Curtis' companion likes super-heros

Elder Wayman likes balloon art, movies, comics and superheros

Cooking for Thanksgiving - Elder Wayman

Thanksgiving Dinner made for investigators--with chicken instead of turkey

Well, another week in México playing the role of Élder Doctor.

 

Élder Wayman has flat feet, a fact he didn't want to tell me at first.  We're getting him some orthopedic inserts (the cheaper kind) and that should solve basically all the problems with his feet, knees, and hips.  To arrange everything and to check to make sure I had gotten rid of all my Bronchitis, we went to the doctor or to a medical clinic three times this week.  Needless to say we didn't have a ton of time to do work this week.  Nonetheless, God is blessing us on both sides.  We found a new investigator this week that seems like she'll progress very rapidly.  I'm excited.  We only have one visit planned this week to the doctor, so we should have much more time :).

 

Élder Wayman and I are getting along well, though our personalities are quite different.  He makes up super-heroes, makes balloon animals, and is constantly thinking in the world of comics and movies.  It provides for interesting conversations.  I've realized, the more companions I've had that I'm more comfortable with people that share my deeply held feelings for Christ and our Father.  I just naturally am more attracted to them.  A lot of times that hasn't made me very popular.  I've always been able to hold a good conversation if I felt I needed to, but as for close relationships, the very few I've had have been founded on mutually helping each other toward following gospel principles.  I haven't come out of life so far with very many really close friends, but I value deeply the ones I have.  I wouldn't trade them for anything.  A bit of a random insight.  Élder Wayman and I are getting along because, although his world is a little centered on other things, I can see and feel the testimony of Truth that he has. :)  We're getting there :).

 

We took some time to make a thanksgiving dinner with some members and an investigator.  I think it went well.  I made brown sugar carrots, mashed potatoes, and gravy and Élder Wayman made homemade rolls.  It turned out well.  We ate a chicken instead of a turkey, but it all was well. :)

 

I just got news this week about Élder Bryant.  He's going to have the corrective surgery this Friday.  Apparently a missionary has to get approval from the first presidency to have a surgery.  I had no idea :P  He got approval and the surgery is scheduled.  All is well.

 

That's about all.  We're waiting and hoping that Thursday, when we get the orthopedic inserts, will be a good and big change for Élder Wayman.

 

In completely unrelated news, the Utes, I hear, beat BYU 17-16.  Go Utes!!! ;)

 

This week is brought to you by my favorite sacrament hymns: Reverently and Meekly Now

 

Rev'rently and meekly now,

Let thy head most humbly bow.

Think of me, thou ransomed one;

Think what I for thee have done.

With my blood that dripped like rain,

Sweat in agony of pain,

With my body on the tree

I have ransomed even thee.

 

In this bread now blest for thee,

Emblem of my body see;

In this water or this wine,

Emblem of my blood divine.

Oh, remember what was done

That the sinner might be won.

On the cross of Calvary

I have suffered death for thee.

 

Bid thine heart all strife to cease;

With they brethren be at peace.

Oh, forgive as thou wouldst be

E'en forgiven now by me.

In the solemn faith of prayer

Cast upon me all thy care,

And my Spirit's grace shall be

Like a fountain unto thee.

 

At the throne I intercede;

For thee ever do I plead.

I have loved thee as thy friend,

With a love that cannot end.

Be obedient, I implore,

Prayerful, watchful evermore

And be constant unto me,

That thy Savior I may be.

 

I know my Savior is ever pleading for me.  I know that this is His church designed by Him to help us follow divine laws that allow us to progress.  I know that, in Love, He guides and directs us.  I know that He died for me.  I know that my Savior and Redeemer lives.  I know that no matter what we do He will never stop loving us and wanting us to progress.  I know that my God loves me.  I know that God will watch over me and protect me and, as President Hinckley so often said, "Things will work out."  I know that, if we put ourselves in God's hands, things will work out.  I know because they always have for me.  In difficulty and heartache or peace and joy, He has always guided my path along the path that leads to happiness, love, and eternal life.  I know it with all my heart.  I have seen it, and I cannot deny it.

 

All my Love,

Élder Sudbury

 

PS Dad, the 192 page notebook is the one :).  Mom, I hope all is well with you.  I love you dearly :).  Melanie, Tim, Zoë, and Ryan, enjoy MA's birthday :).  Eat something spicy in my memory at the Mayan ;).  SalleeAnn, Matt, Hannah, Sammy, and Thing 1 (for lack of a name and gender), you must let me know the state of Zion ;).  Noella, doesn't your time clerking end soon?  What are your plans?  JuleeAnn and Chris, I'm glad to hear Chris is healing well. ;)  I love you all dearly!

Curtis' new companion, Elder Wayman

Letter from November 22, 2010

Hello again,

Well it's been an interesting week.  Once again I'm playing the role of Élder Doctor.  Elder Wayman, my new companion, has been suffering for a very long time of something called "oshgood slaughters" or something along those lines.  I'm rather unfamiliar with it, but when I went to the doctor for my bronchitis my companion got it checked at my suggestion.  The doctor then sent us to an orthopedic specialist.  The orthopedic specialist gave him some knee braces and some medicine.  We'll see how it goes.  We have another appointment with him this Wednesday.  I hope all goes well.  I'm finding that is a part of my mission and preparation that God has in store for me, heal the other Elders. :)  My second companion had back problems, the third had sleep apnea, the fourth bronchitis, and the fifth, problems with his knees.  Most elders never ever see a doctor.  He knows me by name, and I've visited two of the best hospitals in Mexico...all on someone else's account.  I'm enjoying it, actually :).

Other than that, Élder Wayman and I are getting along well.  It's always a little difficult adjusting to a new companion, but we're doing well.

We've just, other than that, been working hard trying to find new investigators.  It's going very well.  Our wards have a few problems.  In one ward the bishop has been in the ward for two weeks in the last six months and left again for another month.  It makes asking for a ward mission leader harder.  They apparently both have some especially abrasive members.  I hope it doesn't get too bad.

This week's email is brought to you by the happy birthday song from primary as Melanie Ann Sudbury Dance will be celebrating a birthday soon :)

You've had a birthday, shout hooray!

We'd like to sing to you today.

One year older and wiser too,

Happy Birthday, to YOU! :)

And on a completely unrelated note, I would like to share with you my testimony.  I know the Church is true. This Thanksgiving season it is the Church that I am most grateful for.  It has changed my life and is what makes everything important.  I know God lives, for He talks with me through the Holy Ghost.  I know Christ Lives, for I've felt His saving Grace.  I know the Church is true because I asked the Founder.  I know God loves me because I feel that love.  I know that God will always help us to work out anything we need to.  He will be with us, especially in our afflictions.  I know He is with me.

All My Love,

Élder Sudbury

P.S.  Chris, I'm sorry you have shingles, I'll sing a verse in my heart of "Shingles Hell" for you ;).  JuleeAnn, you usually do get my emotional state right ;).  Of course I know Whitney White! And her younger brother William!  And her other younger sister as well, though her name escapes me right now... Whitney's awesome!  We were in Chorale together.  She recently graduated, if I'm not mistaken, from a chef's school.  I believe it was she that asked me to the dance.  It was a lot of fun. :)  She's really cute and really nice and a fantastic cook. :)  A good friend and a good family :).  Noella, enjoy your thanksgiving in Connecticut.  I don't remember if I asked you this, but what does the law say on sharing music?  SalleeAnn and Matt...CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Melanie, Happy Birthday coming up :).  Tim, I still haven't gotten any news about my Utes.  What is happening?!?  Mom, the appropriate answer to your first set of questions is simply, don't worry so much :P.  The last question of the first set's answer is that he was new.   Dad, thank you for your latin advice ;).

Missionaries in Curtis' district--some without heads

Curtis new district - some without heads

Hello world,

 

So it's been a great week.  I'm a little sick, but we're doing good work here.  We have a goal of getting 40 progressing investigators by the end of this change.  We are in a very good area and, if we work hard we fully believe that we can do it.  We've seen a lot of miracles as we've worked our heads off.  I'm back to feeling exhausted all the time (partly because I'm sick) and I couldn't be happier.

 

Élder Carver.....he's a great missionary that is very devoted to the work.  He has found a lot of happiness in serving and obeying with exactness and he's a joy to have as a companion.  He loves soccer (midfielder), we are planning on going running every morning, and does good missionary work.  He's from Fort Worth, Texas and went to school in BYU Idaho (Ydaho) :).  He is also the only boy and youngest of five.  We have a lot in common and a lot different.  I'm excited :). 

 

That's all that's really new.  We had a mission-wide leadership council with President Chávez.  He talked a lot about exact obedience and I realized I had rationalized letting a few things slip.  I had the wonderful opportunity to recommit to being exactly obedient.  My mistakes were never huge, but I've found, as one general authority said in conference, "it's easier to be obedient 100% of the time than 98% of the time."  I've felt especially blessed as I've done so.

 

We moved into our new house all the way this week.  It's an extremely secure house with a lot of bars on the door, windows, and even the back porch.  We'll be very well guarded there.  The other elders are also settling into their new house.  All is well.

 

Well, today and tomorrow México celebrates the Day of the Dead.  In Cuatro Vientos it largely just amounts to the shrine to the dead ancestors and trick-or-treating but one of the elders in my district just called saying that in his rather small town people are shooting pistols into the air to celebrate.  Because of the rather dangerous situation I just told him to stay inside for as long as he felt he had to. :P  México is a crazy, rather unpredictable place.

 

This week's letter has been brought to you by I Know that My Redeemer Lives.

 

I know that my redeemer lives

What comfort this sweet sentence gives

He lives, he lives who once was dead

He lives, my ever living head

 

He lives to bless me with his love

He lives to plead for me above

He lives my hungry soul to feed

He lives to bless in time of need

 

He lives to grant me rich supply

He lives to guide me with his eye

He lives to comfort me when faint

He live to hear my soul's complaint

 

He lives to silence all my fears

He lives to wipe away my tears

He lives to calm my troubled heart

He lives all blessings to impart

 

He lives my kind, wise, heavenly friend

He lives and loves me to the end

He lives and while he lives I'll sing

He lives, my prophet, priest and King

 

He lives and grants me daily breath

He lives and I shall conquer death

He lives my mansion to prepare

He lives to bring me safely there

 

He lives all glory to his name

He lives my Savior still the same

O sweet, the joy this sentence gives:

I know that my Redeemer lives

 

He lives all glory to his name

He lives my Savior still the same

O sweet, the joy this sentence gives:

I know that my Redeemer lives.

I add my witness that I know that my Redeemer lives.  He is my great King and Lord.  I will follow Him and love Him forever for He first loved me.  I know that He suffered, bled, and died for me.  I know that He will always stand and comfort me.  I know He is with me.  A good friend recently wrote me and said that she had begun inviting God to walk with her and talk with her.  I know I've had that privelege as a missionary.  I hope that, my whole life, I'll always invite God to walk with me, and that I'll always walk with Him.  I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Church and Kingdom of God on the earth.  It is the only one.  It is unique.  I know it is hard for some to believe in that, but I know because God Himself told me.  I invite all to ask Him and find the Joy and Happiness that comes from knowing and living that Truth.  I know that we are led by a living Prophet, Seer, and Revelator.  I know that God wants us to live with Him and be Happy and has provided me with a way to do so.  I KNOW and that makes all the difference.

 

All My Love,

Élder Sudbury

 

PS Mom, Dad, yes it was me who sent you that, no worries.  It's an emergency channel I learned about a while ago.  It doesn't always work but it's a way to get a hold of you in an emergency like when my card gets stolen.  Melanie and Tim, I wish youthe best of luck in all your teaching and working endeavors.  Looks like Zoë and Ryan had fun.  Matt, SalleeAnn, Hannah, and Sammy, sounds like you had fun in Zion for halloween.  Noella, good luck in the upcoming scrabble game.  JuleeAnn and Chris, I have a quote here from President Hinckley for you.  "Things will work out.  Keep trying.  Be believing.  Be happy.  Don't get discouraged.  Things will work out."  :)  I love you all!  Happy Halloween!!!!! ;)