I Can Quote Movies Now!

Honey I'm hoommme!! I decided that I should probably update you all on how my life is going now that I am home. It has been a month now since I walked off the airplane which is sad to think about. It was definitely a great year and a half where I grew and changed. As hard as it was I wouldn't change that experience for the world. 

    I was able to really see why we have trials and that they really are for our benefit. They help us grow and become better people, which is the purpose of life. I also learned that there is no other way to find true happiness than by living the Gospel of Jesus Christ as taught in the Bible and Book of Mormon. 

    So what has life been like for me now? Well, I got a job at a small restaurant which has kept me fairly busy during the day. I also work the same time everyday so I am on a set schedule again which has made the transition that much smoother. 

     I haven't started school yet and I am really glad I haven't. I have no money to be doing that right now and it started two days before I got home. So I will be starting up school in the fall. 

     Ok now for the juicy stuff. Do you all remember Jamie? Haha of course you do, and I am sure you are all waiting to hear what is happening with us. I am happy to say that after a year and a half of waiting I came home and we finally made things official. :) He is more than just my best friend and it feels so much better that way. 

     Before I got home I worried a lot about what it would be like coming home to him and how I was going to react when seeing him at the airport. I had no clue what I was going to think or feel or if I would be able to even see a boy that close without turning red. I was nervous (and so was he). That made things kind of comical when I would get emails from my family telling me how nervous he was. I braced myself as I walked off the airplane. As I walked down the escalator all I saw was my first companion (which was good because I wouldn't have been able to find my family if I hadn't seen her haha). As I hugged my sisters and parents I realized that I hadn't seen Jamie anywhere. After I hugged my trainer I saw him and out of habit reached my arm out for a handshake (yep it is as awkward as it sounds, but hey let's be honest that is what we were all expecting). As I said hello I was so excited that he had come and grateful that he was there. The rest of my time with him that day felt comfortable. I was definitely still weird but at the same time I felt ok having him there; it was natural. Yet another thing that made the transition easier. 

      The interesting thing is that I was so nervous to come home and date. It made it easy when my best friend became my boyfriend. I think about having to date other guys and having to flirt with them and that sounds awful. I would not be comfortable having to do that at all. It's moments like that when I realize how lucky I am to have someone I can be comfortable with and don't have to worry about impressing him all of the time. 

     So to say the least I love having him around again and being able to be with him :). 

  Now, on to other questions: was I weird when I got home? Yes but in different ways than I was expecting. I still relate everything to the gospel which makes it kind of weird when we aren't discussing anything about the church....I think it makes it weird for others because they have no idea how to respond to that haha. 

     I am also weird about downloading music and videos illegally. That never bothered me before the mission but now I won't have anything to do with it.  

       I think the biggest surprise to me though is that I don't like music super loud all of the time. I cringe when I get in the car with my sisters or when they get out the speakers at home. I don't know why but I don't like it anymore. I would rather be able to hear people around me while my music is going. 

      Other than that life has been pretty normal. I am enjoying it and the transition has been a lot easier than I was expecting. Life is good.

     Skeeter

"I Have Fought a Good Fight" 2 Timothy 4:7

Mission Accomplished.

Note from her mom:
Allow me to write down the rest of that scripture because it is one of my favorites and it is so fitting for Madi as she most certainly "fought a good fight, finished her course and kept the faith"! Job well done Sister Woods! We are all so pleased with your desire to serve and how you, without a doubt,  gave it your all! I'll give myself a pat on the back since I'm the one that knew you needed to serve!!! I love you and can't wait to see you in two days! Mom


2 Timothy 4:7 - "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith"

I can quote Finding Faith in Christ!

What doing!? Well, I can't lie this has been another fairly boring week. I got to go on my last two exchanges though which was fun! I was back down in Santa Barbara last week with Sister Thompson which was fun. She is a crack up, and still just like me. She says things and I wonder if she is quoting me or just speaking her mind. Turns out her mind just works very similarly to mine :). That was an interesting day. We went to a couple of members home and guess what. None of the people remembered who I am. Ha guess I know which area I can skip over when I come to visit Cali! Ok, honestly I don't expect them to remember me, I didn't get very close to them in those 6 weeks. It is just kind of funny to walk in and have them say that they didn't know me. Anyway, I also had a really fun exchange with one of the sisters in the SLO 1st ward. We were working in SLO 2 (that's my area) and we were literally chasing people down and awkwardly crossing streets to talk to people and it was the most fun that I have had while I was out tracting. Obviously I do that kind of stuff on the regular but it is more fun when it is a game and not just because you have to. There was even a car with a Del Oro sticker (for those of you who don't know that is the high school I went to) so of course I went to the house that it was parked in front of and tried finding out who it was. I didn't find the owner but hey we were able to talk to a young married guy so that works out fine :). It was a good solid day of work and it was just what I needed for my last exchange. 

    Other than that lets see...still no one here knows I am leaving. Should I tell them on Saturday when we get transfer calls or should I just tell them I am leaving the area? Thoughts?

Oh, there is a story that you all need to read! It is called Seminary Donuts. It is so good! I love it!

    I feel like this should be an epic post this week but there really isn't much to report on. We have a surprise meeting in Ventura this week that has us all wondering what is going to happen. We talked to President Felix last night and it isn't ipads (thank goodness). The strange part is that the whole mission needs to be there. My guess is we are getting a quick meeting with a general authority. That would be sweet and the perfect way to end off the week. I guess I will have to wait until next week to let you know what happens!

     This morning I had a cool study. I was thinking about the miracles I have seen in my mission so I started to write them all down. There have been so many cool ones. Some are little but they are all so great and show me how much Heavenly Father really does love all of His children. It made me really thankful for everything that I have learned out here and for all of the people I have been able to meet and the experiences I have been able to have. There is nothing like a mission.

Sister Skeeter

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He is Risen!

Another week has come and gone! And my mindset is starting to change. Ew. Here is the deal, I don't think much happened this week. If it did, I don't remember it. So this is going to be a fairly boring email. 

   Here is something that I realized though. My standards are way higher than I thought they were. We had an awful experience this week when we were teaching an investigator that made me physically and spiritually sick (don't worry it didn't last very long). The cool thing though was I was able to learn from that. This is what I learned: I do care a lot about who I am when I get home. I am terrified of falling back into old habits and not living up to my potential. That means that I am going to need a lot of help from all of you to help me keep those standards. This conference was perfect for me. It seemed like everything they said was geared toward me and helping me stay strong when I get home. I received a lot of help and answers to questions as they all spoke. I think that Elder Eyring was the most helpful but they were all so guided by the spirit. I am thankful for the opportunity that we have as members to have the gift of the Holy Ghost and to be taught by Him regularly. I am also grateful for living prophets and apostles who guide us and lead us toward Heaven. 

    The quote that Sister Burton shared puts my thoughts and feelings into words. she said : "I lift thee and thou lift me and we will ascend together." We are here to lift each other and bring each other back to our Heavenly Father. It is a team effort. Are we pulling our weight?

   Ok, my time is up! I love you all! I am doing well and going strong! 

Sister Skeeter

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I So Excited!

    Mom that title is just for you. So this week was awesome!!! Elder Neilson of the 70 came and spoke to the Zone Leaders and Sister Training Leaders this week so we were down in Ventura on Friday. It was amazing. The spirit was so strong and we were able to learn more about the atonement and the redeeming power and the enabling power. Best thing ever. There is always so much to learn about the atonement! So the cool thing is that he walked in shook all of our hands and then as the meeting started he said that he was there to train us because we are the future leaders of the church (Mom I immediately thought about you and grandma and my patriarchal blessing). Anyway it was a powerful meeting. So be watching for him in General Conference. He will be speaking on Sunday morning right before Elder Holland :). There is one thing better than that meeting on Friday. Here, I will tell you the secret.....SARAH GOT BAPTIZED!!! AND I GOT TO GO!!!!!! :)  (can you see me leaning in to tell the secret in your ear and then me yelling that? I can! haha). The sisters and her purposefully set it up so that I would be down that way so I could get permission to go. And President let me! It was a powerful baptism and I gave the talk on the gift of the Holy Ghost. I am so excited for her! I didn't want to say anything last week about it because I didn't want to jinx it so now I just get to tell you  the good news! So I almost died of happiness this week and I think all of the exclamation points in this email can clue you in on how happy I am about it all. I am so blessed. 

  Also Sister Felix said something funny this week. She gave a talk at a stake conference and said "I bet you didn't know it is almost Christmas!" She then went on to say that this time of the year was the missionaries favorite. She is dead on. General Conference is one of the best times of the year and we missionaries love every minute of it! There is nothing better than hearing what Heavenly Father needs you to hear. I am excited to listen to the leaders of the church and learn from their words, example, and spirit.

    One last little thing that happened. We had to get our car fixed on Tuesday and as we were talking to the guy I noticed a calendar with a Dodge Challenger on it. I asked him if the whole calendar was challengers and he said "Wait! Give me a second!" Then he pulls out another calendar and says "Ask and ye shall receive!" So I got a sweet calendar with cool cars on it haha. Little but still funny, especially because he quoted scripture as he gave it to me. 

   As far as life in SLO it is good! We have been doing a lot of less active work which has been pretty fruitful! We see little miracles through out the day which reminds us of Heavenly Father's love for us. 

Testimony: This week I felt like I was able to have really great personal studies. I have changed them a little bit so that I am praying through the whole thing asking for knowledge and understanding with each individual topic and the greatest thing is that my studies have been so much more productive! I love it! I learn more, understand better, and feel of the Spirit the whole time. My testimony of specific questions and receiving answers was strengthened. I know He is there listening as we pray.

  Well this is a very scattered email, but I think that is about it! I love you all!

Sister Skeeter 

  

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"You Know Enough"

This week I want to talk more about some things that I have been studying. So I will give you a run down version of the things that have happened:

Area: The area is doing pretty good. We are working on doing more finding this week so we are excited to see what is in store! We had a cool miracle on Wednesday. A potential named Carlos called and told us that he wanted to meet with us. We set a time and place and met him there along with a less active member who in the past has wanted nothing to do with the church. After our lesson He decided to start reading the Book of Mormon. Saturday we talked to him and he told us that he was on 1 Nephi 7 now which is so great! He told us that he was also excited for us to come read with him and help him better understand it! We are pretty stoked about that.

By the way HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMA!!!!! Are you really 14 now!? That is crazy! Don't worry I didn't forget your birthday. I just decided to do your shout out today instead of last week. I hope you have a fun birthday party! You are awesome! Keep up the good work! You are the best! Love you!

and Tay Tay! It is almost your bday!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY SMALLS! I can't believe you are going to be 19 this week. That is weird. You will always be my 10 year old little sister. Not sure why, but that is where you are stuck at! Sorry! :) Anyway I hope you have a good one! Keep being incredible and stay strong! You are such a good example to everyone. Don't let that change! love you!

    Ok, so this week I have been studying three different talks. Two are by Elder Bednar. He talks about the Atonement and how that is more than just being forgiven of sin but strength for those who are righteous and always trying. Something new that I have been doing that he suggested was to study grace and insert "enabling and strengthening power" everytime the scriptures say the word "grace". You will learn so much about the Atonement and its purpose when you do that! It is the coolest thing! Take this scripture for example "My grace is sufficient" ok now try this "My enabling and strengthening power is sufficient". Changes it a little bit doesn't it? I love it. One more thing to study when I am at home and don't have investigators to study for! :)

      I was also studying a talk called "You Know Enough" By Elder Andersen. In it he says "Faith is not only a feeling but a decision." No wonder so many people have such a hard time believing. They are choosing not to believe and apply. Faith is an interesting topic.But it was good for me to read that because it helped me to see that when I am struggling and I feel like I can't believe I know that there is something that I need to change and it isn't that I am not receiving answers from God. He loves us and wants us to listen for His voice.

   Well, I don't really know what else to say. It's been a good week and I am having fun with Sister Draney! That's all that matters right? Love you all!

Sister Skeeter

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Another Talk

Well, this week was full of lots of.....driving. We went down to ventura for a meeting with the other Sister Training Leaders on Friday. We didn't get back until, well lets just say that it is the latest I have gotten in at night. We had a really special experience though. I don't want to give all of the details just because it was a sacred time but I will say that I know God watches over us and he is there to protect. I love being able to listen to the spirit and receive revelation. It is such a blessing. I mean how cool is it that we can communicate with the most all powerful being and have the companionship of a member of the God head? Best thing ever. Literally. The apostles have told us that the gift of the Holy Ghost is one of the most precious gifts He could give us. So I am grateful.

   Oh by the way. We drive a mini van. It is a Silver Dodge Caravan. Brand new of course. 

Ok, honestly I have no idea what to tell you all. Sister Draney is amazing. We get along really well and she knows a lot of people that I do. Like my friend Spenser (the girl), and Jeff Spenser's cousin, she knows Jamie's parents reception home, and of course, she knows cousin Dallin. Who would have thought? I guess I know more people and places in Bountiful than I thought. :) Anyway, my companion is funny, she is a total physical touch person, so instead of hugging her I let her give my massages and "zone" my feet (which is basically a massage with essential oils haha. NEVER thought I would let anyone do that to me but I do. Not sure what has come over me.

  And again I don't have enough time to talk about the talk that I read today. It was SO good! It is called "Beware of Pride" by Ezra Taft Benson (and for you older non-LDS people, yes he was the secretary of agriculture under Eisenhower (i think that was the right president). Anyway it is such agood talk. Here are a few quotes that stuck out to me.

    "Pride gets no pleasure out of having something, only out of having more of it than the next man. It is the comparison that makes you proud: the pleasure of being above the rest. Once the element of competition has gone, pride has gone."

    "Most of us consider pride to be a sin of those on the top, such as the rich and the learned, looking down at the rest of us. There is however, a far more common ailment among us-and that is pride from the bottom looking up. It is manifest in so many ways, such as faultfinding, backbiting, murmuring, living beyond our means, envying, coveting, withholding gratitude and praise that might lift another, and being unforgiving or jealous."

     "Disobedience is essentially a prideful power struggle against someone in authority over us. It can be a parent, a priesthood leader, a teacher, or ultimately God. A proud person hates the fact that someone is above him. He thinks this lowers his position."

   and one last one that is So powerful!

 "Pride is a damning sin in the true sense of that word. It limits or stops progression. The proud are not easily taught. They won't change their minds to accept truths, because to do so implies they have been wrong."

   Pride is a nasty game to play. This talk was so good. It helped me to better understand what I need to do to not be so prideful and to be a more charitable person. I love that we have prophets and apostles to guide us today. 

That is it for this week! Love you all and miss you!

Sister Skeeter

Oh yeah I gave another talk this week. It was possibly my last at church.

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