"Happiness is the object and design of our existence." - Joseph Smith

Hello Hello! We had Zone Development yesterday which is why I'm writing on Tuesday. I did a round-off tuck on the grass which I haven't done in agesssss. But I'm happy I can still whip something out. My body isn't that happy though..probably because I did a handstand on a slackline too... Welp. Pain is weakness leaving the body! Hoorah!

In other news.

We had a lesson with an Ishaya monk. She is very committed to her vows and told us all about 3 states of consciousness and other things I don't quite remember. She was really a lovely person and it's always interesting to me to listen to other's beliefs.

We also met this dear old woman named Mrs. Haggart. I feel that she should be (maybe she already is) in a book of some sort. We stopped her on the street and had a fabulous chat. And then, she tried to set us up with her grandsons...guess how old they are?

One is 18 and then 16 year old twins.

I got dibbs on the 18 year old since I'm the oldest. Sorry Sister Wilkinson and Sister Jackson.

hahaha she was great though and we politely laughed and looked uncomfortable when she talked about them so we think she got the hint.

I love Joseph Smith's experience. Boyd K. Packer says that we read his account too seldom and I'd have to agree. I've been reading in Joseph Smith History and I am amazed at this man and the persecution he dealt with from the age of 14. FOURTEEN.
He mentions how these men in high esteem publicly persecuted him (among many other things) and got others to join...to ridicule a BOY.

Read his account. Read the Book of Mormon. And then TELL ME that he made it all up.
 ''No evil man could write such a book as this.  And no good man would.  Unless it were true, and he were commanded of God to do so.'' -Elder Holland

I can not deny my witness from the Spirit on this. Joseph Smith couldn't either because.it .happened.

Love,
Sister Skagen

Hot Sauce and Holland

WHAT A WEEK.

Oh my days.

If you know me, you will never believe I did this. We went to a sandwich place called Mean Green Sandwich Machine in Burntisland. Sil, the owner is a so cool. The little hole in the wall is wonderful.

And, he has a hot sauce challenge. And you have to sign a waiver just to TRY the hot sauce.
The amount of the sauce was minuscule.  He put it on our fingers with a tooth pick.

And I did it.

I'm talking a dot the size of a mustard seed caused my mouth to literally feel like I ate fire. SO HOT. We were drinking milkshakes and ice and it wasna going away!

I'll call it a success though on account of  Sil said that we took it much better than the grown men that try it -- they run outside screaming, begging for water, etc. CHAMPIONS.

And guess what else happened? Probably the best week of my life.

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland came to speak to our mission.

Um. Is this real life? Is this gonna last forever? I certainly hoped it would.
It was an incredible experience and I can't even begin to describe the insights I received. He was the picture of power - as Elder Holland always is - and I feel blessed to have been in the same room as him and shake his hand.  (Shaylee, I'm sorry I didn't get a selfie with him for you!)

Some thing that he said that really hit me was this:
"We are God's investigators. Whatever we want for our investigators, He wants for us. If you want them to change habits, you need to change habits too."
How can we ask people to do things if we ourselves aren't doing them? We ask our investigators to read and pray about the Book of Mormon and though we have already done so, are we continuing to do it? To re-solidify our testimonies? Once is not enough!

Sorry not sorry for the missionary moment.
I JUST LOVE THIS WORK.

Sister Skagen

Tremendous Trio

Wow.

I've been in a trio before for a week but a whole transfer will be crazy!

The most annoying thing about a trio is the fact that we can't all walk on the sidewalk side by side. Drives me mental! I don't care that showers have to be quicker or that we go through toilet paper faster, I just want to walk next to my companions!

It's a hard life, I know.

Also. Sister Wilkinson was getting up off the bus and her bag got stuck in my hair and yanked out a chunk. I am a bald-y now. I'll attach a picture.

This week we talked to loads of great people, seriously the people in Kirkcaldy are so nice! I mean, aside from the crazies it's pretty solid here. Our BSL is coming along nicely as well :)

Margaret is working towards a baptismal date :) I cannae explain what an example of faith she is to me. She said something that really hit me this week:

"People around me are always trying to push me down and I cannae grow. But your church lifts people up."

That is what every single missionary longs to hear.
I am amazed at the miracles I am able to witness.

God is real!

Love,
Sister Skagen

Moves Caaaaa!!!!!

So this transfer was only 5 weeks and we had moves call last night.

I'm staying in Kirkcaldy!

And so is Sister Wilkinson (poor girl, she'll have been here for 10 months)

And........

we are getting another sister, Sister Jackson. We will be in a trio.

Woop.

This week we met Ray who is 89 years old. He bought flowers for his home in honor of our coming to teach him. He wanted to brighten up the place for us. He is so wonderful! One of the most tender moments I've had so far was when he asked:

"Do you think I will see my wife again?"

"Yes, we know you will."

"Really?"

And we were able to testify of the plan of salvation. It was amazing! I'm so grateful to be here and to see miracles every day! I love this work!

Sister Skagen

AND my mom sent me Lucky Charms for my birthday. YES.

Baptism!

Andrew was baptised!

Aside from boiling some water for the font, everything went smoothly.

It was fantastic. The Spirit was so strong. He will be a very strong member in time to come. :)

Guess what we did in celebration? We went to McDonalds.

Grody, we know. But it was so good. How much I have missed a real burger. When I say real, I mean the closest thing to an American burger I can get here.
One day I hope to serve in Glasgow because I've heard there is a Five Guys there and heaven knows how much I love that place.

Yesterday was my birthday and we had Stake Conference. Talk about a sweet way to celebrate being a grandma (I am the oldest). We got to interpret for it because our 3 deaf recent converts came.

UM LET ME JUST TELL YOU SOMETHING.
I think I almost passed out.
There were like 500 people there and normally we just sit in a chair in front of our deaf friends. But, the Stake Presidency decided it'd be a good idea for us to stand up on the stand to interpret.

Oh.my.days.
Alas, we survived.

The Dundee Sisters and my companion made me a crepe with a tea light candle for breakfast hahah and the whole zone sang me Happy Birthday. It was a fantastic day.

Thank you to everyone who made my birthday special! You all mean so much to me and I can't explain how much your support helps me each and every day. Thank you!

Love and leave ya,
Sister Skagen

I got a pinnie!

I cannae believe we are in mid-May. What? Where does time go? I have no idea.

Margaret, an investigator we have been teaching, came.to.church.
THIS IS HUGE, PEOPLE.

She has pretty bad anxiety around people but really wants to conquer her fears. She has the most incredible testimony that God is there even though she has never been very religious.

and. she. came. to. Sacrament.

ACH. It was the most beautiful thing.

Andrew is progressing well and the baptism is scheduled for Wednesday. We are continuing to pray :)

I also may have accidentally fallen asleep WHILE talking in a lesson. Not sure how that can even happen but I was exhausted I suppose. I felt awful but Sister Wilkinson and I laughed so hard about it afterwards. I was literally still speaking but had no idea what I was saying. I think half of it made sense though.

Life is good in Kirkcaldy.

During the week I just had this moment where I felt so blessed to be in this area. I think because my first 6 months was straight tracting, doors slamming, extremely rude people, frozen weather, and zero people to teach..

and now,

We have a few solid investigators we are teaching and I feel SO blessed that Heavenly Father has entrusted me with the responsibility of teaching and helping them receive the restored gospel.

Scotland is amazing. The gospel is fantastic. I love being a missionary.

--I'm attaching a picture of the beach we run on in the mornings :) It is beautiful.
And one of the members made us "pinnies" (aprons) so I'm getting all domesticated over here.

Dundee Fundee

We went to Dundee (Fundee) for Zone Interview Training this week. YES. I love it. Still on a spiritual high y'all.

Although it was an adventure actually getting there.

Sister Wilkinson and I got on the bus but forgot our area book. So we got off the bus, grabbed the area book, and then we raaaaan to a bus stop a few streets away.

We caught a different bus to the Glenrothes bus station and were too late for our normal bus to Dundee. So we got another bus....

and then another bus.

And then we finally got there.

But it was so worth it. I love getting instruction.

Sister Wilkinson and I are having loads of fun together. We are definitely opposites but we mesh well together. We put on our onesies the other night because the heat wasn't working in our flat. Such a party.

We also went to Falkland (foch-lind) Palace today for P-day. It is beautiful and Mary Queen of Scots stayed there. It also has the oldest tennis court in the world! SO COOL.

This week we've been helping Andrew, our deaf friend, prepare for baptism. He is excited and he seems to really be grasping the gospel. Pray for him!

We are so blessed here in Kirkcaldy. We have quite a few people to teach and they are so prepared. I know I am here for a reason. There are no coincidences. Heavenly Father's plan is perfect! I love this work!

Sister Skagen

P.S. I am currently serving in my mission president and his wife's home ward so when they complete their mission in July, I will (most likely) be here to welcome them home! I just love President and Sister Brown!