Elder Skaggs vs MY YEAR MARK - from 03/23/2019

Here is picture with Sister Pearson. A senior sister that I worked
with on the 3rd floor. She took a picture with most of the elders
 who have ever served there. She's super awesome.

Ok everyone!! This isn't too bad of an email to read. I would at least read the first part about Nellie, if you don't read anything else. I also want to apologize for the lack of pictures. I have one that I might attach. I hit my year mark in 5 days and quite honestly, once you hit your year mark, not much happens anymore. I feel bad that I never have much to share, but not very many things happen. It's been a good week, although I found out some sad news, so I'll quickly share that and then we will move on. 

WORKING CONFERENCE:  Now, I'm not supposed to have visitors, because everyone knows how missions work. But, I am working Discovery all day on conference weekend. If anyone is here and needs something to do, come to the discovery floor of the Family History Library. I'll be there and I can quickly talk and say hi, but I'm not going to plan to meet up with anyone. I just figured I would throw that out there.

Nellie: Nellie was an amazing 100-year-old senior sister. She has been serving on the 3rd floor of the FHL for a long time. In fact, a while back she was one of the victims in the shooting that took place there. Anyway, her one dream was to be 100 and be a missionary. Well, back in December, her health started going downhill, then it got better. In February, she turned 100 and accomplished her goal. However, a couple weeks later she finally passed away. It's super sad because I knew her and she has been so well known by everyone. She has done so many amazing things, but now she is on the other side greeting people and being happy. I want to dedicate my email to a woman who was always willing to serve God and serve others. She is a reminder to everyone that no matter how old we are, we should serve those around us and always be willing to love everyone around us. 

Title: WOW!!! I hit my year mark in 5 days!!! GUYS, I HAVE BEEN OUT FOR ONE YEAR!! Well, to be honest, it's actually kind of weird and complicated. I'll explain. So, on the 28th, I hit my year mark until I left for Vegas. However, I go home next year on March 31 (in case anyone wants to know when I come home exactly), so the 31 is my official year mark of how much I have left. But, then it gets somewhat complicated. We all know how I was home for a month from June 20th (when I left Vegas) to July 23rd (when I came here). Technically, today is my 11 month mark. And April 23rd, will be my 12 month mark/year mark. I have 3 different year marks and it's really confusing. But, I consider the 28th of this month, my official year mark and that is what I am celebrating. I just can't believe it! I have seen other missionaries hit their year mark and I knew it would happen someday, but I still didn't think I would ever get to this point. I am just super happy! I'll see you all in a year.

Classes: For the first time in over 2 weeks, one of the classes I was supposed to teach actually showed up. That was awesome because I was able to finally teach. It was awesome being able to finally teach a class.

Sick: I caught a cold Saturday evening, so all day Sunday, I stayed home sick and so my companion was stuck in the apartment too. I didn't feel good at all. I went to Music and the Spoken Word, but honestly that was a bad mistake because I felt horrible the whole entire time. Thankfully, I am doing much better. 

Conference Center tour part 2: Elder Eades and I took a tour of the conference center again because it was a clear day and we wanted to see the view from the roof. It's awesome going to the roof and seeing the whole entire Salt Lake Valley. I just sat and took in the beauty for a couple minutes. Conference Center tours are really cool and I suggest taking one if you're ever in Salt Lake.  

Conference Predictions: I want to know what everyone thinks will happen at conference this year. We all know there will probably be a lot of changes or at least a few. It's always fun to hear what people think will happen. After an elder gave me his prediction, I agreed with it and I think the time for elders to serve will be 18 months. I also think China will be open this conference. We all know President Nelson has a lot of connections with China and we know Heavenly Father will prepare a way for those in China to hear about the gospel. I think it is time for it to open. But, those are mine, send me yours. 

Scripture: 1 Nephi 7:12  "Yea, and how is it that ye have forgotten that the Lord is able to do all things according to his will, for the children of men, if it so be that they exercise faith in him? Wherefore, let us be faithful to him."  I like this scripture because it reminds us we need to not forget about the power of God and all he can do if we have faith in him. This was said by Nephi to his brethen when they complained after going to get Ishmael and his family to come back into the wilderness with them. It makes me realize that I need to not lose my faith and need to remember everything he can do for me, as long as I strive to follow him and be an example. 

Thanks for emailing and all you guys do!! You are a huge support!! Hope to hear from all of you!

Love you all!

Elder Michael Skaggs

15 E South Temple

JSMB 3 East

Salt Lake City, Utah 84150

Elder Skaggs vs not much to say - from 03/16/2019

On the Conference Center roof

Ok everyone, this was a pretty slow week, so I only have pictures. I think it was pretty good though and I enjoyed everything. Thanks for everything. I hope you all have a great week!! Keep emailing me and letting me know how life is going. I love hearing from all of you each week.

Elder Michael Skaggs

15 East South Temple

JSMB 3 East

Salt Lake City, Utah 84150

Actually this is the only picture. We took a tour of the conference center last week because we were bored and you get to go to the roof during the tours. Anyway, I'll talk to you all next week!

Ok. I figured I could share a little bit more and my sister insisted I have to have more. We were able to go to the Church History Museum and go see the new art exhibit that they have displayed. It is an amazing exhibit. I love art a lot. We also had an amazing zone conference about how we can have a change of heart through the Book of Mormon. We discussed Alma the Younger and Ammon and King Lamoni, in addition to Enos and many others. There are so many examples in the Book of Mormon about how you can change and grow through the atonement and scriptures in the Book of Mormon. Still pretty slow, but we did have that happen and it was fun. Also, the Rome Italy Temple was dedicated earlier this week and I'm so happy. I want to go visit that temple someday. I just think it is amazing that all the apostles and prophets were in Rome where ancient prophets once preached and spread the gospel of Jesus Christ. I know this gospel is true and the Book of Mormon truly was translated by the gift and power of God. Have a great week everyone!!

Elder Skaggs vs the Internet - from 03/09/2019

Has it really been a week since I emailed last? Man, time sure does fly. Before you know it, it will be a year from now and I'll be coming home, but we don't need to think about that. Instead, let's talk about how awesome this week has been and the blessings I have seen in my life 

Title: Because, I don't know what to put for this week, this is the most "interesting" story I could think of. With the announcement from the church on Wednesday, about how they will be changing the website to better reflect the name of the church, it brought about changes for the rest of us. My service in the church requires me to have a "work" email to communicate with other employees and volunteers and missionaries about our task. Our work emails have LDS in it and that had to be changed. Therefore, with the website change, our work emails had to be changed along with it. To prepare, the church sent around 100 people to check with all the employees in the JSMB, COB, FHL, CHL, etc., to make sure they knew what to do and ask questions. In the end, all was well, but it seemed as though everything might crash to the ground. 

Rain: It has rained a little bit this week and I love the blessing of the rain. I stopped using an umbrella around middle school and I don't regret it. I have always enjoyed the feeling of the rain and walking through it. It makes me smile and remember the joy and love around me. I also think about how beneficial rain is to us and nature. Rain is seriously one of the best things ever. I am so grateful for it.  

Elder Buckley and Skaggs

There aren't too many other notable things that happened this week. I am teaching a class today and I hope that will work. I was supposed to teach a class on Wednesday, but they cancelled and I was never notified. We were eating dinner at City Creek the other day and President Fenn was there and sat down with us. It was fun having dinner with my mission president. We were also able to watch some of the new safety videos for missionaries. They're actually pretty good. Other than that, not much else has happened. 

A great Scripture is Moroni 7:45-48 -  
45 And charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things. 

46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail— 

47 But charity is the pure love of Christ, and it endureth forever; and whoso is found possessed of it at the last day, it shall be well with him. 

48 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen. 

I think we should all have charity and show love one towards another. Imagine if we were all loving and charitable to the world. We could positively influence so many lives around us. Be kinder to others and show respect to those around you. Love thy neighbor and serve your enemy. Make the world into a better place. 

I love you all and I hope to hear from everyone about how life is going. Stay safe out there!!! Also, I'm working in the Discovery Center tonight, which I am happy about. It'll be fun to work tonight.

Elder Michael Skaggs 

15 E South Temple 

JSMB 3 East 

SLC, Utah 84150 

Elder Skaggs vs the Noisy Roof - from 03/02/2019

Hey everyone, Elder Skaggs is back with another weekly update of his life in Salt Lake. I think this was a pretty eventful week, so let's get rolling. 

Rukus and me!

Title: They've been redoing our roof, which means there is a lot of noise and mess going on. Tuesday evening, we were kept up all night because they had a tarp hanging over the roof and it flapped all night and kept us up. Really annoying. Although, it sounded like we were camping and it was a tent flapping, it wasn't too bad. However, they had torn off our whole entire roof and we had to go around the other side to get in because we didn't want to get roof remnants thrown on us. However, they have cleaned it up now and it's not bad. Other than that, the roof, although annoying, is finally done and they are doing it on a different building now. 

Roots Tech: We didn't have too much to do with Roots Tech until Tuesday. We had to work until 11 because the library was open later, however, the 1st floor was dead and we left at 10. We got to sleep in until 8 on Wednesday, and quite honestly, it was really good. We managed to get a hold of a ton of free Chinese food brought over from Roots Tech. We aren't allowed to go to Roots Tech anymore, because a few years ago some elders plugged an Xbox into a big screen and played it. They ruined it for us.  

Wednesday: I loved Wednesday. I hopefully will add pictures. I got to drive down to Midvale for Elder Eades doctor appointment. While there, a man with a service dog was there and I got to play with him. It was super fun. His name is Ruckus and he got a ton of dog hair on me, but I don't care. Bolt (the movie) was also playing and I tried not to watch it, but I caught bits and pieces of it. We had a fun day. 

Fish: Also, our supervisor in TROC, bought us shrimp on Monday and I was in heaven. I ate a ton of food and I love fish so I really loved it. 

Classes: Wednesday, I taught a class to about 30 youth and really enjoyed it. We had a blast and I just love teaching the classes. Yesterday, I also got to teach a few classes and it was an adventure. One of the groups came in and in turns out most of them spoke Spanish, but I handled it pretty well. They had some English and Spanish people with them. Also, they had the Spanish sisters with them and they helped a ton.  

Yesterday: Yesterday went pretty well too. I taught a class, zone was awesome and I got a haircut. My comp paid for my meal at Chick Fil A and I taught another class (which was the Spanish one). Not much more happened. I think it was a pretty slow day. I feel like more happened this week, but I always forget.  

TROC: Well, I figured I would let you all know what I do in TROC. The first thing I do is when one of the project creators gets a project they need to know what is on each film and they need sample images. They send us the films and we figure those out for them. We get it all taken care of and send it back. We do this so they can work on the instructions and focus on other things. Then we do batching. This is where we go through and block images that aren't needed on the projects and we put the images into groups. So, when you open up a project and it has 5 images, that's because we went through and put the settings in to make it 5 images per batch. After all the films for the project are done, we have to go through and check out the mistakes that have been found. Usually, it just means someone marked it No Extractable Data, when it probably should have been indexed. It's pretty good and keeps me busy. I love being in Discovery for night zone though. 

Anyway, there isn't much else that has happened. Things are going good. Thanks for all your love and support. You are all the best!!! See you next week. 

Elder Michael Skaggs 

15 East South Temple 

JSMB 3 East 

SLC, Utah 84150