September 26, 2016 Pictures

Grandma Schoe sent her a Sunshine package.  :)

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Three months

Love that she is still wearing the "Shine On" bracelet for Shihan Davis.

Identical watches!

Miracles!

Can you feel the MIRACLES?

I wish everyone could feel and see the miracles that happen all around me here in Blacksburg. The hand of God truly is in missionary work. We have had an absolutely incredible week.

It started last sunday. One of the boys here just got home from his mission in France like a month ago, and he gave a talk on his mission in the ward and he told us of what he and his companion did in an area to see all the mini miracles that were happening around him. They wrote them all down and kept track of them. We felt, afterward, really prompted to do that. So when we got home that last sunday, we wrote down miracles we've seen thus far and miracles we saw that day. I'm gonna send a picture of it but seriously this week has been one of the best weeks thus far. 

We had so many good lessons this week and every investigator is progressing so well! We are now teaching Zebo, Yu, KJ, Sheng, Noelle (she wanted to meet with us again!!!!!), Jacqueline (shes new but shes awesome!!!), and Haley as investigators and then Karoline, Emily, Julia and then Preston (cool story with him that ill tell later ;)) as less actives! I just cannot even believe how a little faith can go so far! We started with nothing and with the guidance of our Heavenly Father, we have accomplished more than we ever could ourselves.

I am just overwhelmed with gratitude that I have parents who raised me to know of these truths, grandparents who instilled hard work and faith in me, aunts and uncles who taught me to be myself at all times, and siblings who've seen me at my worst and best and still chose to help me become better. Even though I've only been gone three months I feel that I've been changed forever. I know the blessings and gifts of the gospel and I never want to go without them. Theres nothing in the world that replaces those blessings. I see it everyday as I walk around with these students. The glory and brightness of the gospel is something that ONLY comes from the gospel. We must strive to turn ourselves to the Savior in every word, deed, and thought. Its through those actions that we find the light of Christ in ourselves. I am one grateful sister missionary.

I had to recite D&C 4 in district meeting by myself and I did it! It was one of the best experiences to prove to myself that I can do things I never thought I could! It was in front of the Zone Leaders too, so it really tested me to get up and do things even though I am scared to death! :P

Haha, so yesterday some of the members were getting together for dinner and they invited us over for it so we went and we were talking about the origins of our last names and so our investigator Zebo looked up what Schoemig means and it means something like we are faithful and open and so i responded like my typical self and I started doing pretending like I was throwing money, cause im weird and I do that.... and everyones jaws LITERALLY dropped. Julia said I never imagined Sister Schoemig would ever do anything like that. I then realized I should probably show people my fun personality out here a bit more... haha but it was the best moment to see everyones reactions! Even my companion was like WHAT? You've never done anything like that!! haha

And last but not the very least at all! GENERAL WOMENS SESSION!! What what! It was incredible! Many things to apply from just that one session!  I especially loved President Uchtdorfs talk and how he talked about faith and his wife! I feel that his wifes story applies to all of us. We do not give up when we first start, or when we are halfway through. Theres something about the principle of enduring to the end that has hope. When we make it to the VERY LAST DOOR we see the miracles and god pushing us on to get the blessings. Can you imagine if they gave up on the first floor, they would've never found his wife. Let us all strive to ENDURE TO THE END and never give up on the gospel we love so much. Blessings come when we obey and endure. 

I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! HAVE AN AMAZING WEEK!

Sister Schoemig

ps. me and sister willis have the same watch. what what!

pps. And I hit my click day! month three! its going so fast! time needs to slow down!​

BY THE WAY! Transfer calls are this week! And I wont be able to email till Wednesday again so by the time you hear from me again I will have found out who is leaving the area, my new companion and other things! Pray all goes well for transfers! :) LOVE YOU

Bike pictures and others! September 19, 2016

Autumn Splendid!

YAY for girls bikes!!!

GIRL BIKES!!!!

So what to start with....so much happens.

Specialized Training. We do it differently that most missions because of how spread out the mission is so President and Sister Salisbury come because otherwise they would never get to see us and so its like a mini zone conference but its really amazing! But this is a funny story... once upon  a time Sister Rowley is really bad at conducting music and the zone leaders, knowing this, picked her to conduct the music and they would not let her out of it. but then once the meeting started the zone leaders were nice and didnt say who was conducting and so I just got up and did it for her. It was probably the funniest thing to see the zone leaders try to get Sister Rowley to do it. They are hilarious elders. But other than that, it was amazing. President always knows what I need to hear and so it just was perfect! I loved it and learned so much! I cant wait to spend the next 16 months (almost 15 ) here!!!!!

OH YEAH! I FORGOT!! so me and Sister Rowley went up to Sister Salisbury and asked how we ride bikes with skirts and so she just snapped at President and he came over and we asked him how and he said... well we dont want you looking silly so why dont you just go get new ones and the mission will pay for it. Our jaws dropped. We were like NO WAY. and so we went and got girl bikes! President spent so much money just on us to get new bikes! We just wanted to know how to ride our bikes in skirts and he bought us whole new bikes! WE ARE SO LOVED! And we are now the only Biking sisters in the mission! I love that I get to start my mission in the most unique spot in the mission. I am one lucky sister. :)

Transfers are coming up in two weeks and everyone thinks im gonna train... so pray for me. haha :P

I found a street named Autumn Splendor, so of course I took a picture next to it!

We rode around on our bikes for a grand total of over 10 miles the past couple days. Im getting pretty healthy out here! :P

OUR MIRACLE(S)!

this week we met Mark, we accidentally go on the wrong bus and so we just decided to hop off and go knock some doors and we knocked on Marks! Hes super cool! hes from mainland china and hes super interested! Super quiet but really awesome!

Saturday was super hard because all the YSA members were at a devotional at SVU with Elder Rasband and there was a football game here so we had no motivation to do anything but we actually got a lot done and we got to see the Corps kids march to the game so that was crazy! and then we ate at Buffalo Wild Wings and a member from the blacksburg family ward came in and said hi to us then got her food and walked out and then the waiter came up to us and told us that she had paid for our meal. It was such a motivator in that moment that that was why we are out here. AND THEN THE BLESSINGS CAME from when we worked hard even though we didnt feel like it! We had four investigators at church!! FOUR! Can you believe that? We started out with nothing here and now we have four investigators at church. This area though it seemed like nothing could happen, has just grown so much and Im so happy to be here! I LOVE IT HERE! 

And also me and sister rowley have friends in the ward! We've been having a hard time connecting with members and so we felt like we really needed to do member lessons and as we've been doing them the more members want to feed us and get to know us and man the blessings are real! I am so grateful for the loving guidance of my heavenly father, he knows our weaknesses here and he's been making them strong.

well, theres so much to tell and not enough time and my fingers cant go fast enough. 

But I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! Thanks for being my support and family! :)

Sister Schoemig

September 12, 2016 Pictures

Bikes!

Exchange companion, Sister Willis

Sister Schoemig

Do you want an automobile report on our feet?

WHADDUPPPP??

 

I love my mission. I've never felt so strong but so weak. So happy but so sad. So close to God but yet so far sometimes. I never have felt so much like I was needed somewhere and wanted to be somewhere. I love it. I always feel a purpose. I love this feeling and I want it forever.

On Friday we had Zone Meeting and it was so good. Me and Sister Rowley were laughing the entire time. I love that we get along so well. And the Zone Leaders were giving out these automobile reports that missionaries have to fill out for their cars and they started to hand us one and Sister Rowley said "Do you want one on our feet? Because we can tell you how far we walked and how worn out our shoes are?" And the Zone Leaders did an awkward laugh and then walked away. They didnt think it was very funny but to us it was because thats how we get around, by our feet. Haha! I learned a lot at Zone Meeting about being a more obedient missionary. We got a new Zone Leader and he came from Charleston as a Zone Leader and so he's really been trying to get this Zone to whip into shape. And its been super good to have him here, he just reminded us how much more we are capable of and that we just need to do it and blessings will come. It was such a good Zone Meeting.

Then we had EMERGENCY EXCHANGES! AHH! just kidding. They were really fun! I had my new Sister Training Leader, Sister Willis, come and join me in Blacksburg after Zone Meeting and oh my goodness, she is the most adorable thing ever! I really proved to myself that I am a missionary on exchanges. I was really nervous that I wasnt gonna be able to do anything or know where to go or what to teach. But WOWZA! Am i meant to do this! It was so amazing! I always knew where to go and what to do, and theres no doubt in my mind that it was the spirit helping me feel confident and always feel like I know what Im doing. It was the best exchange yet! Plus me and Sister Willis are the same person basically. so it was just really fun! She could not get used to the idea of getting on a bus to get around town. It was hilarious! It just was so funny to see how different my mission has been so far than anyone elses in this mission. I feel privileged to be here in Blacksburg. :)

AND THEN.... we got our bikes while on exchanges. I got a call from the elders who were also on exchanges and they said we have your bikes so i was like perfect! When can we get them from you? and he said um ASAP because we are downstairs.... so we went down grabbed them from the elders and the elders told us weird things about our bikes and then me and Sister Willis carried them up 4 flights of stairs to our apartment! And sister willis is like 4 feet so she had to lift the whole bike over her head to carry it up the stairs. It was hilarious! and then we exchanged back and me and sister rowley were riding them around and then sister rowleys bike got a flat tire only after like 2 miles so that was awesome. Its just always an adventure here in Blacksburg! I love it!

Then yesterday, we had Ward Conference. And it was really good, the Stake President came and he gave SUCH a good talk on being disciples of Christ and he talked about how missionaries are so depended on because we have devoted ourselves to being disciples of Christ and I was thinking to myself...Whoa. I did that. Im a missionary. Sometimes it just hits me that i am a missionary and i get so excited all over again. I LOVE IT! 

I AM A DISCIPLE OF JESUS CHRIST, THE SON OF GOD. I HAVE BEEN CALLED OF HIM, TO DECLARE HIS WORD UNTO HIS PEOPLE, THAT THEY MIGHT HAVE EVERLASTING LIFE. -3 Nephi 5:13

Ponder this week about how we can become better disciples of Christ, whether its serving more, studying the scriptures, or other things. HOW CAN YOU BECOME A BETTER DISCIPLE OF CHRIST? He is our king, our deliverer, our all, how can we strive to become just like our savior Jesus Christ? And then put it into action, because faith without works is dead. I invite all to come unto Christ and become a disciple of him that you might have everlasting life.

I love you all so much and hope you are all enjoying life!!

Sister Schoemig​

September 6, 2016 Pictures

Love that she got Carson on the front page of her little book.  

Bike helmets!  Yay!

Family History!

Family Tree Fan

Sis. Rowley and Sis. Schoemig

Sis Schoemig with her VT shirt!  Virginia Tech!

Sometimes You Need A Tough Time

Well, here we are again. But on a Tuesday. I don't really have much to say this week but this, President called me on Saturday because I texted and asked him too. I think a mission amplifies emotions because you are giving away everything. You have sacrificed so much to be here. You are giving away every emotion you have, every ounce of energy you have, and sharing something that is so close to you. It really caught up to me this week. Even now, as I write this, I am overcome with emotion and with the spirit. I know this is the best thing I could do but its also THE HARDEST thing I could ever do. 

President is such a kind man. As soon as I texted him asking him to call, not even five minutes later, he called. Proof that he loves me and wants to help me even though he barely knows me. He asked me how I was doing and what was going on. And I just started crying. I told him I'm not adjusting too well and I miss my family more than ever. He stopped and asked how morning routines were going and I told them how they were going and then he stopped and asked who my favorite Book of Mormon hero is. I told him Captain Moroni and he said Sister Schoemig, Did God ask him to do hard things? And are your things just as hard as his things? I said yeah he did and they probably aren't much compared to theirs. And he explained something. Heavenly Father asked them to do hard thing because he knew they could do it and he wanted to see their faith. He then asked what I thought I could do to change to be the missionary I need to be. I told him three things: 1. I could talk more in lessons and be more bold, 2. Focus on the work, 3. Focus on the positive. He explained something to me, he said Sister Schoemig in D&C 4:2 it talks about serving with our whole heart, might, mind and strength. My feeling for you, is to put your mind in the work. My gut feeling is that you want to be here and your family is a big portion of your life but you need to immerse yourself in the work. I get the feeling that you've had whispering of the spirit these past couple days telling you these things but you haven't acted upon them yet. Is that yet? I said, Definitely. He said I think you just needed someone else to reaffirm these things to you and now you know what you need to do, Heavenly Father has told you and now its your turn. He told me to reflect back on Zone Conference and my vision for myself often. He reassured me that Blacksburg is the place I need to be and that miracles can happen here, and I need to be able to trust myself and my Savior, and I need to rely on him more, to do the work and put myself all the way in it. He told me some other things but that is the gist of it. He ended the call by telling me that he loves me and that if I needed more help to call him in a few days, and that I'm doing better than I think I am and that the day where it all clicks for me, is coming soon.

My testimony has really grown this week in sometimes you just need a tough time to tell you, Hey, you need to make some changes. A mission is really hard because of all the output you put out and not seeing the input you get back. But I know in the end, I am going to look back and say Whoa, look at the lords hand in my life and look at the miracles I just witnessed. I know that sometimes we get so overcome with the Why Me part of life that we dont see the things that are happening all around us. I testify that if we put our whole heart, might, mind and strength into Heavenly Father's plan for us and in the gospel of Jesus Christ that we WILL become servants of the Lord, that we WILL see Heavenly Fathers tender mercies and his love for us. That things will get better and that I WILL become the missionary I need to be. Home life is on the back burner for me and I'm finally coming to terms with it. God is real and he is good. He loves me and he loves you. We each need to realize his plan is not our plan and that we are going through specific things because of who we are and who we need to become. I'm ready for the next sixteen months and what it will bring. In fact i'm saying WHATS NEXT? 

To the other happenings of mission life... Sister Rowley tripped me last night, that's just what she does, and I fell pretty far but managed to stay on my feet and I yelled then started laughing and a car was passing us and this guy yelled WHOA and then started laughing really hard. It was a pretty embarrassing but funny moment. 

We met with Zebo again. He struggles with prophets. We had Brock and Cat, two members of the ward come and it was one of those lessons that the missionaries just sit and listen, Brock needed to teach him in that lesson and the spirit was evidently strong about that. It was one of the coolest lessons so far. 

And we met Robyn,  she is super awesome. We went to her house in Christiansburg and the spirit was there as soon as we sat down. Thats where we needed to be. Rachael, a member, gave the closing prayer and after we looked up at Robyn and she was bawling, the spirit was so strong and she felt so loved. This will be a lesson I will never forget. 

The person most important to you, is the person right in front of you. 

I love you all to the moon and back,

Sister Schoemig

Ps. We are getting bikes. The only sisters in the mission with bikes haha!