June 7, 2014

For the 4th of July here in Norway was legit.. actually it wasn't all that different from any other day. good thing every day is awesome on the mission because we make it awesome. We spent the majority of the day friday in an intense training meeting with the zone. We hit on various skills needed to be able to find and teach people. We've noticed that this mission is still young and we still need to pound on some basic skills in order for us to be able to fulfill our purpose with a greater number of people. We're trying to get the missionaries to be bold and christlike teachers. Sometimes we may feel hesitant to teach people right away and really get this message out to people; giving them an opportunity to chose for themselves and act on it. With this training we did, I feel like we'll be more urgent and excited to open up our mouths and teach people about the restored gospel.

During the training meeting we were also being pulled aside by president and sister evans for interviews. They went prettty good and it was fun to talk with them one on one. Helps me to know if I'm on the right track. I'm way pleased with the way things have been going and I feel comfortable saying that I'm putting my heart into this work. I'm super grateful for all the little miracles that happen every day here in this awesome country. It's impossible for me to deny that God loves his children and he guides us to people who are prepared. Something I've been thinking of lately is how many things happen each day and throughout the course of the week. I just don't think I 'll ever be able to really vocalize these events. Its kind of frusrating because I know people will want to hear all these amazing stories about serving in Norway but i'm not sure if I'll be able to come up with a specific story that would be interesting for anyone to hear. No one likes that guy that goes blabbing on and on about the mission anyways, right? All I can say is that this mission is super challenging but super rewarding and fun at the same time. I'm learning a lot about myself and how Heavenly Father works. I'm solidifying my testimony of the gospel. I'm super grateful that I've been sent to where I've been sent. 

When we were out the other day we set apart some time to go visit some members that we didn't have too much information about. We kinda just wanted to stop by and visit them if they still lived there( at the very least and see if they had moved). We also are passionate about finding on the way so we figured we talk to people outside and  knock on some random doors as we went from one place to the other. For the second time this week, the very first door we knock on let us in to teach them. The first time this happened was on Monday night with this guy who seemed pretty prepared to learn about the book of mormon and its ability to answer questions. This time it was a family who had never heard about the Book of Mormon or what the Mormons believed. Both of these first lessons we were able to teach were a direct result of Elder Holden and I showing our faith and acting on what we've been practicing and thinking about lately. We have a desire to work with members, so we go try to visit them. We want to teach the gospel so we stop and talk to everyone, making things happen right then and there. We know this message is true and we need to do our best to show this conviction by our urgency and boldness. We also have to be an example to other missionaries. I can just go on for days but I'm sure none of this is that interesting to read. 

I love serving as a missionary. I love getting things done in an efficient organized manner. I love to work on skills and and then see the difference adjustments can make. I love to see people be affected by the spirit as we stop them, introduce ourselves, and then introduce the message of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I'm grateful that I've chosen to be dedicated and passionate, its been super fun. I just pray that I can help more people to get baptized. I'm expecting some amazing things to keep happening here in drammen. Don't think the "dream team" has too much time left but the passion will never stop. Have an awesome week! Work hard and have fun:)

Love, 

Eldste Skinner