August 26, 2013

Dear Family,

Thank goodness everything went alright. Lets pray nobody else goes under surgery while i am on mission. Its just to stinkin hard for me.

Well this week has been flying by. Elder humpheries and i are working very hard. I have been teaching him how to be a zone leader but he has been teaching me everything you need to know about the Old Testament. We are doing so great. Its been a lot of fun in our area seeing so many people willing to help us in missionary work. We are trying so hard to get the branch to be doing as much missionary work as we are. We have at least 2 branch missionaries come with us each day.

That has been really helpful because with have been dealing with a lot of African culture these past few days. One of the family's we have been teaching are bereaving and its nice to have Liberians to show us how we can express our condolences to the family.

We had the great opportunity to have President Kirkham and his wife come to our branch and give some training that really helped the branch out a bunch. We even saw him and his wife drink a soft drink they said first time in 2 years or more. Pretty cool its even hard for them to turn down food.

Well i am so glad that everything worked out just great. I am so happy that Dad is back at home now to get his rest. Thank you for the pictures even though they were a little disturbing the were comforting at the same time if that makes any sense at all. Not that i didn't believe you its just reassuring to see something.

Marissa i didn't forget. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You and your family are looking great sounds like your not feeling great, just remember its your birthday you can cry if you want to. cry if you want to. or cry if you want to.

Well i have to make this short, but i love you very much i am continually praying for you all. Thank you for all your prayers coming my way i definitely need them. Just know i am working hard, keeping the missionary rules and love the work i am doing. There is really no greater work i could be doing at this time in my life.

Love,
Elder Skouson

(the white african)

August 19, 2013

Dear Family,

This week has really opened my eyes to many things. Things that i need to work on, things i need to remember and things that just don't really matter that much. Us as missionaries we teach about the eternal perspective everyday. But sometimes we don't even know the full extent of it. I pray that everything will go fine these next few days with surgery and everything. I want to know all about it. (cause you know i going to be a brain surgeon when i get back). 

Yes it is true Elder Finau has left me to go out into uncharted territory, Kakata and Harbel are waiting for him as we speak. Elder Humpherys will be my new companion. I will be teaching him how to be a Zone leader as he teaches me to be a District Leader. He is super funny and really smart so i cant wait to learn from him.

We had a great day Saturday participating in the All Africa service Project. We decided to clean some of the main road in Doe Community. Really sweet to see the support we had from our branch as well as many people outside.

My i just say thank you very much for the Packages i received. I got 4. 3 for my birthday packages and 1 from Christmas time from Mikayla. Wooooo hoooo i have been waiting forever for them and they came at a great time. We live the law of consecration for real out here so they are all divide up between those who did not receive any. Elder Finau took most out to kakata with him. Maybe in a transfer i will be out there with him. I don't know but i know that would be so sweet. The field is truly ripe and ready to harvest. President Kirkham told the kakata missionarys to recite Alma 26:22 everyday before the go out. He also emphisized on the Thousands they would bring in. 

One of our Baptismal candidates passed away last night about 8 pm. If you could keep Bro. Chea family in your prayer it would be much needed. We know he is being taught the remaining lessons on the other side of the veil. Truly a great man. 

Thank you for the prayers and thoughts put towards my direction. As i am given new responsiblities and oppunities I difinatly need those Prayers. I really hope everything will be alright with everyone. I know this gospel is true, i am having such a wonderful time out here in Liberia. These things that i have learned will truly bless my life for years to come. 

I love you all and pray for you constantly. 

Love,

Elder Skouson

( the white african) 

P.s. Happy 10 months. hahaha

August 5, 2013

Dear the greatest Family in the world,

Thank you so much for the birthday shout outs. Especially the support I am receiving to keep me out here on mission in best mission in the world. Thank s Grandma for the support you have given me.I know you prayed me to come and serve exactly were i need to be.
Well just because it is my birthday doesn't mean the worked has slowed at all I love the work i am learning so much.

I am still working very hard and am continuing to be blessed. Thank you again for the support. I haven't gotten the packages yet but hopefully soon. Sorry about the short emails but just know that i love you very much.

Love,

Elder Skouson

(the white african)

July 8, 2013

Hey i forgot to tell you i need new retainers for my teeth... they fell apart and got eatin by africa. Also i need a new memory card because i am almost filled my first one. thank you.

Just a few pictures from the area... Sweet-o

i like these two pictures because they are us in action. and these monkeys are sweet. i totally love them.

July 1, 2013

My dearest Family,

Well how di day. This week has been one for the books. At least for the angels and there silent note taking. No this week was a great week. On Friday we got a little view of what this mission is turning into by going into the mission home to pick up a few things. Can i just say WOW. Air conditioning, Sea side view, computers, actual power all the time, and what do you know an actual washing machine.hahah it was pretty abnormal to see one of those things. I can see there is going to be many improvments in this mission when President Kirkham has engaged in the work. Its good to go and see town life every once and a while to readjust to real life. Well to be honest i kind of just going into a modern day coma. 

We have been working very hard to get ready for Saturday. We had a baptismal service that we had to put on and we have been worried about our pump to get the font full. Thankfully our font is outside and i has been raining quite a bit, it really didn't look the pretties but the baptism was able to go on. My Companion baptized Watta H. a young girl who has really improved and become converted to the gospel, L. B. who has had a hard time before with drugs and different worldly things, and an old papa Issac M.. All three of these people really have had to have huge changes in life to turn there life to christ. Isaac massaquoi is a 69 year old man who is just the sweetest guy ever. Every time we pass his house he is doing three things; working in his yard, studying the Book of Mormon, and sleeping. Here is a man who has work all of his life and still going strong. He has a huge problem with ants in his yard and its because of one tree. This tree is about 30 feet tall and we offered our help to remove it. SO Saturday was the day. We gathered up our district for a great hard working service project. It took us about four hours to cut the tree down and cut it into sections using hand axes and machetes. Totally fun thing to do. Now we are all super sore and just beat. Papa Isaac worked the hardest. he would transfer the machete from his hands to his mouth to pick up palm frans. He kind of looked like a pirate when he would do that.

To end this great week we went to a Birthday party for a couple in our branch and thats where the pictures are from. There are very sweet and good to us missionaries. The Zeahns are a sweet family and very strong and active in the church. This missionary work is just so sweet.

We have really been searching for new investigaotrs and praying that the branch would help us out in that regard. From all of our labors these last couple of day the fruits are beginning to be very sweet. Our heavenly father is very mindful of this work and protects us missionaries. I feel more guided then i have ever been before i my life. 

My companion and i are still working out our Coconut challenge. We are learning to stick to our goals. I know heavenly father has sent me to this place to help me see what i am made of. I love this gospel and the help and comfort it provides for each and everyone of us.

I love you all very much. I hope you know i am still sprinting. 

Love,

Elder Skouson

(the white african)

PICTURES June 25, 2013

June 25, 2013

My Dearest Family,

Well another week has just past sometimes it is really crazy how fast it goes by. Not complaining but just being completely immersed in the work has just been wonderful. 

This week im am finally getting to know my way around the bush. I am starting to know the names of streets and different things which is just great. We still get 3 FMs every day. Which has kind of been weighing us down in a lot of ways. To keep ourselves up to speed we have now created the Coconut Challenge. 

SO my companion and i are now addicted to Coconut we have to have one like everyday. They are sooooo good. and  because they are so stinkin good we have come up with goals that we have to keep and complete throughout the week in order to treat ourselves to one every day. They are simple things like actually work out in the morning. Read the Book of Mormon at night for 30 minutes and write in our journals everyday. We do this for a whole week. Monday to Sunday. If we miss any of these things throughout the week, no coconuts the next week. This is a simple but very challenging task at the same time. You can apply it for anything. You dont nessary have to have coconuts to make this a challenge. It is a wonderful way to keep yourself constantly trying for something. You have goals in life but sometimes it is hard to accomplish them. Use something you love to gamble with. If you accomplish the goal you reward yourself if you dont you have to take that thing you love away. If you dont it will never work out.

I dont really know why i went on that tangent but it is something i have learned in the past week or so. I give you the challenge. You must come up with your own coconut challenge and stick to the plan you have set. 

But this week has been a great missionary week as well. We have been working and walking a ton. We are just working as hard as possible and we are using our time wisely. I love this work, it is so rewarding. I realize everyday how important it is and i just love the people here, We are helping 3 people to come and be baptized this week. I will tell you more about the next week. Truly wonderful converted people to this gospel. 

Not got too much time, i love you all very much and i will write more next week. Keep the Faith my brothers and sisters in the gospel.

Love,

Elder SKouson

(the white african)