Dear Family,
As today was Thanksgiving we were allowed to write to our families. I would really just like to say how very thankful I am for all of you and your support of me. I would like thank mom and dad for teaching me and rearing me and staying faithful to their covenants. Most of all I want to show my gratitude for my Savior and His infinite and divine love for me and each of you. He placed us all together as an eternal family in His wisdom, and gave us the immense blessing of being reared in the gospel. What joy and peace has come to each of us because we have a gospel-centered home. Love and cherish the memories and opportunities we have had together. For this life is short and only gets shorter. This life has no second chances to relive a part of your life. Make the most of it now. And because of the Only Begotten, what mistakes and regrets we have about our past can be and will be washed away when you trust in the Him who is mighty to save. I love each and every one of you and I know that He loves you. I know my Savior will take care of you and bless you, and that no matter what happens in this world we are an eternal family. We can never be truly separated when we build on the rock of our Redeemer. This I know in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
Love, your brother and son,
Elder David Skiles
Thursday, November 27, 2008
Tuesday, November 25, 2008
Letter to Primary November 25, 2008
[to the Kirkland Fourth Ward Primary Children]
Dear Primary,
How are all of you? I am doing great and having an amazing time. I want all of you to know I really enjoyed being with you and getting to teach you. The gospel and Jesus Christ are very important to me. And having the pleasure of helping you feel that was a joy for me. I love little children and whenever I think of all of you I think of when Christ blessed children and said that they are who the Kingdom of God is made of. He loved them and loves you just as much. You all are and example to me of how to have a humble and willing heart and a sincere desire to learn and be like Christ. I look up to you and love each and every one of you. Thank you for your examples to me.
Your friend, Elder David Skiles
Dear Primary,
How are all of you? I am doing great and having an amazing time. I want all of you to know I really enjoyed being with you and getting to teach you. The gospel and Jesus Christ are very important to me. And having the pleasure of helping you feel that was a joy for me. I love little children and whenever I think of all of you I think of when Christ blessed children and said that they are who the Kingdom of God is made of. He loved them and loves you just as much. You all are and example to me of how to have a humble and willing heart and a sincere desire to learn and be like Christ. I look up to you and love each and every one of you. Thank you for your examples to me.
Your friend, Elder David Skiles
Letter of November 25, 2008
Dear Family,
Things are going great. I am thoroughly enjoying the presence of the spirit here. Things are doing better with my district but otherwise it's much of the same. The Lord really knows exactly what we need to be prepared. Thanksgiving here is very different from a normal day. We don't have classes but we have service, a large lunch and also a devotional and fireside. I'm sure it's going to be a great day.
As for how my language is coming, it is coming along well but I still have a significant amount to learn. I know enough to communicate and share the gospel but I don't have the command I would like to simply and profoundly teach in the language. I learn more every day though.
Not much really happens in the MTC really. Most days are the same and mostly I just have learning experiences all the time that are not very big. Still, some good things did happen this week. I had a lot of success last week in the RC, the referral center. That is where you make and take phone calss about the Church videos and books and things. I had three people accept the missionaries as the means to receive the item. I was very happy needless to say.
Well, I love all of you and thank you so much for all you have done for me. I can feel the strength of your prayers for me and am very grateful. And I know the Lord loves you too.
Love, Elder Skiles
Things are going great. I am thoroughly enjoying the presence of the spirit here. Things are doing better with my district but otherwise it's much of the same. The Lord really knows exactly what we need to be prepared. Thanksgiving here is very different from a normal day. We don't have classes but we have service, a large lunch and also a devotional and fireside. I'm sure it's going to be a great day.
As for how my language is coming, it is coming along well but I still have a significant amount to learn. I know enough to communicate and share the gospel but I don't have the command I would like to simply and profoundly teach in the language. I learn more every day though.
Not much really happens in the MTC really. Most days are the same and mostly I just have learning experiences all the time that are not very big. Still, some good things did happen this week. I had a lot of success last week in the RC, the referral center. That is where you make and take phone calss about the Church videos and books and things. I had three people accept the missionaries as the means to receive the item. I was very happy needless to say.
Well, I love all of you and thank you so much for all you have done for me. I can feel the strength of your prayers for me and am very grateful. And I know the Lord loves you too.
Love, Elder Skiles
Monday, November 24, 2008
Letter of November 18, 2008
Dear Family,
I feel your love and prayers of faith and am grateful. I know that I will have success and joy regardless of my trials because of your prayers and faith for me.
I am really coming to love the scriptures and their stories. The more I read the more I understand. We are much more than we can comprehend.
Things are going very well. My command of the language is increasing daily as is my knowledge of how and what to teach. I taught many times in Spanish already. We have a building where volunteers come to be taught and we are given specific scenarios. We have our time there on Friday, so we rarely, I think maybe once, we have had enough volunteers. This last Friday three volunteers came in late and we, my companion, the sister in our district and I, were asked to teach them. Two of them were there for a Spanish class, but the third one was visiting a friend and wasn't a member. It was a long but good lesson I felt. We did the lesson in both Spanish and English for the non-member investigator's sake. Our teacher stayed in the room with us most of the time and actually pitched in a bit. The reason I bring this up is because at the very moment I began to just bear my own personal testimony, the Spirit entered the room with force and I could see it work in them. I could see their countenances and behavior change. I am so grateful to have been able to see that, to see a seed be planted in someone's heart and begin to take root. I do not know has happened since and am not sure I ever will know, but I am grateful.
We are eternal, as a family we have no end. We are who we take with us after death.
Love,
Your Brother and Son,
Elder Skiles
I feel your love and prayers of faith and am grateful. I know that I will have success and joy regardless of my trials because of your prayers and faith for me.
I am really coming to love the scriptures and their stories. The more I read the more I understand. We are much more than we can comprehend.
Things are going very well. My command of the language is increasing daily as is my knowledge of how and what to teach. I taught many times in Spanish already. We have a building where volunteers come to be taught and we are given specific scenarios. We have our time there on Friday, so we rarely, I think maybe once, we have had enough volunteers. This last Friday three volunteers came in late and we, my companion, the sister in our district and I, were asked to teach them. Two of them were there for a Spanish class, but the third one was visiting a friend and wasn't a member. It was a long but good lesson I felt. We did the lesson in both Spanish and English for the non-member investigator's sake. Our teacher stayed in the room with us most of the time and actually pitched in a bit. The reason I bring this up is because at the very moment I began to just bear my own personal testimony, the Spirit entered the room with force and I could see it work in them. I could see their countenances and behavior change. I am so grateful to have been able to see that, to see a seed be planted in someone's heart and begin to take root. I do not know has happened since and am not sure I ever will know, but I am grateful.
We are eternal, as a family we have no end. We are who we take with us after death.
Love,
Your Brother and Son,
Elder Skiles
Monday, November 17, 2008
Letter of November 11, 2008
Dear Family,
First of all I am feeling much better. Thursday last week I went to the doctor again and he prescribed stronger anti-cough and decongestant. Of course, the next day I reacted and have had the hives ever since but I no longer am as congested and such. I'm not taking the medication still either.
We got two new roommates, my companion and I. The two elders that were with us before moved to another room because two other elders in our district left for the Guatemala MTC last week. The two new elders aren't in our district but are in our branch. They are good, strong young men. One of them is the only non-native speaker in his destrict. It's an advanced class so they will still be gone before me even though this was their first week.
As for my own district, things are going OK. There are a few problems, mostly that it isn't very unified. Sometimes even in the church we have to take a step back and remember we are all children of God and the only difference between us all is our choices. Pride is so extremely destructive and often difficult to catch. Last night one of our teachers in an attempt to combat the disunity gave an excellent lesson on humility. I loved it and it was very edifying. However, the teacher came to my companion who is the district leader and said that she didn't think everyone really got the message. I could already tell that at least one really hadn't. She wants my comp. to give another lesson if necessary. I sincerely hope it doesn't have to be. But I think that perhaps the Lord is having us go through some specific training right now that requires it.
What I really want to say is beware, beware the awful pitfall of price. Pride destroyed the Nephites, the Jaredites, and many other nations. Pride is the universal sin. It was pride that caused Lucifer to fall. Pride is the great destroyer. President Benson gave a great talk in the April 1989 General Conference called "Beware of Pride." He expertly describes what it is and how to overcome it.
One key priciple of humility that we discussed last night was reverence. When you are reverent you are humble. Reverence is much more than just being quiet, it is having a love for your Heavenly Father and an understanding of what He has done for you. When you have this you will submit to His will and know that all things are possible through Him.
Well I probably should say a few things about me, though my letters show what is happening to me I'm sure. I am happy and grateful to be here. Basically all I feel right now is joy and gratitude for my Savior and a desire to do His will. He is everything for me, I love Him so much. I love all of you as well, very much. I remember and pray for you always.
Love
Elder Skiles
First of all I am feeling much better. Thursday last week I went to the doctor again and he prescribed stronger anti-cough and decongestant. Of course, the next day I reacted and have had the hives ever since but I no longer am as congested and such. I'm not taking the medication still either.
We got two new roommates, my companion and I. The two elders that were with us before moved to another room because two other elders in our district left for the Guatemala MTC last week. The two new elders aren't in our district but are in our branch. They are good, strong young men. One of them is the only non-native speaker in his destrict. It's an advanced class so they will still be gone before me even though this was their first week.
As for my own district, things are going OK. There are a few problems, mostly that it isn't very unified. Sometimes even in the church we have to take a step back and remember we are all children of God and the only difference between us all is our choices. Pride is so extremely destructive and often difficult to catch. Last night one of our teachers in an attempt to combat the disunity gave an excellent lesson on humility. I loved it and it was very edifying. However, the teacher came to my companion who is the district leader and said that she didn't think everyone really got the message. I could already tell that at least one really hadn't. She wants my comp. to give another lesson if necessary. I sincerely hope it doesn't have to be. But I think that perhaps the Lord is having us go through some specific training right now that requires it.
What I really want to say is beware, beware the awful pitfall of price. Pride destroyed the Nephites, the Jaredites, and many other nations. Pride is the universal sin. It was pride that caused Lucifer to fall. Pride is the great destroyer. President Benson gave a great talk in the April 1989 General Conference called "Beware of Pride." He expertly describes what it is and how to overcome it.
One key priciple of humility that we discussed last night was reverence. When you are reverent you are humble. Reverence is much more than just being quiet, it is having a love for your Heavenly Father and an understanding of what He has done for you. When you have this you will submit to His will and know that all things are possible through Him.
Well I probably should say a few things about me, though my letters show what is happening to me I'm sure. I am happy and grateful to be here. Basically all I feel right now is joy and gratitude for my Savior and a desire to do His will. He is everything for me, I love Him so much. I love all of you as well, very much. I remember and pray for you always.
Love
Elder Skiles
Tuesday, November 4, 2008
Letter of November 4, 2008
Dear Family,
I guess I have somewhat to say about enduring trials. The last week I have been very sick. For four or five days, I was running a fever that reached over 100 degrees F. at times. I have also been severely congested and have had a very sore throat, sore enough that I could hardly drink water. I have received a blessing but I still haven’t overcome it. I have had a bad cough the last few days and am still congested. I went to the doctor twice and all both of them said was I should keep drinking water and take a decongestant. They don’t know what it is, but it isn’t strep. Anyway, as you can imagine, it has been a trial. I have not missed any days and the Lord has been kind enough that at certain times I can be free from discomfort so I can completely focus. There have been times where I have felt that the Lord has let me alone to struggle, to show integrity and do the work even when by the standards of the MTC I could stay in bed and sleep. What I am really trying to say is there may come times when you feel you are drowning, and the Lord won’t save you right then. You may swim in the darkness with seemingly no end in sight. The very gates of hell might gape open to try and receive you, and you may not feel the hand of the Lord even then. But this I promise you. If you still put your trust in God and do all you can to serve Him even when no blessings come, you will be blessed without measure in the end.
The Lord will not abandon you. The rewards for enduring these most suffocating and difficult trials are blessings an hundred fold of the blessings you had before. Every path and trial and loss you may face in this life if borne well, never doubting always trusting, will bring blessings of joy beyond your comprehension. Bear with patience thine afflictions, and you will be blessed without measure. And remember, the Savior suffered every pain and sorrow for every soul to ever walk on this earth, and every one that will. And also remember the trials of the prophets of God and all His saints. I suggest that you all as a family read these scriptures: Job (if you have time, all of it), Joseph Smith History, 2 Nephi 4, and Mosiah 18 ( I think, it’s Ammon’s excitement about his mission). I have taken heart to these scriptures because of their stories of faith and integrity. I got to watch the new Joseph Smith movie on Sunday, and I realize that I never fully comprehended the scope of the difficulties Joseph faced. Only two men I can think of suffered as much or more than he, Christ obviously and Job.
Well on a little lighter note, it snowed today as you probably already know. I got to talk with Justin for a long time as well. I have much if not most of every day to just study. It’s the School of the Prophets here. So every day is like Sunday. The only real difference is Sunday we actually have Sacrament and different meetings. Things are going great and I hope everything is going well for you.
Love, Elder Skiles
I guess I have somewhat to say about enduring trials. The last week I have been very sick. For four or five days, I was running a fever that reached over 100 degrees F. at times. I have also been severely congested and have had a very sore throat, sore enough that I could hardly drink water. I have received a blessing but I still haven’t overcome it. I have had a bad cough the last few days and am still congested. I went to the doctor twice and all both of them said was I should keep drinking water and take a decongestant. They don’t know what it is, but it isn’t strep. Anyway, as you can imagine, it has been a trial. I have not missed any days and the Lord has been kind enough that at certain times I can be free from discomfort so I can completely focus. There have been times where I have felt that the Lord has let me alone to struggle, to show integrity and do the work even when by the standards of the MTC I could stay in bed and sleep. What I am really trying to say is there may come times when you feel you are drowning, and the Lord won’t save you right then. You may swim in the darkness with seemingly no end in sight. The very gates of hell might gape open to try and receive you, and you may not feel the hand of the Lord even then. But this I promise you. If you still put your trust in God and do all you can to serve Him even when no blessings come, you will be blessed without measure in the end.
The Lord will not abandon you. The rewards for enduring these most suffocating and difficult trials are blessings an hundred fold of the blessings you had before. Every path and trial and loss you may face in this life if borne well, never doubting always trusting, will bring blessings of joy beyond your comprehension. Bear with patience thine afflictions, and you will be blessed without measure. And remember, the Savior suffered every pain and sorrow for every soul to ever walk on this earth, and every one that will. And also remember the trials of the prophets of God and all His saints. I suggest that you all as a family read these scriptures: Job (if you have time, all of it), Joseph Smith History, 2 Nephi 4, and Mosiah 18 ( I think, it’s Ammon’s excitement about his mission). I have taken heart to these scriptures because of their stories of faith and integrity. I got to watch the new Joseph Smith movie on Sunday, and I realize that I never fully comprehended the scope of the difficulties Joseph faced. Only two men I can think of suffered as much or more than he, Christ obviously and Job.
Well on a little lighter note, it snowed today as you probably already know. I got to talk with Justin for a long time as well. I have much if not most of every day to just study. It’s the School of the Prophets here. So every day is like Sunday. The only real difference is Sunday we actually have Sacrament and different meetings. Things are going great and I hope everything is going well for you.
Love, Elder Skiles
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