Elder Skyler Munson

Baptism this week!

Email - November 24, 2014

MUM! Ah...you don't have to worry about the shoes...ah you're amazing. We are seeing Elder Cook tomorrow, so that is no worries. Small to stuff in the box...Almond Joy Pieces? Hahaha! I'm so glad that you got the memory cards! I''ll be happy to get them back cause the one I have here with me is nearly full, so you'll be getting one in return pretty soon! Ah, Mum, you are too kind about the food as well! Honestly, wow. Thank you.

It sounds like things are going amazing at home! that is so exciting for Peyton and Rob! I am so happy for them! They are amazing! Wow, CONGRATS! And, Tanner! I'm sure he is at the top of the list for the academies. I'll continue to pray for him! What a BEAST!

Things are going well out here! Yes, you are right that it is super cold lately! But, no worries. I'm warm.

We have a baptism this week! On Saturday, Nathaniel will be getting baptized! He has asked me to baptize him! I was honoured when he asked, and we have a lot to get ready this week for it!

We had MLC on Friday! That was really good! We learned a lot and have a lot of good ideas to push the work forward! There is a huge Christmas initiative that is happening throughout the world by the Church! It is going to be the focus of this whole transfer and we have a lot to do to institute it properly!

We are teaching this really great family! A____ and M____ and their 4 kids! They are simply amazing. The only problem was that they are not married! but when we told them that they needed to be married to get baptized, they were like, "Ah, ok well we will to the registrars office tomorrow and schedule a time to get legally married!" It was amazing! They really did go and check it out. There is a little complication...But, we are trying to find a way around it. We will go to the registrars office sometime this week to try to get things figured out and see if there is another way!

This work is simply amazing! Every week is a testimony builder to me! I love it so much and I am excited to be here!

I can't believe that it is Sam's 20th today and that Thanksgiving is in just a few short days! A guy from the ward, Andrew, is having us, Kerry and Simon over for Thanksgiving dinner! That will be nice!

There is always so much to do out here! It is just crazy! Christmas will literally be here before we know it and I can't wait! I love you all so much and thanks for all that you do for me! Have a great week!

-Elder Skyler Munson

"Elder Johnson!"

"Sister Steffensen, from Norway. aka Rapunzel!"

"Nathaniel!"

"MTC group at MLC."

"Apple store selfie!"

A WHOLE FETCHING FAMILY!

Email - November 17, 2014

Yeah, really not much time today! I'M SORRY GUYS! But, I had a great week! My new companion is Elder Johnson from Canada! And, I did pass my driving test! He and I will drive collectively a lot of hours this week! We have already driven 8 today and still more to go. Tomorrow, we are driving all day and Wednesday to help with moves! So, I'll hopefully be able to find time to email more! But, either way, I love you and thank you for everything! Mum, thanks for checking on the shoes! I think by the time you bought them and send them here it would be way too much money. It wouldn't be worth it! It's ok:) Thanks though:) Oh, and we met a family this week that came to a fireside on Saturday and to church on Sunday, AND THEY LOVE THE GOSPEL ALREADY! A WHOLE FETCHING FAMILY! I'm happy.

HAVE A GREAT WEEK!

Love,

Elder Munson!

"Final picture with Elder Popa."

Coolest miracle!

Email - November 10, 2014

SOOOO SICK! Congrats to PG! [The girls' volleyball team won state! Three-peat!]

Ok sorry this won't be the best email! It's Elder Popa's last p-day so we are having the whole zone come to reading today and we have to go get things ready! But, things are amazing!

I'm nervous for my driving test this week! I pray and hope it will go well though!

Yeah, this last week was interesting! W lot happened mostly cause Elder Popa goes home this week. So, that is pretty weird! But, we knocked on a door of what we thought was a less-active member's home, but turns out he didn't live there any more. But, the person that answered the door let us in anyway and we started talking and such and then we could tell this guy had a European accent so we asked him where he was from. And, he responded, "Romania." Elder Popa and I just froze and didn't say anything for a few seconds. Then, they started speaking in Romanian and the other guy couldn't believe it. Then, he ran upstairs and got a couple of his friends (also Romanian) and Elder Popa just taught them and it was so sick! Meanwhile, there was a guy from Algeria as well and so, I went and spoke with him in the kitchen whilst Elder Popa spoke in tongues in the living room, and they all want to see us again and learn more. It was the coolest miracle! We all knelt for a powerful prayer when we left! It was a good night!

Time honestly is flying! Yeah, Mum, 7 month mark!? What the heck!?? Oh, yeah Mum, we had that lesson in priesthood a few weeks ago! It's a good one! I'm glad you got a lot out of it! :)

WEBER finally picking up the big W! good for them! also congrats to Tanner! Seems like things are getting intense with him!

Time has flown by so fast!!!! I love you all so much! Thank you for all that you do for me! Have a great week! :)

Love,

Elder Skyler Munson

"This is Nathaniel! He'll be getting baptized in the near future! We hung out with him and went to lunch with him on Wednesday!"

"Amazing Oxford!"

My feet are getting soaked!

Email - November 10, 2014

Wasn't there some deal with Mr. Mac or Ecco or something that if I get holes in my shoes they could be replaced? I don't know. My feet are getting soaked! hahaha

I miss you guys a lot!

Email - November 3, 2014

Dad, that is a really cool experience in California!

I'm so happy for Grandma and Grandpa about their new calling! That is awesome for them.

This week was pretty great. We had a lot going on. I had two exchanges this week...one with Elder Tidwell! and one with Elder Cooper.

And yeah, my driving test keeps getting moved. I think my instructor just REALLY wants to ensure that I will pass. Cause if Elder Popa leaves and no zone leader in Reading has a license we are screwed. Cause after interviews with President this last week, President hinted that my new companion doesn't quite have his license yet either. But, I'm closer than he is, so I need to get on it! Ha ha, but my test is hard set for next Wednesday! So, that is good. I think it will be alright.

We had a ward Halloween party on Saturday night! It was pretty good! A lot of people came! There was a lot of food and good games for everyone to play! For not being a very big holiday here in the UK, it was quite a nice little party with loads of decorations even!

Sorry, we are in a big rush today cause we are going up to Oxford for p-day cause its a sister in the zones b-day! It should be fun. It is crazy next week is Elder Popa's last p-day! I just can't believe that!

Oh. so Simon our ward mission leader, he went to DC last week for like 5 days and he asked if he could bring me back anything. I told him a couple things I might like if he came across them, and he came back with like a big full grocery bag!!! Anything i had mentioned he got like 3 or 4 of that thing! Haha, he is the best!!!!! So many goldfish crackers! :) haha

I really hope all is going well back home! As for the work here, our investigator N____ now has a date to get baptized November 16th! So, that is exciting! We are also now teaching a really smart Chinese guy named S____ who is studying at Oxford but lives in Reading. He is the man, and I think he will get baptized in the near future as well. We had a really spiritual teach with him on Friday evening.

Honestly, I love where I am and what I'm doing, BUT I really miss you guys a lot! And, Sawyer. I hope you all have a great week! LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! Thanks for everything! Oh, and I put a letter in the post as well, so hopefully that will be there REAL QUICK!

Oh, and Mum, about applications and stuff for uni, I have no idea what I would need you to do. haha I'm sure there is something that will need to be done in the near future?

LOVE YOU!

-Elder Munson

"Brother Dave Miller was Piglet! Ha ha!"

"Brother Pauna, he one I played baseball with a few weeks ago!"

"Brother Pearce. Hans Solo!"

"His cute baby was R2D2!"

"The whole fam!"

"Paul drew me a picture!"

"Reading district meeting."

"Crawthorne district meeting."

"Crowthorne Elders....Elder Cooper and Christensen."

This week was great!

Email - October 27, 2014

Ok, so many things happen every week! There are a lot of things left out in every email, I'm sure. But, I'm doing my best! haha

First of all, no I'm not officially a driver yet unfortunately. The instructor moved my date again. Ah so frustrating. I really need to get it before Elder Popa leaves.

Those videos of Tanner are hilarious! He is so funny. And, the bandage that he has to wear on his head makes it so much better.

This week was great! Abdul, our recent convert, passed the Sacrament for the first time yesterday! THAT WAS AMAZING. He also came out teaching with us earlier in the week! He is doing really well!

Elder Popa and I have been trying to do as much work as possible in a village in our area called Twyford. It' really nice there with a lot of nice people so things are looking good. But, yesterday we were there after church doing some street contacting before we went to a dinner appointment... and we came across this born again, British guy named P____ who said he knew a lot about our church and that he had even been to it to do some family history research. It was interesting. Anyway, long story short.. he starts talking about the temple and what goes on in the temple and how he knows "everything." He has watched temple ceremonies on YouTube and studied all the church AND anti stuff in the world! haha This guy really thought he knew a lot about Joseph Smith and the Bible and such. He was pulling out all the big guns and the supposedly "offensive" stuff to Mormons. haha Elder Popa and I were trying to speak with him nicely in a normal conversation, but this guy would not stop talking and taking hits at the Church. So, we stopped being so nice. We pulled out Bible verses back at him and confounded him and rebuked him and told him that he didn't know who Christ was...well, Elder Popa said that part. It was kinda brutal looking back at it. He was taken aback that we were able to come back at him with using only the New Testament and not referring only to the fact of the normal "the Church is true" points, and he was like, "why don't all Mormons actually answer questions using the scriptures, and not just Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon" hah He made some good points that our Church can look really robotic when you hear EVERY SINGLE person say the usual..."I know Joseph Smith was a true prophet," and, "I know the B.O.M is true," and all that stuff. That was what he was expecting us to say back to him. But, because we responded the way we did, he started being really nice to us and gave us his number and address and wants us over for dinner next week so that we can talk further! Hahahahaha!!! This guy I don't think will join the Church anytime soon, but it was good that he realized we're not just brainwashed weirdos that say we know Joseph Smith was a prophet just cause we were taught that since we were little kids.

The bottom line is that Jesus is our Saviour. Yes, prophets and the Book of Mormon are important, but nothing will ever compare to the infinite atonement and love from our Saviour, and the full truth about him, and how to be like him can only be found in our Church, and that is just a pure fact.

I can't believe that October ends this week! WHAT THE HECK!? Then November will be here and that means that Elder Popa goes home soon. :( Ah! I'm nervous for getting a new companion!

I love you guys! THANK YOU FOR ALL THAT YOU DO! Things are going well and I love the gospel! Couldn't ask for anything more right now!

Love, Elder Munson

"The streets of Reading."

"This is the car park for our flat."

"Had exchange with the APs earlier this week."

Feels like I was back at home...

Email - October 20, 2014

"Family History set up in the town centre."

"Two African families made us Fufu this week! AHHH I WAS SO HAPPY.

Feels like I was back at home or something."

"Fufu and Fish Agusi (Nigerian)."

"Fufu and chicken and pepper soup (Ghanaian)."

"Played some catch last p-day with Brother Pauna.

He is from Australia and played a lot of ball there."

"Elder Mössner made me some nice bread on exchange!"

Mission Leadership Conference

Email - October 13, 2014

OH MY DAYS!

Email - October 6, 2014

WOW! What a week of college football?! That is brutal for 14-19! That is going to go down in history! Ahhh...where in the world did Miss St come from!? Ahhaha nice.

I'm super glad that dad was able to talk with Sawyer for a while on Friday night! He emailed me and said that he was super happy to be able to talk to him and catch up! Sideline hook ups! ;)

Anyway! Yeah, this week is going to be crazy...may not be able to email much today but hopefully Wednesday I will be able to again!

Oh my days, how about Conference this weekend!? It was amazing. I learned so much! Honestly, I don't even know if I could narrow it down to my favourite talks. I loved Elder Cook's from the Priesthood session, ah so much! That was amazing. Also, Elder Holland's talk OF COURSE! He is so powerful...and President Monson's talk to close the Sunday morning session. Oh, and also President Uchtdorf's from the Priesthood session was nice! And Tad R. Callister's was great! It was all just amazing! Oh, and how about the prayer from Elder Dube of the Seventy?! hahaha SUCH A BOSS! Representing Africa!!! hahaha We love him.

We have been engaged in so much service - it's been awesome. Nearly everyday we are serving either a ward member or an investigator..

But, one service project went a little haywire on Thursday...and it was just nuts! But, I'll have to explain the whole thing on Thursday hopefully when I have more time!

So, Sister West goes home today which is nuts! Elder Popa and I have to drive down to the Portsmouth Zone to pick up some sisters who are going home. So, I will be able to see Sister West at the temple today and I am excited about that!

Ah, I love this gospel and being a missionary! I just can't believe how fast time is flying?! Have I really been with Elder Popa for a full transfer?!

I love all of you and I am so grateful for all that you do for me and the support that I feel from you!

Love, Elder Skyler Munson!

"Doing some service."

"Oh, and I got a grill!"

A Few Pics

Email - September 29, 2014

"Abdul!"

"Harry Potter's uncle's house."

"Harry Potter's uncle's street."

WOW the weeks just fly by!

Email - September 22, 2014

WOW the weeks just fly by!

I am so happy that the Ogden Temple finally is up and running again. Just in time. I'm excited to have a temple near to where I will be living!

We had a good week here! Saturday we were able to go to the temple with our investigator, A____. He is from Sierra Leon and is getting baptized this up coming Saturday! Elder Popa and I have also been traveling a ways away every week so he can teach this Romanian guy, and he is also getting baptized on Saturday. So, it will be a crazy weekend for us!

Thursday night - Saturday morning I was on an exchange with on of the AP's, Elder Idso. He's a nice guy from Logan, Utah. It was a lot of fun! I was able to learn a lot from him.

Sister Finch, the sister that was in the hospital, was released! So, that is good! She is recovering well and hopefully will be able to continue on with her missionary service as she was able to before!

Elder Popa is nearing down to only 8 weeks! So crazy! He isn't getting too trunky...kinda, but mostly joking about things! haha It's pretty funny.

The test for my license is October 21st officially. We are trying to get it moved up, but it's not looking like that will be possible.

I really think and hope that I will be with Popa till his end! I don't see why I wouldn't! But, I guess we will see in like two weeks! We will know what is going on. :)

I'm so happy for Peyton that she got her blessing! Actually, that is pretty cool that we were all able to get it from the same Patriarch!

Thank you so much for the talks and the letters and the sports updates that I received this week! Always a highlight!

We have really been focusing on members lately and doing service for them and building up our relationship with the ward, and it has been really successful!! We have had opportunities to be able to serve many people, and they have talked to their friends and now we are going to be doing service for quite a few non members this week. So that will be awesome!

I gave a talk yesterday in Sacrament Meeting on trusting in the Spirit! I think it went well. I enjoy speaking.

I love this work and I love where I am! Things are going well! I love you and miss you all! Thank you for all that you do for me! I am so blessed!

Love, Elder Munson

Today was just nuts...

Email - September 15, 2014

Wow, ok so today was just nuts...

We helped a member move for a couple of hours in the morning, then we have planned to visit each District for p day so today's day was Oxford, so we drove all the way up there! And, also there is a sister in the Zone who is in the hospital and facing possibly having an operation, so we were running things around for her, and we just have not been able to do anything today. I'm sorry this won't be the best email!

There is a girl from our ward here named Kerry who is visiting the states this week and next week and she wants to meet you guys when she is in Utah, so I gave her your numbers and she is probably going to get a hold of you! haha

This week was good. Our investigator named N____ came on a teach with us to teach someone else! IT WAS INCREDIBLE! He was testifying how the Gospel helped him quit smoking and stuff cause our investigator that we were teaching has been having a problem with it! It was just so cool!

That is awesome that Tanner got his Eagle! WOOOHOO!

Time is just flying by. I can't believe that it is Monday already...sure didn't feel like a Monday at all! Nuts!

I hope you guys know how much I appreciate all of the letters and money and love and support! It's amazing! I need to get a letter in the mail soon cause I filled up another memory card so expect that sometime soon!

Have a great week! I LOVE YOU ALL!

Love, Elder Munson!

"Elder Bógnar is in the Reading Zone. :) He is training a new missionary!"

"Went to the temple with their investigator cause he is Romanian!"

"We have an investigator that works at Costco and he gave us a full pizza! :)"

"Sooo, the Hells Angels have a "gang house" just down the street from the sisters' flat. We saw them pull up on their bikes a few days ago! haha Sketch!"

"This is Kerry."

Lovely random email!

September 13, 2014

We met your lovely Elders today! We are serving in the Air Force here in England. Just thought I'd share a picture! They are great young men!

-Tim & Ami

Wow, what a week!

Email - September 8, 2014

Wow, what a week! But, I'll answer your questions first! Yes Elder Popa is still trying to get in to BYU. He applied to Provo and Idaho! He is just waiting for the response. I think he'll at least get accepted to Idaho! And some thank you notes would be great Mum, thanks! And, I'm good on toothpaste and deodorant.. it's no problem:)

So, I can't believe we are already starting my third week of me being with Elder Popa in Reading! Time is flying. Honestly, we get up leave the flat at 10 am and usually don't come back till around 10 p.m...working hard as ever! The Lord is blessing us so much in our area to be able to have people to teach! We have 5 solid investigators! And, we had 6 people...all 5 of the solid investigators and 1 other, come to church yesterday! That was so stressful but so sick!

One of our investigators, P____, is awesome. We have been meeting with him EVERY day and he has come to church the last 2 Sundays. He loves us so much and is willing to listen!

We also have an investigator named N____. He has a date to get baptized on the 25th of next month. We set a late day with him cause he [has some challenges with the Word of Wisdom] and so we thought we would give him time to be able to quit properly! But, he told us just earlier this week that he has been clean for nearly a month now...so before I even got here, whilst he was meeting with Elder Popa and Grace, he stopped...which is amazing! They didn't even know he stopped completely! He is awesome!

It's been a weird adjustment being around British people again. Church is more organized, but the friendliness of Africans just can't be matched! haha And, African food can't be replaced either! But, the members here have been quite good at having us over and feeding us.

Tomorrow is our Zone training, so Elder Popa and I are in charge of training the whole Zone on the new vision for the transfer. President Millar will be in attendance and will give a presentation. Due to mine and Elder Popa's schedule, we have yet to prepare our 40 minute presentation to the Zone, so that's what our day will consist of today. :)

I honestly love being here doing what I am doing. Time just keeps going faster and faster though! I don't know what to do! It's all coming to an end so fast it seems. I know I still have a lot of time and a lot of things I need to do here in England...but, the time is running low!!!

Ah, with football season being in full swing, it makes me have such a desire to be working out in the morning! It's cool to think I'll be on the field (or sidelines at least) next season. Ahhh FOOTBALL SEASON IS THE BEST. That's cool that you were able to see some old friends at the PG game.

Tell Grandma and Grandpa that I love them and miss them! I hope you all have a great week! And, thank you so much for all that you do for me and all the love and support I feel!

Love, Elder Skyler Munson

"DLC photo! These are all the District Leaders and Elder Popa and I in the

Reading Zone! Solid bunch!"

Far left: Elder Caruso from Italy. [Elder Popa] Green tie: Elder Tidwell from Kaysville. Middle: Elder McCappin from Australia. Red tie: Elder Cooper from California. And the one next to me with black hair: Elder Mossner from Switzerland!

"On exchange with Elder McCappin from Australia!"

"Like bosses!"

Amazing!

Email - September 1, 2014

HELLOOOO! Ah, things are so good! Honestly, like it's just great! There is so much to be done, but it keeps us busier and I couldn't be happier with where I am!

On Friday, we had MLC - Mission Leadership Council. All the Zone Leaders and Sister Trainer Leaders and the AP's and President met and had a really long meeting and training session and a good council together. We discussed how we can best help the work in this mission. We have had the highest baptizing month in 5 YEARS in this mission. It was amazing! But, we need to keep it going. Sooo..,we were stumped...so, we decided to pray as a MLC, and every one of us kneeled down in the chapel and Elder Popa offered a prayer to our Heavenly Father asking to guide us in what we should do and plan for the mission, and we sat and talked and proposed ideas. It may seem pretty normal or something, but honestly, this was the most spiritual experience I have had in not just my mission but my life, apart from the temple. We are turning the mission into something that it hasn't ever been before. Everything is going to change starting this transfer of how ELSM works, and it will be amazing. This is what the Lord wanted for the mission. He told each and every one of us in this council. It's things that can only be described if you were there, but trust me, things will be awesome!

Elder Popa and I have taught so many quality lessons this week and have found two new investigators who came to church on Sunday. One is English, the other is from Greece. We also spent MANY MANY hours planning and preparing presentations and meetings. We have a training meeting for all the District Leaders in the zone tomorrow. There are 5 districts with 28 total missionaries in the Reading Zone, plus two senior couples...so, a lot to look after and take care of! But, it's amazing. The Woodley Ward is amazing! That is the ward that Elder Popa and I are in. They meet in the Reading building. Member missionary work is better here than it has been anywhere else. We had a member with us in nearly all of our lessons this week.

Elder Popa ends in November, so he has two more transfers left! Luckily! hahhah There is a lot to do as a ZL, accounting to the AP's, exchanges, training plans, and loads more I just can't even think of right now, but I love it. I'm learning a lot!

We have a nice flat. it is a big complex of flats and has a gym and everything! SO I'M GETTING PROPER EXERCISE! It's awesome! Oxford is in our zone! So, I am excited to go on exchange there. ;)

Things are amazing! There really isn't much else to say! I'm happy, working hard, and learning a lot! I'm sorry this email my not be as detailed as you hoped. So much happened this week it's all just morphing into one memory and I don't even know what day things happened on besides MLC and church...haha

Thank you all for everything! I am so blessed! I hope you have a great week!

-Elder Munson

"Ward BBQ in Mitcham."