Photo from April 27, 2013

April 22, 2013

Dear Family and Friends,
Well this Elder Park has finally finished his training. I am finished with being a father. Talk about exhausted.... Just kidding Elder Park i really believe has turned into a great missionary. It was fun handing him the reins this past week or two. BUt now its time to get back to work. We were suppose to get our transfer news yesterday, but i dont really know what happened. BUt by next week i will have it and i will tell you about it.

To be honest i will probably be going from Doe Community. I have been here for over 6 months now. Really just made me almost tear up yesterday. We had our missionary sunday and i felt like a farewell talk. Everyone thinks im going to be going but there is a possiblity i will be staying and maybe even train again. That is what i am praying for. They want to split Doe Community so maybe Elder Park and I will both train and stay in Doe Commiity. The people there are just family to me. Definately will be hard to leave if i have to. There are some great missionaries in the apartment i will really miss too if i go. i will know in small time i guess.

I have been Praying for my baby sister all week , Im so glad she is doing alright. And get her off the Loratab quick or she will start to get sick. When the bandages come off i totally want to see some pictures, and learn all about it.
Its sad to Here about Sister Hurtado i just remember all the times we would go and bring them both the sacrament. The hurtados will be in my prayers.
Sooooo since when did Mackenzie have a boyfriend? Well guess another one bites the dust. Doesnt she know single life is the way to go. Guess not. ahah

This week is our affliction week. Non of us have any money left from our subsistence, so turning into a liberian for real. One meal a day should keep us healthy ya? haha no it will be fun. Dont worry i will be alright.
We had some really great lessons this week and if i go i know Doe Community will be in good hands. We have some really promising investigators and our branch is really starting to help out with us missionaries. We are still trying to find really good Kingdom Builders. We found a couple that live next to the Nagbes. Hopefully we will be able to go to there home and teach them and there family.

I keep talking about transfer new but i am just so anxious to hear about it. If i leave i definatly want to go far into the bush. Hopefully Kakatah but I just dont know. Maybe when President Kirkham come i will. Im kind of tired living in the city where it is always busy busy. Ahhhhh i just want to know where i am going.

Well i dont have very much time left. Please remember to write me a letter or two.  I always love to here from you all that way as well.
I love you so much and read Elder Parks blog to find out about The miracles we have witnessed this week. about a 13 year old girl.
LOVE,
Elder Skouson
(the white african)

April 15, 2013

Hello,
Well Im so happy you made the decision to go and visit the Kirkhams. I promise you i wont eat anymore monkey meat. I will try to make myself be as healthy as possible.
Ok now that i got that out of the way. I hope Millies Surgery goes very well i will keep her in my prayers. And HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOM!!!!!!! tomorrow.

So this week was Elder Park chance to lead our Companionship. He is becomin a great missionary. I think he will turn around an be a trainer if called upon. It was a very relaxing week for me not really having to worry about much just help and guide just small. I don't know what President has instore for me in this next transfer but things should be interesting. I dont want to leave but i dont know i might.

Richard and VIctoria Nagbe were Baptized this last Saturday and on Sunday were confermed. Such a wonderful spiritual experience to be able to see them grow and make coveants in the gospel. I wish you could have felt that spirit that was there at the baptism. Sweet-o.
I dont have much time but i will be quick. We had a zone Meal  on saturday and getting there i totally rained hard core. And of course i was in sandals. So me feet were really soaked. I was on a little exchange with elder Finau helping people make it to the meal. He had Elder Widdisons Guitar so we were playing a few jams before we got to the meal. Totally a ton of fun. 
Well  i dont have plenty of time but i will try to send you a picture if time permits.
I love you like Crazy.
Love,
Elder Skouson
(the White African)

April 8, 2013

Ow you Comin on??
I just want to start by saying Mom Dad family i love you all very much. Im trying to continue to do what is right. This week has been a wonderful week really been inspired to become the best missionary i can be. Before these last few week i would only try to fill the day with lessons with people not really focusing on how to best help them to progress. One night i just sat and look at all of the Brothers and Sisters that we are teaching and thought to my self what do i need to do to help these people progress in the wonderful gospel which has changed my life and many others. When i looked at it in that prospective i felt that desire for my brothers and sisters to come into the Fold of God. I felt that love that Jesus Christ would have towards everyone one around. My relationship with everybody increased. I know i am out here for a reason, though it may be hard at times but i never just want to go through the motions.

Yesterday the time of our branch was switched to 12-3pm. As i stood up in the back of the chapel with my compainion i looked at the congregation.  I almost began to cry because how much i felt like i was a part. Over 50% of the people there i have either taught or baptised in the last few months. But just like king benjamin said, I do not boast of my self. When you are in the service of your fellow beings you are only in the service of your God.  I was so happy to see that there were so many people there attending church. I realized that if i do have to leave its going to be very hard on me. One thing Elder Finau taught me is you learn how to say goodbye on your mission. totally something i never wanted to learn how to do. But that's mission life.

I really can see that putting our trust in the Lord really makes us just better individuals.

About Elder and Sister Kirkham Open House that's totally up to you. If you have the chance i would say go. They are such a wonderful couple. but if you do go you should totally give them a letter or something so they can bring it to me. Idk.

I can see that everyone's bodies at home see to be not ok. I pray for you everyday and i know everything will work out. Millie i totally want to see pictures of everything about you knee. The before and after. Btw who did you go to sadies with? and When is Prom? Sounds like my little sis is really growing up. Dr. Bigler is a good doctor and everything will work our alright. Tell him to be safe with my sister.
Again congrats to the hard working man my brother in law is. I hope Marissa is keeping you kind of normal. I hope you do well in India.
Dad i hope you are feeling better and that the drugs are doing there jobs. Mikayla keep doing what you are doing and i know the lord will bless you.

As i Said before I love you all very much. Talking to some the elders in the apartment who didn't have that same privilege of family like i have had, i have a testimony of the the family. To all you future missionaries and everybody for that matter love your family.
Love,
Elder Skouson
(the white African)

April 1, 2013

Ow di Day, Baybay,
First of all, I love you all. Its wonderful to hear about the family. It always encourages me to want to be come a better missionary. According to dads email looks like Cameron is getting bigger and bigger and cuter and millie say he still cries a lot. I'm just assuming you were talking about Ethan. Its so wonderful that you are back home and safe. I Pray for you everyday.

The ward seems to becoming on small small. Our own Branch is definately doing the same. We have about 130 people squeeze into our little chapel every week. Its always fun to see the fruits of our labor. After my companion and i taught the Investigator class/ gospel principles. Then Elder Park taught the young men class how to behave themselves and respect places like church more. After Church we went to our P.E.C. meeting and two hours later we came out. That is one thing i wish i would have gone to before mission just to see how it should run. Maybe some of you future missionaries can discuss with your ward mission leader and learn how the hand off from missionaries to the ward or branch. That would totally be useful in this missionary work. It would help them to feel more of a part to the church and that would create that desire to come to church.

Anyway during this week we had an easter program for our district, talk about a walk in the park.Not. We had to transport our investigators in taxi to The New Kru Town Branch. The SIster missionaries in our district and Elder Finau and Elder Okorobo put it on. I really understand Easter more now. I use to only think about the peep candy we would get but not now. First because there are no peeps and second because Easter is about Jesus Christ. The program went a little long but its alright. We sang "i know that my Redeemer Lives" as a district. I was able to feel the spirit a ton. Next time you sing that song listen to the words and really beleve them.

We had Baptisms this Saturday. Mary Toe, Jacob Toe and Sarah Toe were all able to make those covenants with our Heavenly Father.  Now the Whole Toe family is baptized. We had the wonderful chance to baptize brother Daniel Toe a couple of weeks ago. It was fun to see him and the happiness he has with is whole family by receiving the gospel into there lives. We Will have another baptizm on Saturday His name is Tarnue Kollie. He is a sweet young man who is just taking in the gospel so readily.
Btw Happy Relief Society Anniversary. We had the opportunity to go to it after our baptisms. Like my companion said all i can say is WOW. I just imagine the difference between the party hear and back at home. Let just say they are different. Lots of clapping and dancing little bit of Cat walk the whole nine yards. But the food is why we were invited. It was sooooo good. Had a little bit of Pigs feet which dont have very much meat on them but still very juicy.
We then had to rush back for a lesson to Richard Nagbe who is totally going to be like a stake president some day. Him and his family are so wonderful and just breathe the gospel and come to church every week. He can already see how its beginning to change him and his families lives.
For me i tring to focus myself on the work more fully. I have a love for theses people and i need to help them in the best way possible so im going back to the fundamentals. Elder Park and i are doing really great  trying to be 100% obedient and work hard 100% of the time. I'm feeling just fine now just a little bit of a cold but feeling just fine. This morning we went down to Poopoo beach, and played a little bit of basketball. I have to watch my self when i play sport cause that competitive side of me comes too easily. Im just glad its basketball because if it was something i really like it would get ugly.

Well i love you all very much and I'm feeling just fine. I love the work and i will continue to sprint throughout my mission. Tell cameron Congrats for being so stinkin cool and having opportunities our of the wazoo. Make sure to set up some things i can do when i get bakc to make a little cash. No but seriously. I love you all send my best to every one i know. And always be an example of Jesus Christ.
Love,
Elder Skouson
(the WHite African)
If you would like you can start to send some music over these emails. Maybe like some pride and predudice and michael buble christmas album. Idk i love you all.

March 25, 2013

My Dearest Family,
So guess you are just traveling the world since i left. No its fine i really like it here in Africa. I really cant wait for rainy season though, maybe for sure i'm going to get skin cancer. I think about allo those times i got burnt when i was younger and pretty much everyday i get burnt. No biggy i'm sure with the new technology they have i wont have to worry about it. NO i'm just kidding guys i'm skin is fine. Its just still really hot and i cant wait for it to cool down a little bit.
I can tell the seasons are changing a little bit cause i have a sort of cold. I really didn't know you could get a cold here in Africa but i guess you can.
This week was transfer week so we were a trio companionship for a few days till Elder Elliott was able to finally give birth. Turns out he has a son and his name is Elder Erickson. He is a sweet new member of the family and we are happy to receive him as his uncles. Ummmmm i don't really know what i just said maybe the dayquil is getting to me.
This week we didn't have baptisms which was kind of weird. I don't say that to boast or anything but its really just been a slow week. We are still teaching the Nagbe family and Toe family and they both are going to be baptized in the next coming weeks. Its so sweet to be a laborer in this fine vineyard. I truly love the work, but my skin really could use a brake. Mom maybe you can send some really good sunscreen in the next package it would totally but much appreciated. Speaking of packages i received another one this week which i am very thankful for. Thanks so much i love to get them and they really are very nice to have.
SO i have some bad news maybe that jump-rope didn't even last 24 hours before it busted. If i could could i ask for another one maybe like a big leather one. It would be so sweet. I love you very much. i don't have very much time but i just wanted you to know that i love you.
For me maybe you dont have to worry about me getting too skinny because i really have started to fatten up. Maybe the picture i sent you looks really bad and makes me look anorexic.
Maybe this emailing friends thing is still kind of weird. Its going to take some time to get use to.
I love you very much and miss you like Crazy.
Keep me Updated on everything.
Love,
Elder Skouson
(the White African)