I've been a missionary for two months!

HI FAMILY

I have been a missionary for approximately 2 months and have been in the mission field for almost a full transfer! Fun stuff. Honestly, I'm STOKED for transfers. A fresh new start. And sadly we will be getting a new mission president on Friday...I'm gonna miss the Kendrick's so bad!

The highlight of my week was> WE WENT TO THE TEMPLE. This was my first time going through the San Diego temple, and let me just say: it's beautiful. The spiral staircase is awesome! In the top of the celestial room, you can see Angel Moroni through the windows! WAYYY COOL. And I'm so happy I had that opportunity in my very first transfer. And one of the temple workers took us on a tour of all the sealing rooms. I felt the spirit so strong.

Also, at FHE we met this girl Camri Richie who just got her mission call to our mission! She's a really cool beach girl & went to BYU-H, hopefully I can be her companion. Anyways...

I'm just going to keep this email brief.

Here is a poem that basically sums up the mission life (thank u Elder Allen):

A mission is a strange experience;
It's a trial and a test.
A mission throws at you the worst,
Yet it teaches you the best.
They told me this would be the best period of my life;
But I guess they didn't explain it all too clear.
I came out looking for a bed of roses;
I just wasn't expecting all the thorns I've found out here!
Since I've been out I've never been so happy
I've never been so depressed.
I've never felt so forsaken,
I've never felt so blessed.
I've never been so confused,
my mind has never been so clear.
I've never felt my Heavenly Father so distant
I've never felt him so near.
I've never been so discouraged,
Never felt so full of hope.
I feel like I can go on forever,
I think I've come to the end of my rope.
I've never had it so easy, I've never had it so tough.
Things have never gone so smoothly, things have never gone so rough.
I've never traveled through so many valleys
I've never ascended so many peaks
I've never met so many people
I've never met so many freaks.
I've never had so many ups,
I've never had so many downs.
I've never worn so many smiles
I've never seen so many frowns.
I've never been so lonely
I've never had so many friends
man, I hope this is all over with soon.
Gosh, ... I hope it NEVER ENDS!

Soooooo true. I'm doing great. I love being a missionary. I love witnessing miracles, even though they may be very few or small. I love it here.

It's all about love.

"And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.

...charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him." - Moroni 7:45-48

Love you guys.

P.S. You won't be getting an email from me on Monday. Our p-day is on Tuesday.

And... HAPPY BIRTHDAY ETHAN Bethan Bacon Bisquit. I love your stinking guts. Have a fabulous 15th birthday, enjoy the fireworks, and watch out for the ladies. ♥

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♥ Sister Alexis Skabelund

Vista CA 92083-1906
United States

Utter Destruction

Hello my fellow friends and family,

   You are probably wondering why I titled my email "Utter Destruction," well let me tell you why...Well first off, we almost died. Second, MOM IT'S OKAY WE DIDN'T DIE. Third, is summed up in just 2 words: slow week.

   "What happens when a cow jumps over barbed-wire?" Well, I assume you know the answer now, but in case you didn't catch it: UTTER DESTRUCTION. Sister Palmer started off the week with this joke, and I was amused. I thought it was pretty funny...

   Anyways, so on Saturday, we parked the car to go visit a RCLA (recent-convert, less-active), and right as we turned the car off there was a loud "BAMMMPEUGHH!" The passenger window basically exploded, shattered all at once. Being the passenger, next to the window explosion, I thought someone shot me...and I dove to the back seat. Perfect timing, because right after my ninja jump to the back, all the tiny-shattered pieces of glass caved in all over the passenger seat. It's okay, we survived. We didn't get shot. We don't even know what happened, but it was crazy. We have a new car now!! Well until we get our old one back!

   Yeah other than that, I don't know what else to tell ya. It was a very slow week. But you know what, it happens! A lot of people seem to be leaving California for the summer, which is a little strange considering we are RIGHT BY THE BEACH!!! Why would they want to go anywhere else? Yeah.. apparently everyone here goes to their "Utah Log Cabin" for the summer, says Sis. Palmer. Even though we are not allowed to step on the sand ("Where the sand starts, the mission ends") we love being so close to the ocean! Every once in awhile, we go contacting near the beach and get to sneak in some cool pics. I love Cali!!!

   My least favorite thing about the mission is weekly planning on Fridays...and comp inventory, oh boy...that's fun. haha. But my favorite thing about the mission is meeting so many amazing people! Cool story: I met Hannah VonStrahl's cousins at Stake Conference (Noah and Grace). I didn't know that they were in my area! Stake Conference was pretty sweeeet. I left all my notes at home but something that stood out to me was the recent convert meeting. A bunch of recent converts told their conversion stories and it was AMAZING. It pushes me to never pass anyone on the street, and to share the gospel with everyone. My first few weeks here people kept asking me why I am on a mission. Honestly, I didn't know the answer. But after being here for almost 5 weeks, I'm pretty sure I understand why I am a missionary. I am on a mission because my Heavenly Father loves me. I am here because God loves every single one of His children and he wants us ALL to come back home to him. I figured that I give a little bit of my life back to Him in bringing souls to Christ.

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY. Yes, it is the hardest thing I have ever done, but the most rewarding. I don't think anyone will understand until they serve a mission. From stake conference we learned that you are NEVER TOO OLD to be a missionary. It is never too late. They talked a lot about how even older couples should be excited and serious about serving a mission. It's the best thing you will ever do. "O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve Him with all of your heart, might, mind, and strength that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day. Therefore if ye have desires to serve God, ye are called to the work." D&C 4:2-3

Love you guys.

Please send me your emails.

♥ Sister Alexis Skabelund

Vista CA 92083-1906

United States

More Pictures

Surprise text with a picture of my beautiful missionary

Week 3

Hi Family & Friends,


I GOT A NEW CARD READER yayayaya. oh and even better, WE GOT OUR FIRST BAPTISM DATE OF THE TRANSFER! Her name is Samantha...(Sam), and she is absolutely adorable. The very first day we met her she asked us, "Do you have the BofM for me?" And our first lesson with her was during her LUNCH BREAK because she works 92 hrs a week. She is pretty much "elect" and so excited to embark on this journey. Good thing I got practice w/ the baptismal invites at the MTC haha because Sis. Palmer said that I was the one who needed to ask Sam to get baptized. And I did, and she said yes. BOOYAH. But pretty much we did nothing; the Lord prepared her already. Anyways, that's cool.


She is our only investigator right now... but hey, at least we have one! And she wants to get baptized July 2nd (we'll see how that goes; it may be pushed back). We are still searching and working hard to find the people who are ready for the gospel. "Somos las missionares de la iglesia de jesucristo de los santos de los ultimos dia." Cool story: I contacted a Hispanic lady, while Sis. Palmer waited for me in the car, and we had like a 10 minute conversation in SPANISH! She could only say a few English words...but I understood her completely! Honestly, that is a miracle. We talked about how much we both miss our moms and I asked her, "Well why can't you go see your mom?" She replied in Spanish, "I haven't seen her in 14 years and if I try to go see her in Mexico, I can't come back." And we both started laughing so hard haha. It's crazy how much I'm learning Spanish here! I love the Hispanics! They are some of the nicest people I have ever met, probably because they I don't understand what I'm saying and just "smile and wave." lol.


I have been struggling a lil bit with adjusting to missionary life, so I asked some of the Elders to give me a blessing. I'm so grateful for the priesthood and that we can receive blessings by the power of God. Thank you to all you worthy priesthood holders out there! You are amazing men. HOLY COW. COURTNEY IS IN THE SAME ZONE AS CADEN at the MTC!! What in the flip?! I thought that was pretty sickkk. Oh yeah, I've seen so many people that I know here in our area & in our ward! Also, I met a guy on the street yesterday who said he was from Medford, OR...he was a soccer coach or something & was just visiting some friends in Cali. Cool, huh? Let me tell ya: I LOVE CALIFORNIA, specifically seeing the ocean all the time. From our church building, you get a perfect view of the ocean, it's BEAUTIFUL. I love it here. I love the people. I love being a missionary. Most importantly, I love my Savior Jesus Christ.


Don't ever be afraid to open your mouth and share the gospel. When you have the courage to share a simple testimony with your friends, you BLESS LIVES. It isn't as scary as it seems, YOU CAN DO IT! I challenge all of you to get a copy of the Book of Mormon, pray about it, and give it to a non-member with your testimony in it. I know that's pretty cliché, but trust me, it is worth it. When we share the gospel with others, not only do we bring them closer to Christ, but our own relationship with Heavenly Father is strengthened. You don't need to have a name-tag to share your testimony; you can all be missionaries if you have courage and put your trust in the Lord. He will bless you. ♥


Love you guys!

Don't have too much fun without me.


P.S.

1. What!??! You let Allison cut her hair!?! NOO!! it's okay, it does look pretty cute. But, now she's gonna look even more identical to me.

2. You're not moving to Idaho anymore? Now I gotta tell my whole ward, "nevermind!"

3. So not fair that Madison saw tWitch! Let alone, be in his INSTAGRAM POST! luckyyyy.

4. HAPPY early FATHER'S DAY! I love you dad.

5. I realized I took like 0 pics this week. But here are some of my daily "planning sesh" selfies...when my hair is super psycho.
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♥ Sister Alexis Skabelund

Vista CA 92083-1906
United States

Week #2

Hola Familia!

Today is my second p-day in the mission field! This morning, Sister Palmer and I got up super early and ran along the ocean! Sadly we can't actually run on the sand, but we ran on the sidewalk! I love living so close to the ocean!! Then we are gonna go play "Real Life Mario Kart" with our district.. haha. On Wednesday we went on exchanges. Crazy that we went on exchanges on my 2ND WEEK in the mission field. But, it was my FAVORITE day so far. I was able to serve in the Carlsbad area with her and we taught so many contacts on the street! I LOVVVED Sister Miraglia and learned so much from her! I learned not to be afraid to talk to EVERYONE. She literally pushed/dragged me out of my comfort zone. I passed out like 3 BofM's that day and I even invited a homeless man to be baptized. lol. THE MISSION IS GREAT. I've grown so much already.


June 4th was my "bonthday mark," according to Sister Palmer. I've been a missionary for a little more than a month! We celebrated by getting DQ blizzards and going to the beach. (Whenever I say "go to the beach," I mean.. just going near the beach. We had an incredible experience teaching Michael, while tracking. Although he is married to a man...he is such an awesome guy. We were able to give him a BofM and pray with him. He is so excited about the BofM and wants to join in on our lessons with Samantha (our investigator who lives next door). It was pretty neat seeing him receive personal revelation right in front of our eyes. But yeah, we'll see what happens with him. I'm excited to teach Samantha this week! She honestly so awesome.


I would like to say that I've been getting in shape, because they make us run 30 min every morning...but, we are also eating SO MUCH burritos & tacos. SOOO...yeah. But I'm literally a scary zombie when we go running every morning at 6:30! It's pretty great. One of my favorite things about being a missionary is being able to teach people. I love it. I love hearing our investigators or less-actives pray. They have amazing testimonies, even though they don't know it yet. This might sound weird, but I also love being a part of ward council. It's just fun coming up with ideas and talking about how we can help the people in our ward. Idk, I like it. (: The funny thing about a YSA ward is that we have a "date box".. and the missionaries like pairing people we think would be cute together and putting them in the box. It's great. Torrey Pines YSA Elders & Sisters = MATCH-MAKERS at it's finest.


I don't know if I told you this already, but Elder Kapp (who is serving in my ward) is from Syracuse, Utah! Idk if any of you know the Kapp's. But his sister is the same age is Allison. Allison, do you know MADI KAPP? She's a red head if that helps...and she is a sophomore at Syracuse High. Apparently Elder Kapp knows Emma Hill and Zach! So that's cool. I love our Elders! They are pretty awesome, hard-working missionaries.


Scripture of the week is ETHER 12:27... "And if men come unto me, I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that HUMBLE THEMSELVES before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make WEAK things become STRONG unto them."

This is something I'm still improving on, but I know that when we DO humble ourselves before Christ, he will make our weaknesses become our strengths. I've seen it happen out here in Cali. I love being a missionary!

I know that God loves every single one of His children. I know that the Book of Mormon is true and it is for US! When we read it, we take a step closer to Him. God hears your prayers, and he is mindful of you. THE CHURCH IS TRUE, no doubt about it. Email me. Send me packages....haha. Elder Kapp keeps bragging about how he gets packages every week, and he's been out for like 7 months or something...


I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH. xoxox ♥

stay cool.


P.S.

- I took a picture of these apartments for BRYSON & ETHAN, because they reminded me of the little Minecraft villages.. hahah.

- The purple little fuzzy things reminded me of the "specks" from Horton Hears a Who. Sister P. says that Dr. Seuss actually lived in California and got his ideas from here??

- This was my first picture with the ocean (on the day of my exchange).

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♥ Sister Alexis Skabelund

Vista CA 92083-1906
United States