June 22, 2011

Mom,
I wrote Eric a lengthy email, so I don't have a lot of time, but I want you to know how much I love my mission. There are so many missionaries who can’t wait to get home, but then I think of how much I have learned in the last year and realize that it couldn’t have come any other way. I wouldn’t trade that for anything. I am being prepared for a life I couldn’t have lived if I wasn’t serving here in the Philippines Cebu Mission under President Hansen and President Smutsch (SP?). I have just come over a huge hurtle and I feel like I am almost to the top. I can see the progress I have made and the Lord has just poured blessings down from heaven. We went to the temple today. What a great experience to be away from the world. I am so grateful for what I learned there.
I want to include what President Hansen wrote me last week. It surprised me, but it is one more way that the Lord is trying to prepare me for bigger and better things. He said'
"You continue to grow each week elder Schenk.....Perhaps you will be called as a mission president in the future......it wouldn't surprise me a bit. It is wonderful to see such an outpouring of the Spirit in your zone......May the Lord continue to bless all of your efforts. Pres.Hansen"
I love that man so much! I am so grateful for his love, guidance, and teaching me. He is my hero, just like Dad.
Love you all so much. Take care,
Elder Schenk

 Eric,
I love you so much. Thank you so much for your letter. It is evident that you are already a servant of the Lord. I love how you want to get 2 years of missionary service in before your mission even begins. Serving a mission helps you in ways you would never imagine. I never thought I would receive so much revelation for what will happen after my mission, but I have. Our mission theme/ motto is "Success Through Obedience." I have come to find in the last week that that statement is exactly what it says. I have strived to become more obedient, and after that little sacrifice for the Lord, He truly gave me a loaf. He has blessed me in so many ways. I have been struggling more with the language lately, but the last few days I have seen dramatic changes in my ability to understand and speak. Someone told me yesterday that I have better Visaya than my companion (I was on exchanges and he has been in the mission about 9 months, and speaks tagalog) She said my accent was better than his. That is a huge comment because Filipinos learn the language so much faster. Often they can be almost fluent in 6 weeks, where us Americans are more like 6 months to a year. All that and more will be yours on your mission. You are better than I was, and I am sure you will be better than I am. Thank you for your stalwart example to me and to the family and your friends and the ward and all who know you. I guarantee that more people look up to you than you know. They notice your example. You will never truly know your affect on others.
Well keep preparing and start your mission now. That will make the Lord so happy, for this is His work. "Be Prepared." There is no better way to be. My mission president, President Hansen, said, "If you fail to prepare, you prepare to fail." What words of wisdom. So prepare now little brother.
Love,
Elder Schenk
PS. You can call me koya. It means older brother.

Dad,
Have a great time on your John Day trip. You will have to tell me all about it. That would be fun, but I am where I need to be. The Lord has a work for me here. I feel like I am just beginning to really understand that. There is more to give than what I have been giving. I love my mission so much. I learn more every day. Love you dad, Happy Fathers Day!
Love,
Elder Schenk