What? SIX!

Well everyone. I would just like to start out by bring you all up to date. Literally, up to TODAY! Exactly 6 months ago this very night... I was set apart as a missionary for the church. I know that I have more time left in the mission then I can possibly imagine. I feel like it has gone fast, but slow at the same time. When I look back on all that has happened, it seems like at least 2 years. But when I look back at major events, they don't feel that long ago. I feel like I just left the MTC. I still consider Elder Sagripanti as my companion from a few weeks ago... but it´s been 3 months since we´ve been companions. Next Monday is transfers. I feel like I will leave. I have been here in El Cruce long enough. I have done quite a lot, and although there is more I can do... I feel Ill be called away soon. But before I go, I'm going to make it a big banger-oo-ey! This Saturday we are going to do a Family Home Evening with the ward. It is an idea that came to me though revelation when we were planning for the inactive members. We planned it for this Saturday, feeling it was right. Then yesterday during church, we received a new bishop. Here that is big! People who were "offended" come back to church and people who expect to be "offended" leave. It is something we are working on... but the culture here is, well... just like that. It really does remind me of the Lamanite/Nefite nations. ANYWAY... we are kind of making the activity a farewell/welcome new bishop activity... because we already planned it. So, I'm looking forward to that.

Well, this week we went on intercambios (companion exchanges) this week with the Zone Leaders for a day. I went to their area and Elder Sagripanti came back to Cruce for a day. It was really interesting. We had wonderful conversation. And as usual, I learned a lot. All the missionary leaders here seem to be the cream of the crop. They really are the best people I’ve ever met, and can’t seem to stop teaching. I just hope that by my last day of the mission I’ll have learned to do that.

This week nothing really HUGE happened that I haven't already mentioned. We went to the offices again. So with transfers next week, that basically means 3 weeks without a day of rest. I love it... It really just makes me laugh now. I'm enjoying the exercise as well. I'm getting good at hauling around heavy bags/boxes in train stations. With all the travel on P-Days, I have officially mastered the rubix-cube. I always thought it was hard and never really tried to learn it. But then I bought one and, it really isn’t that hard. My companion gave me a pointer or two... then after doing it for awhile, I gave him a pointer or two also. Now we have races and see who can do it faster. We´re averaging about 4 minutes. That´s about the best thing to do on a train here... we use to try and read, but trust me... if you have ever gotten car sick reading, try train sick! Haha, good times. And no, I haven’t thrown up.

I must admit though. My favorite time of the week is Monday. I get to read all of your letters/e-mails to me. It really refreshes me and gives me that little bit more umpf to get going again. Even with all the spiritual teaching we do, it is even more spiritual to hear of all the love and support out there. That truly brings a wonderful Spirit as well.

Well, this week we planned a lot for the ward activity. So we didn’t go out trying to find much. But it seemed like every family we passed by was ready to listen. We did about 4-5 contacts this week... and found about 4-5. We found this couple that was a reference... sorta. And when we stopped by, we got the usual "sort of reference" reply. Oh, yeah... come back when we aren’t busy. So we came back. We had given them a pamphlet about Lesson one or Joseph Smith. When we came back they had actually read some of it and had questions. We taught lesson one and they answered basically every question correctly. Then we asked them to pray for us (standard)... the lady of the house volunteered (not standard) and said a prayer better then what we can (NEVER HEARD OF). It went really well and everyone felt the Spirit... we´ll head back soon.

Well, I’m off for now. I hope all is well at home. I really do wish to send you all my love. It seems I get more devoted readers every week. Thank you.

All my love,

Elder Tommy Steinkuhler

We Baptized!!

Well, I'm running VERY LATE. We have a lot to do today and my hour is almost up. It is kind of annoying when you only have one hour on the computer and as soon as you get on a million people start calling you. We are going to the offices to get a "mini-missionary" so everyone is calling us to pick something up for them. It takes about 3-4 hours to get to and from the offices. And if you want anything you need to haul it half way across the mission on a train. So today will be fun!!! Yeah, I know it sounds like I'm complaining... but really I'm just looking forward to another opportunity to use my arm muscles!

Well, talking about using muscles... WE BAPTISED!!! Two different people. There are photos... and they have me in them because so many people didn't like my idea of not sending pictures. I didn't want to die when I get home... so there you go, fotos. Well, my companion baptized a lady who had been baptized... but not confirmed YEARS ago. She goes by the name of Ana. So we re-taught her and re-baptized her. I also baptized a man named Alex. He is from a family of Jehovah Witnesses and married to a return missionary. When I got here he was being taught... and had a baptismal fecha. We taught him and he decided last minute that he wasn't ready. We dropped him after that and about a month ago we went by again. We started teaching him again... really focusing on his needs. And finally we got him baptized. He FINALLY felt what he needed. It truly was amazing. Trust me, there is nothing better than teaching someone for 4 months...ish and finally having them ask you if you´d like to baptize them.

Elder Hakes, Ana, Alex, and I

Alex and I

Those two baptisms basically took up all our time. We had to do companion exchanges twice so that they could get interviewed and also fight with the baptismal fount. We have really just been working a lot. Going to members and doing Family Home Evenings with them. Or going to all our investigators with fechas. Really, not much is new. It feels like the longest week in history... but also really short. I'm sorry this week´s update is really lame. We didn't really do much exciting this week. I did put some fun pictures up. We made a coat rack this week after planning session. We also had interviews with the President. He wants to send me home because I'm a terrible person. But I begged and he finally said I could stay. But only because I promised to stay an extra 2 years. So it looks like I won’t be coming home till 2012. Sorry. Hopefully I’ll have learned the language by then.

FHE (or NDH in Spanish) with the Luque Family

We finally have a coat rack.

Oh, something random. If you remember my friend Elder Schupple from the MTC. He got an emergency transfer last week. I don’t know why... nor does he. But it means I don't see him often. It is weird when things like that happen. All well, I’ll see him sometime.

So, another random thing about those photos. In the sun my hair is a lot brighter. I’ll try to get one with the sun hitting my head.

Well, I'm gonna stop rambling and go. Take care though. I love you all and can’t wait till I see you again in about 3.5 years. ;)

Elder Steinkuhler

PS it looks like I have 9 devoted fans. Thanks for reading you all.

Giant Chicken Pot Pie

¡Que aborrido!

Hello My People!

Well, I love how I get an e-mail from the same people every week... so, my question is... who reads these things? I'm just assuming I have loyal and devoted readers who jump on their computers EVERY MONDAY NIGHT!!!

"Hey, what are you up to Monday night?"

"Dude, don't you know... Tommy´s (or Elder Steinkuhler´s) e-mail will be posted on his blog. I'm totally going to be there. It´s what all the cool kids are doing"

Actually, I have a request. For all of you who actually read THIS update... or any for that matter... will you please e-mail me at eldersteinkuhler@gmail.com and tell me your name. It´ll only take you like two minutes. I want to know who I'm actually writing to. That includes family by the way.

Well, this week was rather fast... but really boring to talk about. We worked and worked and worked and finally worked some more. I think it is like 105°F around here. And every member keeps on telling us how tan we are getting. I love it when they suggest we should wear hats. Can you imagine a missionary clapping outside your house in a baseball cap and sunglasses? How weird would that be? I have also lost a lot of muscle, so my farmers tan line is a lot lower because my sleeves hang pretty low. My hair is getting to be albino white (kind of). And you all don't have a photo. Sorry. I think I might just withhold photos of myself until I get home. That way you´ll all just have to pick me out of the crowd when I come off the plane... good luck. I figure if I don't smile and show off my obviously "Tommy Teeth" then no one will know who I am. Actually, all joking aside... I’ve had some requests for photos. So hopefully next week I will send out photos of myself and my shoes. Look for it... Pray for it... Expect it....

One cool thing that happened this week: About a month ago we had a missionary choir performance for Christmas. A lady in our area went and after she asked me for a priesthood blessing because I was the missionary for her area. I got Elder Sagripanti to help me and we gave her a blessing of comfort. She was counseled about upcoming events and about things in her life. She was very grateful and although we wanted to set up an appointment, she had to dash. We later found out where she lives and went past a few times... eventually this week we went by when she was there. Her house is HUGE! We went in and she sat us down looking at a wall with photos of her and the Argentina President. She then started telling us how the blessing had lead her to do what she needed in her politic life and music career. We shared our message and gave her a Book of Mormon. She in turn gave us a CD of her music. It turns out her and her two daughters (13 and 15 years of age) did the CD... playing the harp, guitar, vocals and all sorts of stuff. I was remembered of the Cardon family... for those who know them. She made us promise to listen to a bit, so we did... it is very family friendly and lovely soft melodies... but not missionary approved. We are going back soon and really expect her to get baptized. She was prepared before we got there.

Well, I figure I’ll put more things about missionary life in my area for all of you who don´t know what it is like. Or more... what missionary like is for ME in my area. I love going out and baptizing. We are actually planning TWO baptisms for this Saturday. But it really doesn't mean much to me if they don't stay active. If a baptism is not sealed with the "Holy Spirit of Promise" it is almost worthless. When people are baptized... they need to do it with all their heart as well as their body. In our ward there are about 750 to 800 people on the ward list. Last week we had 115 in church. For those that can do the math, you´ll realize that means that there are a LOT of inactive people. We are putting a big emphasis on helping members come back to church now. We are also fixing up the ward list because there are a lot of problems with it. So we ended up going out WITH members this week to a lot of members. Some are like investigators... people who have no clue what the gospel is really about. Some just need a reason to come back. Others just need a little love. Whatever they need... we are going to EVERY SINGLE ONE. We are messengers from God. And God does not forget his children. We found an area that is about 2 square blocks... with about 20 families that are members. FAMILIES! Not people... FAMILIES!!! This area is about the size of a football field with about 150 members! At least we won’t have to do a lot of walking.

Things like that are what we are working on. We are helping others progress toward baptism. We are challenging people to change their lives and we are finding people who have the faith needed to do what they need to find their Father in Heaven. In Spanish there are two words for the English word "work". One is trabajar... which is like: "I'm going to work out in the yard now". The other is Obrar... which is like: "I'm working with God right now". We´re not trabajar-ing here. We are Obrar-ing. Trust me, there is a difference. Every day we live the life of a missionary. I think most think that involves jokes and taking pictures of your companion while he is on the toilet. It involves walking or biking for hours and getting rejected a lot. But that really isn't true. We wake up and spent time getting ready. Then we spend some time studying with the help of God´s angels to guide us in what we are going to need THAT day. Then we leave and yes... we do walk. We share the gospel with a lot of people. We don´t get rejected much. Sometimes people reject God, but never us. We teach to a lot of people... whether we are on the other side of their gate or sitting in their one room house. We see miracles and change lives. And when that is all done... we return home and praise God for what he has done. If truth be told... we have rules, but we don't always follow them. We are supposed to be back home and getting ready for bed by no later than 10. If truth be told, we normally are lead to someone we had not planned on visiting right about 9:45. We don't do language study because we don't have time. I talked to our mission president about these kind of things and he told me "Elder, I'm sure God will forgive you for doing what he wants". And well, that is what we do. All we do... we do what God wants. Perhaps because the bar has been raised or perhaps because I'm just lucky... we don't goof off. We don't slack off. We don't do all those things I’ve heard other return missionaries talk about. Right now we are doing God´s work... and he cannot withhold his blessings from us. So thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your support. I´m doing wonderful and certainly obrar-ing it up.

I love you all and look forward to seeing you all soon,

Elder Tommy Steinkuhler

PS This was kind of a weird e-mail. But I felt like I needed to say what I did. So I hope someone took something from it.

PPS don’t forget to e-mail me.