Tuesday letter

September 11, 2012

Hey Everybody! Sorry you haven't heard from me in a little while.  Last monday was labor day so the library was closed, and this monday we had sisters meeting down in Richmond so we had to do our emails a little late.  But I'm still alive-ish! I'll send you some pictures in a separate email so they make it. Anyways, where to begin...

Things here have been a little different what with the learning curve of a new area, new companion, new calling (ie: trainer), new investigators, etc. But it's been good. I am growing and being stretched more and more every day.  I never in a million years thought I would be needed to play piano as often as I have on the mission.  I thought I was free of that what with my call being stateside.  NOPE!  I am needed all the time, so I've been practicing every chance I get to improve my hymn playing, and other things like that.

There is a new elder being trained in the district, elder Lovin, and he is literally the most wonderful singer I have ever heard.  EVER EVER EVERRRRR. Also, he reminds me so much of Joshy it's like a slice of home.  Anyways, he's being trained in the Spanish branch here in Harrisonburg, and he called on Wednesday to tell me that WE were doing a musical number in the spanish branch on Sunday.  Oh and by the way I needed to come up with an arrangement of "Come Thou Fount" (which I already have thank goodness...)... and oh by the way I'm alsosinging with him.  Oh and also I'll be singing in Spanish.  If anybody had come to me a year ago with that combination in a single breath I would have laughed in their face!  But, the Lord qualifies whom he calls I guess, although I don't know how good it was on my end... it turned out to be great.  I was also asked to be the pianist for the hymns in sacrament meeting last minute, so I got the opportunity to do that as well.  It was a really great experience and I loved getting to do it!

We had some neat lessons this week, and I'm really trying to not just take over and do all the teaching, but to be an equal teacher with my companion.  Sometimes it's hard because she doesn't have a whole lot to say or she is really quiet, and I could just talk forever... but that's not what it's about.  I'm striving hard for companionship unity in all things. 

We went to Richmond on Sunday night and stayed the night at sister Wride's (my old companion) apartment so we could be nice and fresh fro sisters meeting Monday morning.  It was nice to get the chance to talk to the mission president a little bit.  Also - they called me last minute to play two musical numbers at the meeting... so I just kinda had to whip something out and make it up on the spot.  I like getting to do that when nobody is paying attention, but it's different when you have a chapel full of people listening.  Every opportunity to play is a chance to grow and get better.  I just feel like my lamp needs a little more oil in it, if you know what I mean? It would be better if I was better at playing church music and hymns.  Tell Jake and Siera I said that. HINT HINT!

Anyways, that's about it for now.  I've been studying a lot about affliction and overcoming trials, and trying to apply the "how-to's" a little better.  Missions are HARD.  I know it's worth it though.  You can't have a million dollar experience with a five dollar effort!  I have been reading a talk called Cast Not Away Therefore Your Confidence, and I think it might be one of the greatest talks ever given.  It's by elder Holland.  There are so many things in there that have really made a difference for me, I suggest it to everybody. He tells us that of course our faith will be tested as we fight through self-doubts and second thoughts. Some days we will be miraculously led out of Egypt—seemingly free, seemingly on our way—only to come to yet another confrontation, like all that water lying before us. At those times we must resist the temptation to panic and give up. At those times fear will be the strongest of the adversary’s weapons against us.

“And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. … The Lord shall fight for you.” In confirmation the great Jehovah said to Moses, “Speak unto the children of Israel, that they go forward.”  Ex 14:13-15
After we have gotten the message, after we have paid the price to feel His love and hear the word of the Lord, go forward. Don’t fear.
God will provide the means and power to achieve our purpose, whatever that is right now. "Trust in that eternal truth. If God has told you something is right...He will provide the way for you to accomplish it."
And I really like this quote from that talk, he says "Fighting through darkness and despair and pleading for the light is what opened this dispensation. It is what keeps it going, and it is what will keep you going."
I'm always thankful for all the support I get from home.  Thanks for your love and your prayers - they are needed and felt.
Love,
Sister Skousen