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)
Monday, December 31, 2012
I Guess Everyone Know!!!!! December 31, 2012
Wednesday, December 26, 2012
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.
Monday, December 10, 2012
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)
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)
Sunday, December 9, 2012
Photos
Liberia Bushrod Island Zone Conference
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.
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.
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