Fall season Oct. 31, 2016

Banana bread sent from home.

Sis Schoemig wearing the LDS deaf symposium shirt that her parents was the co-chairperson this past summer.

Hallows Eve

HAPPY HALLOWEEN! 

Shout out to Mama Schoe for sending me homemade bread! That was a highlight of the week! #bestmommaever

Theres really not much to tell this week but that is was another good week. 

This week we have been really taking these moments all in. There's only one time you are on a mission, only one time you are with this companion, only one time to fully focus on the Lord, only one time to be here in Blacksburg as a missionary. So as we walk around we fully take it all in. I recommend everyone does that because you never know when it'll never be like this again. Be happy and rejoice in God! 

This week we met with a young man named Caymus. Now Caymus was really interested when we first met him! We were being obedient and going and finding when the ward wanted us to stay at a fireside. We met him that night and he gave us a return appointment. We got the stake presidents young single adult daughter to go with us and he was home and ready for us. And during the lesson, he told us of how he was going to steal our souls if he looks in our eyes, and how he can control everything around him. We just continued on with the lesson and i started to tell how Joseph Smith was reading in James 1:5 and how it says if any of you lack wisdom let him ask of God and he shouts THATS MY MIDDLE NAME! and we almost started laughing cause we thought he meant God was his middle name, we continued on and he said he thought it was awesome how we had the aaronic priesthood because his best friend is named aaron and his dad died and he just cried for days when that happened. We started telling him the first vision and after he said "THATS IT. THATS WHERE I KNOW THAT. When I was walking out of work today, I saw a picture on the wall and it was of Joseph Smith baptizing Pocahontas in 1781!!! I couldnt look at Sister Rowley because I knew I would just laugh so hard! We wrapped up the lesson quickly and he told us that he was so grateful that we came over and how he was on this new journey because of music...and drugs and he asked to hug us and we said no we just do handshakes! We left and all three of us just sat in the car for a little while and just laughed because of the craziness that was that lesson, we all agreed that he was definitely on drugs in that lesson! Man, college kids are great! That was one of the biggest adventures of this week! 

I only have two weeks left with Sister Rowley. I'm kinda sad about it. I love her so much. She doesn't really realize all that she does for me. 

The Zone Leaders made a star appearance at our church yesterday! They had a meeting at our building and it was good to see them! I love all the friends and memories I am making here!  There are some stellar missionaries here in the West Virginia Charleston mission and I am so grateful to be here with them and to learn from them. THERE ARE GOOD THINGS TO COME ALWAYS! 

Be hopeful, have charity, be kind, be diligent, obedient, humble, and HAVE FAITH. 

God loves you. 

LOVE TO THE MOON AND BACK,

Sister Schoemig​

Four month pictures Oct. 24, 2016

Wearing the shirt from the Jarvis reunion we just had "I will choose Kindness"

Four months!

That is a very big pizza!!!

Love the expression on her face....

Thats so rad!

We had the most killer week ever. Seriously, it was SO good! We met cool people every day, we taught cool people every day, and we have been so guided by the spirit every day!

We have been invited as a mission to read the Book of Mormon altogether. And as we do that we have been seeing miracles after miracles as a mission. The only way to describe it is this way....I feel the power of it each time we open it to read. I know a large part of the success we have been seeing here has been from our focus on the Book of Mormon. I think reading it has helped us to become even more obedient than before. I feel more guided by the spirit as to what to say, who to see, and where to go. Its amazing the spirit the Book of Mormon brings into your life the more you read it and put a focus on it. I feel such a familiarity about it the more I read it and the more I teach from it. When I read it, I end up not wanting to put it down. It gives such strength. One experience we had of the power of the Book of Mormon this week was with our investigator Haley, she's been having a rough time with school, work and life and she texted us and asked if she could meet with us, which was a miracle because we haven't been able to see her in a while. We felt that we should read Alma 34 with her and watch the Mormon Message Mountains To Climb. The spirit was so strong as we testified of Christ and his redeeming love. She ended up giving us a return appointment that's tomorrow. The power that comes from the Book of Mormon is something that you can't replace with anything else. That is why we teach of it and with it. Its through the Book of Mormon and prayer that we gain a testimony of it all. 

So Saturday we were supposed to have an appointment with Yu one of our chinese investigators, but he wasnt responding so we just didnt go... bad mistake on our part... but then we went to panda express and guess who we saw! YU!! when he saw us he goes... OH GOSH! haha we were like YU what happened buddy? and he told us that his phone was broken so he couldnt get ahold of us so he went to the church to meet with us and there was no one there so he decided to go to panda to get lunch and there we were! haha he is one of the funniest people I have ever met! we asked him if he ate with chopsticks and he looks at us all confused and says IM CHINESE! OF COURSE I EAT WITH CHOPSTICKS! in his broken english.. we then asked him if he was gonna get married to Xiatong (his girlfriend thats in china) and he said Yes. and that was it!! haha We loved eating with him, seriously he is so funny! 

OH! I hit my four month mark! What what! I think im gonna say this every time..but time goes so fast! We celebrated my click day by getting a pizza and the pizza was as big as me. No joke. I couldnt even eat the whole pizza. It was a good click day!

On sundays we have call in report where our district leader calls to talk about the week and so he called and he asked us how we got ten member present lessons this week and we told him members here are so willing to come out with us and he said THATS SO RAD. Me and Sister Rowley were laughing so hard because last week he said I reckon.. so we were like where did you get all this crazy lingo? it was a pretty funny moment.

I went on exchanges, it was pretty good! Sister Nelson came to Blacksburg with me and it was good! Every time our sister training leaders they just are so overwhelmed because of how the bus works and talking to kids our own age. it is pretty funny to see how they react to it all. Sister Nelson gave me the coolest compliment, she told me she cant wait to see what I'll accomplish if I had to start in an area like this one. It was kinda an emotional moment for me because I dont see myself as strong but somehow everyone sees strength in me. I know I say this every week but I was meant to go on a mission and have all these different experiences to be someone I NEVER thought I could be. I am just so so so so so so so so grateful to be here. 

I LOVE ALL OF YOU SO SO MUCH! 

Have an amazing week full of miracles! Read the Book of Mormon, Pray and rely on Christ through ALL things! Do something different this week to come unto Christ! The blessings will follow as you strive to become a deeper rooted disciple of Christ. I know it and I've seen it. 

LOVE, Sister Schoemig

Pictures Oct. 17, 2016

Beautiful fall season

The ballerina on Dr. Pepper

Sis Schoemig and Sis Rowley with Sis Salisbury (mission president's wife)

Anthony the first to President Salisbury

helllooo family!

how are y'all?

Holy cow, it is so beautiful here. God loves Virginia FOR SURE. 

I got the coolest blessing this week from Bishop Passic. One of the main things I remember from this past week is that I am meant to be who I am. I really believe that I was meant to go on a mission to figure out who God has made me to be. I have been told so many times in this past week of qualities I have that God has given me, and ones that I grew up having because of my amazing parents. I really am so blessed to be here and to be learning and growing as much as I am. 

BUT this week..... we had interviews with President Salisbury! He is so cool! I asked him if he had one thing he wanted every missionary to develop while on their mission, what would it be? He thought for a little bit and he told me obedience. Sometimes as missionaries we get so focused on our purpose and what we need to do, we don't think about all the possibilities that are still there in the principle of obedience. He told me to not keep the lines drawn too tight on what we can and cannot do but to still be obedient because obedience brings blessings. He told me of how much he has loved to see me grow. He told me that it's been such a cool thing to watch me grow from someone shy to someone who is getting out of her comfort zone so often. He told me he can see the growth in me and feel the growth in me. It was cool to hear him talk about how much he has seen me grow while being out here. This was the best part of the interview... he asked about how my family was and I told him they are doing so good! and he said I love seeing your face light up and smile as you talk about your family! I LOVE YOU GUYS SO MUCH!!! I HOPE YOU KNOW THAT!! 

One funny moment for the week... at interviews almost my whole district was there and elder wozniak and elder stalworth were helping sister salisbury take some things out of the car as they were about to leave, and someone had brought cookies for the missionaries and sister rowley and president were in an interview and as they walked out, elder wozniak grabbed a cookie and turned to me and said " a cookie for the road" and I was laughing so hard. elders have such a weird sense of humor out here. as the institute teacher here would say... its CLEAN HUMOR. oh and by the way the institute teacher here knows Mckenna Roberts! He taught for Herriman High School! so small world right?!

Sister Rowley tried to save a slug this week. She just really likes slugs and doesnt like to see them die, i guess. 

And I've been teaching her how to sign! Shes getting pretty good! She helps me keep up on my signing skills!

And you will all laugh at this... Sister Rowley this week was teasing me this week and she said YOU NEVER STOP DANCING OR MOVING! And i was like Yup. I've heard that so many times from my family and friends. Thats never gonna change. :)

I LOVE YOU FAMILY! YOU GUYS ARE THE GREATEST GROUP OF HUMANS IN THE WHOLE WORLD! I AM SO BLESSED TO HAVE YOU IN MY LIFE!

Love to the moon and back! Sister Schoemig​

Grill Master pictures of the week Oct. 10, 2016

Die tye jumpsuit

Grill masters!

Add caption

Grill Master=ME & SISTER ROWLEY

A mission really pushes you to places you never thought you could go before. I thought I was someone who could never do this. Never could help someone with gospel principles, never could talk this much in my life, never could be this far from home, and never could try things so boldly, BUT HERE I AM. This week really showed me that I am capable through Christ which strengthens me. Yesterday during our gospel principles class our teacher asked us to give our testimonies in Christ and I was thinking about what I should say and I thought about how Christ makes us whole. I am whole because of Christ. I can be bold because of Christ. I can try new things because of Christ. I can talk all day because of Christ. He gives me everything. He gives hope. He gives peace. He gives love. I am here to pay him back for all that hes done for me, but its impossible. He has done so much for me and will do more that I can ever imagine in my life. I love the Prince of Peace, the Messiah, the Redeemer, my Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. I am so happy I have this knowledge and know of his love. I hope I can be adequate in showing his love for his children to others. I will do my best. :) I love my mission and I'm grateful I can be doing things I never thought I could ever do before. 

I am now a grill master. Holla. We had a cookout at one of the less actives home with her family to help her get to know the ward so she feels comfortable coming and our ward mission leader couldnt come last minute because he forgot his brother was getting married. haha! so me and sister rowley tried to get the recently returned missionary here to do it and he said well if you sisters dont think you can do it... and we were like WHOA WHOA WHOA! We can do it! We'll do it just to show you we can! And he said See what I did there? haha! he certainly knows how to get sisters to do things!! So ME AND SISTER ROWLEY GRILLED ABOUT 40 HAMBURGERS AND HOTDOGS! and they were amazing! That night was just so good! The members actually came because they like us and they brought friends and it was amazing! The ward here is helping us and its awesome! Its cool to see this area go from nothing to bursting with so many people to teach and see the members helping us out! 

At the YMCA this week we found a tie dye jumpsuit and we convinced our friend Derron to put it on. Ill send a picture. He's a funny guy! :)

IT IS SO COLD! I've been wearing scarves, cardigans, and big jackets for the past week. But i love experiencing something that isnt Utah weather! The leaves are starting to change back here in Virginia and its so pretty. I love it.

Well, thats about it since it was a short week. There are miracles every day. Open your eyes and count the miracles and blessings around you. I promise you WILL see God in them.

I LOVE YOU ALL SOOOOO MUCH!!!! HAVE AN AWESOME WEEK!!

Remember to review General Conference!!

LOVE, Sister Schoemig​

Pictures of the week! Oct. 5, 2016

Daddy's pumpkin

They are still together for this transfer!

THE ANTICIPATION IS OVER

So I know you are all wondering if I'm getting transferred or not so I'll wait till the end to tell you MWAH HA HA! (dont you dare skip ahead)

This week has been super awesome but crazy! We had a lot of dropped lessons this week but the miracles never stop in the Lords work! We had our Bishop come to a lesson we were having with Zebo, when we were teaching about the priesthood and our Bishop felt REALLY prompted to give Zebo a blessing and HOLY COW this was amazing! The spirit was so stinking strong! And another one of our investigators, Kyle, felt like he needed a blessing this week (kyle is so stinking awesome, he's so ready to be baptized, he asked for the blessing all by himself!) and so he got one too! And our Bishop is so in tune with the spirit its crazy! Each was so uniquely perfect for them and was exactly what they needed to hear. I love how Heavenly Father loves each of us enough to give us our OWN direction in a blessing. HE LOVES US SO MUCH!!! 

GENERAL CONFERENCE: Every talk was so amazing! We watched it at 12 and 4 at the institute building and Sister Mitchells house. And if I could tell you about every single thing I learned from conference this email would be ten thousand pages long.  BUT I loved Elder Hales talk! I learned from him that we need to really let the Savior be our caregiver. That is what he is there for, so why arent we giving it all to him? Hes waiting for us to do that. Give up your will and take HIS yoke upon you. I loved Elder Stevensons talk on the Book of Mormon. It really is written for us and our time and I loved how he asked if we realized that! I often dont think we do realize that but we really really need to! it can help us so much! if  we just changed a little screen time to a little study time in the book of mormon our lives would be changed for the better!  I loved President Monsons talk. The gospel is so simple. That was something so evident to me, that the things we teach and learn of are so incredibly simple. Why do we have a hard time living it? Heavenly Father has made it all possible for us and we just need to MAKE THE DECISION and ACTUALLY LIVE IT! One of the speakers, Elder Peter F. Muers is coming to our mission next month! What what! That was cool to see him speak in conference! Let us all take away something from conference to apply to our lives to BECOME like our Savior, Jesus Christ. He is and should be the focus of our live. All the rest is effects from living in this world. Remember the Celestial Kingdom is our goal. Live worthy of it. 

remember to read the talks over and over again too! I promise you'll learn something new each time you do!

So this last transfer Sister Rowley lost her USB with her sisters last ever video on it. And THE coolest thing happened. We met this super cool couple named Katelyn and John the day she lost it and so we went back a few weeks ago to look for it and we prayed to be able to  find it because it is so special to her and we felt super prompted to go and talk to Katelyn and John about it and tell them that we felt impressed to come and talk to them about it. We did and John said they'd keep an eye out for it. and we left to go on with our day. We went back for our appointment tomorrow and Katelyn was home, ready for us and we went in and all the sudden Katelyn lifted up a small black USB. IT WAS SISTER ROWLEYS. and she told us she had the coolest story to tell us. so after we told John about it, he told Katelyn about it and they were gonna watch for it. then she met her neighbor and she introduced herself and the first thing he said was Have you lost a junk drive? and she said no and walked away confused. Then she told John about it and he was all Katelyn... THE MORMONS! And she was like YES! and went back to grab it from their neighbor and then they waited for our next appointment! And Sister Rowley felt prompted to tell them why she wanted it back so badly and it so happens that Katelyn had a brother pass away this past year and it led perfectly into the plan of salvation. and they are our two new investigators! Heavenly Father takes care of his missionaries and has a reason for everything! 

FOR THE NEWS YOU"VE ALL BEEN WAITING FOR:

I'm staying in Blacksburg with Sister Rowley! My new Sister Training Leader is Sister Nelson, Sister Rowley's old companion! And my new District Leader is Elder Wozniak, and he just gone done being an assistant to the president so i'm gonna have the most killer district EVER! I'm so excited for this next transfer! Its gonna be so good!

Well I love you all so much and I'll talk to you monday! 

LOVE Sister Schoemig

​Ps. I hit my face on my bike 

(Mother's note:  If you are wondering why her companion's USB is so important to her.  It is because her sister passed away (of cancer) six weeks into her mission field last year.  We have all been praying that she would find it as it has her sister's last video to Sister Rowley.)