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