I told Janai that I didn´t get the letter, but the truth is I did. I forgot about the letter already somehow. It just skipped my mind completely, but I am grateful. Thanks for what you wrote.
The baptism went well as well. Alexandra was baptised. Her grandpa who is also the ward mission leader baptised her. Her whole family came which was special. The whole thing went well and I am grateful.
As for now, I am in another sector. I´m in Jose Pedro Alessandri, a ward right next to my first ward in the same stake, same chapel in fact. So I´m going to meet all the people I knew from my first sector. I´m excited needless to say. My new companion is Elder Wilkey from St. George Utah.
I am really excited for these coming months. I have learned a great deal about loving your companion and a lot of things.
As for some experiences, we had a cool one on Saturday. We were going to an appointment with an investigator and we saw his next-door neighbor outside. He´s a youth and seemed a little sketchy at first, but he started to ask a bunch of questions. He´s Catholic but said he would wait till after the lesson. He did and we started talking again and we invited him to play soccer with us. He did and brought two friends. He is a sincere and somewhat humble guy and it was great to be able to talk with him and see who he really is, instead of who he becomes with his friends. He´s a good person. I just hope he keeps listening and accepts the message in the end.
This last week we got to eat dinner with a family on Christmas Eve as well and the family gave us presents then we gave them some presents. I have thoroughly enjoyed being in that ward and am grateful. Well, I love you all and hope that you continue to have fun and are happy. Happy New Year!
Monday, December 28, 2009
Monday, December 14, 2009
eMail of December 14, 2009
You are going through a deep freeze; we are just heating up more. We only had an hour of Church yesterday as the presidential elections for the country were yesterday. I don´t know who won or anything for the moment. For that, yesterday wasn´t the best.
But we did get a lot done this last week. We taught lots of lessons and we have several people here getting ready for baptism. I really hope that pulls through.
As for all we are doing, my comp has had a rough time. He has still been sick, and the other day a dog bit him on the side and left gashes in the skin. It was wierd how it happened, but it was a stray dog it looks like but it didn´t go through the garment so he doesn´t have to worry. He still has a lot of difficulty with the language as well. But he keeps on moving which I´m happy about. I just hope everything gets better for him soon.
As for better things, I am learning a lot right now about myself and other stuff. I am trying to break out of being shy and just be who I am around others. I´ve always been somewhat shy with some things. But anyway, this last week we got to teach a lady that we had met the week before that is a great person. As we were teaching about the Apostasy, she realized what that meant and said "I´m in apostasy." It may sound bad but I was really happy when she said that, because it means she will be willing to leave the darkness and accept the light. She never had realized that before. It is amazing when people realize and understand what we are teaching them.
I am so grateful for all the experiences I have had here this last year. I feel a little bit anxious about getting as much as I can done now though. I have less than a year left, and seeing how fast this last year went by I know it will be over far before I am ready. I don´t feel like I´ve done enough, so I just feel anxious to get more done.
Well, I love you all and hope everything goes well and that you are happy. Have fun!!
But we did get a lot done this last week. We taught lots of lessons and we have several people here getting ready for baptism. I really hope that pulls through.
As for all we are doing, my comp has had a rough time. He has still been sick, and the other day a dog bit him on the side and left gashes in the skin. It was wierd how it happened, but it was a stray dog it looks like but it didn´t go through the garment so he doesn´t have to worry. He still has a lot of difficulty with the language as well. But he keeps on moving which I´m happy about. I just hope everything gets better for him soon.
As for better things, I am learning a lot right now about myself and other stuff. I am trying to break out of being shy and just be who I am around others. I´ve always been somewhat shy with some things. But anyway, this last week we got to teach a lady that we had met the week before that is a great person. As we were teaching about the Apostasy, she realized what that meant and said "I´m in apostasy." It may sound bad but I was really happy when she said that, because it means she will be willing to leave the darkness and accept the light. She never had realized that before. It is amazing when people realize and understand what we are teaching them.
I am so grateful for all the experiences I have had here this last year. I feel a little bit anxious about getting as much as I can done now though. I have less than a year left, and seeing how fast this last year went by I know it will be over far before I am ready. I don´t feel like I´ve done enough, so I just feel anxious to get more done.
Well, I love you all and hope everything goes well and that you are happy. Have fun!!
Monday, December 7, 2009
eMail of December 7, 2009
I think I do remember Britany and that is great that her stepdad got baptized. As for our investigator he is doing well. He is moving back to where he was before though so all we can hope now is that the Elders there can teach him. As for Christmas I don´t know what will be happening. We should find out this week though. That is amazing and almost hard to imagine that Marc is taller than Dad. He is way taller than me then. I got the package and we are eating the carmel, cookies and fudge. Thanks.
As for everything else, this last week we met three people that have accepted baptism. One is 9 and has wanted to be baptised for a while, her dad just wouldn´t let her. That´s not a problem now though so that´s okay. As for the other two they are a mother and a daughter that went to Church yesterday and loved it. The mother started crying because of the Spirit she felt at Church. Truly it was amazing how everything happened. Things are starting to improve more and more in the ward and I am grateful.
As for one of the things I have learned being here, is that everything depends on the grace of God. I understood that before, but not like I do now. The Lord will do His will in all things, it is just up to us to figure out what is His will and ask that it be done. When our wills and His will are made into one, then we become powerful servants in His hands. But only then.
Well, I love you all and hope everything keeps going well. I pray that you all enjoy this Christmas season. I am grateful for your prayers and support.
Love,
Elder Skiles
As for everything else, this last week we met three people that have accepted baptism. One is 9 and has wanted to be baptised for a while, her dad just wouldn´t let her. That´s not a problem now though so that´s okay. As for the other two they are a mother and a daughter that went to Church yesterday and loved it. The mother started crying because of the Spirit she felt at Church. Truly it was amazing how everything happened. Things are starting to improve more and more in the ward and I am grateful.
As for one of the things I have learned being here, is that everything depends on the grace of God. I understood that before, but not like I do now. The Lord will do His will in all things, it is just up to us to figure out what is His will and ask that it be done. When our wills and His will are made into one, then we become powerful servants in His hands. But only then.
Well, I love you all and hope everything keeps going well. I pray that you all enjoy this Christmas season. I am grateful for your prayers and support.
Love,
Elder Skiles
Monday, November 30, 2009
eMail of November 30, 2009
Thanksgiving was a 100% normal day here, I forgot that it was Thanksgiving. Anyway, things for us are going well. My companion has been a little sick but we got a lot done this week, even more than last week.
However our investigators keep falling out on us. No one comes to Church. But we have had success with a less active youth, Fabian. Fabian came to Church and found his testimony and everything. He is a great kid, but has had a hard life. We have had some great spiritual experiences with him.
The one investigator that came up to us wanting to get baptised accidently overdosed on sleeping pills and is still in the hospital. I´m not sure what is going to happen now but we feel that the only reason he didn´t die is so that he can get baptised. He took 19 pills when he only needed to take 1. He should have gone into cardiac arrest but didn´t. It was a little scary to be honest. We went to the appointment we had with him and he was laying on the floor rather unresponsive. We picked him up, gave him a blessing and helped his parents clean him and stuff. They then sent him to the hospital to take care of him. I hope he is alright and that everything goes well.
Also during one of my studies this last week I felt a huge urgency to help the people here. It hit me hard how little any of us understand that Christ is coming, at the doorstep. If we aren´t ready, we won't abide His presence and will be cast out. We have got to prepare ourselves now. I know and feel it in my very bones that He is coming quickly, how soon we know not. So I just felt a great anxiety for these people feeling and knowing they aren´t ready for His coming. I hope and pray they get ready soon.
Anyway, I love you all and hope that you keep having fun and enjoy this month that is to come, everything is going to change again after this.
However our investigators keep falling out on us. No one comes to Church. But we have had success with a less active youth, Fabian. Fabian came to Church and found his testimony and everything. He is a great kid, but has had a hard life. We have had some great spiritual experiences with him.
The one investigator that came up to us wanting to get baptised accidently overdosed on sleeping pills and is still in the hospital. I´m not sure what is going to happen now but we feel that the only reason he didn´t die is so that he can get baptised. He took 19 pills when he only needed to take 1. He should have gone into cardiac arrest but didn´t. It was a little scary to be honest. We went to the appointment we had with him and he was laying on the floor rather unresponsive. We picked him up, gave him a blessing and helped his parents clean him and stuff. They then sent him to the hospital to take care of him. I hope he is alright and that everything goes well.
Also during one of my studies this last week I felt a huge urgency to help the people here. It hit me hard how little any of us understand that Christ is coming, at the doorstep. If we aren´t ready, we won't abide His presence and will be cast out. We have got to prepare ourselves now. I know and feel it in my very bones that He is coming quickly, how soon we know not. So I just felt a great anxiety for these people feeling and knowing they aren´t ready for His coming. I hope and pray they get ready soon.
Anyway, I love you all and hope that you keep having fun and enjoy this month that is to come, everything is going to change again after this.
Monday, November 23, 2009
eMail of November 23, 2009
I´m glad to hear that everyone had fun and enjoyed the plays. As for my week it went very well. We had lots of success this last week. My companion is Elder Nieves. He is from Salt Lake but his dad is from Panama and his mom from Cardston, Alberta. He is a great Elder and has no fear. He doesn´t understand Spanish at all though. He can speak well but he has trouble understanding. But he knows how to work and works very well. He played lacrosse before the mission and was good at it. The plane landed two hours late though on Tuesday and so we didn´t get to do anything. However the rest of the days we got a lot done.
I am so grateful though for the chance to be with him and train again. There is a fire that someone just out of the MTC brings. For example this last week we decided we would pray that someone would come to us to get baptised, and yesterday none of our investigators came to Church, but just as we prayed a man came to Church wanting to get baptised. He said he wants to go to Church at least two more times before he gets baptised, which is the standard, three weeks. It is really amazing what you can do with faith.
Well, I am glad for everything you all have done for me. By the way, my companion says that I have a rather thick Canadian accent. I think its because I have been speaking in Spanish and trying to pronounce the vowels right. The vowels in Spanish are similar to the Canadian accent. Anyway, I am happy to be here and hope that we continue to do well. Thank you for everything and I pray that everyone continues enjoying themselves and growing in the gospel.
I am so grateful though for the chance to be with him and train again. There is a fire that someone just out of the MTC brings. For example this last week we decided we would pray that someone would come to us to get baptised, and yesterday none of our investigators came to Church, but just as we prayed a man came to Church wanting to get baptised. He said he wants to go to Church at least two more times before he gets baptised, which is the standard, three weeks. It is really amazing what you can do with faith.
Well, I am glad for everything you all have done for me. By the way, my companion says that I have a rather thick Canadian accent. I think its because I have been speaking in Spanish and trying to pronounce the vowels right. The vowels in Spanish are similar to the Canadian accent. Anyway, I am happy to be here and hope that we continue to do well. Thank you for everything and I pray that everyone continues enjoying themselves and growing in the gospel.
Monday, November 16, 2009
eMail of November 16, 2009
I´m glad to hear that everything is going so well. I am grateful for your prayers and support. I´m pretty sure Marc can get in to BYU, he just needs to keep his grades up for this semester.
As for my side of the story, not much happened this last week. I was sick for a couple days but I´m okay now. We have been doing our best though. Today we had changes and I´m training again. It´s going to be fun I´m sure. I think it is very probable that I´m going to be in this sector for a long time. I´m looking forward to seeing how much we are going to be able to get done. I am so grateful to be here and for the experiences I have had. I have learned a lot already. And I have a lot more to learn.
Yesterday I did have a good experience though. I got to go and talk about preparing for a mission in the youth Sunday School class. I talked about my experience when I received a strong spiritual assurance of the truths of the gospel. The summer before I went to BYU I decided I really wanted to know whether all these things were true or not. The week before I left if I remember right I got to give a talk in sacrament meeting. To end I got to bear my testimony and in that moment I felt the Spirit come and cause my heart to burn. As I shared that experience again the Spirit came and testified to me and I actually got quite emotional. I am grateful for the testimony I have and know it will take me through many things.
I am grateful to be here and know I will greatly appreciate this opportunity for many years to come. I love you all and pray that everyone keeps doing well.
As for my side of the story, not much happened this last week. I was sick for a couple days but I´m okay now. We have been doing our best though. Today we had changes and I´m training again. It´s going to be fun I´m sure. I think it is very probable that I´m going to be in this sector for a long time. I´m looking forward to seeing how much we are going to be able to get done. I am so grateful to be here and for the experiences I have had. I have learned a lot already. And I have a lot more to learn.
Yesterday I did have a good experience though. I got to go and talk about preparing for a mission in the youth Sunday School class. I talked about my experience when I received a strong spiritual assurance of the truths of the gospel. The summer before I went to BYU I decided I really wanted to know whether all these things were true or not. The week before I left if I remember right I got to give a talk in sacrament meeting. To end I got to bear my testimony and in that moment I felt the Spirit come and cause my heart to burn. As I shared that experience again the Spirit came and testified to me and I actually got quite emotional. I am grateful for the testimony I have and know it will take me through many things.
I am grateful to be here and know I will greatly appreciate this opportunity for many years to come. I love you all and pray that everyone keeps doing well.
Monday, November 9, 2009
eMail of November 9, 2009
It has been a good week, for me at least. There wasn´t all the progress that I would have liked, but we're moving along. One investigator we met the week before started out saying that she didn´t want anything to do with us. She already had her faith and didn´t need to listen. But we just talked and helped her feel comfortable. She began talking to us about the gospel on her own and listened. The next time we went by she was all excited and wanted to learn more. She has decided to go to Church on her own. She couldn´t yesterday but she wants to next week.
Sometimes the least likely is the best investigator you can get. You just have to follow the Spirit. Yesterday I had prayed that we would find the person that was prepared to hear us. I felt very strongly while planning that we should go to a certain place. We went there and found one lady that let us in and is very interested. She listened and wants to keep listening. The power of prayer is real, but it has to be done with the right motive. The only motive that is right before the Lord is love. Of all things that is what I´m learning right now. Faith, hope and charity with an eye single to the glory of God. And that comes through the prayer of faith along with all other things.
Everything about the gospel seems to be clicking now as well. I read the scriptures and I can feel it, see how everything works. I connect the scriptures automatically in my mind and the principles. It seems that I am more able now to explain those principles and help others not just to understand them, but live them. And that because I am learning to live them.
I could say that I had a testimony before the mission, but that testimony is nothing like what I feel now. My testimony has grown an hundred fold at least. Time and time again I see the power of the gospel help others change and become better. I also found a great scripture that I really like. 1 Timothy 1:5; Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned. The end of everything is that we have love and faith. I love you all and am grateful for your prayers and support.
Sometimes the least likely is the best investigator you can get. You just have to follow the Spirit. Yesterday I had prayed that we would find the person that was prepared to hear us. I felt very strongly while planning that we should go to a certain place. We went there and found one lady that let us in and is very interested. She listened and wants to keep listening. The power of prayer is real, but it has to be done with the right motive. The only motive that is right before the Lord is love. Of all things that is what I´m learning right now. Faith, hope and charity with an eye single to the glory of God. And that comes through the prayer of faith along with all other things.
Everything about the gospel seems to be clicking now as well. I read the scriptures and I can feel it, see how everything works. I connect the scriptures automatically in my mind and the principles. It seems that I am more able now to explain those principles and help others not just to understand them, but live them. And that because I am learning to live them.
I could say that I had a testimony before the mission, but that testimony is nothing like what I feel now. My testimony has grown an hundred fold at least. Time and time again I see the power of the gospel help others change and become better. I also found a great scripture that I really like. 1 Timothy 1:5; Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned. The end of everything is that we have love and faith. I love you all and am grateful for your prayers and support.
Monday, November 2, 2009
eMail of November 2, 2009
I´m not sure I really remember who he is, Ed. I´m glad he came to Church though. I will see what I can write this coming week. I´m glad to hear that things are going so well in the ward. As for the Christmas package, I really don´t feel like I need anything. Everything is going well. Candy and snacks are just about the only thing else. I don´t have batteries though, AA at least. I have a ton of AAA but I need AA. I messed up I guess and brought two things of AAA instead of a thing of AA. It would be cheaper to send me them as well. It´s like $2.50 for two AA batteries here at least, and the most you can buy is four. But nothing else.
As for what happened this week there are a few things. We met a bunch of new investigators. We have a few that nearly got baptised a year ago and seem like they are going to progress right now. During the week we helped a less active family move from their house. I had fun. I couldn´t take any pictures though because my camera doesn´t have batteries. I need to fix that. Anyway, It wasn´t the easiest week in the world but we had success.
Yesterday though, during the last hour of Church a mother with her young daughter walked in and said that she wanted to get baptised. She had heard a friend talking about the Church, he´s a return missionary, and she just felt a strong desire to join. So she walked in and asked us what she needed to do to be baptised. The bad part is that she lives just outside our sector. But she is set and getting baptised and I´m sure she will. In the end I am glad to have been of help to someone else.
I am grateful to be here truly. I have also been learning a lot about relationships. We are teaching a family that has been nearly torn apart. They went into a viscous cycle of blaming one another and not changing. We are trying to help them get profesional help. From the outside perspective you can see how relationships go bad when one accuses the other always and never accepts their own faults. It is better to be kind, than right. Marraige is too great and sacred a thing to put away because you can´t just swallow your pride. That same problem
keeps many people from joining the Church and accepting the Book of Mormon and prophets.
We have had many people straight up reject us. Some have lied, others are just rude. But at the same time many do accept us and listen. There are many people who just simply don´t know and don´t realize what we have even when we tell it to them. We just hope that they will accept when they realize the importance of these things. In the end, you just learn that everyone is a son or daughter of God and you just need to love them and show them respect. God is no respector of persons, and neither should we be.
Well, I love all of you and am grateful for your prayers and support. I hope that everything continues to go well. Have fun, be happy, and know that we are all children of a loving Father.
[email to Dad] To be honest I feel like I haven´t kept up on my journal as I should.
I am relearning lessons right now that I remember to have taught to other people before, and learned before. I need to just write more of the experiences I have and what I learn from them. Not just how I feel. I just felt before like I didn´t need to make anyone worry about me. Nor do I want to fall into pride. But I am beginning to understand those things better, though staying away from pride is impossible in the state we are in. If we could, it wouldn´t be so much of a trial this life. Sometimes our greatest trials are with ourselves, not others. I will share more of those experiences with you. I will also try and keep the right balance between what I should and shouldn´t say.
As for losing a companion prematurely, there were a lot of learning experiences there. His actual leaving wasn´t the trial though. It would have been the same to me if he was there or not. In fact I would have liked to keep going with him. It was most difficult not to have a true companion in the sector. I learned why you need a companion. To be honest, I am still learning from the experience. In truth, the trial is still going. My current companion really isn´t that different and is having some similar difficulties.
I am learning more than anything right now how to develop good relationships of trust even when it is difficult to do so, with those that trust very little anyone else. However, despite all that the sector is improving, and so am I in my work. This is perhaps one of the most fruitful times of my labor, even though there haven´t been any baptisms. We have a good set of more solid investigators that I have felt and am sure will be baptised some day. We are just trying to work on getting them to progress now.
I have some more experiences to share but I will share those with everyone. Well, thank you for your prayers and support. I love you and hope you know how grateful I am for the example you have been to me in my life.
As for what happened this week there are a few things. We met a bunch of new investigators. We have a few that nearly got baptised a year ago and seem like they are going to progress right now. During the week we helped a less active family move from their house. I had fun. I couldn´t take any pictures though because my camera doesn´t have batteries. I need to fix that. Anyway, It wasn´t the easiest week in the world but we had success.
Yesterday though, during the last hour of Church a mother with her young daughter walked in and said that she wanted to get baptised. She had heard a friend talking about the Church, he´s a return missionary, and she just felt a strong desire to join. So she walked in and asked us what she needed to do to be baptised. The bad part is that she lives just outside our sector. But she is set and getting baptised and I´m sure she will. In the end I am glad to have been of help to someone else.
I am grateful to be here truly. I have also been learning a lot about relationships. We are teaching a family that has been nearly torn apart. They went into a viscous cycle of blaming one another and not changing. We are trying to help them get profesional help. From the outside perspective you can see how relationships go bad when one accuses the other always and never accepts their own faults. It is better to be kind, than right. Marraige is too great and sacred a thing to put away because you can´t just swallow your pride. That same problem
keeps many people from joining the Church and accepting the Book of Mormon and prophets.
We have had many people straight up reject us. Some have lied, others are just rude. But at the same time many do accept us and listen. There are many people who just simply don´t know and don´t realize what we have even when we tell it to them. We just hope that they will accept when they realize the importance of these things. In the end, you just learn that everyone is a son or daughter of God and you just need to love them and show them respect. God is no respector of persons, and neither should we be.
Well, I love all of you and am grateful for your prayers and support. I hope that everything continues to go well. Have fun, be happy, and know that we are all children of a loving Father.
[email to Dad] To be honest I feel like I haven´t kept up on my journal as I should.
I am relearning lessons right now that I remember to have taught to other people before, and learned before. I need to just write more of the experiences I have and what I learn from them. Not just how I feel. I just felt before like I didn´t need to make anyone worry about me. Nor do I want to fall into pride. But I am beginning to understand those things better, though staying away from pride is impossible in the state we are in. If we could, it wouldn´t be so much of a trial this life. Sometimes our greatest trials are with ourselves, not others. I will share more of those experiences with you. I will also try and keep the right balance between what I should and shouldn´t say.
As for losing a companion prematurely, there were a lot of learning experiences there. His actual leaving wasn´t the trial though. It would have been the same to me if he was there or not. In fact I would have liked to keep going with him. It was most difficult not to have a true companion in the sector. I learned why you need a companion. To be honest, I am still learning from the experience. In truth, the trial is still going. My current companion really isn´t that different and is having some similar difficulties.
I am learning more than anything right now how to develop good relationships of trust even when it is difficult to do so, with those that trust very little anyone else. However, despite all that the sector is improving, and so am I in my work. This is perhaps one of the most fruitful times of my labor, even though there haven´t been any baptisms. We have a good set of more solid investigators that I have felt and am sure will be baptised some day. We are just trying to work on getting them to progress now.
I have some more experiences to share but I will share those with everyone. Well, thank you for your prayers and support. I love you and hope you know how grateful I am for the example you have been to me in my life.
Monday, October 26, 2009
eMail of October 26, 2009
Our investigator hasn´t truly received an answer yet and had to work yesterday but is moving along. She has had a tough time recently though. I don´t know when she will do it but she should soon. If everyone could pray for her with us it will happen.
We did find a great family last week as well. I have felt very good about this family and am hoping for the best. It is a mother and her two children. They are very religious and have had some amazing expriences. We are going to keep going with them though and I hope they keep going on with everything.
That's what we really have to work with right now. I am really happy with how everything is going right now. We are improving in everything. I am grateful to be here as well. I am learning so much right now it is rediculous. It´s as if there is an open conduit from heaven directly linked to me so that I learn quickly and rapidly and more every day. Really it is amazing being on the mission. You learn a great deal in a very short period of time.
Well I hope that everyone is as happy as I am. Í am grateful for your prayers and support and for all you´ve done for me and taught me. I love you all and pray for you.
[eMail to Dad] I don´t feel any different right now than I did before I reached the "hump." Elder Sharp who was in the MTC with me said that he felt it was completely overrated and doesn´t change anything. It really doesn´t. But time has gone fast. Time just doesn´t mean the same thing to me anymore. I just feel that when there is a time on something, it just means that it will be over and when its done its done. You just have to do the best you can on it now.
My attitude is changing a lot in dealing with school and everything. I want to get things done when I get them, not just done on time. That goes with life as well.
As for everything else I am doing well. I know a lot of things now that I wish I´d known before but everything has to come in a learning process. You can´t just know everything at once, in that way you would never have full, true agency to choose. Sometimes you just have to choose without knowing everything or even why.
I am grateful for all the experiences I have been given and for what I do know. Many don´t know these things and for that reason trip and fall. Just the same there are things I don´t know and so sometimes I trip and fall and it hurts. But that's how we learn.
As for the mission right now, the President keeps saying that he keeps giving me tough assignments, but I really don´t feel or see how that should make anything any diffirence in my mission. Everything is difficult, you can learn and grow regardless of the circumstances. But I´m sure he is right to a degree and I know I will thank him in the future for the experiences he has let me have. The Lord knows exactly what He is doing. I am truly grateful to be here. I am learning a great deal and feel the Lord´s hand in my life more directly than I´ve ever felt before.
I thank you for supporting me and teaching me so much about all these things by your example. I´ve never been able to apreciate it enough, what you have done. As time goes on I realize more and more what you have done for me, thank you. I love you and pray for you. I hope that you know that and feel it.
We did find a great family last week as well. I have felt very good about this family and am hoping for the best. It is a mother and her two children. They are very religious and have had some amazing expriences. We are going to keep going with them though and I hope they keep going on with everything.
That's what we really have to work with right now. I am really happy with how everything is going right now. We are improving in everything. I am grateful to be here as well. I am learning so much right now it is rediculous. It´s as if there is an open conduit from heaven directly linked to me so that I learn quickly and rapidly and more every day. Really it is amazing being on the mission. You learn a great deal in a very short period of time.
Well I hope that everyone is as happy as I am. Í am grateful for your prayers and support and for all you´ve done for me and taught me. I love you all and pray for you.
[eMail to Dad] I don´t feel any different right now than I did before I reached the "hump." Elder Sharp who was in the MTC with me said that he felt it was completely overrated and doesn´t change anything. It really doesn´t. But time has gone fast. Time just doesn´t mean the same thing to me anymore. I just feel that when there is a time on something, it just means that it will be over and when its done its done. You just have to do the best you can on it now.
My attitude is changing a lot in dealing with school and everything. I want to get things done when I get them, not just done on time. That goes with life as well.
As for everything else I am doing well. I know a lot of things now that I wish I´d known before but everything has to come in a learning process. You can´t just know everything at once, in that way you would never have full, true agency to choose. Sometimes you just have to choose without knowing everything or even why.
I am grateful for all the experiences I have been given and for what I do know. Many don´t know these things and for that reason trip and fall. Just the same there are things I don´t know and so sometimes I trip and fall and it hurts. But that's how we learn.
As for the mission right now, the President keeps saying that he keeps giving me tough assignments, but I really don´t feel or see how that should make anything any diffirence in my mission. Everything is difficult, you can learn and grow regardless of the circumstances. But I´m sure he is right to a degree and I know I will thank him in the future for the experiences he has let me have. The Lord knows exactly what He is doing. I am truly grateful to be here. I am learning a great deal and feel the Lord´s hand in my life more directly than I´ve ever felt before.
I thank you for supporting me and teaching me so much about all these things by your example. I´ve never been able to apreciate it enough, what you have done. As time goes on I realize more and more what you have done for me, thank you. I love you and pray for you. I hope that you know that and feel it.
Monday, October 19, 2009
eMail of October 19, 2009
My week went well and I have learned a lot. As for the weather it is heating up but has rained a bit. I did get the package by the way, thank you. We didn´t have a baptism this week though, she is sick and hasn´t really received an answer yet.
As for Marc, I really think he is okay for getting into BYU. Just because BYU has or hasn´t sent a letter yet doesn´t mean a thing. I actually don´t remember getting a letter from BYU to apply. Not everyone gets one either. BYU still accepts more of the students that apply than just about any other university in the nation. I think he is okay with a 25 considering that BYU Idaho can accept with with a 2.0 and a 16 on the ACT. Most people only get around 25. Just stay calm and do your best. As for AP Euro, talk with Miller. See if he can set something up to lessen the busywork load on Marc. Three pages of definitions and events is a little rediculous even for college level clases. I´ve seen the class before, just focus on learning what you need to learn and talk with Miller about it. Marc will be okay.
Well, as for me I am learning a lot about stress and how to manage it as well. I am happy and feel much more prepared now for everything in life. I have a lot left to learn, but I am making progress. I love you and pray for you. I hope you can find joy in all that you do.
As for Marc, I really think he is okay for getting into BYU. Just because BYU has or hasn´t sent a letter yet doesn´t mean a thing. I actually don´t remember getting a letter from BYU to apply. Not everyone gets one either. BYU still accepts more of the students that apply than just about any other university in the nation. I think he is okay with a 25 considering that BYU Idaho can accept with with a 2.0 and a 16 on the ACT. Most people only get around 25. Just stay calm and do your best. As for AP Euro, talk with Miller. See if he can set something up to lessen the busywork load on Marc. Three pages of definitions and events is a little rediculous even for college level clases. I´ve seen the class before, just focus on learning what you need to learn and talk with Miller about it. Marc will be okay.
Well, as for me I am learning a lot about stress and how to manage it as well. I am happy and feel much more prepared now for everything in life. I have a lot left to learn, but I am making progress. I love you and pray for you. I hope you can find joy in all that you do.
Monday, October 12, 2009
eMail of October 12, 2009
Another week goes by along with another year. Time doesn´t stop, it just goes by faster. Even still I am learning a lot. This last week I´m sure has been a defining week for my life. I have learned a great deal about attitude and love and charity, along with humility and all those things.
The greatest attribute a man can posess is Charity. Charity being the attitude of a person of divine love towards another. Every commandment is to help us have charity, every single one. Every law and commandment and experience is meant so that we learn charity and become more like Christ. I am just amazed at how much I have learned this last week about that. This is in part because I felt that charity fill me the whole week. It was strange but I felt my pride just disappear in certain aspects and just felt that many things of the world were no longer a part of me. I am not sure how or why that happened, but I am grateful. I changed this last week, more than just learned. It is an amazing feeling. I feel free from many burdens. It is difficult to explain but thats how it is. Along with that came success and other blessings.
Saturday we taught a new investigator that I hadn´t realized wasn´t a member before. She has been to Church twice and watched conference. She has felt the Spirit and wants to know about the Church. We taught her and she accepted baptism and everything. It was amazing and if everything goes well she will be baptised this Sunday. I am so grateful for the blessings I have received. The only thing I can say is that I know that the Lord wants us to succeed. There is no other explanation.
As for everything else I am grateful for your support and love. I hope everything continues to go well. I love you all and pray for you.
--
Elder David Skiles
The greatest attribute a man can posess is Charity. Charity being the attitude of a person of divine love towards another. Every commandment is to help us have charity, every single one. Every law and commandment and experience is meant so that we learn charity and become more like Christ. I am just amazed at how much I have learned this last week about that. This is in part because I felt that charity fill me the whole week. It was strange but I felt my pride just disappear in certain aspects and just felt that many things of the world were no longer a part of me. I am not sure how or why that happened, but I am grateful. I changed this last week, more than just learned. It is an amazing feeling. I feel free from many burdens. It is difficult to explain but thats how it is. Along with that came success and other blessings.
Saturday we taught a new investigator that I hadn´t realized wasn´t a member before. She has been to Church twice and watched conference. She has felt the Spirit and wants to know about the Church. We taught her and she accepted baptism and everything. It was amazing and if everything goes well she will be baptised this Sunday. I am so grateful for the blessings I have received. The only thing I can say is that I know that the Lord wants us to succeed. There is no other explanation.
As for everything else I am grateful for your support and love. I hope everything continues to go well. I love you all and pray for you.
--
Elder David Skiles
Monday, October 5, 2009
eMail of October 5, 2009
I got to see the whole conference live this last weekend. I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it even though it was hectic surrounded the sessions. This last week I was with a borrowed companion from another zone about 30 to 40 minutes away. We had to work both of our sectors. It was fun to get to know another sector.
Saturday though they had me change houses. That took up a good deal of time, all the time in between sessions. Today I did get my new companion though. His name is Elder Divitry from Logan Utah. He has about 9 months in the mission. I am looking forward to this coming transfer and the blessings we are going to recieve.
I hope that all of you are enjoying what you are doing as I am. As for the force of the talk of Elder Holland, he wasn´t alone. Others spoke strongly as well. The Book of Mormon talks about the power of strong, pure testimony to change the lives of people. Alma the younger at one time found it necessary to bear down in pure testimony on the people that they would repent (Alma 4). Other than that I learned a great deal about the Holy Ghost and following the whisperings of the Spirit. I also learned a few things about love and service. This conference was uplifting as they all are and very instructing. It seems that every time more that I watch and listen to conference the more powerfully it impresses on my mind and affects me. I am so grateful that we can listen to the prophets as we do in this way.
As for Grandpa I hope that they can figure out the problem and that nothing serious happens. But if anything at all ever happens to anyone it is all part of the great plan of Salvation. Everything leads to us being able to do the will of the Father and choosing to do that, while still being subject to the wills and demands of the flesh. To require the Lord to heal all men every time they suffer is directly in contrary to the plan of happiness, its the plan of the adversary. We must suffer to know good from evil. We must be subject to the things of this world so that our own agency works. He can´t choose for us, we have to choose. He can´t keep us from suffering all the time, because we are subject to it. We just need to overcome in patience and faith what comes before us.
Well, I hope that everyone is happy despite all the challenges and busy times we meet up with. I love you and and am grateful for your thoughts and prayers. I am praying for you too.
Saturday though they had me change houses. That took up a good deal of time, all the time in between sessions. Today I did get my new companion though. His name is Elder Divitry from Logan Utah. He has about 9 months in the mission. I am looking forward to this coming transfer and the blessings we are going to recieve.
I hope that all of you are enjoying what you are doing as I am. As for the force of the talk of Elder Holland, he wasn´t alone. Others spoke strongly as well. The Book of Mormon talks about the power of strong, pure testimony to change the lives of people. Alma the younger at one time found it necessary to bear down in pure testimony on the people that they would repent (Alma 4). Other than that I learned a great deal about the Holy Ghost and following the whisperings of the Spirit. I also learned a few things about love and service. This conference was uplifting as they all are and very instructing. It seems that every time more that I watch and listen to conference the more powerfully it impresses on my mind and affects me. I am so grateful that we can listen to the prophets as we do in this way.
As for Grandpa I hope that they can figure out the problem and that nothing serious happens. But if anything at all ever happens to anyone it is all part of the great plan of Salvation. Everything leads to us being able to do the will of the Father and choosing to do that, while still being subject to the wills and demands of the flesh. To require the Lord to heal all men every time they suffer is directly in contrary to the plan of happiness, its the plan of the adversary. We must suffer to know good from evil. We must be subject to the things of this world so that our own agency works. He can´t choose for us, we have to choose. He can´t keep us from suffering all the time, because we are subject to it. We just need to overcome in patience and faith what comes before us.
Well, I hope that everyone is happy despite all the challenges and busy times we meet up with. I love you and and am grateful for your thoughts and prayers. I am praying for you too.
Monday, September 28, 2009
eMail of September 28, 2009
That is great for Marc. I´m sure it is enough for BYU. He might not get a scholarship like me but he will get in. A 26 is good on the ACT. If he goes up just one or two points more he is set to get in for sure. As for the rest of the family I am glad to here that we are all improving and having fun at least.
The ward here just had some major changes as well. I have too. I will answer the other questions first though. I think the best way to send the music would be in a cd. I wouldn´t be able to get it any other way. I didn´t bring my cord to download music to my mp3. As for everything else, I am moving along and having fun. This last week though my companion had to leave the sector and I was left in a trio with the Zone leaders. They are still in their sector and I´m still in mine, so I´m going on splits nearly every day. I feel the weight of the sector on my shoulders along with the district but I am grateful for the opportunity.
I am going to learn a great deal this coming week. I will have another companion at the transfer, the Monday after General Conference. We are having difficulty though bringing people to Church. It seems that not many people here want to, members or investigators. As for investigators we have met a few, one from a large family, but they still aren´t progressing. I am going to be working hard with all of them this coming week. But with all the dificulty, I am happy. I am learning every day and notibly feel the spirit every day.
I am grateful to be here and wouldn´t want to be anywhere else right now. I understand a lot of things now that I didn´t before, and the blessings I am recieving I cannot pay back. I feel that I am close to getting the hang of things and how they need to be done. Every little thing is important, because it helps us obey the will of our Father in Heaven when we do it right.
As for everything else I am doing well and am happy. Well, I hope that all of you continue to find joy and happiness and learn as much as I am. I love you and pray for you all.
The ward here just had some major changes as well. I have too. I will answer the other questions first though. I think the best way to send the music would be in a cd. I wouldn´t be able to get it any other way. I didn´t bring my cord to download music to my mp3. As for everything else, I am moving along and having fun. This last week though my companion had to leave the sector and I was left in a trio with the Zone leaders. They are still in their sector and I´m still in mine, so I´m going on splits nearly every day. I feel the weight of the sector on my shoulders along with the district but I am grateful for the opportunity.
I am going to learn a great deal this coming week. I will have another companion at the transfer, the Monday after General Conference. We are having difficulty though bringing people to Church. It seems that not many people here want to, members or investigators. As for investigators we have met a few, one from a large family, but they still aren´t progressing. I am going to be working hard with all of them this coming week. But with all the dificulty, I am happy. I am learning every day and notibly feel the spirit every day.
I am grateful to be here and wouldn´t want to be anywhere else right now. I understand a lot of things now that I didn´t before, and the blessings I am recieving I cannot pay back. I feel that I am close to getting the hang of things and how they need to be done. Every little thing is important, because it helps us obey the will of our Father in Heaven when we do it right.
As for everything else I am doing well and am happy. Well, I hope that all of you continue to find joy and happiness and learn as much as I am. I love you and pray for you all.
eMail of September 28, 2009
That is great for Marc [referring to his ACT score]. I´m sure it is enough for BYU. He might not get a scholarship but he will get in. A 26 is good on the ACT. If he goes up just one or two points more he is set to get in for sure. As for the rest of the family I am glad to here that we are all improving and having fun at least.
The ward here just had some major changes as well. I have too. I will answer the other questions first though. I think the best way to send the music would be in a cd. I wouldn´t be able to get it any other way. I didn´t bring my cord to download music to my MP3 player.
As for everything else, I am moving along and having fun. This last week though my companion had to leave the sector and I was left in a trio with the Zone leaders. They are still in their sector and I´m still in mine, so I´m going on splits nearly every day. I feel the weight of the sector on my shoulders along with the district but I am grateful for the opportunity. I am going to learn a great deal this coming week. I will have another companion at the transfer, the Monday after General Conference.
We are having difficulty though bringing people to Church. It seems that not many people here want to, members or investigators. As for investigators we have met a few, one from a large family, but they still aren´t progressing. I am going to be working hard with all of them this coming week. But with all the dificulty, I am happy.
I am learning every day and notibly feel the spirit every day. I am grateful to be here and wouldn´t want to be anywhere else right now. I understand a lot of things now that I didn´t before, and the blessings I am recieving I cannot pay back. I feel that I am close to getting the hang of things and how they need to be done. Every little thing is important, because it helps us obey the will of our Father in Heaven when we do it right.
As for everything else I am doing well and am happy. Well, I hope that all of you continue to find joy and happiness and learn as much as I am. I love you and pray for you all.
The ward here just had some major changes as well. I have too. I will answer the other questions first though. I think the best way to send the music would be in a cd. I wouldn´t be able to get it any other way. I didn´t bring my cord to download music to my MP3 player.
As for everything else, I am moving along and having fun. This last week though my companion had to leave the sector and I was left in a trio with the Zone leaders. They are still in their sector and I´m still in mine, so I´m going on splits nearly every day. I feel the weight of the sector on my shoulders along with the district but I am grateful for the opportunity. I am going to learn a great deal this coming week. I will have another companion at the transfer, the Monday after General Conference.
We are having difficulty though bringing people to Church. It seems that not many people here want to, members or investigators. As for investigators we have met a few, one from a large family, but they still aren´t progressing. I am going to be working hard with all of them this coming week. But with all the dificulty, I am happy.
I am learning every day and notibly feel the spirit every day. I am grateful to be here and wouldn´t want to be anywhere else right now. I understand a lot of things now that I didn´t before, and the blessings I am recieving I cannot pay back. I feel that I am close to getting the hang of things and how they need to be done. Every little thing is important, because it helps us obey the will of our Father in Heaven when we do it right.
As for everything else I am doing well and am happy. Well, I hope that all of you continue to find joy and happiness and learn as much as I am. I love you and pray for you all.
Monday, September 21, 2009
eMail of September 21, 2009
So lots of things are happening. I´m glad that everyone is doing well. I would have liked to learn to do programming and stuff like that like Caleb is. And as for the friend of Christy Lloyd, I am glad that you had the opportunity to be with her. It seems that she is a rather special spirit, one of the great ones that the Lord raises up unto himself that we know not of. She will make the right decision, I don´t doubt it.
As for myself, things are moving along. I have learned and grown more I feel the last week than any other week in my life. Many things happened and I was able to do some things that I would never have been able to do before. It is amazing to feel and know that He is pleased with you and the work you are doing, even
against great odds at times. I know I am supposed to be here at this time and that I am an instrument in the Lord´s hands to bring about His work. I just want you all to know that I am happy and enjoying the mission. There is no greater experience in life than this. What I have learned and how much I have grown is priceless. Now more than ever, I know that my Savior lives and loves us and will forgive us in every moment, if we will only come unto Him.
Thank you for all that you have done. I love you all and pray for you.
As for myself, things are moving along. I have learned and grown more I feel the last week than any other week in my life. Many things happened and I was able to do some things that I would never have been able to do before. It is amazing to feel and know that He is pleased with you and the work you are doing, even
against great odds at times. I know I am supposed to be here at this time and that I am an instrument in the Lord´s hands to bring about His work. I just want you all to know that I am happy and enjoying the mission. There is no greater experience in life than this. What I have learned and how much I have grown is priceless. Now more than ever, I know that my Savior lives and loves us and will forgive us in every moment, if we will only come unto Him.
Thank you for all that you have done. I love you all and pray for you.
eMail of September 21, 2009
So lots of things are happening. I´m glad that everyone is doing well. I would have liked to learn to do programming and stuff like that like Caleb is. And as for the friend of Kristi Lloyd, I am glad that you had the opportunity to be with her. It seems that she is a rather special spirit, one of the great ones that the Lord raises up unto Himself that we know not of. She will make the right decision, I don´t doubt it.
As for myself, things are moving along. I have learned and grown more I feel the last week than any other week in my life. Many things happened and I was able to do some things that I would never have been able to do before. It is amazing to feel and know that He is pleased with you and the work you are doing, even against great odds at times.
I know I am supposed to be here at this time and that I am an instrument in the Lord´s hands to bring about His work. I just want you all to know that I am happy and enjoying the mission. There is no greater experience in life than this. What I have learned and how much I have grown is priceless. Now more than ever, I know that my Savior lives and loves us and will forgive us in every moment, if we will only come unto Him.
Thank you for all that you have done. I love you all and pray for you.
As for myself, things are moving along. I have learned and grown more I feel the last week than any other week in my life. Many things happened and I was able to do some things that I would never have been able to do before. It is amazing to feel and know that He is pleased with you and the work you are doing, even against great odds at times.
I know I am supposed to be here at this time and that I am an instrument in the Lord´s hands to bring about His work. I just want you all to know that I am happy and enjoying the mission. There is no greater experience in life than this. What I have learned and how much I have grown is priceless. Now more than ever, I know that my Savior lives and loves us and will forgive us in every moment, if we will only come unto Him.
Thank you for all that you have done. I love you all and pray for you.
Monday, September 14, 2009
eMail of September 14, 2009
I am glad that the family is taking such an active part in everything. There is nothing better that we could be doing really. As for the ACT for Marc, I would say just sign up again. I don´t think it will hurt to take it again and being in school a little bit more before he is going to remember more. But that´s just me.
As for me, I am doing great. I am learning more than I ever thought possible about patience and humility right now. I can tell that the first time doing something is the most difficult. The President of the mission gave me a quote in our last interview that I really liked. It´s "Time, patience, persistence." With that I feel that I can get a lot more done.
I also had a good time today. We went on a hike to a hill near the mountains. It was foggy so we didn´t see much but it was fun. We got to study up there as well. I am grateful for the opportunity to be here doing what I am doing. There is nothing more that I would want to be doing right now. There are so many blessings you can recieve for serving here. We are moving forward and finding more people and trying to help them progress. There are really a lot of hopefulls and we are doing well. But still there is always room for improvement. I´m not sure how I can share what I feel for the gospel now and for the Savior. For how much I am learning and growing it is difficult.
Well I hope you all can enjoy life and not get too stressed. Sometimes it is the most difficult time of our lives that bring us the most joy. I love you and am grateful for your prayers and thoughts.
[email to Dad] In this ward here there are about 100 at church every week, with 1600 in the records. We are going to try and change that. Well, I hope that you can enjoy everything even though it gets complicated.
I have had a complicated but enjoyable time as well. You can´t always do everything though. I am thankful for what you have done and for supporting me here. I know there is no better place for me to be and that I am being prepared for much greater things later on if I but do the will of Him who sent me. Thank you and I just want you to know that I love you.
As for me, I am doing great. I am learning more than I ever thought possible about patience and humility right now. I can tell that the first time doing something is the most difficult. The President of the mission gave me a quote in our last interview that I really liked. It´s "Time, patience, persistence." With that I feel that I can get a lot more done.
I also had a good time today. We went on a hike to a hill near the mountains. It was foggy so we didn´t see much but it was fun. We got to study up there as well. I am grateful for the opportunity to be here doing what I am doing. There is nothing more that I would want to be doing right now. There are so many blessings you can recieve for serving here. We are moving forward and finding more people and trying to help them progress. There are really a lot of hopefulls and we are doing well. But still there is always room for improvement. I´m not sure how I can share what I feel for the gospel now and for the Savior. For how much I am learning and growing it is difficult.
Well I hope you all can enjoy life and not get too stressed. Sometimes it is the most difficult time of our lives that bring us the most joy. I love you and am grateful for your prayers and thoughts.
[email to Dad] In this ward here there are about 100 at church every week, with 1600 in the records. We are going to try and change that. Well, I hope that you can enjoy everything even though it gets complicated.
I have had a complicated but enjoyable time as well. You can´t always do everything though. I am thankful for what you have done and for supporting me here. I know there is no better place for me to be and that I am being prepared for much greater things later on if I but do the will of Him who sent me. Thank you and I just want you to know that I love you.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
eMail of September 13, 2009
Thank you for working on that for me [referring to the music CD]. I´m sure it´s a good story what President Monson told [referring to the "Lost Battalion" told in Stake Conference]. The wards and stakes here could use it as well. In this ward here there are about 100 at church every week, with 1600 in the records. We are going to try and change that. Well, I hope that you can enjoy everything even though it gets complicated.
I have had a complicated but enjoyable time as well. You can´t always do everything though. I am thankful for what you have done and for supporting me here. I know there is no better place for me to be and that I am being prepared for much greater things later on if I but do the will of Him who sent me. Thank you and I just want you to know that I love you.
I have had a complicated but enjoyable time as well. You can´t always do everything though. I am thankful for what you have done and for supporting me here. I know there is no better place for me to be and that I am being prepared for much greater things later on if I but do the will of Him who sent me. Thank you and I just want you to know that I love you.
Monday, September 7, 2009
eMail of September 7, 2009
Dallen comes home in October? Time goes by too fast. I thought he just left. But no, he did leave a good deal of time back. I´m glad to hear that everyone has good teachers and is having fun. I will be praying for Marc. He will get in, just have faith. As for the AP European History class, that is easily the most difficult at Juanita High. But he will do well I´m sure. Just keep on top of everything and make sure that the teacher understands that the busy work isn´t what Marc needs. It´s more important that he learns the material. Don´t worry though, really nothing is imposible if you want to get it done and you trust in the Lord more than yourself. I am happy though that you are all excited and ready for this next year.
As for myself I am probably more happy than I´ve ever been. It isn´t easy but it seems that the more you face, if you keep a good attitude about it the more happy you actually become. I am growing and learning a lot right now. Things are always changing though and sometimes it is a little difficult to adapt but fun at the same time. More than anything I am learning about my Savior and His Atonement for all mankind and how that affects everything we do and are. Everything changed in that moment. More than anything I just want people to understand that truth of the Gospel, that Christ died to save us from death and unhappiness. As for my new calling, I just feel more responsability and that what happens in those other sectors is also
dependent on me and what I do. It really just feels like my sector got three times bigger and I am sending the others out to work every day. It is interesting, and I am trying to do my best and help every one.
As for the other matters, I don´t need any singulair for now. I haven´t needed to take any for a while. I was using the inhaler but for the last weeks I haven´t needed to, expecially as it has been raining. As for other things, I don´t really need anything at the moment. For money I have more than enough to last me the whole mission in my account. I was left with more than 700 after my tax return. I am limiting the amount of money I pull out of that account to a bare minimum, almost never.
There are some things I want though. One of our companions got the last week a cd from his family that has his brother and sister singing and stuff and I was wanting a few specific songs. I don´t want to overwhelm you though so don´t worry about when you get it to me. I wanted Marc and Janai to sing Be Still My Soul like they did before and Dad to sing A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief. I would also like the cd of Carlene playing the Piano. Somehow I don´t have it and we can listen to that now. As for other songs, if you can do If you could hie to Kolob that would be great but whichever ones you choose. As for other things, I would like some specific treats the next time. Cheez-its as always but most specifically salt and vinagre chips. They don´t have them here.
Thats what I specifically want the next time. Don´t worry about when you can´t get that to me. It will be the blink of an eye for me the same. Oh, and before I forget I am getting another suit to replace my black one already. It´s got a hole already that you can´t really fix. It´s not noticable yet but still, it´s gone.
Well I love you all and hope that you are enjoying everything. Have fun and be happy!
[to his dad]
Thanks. Well for what I am learning right now it is rather difficult to put it in a book and write it down. The Book of Mormon has the best written record of this stuff but just the same, some things you have to live, not just read. It has been a time of trial but there are few times that I have been happier. I can feel more than ever the power of the atonement in my life and my own spiritual progress. I have learned a great deal the last bit. Well, anyway I just want you to know that I am thankful for your prayers and support. I didn´t truly understand before, and I´m sure I don´t fully now, but I am eternally in debt to you for having raised me the way you did. You raised me to find and know the gospel of Christ, and now that I have I have so much more joy. Thankyou. I hope that you find joy in all that you do and that you keep progressing as well and become even more of a blessing to our family and the world. May the love of the Lord abide with you always.
Elder Skiles
As for myself I am probably more happy than I´ve ever been. It isn´t easy but it seems that the more you face, if you keep a good attitude about it the more happy you actually become. I am growing and learning a lot right now. Things are always changing though and sometimes it is a little difficult to adapt but fun at the same time. More than anything I am learning about my Savior and His Atonement for all mankind and how that affects everything we do and are. Everything changed in that moment. More than anything I just want people to understand that truth of the Gospel, that Christ died to save us from death and unhappiness. As for my new calling, I just feel more responsability and that what happens in those other sectors is also
dependent on me and what I do. It really just feels like my sector got three times bigger and I am sending the others out to work every day. It is interesting, and I am trying to do my best and help every one.
As for the other matters, I don´t need any singulair for now. I haven´t needed to take any for a while. I was using the inhaler but for the last weeks I haven´t needed to, expecially as it has been raining. As for other things, I don´t really need anything at the moment. For money I have more than enough to last me the whole mission in my account. I was left with more than 700 after my tax return. I am limiting the amount of money I pull out of that account to a bare minimum, almost never.
There are some things I want though. One of our companions got the last week a cd from his family that has his brother and sister singing and stuff and I was wanting a few specific songs. I don´t want to overwhelm you though so don´t worry about when you get it to me. I wanted Marc and Janai to sing Be Still My Soul like they did before and Dad to sing A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief. I would also like the cd of Carlene playing the Piano. Somehow I don´t have it and we can listen to that now. As for other songs, if you can do If you could hie to Kolob that would be great but whichever ones you choose. As for other things, I would like some specific treats the next time. Cheez-its as always but most specifically salt and vinagre chips. They don´t have them here.
Thats what I specifically want the next time. Don´t worry about when you can´t get that to me. It will be the blink of an eye for me the same. Oh, and before I forget I am getting another suit to replace my black one already. It´s got a hole already that you can´t really fix. It´s not noticable yet but still, it´s gone.
Well I love you all and hope that you are enjoying everything. Have fun and be happy!
[to his dad]
Thanks. Well for what I am learning right now it is rather difficult to put it in a book and write it down. The Book of Mormon has the best written record of this stuff but just the same, some things you have to live, not just read. It has been a time of trial but there are few times that I have been happier. I can feel more than ever the power of the atonement in my life and my own spiritual progress. I have learned a great deal the last bit. Well, anyway I just want you to know that I am thankful for your prayers and support. I didn´t truly understand before, and I´m sure I don´t fully now, but I am eternally in debt to you for having raised me the way you did. You raised me to find and know the gospel of Christ, and now that I have I have so much more joy. Thankyou. I hope that you find joy in all that you do and that you keep progressing as well and become even more of a blessing to our family and the world. May the love of the Lord abide with you always.
Elder Skiles
Monday, August 31, 2009
eMail of August 31, 2009
I have had a good week. This is a great ward and we are going to move forward quickly. It is wierd to think that Marc will be graduating this year. Also that Janai is starting High School and Caleb Junior High. That means only one in elementary school. That is just crazy.
Things are changing. And Ben has a year on the mission already. I went to the Temple a year ago. Carlene has been marriend for two months and I have less than two months to reach a year in the mission. Two months goes by too fast now. Makes one think about what they are doing with their life and what they need to improve on.
I have gotten a lot better at setting goals and stuff but I still have a lot of room for improvement. I am happy as well. Things are going well and I am enjoying the experience of being here.
Well as of right now I don´t have any investigators that are really progressing or anything so I
don´t have much more to say. I hope that everything enjoys this next year of school and does well. I know that where we all are right now is where the Lord wants us to be. I love you and pray that you all are well.
Elder Skiles
Things are changing. And Ben has a year on the mission already. I went to the Temple a year ago. Carlene has been marriend for two months and I have less than two months to reach a year in the mission. Two months goes by too fast now. Makes one think about what they are doing with their life and what they need to improve on.
I have gotten a lot better at setting goals and stuff but I still have a lot of room for improvement. I am happy as well. Things are going well and I am enjoying the experience of being here.
Well as of right now I don´t have any investigators that are really progressing or anything so I
don´t have much more to say. I hope that everything enjoys this next year of school and does well. I know that where we all are right now is where the Lord wants us to be. I love you and pray that you all are well.
Elder Skiles
Monday, August 24, 2009
eMail of August 24, 2009
I did have a good week. I just keep learning and growing every day. But another period of my life is over it seems. Today I moved into another sector. I am District Leader and my new companion is Elder Laney from Arizona. So everything is going to change again for me. I´m sure everything is going to go well though. I´m really excited for these next few weeks. I feel like we are going to see miracles.
I am grateful for all your thoughts and prayers, they have helped me a lot. As for people to pray for, pray for Erwin Cifuentes. He is getting ready for baptism but still feels like it is too soon. I
won´t be there but I am sure he will be baptised these next weeks.
As for everything else I am okay. I´m having fun and enjoying life. As for all of you I hope you are doing well. I´m sorry to hear about Brother Monaco but I´m sure everything will happen for the best. They are strong. I will pray for them.
For the signature I really don´t know how I am going to get that to you. I guess I could try and send a fax with it but I would need the number and also I don´t know how well it would arrive there. I will try and figure something out though.
Oh, and before I forget I did get the chance to baptise someone yesterday. Catalina Muñoz is eight so she isn´t a convert but because the brother she wanted to baptise her couldn´t I was asigned instead. I have worked with the family a long time. It was a special experience.
Well, again thank you for your prayers and thoughts. Have fun and enjoy life all of you.
Elder Skiles
I am grateful for all your thoughts and prayers, they have helped me a lot. As for people to pray for, pray for Erwin Cifuentes. He is getting ready for baptism but still feels like it is too soon. I
won´t be there but I am sure he will be baptised these next weeks.
As for everything else I am okay. I´m having fun and enjoying life. As for all of you I hope you are doing well. I´m sorry to hear about Brother Monaco but I´m sure everything will happen for the best. They are strong. I will pray for them.
For the signature I really don´t know how I am going to get that to you. I guess I could try and send a fax with it but I would need the number and also I don´t know how well it would arrive there. I will try and figure something out though.
Oh, and before I forget I did get the chance to baptise someone yesterday. Catalina Muñoz is eight so she isn´t a convert but because the brother she wanted to baptise her couldn´t I was asigned instead. I have worked with the family a long time. It was a special experience.
Well, again thank you for your prayers and thoughts. Have fun and enjoy life all of you.
Elder Skiles
Monday, August 17, 2009
eMail of August 17, 2009
So, gmail has died down here so today I am going to just right through this one. It´s working better right now. As for how I am I am doing great. I am learning a lot right now. As for our investigators we are running out. We have one that we are really working with right now. The rest are just not progressing quite yet. But we are working hard and trying to get everything done. It is a great blessing to be serving here in this mission and ward right now. The ward has grown considerably in the recent months.
As for everything else, I don´t really have anything to say right now. I am happy, having fun and enjoying life while getting a lot of work done. That´s all. Well I hope everyone is doing well and sorry I can´t right more. Gmail is down. I just got a hold of your email from this week. I still have to respond here there, it died already. I am okay on my supply of meds, I should have sufficient for a while. As for the inhaler I have used it and it has helped.
As for the mountains they are less hazy today. We can actually see them nearly perfectly. It rained the last few days so now there is snow and everything on them. My companion is doing well, learning Spanish fast. It gets frustrating though trying to speak a language you don´t really know to help someone else have eternal salvation, when you can´t speak that well. As for cool experiences, yesterday we taught a young man that is amazing. He came to church on his own and accepted everything we taught. He should be baptised here in the next few weeks. It was a spiritually powerful lesson and we learned a lot.
Well, I am happy and don´t need anything else for now. Thank you for everything and I hope all of you continue to have fun and enjoy life. By the way, I just want you to know that we had "winter break" for school here a month ago, its opposite here. Kindof wierd to me.
David
Monday, August 10, 2009
eMail of August 10, 2009
Well you are all probably tired and everything but I am glad you had fun. It isn´t fun being sick though. Well anyway, things have been going well for us. Valentina was baptised yesterday and that went well. There is no greater joy than that. At least for what I have known. It was a great experience, the photos are attached.
As for everyone else, well that could go better but its going well enough.
We have activated a family and their 8-year-old daughter will be baptised next week and we have some people set up for the next week. It will happen.
Well, right now I don´t really have all that much to say. I will tell you an experience I had Saturday. We were inviting people to take an open tour of the Chapel and no one was listening. After a while we switched so that I was singing in front. Our zone leaders showed up late with some extra hymnbooks, and then the older one turned around, saw someone and contacted her. Immediately he found the one person interested of the day. She went in, listened and then even accepted to prepare for baptism in three weeks when she knew it was true. Sometimes it is amazing how the Lord works. His grace is with that Elder, that is for sure. That was amazing to see. I would like to be able to do that but I just have to be content with what I have been given, and I have been given much. Well, thats one interesting story from the last week. Anyway I hope everyone is happy and doing well. I love you all and hope you enjoyed the trip immensely.
Elder David Skiles
As for everyone else, well that could go better but its going well enough.
We have activated a family and their 8-year-old daughter will be baptised next week and we have some people set up for the next week. It will happen.
Well, right now I don´t really have all that much to say. I will tell you an experience I had Saturday. We were inviting people to take an open tour of the Chapel and no one was listening. After a while we switched so that I was singing in front. Our zone leaders showed up late with some extra hymnbooks, and then the older one turned around, saw someone and contacted her. Immediately he found the one person interested of the day. She went in, listened and then even accepted to prepare for baptism in three weeks when she knew it was true. Sometimes it is amazing how the Lord works. His grace is with that Elder, that is for sure. That was amazing to see. I would like to be able to do that but I just have to be content with what I have been given, and I have been given much. Well, thats one interesting story from the last week. Anyway I hope everyone is happy and doing well. I love you all and hope you enjoyed the trip immensely.
Elder David Skiles
Monday, August 3, 2009
eMail of August 3, 2009
Well it looks like you have all had a busy time. I hope everyone is enjoying everything as well. I am glad to hear that Sean was able to baptise and confirm both Lauren and Hayden. That will be a great blessing to the whole family. I feel that we have all been blessed in these times. I hope that you have had a fun trip to Alaska as well. I´m sure it is amazingly bueatiful.
Here I am having fun, growing and learning almost too much and learning the power of faith and the Spirit. He has provided everything we need in this life for us, all we need to do is do as He asks, and then ask. I am trying to put into practice those principles that the scriptures teach about faith and prayer a lot more than I did before.
As for our investigators Valentina that is 10 should be baptised this Sunday and then there are several more we hope to follow. I would tell you more stories but, all I can really think about is what we are going to do to get them all baptised, and thats the story that comes after that really counts.
I understand a whole lot better the purpose in Preach My Gospel. It is very literally our purpose in every sense of the word. We are here to baptise the world
by water and by fire and the Holy Ghost to prepare the way for the Second Coming. We do that by following the principles of the gospel ourselves and then helping others to do the same. A truly succesful missionary lives the gospel in his every day life, and helps others to live it as well. Faith is where everything starts.
Thank you everyone for your prayers. They have helped me a lot to be strong and not slacken. I am grateful to be here and doing my best to bring about this great work. The thing is that I know that truly I am nothing. I can´t really do anything, He does it. Really I´m just along here for the ride to watch Him do His work so that one day I can do it too. Well thank you for everything and I hope and pray that you are all well.
Elder Skiles
Here I am having fun, growing and learning almost too much and learning the power of faith and the Spirit. He has provided everything we need in this life for us, all we need to do is do as He asks, and then ask. I am trying to put into practice those principles that the scriptures teach about faith and prayer a lot more than I did before.
As for our investigators Valentina that is 10 should be baptised this Sunday and then there are several more we hope to follow. I would tell you more stories but, all I can really think about is what we are going to do to get them all baptised, and thats the story that comes after that really counts.
I understand a whole lot better the purpose in Preach My Gospel. It is very literally our purpose in every sense of the word. We are here to baptise the world
by water and by fire and the Holy Ghost to prepare the way for the Second Coming. We do that by following the principles of the gospel ourselves and then helping others to do the same. A truly succesful missionary lives the gospel in his every day life, and helps others to live it as well. Faith is where everything starts.
Thank you everyone for your prayers. They have helped me a lot to be strong and not slacken. I am grateful to be here and doing my best to bring about this great work. The thing is that I know that truly I am nothing. I can´t really do anything, He does it. Really I´m just along here for the ride to watch Him do His work so that one day I can do it too. Well thank you for everything and I hope and pray that you are all well.
Elder Skiles
Monday, July 27, 2009
eMail of July 27, 2009
We have had another great week. We have been amazingly blessed in the work we are doing. I have been recieving incredible blessings here and am sure all of you there have felt them too. We are teaching several families right now, if I remember right four or five families. With some others at the side we are teaching alone. Nearly all of them are progressing towards baptism right now as well.
Sometimes it feels just a little overwhelming trying to take care of all of them so that they progress; but, I am happy and enjoying everything. The amount of people we are teaching is growing considerable and right now. I just can´t think straight enough to mention anyone specifically. I will say more as they are baptised because they are those who count the most.
As for Samuel who was just baptised, he is excited about Church. He goes to all the activities he can alone if his parents don´t and he is happy. There has been a great change in him. His dad has had a big change as well. Before the baptism of Samuel he had never even once entered into a chapel of any religion. He wants to go
more now as well. This is just one example of the ways we are being blessed with people to teach.
As for the list of questions, well I will try to answer all of them. It doesn´t get very cold here but it does get cold. I think it gets to around 35 or 40 in the morning and at night. I´m not sure though. It hasn´t snowed at all.
As for my shoes they are doing very well. They show very minimal wear even in the sole for using them every other day each pair for 9 months. They should still last to the end of the mission if not very close to.
I am not sure what the hardest part about the mission would be. Nothing is really that hard if you just have faith. Perhaps the people rejecting us and not listening
would be the hardest. It seems also that my best friend is whoever I am with at the time as a companion. However I did have an amazing time truly with Elder Joel Hovey. He probably could be considered as a better friend. I don´t know how he is doing right now either but I am sure great. Well, I hope to be sending more pictures next week.
I love all of you and hope that you continue to find joy and happiness
in all that you do.
Elder Skiles
Sometimes it feels just a little overwhelming trying to take care of all of them so that they progress; but, I am happy and enjoying everything. The amount of people we are teaching is growing considerable and right now. I just can´t think straight enough to mention anyone specifically. I will say more as they are baptised because they are those who count the most.
As for Samuel who was just baptised, he is excited about Church. He goes to all the activities he can alone if his parents don´t and he is happy. There has been a great change in him. His dad has had a big change as well. Before the baptism of Samuel he had never even once entered into a chapel of any religion. He wants to go
more now as well. This is just one example of the ways we are being blessed with people to teach.
As for the list of questions, well I will try to answer all of them. It doesn´t get very cold here but it does get cold. I think it gets to around 35 or 40 in the morning and at night. I´m not sure though. It hasn´t snowed at all.
As for my shoes they are doing very well. They show very minimal wear even in the sole for using them every other day each pair for 9 months. They should still last to the end of the mission if not very close to.
I am not sure what the hardest part about the mission would be. Nothing is really that hard if you just have faith. Perhaps the people rejecting us and not listening
would be the hardest. It seems also that my best friend is whoever I am with at the time as a companion. However I did have an amazing time truly with Elder Joel Hovey. He probably could be considered as a better friend. I don´t know how he is doing right now either but I am sure great. Well, I hope to be sending more pictures next week.
I love all of you and hope that you continue to find joy and happiness
in all that you do.
Elder Skiles
Monday, July 20, 2009
eMail of July 20, 2009
Well for the people we are teaching one progressed to baptism yesterday! Samuel of 12 years was baptised. We are working on several others right now and are hoping everything goes well. We have met a few people that are truly interested. We just have to do it right and pray that they come through with everything.
We are doing very well already. My new companion is Elder Burton. He is a great companion and willing to learn. I must say it is a trial of faith to train another missionary. It is going well though and I am happier than I´ve ever been.
Time just goes by and all we worry about is who can we teach and help to the waters of baptism. The Lord does this work truly and all we have to do is do what He says. The Spirit helps us so much with all we do; it is amazing. There is no greater joy than missionary work.
The new mission president is amazing too. I would go into details more but I´m running out of time. He is inspired and filled with the Spirit. I am so grateful to be here at this time. Great things will begin to happen here and it all depends on the faith that we have.
Well, I love all of you and am grateful for your prayers and support. The Lord loves all of you and is watching out for you. This gospel is true and Christ´s church is on the earth with the power and authority of God. I love you all, be happy, have fun, share the gospel.
P.S.- The photos are of my last zone and...
of the baptism. My companion, Samuel, his mom Alejandra and dad Juan.
We are doing very well already. My new companion is Elder Burton. He is a great companion and willing to learn. I must say it is a trial of faith to train another missionary. It is going well though and I am happier than I´ve ever been.
Time just goes by and all we worry about is who can we teach and help to the waters of baptism. The Lord does this work truly and all we have to do is do what He says. The Spirit helps us so much with all we do; it is amazing. There is no greater joy than missionary work.
The new mission president is amazing too. I would go into details more but I´m running out of time. He is inspired and filled with the Spirit. I am so grateful to be here at this time. Great things will begin to happen here and it all depends on the faith that we have.
Well, I love all of you and am grateful for your prayers and support. The Lord loves all of you and is watching out for you. This gospel is true and Christ´s church is on the earth with the power and authority of God. I love you all, be happy, have fun, share the gospel.
P.S.- The photos are of my last zone and...
of the baptism. My companion, Samuel, his mom Alejandra and dad Juan.
Monday, July 13, 2009
eMail of July 13, 2009
I´ve had some of the baconaise, it´s good but I really haven´t had much time to eat it. But thank you. As for the other questions, I never did find my sweater. I can´t find one that I really can use here yet either. But wait before you send me one. I have the other one.
Changes were today but I do not have my companion yet. I will pick him up tomorrow. He will be fresh from the MTC and I will be training him the next six weeks. I am excited and hope everything goes well.
As for the investigators, we didn´t have any baptisms. The one that was going to be baptised drank tea during the last week and then didn´t show up to church yesterday. I don´t think he will be baptised this week even though he is programmed to be. I don´t want to baptise someone that is just going to end up inactive the next week. But we will see.
As for other investigators, we have a few but many of them just tend to stop progressing when they have to go to church. It can be frustrating; but you can´t do too much about it.
The previous baptisms as far as I know are doing well. One is doing excellent and I met up with him two and a half months later by the temple. I felt so happy to see him doing so well. The gospel truly has the power to convert people and change them. It is such a joy.
My mission already feels complete for bringing just a few into the fold of God. Well I am doing well and looking forward to what the future will bring. I love you all and am excited to see how much everyone is progressing.
[to his dad]
Everyone is feeling well, more or less. From my zone two have gone home for health problems these last weeks, including my companion.
Today is the end of the transfer. My new companion is Elder Burton. That's all I know. He comes fresh from the MTC tomorrow, which means I am training this change. I am excited about this chance and hope for the miracles that are sure to follow. I have met the new mission president and he is amazing. Filled with the Spirit and is leading us to greater hieghts. I am truly grateful for all that I have and hope that every one of you continues to enjoy life and go well.
As for me, things like "A Journey of Faith" don´t so much build my testimony as just give evidences of the truth. The true power of the book isn´t just to know that it is true, but to read and study it. To feel the spirit of the book and act upon what you learn is when the true testimony of pure knowledge can come. Physical evidences can be helpful, but the spiritual evidences are far more lasting and the basis of true testimony.
Well I will write more next week. Oh, and before I forget President Laycock served in Buenos Aires Sur as well.
I love you and am grateful for all that you have done.
Changes were today but I do not have my companion yet. I will pick him up tomorrow. He will be fresh from the MTC and I will be training him the next six weeks. I am excited and hope everything goes well.
As for the investigators, we didn´t have any baptisms. The one that was going to be baptised drank tea during the last week and then didn´t show up to church yesterday. I don´t think he will be baptised this week even though he is programmed to be. I don´t want to baptise someone that is just going to end up inactive the next week. But we will see.
As for other investigators, we have a few but many of them just tend to stop progressing when they have to go to church. It can be frustrating; but you can´t do too much about it.
The previous baptisms as far as I know are doing well. One is doing excellent and I met up with him two and a half months later by the temple. I felt so happy to see him doing so well. The gospel truly has the power to convert people and change them. It is such a joy.
My mission already feels complete for bringing just a few into the fold of God. Well I am doing well and looking forward to what the future will bring. I love you all and am excited to see how much everyone is progressing.
[to his dad]
Everyone is feeling well, more or less. From my zone two have gone home for health problems these last weeks, including my companion.
Today is the end of the transfer. My new companion is Elder Burton. That's all I know. He comes fresh from the MTC tomorrow, which means I am training this change. I am excited about this chance and hope for the miracles that are sure to follow. I have met the new mission president and he is amazing. Filled with the Spirit and is leading us to greater hieghts. I am truly grateful for all that I have and hope that every one of you continues to enjoy life and go well.
As for me, things like "A Journey of Faith" don´t so much build my testimony as just give evidences of the truth. The true power of the book isn´t just to know that it is true, but to read and study it. To feel the spirit of the book and act upon what you learn is when the true testimony of pure knowledge can come. Physical evidences can be helpful, but the spiritual evidences are far more lasting and the basis of true testimony.
Well I will write more next week. Oh, and before I forget President Laycock served in Buenos Aires Sur as well.
I love you and am grateful for all that you have done.
Monday, July 6, 2009
eMail of July 6, 2009
To answer all the questions, I did get the package. The weather here
is cold but right now sunny. It has been mostly cloudy the last weeks
but good. This coming week is the last week of the change so my
companion will be going home for a while. He will be coming back but
only after his back is better. He will be okay though. We are still
working despite the problem.
The new mission president is great. He is Elder Laycock from Alpine, Utah. He served in the Buenos Aires South mission as well. He has four kids, one is married, another a return missionary, the third in college and the last is 16 and will be
living here. He has a good strong testimony and can still speak
Spanish better than I can. He is a big guy as well.
Well everything is going well. There has been a change in schedule, we aren´t going
to have class till 4 o´clock today so I won't get any mail or anything
till the end of the day. That means if there is any I will have to
respond the next week.
Well we have been doing well the last week. We met one person that is
ready to be baptised, she just has to go to church. Also two of our
investigators finally were able to come to Church, which means one of
them will now be able to be baptised this coming Sunday, Samuel. He
is 12 and his mom is a member of many years. He is excited about it
and preparing well. The investigator is ready to be baptised as well,
she just needs to come to Church two more weeks and commit to keep
going afterward. That will be tough with the family pressure but it
will be done. It is amazing to see how quickly one can change and the
power of the restored gospel as people accept it and live its
principles. I am so grateful to be here and learn so much. I may
lose two years of time, but it is time given to the Lord. In those
two years I lay down the foundation for eternity. A small, small
price to pay for what is given in return. I doubt there will be a day
that goes by that I will not think of my mission from here on out.
is cold but right now sunny. It has been mostly cloudy the last weeks
but good. This coming week is the last week of the change so my
companion will be going home for a while. He will be coming back but
only after his back is better. He will be okay though. We are still
working despite the problem.
The new mission president is great. He is Elder Laycock from Alpine, Utah. He served in the Buenos Aires South mission as well. He has four kids, one is married, another a return missionary, the third in college and the last is 16 and will be
living here. He has a good strong testimony and can still speak
Spanish better than I can. He is a big guy as well.
Well everything is going well. There has been a change in schedule, we aren´t going
to have class till 4 o´clock today so I won't get any mail or anything
till the end of the day. That means if there is any I will have to
respond the next week.
Well we have been doing well the last week. We met one person that is
ready to be baptised, she just has to go to church. Also two of our
investigators finally were able to come to Church, which means one of
them will now be able to be baptised this coming Sunday, Samuel. He
is 12 and his mom is a member of many years. He is excited about it
and preparing well. The investigator is ready to be baptised as well,
she just needs to come to Church two more weeks and commit to keep
going afterward. That will be tough with the family pressure but it
will be done. It is amazing to see how quickly one can change and the
power of the restored gospel as people accept it and live its
principles. I am so grateful to be here and learn so much. I may
lose two years of time, but it is time given to the Lord. In those
two years I lay down the foundation for eternity. A small, small
price to pay for what is given in return. I doubt there will be a day
that goes by that I will not think of my mission from here on out.
Monday, June 29, 2009
email of June 29, 2009
In so many ways I feel like I was there. Having the chance to go to
the temple Wednesday was just perfect. I felt the Spirit and thought
about how Carlene must feel going through that. Sometimes it takes
great trials before to have a powerfully uplifting experience after.
I hope that everyone has had a great time and enjoyed everything
still. I am sure Carlene and Brent did. It is truly amazing.
Well as for me we are doing well. I am tired but happy. Yesterday we said
goodbye to President Moran. It was a great experience as well. Many
things will probably be changing now but we will manage. One thing
that will be changing drastically is my companion has to go home to
treat his back, he has a hernia. He goes home in two weeks. It is
sad but he will be back. I just hope everything goes well for him.
Well I really don´t have too much to say this week but I am thankful
for all your prayers and thoughts. I am thankful for all you have
done for me and your prayers, I need them and not only me. This world
needs more prayers. This battle is not easy, but we overcame once
before already with our testimony. I love all of you and hope for the
best.
the temple Wednesday was just perfect. I felt the Spirit and thought
about how Carlene must feel going through that. Sometimes it takes
great trials before to have a powerfully uplifting experience after.
I hope that everyone has had a great time and enjoyed everything
still. I am sure Carlene and Brent did. It is truly amazing.
Well as for me we are doing well. I am tired but happy. Yesterday we said
goodbye to President Moran. It was a great experience as well. Many
things will probably be changing now but we will manage. One thing
that will be changing drastically is my companion has to go home to
treat his back, he has a hernia. He goes home in two weeks. It is
sad but he will be back. I just hope everything goes well for him.
Well I really don´t have too much to say this week but I am thankful
for all your prayers and thoughts. I am thankful for all you have
done for me and your prayers, I need them and not only me. This world
needs more prayers. This battle is not easy, but we overcame once
before already with our testimony. I love all of you and hope for the
best.
Monday, June 22, 2009
Emails of June 22, 2009
[email to his mom]
Everything is going well here and we are having fun. Due to certain
circumstances we didn´t have a full week of work but we are doing
well. I did get the package but I still don´t have it. I will get it
soon. I wasn´t there to pick it up this morning. As for my week to
come, it is the last one with President Moran, my birthday and I get
to go to the Temple on my birthday Wednesday.
Things are going well but we have had some problems with investigators and recent converts. Every one of them nearly with their marriage. But other than that
things are going well. We are teaching two people in particular that
are great and progressing quickly. They have accepted to be baptised
now it is just a matter of getting them to church and to fulfill their
other commitments and requirements for baptism.
As for the photos, I will get them to you sometime. They will come, don´t worry.
Well I´m glad everyone is doing well and happy. Just remember to be patient
and enjoy it, even the difficulties. It will be a long time before
you can do it again. Well, I am doing well and happy. Sorry that my
message this time is a little short. I took all my time writing
Janai, Carlene and Dad. There are more details about some things in
each of those but just remember I am doing very well, learning and
growing every day. The Lord does the work here and no one can
frustrate it. He will get it done. I love you all and pray that you
are doing well.
[email to his dad]
Talking about Temples I have the opportunity to go again this Wednesday, on my birthday.
This is the last week for President Moran so things are going to be changing for me as well. And it looks like when some of the family have a hectic life, all do. This last week has been interesting. I explained it to Carlene and Janai, that our whole district, the four of us in this ward, have gotten sick. The other three enough to stay in bed. I worked every day as the third just got sick but still we didn´t get a full week in. I have now truly experienced some of the blessings that I have learned about before.
As we teach, the physical symptoms all stop, and we can teach with clarity and power even when sick. It is truly amazing. But true, life is good. I´m glad everyone realizes at least a little bit what is truly important about everything that is happening with the wedding. The fulness of the Gospel comes through the Temple and it provides us a way to recieve blessings that are not known or
understood in this world. The world does not understand it.
Well, I love you and am glad things are still going well. I hope you can enjoy everything and have a powerful, spiritual experience with everything.
Everything is going well here and we are having fun. Due to certain
circumstances we didn´t have a full week of work but we are doing
well. I did get the package but I still don´t have it. I will get it
soon. I wasn´t there to pick it up this morning. As for my week to
come, it is the last one with President Moran, my birthday and I get
to go to the Temple on my birthday Wednesday.
Things are going well but we have had some problems with investigators and recent converts. Every one of them nearly with their marriage. But other than that
things are going well. We are teaching two people in particular that
are great and progressing quickly. They have accepted to be baptised
now it is just a matter of getting them to church and to fulfill their
other commitments and requirements for baptism.
As for the photos, I will get them to you sometime. They will come, don´t worry.
Well I´m glad everyone is doing well and happy. Just remember to be patient
and enjoy it, even the difficulties. It will be a long time before
you can do it again. Well, I am doing well and happy. Sorry that my
message this time is a little short. I took all my time writing
Janai, Carlene and Dad. There are more details about some things in
each of those but just remember I am doing very well, learning and
growing every day. The Lord does the work here and no one can
frustrate it. He will get it done. I love you all and pray that you
are doing well.
[email to his dad]
Talking about Temples I have the opportunity to go again this Wednesday, on my birthday.
This is the last week for President Moran so things are going to be changing for me as well. And it looks like when some of the family have a hectic life, all do. This last week has been interesting. I explained it to Carlene and Janai, that our whole district, the four of us in this ward, have gotten sick. The other three enough to stay in bed. I worked every day as the third just got sick but still we didn´t get a full week in. I have now truly experienced some of the blessings that I have learned about before.
As we teach, the physical symptoms all stop, and we can teach with clarity and power even when sick. It is truly amazing. But true, life is good. I´m glad everyone realizes at least a little bit what is truly important about everything that is happening with the wedding. The fulness of the Gospel comes through the Temple and it provides us a way to recieve blessings that are not known or
understood in this world. The world does not understand it.
Well, I love you and am glad things are still going well. I hope you can enjoy everything and have a powerful, spiritual experience with everything.
Monday, June 15, 2009
eMail of June 15, 2009
I´m sure everyone is dead busy right now. I just hope you can have
fun and not let the little things bug you. Just keep in mind what is
really important in all of this. I am happy that everything is going
well though.
As for me, everything is going well but I have had a
trying week. We weren´t able to get much done as there was just too
much stuff to do. We had only about half the time we usually have.
But we are waiting on the Lord for His blessings to come and for Him
to try us and our faith, that we may bring forth more fruit meet unto
repentance. This work is truly the most perfect work on this earth.
There is no other way things can be done. We are learning so much and
have so much to give that we didn´t have before. Everything works
according to one's faith and obedience. He who believes and is
diligent in their obedience, study and work is greatly blessed. The
chosen servants are laden with sheaves on their backs. The people
here in many ways become your children, and through the power of the
Spirit are made into the children of God. There is no other work like
this one. You truly come to know and enjoy the power of Him who gave
us life.
I am grateful to be here and enjoy this experience. There
is no other place I could be right now. I am happy here, and know
that how I live my life now will be the base for how I live my life
forever. Those who live the mission and give everything they have
here, will be firm servants of the Lord forever more never to forsake
the faith. Really in the mission is where you decide who you will be
forever more. Those who leave it and forsake it for naught, lose
everything.
Anyway thank you for your prayers and support. I love
you all and pray that you are safe, having fun and growing always.
Elder David Skiles
fun and not let the little things bug you. Just keep in mind what is
really important in all of this. I am happy that everything is going
well though.
As for me, everything is going well but I have had a
trying week. We weren´t able to get much done as there was just too
much stuff to do. We had only about half the time we usually have.
But we are waiting on the Lord for His blessings to come and for Him
to try us and our faith, that we may bring forth more fruit meet unto
repentance. This work is truly the most perfect work on this earth.
There is no other way things can be done. We are learning so much and
have so much to give that we didn´t have before. Everything works
according to one's faith and obedience. He who believes and is
diligent in their obedience, study and work is greatly blessed. The
chosen servants are laden with sheaves on their backs. The people
here in many ways become your children, and through the power of the
Spirit are made into the children of God. There is no other work like
this one. You truly come to know and enjoy the power of Him who gave
us life.
I am grateful to be here and enjoy this experience. There
is no other place I could be right now. I am happy here, and know
that how I live my life now will be the base for how I live my life
forever. Those who live the mission and give everything they have
here, will be firm servants of the Lord forever more never to forsake
the faith. Really in the mission is where you decide who you will be
forever more. Those who leave it and forsake it for naught, lose
everything.
Anyway thank you for your prayers and support. I love
you all and pray that you are safe, having fun and growing always.
Elder David Skiles
Monday, June 8, 2009
eMail of June 8, 2009
As for things I want, I would like a winter jacket but I need to get that here. I really don´t have anything I want. Cheez-its maybe but nothing more :).
The new mission president is here but we haven´t met him yet. As for what that means I don´t think Tom can do anything. He can leave a package in the office but nothing more. I am far away from the office, the other side of the mission. And we are dead busy. We have had trouble trying to make appointments with some people as we are already full.
A lot of people are sick in Chile right now as well. It got really cold the last few days after some heat and so everyone got sick and stayed home. As for my companion he is from Orem Utah. We are working together well and having fun.
I did just think of something. I went on splits with the assistants the other day and my grey sweater disappeared. I would like another one and I can´t find a good one so far here. But I can find one and I have another so that doesn´t matter.
As for Marc, he will be okay. I will pray for him as well though. Thank you for everything and I will try to get a hold of the photos. I love you all and am happy for you.
The new mission president is here but we haven´t met him yet. As for what that means I don´t think Tom can do anything. He can leave a package in the office but nothing more. I am far away from the office, the other side of the mission. And we are dead busy. We have had trouble trying to make appointments with some people as we are already full.
A lot of people are sick in Chile right now as well. It got really cold the last few days after some heat and so everyone got sick and stayed home. As for my companion he is from Orem Utah. We are working together well and having fun.
I did just think of something. I went on splits with the assistants the other day and my grey sweater disappeared. I would like another one and I can´t find a good one so far here. But I can find one and I have another so that doesn´t matter.
As for Marc, he will be okay. I will pray for him as well though. Thank you for everything and I will try to get a hold of the photos. I love you all and am happy for you.
Monday, June 1, 2009
eMail of June 1, 2009
That is awesome [regarding the baptism in which David's family was involved]. Just so you know you are all the dream family of President Moran. If there was a family that befriended, helped, then baptised like you have in every ward, the world would be a much better place. Many, many more people would come unto the gospel. Keep working with them and others in the same way.
The reason we have the gospel is for the mistakes we have made in life. It isn´t for those that are whole, but those that are broken and sick. Christ said that the whole don´t need a physician but the sick. He came to call sinners unto repentance, it is the same with His gospel. The Church is to bless, heal and purify those that are impure, sick and imperfect. He only desires a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Those who come unto Him, all those that come unto Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit will recieve mercy, love and forgiveness. It is never too late, never.
As for everything else Raul was baptised but I left my camera again so I don´t have pictures. I will get them later. The others that were ready had problems and couldn´t.
It was a trial the last week but Iam looking forward to this next transfer. I stayed in my sector but am now with Elder Hovey and a different set of investigators. He arrived with me to the mission and the ward. I am looking forward to this and know that we will have success.
Well I love all of you but I have to go now. Its already late. I will write more next week.
The reason we have the gospel is for the mistakes we have made in life. It isn´t for those that are whole, but those that are broken and sick. Christ said that the whole don´t need a physician but the sick. He came to call sinners unto repentance, it is the same with His gospel. The Church is to bless, heal and purify those that are impure, sick and imperfect. He only desires a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Those who come unto Him, all those that come unto Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit will recieve mercy, love and forgiveness. It is never too late, never.
As for everything else Raul was baptised but I left my camera again so I don´t have pictures. I will get them later. The others that were ready had problems and couldn´t.
It was a trial the last week but Iam looking forward to this next transfer. I stayed in my sector but am now with Elder Hovey and a different set of investigators. He arrived with me to the mission and the ward. I am looking forward to this and know that we will have success.
Well I love all of you but I have to go now. Its already late. I will write more next week.
Monday, May 25, 2009
eMail of May 25, 2009
It is amazing that Carlene is getting married so soon. By the way you can send me pictures through internet. I just won't be printing them as it costs too much. I would love to be there to help you and see the yard happen, but here for now is just better.
I am happy to be here. Maritsa wasn´t baptised because of a little obstacle but she will be this coming week. Three other people could as well but we will see. It is amazing to see how much the ward here has progressed in such a short time. The Lord truly knows what he needs to do.
That is great that the Ozuks will be baptised this Saturday. I know how the missionaries must be feeling right now and you all are going to feel just amazing. It is truly the joy of the Saints to see others come into the fold of God. Like D&C 18:15-16 says it is an immense joy.
I have grown and progressed mountains here and am looking forward to the rest of the mission. I really have no idea what is going to happen and how much I will be able to do, but I know the Lord is pleased with how I am progressing now. So many experiences that I have had have helped me to realize and understand many truths, principles and gifts that were hidden before. But if I know anything, it is that I am truly nothing. It is the Lord that does everything. He knows how to best teach and help His children.
Well I love all of you and hope that you are enjoying your time. Keep on going even when things get rough, the Lord will bless you. I can promise you many things will happen to try and keep the Ozuks from being baptised, but just trust the Lord and He will get it done.
I am happy to be here. Maritsa wasn´t baptised because of a little obstacle but she will be this coming week. Three other people could as well but we will see. It is amazing to see how much the ward here has progressed in such a short time. The Lord truly knows what he needs to do.
That is great that the Ozuks will be baptised this Saturday. I know how the missionaries must be feeling right now and you all are going to feel just amazing. It is truly the joy of the Saints to see others come into the fold of God. Like D&C 18:15-16 says it is an immense joy.
I have grown and progressed mountains here and am looking forward to the rest of the mission. I really have no idea what is going to happen and how much I will be able to do, but I know the Lord is pleased with how I am progressing now. So many experiences that I have had have helped me to realize and understand many truths, principles and gifts that were hidden before. But if I know anything, it is that I am truly nothing. It is the Lord that does everything. He knows how to best teach and help His children.
Well I love all of you and hope that you are enjoying your time. Keep on going even when things get rough, the Lord will bless you. I can promise you many things will happen to try and keep the Ozuks from being baptised, but just trust the Lord and He will get it done.
Monday, May 18, 2009
eMail of May 18, 2009
My week was another week in the mission. No, it went very well in the end. Luis Rojas was baptised yesterday. The photos are with the bishop of the ward who baptised him and his sister´s sister and her husband. 
He is doing great. We are working with the husband of his sister-in-law as well. He should be baptised in the next few weeks. We also have a good baptism set up for next week and possibly another.
We are doing well. I am greatly enjoying everything and learning a ton. I am glad to hear as well that everything is going well and that you are having fun. It is amazing that Carlene is getting married in so little time.
As for Tom Davis, I don´t know if it would be okay or not to meet up with him, I don´t think so but I will ask. He can feel free to bring something to the mission office, that isn´t a problem. It´s right by the Temple in Pedro de Valdivia and Procuro. There are a lot of people there that speak English so that shouldn´t be a problem. Right now I´m on the other side of the mission from there so it depends on where he is going to be. I´m sure he won´t be anywhere near where I am right now but that could change.
We have another change in two weeks and anything could happen there. The new mission president comes this day as well. Well, I am enjoying my time and am grateful to be here. Thank you all for your prays and support. I forgot to read the letter today so I will see next week if there is anything more I need to say. I love you all and hope you are all happy.
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
eMail of May 12, 2009
I am happy and it was great to hear your voices as well. Just a quick update we had a mission activity yesterday where we all played soccer and afterward said goodbye to a senior missionary couple that worked miracles in the mission. The activity didn´t end till around 6:30 at night so we didn´t get the chance to go to email. The president told us to do it today. All of this really puts into perspective how fast time is moving. I feel like we have arived at this point in absolutely no time at all. Time just flies by. I am grateful for the chance I had to talk with everyone and hope they continue to go strong. Also that everyone can find ever more joy and peace. The gospel is here that we can have peace regardless of the circumstances in the world.
Be happy, be strong, be obedient, and be disciples of Christ. In this there there is safety and peace. I love you all and pray for your happiness.
Be happy, be strong, be obedient, and be disciples of Christ. In this there there is safety and peace. I love you all and pray for your happiness.
Monday, May 4, 2009
eMail of May 4, 2009
The weather is changing here. In the span of a week it went from too hot to wear a suit coat at night to cold enough to wear a sweater under it during the day. It got cold fast. But I am enjoying it still.
Things are going well and we are making progress with the ward here. We are starting to build them up and strengthen them in the work. We have a few people to teach but we still need a little more. We are working on filling the teaching pool more completely. I have had many great learning experiences the past week. I have felt a little overwhelmed but its okay. I can feel the hand of the Lord in this work. I am very happy to hear that everything is going so well and that everyone is enjoying themselves.
As for this coming Sunday it is Mothers day. This means that we can talk on the phone for an hour again. The process will be the same as last time. I will be waiting at 7:00 pm our time, or 3:00 your time Sunday afternoon. I hope everyone can be there. I will be waiting in the house at that time. I am excited to get to talk to all of you.
Know that I pray for you and hope everything goes well. Did you recieve a notice from the First Presidency about the world-wide fast for the swine flu? We did but some wards didn´t and I´m not sure what the details are. Write me back about it. I have heard a lot about what has been happening but not everything. Well I´m sure everyone is doing well and that the flu shouldn´t be a problem with any of you. You are under the Lord´s protection. Have fun and enjoy life!
[to Dad]
Gracias por tu carta. Dije a el que yo estuve en divisiones el otro día y me di cuenta de que yo era lo mayor en el grupo. Mi compañero es mayor y mi distrito es con los líderes de zona entonces Elder Hovey y yo son los mas joven en el distrito. Pero nuestro distrito es lo mas viejo en la zona. Simplemente fue el día que estuvimos en divisiones. La mitad de la mision a lo menos tiene menos de un año.
Hay pocos que tienen mas tiempo ya que mi generación.
En cuanto a la comida, algunas comidas me hacen mal pero la mayoría no. Me gusta la comida de Chile. Por bautismos estamos enseñando algunos ahora que pueden y deben bautisarse, tenemos que cuidarlos por ahora y esperarles a tomar la desición. Pero estamos enseñando mucho y estamos feliz. Este sector es casi lo mismo que mi primero, espero que yo pueda ver este barrio crecer aun mas que el otro conmigo.
Tenemos que animar mucho los miembros aca. Agradezco mucho la oportunidad estar aquí en Chile. La cultura es un poquito diferente pero muy semejante a la de los estados. Sin embargo la amo y espero lo mejor. Te amo y agradezco mucho por todo lo que has hecho. Muchas gracias y que todo te vaya bien. Oro por ti tambien.
Things are going well and we are making progress with the ward here. We are starting to build them up and strengthen them in the work. We have a few people to teach but we still need a little more. We are working on filling the teaching pool more completely. I have had many great learning experiences the past week. I have felt a little overwhelmed but its okay. I can feel the hand of the Lord in this work. I am very happy to hear that everything is going so well and that everyone is enjoying themselves.
As for this coming Sunday it is Mothers day. This means that we can talk on the phone for an hour again. The process will be the same as last time. I will be waiting at 7:00 pm our time, or 3:00 your time Sunday afternoon. I hope everyone can be there. I will be waiting in the house at that time. I am excited to get to talk to all of you.
Know that I pray for you and hope everything goes well. Did you recieve a notice from the First Presidency about the world-wide fast for the swine flu? We did but some wards didn´t and I´m not sure what the details are. Write me back about it. I have heard a lot about what has been happening but not everything. Well I´m sure everyone is doing well and that the flu shouldn´t be a problem with any of you. You are under the Lord´s protection. Have fun and enjoy life!
[to Dad]
Gracias por tu carta. Dije a el que yo estuve en divisiones el otro día y me di cuenta de que yo era lo mayor en el grupo. Mi compañero es mayor y mi distrito es con los líderes de zona entonces Elder Hovey y yo son los mas joven en el distrito. Pero nuestro distrito es lo mas viejo en la zona. Simplemente fue el día que estuvimos en divisiones. La mitad de la mision a lo menos tiene menos de un año.
Hay pocos que tienen mas tiempo ya que mi generación.
En cuanto a la comida, algunas comidas me hacen mal pero la mayoría no. Me gusta la comida de Chile. Por bautismos estamos enseñando algunos ahora que pueden y deben bautisarse, tenemos que cuidarlos por ahora y esperarles a tomar la desición. Pero estamos enseñando mucho y estamos feliz. Este sector es casi lo mismo que mi primero, espero que yo pueda ver este barrio crecer aun mas que el otro conmigo.
Tenemos que animar mucho los miembros aca. Agradezco mucho la oportunidad estar aquí en Chile. La cultura es un poquito diferente pero muy semejante a la de los estados. Sin embargo la amo y espero lo mejor. Te amo y agradezco mucho por todo lo que has hecho. Muchas gracias y que todo te vaya bien. Oro por ti tambien.
Monday, April 27, 2009
eMail of April 27, 2009
I´m glad to here that things are going well. I hope Nathaniel gets better and with all his problems Caleb can still enjoy everything.
My companions Spanish is a little different. He has a little different accent and everything but he has lived in Lima, Peru many years already. We are working hard and well. As for interesting teaching experiences, well there weren´t too many teaching, but otherwise there have been interesting experiences.
A couple of times we were stopped by a man Hector. He is always drunk but keeps trying to follow us. It really is sad his life. We also met the other day a brother in our ward that is full-on communist. It went interesting. He is of the generation of Pinochet and his army. At one point he said that all the gringos here are going to go back to their country in black bags, to joke around. Not too great of a sense of humor.
Anyway, I have lots of experiences but I don´t remember all of them, only the lessons. I will be able to tell everyone more experiences after the mission. The new area is great. Space wise it is a lot bigger, and poorer. There are dangerous areas but we haven´t had any problems there. It is a lot of fun though. I´m way to the south of Santiago, almost the limit of the mission. To the side of the river Maipo, the north side.
As for other things, I am good. It might be a good idea if I could get albuterol. I have had more problems than ever with asthma. I´ve never had an attack but it gets harder to breath a lot. Part of the problem is pollution.
By the way my package arrived Wednesday last week. It only took two weeks to get here. Amazing but true. I´m not sure if I should open it yet or not. I won't open it until next week at least so you can tell me if I should. As for Mother´s day I don´t know the protocol. I will have to find out soon. I don´t have the pictures of my last baptism either, somehow I will have to get those. I´m sending one from last week. It´s just me but with the flag of Chile in my old pension.
I love all of you and hope things are going well. Thank you for your support and all you have given me.
My companions Spanish is a little different. He has a little different accent and everything but he has lived in Lima, Peru many years already. We are working hard and well. As for interesting teaching experiences, well there weren´t too many teaching, but otherwise there have been interesting experiences.
A couple of times we were stopped by a man Hector. He is always drunk but keeps trying to follow us. It really is sad his life. We also met the other day a brother in our ward that is full-on communist. It went interesting. He is of the generation of Pinochet and his army. At one point he said that all the gringos here are going to go back to their country in black bags, to joke around. Not too great of a sense of humor.
Anyway, I have lots of experiences but I don´t remember all of them, only the lessons. I will be able to tell everyone more experiences after the mission. The new area is great. Space wise it is a lot bigger, and poorer. There are dangerous areas but we haven´t had any problems there. It is a lot of fun though. I´m way to the south of Santiago, almost the limit of the mission. To the side of the river Maipo, the north side.
As for other things, I am good. It might be a good idea if I could get albuterol. I have had more problems than ever with asthma. I´ve never had an attack but it gets harder to breath a lot. Part of the problem is pollution.
By the way my package arrived Wednesday last week. It only took two weeks to get here. Amazing but true. I´m not sure if I should open it yet or not. I won't open it until next week at least so you can tell me if I should. As for Mother´s day I don´t know the protocol. I will have to find out soon. I don´t have the pictures of my last baptism either, somehow I will have to get those. I´m sending one from last week. It´s just me but with the flag of Chile in my old pension.
I love all of you and hope things are going well. Thank you for your support and all you have given me.
Monday, April 20, 2009
eMail of April 20, 2009
I had a great week the last week. We found 16 new investigators to teach, several of them are already progressing well. I am truly enjoying the work here. It is truly amazing to see the power of the Spirit affect peoples lives. I have seen miracles here. When one teaches by the power of the Holy Ghost the people have no choice but to make a choice. Many times it is sad when they make the wrong choice but many make the right one. Those that do not choose to listen I really feel sorry for.
We are teaching one investigator that is really interesting. He is complying with the commitments and everything but still won't say that he believes in God. He has come to church for three weeks now, twice on his own. He still says he just wants to get to know the church, but he seems to have a strong desire just to get to know it. In truth he really just doesn´t understand his own feelings.
But I´m not going to be able to teach him any more. I had changes today. I´m rather far away from where I was before. I´m in Puente Alto now. So I am starting my second sector when I already have six months in the mission. I am excited for this next change. My companion is from Spain, Elder Zarate. He is a great missionary and I am looking forward to working with him.
Things are going well and I am finding more and more joy in the work. This truly is the work of God on earth and I am grateful to be a part of it. This is the only true and living church on the face of the earth and there is no other way to find true happiness in this life. We may be happy in another road, but would be so much more in the gospel. I am grateful for all the support I have been given and for your prayers. I want you to know they have worked miracles for me here, and helped more people than you know.
I love all of you, I love the people here, and most of all I love my Lord and my Savior Jesus Christ. May every one of you find joy in this journey to eternal happiness.
We are teaching one investigator that is really interesting. He is complying with the commitments and everything but still won't say that he believes in God. He has come to church for three weeks now, twice on his own. He still says he just wants to get to know the church, but he seems to have a strong desire just to get to know it. In truth he really just doesn´t understand his own feelings.
But I´m not going to be able to teach him any more. I had changes today. I´m rather far away from where I was before. I´m in Puente Alto now. So I am starting my second sector when I already have six months in the mission. I am excited for this next change. My companion is from Spain, Elder Zarate. He is a great missionary and I am looking forward to working with him.
Things are going well and I am finding more and more joy in the work. This truly is the work of God on earth and I am grateful to be a part of it. This is the only true and living church on the face of the earth and there is no other way to find true happiness in this life. We may be happy in another road, but would be so much more in the gospel. I am grateful for all the support I have been given and for your prayers. I want you to know they have worked miracles for me here, and helped more people than you know.
I love all of you, I love the people here, and most of all I love my Lord and my Savior Jesus Christ. May every one of you find joy in this journey to eternal happiness.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
eMail of April 19, 2009
Thank you for your prayers and support. So the Woodbadge is a lot of work, good to know for the future. Anyway things are going well for me. I am learning a lot and have learned so much more about the gospel. I have truly seen the gifts of the Spirit I was promised when I was set apart. I am also having many great opportunities to teach.
I had my first change of sector today. Now I am in Puente Alto, to the South of Santiago. We are four Elders in the same ward. I have yet to meet everyone but I have heard that things are good here. I am looking forward to working here. I just forgot the name of my new companion but he is from Spain but lives in Lima, Peru right now. It is interesting to hear another new accent.
As for teaching opportunities I have had many. The last week we taught 34 lessons, 13 of them with members. That is a lot of work. We need at least 30 lessons with 15 taught with members. We still have to improve that but things are going better.
Well I love you and am grateful for all of your support. The foundation you laid for me is sure and I am grateful for it.
I had my first change of sector today. Now I am in Puente Alto, to the South of Santiago. We are four Elders in the same ward. I have yet to meet everyone but I have heard that things are good here. I am looking forward to working here. I just forgot the name of my new companion but he is from Spain but lives in Lima, Peru right now. It is interesting to hear another new accent.
As for teaching opportunities I have had many. The last week we taught 34 lessons, 13 of them with members. That is a lot of work. We need at least 30 lessons with 15 taught with members. We still have to improve that but things are going better.
Well I love you and am grateful for all of your support. The foundation you laid for me is sure and I am grateful for it.
Monday, April 13, 2009
eMail of April 13, 2009
[to mom]
Well things are going well here. We are seeing progress in the ward and Marco and Andrey were confirmed yesterday. The ward has a much greater desire now to perform the work. This isn´t to say things are easy, it shouldn´t ever be easy. But all I can really do is just be obedient, diligent and keep myself pure and clean. The simple things that we should be doing every day in our lives, not just the mission, are what make a great missionary a succesful servant of God.
There are tough days though but always things come out better. I am happy to be here and enjoying the work. I truly don´t want to be anywhere else at this moment, doesn´t matter how hard it is. Truly this life is to prepare to meet God, to become like Christ the Perfect Son and to find true peace and joy. It doesn´t matter where or who you are or what you believe.
Well I am glad that all of you are doing so well and I know that the Lord has all of you in His hands. Thank you for all your prayers and support. I love you all and pray that you find joy and happiness in this short journey of life.
[to dad]
The work is great and the ward is progressing. The members here have seen that we can be trusted and have shown great support because of that. We had two Family Home Evenings last week and another three planned already the next two weeks. It is amazing to see the work go forth independant of anything we really do. All we can do is simply be obedient.
Well things are going well here. We are seeing progress in the ward and Marco and Andrey were confirmed yesterday. The ward has a much greater desire now to perform the work. This isn´t to say things are easy, it shouldn´t ever be easy. But all I can really do is just be obedient, diligent and keep myself pure and clean. The simple things that we should be doing every day in our lives, not just the mission, are what make a great missionary a succesful servant of God.
There are tough days though but always things come out better. I am happy to be here and enjoying the work. I truly don´t want to be anywhere else at this moment, doesn´t matter how hard it is. Truly this life is to prepare to meet God, to become like Christ the Perfect Son and to find true peace and joy. It doesn´t matter where or who you are or what you believe.
Well I am glad that all of you are doing so well and I know that the Lord has all of you in His hands. Thank you for all your prayers and support. I love you all and pray that you find joy and happiness in this short journey of life.
[to dad]
The work is great and the ward is progressing. The members here have seen that we can be trusted and have shown great support because of that. We had two Family Home Evenings last week and another three planned already the next two weeks. It is amazing to see the work go forth independant of anything we really do. All we can do is simply be obedient.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
eMail of April 7, 2009
[to mom]
I´m happy to hear there weren´t many problems around General Conference. I watched all the sessions here in Spanish. The conference was truly amazing and I enjoyed every talk.
I´m happy to hear there weren´t many problems around General Conference. I watched all the sessions here in Spanish. The conference was truly amazing and I enjoyed every talk.
After conference Sunday night Marco was baptised by his friend. It was amazing to see the joy on his face and feel the strong spirit that accompanied the baptism. I am so grateful for the opportunity to have taught Marco. I don´t have pictures today of his baptism but I should have them next week. I do have the pictures of Andrey´s baptism this week.
Andrey and Marco will be confirmed next week, and we hope to have another baptism the week after.
Truly the Lord blesses us when we are obedient and serve Him faithfully. And truly it is He that performs this work. We are powerless to effect the change in their hearts without the Spirit. I have learned so much here on the mission. I am so thankful for all the blessings that I have recieved. I know that my service is truly a blessing for all of you as well. Truly there is no better place for a young man of 19, 20 and 21 years to be than serving a mission. The progress is swift and eternal if you let it. And the Lord truly blesses you beyond measure when you are obedient. This is His work, and His glory. There is no better nor greater cause in the world.
How grateful I am to be here, and to have had a strong family to support me and raise me. I thank you all for what you have done for me. I pray that everyone may find more joy and happiness in this life, for this is why we are here. And our greatest joy and happiness is our family and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love you all and am grateful for you.
[to dad]
We watched all the sessions of Conference in the Stake Center but in Spanish. I will have to read the talks again to get everything but I learned a lot. President Monson´s talk was good though. It is necessary to focus on those things in this life. They are how we can put in practice the principles of the gospel and find joy and happiness in this life.
It is a blessing to have the Temple in the Mission but I have not been yet. We should be going in soon but that probably depends. I have been there for a Temple tour where we went through with an investigator the Chapel, the Church office, MTC and the grounds of the Temple. There the investigator learned a lot about the Church. It is a bueatiful Temple but very small.
I am glad to be here and enjoying everything. Today was the first day though to start wearing suits. It is still hot so that will be interesting. But anyway, I am grateful to be here and for your support. Thank you for being a good father trying to do your best to raise me and my siblings even through tough times. Thank you for being patient even in the most difficult of circumstances. Most of all thank you for raising me in the gospel and teaching me its principles, that I may take part in the Atonement of Christ and become clean from my mistakes and errors. You have turly been a blessing and example in my life and I thank you for that. I love you and pray that you also can and will find even more joy and happiness.
Monday, March 30, 2009
eMail of March 30, 2009
We did have a good week. Andrey was baptized and two more investigators were there for his baptism. They both now have a strong desire to be baptised and change their lives. One will be baptised this Sunday and the other the following Sunday. We should have two confirmations and a baptism that Sunday. Things are going well needless to say, and we are happy. Truly we are happiest when hardest at work. And truly the Lord is the one that directs this work.
The investigator that is preparing for the 12 of April has a long-time friend in the ward but hadn´t met her for more than 20 years. We went to the appointment with the member and found out. That was amazing. The investigator is progressing quickly and very well. She has a strong desire after witnessing the baptism to do the same and change her life to be more in accordance with the gospel. It is truly amazing to see the Spirit change a person in such a short period of time.
This coming week is General Conference as well so she is going to really have a life-changing month here. That is truly amazing, to go from not knowing that the Church of Christ was ever even lost to listening to a prophet and being baptised, opening the windows of heaven to recieve glorious blessings from God in such a short span of time. We began teaching her and in the first 10 minutes she accepted the date to be baptised. She has held true to this ever since. The Spirit truly is powerful. It changes lives and heals families.
As for about the other stuff, I probably will be buying a new suit before I come home. My black one is already wearing out. Didn´t really last too long. The suit cost 50,000 pesos, or about $90. I am not able to access my account today so I will get back to you next week, the internet isn´t always the best here. As for zyrtec I will need more but singulair I have plenty. Or so I believe, it can´t hurt to send more. I am doing well in everything else. I might want more charcoal socks though, better ones than what I have. Other than that I am great. Thank you for everything you have done for me. I love you all and hope everything keeps going well.
The investigator that is preparing for the 12 of April has a long-time friend in the ward but hadn´t met her for more than 20 years. We went to the appointment with the member and found out. That was amazing. The investigator is progressing quickly and very well. She has a strong desire after witnessing the baptism to do the same and change her life to be more in accordance with the gospel. It is truly amazing to see the Spirit change a person in such a short period of time.
This coming week is General Conference as well so she is going to really have a life-changing month here. That is truly amazing, to go from not knowing that the Church of Christ was ever even lost to listening to a prophet and being baptised, opening the windows of heaven to recieve glorious blessings from God in such a short span of time. We began teaching her and in the first 10 minutes she accepted the date to be baptised. She has held true to this ever since. The Spirit truly is powerful. It changes lives and heals families.
As for about the other stuff, I probably will be buying a new suit before I come home. My black one is already wearing out. Didn´t really last too long. The suit cost 50,000 pesos, or about $90. I am not able to access my account today so I will get back to you next week, the internet isn´t always the best here. As for zyrtec I will need more but singulair I have plenty. Or so I believe, it can´t hurt to send more. I am doing well in everything else. I might want more charcoal socks though, better ones than what I have. Other than that I am great. Thank you for everything you have done for me. I love you all and hope everything keeps going well.
Monday, March 23, 2009
eMail of March 23, 2009
As far as things to send me for my birthday, I can think of one thing. Photos. Many people here especially members want to see my family. I don´t want to use the one I have in my bag so I would like another one. I don´t really need anything else, except perhaps Cheez-its. :)
Anyway, the week went very well. We taught 30 lessons this last week. Andrey wasn´t baptized yesterday but will be next week. We also have two more lined up for the Sunday of General Conference and possible five more for the week after that. I really hope things go well with each of them.
As for being fed, yes. I am well fed here. I like the food for the most part if it isn´t too strange. But I´m eating a lot more healthy now too. But the allergies are a bit of a problem with
asthma. Just in that I have difficulty breathing if I have to run to an appointment or something. If I don´t take the medication I suffer more. But I´m really okay.
I generally can´t think of anything but the people and how the gospel can help each one. Things with my companion are going well. So far I have had the greatest success with my current companion. He is great and we are teaching better and better with more unity every day. He wrestled as well but he is very good. He knows Cael Sanderson personally and trained with him. Marc might have an idea who he is but if not, he is one of the greatest to
ever wrestle. He went undefeated throughout college. Anyway after the mission my companion Elder Smith has a scholarhip for wrestling at Purdue. And yes he has a relation with Hyrum Smith but isn´t sure what it is.
As for more about the mission, really things are going very well. I have seen miracles here. I have seen families be healed after nearly being completely destroyed. The gospel is powerful. The Spirit as well. I have seen the Spirit change people instantly. One that rejected us but when he felt the Spirit and that there was truth to the testimony he changed and became interested. A complete 180 turn in his heart through nothing more than a testimony bourne with the Spirit.
I have learned a lot about teaching but still have far, far to go. I have learned a lot already but feel that I have mountains to learn still. More and more I can see how connected everything is; and how every commandment, especially the Word of Wisdom, is spiritual. There is no commandment that is strictly temporal. What we give up temporally, is treasure in heaven spiritually. The only difference is how far unbalanced the scale is. It´s exponential the spiritual
blessings and treasure we recieve when we give up things temporally. The Lord only wants to bless us when we have trails. He will never leave us in sorrow and misery unless we choose to stay there. One of the great things I remember from President Hinkley is his optimism.
It doesn´t matter what happens, just keep moving forward looking and hoping for the best. That is faith. Looking beyond the trials for the blessings that will come, that they will disolve and the solution be found. A hope for things which are true, will come to pass or already happened, that you cannot truly see in this moment. Fear is dwelling on the problems at hand and feeling despair not having an answer. There is always an answer, a solution. There is always help. Faith is really just believing it´s there when it already is, even though you can´t see it or feel it. Then will come the miracle, and because you were already looking for the miracle you will understand it as evidence of your faith and it will grow. When you have faith
the miracle will always come, because it is already there and ready. You just might not know exactly where it is.
Anyway, I love all of you and pray that each and every one of you can find faith in the
journey and happiness. The Lord is by your side and ready and willing to bless you.
Anyway, the week went very well. We taught 30 lessons this last week. Andrey wasn´t baptized yesterday but will be next week. We also have two more lined up for the Sunday of General Conference and possible five more for the week after that. I really hope things go well with each of them.
As for being fed, yes. I am well fed here. I like the food for the most part if it isn´t too strange. But I´m eating a lot more healthy now too. But the allergies are a bit of a problem with
asthma. Just in that I have difficulty breathing if I have to run to an appointment or something. If I don´t take the medication I suffer more. But I´m really okay.
I generally can´t think of anything but the people and how the gospel can help each one. Things with my companion are going well. So far I have had the greatest success with my current companion. He is great and we are teaching better and better with more unity every day. He wrestled as well but he is very good. He knows Cael Sanderson personally and trained with him. Marc might have an idea who he is but if not, he is one of the greatest to
ever wrestle. He went undefeated throughout college. Anyway after the mission my companion Elder Smith has a scholarhip for wrestling at Purdue. And yes he has a relation with Hyrum Smith but isn´t sure what it is.
As for more about the mission, really things are going very well. I have seen miracles here. I have seen families be healed after nearly being completely destroyed. The gospel is powerful. The Spirit as well. I have seen the Spirit change people instantly. One that rejected us but when he felt the Spirit and that there was truth to the testimony he changed and became interested. A complete 180 turn in his heart through nothing more than a testimony bourne with the Spirit.
I have learned a lot about teaching but still have far, far to go. I have learned a lot already but feel that I have mountains to learn still. More and more I can see how connected everything is; and how every commandment, especially the Word of Wisdom, is spiritual. There is no commandment that is strictly temporal. What we give up temporally, is treasure in heaven spiritually. The only difference is how far unbalanced the scale is. It´s exponential the spiritual
blessings and treasure we recieve when we give up things temporally. The Lord only wants to bless us when we have trails. He will never leave us in sorrow and misery unless we choose to stay there. One of the great things I remember from President Hinkley is his optimism.
It doesn´t matter what happens, just keep moving forward looking and hoping for the best. That is faith. Looking beyond the trials for the blessings that will come, that they will disolve and the solution be found. A hope for things which are true, will come to pass or already happened, that you cannot truly see in this moment. Fear is dwelling on the problems at hand and feeling despair not having an answer. There is always an answer, a solution. There is always help. Faith is really just believing it´s there when it already is, even though you can´t see it or feel it. Then will come the miracle, and because you were already looking for the miracle you will understand it as evidence of your faith and it will grow. When you have faith
the miracle will always come, because it is already there and ready. You just might not know exactly where it is.
Anyway, I love all of you and pray that each and every one of you can find faith in the
journey and happiness. The Lord is by your side and ready and willing to bless you.
Monday, March 16, 2009
eMail of March 16, 2009
I have the photos of the baptism and of me with Elder Cortés my trainer.
By the way that is a new suit that I had made for the winter here by a professional tailor, for only about $90. He does suits for many of the missionaries in the mission. Nearly all.
Anyway this was the baptism and they were confirmed yesterday. We are also teaching another boy Andreí and a young man Marco. They are both great and progressing well. Andreí will be baptised Sunday and Marco the week of General Conference or before, hopefully the week before. His friend who brought him into the church wants to baptise and confirm him but can´t until then.
We are doing well and trying to find more people to teach. Teaching really can only be done by the Spirit, there is no other way. I have given my testimony every day, several times a day to bring in the Spirit and it is powerful. My testimony has grown an hundred-fold.
I´m grateful for everyone's concern for me and know that whatever happens the Lord is on our side. I love all of you and pray for you. Truly obeying the commandments and living a righteous life is the way to happiness. There is no other way. May all of you continue onward and find joy in our journey to perfection and righteousness.
[to Nathaniel] I'm teaching several young kids your age right now, preparing them for their baptism. Andrei will be baptised this Sunday! As for the weather--hot and dusty. With lots of smog. It rained a tiny bit once. My favorite food, I don't really have a favorite here. I do like nearly all the food though [a surprise because he used to be a very picky eater]. I'm really not so picky anymore. Anyway, one of my favorites is humita. Its like mashed corn cake that is nothing but the corn. Difficult to make. Anyway, I love you and glad you are having a great time. Chow, que esten bien!
Elder David Skiles
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