Sister Calianne Skinner: 7/21/24 & 7/29/24

 This is only the beginning

7/21/24

🦎gecko poop🦎

We went to a house this week full of tissues and 2005 cleaning supplies! Including over 10 toliet cleaners. Which is extra funny because the bathroom probably had not been cleaned in 20 years. It was full of gecko poop (maybe?) Twenty years of dust, dead bugs, spiderwebs, a broken water drain that we couldn't use, an exploding toliet, and no AC or airflow! Not to mention my companion and I. Did I mention it was tiny?! Like so tiny to fit us both we needed to close the door? The sweat was real and it made me real grateful for when I do have AC! But yay for service opportunities!

🏀 exchanges🏀 

Way back when many centuries ago (or so it feels) I was in the MTC with THE sister Goo! And now she is my sister training leader which means for 24 hours we got to work together! And it was my favorite! I learned so much, talked so much, and ate ice cream and 冰 (shaved ice)! Oh and on top of all that got very politley bible bashed and tried to help our friend Jim! Pray for Jim!!

📈zone conference 📈

This week was our first zone conference with the Whiteleys and it was AMAZING!! We flipped through the scriptures as they taught us about faith (which is crazy because that is exactly what I have been studying!) And how to street contact better! And so many amazing things! Let's just say it is time to get to work these next couple of months and I am pumped to go out and see miracles 💪 

🚢 The Brother of Jared🚢 

I am so close to finishing the Book of Mormon (which can i just say I love that book!?) But anyway near the end you have the story of the brother of Jared! And as I have read I have been struck by how it is all about prayer:

"Jared, his brother, said unto him: Cry unto the Lord, that he will not confound us that we may not understand our words."

"And it came to pass that the brother of Jared did cry unto the Lord,"

"And for the space of three hours did the Lord talk with the brother of Jared, and chastened him because he remembered not to call upon the name of the Lord."

"And it came to pass that the brother of Jared cried unto the Lord, saying: O Lord, I have performed the work which thou hast commanded me"

"And they did sing praises unto the Lord; yea, the brother of Jared did sing praises unto the Lord, and he did thank and praise the Lord all the day long; and when the night came, they did not cease to praise the Lord."

It starts with him pleading to be saved and delivered by the Lord and they are! But then they do not pray for 4 years! And the Lord chastens him and calls if a great evil! but he repents and since then had enough faith and prayers to get him to the promised land! Not only that but also see God! Prayers are powerful! So if it has been a minute since you have prayed or if you do not know what to do about the hard situation fyou are facing or God is carrying you through a trial: pray! I promise it will be worth it :) 

He wants to hear for you! And so do I!

Sister Calianne Skinner! 阮書涵姐妹

PS I have heard a cyclone, hurricane, and typhoon are the same thing! Does someone want to fact check me!?

Let us all press on (week 46)

7/29/24

And it came to pass that Sister Skinner started writing another weekly! 

For behold you can read what she wrote 

And I know what I write is true and hope it can be of some benefit to you.

We have this friend who on Sunday nights we walk around the park (during golden hour 🌄) and read the scriptures with him! This week he read it in English and was so confused about what "and it came to pass" and "behold" meant! And actually I don't know how to describe it 🤷‍♀️

Taiwan does not have very many Christians but MuZha actually has a decent amount (I've heard the most in all of Taiwan but I'm not sure if that's true!) Which means I have had the chance to bear my testimony of the Book of Mormon more and more!! But also of the bible! And this week I had two personal studies where I read Romans 8:31-39 and Hebrews 11 and WOW the spirit was so strong! I am so so grateful for the bible! And now when I tell people the Book of Mormon support and complement each other I understand and can testify so much clearer! The scriptures are the best that's all!! You should probably go read them!

For everyone who was wondering (shoutout to my Grandma Elton and Ellie for telling me) a hurricane and typhoon are the same just different oceans!! And a typhoon hit Taiwan this week! Which meant we were not allowed to go outside!! It made me appreciate covid missionaries so much more!!Thank you covid missionaries!! You are all heroes!! We called lots of people, ate banana pancakes, and did online lessons!! 

Other things:

-I sped round Ether in one night! Sad sad book!

-we ran into a new member at starbucks and she insisted on buying us drinks she went up and said I want the hot one! (Don't worry I think it wasn't tea or coffee but maybe we will have to go over that again with her...)

-we did a temple tour with Stephanie! She wants to go to the temple in Japan when she goes and visit six days after her baptism

Romans 8: 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

I wish I could help you understand as God has helped me understand just a little more this week that because Jesus died for us we really can overcome everything!! Death, pain, and sin! And he did that he died, suffered, and overcome all sin! Because he loves us! And this week I got to feel that love just a little more! And it has been life-changing!

He loves you and so do I!!

Sister Skinner 阮書涵姐妹

PS the ice cream flavor at family mart is taro!! And its staying for August!! Yayyy God loves me!!