Letter from Curtis October 17, 2011

Well, it was a great week and a terrible week. On the good side, Raimundo had his baptismal interview and is on track to be baptized this Saturday at 3:00 PM. He is excited as are we. On the bad side, some of our investigators with baptismal date didn't come to church and we don't know why. We are going to have to postpone their baptismal date for another week. We didn't find even one new investigator last week, as hard as we tried. We had a few companionship problems. It's normal, I think, as you become accustomed to a new companion, that you step a little on your dance partner's toes, in a matter of speaking. We got to talk yesterday in sacrament meeting. My companion spoke about repentance and I talked about the Book of Mormon. We had a great time.

A lot of last week was occupied with a mission leader council, a visit to the offices to help Élder Oillataguerre learn a few things, and a few other things that needed doing. It was, for us, a slow week. We hope to be able to do greater things this week. As Sheri Dew often said in a book I was reading a few years ago, "Onward and Upward."

I complete 19 months today. That's crazy to me. Within the half year many of us (my friends and I) will be coming home. The time has disappeared. If I remember well, a poet once referred to time as water: you need it, you must cherish and enjoy it; but it runs out and you can never hold it still in your hand. It slips through your fingers and goes its way. That is how my mission has been for me. I still feel like five more months is plenty of time, but somewhere in my mind is the knowledge that that time will disappear before I know it.

This week's letter has been brought to you by the chorus of a favorite song of mine that I think I've shared before. The church music website is down, so I'll share a gospel song that I remember from memory (I hope it's mostly right).

There are refugees among us

They don't carry flags or signs

They are standing right beside us

In the market checkout lines

And there are no correspondents

Documenting all their grief

But these refugees among us all

Are yearning for relief

This is a call to arms

To reach out and to hold

Evacuees from the dark

This is a call to arms

To lead anguished souls

To Safe Harbours of the heart

Do you hear the pleas of the refugees

For safe harbours of the heart?

There are refugees among us

That will live what words won't tell

Some are losing faith in Heaven

Cause their life's a living Hell

And the war that they've been fighting

It will not be televised

But the story of their need for love

Is written in their eyes.

This is a call to arms

To reach out and to hold

Evacuees from the dark

This is a call to arms

To lead anguished souls

To Safe Harbours of the heart

Do you hear the pleas of the refugees

For safe harbours of the heart?

I am a warrior in this army. I am fighting a very interesting war. My weapons give life. I am fighting not against "flesh and blood, but against...the powers of darkness in high places." There are many refugees from that war. I want to answer that "call to arms" for that is what my Captain always did. He who healed the sick, caused the blind to see, the lame to walk, and the dead to live always had his hand outstretched to heal us, and always will. I love Him. I know that He lives. I am His servant administring the only true Cure in all of the history of humanity. He is the Master Healer, the Only Begotten Son of God in the flesh, even the Redeemer of us all. His is my best friend. I know without a single doubt that He lives. I talk with Him daily and He talks with me as well.

All My Love,

Élder Sudbury

PS Zoë, congratulations on your part in the primary program. I hope you feel better. SalleeAnn and Matt, I hope things are well with your future wildlife reservist children. Noella, I'm excited for next September. Ju and Chris, I'm always praying for you. Mom and Dad, I hope you enjoyed your trip. The package has not arrived. If necessary, I'll cancel the card, but please check the address and if you can, if it got here. I love you all!

Letter from Curtis October 10, 2011

We have seen many miracles, Élder García and I, this week. We have another family of three with a baptismal date for the end of the month, we taught a good lesson to Carlos, Raimundo is progressing well, and we are learning and growing. It looks like we'll finish this month with seven or eight baptisms. It's a good start, but we hope to be able to do much more here. We're really just starting in our harvest of souls. We know that, if we are obedient, we will have a convincing faith. It doesn't guarantee baptisms, but it makes them a whole lot more likely.

The influence of an example has impacted me this week. This new family of three with a baptismal date is due the the righteous example of some young friend of one of the daughters. She noticed that she was different and had a special light and way about her and her influence has caused this young woman to seek out truth. As President Monson quoted in April, "preach the gospel at all times and in all things and in all places; and, if necessary, use words." I know that true example changes people.

That's about all the news. Our baptismal goal for this month was nine. We'll probably finish with eight. It's close...we'd have to find one more person this week...We'll see what happens.

This week's letter is brought to you by the hymn Battle Hymn of the Republic:

1. Mine eyes have seen the glory of the coming of the Lord;

He is trampling out the vintage where the grapes of wrath are stored.

He hath loosed the fateful lightning of his terrible, swift sword;

His truth is marching on.

[Chorus]

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

His truth is marching on.

2. He has sounded forth the trumpet that shall never call retreat;

He is sifting out the hearts of men before his judgment seat.

Oh, be swift, my soul, to answer him; be jubilant my feet!

Our God is marching on.

[Chorus]

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

His truth is marching on.

3. In the beauty of the lilies, Christ was born across the sea,

With a glory in his bosom that transfigures you and me.

As he died to make men holy, let us live to make men free,

While God is marching on.

[Chorus]

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

Glory, glory, hallelujah!

His truth is marching on.

I know that Christ was born. That seems like a small fact, but imagine everything that it implies! He was born the Son of God. He was the predestined Savior of the World, having that role before the world was made. He is both the God of the Old and New Testaments. I know that He is also the God of the Other Testament, the Book of Mormon. I know that this is His Church. He is the God of us all. I know that He lives and loves us. I know His life continues and will continue forever. I know that I can be like He is.

All My Love,

Élder Sudbury

PS Mom and Dad, enjoy your trips. Melanie and Tim, I'll write a note apart. SalleeAnn and Matt, your children are brilliant and adorable (and who would think differently from their parents). If you get a chance, congratulate Abby and Lindsay Brinton for me. Noella, have you found a solid job yet? JuleeAnn and Chris, good luck on the job hunts. I'll pray for the family...that's bad news.

Thanks for everything. I love you all.