First Transfer!!

Schuyler (err.. Elder Calder!) had his very first transfer this last week! Woot, woot!! He is loving his new area and his new companion. Change is always a good thing. Here is part of his last letter (because I really loved this one!):

Hey fam!

Well, I'm currently sitting in front of a computer in a suburb of San Antonio. I have a new companion, and things are just rocking. They are going epicly well. So now I am currently in the Woodlake Area, my new address is:

8355 Crestway Road, Apt # 115

Converse, TX 78109

So keep the letters coming for sure! My new companions name is Elder Michael Rudy. He is super radical. He is from West Jordan, and this is actually his last transfer! Heh, ya, that's right, looks like I'm going to be killing off another one of my companions. It's pretty weird for a guy as young as I am in the mission to send so many missionaries home, so if it continues I am going to nickname myself "Presidents Hitman", but we'll see. No but Elder Rudy is a fantastic missionary, he has a lot of power when he teaches, so it's been really fun. I have taught more lessons in the last 3 days then I had in my last transfer with Elder Ford. It's epic! We actually taught 4 lessons in one day this last friday. And actually Elder Rudy is super stoked to have me as his last companion, cause apparently he didn't get along too well with his last companion. But we are best friends for sure. Heh, in fact, he kind of reminds me of Tyson. He doesn't look like Tyson but we joke and laugh and have fun just like I did with Tyson. Speaking of Tyson, man, he's only got like, what, five months left?? That's gonna be crazy, but I can't wait to hear from him when he gets home on how his mission was.

So a little bit about my area. It is pretty cool, and about as opposite from Cedar Park as you could get. It's definitely alot lower income and it's wicked because everyone is not white! That's fun. In fact I'd say the predominate race around is Black or Mexican, they are pretty prevalant. So it makes things a lot more fun because there is a lot more culture. It's a lot bigger as well, which means we have a car. We have one of the newest cars in the mission, it's like a 2010 Corolla or something like that. But the cool thing is since it is Elder Rudy's last transfer he is what we call "red dotted" which means that he can't drive, so I get to drive! It is weird to be back in a car after six months, and I definitely wish that it was a clutch car but still at least no more biking in the rain!

So a couple of cool things that have happened this last week: So we were knocking on a couple of doors on a street and we were walking up to this door but there was a dog guarding it, it starts to growl, Elder Rudy is like, let's not do that one. But I'm like, psh, I'm the Dog Whisperer! So I slowly walk forward and I found that if I moved my hand up and down while slowing walking the dog would be distracted by my hand and he wouldn't even notice that I was getting closer and closer. So I slowly walked up while waiving my hand and Baam! Next thing you know I am petting the dog and knocking on the door. It was sweet too because we got a first lesson and a return appointment out of it. Heh, Elder Rudy says that the lady, Margaretta, is going to get baptized just because Satan tried to stop us by putting the crazy dog there.

We also got to teach a lesson to a less active family. It is sad because it is a family of husband, wife, one son, and 2 daughters. Only the dad and one daughter is active. Well, we went over there and we taught them from Mosiah 24 talking mainly about trials and how we can overcome them. We finished the lesson that we had planned and I felt prompted to start talking to Michael, the son, about his decision to not come to church anymore. So I did, it was actually really cool. Elder Rudy later told me that he felt like HE was the Junior Companion in that lesson. But that just goes to show that it doesn't matter who opens there mouth, because as long as they are doing so with the effort of listening to the spirit, it'll work. Michael came to church on sunday.

Anyways, I am super happy to be here right now. It is a completely different experience. The Lord definitely knew I was ready for a switch and I have seen such miracles as people who have been prepared just for Elder Rudy and I have come into view. Keep up the hard work, keep praying and keep reading your scriptures. It's always the little things we do that create the greatest results.

Love,

Elder Calder

I love this letter and hearing about how he is doing. I love hearing him how positive he is. Keep up the great work Elder Calder. We sure do love you!

Updates!

Well, yet again I have been a slacker on this blog. BUT, I wanted to give a quick update of how Schuyler is doing (ah hem.. I mean Elder Calder :)):
Elder Calder is doing wonderful! He is still in the Cedar Park area and recently received a new companion, Elder Ford from Tennessee.  They get along for the most part and Schuyler has gained a new perspective from his new companionship. He continues to meet new people and have more crazy experiences with the people he meets. He has experienced weather from hot to cold, rain to sunshine. He has tried many different styles of food (Texas barbeque, crawdad boil- to name a few-). Although they have not had much success lately they continue to have experiences that shape their testimonies and their faith.
Schuyler has grown up so much on his mission already and we are excited to talk to him in a few short months (on Mother's Day!) to see how he has changed. Elder Calder continually has such a positive attitude and great insights that help not only those he serves but the family and friends that follow him back home. Keep it up Elder! We love you so much!


Here are a few excerpts from his latest emails:

Feb. 29, 2012
"I am so thankful for the things that I have gained now. The testimony that I am a Son of God. But mostly that His church is here today. Elder Ford and I were watching a short clip of a proselyting video that we have last night and it said something interesting. It talked about how knowing that the Book of Mormon is true allows us to see that God continues to Speak to us as he did to the men of past. That hit me pretty strong. I started to think about it and I feel like I have been hit with a ton of bricks. The truth is many people do believe that God does not speak to men today. How sad. How useless. As I think about that I think about what my life would be like without the knowledge that God does speak to us. I sure would feel hopeless.

Well, sorry to cut this letter so short but my brain is apparently not working ! (Heh I guess it's just a bit of writers block, I can't get my thoughts and feelings out on paper at all!) But please know that everything is great with me here in Cedar Park. I am so thankful that I am truly serving the Lord, I was biking yesterday from and appointment and on our way I saw several groups of Teenagers, All involved in several activities. Some playing basketball with friends, some with girlfriends, some walking down the street a lone. Some were smiling, some weren't. For a second their I had a thought of jealousy, wishing "Man, they getta do whatever the heck they want, listen to whatever music they want, go wherever they want." But then I realized something: That simply will not bring happiness. I thought about how all of those things will always bring joy and great little bits of happiness, but it all would be for nothing if I died and had no "eternal future". That future can only be obtained by righteousness. By keeping the commandments of God. By being baptized. By being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. And especially, by enduring to the end. I hold the priesthood. That is a blessing, but it also comes with obligations. One of those obligations is to serve the Lord and spread the word of God. In other words, to serve a mission. Although I could be doing those other things it simply wouldn't be what makes me happy in the long run. Although I may have hard times, although at times I may sit on my bed, tears creeping at the sides of my eyes and question why I am out here. Although all these things may bring me down lower and lower, in the end, when I look up from the ground I will see the Mountain I have climbed and will see that I am higher now, then I have ever been. Although at times it may feel like I am sinking lower, it is all relative, for I will always be better as long as I am in the service of my God. Choose ye this day whom ye shall serve... but as for me and my house, we serve the Lord.

I love the Lord. I know that this is his church. I wish I could share the feelings that are in my heart which you guys. To let you partake of this great happiness. This fruit that I had never tasted before. With time I hope that I can. I love you guys."