Hi everybody! It was so good to talk to you all on Christmas. :) Watching Jake try to land the helicopter on dad's head was a highlight. :)
We had a baptism this week! While I was in newport news, we set this 3 year investigator for baptism! It was the whole reason I was there, I am sure. Anyways, her name is Roya and she's amazing!!! It was such a happy day. I attached a picture.
Everybody here says "how are you liking your foreign mission?" when they find out I'm from Utah. Because...
1- People here hunt, shoot, and eat squirrels. And then they feed them too us. Yum.
2- After about 7:00, people answer their doors with a loaded shotgun.
3- We go looking for people in places right out of horror movies. I swear. If I wasn't wearing a black tag, I'd run for my life.
Welcome to rural Virginia. It's an adventure for sure. We are spending a lot of time freezing out on people's doorsteps because they like to talk to us, and sometimes have lessons, through the screen. Wonderful.
Christmas eve was exciting - we got to go to Williamsburg and see the tree lighting ceremony! It was so much fun! They had a couple of prayers, everyone sang carols together, we lit candles, and then the tree caught fire. Just kidding. The tree had a million lights on it and it was gorgeous. I attached a couple pics of that. Colonial Williamsburg is such a neat place! One day we'll have to go.
THANKS FOR THE HAPPY BIRTHDAYS!!!! I have the best family. And the best friends. I don't know how I got sooo lucky. It made my day. :) We spent my bday at a district meeting - which was the most awkward district meeting ever, and then sis Tarwater made me cake. We had a member dinner that night too and they had cupcakes and a candle! :) It was great.
For new years we aren't doing much. But I have made a list of goals and resolutions, and I'll share some of them with you.
1- Better scripture recall. I want to know the scriptures better and use them more. I have seen this improve already in leaps and bounds as I study with the intent of teaching.
2- Dilligence. I feel like I have a tendancy to do really well for a while, and then I stop or forget or get tired... I want to be more of a marathon runner, less of a sprinter.
3- Better Vision. "Where there is no vision the poeple perish." Proverbs 29:18.
I have other goals too, but that's a start. Those are some of my more important ones, where I am really focusing a lot of my effort.
The new year is an amazing chance to clean slate, to really try to improve and be better. It's our responsibility to make our "weak things become strong", and we can with the Lord's help. It's all a part of our refining process. 1 Nephi 20:10. Trials are just opportunites to turn to the Lord and come closer to him. We just need to take those moments and ask our Maker what we are supposed to be learning from what we are going through, and to make sure we are getting everything we can out of it. It's hard, and I am trying to be better at this, and I have seen miracles in my life as I practice this concept.
I hope you all have a wonderful new year! It will be the best one yet... :) I'm sure glad the world didn't end in 2012.
Love,
sis Skousen
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