Two Stomachs

It is true what they say, you are set apart as a missionary with two stomachs.

We are eating so much. SO MUCH. The food is amazing but not for my body. Sacrifices..sacrifices...

We were in a trio this week with Sister Montgomery because Sister Sawyer was in the Easter Concert. (which was amazing btw and I got to see Sister Crawley! such a reunion! :) ) Teaching lessons in a trio is not too bad but tracting is killer. When we chap I feel like we're the mafia showin' up at the door hahah all black errythinnn

I met someone from Pennsylvania, in Scotland! His name is Jeff Widfeldt (i think that's how it's spelled) and he went to BYU and lives in Houston right now. We have mutual friends in ALL those places! Small world!

We had another lesson with Shaun and he is AWESOME! He is praying about a baptismal date so pray and cross your fingers please! He can recognize the Spirit and knows the Book of Mormon is true. He's a star!

I love being here!

Sister Skagen


I'm lame and forgot to attach this.

Check out the Because He Lives Easter Video on http://www.mormon.org/easter

It's beautiful. It's true, He Lives! And because He lives we have so much. Because He lives we can repent and be forgiven - every day! Because He lives we can live with our families for eternity. I love this gospel!

Watch and share. #becausehelives

God Is Real

Dunny = don't
Ken = Know

"I dunny ken" = "I don't know"

Confusion. But I'm getting it!

We went on exchanges this week so I went to Dunfermilin with Sister Sawyer and what do you know, we met a rockstar.

Yes. The lead singer of a band called Nazareth.

I have not actually heard of them but he sang to us at the door and he is very talented. He is also a proper hardcore atheist. He kept saying "I wish I could save you. I wish I could save you!" To which we inquired "Save us from what?" "Yourselves." was the answer. He thinks we're delusional.

Well. Maybe with how funny I think I am but with the gospel, not a chance. :)
We took a photo with him. I'll attach the proof.


We had a miracle! We have been trying to be a bit more creative in finding and really try to do different things. Sister Kirkpatrick and I were talking about the story of the brother of Jared and how he basically presented his plan to the Lord and the Lord okay'd it and helped him out. So we made a plan to find a new male investigator in his 30s that could really contribute to the ward because we are in dire need for Priesthood holders.

WE FOUND HIM. WE FOUND HIM!

Shaun.

It's a beautiful name. He's a beautiful person. So humble and SO prepared. We spent a frozen 45 minutes outside by the harbour teaching him about the Restoration and the spirit was there and it was amazing! AH!

We are so excited. We ate chocolate in celebration.

Zone Development is so fun! Aside from the fact that I am incredibly sore again. Pain is weakness leaving the body! Just getting stronger o'er hurrrrrrr.

I love missionary work. I love Scotland. I love the Scottish people. I love this gospel! I can't even express how much it's blessed my life and I want the same for everyone!

Til the work is done!

Sister Skagen

Oh yeah, I got tattoos in the picture! kidding. we were playing the Tangled "thugs" at a ward activity.
Then Sister Sawyer and I and the rockstar.

AYE

Traveling to Montrose was not my favorite thing in the world. Our ferry was in the dock for 3 hours due to a medical emergency on the ship and then a 3 hour trip. Okay.

We finally made it to Stronrar and the bus couldn't fit all of our luggage. So five of us stayed behind for a different bus. Cool.

Said bus arrived and 5 missionaries had their own private bus. (I'll admit, we felt like rockstars) But we took a round-about way through Ayr to Glasgow. Sweet.

Met up with the rest of our group in Glasgow and took a bus to Edinburgh. The APs picked us up at 10:30pm and we spent the night in the mission home. Neat.

Up at 5:30am to catch our train WHICH we almost missed. After 20 minutes the conductor came around and told us we had to get off because we had the wrong ticket. .....

But my friends. The Lord is watching out for us. One of the Elder's talked with her and she allowed us to stay on! I finally made it to Montrose!

Sister Kirkpatrick is a sweetheart! Our flat is super nice! Way nicer than most of my flats at uni. The ward is a bit smaller here, about 40 active members but I know that Sister Kirkpatrick and I can build it up! We have the faith and the strength :)

For lunch on Saturday we got Philly Cheese steaks to bring back my inner philly-thug that I've been missing. Definitely not as good, but I feel much more gangsta.

This transfer will definitely be a learning one. A new area, new comp, new people to find! I'm excited for the challenge. I know this is the gospel of Jesus Christ and by abiding by it's principles we can be the happiest and freest we can ever be! I love being a missionary and representing Jesus Christ!

Sister Skagen

P.S. I have Zone Development next Monday so I won't be e-mailing until Tuesday of next week.

And I'm headed to......9 March 2015

I'm gonna make you wait to know my moves call and tell you about my week first.

Okay so we had a miracle story! On Wednesday we took the train to Moira (don't worry, we didn't walk again hahahah) and on our way to our dinner appointment we met Wes.

Basically Wes is golden. g.o.l.d.e.n.
While at home he had been contemplating the idea of something, a higher power, being out there when he noticed his dog needed to go out for a walk. That's where we met him. We later learned that we had specifically mentioned the words "higher power" while talking with him and he didn't think that could be a coincidence so that's why he agreed to meet with us.
He is who we've been working so hard for! I am just gutted to leave Lisburn because we finally have someone solid and someone we can actually teach.

Yes. I'm leaving Northern Ireland and heading tooooooo....

Montrose! It's on the east coast of Scotland. hollllaaaa. I head there on Wednesday. Another accent to get used to... Man I'm gonna be talking funny when I get back to the states.

I'm stoked to go over seas again and serve the people in Montrose! I'll miss Lisburn but I know I'm meant to be in Scotland now.

Sister Skagen

P.S. Everyone should try sweet potato fries dipped in vanilla ice cream.

                                                  Pic - us just waaaaaaiting for moves call

Don't let the jerks get you down!, 2 March 2015

Thissssssss week.

Thursday the Sister Training Leaders came up for exchanges. Sister Cannon and I had a rockin' day. We found a few potentials which is exciting. The most exciting moment was when we chased a dog.

The dog didn't chase us. We chased the dog.

We were chapping and began talking with Amman (ay-min) and all the sudden Molly, his dog, sprinted out of the house and away! Amman immediately excused himself and got into his car to catch his dog. Sister Cannon and I ran on foot to follow her.

Every time we got close and called for her "Molly, come here!" she would RUN. What the.

She finally ran into an enclosed gated area and we were able to corner her and pick her up. We made our way back to Amman's home and he wasn't there. His door was half open on account of he left so quickly.

Do we throw the dog in and leave or wait til Amman gets back...?
We just stood there awkwardly.

Thankfully, he arrived after a few moments and we set up an appointment to see him next week. hollllla.

Then all four of us headed to the Harkness home for dinner.
Dear love that family. We always have such good food and such fun time!

On Saturday we went to the Reid's home for dinner. Man, I love the Lisburn ward! They are amazing.

The Reid's spoiled us with a delicious Sunday dinner and Nathan Reid used his super posh skills to make us a fine dining dessert of: Brownie, poached pear, and apple crumble.

Yeah I know. Be jealous peepz.

Later in the week we attended a funeral for a member of the ward. Although it was a time of mourning, it reminded me of the plan of salvation. I'm so blessed to know that there is life after death; death is not the end! I'm grateful for Heavenly Father's plan and the peace and direction it brings into my life.

I love Northern Ireland and I love this work! And remember, don't let the jerks get you down!

Sister Skagen