Photos!

October 7, 2013

Ya hello,

I hope you dont mind if i kind of ignore the fact that both of my parent are completly falling apart!!!!! Know that i love you very much and that i care for your condition you are in at the moment but i know absolutly that Heavenly Father also knows the sitution you are going through alot more then i do and he cares for you too. Please keep me updated on everything because i just have to know. Really i will kind of fall apart if i dont know the things that are going on with everyone at home. They are just stored towards the back of my brain though so i can be President Kirkhams third brain.

Speaking of being Pres. Kirkham third brain, i really have just gone through the busiest most exhausting week of my life.

Here is just a brief schedule of my past week:

Monday: sent 4 of the best missionaries home back to America. Travel arrangements everything.

Tuesday: Numbers for mission small planning to prepare instructions for the next 3 days.

Wednesday: Training The Trainners meeting. (instruction from APs 5 hours) super long meeting in which we trained the trainers how to train new missionaries coming straight from MTC.

New missionaries arrived latter that day. Feed them and gave them small first day instruction and tried to be a good example of a missionary.

Thrusday: Orientation for the New Missionaries (again a 3 hours instruction from us) after they learned small about the culture and everything here in Liberia we sent them out to there trainers to have there first real missionary day.

Friday: Mission Council Meeting. (again a 4 hour instruction from you know who) This meeting invovles all the Zone leaders and Sister Training Leaders(such an inspired thing to have STLs). Very important meeting as well to rely the information president would like us to pass on. Such as how to get better member presents inside our lessons, having nightly devotionals and a few more things.

Saturday: Baptisms for the wonderful sisters missionaries in our branch and prepare for the Area Doctor coming in this next week. Making doctor appointments doing follow up calls with Zone Leaders.

Sunday: First time i really got to meet member of the Sinkor Branch. For us we have a very small proselyting area and we were able to see some of our investigators. Really sweet.

There were alot of things i left out because i would be writing forever just trying to tell you all the things we did this last gone week.

PHEWWW!!!

I just want you to know i have had a Busy week.

Our true reward was Sunday Night. We have a white american Man who is a member and about to be called as Elders Quorum President who lives here in our Branch Boundaries. He invited us over to break our fast and also to listen tomonday morning session of General Conference.

Mom i have always liked you have gone into conference with certain questions so i decided to have my own and think about them through the two hours that i listened. I definatly got answers to some of my questions i am waiting for the liahona for the other ones.

One quote i really liked was this " We must become the ROCK, the River cant wash away!" The talk was talking about how are bodies need to be in good physical shape if we want to run a marathon, same with our Spirituality shape if we want to endure this wonderful life then we need to be ready now. Such a great talk. Really all the talks were very good.

 The food Bro. Andersoncooked.... Wow. Like a cream of chicken soup with rice and it was just so american and sooooo good. My gut was full after that. Even he had Apples as a side dish which are just deserret to me. But after we ate until we almost burst he brought out a wonderful chocolate cake with homemade frosting. It sent me into a deibetic coma. Luckly i am not diebetic. but it was so good. I sat on a real couch. just really an out of body exerience. Its going to be really hard when that is just the normal everyday living when i go back home.

 

I really was just a fantastic week. I loved every minute of it. I am having so much fun and completely enjoying my mission. Mission has definetly become life. Weird sometime when i think about that i actually have to leave this place in a year. Maybe i will try to extend small?? If President lets me maybe just for a transfer and be back home by Thanksgiving. Thats alright right??

 

Like i said before i truly love you so much and miss you. I love to hear from you and everything you say really helps me to be more focused on the work, if that makes since. I love you.

Love,

Elder Skouson

(the White African)

P.S. This is the email i sent to my mission President, what a great man he is.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dear President Kirkham,
President thank you for giving me this wonderful opportunity to be your assistant. This past week was definitely the busiest week I'm pretty sure in my whole entire life. It was good though i really learned a lot. And i feel like i have had to learn a lot. I really would like you to help me in anyway you see fit. I have become cleaner from being here. I have been trying to listen to the spirit in every part of my day ( not just when i am Teaching). I have realized how important it is to Let the holy Spirit Guide.

Something Elder Pentreath and I have talked about is how to ask good questions. I feel as though i really struggle on that at least in giving instruction. I mostly don't know what to say when i am instructing. Maybe you can give me a few pointers and i will try hard to apply them. I know its my first week but i would like to be the best i can be so i would really love your insight on how to become a better person and leader.  So let me know what you think.

This week i have realized that many times i have been a silent leader just showing by example. I have see in some situations that that is not always the best type of leadership. It needs something else with being the example. I think that it is love also behind the Leadership we give. When we love the person and we show that love to them, they very easily and readily except the leadership you are giving them. That have come in play in my mission quite a few times throughout my mission. Elder Okunrobo is a perfect example. In the MTC i was going through the rough part of mission adjusting to a having a companion,  new country,culture, and everything in between.  Elder Okunrobo came to me and helped me out when i though all is lost. He wiped my tears off my face, and in that moment i knew there was a reason to stay on mission.  Maybe this is why i will defend Elder Okunrobo with my life. Because of his example of Christlike love I really owe my missionary life to this man who saved me at a time when i thought all was lost. I have seen countless others throughout my life and on mission who are great examples. I would just like you to know that this Gospel can really change a person for the better. My mission has been a wonderful time for me to see this so many times. No matter the problem or situations they are facing in life, through the atonement they can change and become more converted to the Gospel.  If feel that because of my mission i can now endure whatever trials come my way. The people with such great examples i have seen are just looking at the saviors example and applying it into their lives.  I hope i am able to do the same.
But my work here i not close to finishing so i hope i will continue to learn and experience so much. I know that our Heavenly Father loves us very much. He knows exactly what we need to make us grow and become better. I know that mission is the best choice i could have ever made.

Even though it was a crazy week we were still able to spend small time with the branch. Sinkor Branch is really sweet and i cant wait to get to know more people inside so we can help it progress as much as possible.
Well lets start off another great week here again. Thank you president very much for your example you have show to me. It will be my pleasure to be your assistant.
Love,
Elder Skouson
P.s.  I enjoyed playing Table Tennis Today thank you for letting us come over.

September 30, 2013

Dear Family,

 

Well the rumors are true. I have made a new step in my mission. I recieved a call from President Kirkham on this last gone Friday asked me if i would be his assistant with Elder Pentreath. Elder Pentreath is my old District Leader when i first came on mission. President Kirkham told me i would be going to the mission office today and now i am here. I have big shoes to fill and really have no idea what i am doing here. I am living in the most beautiful home in Liberia, and i really love the gorgeous ocean view. But other than that i would say i am nervous. This is going to be a time to turn away from myself and leave it all to my heavenly father.

Before i leave it entirely i just want to talk about my home away from home for just a moment. This last gone week Elder Humpherys and i didnt really get anytime to be inside Doe Community. Being my last week in the Branch i was ask to give my testimony during sacrament meeting. The podum must have been covered with just chopped onions or something cause not only i was leaking but a lot of people in the congregation. Why do we have to leak out of our eyes just makes us all look bad? Idk but the meeting was so spiritual. There was a smaller number of people there because of the rain but still it was such a wonderful  service. We met with a few members after the chruch and took some pictures just a good day.

 Elder Humpherys and i had one of the most interesting weeks both of us had ever had. So many oppoutunities to serve. On Friday again our Zone had a service project for a members house which crumbled in a massive rain storm. Thankfully nobody was hurt in that and everybody is alright. So we began to build back the walls and roof. But during the project an elderly man needed literally to be carried to the hospital because he was sick and hadnt eat or drinking in almost a week. Elder Humpherys and i carried him to the taxi and then into the hospital. Because he hadnt taken anything to eat, he had no control over his body. very difficult to transfer him from place to place. But i think he is doing much better now that he is in the hospital.

I cant express to you enough how much i love my mission. First assignment as the new AP was to get the Dieing missionaries to the airport. Very difficult to see them go such wonderful examples to me over this last year. I will really miss there presence here on mission.

Well we have areally crazy week we are planning for so i have to stop writing and get back to work. I will tell you more next week. I love you all so much.

Love,

Elder Skouson

( the White African)

September 23, 2013

Dear Faimly,

Hey how di day???

This week has been a very full week of working hard. Elder Vinson for the Seventy came to Liberia. We had a wonderful Zone Conference about How to be better missionaries. Our APs talked to us then President Kirkham who talked to us about Member Presents. Then we heard from Elder Vinson. He gave us the simple instruct to not only listen to what he has to say but what the spirit says and testifies to us. This conference i really tried hard to listen to that still small voice. At first there was nothing but as i tried harder i had thoughts put into my mind that i had never really thought about before. It was cool to be there in this conference. Elder Vinson is straight up powerful. If you read about his conversion story it is really cool as well. Sister vinson (Elder Vinson's wife) told us more about that. That he was a strong man inside his church and she converted him and now he is a General Authority. Really a sweet story. He knows the scriptures backwards and forwards especially the Bible and Old Testament. He talked about "considering our Ways" in the book of Haggai. Very wonderful to hear his great instruction. 

After the Conference he then decided to do Apartment Inspections. He only had time for about 3 apartments but Mom you should be very proud. President and Sister Kirkham walked in taking pictures to show what a clean apartment should look like. They all were very impressed with our kitchen and floors and really everything. Let me just give a quick shout out. I just want to thank my Mother for teaching me know to clean things good, and her mother my grandmother for teaching her. Ya we got an A+.

This week has also been a good one inside good ole Doe Community Branch. We are teaching a women from Sierra Leone and i be learnin de krio small small. She has had a problem with smoking and drinking in the past. When we were on Exchange with the APs Elder Willis and i decided to change our lesson to The Word of Wisdom the second lesson and wow what a change she has made. She came that sunday into church almost yelling at me that her body had never felt better. She says she could breath so well and her mind was clear. Really just another testimony to me to how important Gods commandments are. She is truly talking and using the Atonement in her life.

Yesterday at our PEC meeting the Branch President President Slamie gave us an Assignment. Becuase i have almost been inside Doe commuinty for close to a year, i happen to know most of the people inside the branch. Here in Liberia we are just starting to get solid records and they are finally going in the computers.There is a lot of missing information which my companion and i are going to go out a get from many of these members. It might even be my last week inside Doe Com. Hopefully not but transfers are next week. I guess we will see. If so its a great oppourtunity for me to see everyone before i go.
 

Thank you so much for getting me that information about the Military. I would definitely go the officer route, but one last quick question to clear my mind small. Would i be able to stop after those 4 years of service or still have to remain in? I would like the military to pay for my schooling where ever it may be. And then start my own career after sometime. and Do they pay you for your service every year the 45000 or just the years you serve??

Dont worry i am still working hard as i can. I love you all so much and thank you for the amazing support you have for me.

Love,
Elder Skouson

P.s. Its coming to be dry season. Will you send me Aloe Vera?? Gold bond medicated powder?? and Gold bond lotion ultimate healing with aloe vera. Food seasoning especially (spaghetti and chicken seasonings). 

P.ps. Happy Late birthday to ELder Harper and Happy birthday to ELder Fisher.

September 16, 2013

My Dearest Family,

Just letting you know I am trying to do my best. I have been given very much on this mission, and i am trying to use my specific talents and abilities for righteous purposes. In all essence i read the book how to be an Extraordinary Missionary. I know i am far from being that but i am trying small smalll. I read that extraordinary missionaries polish there shoes not just wipe them off with a wet rag. Because i am starting small small i started with that. Guess what, my shoes are black, for the longest time i thought they had just turned brown. These little things that i have tried to make better/cleaner are really helping me to be the missionary i need to be.

Well this week has been great one of the families i have been teaching even before i went to Gardnerville was baptized. The Giddings family are so great. Every week a church the family come 10 minutes before and Sits as a family. Because of our small efforts the lord really has used us to do his work. We converted the youngest in the family (Jamama Giddings) back with Elder Park since that time we have been working with Moses Giddings the father and just recently the mother. Now Both father and mother are baptized. The last who we are now currently working with is Evenlyn Giddings. Before her mother was baptized she didnt want to even speak with us. Now she too come to church early and every activity we have there. She will be getting baptized and confirmed the beginning of October. Elder Humpherys and I are working very hard in every aspect of the work. 

To answer some quick questions of yours Yes i am taking medicine everyday. It is called Doxycicline also i take my Multi -vitimins everyday. I wont need more vitimins. I have the lemon oil and have began to use it. You are welcome to send me some again if you would like. Maybe even more kinds. Btw i need more toothpaste. I like the red tube the enamel white by colgate.I still have a camera. I will work of sending the memory chip.

I have a few questions for you now. Be prepared....

What if i were to join the military when i got back home?? Maybe follow the example of my cousins Cyle. Go and serve for a few years and get that under my belt. I know with military its not a step in step out kind of thing. If you can send me some info about that. Different options i could do. Go through college get out as an officer??? I cant really remember the whole system. Will you let me know on that?? Maybe ask Cyle Adair his thought on it. Is it worth it?? 

Its really been on my mind a lot lately. I just would like some info or even how i could do it if i could.

WEll no time, I love you all so much i will try to answer questions and i hope you will too. 

Love,

Elder Skouson

(the white african)

Who are some soon to be missionaries in our ward??? Is millie plannin on a mission??

September 9, 2013

Hello Mi Familia,

This week has been a great week just to let everything out. No pun intended. No but seriously its been great to get some time for some extra study and just building my testimony. I have never been one who knows everything about the gospel and trys to know deep doctrine but i know that the gospel is true. I had the opportunity to read a few Liahonas general conference additions. I still just got a major gospel talk crush on Elaine S. Dalton. I'm not really sure why but i think it is just those simple sayings that she talks about that just really hit the spot. Mom i can remember you always quoting things like that so that probably why it has such a profound effect on me. As we had a leadership meeting in which my companion and i conducted i reflected back on one of those profound simple sayings. This time it was "Whatev'e thou art, act well thy part." We introduced this as our Leadership Meeting theme. It simply just means what ever thing you are doing, do your very best at it. In this talk she was explaining about a time when she went traveling on the BYU folk dance club. At this time she felt very alone and depressed she saw this and it lifted her spirits. (Interesting that i found this quote when i was in a similar situation.)  Well needless to say it too lifted my spirits and made things just come out so much easier. Again no pun intended.  But don't worry i didn't stop just with sister Dalton after she is now released but i have to say my favorite apostle is Definitely Elder Jeffery R. Holland. The way he describes more complex doctrine is easy to understand. I love the talks he gave. If you get the chance Look up the talk he gave at a CES fireside about leaving our religion at the door i highly recommend it. By the way WE NEVER LEAVE OUR RELIGION AT THE DOOR. It very good and talks about the gathering of Israel something like Israel, Israel god is calling?? calling thee from lands of woe???

As you can see i didn't do much proselyting but i did learn a lot. Amazingly we still had many of our investigators come to church. I gave one of our investigators a promise. Liberians have the best excuses of not coming to church, "the rain" " by gods grace". I gave our investigator a promise that if they come to church on time they would not be beaten by the rain. And surely it come to pass, about 10 mins after church had started the rains came down and the floods almost came into the church. Thankfully our investigators were all seated ready to listen and feel the spirit. A total of 9 came and there childern it is so wonderful to see the church progressing so much here in LIB.

Speaking of progression, Kakata has just opened and for the first time missionaries will be sleeping there on Wednesday. Elder Elliott and his son Elder Cooper we be some of the first as well as Elder Harris the great Elder Finau and two more. Hopefully sometime i will make my way out that way. So amazing if you could here about the Branch there. i am sure President kirkham has talked about it but what a miracle. WOW. the Church is True. Not only the Church but the Gospel and atonement of Jesus Christ is real. What profound effects it can have on a person if they just let it. I have been thankful enough to see it time and time again. Many wonderful stories i have witnessed and been a part of. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY, now that i have grown a foot or two.

Notice for future missionaries: I was thinking about it this last week about what a person needs to do before mission. Of course they need to study from Preach my Gospel and the Book of Mormon hard core but there are other things to work on. There is a great quote "People dont care how much you know, until they know how much you care". You can know the scriptures backwards and forwards but if you dont actually care about the person they wont ever listen to the words you are saying. Now how do you do that?? You practice now. Find and listen to the spirit now, if it isnt there fix that problem now now. Go out with the missionaries. GO TO SEMINARY. and dont fall asleep. All these small small things are cruciale to having and being a successful missionary.

Family and friends i love you very much, because of your prayers the sickness has moved and i am back and at them again. Dont worry about me i am doing great. nothing is falling out anymore everything is back in place.

Love,
Elder Skouson

(the white african)

P.s. dad great krio, but you need to work on your kolokwa. Im a liberian not from saleone.(sierra leone)

September 3, 2013

Dear Family,

Well!!!!!!!!!!! WHO IS UP FOR ROUND TWO?

This past week i have not been feeling the best. Now nobody wig out or nothing but. Round two as in Malaria and Typhoid. They are minor cases but about every two week for the last 4 months there are just days when my stomach has been just hurting. So Sister Kirkham finally decided i should go to the clinic. Couple hours of some back laboratory things found out that i "not doing ight".

Mom i dont want you to break out in hives or even stress about it. I just am telling you because you all got mad last time. Just know i will be back to normal in a few days. Just reducing small as people here say. I don't tell you this to worry you just letting you know what i am dealing with. NO WORRIES.

Despite that.... we had a great week the days we went out. On Saturday we were privileged to go to Bro. Johnson Cheas funeral. Before he passed away he was a driver for the Liberian National Police. The LNP showed up with their band which was actually pretty sweet and the prayed and played in memory of the Late Chea. It all was pretty cool. Each of the different sides of his family came and gave tribute. Even my companion Elder Humpherys and i gave our own Tribute. We Sang Hymn #165 Abide with me, and I gave a little speech on his behalf. Just explained that i had known and taught him the simple truths of the gospel. I also explained that we had taught him and he understood that this life is the time to prepare and meet God. It was a great funeral and many people had questions answered. I was just a good time for all.

We have been doing our best as a branch in Doe Community. President Kirkham made a visit to our branch and helped us out with our Branch council. THings are coming on small small.

This mission has really opened my eyes to a few things. I realized how easy it was for me to be able to come on mission with my family and friends supporting me the whole time. Elder Myaka and I had a good long conversation about his conversion to the gospel, how his family really just turned there backs on him. He also had to get all of his passport visa and everything by himself. He told me about the tender mercies the lord showered upon him at the time. Miracle after miracle happen for him as he really tired hard to earn money for his mission.

I love to be a missionary here to hear and live so many wonderfully hard experiences. I know I have been blessed to come here to Liberia at a time with so much missionary progress. Our heavenly father knows each and everyone of us and knows exactly what we need. As its states, Our ways are not his ways and our thoughts are not his thoughts. He will make a way everything will get accomplished. I am excited to be here and now.

I love you all and i am trying to work as hard as i can. Know that nothing will stop this work. If anyone trys its just like sticking your puny arm in a great river and saying that you will stop the work. (d and c 121.) I miss you and love you.

Love,

Elder Skouson

(the white african)