June 11, 2012 Email

Hey, Everybody!

... <<personal stuff removed>>

Now, on to the rest of my email.

[Tianna Wrathall is the only person I've received mail from since being out.  She sent it to the MTC address I posted when I first set up the blog, but I received it in the field.  It had been forwarded to the mission office, then to me. But I'm working on sending a few letters off to people I know and who have sent me notes in the past.]

When I had heard that Heath was in the process of making up a coded letter for me, I laughed.  It's TOTALLY what Heath would do, and he warned me about it already.  Shouldn't be a surprise by now, knowing him.

I will definitely want to put words in to President Greer about that.  There are a few missionaries, called "Visa Waiters" that are in the WKM right now, waiting to go to Brazil.  One is typing across from me right now, and he's in my district.  But we need Elders that speak Spanish, and in the case that Spencer doesn't get his Visa in July, he could be shipped to my mission. . . SCHEMES!

As soon as you reminded me of that in my binder, I slapped my head, saying, "Duh!"  Should've remembered. . .

Lately, for studies, I've been reading Jesus the Christ, the New Testament, and El Libro de Mormon.

Thanks for the Thank You Cards!  I have need of more, soon.  I got some at the MTC Bookstore, so that's helpful to get more.

Thanks for all you've done!   See you all later!

Elder Sam Skeen


<<The mission office moved to a new location, so here is the new address to send mail to Elder Sam Skeen with...>

Elder Samuel Skeen

Washington Kennewick Mission Office

8202 W. Quinault Ave. #D

Kennewick, WA 99336

June 4, 2012 Email

Hey, Everybody!

Before I forget:  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, J.J.!

Look at the picture attached, and you have another one.  You'll see. . .

This week has been busy, and has come to good things.  We've had bad experiences, but nothing that you need worry about.  The Spirit's strong, I'm working the best I can with Elder Packham, and I'm excited to see what I'm getting!  I need to be sending off more letters than I have been.  Sorry, everyone for kinda flaking. . .  You'll be getting letters/cards/postcards in the mail soon!

You're prayers, and all you have been doing for me, I have been grateful for.

Anyway, have a good week!

I love y'all!

Elder Skeen

Mission Pics.jpg

May 28, 2012 Email

Hey, everybody!

I remember when I first came to Benton City, and I thought, Hmm. . . I wonder what this is going to be like. . . Quite honestly, I had a few doubts of my effectiveness in a country town.

It took some time, but I realized just how much the people are amazing, and I fell in love with them.  That's something I'd heard about, but I wasn't sure of the fact that I'd get to love the people in the way that I do.  I have been able to get to a point where I felt I had lived there my whole life, knowing the people now in the way I do.  Benton City is a place of rough exteriors, but soft innards.  My whole soul is being fed by the love for these people.

That, though, was one of the biggest reasons I felt a mission would be beneficial to me.  Sure, I cared for people before, and I did feel love for my family and friends, but I knew that there was a different kind of love associated with this work, a love that is found in our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, His Son.  I remember a verse I came across that just moves me deeply, found in Romans chapter eight, verses 35 and 37-39.  I knew that I would learn to love people as much as He loves me, and so I grew eager to share in that love.

I have felt that love, and know that it is manifest greatly in "invit[ing] others to come unto Christ by helping them to 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."  The WHOLE concept of missionary work is based on His love through you.

The best way that you can feel this kind of love is being a missionary yourself.  It took me until I was out here before I realized just how much that means.  Every member is a missionary, and no greater joy can we feel than when we have brought a person into the fold of the Good Shepherd (such as D&C 18:10,15-16).  Our love for them increases, and it brings about blessings on your head.

Lately, we've had a specialized training talking about how we are falling short in our mission goal of baptisms.  We learned that finding more people is the key to bringing those who dwell in darkness to the light.

I've seen this come true, and I know that it can be.

I love you all, and I hope you have a good week!

Elder Skeen 3.0

May 21, 2012 Email

Hey, Everybody!

Well, this week has been interesting.  I have now met Elder Packham, and have found out a few things.

There is indeed a difference in personality and (I guess) "style".  Elder Ottley was a bit more laid back.  He believed in the difference in  flow of Benton City as contrast to most other places.  Whereas the brisk style of the city may be applied and accepted generally, Benton City is a small farming community and its members prefer a kind, slower (and a bit more genuine) approach.

I say nothing against Elder Packham in this wise.  In all honesty, I think he's finding that out the hard way that in order to work in Benton City, patience must be applied.  Talk with people in a kind, genuine manner, without being too hasty in making a decision or comment.  As such, I end up staying a bit silent when he launches quickly into an explanation.  I try to say something, but the time passes too quickly before I do, so it goes unsaid.

But dealing with it will be good.  I find it interesting that people find that life is good, and that they are doing the best with what they have.  They might say in prayer, "Well, Father, I'm doing the best with what I have." But He hears that and says, "Yes, you are.  But I want you to be better." Then the adversity comes.  I remember reading Elder Eyring's talk from this past conference, where he is talking about asking the Lord to give him more mountains to climb, as President Kimball asked in an earlier conference.  He judged that it was a bit early in his life to ask for it, but I personally think that's a good thing.  The person you see standing at that pulpit is definitely different than the man that got on his knees earlier in life.  Change is not always bad.  In fact, without change, you would amount to little.  But BECAUSE of the refining fire and the extreme heat and pressure that all of us undergo through life's adversity, we are able to become what God sees in us to become.  We cannot receive our full potential unless it's through that adversity.  We are stupid, prideful people.  But that can change because of the adversity that we go through.

Whatever change I go through in this, I perceive will help me in the end become more the person the Savior wants me to be.  It will be one of those changes of heart that is wrought in the scriptures as you have asked us to look for.  It will be a simple example, maybe.  Possibly larger.  But it will be greatly constructive in the end.

I thank Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ for my adversity!

On to other subjects. *ahem*

I didn't see the eclipse.  It was OVERCAST!  Of ALL the times I was hoping to see it, it had to be overcast.

Send pictures of feast and ball!

I remember thinking that I graduated last year.  I can't believe it!  But it's cool.  Have fun, Nathan!

Nooooo!!!  So many teachers leaving!  Tell April (HAHAHAHA!!!  I can refer to her as such; I'm GRADUATED!!!) it's a great idea!  (I guess I should call her Sister Sorenson, instead.)

I always pray for you all, at home, and I'm glad that I could have you all in my life.  I wish that you all have a good time.  I'm a couple months short of being a quarter of the way through my mission. . .  Who woulda thunk it would go so fast?

I hope you all have a good week, and I pray the Spirit will be with you.  Don't worry!  ALL WILL GO WELL.  Just apply a little faith, nothing doubting.

Until next week!

Elder Skeen 3.0

May 8, 2012 Email

Hey, Everybody!

As for the pictures.  I ran out of time, so I sent it just in time for the computer at the library to lock up in my face.  I may or may not have enough time to attach pictures this time.  Soon, though.

There is a number on the back of my card, and I called it once, but I don't want to make that a habit, so I refuse to use that.  It will be for emergencies only.  I'll try for Sunday when you mine for info., so that I have more time to discuss other things.

I have done service a lot, since the crops have been planted out here, so we've been working hard.  And just yesterday (Monday), I got some overalls, so that will help me.

Yesterday, also, we went fishing.  I had the first bite, but the fish got away.  All three of the fish we caught were caught by one of the Prosser Elders, Elder Nielsen.  We have it sitting in our fridge to be eaten at some point in time.  But I came away severely pink, of which I'm feeling the repercussions now.  A member gave me a salve that's supposed to help, but it's messy, so I've not applied it too much.  Oh, well. . .  I'll get over it.

I checked my recipes, but to my astonishment, I didn't find the macaroni and cheese recipe.  I could've sworn that it was there.  I know how to make it, provided I can get the heat of the oven right, but I'm astounded that I had accounted for it.  I'm working on writing the recipe for Sis. Hamilton, who is interested in cooking it for me.  But as soon as I can finish it, I can get that to her.

Last Friday, I met with President and Sister Greer for interviews.  Mine was super short.  Like, two minutes.  Apparently that's a sign that he's not worrying about me, so I guess it's okay.

Uh, I'm running out of time, so I need to get off.  I'll try to get pictures to you somehow.  Soon.  See y'all Sunday!

Elder Sam Skeen

April 30, 2012 Email

Hey, everybody!

I mentioned someone who was a piano tuner that lost his job, due to a miscommunication and a short-tempered boss.  A few weeks back, he went to the bid, and he won.  All of the pianos in Washington and Oregon states.  That was his dream, and he had learned to tune pianos because of the Church.  He's a good one, too!

Lately, I've been doing a lot of service.  Everyone has something to do now that it's warming up.  I've included a few pictures from some of the projects we've worked on.

The first one is a mixture of chicken coop remains.  On top of that, we helped with enlarging the shed that you see there.  I haven't taken a picture of that yet.

The second is me glorying in finishing with the manure job.  All of the manure is behind me.

The third is a trench that was dug for composting.  I was assigned to fill it with wood chips and pine needles.  Apparently it was a good job.

We also helped with putting a few vents on the top of the house where we are living.  That included a handsaw, a circular saw, nails, and a hammer.  It was easy!

I've run out of time, so I can't send the rest.  I'll see you later!

Elder Sam Skeen

And Spencer, email me, too!


<< I didn't include photos, because I didn't see any attached to the email.  So, just use your imagination. (Sam's Dad)>>

April 23, 2012 Email

Hey, everybody!

I'm grateful that you are reading this, and I hope that it will bring you light!

I finally snapped pictures of my scripture cases.  They are attached.  You can most easily see them in photo 3 (the fourth one on the list--it didn't attach like I thought it would).

I also put on my planner covers.  It's the Star Wars one.  (Don't worry.  I'm making these up with very little of my time.)

And we had to deal with a lot of crap this week (pun fully intended).  We've been helping to shovel manure at a member's house, who hadn't had the chance to due to family issues.  The horse dung was packed down super hard, and still had a thickness of eight inches. . . BLEH!  But I'm okay with that.

What's my Splattstoesser cousin-in-law's name?  People have asked me, but I can't remember.

I've done a bit of quilling in my spare time.  I'll show you pictures of a finished product.

I was surprised when we checked the mail, and I found a letter from Scotland.  Elder Eric Eastham sent me a letter, and I'm right now writing one back to him.  I was so excited and gratified to get it, that it's taking me a long time to write a response.  I'm glad to talk with him, so I'm going to begin corresponding with letters/cards much more often.

Good luck, Spencer!  We'll be keeping in contact!

I wish more to hear from you!

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Anyway,  until next week!

I know that God will help you if you only ask!

Love,

Elder Sam Skeen

April 17, 2012 Email

Hey, everybody!

 

I'm answering questions first, then going on to the rest.

 

1) How has your week been

My week's been good!  Between Zone Conference and exchanges with a zone leader, as well as the rest of the "norm" it has been busy.

 

2)  Did you get your first camera back?

Yes

 

3)  What about your cards?

Yes

 

4)  Did the cards you lost have anything on them?

No.  They were brand-spanking new.

 

5)  You said something about making a box for scriptures?  What was that about?

Since going to the MTC, I found I needed a different set of scriptures that were a bit smaller.  I paid the money for it (thank goodness for MTC bookstore discounts. . .), and am decorating the boxes now for my "small plates".  I'll get more to you soon.

 

6)  Did the piano tuner have any luck getting his job back?

I don't know.  The appointment that we would've gone to was cancelled due to the job bid, so we didn't meet with them last week.  I'll find out this week, though.

 

7)  How did the music go on Wednesday?

It went a lot better than I had hoped, but the piece was easy, and I prayed a LOT and so that I felt I had divine help to pull my end off.  The rest of them got it a day after I did, so we did well considering most of them got the music less than 24 hours before we performed it.

 

8)  What is the tea bag trick?

It's where you take a (Bigelow) tea bag, take out the staple, remove the string, empty the bag, open it up into the tube form it already is in, stand it up on its end, and burn the top.  I teach the principle of faith with it.

 

Please tell me how Spencer's thing goes.  Fill me in on a few things about it.  Spencer, have faith in Christ, and it'll all be good.  I'd like to know more about Adam, too.  Good luck with choir tour, Nathan!  I'll see if I can finish another email about myself a bit more later.  Running out of time--temple trip today.

 

Have a good one!

 

Elder Sam Skeen

April 9, 2012

Hey, everyone!

It's great to hear from you, too!

About the camera cards, I have not.  But I did find out that the camera I lost at the MTC is on its way here.  They found it (I don't know where) and asked if I was willing to get it.  I accepted, as some pictures on there (like with my MTC district) couldn't be recovered otherwise.  That means I have three cards coming!  I'm still very sorry that I lost the other two, though. . .

Today, I'll be receiving an accompaniment part for a medley of two hymns to be played this Wednesday.  I'm not sure if I'll be able to do it, but there is a great deal prayer and effort can do.  So I'm going to be practicing as hard as I can (while not cutting into proselyting time) to be able to make it by Wednesday.

This is the first occasion where an investigator I've been teaching has canceled our appointments.  He was kind in saying it, but he just maintained that he couldn't improve at all, being too cemented in his ways to be able to change for the better.  That's not true, but I believe that if I had said exactly that, that he wouldn't take it well (he's kinda a rough type. . .).  So I had to just leave it at that.

Sister Norman sings opera.  Yesterday, Easter Sunday, she sang "The Lord's Prayer" (the same tune as the one Voice Male sings in one of their "Hims" albums) for sacrament meeting.  It was awesome!

I've been feeling better acquainted with missionary work, and I am feeling much more comfortable in doing this work than I have for a while.  One transfer in, and I'm already liking it!  I am still with Elder Ottley, since the training lasts two transfers (12 weeks).

I've been decorative!  I just decorated a box for my bible!  I'm going to decorate the case for my triple combination, but I would like to get gold-ish paper or the like.  I'll show you pictures next time.

When you leave the MTC and you are at the airport, you are supposed to pay for your luggage, which means $60 cash out of your own pocket.  When you get to the field, they are supposed to refund it for you.  When I got here, and just five weeks into the field, I realized that I didn't get $60 back in my mission account.  I asked Sister Bodmer (who is in charge of missionary finances) about it, and she found out that it didn't ever get put in.  Neither had that money been put in for the missionaries that came with me to the field.  So I was able to help them get refunded, and that makes me happy.

I will get to Alma 34 soon.  I've been reading 14 pages a day since last Tuesday, I believe.  There was a challenge to read 7 pages a day and to look for how there were mighty changes of heart manifested in the scriptures, and it was issued by my mission president.  So I'm doing that, and I'll be getting to it soon.

The tea bag trick works!  I've been using it to teach people!  I like it!

I'll print out some pictures and send it to you, with some letters, too.  I'm just running out of time, so I wasn't able to.  See you next week!

Elder Sam Skeen

April 2nd Email

April 2, 2012

Hey, everybody!

I've really enjoyed this hour of which I can converse with home and friends.  My mailbox is hungry, and I would like small updates maybe on some of my friends' dealings, too, if that's okay.

Well, this week was interesting.  Most of it was spent providing service to an investigator hauling wood and chopping it (with a chainsaw!!! -- I'm being careful, don't worry.  I've been in scouts long enough to understand that safety is key. . .  :P).

General Conference was amazing!!!  I'm excited to see what it's like again and read it.  We have powerful people in amongst the Brethren, and I'm glad that we are able to hear them.  The MoTab did an excellent job, particularly with "Come Thou Fount".  Wish I could experience that in person!  But there was a slight bummer. . .  We didn't really get to see the Priesthood session.  Our ward decided to wait until 7:30 (8:30 pm for you. . .) to watch it, because they were banking on the tape-delay version, rather than piping it straight there.  We had pie and ice cream beforehand, and we all filed into the chapel to watch it.  But they didn't make a tape, so we were going to try and watch it from off of the internet.  The connection was REALLY bad, so we only saw maybe ten minutes into Elder Bednar's talk, and then we abandoned it because of the many challenges to make it even that far. . .  So the bishop sent everybody home for the night, and we missionaries weren't able to see it. . .  However, the bishop was willing to have us come over some day next week to watch it at their home, due to the limited computer use restrictions.

But from what I could tell, Priesthood session was amazing.  And no temples were announced!  What's up with that?