He's arrived in Peru !!!!!

Much to my surprise I came home yesterday evening to find an email from Corban. It seems he made it to Peru without any difficulty and he is loving it already.

Corban's email from 1-27-2011 to mom: "hey hey hey! How are you doing? I'm in Peru and loving it. Español out the wazoo I have a companion from Ecuador. It is pretty neat. I will try and send some pics on next Wednesday. I think I have a while to email, next time. maybe an hour. Oh and the people here said that it would almost be better to not send packages, but instead just put money in my account. They said that you can have problems with customs here. Btw the people here are awesome so far. And no my comp does not speak a lick of English, and yes I have already played futbol. So far everything here is awesome."

So until next week!!!

Sandy

Off to Lima Peru he goes !!

Today mark's 3 weeks since Corban left and went to the MTC in Provo, Utah. And today Corban left Utah headed to the Lima Peru MTC where he will be for the next 6 weeks.

I was really lucky to have received both a letter and an email from Corban yesterday. He spoke of the letters that he had received so far and wanted me to make sure that I thanked all of those that have taken the time to write him. He spoke of how beautiful that it was at the MTC. He said that he was surprised at how well he has adapted to the schedule at the MTC up at 6:30 am and lights out at 10:30 pm. Now this is the same young man that would stay up to all hours of the night playing WOW ( World of Warcraft) and sleep until Noon or later the next day. And speaking of WOW he asked how the family guild of WOW players was doing and how was everyone doing at reaching level 85. I had to chuckle at this!!

He wanted Jaclyn and Brian to know that he thought that the newest member of the family Emma was beautiful, after having received my email with her picture.

In preparing to leave for Peru this week he spoke in his letter about how it would be culture shock. He says that he has heard that the average temperature in Peru is 75 degrees F, so maybe the temperature won't be too bad.

It's funny to hear him speak about how he feels older than so many of the others that he is with because many of them have just turned 19 and he will be 21 in July. He's there because he wants to be and has worked so hard to get there, when he sees others that still want to act like they are in high school he is a little put off by it. He's growing up that's for sure.

So this morning bright and early I received a call from Corban calling from the airport in Salt Lake. All together there are 17 that are traveling together to Peru today. His companion Elder Donaldson is with him in this travel as well. He said that he was doing well and that he was excited about getting to Peru. Their flight was to leave Salt Lake go to Texas. Then from Texas to Miami and then from Miami it would be 6 hours to Peru. He will be in Peru until March 9, 2011 and then he will leave and go to Santa Cruz Bolivia.

He was able to talk with both Casey and Alex during his morning call. He wanted me to apologize for no being able to call anyone else because he didn't have enough money. So for those that he promised to call, he said he was sorry he was unable to. I told him that I would try to send him an International Calling Card for calls that he might be able to make on the 9th of March.

I asked if has seen Tyler and I am happy to let Sister Baldridge know that Corban saw Tyler about 4 times in the 2 weeks that they were both at the MTC and that he saw Tyler yesterday before he left. So Tyler is ok Sister Baldridge!!

I felt very lucky that I was able to talk to him a second time while he was at the Miami airport. He said that things were going well and that they were all getting tired and ready to be there. So as I type this I know that my son is in flight for one of the greatest adventures to an unknown land.

Just as an FYI to everyone you can continue to use the DearElder.com and choose the PERU MTC with a departure date of 3-9-2011. These letters will go out weekly or you you can use the previously posted MTC mailing address and go snail mail. Any package needs to be less than 4 lbs and go green label customs 1st call not priority. Priority flat rate boxes do not work.

In closing I ask that you write him if you can! And I'll keep everyone updated as I hear more!! So off to Peru he goes!!

Sandy

Departs on Wednesday Jan. 26th, 2011

Just a quick update that things are still a go for Corban to leave the Provo MTC on the 26th and head to the Peru MTC. This is the address that I have so far. Things are always subject to change as we all know. You can also continue to use the Dear Elder.com service and change the location to the Peru MTC keeping in mind that the service sends letters out per pouch service weekly. The last I heard from him was last Wednesday which was brief, but he is doing well.

Elder Corban Michael Schafer
Peru MTC
Centro de Capacitacion Missional
Melgarejo 159
La Molina
Amazonas 12
Peru


Take care,
Sandy

My first snail mail.....

...Today I received my first real letter from Corban. I think that it is one of the first letters that I have ever received from him. In his letter Corban expresses how much that he is enjoying the experiences that he is having at the MTC, to quote Corban, "the experiences that I have had are phenomenal". He goes on to say that his companion in the MTC is a 19 yr old young man from Egar, Arizona named Elder Duskin Donaldson. He goes on to say that his companion has been very helpful and that they get a long very well. Corban says that he is very excited and looking forward to heading out for Peru on the 26th. He says that once he is there that he will be surrounded by the language which should help him pick up the language much quicker. He goes on to say that he has been looking for Tyler Baldridge another young man from our ward that also left on his mission as well. So far he hasn't seen Tyler but all of the missionaries are divided up based on where they are going to be going. He said he's on the look out for Tyler. The letter was brief but before closing he made a plea for more packages, and letters. He made a special request for Skittles of any flavor.
He has asked me to tell you about a wonderful service called Dear Elder.Com. While he is in the MTC in Provo you can email him a letter at dear elder.com by clicking on the write a letter, select the mission (Provo MTC ), then filling in the info regarding the return address and filling in to: Elder Corban Schafer MTC Box # 217 Mission BOL-SC. If you write these letters Monday through Friday by 1200 pm he will get them that same day. I have been using this and he has really enjoyed getting my letters. He has limited time to write back so don't always expect a response but he wants to know how everyone is doing.
I have checked into mailing letters and packages to Corban once he has left the country, it will be very costly. I have learned that once he has left the country that we can continue to use the Dear Elder.com and he will receive these letters weekly, they will be sent weekly by mail pouch service supplied by the church. I know that care packages can be sent through the Dear Elder service as well.
Tomorrow is Corban's p-day so I hope to get another email from him then. I ask that you keep Corban in your prayers and write him when you can. On a side note, any posts to this blog will not be seen by Corban until he returns home. He only has access to his church email once a week.
So until the next email or letter take care every one!!

Sandy

Hola Madre Como le va?

My first email has arrived.  He starts off by saying: " I have pdays on Wednesday and we are not allowed to write any other day. So sorry for the late contact. Just thought I would let you know that I love you first off, and that I have been praying for you night and day. The spirit is strong here and I love it. My testimony of the gospel has doubled since I have been here, and I think that it will only get bigger."  Corban goes on to say that he has had the chance to hear a devotional talk from Elder Jeffery R Holland and was moved by the things that were said.  He is anticipating his departure from Provo Utah on January 26th, when he will then go to the Lima Peru Missionary Training Center.  He goes on to say that he wants me to tell everyone that he loves them and that he is doing great.  He says that learning spanish is going very well.  It was a short but very cherished email.   So I'm sure that for anyone that is interested Corban would appreciate letters and packages....especially Skittles!! 

MTC

2 days have passed since Corban's departure on the 5th.  We haven't heard from him yet, but thanks to the kindness of my friend Don and Jane Carter we know that Corban made it safely later that day on the 5th to the MTC ( Missionary Training Center ) in Provo Utah.  Corban will spend a few weeks at the Provo MTC and then he will go the the Lima Peru MTC where he will received his more extensive language training.  I just hope Corban can recall the 2 years of high school spanish that he took.  For those who would like to write Corban while he is in the MTC here's his address...

Elder Corban M. Schafer
MTC Mailbox #217
BOL-SC 0309
2005 N 900 E
Provo, Utah 84604-1793

Please keep Corban in your thoughts and prayers as he heads out on the greatest adventure of his life!!

Off to Bolivia Jan. 5th 2011

Today I watched as my son walked off cross the airport towards security knowing that he was headed for one of the greatest 2 year adventures of his life.  For the next 2 years my son Corban will be serving a mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Saints in Santa Cruz Bolivia.  To see him leave was so bitter sweet, I know that he will serve the Bolivian people well, but I can't help but miss him so.  A poem was recently shared with me that may summon up the feelings in my heart right now and as I now share my son with many, I'd like to share this poem with you....it's called "Giving Christ my son"!

Giving Christ my son

I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving.  The thrill just wasn't there.
No pictures taken with Santa Claus, My decorating has no flair.
His presents are shoes, shirts and ties, two suits and socks....no fun.
I've bought him all white clothes because...
This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I've spent more time in the Temple, my testimony stirred.
I've reread Novembers ensign, Felt strength come from his words.
Our family prays more frequently.  My tears are quick to run.
Abraham seems closer because,
This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I wonder how those Lamanite mothers, gave their sons to war?
Or how the pioneers chose Zion, their sacrifice was so much more.
My loss will be his presence, I'll miss his smile a ton For two years we will pray for him,
I'm giving Christ my son.

I stare at his face when he's not looking.  I memorize his eyes, their shine.  He's always hungered for the part of him,
that makes his soul divine.
The stories and lessons he always heard, His choice and mine are one.
I'll put my faith in God's hand, This year,
I'm giving Him my son.

Past gifts have lost their glitter.  I think I finally understand Christ's birth should be celebrated by giving him a hand.
Its because I know Christ lives and reigns that all his packing's done.
My Gift has taken years to make.  This year...
I'm giving Christ my son.

I Know there's One who understands, the sacrifice I'm making.
Who knows the gift I willingly give.  The toll it will be taking.
for He has done it all before. Greater Love -there could be none.
for years ago God gave to me,
His only begotten son.

The Hands I washed, The hands I held, The hands I taught to pray; Now knock on doors to find the ones Who will
listen to what he'll say.
Because I know Christ needs him, Until all the gathering's done.
My gift has taken years to make.

This year...I'm giving Christ my son.