Happy New Year!!

Dear family and friends,

It was a really good week last.  It was packed with Christmas activies and fun.  It was very special.  We went to a church member's house for Christmas Eve.  It was a blast.  We had a traditional Vietnamese meal on the ground with the gas burners keeping the food warm.  I was surprised, but we even had the New Crackers that have done every year since I can remember.  It was fun to carry on this Christmas and New Year tradition on the mission.  

For Christmas, we spent basically the whole day at the church.  We opened up present after taking a brisk walk outside for exercise.  I admit we were all excited.  Haha.  At the church, we had a Christmas lunch with heaps of food.  There was turkey, stuffing, spring rolls, bread rolls, candies, cakes, and basically anything any 20-year-old male would want to eat on Christmas day.  Haha.  Mom, I do admit though I missed your cooking.  No one else can cook like you.  I can't remember the last time, I had an apple pie.  Life is good though.  It is very good.  

After everyone was eatting, I thought maybe we could all play a game, but then of the members recommended to sing Christmas songs.  I lead the singing of Christmas songs for about 2 hours.  That was definitely a total blast.  There were about 20 of us.  We went through essentially of the Christmas songs in the hymn book and then sang even more songs.  I wore a Santa Hat for the entire time.  It was just so much to celebrate Christmas and see the love that others have this season and for Jesus Christ--many of which were celebrating Christmas for the first time.  Seeing the members also the rendition of the Luke reading was also very memorable as well.  I love Christmas and this season.  I probably said Merry Christmas several hundred times last week.  

I am really excited for this new year.  I have been thinking a lot of making new goals and trying to continue to push myself and challenge to continue to try to become.  The gospel of Jesus Christ and this life is truly a time of becoming and learning about ourselves and our relationship with God.  As Christ teaches us in Matthew 5:48 to become perfect even as He is mean I guess I have a very long way to go.  I have seen my trust in God and the Spirit and my recognition of the many ways God is involved in my life grow, but I look forward to this next year.  There are perhaps many things to learn and things we want to do, but I know through patience and dilligence, we will be able to achieve great things.  I know we also rely on Christ and the way He has prepared for for every single one of us.  His enabling power and grace will allow us to do things that are otherwise impossible.  I see this again and again on the mission.  One very apparent blessing to me so far on the mission is health.  We walk a lot, and talk a lot, but don't necessarily get a lot of sleep.  My health on this mission so far surprises me actually.  I would think I would be more tired and have fatigue, but I never felt stronger or more energetic than on this mission.  It is incredible.  This is just one small example of God's enabling power to me.  

I love the mission.  There are some things that are certainly unique to the mission.  For instance, a person who I had talked to a couple weeks prior, saw me from a distance, and yelled for me to come to him.  He wanted a say a prayer with me to ask God for safety.  We said a prayer together.  He then gave me this great hug.  It is a really sweet experience for me.  These are times I feel happiest.

It was fun to talk to you all.  I really enjoyed seeing your faces.  I admit I wish I could've been longer, but I feel that I was able to convey and the share the things that were the most important.  Know, I am doing well.  I really enjoyed talking to you all.  I love you all so much.  Thank you for the kind letters and notes. I loved reading them. 

Elder Shumway

MERRY CHRISTMAS

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone,

Chuc Mung Giang Sinh!!  I am so excited for Christmas.  I have enjoyed just saying "Merry Christmas and Happy New Year" to everyone we meet.  Even if we don't have any conversation after that, I can see everyones' face become a little brighter.  I was telling "Merry Christmas" to everyone on the escaltor as I was going down, then a person behind me started to do the same.  It was fun to see the "Christmas Spirit" spread.  It is truly contagious.  

It has truly been an awesome last week. We were able to see some miracles in having prayers be answered. The one person that we are teaching with a baptisimal date made a lot of progress this week in gaining personal faith and trust in God. Her grandpa who was close to death is now doing much better, she found work, and renewed contact with a close friend from Vietnam. This makes me feel very happy because I strong believe that as people come to know that God truly is a Loving Heavenly Father, the lessons we teach become so much more powerful and the commandments just make sense. I know we only measure our committment by how dedicated we are serving God, but is so good to see our efforts, and more importantly, the Spirit, change people's lives.
I love this Chirstmas season. We had a Christmas conference on Friday with all the missionaries in Victoria.  It was wonderful time to ponder more about the miracle and circumstance of Christ's birth. As we sang, "The First Noel," I felt the Spirit very strongly.  It was honestly one of the most beautiful sounds that I have ever heard.  I love Christmas music.  I love reading the Christmas story from the scriptures, but the Christmas songs convey a spirit and message that can only be done by music.   I joined the Christmas choir and we sang my favorite Christmas song, "O Come, O Come, Emmanuel."  All the Elders in the choir got up from the pews and went to the front of the chapel.  I loved it.  

We did some Christmas caroling as well this week.  We set up a table on the street in Footscray and sang Christmas songs in English and Vietnamese.  We didn't have as much success as I would've liked in talked with people, but I do feel we helped some people feel the Christmas spirit.  We also visited some member's home and sang some carols for each of them.  It was an absolute blast.  None of the people knew we were coming, but I could tell they all loved it.  We went to one person's house and he called us about an hour later, expressing how thankful he was that we had come.  I do miss Christmas caroling with the family and packing in tight in the big green van, but it was so much fun.  

We are going to someone's house on Christmas Eve for dinner, but all the missionaries from the branch are going to meet together for Christmas lunch at the church in the city.  We have invited many people from the branch and people that we are teaching, so I am really excited about it.  That night, someone is getting baptized, so it will definitely be a very special day.  

My love for our Savior, Jesus Christ has grown in these past couple months.  I have come also  to know more myself that He has my personal Savior.  I read 2 Nephi 28:32 and love the imagery it gives to me of Jesus Christ.  I know that His hand is literally stretched out to each of us and that He literally wants all of us to follow Him.  I am so grateful for his love that He has shown to each of us.  As Mosiah 14 explains, "he has bourne our griefs" and "carried our sorrows."  He was truly "wounded for our transgressions" and bruised for our iniquities."  I know He has prepared a path for to find a fulness of peace and joy and of everlasting happiness.  I love Him and I know He truly did come to this earth. 

Jonathan

I will call on Thursday between 7:00pm and 7:30pm.  Excited to talk to you.  I got Sarah's email with the skype info.  

Dearest family and friends,

Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to everyone.  I love this time of year.  It is definitely my favorite time of the year.  There is something about this time when people are nicer, kinder, and more loving of other people.  As I think about what I want present to do I want to give to Jesus Christmas for his birthday, I believe those are some of best things I can give.  I have no wealth or knowledge to give because God has given me everything, but as the Christmas Carol, "In the Bleak Midwinter" says, we can give our heart and try to become a little more like the people that we know we need to be.  God certainly sees what we can become, but sometimes, it is a very gradual process, day by day.  But, as President Monson has taught, our decisions will compile and will determine our destiny.  

It was a really good past week working with Elder Pham.  It is fun to see other's talents and gifts, and try to learn from them.  We met with some new people this past week.  We read the first part of D&C 121 with one person yesterday.  I think one of the questions I get the most often on the street or in the lesson is why simple bad things happen if God loves us. I love these verses because it teaches the power of trust and that God truly is on our right hand and left hand (D&C 84:88).  I life is not always easy, but that God provides a way always for us to succeed.  I have certainly seen many prayers be answered, even, in this past week.  God is my greatest friend and is truly one I always talk to.  I know you all are far away, but prayers always make me feel closer to you.  

Life is so good.  I love being a missionary and love being here for this time.  We had a lesson with a person we baptized a couple months ago, with a new person we are teaching.  It was so wonderful to see her bear her testimony and her experience of coming to God for herself.  Mosiah 16:9 is so true.  Love you.  Sorry my letter was so short.  It was fun to see the pictures of the snow in St. Louis. Congrats Anna for graduation.  Good luck to everyone as you all finish the semester.  I know you all can do.  Through God, everything is possible.  Love you so much.

your brother, son, gradson and friend,

Elder Shumway

TRANSFER NEWS!!!!

Dearest family and friends,

It is was a really good week.  My time though in Footscray will be concluded tomorrow morning.  I will continue to be in the same flat, but I will be serving in Sunshine and Saint Albans.  It is still in Western Melbourne, but a little farther away from the city.  I be on the trains a lot in these next couple weeks.  I will be serving with Elder Pham.  He is from Saigon.  It is has been really fun serving with Elder LyNguyen.  I really admire his love that he has for our branch members and every one in general.  He always has such an attitude of service.  He has cooked many countless meals.  One thing I really learned from him, was about the power of the scriptures in lessons and just allowing the scriptures to speak for themselves.  The scriptures are indeed one of the greatest gifts God has given us and are so very crucial in missionary work.  I am so grateful for them. 
We have certainly seen many miracles in these past couple months. Three people that we found will be baptized by the end of the year.  This confirms my strong belief that we need to talk to as many people as possible, even if we will not teach them. Also, two people that we initially contacted are now coming back to church. As I think about these things, I feel great peace with our labors. One older gentleman that we have been teaching, came back yesterday after 30 years of being away. It is pretty amazing. He is seeking greater peace and I do really believe that he felt the love of other members and the comfort that he yearns for. 

Elder LyNguyen and I taught priesthood yesterday. It was really fun.  We talked about Joseph Smith.  I think in many ways Ether 12:27 describes pretty perfectly of how he became truly a man of God.  He was humble and willing to act on the revelation that he recieved.  I admire his faith and the love that he had for others.  Through my Book of Mormon, I have come to know that he truly is a prophet of God.  It is difficult to express how many times the Book of Mormon has given the exact counsel I needed or given me peace and great joy to my soul.  Galatians 5:22-23 and 3 Nephi 28:11

describe well the way I have come to know spiritual truth for myself.  As I describe again to people, probably every day, our desire to know can eventually become an unshakeable faith and ultimately, knowledge.  

Every thing is going well.  Merry Chirstmas to everyone.  We had our branch Christmas party on Saturday.  I read Luke 1 and 2 yesterday.  I love the Christmas Spirit and this special time.  Love you all.

Jonathan

Happy December!!

Dearest family and friends, 

Happy December from Melbourne.  It does not feel like December in the least to me right, but no worries.  Haha.  I am currently wearing a Christmas tie, so I am starting to get in the Christmas Spirit.  We sang a Christmas song in our morning studies, so I am really looking forward to Christmas.  There are starting to be some decorations on the steets.  In the library, there is a Christmas tree.  We will sing as missionaries together at the state library in downtown Melbourne in couple weeks, so I am really looking forward to that.  Mom, I miss singing Christmas songs with you every night.  It seemed like we did that every day, in the weeks after Thanksgiving, every year.  Those are very fond memories of mine.  "O, O Come, Emmanuel" has especially been on mind lately.  As you know, that is one my favorites.  

Thanksgiving sounds like it was a blast.  Did you go to the parade downtown by the way?  I always liked those small, trick cars from Shriners.  We did have a little celebration last Monday with all the city missionaries.  There are about 40 of us.  It was really, really fun.  We went to a park and had a barbecue.  No turkey, but that's alright.  I played rugby for the first time, so that was a definitely a blast.  I can't say I was particularly a natural, but I guess there is always another time.
It was a really good and fun week last week. Many special experiences happened.  The Vietnamese Zone went together to the temple. It was an amazing experience for me where I just follow all anxieties and stresses leave and really just feel complete peace.  I really enjoyed going this past week.
I also gave my first confirmation blessing. That was certainly something I will always remember. Admittedly, I felt a little scared to give a blessing in front of the entire congregation, but as I walked up, I just felt very calm and confident that my mouth would be able to able to utter the words that needed to be spoken to this newly baptized man. I am grateful for the Spirit and the privilege it is for me to hold the priesthood and have the Holy Ghost.  His name is Reza.  He came from Iran about 2 months ago.  Elder LyNguyen found him as we were coming from an appointment.  He came to English class and readily accepted the gospel.  It gave my great joy to see our efforts have such an impact.
I have thought a lot about 2 Corinthians 9:13 these past couple days and have come to a fuller realization of the need to declare the gospel to everyone. It took greater faith on my part, but I was amazed by the greater success I have had in these past couple days, especially with Aussies. I am reminded that the gospel is truly for everyone, I just need to give everyone a chance.
I was reminded of this particularly on Friday.  We were street contacting and saw an Aussie on a bench.  We exchanged greetings and I came to realize how I really did need to talk to him.  He just gave up drugs about a month ago and started to pray and read the Bible again.  I testified of Christ and God's love.  We discusseed how Christ can heal us in our lives.  I felt prompted to share part of D&C 122:7-7 and part of Alma 36 with him.  He has tried to commit suicide serveral times, but every time, his life seems to be preserved for some reason.  I tesified that God must still have something that he needs to do.  He told me probably 10 times that he knew he was supposed to talk with me.  As I shared scriptures, he said he knew he even with a greater surety concerning this, because the scriptures described exactly how he felt.  I am so truly grateful to be a missionary and a represenative for 2 years.  It is so rewarding!!
We will continue to pray and fast for the people we are teaching.  I will do my best to be worthy to truly declare His words unto them (D&C 68:4). Life is good. Have a great week. I love you all so much.

Jonathan