If I were to die today... who knows what it would be from because there's thousands of ways to die, I can tell you one thing... it wasn't suicide. Now I won't lie. Suicide has come briefly into my mind once for less than five seconds. But then I think, "Why end the temporary misery of one person, only to put a thousand others in misery for the rest of their lives?" That's always been something I have thought. I'm going to leave that at that and let you ponder that. Anyway.
If I were to die today... I would still be living on the legacy of this blog by being a missionary in heaven and converting those who have passed away. And I would be doing the same thing I would have been doing on earth.
If I were to die today... what would I want people to know? I would want my family to know how much I love them and how much they mean to me. I would want them to know that they can't dwell on this and they gotta move on. I would want my friends to remember me but to go back to their daily lives. I would want them to eat Wings N Things in my honor. I would want Brennen Eisenhut to eat Jersey Mikes in my favor. I would want Grace Warren to know how sweet and kind she is and how her happy attitude brightens my day EVERY SINGLE DAY. And I would want her to still walk to 1st period without me. I would want Jacob Child to walk to 3rd period without me. And well, I walk alone the rest of the day. JK. I walk with plenty of people throughout the day. I would want my classmates... well we don't need to bring up my classmates. I would want Mrs. Treto to know how much I'm going to miss helping her like everyday. And I would want my teachers to know what great influence they have had on me and my education. I would want everyone in WSB to know that they are a second family to me. And everyone who came to my party. I would want Wesley Dernbach to know how much of an amazing friend he is. Now what about my church leaders? I would want Brother Myers and Brother Osborne and Brother Canihan to know how amazing they are as church leaders and Brother Hunter who just so happens to be my therapist, too. Oh and you can't forget Remie Marshall. She is an amazing friend and I love her to death. There are so many more people I would love to talk about. But if I were to die today... I would want everyone to know they have ALL positively affected me.
Now if I were to die today... WOULD I LIVE WITH REGRETS? Answer: yes and no. There are so many mistakes that I've made that I really wish I could undo but at the same time those mistakes have shaped me into a better person. Yeah I know they are stupid mistakes of things I shouldn't have said but at the same time those things make me learn right from wrong and increase my knowledge. So yes. I do live with regret. Who doesn't live with regrets? If you don't live with regrets then you are doing something wrong. Regretting is part of life. There are things I've done that have gotten me in trouble. So of course I live with those regrets. But with every regret comes growth and knowledge. You become a better person with every mistake you make. I strive everyday to live with no regrets but I'm human and I do things and I don't do things that I later regret doing or not doing. Don't be afraid to live with regrets. Take them in and use them to your advantage. Regrets are there to take advantage of, take them up on their offer, well not always. But yeah I would live with regrets but at the same time no I wouldn't. If I were to die today... my message to all my readers would be to live with no regrets.
If I were to die today... I would hope that I would be missed. I would hope that good things are to be said about me. Now I know that there's going to be haters out there. I don't expect to be loved by everyone. And no one should be cocky enough to think they will be loved by everyone. Someone will always find the bad in you and you gotta accept that. But ignore the haters and focus on the people who look for the good in you because they are the ones that you need to care about.
If I were to die today... I pretty much just wrote my own eulogy. I would hope people know how much I love them and how much they mean to me. I would hope that I would live with no regrets and would always look back on life in a positive way. I would hope that I would missed and loved by the ones who care about me and most importantly by all of you who are my friends, family, and all of those who follow my blog. Thanks. I love you all.
Michael Skaggs
Monday, September 29, 2014
Monday, September 22, 2014
Becoming a Priest
I can't believe it. It's been two years since I've been a Deacon and I've been a teacher for two years. Now I become a Priest this Sunday September 27, 2014.
For those non members, in our church the young men ages 12-18 go through stages in church responsibilities. At age 12 you get ordained a Deacon. Their main duty is to pass the sacrament to the individuals in the congregation. At age 14, you get ordained a Teacher. Their job is to prepare the sacrament by getting the bread and water ready for the sacrament. At age 16, you get ordained a Priest. Their job is to bless the bread and water, so that when the members of the congregation partake of it their sins can be forgiven.
Now as I go through this last week of being 15 and a teacher, I really reflect on the past two years. How have my actions affected me today? How have they affected by ability to become a priest? What will my new responsibilities bring to store? What challenges will they bring? How has being a teacher and deacon shaped me to become the man I am today and helped me prepare myself to be a Priest?
All of these questions are questions that each young man should ask themselves. Your actions affect you greatly and determine your authority to become a Priest. By making correct and right decisions I am able to know right from wrong and prepare myself to become a Priest. Now I know I'm not getting off easy. Being a priest brings on the responsibility of being mature, respectful, reverent, and much more. Its my duty now to be an example to the deacons who look up to me. The whole entire church really looks upon you as an example and you're constantly watched. Much more is placed before you and people's expectations of you become biggger because you are expected to be more mature and more of a role model. Now of course that doesn't mean I can't have fun or joke around but I'm expected to be more mature at church and around adults and women.
But, I still reflect on my years of being a teacher. I really like to give Brother Myers and Brother Osborne a lot of the credit for helping me become who I am today. Brother Myers is probably one of the best leaders I have ever had. Mainly because he's straightforward and honest and that's helped me become a better person. He comes out and tells you that you need to shut up, or that you need to stop doing this or that. He's honest and most of the time honesty is the only way to help someone.
Brother Osborne I have known for like 10 years and oh has he been a great help. His knowledge and testimony of the gospel and how he shared it, really helped me feel the spirit. I always enjoyed his lessons because he has such a strong testimony of the gospel and it really makes you feel the spirit. I was super sad when he was released.
Now Brother Cannihan. Somehow he always comes into the next quorum right when I leave. Towards the end of my deacon years he was put into the deacons quorum. And now as I am about to leave the Teacher's quorum he was put in about 1 month ago. But I still have gotten to know him pretty well. I love him. He is so fun and enjoyable to be around and has such a fun attitude. And he's a great guy. He might look tough and scary on the outside but don't let that fool you because on the inside he is soft and cuddly.
These leaders have really shaped me into who I am today. They know me and know my strengths and weaknesses. They are able to help me become who I want to be. They are great people.
Now as much as I am going to miss those guys, I look forward to Brother Hunter and Brother Earl because I know both of them pretty well and love them both.
I know this church to be true and am so thankful to have it in my life. I'm thankful for my friends and leaders and parents who have shaped me into who I am today. And I am thankful for those who read my blog and for your support. I'm thankful for my sister who is currently serving a mission and for her example. I am thankful for Brennen Eisenhut and his example. I am thankful for the young men and young women who serve the Lord to spread the truth. I am thankful that I can hold the priesthood. I'm thankful that I can become a priest, too. I'm thankful for God and Jesus and the Holy Ghost. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Love you all. Thanks for reading.
Michael Skaggs
For those non members, in our church the young men ages 12-18 go through stages in church responsibilities. At age 12 you get ordained a Deacon. Their main duty is to pass the sacrament to the individuals in the congregation. At age 14, you get ordained a Teacher. Their job is to prepare the sacrament by getting the bread and water ready for the sacrament. At age 16, you get ordained a Priest. Their job is to bless the bread and water, so that when the members of the congregation partake of it their sins can be forgiven.
Now as I go through this last week of being 15 and a teacher, I really reflect on the past two years. How have my actions affected me today? How have they affected by ability to become a priest? What will my new responsibilities bring to store? What challenges will they bring? How has being a teacher and deacon shaped me to become the man I am today and helped me prepare myself to be a Priest?
All of these questions are questions that each young man should ask themselves. Your actions affect you greatly and determine your authority to become a Priest. By making correct and right decisions I am able to know right from wrong and prepare myself to become a Priest. Now I know I'm not getting off easy. Being a priest brings on the responsibility of being mature, respectful, reverent, and much more. Its my duty now to be an example to the deacons who look up to me. The whole entire church really looks upon you as an example and you're constantly watched. Much more is placed before you and people's expectations of you become biggger because you are expected to be more mature and more of a role model. Now of course that doesn't mean I can't have fun or joke around but I'm expected to be more mature at church and around adults and women.
But, I still reflect on my years of being a teacher. I really like to give Brother Myers and Brother Osborne a lot of the credit for helping me become who I am today. Brother Myers is probably one of the best leaders I have ever had. Mainly because he's straightforward and honest and that's helped me become a better person. He comes out and tells you that you need to shut up, or that you need to stop doing this or that. He's honest and most of the time honesty is the only way to help someone.
Brother Osborne I have known for like 10 years and oh has he been a great help. His knowledge and testimony of the gospel and how he shared it, really helped me feel the spirit. I always enjoyed his lessons because he has such a strong testimony of the gospel and it really makes you feel the spirit. I was super sad when he was released.
Now Brother Cannihan. Somehow he always comes into the next quorum right when I leave. Towards the end of my deacon years he was put into the deacons quorum. And now as I am about to leave the Teacher's quorum he was put in about 1 month ago. But I still have gotten to know him pretty well. I love him. He is so fun and enjoyable to be around and has such a fun attitude. And he's a great guy. He might look tough and scary on the outside but don't let that fool you because on the inside he is soft and cuddly.
These leaders have really shaped me into who I am today. They know me and know my strengths and weaknesses. They are able to help me become who I want to be. They are great people.
Now as much as I am going to miss those guys, I look forward to Brother Hunter and Brother Earl because I know both of them pretty well and love them both.
I know this church to be true and am so thankful to have it in my life. I'm thankful for my friends and leaders and parents who have shaped me into who I am today. And I am thankful for those who read my blog and for your support. I'm thankful for my sister who is currently serving a mission and for her example. I am thankful for Brennen Eisenhut and his example. I am thankful for the young men and young women who serve the Lord to spread the truth. I am thankful that I can hold the priesthood. I'm thankful that I can become a priest, too. I'm thankful for God and Jesus and the Holy Ghost. And I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Love you all. Thanks for reading.
Michael Skaggs
Saturday, September 13, 2014
Missionaries and their influence
This post will probably be like a 20 parter because I just have so much to talk about when it comes to missionaries and there influence.
Missionary: someone who leaves their family for a while so someone else can be with theirs forever. I have always loved that definition. A missionary is a true hero in the church. Someone willing to leave their family for 18 months to 2 years and serve the Lord is amazing. Me personally I have had so many missionaries in my life lately. In the past 2 months I'm pretty sure I've been to about 10 mission farewells. I went to Elder Sandstrom's, Hermana Logan's, Hermana Harris's, Elder Conley, Elder Eisenhut, Sister Skaggs, Sister Carpenter, and Sister Eddy. And in that time I've been to one homecoming for Elder Fronk. Now I want to talk about each one individually.
Starting with Elder Sandstrom. Oh My Gosh!!!!!! I love this dude. His testimony for this gospel is beyond belief. I love hearing him talk in church because the spirit just comes to me because of the power he brings. I know he is going to be a great missionary. I just love how emotional he gets when he speaks about the gospel. He just tears up because he just knows the truth of the spirit and gospel and he can feel when the spirit is in a room. He is such a great example. His talent of piano, singing, guitar, and being funny just all goes together and works. I don't know how anyone can be all that but he makes it happen. He is a great man who is out doing great things.
Hermana Harris is next. She is such a sweet girl. She is like a second sister to me. I didn't get to hear most of her talk because I was at Hermana Logan's farewell then racing back over to Pacific Sunset to hear the last few words of Hermana Harris but I know she is a spiritual woman. I was so happy when she e-mailed me back too. I honestly didn't expect her to take the time to e-mail me back and when she did I was filled with joy. The fact that she probably had a lot of more important people to e-mail and she e-mailed me back too. I was happy that she would take the time to do that. That's a true missionary right there.
Sister Eddy. I honestly can't say much about her. I know that sounds mean. She's a nice sweet girl and I am so happy she went on her mission. I know her family didn't want her to and she was struggling but she made the right decision to serve a mission. I am so glad that she chose the right way to go and I know Heavenly Father is super happy with her, too.
Sister Carpenter. This is one of my close friends sister. Sister Carpenter is one of the sweetest girls alive. She is so kind and has such a kind soul. I know she will be a great missionary. I had the opportunity to go to her farewell the same exact day I had to go to Elder Conley's farewell. The spirit I felt while listening to her speak was amazing.
Elder Conley. Holy Crap!!! I loved his talk. How he talked about his struggle of not knowing the church is true, him wanting nothing to do with the church when he turned 18 and so much more. I felt so inspired by his talk because I feel that everyone can relate to that. I loved how he realized he needed to change when someone after high school said something like "it's PJ Conley, the bad Mormon." It hurt him when he said that and he didn't want that reputation. So he decided to change and now he's on a mission.
These are such great influences on me and such great examples of strong LDS youth who do what is right. I love them all and am very happy. I want to write a lot about Hermana Logan, Elder Eisenhut, and Sister Skaggs in my next post.
I love you all and thanks for reading.
Michael Skaggs
Missionary: someone who leaves their family for a while so someone else can be with theirs forever. I have always loved that definition. A missionary is a true hero in the church. Someone willing to leave their family for 18 months to 2 years and serve the Lord is amazing. Me personally I have had so many missionaries in my life lately. In the past 2 months I'm pretty sure I've been to about 10 mission farewells. I went to Elder Sandstrom's, Hermana Logan's, Hermana Harris's, Elder Conley, Elder Eisenhut, Sister Skaggs, Sister Carpenter, and Sister Eddy. And in that time I've been to one homecoming for Elder Fronk. Now I want to talk about each one individually.
Starting with Elder Sandstrom. Oh My Gosh!!!!!! I love this dude. His testimony for this gospel is beyond belief. I love hearing him talk in church because the spirit just comes to me because of the power he brings. I know he is going to be a great missionary. I just love how emotional he gets when he speaks about the gospel. He just tears up because he just knows the truth of the spirit and gospel and he can feel when the spirit is in a room. He is such a great example. His talent of piano, singing, guitar, and being funny just all goes together and works. I don't know how anyone can be all that but he makes it happen. He is a great man who is out doing great things.
Hermana Harris is next. She is such a sweet girl. She is like a second sister to me. I didn't get to hear most of her talk because I was at Hermana Logan's farewell then racing back over to Pacific Sunset to hear the last few words of Hermana Harris but I know she is a spiritual woman. I was so happy when she e-mailed me back too. I honestly didn't expect her to take the time to e-mail me back and when she did I was filled with joy. The fact that she probably had a lot of more important people to e-mail and she e-mailed me back too. I was happy that she would take the time to do that. That's a true missionary right there.
Sister Eddy. I honestly can't say much about her. I know that sounds mean. She's a nice sweet girl and I am so happy she went on her mission. I know her family didn't want her to and she was struggling but she made the right decision to serve a mission. I am so glad that she chose the right way to go and I know Heavenly Father is super happy with her, too.
Sister Carpenter. This is one of my close friends sister. Sister Carpenter is one of the sweetest girls alive. She is so kind and has such a kind soul. I know she will be a great missionary. I had the opportunity to go to her farewell the same exact day I had to go to Elder Conley's farewell. The spirit I felt while listening to her speak was amazing.
Elder Conley. Holy Crap!!! I loved his talk. How he talked about his struggle of not knowing the church is true, him wanting nothing to do with the church when he turned 18 and so much more. I felt so inspired by his talk because I feel that everyone can relate to that. I loved how he realized he needed to change when someone after high school said something like "it's PJ Conley, the bad Mormon." It hurt him when he said that and he didn't want that reputation. So he decided to change and now he's on a mission.
These are such great influences on me and such great examples of strong LDS youth who do what is right. I love them all and am very happy. I want to write a lot about Hermana Logan, Elder Eisenhut, and Sister Skaggs in my next post.
I love you all and thanks for reading.
Michael Skaggs
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