Week 24 - Blitz

Apa Khabar Semua!

I am so sorry I didn't write a letter last week. I'm not going to lie. It was a hard week last week. But, I also understand more about the enabling power of Christ's Atonement than I ever have before. 

I am grateful for hard weeks, but I am also grateful for better week like this one!

On Monday, our lovely Senior Couple showed us how to make honey chicken. Have I mentioned once or twice that I absolutely love them and they make me want to be a better missionary? I don't know how missions run without senior couples! Also, I am making honey chicken everyday when I have the access to the ingredients when I get back.

Tuesday, was mostly a travel day, because we had to go to the airport to fly to Kuching for exchanges this week. Somehow we still found time to contact a former potential investigator, and got them hooked on the Book of Mormon. It was a father and his son, and although they have been taught the lessons before, they just need to read the Book of Mormon to get that testimony of their own. Are you reading the Book of Mormon everyday? With all my missionary heart, I plead with you, start reading the Book of Mormon everyday!

Wednesday we woke up in Kuching and I had an amazing day with Sister Christensen. She was exactly what I needed to finish out this transfer out strong! Our day was packed, with everything from a little kid spitting in my shoes, to doing studies in a rainy park, to door knocking with a gang of dogs following us. Some how I still gained spiritual insights. One thing I learned from Sister Christensen is, if you are not having fun on a mission then you are doing it wrong. I think that just kind of applies to life in general though. If you are not happy in life, you are doing it wrong! Learn to laugh! Find peace in Christ. 2 Nephi 2:25 (Sorry, my missionary is showing today) 

Thursday we woke up early to fly back to Miri. At the end of the day, when we had crammed in all that we could in a day to make up for missing a day in Miri yesterday I was pretty exhausted. As we sat down for dinner, there was a family sitting two tables away. I told myself that it was "me time" and that I wouldn't talk to them because I was about to eat dinner. I made eye contact though, and the mom smiled at me. I knew when she smiled we needed to talk to them. 

They picked a day to be baptized that Saturday, and loved going to church on Sunday.

Funny how the Lord works huh?

Friday the zone leaders knew that we had been having trouble finding, so they did a finding blitz in our zone. Where basically everyone in our district would come into our area and find for us for a full day. No other appointments, just straight finding.Because our area is Malay speaking, the Chinese speaking sisters didn't join us in our finding blitz. But there was an extra set of Elders visiting from Singapore. It was a great idea! It also rained all morning! But that didn't stop six soaking wet, determined missionaries! It was an amazing day! By the end of the day, one set of Elders found 4 people for the Chinese speaking Sisters, the other Elders found 3 people two for the Chinese speaking Sisters and 1 for themselves. Even though they didn't actually find any for us, Sister Weddle and I found 6 new people that day four our area.

Sister missionary power! 

Saturday we went door knocking in a new neighborhood we hadn't been to yet. On the third door we knocked on the family let us in. Three was easily at least 20 people there, all extended family, ready to listen to the gospel. But they didn't have a car, and we not willing to take the bus. We left their house without teaching them the restoration, but a Book of Mormon,our number, and with broken hearts. I just know that if you make the sacrifices to gain a testimony God will bless you beyond what you even know. It's not easy for everyone. But the people you see at church all have things they have sacrificed to be there and get a testimony. Just take that extra step and get that testimony! 

Hey! I love and pray for you all! I really hope you have an amazing Thanksgiving! Eat extra pie for me!

Sister Skinner

Oh, I also tried the Asian fruit durian this week. Bought it from the back of a guys truck on the side of the road for 5RM. I am not allowed to send videos, but don't let that smile in the pictures fool you. 

Week 22 - When Life Gives You Lemons

Apa Khabar Everyone!

Miri-cles this week!

Tuesday, our branch mission leader came with us to visit a returning member family. He came in a suit and tie, and freshly shaven. (Of course he had rode his motorcycle there) But it was amazing! We have been trying to start up more ministering in our branch, and he was such a good example. After a very good lesson, the returning member asked us if HE could follow us to other lessons. We decided we could squeeze him.

Wednesday was Halloween! Although I didn't have a costume on. I did knock on some doors. And one man did actually jump when he opened the door and there were two missionaries there. The miracle though was that we found out that the Miri hospital is in our area. We biked over there and was able to meet a women who learned from the missionaries a long time ago. We said a prayer with her over her mom, who was in the hospital. It was very tender and we were able to help her remember the Plan of Salvation.

Thursday, we had asked a member to set up an appointment with a different returning member, and invite us. When he texted us a few hours before they were supposed to meet, and we already had other things planned the day, we told him that we couldn't go and asked if we could reschedule. He told us it was fine and he would just go with another member. Is that not ministering? They sent us photos of their visit with this returning member family, and guess who came to church this week without a push from the missionaries? You probably guessed it. This led to a series of event of the branch remembering their ministering assignments and sending in pictures of them doing their ministering into the group chat.

Three cheers for President Nelson and revelation of ministering! Go change a life! Get your ministering done this week! I promise it means the world to the people you are ministering to AND the Lord.

Friday we met a women we had contacted on Thursday at the church. She turned out to be the most prepared women for the gospel I have ever met. She spoke a lot less Malay than we originally thought and a lot more Chinese. So we taught her as much as we could of the Restoration, and then gave her a tour of the church.  At the highlight of the tour, we stopped in the Chapel. We stood in the empty room, and the spirit was so strong. I felt so happy, and I didn't know why. I turned to our the women, and she had tears in her eyes. 

What that women was feeling so powerfully in that room for the first time, we get to feel every day. Don't forget to look for the Holy Ghost in your life. He is there and you can find him if you search. I promise.

We had to hand her over to the Chinese speaking Sisters. But she is still learning and loving everything!

Saturday our AMAZING Senior Couple threw a Halloween party! There was everything there that is amazing about Halloween. Treats, cute decorations, games, and people in costumes! The branches loved it! Sister Weddle and I even met two new people who love learning about new churches and just decided to stop by.

Sunday, we had the biggest miracle of the week. Sister Weddle and I noticed two men in our sacrament meeting who we had never seen before. We went and sat by them and started talking. One was a member who hadn't been to church in years and said he really loves church, so he decided to come back and bring his friend with him. After the meeting we sat them down and did a restoration lesson. The less active member bore a powerful testimony on the Book of Mormon and prayer.  It really doesn't matter how long it is been since you have been to church. Once the spirit has touched you, I don't think you can ever forget the powerful witness that this church is true.

There is a miracle for every day of this past week. Throw in TWO flat bike tires (the same tire, within 24 hours), getting chased by a dog, loosing a shoe, and crawling under a car to get said shoe (In the rain), and accidentally biking to Taman Tukul. Also having real lemonade for the first time in 5 months (I love Senior Couples!) That was my week. 

I love hearing from you all. I am sorry I don't have time to tell you each individually how much I love you and how much the love and support you give me means to me. Thank you!

Sister Skinner

Week 21 - I Don't Have a Cool Title For This Week, But I Saw Darth Vader This Week so That's Pretty Neat

Apa Khabar!

Hello! What a crazy week! In short, this week we got attacked by a dog, I got told I look Iban, I had my first real coconut, I got followed around by a photographer, and we casually taught the restoration to fourteen people in a day.

Where do I even start?

Tuesday was the day we got attacked by a dog. Neither of us got hurt! Don't worry. We were trying to get up a cement staircase in a narrow hallway, and the dog was at the top of the stairs. But behind the dog was a door of a person we wanted to visit. Every time we took a stair the dog would growl. We debated on the safety of it for a few minutes and then finally just kept taking one stair at a time. About four stairs away the dog just lunged and I will tell you what. I work out for thirty minutes every morning, but my heart has not beat that fast in a long time.We booked it down the stairs, and got away. The dog ran in the opposite direction. We were able to make it up the staircase and to the door!  In a way it was a tender mercy, good for some companion unity.

Wednesday, it rained on us. But literally only for five minutes. The weather here is crazy. If you would like to know what it is like to bike in the rain in Malaysia, just place your exercise bike in the shower, but on your Sunday best dress, hop on the bike and just turn on the shower water to warm. Bike for a few minutes, and then wear those close the rest of the day. It's fun! The people are all what make it worth it though!

 

Thursday we met with a family, who I have gotten really close with my mission. After sitting down, they told me that I was so tan I looked Iban. There is no higher compliment. That may be the highlight of me week. I also love that family, and would go to their house everyday if I could. It is crazy how much love you can feel for others when you are helping them come closer to God. I could never prepare for that before my mission.

Friday, not much happened, besides I tried my first whole coconut. After months of coconut, I decided it wasn't bad, but I like coconut shakes better. It was a good life lesson.

Saturday, was an interesting day. Sister Weddle and I went to a fair, and we were followed around by a photographer. Later that day we were told by missionaries in Kuching that we were on Facebook. So, I am finally famous enough to be followed by paparazzi. I will be giving out free Book of Mormons, with my signature and testimony in them if you are interested. 

Sunday we had an appointment in a place just outside our area. We asked to zone leaders if we could go and they agreed. We spent nearly an hour finding this address. After three people told us completely wrong addresses, we found the house. Except the person we were looking for didn't live there. We started talking to the family who did live there and they invited us in. Slowly more and more people just came and sat down to talk with us. It was one big family of fourteen. We taught them the restoration and they invited us to come back on Tuesday. It was amazing, and you can really see how the gospel is meant for families as it touched all their heats.

The thing is they are just outside our area, so we may have to hand them over to the Elders, whose area it is. We are so sad! But we know it is all the Lords work and the Elders will do a good job.

The church is true I promise! Don't forget to read, pray, and go to church this week! (:

Love and pray for you all 

Sister Skinner