Michaels journey to serving a mission: Elder Skaggs vs not dying on the hike

Hello everyone!!!!!

Welcome to another round of a week in the life of Elder Skaggs. Quite honestly, I hope I'm not too boring,

Elder Shaw and I. My comp was like,
"You both look like your basic college
students playing badminton."
Like, he's not wrong!

but I don't think too much went on this week. I'll try to make it sound exciting.

Hike: We went hiking up Red Butte peak last Saturday. It was my comp and I and then Elder Howes and Garr. Great Hike. I'll attach the pics. It was super high up and super tiring. However, I did really good. I managed to get up there and we took the hard way. On the way down, we went the other way because it was easier, however we didn't know which way it went. So, we decided to go back down the front end even though the trail went down the back side of a hill then came around. We basically slid down this steep hill and almost died. I have two cool stories from that.

#1: This is a small dumb story, but it strengthened my faith. Lately, I've been trying to have more faith. I know if you have the faith that God can do something and you ask him, HE will answer that prayer. Even if it seems like something that won't be answered. Anyway, I decided to put my faith to test. I knew this hike would kill me and I would be extremely sore afterwards. It was a 3 mile hike and it was more than 1,000 feet altitude increase. As we said our comp prayer that evening, I asked Heavenly Father, "please help us to not be sore tomorrow. Please allow us to be able to walk without pain." The following day, I didn't feel sore at all. I know He answered my prayer. I know it seems small, but I should have absolutely been sore that day. I know God loves us.

A group pic of us at the top

#2: We met this solid dude name Ryan. He was born into the church, but fell away. He's slowly coming back. He's been sober for a few years now and off of Nicotine for two months. He went from being homeless to owning his own successful business. He decorates houses with Christmas lights or something or owns his own metal shop. I don't know, but he is super successful. We met him on the top of the peak and talked to him for like half an hour. It goes to show that the atonement is real and that God loves us. He will help us out and He will strengthen us. I love Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Also, I love the Holy Ghost a ton. I feel like people underestimate him. He's awesome too.

Elder Howes and I being cool

Service project: We helped plant the temple square flowers the other day. It was for a service project. It was super awesome because now when I walk by for the next 6 months, I can feel accomplished knowing that I was the one who planted that flower. Although, I did kill one flower by accident, but no one knows. When I die, I'm going to get to heaven and Heavenly Father is going to be like, "Hmm, seems like you did decent. Got in some trouble, but were a good person. Ok. Go on throu-.... wait!! You killed a temple square flower when you were a missionary. Nope, turn around, Good bye!!" Hahahha. Hopefully, that's not what happens.

Me, sitting on one of the rock couches,
with my arm on the other side. I figured
someday I'll have a girl right there. :)

Rain: It's rained a ton this week. It hasn't been bad. We have been getting soaked though. Oh well. That's what mission life is like. Yesterday, it was hailing too. But, we work in the basement, so we don't see it. It's not too bad, but also we never see the sun.

Anyway, I'll send pics over and don't forget to check my Google photos. I put way more photos on there. I know my missionary friends probably won't be able to access that because MAS360 is the best (sarcastic), but you know. Try anyway!!

I love you all!! Keep making a difference in the world!!

Elder Michael Skaggs

15 East South Temple

JSMB 3 East

Salt Lake City, UT 84150

The rest of the pics are of the view and some dogs. I'll send more. I can only send up to about 3-4 through here without it telling me I need to send it as a link. If you want to watch the videos then check my Google photos