Jennifer Came to Church Sunday!

Jennifer came to church on Sunday! YAY! The relief society has been doing a great job at supporting her and making her feel loved. Thank you for your prayers! Jennifer is doing so much better and is working towards her baptism on May 6th.
Yesterday was such a miracle. We went to go visit a potential investigator named, "Nini" and discovered that she actually moved. The person living there, Patrick, was so nice and very interested in the message we had to share. After coming home from the military, Patrick said he wanted to be more involved with religion, not just attend church on Christmas. He told us of an experience when he toured around the Jordan River! He said there were many people getting baptized in the river (in some other religion) "just for show, or selfies," but he knew it was a sacred river. He needed more time to think about getting baptized. Instead of just getting dunked for his bucket list, Patrick filled his water bottle with the water of the river. He showed the very bottle filled with jordan river water. I got to hold it. It was a very spiritual experience for him. We testified of the restoration of the gospel and so much joy filled his eyes. He's coming to conference this weekend and specifically asked if we could teach him and give him the Book of Mormon. It was amazing. There are people everywhere like this, who are prepared and ready for the gospel! We must reach out to them.

LOVE YOU ALL.
ps/ we matched the elders this sunday so we had to take a pic
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♥ Sister Alexis Skabelund
451 W Bobier Dr
Vista CA 92083-1906
United States

"It is better to be standing 10 feet from Hell and walking away from it, than to be 1,000 feet from Hell and walking towards it," Stake President McMaster. I know that whatever our past is like or whatever circumstances we are in, there is one thing that will not change: our divine nature as children of God. Do you ever ponder this statement, "I am child of God"? You are a special son or daughter of a Heavenly Father. He loves you. On Sunday, President McMaster pleaded with us to "Remember who you are." He told us of the story in Lion King, when Simba looks into the water at his reflection. Simba forgot who he was, he forgot his divine heritage, and he forgot that he was the son of Mufassa- a royal king. I invite you to look at your own reflection and to remember who you are, a son or daughter of God- a Royal King.
We received a text from someone in the ward that Jennifer was in the hospital! With panic overwhelming us, we called Jennifer immediately. She didn't respond and we were very worried. Thankfully we were able to get a hold of someone who had more information about what happened. Around 3am Sunday morning, Jennifer was sitting alone in her room contemplating suicide. Thankfully, in that fear moment, she called a suicide prevention hotline. The cops came, handcuffed her, and took her to the hospital. She was then transferred to a mental hospital, where she said she prayed and prayed. Her own prayers helped her to return home later that morning. There are moments like these where Satan tries everything he can to get you to forget your self worth and divinity as a child of God. Satan and his followers will try to deceive you and dissuade you from your chances of eternal life!
DON'T FORGET! Please do not forget how important you are in the sight of God. Don't forget how much Heavenly Father loves and cares about you. Not for one second. Don't even think about it. And if you do, PRAY. Pray with everything in you that you will remember who you are.
There is no greater joy, that I can think of, than the joy of sharing the gospel. Being a missionary brings me so much joy. On March 18th, 2017, we watched Rylee enter the waters of baptism. I can't tell you how happy I was to see this beautiful daughter of God covenanting with the Father. There were huge smiles all around. Rylee brings so much joy to me and to all those around her. Thankfully Rylee's mom, Lauren, was able to come and support her in this life-changing step. After the baptism, we asked Lauren if she would like to take the missionary discussions. Her eyes swelled up with tears and she replied, "Not right now. I am angry with God." Choking back her grief, Lauren told us that her husband passed away just last September. Sister Duering and I testified of the Plan of Salvation and the Christ understands her completely. Then something miraculous happened. Rylee exclaimed with all the joy inside her, "Mom! I can go to the temple and help him to be baptized!"
The next day, we had a missionary fireside taught by me and Sister Duering, as well as the elders. We taught about having the shield of faith to protect us against the adversary's fiery darts. I'm grateful that I was able to quote Joseph Smith's experience in the grove of trees...not only the first vision, but also the part that maybe some of us forget (JSH 1:15-17). Joseph was tempted by Satan. His tongue was bound so that he could not speak. Thick darkness gathered around him and he seemed as if he were doomed to sudden destruction and despair. But like Jennifer, he kept praying. He did in fact see a light. He saw a light over the brightness of the sun exactly over his head! Joseph said, "I saw two personages, whose brightness and glory defy all description standing above me in the air. One of them spake unto me, calling me by name and said pointing to the other: 'This is my Beloved Son, hear Him'!"
I will never forget what happened next. Sister Duering and Elder Wilde got up and sang Joseph Smiths First Prayer. They sounded like angels. During the musical number, Rylee leaned over to me with tears in her eyes and asked, "Can I go up and share my story of faith?" After the glorious song, Rylee stood up and bore her testimony of the gospel. When she did, the room was silent and still. The spirit was the most incredible feeling ever. She said that Joseph's experience really touched her. She knew that when she was in the darkest moments of her life, God had saved her and guided her to the light. Prayer has given her faith and hope. I love Rylee Johnson. I am beyond grateful for the miracle of finding her.
When you feel lost, confused, ashamed, or afraid, REMEMBER WHO YOU ARE! You are precious child of God.
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♥ Sister Alexis Skabelund
451 W Bobier Dr
Vista CA 92083-1906
United States

Rylee is Getting Baptized

We are so happy for Rylee as she is getting baptized this Saturday!!! SHE IS SO EXCITED.
Yesterday we received a very shocking and heart-wrenching text from Jennifer. We were very confused why Jennifer didn't show up to church, and I even got a very unsettling feeling in my stomach. I felt that something was very wrong and we needed to see her. We both felt discouragement. She texted us saying that she no longer wants to be a part of the church anymore, that it isn't her time. We were absolutely devastated, but determined and faithful to bring her back, to help her feel the spirit, and most importantly to help her feel the love of the Savior. While sitting on the floor of her room, Jennifer told us that "it's too hard." We both sunk to the ground where she was and testified of Jesus Christ.
I have never had so much doubt in my entire life as I did yesterday. It was one of the worst feelings in the world. My companion and I testified of Jesus Christ. We testified of his life, the miracles, his atonement, his resurrection! As Sister Duering boldly testified of the suffering Christ went through, I felt the power behind her words. I knew in that moment that although Jennifer felt like giving up, she can find forgiveness and hope. The Savior was spit upon, beaten, whipped, scourged, persecuted, hated, rejected, betrayed, hung on a cross, and even mocked by the thieves crucified next to him. I know that Christ suffered it all. Christ had it way more worse than we ever will. And because of His great and infinite sacrifice, Jennifer can be strengthened and feel the power of the atonement. I know that Satan is real. He wants all of us to fail miserably and not get back up. He wants us to let go of everything and give up. He wants us to make the wrong choices, to feel guilt, and to doubt our self-worth. He wants us to even doubt the eternal love that our Heavenly Father has for us. Turn to the Savior! Look to Christ! James 1:12 "Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him." I just wanted to tell Jennifer, "Don't give up! Heavenly Father loves you and knows that you can get through this! Don't give up now! I know it's hard, but all things are possible through Christ!"
This reminds me of the story of Christ walking on water.
Matthew Chapter 14:
26 And when the disciples saw him walking on the sea, they were troubled, saying, It is a spirit; and they cried out for fear.
27 But straightway Jesus spake unto them, saying, Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.
28 And Peter answered him and said, Lord, if it be thou, bid me come unto thee on the water.
29 And he said, Come. And when Peter was come down out of the ship, he walked on the water, to go to Jesus.
30 But when he saw the wind boisterous, he was afraid; and beginning to sink, he cried, saying, Lord, save me.
31 And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?
32 And when they were come into the ship, the wind ceased.
33 Then they that were in the ship came and worshiped him, saying, Of a truth thou art the Son of God.
Sometimes we, like Peter, feel like we can't do it, that we are too afraid, or even doubt. Peter had so much faith that immediately he stepped onto the waves of the sea with his eyes fixed on the Savior. But as soon as he look away from Christ, his faith began to diminish and he started to sink. Even I, a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints started to doubt. I know that when we look to Christ and keep our eyes on Him, eternally, faithfully, and fervently, with all believing, WE CAN DO ALL THINGS! I know that Jesus Christ is the Savior and Redeemer of the world. I know that we are children of God. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored to the earth. And by faith, we can see miracles. "Elder Jeffrey R. Holland of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has offered clear counsel against giving up on ourselves. “However many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement shines.”
The elders came by and gave both Jennifer and her twin sister, Erika, a priesthood blessing! Afterwards, Jennifer said that she still wants to come to church. She said she will be at Rylee's baptism on Saturday. I pray that whatever happens with Jennifer, she will remember how much she is loved. We love her more than we can even explain, and her Heavenly Father loves her so much more than that.
Please pray for Jennifer.
Remember, JESUS is THE SAVIOR.
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♥ Sister Alexis Skabelund
451 W Bobier Dr
Vista CA 92083-1906
United States

This week was miraculous- full of miracles

Hey Family,
So I'm sorry if this email doesn't make sense...I'm emailing at the library and I got stuck with the jacked up keyboard. (: This week was miraculous- full of miracles. We came to Jennifer's apartment one day and found her sitting around the laptop with her entire family, showing them the Restoration movie! We literally walked in right as they were watching the scene of the First Vision. Afterwards we were able to testify of the Savior's love and of the prophet Joseph Smith. Like a diamond on black velvet, the restoration is so brilliant, so important, and so necessary. We needed a restoration. We needed the fullness of the gospel in order to make it back to our Heavenly Father. We were so happy to see our sweet investigator sharing the gospel with her family.
Rylee is just loving coming to church!!! She is always telling us how happy she is and how much the gospel has already blessed her life. This Sunday in particular, Rylee told us with a huge smile on her face, "I can't wait to be baptized! I'm so much happier here." She is so amazing and full of love. We are so excited for her baptism on the 18th of March! One of Rylee's motives to be baptized is that she really really really wants to go inside the temple! What a great motivation! It is so important to spend your time in the temple! You will find joy there. We had four nonmembers at church this Sunday!! Jennifer, Lylah, Rylee, and Fabre (a guy from Haiti who speaks French, little English, and more spanish).
This week was Jennifer's birthday (as well as Erika's...her twin). At first, we gave Jennifer one of those green primary ctr rings but for her birthday, we "upgraded." We got her one of those cute cursive ctr rings. She loved it. I'm so grateful for Jennifer's commitment to the gospel. She's not even a member of the church yet and she got up to bear her testimony on fast Sunday!! Not only that, but she also brought her little sister Lylah (13 yo) with her to church! Lylah has loved listening in on the lessons we've been giving Jennifer! After church, she even mentioned how she would like to be baptized as well! It is incredible how the testimony and example of one person can make the whole difference! Jennifer is bringing so much joy into her own life and also the lives of her family. When Jenn bore her testimony on Sunday, she beamed so much light over the congregation. This is what I love about being a missionary. 1, I love hearing my investigators or recent converts pray, and 2, I absolutely love seeing the light shining through them. They are all full of so much light. Just think to yourself, "Am I full of light?" Or as Alma asked the people of the church, "...Have ye spiritually been born of God? Have ye received his image in your countenances? Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?"
I know that when we turn our hearts to our Heavenly Father, our hearts will be changed. We will receive more strength, guidance, peace, and more light in our lives. We will become more like our Heavenly Father wants us to be. I know that no matter what, we can always pray. God will always hear your prayer, and he will answer you. TRUST HIM!
Please pray for Erika.
Love you.
♥ Sister Alexis Skabelund
451 W Bobier Dr
Vista CA 92083-1906
United States