Here Comes Elder Schoemig

I've gotta start of with the most exciting news of THE CENTURY. 

Ahem. My brother, Chandler Alma Schoemig, has been called as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in the WASHINGTON SEATTLE MISSION. He reports on June 14th, 2017 and he has been called to preach the Lord's gospel in American Sign Language. 

There are no words to describe the complete joy I feel in this moment. The many amazing, scary, overwhelming, intense experiences that are ahead of him are something that I AM SO EXCITED to hear. Chandler, you are an amazing son of God. I always have looked up to you, now that we are big its more literally than figuratively (haha). ;) I so wish I could be there for this amazing new journey you are about to embark on. Joyfully, the Lord has called and qualified me too. I am HONORED to serve with such a noble son of God, and more humbled that he is in my own family. The seven months that we will serve together on opposite ends of the country are going to be months that will pull us more together, than any other time of our lives. If I could offer some few words of advice it would be this. Focus. Serve. Love. Focus, because the years that are ahead of you are ones that YOU CANNOT REPLACE, I don't say this to put fear in you but to inspire you. This is YOUR TIME TO SERVE, do it with the most focus that you can give and I promise the Lord will bless you for it. Don't get distracted by what the other Elders and Sisters are doing around you and focus on what you want to become and what you want your mission to be. It's all dependant on your focus on serving the Lord. Serve, because WE SERVE THE LORD WITH ALL OUR HEART, MIGHT, MIND, and STRENGTH. We are the Lord's army. Love, because you are called to love, not to judge. These are the Lord's children and they are going to need your love almost more than anything else. 

I am so proud of you and your decision to serve the Lord for two years. I love you and I can't wait to serve with you.

Now for my week... Zone Conference was on Wednesday. I had a lot of thoughts running through my head concerning my little bro. But so much comfort was given to me. Me and my mother, were talking, last monday, about me skyping home for my brothers mission call, it was going to be a suprise to him and my family. The thoughts of excitement and nervousness kept running through my head throughout the week, but when I saw President Salisbury, the thoughts all cleared up and I knew what I had to do. At the first break we had for the day, I basically ran up to President and asked him if he got my mom's email. He said he hadn't and looked for it for a little while. Eventually I just decided to tell him what me and my mom wanted to do and when I told him I could see the many thoughts running through his head. But I had already made up my mind, this was one of the hardest decisions I've ever had to make. I couldn't call home. I need to be totally consecrated to the Lord. When I left on a mission, I decided to leave all that at home. I was reminded of that and I knew that was the Lord's will for me. When I told President, he immediately told me he wished he could give me the biggest hug. (He really really wanted to give me a hug, he's the BEST) Basically, y'all know me and should expect this. I quickly excused myself and my companion to go to the bathroom because I was crying hard core. Such a hard decision to make, but I am so glad I made it. The rest of Zone Conference was really good. Wish I could explain all I learned, sadly time is of the essence!

We went on exchanges with the Martinsville sisters. I was with Sister Callister here in Roanoke.  It was a really good exchange! Sister Callister is an amazing missionary!. At the end of the exchange, we all said something we learned and I could tell it was a good exchange because we all learned something that was deeply connected to something we could work on or something we needed to learn. I am so happy to be a sister training leader to some AMAZING SISTERS.

This work is the most joyous work. There are so many moments throughout the day that help me to feel so much joy! We have been working so hard to keep finding and teaching. Last night, we were out trying to find someone to teach around 8:30. We didn't quite know quite where the Lord needed us so we decided to pray for some guidance. We said a prayer and looked around, and Sister Rogers said Well, no one magically appeared..We continued to look around to see which way we needed to go when in a split second someone magically appeared. We decided that was our answer. We went up to talk to him, and he wasn't interested at first but I felt prompted to tell him how we ended up coming to talk to him. I told him that God loved him and he just provided a way for us to feel all of his love. The joy that came into him when we told him that was so real. You could see his eyes light up! It was amazing. The light that just seems to grow in investigators and less actives is something that I know only comes from the gospel. This is truly a joyous work. 

This is probably the longest email you've ever seen but whatevs. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY CHANDLER! (I forgot to mention that it was his 18TH birthday as well!)

So I love Sister Rogers. We get along SO well. We compliment each other in the work. It's really cool to see the miracles flow as we work together to serve the Lord. I am LOVING it. :)

General Conference was the best! If you didn't watch, go watch it right now because that is what the Lord needs you to hear. It's pretty important stuff! Even if you did watch, go watch it again cause it's just THE BEST! We had 3 investigators watch conference and they each loved it so much! I am so glad I have the knowledge of Christ's true gospel and I get to go share it with his children. 

Well, I better skedaddle. The people are waiting for the joyous message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. ;)

I LOVE YOU ALL TO THE MOON AND BACK. 

Sister Schoemig

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