Psych

Jk... apparently Jacqueline doesn't get married until July 30th. haha. oops. 

Well, this just shows that nobody tells me anything! Dudes, keep me updated!! EMAIL ME. Tell me what is going on in the world, because I HAVE NO CLUE! 

Thankfully I got Jacqueline's wedding announcement!! THAT MADE ME SO HAPPY.

but seriously y'all need to email me pics and stuff about what's going on.

LOVE U.

-- 

♥ Sister Alexis Skabelund

451 W Bobier Dr

Vista CA 92083-1906
United States

Hey Guys!

Hey guys,

I just received THEE BEST email from my sister Allison that said, "This morning mom woke me up and asked me if I wanted to go Pokemon hunting with her..." Oh my goodness. That is something...haha. According one of the elders in our mission, the temple is actually a Pokémon gym? "Hello want to hear our message?" "No thanks." "Well, I know where the Pokémon jackpot is..."

 >>Gotta convert the people some how right? haha. 

I heard Antelope Island is on fire?!! 14,370 acres to be exact. That is so sad! THOSE POOR BUFFALO!!! I hope everyone is okay; that place is like 5 min. from our house in Syracuse! On that happy note...

This week has been a miraculous one. We went on exchanges with the STL's which was super fun. I lead the area with Sister Jones(aka Lisa, or Rapunzel) and we helped out at a wedding reception. The best part is all the singing & dancing that went on. A couple sang "I see the light," from Tangled, came on and I told Sister Jones to go join them...she didn't. We were in charge of the waffle table and setting up the sweets bar. I got so artsy with it which was fun. Being at that reception was another way to celebrate my best friend's special day (Jacqueline got MARRIED on the same day- July 23rd!!!). I was sad to be missing out on my best friend's wedding but I'm glad we could celebrate some way.  (:

We picked up a new investigator named Tiffany. She's a beautiful 21 year old blonde girl, who already looks like a Mormon. She says that she follows a lot of "Mormon mom bloggers" and she admires the family in our church.

We've been seeing Gosia a lot this week. At first, she was thinking about moving back home to Poland. Her parents are starting to get suspicious (they don't know she is Mormon) and she doesn't want their relationship to be ruined...they are anti-Mormons. But then someone told her about LDS-Business College, so we helped her fill out the application. Gosia invited me and Sister Larsen to come with her to her PATRIARCHAL BLESSING! We were so happy that we could come support her. Let me tell you, it was a sacred experience that we will never forget. While she was getting her blessing, I felt an overwhelming amount of love for Gosia. But it was a different love. I truly felt an understanding of how much her Heavenly Father loves her! It was miraculous. After the blessing she said, "That was deep."

She said that Bishop talked to her about her choice of clothing. Being a recent convert from a different culture, Gosia didn't exactly dress modestly. She told us, "I don't have Mormon clothes." Thankfully our STL's gave bags & bags of missionary hand-me-downs, and we let Gosia splurge through it. haha. We were laughing so hard as she searched through the clothes saying, "I would never pay even $3 for a Mormon sweater like this," or "Oh my gosh! Look at this Mormon skirt!!" It was hilarious. Especially with her Polish accent. hahah.

I've been reading through the 2016 General Conference Ensign and studying some of my favorite talks. I LOVE LOVE LOVE the talk by Dieter F. Uchtdorf titled, "He Will Place You On His Shoulders & Carry You Home." I love the story of the building is Dresdin; it was completely restored out of some of the debri into a beautiful house of worship. My favorite quote is,

 "The moment we choose to incline our hearts to our beloved Savior & set foot upon the path of discipleship, something miraculous happens. The love of God fills our hearts, the light of truth fills our minds, we start to lose the desire to sin, & we do not want to walk any longer in darkness." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

THERE IS NO LIFE SO SHATTERED THAT IT CANNOT BE RESTORED.

I've been saying "miraculous" a lot in this email, but you know what, there are miracles happening every day. Sometimes we don't see them, but they are there, even right in front of us. But when come unto Christ will full purpose of heart, it will be easier to see all the tender mercies he sends us. "When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged thinking all is lost, count your many blessing name them one by one! Count your blessings see what God has done!" 

Read 2 Nephi 4:15-25. It's my favorite right now.

LOVE YOU ALL! ♥

PICS:

1&2) Just before GOSIA got her patriarchal blessing. (:

3) Brother Smith (in the bishopric) took a pic of us with his surfboard so he could send it to our mission president. lol. >>on the beach for ward volleyball. WE DIDN'T STEP ON THE SAND.

4) this is Adam, a guy with crazy pants.

5) when they spell your name tag wrong..."Sister Skarelund." (I've never got that one before). I guess I'm a pretty "skarey" missionary.

6) sorry for bad lighting: here's me & Sister Jones (Rapunzel).

--

♥ Sister Alexis Skabelund

451 W Bobier Dr

Vista CA 92083-1906
United States

Missionary for 74 Days!

Hi family. 

According to mom, I have been serving for 74 days. haha. 

This has been a crazy week! There was an ET (emergency transfer), and I got a new companion. Sister Alvari went home but I'm so happy for her and all that she has accomplished. We became best friends during that week & a half that she was here! I give her all of my love and support, and I wish her the best at Utah State! I MISS HER SO MUCH.

My new comp is Sister Larsen. She's from North Ogden and has been out for about 10 months. She's pretty cool. On Saturday, President & Sister Thomas took Sister Alvari to the airport, and I went to my new companion's baptism in Escondido! It was Sister Larsen's first baptism and I'm so glad that I could go! His name is Clifford (73 years old) and I gotta be honest, he looks like he could be on Duck Dynasty. lol. He's got the bushy beard, and pony tail look. It's great.

We don't have anyone to teach right now BUT that is going to change! We are so ready to FIND TEACH & BAPTIZE this transfer!!!! We have faith sufficient for miracles! Sorry this is so short. 

I have a testimony of our loving prophet, Thomas S. Monson. He was called of God and he receives revelation for the entire church. I'm so grateful for our Prophet who leads and guides this church! I encourage you all to read a conference talk every Sunday! I know that by doing so, you will gain a testimony of Prophets and you will feel more joy and peace in your life!

LOVE YOU GUYS. (:

1) Generation photo (My daughter/greenie, me, and my mom/trainer).

2) lots of pics of me and Sis. Alvari (saying goodbye)

3) the crew. Us & the Torrey Pines Elders.
4) My new companion, Sister Larsen

--

♥ Sister Alexis Skabelund

451 W Bobier Dr

Vista CA 92083-1906
United States

 P.S.

I GOT ATTACKED BY A CHIHUAHUA.

now i hate dogs. and won't contact anyone walking their dog (unless I'm on the other side of the street...or i'll make my companion talk to them).

Yeah... I was on a morning run at like 6:30am in I was barely awake. As I ran past a lady walking her two dogs and wished her a "good morning", her evil devil chihuahua jumps at me and takes a bite onto my thigh. I continued running and it was STILL ATTACHED to me. I had to do a little leg shake dance thing and he finally came off. I was so shocked/panicking. Good thing my companion didn't get attacked...she's fine.

On the plus side...I think my G's saved me. The only bloody bite marks I got, were right below my g line!! yay. 

HAVE A GREAT WEEK Y'ALL 

this picture pretty much sums up our reaction. lol

and it looks like I'm eating Sis Alvari

I love my companion!

Why hello,

This week has been CRAZY. On Tuesday, we went to the Mission Office to pick up our greenies. We had a fun little transfer meeting thing in the gym and President Thomas announced all the companionship's. "Sister Skabelund, you will be training...SISTER ALVARI!" I probably scared her when I ran towards her, cheering, and gave her a huge hug. I loved her the second I found out she was my companion.

Sister Alvari and I get along really well. She is pretty awesome and we have so much in common! I really needed to have someone like her. I am more than ecstatic to have the privilege of being her companion and trainer! I think we are bff's because I was in her shoes only 6 weeks ago, so we have a lot of fun being newbies together. I know exactly what she needed...to SEE THE BEACH. So I took her to see the beautiful beaches of Encinitas. And...on her very first day here, someone committed to be baptized in the first lesson! Pretty awesome.

Sister Alvari has been having a pretty hard time adjusting to missionary life and is missing home A LOT, so we have had so much support in the past week! We met with the President 3 times, zone leaders, district leaders, sisters from different areas, and we even had a sleepover with the STL's! (It's not every day that you get to have a sleepover with the sister training leaders). I gotta say, I love my mission family. I'm so grateful for the relationship that we have with our new President, President Thomas. We love him.

Lastly, remember Proverbs 3:5-6, "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He shall direct thy paths." I know that I can't do this on my own, I NEED the Lord and to put my trust in Him. If we trust the Savior, and align our will with His, we will be happy and exceedingly blessed!

GOD BLESS. love y'all.

Thursday was "Macaroni Day" (which is Sis. A's favorite food). #celebrate

I saw Sis. Daley & Elder Barclay!!! >some of my fav. peeps from the MTC.

--
♥ Sister Alexis Skabelund

451 W Bobier Dr
Vista CA 92083-1906
United States

I'm Pregnant!!

Well hello there,

   Sorry if my subject title startled you. Believe me, when I found out, I WAS SHOCKED. Let me explain this great, somewhat scary news: Sister Palmer and I received a phone-call on one blistering hot day. We were happy to hear the voice of Elder Glover (the AP; assistant to the president) because 1. we wanted to wish him a happy bday, and 2. we thought we were getting our car back. To my surprise, the phone-call wasn't about our car at all. Elder Glover specifically asked to speak to me, and told me that President Kendrick has assigned me to BE A TRAINER!!! I will never forget that moment. I accepted the invitation, ended the call and screamed, "I'M GONNA BE A MOM!" In response, Sister Palmer yelled "And I'm gonna be a grandma!"

(The mission vocab is different and something you need to experience to understand. But essentially, if you are training a brand-new greenie from the MTC, you are their mom or dad). Oh and Sister Palmer is getting transferred to Rancho Carillo, which is in the same stake. Sooo... we are still in the SAME ZONE! (:

   I will be in labor in about 3 hours! Aka: I'M MEETING MY GREENIE TODAY!!!! I'm so excited to be a trainer and for this new adventure we get to go on. It's a new month, new transfer, new companion, new responsibility, and new mission president! Starting off fresh, with some healthy "greenie". < ha ha. I was interviewed by our new president, President Thomas, on Saturday. Since it was only his second day in the mission, he didn't know me very well, and he was surprised that I was called to train. "You must be a superstar." It is very rare for a greenie to train a greenie. Typically, missionaries complete their 12 week training first, but I'm going to be training at 6 weeks. Even though I don't feel completely adequate, I know that the Lord trusts me! And if I put my trust in him, he will help me.

   President and Sister Thomas are from Salt Lake City. Sister Thomas grew up in Ogden, UT and President Thomas grew up in Roy, UT! WHAT?! That's like right where my family currently lives. Isn't that a small world? Being a missionary, I have discovered that the Mormon world really is small; I've seen so many people that I know! Anyway, the Thomas's are super awesome and quirky. I have to admit, I still miss the Kendrick's a lot! President and Sister Kendrick were the first people (in the mission) that I saw when I got off the plane in San Diego! I got really attached to them. Nevertheless (ooh look at me, using scripture vocab), I LOVE the Thomas's. I know that they are really going to help the mission progress and that they were called of God to come to the California Carlsbad Mission!

    Yesterday was the fourth of July, and I was having a pretty tough time. That holiday is so special to me; it's a holiday that is super big for my family, and it's my brother's birthday. It was so hard missing out on birthday candles, bbq, and fireworks with my family.Thankfully, we did see some fireworks from our study room window that night (even though fireworks are illegal here). I learned that holidays really do suck on your mission. But you know what, it's a new day! And yesterday was my 2-month mark!! I'm so excited for this transfer! It's going to be a great one.

   You know life is sooo good, when you are emailing your family in the library with a perfect view of the ocean. The water today is SO CLEAR & BLUE!! It's completely beautiful. I love California. Well the laptop is about to die, so I'm going to wrap things up. "Therefore, cheer up your hearts and remember that ye are free to act for yourselves-to choose the way of everlasting death or the way of eternal life." -2 NE 10:23

Happiness is a choice. Be happy, it's a good thing to be happy. Oh and SMILE!

The battery is at 4%

buhbye. I love you all.

P.S. the old lady is Sister Stout, the member we live with. (: She took us out to Denny's for brunch.

And the nails are for Carebear: "PEPSI".

-- 

♥ Sister Alexis Skabelund

451 W Bobier Dr

Vista CA 92083-1906
United States

Siser Skabelund and Sister Palmer

Had your daughter and her companion over for dinner. She is awesome and we enjoy having them over.
-The Cross Family