Buenos Diassss!

Santa vaca. Time flies in el CCM! It feels like I just emailed you guys yesterday. But at the same time, I feel like I haven't been home...in yearssss (said in Pres. Monson voice).

This week has been awesome. Sometimes hard, but overall just amazing. Sometimes I take advantage of the fact that I'm ACTUALLY a missionary. I'm beyond grateful to my Heavenly Father for this opportunity and there is no where else I'd rather be. Besides Argentina :) Even in the hard/stressful times, it's still awesome. Why?? Cause the only thing I stress about is SAVIN LIVES yo. Life doesn't get much better.

It's impossible to tell you guys enough details about my week, I can barely remember everything without reading my entire journal. I write a ton in my journal. Sometimes it's a burden because I end up staying up later than 10:30 to get all the details in, but there's just so much to write sometimes and I know I'd regret it later if I didn't.

I'll give a quick sum up of Elder Arnold for you guys. He's from Idaho, comes from a family of 10, he's the youngest of 8 boys (ya...what??). He's a pretty smart kid. Knows a lot about the scriptures. He doesn't really like to talk. So I just sing hymns while we walk places to break the silence haha. Also he doesn't like to walk right next to me. He will usually keep about a 10 foot distance walking behind me. Even if I stop and wait for him to catch up..he'll just wait for me to get ahead again and hang back...live your life I guess. This past week he finally laughed at one of my jokes during lunch time. I almost fell off my chair out of shock. Usually he'll just look at me like I'm really dumb... sometimes I deserve it haha. He's a good guy. Like I said, we're polar opposites so it's been a learning experience trying to figure out how to relate to him and get along, but I know Heavenly Father paired us up for a reason so I'm just trying to love him and learn from him.

Few highlights of the week. On Sunday we had a devotional from President and Sister Tanner (the next Pres of BYU - HI). That was pretty good, they talked about obedience and how Temple covenants bless and empower us. After the devotional we watched a movie called "The Character of Christ." I'm sure the boys have seen it. It's an address from Elder Bednar that he gave at Christmas one time in the MTC. Changed my life. Alyssa told me about it when she was in the MTC, I couldn't find it on the internet, but you guys should try cause it's seriously amazing. Elder Arnold and I also got to give the sacrament prayer in Spanish last Sunday. That was cool, and President Swenson told us that he was super impressed with our accents cause usually guys in the MTC butcher it like crazy, but he said we did pretty good. President Swenson is our Branch President. The guy is sharp... I'm tellin ya. He and his wife have been mission presidents in Chile and have been serving as Branch President for the past four years. I literally absorb everything he says. He's a super nice guy, with a good sense of humor...but I can tell it would not be fun to be on his bad side haha. He gave the lesson in priesthood last Sunday and talked about using inspired questions in our lessons. Read Alma 5 for example. The questions in there will pierce your soul haha. That changed my perspective on teaching and helped a lot with our lessons this last week.

So lessons. Last Saturday Elder Arnold and I kind of botched our lesson with Leonardo on the restoration. Leonardo does this thing where right as we're getting to the peak of the lesson like bearing our testimony or getting a commitment. He'll cut us off and be like "No tengo mucho tiempo" or something like that. So last Saturday we kinda just panicked and left without even finishing our testimonies or getting a commitment. Que feo! Ah. So this last week we kind of had to recover. We sort of re-taught the Restoration and got a commitment for him to pray about it. Leonardo doesn't talk much and every question we ask he just replies "mm..mas o menos" or something like that... I just pray for patience and try not to give him the stink eye haha.

We started TRC's this week and are teaching a Latina named Jamie. She's married and in her 20's with a little girl. She's super nice and it's been awesome teaching her. I love teaching girls because it's way easier to help them to feel the spirit.

Cool experience. So I was having a hard time with Restoration. I've always believed that it's true, and that Joseph Smith was a prophet, but I've never like KNOWN to my core. My testimony of the restoration could still use some exercise, but this last week I memorized the first vision in Spanish and was able to recite it to Jamie without any help. El don de lenguas babyy! Anyway when I recited the first vision to her I felt the spirit soo strong. Almost got a little choked up...the MTC is makin me soft ;) Anyway that was super cool. I want to study the restoration more for myself so I can have an experience like that every time.

We also had a devotional from Sister Burton (General Relief Society Pres.) this past week. That was awesome and she talked about becoming a disciple of Christ. She's awesome. I loved her talk. She got super choked up when she read a quote from Elder Perry too. It was sad... but cute.

I know you guys heard, but I got to see Ryan this week! That was awesome. Fun to see a family member. I know a ton of people here, but it's different when it's family. Maddi Bishoff and Matisse Streetman also came into the MTC this last Wednesday. It was awesome to see them :) I love my friends. ;)

Okay this is a novel, sorry. Overall I love my life and this is great. I pray for all you every night. I still suck at basketball, but that's okay cause I'm getting better haha. We played soccer this week too. I looove soccer. I'm decent at soccer for an American... but I know the Argentine's are going to be rolling on the ground when they see me play. Oh gosh.

Love you all! La obra es marvillosa y me encanta este Evangelio!! (spanish is comin good too as you can see ;))

-Elder Jolley IV

 Skyler with his District in their classroom

 Skyler with his companion, Elder Arnold

 Skyler with Elder Petersen

 Elder Arnold, Elder Jolley, Elder Mikesell and Elder Petersen

 Elder Jolley, Elder Arnold, Elder Nowjack, Elder Healey

 His Zone.

 His District.

Another of his District with the Provo Temple in the background.

Ryan (Skyler's older brother) works at the MTC and was able to see and visit with

Skyler today for a brief minute. He's doing great!

The First Letter!!

Hellooo Everybody!

MANN. I love it here so much. This is exactly what I need in my life and I couldn't be happier. I have felt the spirit almost constantly here. It's so cool being around other missionaries todos los dias. I'm still getting used to it though haha. Sometimes I'll look down a hallway and see two guys with plaques and for a second I'm like "No way! Missionaries!!" Then I remember I am one :) My district is awesome. Me and my companion are polar opposites, but we get along and I'm doing my best to love him, he tells the FUNNIEST stories though. His name is Elder Arnold and is from Kuna, Idaho. He comes from a family of 10 with 7 older brothers. He's a good guy, and says hi :) Oh my goodness, I have no idea where he gets them, but his sense of humor is so dry and he kind of has a russian accent (not really but a little bit). Also he never laughs which makes his stories even funnier, cause I don't know if I should laugh or not so it just makes me laugh even harder. He had me and Elder Petersen crying at lunch the other day and I don't think he even giggled once. It's hilarious. Elder Petersen is another guy in my district. He's a good guy, and almost like a Skyler 2.0. We're super similar and we have the exact same sense of humor so we've been cracking each other up this whole time. It's a blast.. Everyone else in my district is super cool. I will send pictures when I can. Spanish is coming good. Elder Peterson and I are probably the best speakers in the class. Everyone else is pretty decent too. Our teacher is Hermana White. She's a beautiful daughter of God and I want Ryan to meet her :) if things don't work out with Cydnee, por supuesto ;) I see Sister (Bailey) Wilson a lot, and also Sister Pitts. It's super fun to know other people here. Sister Wilson is loving it here as well.

As far as spiritual experiences, the first day was probably the best day of my life haha. Felt the spirit the whole time. Singing called to serve with all the new missionaries was super cool. The first night we had big group teaching sessions where an investigator would come in and we would talk to them and figure out as a group what they needed and what Heavenly Father wanted for them. On our third investigator, a hispanic woman named Mercedes, she told us that she had a lot of regrets and guilt in her life, so she feels bad about coming to God and doesn't feel like her guilt will ever go away. I was able to bear my testimony to her about how the atonement helps us to change, and takes away the guilt, but doesn't take away our knowledge of that sin so that we can learn from it. That was super cool and I really felt the spirit guiding me as to what I should say to her, and I know Mercedes felt it. It was awesome.

Thursday night we had a meeting with our whole branch and our branch presidency. We all had the opportunity to tell a little bit about ourselves and bear our testimonies. That was amazing and the spirit was so strong.

I haven't heard anything on my Mr Mac shoes, but if you could please send my red vans as well as those pictures as soon as possible that would be fantastic :) Also please talk to Kimber and ask her what the thing is called that Alyssa uses to enter her letters into the computer. You can buy it on amazon for like 20 bucks. If you could order one and send it to me that would help me a lot. Maybe if you could send my orange Nike Frees too? That'd be great. Thanks Maam :) Hope you guys are doing well. I love you all and pray for you guys every night (in spanish...wussup). If you could also send me a list of my friends mission emails from my gmail account? I think I know most of them but a list would be helpful if you can.

This morning we went running out by the soccer fields, then did a pretty good workout in the fitness center after breakfast, and played basketball after that. Every night and morning we all do pullups and pushups. I really don't want to deflate haha...but I know I will. Oh well, at least the church is true haha.

I am trying to be the best missionary I can. Sometimes I catch myself being lazy, but I want to be 100% obedient, and work hard! I really do love this work though, and I know that once I get in the groove a little more I can dig in and work harder. I'm so happy though, I really am. Laying in bed on the first night I just laid there with a huge grin on my face. that makes me sound like a huge idiot, but I was just so happy haha! Not a tear has been shed since my drop off (that was rough...thanks a lot girls and mom...just kidding, love you guys). Saturdays are my P days and we get to go to the temple in a little bit for the 2pm session. I can't wait! I love the temple and I'm so glad we got to go as a family (menos Ryan) on Wednesday morning!

Love you guys. Have a great week!!

- Elder Jolley IV

MTC Day

Wow! Can't believe June 3rd has finally arrived and it's Skyler's day to head off... in January it seemed so far out.

Such a beautiful morning. Skyler, Brayden, Jeff and I woke up bright and early to attend a 6:30am temple session at the Mount Timpanogos Temple. Ryan, unfortunately, wasn't able to join because because he had a class to attend.  It was a great way to start  the day!

 Following the temple, we got things gathered together and were on our way.

We stopped for lunch together at Cubby's, as per Skyler's request.

Before the official drop off, we stopped for a few family photos at the Provo Temple.

 

Well... (sigh). The time had come to take him. As we started our decent into the MTC "drop off" area, we were greeted by many helpers and sisters and elders. There is such a wonderful, happy spirit of welcoming at the MTC. As they kept summoning us forward to drop him off, we realized they lead us through and past the drop off and to the exit! We had to start the decent all over again... It was pretty funny!

Boy, giving our last good-bye is never easy. BUT, it truly helps to know how ready and excited he is to go and serve.

We gave our hugs and love and he was off. God speed my son!

Therefore, O ye that embark in the service of God, see that ye serve him with all your heart, might, mind and strength, that ye may stand blameless before God at the last day.(D&C 4:2)

Our Last Day

The last few days have been a whirlwind. So grateful to have been able to spend time with family and friends as Skyler wraps things up. Our last big feat was to actually pack things into the suitcases. "Packing" things up isn't Skyler's most favorite thing, but it now was a must! :)

We cranked it out together and got it done with a little over an hour to spare before he was to be set apart.

Skyler was set apart on Tuesday night, June 2, 2015. Our immediate family along with Kim Tycksen, Bishop Morrill, Bishop Johnson and President Lowry gathered to share in this special evening. President Lowry gave each of us the opportunity to share and express our love, testimonies and feelings to Skyler. The spirit was very strong and the room was filled with lots of love.

President Lowry then set Skyler apart as a missionary and offered him a beautiful blessing. He then added a few words of counsel and direction for Skyler.  Skyler will be an incredible missionary... the mantle that he now holds could be felt.

Pictures after the setting apart...

 Kim Tycksen with our family

 Draya with Skyler

 Skyler and Kendyl

 Skyler and Brayden

 Brothers

 Skyler with Ryan

Our tradition continues from when Ryan left of having a family "camp out" down in the family room. Being altogether as a family, sharing our last bit of time before Skyler was to leave the next day! By the time I captured this picture, everyone was out! 

Skyler's Farewell and Goodbyes

Sunday, May 31st was Skyler's Farewell. It was a beautiful Spring Day! Skyler was asked to share his thoughts on Elder Jeffrey Holland's talk  Where Justice, Love and Mercy Meet. He shared some wonderful thoughts, personal experiences and bore humble, sincere testimony of the Savior's atonement.

Following the meeting, many family and friends joined us for some yummy food and time visiting with Skyler before he heads out this coming Wednesday.

Skyler with:

 Lee's and Frederickson's

 Bengzten's

 Family and friends gathered at the park pavilion

 Reagan Curtis, Tieler Diederich, Sarah Nielson and Skyler

 Adam's

 Trewartha's (aunt and uncle)

 Tycksen's

 Nielson's

 Brother Ryan, Mom, Shannon Harmon, Skyler and brother Brayden

 Enjoying the yummy food

 Crane's (cousins)

 Moss'

 Willden's

 Family... From left to right, starting in the back: Brett Campbell,

Linda Campbell, Natalia Pia, Jill Christensen, (front) Megan Jackson,

Don Campbell, Stacey Summers, Grandma Campbell, Paka Campbell, Rich Christensen

 Pia's (aunt and cousins)

 Our family (minus older brother Ryan)

 Christensen's (aunt, uncle and cousins)

 Campbell's (uncle, aunt and cousins)

 Aunt Linda Campbell, Barb and Doug Campbell (grandparents), Uncle Don Campbell

 Diederich's

 Skyler with grandparents, Barb and Doug Campbell

 Campbell's (uncle, aunt and cousins). We were missing them today,

but glad that Skyler was able to say goodbye before the left!

Thank you to everyone for your love, support and well wishes for Skyler!