Here we go....
August 30, 2010
Skylar writes:
It is a wonderful Oregon day today. We have been very bust this week in initiating the Collect the elect program. We are very excited to get it under way and are ready to work! we have had alot of canceled appointments this week. But we were able to teach James McCray. he grew up very close to the church and is very invested in discovering the truth. We know that as he searches Prayerfully and Diligently he will receive his witness.
This weekend we had a ward Beef and Corn feed at which we had about 10 less active families all with friends that we were able to meet with and are working toward getting them to take the discussions. This week we have taught Ashley Bales, Who has committed to quit smoking and drinking, as well as Aj who's parole officer (funny!) will be meeting with the Bishop soon to discuss arrangements for coming to church.
I Am in awe that Elder Hawkins is going home soon. he has taught me so much. His goal for these last few weeks is to finnish strong! We are busting tail harder and harder every day. he told me that i will have companions who will not want to work and who will make disobedience seem acceptable. I have complete confidence that he is preparing me to be diligent and obedient in whatever setting might approach me.
This week i have continued to strive to be more humble and submissive, to find ways to be more obedient, as well as have a more effective study and prayer. I have come a long way and have every intention of continuing to keep moving forward until i have become everything the lord has is store for me to be. In my studies of D&C 111 i have found that even though my past is to pt it lightly, "less than commendable" haha, the lord will put to my benefit as i have consecrated my efforts to the building up of his kingdom.
This week i was able to get Elder Hawkins to give me his scripture mastery cards. i have been memorizing about 2 a day. it is my goal to have them all down by the end of the year.
This was my letter to the president, jus thought it would summerize what was up.
In one e-mail I sent him I mentioned to him that another sister missionary from our ward serving in Idaho, Cambria Stradling, will be home in 10 days.....it really did go by fast...for us...her family has a different thought on that!!!
Ya thats fast! i met her trainer at the MTC She works there.
Dad sent a questionnaire and Skylar replied:
love you!!
How was your week? Great!
Anything new going on? Collect the elect! i wil send home a copy of the plan
How's the tracking going? not good no takers, but if we dont ask we are taking away their agency
Did you get a package from Uncle Vaughn, and Aunt Kris? There just making sure they got there. Yes i did i will sent them a thank you shirt and a letter
The plaque is up in the church, I'll have Mom take a pic and post it on the blog. cool thanks!!
Do you need anything? We put a $100 in you account for now lets Know if you need more. Will Do ! i think that i am good for now. i got my bike tumed up from a guy in the ward is a nice bike now.
We got your letter and Kasey love the note.
How are you doing with your companion, still going well I hope.
The camp out was fun but not the same without you. We'll have to get so camping in when you get back. For Sure!! Me and HAwkins are great! you get realy loopyy as the mission goes on. its like outer space!! haha just to put it simply!
It's been alittle cooler here the last few days, How about there? 70 and under its beautiful
Mom wants to know what she can throw in a box for you. Cheezeits, Teddy grams, Oreos save lifes!MAjic Barrs!!! the cokunut thingies (Auntie Cathy is on this one!)
She has been busy get all the things ready for the store so keep her in your prayers, she might go crazy. Will do!! I got to go to the temple this week, the protland one is so sweet! we all have to go when we get up here
I'm going to start the Book of Mormon again this week and I'm going to try to study all the church lessons ahead of time. AWESOME!! it will bless the fam so much. if you want a good study tool get a preach my gospel!! Ch. 3 helps me get things su much better. and i would recomend that you get a cheap one to write in. and have your good set blank so that you dont have other influences as you read! let me know what your finding in there. i would love to heare your insight.
How are your studies going? Any words that just stuck with you this week? This week DC 121 has realy helped me
Well I better get going or I'll procrastinate the day away, love you and hope you have a great week. I think this should be a better one
here, I know we are being blessed having you in the Lords service. Love ya Dad.
Skylar just sharing one of his e-mails:
August 30, 2010
Dear Elders and Sisters,
As we fasted today to begin "Collect the Elect", I pondered what each of you thought about as you partook of the sacrament. Perhaps, it was about the sacrifice for you and the personal peace that can come from daily repentance. Maybe it was about a renewed awareness of complete obedience so that our petitions to the Lord everyday at 7:00 a.m. will merit the blessings the Lord is willing to bestow if we but ask Him. And, finally, I considered the admonition of the Lord, "If ye do what I say, I am bound. If ye do not what I say, then ye have no promise." Action is inextricably attached to success; in this case it is keeping and honoring covenants and commandments. Do hard things! Honor your call! Be strong!
For your reference and review, please carefully note the following:
Elder Bednar's Visit to the OPM (Oregon Portland Mission)
Please carefully note the following information. Elder David A. Bednar's visit has some new changes. The day is the same, September 10, 2010, but the location and time are as below:
1:00 -- 1:20 p.m. Arrive early
1:30 -- 1:50 p.m. Photos taken of missionaries with Elders Bednar, Ringwood and Malm
2:00 -- 5:00 p.m. Oregon Portland Mission Meeting
Lake Oswego Oregon Stake center
5400 Kruse Way
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
I look forward to being together for this unique opportunity. Make certain you have read, studied, and prayed over the articles written by Elder Bednar: "Ask in Faith" and "Seek Learning by Faith". Many of you will remember Elder Ballard’s visit and the insight and encouragement he shared with us all has had a lasting positive effect for all in attendance.
Attending the Temple
Effective Wednesday, September 1, 2010, endowment sessions will be conducted every 60 minutes on the hour Tuesday -- Friday beginning at 7:00 a.m. until 5 p.m. From 5:30 p.m. until 8:00 p.m., sessions will be conducted every 30 minutes on the hour and on the half hour. The Saturday endowment schedule will remain unchanged with sessions conducted every 30 minutes on the hour and on the half hour with the last session of the day at 8:00 p.m.
Leadership Training
As we did last month, we will be training again from August 31 through September 3, 2010, with four consecutive days at the same locations (Tuesday: Gresham, Wednesday: Newberg, Thursday: Milwaukie, and Friday, Hillsboro.) The meetings begin and 10 a.m. and conclude at 3:45 p.m. with a meal served to those attending. Assistants to the President, Zone Leaders, District Leaders, and current trainers are to attend (Trainers who conclude their missions in September: your attendance is optional). Bring your lesson outlines, your notebook journals, "Preach My Gospel" and your scriptures.
Much love always,
President and Sister Dyches
Onnie's questionnaire:
How many "meetings" do you attend each week?District Meeting, Church, Ward coridination, PEC, Ward Council,
How often do you clean your shower? What are you cleaning it with?ofbrand CLR and the priesthood, every week its the law
Do you take daily vitamins? Yes Lots and protine shakes
Are you singing loudly in church meetings? yes. and getting better all the time
What are you reading/studying besides the scriptures each day?Preach my gospel and memorizing scriptures, i dont have Jesus the Crist to read yet (we will get this for him)
What was the best piece of advice you received before going on your mission? So far i have been finding out that i didnt get advice from all the best sorces. haha. some say to bee yourself- Thats Crap! you need to be What the lord wants you to be. A vessel for the spirit, "Yorself " MAkes Mistakes, The spirit does not! best advice, model the master until you master the model. and be obidiant, obidiance is the 1st law of heaven
Mom & Dad write:
Grandma and Kasey loved their letter....
Dad was talking to Brother Davis (Eric) and just so you know...his father passed away this week. So, if you do get a hold of Josh...send your condolences about his grandpa.
Molly says that it takes FOREVER to get a letter from Josh and it's even worse with e-mail cuz no one has computers.....so don't feel bad....but I will get on that for you....
Kylee has Bo's address....ya somewhere.....Jana is mad because it's been 5 whole days and no letter yet!!! I'll make sure to get that to you...
What kind of "culture" are the people in your area? they sound "islandy"....is it like the Mexicans here and immigration and all? Like boat people being that close to the ocean???
Marshaleese....like the Marshall Islands???
Sorry you falled down. Did you get a Paul Blart? Need Hello Kitty band-aids???? ha ha ha
If you write to Onnie make sure you say Happy Birthday to Casen......and Pa's is coming up on the 5th....not like you don't have enough going on...but ya know...
How are the treats, rice crispy treats, and stuff making the trip? Are they fairing well or are they all yucky??? Let us know so we send the right stuff. Like OREO's...they'll get soft in the humidity.....
k - we love you! We're so proud of you! We're thankful for the blessing that have come our way since you've been serving!
Be safe!
Mom & Dad
Skylar replies:
i will tell josh that. and there is no half and half haha. you covenented one flesh, its to late to go back now. but ok mom haha. if it makes you feel better i could call the missionaries to come over. haha. i gave dad the list. its a 5 week month so we are going the ramen road. we get paid evey month and the extra wekk can kill haha. but its not that bad it just means that we need to think, uggg. i hate thinking, I am so ecited already to apply the things that i am learning when i get home. we all created post mission plans. i will be going to school starting after the christmas when i get home. i want a few months to save some cash for school and for a family. its weid to think about that though. we had dinner with a family in the ward, the moores, that have been married for less time than me and elder hawkins have been companions, and the are 20 and 22. i would probably hang out with them back at home. its weird to think that i am getting that old! tell kylee that she need to keep a list of all the new music and movies coming out.
