September 1, 2014

Yo Yo Yo.

Elder Bednar is coming to Oslo on Sunday so we're getting stoked out of our minds here in Norway. The work is seriously hastening here in Norway. This past week went pretty well here in our area. We had an awesome member teach with this family. We brought a youth on the teach and he seemed like he liked it. We taught the Pan of Salvation and invited them to be baptized. They haven't yet gotten a for sure answer if Joseph Smith is a prophet yet but they are willing to be baptized on the 20th of September if they get an answer before then. I know they will because they have openly stated that they are "truth seekers". Nuts! I don't know how we're getting so blessed here. I've really liked the quote that Melissa sent last week... "Pray like everything depends on The Lord, work like everything depends on you." This is super true and its something I can say that I've lived by without even hearing this quote before. There is power in prayer. If we need to receive guidance or answers, all we need to do is "ask, seek, and knock". I know Heavenly Father answers sincere prayers and that he can immediately help us through any sort of trials or worries we have.

Right now i'm pretty worried about the zone and the mission. We are having pretty decent weeks and cool things are happening. The only problem though is that we all can't seem to find people who are legit. People who really have a desire to make appointment and progress towards baptism. Its a never ending problem here in Norway and its drives me crazy sometimes. Us as missionaries though know what it is that we need to do (work with the members) we just need to do it. We can't just keep doing the same things and start expecting different results. We're way short of our yearly baptismal goal and time is running out. Sometimes I feel like one of a select few who are actually concerned about this. Anyways, Heavenly Father knows my concerns and I'm sure everything is going to work out. I have know doubt that miracles can happen when I really dedicate myself to this work. I've already been seeing it and have been doing my best to help others "catch the vision" as well.  

I'm super grateful for you guys. I love all the things I hear about the happs at home. I'm hoping you are all enjoying life at school or at work. Thank you mom (and dad) for being such good examples of hard workers. I know working doesn't sound too fun when you're chillin at home or just waking up but as soon as you pray and get up and going it really can be a lot of fun if you let it. Once you get started it can be hard to stop though so try your best to schedule time that can give you a good balance. I'm grateful for all the planning and organizing skills I learn as a missionary. I'm grateful for the gospel and the opportunity I have to lose myself. It gives me an opportunity to see what the Lord will do with me each day. Everyday is a different crazy adventure. 

Eldste Skinner