1st email

I am officially arrived in the Mexico MTC, and I am alive and well. My P day is Thursday. I won`t have one this week, but I will email you next Thursday. By the way, the punctuation and everything is very different on these Spanish keyboards, so please dont be too picky with my grammar.

--

Elder Jakob Schramm

Last Days....

Monday Jakob spent the day packing.  He also got a perfect missionary haircut! About that awesome haircut.......while he was at the store getting it done, he was visiting with the girl cutting his hair. We have all been there, right? They ask all kinds of personal questions so its not awkward. The girl asked him what his plans were for the rest of the day and he told her he was packing to go on a mission. Just as she was finishing up his haircut, another employee came over and said that the man sitting next to Jakob had just paid for Jakob's haircut and wished him the best on his mission. After that blessing, it was time to get back to more packing. This proved to be more stressful for all of us than we thought it would be. His big bag couldn't weigh more than 50 pounds. Our scale had it weighing in at 48.9.  Sticking with typical PrototypeX fashion, we don't have a lot of wiggle room. We are all praying that the scales at the airport aren't very different from the ones at home.

We got the first really good snow storm the last couple of days. Jakob got to shovel the side walk at the church before his setting apart! I guess he can shovel snow once this year.

This is him being VERY glad he is leaving the snow and being cold.

We had a great experience at the church while Jakob got set apart as a missionary. The stake president gave us great council and shared some scriptures with us. The spirit was very strong in that room. Poor little Kate could feel it and started to cry as she realized what is really happening to her best friend. Im so grateful for the tender mercies and feelings of the spirit. Having Jakob be set apart and then going back to our home to finish scriptures was really one of those sacred family moments that I will always treasure.

This is the new Elder Schramm headed out the door to the airport. 

Do you think he is sick of the pictures and ready to get on the plane?

Love you Elder Schramm!! God be with you till we meet again!



 



Mission Farewell

As a quick recap, Jakob spoke about faith. He reminded us that faith with out works is dead. We can hope for things, but sitting around hoping isn't good enough. Jakob and his friends, Randon Mellor and Conner Sorenson performed a beautiful musical number. Then, one of Jakobs scout leaders Chip Galloway spoke about gratitude. I appreciate the reminder that being grateful is a choice that we make. Some times it takes faith to make that choice.  Brother Galloway also reminded us that we need to have life jackets to stop the storm...... or something like that.

It was a great sacrament meeting and I think all of those that were there felt the spirit and left feeling uplifted. After church we had lunch at the church. We are so grateful for all of those that helped with food, set up and clean up. 

 Its so much fun to see good friends and family!

Good luck Jakob! We want to thank everyone that came to listen to Jakob speak and then came for lunch after church. We are so blessed to have so many great friends and family.

Dear Parents:

November 11^th, 2016

Keith Jason Schramm.
Camille Cain Schramm.
14744 South Ten Sleep Circle
Bluffdale, UT 84065
United States

Dear Brother and Sister Schramm,

Sister McArthur and I are thrilled that Elder Jakob Paul Schramm has been called to serve in the Mexico Monterrey West Mission! This experience will help him become a man of faith with an increased desire to serve the Lord and his fellowman all the days of his life. He will be blessed with the opportunity to serve among the most faithful and obedient missionaries in the Church.

The people of Mexico are warm, gentle, kind and helpful. The Lord is utilizing these attributes, as missionaries are led to those who have been prepared to hear and accept the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Spirit works the wonder of conversion in their lives through the efforts of faithful missionaries. At the same time the Spirit strengthens the missionaries in faith and devotion as they recognize the Savior's love.

Mexico Monterrey West missionaries enjoy the blessing of serving the Lord "with all [their] heart, might, mind and strength." This great work requires a clear focus and an understanding of who they are and what they are to accomplish "with an eye single to the glory of God." To maintain focus and keep their spirits high, missionaries require positive support through regular and uplifting letters from home.

Your missionary will greatly benefit from daily study of the Book of Mormon and Preach My Gospel.  We strongly encourage the continued review of these sacred texts as a way to not only prepare for missionary service, but as a means to deepen faith and testimony.

Thank you for all you have done to prepare your child for this marvelous missionary experience. The Lord has called him to succeed. I will do everything in my power to assist. If you have questions or concerns please contact me by email at the mission office at 2010135@ldschurch.org .

Most sincerely,

Daniel D. McArthur.

President, Mexico Monterrey West Mission