Let Christ Be that Friend...

I learned the powerful effects of using the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how we can be made clean yesterday while at a painting project. So I went to go clean the paint bin and brushes, I forgot however to notice that we were using an Oil based paint, so when the paint hit the sink (and my hands) it was there to stay. I scrubbed and soaked and clean for probably a good 30-40 minutes, making sure to not let any one see the disaster that had been done. But then, when someone came to help, another person gave the appropriate tools to clean (Goo be Gone) within minutes and following the proper process the sink was back and shining brighter than before the paint had spilled on it. The lesson: sometimes, even doing all we can to get clean is not good enough, we must ask for help, use the proper tools and proper process, and then continue working just as hard to get clean. Then we must do all we can to stay clean. Let Christ be that friend who helps you become clean and shows you the way to become "white as wool" (Isaiah 1:18)

New Area New Campanion

Well, this has been a fun week for sure. 

Some quick updates:

I am in the Lake Forest Ward Rancho Santa Margarita Stake

Foothill Ranch is in the district

• Dropped Elder Peterson off at Airport. It was really sad, I cried as he left, we were really close friends. Hard to see him go but excited to continue to serve as hard as he still wanted to. 
• Sadly after 1 year I have been released as a District Leader ( But it is nice because now I can put full effort into the ward without having to worry about problem missionaries/problem areas). 
• My companion is Elder Sawatzki (So the ward is going to have lots of fun with our names) He served a service mission and trial mission so with that time added together he will only serve 13, months in the field so he comes home with me, we are thinking we are going to be companions until we go home but working as if we are not. 
• President Orgill lives in my ward boundary
• I am super happy, happier than I have been in a long time and looking forward to serving here in this ward.
• Tender mercies if you want to call it in this area (live in brand new apartment, central heating and air, full-time car, washer/dryer in apartment, obedient hard working companion)
• This transfer is going to be a good one, really looking forward to it and looking forward to all of the miracles that will be in store for the two of us.
• Oh we share the ward with Sisters Sister Poulson (2nd Transfer Out) and Sister LaFleur(3rd Transfer Out)

Okay so that is the update for me, life is going good. This last week has been a really good one. Got to meet a lot of the ward members and everyone seems super nice and the missionary mindedness is picking up!  The Bishop is really pushing the missionary efforts, it is actually really nice and awesome to have the support from the ward. Our investigator dropped us yesterday.  It's always sad to see them reject the gospel in its fullness.

That is all. I had a cool study this morning read ing Doc&Cov 46 and 58?

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/46?lang=eng

https://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/58?lang=eng

I dont have my notes with me so not 100% sure but it reminded me that we can ask for things and if they are the will of the Lord they will happen if we do our part to fulfill them.

It just reminded me to be specific when asking for things if you want specific answers, if you are general and basic then you will get general and basic answers. 

• Ask Specific 
• Work Specific
• Receive Specific. 

It was just a cool thought that I had this morning and helped me realize what I needed to do to help the work progress and my own personal self progress. 

• Doctrine Understood Changes Behavior!

Thank you all for all you do looking forward to hearing from you, keep up the awesome work and stay happy and awesome!!!

"Fourth Floor Last Door"

Elder Amric Zane Sobczak

California, Carlsbad, USA

January 2013-June 2013

California, Irvine, USA

July 2013-December 2014

My Sister Married In the Portland Temple

What is up Familia!!! So obviously today is Cinco De Mayo on a Monday, clearly a Sobczak Family day. So this last week has been a pretty good one.

As you could tell I did not call for the wedding, I did not get  a call from President to call so I did not. Sorry I talked about it all on the tape and that should be sent today and you should have that this week sometime. I did however wear Ayris ties all weekend.
The Blue Nordstrom fat tie I had before I left on Friday, the Gray Striped Skinny from Kohl's Saturday and the Paisley Skinny on Sunday. So thanks for the ties, had enough to get through the weekend feeling like I was there kind of.  I am a fan of Temple Marriage!

I have kind of redone how I do my studies so I have redove into Preach my Gospel which has been such an awesome experience. I have been studying the Christlike Attributes and Bearing Testimony sections and they have brought a whole new life into the studies I have had.
I realized that my other one was to big and I was not using it as much I should so I started clean, over, new. So that has been nice. I am going to send my old one home and you can go through it and see some of the studies and notes that I have made through the last 16 months of my mission.

Our Ward Mission Leader is being pretty controlling with what he wants us to do and doesn't quite understand that he cannot make rules for us on where we can and cannot go. So it is going to be interesting to see what happens these next couple weeks leading up to the summer. Other than that working with the ward has been going great. We haven't really found any new investigators but you know that whole "Faith to Endure" thing is being implied. Obviously there are things to learn and understand that I have not yet, maybe wont until I am out of the situation.

I get to call HOME on Mothers Day!

So for calling this weekend, we do not have a dinner signed up for Sunday...So we are going to be working on finding a dinner/someone to let us come over to call home. We are going to try around 4:00 or 5:00. I will probably call Sunday Morning and let you know the final details so you are not left hanging. So stay tuned and I will let you know for sure Sunday morning when we are exactly doing it all.

Other than that, not to much to report on. Oh could you possibly send me that Gray suit I sent home a couple of months ago? with both pairs of pants? I didn't need it but now I just have one 2 pant suit that I am wearing way to much and don't want it to get worn out really quick. If you send it there is a place I can take it to to get tailored and all of that, just would like having another suit with four pairs of suit pants instead of just 2 pairs of suit pants. Let me know if you can or cannot.

I love you all so much. glad to hear the weekend went well and everything is going good. Keep up the awesome work, again it is all much appreciated, you have no idea. I love you all and thank you all for everything you do. Time is moving quickly, so quickly, weird to think of all the things that have happened this past year. Keep up all the awesome work, excited to hear all to future stories and excited to talk in person this weekend. Love you so much and thank you again for all you do, love you so much!!!:)

Legacy of the Scriptures

https://www.lds.org/church/news/new-church-video-honors-scriptures-legacy?lang=eng

As Missionaries, as Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints  ...

we ^atalk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we ^bprophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our ^cchildren may know to what source they may look for a ^dremission of their sins.  2 Nephi 25:26 in the Book of Mormon

The Savior has promised, “He that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”² Followers of Christ pattern their lives after the Savior to walk in the light. Two characteristics can help us recognize to what extent we follow Him. First, followers of Christ are loving people. Second, followers of Christ make and keep covenants.  

see the talk by Walter F GONZÁLEZ

link;

 https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/04/followers-of-christ?lang=eng&query=of+christ

Life is like a Map...

Sorry for the late in the day email, these comps I have are pretty ridiculous but it is all good...

So serving here in the Newport Beach First Ward has been very interesting to say the least...lots of money EVERYWHERE it can get pretty annoying pretty quick. But hey, as you can see from the picture i have attached of my area I am right on the ocean, more than in Dana Point which I did not think could happen. Interesting thing about the ward is that it is a family ward as well as the Mid-Singles ward which covers the whole stake...so what does that mean?  ...I can go anywhere in the Newport Beach Stake/Mission (with permission) to go visit members of the ward. It is awesome. Not being held down to such a small area has been really nice. I think I have one more area in me after this, which is weird to say so I am for sure as always putting all I can into this ward to make sure to get everything going where it needs to. Cool thing being 10 minutes from the Temple, that seems weird, but really really nice.

We are teaching a 9 year old!  

There really is not to much else to add. Mission is going great, As always crazy to see how fast time goes and all of that..never really seems like it is moving fast until I look at my calendar and see all of the days that have passed by.  

Looking at life in 6 week segments really changes the perspective you have.

Thank you again for all you do for me. The mission is going great. Again sorry for such a short email today.

Can't help myself, from sometimes thinking about the future!

Interesting thought I was reading in my studies this morning in Alma 39:14 which says "^aSeek not after riches nor the vain things of this world; for behold, you cannot carry them with you."

The thought that came into my head was that of a career again...I thought I need to not look at going into something solely to make money, I need to first find what I love to do, than find a job in that that is in somewhat demand and will allow me to provide for my family in a place I could handle living in. So it was interesting and opened my eyes as to what I want to look into for a career/where to go to school. I wrote down the order of schools I am going to apply to 1 Byu Provo 2 Byu Hawaii 3 WWU 4 SUU 5 UNO

So we shall see what the Lord has in store for my future. 

Hope your week goes well and cannot wait to hear from all of you. Love you all so much, thank you again for all you do!!!! LOVE YOU!!

--

"Fourth Floor Last Door"

Elder Amric Zane Sobczak

California, Carlsbad, USA

January 2013-June 2013

California, Irvine, USA

July 2013-December 2014

Six Month Mission Served 18 Month Mission Called to Serve

March 2013 

6 Months
Jan 2nd - July 2nd
What they see at home!

Six months in the bag just like that. Oh man that is crazy to say. This past week has been super crazy and wild and hectic but it has already been a week into the new mission and it's July!!!??? Where is all the time going? 

I am currently serving in the Foothill Ranch Ward in the Rancho Santa Margarita Stake in the California Irvine Mission. Yes I know that it is a mouthfull to say. The area I am in is another area in need of fixing. I feel like that has been my calling out here so far. Help in getting the area organized and give it a specific direction for future missionaries and then -- ok -- we will transfer you! Hopefully it doesnt stay like that forever, but it has been nice cause for sure I have learned and I know exactly what needs to be done and how it needs to be done by now, of course as I heed the Spirits direction!!!  Every Area does have it's own needs!

My companion is Elder Darian Bosely from Mesa Arizona. He has just finished being trained so I am what they call "Greenie Busting" him. Basically the companion after your trainer is called that. They are suppose to break you of the bad habits your trainer gave you and help you see multiple ways of doing missionary work. The sad part though is that we will most likely be companions only until July 23rd which is our next transfer. 

http://www.lds.org/church/news/nea-cn-mission-president-assignments-2013

Speaking of that let me give you a break down of what has happened in the past week with starting as we start a new mission:

If you stayed in "Irvine" as a Carlsbad missionary you are on a 9 week transfer.

If you got transfered to "Irvine" a week ago you are only in a 4 week transfer. 

What that means in simple terms is that my mission got cut an additional three-four weeks short. So counting the week from when they shortened the MTC time I've lost I think 4-5 weeks off of my mission which sucks big time. Time was already going too quick.

We have a mission wide conference this Thursday the 4th of July from 10:30-2:00 getting to meet our new Mission Presidency. I just checked my other email to talk to President Orgill and he said on the 23rd of this month 30 missionaries will be joining our mission with lots more to come in the coming months. So this mission is about to blow up number wise.

The Newport Temple is in my mission. Hopefully this means I can attend the temple more.

HOT HOT HOT in my new area!!!!

All in all this is going to be the best time ever. President Orgill was President of the PCC in Hawaii so that should be fun and he is living in my stake so I will be seeing him around while I am here. I had it confirmed to me the other day that this is where I need to be. The Lord knew this mission was going to be made and I needed to be out in January even though I needed to serve in this mission. Missionary work is changing, it will never be the same again.

I love you all and I am so thankful for all the help you guys provide to me. Stay classy and keep the faith. The Gospel is true and that is all that is need to know. Have a great week and will talk next week :)

Deep thought:

I was studying the word "Order" the other day to best help the area because the area book was in no way "ordered". I got reminded of my study of Ordinance and how Ordinance went back to old Latin - into what? "Order". So think of it, being organized, having order is an "Ordinance of God".   Ponder this verse in Doctrine and Covenants 132:8 Behold, mine house is a house of ^aorder, saith the Lord God, and not a house of confusion. Without the order of the Church, Order of the Temple, Order of the Priesthood, no body would be saved. To be organized in itself is a saving ordinance. That is why we need to be organized and have order even in temporal matters because that is a reflection of our spiritual conversion to the Gospel. Hopefully that makes sense.

"Fourth Floor Last Door"

Elder Amric Zane Sobczak

California, Carlsbad, USA

January 2013-June 2013

California, Irvine, USA

July 2013-December 2014

The reason we start things is rarely the reason we continue them...

"It was character that got us out of bed, commitment that moved us into action and discipline that enabled us to follow through."  

Hello out there in the World!  Hummmmmm... let's see, this is going to be short again. Mom In answer to your questions; no box arrived, neither the clothes, I have the one pair of pants left I will get by til they show up I am excited to get them here.  Riding the bike is getting to be more and more fun than it used to be.  I do like where I live, I'm getting so used to it  - that I'll probably get transfered next transfer!!  

EHS Class 2013 Top TEN (Go Logan!!!)

I did hear from Audrey, I miss her and Omaha!  Crazy that she, Drew, Morgan, Ashtyn, and Lorraine graduated and HOPE got married!!!!!!????
Where does time go and what is this world coming to????  this is what I ask myself?!  Oh High School - what a life!

Deep thought -  

Look up Alma 18 and read the chapter - while doing so underline all the things that Ammon does with King Lamoni that give description of how to be a good missionary.  Report Back!for reference see;  

http://www.lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/18?lang=eng
http://www.lds.org/search?query=ammon&x=-1043&y=-241&lang=eng&collection=media

Caton

Calvin

FOOD
I have been eating oatmeal and a banana for breakfast.  Yes! I am eating Oatmeal again!!!  Oh Caton and Calvin - I miss them!  Just a hint from the past - Never cook your hotdogs in the left over Oatmeal water!


THE MISSION IS - Picked up a new investigator whose son has a nursery in Rochester, small world.  Also have the opportunity to pick up another investigator this week.  The work is going well.  Like and work well with Elder Neal, for him it's a different kind of work here in Carmel Valley than his last area.  

I also have scriptures for my plaque.  I cannot decide on which one to use, but I have narrowed it down to these 4!!! My mission might be over before you get that plaque on the wall!!!  

• Isaiah 1:16-18 ¶^aWash you, make you ^bclean; put away the ^cevil of your doings from before mine eyes; ^dcease to do evil;  ^aLearn to do ^bwell; seek ^cjudgment, ^drelieve the oppressed,^ejudge the fatherless, plead for the ^fwidow.  Come now, and let us ^areason together, saith the Lord: though your ^bsins be as scarlet, they shall be as ^cwhite as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

• 2 Nephi 31:7   Know ye not that he was holy? But notwithstanding he being holy, he showeth unto the children of men that, according to the flesh he humbleth himself before the Father, and witnesseth unto the Father that he would be ^aobedient unto him in keeping his commandments.

• Doctrine and Covenants 24:12 And at all times, and in all places, he shall open his mouth and ^adeclare my gospel as with the voice of a ^btrump, both day and night. And I will give unto him strength such as is not known among men.

• Doctrine and Covenants 130:20-21 There is a ^alaw, irrevocably decreed in ^bheaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all ^cblessings are predicated—    And when we obtain any ^ablessing from God, it is by^bobedience to that law upon which it is predicated.

these scriptures Speak for me; Elder Sobczak!!! -- at your service!

"Fourth Floor Last Door"

"That's What's Up"

Elder Amric Zane Sobczak

California, Carlsbad, USA

January 2013-January 2015

Progression

Hello Family and Friends,

So it is that time of the week again. 
First thing; 

Newport Beach Temple

I got to go to the Newport Beach Temple this morning. It was amazing. So cool to see it. They have this painting in the first room that is so good it looks like they took a panoramic picture blew it up and wall papered it on. It is a painting of Crystal
Cove in New Port. 

Crystal Cove

Coast Highway driving by Laguna Beach

The drive to it was really cool as well. Driving along Pacific Coast Highway through Laguna Beach along the ocean.
Yes the area is gorgeous last couple days have been sunny from 65-85 with a breeze,  basically "it's amazing" (Said in Penny voice from Happy Endings)  hahaha!
Sending some things home; Clothes I don't need, my planner from MTC, ties, flip flops, and calendar from this area.  I am really starting to get anoyed with this whole "Letters to mission home" thing. I am getting some of your letters that are dated the 7th, 8th or 9th of this month. Shouldn't take 10-12 days to get a letter from Utah&Nebraska. Got a letter from Aunt Sharon which was a real surprise!  It was really cool to get a letter from her. Didnt think I would haha.  She's great.  It made my day!  :)

John Baptized Jesus by Immersion

The investigators are picking up.  It's weird to think I have been gone for 7 weeks (3-MTC 4-Mission). Feels like yesterday dad was caling the church a cult because he couldn't walk with me into the doors of the MTC haha :)  

Funny Story (well kinda) Comitted a girl to baptism last Thursday.  She didn't show for church on Sunday.  Later found out that she wasn't at church is because she had a massive hang-over!  So it's a work in progress, we might need to teach the Word of Wisdom!!   WORK IS GETTING DONE HERE!

This is a "Quad"
(we call it that because it has
4 books of scripture in one)

Thank you Mom for the box you sent, I love the Quad, now I am trying to figure out how to mark it.  The magnet is hilarious "Remember Who You Are" because my Comps mom told him that as well. Cool that you scared me all the while I drove with taking my license if I got tickets...Because of my record I got to drive as a "greenie".  The only trainer that couldn't drive is mine because he is used to driving on the opposite side of the road!  Thus if I'd had a ticket or accident I wouldn't be with him OR be able to drive!  THX :)  Also, thanks for the Rugby articles.  You took them from a New Zealand Website didn't you?  Awesome!

Elder Sobczak on his baptism day
 with Ayris,Nanny and Apryl playing piano in the background!

I really am loving the mission. Its a hard life to get used to and I have to watch myself so much in everything i do, say, wear, and look like. Its teaching me a lot, even if it is only that I need to grow up and be an adult!  hanging out with high school kids for the past year and did not need to grow up, so its something I have to do now out here in the mission field. Thanks so much for keeping this all in your prayers, I do need them. I really do love you all so much and I am learning a lot.

I have been, and am being humbled here ... A LOT!  This is a learning process, and I learn for I must learn.  I have to change my outlook so much or I will be held back a lot  in my progression.  Love you all be safe I keep you in my prayers you guys are the Bom dot com!!
Weekly thought: If anyone ever says "Before Earth we were in the Pre-Exsistence" or something like that call them to reptentence. We have always Exsisted we all need to call it the right name "Pre-Earth Life". Look in I believe the 93rd section of the Doctrine & Covenants and you will find were it talks about it. 
Love you go and Read it, Ponder, Pray, Discuss :)
http://www.lds.org/scriptures/dc-testament/dc/93.30?lang=eng#29&30   

Also note additonal links to read along with this blog today;) 
http://www.lds.org/churchmagazines/EN_2010_10___09210_000_000.pdf
http://www.lds.org/new-era/2013/02/mornings-with-promise?lang=eng&query=newport+temple
http://www.lds.org/liahona/2005/11/forgiveness?lang=eng&query=newport+temple

"Fourth Floor Last Door"
"That's What's Up"
Elder Amric Zane Sobczak
California, Carlsbad, USA
January 2013-January 2015