June 2, 2014

The gospel is true and means everything to me. Heavenly Father taught me alot this week. It seem like he wants me to learn a lot about how I can be happy and successful not just in the mission but in real life. I witnessed a lot of dumb things this week but I really appreciate the oppoturtunity god gives me to not just learn forom the good examples around me, but the bad ones too. I love reading in the scriptures about Nephi and his amazing leadership qualities. Nephi is amazing and I've studied alot about how he takes initiative and responsibilty. He's accountable and quickly recognizes how much the Lord and his family is relying upon him. Sometimes I feel like Nephi, expected to find food but breaking my bow, expected to build a ship but having no clue how to actually do it. I'm learning about how important it is to just pray for guidance and then take initiative. If there's a problem, then we supposed to  fix it. We can't just sit back and moan. Laman and lemuel were bums. they had  potential like Nephi but they used their agency to become my favorite losers in the Book of Mormon. I guess someone had to do it but in no way do I feel like they were born to fail.

This week was great! We taught a whole lot of people. we had some frustrations that come from dealing with some sketchy people but other than that we had all sorts of great spiritual experiences. As we were teaching one of our investigators with a baptismal date, we also were led to one of his brothahhhs who is an inactive member from bergen who has seemingly fallen off the face of the earth. Heavenly father knows how to lead his servants to his children.  It was cool to be led to this guy. He tried to hide the fact that he wasn't a member but he totally blew his cover after we were finished teaching the Law of Chastity. He apparently used to be a way solid member in bergen, know's everything about the missionaries, and even considered going on one as well. Not really sure as to what happened yet but know he lives here and drammen and is a preacher in another church. He's a smart dude and a smooth talker and we knew this dude still couldn't deny that the lds church is true. Its nice because all we have to do is go back to the book of Mormon which is evidence that the restoration of christ true gospel really did happen. He doesn't read the book of mormon anymore and now he's a completely diffferent course. Sad to see, but fortunately Elder Holden and I know the converting power that comes from the Book of Mormon, as well as the guidelines that were set for christ's church in the bible. I love how fired up I can get inside about the truthfulness of the gospel. I know that this work I'm doing is God's work, it hurts to see people turn away from it, especially when they don't even give it a chance. 

It was great to get the experience to use the priesthood this week to give a man a blessing. He's smoked his whole life and is now paying the price. He was referred to us by a member and he ended up being a really nice guy. He pretty religious and seemed to understand the whole idea of the priesthood and the responibilty to serve others. We called him yesterday and he seemed very happy with the changes in his health. He says he's had a lot more energy. We asked if we could come and teach him this week and he said yes! we're stoked to be teaching a norwegian dude who believes in god and already has see the power of the priesthood. Going over there with another member. I think you guys should go teach with the missionaries sometime. I want to know what you guys think about it. I know it'll be a great experience and the missionaries will appreciate it a lot. try it out. 

On a lighter note. Grill sesh round 2 was way better than one. I made the necessary improvements and the we had some amazing burgers. Becoming a self made grill master! Elder Holden also got the chance to play some baseball on tuesday evening. We were tearing it up and i couldn't notice any sort of loss in skill even though I haven't practiced in over 2 years. It was super fun and super weird. Happy to say it didn't even compare to the joys of being a missionary. This zone is my team and we're just trying to go hard and set the standard over here in this awesome mission. Thanks for all the love and support! have an awesome week. 

Love,

Eldste Skinner