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."
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