April 22, 2013

Helloooooo!

 

This weeks email really, really brightened my day and the upcoming week. I feel so good right now even though I'm in the middle of no-where. Its been tough with all sorts of stresses that come from being doubled in to an new area with a missionary less experienced than me. I guess you could say i'm "training". He is awesome though and I can tell he wants to work hard. Elder Coleman is an 18 year old from Provo, Utah. He reminds me most of a heavy set Jake Finch. He broke his collar bone a few weeks ago and is still recovering from the surgery. He was going hardcore mountain biking on a road bike that was, at the time, brakeless before disaster struck. He chose to stay out in the field for recovery and I respect him for that.

Church yesterday was awesome! the members here are great and love to talk. They really seemed to like us and were excited to feed us when we handed them an empty dinner calendar. We were called up to introduce ourselves and bear our testimonies. They know we're both new but they could see our willingness to work hard. As I was speaking I remember feeling so much more relaxed and comfortable. The mission is changing me! The people here love to talk and I love to talk back. That's how you survive as a missionary I've come to find out. The only problems I've run into here is small town rumors and grudges. Forgiveness is a tough lesson to learn for everyone but if we all just would do as Christ would and forgive, we would all be happier. Just forgive! Most of our work here is focused on less actives and part member families. There are a ton here especially on the Lame Deer Indian reservation that we cover. It's hard to get people to come to church when they don't like someone or aren't apart of a certain clique. This is why its important as members to include everyone and make everyone feel welcomed. My testimony has grown a lot this week on how important it is to be a friend to everyone. We've visited a lot of cool less active members this week. I met another person who has family in Ramona. She just got back from Ramona when I talked to her which I thought was pretty crazy. She's related to David and Aaron Davis but I don't think we know them. They aren't members.

I'm trying hard to stay productive here in Colstrip but its kinda hard because its pretty much over tracted and the other areas we can't get to because we don't have a car. New green Missionaries, New huge area, no car. Its a learning experience for sure.

I just found out that this is Sports Illustrated voted number 1 sports town in Montana. They have a free golf course, Frisbee golf course, tons of parks, a skate park, and a nice gym with weights, racquet ball, treadmills, and a sauna. The best part is that its all free so we actually are allowed to go there every morning (as long as we finish before 7). I'm excited I found that out and I think it will help out a lot with stress!

Mom, That's awesome that you get to go to Paris! Feel free to hold on to my tax return to help pay for it. That sounds super exciting. Maybe I'll be in Norway and someone can come visit me on the way home!

I remember doing that Pioneer youth conference! It definitely opened my eyes as to how hard it must have been to be a pioneer. That and the time I walked to the beach with the Franco's. Still blows my mind how tough you'd have to be to pull wagon all those miles day after day. Especially in rough weather. The weather here in Montana and Wyoming is ridiculous. Its snowed every weekend for the past 3 weekends. It always snows on Sunday and P day! Every time! I don't hate the snow yet though as long as I'm well dressed.

So Patrik is really playing Polo!?!?! WOW. That's the best news I've heard all day. He fits in perfectly with it. Coach Donnie is awesome.

Thanks for keeping me posted about the Padres, I bet that was a crazy game to watch. Go padres! With my luck, they're going to win within the next 2 years. Ehh, probably not.

Anyways, I miss you guys like crazy but I'm making you proud. It's great to share the gospel with and focus on others. I'm experiencing so much, its a crazy rollercoaster ride and not always smooth but that's the earth life we chose. When things aren't going smoothly, that's when we get to see how committed to Christ, and His gospel, we really are. Heavenly Father keeps trying me because he wants to see what he can do with me. Jeg er glad I dere! Be happy! 

 

Eldste Niklas Anton Skinner