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)

March 18, 2013: Hi There

Dear Family,
Ya Hello!!!!!
SO What a Week! This week has been really great here in Doe Community. We are Finding a lot of families to teach this past few weeks. I LOVE MY MISSION!!!!! I truly enjoy it out here. WE have two families scheduled to be baptized on March 30th. They are the Nagbe's and the Toe families. They both are becoming strong families in the church. There children are loving the youth classes and primary. It wonderful how the people are just so willing to sit down and here what message we bring with us. I really do love my area and its no lie going to be really hard to leave this place. Elder Zolo just got transferred from his area and i just don't want to do that yet. I would seriously be totally fine spending my two years just in Doe Community. But i know in the next couple transfers i will be leaving and going on to "bigger and better things". For me i really want to go out into the bush if i went anywhere.
Anyways sorry just had to put my feelings out there. This past week was very interesting. We went to go and eat an FM. We had a really good duck and it was some really nice potato greens. It was really nice to hang out with the district and just have a meal. I also had some ice cream for the first time in a couple months. It was pretty big too like the size of a McDonald Cone. Didn't taste like that but still. After i ate it, it really upset my stomach. I hope that was just a fluke, because when i get back i getting some on the way home from the airport.
I'm really trying hard to refocus myself on my mission, there are definitely things i want myself to become better at. I'm doing well here in Liberia. Keep sending letters and packages... speaking of packages i received two today. I got one from The Stout Family which i thank them very very much. Also i received one from you Mom. I love you soooo much. Thank you very much. BTW they just changed the rules for emails. We Can email friends too. This is so sweet. So if you would like shoot me an email. No lie this is going to be really weird at first.
I don't have too much time though computers turned off.
I love you so so so very much.
Happy Birthday Mikayla,
Love,
Elder SKouson
(the white African)

Sweet Family of Mine

Ohhhh wooo woo Sweet Family of mine,

Sorry you put 'son of mine' and just turned me back to our high school talent show when we lip synced that song.
Anyway you had a question about rainy days/ season, the only reason we stayed in is because my companion ELder Park does not have boot yet. We normally would still go out even if it is raining. Rainy Season begins like the end of April beginning of may. Not gonna lie its going to be really nice when that happens because it drops a good 15 degrees and about 10 in our apartment. SO instead of it being 92 in our apartment it will be about 82.

So since when does my little sister get hurt????? This cannot happen what the heck? I knew she hurt her knee but an ACL tare. This is no good looks like i'm going to have to coach her from here on how to get back on tract in the least amount of time. If you were here i would run her over to the nearest medicine women and have her do some Ju-Ju and she would be fine in no time at all. Just let me know if i can do anything to help. And btw go to SPORTS PHYSICAL THERAPY don't go to the awkward old man that just rubs your fingers for an hour and sends you on your way. I really wish i could be there to help.
Umm so we are in the internet cafe we always go to and there is a lady next to me who is sitting in front of the fan. Lets just say she doesnt smell very good and its all blowing straight at me. Sorry ya.

Congrats to Mikayla on getting that job sounds so sweet. Sounds like the perfect location too you could visit your old job at the flower shop as well. Btw Happy Birthday In a few days crazy to think its your Birthday already. I hope it is a wonderful one. How long until you finish your student teaching? And i haven't seen any pictures of you at the temple so if you wouldn't mind i would love to see some.
Question the name popped up again, Who is Deborah Weed? I have a picture of her in my photo album and still i don't know who she is.

So for me i really don't want to eat monkey meat cause i know how bad it can be for me but its really almost offensive to ask what meat is this. I know i will be blessed as i keep the rules so i will try very hard not to eat the monkey meat.

Well this week Missionary wise was very very good. I think i talked about the man who wasn't married Daniel Toe, i know that our prayers have been answered this week because he was married last week on Tuesday and was able to keep his baptism date of last Saturday. It was a wonderful opportunity for him to enter into the waters of baptisms. He is a wonderful older man and his kids and his wife are going to be baptized on March 30th. We are also teaching The Nagbe Family. Richard Nagbe three weeks ago came to church randomly just wanting to know what the latter day saints were all about. He came to the church and just felt the power of the holy ghost and knew it was true. He has brought his family the last two weeks and they are all just so prepared by our heavenly father. We as missionaries have truly done close to nothing. The just soaked up the church just like a sponge.

Its so wonderful to see and look for the hand of the Lord in our day. I would encourage you to look for it to. I know he is here in Liberia helping the people accept the gospel. He guides us missionaries to the people who are ready and willing to accept the gospel.

This week i had this wonderful idea but i need your help to accomplish this. So i was looking at E. Humpheries Miniture Book of Mormon which i really want by the way. Wink Wink Nudge Nudge. And i thought how cool it would be to have people from home Highlight a few versus from The BOM which really have inspired them or hepled them in anyway and just explain how it has on a posted note. That would be totally cool to do maybe pass it around at church for a few weeks even friends from school or people i know. I would really love that if it could happen. Even in letters you could tell me a spiritual thought you have had throughout the week or just anything.

 Well I don't have very much time but i love you all very much and miss you like crazy. If you are ever thinking of me just shoot me a quick dear Elder or a little Email if you are family. :)

For always and Forever,
Elder Skouson
(the White African)

March 4, 2013 Hello Dere

Dear Family,
Olo oh sorry Hello.
So maybe today is Super P-day and i was able to watch MEGAMIND!!!!!!! Wow i almost had forgotten how good that movie was. Well let me start with this morning we first got up at 630 to go and play basketball!!! Maybe if we continue to play every week for the rest of my mission i might be able to dunk or just make a layup. We then has small personal study on the beach again. I cant describe how cool it is just to sit out and look at the ocean sometimes. Well and after that we went home took showers and went to Duala to the big church to have super P-Day.
Anyways that was just today this last week has been good though. Like i said last week that Young Girl got a little bit of help and went to the clinic to get some treatment and some liquids in her. She came back on i think Thursday and she is able to keep food down. Many prayers have been answered this past week. We really were questioning if she was going to see the next day. I know that the Lord lives and helps people in this day as well as in days of old. She is coming on small small or she is recovering and will soon be back to normal.
You ask how is the branch is doing since Elder Kouao left? And have they received us into the branch?
Interesting question, so the branch is doing really well and we are really focusing on helping the branch become a strong branch. We are helping people magnify there callings. But still i'm no Elder Kouao, i'm trying become a better missionary but we have hit a few speed bumps this week. Two of our brothers we found out yesterday aren't married. This is Really kind of hard on us because we work so hard and they are so good and just cant be baptized because they haven't married there women.
We also had some very good news though, a whole family walked through the church doors yesterday. We went to there house and sat down and taught a small lesson and they all committed to be baptized. Its so wonderful to see how the Lord has prepared the people here.
Elder Park and I are working very hard and hopefully going to reach our goal of 12 baptisms in March. If more people were married we would definitely reach our goal. We will continure to do our best as missionaries and turn the rest over to the Lord. I know i have said this before but Training really teaches me a lot. I have a ton of responsibility placed on my shoulders that if i was back at home and not set apart i think i would crumple under the weight. I know between my companion and the Lord we are all yoked together. Its so nice having a companion who has the same goal as mine. We are really making sure are converts are converted and want to be apart when they become members of the church.

Oh about the egg sandwich i eat every night... yes it is true she actually does chew up some of the herbs and then spits it into the eggs. I think its kind of funny how everybody is grossed out about that. That really is nothing compared to some of the things i eat. Pig and Chicken feet i'm starting to really enjoy. The cow skin is still a little weird and my favorite is Monkey. Don't Tell President. Well its not actually our fault we are eating it. The members sometimes just give it to us and we don't know what it is. We cant exactly stop eating half-way though too. But we found out that a live monkey you can buy for 700 LD which is about 10 US. Have i been tempted???...... Yes very, monkeys are just so sweet.

Well I don't have plenty time left but i have bought and paid for my African suit which is 35 US. Now i'm just waiting for it to be tailored. I will try to sneak a pic or two next week. I know its going to be pretty sweet i'm really excited for it. I don't think i will wear it much here but it will definitely come home with me.

I love you all very very much and cant wait to hear from you next week. Tell everybody i said hi.
Love,
Elder SKouson
(the white African)

Feb 25, 2013 Liberia Monrovia - A New Mission

Wow crazy week its so amazing to see how the work is going forward. Not gonna lie being in Liberia we really only here things that happen in the world from email and once and a while from our mission president.  SO what I'm trying to say here is keep telling me everything that is happening. I'm so thankful for you being so supportive to me. BTW our new mission president is going to be Elder Kirkham one of the senior couples on mission now so its pretty sweet. I'm so glad too if it was any other person it would take so long to get the mission back up and running after the Roggias leave.

Its sweet to here about all of my friends receiving mission calls and leaving to various parts of the world. Girls no matter what your decision is whether its going on a mission or not i know that the lord will bless you. The Prophet has not yet said (or that i have heard) that girls are commanded to serve missions. I was reading an article in the liahona about "the Decision". Its really between you and the lord. I dont think anybody should judge someones DECISION. This is just for the women. Guys get your butts out on missions.

 This is true. For true. I think of how maybe i would have prepared alot more during my senior year in high school. I know one thing for sure. Whether you are going on a mission or still deciding Be a Boy/GIrl Scout and BE PREPARED. Prepare by doing the little things. Read your scriptures small small everyday. Most importantly develop a relationship with our heavenly father by Praying Everyday. This is so vital and important for a mission. You have to have the spirit to be your constant companion or really you cant do anything. Oh and dont just read the scriptures, STUDY them. Focus mainly on the book of mormon but also know the bible. Use Preach My Gospel to help you on your way to your mission. Dont think that if you dont go on a mission you cant be a missionary. Look around there are people everywhere who need the gospel of jesus christ in there lives. Sorry i kind of went on a tangent. But these things are very important so START NOW!!!!!!

Well this week in Liberia has been hard. One of our investigators has had malaria for over a month now and has lost 30-40 pounds on her little African Body. Its really hard to not being able do really anything. So please keep these people in your prayers.

People always have said missions are hard. I thought they were talking about the work when they said this. For me the work is life its just the things i cant do that are hard. Dealing with people that you absolutely love and would give your heart or kidney too and not being able to help them that's what is hard for me. I thankful of what i have in this life, i kick my self everyday about taking those things for granted when i was back home.

Today has been a wonderful day though. This morning we got up at 630 and got ready to go play some basketball next to the beach. After about an hour and a half i finally made one basket. No i joke. We then went down to the beach for some personal study. We lad on our Lapas and studied Lehi's Dream.;) No i studied in Alma about him and Amulek. It was so sweet to have our personal study with the sound of waves crashing into the beach. Felt like i was in a different mission. After that we played some Football or soccer on the beach which is always fun to stretch out our blistered ingrown toes. haha.

So this day has been sort of a break from the heck-deck week Elder Park and i had Last week.    I get to eat all the fish i want now in the meals we get from our Families we teach. Elder Park is a great missionary and its been fun getting to know him a little bit more this week.
Well i dont have a lot of time we are going to get more lapas and finish measurements for my African suit so maybe next week i will have my suit. Ah its so sweet. I'm so Excited.
I love you all very much. Remind People on Facebook to write me or dear elder me some time soon. Its always really nice to get letters they really boost my week. So sometimes the letters they don't quite get here so just keep sending them. Thank you very much.
Love,
Elder Skouson
(the WHite African)