comin' home.

is this real? 

said goodbye to hermana sheffer and hermana cuesta at the mission office, the leaving missionaries tried tirelessly to get all of our luggage to weigh under the allowed limit, and off we went to the Sacramento temple, one last time as full-time missionaries. checking every few minutes to make sure that shiny black tag that carries the name of our Savior is still there (: 

an awesome member volunteered to let us crash in her house so all the sisters were together! the Sister hosting us expected us to be up late... nahhh hahaha we were all SO BEAT!

said a prayer of gratitude before hopping into bed, head hit the pillow.

and then...


it happened...

alarm goes off, 6AM.

today is the day.... 
before I gave my mind time to catch up with what was happening we were already there. 

Sacramento Airport

gave a big ol' hug to President and Sister Jardine and they sent us off, up the elevator and back to the world to hit the ground running.

the missionaries that headed home through the Salt Lake airport all got off the plane together, and we said a prayer. one more time as California Sacramento Missionaries.

(I had a long layover in Salt Lake to see my brothers and my bestfriend!)

and off we went. almost running! haha

AND THERE THEY WERE













7 hours, and another air plane later - around midnight, finally in my mothers arms (:

so... finish line, right?
nah, not even close (:

que siempre tengan adventuras de fe y amor!

Hermana Skidmore

mission accomplished...?

Hola!

The final email to the Skid Squad from Hermana Skidmore..... BUM BUM BUM...

-

I could not have asked for a better week to finish out my service as a full time missionary!!!

GUESS WHAT!?

Hermana Cuesta is coming up to follow up train Hermana Sheffer! YAYAYAYA my babies together! :) you'll get to meet them both! Hermana Hurley is the new Sister Training Leader and she is staying with Hermana Porter. and me.....

I don't know how to feel... I'm basically numb inside.. haha that's reassuring, right!? Like is it really almost over? 

This week we had our ward Thanksgiving party and it was a hit!!!!! I love the spanish people so much. I adore this ward. I love being a missionary. I can't wait to see you all dance with all of them:) hahah 

Bxxxxx is doing great! We are going with her tonight to visit her daughter, it's been a rough road for them so it's a big step for her to be reaching out to her instead of turning her back. She is truly feeling the Spirit of Christ and changing. You will get to meet her, too :) 

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

One of the goals I made for me as a missionary was to experience indescribable joy....

It's funny because now I find it really hard to describe how I'm feeling.. I AM SO HAPPY! (between the sperts of denial and numbness :)) hahah 

I know that God lives and loves us because he allowed me to be a missionary. I know that He lives because He placed all of these amazing people in my life. I know that prayer is a privilege that we have to communicate with the greatest being in all the universe whenever we want because he is literally our Father. I know that He's listening because when I take the time to wait after the "Amen." I can feel it. and when I rise from my knees, I know without a doubt that everything is going to be okay.

On my mission I've learned that life is about JOY! That's my fav word in Spanish "GOZO!" but we have to make that decision ourselves. I know that obedience and repentance are the keys to happiness. That you can't help but smile when you have felt the forgiveness of God, and His angels cheering you on.... helping you to become a better person, every. single. day. 

It has been such a privilege to go out into the hardcore streets of Sacramento every day, approach total strangers and ask them about.... not just another important thing we should be aware of but rather THE most important thing in eternity - Our Savior Jesus Christ. To look them in the eyeballs, heart to heart, face to face and know that when I say "I promise you, everything is going to be okay." I'm not lying. Our Savior suffered for us, so that through obedience and trying our best, we can be found worthy to make it back to our Father in Heaven. IMAGINE THE JOY THEN! haha See Enos 1;27 in the Book of Mormon. Baptism is the door to returning to that celestial happiness. That has been my focus for the last 18 months. "You're gonna make it! and we're going to help you!" There is so much to be happy about!

The Atonement has been performed, we never have to go it alone. I know because I have felt His strength and guidance, not only the last 18 months, but my entire life... I knew that when I prayed when I was 6 to find that fish book that I'd lost, I knew I would find it. He's just waiting for us to ask for His help :)  

Serious shout out to all of you for your love and support. You are what makes all of this possible. 

My name is Hermana Skidmore, I'm a Mormon, I am a Spanish speaking missionary in the California Sacramento Mission, and I will never be the same :) 

Nos vemos pronto, les quiero con todo mi corazon,

Hermana Skidmore

pics from last few days :) 

our district on my/hermana gomez's last sunday! we sang in sacrament meeting and we coordinated, red/white/gray outfits... mom would be so proud!

 Las hermanas! we all live together and it's the best!

no lo puedo creer!

hey fam!
 
we're not going to talk about how much time I have left :) 

moving on... hahaha 

THIS WEEK WAS AMAZING!!!!!

Listen to this... 

Her name is Bxxx, her husbands name is Jxxx Lxxx, her daughters name is Jxxx, 2 sons named axxxx and Jxxxx.

A loooong time ago, Hna Sierra and I were contacting in the apartment complex that is right across from the church and visited more than once daily by Mormon missionaries that speak all languages, we met a girl name Jxxx, had a nice convo, and asked her if any of her neighbors speak spanish.

"Well, my family speaks spanish..." 

K, great! 

We went back with Hna Sheffer and met Jxx Lxx! Super cool guy! We talked about prayer, and the Restoration of the Gospel.

"Sounds interesting... it's different... I like different..I need different..."

Days passed and we tried to get ahold of him agian... nothing... and every time we knocked on the door, his wife told us "NO ESTA AHORRITA!" (he's not here right now) and not answer the door, tell us she's from another religion... ya know.. the norm haha. 

This past monday - the english elders (our faithful Zone Leaders) were chased down by a spanish woman... She wanted us to call her. Okay cool. 

Before the appointment that the Elders had scheduled for the next day... She calls us..Are you coming?  I think I can count on one hand the number of times an investigator has called me to follow up and make sure I'm going to be there for the appointment hahah...

We get there.. we're looking around the apartments for her number... All of a sudden it clicks... 

OH MY GOSH IT'S HER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Bxxxxx. She's amazing and I give her serious props for being so humble and seeking us out after totally rejecting us haha. Basically some things happened in her church... and she's looking for a good Church in which to raise her kids! 

Here's the kicker all you members out there! 

The reason she sought us out...and not anyone else.. she has 2 Mormon friends that are members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints - and she wants what they have, she mentioned how their kids interact, the respect they have in their families... everything.. 

AND NOW THEY'RE ALL ON DATE TO BE BAPTIZED ON DECEMBER 6TH!

The Elders had a baptism on Saturday, they came - Bxxxxx went up front with all the kids to see the actual ordinance. We were all a little nervous about asking them to be baptized... but the Spirit's like DO IT! And Bxxxxx just nodded and with a hopeful sounds in her voice said... "Okay." like she knows it's going to take work, and change. but that it is the best thing for her family. 

They all came to church on Sunday :) Except for Jxxx Lxxx because he had to work. THEY LOVED IT! She told the kids they were going to a party hahah they'll get em! Let's be honest, Primary is a party... 

MXXXXX ALSO CAME TO CHURCH!!!!! He is an investigator that we've had to take really slow, baby steps with... AND HE CAME!! He completely missed Spanish Church but that's okay! haha we went to English and he was so nervous around all the people he was like sweating but so happy! 

We went with him.. missed the sacrament AGAIN.. so we had to go to Tongan Sacrament meeting to get the bread and water, no complaints here - I'm convinced there will be a tongan choir that welcomes the Savior when he comes again. Celestial status. 

This week we've been focusing a lot on the little things, how to get the most out of prayer, and scripture study, and going to church. 

Taking plenty of time to pray, have a list of things so that you don't forget, or read your scriptures with a question, put one that inspires you as the background on your phone. I invite you to think of something to do to help you to feel the Spirit even more during the little things :) 

I promise you that you'll be happier, it's inevitable. When we feel closer to God, we are happier :) 

LES QUIERO MUCHO!!!!! 

siempre habra milagros esperando. 

Hermana Skidmore

 

 service in the park!

 

 

the zone!

 

giving up the keys to the corolla to hna sheffer - now in the driver seat! 

 

 

our beautiful church entry! lovin those trees!

 

foto cred - hna gomez!

FIDEL SE BAUTIZOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!

AHHHHHH

BEST WEEK EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Got the news from the Elders in Elk Grove,

meet up with Obispo and the Ochoas at their house... Diana is mysteriously video recording.. AND OUT WALKS....DRUM ROLL PLEASE....

THE HERMANA PITCHER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WAHHHH!!!! We all went to Fidel's baptism together.

I got there and saw him for the first time in forever! 

"How do ya feel!?" - Me

"I don't know.... I just wanna get baptized!"  - Fidel

and he did :) 

Hermana Pitcher and I were talking... we felt like we were able to accomplish what the Lord set out for our companionship to do. 

AND FAM BAM YOU BETTER GET READY TO MEET FIDEL! He's expecting us :) 

Les quiero mucho!

Hermana Skidmore

more email to come!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 this week was nutso... 

day by day - play by play 

READY? 

GO! 

Tuesday - My last Mission Leadership Council... because it only happens once a month :( It was the most powerful meeting I have ever been privileged to be a part of. We talked about change, in ourselves, in life, in general. Through humility and obedience, we can accept the will of God in our lives and more fully understand the Atonement of Jesus Christ in order to change. Something that really hit me - If you think that there is something about you can never change (character wise) you are denying the power of the Atonement. It is there for us to learn, to change, to become better and not only once a week, not only once a day, but to ask for forgiveness through prayer every single time we mess up and then stand up and get to work to not repeat the same mistakes ;) 

Faith brings miracles but Repentance (believing in the power Christ has to strengthen and change us) brings miracles, too. 

And last but definitely not least - a quote from President Boyd K. Packer that hit me in the heart;

"You were once generals in the war in heaven. And one day, when you are again in the spirit world, you will be enthralled with those whom with you will associate. You will ask someone in which period they lived and you might hear, "I was with Moses when he parted the Red Sea," or ," I helped build the pyramids" or "I fought with Captain Moroni." 

As you are standing there in amazement, someone will turn to you and ask, "Which of the prophets time did you live in?" When you say "Thomas S. Monson's" a hush will fall over every hall and corridor in heaven and all in attendance will bow at your presence. You were held back 6000 years because you were the most talented, the most obedient, the most courageous, and the most righteous.

Are you still?"

- President Boyd K. Packer, Quorum of the 12 Apostles.  

I know that Jesus Christ leads His true church today through a living prophet, and what a great honor we have to live up to that potential we knew we had in the pre-existence. What an adventure to discover what we can accomplish with His help :) 

Wednesday - I had my final interview with President Jardine... I had done really good, hadn't cried yet.. because I have been sick this week, my face was already leaking so I tried my best to keep my eyeballs from giving in to peer pressure from my other orifices... ew. sorry. 

We sit down, "How do you feel?" 

"I'm really excited to meet with you and talk to you! But... I'm just sad about..."

and he finished my sentence because I cracked and the water works began!

"...what it represents..." blah. 

We talked about marriage... It was funny. I'll have to tell you that story another time ;) After the interview I was crying and Sister Jardine just hugged me and said.. "your mom will be SO happy to see you..." haha. AHH TIME FLIES SO FAST! I've said so many times this week "I feel like I'm dreaming..." and that might be partly thanks to my good friend, NyQuil.

I'm running out of time! So update on investigators and then pictures! 

We had the chastity lesson with Gxxxxxx... and we are now marriage planners! haha We just have to have both sides to be willing :/

During the lesson, Satan was working so hard to make things fall apart! Her house alarms randomly wouldn't stop, the police showed up, and then as soon as we got to the meat of the lesson... families are ordained of God... no sexual relations outside of marriage... Jxx (the baby) FALLS OF THE COUCH and does a head stand before falling flat on his back hahaha. 

Halloween was amazing :) we had zone training! My last :( 

and most importantly... 

HAPPY DAYLIGHT SAVINGS you sleep deprived, beauties!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Les quiero mucho!

 

 

Hermana Skidmore

 

 

Mission Leadership Council

 

last exchange seeing sister schow as a missionary!

 

 

 

 

feliz HALLOWEEN!!!

right now, the elders are having a discussion about who would win in a fight out of all the missionaries.. so far I'm ranking pretty good hahahahah makin my parents proud ;) 

ANYWAYS

back to bidness!

Guess what!?

Tuesday night, 10PM;

the phone rings, it's President Jardine - not an unusual occurrence but still..

WE GOT ANOTHER MISSIONARYY!!! APT #66 keeps on growing! 

and get this... here's the kicker....

IT'S LEILANI GOMEZ!!! She is from the Monte Vista ward that i served in in Tracy! She is AMAZING!!! She has served a longer mission than me because she has gone out with the missionaries like every day since she was baptized 2 years ago!

It's a dream come true. Me and Shefskies (hna Sheffer) are loving our lives!

Our whole apartment is like a family! 

I can't really remember a lot about what happened this week - honestly everything is starting to blur.. like I feel like I'm dreaming 24/7 it's going so fast.

Good news!

I made it through 2 full REM cycles last night! AND Hna Gomez (Leilani.. which is so hard to get used to calling her Hermana) is a Vegan! It's like living with mom again! Everything organic and healthy.. Aint no body got money for that so I'm still livin off of apple-like pears and wheat bread HOLLER - don't worry mom, Halloween is coming up and there will be plenty of candy corn to fill me up (shout out to Hna Thomas! love dat candy kernnn!:))

-----------------------------------------------------

Speaking of Halloween;

Funny story; Graciela came! She was a cat haha i'll send pictures and Jay and Alex her kids were there, too! PEROOOOO (but) they partied so hard with our ward... They weren't able to get to bed early enough to come to church hahahaah.... aya la vida.. those Mormons ;) This week we were able to have THE most spiritual lesson with Graciela. We watched the Restoration Video about how Jesus Christ restored His church through Joseph Smith and the coming forth of the Book of Mormon. I was praying the whole time that the kids wouldn't scream and THEY DIDN'T! In between breast feeding and talking, we helped her to understand that a false prophet could not have written a true book - and we know the Book of Mormon is true, I know the Book of Mormon is true, because it has helped me to not only know about but know personally my Savior Jesus Christ. Pray, ask. 

She said she would, just like Joseph Smith did, read, and pick a specific time and place to pray out loud and ask God if these things are true.

 Have you? ;) 

Elizabeth (12 year old miracle girl) was able to come to church! The young women loaded her up with personal progress books and all kinds of girly things.. you know how the young women do haha. 

----------------------------------------- 

This week I've been thinking a lot about Faith... we run into a lot of people every day that say they have faith in Jesus Christ - which is AWESOME! 

To me personally, Faith is an action word. It means progress... Faith means that we believe that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, by believing that we can change and improve ourselves, and asking for His divine assistance, that we WILL be changed.. we TRY so that, with confidence y mas que nada joy, we will realize that all the positive changes we have made, have lead us back to His presence. 

To not only return to him , but to remain with Him. 

For more info and a nice... Gospel related kick in the pants, for lack of a better phrase haha...

Go to: 

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/approaching-the-throne-of-god-with-confidence?lang=eng

Les quiero con todo mi corazon,

It's hard to think about the end.. really... like my heart hurts but then I get excited to see you.. it's a roller coaster. I haven't cried yet.. so I'm waiting for that P-Day when I just explode on some poor elder that says "SO HNA SKIDMORE HOW FAR AWAY IS THAT PLANE?" hahaha 

I know that God lives, I know He lives and I know He loves us... because he allowed me to serve a mission.

Hermana Skidmore

Jokes:

Soy milk is just milk introducing itself in Spanish hahahaah VEGAN AND A SPANISH JOKE IN ONEE!!!! 

Elder Ward told me this one.. "Dyslexics of the world - UNTIE!" hahahahahahahahaha 

Morgan's Challenge

Hi family and friends!

As I finish up (ugh it hurts my heart to type those words) and prepare to accept the title of an "RM--a.k.a. Returned Missionary," I have a small request given in the commitment pattern I have learned on my mission. 

I TESTIFY that you are amazing people who will, under the influence of the Spirit, think of something awesome and inspiring in order to fulfill the following: 

WILL YOU write me a letter, doesn't matter how long, of something you've learned in the last year about your faith? It can be a quote that impacted you, a gospel doctrine that's helped you, an experience that made you believe in God, ANYTHING. Send it to me before I end my mission, as a final spiritual boost...

AND I PROMISE YOU that you will be blessed with the opportunity to reflect on how your testimony has grown this year and how the Lord has answered your prayers through small and simple means. 

I am so grateful for all of you and for your support. Please don't feel like this has to be a huge project! Anything, no matter how long, will be amazing! Please try to send it within the next 2 weeks because I only have 4 weeks left and I have no idea how long mail takes :( 

My address:

Hna Morgan Skidmore

8267 Deseret Ave.

Fair Oaks, CA

95628

Les agradezco con todo mi corazon,

Hermana Skidmore

la locura real.

FAMILIA!

I thought it was nutso a few weeks ago.. the craziness continues!

Sorry I forgot a small detail last week... 

WE MOVED IN WITH ANOTHER COMPANIONSHIP OF HERMANAS!

The Rio Tierra Spanish ward now has 2 sets of Hermanas and 2 sets of Elders! crayyy. 

Side note for Hna P - they cover the North Highlands area of the North Elders old area and the North Elders are now on bikes...ahhh. 

It. is. the best thing. EVER. It's unfair how much fun we're having.

Hna Hurley - from Arkansas

Hna Porter - brand new missionary from Indiana and on of the most hilarious people I've ever met.

Just this week, they got their car illegally towed out of the parking spot we thought was ours...we blew a few fuses with our hair dryers.. and there were more elders in our apartment than should ever be allowed in a sisters apartment... which is none. 

They were helping us move furniture and put stuff together so don't worry we weren't breaking any rules haha. If the door was ever accidently shut - we all just looked at eachother super awkwardly...opened the door, and Elder Poulton would yell to the outside "Spirit, come back!" 

MISSIONARIES ARE SO WEIRD.

Then, get this. 

We've been running around like chickens missing their nuggets all week trying to get organized, trying to help all the hermanas that are shot-gunning (opening a new area) and so Hna Skidmore just had faith that everything would be okay.. some how, some way. 

Our faithful zone leaders ran into a spanish man named Santos while they were out one day. Referred us to his family. THE WIFE WAS BAPTIZED IN EL SALVADOR like 20 years ago and wants the whole family to learn! She lost track of the church when she came to the states but God made an appointment and Santos met the elders and the rest... well...

It was a "How the Grinch Stole Christmas" moment. 

Like I'm sayin ; "[Her] heart grew 3 sizes that day." 

They were all sitting there on the couch, listening intently. Soaking it all in. At the end, we all kneeled for Family Prayer and Santos (the father of the family) said it. By the end. there were tears.

TEARS, PEOPLE.

As always, Hna Skidmore had nothing goin on up there... like I was thinking "crying would probably be a good expression of my happiness but I'll settle for a smile that competes with Micky Mouse." 

He said he'd never felt that way before. He felt so warm. He's like "I'm bein a cry baby! This never happens! Thank you so much for coming!" 

Move over family, we gotta make room for these people in mi corazon, you can share the left ventrile... because Leilani still has her spot taking up the whole right ventricle.. just like she does with sides of the bed - CAN I GET A "HEARD THAT" ? haha that dog... is she still alive?! 

So things are amazing. I'm so exhausted in all the best ways.

To top it off, on sunday, on of the relatives of a member, a 12- year - old, Elizabeth, decided she's ready to be baptized. Novemeber 16th. WHEW! :) 

THEN - Zone Conference with Elder Johnson from the 70. Changed my perspecitvie about how to apply my mission to my life. 

He said " I never want to see you.. and notice that the light in your eyes is gone because you haven't been reading your scriptures." 

Same to to you, queridos. I want to see that light in your eye balls shining from down the terminal. 

I love you with all I've got. God is good and He lives, Everything is going to be okay because Jesus Christ is our Savior and the Church has been restored.

I love being a misisonary and I love you.

Con amor,

Hna Skidmore