March 18, 2013

This has been a pretty quick week and have already grown so much. We are constantly tracting or teaching or going around to less active members, trying to build them up. I've had some great experiences this week teaching investigators who are well on their way to baptism. I love going around the town and teaching the gospel lessons specifically to people. Extending invitations, and seeing them actually do it is an awesome thing. Makes me feel like a "proud parent".. imagine how heavenly father feels!? We had 3 investigators actually come to church today as well as a less active family. Some people are just so awesome and you love them just that much more when they're doing what they (as well as you) know whats right. This week we received a referral from a someone who met the missionaries way back in 1969! she was baptised, but for some reason we lost track of her. I met her while on exchanges with some elders quorum member and she was a sweet Native American lady and she was so happy to see us. She remembers the awesome relationships she had with elders and I promised the same relationship with her 3 sons I met that night. We're teaching them on Friday so hopefully all goes well. The cool thing about the gospel is that it applies to everyone. We all have our challenges and trials and weaknesses and questions that can be answered through Jesus Christ and his gospel. Some people are more willing to accept this than others. But, I know the Heavenly Father has done his part, so now its my turn to find those who are waiting to hear the truth, and deliver with the spirit.

Im getting along great with all the Elders here. They're all awesome. My companion this week is Elder Wasden and he totally reminds me of Kurt Thomas. He's an awesome elder and its fun to work hard with him. The ward is sweet and I already know so many more in just a short week. It was tough last Sunday because I knew no one. But it was infinitely better yesterday because of the friends I've made. BE grateful to have such an awesome home ward and reach out to Everyone new! Its always tough to be new. 

I'm happy here but I can't wait to get to Norway. Hopefully my visa comes soon! Its hard to keep up with the language when there's no way to speak it or hear it. I'm trying my best to read and memorize but I'm praying that Heavenly Father lets me go soon. I've definitely grown so much as far as the Mission routine and how to talk to people. I guess it comes with practice, Opening my mouth and trusting my mouth will be filled with the exact words i need to say. 

Keep up the good work and Hopefully I'll call you about my Visa soon. I keep hearing about how awesome Norway is from Elder Holden. But for now im doing all I can to learn and grow as a missionary and I have faith that everything will work out. 

Vi snakkes,

Eldste Skinner 

March 11, 2013

Heisan!

Yepp i made here to Montana and its been really hard the first couple of days. I feel like everything is starting over again, with feelings of homesickness and doubt that I can actually do this. But things have already become significantly better and I have already learned so much. I am the only Visa waiter here in actual Billings. Everyone else is all over the place i guess. I have been blessed with another great companion named Elder Payne. He's a zone leader and has only been here six months. He'd got it down and is a great example of a missionary. Its interesting to see how missionary work actually works, like with the numbers and stuff, so I'm trying to get used to that. I lucked out . Technically I'm in a trio but his comp switch off with me every week. One goes on splits with another district while the other trains me. They're both really cool. My Mission president is awesome and I can tell he's bringing success to the MBmission. HE has unique ideas that I like such as OYM which stands for OpenYourMouth. We set goals for how many times we open our mouth to fulfill our purpose. I think this is perfect for me. Nothing gets down without opening my mouth. I love this challenge and pushing myself to fulfill my purpose here in Billings by opening my mouth. 

So far I've learned that the mission is all about setting up relationships with people. When i meet these new people and talk to them, and share the gospel and smile, I can really see that these are all God's children. I get plenty of dinners opportunities to teach. We go tracting as well so that's been pretty interesting. I love connecting with people and seeing them apply the gospel in their lives. Last we taught the old bishops friends dai(17), taylor(11ish), and Cori(30ish) a lesson on commandments  such as tithing, fasting, keeping the Sabbath day holy, and Word of Wisdom. It was awesome to promise them all the blessings that come from keeping commandments and see that they were willing to please there heavenly father, even though its hard for the Mom (cori) to not drink coffee or tea. I can really tell that they are progressing towards baptism and thats awesome. Missionary work is so fulfilling already.

On the plane flight to Montana I share the Book of Mormon with a catholic kid and he had no idea what it was actually about. I gave him a copy and i know he will actually read it. And hopefully become converted without me even knowing it. 

I keep blabbing on because so much has happened in these past couple of days and have grown so much because of this change. Change is always hard at first but I'm already starting to get into the Missionary flow and I'll be so much more ready for Norway when my Visa comes. Hopefully, I'm not here for too long because of the language but the gift of tongues will help me out when I get to Norway as long as I do my best to retain it here in Montana. 

Thanks for all your love and support. I love all of you and miss you but I promise I'm not going to quit. Enjoy San Diego. Seriously. I think about how fortunate I have been my whole life by living in San Diego. Thanks Mom and Dad for raising me there. It is expensive but you don't know how great it is until you leave it and go to Montana. But Montana is cool in its own way and the members here are awesome. Its great to be a missionary and take everyday as it comes. Its definately the hardest thing I've ever done but its a great adventure and brings me true happiness.  

Ha det bra. Jeg er glad i dere, Vi ses

Eldste Skinner

Billings, Montana! 3.7.13

Im hanging in there. The church is still true. Im still happy to be a missionary.

 

No visa yet, but i get to wait for it in the tropical paradise of Billings, Montana:)

 

But seriously, Going to Montana will be a great experience and I cant wait to get there on saturday March 9th. I cant wait to do real missionary work with real people even though its not Norway yet. I have a positive attitude and know its going to be awesome.

 

Elder Moffitt is there right now actually! This should be interesting... temporarily serving in the same area as the cousin. Tell aunt Jerelyn.

 

Does anyone know of anything in Billings, Montana???

 

This week has been a little "awkward" as Annika would say. The 3 of us have still been going to class but have had more personal instruction from our teachers. It was nice having conversations in norwegian, practicing teaching, and studying the the gospel (and being a district leader for a week). I've been studying a lot on having faith in Heveanly Father's will. I have hope that things will happen like they're supposed to and that i will grow into the husband, father, son, friend, and servant the Lord wants me to be. I am confident and optimistic of whats in store and I appreciate this "adventure" he's taking me on. Patient Perseverence and enthusiasm is key. Nothing about my mission has been "normal" yet and i think its awesome to have such a unique experience to change my life.

 

Poor Cameron, that sounds terrible. I hope he heals quickly and gets back to work without any further distractions. He's a great missionary and im sure he's greatly missed out in the field. Luckily, he lives in SD and there are Mexicans everywhere to help his language progression. I dont know whats going to happen with mine. But it will all work out.

 

 

I hope everyone keeps working hard and having fun.

 

Love,

Eldste Skinner

Postponed...

So yeah this week was pretty cool but right now im really bummed. I thought this was my last week in the MTC but i have at least one more:( apparently something happened with my Visa and i wont get to leave with the rest of my district on Monday. My heart is absolutely broken but im really trying to keep my head up. I've been waiting for SOO long to get to Norway but apparently i have to wait a little longer. I spent most of my Pday packing and I literally just found out. I know Heavenly Father has something in store for me but its so hard. I dont want to say the MTC sucks but i'm over this place. Apparently I have to wait til next thursday to see what they're gonna do with me. Most likely I'll get somewhere stateside for however long it takes. Which really concerns me with my language. I don't know whats in store and im really worried and disappointed. Oh well. Its not about me.

 

Im happy to hear things are going good. Congrats to Melissa, thats awesome im sure she'll love it there. Im glad dad got that syst off, send it as a souvineer or something.. the food's been lacking lately.

 

Oh yeah, and this week I got to be a choir boy with Matt. We were totally rockin out to "Consider the Lillies". It was cool to be right next to him especially since M. Russell Ballard was speaking. That was a pretty spiritual experience. I remember him just being in the room and knowing that he's an apostle because of the calming spirit he brought to the devotional.  

 

I can't really remember anything else. Our teachers have told us some pretty awesome stories about Norway so I cant even describe how anxious I am to get there. Please continue to keep me in your prayers; that i can get there eventually. I'll keep you posted on the reasons why i've stayed behind. And im allowed to call you guys tonight for a little and tell you so yaaa.

 

Lots of love,

Eldste Skinner

Week Four

This was another super fast week although i had a head cold for a couple of days. i learned about contacting. I guess this is about 85% percent of the mission.. just talking to random strangers in gågater shopping mall strips. how scary! But im excited because talking to strangers will help me a lot especially as i listen to pronunciations and pick up new words. the first thousand times are gonna be tough but thats alright. I cant wait to be surrounded.
How fun for Annika! Its snowing as i type. I think im adjusting to this cold weather, but then again im usually in a heated classrom surrounded by 4 walls. Yesterdday my companion and I were invited to direct traffic for the incoming missionaries. Best 2 hours of my life! Somehow I managed to dodge all the emotionally distracted mothers. It was nice to be outside and could definately feel the sun bringing me back to sanity.
The Gospel is so real. If you live by it you will be blessed. If you don't you aren't, sooner or later you're going to have to deal with the consequences. we are so fortunate to have the restored gospel and i cant imagine how hard it be to live without it. Yeah there are rules, but so what. We're talking about exhaltation here.
That's good for Kaylyn, Im sure i'll see her. I know so many people here and im not even from Utah. The sisters are everywhere!!
Patrik can play water polo next year. I started my sophomore year and it was super fun and have a lot of great memories from polo. If i could go back to any team sport it'd be water polo. Patrik will do great and the chicks will dig it. Waterpolo and scootering is a great combination for getting all the ladies.
I wrote isoaiti and isoisa so hopefully they get my letter soon! whats grandpa geralds address? 1465, 1265?
Hopefully i get my travel plans in the mail soon. only have about 10 more days left of cabin fever!
ilove you all and I hope you all have a fabulous week! ill send you some pics after the temple.
vi ses til neste uke. ha det gøy!

Eldste Skinner 

Half way done with the mtc!

hei!

 

things are still going great here. IM reallly focusing on stretching my self by steppping out of my comfort zone. I gave a talk last sunday and bore my testimony this last fast Sunday. I've beeen praying for opportunities like these to grow as a missionary and make my weaknesses become my strengths (ether 12:27). The language is fine, im working my hardest and doing all that i can by asking questions on pronunciation and grammer with my AWESOME teachers. I teach "investigators" pretty much everyday at least once in Norwegeian and this is helping me a lot. I cant wait to get to Norway! Hearing stories makes it easier to be here in the MTC. Time is flying by... I'm over half way! Im focusing on the goods such as learning, eating, and playing 4 square for now.

 

Im totally fine with looking like an idiot for however long on my mission. The faster i reach out to the members, even though i make mistakes, the faster they can correct my norwegian and trust me. 3 more weeks and so much to look forward to in the actual mission field!

 

Thank you so much for the package! im filled with peanut M&Ms. I have SOOO much food. yumm. The franco's have also been sending me packages! and Grandma and grandpa sent me and matt a valentines thing as well. and IVy and The Barnes' have been showing love as well. SO nice. It was nice to hear from everyone. How was annika's camp? I hope she feels better soon and keeps working on the college application haha. Whats the latest BeiberGossip? Glad to hear Patrik's outside and I hope he does a backflip or something. I hope everyone's happy and working hard and enjoying life. Ha det bra.

 

Love,

Eldste Skinner

 

Week two!

Hello mom! and the rest of the fam..

 

hows it going?

Sounds like things are going well at home so thats awesome. Thanks for all the snacks and letters.

 

things are awesome over here. hard work but nothing i cant handle, especially with help from Heavenly Father. Its getting easier to speak norwegian everyday and I like to think im pretty good at pronunciation. i made a Norwegian friend from the Oslo area. She's here in the MTC preparing to serve her mission in Greece. I'm to get her to help me not sound so american. i appreciate her tips.

 

This week i've seen thor peterson, one of the Taylor girls (The photo one), a friend from my singles ward, the monroe girl, everyone's here it seems like. SO many more missionaries come in each week. Its kinda ridiculous to get food and just get around, but its cool i guess. Sooo many sisters! holy crappp.. i try not to get distracted. But seriously. I love being here on my mission even though i have a lot of fears and weaknesses. But i pray everynight for opportunities to learn and grow. I bore my testimony in fast and testimony week even though i was terrified. I was glad I did it though and i keep looking for opportunities like that to stretch myself as a missionary, even if im scared.

 

I'm having fun here as well. I love learning and i get along great with all my teachers and my companion. We are 4square ballers during gym. that game is really fun and i usually do it after i run a mile and do some working out. IT feels good to let 50 minutes of energy out.

 

I recently met an Elder Dennison   i believe when i was doing service. he's going to Pittsburg and his family moved to Ramona a little while ago. I think you were telling me about him but i wasnt really paying attention. He recognized my name and my Country and said he talked to you (mom). Small world. I also met told sister Knapp i know her uncle aunt and kim. i see her all the time. shes in the other norwegian district that came in the same day as me. So Crazy!

 

Even Crazier. A couple of days ago i made pretty good friends with this super chill elder from Finland. Once i found out he was from finland i immediately talked to him about my family over there and how i've been there before and what not. He's awesome and sounds just like the finnish uncles with that distinct finnish accent. He's also going to Greece and he recently served his year for the Finnish army. I guess he likes it over here because he's been eating rice pooridge (that christmas cream of wheat stuff) for a year straight hahah. He's 20 and his name is Elder Koponen from the Helsinki area and he knows Otso and that he went to harvard!!!! hahah so cool. i love elder koponen. 

 

The food here is awesome. Highlight of the week was when i had some baked mac n cheese (like the homemaid stuff) and then Cherry glazed ham and potaoes for dinner.  I think therewas some BYU ice cream as well. Yummmmm.

 

Alright my 30 minutes of typing is almost up.

 

have a nice week of work and i'll make sure to as well.

 

Love you alll!!!

 

Elder Skinner