These are the "long-distance" hugs some of the kids made for Elder Skousen (I think they all needed a bath right after, thus the shirtlessness.

Paul's letter from week of June 12, 2012

Glad to hear that you (mom) and MB had a good time in NY celebrating her birthday. I wanted to try and send out a snail mail letter wishing her a happy birthday (I am trying to get better at that) but I do not have her address. It is interesting to hear about certain fashions that are coming out there. Like bright colorful skinny jeans? Who would have thought? Oh also, I got the package. It was about perfect! Especially the pictures that you selected of my friends. It made me super happy to have them. Also with the long distance hugs. Those made me smile a really big one. And the scripture markers are perfect!

So this change I wouldnt say is the hardest change i have hard, because I have learned in my past changes how to better deal with this kind of stuff, but I would say these past few weeks have been very hard. 

BUT apart from all that, we baptized 2 this past week. 

Outside of that, something that I have learned this week is we can get a lot just by asking. I was in a lesson yesterday with my ward mission leader who is 18. And we were in a house of a family where the hermana is 18 and the hermano is 21 and they already have a kid that is almost 2. The guy was a little drugged up, with what I dont know, but he was right enough to the point where I wanted to share the lesson. They had been reading the pamphlet we left them and had a question about the apostasy (wonderful sign!) and so we started to explain. In the beginning it was just like an explanation and I didnt really feel the spirit very strong. I said a little prayer asking for the spirit to be present. By the time we finished and said the first vision the spirit was really strong and we were able to leave with them promising they were going to pray to know if Joseph Smith was a prophet. It is amazing how just a simple asking lead to exactly what I wanted to happen happened. 

I know that this church is true and that if we abide by the precepts of the gospel we can be physically and spiritually healed. Christ lives, and he loves us.

Love,

Elder Skousen

Some pictures from the files that I now finally have on my computer!

Elder Skousen and another Elder going to Honduras.  This was at the MTC in Provo Utah.  I am hoping to get all these people identified at some point!

Outside his living abode in his first area, Mezapa

MTC district

Inside his first place in Mezapa.  It is funny to me that this blue color is one of Paul's favorite colors.

The places the missionaries live in are nice by third world standards.  Mostly they are cement with no interior finishes except a little paint in this case.

Notice the bat in the rafters in his room!

The "bat" came down.  I never did get to hear this story... 

Elder Skousen and his trainer, Elder Lopez.  They were together  for six weeks after Elder Lopez  was released from being the AP, and right before Elder Lopez went home to Guatemala.

The ever present gecko!

A street scene from Mezapa

Notes from Paul's letter from June 11, 2012


Well, I still don´t have a computer to upload photos. But I have around 300 or so to upload so I hope that it will come soon. Today was Pday and because I am in SPS and everything is close we took a hike up to the Coca Cola... It is like the hollywood sign, but it says coca cola. It was a lot of fun. I really really get along with my Zone a lot.

I have been reading a lot in Alma and it strikes me very powerfully just how amazing the stripling warriors were. They were prepared by their mothers to be strong in the faith. They were faced against all odds and only said that if it was what the Lord commanded they would do it, and they would do it without fear. The result, not one of them was lost, and their faith was increased. They were so righteous and I like to think charismatic that Helaman referred to them as his own sons. There are so many traits that I found that I wish I had. But I have been trying to reflect on the blessings that God HAS given me and I know that I have been extremely blessed on this earth. Especially with an amazing family that I would not trade for the entire world. I love you all and love hearing from you. I am sorry that I can´t respond to everyone personally all the time, but I am going to try and write more personal letters. Thank you for all the birthday wishes. I am hoping it will be good.

LOVE YOU ALL!!

It is Elder Skousen's birthday June 13th!

From Paul's letter June 4, 2012

SO I am now in an area called La Smith right here in the city of San Pedro Sula. It is a 180 degree change from my first two areas. It is a city with lots of noise and lots of things happening all the time. It is kind of awesome. 

 I left Coyoles on tuesday and spent the night in Tocoa with the ZLs and everyone else. Then at 2am we left Tocoa to SPS and from then I started working. SO I have been exhausted all week. First two days I was falling asleep in lessons. Fun stuff. But I loved my zone in Colon. It was really hard saying goodbye. My cook cried. A lot. I took a ton of pictures. I will have to upload them a different day, this computer doesn´t have the software and there are people waiting so I can´t upload them right now. But right now in my new district I have Elder Williams from Ohio in it and also Elder Porter as my DL. Which is awesome cause they were like my first two friends practically here in the mission. So I am super pumped for that.

This must have just been a stressful week for everyone cause I have also had a hard time staying encouraged this week. I think it is just cause I don´t know anyone or my directions yet. But it will all come. I have something to learn this change, and gosh dang it, I will learn it!

The church is true! I love my family with all my heart and I know I was placed in this family in particular for a reason. The family is ordained of God. God communicates with us daily through our feelings and our thoughts. He loves us and wants us to be happy and is anxiously waiting to bless us in our daily lives. He has given me so many tiny little blessings. For instance, I mentioned to Elder Ellett the old AP that I knew someone that was coming in (Elder Thalman) and he put is in the same district. Did Elder Ellett do that? (love that kid) yes. But was it a blessing from the Lord? Most definitely.

LOVE YOU

Elder Skousen

This is a family Elder Skousen and Elder Neiswander baptized in his first area, Mezapa

Elder Skousen and Neiswander in Mezapa

The only area with a bike, his second area, called Coyoles

Looks like a P -day activity.  I don't know the story here!

Ocean!  Now Elder Skousen is in the city of San Pedro Sula, but in his last area, there were a few times that he got to make it to the beach.  I bet it was rough to not want to jump in and take a swim!

These are the scripture covers that a member in his mission made for him.  I love them!  These are what I want for him to bring home for me!!


This blog is one of my birthday presents to my son!  I am new to this, so don't expect anything fancy.  I just got his first batch of pictures , so I will post more as I go through them.  We are not sending his SD card back and forth, but he is uploading to Costco for me.  Occasionally, he has time and the right computer, etc, to upload a few on emails, but not often, so I am excited to finally have pictures to share!  Apparently, he can look in on his blog if his family has created one for him.   So... here goes!  and...
HAPPY BIRTHDAY ELDER SKOUSEN FROM YOUR WHOLE FAMILY!  WE LOVE YOU!