Elder Curtis Sudbury

Elder Curtis Sudbury

Monday, September 13, 2010

Elder Sudbury and Elder Bryant baptised two more!

Curtis Letter September 13, 2010

Hello World,
 
Coral and Damaris got baptized this week :).  Both were extremely ready to get baptized.  They love going to church and are both certain it is true. :)  The work continues with the rest of the investigators. It's been a good week and we've seen our share of miracles with our investigators.  A few people have begun to listen who have never had interest in listening to us or any other missionary before.  God blesses us daily.  On a side note, Élder Bryant has not been sleeping well; the which makes him grumpy all day :P.  We're going to talk with the doctor this week to see if we can't get him something to help him sleep.  He was taking melatonin, but it had too great of an effect.  They halved the dose and changed it to once every 3 days, but it's not helping.  We'll see what happens.  Other than that, all is well here in México...other than the fact that pizzas here don't use any marinara sauce...or any sauce for that matter...very distressing... :P

Well, something that Mom sent me made me think of another way to write a letter that I haven't done in a while.  I'm going to just describe everything around me.  I'm in a run down ciber on the lower end of Cuatro Vientos.  My companion is using the computer behind me and both the computers are running rather slowly.  I'm personally of the opinion that they are rather virus ridden and am half inclined to run a virus scan for them before I go :P.  This computer is having difficulty reading my iPod and I think I'm going to ask Élder Bryant if we can switch computers soon.  The kid next to me is chatting on some instant messenger software with which I'm unfamiliar and listening to metallica and Rammstein.  I rather like the songs and they'll probably be stuck in my head most of the day.  :P  México is an interesting place :P.

Other than that...not much is new.  I convinced a member to let me make spaghetti today at her house :).  It actually came out pretty well. :)  That's about all.

This week's letter brought to you by: I Believe in Christ

1. I believe in Christ; he is my King!
With all my heart to him I’ll sing;
I’ll raise my voice in praise and joy,
In grand amens my tongue employ.
I believe in Christ; he is God’s Son.
On earth to dwell his soul did come.
He healed the sick; the dead he raised.
Good works were his; his name be praised.
2. I believe in Christ; oh blessed name!
As Mary’s Son he came to reign
’Mid mortal men, his earthly kin,
To save them from the woes of sin.
I believe in Christ, who marked the path,
Who did gain all his Father hath,
Who said to men: “Come, follow me,
That ye, my friends, with God may be.”
3. I believe in Christ—my Lord, my God!
My feet he plants on gospel sod.
I’ll worship him with all my might;
He is the source of truth and light.
I believe in Christ; he ransoms me.
From Satan’s grasp he sets me free,
And I shall live with joy and love
In his eternal courts above.
4. I believe in Christ; he stands supreme!
From him I’ll gain my fondest dream;
And while I strive through grief and pain,
His voice is heard: “Ye shall obtain.”
I believe in Christ; so come what may,
With him I’ll stand in that great day
When on this earth he comes again
To rule among the sons of men.
It is a fantastic song that I have always loved to sing, for it is my testimony of Christ.  I believe in Him.  He is my King, my Savior, and my Redeemer.  I know that He will come and that I can be faithful to that end.  I know He lives.  I know He loves me.  I know he loves us all and that he wants us all to gain eternal life.  I want to be faithful forever. :)

All my love,
Élder Sudbury

PS Thanks for writing me all!  I love you dearly and hope all is well.  Tell my nieces and nephews I love them.  Mom & Dad, good luck not destroying the new garage.  Melanie and JuleeAnn, good luck in the new jobs! SA, Matt, good luck in the residency picks!  NA, good luck in the new apartment.  Tim and Chris...GO UTES! :D

Curtis' companion doing a little reading

Curtis' companion

Our Baptism for this week

Monday, September 6, 2010

Letter from Curtis, September 5, 2010

Veronica got baptized!!!  :)  She still has some doubts, but she knows it's true and knows it was what God wanted her to do so she moved forward! 
 
We also have found another family, the family of Rousse.  They are reading the Book of Mormon and have already felt a powerful witness of the Spirit that it is true.  I'm so very happy for them.  Through all of these miracles I don't forget that I am only an instrument in the hands of the Lord.  All the progress that I see is not a result of me being anything special, just that it is their time and God has let us be a part of their miracle.  I know that baptisms are not a part of the success I have, just an added blessing to see.  My success is measured by if I have the Spirit with me and if I'm doing the things I'm supposed to be doing.  Baptisms have nothing to do with success.  That being said, I am extremely grateful to have the blessing to see the miracles that are inherent in baptism. :)
 
That has really been the focus of the last week.  Help Veronica take that step.  I have seen how absolutely amazing of a member she can be.  I can see the light in her glowing.  I also know that Satan will be working especially hard against her because she is such an incredible person.  I pray she can stay strong.
 
That's all the big news that comes to mind.  We have two fantastic people who have decided to get baptized this week, Coral and Damariz.  They are fantastic and more than ready to take that step.  I'm excited to be a part of that :)  Um...that's about all...I got a haircut today! :D  Um...yeah...enjoy the pictures.
 
Song of the week: The Whole Armor of God
 
What soldier enters life's battlefield,
Without a sword, without a shield?
I take my sword and shield each day,
When I kneel down and humbly pray.
 
I take my place in the ranks of youth,
I learn his word and I love the truth.
Prepared to do my part in this war,
I know what it is I'm fighting for.
 
With helmet in place, with sword in hand;
With the shield of faith, we are worthy to stand.
With the gospel of peace, our feet are shod,
Valiant and strong in the armor of God.
We have on the armor of God.
 
Sometimes I stumble beneath the blow.
My heart grows troubled, my courage low.
When fear whispers that I cannot win,
I put on His strength and rise again.
 
With helmet in place, with sword in hand;
With the shield of faith, we are worthy to stand.
With the gospel of peace, our feet are shod,
Valiant and strong in the armor of God.
We have on the armor of God.
 
With helmet in place, with sword in hand;
With the shield of faith, we are worthy to stand.
With the gospel of peace, our feet are shod,
We have on the armor of God.
 
I know that if I arm myself with the Armor of God that I will be able to stand.  I know that my God will not let me fall.  I am far, FAR from perfect, but I know my God is with me, makes up for my faults, and helps me each day.  My God directs me, testifies of truth, and stands as a witness of it.  I cannot deny the witness I have recieved from Him.  I hope I can be the person God wants me to be.  The church is true!  What else matters? :)
 
All my Love,
Élder Sudbury
 
PS if you could send some efy CDs, that would be nice, if you can, in the package.  Food I have more than plenty of ;)  I only have the complete ones of The Greatest Gift and We Believe.  Some good ones that I remember are Remeber the Promise, this year's (I can't remember the name), and also a CD called Spirit by Alex Boyé.  Any one of those three would make me happy :)  I love you all.  Zoë, good luck in school, you'll love it :).  Hannah, Sammy, good luck on the magic words.  Noella, Ju, good luck moving.  Dad, stay awake at work.  Mom, stay awake in class ;)
 
I LOVE YOU ALL :)
 
Élder Sudbury