May 20, 2013

Dear Family,

This has been another wonderful week. Just a beautiful day in the neighbor hood in Liberia. Here is some big news for you. Bro. Kollie my companion as  for now, has just received his mission call. well actually like on Tuesday so we asked permission from our Zone Leaders and we Headed out to Paynesville. Still in Monrovia just like the outskirts. It was about a 30 minutes bike ride from our area. Not gonna lie it was totally sweet just my backside was hurting after a while. It really opened my eyes to different areas in Monrovia and just made me want to move to the country side all the more. This city life is just to rough for me:) We got out there and met his family and the places he lives and works. His family is super sweet and i enjoyed the Potatoe Greens the fed us with. I also got to see my mission father who is now a Zone leader there. He is doing really good with Elder Smith. Then we sat down with his Branch President and Opened his call letter. And what do you know he was called to the Sierra Leone Freetown Mission. We were both Called to the same mission but i will never see the place he will go. He is going to be such a great missionary and i hope he will be able to see Brayden Taylor. Maybe even the Same MTC?? I hope so...

Because of all of that it was kind of slow week. But we had 3 people to baptize this past Saturday. William Gibson who is a super good guy that truly want to change and be a follower of Christ. Also we were able to baptize Angeline and Anthony Nagbe who are Richards kids. It was such a wonderful baptismal service. I loved and felt the spirit so strong during it. Such a awesome thing for them.

On Sunday we had our district Conference and let me just say that Doe Community Represented. We had over two bus full of people and more that traveled there own way. The conference was packed over 1000 people there. For me and the other missionaries shook every bodies hands and did that African snap. My fingers are so swore now because of it, but it was well worth it. We even packed the rows and halls with chairs so everybody could sit down. It was such a good day.

Well i dont have very much time I will try and get some pictures sent off i dont know if it will work though. I love you all very much and am thankful for the prayers and thoughts that are coming my way. 

Love,

Elder Skouson

(the White African)

P.s. My memory card i need is a Fujifilm memory card. Also how do you make sweet and sour sauce? Can you send me rice seasoning things like Taco Bell seasoning and others. And if there is any chance can you send me a volleyball just deflate it. Thank you and i love you.

May 13, 2013

Dear FamIly,

Long time that i have heard from you... Haha that was a joke.... ya not a very good one. Awkward......

Anyways, I loved hearing your voice and that you for the inspirational words that you have told me i hope they keep me going for about 7 ish months. (wink) 

Well today after a long night of just thinking about you all, we had our Super P-Day. I think  they spelt it wrong it was more like pooper pday. We did get a chance to play Volleyball but i think these African UV rays need a like 800 spf instead of the usual 80. Anyways my farmer tan is just coming along great.  haha.

We i will email you more next week not much to say, just keep praying for me and i have a question do you think its like wrong to pray for  a little bit Tanner skin??? Just saying  i would be kinda nice.

Well i love you all, and i will talking to you next week. Any Questions????

Love,

Elder Skouson

(the really white, turned red African)

May 6, 2013

Heeeellllllllooooooooo, (ms. Doubtfire Style)

My Dearest Family,

Well it sounds like there is both good and bad news from you guys. What is Elder Fisher doing over there in Florida?? And thank you for your much needed prayers this past week i know they have helped me with strength and endurance this past week. Its exciting for Mikayla to finally have finished school. Remember i only have an Hour to email both President Roggia and You all. I don't really email friends ( actually they dont email me) and my 10 words a minute dont really help me at all so i'm trying to write more handwriting letters so every one can feell the love.

This past week has definatly been a hard working week, now real time to dwell to much on my spots. Bro. Kollie is such a hard worker and we have just working till we just drop. On Wednesday and Thursday we planned on having over 20 lessons, because we have been so behind. We only actually accomplished 16 lessons. Crazy huh? Just trying to use my time as wisly as possible. Bro. Kollie is like i said from Liberia. He is from the Mpelle tribe which is pronounced Paylay in the back of your throat. Kind of hard to explain. sorry ya.

So Sunday was our General Conference. Totally sweet we were able to watch the first session on sunday. I totally loved it. It was really cool to see the Liberian hear Tab Choir. The Spirit was so strong when they started to sing. The people were just in awe. Amazing experience to witness.  After Conference they put in The Mutaul theme disc, Stand ye in HOly places. EITHER NOBODY TOLD ME OR I JUST MISSED THE EMAIL. SINCE WHEN IS MY WHOLE FAMLY AND UNCLES MOVIE STARS???? I totally watch the clip about Las Vegas and Zion's Youth Chior. I saw like everyone on the little TV 8000 miles away in the little Branch in DOe Community. Not gonna lie it totally almost put me in a homesick coma, but i just back to real life as i left the chapel. Elder Finau (DL) were talking about it after and he really needs to come and visit you all after mission. He is definatley one of the best singers i have every heard. 

Well speaking about home, I will be calling home just like i did at Christmas. They will give me money to call so dont worry about anything.

Again thank you very much for the Prayers. I think rainy season is coming to start. Hopefully my skin will get a little better. Dont worry about the long sleeve shirt... It will totally throw off my Farmers burn. hahaha just kidding. Just send we stuff that will start to repair my skin. Aloe Vera, Acne controlling repairing stuff. THank you and tell Mikayla i loved her Package. 

Remember, The Greatest Test Of life is Obedience.-Thomas S. Monson.

Love,

Elder Skouson

(the red/white african)

April 29, 2013

How di day???

Well if anybody is still wondering, Im right here. Elder Park has gone from me. I will miss my son but thats just how mission life is. I will remain in Doe Community and my new compainon is a branch Missionary. His name is Brother Kollie. He is from the other district in Liberia. He is just wanting for his mission call letter, which should come sometime this week.

This past week we really havnt done anything. We were moving apartments from ours to the sisters. Then the sisters to ours. We have been doing that since Tuesday last week and it took us till saturday to be able to finish. So i really have no numbers for my area because i didnt going into it till sunday. Sorry not much to say about the week.
\

It was very humbling to recieve Brother Kollie though. He came to me with really nothing besides the clothes he had on, his scriptures, and one of the strongest testimonies i have ever heard. It made me so grateful for the things that i have. I can already tell its him going to be teaching me and not the other way around. The way he knows his scriptures makes him sound like a return missionary. These next couple week are going to be so nice to see what the lord has instore for both of us. We have already begun to work very hard. In the last two days we have had 7 lessons. He is working me to the bone.

So i have some problems with my skin these past couple of weeks. I have Red almost infected dots that look like Chicken pocks all over my body. They say its is just heat rash but they did some research and said im allergic to the sun??? Ya it hit me as a shock. Please pray that these things will move from me so i can continue the work with no problem

I love you all so much. Mission is so sweet! Being obedient is the way to go. No lie. 

Love,

Elder Skouson

(the WHite African)

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)