I had a good week, though it was difficult. We managed to get the 20 lessons a week that we need. But it is hard to find people to teach. I changed companions today. My new companion is Elder M*** from Ecuador. He knows more English but his accent is a little different. I didn´t change my area but we did change houses so we are now outside a ways of our area, in another zone. It means we are closer to the other side of the area now.
I hope that we can find more people to teach as school will be starting again soon and people are beginning to return from their vacations. I hope that this change will have more success. I just might reap where I sow here. I love you all and pray for you. Thank you for your prayers for me.
Elder David Skiles
Monday, January 26, 2009
Monday, January 19, 2009
emails of January 19, 2009
The work of the Lord is marvelous indeed, and I understand why the Davis's will only let in missionaries they like. Missionaries have an extremely powerful influence in the spirit of a home. Those that understand this try to leave a powerful spirit of love and conviction in the Savior. Others really just go through the motions of teaching and inviting the Spirit so then it isn't as strong. They can see and feel the difference, and only trust those that really care.
Also thank you for working with the recent converts in our ward and bringing them to church. Here the members are lax in this and are even scared of missionaries merely preaching in public sometimes. We are not allowed to do public speaches anymore because members were not comfortable with it. The missionaries there will appreciate what you have done so much. It brings them joy to see a member that truly understands their responsibility to the work of the Lord.
The Church is not a passive Church by any means. The primary responsibility of the Priesthood is to preach the gospel and effect saving ordinances, in other words missionary work. The purpose of the Quorum of the Twelve is to be special witnesses of Christ and head the work. The Church is here to bring men unto Christ and repentence to be clean and worthy to return into the prensence of our Father in Heaven. Without missionary work we are missing part of our purpose and we are not one with the Father and Christ, for truly Their work and glory is the immortality and eternal life of man. By no other means than missionary work can this be brought about.
Thank for what you are doing. And thank you for you kindness, patience and active faith in me that I can serve a mission and set a foundation for my life. You have been a great example to me and I use knowledge from your example daily to teach. I love you and hope everything is going well. You are always in my prayers as my family and I truly have the hope to dwell with each and every one of you in the Kingdom of our Eternal Father. Remember men are that they might have joy, be happy. The work of the Lord is a joyous and happy work.
Well things did change a little. Yesterday we were able to bring a member along with us and we actually got in to houses to teach lessons this time. I think this next transfer here will have many baptisms.
But still many people are going on vacations and the majority do not want to listen. We lost the family that we started to teach, they are on a vacation for at least two weeks so I'm not sure what will happen. We lost all of our progessing investigators this week with them. We couldn't meet with one and the other didn't attend Sacrament Meeting yesterday.
And as for the economy, well I really don't think it is going to get any better very soon, but the Lord will always provide. I saw yesterday and this morning video clips of President Obama, the world watches every move the U.S. makes.
Anyway, I know that you will be taken care of and that many blessings have already come from my service in the mission field. I thank you for your support and love for me. I am learning so much here and everything.
There is one thing I should say more. I twisted my ankle hard twice this past week and now it is swollen and painful. I probably tore a tendon so I can't be walking as much as before. It isn't serious as of now but I'm taking the necessary precautions to help it. Still when I am working hard and focused in the work it doesn't bother me and I really can focus when I need to.
--
Elder David Skiles
Also thank you for working with the recent converts in our ward and bringing them to church. Here the members are lax in this and are even scared of missionaries merely preaching in public sometimes. We are not allowed to do public speaches anymore because members were not comfortable with it. The missionaries there will appreciate what you have done so much. It brings them joy to see a member that truly understands their responsibility to the work of the Lord.
The Church is not a passive Church by any means. The primary responsibility of the Priesthood is to preach the gospel and effect saving ordinances, in other words missionary work. The purpose of the Quorum of the Twelve is to be special witnesses of Christ and head the work. The Church is here to bring men unto Christ and repentence to be clean and worthy to return into the prensence of our Father in Heaven. Without missionary work we are missing part of our purpose and we are not one with the Father and Christ, for truly Their work and glory is the immortality and eternal life of man. By no other means than missionary work can this be brought about.
Thank for what you are doing. And thank you for you kindness, patience and active faith in me that I can serve a mission and set a foundation for my life. You have been a great example to me and I use knowledge from your example daily to teach. I love you and hope everything is going well. You are always in my prayers as my family and I truly have the hope to dwell with each and every one of you in the Kingdom of our Eternal Father. Remember men are that they might have joy, be happy. The work of the Lord is a joyous and happy work.
Well things did change a little. Yesterday we were able to bring a member along with us and we actually got in to houses to teach lessons this time. I think this next transfer here will have many baptisms.
But still many people are going on vacations and the majority do not want to listen. We lost the family that we started to teach, they are on a vacation for at least two weeks so I'm not sure what will happen. We lost all of our progessing investigators this week with them. We couldn't meet with one and the other didn't attend Sacrament Meeting yesterday.
And as for the economy, well I really don't think it is going to get any better very soon, but the Lord will always provide. I saw yesterday and this morning video clips of President Obama, the world watches every move the U.S. makes.
Anyway, I know that you will be taken care of and that many blessings have already come from my service in the mission field. I thank you for your support and love for me. I am learning so much here and everything.
There is one thing I should say more. I twisted my ankle hard twice this past week and now it is swollen and painful. I probably tore a tendon so I can't be walking as much as before. It isn't serious as of now but I'm taking the necessary precautions to help it. Still when I am working hard and focused in the work it doesn't bother me and I really can focus when I need to.
--
Elder David Skiles
Monday, January 12, 2009
emails of January 12, 2009
It is still summer vacation here, and therefore many people are on vacation and don't want to talk. I don't know how many doors we knocked last week but the last two days we knocked 104 doors, talked with maybe 50 people (including people in the street), and set up two appointments. Many of the people we contact say 'no' immediately. Others listen and give us a time when they are not home or a wrong adress. Every now and then we actually get someone that wants to listen.
However on Saturday we were walking to lunch and someone stopped us and wanted us to come and teach her and her son, I believe, I'm not sure of their relation. He will only be baptised by immersion and so the Church of Jesus Christ is the only church plausible. This was truly a manifestation of the love of the Savior for everyone and that He will place the ones that are prepared in the way of those that work hard and show their desire to serve the Lord. With all the hard work without reward we are greatly blessed in other areas.
We do have 6 people we are teaching right now, at least two I am sure will be baptised. There are also another two people we are working with in getting them on the path. Most of them we may never see baptised but at least we have planted the seeds. It appears that there was a harvest in this are just before I got here, and so I am now planting seeds for the harvest later.
I am truly enjoying the work and have learned a lot. My language has come along very quickly and I really only have trouble when I don't have faith that I can communicate effectively. Faith truly is a principle of power, and the more faith and more constant faith you have the more you can overcome through Jesus Christ. My testimony has grown an hundred-fold already, and I am looking forward to learning more.
The weeks go by fast. I blink and the week is already over. Time is practically non-existent in the field. There is always sufficient time to do the work you need to, no more and no less.
I remembered before and after that Nathaniel and Janai had their birthdays, but not during. It is easy to lose yourself in the work. So I will say Happy Birthday now to both of them, their birthdays will pass again before they know it, their last ones on my mission :).
Two years will go by so fast. It has been hard work but fun. I am always learning and can feeling the Spirit strongly every day. It is hot though. Every day the Sun is strong without a cloud in the sky with dry air and around 34 to 36 degrees celsius every day, when we are knocking on doors. 27 degrees celsius is about 85 degrees F. It is tiring, but I'm doing well. They still feed me more than enough. Well we are continuing the work and are doing all we can.
I am sure you all are doing well and I hope you are enjoying life. It is very short. I love all of you and pray for you still.
Elder Skiles
However on Saturday we were walking to lunch and someone stopped us and wanted us to come and teach her and her son, I believe, I'm not sure of their relation. He will only be baptised by immersion and so the Church of Jesus Christ is the only church plausible. This was truly a manifestation of the love of the Savior for everyone and that He will place the ones that are prepared in the way of those that work hard and show their desire to serve the Lord. With all the hard work without reward we are greatly blessed in other areas.
We do have 6 people we are teaching right now, at least two I am sure will be baptised. There are also another two people we are working with in getting them on the path. Most of them we may never see baptised but at least we have planted the seeds. It appears that there was a harvest in this are just before I got here, and so I am now planting seeds for the harvest later.
I am truly enjoying the work and have learned a lot. My language has come along very quickly and I really only have trouble when I don't have faith that I can communicate effectively. Faith truly is a principle of power, and the more faith and more constant faith you have the more you can overcome through Jesus Christ. My testimony has grown an hundred-fold already, and I am looking forward to learning more.
The weeks go by fast. I blink and the week is already over. Time is practically non-existent in the field. There is always sufficient time to do the work you need to, no more and no less.
I remembered before and after that Nathaniel and Janai had their birthdays, but not during. It is easy to lose yourself in the work. So I will say Happy Birthday now to both of them, their birthdays will pass again before they know it, their last ones on my mission :).
Two years will go by so fast. It has been hard work but fun. I am always learning and can feeling the Spirit strongly every day. It is hot though. Every day the Sun is strong without a cloud in the sky with dry air and around 34 to 36 degrees celsius every day, when we are knocking on doors. 27 degrees celsius is about 85 degrees F. It is tiring, but I'm doing well. They still feed me more than enough. Well we are continuing the work and are doing all we can.
I am sure you all are doing well and I hope you are enjoying life. It is very short. I love all of you and pray for you still.
Elder Skiles
Monday, January 5, 2009
Photos of January 5, 2008
Elder Skiles with his companion at the MTC in Provo, Utah 
Elder Skiles with his district in the MTC in Provo, Utah
Elder Skiles and his companion are with a newly baptized sister and her family.
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