Called to serve as a Trainer.....

I thought I would add to Elder Rob's blog his letter from his mission President in regards to his new calling as a Trainer....

13 September 2011


Elder Robert Schroeder
3858 Pennsylvania St. #259
Longview, WA 98632

Dear Elder Schroeder,

Congratulations on your call as a Trainer of a new missionary. This assignment of responsibility and trust is among the greatest that a missionary can receive in the mission field. The privilege to train is a sacred trust and responsibility.

Many are counting on you. First, your new companion has high hopes and expectations that his first companion would be one that would help him learn what the Lord would have him do to be effective and successful in the mission field. Second, the parents of your new companion have been praying that their son's first companion would be one that would help him have a trememdous start to his mission. Third, your companion's bishop and stake president at home are equally concerned that this new missionary get a first companion that will be hard working and obedient so that their missionary can be happy and successful in the field.

In their instruction to Mission President's, the leaders of the church have taught "one of the highest compliments you can pay to a missionary is to assign him or her as a trainer of a new missionary. A missionary's first companion will have a profound, lasting influence on the development of the missionary's attitude and habits....Choose only outstanding missionaries to serve as trainers." (Mission President's Handbook, 2005).

As a trainer, you have certain responsibilities that are outlined in the "in field Training for New Missionaries." Always remember that as you faithfully fulfill this trust that the Lord has placed in you, your new companion will remember you all the days of their life for the contribution that you made in helping them get a good start on their mission.

May the Lord bless you for your faithful service and for conducting yourself in such a way that you would be worthy and prepared to serve as a Trainer of a new missionary.

Faithfully Yours,
President Leonard D. Greer
Washington Kennewick Mission





Elder Schroeder and his new companion Elder Day......
Service is a good thing....good luck on this new endevor on your mission Elder Rob.

LDS Missionaries Coming Home Mix

New transfer.....Same area....

9 months out!
Elder Rob is doing really good...He had a recent baptism which was really exciting for them...apparently this man they baptised had family already in the ward that he didn't know...they are now getting to know each other and be that family they are. Also, there was another transfer on Wednesday, Elder Rob stayed where he is in Longview (which made him very happy because he loves the people in his area) and his new companion is a greenie that he now gets to teach. This is his first experience as senior companion....he was concerned about not knowing who this companion would be, but the looks of it, they look like they are compatible and will do just fine.

We had a nice surprise email from a member of their ward that fed them dinner...this is the email (pictures as well)

"We just had the pleasure of having these two wonderful young men in our home for dinner. What a delightful time we have had listening to them tell of the love they have for their families and the incredible experiences they are having while serving the Lord. You must feel very proud of your son--and you should. He is certainly an outstanding young man. Thank you for sharing him with us as well as the people of our area.

We thought you might enjoy these pictures of your son and his brand new companion. Elder Day just arrived today. I'm sure your son will be a wonderful influence on him.

Brother and Sister Johnson"

And the work goes on in Longview Washington...............

"Long weeks and very tired"

Just got our email from Elder Rob yesterday....quote "Longest week of my life/mission!" He said he is very tired and exhausted...that "their mission is picking up quite a bit and he and his companion are buckling down"...One of the missionaries in their area went home for 6 months and so they have Elder Webb with them and are doing 2 areas....no wonder they are tired!!! That being said, Gary and I were at our mission at the Genealogy Library last night, when I was done, I noticed I had a voicemail. It was from a sister Peggy Atkins...Here is her message.."Sister Schroeder, your son is ministering to us, we just became new Mormon's but he has a problem with his shoes and wants to know if you can put money in his card or if he should send them home to be fixed" I returned her call and she was the most adorable sweet lady EVER! She and her husband are retired, they are in Elder Rob's ward and LOVE to take care of the missionaries! He was on his way to her home when I called her..apparently she does their laundry, and feeds them ice cream and huckleberry pie!!!....hmmmmmm.....lucky elders!!! Anyway, it was so cute...apparently his shoes are totally worn out! The heels are gone and he wanted to know what he should do. I told her that I would put money on his card and he could get new shoes...then she told me she would take him in the morning to buy the shoes...she is ADORABLE! Just as I was writing this blog I happened to look down at my phone that was on silent, I answered it and it was Peggy Atkins! She has Elder Rob at the store and they wanted to know if he could get two pairs of shoes since one was regular price and the other half off...she is more than ADORABLE and I am so grateful to those who take good care of our missionaries! I told her to tell him he has plenty of money and to get both pairs....if they are covering 2 areas they will need the shoes to walk the distance! What a great Mission Elder Rob is in...it brings tears to my eyes to know that he has such good people to take care of his needs....it is amazing to me to see how our Heavenly Father takes care of our guys....he knows that us mom's are worrying all the time about them, and this is just one of many examples of the love, peace and comfort he has shown me while Elder Rob is serving....I will always be so grateful to these wonderful people who are selflessly serving our young men making it easier for them to serve those in the Kennewick Mission. Tears are falling and my heart is full right now....my son is working hard and wearing his shoes out....this is a good day!

Grandma Schroeder R.I.P 8/26/1925 - 7/15/2011

When Sis Greer told me i didn't know what to think....

Last night we taught a lesson to a gentleman named Rodney. He has been meeting with missionaries for a while now, his dad has been in poor health for a long time and on the 4th passed away. He's torn up. No prep no knowledge of anything. He forgets about almost everything. We taught him the plan of salvation last night we had no idea what he had already been through. It reminds me of how lucky the Saints are, to know! We have this WONDERFUL plan! It reminds me of what Nephi says "my soul delights in plainness" (2n 31:3)

Our father has laid it all out for us in plain English! That before we were born he knew us. He tells us in Jeremiah 1:5 "I knew thee before I formed thee" it boggles my mind how many sons and daughters do not know of this plan. We know why we're here. Alma teaches us "today is the day for men to preform there labors" 34:32-33 as well as to gain a body. We know where grandma is just as we know where grandpa is. Alma 40:11-12 then after a time if we've lived the best we can we will have eternal life with our families I love what Paul told Titus 1:21 it is a PROMISE we shall see our families again. Joseph Smith taught the saints before the Kirkland temple was built "all our Losses WILL be made up"

I Love this Gospel! I love my eternal family! I love my grand-parents no matter what side of the veil they're on. I love our GOD! That's why I'm Here. I love the scriptures! In closing, I'm gonna leave 5 more with you too look up in the order shown...

D&C 6:36, 2N 2:28, Moses6:62, 1:39 and Alma 34:17

I leave this testament of the plan of salvation in the name of the Holy one of Israel Even Jesus Christ. Amen.

I LOVE YOU ALL!!
Elder Robert D. Schroeder

Words from our Teacher/Missionary....love you Elder Rob

Elder Schroeder's 4th of July update......

Elder Rob had to change his P-day to Monday this week due to the 4th of July....he didn't know what he would be doing on the 4th, and so we didn't know either and since they use the computers at the library we didn't get an email from him...but, while sitting in the Magna park waiting their fabulous fireworks I did get an email on my phone from Elder Rob and Elder Stewart's Bishop...YES! They were able to eat dinner at the Bishop's house and he was kind enough to send us a little email about it plus...BONUS pictures! Here is the email.....

Sis. Schroeder --

My wife and I had the pleasure of having your son and his companion, Elder Stewart, over for dinner tonight. We had a great visit with them and thought we'd share with you.

Elder Schroeder is doing a great job in our ward and we are happy to have him assigned here. He has been working hard and doing all that he is supposed to be doing. As bishop in the ward, I have the opportunity to work closely with him and his companion and am happy to report that he is honoring his priesthood, his call and his family. And on top of that he is alive and well and appears to be happy in the work!

Thanks for sharing your son with us. He is a great missionary!

Doug & Linda Taylor
















Hahahahaha....guess this is supposed to represent their dramatic picture...LOL




They both look really good, a little burned from the earlier days activities, but looking good. Guess the next thing I need to send is a bottle of sunscreen hahahaha.
Anyway, we then were pleased to hear from Elder Rob yesterday! Wow! This was a great week...he sounded so good....here is a little of what he said in his email...


I asked if Elder Rob remembered the plate lady...she sent us some pictures of the Elders at dinner..she always has them hold a plate from their area...his response was..
Yes, sister Huggins, she was very nice and she has a cute daughter too (not that i was looking)...... hahahaha

We spent most the 4th of July at Lake Sacajawea (the Indian lady who helped Lewis and Clark) they had all manner of things there, a parade, a lumberjack, array of sports, little shops and at 10pm an amazing fire works show... (from what I heard, we had to be in at 8)! But we opened our back door and watched the less than legal fire works from our apartment... it was awesome! Most of them come to find out aren't illegal.

We ate at our bishops house! We had ribs ice cream and brownies... it was AWESOME! We eat dinner's at members homes and we have had alot of barbeque's, its been WAY WAY GOOD!!!

Our new apartment is way cool! There is only one set of Elders here..me and my companion ... it only has one bedroom and one bathroom so it is just us. It's the nicest that I've lived in so far! It's way nice!! I really enjoy living there. No heat and no A/C..people here are ignorant when it comes to stuff like that.. their like what?? they make those for normal people??? WHA? hahahaha. The mission office does every thing with paying the rent, it all goes through them. We rarely cook, actually we don't have much time for that. We get an hour so and it has to be quick. Hmmmm, let's see....mac'n'cheese and top raman...specialties right? That's why I like eating with members cause then they sit and talk to us, maybe a little too long but hey its nice.
Normally we might eat cereal for breakfast.. tomorrow I might feel like making something but then I also don't wanna clean up that much. A bowl of cereal is like two things.....my comp likes things clean....I like things clean too but it doesn't happen more than once a week :) but hey that's all the time we have. It's not to bad to keep things clean, easier than just one room like I have had in the past to be honest because your not trying to cramp every thing in one space with another dude who has the same amount as you....We have had a good week so far, its kind of hard to get back in the swing of things after a holiday but we're managing...we might have a new investigator maybe today!!! I hope I hope!! That's the hard part, members are so not inclined to help us out..no new baptisms so far, maybe next transfer. This new area is HUGE!!! Definitely NOT a walking area or biking area!! ITS LIKE HALF OF LONG VIEW, it goes from our church to the Wakiakum county line.. it's way hard to get around.....but we manage.

love you all!!
Elder Robert D. Schroeder

He sounds so good and enjoying his mission...I think he is kind of getting used to these transfers too...this last transfer he left several baptisms behind and that made him kind of sad...he wasn't able to follow through with the work he had already done...but he has a good attitude about it..as long as the work is done it's all good. Love that young Elder!!! These are our Missionaries...work hard and love the Lord!

Transfer.......AGAIN!!!!!

Elder Rob was transferred... again... after his last one 6 WEEKS AGO!!! In the same area just new companion (this companion is struggling right now) new appartment, and over a new Ward...he was a bit dissappointed, but ok ... worried about this new companion though....please keep them in your prayers if you would....his new address: 3506 Pennsylvania Street Longview, Washington 98632

He sent us a letter explaining what was going on....he is a bit concerned about this new companion. Elder Rob is afraid he will end up going home and he feels it is his responsibility to try to convince him to stay on his mission and work things out...Elder Rob also had to leave the Ward he was working with and move to another...he was really enjoying where he was and his previous companion..they worked really well together...but he knows this is how a mission works and will have the faith that he needs to make the new companionship work. Letters of encouragement would be great for him right now....he said they are really busy and working hard...lots of prospective baptisms....and the work goes forward!