ONE IS FOR THE WARD as Bishop Dye requested to be shared next Sunday for Christmas.

Christ is the Son of God, our Savior and Redeemer. What Jesus Christ has done for us is beyond our comprehension. He has taken upon himself OUR sins. Only through His justice and His mercy, we may return to live with Our Father in Heaven. I know that His love for us is real. He made the ultimate sacrifice because of that love. And we should strive to live worthy of that love he displayed for us in his infinite atoning sacrifice. Brothers and Sisters. We need to repent. The only way to fully take advantage of his love and mercy is to wholeheartedly and humbly repent. I know this is true. Forgiveness is the greatest gift that we may take advantage of in this season, and any other season. Let us repent, and forgive others of their wrongdoings. If you feel afraid to repent, it is never to late. And EVERY person is worthy to repent. No matter how weighed down you feel, no matter how abominable the sin, Christ's love has overcome all.
At this special time and season of gift giving, let us walk in ways of righteousness and show the same love that Jesus Christ has for us. I know that He lives, that He loves us, and that through his love, we can all receive the greatest gift of all, Eternal Happiness with our Father in Heaven. Of this testify, in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, amen. 

He can just read this to them and tell him to tell them that "EVERY MEMBER SHOULD GIVE THE GIFT OF A REFFERAL TO THE MISSIONARIES IN THE WARD"... that would be the best christmas gift of all as a missionary.

Elder and Sister Newson arrived about 2 or 3 weeks ago. They are doing great and really love the branch. I am so glad to be able to help them learn more about the Philippines. They are going to be such a powerful instrument here in Santa Monica branch. I can see it already.

Pretty normal week. Really working hard to keep the area pumping so that the new missionary will have a lot of fun in the water. (i am also not 100% sure that I am transferring yet).... about 95% chance. I will find out tomorrow.

Ingat Kayo palagi
Elder Schroeder

Trials and Love

December 2, 2013

Hello!
So I don't have that much time this week. Long story. I will type fast. So I got my Christmas package... I didn't see the hand written letter from Grandma Evans. It was in there?

Anyways... that is sad news to hear. The first thought I had while reading your email about Grandma Evans passing was, I am so glad she is with Grandpa again. This scripture comes to my mind, Alma 34:32. "This life is the time for men to perform their labors..." I am happy to say, and to add my testimony as a representative of Jesus Christ, that grandma and grandpa have performed all their labors. Meaning that they have fulfilled the gospel of Jesus Christ while here on this earth. Knowing and feeling the joy in my heart and soul of this knowledge that I have is such a great blessing. I know that the power to bind in heaven and in earth was restored to this earth, never to be taken away again. They truly and really are sealed for time and all eternity.

I would like to share an experience I had this week... The past few weeks have been particularly trying with the work here. I am tired, worn out, and feel the burden on my body, mind, and testimony. As my companion is sleeping, I kneel down, and I say a sincere honest prayer to our Father in Heaven. I know I am not going to give up. I know that I will press forward, no matter how hard the work is, no matter how alone I feel sometimes. As I am praying, I feel nothing. No comfort, no help, nothing. As I am pleading, I stop, and listen to the Spirit... I think, what does God want me to learn, what is the Spirit telling ME to ask for?And I know and say the words, "Please Father, help me to feel thy love." Immediately I was surrounded and encompassed by something REAL. I felt our Father's love for ME. It was what God wanted me to learn, it was what the Spirit was telling me to ask for. And my testimony is stronger than it ever has been before. The work hasn't changed. My situation isn't any different than it was before. The work is still hard, people still reject our message. But I know that I am not alone in this work, in this life. Our Father in Heaven is on our side, no matter how hard this life may seem to get. Our situation may not change for the better, and it probably won't change at all... but the Love of our Father in Heaven, the love of our families, and the love of our friends can carry us through any trial or hardship. I know that our Father in Heaven loves us. His love is real. And I know that I love you. Our family is united in the Gospel and sealed by God's own power. There is no doubt in my mind. Grandma and Grandpa are reunited. And we WILL see them again. Remain faithful, remain strong, and remember the love that God has for every one of us.

I know as Alma says, "And then shall the righteous shine forth in the kingdom of God." We shall all shine forth together in the kingdom of our Father, if we but endure the trails and hardships that we must face in this life.

Love from the Philippines,
Elder Schroeder


December 9, 2013
Hello Family!

I was planning on sending a bunch of pictures this week to you guys but this computer is not
working.. maybe I will be able to get it to work. Oh well.

This week ha been great! I feel the inspiration of the Spirit so much in my life. Elder Aguinaldo has been making huge strides in his teaching skills, finding skills, and everything! He is doing so great and we are having a lot of fun working together. Now that I am getting a lot better at Tagalog, we really are having a lot of fun together. He is such a funny guy and we really entertain the members and investigators a lot (without being disobedient, i might add). It is so fun to be with a companion that knows how to have "righteous" fun and to know how to make people laugh. It is still hard sometimes with cultural differences but we never fight... cause I don't let it happen. One thing, I have definitely learned from having a companion (that isn't my brother or best friend or anything like that) is patience. I have grown so much in patience. Patience and love is so key to being a good companion. I hope I get along with all the companions that I have in the mission... because I definitely like to get along with people. I have seen how spiritual gifts have also helped me with having a companion. Diane mentioned spiritual gifts to me in her email to me this week, and it just made me realize how great of a tool spiritual gifts can be to us in this life to endure through the hard times and press forward.

Our investigators have been doing great and I feel like I really know how to be an instrument in conversion..... I feel like I haven't been able to make any baptisms happen in the last couple months because of my inexperience.... it is a bummer but the truth for sure. Now that I actually know what I am doing... we have 5 baptisms that are going to happen here in this area by the end of January... But I will probably transfer just before these baptisms take place... bummer. I have finally figured things out enough to be able to get missionary work done and to hasten this work. I am so glad I have been able to be an instrument in this area though and I have been so blessed to learn how to be a better and more effective missionary. I am probably transferring on 18th of December, about 95% sure. I will probably know next week...

About our investigators, we have a lot of good ones! I have really learned well how of set up and work an even and dispersed teaching pool... where baptisms will come consistently. I cant believe how much the Lord helps in this work. None of the work that we do here would go forward without his hand in it. One of our investigators is the wife of an American who was baptized in Puerto Rico.... long story, pretty cool though. She will be baptized in January. I love missionary work! Love you guys! Send my love to Everyone at home!

Ingat Kayo Palagi!
Elder Schroeder

Gifts...

Hello 

I am running out of time here really fast, this will be kind of short. We have 2 people being baptized in December! Good story. So both of these investigators have been "eternal investigators" like 3 years of investigation. Super solid and know the gospel very well.... they just don't want to get married (these are two separate families by the way) I went into lessons with them filled with the Spirit! Filled like I never have been before. I was inspired to give a lesson of the Plan of Salvation, and to elaborate on the 3 degrees of glory... and they both decided to be married. Go Spirit!! Without the Spirit bearing witness to them in their hearts, they would never have made these steps. I love teaching with the Spirit! Greatest feeling we can have as missionaries.

Oh, we went on exchanges last week, and the Zone leader I was with told me that he was absolutely amazed at my Tagalog.... he told me that it is like I have been out on my mission for more than a year. Now he is going around telling everyone he meets about how amazing the gift of tongues can be. He said he has never seen anyone with Tagalog as good as mine with the amount of time that I have been out. So I have got a huge jump on the language... (about 6-7 months ahead of where I should be). Such a testimony to me of the gift of tongues. Spiritual gifts are real. There is no way I could speak this language like I do now, without the gift of tongues. When God calls, He truly does qualify.

Elder Schroeder

P.S.  I will probably get the package either tomorrow, or the 2nd week of December. I will let you know. If you guys could send me a picture of the temple some time, everyone from the Philippines always wants to see a picture of it.

Santa Monica is Great!

Wow!
I just read that article about those 10 sister missionaries, almost cried about 15 times while reading it.

Article: Surviving the typhoon: Fear, faith and miracles for 10 LDS sister missionaries trapped in the Philippines

I cannot believe what they had to go through. It is amazing how hard the church has worked to make sure all those missionaries where safe. I can't believe how hard that must have been for them. What a miracle that they were all safe. Especially being a missionary here, and knowing the culture and everything, that really would be a very, very difficult thing to do.

I hope I can answer all your questions... there was a lot in there.
So this past week, we did a service project for the survivors. It was coordinated (sort of) by Abs-Cbn here in Puerto. We packed supplies and clothes and things to send to the people down there in Tacloban. They actually filmed us serving... and being one of the only white guys there, I actually ended up on the news here, pretty cool. I cannot believe the destruction from the typhoon..

Oh, yes things are great here in Santa Monica. It's one branch but there are two areas, Santa Monica A and B. President Maico is our branch president. He is super awesome! Super cool that the Sister you met served here way back when.

We are going to be getting 15 missionaries here on the 18th of December. They were originally going to come here today, but they are going to wait for the next transfer. I was going to get 4 new sisters in my district, but now they will come on the 18th. All of the names of the missionaries in my district are: Sister Fancisquete- from Davao, Sister Jones - Utah-I think? Sister Bechichino-from Tacloban, Sister Delietubuna-from Fiji. Yep, my whole district is Sisters, except for me and Elder Aguinaldo of course...there is another district pretty close to us here though. Sister Brockbank-Utah, Sister Thompson- Idaho, Elder Osguthorpe-Utah and some more... but those are probably the ones you will be able to find. Sorry, I am out of time now.

Love you guys,
Elder Schroeder

Just keep praying that's for sure

Hello Family!

So the good news is..... that there is no news. I am still here in (Central Palawan). We are doing great here in Santa Monica. I have seen some of the footage and pictures of Tacloban and other areas... it is ridiculous the amount of damage. Basically, the only things standing are the big concrete buildings and palm trees... and the ground is just covered in rubble of houses.

We got a pretty good storm here. A lot (like A LOT) of rain. It got a little windy too. I did find out that we were only 60 miles away from the eye of the storm. We were not allowed to work the day the storm hit. Northern Palawan did get hit pretty hard. Apparently there is a lot of damage on Coron. We did watch a little bit of news on the storm. We had about an 85% chance that the storm would come down to us... but it didn't. I kind of wanted to experience one, but at the same time, didn't want to. Thankfully, all of the missionaries are safe and well in our mission. 

Oh, before I forget, President Stucki did tell us to email our families the day after the storm to let you know... which would have been Friday for you... we just got so busy working that day that we didn't have time and I forgot. But, we are doing alright now.

That is crazy about Tacloban mission. The thing is that Tacloban City is right on the coast and the hurricane passed right over it. So they got a crazy storm surge and a super powerful storm right on top of them.  There are a lot of Filipino missionaries with family out in those hard hit areas which is sad. They are all very worried for their families... because people are just near impossible to find right now. I hope those missionaries can be found safe and accounted for in Tacloban.
11/12/13  Update: All missionaries are safe!!!   LDS Newsroom Philippines

Not many precautions were taken here by the locals.... The news here heightens up every single typhoon that comes to make it "exciting"... so when a real storm comes along, it is like the boy who cried wolf.  Not many people took precautions as far as I am aware... and a lot of people suffered because of it... for example... the day before here was a regular day. I didn't see anyone making any real preparations for the storm. That's about all I know about it.  Just keep praying that's for sure.

Love you guys! 

Elder Schroeder

P.S. Oh, by the way, I did get a little wet... we had a leak (really more like a faucet) in our apartment right at the foot of my bed.... well the bunk bed... I am on top. But that's about it. Worked on Saturday in some of the tail end of the storm. We definitely got wet, that's for sure. Had to walk through some flooded spots.   

Interesting to me how he started his letter because through all of this, I have been saying to myself in regards to his safety, "no news is good news"  The church is good about keeping us informed. We did hear from President and Sister Stucki which we were so grateful for.  Please continue to pray with us for all those affected. I hope they can  replace feelings of worry, fear, and grief with faith and hope. The Filipino people are so loving, kind and a resilient group. They all need strength from our prayers. Robin

11/3/13
Hello Family!

This week has been great! What a great letter this week! I am loving the mission more than ever now. My love for the work seems to grow more and more every day. Transfer day is on Wednesday... I don't know yet if I am transferring. I find out tomorrow. I am pretty sure that I am staying here. But who knows, anything could happen. We found a new family to teach this week, the "S" family... and they are so awesome. We have only taught them one lesson. But they are so amazing. I am so excited to teach them again. We taught them the restoration lesson last time and focused a lot on families... The husband has basically accepted everything already. The wife is super interested. She just needs to read and ponder and pray. Then they will be baptized!!! I sure hope so anyway. It is so great to find someone that is truly prepared for the gospel.

We were able to be part of an elders quorum activity earlier this week. We hiked through the jungle to this super cool river. Then all the members went swimming... Since we are allowed to cross rivers(up to our knees) here in this mission, I helped build up their little dam that they had to make a swimming hole... So, I made a very large and very sturdy dam for them and made the swimming hole a good foot deeper. Pretty cool. Then we had lunch there at the river. They cooked some fish over the fire and made rice. One thing that kind of was a bummer is that they washed the fish in the river downstream to where everyone was swimming... and the branch president had just finished "hiking up river" to take care of some business.... and they used dirt and rocks to wash the pots and plates and things... It's way different here when it comes to hygiene... Good week. I have been doing great and feel super healthily. I am loving the mission. Have an awesome week!

The new senior couple is going to come in another week... the other couple is already here but they are in Manila. So it is probably the Newsons that will be coming here next week. Pretty cool. Pretty good week this week otherwise. We set a goal as a district on Tuesday to baptize 21 people before the end of the year. So we are working hard and acting in faith.

Love, Elder Schroeder

p.s. that is so awesome with the filipino mail guy! Keep talking to him! Maybe if you become his friend, I can come and talk to him in Tagalog. That would be fun to do. Keep up the great missionary work mama!

p.p.s. I am super jealous. Drag racing.