Diligence and Listening to the Spirit

From 10/12/15


To All I love,

Me and my comp

This email isn't going to be super long because I have to get going due to the fact I spent so much time writing my mission president today on the sisters, etc. But this past week has been amazing filled with a lot learning moments! Which is always the best! I will just share with you tidbits of what I shared with my mission president this week.

 

 

Diligence and Listening to the Spirit:

The only Mongolian Sisters in the
mission - in my zone!! :)

Probably one of the biggest lessons I learned this week, well, it's more a 2 in 1 lesson, was being diligent and recognizing the spirit. At the start of the transfer we decided we would do 24 hour exchanges. But at the start of last week I just started doubting it and wondered if I should. However I felt that I shouldn't make that executive decision until I sought my comps counsel. She looked at me and said, "Sister Skaggs. I feel we need to do 24 hour. That is the best way for these sisters and for you to truly get to know them and to help them." She is like, "This is your goal right?... Then you need to do 24 hour exchanges." We started with me going on 24 with Sister Wong and then the next day going with Sister Javzandulam. As I was on exchanges with Sister Javzandulam I could just feel how tired my body was and I just didn't want to do 24 hours that following night and at the same time it just didn't feel right. But I thought to myself "I'm just thinking about myself right now and I need to stop and focus on the needs of the sisters and not my will." After pondering about it and praying I felt that it didn't matter how I felt or want but that it was vital for me to be diligent and to continue on exchanges with Sister Mere the next day. I recognized that if it wasn't right the Lord would interfere but I needed to show my faith and diligence and continue.

Let's get crazy!!

Just being crazy with my
"sisters"!

It was interesting because Saturday was a really weird day. Due to ZTM [Zone Training Meetings?? - that's my guess - Sister Skaggs' mom saying that] preparations, the start of exchanges was pushed back 2 hours which is what I was thinking of doing the night before but realized I just needed to be diligent and start at the original time. Then little things occurred within that companionship which caused me to start speaking with Sister Wong later on. When we were getting ready to exchange, Sister Wong's countenance was off and I could feel that before we started exchanges I needed to speak with her. As we started talking she opened up to me about what was happening and I started asking her questions. I could sense that what was causing her feelings to be the way they were was stemming from something else. I asked her one question about what is really troubling her right now. She just started crying. A lot of what followed was things that she is personally struggling with from home. We continued to talk and I was really seeking to know what was needing to be done and all I could think of is she needs to find her own solution. I gave her an example of how I was able to find direction last transfer through reading the Book of Mormon and invited her to do what the AP's (Assistants to the President) invited us to do. Issue, feeling, need, The Book of Mormon. When my time with her finished I still went on exchanges with Sister Mere. Half of it was also because I spent time with Sister Wong and so I needed to spend the same amount of time with Sister Mere hearing her side. As we talked, the same thought came to my head. So I invited her to do the same thing: Issue, Feeling, Need, The Book of Mormon. What ended up happening was we ended exchanges because I had the distinct impression that even though they really wanted exchanges to happen it wasn't the appropriate time for it to happen. That whole day was interesting to see how the spirit told me to go on exchanges and to continue to be diligent but how at the same time it tested my faith. When in reality it wasn't going to completely work out. It just shows the Lord's plan isn't ever our plan.

 

 

Someone Grandpa Skaggs gave a
Patriarchal Blessing to - over 30
years ago!

I have to get going but know that I love you each so much! One thing I want you think about is what legacy are you leaving??? A lot lately I have met people who know a lot of the extended family. Several with whom got their patriarchal blessings done by Grandpa Skaggs and we are now teaching this gentleman's friend who was companions 10 years ago in Brazil with my cousin Dan. It is so crazy how small of a world it is. But on all instances they just raved about how much they loved them. It made me stop and think what legacy are we leaving.

Know that I love you and hope you each have a marvelous week!! 

Visitors on the Square



Love Always!

Sister Skaggs

 

Jon Schmidt - the piano guy!



Jon Schmidt playing the piano ---
with his feet!!

Jon Schmidt - the piano guy - putting
on a great performance

 



Some of us Sisters with Jon Schmidt
and his family

Our True Identity

From 10/05/15

To All I love,

In the basement of the Relief Society
building

Wow!! is all that I can say about this past week! It was such an amazing week and I'm so tired right now. Doesn't help that we just had General Conference. There is A TON that I want to share with you about this past week and the things that Lord allows us to be used for. Bear with me with this letter. I'm hoping I can just let the spirit do all the typing since I'm physically just drained right now. My eyes and head are just exhausted but for good causes. Well, shall we get started!?

 

 

 

Understanding Our True Identity:

This phrase right above is the key phrase that rings in my head. In all aspects of life it is crucial that we know and understand who we are as Children of God. That we understand our true identity and self worth as children of royal birth. I have done a lot of pondering about this particular topic as I have had to seek council already as to how I can help sisters recognize their self worth as Daughters of God. But this understanding is for each of us. It made me reflect on how I know that I'm a Daughter of God, how did I personally gain that conversion? How did you find that out?

Our planners for Conf weekend -
on the Square ALL DAY

 

My personal answer comes through the way I feel my Father in Heaven's presence in my life. It all starts with a simple prayer. Humbling ourselves and then kneeling before the Lord pouring our heart to him in sincere prayer. We talk to him in prayer and he answers us through the scriptures as the spirit testifies to us that both of these things are true. This particular process has been the anchor for me in my life. When a trial arises in my life, the first thing I do is get on my knees asap to talk to Heavenly Father and then open up his book. His words are the scriptures. When we take the time to read, ponder and pray the scriptures we are hearing what it is our Father in Heaven needs us to distinctly know as we open our heart to the spirit.

 

This past Thursday I had the privilege of sitting down with the sisters to really take the time to get to know them and to understand their concerns and needs. One of the common trends I recognized was the need of love that we each need to feel from our Father in Heaven. And it comes as we take the time to get on our knees, and then to open our hearts to the spirit as we read the scriptures. Serving these sisters over the course of the next 6 weeks and even afterwards is a treat. To see them blossom into the Daughters of God that Heavenly Father needs them to become is going to be so special.

 

Ready, Set, Go... ITS CONFERENCE WEEKEND!!!

Members from the Cook Islands - they
saved money for TWO YEARS so
they could attend Gen Conf

How was Conference Weekend for you?!?! Isn't it the best weekend ever!?! I have to say so myself. I've said this before but for those who got to watch all 5 sessions I'm incredibly jealous!! I have only seen the Saturday Afternoon session and I look forward to after the mission when I can watch this session or hopefully get to read pieces of it here and there before I go home. But the neatest thing is on Temple Square they play it over the loud speakers which is SUCH A BLESSING! Why?!?! Well because as we walk the grounds we can tune our ears to what is being said and hear bits and pieces of it. For the most part we don't hear pretty much anything but we can pick up on some stuff. One of my favorite parts would be Saturday Morning. My companion and I were over near the NVC (North Visitor Center) and I heard one of the speakers make comments about the Holy Ghost and then share various examples. It made me stop to ponder in my own heart about how we allow the Holy Ghost to be an influence in our lives. How do I allow the Holy Ghost to change me?

 

Becky from New Zealand from
my Mom's mission

Becky bringing me New Zealand
chocolate

During the Saturday Afternoon session another Sister and I went into the Standby line because we had given up our tickets to other sisters because there wasn't enough for us this time for various reasons. Anyways, we got to listen to the ENTIRE SESSION! Elder Hales keyed in on some very valuable points that, well, ultimately calls each young adult to repentance at some point or another. He called me, as a missionary, to repentance. But I loved the one simple quote of "reach up, not across". Conference is an amazing time for us to be spiritually fed and edified as we have the desire. One thing I noticed as I walked across the Square - keying in on bits and pieces - is how much they emphasized the women and mothers of the Church and the Holy Ghost.

The crowds at Gen Conf

The crowds and the anti's



General Conference weekend is a blessing, and I'm so excited for April's conference when I can sit on the couch at home with my family and really just soak in the spirit all weekend listening to the voice of the spirit.

 

At this point, because of the physical and spiritual demand of the weekend, I'm exhausted. We had to be on the square at 7:30 in the morning and were unable to leave till at least 9 P.M. and then this morning we had Mission Leadership Council from 8:15 this morning till 1:20 this afternoon. Then emailing for about 2 hours and then grocery shopping! I'm soo tired. Yay for SLEEP IN DAY tomorrow!!! We don't have to be on square till 10 A.M. which means I'm not waking up till 9 A.M. Looking forward to sleeping, if my body allows me to.

 

General Conference Miracle:

Tom - our Conf miracle

Saturday morning was the start to Conference craziness. This year the standby line had literally tripled in size compared to the previous year. We were going around just contacting the guests in line. As we were doing so, for some reason I just couldn't feel the spirit which was really bothering me. I looked over at Sister Gomes and motioned to her that I really needed to pray and to seek to invite the spirit. After we went into a room and knelt down together and invited the spirit we decided to go back outside and to talk with the guests/members. We immediately looked over at the Priesthood Statues and saw this gentleman sitting under one of the trees. As we approached him we just started doing a little bit of 'How to Begin Teaching' with him. A long story short, he is an Evangelical pastor from Minnesota who was curious in learning more. We talked with him about the Book of Mormon and he asked if he could have one. We went and gave him his own copy and other material and invited him to stay in contact. He gladly accepted and then we invited him to go into one of the theaters and to listen to Conference for a few moments. He was okay with that. Something that stands out to me is the importance of allowing the spirit to guide us in all that we do. It is crucial to allow the spirit to lead us.

 



Bob - my best friend - rocking
out in his raised wheelchair
listening to Gen Conf

We have to get going but I invite you to ponder over the messages from General Conference. As you do so the spirit will testify to you of what you need to know and will testify to you what you are to do next. Know that I love you each so much and feel blessed to have you in my life! Have a great week and remember to feast upon the spirit!

Love Always,

Sister Skaggs

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Watching Gen Conf from the Tabernacle
since we gave up our seats in the Conf
Center



Visiting with members on
the Square during Conf



​

Sis. Ferguson - one of my trainers -
she completed her mission



Saying goodbye to Sister Lin

Sister Ryan going home



Saying goodbye to Sis. Bryuzgina

 

The Lords Plan

From 09/28/15

 

To All I Love,



Replica of the statue
Moroni. He's tall!

Well it seems to me as if these weeks seem to just be morphing into one big week now. And that is because there is no way it has already been a week. To be honest, nothing has really happened this past week. And so I don't really know what to write home. I'm sorry for that! I do want to share some thoughts with you that I have had time to ponder about and about changes to next transfer.

 

A lot this past week we have had the opportunity to ponder and reflect on what it means to accept the Lord's plan. When we accept the Lord's plan it means to accept it in a positive light and to faithfully press forward with a positive attitude. Our plan is NEVER the Lord's plan. And we need to learn how to humble ourselves to the Lord's will. We will never have control ultimately over the Lord's plan for us. But we have the agency to choose how we are going to react to that plan. Thinking about it, wouldn't his plan be better for us?? Wasn't it by him that we were created, which means he knows us perfectly? Wasn't it him that suffered for what we are going through? I recognize it isn't easy and it most definitely isn't easy but following the Lord's plan will never be easy because our experience on earth isn't meant to be easy. The Lord humbles us in our own unique different ways and I have been able to see that first hand these past 4 days. But it is how we react to those humbling experiences that matters. Why would we not want to be humbled?? Ether 12:27 is a prime example of the importance of being humbled and why we are. Let me share with you a prime example of how the Lord is humbling me.



Sis. Skaggs and Brito



Sis. Brito accidently killed a moth
with a Book of Mormon!

As you're aware, this past transfer hasn't been easy. I can say though, that these past 2 weeks have been SOLID two weeks. Filled with miracles, tremendous growth, laughter, hard work, diligence, patience and fun. Which meant it seemed as if we had proven to the Lord that Sister Brito and I could be together a second transfer. After much prayer and studying of the scriptures I honestly thought we truly had things figured out which would seem only reasonable to keep a sister who is in training with her trainer for her second transfer of training. To be honest, it didn't really cross my mind, if at all, that the Lord had other plans in store. Friday and Saturday rolled around and we hadn't received a single text about either of us moving or calls about leadership or anything. So we were a little excited knowing we get to stay together next transfer... Well if only we would have waited till Sunday. Really. It didn't cross my mind AT ALL that the Lord had completely different plans in store. Yesterday (Sunday) we were meeting as a zone before District Meeting and as we are just sitting there talking waiting for it to start President Poulsen walks down the hall and then just walks into the room and just stands there. He says, "What are you sisters doing?" We proceeded to explain and then he says, "Ahh. I would like to watch you guys." He just stood there for like a minute awkwardly and then a sister says, "How are you today President?" He briefly responds by saying, "I'm doing great." It was then that I turned to him just a bit and he looks at me and motions to me to come with him as he says, "Sister Skaggs, may I please speak with you?" To be honest, I wasn't thinking anything at this point. I have been used to speaking with him lately so it didn't phase me or scare me. We go into another room and we sit down and he says, "I want to talk about how the transfer has been." I'm like, "Things have been amazing. It has been hard but it has improved so much." He is like, "I'm glad to hear that things have gotten much better. I'm glad to hear things have gotten so well but I really need you as a District Leader next transfer." He looked at me and says, "I have a group of 6 sisters - all from different nationalities and I really need you to be a District Leader next transfer." I'm pretty sure it seemed like a full minute to reply back as I personally was just

Newel K. Whitney store

comprehending in my mind what was happening. I was like, "If that is what the Lord needs me to do then yes." I was like, "Can I still train Sister Brito and be a District leader?"  He says, "No. I really need you as a District

Leader. I know you have only had one transfer under your belt [training] but this is what I need you to do next transfer." It was hard knowing that we will be getting split and I thought to myself if it was a punishment but I know that when we seek to rely on the Lord then we know we have done our best. I feel a sense of peace that we accomplished what we needed to. This entire transfer I strongly just felt that my purpose is just help her become adjusted and as of now she is doing amazing. Does hurt that I can't finish training her? Yes. But the Lord has other things in store for us. We had transfer conference this morning and well, guess what? I will be having another Brazilian companion!! Sister Gomes from Brazil. She is in her 5th transfer now, I believe. We will still have Monday p-day. The Lord has big things in store for this transfer and I look forward to what will be taught but most importantly for the opportunity to serve these 5 sisters. We have Sister Mere, my former roommate, I talked about her last transfer she is from South Africa, Sister Wong from Hong Kong, Sister Javzandulam from Mongolia - I'm almost certain her companion will be the new Mongolian sister coming in this transfer but we will see. It will be an exciting transfer. I'm just excited that I get to love and serve these sisters! I don't know why but being a District Leader is probably my favorite calling and I hope I can just be that the remainder of my mission.

 

 



Church history museum

The work is going well! We were finally able to contact a lot of our investigators in Africa this past week!! They are doing well. The local missionaries are preparing to come back there any week now. Which brings such a huge smile to my face. Because the work can't progress unless the local missionaries are involved. One of my biggest miracles though was talking with JULIO! I haven't been able to contact Julio since January and I haven't tried to really do so for the past couple of months. But on Wednesday I believe I felt

Replicas of Joseph and Hyrum's
death masks

prompted to call him. And he actually answered the phone!!!! We have now talked twice this past week. He would be considered less active at this point now and doesn't have a good contact with the Church but yesterday as I talked with him I read Alma 38 with him and I then asked him what do you learn from these verses he says, "I miss and want to go back to the Temple." I asked, "Why do you miss the Temple?" He replied by saying, "I miss that feeling I get when I'm inside." I proceeded to testify to him of why we are here and how we are here to guide him to the Temple. We invited him to watch General Conference this weekend and he says, "I will watch it, it is one of my favorite parts." One thing I realized is how vital 

Church History Building -
Liberty Jail

the Book of Mormon is in our conversion. We can have a testimony of the Gospel but it is a testimony of the Book of Mormon and a conversion to it that keeps us a float amidst the turmoil all around us. In order for our light to continue to burn and our investigators lights to continue to burn they must have a conversion to the Book of Mormon.




 

 

 

 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MICHAEL!! I cannot believe you are 17! You are an example to me on so many levels and I'm blessed to call you my brother. You have gone through so much in life but you are so strong and your testimony of the gospel shows the love you have for your Savior! I have to go. But know you are a chosen and beloved son of God! Happy 17th birthday broski! Love you!





Liberty Jail

My thoughts from the funeral. My brother wanted me to write about it. It was a powerful experience being able to hear from them. It is a blessing to have that same organization on the earth again for us and to have that same authority to lead and to guide us. I love this gospel so much and grateful for its foundation in my life!

 

Elder Richard G. Scotts Funeral:

Son Michael W. Scott:

How are we seeking out the one? Do we diligently seek for "The One" the noble and great one. The mission we serve now is the sacred time we have of being deeply converted to their Savior, Jesus Christ.

When we are born under the covenant we don't need to worry because we have the insurance that we will see them again as we work diligently to live worthy of such we will be able to abide in the Celestial Kingdom.

The Lord LOOKETH on the HEART.

Where is our spiritual power?

Don't complain with change or ask why because we know it is the Lord's will. A true disciple of Jesus Christ is one who doesn't complain but one who looks to the Savior and accepts his will humbly in our life.

Elder D. Todd Christofferson:

 

We are to resist even the appearance of evil. And to hold firm to that in our life.

Seek the Lord. Peace, happiness and joy comes from seeking the Lord through the various gospel principles that we have been given in each of our lives.

We teach constant sermons through our example.

How do we love and serve our companions with the most devoted service?

We are to teach, counsel, lead, love and inspire through diligent faithful Christlike service.

There is no hope or belief that our Savior lives or our Father in Heaven lives. But it is an absolute surety that they do live.



President Russell M. Nelson:

 

Do we consecrate our lives to serve those around us always?

How do we seek to understand those clear and riveting key messages that our Father in Heaven is sharing with us in regards to those things that we need to know in our life?

We don't seek our own life but we seek the Lord's will with faithfulness and with unwearyingness. When we are tired or want to look inward that's when we kneel down and rely on the Atonement and seek to look outward always.

Hyrum's clothes at the time of
his death

President Thomas S. Monson:

 

Serve with all skill and diligently. Like our master we are to go about doing good. Being a man of God in all seasons.

Courage, Faith, Patience and Devotions

Are we glad to share, give and care INSTANTLY!!!!!!!!!!!

Can we say "I have kept the Faith"?

Whoso believeth in me shall never die.

 

 

Well I have to get going but I invite you to ponder over what you are seeking in your life and take that to conference. Pray for an open heart and willing mind and then listen. I can testify that you will know what the Lord needs you to do. It will be a powerful conference with 3 new apostles being called. Know that I love you and pray for you! When life gets hard read Alma 38 and Philipians 4:13.

Love Always,

Artifacts from the Nauvoo Temple

Sister Skaggs







Children's museum

Children's museum

 


Replica of the pulpit

General Women's
Broadcast

 


General Women's Broadcast

 

To Recognize the Simple Miracles‏

From 09/21/15

To All I Love,

 



Eating Chilean food!



Can you believe this month is almost over?! Where did the time go? It seems like just yesterday I got back from outbound but that was just about 6 months ago... Crazy! I was thinking the other day about how Daphne, the 9 year old girl, who was baptized while I was in Woodbridge - the miracle baptism, well she hits her 6 month mark here at the end of this month! She was baptized like 3 hours before the General Women's Meeting in April. Crazy that was that long ago, I know right! 

 

Well, this week has been a blessing. The Lord always knows what we need. One thing I learned was recognizing how everything is a miracle, and how when we do so it brings more happiness to our own lives.

 

Areas of Significant Improvement:

 

Prayers really do get answered. Not usually in the way we want but they do get answered! These past 5 weeks, as you are aware (WOW! I can't believe it's been 5 weeks. It seems like it's only been like 1 week), anyways, these weeks have been really hard weeks to overcome. In the end, what the Lord has taught me is beyond worth it. Even though I have been at points I have never experienced before, the things I have learned are worth it. Anytime you go through a trial and you're able to learn and grow from it, it's worth it.



Taking car through car wash!

 



These past 7 days have been phenomenal! A blessing from Heaven! After 4 1/2 weeks of praying, the Lord allowed me to see a glimpse of what can come. To see how hearts can be softened as we diligently seek the Lord's counsel and as we are diligently patient - is worth it, because along the way it allows you to personally grow. Sister Brito is amazing! She continues to teach me so much! Adjusting to Temple Square has been really hard for her and, ultimately, adjusting to being a missionary and all that you have to give up and conform to is a challenge. But it's been a blessing to see how step by step she is able to do it. Has it been a challenge? Yah - for the both of us. But it's neat to see how she is able to do it. Growing up for her hasn't been easy. She has had a hard upbringing which helps me to see the tremendous blessings I have been given in my life. She was raised by her Grandma and her 3 single Aunts her entire life. She grew up going to Military School her whole life. What she has experienced throughout her life has been a challenge. I couldn't imagine not having parents to be there for me and just being raised by my Grandma. The strength she has to continue to endure is amazing. Her Grandma was a member of the Church and that was a big reason to why she wanted to raise Sister Brito so she could be raised within the Church. There are other things that she has experienced over the course of her childhood.

 

It's easy for me to understand why it would be hard to adjust to being here. And with it being hard it means I jump into this journey with her as her companion. And so it means it's hard for me as well. There has been so much progress! The other week we just sat down and talked about a lot of things and it's been a neat experience for me as the Lord has shown me a lot of things and how he is using me to help her ultimately reach her potential. Haha - but honestly, I think it's the other way around at this point. When we are able to get out onto the Square and work, one of my favorite things to say after she introduces herself and states that she is from Brazil is, "Actually, she is from the middle of the Amazon!!!" I LOVE telling guests that!!! Seriously though, when can you say you have met someone from the Amazon?!? Okay, so she isn't some crazy jungle person. She is actually from a major city that is tucked away in the Amazon called Manaus. It's big enough that it has it's own temple.

 



Another car wash picture



Personally, I have become so much more happier as the stress that has built up is being put to ease. It's crucial in our lives that we seek specific direction from our Father in Heaven and then that we are diligent about it. I have seen several prayers, after praying for 4+ weeks, be answered or start to be answered which brings a huge smile to my face and a sigh of relief and comfort.

 

I don't want to say it's over yet because I know there will still be rough days ahead. But I can see a glimpse of to what is being aimed for and for what will become.

 

Recognizing Miracles:

 

Friday night Sister Brito and I were talking about how we need to plan for a miracle that we want to see Saturday. One of the intentions behind it was for her to see the impact that she had and how the Lord does provide. On Friday we wrote down that we wanted to talk to a young man in his 20's seeking direction. To be honest, I didn't think much of it until we got home that night and it dawned on me that one of the final people we talked to was the young man we were seeking to talk with all day. At about 7 PM we went onto the Square and started talking to this RM [return missionary] who is really struggling since being back from her mission. About 20 minutes into the conversation this young man walks up to us and says, "Sister, do you need a member present right now? I would love to help." Eventually he joins in on the conversation. He has had a hard upbringing and had just recently been baptized. There were a lot of personal concerns that he had. After about another 50 minutes with them we left and then we realized that night that he was the young man. One thing that dawned on me while I was talking to him was this: "GO BACK TO THE BASICS." Far too often we seek further and further when sometimes we must go back to the basics. For this young man he had too many questions that were holding him back from being what he was supposed to be. As I talked with him I realized the importance to go back to the basics. If you have a question, go back to the basics of the Gospel. When we teach don't teach above the spirit, but go back to the basics and just allow the spirit to talk, through simply teaching the basics but powerfully through the guidance of the Spirit.

 



See how easy it is to "wash" our car?!



From seeing this miracle we decided we were going to plan for another miracle on Sunday. We planned that we would meet a man in his 50's who was divorced due to him and that he had a hard time forgiving himself and that he would have grayish hair and a blue shirt on. Well at about 2:15 PM we were contacting a Mandarin Motor coach and as we step outside the Assembly Hall, I'm not even joking, EVERY MAN we could see (besides those in the motor coach and one other person) had a blue shirt on, with gray hair and they were male. I about died of shock. I just stood there and started counting all of them. I wish I would've snapped a picture of it. Over on the right was a younger man in a blue shirt with his wife, I believe. On the left was a man, older, with a little bit of gray hair in a blue shirt by himself. On the bench next to him was a couple with a man in a blue shirt, and gray hair. Walking towards the Assembly Hall at that moment was another man in a blue shirt and grayish hair with his wife, I believe. And then straight in front of us sitting on the flower beds was another gentleman, probably late 20's, wearing a blue shirt. I about died. I immediately went to Sister Brito and was like, "Look around right now. Do you see all the men in blue shirts?" As she starts looking around, her jaw just dropped and she started laughing. She is like, "No way." We haven't been able to find the one man we know we are to find but that was a simple miracle we were able to witness.

 

"Shh... I'm not supposed to answer his phone":

 

 

Haha - so one of the best stories ever was yesterday. We were planning on calling Anthony (Investigator in Liberia) to see how church went, but as we called him another mans voice answers the phone. At first I'm like "what is happening?" As we begin to talk he mentions that Anthony asked him to charge his phone for him. But he wasn't supposed to touch his phone. Jerry was like, "Please don't tell Anthony that you talked to me. Please don't tell him I answered his phone." I just love Jerry!! At the moment he didn't seem interested in talking to us so I was fine with getting off the phone. However, the Spirit had other ideas in mind. I had this feeling that I needed to make a comment to him to tell him who we are and what we do, and ultimately, why we were calling Anthony. I proceeded to do just that and how it would bless his life. He was really excited and said, "Please call me on my number right now." Long story short, his brother and sister were both with him and the three of them want to learn more, go to church on Sunday and to be baptized. They want to have Jesus Christ in their life and to do all that they can to follow him. One thing I learned was the importance of one - listening to the spirit and two - following the spirit and having the courage to do so. It will be interesting because we don't have local missionaries right now in Liberia to fully help them but I know the members will help them just fine. Anthony, who isn't even a member yet, has such a solid testimony of the Gospel and so I'm not worried at all.

 



 

School?....

......or Mission??

It's a privilege to be on a mission! It's interesting how fast these next four months will go by. A lot of sisters in my class are in the process of praying about if they are to go home in Dec. or Feb. because of school. It has caused me to think a little more about praying and seeking direction for after the mission. I love how the mission, as we allow the mission to change us instead of going through us, how we are becoming eternally prepared for the rest of the work the Lord has in store for us. I strongly believe that this time to be on a mission is that time for us to prepare and become molded into who our Father in Heaven needs us to become so we can be ready to magnify all the calls the Lord will give us as spouses, parents, friends, teachers, and leaders in the months and years down the road. A question to think about... How is the Lord molding me???

 

Know that I love you and feel so blessed to have you each in my life and for the wonderful examples you are to me!

Love Always!

Sister Skaggs



Learning To Endure/Revelation From Above‏

From 9/14/15

To All I Love,



Temple Quarry site

Hmmm, let's see, where should I begin? I can just summarize it by saying I was on a Roller Coaster all week that wouldn't stop!! Which means it was more than an adventure this week. The Lord is using many different avenues right now to teach me and to stretch me to points that I literally have never been stretched to before. This week can be compared a lot to the first week of the transfer. Like that first week I can't go into a whole lot of details for various reasons I will yet again be vague. It's interesting what the Lord allows us to go through in order to humble us and get us down on our knees.

 

 

Learning to Endure:

Have you ever experienced a hard moment in your life? What did you do about it? Were you patient? Did you just give up? What was your response to your hard trial?

 

When you're on a mission and a hard trial is put in front of you most of the time they wont go away and with the trial I'm learning to climb right now. I can't let go of it. Whether I want to or not, I can't get rid of it. Which means I can curl up in a ball and tell Heavenly Father I'm done and won't do it any longer or I can get on my knees, seek the Lord's direction and continue to do all that I can as the resources are made available.

 

More fun with Sis. Lin

Pushing through this trial has drained A LOT of my energy. Mainly my Emotional and Mental energy which moves into physical energy. At moments I stop and wonder if this will ever ease. More frequently this week I have felt peace come to my heart at different moments when I found myself on my knees pouring my heart out for direction. On Wednesday it was at the point where I was going to be enduring. I asked one of the senior elders for a Priesthood blessing and as he went through the blessing the Lord shared with me through him some very powerful things that meant a lot but also informed me that this ultimately wasn't ending anytime soon but that I would have the strength to endure. While it brought comfort it didn't at the same time. It allowed me to recognize though that we must be patient with the Lord's timing in all things.

 

 

We may want something to come to a halt but that is ultimately when we need to recognize the Lord's timing in our life. 

Letting loose!

 

A lady from Belgium

These past couple of weeks I have had the opportunity to work with my Mission President and his wife closely as I have been able to seek their counsel and direction as to know how to best approach and handle this particular trial. Yesterday as another opportunity arose they asked what I had learned so far this transfer and I mentioned many things but the biggest ones are accepting the Lord's will and timing and learning to serve. It's how we handle a situation that allows us to grow. I strongly believe that we only grow if we learn to endure through a particular trial that is put before us. That is something I've greatly come to know and believe these past several weeks.

 

Another thing I have learned is our biggest investigators are those we love, first we are our own biggest investigators, then our companions, then our loved ones. Just like being on a mission, we seek to discern needs, invite to live the gospel, promise the blessings of doing so and bearing testimony. Sometimes that's what we need to do. I have learned a great deal of stepping back out of the picture and learning to focus in on what my priorities are, my FIRST PRIORITIES. I'm on a mission to invite others to come unto Christ and that doesn't mean we bypass the ones closest to us. How do we invite them? We do it by following Christ's example, through Christlike love and service. Which leads me into my next lesson!

 

Surprise!!... Wait who is coming???...

 

Havin' fun with Sister Lin

Hahahaha - that was literally the reaction of all 175 of us Sisters on Friday morning!! My companion was out sick due to stress on Friday which meant she was going to be at home with Sister Mahoney since she was out sick as well. As I arrive to the Square I hear whispers of sisters saying to each other "Did you get the text? Why do we all have to be in Th. 1 at 10:10? Why are they closing Temple Square down?" I'm like "Wait. What???" I look at my phone and sure enough they were pulling the ENTIRE mission off the square for about 2 hours but wouldn't tell us why. As I get into Th. 1 at about 9:30 they are scrambling to put the Hymn Books the right way, organize the chairs, put the whiteboard in another room, even bring a plant in. I'm like, "What is happening??" They are like, "We need to make sure the kitchen and all other rooms our pristine!" We then realized our companions were at home super sick. We asked the AP's if they could just stay at home since they were really sick. Their response, not even flinching was, "No. They have no choice. They need to be on the square in TH. 1 by 10:10." I'm like, "Okay. It has to be big if they are making them come down." President & Sister Poulsen have been away at this point since Wednesday at Snowbird for a Mission Presidents seminar and weren't to be back till Sunday. Well, we look down the hall and see them coming down. We were like, "Okay. Well it has to be really big if they got pulled from their seminar for this." At about 10:15 President Poulsen says to the mission, "I want you to sing the opening hymn the best you have ever sang it before. I will be going upstairs right now to greet President Russell M. Nelson. He called me about an hour ago and said he wanted to come speak with the Temple Square Sisters this morning at 10:30." He proceeded to go through all of the protocols we have when General Authorities come. Haha, when he said President Russell M. Nelson we about died. But we were confused why 2 Apostles in less than 2 weeks at last minute notice chose to come speak with us. We weren't complaining but were in shock. All of us were on complete edge up until the moment the door opened and he walked in the door. I had the opportunity to sit in the front row. Words won't ever describe what happened during that next hour. When he got to the front of the room he just stopped looked at us and then said, "I think this is what Heaven is like!" Haha - we all just started laughing. President Poulsen then asked him what he would like to do first and he said, "I would like to shake each of their hands before I begin." All 175 of us, row by row, got up and went and greeted him and shook his hand. As he stood to address us, what was going through my mind is why is another apostle here to speak with us? What is it that we must learn and know right now? He starts by saying, "I want to get to know you before we start. Who has gotten their Patriarchal Blessing (99% of the mission raises their hand)?" He followed by asking what lineage we were from.  

Cake from roommates



One thing that was really powerful was when he said, "I give you permission at this time for each of you to add D&C 86:8-11 into your Patriarchal Blessings." As we ponder over it, the message it contains is very powerful as it talks about how our lineage is our forefathers. That at this time we "have been hid from the world until the restoration of all things". We "have a grand privilege of being participants of this long, foreseen time that prophets have prophesied of for many many years. How neat is it to truly be apart of something so grand!"  

 

 



Lots of cake!

President Nelson proceeded to say, "Have you ever wondered why the Lord waited so long for the gathering of Israel? The Lord waited until 1820 because nowhere or anyplace, or anytime but then was the perfect conditions set up for it to occur. Freedom of religion was in place to allow this Restoration to take place. The Lord likes an unlikely scenario, he liked the scoreboard of 6 to 1 billion 143 million. At this time we have 7 billion people with 15 million members but only about 14 million active which puts it at 1 to 500 people. The Lord LOVES to be in a minority situation. Don't be discouraged, for we will always be in a minority situation."

 

Another powerful point he hit on was 2 Timothy 3 - read the first couple of verses and then verse 12. President Nelson was then straightforward and said, "Well, if you aren't being persecuted then we can say you aren't living a Christlike life." Which DOES make sense. Think about the greatest missionaries and prophets ever to walk the earth and look at how much they were persecuted and suffered!

 

A sister asked him, "What is your favorite Christlike attribute?" He responded by saying the following:

 

"The most divine Christlike attribute is Christlike Love. That is done through Service. We show love through Service. You can say I love you, but you show it through service.

 

1. Love

 

2. Ordinances (Baptism, Temple ordinances) Focus on the ordinances

 

3. Prayer - the Lord taught us how to pray

 

4. Knowledge

 

5. Endure to the End. We don't seek to be released. Be grateful because in each of your callings in life you will be released. For me I have to die in order to be released. We are to have patience and diligence and we do all things that the Lord would have us do."

 

He commented on the importance of respecting the agency of others. That we don't command others to come unto Christ but we invite them to come unto Christ.

 



Love my former
companions

The experiences that have occurred these past 3 weeks with SO MANY general authorities has been an experience of greater learning and understanding. I can say and testify that I know that the same Church Christ organized has been restored for our time. I can testify that we do have 12 apostles on the earth today. As I have heard 2 special witnesses of Christ testify and proclaim their love for their Savior and of knowing that he lives bears a special witness to me each time that he does. It is through him that all things are brought to pass and it's only through Christ that all mankind can be saved. It's through his living, modern, witnesses that he testifies to the world what we need to know. As General Conference approaches, I invite you to think more about what you are seeking direction for. President Nelson, on Friday, touched multiple concerns I stood in need of and a concern I didn't even recognize I was in need of. Through them the Spirit will bear witness to you.

  
Know that I love you and pray for you continually! As we rely on the Savior and endure all will be well! God be with you till we meet again!


Temple Quarry site



Love Always,

Sister Skaggs

 

Having fun!



Inbound sisters and trainers



 



Temple Quarry site

Temple Quarry site



Former companion