January 24, 2011

Here is what has been happening with me (summarized).  This past week has been full of miracles,  We have been teaching Alejandro for a while now and he finally excepted a baptismal date last night.  He will be baptized the 6th of Feb. if everything goes well. 
We also stopped at one of the members houses to say hi and it turned out that she really needed some comforting because her mom (who lives in Mexico) just had a stroke.  Sister McCollough was able to share the perfect scripture with her and when we left we all felt better. 
Oh, By the way...  I meet President Uchtdorf and his wife yesterday.  hahaha, I am NOT kidding.  The Visitor Center Director's didn't tell us that they would be coming in until a few hours before they arrived.  I talked with him and his wife for a little while.  When he read my name he said, "Schumacher, that is a strong German name", and his wife came up to me and gave me a hug.  Elder Mcdonald (visitor center director) spoke with me after and said, "Funny thing sister Schumacher, every time Elder Uchtdorf saw you he always stopped to speak with you."  WOW!
haha, it is so crazy.  I never expected to meet a member of the First Presidency while on the Mission.  It has been quite a month.

New message From Sister Schumacher!

01/03/2011

dear blog lovers =]

You are wonderful. haha.  So, being a missionary is not an easy task.  It isn't just giving tours around the Visitor's center or knocking on people's doors asking if they want to be baptized.  That really isn't it at all.  To do the work correctly, your heart has to be in it.  Now, when some of you asked me why I was serving a mission I said it was for me.  That is true.  I knew that serving a mission would make me work harder then ever before for something that makes my whole life up.  In school some knew me to be the religious one and some of you have seen me in my most shameful state.  Those experiences have built me and changed me but the mission is a new and life change experience of it's own.  We have people that don't give us the time of day, that slam the door in your face and yell at you.  Do I get mad? nope, I feel really sad because I know they aren't happy and they wont let me help them.  We have had a few people that feel that this is true and we have had wonderful experiences with and then they decided that they don't want to learn anymore... this one happen right before Christmas and it was really hard for me. 

But then, we have those amazing individuals that are so ready to make this step and to change their lives.  They really are miracles from God... one such as this is Monica, she called us and asked us to get her ready for Baptism! haha. Monica and her daughter Stephanie were the first 2 baptizms for the California Los Angeles Mission of 2011!!!!! My companion and I have been working hard and making goals for this month hoping and praying that he will continue blessing us with work and people who are ready to here this important message.

Mom, Dad, God knew what he was doing when he assigned me to you because so much of what I use to survive comes from how you taught me and loved me.  My friends back home, I miss you so much and I have also learned tons from you! For example, Emily... I cut up a pizza with scrapbooking scissors today, hahahaha (my companion was impressed by how well it worked)!

Thank you to the Mommy & Daddy, Lubianca & Jaye, Grandparents Cluff <3, Dmitri & Jenna, Aina family, Barrera Familia, Samalamadingdong, Emily, Mary Ellen, Stake Presidency (Pres.Volk!), and everyone else that I forgot to write out here (oops, still love you tons! keep writing!!!!) for the holiday love and joy.  If I didn't have support from home this would be so much harder to do, but Heavenly Father realizes that I need you.

Btw, I think I make some people a little nervous with how daring I can be about somethings. hahahaha.  I think it's that east coast girl in me <3

12/21/2010

Mission- We have a family we are teaching and they are really cute.  We are really trying to get them to church but it has been pretty hard.  We have an investigator named Monica who is getting baptized on Jan. 1, She is really amazing and we are teaching and preparing her 10 year old daughter for Baptism as well.  My companion Sister McCollough and I are trying to find more people to teach and strengthen the members in the Ward.  There are some really amazing and strong people out here, it reminds me a lot of the branch and how thankful I am for my little band of saints back home.  I talk about my family a LOT to everyone, haha.  It really is amazing how Heavenly Father just knows who to put in your life to make you progress the most and to make you the best you possible (he is working pretty hard on me, he gave me you guys! =P) The visitor's center is really amazing!  The senior couples here are the best and the other visitor center sister really try to help each other out and making things work the way that there suppose to. I miss you all and think of you often but I'm so excited to do the work! It really is super gratifying when you receive a prompting from the spirit and you follow it.  Some of the conversations I've had with people are incredible.  I actually meet one 16 year old boy on my flight out to LA, he sat next to me on the plane.  He flies back and forth from LA to Salt Lake because he is in a rehab program.  He really wants to do well for himself and I was able to talk to him about an amazing person I know back home who has had similar trails.  It really boosted his self-esteem to hear about it.  At the end of that conversation I was able to give him a Book of Mormon.  I don't know if he has read it or anything but I gave him the best thing I could give to anyone.  I guess that is something that has really made me excited, Is knowing how really the Book of Mormon is and being able to share it.  I love the gospel of Jesus Christ and correct principles understood (by the heart) truly changes behavior and lives.

This is Gabi with some people from her Grandma Cluff's ward who are also serving a mission.  Gabi Promises more pics to come!
 

Okay, I'm sorry I'm sorry!

I was giving addresses out based on the only 2 visible to me, BT Gabi's dad has now confirmed to me her address, so without further ado, you can write her at:


Sister Gabriela Cristel Schumacher
1591 East Temple Way
California Los Angeles Mission
Los Angeles, CA 90024-5801


Also as I said, Dearelder.com is very user friendly!  Unfortunately I think you DO have to sign up for an account, but once you do, you can just enter her address, pay the price of postage, and write her a line!  They print out your letter and send it out, without you having to drop it in the mailbox!

Week one!

This is a message I was sent from Gabi during week 3 at the MTC!  She is learning a lot about scheduling, teaching people who are interested in the gospel, working with other missionaries, scripture study habits and more!

"I have been way busy! BUT I LOVE IT! It is crazy scary work but I can't wait to do it.  Plus, I only have to do stuff to have the spirit with me and HE does the REAL work. The MTC is AMAZING.  They take such wonderful care of us. My teachers are awesome, my companions are amazing and my district is incredible!  Seriously, I love love love my district.  Its pretty crazy but their like family now.  We all hang out and do as much as possible together. <3  This is pretty short but I'm running out of time. I love everyone and miss them!  PLEASE WRITE =] I wont to hear from my lovely family and friends. 

All my love,

gabi"

She is having a great time but she's needing letter love!  Send her a snail mail letter to:



Sister Gabriela C. Schumacher
California Los Angeles Mission
10777 W Santa Monica Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90025

OR if you are tech savvy, and would like to send her a paper letter from dearelder.com!  You do have to create an account, but its really easy, you enter her address, and then type your letter in the box, pay the price of a stamp, and voila!  They print your letter and send it to her on mail day!  Its a really easy solution if you aren't a letter mailer.  She would love to hear from all of you!!

Utah, New Mexico and home again

   My family and I went out to Provo, Utah for my brother, Dmitri's, wedding.  It was a beautiful trip!  We stayed in the home of Dmitri and Jenna's Bishop (who's name I can not remember at this moment =[ ).  They were so generous and kind with us and we were able to feel at home in their home.  Tuesday night, when my parents and I came to Utah, we rented a car and found our way (eventually) down to Dmitri's place in Provo.  When we got there I ran up to the door and knocked.  He opened it and I jumped into his arms for a giant bear hug.  I miss him so much, its nice to know he misses me too.  After that we waited around for him to finish some music stuff for the wedding and then he lead the way (on his bright red scooter) to the Bishop's home.

   That evening we spent time together as a family, it is a rare occasion when we are all able to be together.  All  6 of us got into a 5 passenger car (we are NOT little people) the ride over was interesting, the ride back was a little more comfortable but not by much. Haha, Dmitri sat in the front sit and managed to fit me on his lap. When we returned to the house, Dmitri played a few games with me and then headed home.  Wednesday, My parents, Lubi and Jeremy, and I went out after breakfast and just hung out until we had to meet up with the Tolboes' and Dmitri for lunch.  We eat in an Italian restaurant that Petry took Jenna to for their first date.  After lunch we drove around, then headed home.  The men went out for a Bachelor's dinner and we women went to see Kristen our cousin.  We thought that she was in town by herself so we made a serious effort to get to her.  To our surprise, our lovely  Aunt Tony was there as well.  We had a good time together, chatting and going out for a light dinner.  We called Dmitri to come over after his party and made Aunt Tony hide in the bathroom.  He came in and I got him going on some topic.  Right as he started to explain something to me my Aunt Tony walks to his side.  He didn't notice until I looked in her direction and then he jumped up and picked her up in the air. I'd say it was a good night for us all.
   Thursday - The day of the wedding.  We got up and went to breakfast at Neaders in our PJs.  Then headed home and started the beautification process.  On big events it takes a couple of hours ... or more, haha.  The sealing was held in The Mount Timpanogos Temple.

It was gorgeous!  I couldn't believe I was able to be there.  Honestly could NOT have wished for more and it wasn't even my day!  Jenna was shining with all the love and excitement in the World and Dmitri was gushing with overwhelming happiness.  He was quite literally crying through the entire process and as a resolute so were the rest of us.  I can't explain how happy I was for him.  I knew how much he has wanted this and it was finally happening.  My feelings for the day... excited, happy, over joyed, overwhelmed, and I missed him terribly.  By that I mean,  now I really have to share my brother.  I love Jenna and I am so so happy she is part of our eternal family now but it did hit me pretty hard that she isn't just his girlfriend.  She is his wife, they are creating a new, entirely different life together.  It was just very new for me but, I can not WAIT to be an Aunt! hahaha!  After the sealing and pictures the Schumacher clan went to the Food Court in the Mall for lunch. =] I love my family, haha. The reception was beautiful, and there were so many wonderful people there.  I even got to dance with my brother, which of course ended in tearful hugging.  I also danced with Lubi, Jaye,Christian, Mommy, Jenna and Daddy.  A few good friends also stopped by and that is always good.  If you were to ask me how the wedding felt, I'd say comfortable and happy.  & On their way out, they had sparklers to light there way out of the reception hall (loved it)! 

That night my immediate family, including Christian, went to Jenna and Dmitri's new apartment to help bring gifts in and to say one last farewell.  After which we went to Brother and Sister Smith's and chatted for a bit with the family.
FRIDAY - well, I left for New Mexico and my family stayed an extra day in Utah and flew out Saturday.  While in NM I finally meet my friend Matt A. in person.  Before it had only be through phone and internet.  Don't worry, I didn't randomly meet him and give him my information.  He is very good friends with one of my best friends, Lee Anna. I stayed in NM until Tuesday and I was able to spend my time just relaxing and enjoying my time with good friends. 

Now, it is back to work time. I have Mission information still needing to be sent out and packing to get done.  People to see and places to go.  =] 

my world in motion

My thoughts on taking chances:

I am a big baby but I risk my neck even when I am scared.  I don't want to miss the opportunity that could make my life.   I am not saying that I take every opportunity that is sent my way but I try my best to not close my mind to something new and great.  I guess you could say my biggest fear is missing out on my own life. 

That may be the biggest reason it has taken me some much time to figure out what I want for myself.  Now that I have a good idea of where my life is going I am terribly excited and extremely scared of life.  Lucky me I believe that I will have my own personal companion and friend (a.k.a. Holy Ghost, for those that didn't understand where I was going with that) to help me through whatever life has to offer.