I'm Taking Off the Training Wheels... I'm a BIG GIRL NOW!‏

To those I love,

Yes, you're probably wondering why in the world she is sending home ANOTHER email this week. Here on Temple Square, I may have explained this earlier, we have different p-days (Preparation Days) almost every transfer because if every sister had P-Day on Monday, like normal, then we would have nobody on the Square. So, last transfer I had Monday P-Day and then a new transfer starts today (Wednesday). I was given Wednesday P-Day this new transfer because of the new zone I'm in which means I have P-Day yet again. Which is good but not good at the same time because I will be doing like NO missionary work this week. You will understand at the end of the e-mail why I wont being getting any work done. So, should I start and tell you what has happened these past 48 hours?? Here we go!

 

Spalding Executives:

Have you ever played basketball before? [Did she really just ask us that question??] If you have ever lived in America then you probably have picked up a basketball. If you look on a basketball, the majority of them are made by a company called "Spalding". So, your wondering at this moment how does basketballs, Spalding and missionary work relate? Let me tell you. Yesterday, while Sister Ferguson and I were serving at the Humanitarian Center, we came down from lunch to allow the Senior Couple we serve with to go to lunch. Right before we were getting ready to do stuff the secretary, Kathy - who I love, by the way, comes in and says, "Sisters you have 3 people for a tour." We looked at each other and were like "Okay. Perfect." I seriously just thought it was going to be some random people from somewhere in the world like it usually is. Well, I was wrong! When we got to the desk I see a man in a suit and two men with nice shirts that say "Spalding." They were dressed kind of like you, dad, when you wear your tan pants and your Great Oak shirts and you are going to a sporting event. I seriously thought I saw you standing in front me! The way they were dressed was so similar to you. Hahaha! Anyways, we find out the man in the suit is from the Church Office Building and the other two men work for Spalding. They were here on business in regards to the church and the volleyball equipment. They were seeing what the Church does. My immediate thought was "This is a VIP tour. We shouldn't be taking this. Where is the Senior Couple?" For VIP tours only the Senior Couples take it and then on Temple Square only the Ap's or ZL's take them. And I'm thinking "I'm a trainee. Uhhh this is weird." Well, we put on a fake smile and did the best we could. As we were walking around I was trying to figure out who they actually were. Haha - I knew they were big in the company because when we were discussing the International Kits that we send out I was talking to them about how it would be weird to get Squid Shreds in a package and how in some countries that would be like them getting Mac N Cheese. Haha - they started talking about how when they went to World's this year or last year for Gymnastics it was really weird because for concessions they didn't sell candy bars, etc. So I figured they must be big in the company if you are talking about going to Worlds for Gymnastics. It was so neat to be able to take them around. At the end they were so appreciative of the tour and were impressed with the tour and what we did. Haha. I got a good chuckle afterwards cause I'm like, "You're probably a big wig and here some 19 year old girl who has only been on her mission for like 3 months just gave you a tour." But as I asked what they did in the company, one of the men said, "Oh, he didn't tell you but he is the Chief Operating Officer for Spalding." I'm like "oooo okay." It was really neat to see just how humble he was when he was introduced to us at the end. They were such sweet men. It's weird because that was my last tour there at the Humanitarian Center.

 

 

Salt Lake Temple

Halloween=Friday:

Since Halloween isn't the safest holiday now-a-days it's not really safe to have missionaries out proselyting. It's an easy way for people to dress up and come to Temple Square and do dumb things.  So, for safety reasons, they are closing Temple Square at 5pm and as a WHOLE MISSION, 200 SISTERS, we are having dinner together and then, get this, I still have NO IDEA how they are pulling this off, but we are doing a Temple Session as a MISSION in the Salt Lake Temple Friday evening! Hahaha. I hope nobody is planning on coming to Temple Friday night because, well, you're going to get the surprise of a life time. 200 sister missionaries... I'm beyond excited for this opportunity we get. When President Poulsen told us, we pretty much all passed out. Last year they had a huge party but this year President wanted us to do something more mission appropriate, I don't know how to describe it. So, I will have to tell you how that goes next Wednesday.

 

 

My COMPANION is from RUSSIA:

Okay so I just LOVE my new companion! She is AMAZING! We are in the Beehive house this transfer and she is District Leader. She is only in her 5th Transfer. Here on Temple Square since we are an all Sister's Mission the Sisters hold all the Leadership Positions. We were talking this morning about what this all meant for me. Like how her being a district leader impacts me. She was like, "Well, ALL of next week we will be on exchanges so we will never see each other." We have 6 other sisters in our District and they would prefer her being done with exchanges by week 3. It's 24 hour exchanges, too. The thing that scares me is 3 out of the 6 sisters are in training with one of them being in my class. Which means I will be expected to take the lead. I DO NOT feel QUALIFIED at all!! I don't know what to think. But it's funny because whom the Lord calls He qualifies so I know everything will be okay. I'm kind of excited but a bit nervous. Sister Bryuzgina said, "President has put you with a District Leader because you can see how it all works and you can start to prepare for when he calls you to be a District Leader." She was like, "Maybe next transfer or here soon." Haha. I have NO IDEA what the Lord has in store for me on my mission. He is sending curve balls left and right. Which is good because it keeps me humbled and on my toes, which is what I need.

 

Sister Bryuzgina is just the best! We already get along sooo well! She is so sweet and such a powerful missionary. In our first contact we met this couple who is so prepared we both feel like one more contact and they will be good. They knew so much and were genuinely interested because of the friends they had in High School. They have only been out of high school about 10 years but they were sharing with us about Seminary, Mutual and how one of their friends even invited them to go to their mission farewell years ago. It made me stop and think about the fact that people DO watch you. If you're in high school, and for anyone else, just take into thought that you have people all around you watching you. I'm so GRATEFUL for the example their friends were to them many years ago and still are. It's because of those simple missionary invitations they extended that this couple is so prepared. The lady left with a Book of Mormon and the husband said he already has a copy because of his friend many years ago. So, you never know what a simple invitation will do, or just simply leading by example.

 

BUH BYE TRAINING WHEELS...:

 

Can you actually believe it?! I'm done with TRAINING. Well, the 12 week training program. I will always be in TRAINING cause if we are constantly learning something new then we are 'being trained'. I seriously cannot believe it was 12 weeks ago that I came here to Temple Square for the first time as an official missionary. I'm beyond excited for what the Lord has in store for me this upcoming transfer and for the transfer to come. Even though I don't feel all that qualified right now I know that as I continue to just trust in the lord and do the things I'm supposed to do all will be okay.

 

Okay well I need to go now.

 

Love you all!! Be Safe this week! And I will e-mail next Wednesday!! Good Luck this week!!

 

Love ALWAYS!

 

Sister Skaggs

A New Transfer

Family and Friends,

 

Can you believe it? This transfer is over! I swear it was just last week this transfer started. It's kind of scary how fast time is flying. Training will be over as of Wednesday and I will be going into my 3rd Transfer!! Lots of changes are occurring. I will share it all with you later on!

 

My Family:

Catherine Meshkin (family friend)
 saw Sister Skaggs!

I hope you know just how much I love each of you! I'm so PROUD of everything you guys are doing. I just LOVE getting your letters each week and getting to hear of the AMAZING things you are each accomplishing. Michael, I'm so excited for you! You're going to Winter Formal! It looks like you will have a lot of fun with your date! Don't forget to be respectful, be yourself and to have fun! I'm so proud of you baby bro. It sounds like things are going really well at home and at school! Brandon, haha I love you so much stinker! Mom and Dad told me about your grades. Boy am I one proud sister! Keep it up Broski! Here is a little secret... good grades come in handy later on, especially for college applications. Love you! Mom and Dad, I love you so much and am constantly AMAZED at everything you guys are doing. Haha I definitely don't know if i would be able to do a 50 mile bike ride [Don and I are in a 50 mile bike ride/race Nov 1st]. I have such amazing people in my life! I love you four more than words can describe. I feel so blessed to call you family!!

 

 

.... TRANSFERS...:

Transfers here on Temple Square are just crazy. Because of everything, you rarely will stay with the same companion. So can you guess what that means? I'm getting a NEW COMPANION, NEW ASSIGNMENT, NEW PDAY, NEW ROOMMATES, NEW APARTMENT, ETC. So let me tell you about all of these changes. First off, I'm SOOO EXCITED! After they announced my new companion I was like "Wait. What???" And then we saw each other and she is so excited for next transfer as well!



 

You're probably wondering "who is your new companion already?"!! Well, she is from RUSSIA!!! Her name is Sister BRUZGYNIA (I may have spelled it wrong). She is going into her 5th transfer! Which means she is only 2 transfers in front of me. Oh, and get this, she is a DISTRICT LEADER. President is mixing things up, it doesn't matter how old you are in the mission. He said any sister is capable of doing any assignment here. With her being District Leader next transfer that means I'm her side kick which means LOTS of exchanges next transfer. Oh and guess what I found out??.... She was a body builder before she came out. Haha, it's funny because I was really hoping for a companion who would get me into a good work out routine. HAHA, well I guess I may have prayed too hard... because Heavenly Father gave me a body builder as a companion!! She is so sweet though. I'm beyond excited to have her as my companion even if that means Russian tours next transfer. Oh, and I forgot to mention but I'm at the BEEHIVE HOUSE next transfer. The Beehive House is Brigham Young's first home here in the Salt Lake Valley. So I will pretty much ALWAYS be there next transfer. I'm kind of sad that I'm leaving the Humanitarian Center but I know that it's all for the right reasons. There is a time and place for all things and my time is up there and for some reason the Lord needs me at the Beehive House.

The Beehive House

My NEW P-DAY will be on WEDNESDAY. The one thing that is different about this mission is our Preparation day almost ALWAYS changes each transfer because if every sister had Monday P-day like the rest of the world then we would have NO SISTERS on Temple Square. And well that would mean Temple Square would be closed every Monday. So depending on what zone you're in each transfer will depend on what P-day you have. So yes I have P-DAY AGAIN this week. I have no idea what I'm going to write in my letter on Wednesday.

 

In the end, I'm really excited for this transfer! It really helps to know that my new companion is really excited to be with me as well. I can't wait to see what Heavenly Father has in store for me. I know so much is going to change and I'm so excited!

 

RAYMOND got BAPTIZED:

Raymond, the person I met on chat several weeks ago, got baptized on Saturday! Unfortunately we were unable to Skype his baptism because we weren't able to get things figured out. But that doesn't matter at all! Raymond emailed us Saturday night and was telling us all about his baptism. He was just beyond excited that he was FINALLY a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and that he was on that path back home to his Father in Heaven. The thing that really stood out to me in his e-mail was his excitement to get his membership #. I couldn't figure out why he was so excited to get his membership number, but then it dawned on me -- to him that meant that he was officially a part of the church. Before coming on a mission I always took for granted being a member of the Church and for always having these standards in my life. But since being out I have come to appreciate it so much more. Because here I grew up with it my whole life it was just a part of me, but then there are people in the world who don't have this privilege and would love to have it a part of their life. Here is Raymond, for example, who didn't grow up with this, but he found it, he learned about it, found it to be true and took action on it. He e-mailed me the other day and said he was so jealous of me because I grew up in the church, that I have known about all of this my whole life and he didn't. We were chatting yesterday through Mormon.org and he said that he will more than likely receive the Priesthood next Sunday and will prepare himself to go to the temple. This is my favorite part about missionary work, being able to see these individuals have this change of heart. For being able to witness the change and happiness that comes to their life through the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

 

Be Patient - Miracles Do Come!

Julio is doing SO MUCH BETTER! Last week he kept pretty much all of his commitments. I don't know if I ever mentioned but I felt several weeks ago that we needed to start fresh with Julio. That we would extend to him commitments, etc and re-teach all the lessons. We just wouldn't have him get re-baptized. We were hearing from him that we were the only people in regards to the church that is being able to get through to him or in other words in contact with him. We hadn't been seeing alot of progress and so I felt we needed to start fresh. We re-taught the restoration and invited him to allow the missionaries into his house because we had been hearing from him that they had been texting him every so often and he had just been putting them off. So last Tuesday, I believe, we invited him to give the missionaries a chance again. Last Thursday when we called he said, "Well, the missionaries came over yesterday." I about flew out of my chair! We had several AMAZING miracles last week with him alone. It literally is a battle to have him say a prayer with us. For the past month every time 

A family we took on a tour

I ask him if he will say the opening or closing prayer there is ALWAYS an excuse as to why he can't say it. Last week I was like, "Julio, will you say the opening prayer if I say the closing?" He replied with, "Yah, sure." I was like "Really, you're going to say the prayer?" He is like, "Yah are you ready?" It was such an amazing MIRACLE. Then on Saturday we called him to encourage him to start going to church again. We always have this battle of him calling for a ride. He strongly dislikes asking for help. I was afraid to bring the topic up again because we have had moments where the spirit just wasn't there and I didn't want to create that atmosphere again. I re-explained to him the importance of attending church and why it is vital then invited him to humble himself and to call someone for a ride. Then he said to me, "Well bro. 'so in so' offered to take me. I will call around and see what I can do." At that point I almost cried. I have been praying for weeks that Julio would have that change of heart and that things would, in a nutshell, change. Of course EVERYTHING is according to our Father in Heaven's will and so I knew I just needed to be patient with him and his timing. The number one lesson I learned is to just be patient and to not push. There were times when I definitely left the phone call discouraged and saddened because things just didn't progress. I was frustrated because nothing worked out. But that's when I learned that 1 - I NEED to listen, that I need to be patient with them and with the Lord's timing, and 2 - we just need to show them we love them and to not push them. I have learned a lot from Julio this transfer alone. I have learned patience and how to sincerely love others!

 

Adopted Recent Convert - Saige:

Sister Skaggs & Ferguson

Saige and Sister Skaggs
at the Nauvoo Cafe

So I adopted this recent convert as one of mine. It's   complicated. Someone came on chat earlier this year pretending to be her and when Sister Ferguson followed up, the girl on the other end, Saige, was like "I never went on Mormon.org. I have no idea what you're talking about." They continued to talk and stay in contact. Saige had only been a member for a couple of months and so Sister Ferguson adopted her as her recent convert. Then Saige moved out here to come to school at the U of U. Saige comes to the square every once in a while and we get to meet with her. She is AMAZING. I love her so much. I have seen her several times this transfer. On Friday when she came to the square it was like 7 pm. Due to our schedule we hadn't had dinner yet, neither had she and so we went to the Nauvoo Cafe and had dinner together. Saige and I made a deal that every time she came to the square and I was free and we were both hungry that we would go the Nauvoo Cafe together!

 

Organ Tours:

The organ in the Tabernacle

The organ!

One thing they do here on Temple Square is about once a year all of the sisters who haven't been to see the Organ in the Conference Center and the Organ in the Tabernacle get to go and see the Organ up close and personal and learn more about each of them since the organs here are such a huge piece of Temple Square. We actually got sit at each of the Organs and pretend to play. So I can now say I sat and "played" the organ in the Conference Center and the Tabernacle. Sister Sughroue took those pictures on her camera, since I forgot mine, so I will have to send those pictures later. Now when someone says "Are there really 11,623 pipes in the Tabernacle Organ?" I can say "Yes. There really is." They took us inside to where all the pipes were. And yes, there are 11,623 pipes. I have never seen sooo many in my life. They have pipes as tall as my thumb, no joke!

 

Letters:

 

Sister Skaggs (graduation 2013) and her
two grandmas - Grandma Susan and Grandma Skaggs

Thank You, Family, for the letters this week! I received mail from both of my Grandma's this week which made me so happy. Thank you both so much for letters, I thoroughly enjoyed reading both of your letters. I'm so glad you both are doing so well! I love you both so much! Mom and Dad thank you for your usual weekly letters I loving hearing about what new adventures you are up to. And thank you broski for your letter as well. I love getting letters. It makes my day when I walk over to the mailbox and see a letter from you guys! From what I hear most everyone is doing just amazing! Of course we have those occasional hiccups in our life, but don't let those get you down, cause sometimes when they do they can turn our life upside down. I have learned that when I dwell on those occasional hiccups it just brings negativity, etc. to our life. And honestly, who wants that in their life?

 

Time to Reflect:

"Well done, my child, well done"

I can't express to you enough just how much I LOVE THE ATONEMENT! Before I came out I was like, "Yah, I know what the Atonement is." When reality was I had no clue how it truly applied to me. I have learned most of all, this transfer, that the Atonement is real, it really does work. There have been MANY moments this transfer when I was just so weak. I just had no physical strength to continue on and there were moments that, because of that lack of energy, I just had no desire to work. But I wanted to have that desire and I can remember on MANY occasions just saying that quite prayer pleading to my Heavenly Father for that added strength I needed to get through my day, for my body to gain that energy it needed to work, to be happy and to have that desire to work in the first place. It works. I can promise you the Atonement is real. I know it is. There were moments this transfer when I wanted to just sleep and sit in the sick loft but I knew that I could receive that strength if I asked for it and then of course did my part. Everyday I thank my Father in Heaven for his Son and his sacrifice for me. It breaks my heart that my Savior, Jesus Christ, had to suffer for me that He had to go through all the pain and heartache I experience both emotionally, physically and mentally each day. But at the same time its a tremendous blessing because I know that I can't get through each given moment of my life without His help and without that sacrifice. I love them both so much! I hope that I'm living each day of my life to the extent that would make them pleased and proud of me. It's my deepest desire that when my time here is over, that my Father in Heaven will be able to look me in the eye and say, "Jennifer, my daughter, I am pleased with the work you have done."  This Gospel is true!! What an AMAZING blessing it is to have the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ upon the earth today! We watched the movie "Joseph Smith - A Prophet of the Restoration" this morning for companion media study and it just broke my heart to see all the things the early members had to suffer through. What an amazing legacy they left and the faith that they had. It's because of that faith that we still have what we have today. I hope we are all striving each day to continue that legacy.

 

I love you all! I hope you have an amazing week this week!! Be safe! Good Luck this week!!

 

Sister Jennifer Skaggs

Who Are YOU Becoming?‏

Family and Friends,

Family, I hope you know just how much I LOVE YOU!! That no matter what you are going through that I will ALWAYS love you and most important, your Father in Heaven loves you! It's funny that going on a mission can cause the love you have for people you already love to increase so much! I never knew my love for each of you could grow sooo much!! I miss you each and every day and think about you all often. Please don't allow the negative things around you to get you down *cough, cough* drama. Because the ONLY THING that matters is that your Heavenly Father loves you and well, that I love you! :D

 

Time is Flying:

 

Mainland Chinese tourists mesmorized by
these blond hair children!

Okay, so can you believe it? I'm on my 12th week now of being here at Temple Square. Can you believe it?! I know. That's just crazy! Time is really starting to fly and it's kind of scaring me. They say the older you get the faster time flies. The sad thing is I don't feel old but the fact time is flying must mean I'm getting old right? In a week so, next Wednesday, Oct. 29th, will be the official start to my 3rd transfer here. That's weird! And I will be done with TRAINING. I like to say I will be a BIG GIRL now! I get to take off my training wheels and ride a big girl bike. Which is kind of scary because I feel soooo unqualified. The thought of not having the protection of being with my 'trainer' scares me. But then I have to stop and think that the Lord qualifies those that He calls. And so if He didn't think I was ready to be on my own I wouldn't be ending training after 12 weeks. I'm excited to see what will happen. The dynamics of the mission are changing. Over the next four transfers we will have about 90 sisters going home. We have about 25 going home this transfer and we are only getting about 18. But it makes sense because after December we will be in our "dead" season till the April General Conference and so we don't need 200 sisters on the Square. Sister Ferguson and I may get split next week, which is sad because I REALLY LOVED having her as a companion. President asked if she wanted to train or be a District Leader next transfer so we will see. I think she will become a District Leader and that we might stay together another transfer. But it's hard to tell because the likelihood of you staying with a companion more than one transfer is not that high. But whatever happens I know that's what the Lord needs. We will find out next Monday morning at Transfer Conference.

 

Humanitarian Center Miracles:

So the picture you received of me at the Humanitarian Center, I was actually going to share that story with you today. That tour was AMAZING. It's one of those moments that make you remember that even MEMBERS can change. So, when we first went to give the tour Sister Ferguson and I were really tired and reality was I didn't want to take the tour. We had just taken four back to back tours (45 minutes-1 hour each) and received only a 15 minute lunch and so we were kind of exhausted. But we took the tour and I just can't describe to you what happened in that tour. 

Tour at Humanitarian Square

As we were taking the tour of course my heart started to change as I realized that I'm a missionary. I'm representing my Savior Jesus Christ, and there is something that they are supposed to hear and so I need to knock it off. I love taking people on this tour because people don't understand just how much the church actually does. People are like "Oh yeah, we give when there are natural disasters". Reality is that is just a small fraction of what we actually do. As we were taking these four people around the gentleman in the group is who I want to share with you about. This gentleman AMAZED me. The whole tour he was just in shock with EVERYTHING we did. From the Work Training Program, to the Wheelchairs, Immunizations, Clothes, Quilts, Clean Water, Atmit, Neonatal Resuscitation etc. It was funny, he kept taking pictures of everything and took, as you probably saw, several pictures with us. But what really touched my heart was HIS change of heart. At the end of the tour as we were asking what touched them the most this gentleman, probably in his 50's, was crying and said "I just never knew the church did all of this." I love to see the change of heart A LOT of these people have as they come through the Humanitarian Center. A lot of the time I think people are like "Oh yeah the church helps with the natural disasters that's where my tithing money goes." But then they come through the Humanitarian Center and their eyes are opened to EVERYTHING we do as we try to accomplish the three purposes: 1 - To care for the poor and needy, 2 - Foster Self Reliance and 3 - Encourage service to others.....which are all things that our Savior, Jesus Christ did, which is why we are here to become more like Him. They see that we do so much more and that reality is the only money that comes to help support these various projects is the money that comes from the Humanitarian Aid Fund on our Tithing slips.

 

Be Aware:

I can't stress enough the importance of relationships investigators and new members need with members of the ward. That is something I'm really struggling with as I see so many recent converts become inactive as they aren't receiving that local support. I stressed this several weeks ago and I'm stressing it again because it is a very IMPORTANT issue that I'm struggling with. I have several recent converts who are going inactive right now because they are new and they need that support. Guess what? They aren't getting it to the extent the need it. Being here on Temple Square there is only so much I can do. Sometimes it kills me that I can't be there in person to give them rides to church, or to be a member in their ward to help develop that friendship. Prime example of what I'm talking about: I have a recent convert (not going to name names for certain reasons). The area where they live right now - the local support isn't as strong as it needs to be. They have no idea when things change. They weren't informed that General Conference occurred several weeks ago. They only found out because we called them to see if they were excited. They were like, "Wait. What?" Because no one has fellowshipped them into their local ward the desire they have to attend isn't really there. I pray every night that just one member in their area will reach out to them to extend a hand to fellowship them, to invite them to take them to church and to not give up on them. There is only so much we as missionaries can do, especially here since we can only encourage them over the phone. Every day I wonder what in the world is Heavenly Father trying to teach me. I'm learning that it is patience. Our Father in Heaven needs me to be patient with Him and His time. That all will be okay eventually, to not give up on them but to be patient with them. I just want to invite you that the next time you see someone new in your Ward/Branch to reach out and welcome them, to just try and become friends with them. Will you please do that, not for me but for them, for you Father in Heaven? You never know what that could mean to them. 

 

I want to share a positive example. Sister Ferguson has a recent convert who I actually kind of know... small world. Well, we have been talking with her and she has been going through A LOT of things. But thanks to the AMAZING local support she has she is just thriving. Her testimony of the Gospel is amazing! She isn't afraid to talk with her bishop. She LOVES going with the missionaries to help teach lessons and she is just an amazing example to me. The thing that really stood out to me is she told us the other day that a member of the Bishopric came up to her and said, "We want to extend to you a calling." She was like, "Why me? Is that even allowed right now?" The member of the Bishopric said, "Sister So and So asked for you specifically to be a member of the break-the-fast committee." She told us how excited she was that a sister in the ward thought of her specifically to be a member of the Break-the-Fast committee. It's just simple things like this. We don't know just how far a simple hand of fellowship can go.

 

The Work:

The work is going great. Raymond wasn't baptized on Saturday due to it being Stake Conference, but he emailed us and said he will be baptized this upcoming Saturday the 25th. That is really exciting!! He asked if we could Skype his baptism, so were hoping the computers will be open so that we can. Since the majority of those we teach we can't be there in person we have the opportunity here to Skype their baptisms. So, hopefully it all works out. Julio is doing good. I love him so much. Not in the way you're thinking. I love him as a brother/friend. Even though it's a bit hard right now we are ever so slowly making progress. Patience is the number one key. Haha Mom and Dad can you believe it I'm actually ever so slowly becoming a patient person? HAHA. Funny I know, right!! Me a patient person. But it's kind of true.

 

Joelle is doing good. She has a lot of personal struggles but she still loves the Gospel and is still on date to being baptized on Nov. 1st.

 

Oh, have I ever mentioned just how much I LOVE investigator lessons?? Well I do! A neat thing about being here is local missionaries from surrounding missions can bring investigators here to Temple Square. We, along with their missionaries, will take them to several different locations here and teach them a lesson. I love it so much! This past week we were able to take Alissa around and to explain to her the importance of Temples and why they are such important places. She is on date for Nov. 1st as well. She is so excited to be baptized!

 

Roommates:

Sister Skaggs and Sister Ferguson

Celebrating Sister Asay's birthday at Zupa's

My awesome and crazy
roommates!

Haha -- Sometimes I don't understand why Heavenly Father allowed Sister Ferguson and I to room with Sister Hansen and Sister Asay. Let's just say I have never laughed sooo hard in my life! It was Sister Asay's 22nd Birthday last Monday and so we went to Zupa's to celebrate. We just have way too much fun. Let me describe to you how a typical evening goes with the four of us. So daily planning ends. We start to get ready for bed but that ALWAYS fails. Why? Well because something funny will be said and then next thing I know Sister Hansen is on the floor, LITERALLY on the floor laughing so hard/screaming/crying and then Sister Ferguson is grabbing onto her stomach because she is laughing so hard and then starts crying. Then Sister Asay and I look at each other and ask them what just happened and then they tell us and then we start laughing. When Sister Hansen starts laughing it DOESN'T STOP. I LOVE IT! It makes for A LOT of fun times!!! :D

 

 

Well I love you all!! Again it has been another AMAZING week. I'm learning more each day. I'm learning more and more what it is my Father in Heaven expects of me. Surprisingly, I wasn't as converted as I thought I was. You know I know this Gospel is true and I wont ever deny that. But I realized that I'm more afraid to share what I know to be true than I thought I was. When you are TRULY converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ you 1 - live it and don't find excuses of not having to do things and 2 - you find every excuse to SHARE the Gospel.

 

I love it here. I love the people. I love the work. I love the Sisters and most of all I love my Father in Heaven! I want to do everything He needs me to do. I want to become that Daughter of God He EXPECTS/NEEDS me to become. We weren't sent here to just waste our time. We were each sent to earth with a Divine Purpose. And it's through the Gospel of Jesus Christ we find out what that Divine Purpose is.

 

I love you ALL sooo much!!! Keep up the good work. Just remember who you are. You are a Covenant Keeper, a Child of God!

 

I just want to end with these questions: Who are YOU becoming? Are you becoming converted? Are you a Covenant Keeper? Are you striving to become that Child of God your Father in Heaven knows you can become?

 

Much love, till we talk next week!!

Sister Skaggs

Trials Are Just Bumps In The Road

Love you ALL!

 

Haha....so Mom and Dad you keep telling me, "You know you can say when things are hard etc." Well things are ALWAYS hard. But the one thing I'm learning is when we are first given a trial it is hard but the moment we find the positive in it and ask ourselves why did Heavenly Father give us this trial it doesn't become a negative thing anymore. It doesn't become a burden but as we see why this so called bump in the road was given to us it becomes a blessing. It's just like in Ether 12:27, our Heavenly Father gives us weaknesses for a reason, not because He hates us but because He loves us. We are given weaknesses because He wants us to turn to Him to rely on His son who sacrificed His life for us. As we turn to Him He will turn these weaknesses into strengths. That's exactly why we are given trials, so that we can turn to Him and to grow into who are supposed to become. Of course we have our own agency and so sometimes trials (consequences) come from the way we used our agency in a situation we were in. But no matter what, our Father in Heaven loves us. We need to do His will.

 

Alma 30:

Can I just say how grateful I am to have this gospel! To have a living prophet on the earth today! And to most importantly know this for sure. As I was reading in Alma 30 today it just broke my heart as I read the things Korihor was saying. On any given day we come across this exact situation that is outlined in Alma 30 and it just breaks my heart that people don't have that firm understanding that they are children of God and that we really do have a prophet upon the earth today. Sister Ferguson and I had an interesting situation with a women on chat today who was less active. There were several things she didn't have a firm testimony of anymore. As we walked away it just broke our hearts that this daughter of God didn't have this firm testimony anymore. Here were all these blessings that are awaiting her but she can't see them. If I could just say one thing, please don't give up on your Heavenly Father. Don't let these doubts about things you know to be true sneak into your mind.

President Monson

Listen to the prophet. There is a scripture that talks about how whether God says it or the prophet says it, it is the same. The prophet is the mouth piece of the Lord. I feel so blessed that our Heavenly Father loves us SOOO MUCH that He not only restored the church after being lost for centuries but he called another prophet and still calls prophets today (with our current prophet being Thomas S. Monson) to lead and guide us so we can return to live with Him again some day! I just LOVE Heavenly Father so much!

 

 

 

Raymond:

I'm so excited -- Raymond gets baptized this week! He met the missionaries about 3 weeks ago on the street and then he came on line asking questions about what the Doctrine and Covenants was all about. We ended up staying in contact and as of right now he is doing amazing. He mentioned he watched ALL of General Conference and just LOVED it! Oh and get this!! So, we can only communicate with him via e-mail and text. So last Wednesday I logged onto my e-mail (we have an online area book in this mission which allows us to e-mail via a separate account. We can send emails through our Online Area Book) and he just mentioned that his baptismal date was moved from Nov. 1st to Oct. 18th! He is so excited! I'm so happy for him and this step he is taking in his life. Here is this man who in just a short 3-4weeks has come to understand that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored in it's fullness. He is so excited to be baptized this week. He is like, "Jennifer, (we met on chat and we go by first names there so that's what he knows me by) I have my baptismal interview this week. Oh and I'm reading in 1 Nephi 20-22 etc." He is just so excited. Are we ever that excited?? I will have to tell you about it all next week if he e-mails me to let me know how it all goes...which I'm sure he will!

 

Familiar Faces:

Sister Skaggs and Mrs. Runkle

Being on Temple Square we have a higher probability of seeing people we know since it is a tourist destination. So about once a week or so I usually bump into a familiar face. This particular story I thought was pretty funny/funny coincidence! Sister Ferguson and I were walking up towards the Church Office Building and we looked over and saw this couple at the spot where you stand on the pedestal thing and then take your picture with the whole temple in the background. Well, we ask, "Would you like us to take your picture?" They say, "Yah sure. We aren't a couple, if you were thinking that. We are brother and sister." We say, "Haha, that's totally fine. So where are you guys from?" (we ask pretty much everyone that question). The lady replied, "Oh, I'm from Southern California just up visiting my brother." I say, "Oh that's awesome. Me too! Where in Southern California do you live?" The lady said, "I'm from Temecula." My jaw dropped and I almost had a heart attack. I replied, "Wait me too!!" The lady says, "What's your name??" Me - "My last name is Skaggs." The Lady said, "NO way!!! Do you remember me? I'm Mrs. Runkle, John Runkles mom. I live near you!" Yah, so that was really neat!! We took lots of pictures. We were both in such shock! It was so nice to see you Mrs. Runkle (if you ever read this)!!! Can I just say small world!!

 

Lundquist Family!!



Sister Skaggs and the Lundquist family

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was soooo nice seeing you yesterday!! I seriously love you ALL so much! I still can't believe you guys were actually there. It was funny. Out of nowhere my companion looks at the phone and says, "The Lundquist family is here wanting a tour from you. They are at map." Totally made my day and then seeing you, Sister Lundquist, running over to me and then seeing everyone just made me so happy! I'm so glad I got to take you around. It was funny, like I said, earlier that day I was thinking about you guys and wondering when you would come up to see me and then you did, not even 12 hours later. Tell Sadie thank you for the card! It was so sweet, and hearing what she said about wanting to see me made my day. I love you all so much! I'm SOOO EXCITED to make the cookies this evening! I will have to take pictures and send them in my e-mail next week. Thank you!! Love all of you so much!

 

It was so good to see you this week, Parker! Good Luck in Guatemala. You will be an amazing missionary! It's crazy to think that so many of my friends are getting ready to leave on missions again. I remember earlier in the year a bunch of my guy friends left, then this summer A LOT of my close girlfriends left and then again A LOT of my good friends are getting ready to enter the MTC soon.

 

MISSION FIRESIDE by..... DAVID ARCHULETA!

Yup. You read that right. David Archuleta came last night and gave a mission fireside/devotional. He is amazing!!

Devotional/fireside with David Archuleta. Sister Skaggs
is standing next to him on HIS left.

Some of the things he said to us last night were things I really needed to hear. He made a comment that said "More than ever we are trying to become more like our Savior and so we are seeing everything that isn't in harmony with Him. It is really discouraging." (talking about being on a mission). Which is something I have really struggled with lately and so when he made that comment, it all just made sense. But I love that statement too because then we can realize that this is a prime example of why we have been given the Atonement. David Archuleta talked to us about his journey with being a member of the church and being a big 'pop star'. The one thing he said that he has really learned is "No need to be afraid of who you are." David said that before the mission he was afraid of telling people that he was Mormon. But he regrets that so much! Now he doesn't care at all. He isn't afraid of sharing with the world that he is a Mormon, a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He sang to us the featured song in "Meet the Mormons" the song 'Glorious' and then several church hymns. I could seriously sit and listen to him all day. Afterwards each zone got to shake his hand and take a picture with him. We have better pictures coming but for now these are the only pictures I have. Sorry!

 

Be aware of those around you

Sister Skaggs (pre-mission) by the
Reflection Pool in front of the
Salt Lake Temple

A week ago Tuesday Sister Ferguson and I were walking by the Reflection Pool kind of in a hurry to get to an appointment on time. However, we looked over and saw this lady (mid 20's) just sitting there. To me she seemed kind of sad. She was just sitting there, with her temple bag and phone. I felt I just needed to go over and talk with her.  As we started talking we asked if everything was okay and she said that she had just gotten out of an interview. But as we continued to talk we asked, "Is there anything we can do for you?" (97% of the time people are like "yah we are fine thanks for asking.") But April said, "Do you have an experience where nothing was going right but at the same time it was?" (those were along the lines of what she said.) Sister Ferguson and I shared with her our various experiences and several thoughts we had. As we were getting ready to leave she shared something with me that I will NEVER forget. She talked about how she was talking to her dad right before we came up. He was somewhat giving her a blessing over the phone and he mentioned that her Heavenly Father loves her and is aware of her and that He would show his love for her. Apparently right after she hung up with her dad we walked over to her. She said, "Heavenly Father sent you two to me to show me His love. He sent two of His disciples to come over and talk with me and to comfort me." That really stuck out because the thought to go talk with her wasn't a huge prompting, it was just a thought and then we just did it. It made me wonder -- are we, far too often, shoving those thoughts aside? What if we had kept walking, so focused on the appointment we had? It made me realize that we sometimes get so focused on getting from Point A to Point B that we aren't stopping to smell the roses. We almost missed this opportunity to help our Heavenly Father, to help one of His children who was in need.

 

I'm loving it here! I'm learning so much about who I'm expected to become not only as a missionary but as a person. When you do what you have been asked to do everything will work out. When we are focused on our purpose, whether it be on the mission or whether it be in life, the Lord will help us out. I feel so blessed to have this Gospel in my life! It kills me to see those around me on the Square, on chat, etc. who don't have the Gospel in their life because it is such an AMAZING BLESSING to have the protection, the freedom, the understanding, etc. that I have from having the Gospel in my life and from striving to apply it. It is something I WILL NEVER trade!!!!

 

I love you all....even if I don't know you! If you're reading this I hope you know just how much you are loved! Your Heavenly Father loves you and I love you. I may not know you personally but I do love you and care about you! I hope all is well!

 

Family, I miss you and love you so much! I feel so lucky to be able to spend ETERNITY with you!! Boys, you are getting sooo big and soo grown up!! I'm scared as to how much taller you will be than me when I get home. EVERYONE I know is taller than me... go figure, I'm just short. hahaha!! Mom and Dad, I love you!! Thank you so much for everything you do for me and for the amazing examples you both are to me! I feel so blessed to have such great examples in my life! Be safe this week and know I pray for you each day.

 

Anyways, love you!!!

 

Sister Skaggs

Busy Week!

I love you all!!

 

My comp, Sister Ferguson and me, Sister Skaggs
in the conference center before conference began

Can you believe it? Another week has come and gone! Okay, so where do I begin with this week!?!? So much happened this week, I don't even know where to start. HAHA, but isn't that my e-mail EVERY WEEK? Oh well! Hmm, I will just start and hopefully it all makes sense. So this week was super busy!! At the end of yesterday when we had our Conference debriefing/relaxing time/treat time my back, feet and eyes just ached. But I wouldn't trade this past week for the world even if it was hard and exhausting! So here we go!! I will start with my favorite part of the week!!! Can you guess what it is??...

 

GENERAL CONFERENCE:

Okay, so I have heard General Conference was just AMAZING!!!! Was it??? I haven't seen it yet besides when we got to attend the Saturday morning session. I'm so happy you all got to see conference!! I hope you loved it so much! Cause EVERYONE that I saw/talked to said it was probably one of the best conferences they have heard! Everyone said this conference was so straightforward and so serious. Apparently no one joked this conference, besides Elder Bednar in the last session. I haven't seen it yet so I have no idea. I'm so excited to see it though. Which talk did you like the most?? Who answered your question?? 

Heavenly Father's creation - the sky on my p-day last week

 

My zone got to attend the Saturday morning session of General Conference. From just that little part I got to see I can't even imagine how amazing the other sessions were. I had been thinking all week about having people take questions to General Conference that I forgot to think about a question for myself. Haha. Oops!! When I woke up Saturday morning I just asked what it was I needed to hear that I could share with several of the recent converts that we have that are really struggling. And I can't tell you just how PERFECT the first session was for that. Every talk, I felt, was directed towards someone I had in mind. I kept looking over at Sister Ferguson and was like "ahh that would be perfect for , No wait, this talk would be perfect for ." It just goes to show that when you have something on your mind, when you have a question and you truly are seeking for an answer, the Lord will answer your prayers!

 

For General Conference we were on the far left if you are looking at the pulpit about 3 rows back. I have a picture of where we sat. Elder Perry walked right in front of us on his way to sit down and so did Elder Cook. Haha -- he actually waved at us. I just love them all so much!

Sister Skaggs & Sister Sughroue

 

This weekend was just amazing. The sisters were like "this is like Christmas!" Haha. Yah, if this is what Christmas is going to be like I'm physically going to be in trouble. The other week when I mentioned how they had us working on the square from 7:30 AM to 9:45 PM with only 2 twenty minute breaks for lunch and dinner I wasn't joking at ALL! But surprisingly it wasn't hard. The one thing I just really prayed hard for was the strength to just get me through both days. There's that quote that talks about how the Lord will carry us and that's what I felt like happened. With how crazy it was (just imagine Disneyland during the summer) I was amazed with the amount of energy I was still able to have. At the end of yesterday I definitely felt like Christ was ever so slowly showing me just how exhausted I truly was. I'm still feeling the effects of Conference but I wouldn't trade any of it. The people I got to talk to, the spirit that was felt this weekend, the friends I got to see, the family I saw was all worth it! 

Sister Skaggs and BYU-I friend, Kayla

 

Sister Skaggs and her former BYU-I roommate, Shaeli
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 





 

 

Saturday I got to see Aunt Tina twice, which was so neat! It was funny towards the end of the day I was a little frustrated because I hadn't really seen anyone I knew. So I prayed and was like "Heavenly Father, I really would like to see someone I know but I understand if I don't because I know it will be Thy will. Well funny story is I was standing near the Tabernacle and I look over and see Kayla, one of my best friends from college, and then seconds later a good friend of mine from EFY, Sydney, walked by and then right after that Aubrey Pennock walked by and then Kristen and Shaeli from college came over. It was a complete answer to my prayers. It just goes to show right there that Heavenly Father does hear us! And it's like in Doctrine & Covenants 98:2, we need to be patient with Him and his timing. It was so great to see Kayla, Kristen, and Shaeli! I love you three so much!! I'm sooo glad I got to see you three! Later that evening after talking to Aunt Tina about how Adam was doing and wondering when I would see him on Temple Square I bumped into him after the priesthood session. So that was really neat to catch up with him. For those that don't know, he is my cousin who returned home from his mission from Chile the same day I entered the MTC (July 16th). I also saw Crosby Curry and the Keelers!! It was so nice to see you all!! 

Sister Skaggs and the Keeler family from Temecula
 

 

In a nutshell conference weekend here was just amazing! I can't wait to watch all the talks and to be able to tell you my favorite ones in the weeks/months to come, whenever we are able to watch them/have time to watch them. Oh, that reminds me, so apparently the member of the first quorum of the seventy that Sister Ferguson and I met and talked to last week after Kneaders, spoke in General Conference. His name is Elder Klebingat. That explains why he was acting a little different. Haha, we asked him why he was here and he was like ummm you could say it's for work. And then he whispered "I'm in the 1st quorum of the 70 and I'm here for conference with my wife and son". I can't wait to watch his talk! :)


MEET THE MORMONS (A movie)!!!!

Guess what?!?!?! "Meet the Mormons" is coming out this week!! I'm so excited! Are you planning on seeing it? I seriously hope that answer is YES! WHY WOULDN'T I? Last night, as a treat, we received permission to watch a preview screening of it. Can I just say SUCH A GOOD MOVIE! President Poulsen, our mission president, wanted us to watch it, that way when it comes out we will know what it's about when we receive chats, calls and questions about it. The movie gives the viewer a great example of typical everyday Mormons throughout the world. I love the part when the head football coach for the Naval Academy is sitting in primary with his primary class. I don't want to give too much away. But I highly recommend you see it! Oh and get this, within the coming months this movie will become the feature film here on Temple Square. They will start playing it in the Legacy Theater instead of the movie about Joseph Smith. I think it will be great because it will help show to those around us that we are normal and it gives people a greater inside look as to who we are and what we are all about. Please see it when it comes out!!!

 

Deep Cleaning!

Sister Skaggs cleaning the cabinets - niiiice!



Sister Ferguson

Sister Hansen

Looks like someone needs to do some
food shopping!!

Sister Asay

This past week the mission has undergone operation Deep Clean. EVERY apartment got 5 hours this past week to deep clean their apartment. And when I mean deep clean, I mean deep clean. We came to the conclusion that these apartments hadn't been deep cleaned in years. All marks on the walls had to be scrubbed off with bleach, cupboards emptied and washed, bathroom scrubbed, baseboards cleaned, refrigerator etc. I got the duty of cleaning the top of the cupboards and the fridge. Haha - oil from cooking, dust and then cleaner -- lets just say they do not go well together! I think it took us a good 6-7hours to deep clean our apartment. But on the bright side, every apartment is a Celestial Apartment now so that is awesome!:)


 

Humanitarian Center:

Things are going great at the Humanitarian Center! Did you know that the church created a product called "Atmit" which means Nourishing Porridge? What we do with Atmit is we take it into those countries that are malnourished and this is used to help those get their digestive systems working again. If you gave someone who is malnourished food that we eat on a daily basis their digestive systems won't be able to handle it and so Atmit, within a bout a week, will be able to help get their digestive systems working properly again so they can eat regular food.

 

This past week we were really busy. We are in the HC every Tuesday and Thursday usually and we didn't sit at all. I loved it though! Its neat to see the expressions these guests have when they first come in to when they leave. Nobody understands just how much the church actually does.

 

On Thursday we had a VIP tour and Sharon Eubanks, the director of LDS Charities, brought the Young Women General Board in. We just thought they were coming and that's it. Well, we were coming down the stairs and we heard they were there and to my surprise I turn the corner and standing directly in front of me was Sister Oscarson and Sister Mariott from the Young Women's General Presidency. I love being here! I hope they keep me another transfer!

 

Flu Shots:

Yah, so apparently we have to get the flu shot this week... I heard the other day that there was a massive outbreak and so the whole mission is required to get the shot. Crossing my fingers I do not get sick! Apparently my friends companion got the shot and then he got sick. What a coincidence, get the shot to prevent the flu but then get the flu from the shot. Doesn't make sense. But at least I will be safe from not getting whatever is going around, since we are in contact with SO MANY people from all over the world!

 

Cookies:

Thanks mom for the cookies!! Haha all 148 of them!

The sisters absolutely loved them!! Sister Tiritilli took a bag of them to the square Tuesday and they apparently were eaten super fast and all the sisters wanted the recipe. They say Thank you! Oh and Sister Desjourdy loved her birthday bag of cookies!!!

 

 

 

 

 

Julio:

Julio is doing okay. It just breaks my heart to see him the way he is. I told him last week that this wasn't the Julio I know. As of Friday when he called we were the only ones who had told him about General Conference. That breaks my heart because reality is we shouldn't have been the ones to have told him. We are still trying to contact those that we need to, to see what is going on.

 

Other Investigators:

This week has been a slow week. Which is kind of hard because you want to see success, you want to see your investigators, Less actives, and recent converts excel but you have to remember they have their agency. It's really tough when things aren't all fine and dandy. But that's life for you. Sister Ferguson and I had several hard moments when several people we knew, in regards to those we were in contact with, had set backs or weren't progressing. But I know that all will be okay. My testimony of the Atonement grew so much stronger when all of these moments occurred. Because I know that they have that second chance. We know that it's through the Atonement that they will be forgiven. We aren't expected to be perfect. We have been given the Atonement for a reason and we should be using it in our life.

 

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, sacrificed His life for each of us so that we can return home. We are expected to lean on Him and his Atonement ALL the time. We aren't perfect. Boy am I FAR from perfect!!! But that's why I love the Atonement, because it was created for imperfect people. It was created for the large sins we would commit and for the tiny sins we would commit. It was created for anyone who would ever come to earth. It was put in place to allow us the opportunity to be forgiven, to be changed and to return home back to our Father in Heaven. I truly hope that whoever is reading this right now knows that the Atonement is real. It's never too late to come back. No matter what, your Father in Heaven WILL NOT stop loving you!! This Gospel is true!! It is so true!! I love so much the fact that I know that. I honestly feel so grateful to have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in my life.

Well I don't know what else to say. I'm probably missing a lot! My last paragraph pretty much explains how the work went this week. But that doesn't change anything. I love the gospel! I love my Investigators, my recent converts and Less Actives no matter what is happening!

 

I hope you have an AMAZING week this week!!! I LOVE YOU ALLLL SOOOO MUCH!!!! But most of ALL YOUR HEAVENLY FATHER LOVES YOU!!! Stay true to who you are!! And hold tight to the Gospel of Jesus Christ!! Be Safe this week!!!

 

LOVE ALWAYS!

 

Sister Skaggs