View from the Mission office

Yup just the view i have to see everyday from The Mission Office. Just kidding isnt it sweet!!!!

October 28, 2013

Ohana!!! ( i think it means family) (ask Lilo and Stitch)

Another week has gone by, I’m pretty sure it gets faster and faster each week. I like it but then at the same time I don’t. Might sound weird but its true.

President Kirkham has been gone all this past week and so its been Elder Pentreath and I trying to run this Town. I’m just glad i am just one of the assistants to President. He really has a lot on his plate and we do our very best to help carry the load. We had 3 Elders go home this past week and really it’s been a hit to all of us. Elder Robb has had some hip problems that have been too painful to manage. Sad to see him go but i am glad that he is hopefully able to rest a little bit. He is a hard worker and him and his companion really have done work here. The two other Elders were struggling too but now they are safe and sound back in Uganda and Zimbabwe.

Well we ourselves have had a little bit more time to do "real" missionary work. And when i say little i mean little. President left us to complete a couple of ongoing assignments this past week that have needed some attention. But We have had the chance to meet with some new investigators who are very promising. We are teaching this young women, her name is Ruth Cassell. She is 17 years old and her Mother went to the bush because she is very sick, her father is out of the picture so she lives alone with her younger brothers and sisters. The people in the community call her Ma Ruth because she does everything for her family. Never is there a time when we go to her house is she ever sad or down or not smiling. She is such a wonderful young women who yearns for the gospel so much. In this situation it is hard for her to trust that everything will work out and she will be blessed for the service she is giving to her brothers and sisters. Try being a full time babysitter for years without a day off. She goes to school on when she can and tries to earn money anyway she can. Very difficult for her. The great thing is she knows that church is a safe haven for her. There she doesn’t need to worry about really anything just to go and learn. Its helping people like this every day that i get my spiritual gospel high from. She lights up as we come because she know that what we are going to teach will help her in more ways she can believe. She is just wonderful.

Also the Lorpu Mulbah family is doing great. We had our first official lesson with them yesterday after church. Not going to lie this lesson has been planned for a while now and we were a little bit apprehensive about doing it. We definitely wanted everything to just peachy. Thankfully through much pray it did. Before we went we tried to see if we were the best teachers we could be. We then realized that we need to have more faith that the Spirit will be the teacher. From then on we didnt worry. We still prepared but we left it in the Lords hands. What a great lesson it was! We talked about the Message of the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ focusing on the Restoration of the one and only True Church. Their family are strong Lutherans and love the Lutheran church but it was amazing to me there willingness to listen to us. The spirit was very strong in the lesson and they really saw the importance of why they need to pray about this wonderful message. I love explaining to people why would i travel halfway around the world just to tell you something i think is right or just logically makes sense. I came here to Liberia to tell you of this wonderful restored gospel because i know it is true. I have prayed and received an answer from Heavenly Father that this is true. There is no doubt in my mind that it isn’t true. This is what makes it all worth it. This is why i am here to bear my testimony and to help others bear their own. I love the gospel so much!!!

BTW i am in what they call the Sinkor Branch. It is in Monrovia town, i live in the Mission (mansion) Office with just my companion Elder Pentreath. I always thought that living in a mansion would be super sweet. But i guess its only sweet when you have a lot of people living there. It gets lonely when its just us two. To look this place on Google earth i think i would be hard. It is right next to the pin for Monrovia. There is a small curve on the ocean line and we live in the big white building right next to it. But its really hard to see if you dont already know where it is. You are most welcome to try. Maybe better yet i will try to send a panoramic photo of what the beach looks like instead.

Anyways I was asked kind of late notice to give a talk in chuch about family history. It really kind of made me depressed cause i couldn't share any really good experiences because i just dont know any. If there is any way would you mind sending me just a tad bit of family history just so i can show off my family to everyone around. The talk i gave was alright, mostly it was about the importance of temple work and how important it is for us to go to the temple. Saints here in Liberia are starting to catch on and every temple trip we are having more and more people want to go. The Sacrifice amount to go to Ghana is $50 us. It’s really difficult for most to even save that much. But the blessings are well worth it. I guarantee it. I can’t wait to return back home and enjoy the calming spirit of the temple and enjoy the temple food, Umm did i say that? Yes.

I have been trying to follow my New Year resolution by working out and writing in my Journal every day. I have found a way i think i can discipline myself into doing it. I look for quote of what people have said or funny Liberian sayings or just anything that inspires me. Our newly called Elders Quorum President, President Anderson from America, said something that really stuck out to me in a way that i never thought of before though i try to do it every day. He said," When People see or understand what there potential can be, They wont want to return to there mediocre lives." He said this while talking about home teaching to the Elders Quorum. This really hit me hard i think because i felt the spirit testify of what he was saying. During my mission i just want to show people where they could be with Jesus Christ and help them to get there. This i guess is my purpose.

I am so thankful for this time in my life to really have a purpose now and to know exactly what i should be doing that is pleasing in Heavenly Fathers eyes. Mission is the best decision in my life. I love all it has to offer!! I love you all very much and pray for your health and safety every day.

Love,

Elder Skouson(Cowskin)

(the White African)

October 21, 2013 and a Photo

Dear Family,

Simply this has been a sweet week!!!

This is kind of how our week was!!! This is a part of Elder Pentreath's email to president about a women and her family that we are going to start teaching:

"This week's been great. Straight after coming out from our interviews with you we went out to buy something to eat and we prayed together that we would find a family. So we went and bought a bowl of 'fried beans' from the Lady who sells on Redemption Drive, the road just outside the Office, which heads down to the Beach. So we started speaking to the Lady, asked her name, asked if her last name was her family's name or her husband's; it was her family's because 'he hadn't given her a ring yet'. We asked if her man had paid her dowry though and she very strongly said 'oh, yes, before we moved together, absolutely!' Elder Skouson and I felt that this meant that she deserved more of our time and so we've been buying food from her ever since. We've learnt that they are very strong in the Lutheran church on 14th Street, but after meeting with them after church on Sunday they informed us that their church had been closed down on Saturday because they hadn't paid the rent so they don't have anywhere to go to church anymore. I don't have anything against the Lutheran Church, but this news made me pretty happy and we didn't lose any time as we excitedly told them 'well that's no problem, you can come to church with us next Sunday'; sounds a bit insensitive now that I'm writing this, but the spirit was there and we feel it went down well. From further asking of questions we learnt that the whole family came to the Gayes wedding; know the family very well and have seen the changes each of them have made. Sister Yargbo attends night-school with a Relief Society Sister who lives in the house right outside the office as well, so we're really excited for this family's future!"

We are truly excited for this family that we are starting to teach. Heavenly Father has blessed Liberia I wish you all could see the miracles that happen every day here.

We had the opportunity today to do something a little bit different. We were privileged to take a tour of the old abandon Mamba Point Hotel. This place has always been an eye catcher because it is at the top of the only hill in Monrovia. During the war the rebels came in and took everything from the hotel and used it as a base for a battalion. We saw a before and after photo which really is kind of sad to see what Liberia used to look like before the war. We paid the guard 100Ld which is like $1.15 US. and climbed up 9 stories to have “a moment that takes your breath away”. As we learn from Will Smith “it’s not about the breaths we take but about the moments that take our breath away”!! What a moment/view that really did. Liberia is beautiful!!! I love it so much. I will try to send some more photos. But sorry to say photos just can’t do it justice. My fear of heights came back to me for a couple of seconds. Haha what a cool experience we had today.

Dear President Kirkham,

Thank you President for emailing me.

We have really tried hard this week to implement what you have instructed us to do to have a model proselyting area. After our interview last gone Monday we found just what Liberia needs- A Family. Elder Pentreath explained the whole situation in his email. It is just wonderful to see that when we truly look for someone he just can simply put people in our path; we ourselves just need to open our eyes.  This work really is divine and i am glad i have another year to enjoy the work we do here in Liberia.

On Wednesday we were able to go on an exchange with Elder Zolo and Elder Ngobi in Caldwell New Georgia. Elder Pentreath went out with Elder Zolo and I went with Elder Ngobi. Before our exchange we planned on what would be the purpose of this exchange. We wanted to focus on having good members in each lessons. To have the member be taught as well as the investigator. Also to have evaluations with your companion often. Elder Pentreath and i find it very successful to talk about the lesson we just had while walking or going to the next lesson. It really brings unity in our teaching. We know when one person should stop and the other start. We wanted to get this same attitude in teaching for Elder Zolo and Ngobi.

The actual exchange was great and we really had a good time with these elders. Elder Ngobi is a great teacher who may be quite any other time of the day but really you can see him open up when he teaches people. This for me just goes to show how much love he has for his investigators. We had a great experience in one lesson we taught together. The girl we were teaching was really not saying anything in the lesson. Come to find out her aunt has been discouraging her by telling her false things about the church. Once we could understand why she was being so quite and uninterested, Elder Ngobi bore one of the most powerful testimonies i have ever heard. He talked about how Jesus Christ was disrespected and hated for doing nothing wrong. He bore his testimony on Joseph Smith how he had come to know the truth and how always he would be laughed at, persecuted, and even killed for the things he knew were true. He boldly bore his testimony to her in the most loving spiritual manner that we all could feel the spirit. As he finished she committed to pray about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon. The way that she looked at the church change not because of his testimony but by hearing and feeling the holy Ghost bear witness to her that this work is true. This lesson that i had the opportunity to be a part of really strengthened my testimony and helped me see just how truly important this work and that no outside force could ever stop the progression of this work.

Elder Ngobi and I had a wonderful time teaching and talking with each other. He is really a great example to me as a leader. I have learned things that i would like to improve to become a better leader. He is a great example of leading by example.  We had a great exchange which we were able to give training and receive training. Haha its really great how it works like that.

Being a missionary has taught me so many things. It has shown me the importance of things too. I am just thankful everyday that i have this experience in my life to help so many great people, whether a missionary, member, or non-member. I love it them all. And we can all learn from each other. That's why heavenly Father puts us in groups we call families because when you are close to someone you automatically love them. In this love there is much learning involved. Thankfully my parents love is unconditional and they were able to see past the bad and seek the good that i did and complement me on that. My mother goes into surgery tomorrow. I know everything will work out just fine but i guess why this email has turned to my parents. I pray for them continually but i know that you ask me about my family and so i just wanted to give a small update.  Thank you for always being so loving to me and helping to understand and see the bigger picture.

Love,

Elder Skouson

October 14, 2013

Na fuede!!!!,(Hello from the "Kru" tribe)

Exciting week-o!!! Just another week in the office. Actually really a crazy one as well! I really like having a extraordinarily full week. It helps me from being idle.

Mom and Dad first off i love you very much and thank you for always being there for me. It really means a lot to me that i now am an Eagle Scout. The things i have done for it really have made me be a better person. I wasn't the easiest thing to accomplish in my life but now i can look back with no regrets. Or maybe i should have got it before i started smelling things like Perfume and Gasoline or hit the age of 16. haha well at least i got it. I think it really has an effect on way i got a call here in Liberia. Every American missionary either has there eagle scout or has been in the military its probably because they can consider this mission to be of a rugged nature. I truly don't know why because the people here are so great.

I fall more and more in love with Liberia everyday. Being in the mission Office i get to meet Branch Presidencies and District Presidencies this helps me see everything on a wider scale. Even we receive numbers for all the missionaries in the mission. This too helps me see as a whole of Liberia. And i absolutely love it.

Liberia had its first ever District showing of General Conference. We watched the Sunday morning session. Although it was a week late, it really had an impact of the whole district. Really there is something about meeting together and watching the Prophet and Apostles speak. I really took it for granted back at home. All we have to do at home is just turn on the TV and watch a session. Sometimes even get into our nice air conditioned cars and drive 10 mins to the stake center to watch priesthood session. I think the only car that was in the parking lot was the Missionary Senior Couples. Everybody else had to take a motorbike or car taxi. Its an all day event for most because they live so far away. I wont go into to much detail but it does bring a new outlook on the simple General Conference. Come listen to a prophets voice!!!! Oh how i love it!!!

Luckily the District center is right in our area so we had many of our investigators there. We followed up with them how they enjoyed the conference and they shared some of the wonderful experiences they hear. I was so very grateful they could hear when the people were talking it some time hard to hear true American (ceries) talking.

Missionaries here are just off the hook. We are doing so well as a mission. The lord is truly opening the hearts here in Liberia. President has been really inspired to focus on having Members in Every lesson we teach. This helps our the investigator and the members. We have set a goal that we would teach more member present lessons then other lessons(just us missionaries teaching) in the whole mission. Its a very hard and time consuming thing but we have already seen very big improvement towards members coming to church really progressing in the gospel. We are very close to be able to do it. I really believe we have the best missionaries in the world right here in LIB.

Well i really am out of time. I just wanted you too feel the same enthusiasm i have for this work. This is such a great time in Liberia and very happy that i have a full year again until i go home. This has become my home away from home.  I love Liberia and the people that are here as well.

I Love you all very much  and miss you like crazy.

Love,

Elder Skouson

(the White African)

  Here is the email i sent to president Kirkham.

Dear President,

Well we just got out over our interview. So i will just some up the last week cause you already know everything else that happened, basically I'm fine, my companion's fine, the area's fine, our investigators are fine and the Branch is fine, so everything's fine here President.

Honesty president everything is going very well. Elder Pentreath and I are doing great together. One thing i really have learned how to do since i have become his companion is how to evaluate. I never really knew the importance of evaluation. Its no that we come back at the end of a teaching day and talk about what went well and what didn't. With these past few weeks it has been more then that. Really in everything we do, as we give an instruction, as we talk to certain elders about something, as we go on exchange, Even when we cook food. Now i can look back at the things i was lacking or didn't do correctly and step forward. I have always been a "put the past behind you" kind of person. Now i know it is always better to learn from it first before you put it behind you. As they say, History always seems to repeat itself. If I can learn from the situation the first time then when it comes around again i will now how to best go about that certain situation.

Elder Pentreath is such a great example to me. He is always very loving even when i do make a mistake. He really can help me see what should have been said or done not in a forceful or criticizing way but in a way were i see the need to improve. I love the things that we are able to do and go through together. 

It was great to have everyone from Monrovia District come and enjoy a session of General Conference. Really for our Investigators and Recent converts its a big thing to actually hear the prophets voice. Well for everyone really. I feel it really unify us as a church. I found my self looking around while President Monson spoke and seeing everyone's eyes really glued to the projector screen. It touched me to see everyone so willing to excited to hear the Prophet speak. We have asked some of our investigators what they learned and liked most about the Conference. It was great to see what they like about it through a non members eyes. Even one of our investigators expressed how much she enjoyed hearing from Sister Oscarson about choosing this day whom ye should serve. She like it a lot because she could relate to it. She knows about the story and loved the description she gave about it. Really it has helped her to see a bigger picture. I know you like to talk with us missionaries about vision and what our vision needs to be. For her she was able through conference to see why she needed the gospel in her life. Thank you very much for the insight and advice that you gave me in our interview today.

Love,

Elder Skouson

Photos!

October 7, 2013

Ya hello,

I hope you dont mind if i kind of ignore the fact that both of my parent are completly falling apart!!!!! Know that i love you very much and that i care for your condition you are in at the moment but i know absolutly that Heavenly Father also knows the sitution you are going through alot more then i do and he cares for you too. Please keep me updated on everything because i just have to know. Really i will kind of fall apart if i dont know the things that are going on with everyone at home. They are just stored towards the back of my brain though so i can be President Kirkhams third brain.

Speaking of being Pres. Kirkham third brain, i really have just gone through the busiest most exhausting week of my life.

Here is just a brief schedule of my past week:

Monday: sent 4 of the best missionaries home back to America. Travel arrangements everything.

Tuesday: Numbers for mission small planning to prepare instructions for the next 3 days.

Wednesday: Training The Trainners meeting. (instruction from APs 5 hours) super long meeting in which we trained the trainers how to train new missionaries coming straight from MTC.

New missionaries arrived latter that day. Feed them and gave them small first day instruction and tried to be a good example of a missionary.

Thrusday: Orientation for the New Missionaries (again a 3 hours instruction from us) after they learned small about the culture and everything here in Liberia we sent them out to there trainers to have there first real missionary day.

Friday: Mission Council Meeting. (again a 4 hour instruction from you know who) This meeting invovles all the Zone leaders and Sister Training Leaders(such an inspired thing to have STLs). Very important meeting as well to rely the information president would like us to pass on. Such as how to get better member presents inside our lessons, having nightly devotionals and a few more things.

Saturday: Baptisms for the wonderful sisters missionaries in our branch and prepare for the Area Doctor coming in this next week. Making doctor appointments doing follow up calls with Zone Leaders.

Sunday: First time i really got to meet member of the Sinkor Branch. For us we have a very small proselyting area and we were able to see some of our investigators. Really sweet.

There were alot of things i left out because i would be writing forever just trying to tell you all the things we did this last gone week.

PHEWWW!!!

I just want you to know i have had a Busy week.

Our true reward was Sunday Night. We have a white american Man who is a member and about to be called as Elders Quorum President who lives here in our Branch Boundaries. He invited us over to break our fast and also to listen tomonday morning session of General Conference.

Mom i have always liked you have gone into conference with certain questions so i decided to have my own and think about them through the two hours that i listened. I definatly got answers to some of my questions i am waiting for the liahona for the other ones.

One quote i really liked was this " We must become the ROCK, the River cant wash away!" The talk was talking about how are bodies need to be in good physical shape if we want to run a marathon, same with our Spirituality shape if we want to endure this wonderful life then we need to be ready now. Such a great talk. Really all the talks were very good.

 The food Bro. Andersoncooked.... Wow. Like a cream of chicken soup with rice and it was just so american and sooooo good. My gut was full after that. Even he had Apples as a side dish which are just deserret to me. But after we ate until we almost burst he brought out a wonderful chocolate cake with homemade frosting. It sent me into a deibetic coma. Luckly i am not diebetic. but it was so good. I sat on a real couch. just really an out of body exerience. Its going to be really hard when that is just the normal everyday living when i go back home.

 

I really was just a fantastic week. I loved every minute of it. I am having so much fun and completely enjoying my mission. Mission has definetly become life. Weird sometime when i think about that i actually have to leave this place in a year. Maybe i will try to extend small?? If President lets me maybe just for a transfer and be back home by Thanksgiving. Thats alright right??

 

Like i said before i truly love you so much and miss you. I love to hear from you and everything you say really helps me to be more focused on the work, if that makes since. I love you.

Love,

Elder Skouson

(the White African)

P.S. This is the email i sent to my mission President, what a great man he is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear President Kirkham,
President thank you for giving me this wonderful opportunity to be your assistant. This past week was definitely the busiest week I'm pretty sure in my whole entire life. It was good though i really learned a lot. And i feel like i have had to learn a lot. I really would like you to help me in anyway you see fit. I have become cleaner from being here. I have been trying to listen to the spirit in every part of my day ( not just when i am Teaching). I have realized how important it is to Let the holy Spirit Guide.

Something Elder Pentreath and I have talked about is how to ask good questions. I feel as though i really struggle on that at least in giving instruction. I mostly don't know what to say when i am instructing. Maybe you can give me a few pointers and i will try hard to apply them. I know its my first week but i would like to be the best i can be so i would really love your insight on how to become a better person and leader.  So let me know what you think.

This week i have realized that many times i have been a silent leader just showing by example. I have see in some situations that that is not always the best type of leadership. It needs something else with being the example. I think that it is love also behind the Leadership we give. When we love the person and we show that love to them, they very easily and readily except the leadership you are giving them. That have come in play in my mission quite a few times throughout my mission. Elder Okunrobo is a perfect example. In the MTC i was going through the rough part of mission adjusting to a having a companion,  new country,culture, and everything in between.  Elder Okunrobo came to me and helped me out when i though all is lost. He wiped my tears off my face, and in that moment i knew there was a reason to stay on mission.  Maybe this is why i will defend Elder Okunrobo with my life. Because of his example of Christlike love I really owe my missionary life to this man who saved me at a time when i thought all was lost. I have seen countless others throughout my life and on mission who are great examples. I would just like you to know that this Gospel can really change a person for the better. My mission has been a wonderful time for me to see this so many times. No matter the problem or situations they are facing in life, through the atonement they can change and become more converted to the Gospel.  If feel that because of my mission i can now endure whatever trials come my way. The people with such great examples i have seen are just looking at the saviors example and applying it into their lives.  I hope i am able to do the same.
But my work here i not close to finishing so i hope i will continue to learn and experience so much. I know that our Heavenly Father loves us very much. He knows exactly what we need to make us grow and become better. I know that mission is the best choice i could have ever made.

Even though it was a crazy week we were still able to spend small time with the branch. Sinkor Branch is really sweet and i cant wait to get to know more people inside so we can help it progress as much as possible.
Well lets start off another great week here again. Thank you president very much for your example you have show to me. It will be my pleasure to be your assistant.
Love,
Elder Skouson
P.s.  I enjoyed playing Table Tennis Today thank you for letting us come over.

September 30, 2013

Dear Family,

 

Well the rumors are true. I have made a new step in my mission. I recieved a call from President Kirkham on this last gone Friday asked me if i would be his assistant with Elder Pentreath. Elder Pentreath is my old District Leader when i first came on mission. President Kirkham told me i would be going to the mission office today and now i am here. I have big shoes to fill and really have no idea what i am doing here. I am living in the most beautiful home in Liberia, and i really love the gorgeous ocean view. But other than that i would say i am nervous. This is going to be a time to turn away from myself and leave it all to my heavenly father.

Before i leave it entirely i just want to talk about my home away from home for just a moment. This last gone week Elder Humpherys and i didnt really get anytime to be inside Doe Community. Being my last week in the Branch i was ask to give my testimony during sacrament meeting. The podum must have been covered with just chopped onions or something cause not only i was leaking but a lot of people in the congregation. Why do we have to leak out of our eyes just makes us all look bad? Idk but the meeting was so spiritual. There was a smaller number of people there because of the rain but still it was such a wonderful  service. We met with a few members after the chruch and took some pictures just a good day.

 Elder Humpherys and i had one of the most interesting weeks both of us had ever had. So many oppoutunities to serve. On Friday again our Zone had a service project for a members house which crumbled in a massive rain storm. Thankfully nobody was hurt in that and everybody is alright. So we began to build back the walls and roof. But during the project an elderly man needed literally to be carried to the hospital because he was sick and hadnt eat or drinking in almost a week. Elder Humpherys and i carried him to the taxi and then into the hospital. Because he hadnt taken anything to eat, he had no control over his body. very difficult to transfer him from place to place. But i think he is doing much better now that he is in the hospital.

I cant express to you enough how much i love my mission. First assignment as the new AP was to get the Dieing missionaries to the airport. Very difficult to see them go such wonderful examples to me over this last year. I will really miss there presence here on mission.

Well we have areally crazy week we are planning for so i have to stop writing and get back to work. I will tell you more next week. I love you all so much.

Love,

Elder Skouson

( the White African)

September 23, 2013

Dear Faimly,

Hey how di day???

This week has been a very full week of working hard. Elder Vinson for the Seventy came to Liberia. We had a wonderful Zone Conference about How to be better missionaries. Our APs talked to us then President Kirkham who talked to us about Member Presents. Then we heard from Elder Vinson. He gave us the simple instruct to not only listen to what he has to say but what the spirit says and testifies to us. This conference i really tried hard to listen to that still small voice. At first there was nothing but as i tried harder i had thoughts put into my mind that i had never really thought about before. It was cool to be there in this conference. Elder Vinson is straight up powerful. If you read about his conversion story it is really cool as well. Sister vinson (Elder Vinson's wife) told us more about that. That he was a strong man inside his church and she converted him and now he is a General Authority. Really a sweet story. He knows the scriptures backwards and forwards especially the Bible and Old Testament. He talked about "considering our Ways" in the book of Haggai. Very wonderful to hear his great instruction. 

After the Conference he then decided to do Apartment Inspections. He only had time for about 3 apartments but Mom you should be very proud. President and Sister Kirkham walked in taking pictures to show what a clean apartment should look like. They all were very impressed with our kitchen and floors and really everything. Let me just give a quick shout out. I just want to thank my Mother for teaching me know to clean things good, and her mother my grandmother for teaching her. Ya we got an A+.

This week has also been a good one inside good ole Doe Community Branch. We are teaching a women from Sierra Leone and i be learnin de krio small small. She has had a problem with smoking and drinking in the past. When we were on Exchange with the APs Elder Willis and i decided to change our lesson to The Word of Wisdom the second lesson and wow what a change she has made. She came that sunday into church almost yelling at me that her body had never felt better. She says she could breath so well and her mind was clear. Really just another testimony to me to how important Gods commandments are. She is truly talking and using the Atonement in her life.

Yesterday at our PEC meeting the Branch President President Slamie gave us an Assignment. Becuase i have almost been inside Doe commuinty for close to a year, i happen to know most of the people inside the branch. Here in Liberia we are just starting to get solid records and they are finally going in the computers.There is a lot of missing information which my companion and i are going to go out a get from many of these members. It might even be my last week inside Doe Com. Hopefully not but transfers are next week. I guess we will see. If so its a great oppourtunity for me to see everyone before i go.
 

Thank you so much for getting me that information about the Military. I would definitely go the officer route, but one last quick question to clear my mind small. Would i be able to stop after those 4 years of service or still have to remain in? I would like the military to pay for my schooling where ever it may be. And then start my own career after sometime. and Do they pay you for your service every year the 45000 or just the years you serve??

Dont worry i am still working hard as i can. I love you all so much and thank you for the amazing support you have for me.

Love,
Elder Skouson

P.s. Its coming to be dry season. Will you send me Aloe Vera?? Gold bond medicated powder?? and Gold bond lotion ultimate healing with aloe vera. Food seasoning especially (spaghetti and chicken seasonings). 

P.ps. Happy Late birthday to ELder Harper and Happy birthday to ELder Fisher.

September 16, 2013

My Dearest Family,

Just letting you know I am trying to do my best. I have been given very much on this mission, and i am trying to use my specific talents and abilities for righteous purposes. In all essence i read the book how to be an Extraordinary Missionary. I know i am far from being that but i am trying small smalll. I read that extraordinary missionaries polish there shoes not just wipe them off with a wet rag. Because i am starting small small i started with that. Guess what, my shoes are black, for the longest time i thought they had just turned brown. These little things that i have tried to make better/cleaner are really helping me to be the missionary i need to be.

Well this week has been great one of the families i have been teaching even before i went to Gardnerville was baptized. The Giddings family are so great. Every week a church the family come 10 minutes before and Sits as a family. Because of our small efforts the lord really has used us to do his work. We converted the youngest in the family (Jamama Giddings) back with Elder Park since that time we have been working with Moses Giddings the father and just recently the mother. Now Both father and mother are baptized. The last who we are now currently working with is Evenlyn Giddings. Before her mother was baptized she didnt want to even speak with us. Now she too come to church early and every activity we have there. She will be getting baptized and confirmed the beginning of October. Elder Humpherys and I are working very hard in every aspect of the work. 

To answer some quick questions of yours Yes i am taking medicine everyday. It is called Doxycicline also i take my Multi -vitimins everyday. I wont need more vitimins. I have the lemon oil and have began to use it. You are welcome to send me some again if you would like. Maybe even more kinds. Btw i need more toothpaste. I like the red tube the enamel white by colgate.I still have a camera. I will work of sending the memory chip.

I have a few questions for you now. Be prepared....

What if i were to join the military when i got back home?? Maybe follow the example of my cousins Cyle. Go and serve for a few years and get that under my belt. I know with military its not a step in step out kind of thing. If you can send me some info about that. Different options i could do. Go through college get out as an officer??? I cant really remember the whole system. Will you let me know on that?? Maybe ask Cyle Adair his thought on it. Is it worth it?? 

Its really been on my mind a lot lately. I just would like some info or even how i could do it if i could.

WEll no time, I love you all so much i will try to answer questions and i hope you will too. 

Love,

Elder Skouson

(the white african)

Who are some soon to be missionaries in our ward??? Is millie plannin on a mission??

September 9, 2013

Hello Mi Familia,

This week has been a great week just to let everything out. No pun intended. No but seriously its been great to get some time for some extra study and just building my testimony. I have never been one who knows everything about the gospel and trys to know deep doctrine but i know that the gospel is true. I had the opportunity to read a few Liahonas general conference additions. I still just got a major gospel talk crush on Elaine S. Dalton. I'm not really sure why but i think it is just those simple sayings that she talks about that just really hit the spot. Mom i can remember you always quoting things like that so that probably why it has such a profound effect on me. As we had a leadership meeting in which my companion and i conducted i reflected back on one of those profound simple sayings. This time it was "Whatev'e thou art, act well thy part." We introduced this as our Leadership Meeting theme. It simply just means what ever thing you are doing, do your very best at it. In this talk she was explaining about a time when she went traveling on the BYU folk dance club. At this time she felt very alone and depressed she saw this and it lifted her spirits. (Interesting that i found this quote when i was in a similar situation.)  Well needless to say it too lifted my spirits and made things just come out so much easier. Again no pun intended.  But don't worry i didn't stop just with sister Dalton after she is now released but i have to say my favorite apostle is Definitely Elder Jeffery R. Holland. The way he describes more complex doctrine is easy to understand. I love the talks he gave. If you get the chance Look up the talk he gave at a CES fireside about leaving our religion at the door i highly recommend it. By the way WE NEVER LEAVE OUR RELIGION AT THE DOOR. It very good and talks about the gathering of Israel something like Israel, Israel god is calling?? calling thee from lands of woe???

As you can see i didn't do much proselyting but i did learn a lot. Amazingly we still had many of our investigators come to church. I gave one of our investigators a promise. Liberians have the best excuses of not coming to church, "the rain" " by gods grace". I gave our investigator a promise that if they come to church on time they would not be beaten by the rain. And surely it come to pass, about 10 mins after church had started the rains came down and the floods almost came into the church. Thankfully our investigators were all seated ready to listen and feel the spirit. A total of 9 came and there childern it is so wonderful to see the church progressing so much here in LIB.

Speaking of progression, Kakata has just opened and for the first time missionaries will be sleeping there on Wednesday. Elder Elliott and his son Elder Cooper we be some of the first as well as Elder Harris the great Elder Finau and two more. Hopefully sometime i will make my way out that way. So amazing if you could here about the Branch there. i am sure President kirkham has talked about it but what a miracle. WOW. the Church is True. Not only the Church but the Gospel and atonement of Jesus Christ is real. What profound effects it can have on a person if they just let it. I have been thankful enough to see it time and time again. Many wonderful stories i have witnessed and been a part of. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY, now that i have grown a foot or two.

Notice for future missionaries: I was thinking about it this last week about what a person needs to do before mission. Of course they need to study from Preach my Gospel and the Book of Mormon hard core but there are other things to work on. There is a great quote "People dont care how much you know, until they know how much you care". You can know the scriptures backwards and forwards but if you dont actually care about the person they wont ever listen to the words you are saying. Now how do you do that?? You practice now. Find and listen to the spirit now, if it isnt there fix that problem now now. Go out with the missionaries. GO TO SEMINARY. and dont fall asleep. All these small small things are cruciale to having and being a successful missionary.

Family and friends i love you very much, because of your prayers the sickness has moved and i am back and at them again. Dont worry about me i am doing great. nothing is falling out anymore everything is back in place.

Love,
Elder Skouson

(the white african)

P.s. dad great krio, but you need to work on your kolokwa. Im a liberian not from saleone.(sierra leone)

September 3, 2013

Dear Family,

Well!!!!!!!!!!! WHO IS UP FOR ROUND TWO?

This past week i have not been feeling the best. Now nobody wig out or nothing but. Round two as in Malaria and Typhoid. They are minor cases but about every two week for the last 4 months there are just days when my stomach has been just hurting. So Sister Kirkham finally decided i should go to the clinic. Couple hours of some back laboratory things found out that i "not doing ight".

Mom i dont want you to break out in hives or even stress about it. I just am telling you because you all got mad last time. Just know i will be back to normal in a few days. Just reducing small as people here say. I don't tell you this to worry you just letting you know what i am dealing with. NO WORRIES.

Despite that.... we had a great week the days we went out. On Saturday we were privileged to go to Bro. Johnson Cheas funeral. Before he passed away he was a driver for the Liberian National Police. The LNP showed up with their band which was actually pretty sweet and the prayed and played in memory of the Late Chea. It all was pretty cool. Each of the different sides of his family came and gave tribute. Even my companion Elder Humpherys and i gave our own Tribute. We Sang Hymn #165 Abide with me, and I gave a little speech on his behalf. Just explained that i had known and taught him the simple truths of the gospel. I also explained that we had taught him and he understood that this life is the time to prepare and meet God. It was a great funeral and many people had questions answered. I was just a good time for all.

We have been doing our best as a branch in Doe Community. President Kirkham made a visit to our branch and helped us out with our Branch council. THings are coming on small small.

This mission has really opened my eyes to a few things. I realized how easy it was for me to be able to come on mission with my family and friends supporting me the whole time. Elder Myaka and I had a good long conversation about his conversion to the gospel, how his family really just turned there backs on him. He also had to get all of his passport visa and everything by himself. He told me about the tender mercies the lord showered upon him at the time. Miracle after miracle happen for him as he really tired hard to earn money for his mission.

I love to be a missionary here to hear and live so many wonderfully hard experiences. I know I have been blessed to come here to Liberia at a time with so much missionary progress. Our heavenly father knows each and everyone of us and knows exactly what we need. As its states, Our ways are not his ways and our thoughts are not his thoughts. He will make a way everything will get accomplished. I am excited to be here and now.

I love you all and i am trying to work as hard as i can. Know that nothing will stop this work. If anyone trys its just like sticking your puny arm in a great river and saying that you will stop the work. (d and c 121.) I miss you and love you.

Love,

Elder Skouson

(the white african)

August 26, 2013

Dear Family,

Thank goodness everything went alright. Lets pray nobody else goes under surgery while i am on mission. Its just to stinkin hard for me.

Well this week has been flying by. Elder humpheries and i are working very hard. I have been teaching him how to be a zone leader but he has been teaching me everything you need to know about the Old Testament. We are doing so great. Its been a lot of fun in our area seeing so many people willing to help us in missionary work. We are trying so hard to get the branch to be doing as much missionary work as we are. We have at least 2 branch missionaries come with us each day.

That has been really helpful because with have been dealing with a lot of African culture these past few days. One of the family's we have been teaching are bereaving and its nice to have Liberians to show us how we can express our condolences to the family.

We had the great opportunity to have President Kirkham and his wife come to our branch and give some training that really helped the branch out a bunch. We even saw him and his wife drink a soft drink they said first time in 2 years or more. Pretty cool its even hard for them to turn down food.

Well i am so glad that everything worked out just great. I am so happy that Dad is back at home now to get his rest. Thank you for the pictures even though they were a little disturbing the were comforting at the same time if that makes any sense at all. Not that i didn't believe you its just reassuring to see something.

Marissa i didn't forget. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You and your family are looking great sounds like your not feeling great, just remember its your birthday you can cry if you want to. cry if you want to. or cry if you want to.

Well i have to make this short, but i love you very much i am continually praying for you all. Thank you for all your prayers coming my way i definitely need them. Just know i am working hard, keeping the missionary rules and love the work i am doing. There is really no greater work i could be doing at this time in my life.

Love,
Elder Skouson

(the white african)

August 19, 2013

Dear Family,

This week has really opened my eyes to many things. Things that i need to work on, things i need to remember and things that just don't really matter that much. Us as missionaries we teach about the eternal perspective everyday. But sometimes we don't even know the full extent of it. I pray that everything will go fine these next few days with surgery and everything. I want to know all about it. (cause you know i going to be a brain surgeon when i get back). 

Yes it is true Elder Finau has left me to go out into uncharted territory, Kakata and Harbel are waiting for him as we speak. Elder Humpherys will be my new companion. I will be teaching him how to be a Zone leader as he teaches me to be a District Leader. He is super funny and really smart so i cant wait to learn from him.

We had a great day Saturday participating in the All Africa service Project. We decided to clean some of the main road in Doe Community. Really sweet to see the support we had from our branch as well as many people outside.

My i just say thank you very much for the Packages i received. I got 4. 3 for my birthday packages and 1 from Christmas time from Mikayla. Wooooo hoooo i have been waiting forever for them and they came at a great time. We live the law of consecration for real out here so they are all divide up between those who did not receive any. Elder Finau took most out to kakata with him. Maybe in a transfer i will be out there with him. I don't know but i know that would be so sweet. The field is truly ripe and ready to harvest. President Kirkham told the kakata missionarys to recite Alma 26:22 everyday before the go out. He also emphisized on the Thousands they would bring in. 

One of our Baptismal candidates passed away last night about 8 pm. If you could keep Bro. Chea family in your prayer it would be much needed. We know he is being taught the remaining lessons on the other side of the veil. Truly a great man. 

Thank you for the prayers and thoughts put towards my direction. As i am given new responsiblities and oppunities I difinatly need those Prayers. I really hope everything will be alright with everyone. I know this gospel is true, i am having such a wonderful time out here in Liberia. These things that i have learned will truly bless my life for years to come. 

I love you all and pray for you constantly. 

Love,

Elder Skouson

( the white african) 

P.s. Happy 10 months. hahaha

August 5, 2013

Dear the greatest Family in the world,

Thank you so much for the birthday shout outs. Especially the support I am receiving to keep me out here on mission in best mission in the world. Thank s Grandma for the support you have given me.I know you prayed me to come and serve exactly were i need to be.
Well just because it is my birthday doesn't mean the worked has slowed at all I love the work i am learning so much.

I am still working very hard and am continuing to be blessed. Thank you again for the support. I haven't gotten the packages yet but hopefully soon. Sorry about the short emails but just know that i love you very much.

Love,

Elder Skouson

(the white african)

July 8, 2013

Hey i forgot to tell you i need new retainers for my teeth... they fell apart and got eatin by africa. Also i need a new memory card because i am almost filled my first one. thank you.

Just a few pictures from the area... Sweet-o

i like these two pictures because they are us in action. and these monkeys are sweet. i totally love them.

July 1, 2013

My dearest Family,

Well how di day. This week has been one for the books. At least for the angels and there silent note taking. No this week was a great week. On Friday we got a little view of what this mission is turning into by going into the mission home to pick up a few things. Can i just say WOW. Air conditioning, Sea side view, computers, actual power all the time, and what do you know an actual washing machine.hahah it was pretty abnormal to see one of those things. I can see there is going to be many improvments in this mission when President Kirkham has engaged in the work. Its good to go and see town life every once and a while to readjust to real life. Well to be honest i kind of just going into a modern day coma. 

We have been working very hard to get ready for Saturday. We had a baptismal service that we had to put on and we have been worried about our pump to get the font full. Thankfully our font is outside and i has been raining quite a bit, it really didn't look the pretties but the baptism was able to go on. My Companion baptized Watta H. a young girl who has really improved and become converted to the gospel, L. B. who has had a hard time before with drugs and different worldly things, and an old papa Issac M.. All three of these people really have had to have huge changes in life to turn there life to christ. Isaac massaquoi is a 69 year old man who is just the sweetest guy ever. Every time we pass his house he is doing three things; working in his yard, studying the Book of Mormon, and sleeping. Here is a man who has work all of his life and still going strong. He has a huge problem with ants in his yard and its because of one tree. This tree is about 30 feet tall and we offered our help to remove it. SO Saturday was the day. We gathered up our district for a great hard working service project. It took us about four hours to cut the tree down and cut it into sections using hand axes and machetes. Totally fun thing to do. Now we are all super sore and just beat. Papa Isaac worked the hardest. he would transfer the machete from his hands to his mouth to pick up palm frans. He kind of looked like a pirate when he would do that.

To end this great week we went to a Birthday party for a couple in our branch and thats where the pictures are from. There are very sweet and good to us missionaries. The Zeahns are a sweet family and very strong and active in the church. This missionary work is just so sweet.

We have really been searching for new investigaotrs and praying that the branch would help us out in that regard. From all of our labors these last couple of day the fruits are beginning to be very sweet. Our heavenly father is very mindful of this work and protects us missionaries. I feel more guided then i have ever been before i my life. 

My companion and i are still working out our Coconut challenge. We are learning to stick to our goals. I know heavenly father has sent me to this place to help me see what i am made of. I love this gospel and the help and comfort it provides for each and everyone of us.

I love you all very much. I hope you know i am still sprinting. 

Love,

Elder Skouson

(the white african)

PICTURES June 25, 2013

June 25, 2013

My Dearest Family,

Well another week has just past sometimes it is really crazy how fast it goes by. Not complaining but just being completely immersed in the work has just been wonderful. 

This week im am finally getting to know my way around the bush. I am starting to know the names of streets and different things which is just great. We still get 3 FMs every day. Which has kind of been weighing us down in a lot of ways. To keep ourselves up to speed we have now created the Coconut Challenge. 

SO my companion and i are now addicted to Coconut we have to have one like everyday. They are sooooo good. and  because they are so stinkin good we have come up with goals that we have to keep and complete throughout the week in order to treat ourselves to one every day. They are simple things like actually work out in the morning. Read the Book of Mormon at night for 30 minutes and write in our journals everyday. We do this for a whole week. Monday to Sunday. If we miss any of these things throughout the week, no coconuts the next week. This is a simple but very challenging task at the same time. You can apply it for anything. You dont nessary have to have coconuts to make this a challenge. It is a wonderful way to keep yourself constantly trying for something. You have goals in life but sometimes it is hard to accomplish them. Use something you love to gamble with. If you accomplish the goal you reward yourself if you dont you have to take that thing you love away. If you dont it will never work out.

I dont really know why i went on that tangent but it is something i have learned in the past week or so. I give you the challenge. You must come up with your own coconut challenge and stick to the plan you have set. 

But this week has been a great missionary week as well. We have been working and walking a ton. We are just working as hard as possible and we are using our time wisely. I love this work, it is so rewarding. I realize everyday how important it is and i just love the people here, We are helping 3 people to come and be baptized this week. I will tell you more about the next week. Truly wonderful converted people to this gospel. 

Not got too much time, i love you all very much and i will write more next week. Keep the Faith my brothers and sisters in the gospel.

Love,

Elder SKouson

(the white african)

June 18, 2013

Dear Mi familia,

Yes there are spanyards out here. Not really just my companion has just tan dark skin. but anyway. Happy Birthday millie on the 19th. Its crazy to think i have been out on mission for almost everyone birthday. Besides Marissas and my own and i think Cameron. Cant remember sorry ya. Speak of the man how is he doing in nepal??? Are things working out for him. Or is he alive? 

So i have been really excited this whole week. In this area it is very spaced out so that means there is alot of walking to be done. We walk about a mile or so just to get into our area. But its totally sweet. The people here are so kind. The members are really nice to us. Maybe we get three meals a day for three different families. Throughout this week i have been looking forward to church so i can finally see the branch. The missionaries before didn't really work with the branch all that much and i wanted to give the branch a new perspective on missionary work. 

So Church was great we got to the church building and its actually a gazebo. It kind of just has half walls and a roof on top. Seriously the sweetest church service because there was a breeze coming through the whole time. AkA i wasn't sweating as much. But after church i introduced myself to the branch President and i could see is a very formal business man kind of guy, who didn't have time for some lazy elder. So i introduce myself, ask a few questions and said i wanted to sit down with all the branch auxiliary member sometime to discuss our Branch mission goals. I could tell that he new I meant business and we have a meeting set up for next week. 

I'm doing things i have never been able to do before. I am trying to be more bold. I have noticed sometimes in my life i have let people walk over me. But that one of the things i am trying to apply. Just to be bold and let the spirit testify.  Remember i am not boasting of myself but my God that has given me this opportunity to be a better missionary.

Yesterday we had Zone Conference( thats why i am emailing today). It was the roggias final farewell. They had some of the most impressive words that just really stuck to my heart. Not only do i need to become a better missionary i have to become a better missionary. By doing this im trying to use my time more wisely. Its a good thing because out here in Gardnersville it is VERY isolated. We really don't hear or see too much that goes on outside our compound. It been god because i am setting goals and actually accomplishing them. Like reading the BOM everyday for 30 minutes or Exercising everyday. Just the little things that were hard to accomplish in other apartments I am doing here. I know heavenly Father sent me here for a reason and i think it is to find myself. To seek for personal revelation and even to be more focused on doing missionary work.

I have loved this time i have had on mission already and can see it is going by almost fast. I'm learning to use my time better and be able to accomplish great things. It helps me not to platue as a missionary but to continue to climb every minute of my day.

I love you all very much, i pray like crazy for each one of you that every thing will be alright. In the words of Bob Marley,"Dont worry, Be Happy. ". Sounds like i am a great missionary huh.... ok maybe there is music everywhere. sorry ya. 

Love,

Elder Skouson