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.
Monday, April 20, 2009
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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