Elder Curtis Sudbury

Elder Curtis Sudbury

Friday, December 9, 2011

Letters posted from October 21 through December 4, 2011 - next few posts

Dear Family,
I hope all is well with you. This week was a little slow. I came down with a very nasty cold and we didn't do as much work as I would have liked. I hope this week goes a lot better. I have set myself some goals and I hope to keep to them.
This week Élder Gómez started a tradition of saying two good things to each other every night. It has helped us have a much healthier relationship overall than before.
This last week we started inviting people to let us do family history for them. One older gentleman accepted. We are going to do his family history tree this week. I need to start investigating on how to do that ;). All in all it was an interesting week, but a little bit slow for me. A lot of people had committed to come to church but, in the end, only one came. :( There were a lot of parties and illnesses this week. We're progressing and had some miracles. We put five new baptismal dates this last week. If all goes well, we'll complete our goal of six baptisms this month. We're praying for miracles.
We saw the first presidency devotional yesterday. It was lovely. I love Christmas!!! What a wonderful time to remember Christ and His life and birth! I am so happy to have this time of year to remember him. The first presidency has made a video about the life of Christ and it is fantastic. I was so pleased to be able to see part of it.
Well, that's about all in the news this week. Just trying to work hard and teach well.
This week's letter is brought to you by the hymn Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel
1. The world has need of willing men
Who wear the worker’s seal.
Come, help the good work move along;
Put your shoulder to the wheel.
[Chorus]
Put your shoulder to the wheel; push along,
Do your duty with a heart full of song,
We all have work; let no one shirk.
Put your shoulder to the wheel.
2. The Church has need of helping hands,
And hearts that know and feel.
The work to do is here for you;
Put your shoulder to the wheel.
[Chorus]
Put your shoulder to the wheel; push along,
Do your duty with a heart full of song,
We all have work; let no one shirk.
Put your shoulder to the wheel.
3. Then don’t stand idly looking on;
The fight with sin is real.
It will be long but must go on;
Put your shoulder to the wheel.
[Chorus]
Put your shoulder to the wheel; push along,
Do your duty with a heart full of song,
We all have work; let no one shirk.
Put your shoulder to the wheel.
4. Then work and watch and fight and pray
With all your might and zeal.
Push ev’ry worthy work along;
Put your shoulder to the wheel.
[Chorus]
Put your shoulder to the wheel; push along,
Do your duty with a heart full of song,
We all have work; let no one shirk.
Put your shoulder to the wheel.

This church is a church of work. I don't have much time left in the mission (as far too many people are keen to remind me), but I want to work to the very last hour of the very last day. This church, this gospel, is all uphill. One must continue upward and onward. I want to be that kind of missionary. I want to be that kind of person. As Christ said once (this is a translation from Spanish, so it may not be exact) "My Father still works, and I work." If, four-thousand years after the fall of Adam the Lord and the Father still had work to do, I can still work. What's more, they are still working. I know they live and are working because they work in my life and bring about many miracles in both my life and in the lives of our investigators. As long as they work, I will work.

All My Love,
Élder Sudbury

PS Mom and Dad, I hope you had a marvelous anniversary. Melanie and Tim, I hope to hear the news on the little one on the way. SalleeAnn and Matt, I appreciate the note, I wait (as they say in Ukraine, with impatience) for your end-of-the-mission counsel. Noella, I hope to receive your invitation ;). JuleeAnn and Chris, you'll have to let me know how you pass your Christmas this year. I love you all! One O'clock mountain time should be fine Sunday.

November 29, 2011

Well, it was an interesting week. We had two conferences last week and didn't have a ton of time to do good proselyting work, but we had some success. We had a baptism on Sunday. Arturo had some legal troubles with his son and postponed his baptism. He was able to come Sunday, so we prepared the font and he got baptized that day. Our font didn't drain and so we borrowed the font of the ward building next to ours. It was a little complicated. It wasn't the best baptismal service I've ever prepared, but it was decent :). He was very happy to finally get baptized.
Élder Gómez and I are getting used to each other and learning. We both have apologized for many, many things and we're progressing. Things improve little by little.  I appreciate that he has a good heart and a good desire. 
Thanksgiving doesn't exist here in México, so I spent it like I spend most other holidays...that is, working my head off :).
Yesterday we spent the whole day in the doctor's office and in an orthopedic insert store. My companion has what the orthopedist referred to as "Super-mega flat feet." We got home just in time to have the district meeting. It was a very busy day.
A good missionary is going home today. Élder Kyle Benjamin Tidwell has three hernias in his back and has to go home to have and recover from the surgery. If he makes a full recovery, he could return to missionary service. We saw him interned in the hospital yesterday and I had the fortune of giving him a blessing. It was a sweet blessing. He's been a good missionary and, even if he didn't make it back to full time service, he will serve the Lord wherever he is.
That's about all in the news. All is well.
This week's letter is brought to you by the hymn Brightly Beams Our Father's Mercy
1. Brightly beams our Father’s mercy
From his lighthouse evermore,
But to us he gives the keeping
Of the lights along the shore.
[Chorus]
Let the lower lights be burning;
Send a gleam across the wave.
Some poor fainting, struggling seaman
You may rescue, you may save.
2. Dark the night of sin has settled;
Loud the angry billows roar.
Eager eyes are watching, longing,
For the lights along the shore.
[Chorus]
Let the lower lights be burning;
Send a gleam across the wave.
Some poor fainting, struggling seaman
You may rescue, you may save.
3. Trim your feeble lamp, my brother;
Some poor sailor, tempest-tossed,
Trying now to make the harbor,
In the darkness may be lost.
[Chorus]
Let the lower lights be burning;
Send a gleam across the wave.
Some poor fainting, struggling seaman
You may rescue, you may save.
I have always loved this hymn. We sang it in sacrament meeting and then again Arturo's baptism. I don't know much about how it works, but from what I understand, a lighthouse isn't enough for a sailor. The lighthouse gives the basic warning to a ship but without the lower lights along the shore, the ship can't navigate safely into the harbour. Those who faithfully keep the lights on the shore often never know who sees their lights, but they have the assurance that one way or another everyone will arrive safely if they follow those lights. I know that Christ is the Lighthouse. His great Light is the great guide for all of us, but I know that I have a great responsibility in this kingdom to bless and guide. I know that Christ Lives because I have been guided by that light for many years. I know with a perfect surety that He lives. I don't doubt it for a moment anymore. I just have to think of my life and I know. It's been a joy to be guided by Him for years.
All my Love,
Élder Sudbury
PS Sorry I haven't been putting PSs. Mom and Dad, it looks like you enjoyed your trip. I can call Saturday or Sunday, it doesn't matter which. In the afternoon is preferrable. I believe I am one hour ahead of you. The package should get to me in another week or two. The elders from the southeast mission should be bringing it soon. Melanie, Happy Birthday! And happy birthday soon to Zoë. Matt and SalleeAnn, your family looks adorable. Noella, I hope you enjoyed your trip. I can't go to the link, but if you send me photos I can see them :). JuleeAnn and Chris, good luck choosing where to go. I appreciate all the little notes I get from you, Ju. I love you all. Happy thanksgiving!

Letter from Curtis November 21, 2011

Well, so I'm not with the Élder Gómez that I thought. This Élder Gómez is from Perú. I'm finishing his instruction as his companion was moved to be a zone leader in Coyoacán. He's a good missionary and has good desires to serve well. I have also been in trio (until tonight) with a zone leader with whom I've worked before named Élder León. All is well.
We've been working hard in the area and have been having some good success. I'm in Paraíso, a neighboring ward to where I was a year ago. I've been seeing that many of my efforts a year ago to help the wards become stronger and follow the order of the church did help in the end. A lot of things have changed in this last year. We had a fantastic ward council meeting yesterday where we talked about all the recent converts, their status, and their needs. It was really a pleasure. There still are a few problems with people attending wards that they don't belong to, but those problems are minimal in comparison with how it was a year ago. I am very pleased to have the opportunity to work here.
Not much has happened this last week. We should have a baptism this Saturday if all goes well. His name is Arturo I'm tired and we have a LOT of things to do today, but I'm happy.
This week's letter is brought to you by the hymn: Again We Meet around the Board
1. Again we meet around the board
Of Jesus, our redeeming Lord,
With faith in his atoning blood,
Our only access unto God.
2. He left his Father’s courts on high,
With man to live, for man to die,
A world to purchase and to save
And seal a triumph o’er the grave.
3. Help us, O God, to realize
The great atoning sacrifice,
The gift of thy beloved Son,
The Prince of Life, the Holy One.
4. Oh, bless us, Lord, for Jesus’ sake,
That we may worthily partake
These emblems of the flesh and blood
Of our Redeemer, Savior, God.
This hymn is a little less common, but it has a great message. I know that Christ came down among men to save us all. I know that He is the great Redeemer of us all. It is incredible to me that Christ would descend below all things to save me, but I know He did! I hope to use my whole life to help others come to Him and feel the love and power that I feel as a result of His sacrifice. I know He lives!
All My Love,
Élder Sudbury

Letter from Curtis November 14, 2011

Well, as predicted, I've been changed. We had a good baptismal service with Sister Bravo. She is very pleased to have had the opportunity to be baptized again. Everything happens for a reason...The baptismal service was very nice. Sister Bravo's family came from various parts of México. It was really quite lovely. I had the privilege of baptizing her. It's always a great blessing and privilege to take part in a baptism.
I will be returning to the Paraíso stake. I was in Palmitas and Xalpa for some time in that stake. I will be in the Paraíso ward as a district leader. It should be a really good district. My companion is a relatively new missionary named Élder Gómez. He's from the same generation as Élder Valenzuela. I'm not sure who will be in my district, but I know for sure that I'll have an old zone leader and one new missionary. It should be very exciting.
Well, there's not much new. I don't know much about the area to which I'm going nor my companion. This last week was mostly occupied with exchanges and baptismal interviews, so I really don't have much else to report. I feel like my job is usually to go to wards that are having a few problems and help them fix a few things. For example, we are now having Priesthood Executive Committee every week here in Ermita and we have several investigators planning on being baptized in the upcoming weeks. It should be a good time. Before we got here there were no ward meetings nor baptisms for over a year. It's a joy to help wards to do that. I usually get changed as soon as the ward gets on its feet. All is well.
This week's letter is brought to you by the hymn Come, O Thou King of Kings
1. Come, O thou King of Kings!
We’ve waited long for thee,
With healing in thy wings,
To set thy people free.
Come, thou desire of nations, come;
Let Israel now be gathered home.
2. Come, make an end to sin,
And cleanse the earth by fire,
And righteousness bring in,
That Saints may tune the lyre
With songs of joy, a happier strain,
To welcome in thy peaceful reign.
3. Hosannas now shall sound
From all the ransomed throng,
And glory echo round
A new triumphal song;
The wide expanse of heaven fill
With anthems sweet from Zion’s hill.
4. Hail! Prince of life and peace!
Thrice welcome to thy throne!
While all the chosen race
Their Lord and Savior own,
The heathen nations bow the knee,
And ev’ry tongue sounds praise to thee.
I know that the Savior will come again, and soon. It is not just a hope or something nice to think about. I know He's coming. He will come to free us all from Sin and Death and the world will be cleansed by fire. The righteous will be rewarded. We are eternal beings. I know that the end of this life is not an end, but rather just a step. We continue and progress in God. I know God and Christ live. All my life I plan on dedicating to Them and Their work.
All my Love,
Élder Sudbury

Letter from Curtis November 7, 2011

An interesting week. Ángel and Diana got baptized this week, but a family emergency took them to Cuernavaca on Sunday. They will be confirmed this upcoming Sunday. It has been a little exhausting. Élder García, we discovered (oficially) this week has flat feet. The mission doctor sent him to get plantillas. It will be a big help to him to have them. Changes are next week. It's been an interesting companionship. Perhaps they'll leave us together...Who knows? :)
It's interesting to see how the Lord guides and directs you and puts you where you need to be for certain missions at certain times. I think the primary reason I was with Élder García was to find out about his flat feet. I needed be here to work hard and show the members that they can have baptisms in this ward. They didn't believe in themselves as a ward, but they are seeing now that it is possible. We will end this change with four baptisms and, if all goes well, this month will see quite a few baptisms here in Ermita. I believed for a time that I didn't know how to help people towards baptism and confirmation. The Lord has shown me that I know how to help them the Lord's way, but sometimes my mission requires something else of me. I am glad to be able to do what He wants when He wants. All is well.
Having fully checked, Sister Bravo, the body builder less active member, doesn't have a registered baptismal date. According to the instructions of the church, we have to baptize her again. She will be baptized this Saturday. All is well.
This week's letter is brought to you by the hymn Let us All Press On:
1. Let us all press on in the work of the Lord,
That when life is o’er we may gain a reward;
In the fight for right let us wield a sword,
The mighty sword of truth.
[Chorus]
Fear not, though the enemy deride;
Courage, for the Lord is on our side.
We will heed not what the wicked may say,
But the Lord alone we will obey.
[Chorus: Alto, Tenor, and Bass]
Fear not, courage, though the enemy deride;
We must be victorious, for the Lord is on our side.
We’ll not fear the wicked nor give heed to what they say,
But the Lord, our Heav’nly Father, him alone we will obey.
2. We will not retreat, though our numbers may be few
When compared with the opposite host in view;
But an unseen pow’r will aid me and you
In the glorious cause of truth.
[Chorus]
Fear not, though the enemy deride;
Courage, for the Lord is on our side.
We will heed not what the wicked may say,
But the Lord alone we will obey.
[Chorus: Alto, Tenor, and Bass]
Fear not, courage, though the enemy deride;
We must be victorious, for the Lord is on our side.
We’ll not fear the wicked nor give heed to what they say,
But the Lord, our Heav’nly Father, him alone we will obey.
3. If we do what’s right we have no need to fear,
For the Lord, our helper, will ever be near;
In the days of trial his Saints he will cheer,
And prosper the cause of truth.
[Chorus]
Fear not, though the enemy deride;
Courage, for the Lord is on our side.
We will heed not what the wicked may say,
But the Lord alone we will obey.
[Chorus: Alto, Tenor, and Bass]
Fear not, courage, though the enemy deride;
We must be victorious, for the Lord is on our side.
We’ll not fear the wicked nor give heed to what they say,
But the Lord, our Heav’nly Father, him alone we will obey.
I have chosen to obey Heavenly Father. It is my sincere desire to follow him no matter what. I know he will help me in that desire. I know that He lives because I receive direction from him often as I pray and read the scriptures and attend church. I have heard His voice in the halls of my heart so often that I cannot deny Him. I know that He exists and loves me and is sincerely interested in me. I know that this is His church. Satan tries to shake me from that knowledge, but in my heart I know it is true. All things happen for a reason, and I know that my God is in control. I know that Christ Lives and is my Savior. I have no doubt any more about that.
All My Love,
Élder Sudbury
PS Mom, I hope that letter did the trick. You had more luck than I did :P. They had told me that the package was unrecoverable. Dad, you are oficially an inactive active member :). What stake did we end up in? Everything happens for a reason. Melanie and Tim, let me know what's new in the family. SaleeAnn and Matt, I hope you are enjoying fall in the East. Noella, I hope your plans are going well. Let me know the details about your job (as far as you can). Ju and Chris, let me know where you end up ;). I love you all dearly.

Letter from Curtis October 31, 2011

Dear Family,
It was a bit of a strange week. We had very few lessons. Nevertheless we had quite a few new investigators. We passed by some old investigators and had quite a bit of success. The Lord is blessing us in some ways and trying us in others. I know it is all part of His perfect plan to help both us and this area, but it's a little exhausting. :)
I feel like I'm going to be changed from this area this transfer. I don't know where I'll go, but I think I'll be leaving soon from here.
Part of the reason this week has been a bit slow is because of a national holiday known as the Day of the Dead. In México we celebrate the passing of ancestors. We make altars, have chocolate skulls, and various things. It's a very commercialized holiday here in the Federal District, but it's still fun to see.
We went to a hill called Cerro de la Estrella nearby here this morning. We were there as the sun came up. It was cold but pretty. On that hill every spring they do a reenactment of the crucifixion of Christ. The person who plays Christ is pardoned of all his sins by the catholic church. They actually crucify him. I've never seen the event, but it is very well known here. I haven't the time today to send the pictures, but I'll send them soon.
All is well here in México, overall.
This week's letter is brought to you by the hymn Onward, Christian Soldiers:
1. Onward, Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before.
Christ, the royal Master,
Leads against the foe;
Forward into battle,
See his banners go!
[Chorus]
Onward, Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before.
2. At the sign of triumph
Satan’s host doth flee;
On, then, Christian soldiers,
On to victory.
Hell’s foundations quiver
At the shout of praise;
Brothers, lift your voices,
Loud your anthems raise.
[Chorus]
Onward, Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before.
3. Like a mighty army
Moves the Church of God;
Brothers, we are treading
Where the Saints have trod.
We are not divided;
All one body we:
One in hope and doctrine,
One in charity.
4. Onward, then, ye people;
Join our happy throng.
Blend with ours your voices
In the triumph song:
Glory, laud, and honor
Unto Christ, the King.
This through countless ages
Men and angels sing.
[Chorus]
Onward, Christian soldiers!
Marching as to war,
With the cross of Jesus
Going on before.
I didn't like this hymn for many years. I don't like the image of Christ crucified, and this hymn talks a lot about the Cross of Christ. Nevertheless, this hymn is very powerful because we are very much at war with Satan and his hosts. We must stand against all evil. I know that this Church is the Kingdom of God and this Kingdom is at war. I hope against all hopes to be part of this battle until the end of my life. I know that God lives and this war is very real.
All My Love,
Élder Sudbury
PS Mom, the package is in the customs office in the airport in Toluca. They weren't answering me, but if you call them some other time you might have some luck. The problem seemed to be that they believed the package was worth more than you declared on the customs declaration. If you want, try to recover it. If not, let me know and I'll cancel the credit card and have a new one sent. I don't know how much it was worth, but you declared it to be worth 45 dollars. I wish you the best of luck. :)
With Love,
Élder Sudbury

lettter October 24, 2011

Raymundo got baptized! The baptismal service started some 40 minutes late, the water was a little cold, and very few people came, but he got baptized. He got to his confirmation some five minutes late and about gave me a heart attack :P. It was an incredible blessing to baptize. I felt the Spirit very strongly in his confirmation. He will be a great member of the ward. The ward was very pleased with his baptism. It's the first real convert baptism that they've had in ages. We were all happy.
Élder García and I are still working out a few things. Each new feud makes us stronger and better companions. We're getting there.
I got my hair cut today. Élder Pérez is not great at it, but all was going well until the end. He slipped a little and I have two holes in my hair. There's nothing for it. I just laughed. If people think I have cancer because of my hair, maybe they'll be more interested in listening ;).
That's about all the news here. President Chávez received the instruction that all missionary companionships are to receive a cell phone. That will be interesting.
This week's letter is brought to you by the hymn Behold! a Royal Army
1. Behold! A royal army,
With banner, sword, and shield,
Is marching forth to conquer
On life’s great battlefield.
Its ranks are filled with soldiers,
United, bold, and strong,
Who follow their Commander
And sing their joyful song:
[Chorus]
Victory, victory,
Thru him that redeemed us!
Victory, victory,
Thru Jesus Christ, our Lord!
Victory, victory, victory,
Thru Jesus Christ, our Lord!
2. And now the foe advancing,
That valiant host assails,
And yet they never falter;
Their courage never fails.
Their Leader calls, “Be faithful!”
They pass the word along;
They see his signal flashing
And shout their joyful song:
[Chorus]
Victory, victory,
Thru him that redeemed us!
Victory, victory,
Thru Jesus Christ, our Lord!
Victory, victory, victory,
Thru Jesus Christ, our Lord!
3. Oh, when the war is ended,
When strife and conflicts cease,
When all are safely gathered
Within the vale of peace,
Before the King eternal,
That vast and mighty throng
Shall praise his name forever,
And this shall be their song:
[Chorus]
Victory, victory,
Thru him that redeemed us!
Victory, victory,
Thru Jesus Christ, our Lord!
Victory, victory, victory,
Thru Jesus Christ, our Lord!
I am enlisted in that army. I will be forever. "The Cause of the Christians" is something we fight for every day. I know that God lives and that this is His church. I know that His son Jesus Christ organized it using Joseph Smith. It's as simple as that, but I know it's true!
All my Love,
Élder Sudbury
PS Mom, dear elder comes to me in paper format once a week through my leaders. The package didn't arrive yet. I hope you enjoyed your trip. Melanie and Tim, I'm so pleased to hear that your family is growing. More nieces and nephews for me ;). SalleeAnn and Matt, enjoy the pumpkin festival. Noella, I'm glad you got Dad to do a 5K. Ju and Chris, thanks for the note :) I love you!