1/6/14

Dear My Family,
 

Well this has been my first full week in the Beautiful Harbel. Elder Oni and I have been working like mad men to get this area into tippy top shape. President expressed some interest in the branch and some things that they need more of. Harbel is really at the bottom right now, just because it is a young and inexperienced branch. We meet for only two hours on Sunday or Chruch. We finally are getting a Elders Quorum President soon followed by a Relief Society President. The thing that is just so wonderful about having a branch way out in the bush is because the influence of branches in town isn't there so we are able to start from scratch. Hense " Starting from the bottom, now we are here. We are really working towards helping this branch. 

Just like you will read in my email to President we have been praying for families who can read. Heavenly Father is hearing our prayers and leading us to those people. We need to be teaching potential leaders and right now we definitely are. 

We had a great lesson yesterday with one of these young couples. They have been together for 10 years and just are a good example of what i would like me and my future wife to be like. We started off by really getting them to think about each other and really showing them that the best thing that happened to either of them was finding each other. From there we had them hooked. We talked small about how the man is the head and the women is neck of the household. She (Sis. Jeanette) loved that. Later on in the lesson as we invited them both to be baptized we really could see how this was the truth. Sis. Jeanette said yes right away but it took Bro. Thomas a quick glance and a hard stare from his wife to say yes. Really funny to watch. We helped them understand that it was through prayer that they would be able to know if our message was true. 

We are just having a blast teaching wonderful people all day everyday. You know those times in life when you ask yourself is this the "best" thing i could be doing right now, right now i know it is yes. Elder Oni only has a couple of months left and we are trying to finish him off strong. He is such a wonderful example to me and keeps me focused on this work. 

I love being a missionary working with super great people and seeing how Jesus Christ can really help people to feel better and have true happiness in this life. I love you all very much and cant wait to hear from you next week. 

Love,

Elder Skouson

P.S. Happy 2014!!!!

Dear President Kirkham,

My Family is doing very well just like we had talked about during my interview with you. It's great to actually know a thing or two about the gospel, putting it really into practice, and seeing how Jesus Christ can change lives and seeing that with my own family. Before mission i took many things for granted form my parents and just expected so much from them all the time. This soon changed when i became a missionary and started to do things for myself. It was now my decision if i wanted to be good or not. To be obedient to the rules or just let a few slide. My parents did a very great job of being behind me and encouraging me to do what is right but now there is no one to impress besides Heavenly Father. Ever since i realized this, i feel myself growing up; not really in age or statue but in maturity in the gospel.

Its been just a wonderful first full week in the great Harbel. Elder Oni and I are working very hard and seeing so many miracles in focusing our minds on our people. From talking with you President on the way to Harbel we talked about a few things the Branch needs from a missionary point of view. We talked about the need of literate women who would be great leaders. We also talked about the need of strong families who also could read and write. As i came i could see these same needs. As a District in Harbel we have began to pray for these specific people each and everyday, and what miracles we have seen. Every day this week we have sit down teaching potential families who could read very well even gospel literature which can sometimes be hard for even me.

President I really enjoyed Mission Council for the New Year. I came expecting to start this New Year in 2014 off right, and that's exactly what happened. I wanted by the end to have good New Year Resolutions and i fell like i do. It was very inspired to have this year be a Book of Mormon year. I am excited to focus on this particular scripture through the start of this year. 

We have decided to make this a Book of Mormon year not only for us missionaries but also for the people we teach both investigators and recent converts. Already we have see people make there own resolutions to prepare for baptism through gaining a testimony of this wonderful scriptures. Others many others are waiting and working towards getting there Legal Marriages. This is the problem for this year but there are all striving towards there marriages. Many of our investigators are starting to talk to President Wesseh about this marriage. 

Well President i hope this email helps you know how we are doing out here in Harbel and Kakata. We have our Zone Meeting tomorrow and will give feedback on that next week. If there is anything else you would like to know or hear about just let me know and i will do my best.

Love,

Elder Skouson