Elder Curtis Sudbury
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Letter From Curtis March 12, 2011
Well, it's been an interesting week. Transfers were this week. We received a new Assistant to the President, Élder Carreón, here in the offices. Élder Villaseñor and I didn't change at all. I feel significantly better from my sunburn, I appreciate all your prayers on my behalf. We were busy for the majority of the week with the many changes that tranfers require. Picking up new missionaries, bringing them to instructions, instructing them, helping Sister Chávez cook and clean, taking some of them to their areas, ferrying here and there the missionaries that were leaving, taking care of all the things we need to do in the offices by the deadlines we have...it's been a busy week. :) We finally got to go to the area yesterday. It was a great blessing.
I have come to really enjoy the time we have to be with President and his family. Perhaps it is because he is so dedicated to his work as Mission President or perhaps it's just how he has raised his family, but the Spirit of God is always very strong in that house. I admire Sister Chávez a lot. She is very spiritual and full of light, although being a mission president's wife is perhaps one of the hardest things I can imagine. I've also recently grown more and more grateful for having President Chávez as my mission president. He loves the scriptures and requires of us conscious, heartfelt change. He is always seeking to teach us and make us better. I'm very grateful for that blessing. We met some elders from one of the other missions near here this week. They were secretaries and assistants, but it was clear that their president put emphasis in different things than ours. Their shoes were not polished and looked like they hadn't been in several weeks, but their hair was impeccably kept. They had some habits that we've taken great pains to get rid of here such as informal speaking. They seem like small things, perhaps, to the rest of the world, but to a missionary they are each important. We've had those habits, speaking informally and being less than well dressed, in this mission; but what I'm grateful for is that we have a mission president who cared about us and this work enough to point out that it's not OK. I've learned to be more and more grateful for the correction I receive from my leaders.
That's about all the news that we have this week. God keeps blessing us with miracles and trials to help us grow. We're learning, bit by bit. :)
This week's letter is brought to you by the hymn of our mission, We'll Bring the World His Truth
All My Love,
Élder Sudbury
PS I feel much better, really, thank you. Mom and Dad, the valentine's package got here this week. Thanks for the candy and the card. Melanie, feel better. Tim, your card got here ;). SalleeAnn and Matt, have you found out where you've matched yet? Noella, I'm not sure I told you, but your card got here. How are you? What's new? Ju and Chris, have you decided on MIT yet? ;) I love you all!
I have come to really enjoy the time we have to be with President and his family. Perhaps it is because he is so dedicated to his work as Mission President or perhaps it's just how he has raised his family, but the Spirit of God is always very strong in that house. I admire Sister Chávez a lot. She is very spiritual and full of light, although being a mission president's wife is perhaps one of the hardest things I can imagine. I've also recently grown more and more grateful for having President Chávez as my mission president. He loves the scriptures and requires of us conscious, heartfelt change. He is always seeking to teach us and make us better. I'm very grateful for that blessing. We met some elders from one of the other missions near here this week. They were secretaries and assistants, but it was clear that their president put emphasis in different things than ours. Their shoes were not polished and looked like they hadn't been in several weeks, but their hair was impeccably kept. They had some habits that we've taken great pains to get rid of here such as informal speaking. They seem like small things, perhaps, to the rest of the world, but to a missionary they are each important. We've had those habits, speaking informally and being less than well dressed, in this mission; but what I'm grateful for is that we have a mission president who cared about us and this work enough to point out that it's not OK. I've learned to be more and more grateful for the correction I receive from my leaders.
That's about all the news that we have this week. God keeps blessing us with miracles and trials to help us grow. We're learning, bit by bit. :)
This week's letter is brought to you by the hymn of our mission, We'll Bring the World His Truth
We have been born, as Nephi of old,
To goodly parents who love the Lord.
We have been taught, and we understand,
That we must do as the Lord commands.
We are as the army of Helaman.
We have been taught in our youth.
And we will be the Lord’s missionaries
To bring the world his truth.
We have been saved for these latter days
To build the kingdom in righteous ways.
We hear the words our prophet declares:
“Let each who’s worthy go forth and share.”
We are as the army of Helaman.
We have been taught in our youth.
And we will be the Lord’s missionaries
To bring the world his truth.
We know his plan, and we will prepare,
Increase our knowledge through study and prayer.
Daily we’ll learn until we are called
To take the gospel to all the world.
We are as the army of Helaman.
We have been taught in our youth.
And we will be the Lord’s missionaries
To bring the world his truth.
We are as the Army of Helaman. We have been raised by good people who have done their best to teach us the paths of truth. We must do as the Lord commands, for we have covenanted to do so. We will bring the world His Truth. I have found such great peace as I have learned and lived the gospel. The peace that fills my heart and the joy in my life doesn't come from me, I know it comes from my Father and the testimony of the Holy Ghost. I know it is true. In my heart is that peace. For anyone reading this, please, ask Him if it is true. I know, if you do, you will find a great peace that will fill you with the knowledge of its truth. It is the peace in me and whoever you are, wherever you are, I want you to have it. Ask and you will know. That is my testimony.To goodly parents who love the Lord.
We have been taught, and we understand,
That we must do as the Lord commands.
We are as the army of Helaman.
We have been taught in our youth.
And we will be the Lord’s missionaries
To bring the world his truth.
We have been saved for these latter days
To build the kingdom in righteous ways.
We hear the words our prophet declares:
“Let each who’s worthy go forth and share.”
We are as the army of Helaman.
We have been taught in our youth.
And we will be the Lord’s missionaries
To bring the world his truth.
We know his plan, and we will prepare,
Increase our knowledge through study and prayer.
Daily we’ll learn until we are called
To take the gospel to all the world.
We are as the army of Helaman.
We have been taught in our youth.
And we will be the Lord’s missionaries
To bring the world his truth.
All My Love,
Élder Sudbury
PS I feel much better, really, thank you. Mom and Dad, the valentine's package got here this week. Thanks for the candy and the card. Melanie, feel better. Tim, your card got here ;). SalleeAnn and Matt, have you found out where you've matched yet? Noella, I'm not sure I told you, but your card got here. How are you? What's new? Ju and Chris, have you decided on MIT yet? ;) I love you all!
Saturday, March 5, 2011
Letter from Curtis March 5, 2011
Hello World :)
It's been an interesting week.� I think I have parasites again :P.� I'm super hungry all the time and my stomach has been feeling funny and I poop a lot...classic symptoms of parasites.� I'm going to set up an appointment with the doctor to get myself checked out.� Past that, we actually changed our Preparation day to yesterday...but some interesting things happened.� We decided to go climb one of the volcanoes in Amecameca called The Sleeping Woman.� We thought it would be a relatively easy climb...not so.� After the first three hours we really had to turn back in order to get home on time.� We weren't anywhere near the top, but it was time to go.� Unfortunately, with the exception of one, they didn't want to go back without getting closer to the top.� I stayed with the one, Elder Jessup, at about the halfway point.� I felt that I was starting to get burned quite badly, not thinking we were going to be up for too much time I didn't put on sunblock, and I suggested that we go back to the car.� He was worried for the others that one of them might get hurt and need help down, so we stayed there.� We thought they were going to be gone for another half an hour, at the latest, but three hours later we finally decided that we needed to get back down, as both of us were getting dehydrated and were already quite badly burned.� We got down and got water.� We got enough signal to call them and they told us they had gotten a bit lost but were headed back down the mountain.� We waited for them in the car and they finally got down, but rather late, very dehydrated, and very tired.� We finally got home at 9:30 at night.� I'm very badly burned and don't believe I'll make it to the area today to work.� They had learned an important lesson that I had been thinking about most the day.� The Hebrew word for repentance also means "to turn back."� The appropriate time to leave came and went and, despite our urgings, they stayed on the mountain.� They didn't reach the top and, realizing the danger they were in, decided to "repent" and "turn back."� They way was not easy and they got lost more than once, for they didn't know the path back and it was getting dark.� They were blessed to finally make it to the bottom without too many problems and they were, by that point, very repentant.� I learned more deeply for myself the meaning of a favorite scripture:
It's been an interesting week.� I think I have parasites again :P.� I'm super hungry all the time and my stomach has been feeling funny and I poop a lot...classic symptoms of parasites.� I'm going to set up an appointment with the doctor to get myself checked out.� Past that, we actually changed our Preparation day to yesterday...but some interesting things happened.� We decided to go climb one of the volcanoes in Amecameca called The Sleeping Woman.� We thought it would be a relatively easy climb...not so.� After the first three hours we really had to turn back in order to get home on time.� We weren't anywhere near the top, but it was time to go.� Unfortunately, with the exception of one, they didn't want to go back without getting closer to the top.� I stayed with the one, Elder Jessup, at about the halfway point.� I felt that I was starting to get burned quite badly, not thinking we were going to be up for too much time I didn't put on sunblock, and I suggested that we go back to the car.� He was worried for the others that one of them might get hurt and need help down, so we stayed there.� We thought they were going to be gone for another half an hour, at the latest, but three hours later we finally decided that we needed to get back down, as both of us were getting dehydrated and were already quite badly burned.� We got down and got water.� We got enough signal to call them and they told us they had gotten a bit lost but were headed back down the mountain.� We waited for them in the car and they finally got down, but rather late, very dehydrated, and very tired.� We finally got home at 9:30 at night.� I'm very badly burned and don't believe I'll make it to the area today to work.� They had learned an important lesson that I had been thinking about most the day.� The Hebrew word for repentance also means "to turn back."� The appropriate time to leave came and went and, despite our urgings, they stayed on the mountain.� They didn't reach the top and, realizing the danger they were in, decided to "repent" and "turn back."� They way was not easy and they got lost more than once, for they didn't know the path back and it was getting dark.� They were blessed to finally make it to the bottom without too many problems and they were, by that point, very repentant.� I learned more deeply for myself the meaning of a favorite scripture:
And now, as I said unto you before, as ye have had so many witnesses, therefore, I beseech of you that ye do not procrastinate the day of your repentance until the end; for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed.
They almost procrastinated until the end and the consequences could have been much more drastic.� The night of darkess will eventually come where it will be too late to repent.� The happy message that we bring to people is that that day has not yet come for them.� No matter how dark the day of life seems to them, even some who think the sun is gone and will not return, all those still alive have a chance to return, repent, and be healed.
Nevertheless, ye shall not cast him out of your synagogues, or your places of worship, for unto such shall ye continue to minister; for ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them;
I have learned more and more that that promise is true.� None is cast off yet, for they are still alive.� Turn back and God will heal you.
Well, that's about all that is new with me and mine in the mission.� President is finishing changes tomorrow and we'll see how it goes.�
This week's song is one that has been going through my head recently, it is called, Let us All Press On:
1. Let us all press on in the work of the Lord,
That when life is o弾r we may gain a reward;
In the fight for right let us wield a sword,
The mighty sword of truth.
That when life is o弾r we may gain a reward;
In the fight for right let us wield a sword,
The mighty sword of truth.
[Chorus: Soprano]
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.
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値l not fear the wicked nor give heed to what they say,
But the Lord, our Heav地ly Father, him alone we will obey.
Fear not, courage, though the enemy deride;
We must be victorious, for the Lord is on our side.
We値l not fear the wicked nor give heed to what they say,
But the Lord, our Heav地ly 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池 will aid me and you
In the glorious cause of truth.
When compared with the opposite host in view;
But an unseen pow池 will aid me and you
In the glorious cause of truth.
[Chorus: Soprano]
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.
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値l not fear the wicked nor give heed to what they say,
But the Lord, our Heav地ly Father, him alone we will obey.
Fear not, courage, though the enemy deride;
We must be victorious, for the Lord is on our side.
We値l not fear the wicked nor give heed to what they say,
But the Lord, our Heav地ly Father, him alone we will obey.
3. If we do what痴 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.
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: Soprano]
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.
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値l not fear the wicked nor give heed to what they say,
But the Lord, our Heav地ly Father, him alone we will obey.
Fear not, courage, though the enemy deride;
We must be victorious, for the Lord is on our side.
We値l not fear the wicked nor give heed to what they say,
But the Lord, our Heav地ly Father, him alone we will obey.
This song has helped me a lot.� Sometimes when I'm tired and sick, though well enough to go to the area (unlike today), I just don't want to.� But this song reminds me of the glorious cause in which I am engaged, the cause of Truth.� I will always press on, for I know the Truth and am filled, often, with the love of God for His children.� It is hard for me to rest because, though I don't know everything, I have a strong feeling in my heart that it is true.� I know enough.� Many people seek to cause me to doubt, citing references of something or other, but nothing that anyone could ever say can change the feeling in my heart.� I know it is true.� I know this is the cause of Truth; to help others feel what I feel.� I hope to "press on" in this work all my life, without fear and courage for we will be victorious in the end.� I will obey my Lord forever.
All my Love,
Elder Sudbury
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