Helmet Hair and Eternal Salvation

ayeeeee mis queridos!

This is gonna be fast again!

GUESS WHAT GUESS WHAT!?

We are teaching 2 families and they BOTH came to church!!!!! Yesss! 

La Familia Paredes - we found them last Sunday tracting and talking to everyone, right when they opened the door and they were all standing there like picture perfect, we knew they were special, they're so funny and their daughter looks like a white girl, blonde hair blue eyes but she speaks spanish like the mexican that she is haha. MAN DON't Mess with my mind! - Dad what movie? She's 10 and hilarious. we're talking about the Gospel and it's like SQUIRREL  - I want to learn to play the piano! haha  

La Famila de Cari, Jose Luis, natalie, and Sophie - Came to church again! We had a break through with Cari this week and she told us all about her life. It's amazing the things that people have been through... and they turn things around and work really really hard for a better life. She said that her kids are her motivation for everything. We explained that everything we've experienced has been experience before by our Savior Jesus Christ, he understands, and through baptism we can be completely clean. It's the greatest miracle of all to see God change a heart. 

Fun facts:

- Toilet paper was on SALE TODAY WOOOOO!!!!

-Spanish people have their front door mats backwards

- On exchanges, someone tried to convince us that Jesus wasn't perfect.

- After 9PM if I'm really tired - I start to talk like Kronk from Emporers new groove,  

- People still talk to us on biking days, THE GOSPEL IS SO TRUE. 

Fam bam, I know that these things are true. We have seen so many miracles as we put our missionaries first, we haven't been in our own area very much but we trust that as long as everyone else is doing OK, things will fall into place so that we're okay, too. Our Heavenly Father is so aware of us. He love you so much. The Atonement is a big thing that covers all of humanity, but it is also the thing that is so individual. 

I love being a missionary. 

siempre suyo, 

Hermana Skidmore

Alright Stop, Gird up your loins and Listen

HERE WE GOOOOOO!!!

BEST WEEK OF OUR LIVES!!!!!

This will be fast, hermanos y hermanas but here we go! 

Jorge (george) got baptized. He did. Yes. Dominic held him under the water extra long just to make sure all the dirty was out of him haha. They had this negotiation about how long Dom was going to hold him under. BUT GUYS! It's about following the example of Jesus Christ!... Boys.. haha. 

So this is his story.

Jorge was a lost kid. He's 19. Wasn't doing much with his life. Didn't know what to do, where to look, never been religious. But his Uncle (hermano salinas in our ward) was looking to reach out to someone. He remembered that his brother had a girlfriend.. and that they had a son.. but had never heard anything else about them. To facebook! They found each other and Jorge's mom expressed that Jorge needed some change. He started visiting the Salinas home and noticed something was different. Something felt different.

He started hanging out there more and more. They said, "Okay, but if you're here, you abide by our rules, and we go to church on sundays." Jorge agreed to go.. but said "Don't even think about converting me. I'm not into all this God stuff but I'll go.."

4 weeks later we get a call. It's hermano Salinas.. "Hermanas, que se tiene que hacer para bautizarse?" 

Who wants to be baptized, hermano?

Jorge.

We were at their house 4 days in a row and Jorge was ready.

He's amazing. We asked him why he wanted to be baptized he said "it feels right. I want to be clean. I want to be right with God. Ever since I've started all this, things are working out. I feel happier. I'm happier than I've ever been and I actually have a relationship with God. I want to get rid of my past and start over. I want to be clean. I want to really understand what my brother Jesus Christ did for me." 

So fam bam. He's a miracle. 4 weeks. 

I know that the gospel is a feeling. That we say.. "I know" when we bear our testimonies but the reason that we know is because we've FELT. I'm not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints because my parents told me it was true, I'm a member because I've felt it. I've felt the familiar feeling of my heavenly home as I've gathered with my family to pray for rain, or a job, or a test. I've felt that feeling as we all go to Church together. I've felt that it's true when our world explodes, nothing goes right, but we still laugh at family dinner. I've felt that feeling when I've fallen to my knees in my room alone at night because I just don't know what to do anymore and I don't know where to turn. I've felt that feeling as I've become more and more dependent on my Savior because I know that He understands. 

I know because I've felt. and Jorge does too. He knows the basics of the Church. but it's the feeling se llama El Espiritu Santo that is the reason he decided to change his life. 

Alma 5:26.

I love you all so much. I love being a missionary. I love my Savior and I love this Gospel. I know it's true. I know this is the true church. I know it. I know it. I know it. 

Con todo mi corazon,

Hermana Skidmore

Learning and Returning

Que tal mis queridos!?

Okay, woah. Ready for this? 

La Familia Machuca... dropped us. Hard. It was rough. I've already sufficiently beat myself up about it, so we count our blessings and move forward. Leydi (the awesome 16-year-old) also hit a road block.. her parents said no. 

Enough of the storm clouds -

Watch this video. applaud. cry. see it. love it. let it change your life :)

www.mormon.org/becauseofhim

The Church made this video for Easter and it really changed the whole way I view the Savior and what he did for us. I think so often we don't realize how what He did applies to us... we focus on the fact that He suffered so much.. but HE ROSE AGAIN! He lives. He lives and He leads His Church. He was born. He worked, He grew up, He suffered and died for us, and He resurrected. And so will we. 

LA FAMILIA MORALIS! La mama se llama Inez and they're doing so well! They all came to the primary activity this saturday (sending pics!) We had an amazing lesson with her about our purpose as missionaries and our purpose as children of God. Something like this:

"Inez, before we were born on Earth, we lived with Heavenly Father as Spirits, we wanted to learn and progress and have bodies like His so he created a Plan. He said, "Inez, Will you go down to Earth in order to learn and progress, it's going to be hard, but I promise I will bless you. And, Inez, will you come back to me?" What do you think you said, Inez?"

"Pues...sí."

"Exactamente. We passed through a veil and forgot everything so that we could focus on our lives here. We promised that we would return to Heavenly Father but no unclean thing and be in the presence of God." (3 Nefi Ch 27 v. 19 - Libro de Mormon). And none of us are perfect... so where is our hope to return to God?"

"Jesucristo."

"Yes! God sent us a Savior to show us the perfect way. Jesus came to Earth, organized the His perfect church, and was baptized by John the Baptist who held the proper authority and lived a perfect life. When we're baptized by God's authority we're clean! If we do our best, we can return to live with Heavenly Father again, and keep our promise."

This is our purpose as missionaries... yes. We want to baptize... but our goal is to help God's Children keep the promise that their Heavenly Father so desperately wants us to keep. We invite other to come unto Christ and be baptized in His church by His authority. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  

Our goal is to help Inez make it to the Celestial kingdom, the highest "level" of heaven so that she can see her Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, but the baptism is the door. And we're promised by God, the Gift of the Holy Ghost to help us keep making good decisions throughout our lives. That's why missionaries want to baptize so bad! We want everyone to get back to Heavenly Father! So that after this life, God can reach out His arms in love and say, "Welcome, home, sweet child. You did it."

Life isn't just living & dying - it's learning & returning.

Transfers: normally if you're being called to a leadership position.. President or the APs call you earlier in the evening, otherwise the Zone Leaders of each Zone call each of their companionships and tell them their assignments... 

Last night.

8:30PM rolls around.. no phone call. "Hermana Cuesta, I think we're good, champ! We're staying!" 

9PM - I text the Sister Training Leaders in Lodi, "anything?" They answer, "Congratulations! You'll be a great Sister Training Leader!" 

Homegirl say WHAT? I thought it was a joke.. No one had called earlier in the night! 

The Zone Leaders finally call us.

"Alo, habla la hermana Skidmore."

"Hello Sister Training Leader Sir!" - Elder Gray (one of my Zone Leaders)

"Elder Gray, NO ONE CALLED ME! HAHAH THIS IS A SICK JOKE!"

"No one called you...?"

"haha... no..."

"Oh... well that's weird... the APs (assistants to the President) should have called..."

HAHAHA - So... Hermana Skidmore is headed to North Sacramento with Hermana Pitcher (hermana Thomas' last companion!) to be Sister Training Leaders - basically like lady Zone Leaders haha. 

Like raise your hand if you feel inadequate.... it's all good. I'm ready to work hard and learn A LOT. We'll be doing exchanges with all the spanish sisters in the North Half of the mission and I GET TO SEE SISTER SCHOW!!!!! 

I love being a missionary. I know God lives, I know He loves us and I know he laughs. I KNOW God has a sense of humor. that's why I've been called to be an STL.. haha. 

I love you all so much. I know that God is on our side, our biggest cheerleader to get back home! He's pulling for us, don't let go of the rope ;)

Con todo mi amor, 

Hermana Skidmore

hey. hey. hey. hey LEYDIIIIII!

querida familia!!!

We are teaching a new investigator! Her name is Leydi (pronounced Lady) and she is 16! She accepted the invitation to be baptized on May 10th! We found her while we were street contacting one day, we offered to help but mostly watched her family try to fit a giant couch through their front door.. haha. We went back and she was the only one home.. but we had the impression come like, "This is so awkward, but DON'T STOP TALKING TO THIS GIRL!"

She shared with us that she didn't belive in God because no one could give her the answers she was looking for. We taught her to pray. Gotta try talking to Him if you want to know if He's there. Then we're all trying to get to know her like... so... do you like cheese? - name that movie, Mitchell. haha. She actually likes history! Aye. Just so happens I was holding in my hands the history of her ancient ancestors in the American continent. Funny how that works out. SPANISH WORK IS THE BESSSSSS. She loved it. Read more than she was assigned to after our first lesson! 

AND - it gets better. Leilani ( 20 year old recent convert of 2 years in our ward) Is like her perfect fellow-shipper. 

BUT - yeah, there's a but :( Leydi's parents aren't too pumped about the whole changing religions thing.. and Leilani's parents weren't either at first... BUT - another but. sorry for all the buts... This is not our work. This is His work. And miracles happen. yes. they. do. So just like it says in Doctrine and Coventants 123:17 that dad sent to me that one time - We will do all we can and then stand still and cheerfully wait for it all to work out :) haha (in my own palabras) 

La Familia Machuca... have been really busy.. but we had a great heart to heart with Diego on his doorstep. I almost cried. 

"Diego, As representatives of Jesus Christ, I just want to you know that we are so proud of you. It's a privilage to be a part of your life. And I know that if Jesus was standing in my place right now, He would be proud of you, too. But you know what you've gotta do. Put Him first, and everything else will either fall into place, or fall out of your life."

Something like that.. 

Get this; we decided to park at a park (go figure) and walk to our dinner appointment (in the area of the Other Hnas.) On the way back to the car from dinner, this woman walked out of her house to throw away her garbage.. we could have just kept walking.. she was on the other side of the street anyways... but NO HERMANA SKIDMORE YOU TALK TO EVERYONE. so we akwardly crossed the street.. "Hola somos misioneras..." Yeah she wasn't spanish.. haha. 

Her name is Babalasha.. she's from India.. walking out of her house to throw her trash away was the first time she'd been outside in days... "My father is gone..." She said.. "I'm so sad..." In broken english she explained the pain of losing someone and not knowing where they are... she burst in to tears.. there was a few embraces.. (Tay are you so proud of me? haha this is like a recurring theme in the mission..Lets cry and let Hna Skidmore take the long awkard hug..) 

No but really.

- Would you like to know where you father is?

- Yes, can you tell me...? How do you know where he is...? I miss him so much.. will I see him again.

Yes, Babalasha. There is a wonderful book of scripture called the Book of Mormon. in it the Lord revealed the Plan of Salvation. We can tell you exactly where your father is and I promise you, you will see him again. 

I love being a missionary... I can't explain the sense of gratitude that filled me as we got back in the car. Knowing that we were able to be there EXACTLY when the Lord needed us to be in order to bless His children is such a privilage. 

FUN FACT:

We were wlaking along the street doing contacting and saw some people moving. This group of friends that graduated from high school together were helping some other friends move - we offered to help and they said YES! They were all strong in a different Christian church but it was so fun! We moved boxes for 2 hours in our skirts :) and they we all shared Pizza and talked about God. 

Every day is an adventure. 

It's Easter Season todos :) I know God lives, I know He sent His son to live a perfect life, establish His church and show us the way. I know that Jesus Christ died for us and that he resurrected the 3rd day. I know that He lives Today. Now. And I know that he leads and guides His restored church on the Earth today through a living prophet, Thomas S. Monson. 

My name is Hermana Skidmore, I'm an awkward missionary, and I'm a Mormon. 

Con todo mi amor, 

Hna Skidmore

"El Evangelio no es una carga, sino las alas para voler."

AYEEE ESTA SEMANA! 

"The Gospel is not a weight, it's wings!"

- Sister Stevenson- President of the Primary...right? haha

CONFERENCE EVERYONE! CONFERENCE WAS SO GREAT! WOWOWOW 

It is so cool to know that the Prophet, Apostles and other leaders have prayed and fasted for such a long time to know what God would have them say to His children around the world! 

I loved that President Monson talked a lot about how tons of people say they love God, but if we really love him, we ought to love His children as well. Love yo neighbor! 

Other quotes (sorry if they're inaccurate, we were watching in Spanish) haha:

"The Internet is good but is also full of trash.. and we don't play in the garbage." 

"Gratitude is the daddy of all Christ-like attributes." (I'm pretty sure I mis-heard this one...) haha

"Keeping divine commandments brings blessings EVERY TIME; just as breaking divine commandments brings problems... EVERY TIME." I love this because sometimes the consequences of our actions aren't evident immediately. 

Gosh gosh gosh. So many great things! 

This week we taught Diego and the ninos La Palabra de Sabiduria - the Word of Wisdom (AKA the health code that God gave to the prophet Joseph Smith to bless the lives of the members of Christ's Church.) It was hilarious. Everyone drew their favorite food and then we talked about the 5 things we don't eat or drink: Tabacoo, Alcohol, Illegal drugs, Coffee, and Tea. Then we flipped all the papers upside down and one by one flipped them over and the kids had to decided if it goes on the "Si (as in yes)" side of the white board o "No, no debemos tomar.." Diego was laughing like a little girl at the different things his kids drew. He started drinking coffee because his brother does.. but he's like I DON'T EVEN LIKE IT! haha queee bueno! He dropped his baptism date and they weren't able to come to conference but I know they'll get there :) I just hope I'm still here...

La Familia Ortiz came to conference!!!! They are progressing really well! They have had a serious health issue come up in the family. Margarita, the mom, is going through some really tough stuff, and we just kept promising her that if she came to conference she would feel peace and find answers. They came and LOVED it. Espeically Elder Bednar and Elder Utchdorf about gratitude. 

I thought a lot this week about what it says in PMG under "A successful missionary" That "No effort is wasted." sometimes I feel that way.. like if I'm doing my best and preparing really well... then why do we sometimes not get to use what we prepared? Well...

Hna Cuesta and I love the scripture in the Book of Mormon that says : 1 Nefi 11:17 - I do not know the meaning of all things, but I know God loveth His children. 

I'm gonna go ahead and agree with Nefi... God's got it under control :) I've also learned a lot about our Savior's sacrifice. When Christ died for us, He suffered for our sins.. so the redemptive power of the atonement, but also overcame things so that we can find strength in Him... the enabling power. I know that there is no way missionaries could do what they do without being able to call on the Savior to offer just a little more strength.. just a little more "you can do it..and I'll help you." 

I know this Church is the only true church on the Earth today. I know that because I know that Jesus Christ himself leads and guides the church through a living prophet. I love President Monson and i know he is not perfect but that he is chosen by God to do what he does. 

I know God lives. I know he lives because I look into the eyes of His children every day and I feel of the love He has for them. an indescribable and undeniable feeling that just... is. 

Les amo con todo mi corazon,

Hermana Skdimore

La union hace la fuerza.

There is strength in unity!

ALOOOOO mis queridos! 

This week we were slapped in the face over and over and over again - by MILAGROS!

Like woah baby. Tracy is exploding. Everyone in Tracy is looking for the truth. 

We have been blessed with three families to teach! 

I don't even know where to start so I'll just tell you about them really snappy fast.

La Familia Machuca - we had a bomb Family Home Evening with our Ward Mission Leader (Hno Gonzalez) and his family and then the Bishops wife (hna Levy) because those three families all live in the same house. 

I thought my heart was going to burst out my chesty chest when every one was singing the opening song, off key, as ususal :), HAAAYYYYY AMORRRRRR HAYYY AMORRRRR, O QUE GOZO TODO ESSSS CUANDO HAY AMOR!!! = when there's love at home (hymn). 

Then Hermano Gonzalez gave a great lesson about temples. Baptism is the first step but the goal is to be with our families forever and the only way we can do that is if we make it to the temple! 

Hermana Levy is secretly HILARIOUS and really good with kids! julio the youngest - was telling her how he speaks english and spanish and she was super impressed haha. They were talking in Spanish and then in english she goes - gimme fiii = give me a high 5. 

We played this fruit game and everyone was running around, it's like musical chairs except with a grocery store and fruit. haha Diego (padre) was like shoving his kids to the floor trying not to lose. hahaha. then while we were eating, we mentioned the womens' conference was for girls from 8 - 108 and Julio goes... "ya son muertos" under his breath, which means.. they're already dead anyways. and Hermana Levy just about lost it she was laughing so hard.

Hna Gonzalez is the kids primary teacher so Hno Gonzalez asked Joana what she thought of her primary teacher.. He's like "malo? bueno?" Hna Gonzalez is sitting right there, Jonana thought for a second, picked her words carefully and said "eh, mas o menos" which means "Eh she's aightt." hahaha. LITTLE MEXICAN KIDS ARE THE BEST! 

They weren't able to come to church due to family stuff but we're going to see them tonight!

Familia Aguilar: 

Juana, her son Andrew who's 22 and Jenifer (12), and Kevin (19) CAME TO CHURCH! We were late for church again.. haaha like sweet job hermanas... because we made them muffins to get them awake and took them to their house. Juana was like Oh MUFFINS? Let me make Pancakes! hahah it was 8:40 and church starts at 9... VALE LA PENA. It's worth it :) We got there in time for sacrament water (don't worry we stayed after for the next one ;)) 

Jessica and Andrew loved it! The youth did a great job making friends and including them - yesss! Juana and Kevin were a little freaked out because we talked about word of wisdom (what we don't drink/eat as members of the church) and emergency preparedness. haha Like they probably left thinking we eat grass and are preparing for a zombie apocalypse.. DON'T WORRY EVERYONE - Mormons love to eat (maybe a little too much sometimes, like there's no refreshments?! Why did I come!?) haha just kidding :) 

La Familia Ortiz: another member referral! Their daughter, Liz was being taught by the english elders but her parents and aunt speak spanish so they passed the family off to us! They came to church too! and at first we didn't realize it because we were so surprised haha. 

Gosh I'm so happy. After church, our district of missionaries (there's 8 of us in the Monte Vista ward) knelt together to say a prayer of gratitude. The work is hastening. and how lucky are we to be a part of it. 

I've really been working on humility, especially now since things are picking up. Funny how when we ask to develop a virtue, God gives us a chance to develop it. Pray for patience? and He makes ya wait! I know Who's work this is. I am so grateful for this privilege. God loves His children and wants nothing more than to welcome them home with open arms. We just have to give them a chance to remember that they were already taught this plan before they came to Earth. We have to help them remember, to feel the familiar Spirit and the rest will come. 

Les amo a ustedes con todo mi corazon, no se olviden de orar. 

Hermana Skidmore 

no such things as strangers.

ESTA SEMANA! 

Guess who came to church? 

LA FAMILIA MACHUCA CAME TO CHURCH EVERYONE! and they LOVED it! almost took up a whole bench! Diego the dad, and 5 kids, us, and members that just really did a great job making them feel welcome. 

If you think puppies are cute, wait it you sit next to a 7 year-old mexican little boy while he speaks spanish to you during sacrament meeting. haha Julio is the youngest and he was like "Hna, van a pasar el pan? y despues el agua?... porque tengo sed...." hahah

Hermana are they going to pass the bread and water? because I'm thirsty.. good job Julio! thinking of the "living water" during sacrament. 

Julio reminds me of Brodi Sabiston from high school. He's a fire ball but still a good kid and he can use the bathroom by himself. not that that was one of Brodi's strengths.. you know what I mean haha HE'S JUST CUTE. 

Deigo loved Gospel Principles and all the kids got cookies in Primary! And they learned about Jesus! 

We're going over for another Family Home evening tonight!

Oh! I forgot! Last week we did the FHE on Monday night in another member's home and it was THE BOMB! We made the bathroom into the celestial kingdom and baptism was the door to the bathroom. Get it?? then inside the bathroom all of the kids had a Sun with their name on it :) and afterwards all the kids were like "ARE WE BAPTIZED NOW!?" because they walked through the door.. haha. not yet ;) 

Then it was dark outside .. so our water balloon activity was going to be ruined.. BUT we hermanas think on our feet! 

"Let's just throw the water balloons at a target instead of tossing them to each other!"

We get outside. Hermano Enriques says, "aim at the fence!" 

In my head I thought, no way.. we're making this interesting.. So impromptu volunteered myself and Hna Cuesta as the targets haha

bad idea.

we were soaked. but the kids LOVED it. And Diego is so patient and humble and is loving what he's learning. Gosh I love them so much.

So get this,

after church yesterday. I was so happy. I could barely contain myself. We got home. and I decided to kneel and say a prayer of gratitude. 

I was so happy, there was condensation on my eyeballs... like water gathered around my retinas.. this hermana was cryyyyying from pure joy. 

This Gospel is the best thing that I could ever have the privilege of sharing. I know it's true with all I have. There is no way that this much pure joy could come from something that isn't true. 

I know God lives. I know he loves us. I know it because I am becoming more and more aware, the more people we talk to, of the divinity of each and every one of us. We were made in the image of God. and our potential is endless. 

There is strength and peace from keeping the commandments. Sometimes peace is better than happiness because it stays. Happiness is great! but peace is priceless. A confidence in that your Heavenly Father has a plan for you. just you. 

Con todo mi corazon,

Hna Skidmore