Three Week Countdown and a Testimony

Elder Calder has only three short weeks left- exactly three weeks from today we will be heading to the airport to pick our missionary up. I am sure this last few weeks are weird for a missionary. You prepare to go on a mission your whole life, but coming home from your mission you just get pushed into. It will be hard I am sure, but Elder Calder has served so faithfully. This week he bore a strong testimony of what the Gospel and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is all about.
Read it, it may bring tears to your eyes as it did mine (just a true testament of how much our baby brother has grown as a missionary). We are so proud of you Elder Calder. We are so grateful that you have served our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, these past two years. Life has gone on without you, but we are so grateful for your example and the person you have become. We love you!
Here is his letter:

August 12, 2013
Dear Family,

Well, I am humbled to be sitting here in the library and writing to you today. So much has happened in the last week. But honestly I guess none of it really matters a whole bunch, but what has mattered is the impact that it has had on my own spiritual growth and the growth of others. 

We got into a car accident this last week. Not too bad. We are all good. No injuries, just the car in the shop. You know what that has taught me? To work harder. I don't have the option of just going all easy in a car anymore. I can't be picked up if it's late at night and we are more than 30 minutes from the apartment. All I have is the strength of the Spirit and me and my bike. But boy have I felt the strength of the spirit in that time.

We also had the baptism of Joe and Bertha. That was an awesome experience. They were so ready for baptism. So converted. But especially so in the process of conversion. Everything went perfect with the Baptism. Sure there were mistakes made. Some were not prepared, but none of that mattered. They got baptized. There was enough water in the font. People were there to fellowship, but most importantly-Joe and Bertha's determination to stick with this was strengthened. I had them share their testimonies after the baptism. They each wept as they told of their own journey to this great church and the importance that it has played in the last few short weeks. I was touched as Joe told of his own story and how the Lord had taken him and changed him. Made him better. Then as Bertha read the words from Ezekiel 36: 26-28 telling of how we will be cleansed by water and have our hearts changed. My own heart burst with the love that I felt for them.

Over and over again this last week I have had testimony after testimony given to me about the importance of the one. Like last night. We had a bunch of plans and then we got back from dinner at 7:30 pm. We had numbers to do, places to go, and tons to do, and only an hour and a half to do it. I considered just staying in the apartment and doing what we needed for that last hour and a half. But something told me no. I needed to be somewhere. I hurry and filled out some numbers paperwork for the week, got my stuff ready and we jetted out of there. We decided to stop at a poorer apartment complex. As we were deciding where to go I could picture it in my mind. When we got there we began talking to people. Just 10 or 15 minutes into it (it now being 8:15) we came into contact with a very rude black lady. She treated us like garbage. I wanted to give up, but I knew I needed to continue. As we did we knocked on the door of a short little mexican lady named Norma. She let us in and we talked about her desires to have her husband join her in her undying faith in the Lord, we comforted her, read scriptures, and prayed.

All of that for one person: Norma. But isn't that the way everything is? Everything I have ever done on my mission has been for the one. Or in this case, the "one's". There are people out there who need us. People who are searching for help in a cloudy and dark world. Just like in the Vision of the Tree of Life there are so many "Mists of Darkness" around us in the world. But we can be that light! The Savior told us that "Ye are the light of the World". Us. Little Schuyler Calder from Layton, Utah, could come to Texas and change a few peoples lives. That's the kind of things the Lord is looking for. Those who are willing to step up and serve. It's not about how good or bad your service is, it just matters that you are there. The Savior can make up for the rest. His Grace really is so sufficient.

Can you imagine, the feelings that the Lord has for us? I don't think I comprehend fully the Love that he has, nor to the degree to which he knows me. So personally. I don't know how to describe it. I don't know how to give that kind of love to others. 

The scriptures describe Christ Like love as Charity. In 1 Corinthians 13 it tells us that that love is the greatest thing. Literally, the greatest thing.

Yesterday in a class taught by Brother Broyles he mentioned how every good thing comes from God. Literally. When we love our husbands, or our wives, or our friends or family, we are just opening up just a bit of the capsule of love that Christ has, that he has placed inside of us. I have never found that so well described as in the stories of countless many missionaries, prophets, apostles, disciples-all going forth and suffering, bleeding, dying, being beaten, being harassed, all for His names sake. How do they do that? How have I served my mission? How can any of us stay alive and afloat in such a tiring and heart broken world. The truth is we simply cannot. Anytime we get a surge of energy or love, or hope, or faith, anything good-that is us tapping into that endless supply that Christ has. That spirit which he placed within us. 

I don't know how to describe it any better than to say it's almost a parasitic relationship that we have with Christ. Truly, if we think about it nothing we ever do is anything in comparison to what he can do. It's like we sit there and seep so much energy and life off of him, but does he really get anything for himself? No. He does it because he loves us.

It's my wish to love him just even half as much as he loves me. For then I too could "walk through the valley of Death" and not fear. For then I too could be beaten to the brink of death, be placed in filth, in prison, in hardship, and still "sing praises to the Most High God". That's what I want. I don't want money or cars or beauty. I just want to be loved by Christ, and love him too. For after all is said and done, what else matters?

I am so thankful for my Savior. The one who I don't think I will ever know fully, the one who I don't think I will ever understand, but also the one who I know is concerned, even unto death, worried, some might say, to death, over me. 

The church is true. Don't ever leave it. Sure question things, face your doubts, but don't ever leave it.

Just barely I got off of the phone with a lady who has decided to do that because of some history of the church that she could not swallow.

I am not a member of this church because of Joseph Smith, or Brigham Young, or Bruce Mckonkie, or anyone else. I am a member of this church because of Christ, and because I know how much he wants me to be a part of this. 

This is no fake, this is no lie. This is real. This is the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These are his Teachings, and eternity hangs in the balance. Happiness hangs in the balance. My effort may have been small, my 2 years short, but I am so thankful for them, for if it has changed anyone, certainly it has been me.

Love ya fam, keep up your prayers for the people here, always remember who you are and what that means, and I promise, that fact alone will "keep your chin up". Have a great week-

Elder Calder

Last Transfer!

Can you believe that Elder Calder is on his last transfer? It boggles my mind! Two years seems to be gone in a blink of an eye. We always talked about the days when he would be coming home and it is crazy that we are here. So much has changed, so much will change, but we are ecstatic to have our baby brother home! He is doing a phenomenal job and we couldn't be prouder of him and where he is at in his life. I thought I would share this last week's letter (it was a good one- even though they are all good ones!). Here it is:

July 8, 2013

Hey Fam!

Well, after everything I've heard about what is happening back home I thank God for the view that we have on this life as members of this church. I'm thankful for the knowledge that no matter what we know how much God loves us and allows for hardships to happen that we can handle. But, just like in the Book of Mormon (Mosiah chapter 24) we can pray for that "lessening" of our burdens that I know that only God can give. To all of us, all of our trials can seem like they will never end, as though they were meant to last a life time, but things will change, babies will grow, people will heal, hearts will be touched, and the "work of the Lord"-to give us immortality and Eternal Life-will always continue.

One of my favorite things I've ever heard on my mission is this: Being a member of Christ's church, or of his flock is not a cure all save all. The storms of life will always come upon us. Being close to Christ does not stop the storm or turn it away very often, but what it does give us is a sturdy pair of gortex boots, a nice poncho, and a good umbrella-so we can weather the storm.

I have often thought, why do we have Bad things happen to us all the time? Of course there are many opportunities to ask ourselves all sorts of questions when it comes to situations like these, but we need not even ask ourselves those questions. I think in the face of adversary is when the hurt really kicks in, but so does the faith. If you think about it like this: It's as though we are sitting there taking a pain pill every single day, one that really doesn't take too much out of our day. Well, we often feel a huge amount of pain and are so thankful for it, but then the pain subsides, and the doctor tells us we can keep taking it and it will have no adverse consequences. We continue to take it and no pain comes, for days, months, even years. We get lax on taking the pill, missing a day here or there, but before we know it it's been months since we have taken it, and we have even forgotten where the pill container is. Then comes the pain. It hits like the fang of a viper, it kills, it knocks us to our feet, we are at the mercy of the pain, we cry out for the doctor and scream in pain. Pain, pain, pain. But there is a solution, there is a cure, one that can take away the pain. It's in the Pain pill, but, so often, we have misplaced the bottle-luckily all we have to do is call the Doctor and order another prescription.

Just like the pill and the pain we so often find release from the pains of this world, and the mortality that surround it in the healing medicine of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. We become so grateful for it because the pain ceases, but at times we forget to continually take the medicine, or to take in the Gospel. My testimony is that this Gospel is real. Everything we hear in church, it can be found in the Scriptures. The teachings of Jesus Christ tell us that there is no hurt or pain that the pill of the Atonement of Jesus Christ cannot fix. It teaches us that we really can overcome these hardships and trials-even if they do or do not go the way we desire.

There always is hope, there always is a brighter day to the future, there always is a way through the fog. Modern miracles are very real, and they can and will help us to get through our trials.

What a blessing it has been to be a missionary this last week-boy have I had some fun and crazy experiences. First of all we had our first Zone Conference with President Slaughter. He got into the mission about a week and a half ago. He is totally awesome! He focused this first training on his goals for us. His main goal was that he wants us to know who we are-and act accordingly. He also spent a great deal of time teaching us about how to find-it's simple-the Lord prepares people, and we are led to them. He focused on how there are prepared people all over the place, and we will be able to recognize them. It was a blessing to hear the words that I have felt for so long be voiced by my new Mission President. I love him.

Man, I also had probably one of the most nasty experiences in my entire mission! It was nasty because it was so good and then so bad so quickly! We stopped at a Potential Investigators house for a bit of water and she gave us a real big glass of nice cold water (we were on bikes that day and it was super hot). She brought them out in these really sweet cups that you freeze and it has liquid within the cup that makes the cup cold as ice (except on the handle). She gave one to Elder Foster, and then one to me. I took a small sip and looked down and there was tons of dog hair all over in it! I was like, Nooooo!! Cause it was so refreshing. So I sipped on it, avoiding the dog hairs and everything was going good. I got even all the way to having it just 1/3 the way full-without drinking a single hair. We started to say our goodbyes (since we had to leave) and I was perfectly content leaving the cup at 1/3 full when then came the death words from the potential. She saw my cup and was like, "Oh honey, I'm in no hurry, you can go ahead and finish that!" Blehhhhh...... Bleh bleh bleh. I could see no way out of this one. So I looked down at the cup, then at both her and Elder Foster, everyone was smiling but me (they had no idea). I took a deep breath..... and....... gulp gulp gulp. Nasty nasty nasty! I was spitting for the rest of the day I swear just trying to spit any I felt in my mouth out...

Well the Gospel is true and the Book of Mormon is blue. Keep up the good work and keep having hope- and above all Keep your chin up.

Love ya,

Elder Calder


Keep up the great work Elder Calder! We love you so much!!

Stand YE in Holy Places

This year as many of you know has a theme for the youth, "Stand Ye in Holy Places". I have been privileged to work with the youth and am amazed at what they know and how they can stand in holy places. Often I think about how Elder Calder is always standing in a holy place because he has the spirit with him.
Last week's letter was so great and it reminds us everyday of why he is serving...

June 10,2013

I know that this church is true. I know that we teach the true principles of Jesus Christ. I'd say the greatest part of this church comes from the application of the teachings into our personal lives. I am amazed to see peoples lives change as they come unto Christ. This morning we went to the hospital to give a blessing to a less active member who had just lost her baby the night before (it passed in the womb). We gave the blessing with the Branch President and after we were conversing about the Trials that we all receive. He counseled us to remember that when Trials come is when it is the hardest time to stay close to God, but that it is the time in which we need to the most. He counseled us to remember that obedience and diligence are the two things that will help us most in doing this. He quoted the theme for the youth for this year, "Stand in Holy Places" but then added, "But I love the rest of the line of that scripture, 'and be not moved'."

I feel it a blessing to stand where I am. I know that the sand storms of life will come. But as Elder Henry B Eyring said a few conferences ago "Give me this Mountain". Give me this mountain and I will climb it. Give me this river and I will swim it. Give me this valley and I will traverse it. Give me this trial and I will overcome it. By the Faith I have and the Grace of Christ. I love you Fam and am stoked to know where the good Lord sends me next.

Elder Calder

Some more fun pictures!

 Baptism of Joy!

Well, this last week was a busy one. Mostly we just had a lot of stuff to do. We had some practices for a little Mariachi gig that we did, we had Zone Meeting, and we did back to back days of service. Needless to say it was really fun! So first of all the Mariachi Gig. So on Saturday was a little party for all of the Mothers in the Spanish Branch (we couldn't have a party earlier so it was the Mothers day celebration) There was food and fun and..... A Mariachi band! It consisted of all 4 of us Elders and the branch mission leader, and one of the members (and his 4 year old). We sung "Hermoso Carino" and "Estas son las mananitas". Singing in Spanish is tough! They do all sorts of crazy things with their voices! But we had tons of fun. We got all dressed up with Sombreros and bow ties and what not. They loved us.

Haven't Forgotten that Smiling Face

Wow, can you believe that Elder Calder has only FOUR short months left!! Ah, neither can I!! I am ecstatic for his return. It seems like just yesterday we were sitting outside our Provo apartments saying goodbye to the old fella. Shortly after is when I decided to do a blog for him. Little did I know what was to come. Life has taken us in some crazy turns. Elder Calder has been through something the same. He has had ups and downs. Crazy moments and life-changing, miraculous moments. It has been amazing to be on the opposite end of missionary work.
Baby Brother- Elder Calder- your service has blessed our whole family and we can't thank you enough for deciding to serve the Lord.
Elder Calder has some pretty exciting things coming up... Mothers' Day we get to talk for 45 minutes (yippee!), more missionaries have joined his area, and another baptism!
Keep up the great work Sky! We love you!

 Isn't our baby brother just a stud!?

Happy Day!

Elder Calder sent a few pics this week. Check 'em out:

Welcome to Rio, RIO!

Well.. Elder Calder is in his very first SpAniSh speaking area. Yahoo for him! :)
He is loving it and is having a great time with his new companion.
Thought I would share his latest letter with you all:

Hey Family!!

Well, I am living literally a mile and a half from Mexico!! It's pretty sweet. So I am serving in the Del Rio A area. We cover a Spanish Branch and an English Branch. We share them with some sisters (it is car share but we let them have the car 6 out of 7 days so I get to ride bikes) It feels great to be back on the bike! I felt like I was out of shape. No, but really, it feels fantastic.

We have some good things going on right now. We are working on getting different people with some baptismal dates since we do not have anyone currently. But we are working hard. More news on all of that in the upcoming future, especially as I become more enveloped in my new branches. I have never been over a branch before! It's sweet.

So I am speaking much more Spanish than I was. Like for real, super more. We generally speak about 2 to 3 hours a day at least in Spanish, so I am loving it. I am no where near where I need to be in order to carry on a complete and full conversation in Spanish (especially when it comes to things that are not Gospel related) but I am learning. I am especially learning tons of new words, and I hope they stick because I want to soak up as much of the Language as I can.

Where we are living is actually super dope! We are living in a house practically! For real! The house we stay in is divided up into four sections (all divided by walls). There is ours (in the back), a side part, and then in the main house some people staying in the top floor and some in the bottom. There is so much room for us to run around and play and what not! All of our walls are actually cement (they look like dry wall though) so we kick a kick ball up against it tons! Literally we have a giant living room, we each have our own bath rooms, a big kitchen and then a big master size bed room! We even have our own mini courtyard thing! Oh, and there is a pool (not filled) in the back yard! Good thing I am a missionary, other wise that's all I'd do. It's sick. So we have tons of fun. Whenever we get distracted or anything we just throw a tennis ball against the wall or play volley ball against it, really whatever.

So, my new companion is Elder Zachary Johnson! He is sick. We get along great. It's kind of funny to have another "Elder Johnson" companion, but it's way fun. He is actually from Gilbert, Arizona and is friends with Elder Schwarz back home (cause that's where he is from too). So quite a small world! It's crazy. He was actually companions with Elder Bloomfield in the MTC, so we are all sorts of connected. I love him to death. He is actually about 4 months older than me so I kind of treat him like the Senior companion which is great. But ya, we have tons of fun. He actually kind of reminds me of Evan Wright (just a tid bit) so we were instant best friends. We laugh a lot and have a lot of fun.

So my new address is:
207 Wallen St,
Del Rio, Texas 78840

Well, I am gonna have to get going but I love y'all and just remember two things: Keep your chin up, and this church is true. Wish me luck with Spanish!

Elder Calder

PS Notice his new address!
Good luck Elder Calder!