Marry Christmas and A Happy New Year!

Merry Christmas!

Christmas was great, we went to volunteer at the soup kitchen on Christmas morning.

Boxing Day had so much swag.

6 hour original trilogy Star Wars Marathon. (because we were allowed to watch G rated movies).

WHAT. 

I actually received revelation whilst watching. Who knew it could relate to the gospel so much?

Sister Stevenson and are working on channeling our inner Yoda (greenie faith). We'll let you know how it goes :)

Happy New Years everyone! Sorry I can't write you all back! 

Sister Skagen

P.S. I used one of those outside bathrooms for the first time on my mission...they are a bit dodgey... but I took a selfie. swag. 

SORRY!

I am so sorry to everyone but I literally have like no time today! We don't have a P-day for 2 weeks because of Christmas and New Years so I won't really be e-mailing.

But, quick story. The week started out great this morning because, get ready for this.

We had to leave early to go to the Immigration Office to pick up my ID that allows me to live here and I grabbed a piece of toast for Sister Stevenson and I each and we went on our merry way.

There we were in the middle of the road, walking to the bus stop and 

THE WIND BLEW MY TOAST OUT OF MY HAND.

and flew down the street.

I would've been a lot more upset had it not been so hilarious.

Yay for Monday's.

The week was okay with being ill, getting SOAKED FOR DAYS, Branch Christmas Party, awkward caroling at a Nursing Home and funny things people say.

I love my Saviour Jesus Christ and I am so grateful we have this time to really focus on Him and His example. 

HAPPY CHRISTMAS!

Sorry again I can't respond to all of you, but know you are each amazing and I'm so thankful for your support!

Sister Skagen

and yes, Christmas is big in Ireland. 

Ups and Downs

This week was a roller coaster week.

UPS AND DOWNS FOR DAYS.

Hannah got baptized! YES. She's a star :)

Elder Kearon of the Seventy came to speak to the missionaries in Ireland. He's amazing.

Sister Stevenson and I are staying together for another transfer :)

Peter moved back to the Netherlands for forever...

Sister Stevenson and I got super ill. -___-

I think we have the flu? Not really sure but this sick business is getting annoying. 

The elders thought we were having a bad day this week so they gave us chocolate. Photo attached.

Sister Stevenson and I also had our anniversary of the first time we were companions! Hollaaaa

I learned this week that Heavenly Father loves me. There are no coincidences and He is SO aware of each one of us. I know this is true with every part of me.

I love being a missionary! This is the Lord's work! How blessed are we to be a part of it :)

-Sister Skagen

December?!

This week was kinda weird.

Sister Stevenson and I both had more weird problems. I had a hard time walking for a couple of days and she woke up in the middle of the night with shooting pains in her stomach.

Don't worry. We are both alive and well :)

We went to Subway to buy a cookie but really to use their toilet. 30 minutes into our bus ride home we realize we don't have our phone... so we went to our District Leaders flat and asked if they could call our phone.

"Hello this is Sister Skagen."

Us: " o___O we recognize that voice...."

and then "Ya know, we eat at Subway too."

The other Cork elders had gone into Subway right after us and found our phone!

Blessings :) hahah

We also had a belated Thanksgiving at a members and guess what!

THEY HAD STUFFING. REAL STUFFING.

It was the best thing I've ever eaten.

Our friend Peter came to church yesterday. YES. The members did so good at friend-shipping him. He's from the Netherlands!

This week is going to be CRAZY. Pray we can do everything we need to do.

I love the Book of Mormon! I love my Saviour Jesus Christ! I love missionary work!

Love,

Sister Skagen

A man busking in town

Sister Stevenson and I's "Chillin with my Snowmies" shirt hahah :)

We took a District Christmas picture

Turkey (or chicken?) Day!

I did it.

I kissed the Blarney stone.

I actually had to do it twice because the first time I just kissed the rock that's next to it. Swag.

It's supposed to give you the "Gift of Gab" and help you speak eloquently. I'm not sure I've seen it work yet... will keep you updated though.

Also. Something else that happened.

I RIPPED OUT LIKE HALF MY EYELASHES.

I have no idea what happened but one morning I was using my eyelash curler and my hand had a spasm or something and BOOM!

I look down and there are like 8 eyelashes on the curler.

Then, one morning the weather was so nice! So I'm like, "Yeah, I'll wear my toms today."

just going through my day and BOOM

rain and wind and colddddddddd.

We stopped at a posh looking hotel to dry out my shoes in their bathroom hand dryers. :)

Our Thanksgiving was catered by the corner store near our flat. Shout out to microwavable roast chicken dinners and Dr. Pepper. True American's over here.

It's okay though because this week our American friends are having us over. We are going to try to make pie. Pray for us.

I'm trying to read the Book of Mormon again before I come home and it's making my studies so much better. I love that we can read this book of scripture and find peace and guidance through it. Joseph Smith was called as a prophet and translated these records through the power of God for US! 

How lucky are we!? God truly does love us. I know this!  

Sister Skagen

photos:

1. Thanksgiving

2. Sister Sawyer and I - one of my most favourite missionaries!

Good ole Ireland.

Eireann. <---Ireland, in Irish. (pronounces like "erin"

People swear here like nobody's business. It's just their culture. And everyone is Catholic. And everyone drinks either tea or coffee (but that's a European thing in general).

The wind was crazy this week because we were getting the last bit of a hurricane. We were walking and talking to people and this guy gets blown off his bike by a gust of wind. LITERALLY, BLOWN OFF.

and lands right next to us.

Dunnae worry, he is fine. Not interested in our message but oh well. It was pretty funny and he was super nice.

Then, we walked into a shop quickly to write something down because we couldn't in the wind  and we witnessed something.

This woman walked in, picked up an ottoman and waltzed right out of the shop.

Sister Stevenson and I  =  o___O "uhh..did she just...steal that?" 

We weren't exactly sure what to do because neither of us had ever been in that situation before. We talked to the store workers and one tried to run after her but we aren't sure if he caught her. It was kind of a crazy day.

We also taught our German friend, Kevin! He is the coolest. Pray for him!

AND. Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles came to our mission. Well, he came to Ireland.

Wow.

I feel so blessed to have been in his presence and to have felt the very real Priesthood power and Spirit he carries. 

He talked a lot about how we can't just be good teachers, we need to be GREAT teachers. 

We'll get there :)

I'm happy to be in Cork for the winter though... we were up in Dublin and we were freeeeezing haha. Yay for 2 degrees warmer :)

xx

Sister Skagen

Top a tha Marnin to ya!

So it took foreverrrrrr to get to Cork. We don't have transfer meetings in our mission because you could potentially be traveling for over 24 hours.

Let me explain.

Tuesday night we took the train to Edinburgh and stayed there for the night.

In the morning we took a 4 hour bus to the ferry and then a 3 hour ferry ride to Northern Ireland. 

Then a bus to the Belfast bus station. MADE ME MISS NORN IRN <333

Then a 2 hour bus from there to Dublin.

Stayed the night in Dublin.

Took a 3 hour bus the next morning.

I finally made it to Cork on Thursday afternoon. :)

and I love it! 

This is exactly what I needed right now :) And I've already been temporary companions with Sister Stevenson twice before so we just jumped right into work and didn't have the awkward new companion phase. hollllla. She's brill.

I will share with you a few things about Ireland:

--> Every sign here is in Irish and English and my brain gets confused.

--> They say "like" here SO MUCH.

             Like, more than I do.

--> Some of the people are small.

--> They use euro instead of the pound.

--> The Police is called the Garda and I need to get a Gardacard in order to live here.

--> There are so many foreign people from: Poland, Romania, Africa, Brazil, Italy, etc. etc.

--> The branch I'm serving in is pretty tiny but awesome.

Yeah I feel like Cork is pretty random and I'm random so it's fab. Oh! I met someone from Scranton, Pennsylvania! I took a photo with her like a creep haha. 

It's gonna be a good transfer. :) 

Sister Skagen

Setting Sail

Woah woah woah.

Moves call. Guess where I'm moving to?

IRELAND!

Cork, Ireland. It's at the very bottom of the republic. I'm going on the ferry again.

Dang. Not many missionaries get to serve in all 3 countries. I feel so blessed!

I'll miss Dundee though :(

HUGE MIRACLES.

1. We've had a pretty awful two weeks after working so hard we saw nothing successful in our numbers...we're talking zero.zilch.nothing. Why is this happening? We are in a city, talking to everyone, etc. etc.

THEN TWO RANDOM GIRLS SHOW UP TO CHURCH AND ONE WANTS TO BE BAPTIZED.

I didn't even know that could happen in real life.

And now I'm leaving the area.

It's fine, it's fine. Only a little bitter. ;)

THEN.

2. Okay so do you remember I lost my camera like 7 months ago? Yeah so basically a very nice man named Sam found it on the train and through the pictures found my blog and then my facebook and Callie gave him my e-mail and

I GOT MY CAMERA BACK LAST NIGHT!!!

I thought I lost 6 months worth of photos forever.

Heavenly Father loves me.

I'm thankful for the knowledge that I have and the opportunity I have to change and to serve. I love this work!

And I'll miss Scotland!

-Sister Skagen

Change

Wow.

I feel like my mission changed this week. There were things I knew but didn't really KNOW, if you can understand that. We put into practice and a few things and holy cow we saw some success :)

We met this guy named Aaron and he is awesome. He is a hip-hop dancer (Sorry Jess! I'll try to get a video of his sweet moves) and we met him when he was dressed in a clown suit.

We taught him the Plan of Salvation and he absolutely loved it.

Then Renato came to church for the first time and the poor guy..he missed sacrament meeting but came to Gospel Princples and guess what the lesson was?

The Law of Chastity.

But he said he would come next week so that's a plus, especially since he looked so uncomfortable.

Also, he accepted a baptismal invitation and we invited him to Josie's baptism and we said:

    "You can come and see how it works and what a baptism is like."

"No...I like surprises."

Hahaha.

We dressed up in our onesies and deep cleaned our flat for Halloween since we had to be in early. I'll attach photos.

And a photo of my exchange with Sister Wagner. I love her!

I love Scotland!

Sister Skagen

One Year

Wow. I don't even know what happened this week.

It was crazy!

I was on exchanges with Sister Wagner who I basically haven't seen since the MTC so it was pretty awesome. We spent the day before our year mark together and so what did we do?

We got haggis wraps and Irn Bru to celebrate.

I mean, haggis is okay. I will eat it but it's not my favourite thing in the world. It's mostly lung, did you know that? Crazy. And illegal in America. Lots of things over here are....

We had a death by chocolate party at a member's house because I was fasting from it for 40 days. I really did think I was gonna die from the chocolate we ate but it was soooo good.

OH YEAH. All the missionaries in Dundee ran the Tay Bridge for morning exercise.

It was awesome.

And, we had a Sister's Conference yesterday. I got to see 6 of my 8 companions which was amazing. The Conference was so so good and we all needed it.

For one second, let me just address that I have been out for a year. (I burnt a skirt in honor of it)

I'm sorry, what? When did this happen?

My life has been completely changed in the last year.

I can't even explain to you the things that have happened to my soul.

This gospel has become etched into every part of me.

I know who I am and I know who I want to become.

I know that Jesus is the Christ, He is our Saviour and Redeemer.

I know that right now I have authority to preach His gospel.

I represent Him.

I love this work.

It's hastening and the world needs valiant people to step up and be strong. If you think you can't do it, you can.  "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

I love you all!

Sister Skagen

Jaws on the Floor

This week.

We were walking and stopped this man whose name is Freddy. Two of his friends came up and I literally felt like I was talking to the Three Stooges, they were so funny! They are all in the 50s and since we were all outside a café they asked:

"Do you drink tea?"

Sister Norin: "No...but we eat cake!"

And that's how we were treated to cake by 3 nice old men. It was so funny.

And then, we were in another café talking to 3 men from Libya and one of them treated us to something to drink.

It was just so funny because it was always 3 men.

I went on exchanges with Sister DeMille this week and she is the best! I love her so much. I was with her on her halfway mark and we may or may not have burned some tights in honor of it. :)

It was solid week..we saw miracles!

And basically, I want to teach Brazilian people for the rest of my life.

Eli?

Yeah he's so cool.

We walked in our lesson the other day and after telling us about what he'd studied in the Book of Mormon he goes:

   "I don't understand these religions that believe God has stopped speaking to us! If He called prophets back then, why would he just stop calling them now?"

JAWS ON THE FLOOR.

We were just like, Welllllllll that's exactly what we are going to talk to you about today... :)

It was amazing.

Oh also. So next week I won't be e-mailing Monday, it will be either Sunday night or Tuesday. We have a Sister's Conference next Monday :)

I love missionary work!

Sister Skagen

Singing in the... Sun? In Scotland?

Hello hello!

Week 6 always feels so long.

and you'll never believe what we did!

We sang.

In Dundee city centre.

On a Saturday afternoon.

Acapella.

I will attach a photo as proof. I have apparently become a "singer" on my mission. So strange. Not that it sounds very good but I seem to be doing it a lot. 

What else.

We went on splits and I took Zoe out tracting with me so that was fun!

We dropped basically every one we were teaching. Dropped is such a horrible word, huh? We aren't teaching our investigators anymore. They just had no desire to progress so there wasn't much more we could do for them.

It's sad but we are so ready and pumped to find new friends this week! hollaaaa

We also met (one of?) the largest alcohol retailer in Dundee. He tried to sway us over to his "side" hahahah it was so funny.

General Conference was incredible.

If you missed it, go watch the sessions! I haven't seen the last session yet but the others were amazing. It really does give you a spiritual high!

I love and sustain all of the leaders of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. As one of the Apostles said (paraphrased), "The Lord's grace is sufficient enough to accomplish his purposes through mortals" !

Say What?

So uh... we got moves call.

And I just don't understand but...

I am going to be in another trio.

What is life anymore?

This is so unusual. There is something I'm not learning from the past million trios.

So it will be me, Sister Turner and Sister Norin (she is from Sweden).

But I'm staying in Dundee so that's cool. It's a great time here.

This week we went on exchanges, the elders had a baptism (Alison, she's awesome), we went to Edinburgh for like 1 hour, and stopped teaching some of our friends.

But Zoe (a member, she's the one in the photo) gave me some sweet tartan ribbon and basically I'm gonna wear it in my hair every day.

I'm so grateful to be a missionary and witness the small miracles that happen every day! It's the coolest thing.

Here's a way good quote for you :)

     "God can be known only through revelation. He must be revealed or remain forever unknown."

Search Him out, "seek and ye shall find, knock and it shall be opened unto you."

I love Scotland!

I'm still working on my accent!

Love,

Sister Skagen

I wish I could Apparate

They are changing our area boundaries so we went to St. Andrews one last time before we can't anymore. And we stood on the old golf course! I'll attach a photo.

I don't even golf but I bought a golf ball.

This week we attempted to do some street boarding.... without a street board? Nice one, sisters and elders. It wasn't hugely successful but we tried with our little district.

One man said as we approached him "Oh go away, I hate you people."

But he said it in the nicest way. It was unusual.

Another man said "Disappear with you!"

Sir...I really wish I could apparate.

hahahaha. People are so funny.

We tried by someone who doesn't actually live there, we did some service (sorted through donations) for the refugees from Syria and one of our friend's dropped us.

But, Dundee is great.

We had lunch with Shannon (a member going to Germany to study) and we ate at Project Pie. It's the coolest! It's like Subway but for pizza! SO COOL.

One day after a dinner appointment, we went to grab our things and I cannae remember what happened but all 3 of us fell on the floor laughing. Like, hysterically laughing. I'm thinking we relieve stress that way but it was just so funny. I love my companions.

My e-mail is kind of random, sorry.

But, the Holy Ghost is cool! Whenever I teach people about it, I explain that Heavenly Father can't come down and talk to each one of us individually -- I also thought about it as He can't because there's not enough time, etc. etc. -- But it's actually because He can't, not that he doesn't have the power, but because we are unclean and imperfect and no unclean thing can be in the presence of God! 

Cool, huh? I know I'm probably behind on this but it finally clicked in my brain.

I love Heavenly Father! And my Saviour Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit that can communicate messages from God to us! How blessed we are!

I love you all!

  Sister Skagen

I love Scotland!

I just need to say I seriously love being a missionary. Like, it is the coolest thing!

This week was WILD.

-I went on exchanges with Sister Wilkinson! Much needed. I missed her. And we got to borrow the Assistants car (they're like, the top dogs--right underneath the Mission President). So we took a picture in their car hahah we are so cool.

-We met a woman named Jade who asked if she could take a selfie with us after we got her contact info. Awesome. I'm pretty sure she snapchatted it hahaha.

-We also went by a less active who has 8 rats and a mouse named Stuart. We sat there with hundreds of show prize ribbons streamed around us, mesmerized as she picked them up, cuddled them, and talked to us about her rats. 

And now we are just full of rat facts... although I can't remember them now. Sorry. But she was super nice!

-We had tea at the Nicholson's yesterday. They are the coolest family! I literally felt like I had been adopted in. It was so fun and they are so kind!

And now. The mother of all stories for the week. :)

As we walked to an appointment, we felt prompted to talk to this man but we had already passed him..eventually we ran after him and struck up a conversation. Said man turned out to be pretty drunk (keep in mind it's only 6:30pm) and wasn't really interested in our message. He tells us his name is Michael Jackson..

what? No way you silly drunk man. You are just saying that because we are American.

and guess what?

He pulls out his credit car and shows us his name...

HIS NAME IS MICHAEL JACKSON.

A few things happen and we decide it's time to go and as we shake his hand..he won't let go of mine. And he gets really close to me and I'm assuming to see my name badge (that's what most drunk and sober people do) and he starts pursing his lips and getting closer!

Mayday Mayday! Abort! ABORT! 

Thankfully my companions saved me from this drunken kiss.

We turn around and guess who we see walking our way? A potential we met a few weeks ago and his friend. Said friend used to meet with missionaries but went on holiday and lost contact but he wants to learn again!

Sometimes you have to almost get kissed by Michael Jackson in order to find the promised people.

Hurrah for Scotland!
What e'er thou art, act well they part!

Sister Skagen