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

"I'll get there eventually"

Heisan!

Things are going a lot better! All I need to know is that I'll get there eventually and it makes it all worth it. Thank you so much for checking that out for me even though I didn't ask. You guys are awesome.

I did go see Scott's brother. He was super nice and really into the outdoors (like everyone else in Montana). I did try to bring up church thinking something miraculous would happen but was quickly shut down. Oh well, I did all that I could. He was super cool though and was happy to chat with someone related to me. He definitely looks like a Moffitt with white hair and a white hunters mustache.

I'm sorry you guys are getting a hampster. haha.

Thanks for doing taxes! I didn't even think about that! woohoo! I need to get a digital camera so I can take pictures of how lovely Montana is..........

Im getting transferred on Wednesday to the tropical paradise of Colestrip. hahah. Technically its in the US, but it might as well be on another planet. I might die and Im super sad to leave my 2 companions Elder Payne and Wasden. They've been awesome but Its time for me and Elder Coleman to see what we can do. We're doubling in to a new area and neither of us have been fully trained yet. President Mecham must trust us. I'm pretty excited because I'll learn and grow a lot, especially when it gets tough. I know I can do this.

I met a crazy redneck truck driver dude from Ramona here in (my old) apartment complex. He's a super cool resent convert who loves to talk. He has a super strong testimony and is sad that his work keeps him from his wife, one year old son, and church. Count your blessings! His name is Charlie Hartness and he has some nieces and nephews at Ramona High (Chris and Amanda Hartness?) I think ones a junior and the others a freshman. Maybe Melissa and Patrik know them. If they're anything like their uncle, then they must be pretty crazy and awesome.

My big thing right now is drinking a bunch of water. I got a water bottle with a straw type of thing and I drink like 100 ounces a day. Its amazing how much of a difference it makes and it eventually starts to taste good. I get more energy for sure and at first I constantly had to pee. Oh, and elder wasden (who's allergic to gluten and dairy) got me to fall in love with Almond Milk. The vanilla sweetened almond milk is what I get every week now and its super good and supposedly more healthy than milk.

Good job feeding the Elders back at home! I've been getting fed a lot here in Billings and hopefully it will continue in Colestrip.

I already have a hole in one of my shoes! the sole cracked and water gets in them when it rains or snows! So we must be doing work. I can email everybody now so send me some emails of people who wanna hear from me. What's brooks'?

 I know that the church is true. Conference was super awesome! Elder Holland and Bednar are  always amazing. Everyone of the apostles just go to show how true the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is. They all spoke boldly and its awesome to be apart of the missionary work in the latter days. We don't have much more time so make sure you all do your part as member missionaries and find families for us to teach! Pray for missionary opportunities, its crazy to see how they'll come to you.

Jeg er glad i dere veldig mye,

Eldste Niklas Anton Skinner

Oh and how is baseball!? I heard the Padres and dodgers got in a Huge fight!!!

Endure

So I didn't get my Visa. I really don't know what to say other than i'm barely holding back tears. All I want and have been praying for for the past month is to go serve the Lord in Norway. I have so much love for the country, the people, and the work to be done there. This has been such a trial for me and I will have to endure waiting in Montana a little longer. I really am doing my best here in Montana and taking so much out of it, but I know I belong in Norway. I'm not sure whats happening but I'm super worried. The two I came here with are leaving to Norway tomorrow. I'm super excited for them and i'd be lying if I didn't say I was jealous. Norway's been in my thoughts and prayers since November 2011. Sorry for whining but there's just so many emotions right now.

Heavenly Father has a specific purpose for me in Montana and its pretty obvious. I'll have to keep doing what i'm supposed to and hope everything works out. I know they will but its so hard. I've always been a patient person but this is killing me. I will never quit though. I will keep going and doing what the Lord commands of me. No matter how tough it may be, apparently He trusts that I can handle it. 

General Conference was awesome though and I'll definitely be reviewing my notes for some encouragement. Thanks for being so awesome! I love you all so much and think about you guys everyday. The Church is true. Following the Commandments are infinitely important. I see witnesses of it every single day.

Love, 

Eldste Niklas Anton Skinner

4.1.13

Happy Easter!

I only ended up being in Laurel for 2 days. It was a pretty cool place and I had a cool visit with an inactive cop. He hasn't been to church in a long time and he's had some rough experiences lately. His son died 6 years ago and he's obviously seen some scary stuff as a cop. He couldn't why Heavenly Father would allow things like this to happen, especially good people. I don't really remember all that I said but the spirit was strong and I could tell he took our conversation to heart. It was so weird because I was the "talker" and was able to carry on our discussion for over an hour. As I opened my mouth the spirit filled it with words. Such an awesome experience and it boosted my confidence when he was surprised that I had only been out for so short of a time. No way I could have done this 2 months ago.   

 This week I've really been trying to finish the Book of Mormon and I did it! But even cooler, I finished it in the Celestial room of the Montana Billings Temple! Saturday was the last weekend of the transfer so we were able to do an early morning sesh since we live so close. I was so lucky to be able to go. Something I'll always remember. The Book of Mormon is true. I promise. I hope you're all taking time to read a little bit each day. Its evidence that the true church has been restored and living righteously brings blessings. 

I did get my easter package. Thank you so much for all the love! I sending letters to the kids today so look for them in the mail sometime soon. 

Time keeps flying by over here and I think i'll be in Norway pretty soon. I keep hearing scary visa waiting stories just about everyday from people. I hope I'm not one of those elders who never ends up getting their visa, but even if I am, its where Heavenly Father needs me more. 

Love you all so Much and I hope you all have an awesome spring break! And Happy 18th to Melissa:)

Peace out,

Eldste Niklas Skinner

Laurel, Montana

Heisann!
Glad to here everything is going good at home. Things are going pretty good over here but im really missing San Diego. even ramona. Im moving to a new, smaller are today called Laurel, Montana for the last week of the transfer. I guess, President Mechum needs me there so I'm happy to serve a purpose for him. Its pretty close to Billings but way smaller I think I have a phobia of small towns. They freak me out. Be grateful to live and work in San Diego, even if its Ramona. The cities I've traveled to feel like abandoned ghost towns and for some reason people live here. They love it though so thats super awesome. Just not my style.
I did get Annika's letter so i will write her back asap. It was super sweet to hear from Annika, She's so cute. Mail's been kinda weird here so I think the best place to send would be to the mission home (Rimrock address).
Not to much happened this week. Just the usual visits with less actives and trying to see how we can help them get back to church. I've met an inactive member this week who died in an accident, went to the spirit world, and came back to life. He knows the church is true and temple work is so important but for some reason he doesn't want to go to church or live the word of wisdom. I try to do all that I can to help him but some people are so stubborn and frustrating. But I still love them and want to help them. I appreciate hearing peoples stories because they strengthen my testimony of how important this work is.
I pray everyday that my visa will arrive soon. I know I belong in Norway and I really want to get there before I forget everything I learned in the MTC.

I love you all and keep you in my prayers!
Ha en fin uke:)

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