Last email. Elder S is coming home!

Elder Schroath returns home this Friday.  It has been a joy sharing his letters/emails with each of you.  Thank you for your love and support during the last two years.

Elder Schroath will speak in church this coming Sunday, May 31st at 9 am.

We will have a 'drop in' Open House from 7-9 pm Sunday evening for anyone that would like to come by and welcome him home.

Here are his last emails:
5.25.2015

Dear Mom,

So yeah it won't be a long email, but I just want to share how much of an impact my mission has made on me. It has been an amazing 2 years, and I have learned so much from it. Honestly, I didn't know what I was getting myself into when I started, but I knew it was the right thing to do. And I stuck to it and tried hard because I knew this was going to change my life. I was kind of nervous about changing...I didn't really want to.

But now I understand the change it puts you through. It isn't changing who you are or changing what you like or want to do, but it changes perspective. I can't even describe how open my eyes have been to the larger perspective of life. Things of the world don't really matter much at all, as before I thought it meant everything. I have an amazing appreciation for the gospel and the plan of happiness.

I understand my purpose and it gives me the motivation to want to go out and do the Lord's work. It is really hard to express my testimony in words, but just know that my testimony has grown incredibly. I still can't believe it went by that fast...and I don't know how the Lord worked so many incredible miracles through me but I wouldn't trade it for anything. And even though I will be so heart broken leaving this place, I know the Lord has more in store for me.

And this place will always hold a huge place in my heart. I love this place so much, and I'm so so grateful the Lord called me here because I grew so much and learned a ton that I am not sure I could have learned anywhere else. I love you mom, thank you for all the encouragement you
have given me, and I can't wait to see you:)

Elder Schroath

Dear Dad,

My last email time. Thank you for writing every week, I hope I lived up to what I was directed to do in writing family every week, I did my best! I still remember the exactly obedient talks you gave me in my youth, and I am incredibly thankful for them. It has helped me grow as a missionary and a person. I didn't just learn to be a missionary here, but also to be a better person.

I listened to a talk by Jeffrey R. Holland the other day (from a MTC devotional) and it talked about Peter after the Savior went back to his Father. And that Peter wasn't really sure what to do, so he went back to fishing. Like it was over. And Elder Holland explained in really good context about what really happened, how Jesus Christ was there on the shore and called them over and asked Peter if he really loved him. And three times he said yes, and three times the Lord said feed my sheep. It wasn't just while he was with Christ that he will do Christ's work, but for the rest of his life. That's what happens when we are changed by the Savior, we are part of the work and we can't deny our testimonies but continually be representatives of the Savior.

If you haven't already heard that talk, I want us to listen to it as a family I think, I really like it. So yeah like you said, I should embrace the opportunities to do service in my life, cuz it is still my calling. Well, I love you dad, I'll see you on Friday!

Elder Schroath

MTC 2 years ago

Sharing final testimony on his mission.