March 3, 2014

Dear Family,

Just another usual week here in Harbel. No bush hikes today to see the country side.

We had the opportunity to do some service this last week on Thursday. Our neighbor was working on some land behind her house to remove the brush so she could start to have her own garden. We offered our help thinking just brushing and moving some small weeds was just a small task. 

After hours of work and gallons of sweat we finally we cleared most of the brush from off the ground and burnt the rest. She was so thankful to see her yard when she returned home from selling at the market. She cooked us some plantain and put red oil on top. I was very good and makes you full after just a little bit which was great. Now every night since we did the project she has cooked for us. 

To be honest she wasn't too welcoming to us missionaries before. We would always say hello but she just kept her distance. Her heart has really been soften because of this simple act of service that we did.

I had kind of forgotten how you feel after doing a service project. Truly when you are in the service of your fellow beings you are only in the service of your god. Mosiah 2:17. Well of course we felt exhausted but our spirit were full. 

On Saturday we made the trek up to Kakata to do some baptismal interviews again. I had the greatest experience sitting down with a 8 year old boy named Uraus. I sat down with him and talked with him and asked him the questions i am supposed to ask, he was very sincere in answering the questions i asked him. It was just a good time to sit down with this small boy. I asked him if he would pray he said yes and we kneeled down and began to pray. This was the most sincere prayer i have ever heard. He went from each member of his family and tanked god for each and every one of them. Then he asked for forgiveness for saying mean things to his sister. he paused then said, "Sorry". by the end of his prayer i just wanted to give this boy a big hug. Even now when i write about it i feel that spirit i felt when he gave that prayer. 

Truly there was a strong relationship can communication between Uraus and Heavenly Father. Made me really think about how my prayers were if i had the same sincerity when i asked for forgiveness. I learned so much from this 8 year old boy that i will never forget.

I just finished reading two books by David A Bednar called "Increase in Learning" and "Act in Doctrine". These are books i highly recommend that you should read and take the time to study them. They have opened my eyes to not just reading the Book of Mormon but studying it and apply the things i understand. Since i am still going through the Book of Mormon i am seeing about what i can understand about the Atonement and also the Character of Christ. These two go hand in hand which i never really thought about before. But i am just working hard to prepare my self spiritually every day. 

Thank you for the continual love you have show me throughout my mission. Please continue to do so. I live off of it. Remember missionary opportunities aren't very hard to come by but just try by opening your mouth. Heavenly father puts the words that you need to say right in your heart.  

Love,
Elder Skouson.