I Guess Everyone Know!!!!! December 31, 2012

Dear Family and Friends,

Well Im so happy i was able to talk to you this week. I really miss you and its hard to look at our companionship phone the same way now. I feel as though i can call anytime but i know i cant. It was really great to hear everyone's voices. Even Cameron's voice. Its sounds like you are having a wonderful time without me. Dont worry i will just be 8000 miles away doing the lords work no big deal. HAhAHA no seriously im glad that you can be having tons of fun over in America.

So i guess its known to all the world that i HAD malaria. I can give you more information on it now. SOOOOO i started to feel sick on Thursday the 20th and we came back to the apartment earlier than we usually do and i just laid down and slept for probably 3 hours until the other missionaries showed up. Luckily Elder Pentreath is like an English Mother so he nursed me back to health throughout the next week. The first day i was out of the apartment was Monday to Email and then go back to the apartment. Lets just say nothing really stayed in my stomach for too long. But Tuesday/ Christmas day i started to feel better. I was actually able to eat the hamburger at the restaurant. Then i really came home and slept for the rest of the day and then i was able to call you guys. I was so thankful to be able to talk with you for that small amount of time. It brightened my day and helped me understand again why im out here.
To be honest, during President Roggias presentation i was asleep for most of it. But at the End i woke up to hear enough about what they were discussing. He gave me the opportunity to bear my testimony. So i began really feeling nothing, then i stopped and paused and i recognized the spirit. I said this mission is not for me. It is for the people i have met with and talked with and converted to become righteous member of the Church of JESUS CHRIST of latter day saints. At that moment i felt Jesus Christ love for me and i am truly thankful for what he has done for me.

Thursday was the first day i went out to teach. We saw many people who needed to be prepared for baptism. We had a great day with all the people we met. There is also a man named Damo who really has been stubborn. He hasnt wanted to come to church or nothing the only thing he want to do was hear us missionaries come and teach him. He loves what we have to say and he know the Book of Mormon is true just hasnt done anything about it. We really wanted him to church to help him see that the church is true. I missed sunday service last week but plently of our investigators still came to church. We talked to Damo on Thursday and he told us an experience he had with this daughter the sunday we missed. He told some passing members of the church he would come to on that sunday after he ate his breakfast and his daughter over heard. So she really wanted to go. After a while she asked if they could go but by that time church had ended. He said his daughter was really sad the he didnt take her to the church. Damo promised her that he would take her to church next Sunday. He also committed to us that he would go. So Yesterday we looked and looked for him and didn't see him. But at about 9:10 Damo stood in the doorway of the church with his daughter holding his hand looking for a chair. We were so excited and jumped up and ushered him in. During Gospel Principles he stood up and bore his testimony of the church and how it was His new Church now. It was such a wonderful experience to be a part of.

I sometimes feel as though i am the most blessed missionary in the whole world. I know our Heavenly Father loves me and each and everyone of us. Some people say nobody cares about Africa. But i know without a doubt that the lord loves Africa and the field is white already to harvest. He gives us trials and challenges to help us grow in ways we didnt think we could. I love the people of Africa and i will do my best these next two years to serve them in any way i can. Whether i hand wash there clothes or i help improve there living conditions, i know theses things are small but the help the people understand that the God loves them and cares for them and that is why im out here.
My mission isnt for me though i will learn so much from it its not my work im doing but the lords work.
As always I love you very much and miss you like crazy. Please dont worry for me cause im doing great out here.
Love your Son/Brother/Friend
Elder Skouson
(the white African)

December 24, 2012

Dear Family and Friends,Merry Christmas Eve!!!!!!!!Its crazy it already Christmas time. This last week i hit 2 months on mission, it really has gone by fast. And im sooooooo excited to talk to you tomorrow. I will probably be calling 6 or 7pm my time  so probably around 10 or11 your time and for only 1 hour not 3 so sorry ya.  i hope you have plenty questions for me.
So last Monday i told you we had the opportunity to go into town right. Well town was a blast i had real ice cream for the first time and it tasted sooo good. We also me up with another elder named Smith he was a red head before but now is blond so i wonder if the sun will bleach my hair. We went to a small shop which had many christmas items in it and its sent my mind straight home so that really was no good but it was nice to look at something that looked famililar. Then the last thing we did was go to the biggest supermarket in Liberia. In america it would be a Small Crappy Walmart, but to us it was the best thing i have seen since i came to Liberia. I found myself stand in the middle of the store just gazing at everything and wondering how there could be so much. I cant imagine myself coming home in two years and going to an actual walmart. Im definatly am going to have to take some time getting use to things when i get back.
Well I dont have very much time today But i just want to express my lovefor each one of you and i cant wait to hear from you tomorrow. I love you soo much. Merry Christmas!
Love,
Elder Skouson
The White African
P.s. When you write letters make sure they are in pen because sometimes i cant read the pencil by the time it gets here. thank you very much.

December 17, 2012

Hello Muda Hello Fada,
Today is the first day of my second transfer. Only 16 more transfers to go!!!! ahhhhh. no problem though. I am a Liberian now. this is the way of life here and i just live it to my best ability. So i feel as though i am writing the same thing every week. I will try to talk about different things though.
Wow im so excited for Spencer Mckee, Tyler Woodruff and Mason Bean for all getting there calls this week. The lord truly knows where you are suppose to go no matter where you go. I also know you will have the most fun hard time in you life. Your mission is how you make it. so why not make it a good one. For me i am having a wonderful time being a Liberian.
This week we had a great week we saw plenty people who seemed promising to come to church. But really no body that we saw really even came to church besides the 5 investigators that were baptized on Saturday. The church can grow so fast its ridiculous. Now we have to focus on the members being a good influence for the investigators. I sometimes sound like a broken record. "keep the sabbath day holy, yes that means you have to come to church." These inactive members want us to teach there friends because they know the church is true and its a good thing but they just wont make the effort to come. It is sometime very frustrating to me. Cause its no problem getting these investigators baptized its just keeping them in the church for more than a month or two.
Although we have some bad examples in the church we also have very good ones as well. Our  Branch Pres. Slamie and his wife are great. Every week he gets up in church and chastises all the bad members which is really so bad, and his wife is just great she gathers all the children around and makes sure everyone feels welcome as they come to church. I often think of my own parents dad up on the stand chastising everyone( not really) and my mum really making sure everyone is doing great and the ward is friendly as a whole. Really the backbone of the ward. I think most of the reason branch presidents/ bishops are called is actually because the wives they have. Oh its so great. Women, without women in the world and in the church nothing would ever get done.
I guess im just feeling a bit women deprived. All my life i have been influenced by women, in and out of my family. Now that i have a man at my side 24/7 i guess its just different. Now im just going on sorry. Just saying what i feel at the moment.
Ok well today we are going into town. WOOOHHHOOOO. Town has plenty different things. Like an actual shopping store. With hopefully American food. But probably not. Also there is a legit ICE CREAM parlor. i think. But we are going to have a great time as a district. AHHH im so excited.
Well This is really all i have to say today. I received a letter from you mom and i guess its one out of two and it was the second so i dont know if i will get the first so i am sorry. But i truly love the letters so keep sending them!!! Thank you so much for all the support.
Also we should be calling on Christmas day sometime and our limit is 3 hr. so keep in touch with my emails because i might tell you when i can call on Christmas eve on my pday when i can email. I cant wait to talk with you all and we have small time so make sure if you want questions answered write them down and i would love to answer them. I love you all!!!!
Love,
Elder Skouson
(the white African)
P.S. so i may or may not be missing our map of the world, if you could send me a map like the one we have just smaller i would truly love you for ever. Also is there anyway to send me some school books to keep my mind fresh some math things would be nice. And a flash light that doesn't need batteries so you can wind up or shake or something would be great. Thank you soooooo much. I love you so much.

December 10, 2012 Many Changes and Many Baptisms

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has been such a great week. Many Changes and many baptisms. We had lots of work to do to get all of our baptism candidates ready for the baptism on Saturday. We had an amazing experience being able to baptize and confirm ten people. I don't tell you this to boast or to be prideful in any way i just want to show you how much the Lord is blessing West Africa. Yes i heard about the new stake in Sierra Leone oh it is wonderful. We also found out transfer news, no changes for me but we are getting APs in Liberia so that means we will be splitting the mission quite soon probably be within the next 6 months. No word on Packages but i was able to receive plenty letter on Tuesday. So Thank you very much for the letters they really are such a big help and so nice to get. Sorry for Elder Edwards but we haven't had a problem at our apartment. I hope Millie is ok tell her remember its just a game. Luckily for me i haven't really felt and pain from my former sports life. And i know how much it hurts to hit someone else head. Make sure she doesnt have a concussion. Also i have no idea on how we are going to call home. I believe it is a call but still not sure yet. I will let you know, just be home on Christmas so that i may be able to call you.

So this week i finally found BALSAMIC VINEGAR!!!!. With the sandwich i get every night the balsamic is sooo good every time i eat it i think of Marissa and she would truly be in heaven. AHHHH its so goood. Also shout out to Alyssa and Happy Late Birthday!!

I really don't know what else to say. This week mission wise has been just the same as always. We don't have to wear boot any more to get to some of the investigators houses. It is so hot all the time now, there is no escape from the heat. Our apartment has had some success though. We Killed one of the Rats that were eating everything we owned. Also i killed a mouse this morning so we are getting rid of our rodent problem. Maybe a small mouse trap would also be nice. Probably next transfer they will be opening up a new zone which is great. We also are opening up some new areas for missionaries out in the bush. So maybe i will end up out there sometime in my mission. If we go out there we will actually see some elephants and real animals. Hopefully i will go out there.

Im working as hard as i can here in Liberia. We still run from lesson to lesson trying to teach everyone. Im learning so much both about the gospel and life in Africa. It is defiantly different here but i love it.
I cant wait to here more about Christmas Things and to here what santa brings you this year. I wonder if he will dump out his sledge as he has for so many years before. Question Do you think that santa can reach to Liberia? If he can would you let him know i would like toiletries. I realized that i really havent washed my hair in a while. Ya its no big deal here There are many things i really dont care about doing anymore. oh some deep cleansing face wash would be nice too. Oh and maybe a flash drive or two or even a memory card. Actually just let me know the prices of those things an i will see how much they cost here.

I love you very much. You are the best family i could ever ask for.
Love,
Elder Skouson
(THE WHITE AFRICAN)

Photos

 Liberia Bushrod Island Zone Conference

The Freetown Stake Presidency is Pres. Swarray, Pres. Charles and Pres. Minna with Elder Holland.  The 3000th Stake of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints was created this morning.  We had almost a 1000 in the congregation.  This is the first stake in Sierra Leone!

Another way to send mail to Liberia

For mail to Liberia-- here is an additional way:

Missionary Name

LIBERIA - Sierra Leone Freetown Mission

PO Box 30150

Salt Lake City, Utah 84130-0150

"POUCH"

 

Look to the right of this post and you will see the other addresses that work for Sierra Leone and Liberia.

Remember not to insure any packages.  Wrap them securely.  Put religious pictures on them.  Keep the value less than $50.  We don't want to use mission funds to pay extra to get them out of the post offices.

Packages take anywhere from one month to a year to arrive...and, some don't at all.  It would be wise not to put anything of real value in them.

A crazy but good week December 3, 2012

Dear Family and Friends back in America,

This has been a very good week and kind of crazy one too. 
Monday started out great with receiving your email and playing some volleyball, i also got very burnt from the game and all week i was trying to cope with the sun rays, hiding under palm trees, and small roofs but still i was beaten down by the sun. Speaking of palm trees there is a really good dish that these liberian make out of palm trees its called Palm water. It has rice and plenty pepe and some fish and bits of palm tree its actually quite enjoyable. But you really have to watch the fish bones when you eat cause they kill if you bit down on one, ask me how i know. ;)
Tuesday started our crazy week. We wasted no time because we knew we had several baptism on Saturday. We had to get them ready for the interviews on Thursday and Friday. so we had about 7-8 lessons which were all very well. One of our weekly goals was use the spirit in everything we do. Its amazing how much better the lessons are when we let the spirit be the teacher. I know i dont know very much, but when i listen to the spirit and teach by the spirit the investigators dont look at me as i am a 19 year old white boy they seem to look at me like i have something to stay that will benefit them.

Wednesday i went on exchanges with Elder Pentreath the english white man. We went into his area and taught some really great lessons. Also the beach is in his area so we went out to watch the sun set at the end of the day. I took some really good pictures of the sunset. . I realize how much i missed my parents and family. We talked for probably 30 minutes just about before and after our missions. I put more of how i feel in my letter home. I'm sorry i wasn't ever the son or brother i should have been. The one thing i have learned is how important family is out here and how i really took it for granted. 

Thursday we got 3 interviews done for baptism for saturday. We met some new investigators and had tons of fun during one lesson where the mother just yelled at us in kolokwa (Liberian english). I only know small small so i couldnt understand too much.

Friday was just a normal day we made sure the candidates for baptism were ready for the morning. 

Saturday started out great with me actually baptizing for the first time on mission. Truely a great experience for me and the people i was baptizing. After the baptisms we went back to the apartment to find that the lock on the door was broken so we couldnt get into the apartment. That really sucked but we just threw or baptizimal clothes through the window and our district leader wait till the so called locksmith came an put in our new lock. We went to our area and had a small problem with the motorcycle. It kind of tipped over in the street. DONT WORRY I WASNT HURT, my companion only dislocated his pinky finger. Luckily he is a true man and put it back in and we did some first aid and bandaged it up. And the only reason i tell you is because we are both fine now. So dont worry we are perfectly ok. But some good new i am up to 10 baptisms now. No biggy. ;)

Oh by the way 1 american dollar is 70 liberty or liberian dollars. And i get that sandwich every night it is soooo good i look forward to it everyday and its really only 1 U.S. 
So now since i left you think you can never be at home just travel 24/7. This is no good i hope you took some pictures of temple square, and you better start saving up for our cruise when i get back cause i need something help me gain back all the weight im going to lose. Rainy season really has ended but it still rains about every 3 days. which is good cause it keeps the dust down. Today we are going to Duala market and im going to get a few football shirts. I had some oats this morning and they were soooo good. 
Is it bad that shower are definately an after thought now. Every thing smells here and im starting to but no problem. 
I love you all very much and miss you even more. Thanks Mikayla for doing the Blog for me. Im trying to be a better person and this mission is helping me do that. It is truly a blessing to be here in Liberia. My companion is great he was actually in the army for Cote Diviore but i will tell you more about him next week my times almost up. I love you all. Merry Chirstmas and remember to keep Christ in Christmas.
Love,
Elder Skouson
(the white African)
P.S. Please ask questions when you write so i know what you wanna know.

The work is really hard but the field is definitely white

Dear Family and Friends,
All i can say is wow. I feel for Brandon. But im glad he could pull it out in the end. I feel so sorry. IF you can give him a few words of encouragement for me. Wish both him and Jashon goodluck on there missions. It really has been a newsie letter. Still really jealous about the gardens and tara playing the harp. Shout out to Tara Howlett Congrats on the mission call i know you will do great.
I so excited for millie doing flag football, just remember its flag NO TACKLING!!!!.
This week has been really great. The work is really hard but the field is definitely white. We cant walk down the street without someone stopping us to talk about the gospel. I love it we were suppose to baptize three people this week but we found out that one man had an unresolved marriage and he is actually married to two women but we are figuring it out. We should baptize him next week along with 7 others but we will see how it works out.
Mom yes we buy some food everyday. We found this bread shop and the lady makes an awesome sandwich that has eggs, onions,mayo, some spices,and ketchup. It is 65 LD and is definitely the best thing that i have tasted here.
Don't worry i wont get too excited for my packages because only about 60 % of them make it here to Liberia. When you put what is inside on the outside say as little as possible, put church supplies.
I miss shooting guns not gonna lie. We are already making preparations for Christmas. We are getting a Christmas Tree, course its gonna be fake, but still. We are starting to listen to small Christmas music.
Thanksgiving was great here. I made sure to say all the things i was thankful for and i drank my soda pop and eat my amazing sandwich. Today was a fun day I was able to play Volleyball!!!!!!!! at Super Pday and also watched Prince of Egypt it was sooooo goood. I miss movies.
Dont have much time. I love you all very much and expect letters.
Love,
Elder Skouson
(the White African)

Addresses

For those who are interested, here are some addresses to send the love to Elder Skouson

LIBERIA

Best for packages, regular letters, cards $1.05 stamp, two weeks--month to arrive: 

Missionary Name 
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints 
Horton Ave. & Capital Bye-Pass 
P.O. Box 1905, 
1000 Monrovia 10 
Liberia, West Africa

LIBERIA

One page written on one side, folded, regular stamp, send to: 

Liberia 
Missionary name 
Sierra Leone Freetown Mission 
PO Box 30150 
Salt Lake City, UT 84130-0150 
POUCH


Send letter with DearElder.com

Send package with Called2Serve.com

Photos from Mission Blog

 Quinn and The Mission Presidents

 All the Elders going to Sierra Leone from the MTC in Ghana

All the Elders

One Month Mark

Dear Family and Friends,
Today marks one month i have been on my mission. I didnt even realize it until E. Widdison told me yesterday that we have almost been out for a month. It really has flown by. Especially being out of the MTC. Just this week has gone by so quick. I love my companion he is just the greatest thing since sliced bread. haha no joke. No really he has taught me soooo much about the gospel. Since we last talked we have taught about 30 lessons and also baptized a wonderful guy named Andrew (Leo) i will have the opportunity to confirm him a member and give him the holy ghost. Such a sweet man.
Yes we are getting into Dry Season ugh. But while everyone is putting up there rain boots i am just getting to wear them. Over half of my area in Doe Community is impossible to get to in the rainy season because the water is so high. But just yesterday we taught a lesson far out into the bush where water was up to our mid calves. HAHAHA. My companion and i took a picture, we will try to send it through the snail mail and hopefully it will make it sometime soon. Speaking of mail, i received my first letter on Wednesday from Brooklyn. I guess it was her third letter so i don't know where the other two are. Continue to send letters because i just love them. It really just brightens up my day.
I'm so excited mary moody and mallory reese were able to get there calls and i know they will be such great missionaries. Please keep me posted on more people getting there mission calls. I believe Brandon Jashon and Chett's farewell are this next week. Wish them all good luck and have a wonderful missions. They will truly be such sweet missionaries. The field is white already to harvest, i know it is here in Africa, and if it isnt white make it white.
I havent really thought about thanksgiving very much, and i actually forgot which day it was. Sure im going to miss it. Maybe i will get some spam, yes spam Bro. Lynn and fry it up and have a soda of sorts. I'm not gonna lie but im really jealous of not being able to go down to the belligio and watch Tara play to harp that really is my favorite spot in las vegas. Next week i better get a detailed summary of what happened.:) Oh and speaking of grandma i think she needs to come to liberia to teach these people how to make some good rice, and without chicken feet. They are so gross and chewy, and you probably think im joking but nope im not. Its always a little scary getting food from the members cause you really never know what you are going to get. My companion yesterday after we ate at a sister house, said he thinks we just ate monkey. Haha kinda gross but it tasted alright. There was enough pepay or like really hot spices to cover up any taste. I learning to literally eat through the pain, cause it kills your mouth and throat. Dad i think even you couldnt Beat the Heat. We drink plenty water with our meals.
My missionary schedule consist of 6:30 up and workout and take a bucket bath. 8 personal study, 9-11 companionship study, 11-12 language study so im learning a little bit of french. After that we catch a motor bike to our area which is about 10 minutes away from our apartment. which is actually probably my favorite part of the day, i put my ray bans i bought for like 2 dollars american and fly down the road on the back of a bike with my companion and the driver. Once we get to our area we dont stop teaching till about 630 running from lesson to lesson, then we take the bike back and do our daily planing at 7 then we eat dinner and write in our journal and just talk with the other elders. elder Pentreth from England is so funny and i talk to him mostly just about everything. then we go to bed hoping that the power stays on all night.
Well time is almost up and i have to go but i just want you to know im doing just great and im not homesick really because there is no time to be haha. i love you all and hope the very best for you.
Love your son,
Elder Skouson
(the White African)
p.s. Here is my Christmas wish list.
Tons of Crystal light drop ins mostly: orange early rise, Cherry limeade, raspberry lemonade and please find grapefruit.
Nutella
good pens with fine tip
Any snacks
Candy
Granola bars
And a random crazy gift made from mikaylas mind something small (ex: monsters etc.)
Pictures and Letters
If you dont get me these thing i will beat you. in two years. haha jk i wont care too much.

Addresses...Please Write

To Liberia:

Best for packages, regular letters, cards 98 cent stamp, two weeks--month to arrive:

Elder Quinn Skouson
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Horton Ave. & Capital Bye-Pass

P.O. Box 1905, 1000 Monrovia

10 Liberia, West Africa

Please send pictures and Letters..

Re: Stake Conference

 Dear Family and friends, 
 Well i am in Monrovia!!!!!!! My proselyting area is the Doe Community, on Bush rod island. Its technically an island but i doesn't really feel like an island. We Flew on the plane with just President Roggia and his wife. No general authorities but we still had a wonderful time talking with President and his wife. We arrived in Monrovia and met Elder and sister Kirkham who drove us to Bush rod island about an hour away from the airport.I met my comp and his name is elder Kouao from ivory coast. He has been out for about 6 months. His English is very good but he is still working. 
 
 
 Its sounds like the lord is blessing you financially and i love it. Its different here then in Ghana. The people in our area don't have anything besides 4 walls and a roof. But they are the happiest people i have ever met. Every where i go the children shout "white man" ha ha. I'm just happy to see everyone. We also had the opportunity to participate in fast Sunday. so about an hour before church we walk around doe community and invite everyone to church. Of course halfway through i stepped into a big mud puddle which brought everyone to out to kinda laugh at me, and help me clean off my shoe. But i gave me another chance to talk to more people. 



 During church i had the opportunity to give a small boy the gift of the holy ghost. his name was Sandra Sahr. Such a sweet spirit. The work is going great here. My companion confirmed 2 other people. After church we taught 4 different lessons. We walked all over Doe community. Without Rain boots we can only get to about half of the area, because is all under about a half a foot of water. My comp walks really fast and with a purpose and i love it. We have to take a taxi to the middle of our area because it would be about 30 minutes just to walk there. 
 
 
 Its kinda sad hearing about Dad not being Bishop anymore. Its gonna be even more weird when you start talking about "Bishop Benfield". Sometimes i think about taking naps then i realized i'm on my mission. 
 
 
 My apartment is actually the best apartment i the whole mission, or that's what i want to believe. We actually have power from 7pm to 10 am so we can run FANS!!! It my not be a big thing to you but without it i sweat like a pig. I also took my First bath out of a bucket. Not too bad actually. its quite enjoyable. 

 
 I'm glad Millie had the opportunity to sing in the choir!!! Such a wonderful experience. I'm glad My friends are using there time wisely by singing.;) I don't think I will be able to send anymore pictures over my email. 



 The Food we have had is very good. I tried some cassava root which has a really sweet good flavor to it. We have about 2 cups of rice and kidney beans, onions and some other spices and i love it. ask me how i feel about it after 6 months because we have it morning and night. yummmm. 



 If you see Gerrit before he leaves give him my best and tell him to have a wonderful time with all you can eat food, and cereal and milk and no fish heads. Also tell Brandon and Jashon and Chett to learn the lessons of Preach my gospel because they will be so much farther ahead. 
> 
> 
> Please give Lynn my best and tell him i pray for him all the time. Tell him to have fun on his Ranch. Tell him good job on his talk in Stake Conference. 
> Well that has been most of my experience here in Liberia. Please ask questions so i my answer and tell you about Monrovia better. I truly love you and thank Mikayla for doing my blog for me. I love hearing about home, and don't worry Dad i really am fully involved in the work i just love hearing about home just as an update just to know my family is doing well. 
> 
> 
> Love you For the Eternities, 
> Your Son, Elder Skouson 
> (The White African) 

Still here in the MTC

Well Family,

Its been fun here, it was a great opportunity to go to the temple again. I have truly enjoyed the Ghana Accra Temple. The spirit is so Strong in the temple and thourghout the grounds of the temple.

When i was arm wrestling Elder Allotey,  people were cheering for me it reminded me out freshmen year in volleyball when all the football players were cheering for me. hahaha

I have been stuck here in the mtc one more day our departure will be on Saturday morning at 10 oclock. Im very excited to be getting out of this MTC prison.;) The new missionaries arrived today and we have been helping them just checked in. There are some from Madagascar, togo, benin, DR congo, Cote dIvoire, Ghana, France, south africa and sierra leone.  Elder widdison and i are going to exchange some money with the missionaries whose currency we dont have.

Btw The package i need letters from people and plenty of pictures of anything and everything. i havent heard anything about my close friends and i miss them so if i can get some mail from them i wouldnt mind it being a week later or something. I need just something familiar in my life. Elder widdison is from Hooper Ut, and it seems like all of hooper is here in ghana. I havent seen anybody i know which kinda sucks but im slowly getting over it.

Tell Dad and his brothers that im coming home and going to beat them all at arm wrestling. That is if i dont lose all of my muscle.

Well i will be in Liberia next time i email so i wish you all a great time at home, im having a great time here even though i am stuck.

Love,

Elder Skouson

 

The White African

Just a few Pictures

Elder Allotey and Elder Skouson Arm Wrestling Buddies

Strongmen in Africa (from the MTC President)

Got this little Nugget of Joy today!! Enjoy

Another Day in the MTC

Dear family,

This week has been a successful sad week. I and 11 others are the only missionaries here. it feels like we have been left behind. Many emotions and feelings going through my whole body. Elder widdision and i are the only white/ americans here. we found out the news about o-Bama today from the Grahams we sat by them at breakfast and just talked about how bad it was going to be, even though we arent even there.

But some good news, i am the MTCs strongest man. we started arm wrestling a couple days ago and i had beaten everybody until i got to Elder Allotey. He is about six foot 260 pounds of just pure muscle, i mean the guy has a six pack. hahaha. we arm wrestled a couple time and he won most of them. until president graham saw us then he video taped us and i won. i sent the video and i hope you got it.

Being stuck here a few more days really has its ups and downs. We have the opportunity to serve in the temple again tomorrow. Im very excited to be able to go again. its a very cool experience to do work for people in AFRICA. I am also excited to be flying with my mission president and some general authorites, should be a wonderful time.

im really sorry there is not much to say. But i would like to give you the challenge to read the book of mormon again. it has really taught me alot. i am finishing tomorrow in the temple. i will be sending another email tomorrow because we had to stay an extra day. So i love you all and i will talk to you soon, btw how much did obama win by?

Love Quinn son of Stewart the great and mighty and devonna the loving and caring,

Elder Skouson,

The White African.

P.S. did you get my letters yet??

RE: Gotta get your protien somewhere

Dear family and friends,

this week has had its ups and downs and what i was trying to say about the swearing is my district ( and everybody else has a real problem with swearing so i teaching them not to say anything bad because they cannot feel the spirit when they do.

Anyway, i missed my chance to email yesterday because we too extra time in the temple. One of the elders in my district was sealed to his parents, ya both of them. such an amazing experience really helped me realize even more what i am doing out here over 8000 miles away from home.

My companion said to me two days ago that " the mission president doesnt care how you get baptizms he just wants alot. dont worry i told him off, i dont think i have ever been so mad at one individual. my anger was all bottled up and just came out. he kept telling me you dont understand because i was from america and have lived such a blessed life and i agreed with him on that. but i said if that were the case i wouldnt be out on a mission. the church could find some other robot to fufill that calling. i also expressed that i came out on my mission to help other people come unto christ not be just another number on a sheet of paper. he finally realized that i was right. sorry i just had to get that out.

Like i said its been a long week and challenging week with my comp. but the area president came today president dickson and sister dickson. one of the loveliest couples i have ever met. i shook his hand and he told me that everything was going to be ok as long as you do what you know is write the lord will strenghten you so much, also follow the rules 100 %. Those were the first words to come out of his mouth i am positive that the lord was speaking through him to me. he probably wouldnt remember saying that, it was so power ful to me. then he asked me about who i was and were i was going. such a great guy and his wife was even better. she was just so delightful. they also gave a great lesson to us missionaries. i also found out i wouldnt be leaving the mtc until next friday. but we get to go the temple again.

Is dad still Bishop? and speaking of bishop we are doing this little skit and guess who is the bishop.... ya its me.

i am only in Alma 45 now but its because i have been trying to memorize some scriptures and also some of the skit and the bishop says the most. i really hope you are all doing well. i am doing great here even with the setbacks i dont let them bother me and i do my very best. and reading the book of mormon has really helped me alot to do my best it focuses me on doing the right thing and sometimes standing up for my own religion ( in the mtc) ha. Btw where is mason going on his mission? nobody ever told me. tell sevie hi for me. and also tell millie to say hi to augustin. how is brandon doing? Elder harper? Mikelle? just everyone one. Eris and Eryn?

Well i love you all!!!!!

your son,

Elder Skouson.

 

THE WHITE AFRICAN!!!!!

 

 

Good Week

Well last night was the first night i started getting home sick. its probably elder widdison always talking about home, i just kinda got me though. im trying to send pictures. we leave the mtc on nov. 7th. idk where i am going yet but i think i will find out soon. this week has been great and challenging i have decided to read the book of mormon before i leave the mtc. i am already in mosiah 23 and am trying to read about 50 pages a day. so i guess we will see if i can do it. my companion is good and my district is good too. they arent allowed to speak pigeon english anymore so i can understand them and we are working on not cussing (mainly the african elders). or at least not using the big words first, then we will work on the smaller ones. really frustrating actually. i feel like im trying to be the goody twoshoes. ha (in the mtc) i kinda get made fun of all the time but it doesnt bother me. luckly they are all going to sierra leone with me. whoopy.

well on a brighter note im wondering how church is going? is Eris still coming? i truly hope she is and is having a wonderful time there.

yesterday we had some pasta and about half way through my meal i found a bug, just a small one, but a bug so i started looking at each one on the pieces of pasta and i counted 17 before my meal was ended. yummmmm. we also had fish head again i will see if i can send the picture of it.

Please tell people when they write to send pictures!!!!!! \

and mom if you send packages this is what i want:

nutella, toothbrushes, good bar soap, laundry detergent some that comes in small packages, pictures, q tips, post it notes, crystal light, face scrub, and lastly its up to you but a pedometer just to see how much i walk everyday.

the mtc is just the same just hot and sweaty all the time and learning alot. the first couple of days i was very tired throughout the day and couldnt stay awake so i have added being able to stay up all day long in my morning prayers and i has really helped. i also gave a spur of the moment talk about enduring to the end in sacrament meeting today. actually went pretty good. please tell everybody there i love them very much and would you please send me elder harpers address for me? that would be much appriciated. im sending a few letters home today to some people if you wouldnt mind passing them out or finding there address for me that would be great.Well last night was the first night i started getting home sick. its probably elder widdison always talking about home, i just kinda got me though. im trying to send pictures. we leave the mtc on nov. 7th. idk where i am going yet but i think i will findout soon. this week has been great and challenging i have decided to read the book of mormon before i leave the mtc. i am already in mosiah 23 and am trying to read about 50 pages a day. so i guess we will see if i can do it. my companion is good and my district is good too. they arent allowed to speak pigeon english anymore so i can understand them and we are working on not cussing. or at least not using the big words first, then we will work on the smaller ones. really frustrating actually. i feel like im trying to be the goody twoshoes. ha (in the mtc) i kinda get made fun of all the time but it doesnt bother me. luckly they are all going to sierra leone with me. whoopy.

well on a brighter note im wondering how chruch is going? is Eris still coming? i truly hope she is and is having a wonderful time there.

yesterday we had some pasta and about half way through my meal i found a bug, just a small one, but a bug so i started looking at each one on the pieces of pasta and i counted 17 before my meal was ended. yummmmm. we also had fish head again i will see if i can send the picture of it.

Please tell people when they write to send pictures!!!!!! \

and mom if you send packages this is what i want:

nutella, toothbrushes, good bar soap, laundry detergent some that comes in small packages, pictures, q tips, post it notes, crystal light, face scrub, and lastly its up to you but a pedometer just to see how much i walk everyday.

the mtc is just the same just hot and sweaty all the time and learning alot. the first couple of days i was very tired throughout the day and couldnt stay awake so i have added being able to stay up all day long in my morning prayers and i has really helped. i also gave a spur of the moment talk about enduring to the end in sacrament meeting today. actually went pretty good. please tell everybody there i love them very much and would you please send me elder harpers address for me? that would be much appriciated. im sending a few letters home today to some people if you wouldnt mind passing them out or finding there address for me that would be great.

love you all,

elder skouson

here are some random pictures too.

The Ghana MTC

Just another day!!! in AFRICA

To be honest it really didnt feel like i have been in africa till today when we had the opportunity to go to the temple. we drove through downtown accra to get there. i had an amazing experience over half of the elders here have not had the chance to go to the temple. i escorted two elders through the temple. really really great experience. we drove back and it kinda hit me that i was in africa. there are street venders who walk among the cars and sell you anything, dried bananas, water sacks, soda, windsheil wipers. its like the best drive through system i have ever seen.;) There are always ambluances driving around and elder widdison and i came realized it was probably for people getting hit by cars. no big deal.

Elder Widdison and i are getting pretty close. he is a really cool guy and we can kinda get some frustrations out with each other. he has a "friend' he talks about alot but all the missionaries know its his girlfriend. ahah yesterday we did a money exchang we alot of the other missionaries i got money from dubia, liberia, nigeria, south africa, australian, cote diviore. some really cool bills dont worry i only spent like 55 dollars american money,

this experience has really opened my eyes to the world, i never really saw black and white before but now i am colorblind if you know what i mean. there is no difference between black and white we are just people.

im reading the book of mormon again and its making alot more sense to me now. i have really strengthed my testimony more in the past 5 days then probaly all of my life. the missionaries here dont come with a whole lot more then just knowledge and a dedication to the gospel i have never seen before most of them have been converts for like 1-2 maybe 3 years i there knowledge surpasses mine greatly.

im sorry about the water heater and the washer machine. last night i hand washed 3 of my white shirts in the bathroom sink and took a really cold shower just to feel something cool on my body im sleeping most of the night now not waking up to stand infront of the fan for a little bit to cool off. i have almost gotten use to weather. not gonna lie getting kinda tired of the mtc. Love you all and talk to you on sunday.

love,

Elder Skouson

ghana

well this week has been very busy i am finally understanding the AFRICAN ENGLISH. oh and tell shalese i have mastered the african snap. it has been very fun getting to know everyone. my comp ELDER UDOTIM is the district leader now. he is very spiritual and fun. There are two missionaries from Irovy coast elder mea and elder zolo, they both know french as their first language and ELDER MEA know a little bit of english. i sat down and talked to him about the war in his country, it was very personal to him and he expressed that no matter what his country has been through people are still very happy. there is a major difference from the different countries here. nigeria which is where about 50% of the missionaries are from and kinda loud but still very nice. cote'divore or ivory costal they are very nice, quiet and personal which i like. some of the missionaries cant email home because there is no where to receive it, meaning no computers. there is a missionary trainer here that was from liberia during the war and only has one are because of it. but here it is just life here so we deal with it.  i have learned alot about the gospel, they focus mainly on the basics and how to teach the basics it is good for me to start out a little bit slower cause im still trying to understand.

The food has been actually good and there is alot of it which is good for me. The only thing i havent like is the fish heads and plantein the big banana looking thing. every thing else (rice and chicken) is very good. i eat more than most people here so i havent lost too much weight maybe two or three pounds tops.

 

Now that i can kinda understand most of the afican english i am taking lessons from my companions how to speak krio or pigeon english. now that i cant understand at all the african missionaries that are here are suppose to speak english, because there call said they would but i think it is for us white missionaries to understand a little bit. there are only 5 white missionaries out of about 60 sooo that is a change but now i dont see black and white, its cool actually. i told them about eris and they were so excited they said we are going to get married so we can have african babies, there were astonished that i had black friends.

 

the only acon or air conditioning is in the classrooms and chapel everywhere else it is about 85 degrees and very humid. i couldnt sleep the first night because i was sweating so much. when we turn on the acon the african missionaries freeze.

 

The missionaries from South Africa are the most i guess moderized ha. but there say there is alot of racism in south africa. i have learned so much and i am doing my best to jump in with both feet.

 love you all,

ELDER SKOUSON

I'm here

Well i arrived in accra at about 1130 ghana time. everything went really smooth i didnt have to pay any money, no trouble through costums and met our greeter, cant say his name i think it was like Elder Dodooo. but i has been really fun so far had lunch at the mtc just rice and chicken i dont type really fast sorry. new elders are distracting me, my mtc companion is Elder Udotim from nigeria. He seems really nice and fun all the missionaries that are here are very nice and say you are welcome when the meet you. kinda werid so you just say thank you back. its very different being and ELDER and calling yourself that. miss everyone already definately hasnt hit me yet though. there are 56 new missionaries in the mtc and thats it. the language barrier is very difficult. its like trying to understand a like spanish language. i tried to give out a book of mormon on the plane talk to the guy for an hour then got shot down, ha oh well wont let it get to me. still trying. the keyboard here is different and hard to get use to but im still trying and will send more next chance i get. love you all very much and hope everything is ok with everyone.

 

love your son,

ELDER SKOUSON