Mission Farewell

I am not exactly sure of the date, but it is no later than January 29th.  To review a bit more information, please go to Facebook, as it will have the information you need to find the building and my house, what time, and a few other things.  Thanks!

Other blog

Well, I have a more personal blog that gives thoughts I had and recorded in my journal.  You don't have to go to that blog and read it, but this is to invite you to.  Over time, some thoughts and situations may have changed since the writing of the entry, so questions are okay.  I won't be writing anything for that blog for two years, but weekly family reports will be posted here, as well as the address.  You may have read this already, but that's okay.  Other blog:  http://paradigmnerd.blogspot.com.

Also, I'm going to be writing more over the next month and a half and posting it on a site called "A Jedi Among Us".  It's a Wikia-based website, so what I have there is editable, but please be kind. . . :P It is a repository for my writing, so rather than just novel stuff, I will be posting other writing exercises I've done and like.  But also, I want your feedback, if possible.  For every page, there is a "Talk" tab.  Just click on those tabs, and type something in.  If I know you, leave your name and your comment about the article.  This is largely for feedback purposes, so don't be afraid to do so.  I will ask only your name, and none of your personal information, which isn't safe to use in a public environment like that anyway.  This can be found at:  http://ajediamongus.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page.

"Dear Elder Skeen:"

"You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Washington Kennewick Mission.  It is anticipated that you will serve for a period of 24 months.

"You should report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday, February 1, 2012.  You will prepare to preach the gospel in the English Language.  Your assignment may be modified according to the needs of the mission president.

"You have been recommended as one worthy to represent the Lord as a minister of the restored gospel.  You will be and official representative of the Church.  As such, you will be expected to maintain the highest standards of conduct and appearance by keeping the commandments, living mission rules, and following the counsel of your mission president.  As you devote your time and attention to serving the Lord, leaving behind all other personal affairs, the Lord will bless you with increased knowledge and testimony of the Restoration and of the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

 "Your purpose will be to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.  As you serve with all your heart, might, mind, and strength, the Lord will lead you to those who are prepared to be baptized.

 "The Lord will reward you for the goodness of your life.  Greater blessings and more happiness than you have yet experienced await you as you humbly and prayerfully serve the Lord in this labor of love among His children.  We place our confidence in you and pray that the Lord will help you become an effective missionary.

"You will be set apart as a missionary by your stake president. Please send your written acceptance promptly, endorsed by your bishop.

"Sincerely,

"Thomas S. Monson"

Mission papers

All I can say now is that they are in to Church Headquarters!

Blog Kick-Off!

During the course of my mission, I'll be writing responses back home, and I would like this blog to be updated regularly.  I will have to let someone else have stewardship over my account to post the stuff, or have them make a separate blog that they can control.  But I would like to have my emails home saved in something, so this is my solution.

I will be posting where I'm going when I get my call, so keep tabs, please!  This blog may have been created WAY prematurely, but we shall see.

I'M SO EXCITED!!!

What better way to spend your time except a) with your family, and b) in the Lord's work?  No, I do NOT believe that it'll be easy, but I know that I'm in for a beautiful two years, despite my strange views, etc.  I will forget myself and go to work, and I will see the Lord's hand in the world as I am there.  I believe that He loves me, and wants me to succeed, and that's just what I feel will prove me.

So please, friends, follow this blog, if only to laugh at my mistakes if I am learning another language.  I don't know exactly what your reason may be, but I know that I'd love to hear from you, and if the only reason why you would follow it is to find out how to contact me, then by all means do it!  I'd love to hear from all of you on my mission.  I will miss you, but I won't let that get to my head because I know that I must forget myself and go to work, and that is what I shall do.