It seems Skylar is feeling a bit nostalgic about his happy childhood. haha Though I'm not sure I agree 100% with all of his memories... ;)
21 June 2010
Happy Father's Day! I did not have a chance to write anyone a card or anything last night so I apologize to Bob and Grandpa. I did get a chance to write Grandpa an email, but it sounds as though he hasn't checked his mail recently. Maybe someone could let Grandma Carrie know so she can read it to him or what not. So I am not sure what talks are like right now at home, but basically every week in sacrament meeting here in Stoke is a rebuke of the men to encourage worthy priesthood holders. You tell me if its sorta the same back home, but ya, I can basically recite section D&C 121 now =P. In my studies I am too Section 130 in D&C and starting Mosiah in the Book of Mormon.
Logan was right-All I take with me really is a Book of Mormon, my bag, and an extra BoM =P
What did everyone do for Father's Day? I want Bob to know that I love him and thank you for all you do. BTW what kind of Garage Door do we have now?!? =D I also want everyone to know that mom passed out while writing me, haha its actually pretty funny to see. She says "I keep falling asleep while writing. Its 12:27ffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffffff and fffffffffff and ffffff and then nspg;alk asdf n and then I LOVE YOU MOM"
the end. HAHA I laughed really hard,not gonna lie. I can just imagine mom how she is passed out on the couch with griffin on her lap and her head back and mouth open RAWRRRRRRRRR =P Love you mom. It was really impressive to me that she got the colon though!
Dana-Go to Mississippi. PACK! seriously...haha I think you are already there actually...not sure...=P so i hoped you packed
Erika-Ya you sent me pictures the first week I was out THANK YOU, but lets try and go for 1 email a transfer too =P
Logan-Did you die? drop off the face of the earth? Where you at?
Tanner-A gentleman and a scholar! =P Trekky!!!!! I wonder how much you lost just on the trek?!? did you keep trak?!?!?
Mom-Go to Bed
Bob-Be Still and Know that you are Bob.
Griffin-be quiet. =P
I will try and send pictures again, but we shall see later.
Top Ten Foods to Expect to be Served at the Blackburn Residence
1. AdvoCare =P
2. Mashed Potatoes
3. Bacon
4. Popcorn
5. Ice Cream
6. Fries
7. Pizza
8. Chicken Nuggets
9. Hamburgers
10. Cheeseburgers
Common Q&As in the Blackburn Residence
1. What's for Dinner?!
-----Hamburgers and Cheeseburgers!
2. Mom, Can I go play with ______?
-----No.
(walk down to the basement)
---------Dad, Can I go play with ____?
-----What did your mom say?
---------She said to ask you.
-----Go ahead.
(Never once looked up from the baseball cards either =P)
3. Mom, Can I go play with _______?
------Is your room clean?
---YUPP!
(as she walks into our room)
------LOGAN/SKYLAR! CLEANING DOES NOT MEAN SHOVE IT UNDER YOUR BED!
4. (after a BYU football player made a great catch)
YES YES YES YES GO GO GO GO!
--(white man got caught and fumbled)
BANG (remote) %^&* *&^% FIGURES! BANG (door slam)
---(now doing baseball cards and we have the remote =P
(not gonna lie, it was funny...)
5. (as we are kneeling in the circle)
Family prayer starts just after someone made a joke.
Tanner still can't hold it in. Which starts Dana.
Dana starting makes Tanner bust out laughing.
Everyone loses it.
6. (as we are kneeling in the circle)
Family prayer surprising starts great.
Grandma does her thing annnnnnnnnnd
Everyone is on the ground hysterically.
Grandma is wondering why we didn't finish =P
oh man...good times...good times...
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Week 5
Only those who knew my dad will really get any of what Skylar says in the first part of his letter, but I left it in there for those who do. ;)
14 June 2010
Oh famileeeeeeeeeeee =P How are ya?!?
So after another solid week in the mission field I have decided to make some top Ten lists about our family that you can have fun with.
Top Ten Reasons to Remember a Blackburn =P
1. There is a city named after us.
2. Do you even know what Skip-Bo is? =D
3. We know "THE DOG JOKE"
4. We know "THE RUNWAY JOKE"
5. "Do you have a hearing aid?"
6. "Do you need to urinate?"
7. Someone steals our ice cream!
8. Family Prayers
9. Family Prayers with Grandma Blackburn!!! =P
10. Popcorn and Ice Cream Sunday's
So about a couple of those. The other day my mind was wandering during the World Cup because no one was on the street nor would they open the door so I was thinking and I was trying to remember the exact way dad told the Jokes and the fact that he could never get through saying them without throwing down his Skip-Bo Cards in the middle of the joke and laughing while trying to talk and breath and slapping his knee until most LIKELY Dana has to run to the bathroom because she is going to pee herself and then Tanner has to run downstairs! All the meanwhile-Grandma is trying to figure out what is happening.
ANd then he would try again and we would all try and laugh and he would REPEAT :)
How old do you think that ice cream was?!?! It is nerveracking talking about it now knowing that she can see meeeeeee haha.
So I know Mom will chastise me if I don't give you a spiritual uplift. What could be better than above though eh?! Anyways, We have had many spiritual experiences this week and I will try and think of the best ones. Most of the times it is the small things that really just set the day straight and help us open our mouths with everyone. So here in Stoke is Stafford University where people from all around the world come to learn. It is not as big as Manchester College or other places, but they offer scholarships to people in China and India so they attract a diverse younger population. There is also the cold old white people too but you dont find a lot of fruit amongst them. It is normally the Uni students to about 35 who we have found to really be searching for some truth and open to our message.
Yesterday, was the hardest rain while we have been tracting/contacting since I have been on my mission and it was pretty sweet, not gonna lie. I did not have my umbrella on me, however, I did have my raincoat, so that was a nice blessing haha. I will send you the pictures and the water was bouncing so hard that it was actually going up my coat. My coat goes to about my knees and so anything below was completely soaked even up to my mid thigh level. Also, it was coming down so hard that even though I was completely done up, the water dripped down to about mid chest also, so my red tie was a bright red and a dark red cut right in half.
ANYWAYS, The World Cup was on so we were once again having no luck. We said a quick prayer on the street and just asked to be led to people who would let us in/set up appointments with us. 3 doors down was a lady studying for an exam that asked for us to come back tuesday night. GREAT! still in the rain though. Next Door-Appointment! GREAT! 4 doors down-A Chinese man who had been in England 3 years and 2 years ago learned about Christianity through Jehovahs Witnesses so he was apart of their church. He said when he went to church, however, it felt more like a large Bible Study, and not really a church...He recognised the Spirit while we were teaching him and described the Spirit that he normally feels as "something that gives him encouragement" which I thought was a great way to describe the Spirit. He encourages us towards the truth and its undeniable when he does! We are praying for more Chinese speaking missionaries in our mission. We currently only have 3 our of about 135 so its difficult to teach them, but they are very open. I love that.
Ok-We were able to watch the England-USA World Cup match this Saturday because President Bullock knew that 1) We would have 0 success and 2) We would most likely be in a little bit of danger with how ridiculous some stupid people are about their football. 1-1!!!!!!! perfect solution to missionary work.
I am going to attach some pictures but they load so slow or I would send you a lot more. You will enjoy the landscape for sure! I am not srue if I told you this before, but I left my camera chord at home and do need that. RIght now I am using Elder Stringham's camera chord to send you these. Also Can I have the Rob Gardner music whether it be CD or the sheet music?! Love you.
Ok...so I have tried the last 10 minutes to upload and almost lost the whole email so I will just have to try again later...Their pretty sweet =P LOVE YOU.
Elder Blackburn
14 June 2010
Oh famileeeeeeeeeeee =P How are ya?!?
So after another solid week in the mission field I have decided to make some top Ten lists about our family that you can have fun with.
Top Ten Reasons to Remember a Blackburn =P
1. There is a city named after us.
2. Do you even know what Skip-Bo is? =D
3. We know "THE DOG JOKE"
4. We know "THE RUNWAY JOKE"
5. "Do you have a hearing aid?"
6. "Do you need to urinate?"
7. Someone steals our ice cream!
8. Family Prayers
9. Family Prayers with Grandma Blackburn!!! =P
10. Popcorn and Ice Cream Sunday's
So about a couple of those. The other day my mind was wandering during the World Cup because no one was on the street nor would they open the door so I was thinking and I was trying to remember the exact way dad told the Jokes and the fact that he could never get through saying them without throwing down his Skip-Bo Cards in the middle of the joke and laughing while trying to talk and breath and slapping his knee until most LIKELY Dana has to run to the bathroom because she is going to pee herself and then Tanner has to run downstairs! All the meanwhile-Grandma is trying to figure out what is happening.
ANd then he would try again and we would all try and laugh and he would REPEAT :)
How old do you think that ice cream was?!?! It is nerveracking talking about it now knowing that she can see meeeeeee haha.
So I know Mom will chastise me if I don't give you a spiritual uplift. What could be better than above though eh?! Anyways, We have had many spiritual experiences this week and I will try and think of the best ones. Most of the times it is the small things that really just set the day straight and help us open our mouths with everyone. So here in Stoke is Stafford University where people from all around the world come to learn. It is not as big as Manchester College or other places, but they offer scholarships to people in China and India so they attract a diverse younger population. There is also the cold old white people too but you dont find a lot of fruit amongst them. It is normally the Uni students to about 35 who we have found to really be searching for some truth and open to our message.
Yesterday, was the hardest rain while we have been tracting/contacting since I have been on my mission and it was pretty sweet, not gonna lie. I did not have my umbrella on me, however, I did have my raincoat, so that was a nice blessing haha. I will send you the pictures and the water was bouncing so hard that it was actually going up my coat. My coat goes to about my knees and so anything below was completely soaked even up to my mid thigh level. Also, it was coming down so hard that even though I was completely done up, the water dripped down to about mid chest also, so my red tie was a bright red and a dark red cut right in half.
ANYWAYS, The World Cup was on so we were once again having no luck. We said a quick prayer on the street and just asked to be led to people who would let us in/set up appointments with us. 3 doors down was a lady studying for an exam that asked for us to come back tuesday night. GREAT! still in the rain though. Next Door-Appointment! GREAT! 4 doors down-A Chinese man who had been in England 3 years and 2 years ago learned about Christianity through Jehovahs Witnesses so he was apart of their church. He said when he went to church, however, it felt more like a large Bible Study, and not really a church...He recognised the Spirit while we were teaching him and described the Spirit that he normally feels as "something that gives him encouragement" which I thought was a great way to describe the Spirit. He encourages us towards the truth and its undeniable when he does! We are praying for more Chinese speaking missionaries in our mission. We currently only have 3 our of about 135 so its difficult to teach them, but they are very open. I love that.
Ok-We were able to watch the England-USA World Cup match this Saturday because President Bullock knew that 1) We would have 0 success and 2) We would most likely be in a little bit of danger with how ridiculous some stupid people are about their football. 1-1!!!!!!! perfect solution to missionary work.
I am going to attach some pictures but they load so slow or I would send you a lot more. You will enjoy the landscape for sure! I am not srue if I told you this before, but I left my camera chord at home and do need that. RIght now I am using Elder Stringham's camera chord to send you these. Also Can I have the Rob Gardner music whether it be CD or the sheet music?! Love you.
Ok...so I have tried the last 10 minutes to upload and almost lost the whole email so I will just have to try again later...Their pretty sweet =P LOVE YOU.
Elder Blackburn
Zone Conference
8 June 2010
Dear Parents,
You may have already heard from your son about the Zone Conference we held at a scout camp last week. It was not only a nice break for our hard working missionaries but it was indeed a special experience for everyone. We held this conference with a specific objective and purpose in mind and we feel that it could not have turned out better, mostly because the missionaries came prepared to learn and ready to have a spiritual experience. We were also blessed with warm, sunny days.
The highlight of the conference was the evening session where after a series of break-out discussion groups in groves of trees, each missionary was given about an hour and 15 minutes to have personal time in the open wilderness (within a reasonable distance from their companion). During that time they were asked to ponder and meditate about what they have accomplished on their mission and where they are personally at this time. Then we asked them to set some goals about what more they wanted to do and more importantly, to “become,” not just throughout their mission but for the remainder of their life. Many of them later talked about how it was a “life-changing” experience and if we accomplished nothing more than that, it was a success.
Attached you will find a picture of your son with the two of us and his zone (Sister missionaries had a separate picture taken). We love our missionaries and will always consider it one of the great blessings of our lives to be in the Lord’s service with them. Thank you for the love and support to your son, it means everything to him.
Warm regards,
President and Sister Bullock
England Manchester Mission
Newcastle Zone
Dear Parents,
You may have already heard from your son about the Zone Conference we held at a scout camp last week. It was not only a nice break for our hard working missionaries but it was indeed a special experience for everyone. We held this conference with a specific objective and purpose in mind and we feel that it could not have turned out better, mostly because the missionaries came prepared to learn and ready to have a spiritual experience. We were also blessed with warm, sunny days.
The highlight of the conference was the evening session where after a series of break-out discussion groups in groves of trees, each missionary was given about an hour and 15 minutes to have personal time in the open wilderness (within a reasonable distance from their companion). During that time they were asked to ponder and meditate about what they have accomplished on their mission and where they are personally at this time. Then we asked them to set some goals about what more they wanted to do and more importantly, to “become,” not just throughout their mission but for the remainder of their life. Many of them later talked about how it was a “life-changing” experience and if we accomplished nothing more than that, it was a success.
Attached you will find a picture of your son with the two of us and his zone (Sister missionaries had a separate picture taken). We love our missionaries and will always consider it one of the great blessings of our lives to be in the Lord’s service with them. Thank you for the love and support to your son, it means everything to him.
Warm regards,
President and Sister Bullock
England Manchester Mission
Newcastle Zone
Week 3 In the Field
So the main email Skylar wrote to our family he asked to have kept within the family, but he also had time to write a nice email of thoughts on our father, who passed away 3 years ago 8 June 2010 (the day after he wrote this). It's not really about Skylar or the work he is doing in England, but there's still a wonderful lesson to learn from it. But I'll warn you: it's emotional...
7 June 2010
We all know it. It doesn't need to be said, but in honor of him we will talk about him in special memory as tomorrow is 3 years...It does not seem like 3 years sometimes, but on the other hand it seems like the way it is now is how it has been for a long time-to me.
As this time has come up the past 2 years-Logan was away and our family was all over the place. We find ourselves in a similar situation except you are all a little bit around at least =D. I have recorded some things while gone about Dad that haven't hit me as hard in the past when realized if I realized them at all...
I was sitting in a video devotional listening to Elder Bednar speak. I was sitting in the back of our room of about 40 missionaries taking notes. Elder Bednar told a story about a Stake Priesthood meeting in Iowa which was a large stake that covered about 3 Hours of travel one way. His son the same day was playing in a state championship basketball game at the same time. He was the Stake President and he saw a man who he knew whose son was playing on the other team. He had an impression to take that man and himself to the game and leave the session. He did. He felt guilty though because he thought he had rationalized going to the game. A couple months later that mans son passed away in a car crash and when President Bednar visited the man in the hospital all he could do was thank him for taking him to see that game...To see the last game his son had played in...
That made me bawl then...and I am sitting here in the Library crying right now...because I remember Dad.
----It was a C game and I had told him that morning when he was leaving for Chemotherapy that I had a game and would be home later thinking nothing of it. Like I said, it was a meaningless game. I rode the bus there and as we pulled into the parking lot in the pouring down rain I saw the Z. A mark that I have come to know from a mile away that 'Dad is here'. I was amazed at that time...already. I wasnt sure why or how, but he was sitting there in his navy jacket on the medal bleachers just enjoying the game.
I asked him after the game why he came and just said-I felt like I should come watch you play. You did great. Dad knew to come to Ben Davis. He had just had chemotherapy and was dying. He knew there would never be another chance to watch me play a game that I feel bonded he and I close together. It meant so much to me at the time even though it was just a C game to be able to recap the game with him. And I only just now realize that the spirit let him know that this game was the one he should come to. I love Dad very much. He was so supportive of all of us.
8 June 2007
Please remember as you go about your day tomorrow that Dad Loved us all very much and showed it to us with his nicknames that he would make up almost daily for all of us. He showed it by being there. He hugged us. His smile from his chair. The way he put us first in everything. I look around today and see dad's hanging out with their friends and what not and I am not saying that is a bad thing, but they hardly ever feel a desire to hang out with their kids. Dad loved us more than he loved himself. He put us before them and grew to be a spiritual giant that I cannot wait to be reunited with again.
In life-He taught us about life. In Death-He taught us about eternity.
I am out of time-My heart is with you today and tomorrow and any day you need it.
I love you all very much,
Elder Blackburn
7 June 2010
We all know it. It doesn't need to be said, but in honor of him we will talk about him in special memory as tomorrow is 3 years...It does not seem like 3 years sometimes, but on the other hand it seems like the way it is now is how it has been for a long time-to me.
As this time has come up the past 2 years-Logan was away and our family was all over the place. We find ourselves in a similar situation except you are all a little bit around at least =D. I have recorded some things while gone about Dad that haven't hit me as hard in the past when realized if I realized them at all...
I was sitting in a video devotional listening to Elder Bednar speak. I was sitting in the back of our room of about 40 missionaries taking notes. Elder Bednar told a story about a Stake Priesthood meeting in Iowa which was a large stake that covered about 3 Hours of travel one way. His son the same day was playing in a state championship basketball game at the same time. He was the Stake President and he saw a man who he knew whose son was playing on the other team. He had an impression to take that man and himself to the game and leave the session. He did. He felt guilty though because he thought he had rationalized going to the game. A couple months later that mans son passed away in a car crash and when President Bednar visited the man in the hospital all he could do was thank him for taking him to see that game...To see the last game his son had played in...
That made me bawl then...and I am sitting here in the Library crying right now...because I remember Dad.
----It was a C game and I had told him that morning when he was leaving for Chemotherapy that I had a game and would be home later thinking nothing of it. Like I said, it was a meaningless game. I rode the bus there and as we pulled into the parking lot in the pouring down rain I saw the Z. A mark that I have come to know from a mile away that 'Dad is here'. I was amazed at that time...already. I wasnt sure why or how, but he was sitting there in his navy jacket on the medal bleachers just enjoying the game.
I asked him after the game why he came and just said-I felt like I should come watch you play. You did great. Dad knew to come to Ben Davis. He had just had chemotherapy and was dying. He knew there would never be another chance to watch me play a game that I feel bonded he and I close together. It meant so much to me at the time even though it was just a C game to be able to recap the game with him. And I only just now realize that the spirit let him know that this game was the one he should come to. I love Dad very much. He was so supportive of all of us.
8 June 2007
Please remember as you go about your day tomorrow that Dad Loved us all very much and showed it to us with his nicknames that he would make up almost daily for all of us. He showed it by being there. He hugged us. His smile from his chair. The way he put us first in everything. I look around today and see dad's hanging out with their friends and what not and I am not saying that is a bad thing, but they hardly ever feel a desire to hang out with their kids. Dad loved us more than he loved himself. He put us before them and grew to be a spiritual giant that I cannot wait to be reunited with again.
In life-He taught us about life. In Death-He taught us about eternity.
I am out of time-My heart is with you today and tomorrow and any day you need it.
I love you all very much,
Elder Blackburn
Week 2 In the Field
1 June 2010
Hey!
Stoke is great. It rains about every other day on the regular. We measure our efforts by Quality Gospel Conversations (QGCs) and weekly we try and reach a goal of about 70/16. A QGC consists of 3 things:1) a principle of the gospel 2) testimony 3) invitation. The rain slows that down some days because people don't like standing out there in the rain, but the ones that do make it a very worthwhile experience because they are the ones that have been really prepared! We did not do too bad last week which was a short week for me, but we are going to work on hitting well above that goal this week. The important thing to remember is that each number has people in front of it and it represents them. It is a sweet measuring tool. Today is a pretty busy day and we are bouncing all over the area which means...BUS CONTACTING-which I despise and do not feel comfortable doing haha BUT its a work in progress and we have already seen some success in doing it in the past couple of days.
James Wilkinson was baptised this weekend and confirmed. It was a great experience and funny as well. Elder Stringham turned on the water at about the right time, but whoever set the temperature for the boiler made it more like a hot tub than simply warm so when it was about time to start we cracked open the doors and steam just came billowing out and we had to open the windows and turn on ice cold water which ended up making a very minimal difference and James was beat red by the time he got out. =P
There are about 400-500 members in Stoke-On-Trent, but only about 75 active ones and the Priesthood is very small. We are called to baptise as missionaries, but we are frequently asked to help strengthen the ward which is our secondary duties to finding and preaching and baptising so we do it when we can. There are some great members striving to come back.
Mom, you asked about Elder Stringham. He is from South Jordan, Utah and is a great missionary. I have learned the meaning of walking with purpose because although I have about 5 inches on him in leg length, he flies past me everytime! Its crazy how fast he walks! Uphill, downhill, sideways, backwards, full speed, It doesn't matter haha.
There are some great people we have contacted and here are their names if you can simply give them some thoughts:
Carol-contacted yesterday and is reading the BoM and feels she is easily deceived so for reassurance...
Mark Walker-knows everything and just needs to commit to a date
Josh-Found him on the street while tracting and are meeting with him today. Confirmed our appointment over the phone =D
Vickie-Used a lot of drugs in the past and is 2 years clean but trying to find real purpose
Stew
Jeff
Michael Evans-We are teaching him the Plan of Salvation today and he is making great strides as well.
Pushpa-AMAZING lady who was raised Catholic and we met with her family minus her husband who was at work, so we sat with the front door open and I was right next to it while the rain was pouring down, anyways, Her daughter is 8 and named Silno, her son is 7 and named Christo, and her Sister's name who lives with her is Laly like lolli pop. I do not know her husbands name but we are teaching her again tonight (he will be there) and that lesson was so amazing, probably one of my favorites. I hope that she and her family can really come to know everything. Pray for her and Mark especially!
We are planning to have a baptismal service the 26th of June with a couple of these people =D and that is the date they will all hear. They all have more to their stories obviously, but to give some background-I hope you can feel as though you know them a little bit.
I will leave you with this- an excerpt from my journal from Fast and Testimony meeting in the last Sunday in the MTC:
22-23 May 2010
I am a Witness that Jesus is the Christ. I invite all men everywhere to repent and come unto him so that our children might know where to turn to repent.
Testimony meeting has begun with a special spirit. No one has yet got up to speak, but I feel God's Love. Recognizable friends will come often on my mission. Elder Schwalbe, a great elder, is fearless. This work is extremely important. More than anything else on this earth. His Work, His Way, by His Power. I have Faith in Jesus Christ & am reminded of the scripture that Faith can grow into a perfect knowledge & I can stand and know & testify of Jesus Christ & Joseph Smith & the Book of Mormon. The Power of the Holy Ghost is real. Comfort will come. Have no worries. God loves all of us & has restored his Kingdom once again through his prophets. President Thomas S. MOnson is a Prophet of God. Christ Lives and has paved the way for us to return to God through the Atonement & Resurrection. Everyone in the District was able to bear their Testimonies. I am thankful for the powerful witness the Holy Ghost has given us.
(Look up the Lands of Blackburn & Walton-Le-Dale)
I love you!
Elder Blackburn
I love you all very much! I want to hear from you! So write an email or a letter! It doesn't matter! Let me know what is going on in your lives! It helps me ease my mind so I can focus on the work the rest of the time!
I love you and hope to hear from you soon!
Elder Blackburn!
Hey!
Stoke is great. It rains about every other day on the regular. We measure our efforts by Quality Gospel Conversations (QGCs) and weekly we try and reach a goal of about 70/16. A QGC consists of 3 things:1) a principle of the gospel 2) testimony 3) invitation. The rain slows that down some days because people don't like standing out there in the rain, but the ones that do make it a very worthwhile experience because they are the ones that have been really prepared! We did not do too bad last week which was a short week for me, but we are going to work on hitting well above that goal this week. The important thing to remember is that each number has people in front of it and it represents them. It is a sweet measuring tool. Today is a pretty busy day and we are bouncing all over the area which means...BUS CONTACTING-which I despise and do not feel comfortable doing haha BUT its a work in progress and we have already seen some success in doing it in the past couple of days.
James Wilkinson was baptised this weekend and confirmed. It was a great experience and funny as well. Elder Stringham turned on the water at about the right time, but whoever set the temperature for the boiler made it more like a hot tub than simply warm so when it was about time to start we cracked open the doors and steam just came billowing out and we had to open the windows and turn on ice cold water which ended up making a very minimal difference and James was beat red by the time he got out. =P
There are about 400-500 members in Stoke-On-Trent, but only about 75 active ones and the Priesthood is very small. We are called to baptise as missionaries, but we are frequently asked to help strengthen the ward which is our secondary duties to finding and preaching and baptising so we do it when we can. There are some great members striving to come back.
Mom, you asked about Elder Stringham. He is from South Jordan, Utah and is a great missionary. I have learned the meaning of walking with purpose because although I have about 5 inches on him in leg length, he flies past me everytime! Its crazy how fast he walks! Uphill, downhill, sideways, backwards, full speed, It doesn't matter haha.
There are some great people we have contacted and here are their names if you can simply give them some thoughts:
Carol-contacted yesterday and is reading the BoM and feels she is easily deceived so for reassurance...
Mark Walker-knows everything and just needs to commit to a date
Josh-Found him on the street while tracting and are meeting with him today. Confirmed our appointment over the phone =D
Vickie-Used a lot of drugs in the past and is 2 years clean but trying to find real purpose
Stew
Jeff
Michael Evans-We are teaching him the Plan of Salvation today and he is making great strides as well.
Pushpa-AMAZING lady who was raised Catholic and we met with her family minus her husband who was at work, so we sat with the front door open and I was right next to it while the rain was pouring down, anyways, Her daughter is 8 and named Silno, her son is 7 and named Christo, and her Sister's name who lives with her is Laly like lolli pop. I do not know her husbands name but we are teaching her again tonight (he will be there) and that lesson was so amazing, probably one of my favorites. I hope that she and her family can really come to know everything. Pray for her and Mark especially!
We are planning to have a baptismal service the 26th of June with a couple of these people =D and that is the date they will all hear. They all have more to their stories obviously, but to give some background-I hope you can feel as though you know them a little bit.
I will leave you with this- an excerpt from my journal from Fast and Testimony meeting in the last Sunday in the MTC:
22-23 May 2010
I am a Witness that Jesus is the Christ. I invite all men everywhere to repent and come unto him so that our children might know where to turn to repent.
Testimony meeting has begun with a special spirit. No one has yet got up to speak, but I feel God's Love. Recognizable friends will come often on my mission. Elder Schwalbe, a great elder, is fearless. This work is extremely important. More than anything else on this earth. His Work, His Way, by His Power. I have Faith in Jesus Christ & am reminded of the scripture that Faith can grow into a perfect knowledge & I can stand and know & testify of Jesus Christ & Joseph Smith & the Book of Mormon. The Power of the Holy Ghost is real. Comfort will come. Have no worries. God loves all of us & has restored his Kingdom once again through his prophets. President Thomas S. MOnson is a Prophet of God. Christ Lives and has paved the way for us to return to God through the Atonement & Resurrection. Everyone in the District was able to bear their Testimonies. I am thankful for the powerful witness the Holy Ghost has given us.
(Look up the Lands of Blackburn & Walton-Le-Dale)
I love you!
Elder Blackburn
I love you all very much! I want to hear from you! So write an email or a letter! It doesn't matter! Let me know what is going on in your lives! It helps me ease my mind so I can focus on the work the rest of the time!
I love you and hope to hear from you soon!
Elder Blackburn!
Pictures of Skylar's MTC Group
Elder Quinton Cook, a modern Apostle of Jesus Christ and member of the Quorum of the Twelve, visited the Manchester MTC while Skylar was there. This is a picture of Skylar's MTC group with Elder Cook (front center).
Here's a picture of Skylar's MTC group in front of the Preston England Temple just before they all left for the field.
From the Mission President
27 May 2010
Dear Parents,
Your son has arrived to the England Manchester Mission (EMM) safe and ready to go to work as a missionary. We held a training session Wednesday morning where we covered many things including their mission finances, their first three month training schedule, becoming a “Sacred Missionary” and the EMM vision and guiding principles. We concluded with a testimony meeting and afterwards Sister Bullock fed the group a warm hearty meal. I held a personal interview with each missionary and we then transported them to the Manchester Stake Center where they were introduced to their first companion and trainer.
As parents, the most important thing you can do for your son is to be supportive and encouraging. The first month or two can be challenging for a missionary with many adjustments in their life. But it normally does not take long until they capture the full vision of their calling, gain a love for the people of the U.K. and get lost in the work.
Please be supportive of the church’s policy on communications which allows missionaries to send and receive emails only with family members which in addition to the immediate family includes grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Anyone not part of the family must communicate through letters. Occasional efforts by some to circumvent this policy, such as family members forwarding personally directed emails from non-family members, are outside the spirit of this principle.
We often talk and train on the principle of “Becoming a Sacred Missionary.” While it is good to be an Honorable Missionary, there is higher principle and that is becoming a Sacred Missionary. This involves many things but it primarily is a commitment by the missionary to purify and sanctify their life and fully commit their heart and soul to their mission. The happiest and most effective missionaries are those who limit thoughts of their pre-mission life, put the world behind them and get completely lost in the work of serving the Lord. Your encouragement and support of this will help your son grow personally, gain a greater depth of spiritually and impact the lives of others.
Attached you will find a picture of your son with Sister Bullock and me in front of the mission home and a picture of his first companion and trainer. Sister Bullock and I have three sons who have served missions with another one currently in the Japan Tokyo Mission, so we fully understand the emotions and joys that you are going through right now. Know that we love the missionaries in the England Manchester Mission and watch over them with care. May the Lord bless you during this wonderful time of your life.
With warm regards,
President Bullock
England Manchester Mission
Skylar with President and Sister Bullock after arriving in the field
This is Elder Stringham, Skylar's trainer. Sorry I can't rotate it!
Dear Parents,
Your son has arrived to the England Manchester Mission (EMM) safe and ready to go to work as a missionary. We held a training session Wednesday morning where we covered many things including their mission finances, their first three month training schedule, becoming a “Sacred Missionary” and the EMM vision and guiding principles. We concluded with a testimony meeting and afterwards Sister Bullock fed the group a warm hearty meal. I held a personal interview with each missionary and we then transported them to the Manchester Stake Center where they were introduced to their first companion and trainer.
As parents, the most important thing you can do for your son is to be supportive and encouraging. The first month or two can be challenging for a missionary with many adjustments in their life. But it normally does not take long until they capture the full vision of their calling, gain a love for the people of the U.K. and get lost in the work.
Please be supportive of the church’s policy on communications which allows missionaries to send and receive emails only with family members which in addition to the immediate family includes grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins. Anyone not part of the family must communicate through letters. Occasional efforts by some to circumvent this policy, such as family members forwarding personally directed emails from non-family members, are outside the spirit of this principle.
We often talk and train on the principle of “Becoming a Sacred Missionary.” While it is good to be an Honorable Missionary, there is higher principle and that is becoming a Sacred Missionary. This involves many things but it primarily is a commitment by the missionary to purify and sanctify their life and fully commit their heart and soul to their mission. The happiest and most effective missionaries are those who limit thoughts of their pre-mission life, put the world behind them and get completely lost in the work of serving the Lord. Your encouragement and support of this will help your son grow personally, gain a greater depth of spiritually and impact the lives of others.
Attached you will find a picture of your son with Sister Bullock and me in front of the mission home and a picture of his first companion and trainer. Sister Bullock and I have three sons who have served missions with another one currently in the Japan Tokyo Mission, so we fully understand the emotions and joys that you are going through right now. Know that we love the missionaries in the England Manchester Mission and watch over them with care. May the Lord bless you during this wonderful time of your life.
With warm regards,
President Bullock
England Manchester Mission
Skylar with President and Sister Bullock after arriving in the field
This is Elder Stringham, Skylar's trainer. Sorry I can't rotate it!
Out of the MTC and Into the Field!
27 May 2010
Hey!
Haha yes you did...I am here in Stoke-On-Trent more commonly known as Stoke and my trainer is Elder Stringham. He is great. I picked him up and gave him a big bear hug when they called him out because he is about 5'8"...anyways the library computers here are pretty good. The city of Stoke is a mix between San Francisco and Seattle =P. We live near the top of one of the biggest hills and walk down into one of the city centers to do most of our work so far. Our area is huge and there is no way we will get to all of it obviously, but we stay near the Terrace Housing and what not. Our Flat is around a place called Hartshill if you want to look it up...its near the left side of Stoke...If you find the A52, you are close.
Anyways, here is the exciting news. We have a baptism on Saturday. His name is James and he is 61 and his interview went off without any trouble. The ward here has some members that are pretty helpful and I have met a couple. Our next investigator is Mark and he has been taught nearly everything, but is afraid if he gets baptised and then meets a girl he will have trouble with the WoW and Chastity so we are mainly talking about Faith and Ether 12:27 right now. So I am excited because we could have a couple baptisms coming up in a couple weeks. We have some investigators that we are meeting with tonight and then going over to a families house for 'tea' aka dinner...
after that we are going to Jared's =D and then we are going to Clyve's Flat who lives really close to us.
Tracting is interesting, because I am not very good at it, but I dont struggle doing it. Street contacting is a completely different thing, but I am learning to just say something and then go with it!
My P-Days are monday but next week is something funky so I will be emailing on Tuesdayish...We also have Zone Conference this week and I have been sent here just in time because President Bullock has planned an overnight Zone Conference with half the mission in some scout camp where we will be playing a bunch of sports and what not...That will be interesting. I didnt tell you but I twisted my ankle pretty bad in the MTC haha and so it is just about healed.
Alright, so what is happening with the IRS thing? They have dropped everything?...whats up?
Also, I am not feelin the love from Dana! haha Whats up with that?! Erika has even written me!
Tanner will do great on the trek. You dont have to run the 7 miles! =D Start at the front and wave at people as they walk past you around 3 or 4 and party in the back the last mile! and trust me, at least he isn't trying to keep up with Elder Stringham...I might have 6 inches of longer legs than he does, but man! he books it! and like I said its a mix of San Francisco (HIIIIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLSSSS) and Seattle (RAIIIIIN) but there is no AC here so we want rain or really cold clear skies every day cuz we both hate the heat so thats good...lol
I know you are asking for personal experiences or spiritual experiences, but I have felt the spirit so often, I am not really sure what to write and the last two days have sort of been a blurr. I can say I am thankful for all of the trials in my life that have shaped me to this point to gain a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The Plan of Salvation is a perfect plan without flaw and that we will be able to return to live with our family again if we do what God has commanded. Whether it is Grandpa's, Grandma's, Parents, siblings, children, or cousins, we can find peace in knowing that we can be with them forever. I have always known Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God and the Book of Mormon is physical evidence of the power God gave him from on High. The only reason we are here on earth is not to just return to live with God again, or we would have never left, it is to return to live with God again in a state Better than we were before, with the option of more eternal growth. Jesus Christ made this all possible when he suffered "in the flesh" or as a human in the Garden of Gethsemane and again on the cross. He had power over death and willingly submitted his life. Man could not kill him. He was then resurrected and made it possible for all of us when that Great Day comes to do the same. He did this with all glory to the Father. These truths were all lost with the apostasy and brought back. That is why the confusion exists today in the world. It is more than just unbelief, it is utter confusion...That is why Joseph Smith was called to Restore all truths as a Prophet of God. The Book of Mormon is the Keystone of our religion because it proves Joseph Smith was a Prophet of divine inspiration. It teaches of Jesus Christ and if Joseph Smith was a Prophet this Church is true.
Well I know Joseph Smith was and is a Prophet and this is the Lord's Kingdom on the earth today. We teach of Jesus Christ and everything else in our church is merely an appendage of His teachings. I love you all. That is why I am here.
I want to give you all hugs and see your smiles and faces, but just know that you will see me soon =D
I love you.
Elder Blackburn
Hey!
Haha yes you did...I am here in Stoke-On-Trent more commonly known as Stoke and my trainer is Elder Stringham. He is great. I picked him up and gave him a big bear hug when they called him out because he is about 5'8"...anyways the library computers here are pretty good. The city of Stoke is a mix between San Francisco and Seattle =P. We live near the top of one of the biggest hills and walk down into one of the city centers to do most of our work so far. Our area is huge and there is no way we will get to all of it obviously, but we stay near the Terrace Housing and what not. Our Flat is around a place called Hartshill if you want to look it up...its near the left side of Stoke...If you find the A52, you are close.
Anyways, here is the exciting news. We have a baptism on Saturday. His name is James and he is 61 and his interview went off without any trouble. The ward here has some members that are pretty helpful and I have met a couple. Our next investigator is Mark and he has been taught nearly everything, but is afraid if he gets baptised and then meets a girl he will have trouble with the WoW and Chastity so we are mainly talking about Faith and Ether 12:27 right now. So I am excited because we could have a couple baptisms coming up in a couple weeks. We have some investigators that we are meeting with tonight and then going over to a families house for 'tea' aka dinner...
after that we are going to Jared's =D and then we are going to Clyve's Flat who lives really close to us.
Tracting is interesting, because I am not very good at it, but I dont struggle doing it. Street contacting is a completely different thing, but I am learning to just say something and then go with it!
My P-Days are monday but next week is something funky so I will be emailing on Tuesdayish...We also have Zone Conference this week and I have been sent here just in time because President Bullock has planned an overnight Zone Conference with half the mission in some scout camp where we will be playing a bunch of sports and what not...That will be interesting. I didnt tell you but I twisted my ankle pretty bad in the MTC haha and so it is just about healed.
Alright, so what is happening with the IRS thing? They have dropped everything?...whats up?
Also, I am not feelin the love from Dana! haha Whats up with that?! Erika has even written me!
Tanner will do great on the trek. You dont have to run the 7 miles! =D Start at the front and wave at people as they walk past you around 3 or 4 and party in the back the last mile! and trust me, at least he isn't trying to keep up with Elder Stringham...I might have 6 inches of longer legs than he does, but man! he books it! and like I said its a mix of San Francisco (HIIIIIIIIIIIILLLLLLLSSSS) and Seattle (RAIIIIIN) but there is no AC here so we want rain or really cold clear skies every day cuz we both hate the heat so thats good...lol
I know you are asking for personal experiences or spiritual experiences, but I have felt the spirit so often, I am not really sure what to write and the last two days have sort of been a blurr. I can say I am thankful for all of the trials in my life that have shaped me to this point to gain a testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. The Plan of Salvation is a perfect plan without flaw and that we will be able to return to live with our family again if we do what God has commanded. Whether it is Grandpa's, Grandma's, Parents, siblings, children, or cousins, we can find peace in knowing that we can be with them forever. I have always known Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God and the Book of Mormon is physical evidence of the power God gave him from on High. The only reason we are here on earth is not to just return to live with God again, or we would have never left, it is to return to live with God again in a state Better than we were before, with the option of more eternal growth. Jesus Christ made this all possible when he suffered "in the flesh" or as a human in the Garden of Gethsemane and again on the cross. He had power over death and willingly submitted his life. Man could not kill him. He was then resurrected and made it possible for all of us when that Great Day comes to do the same. He did this with all glory to the Father. These truths were all lost with the apostasy and brought back. That is why the confusion exists today in the world. It is more than just unbelief, it is utter confusion...That is why Joseph Smith was called to Restore all truths as a Prophet of God. The Book of Mormon is the Keystone of our religion because it proves Joseph Smith was a Prophet of divine inspiration. It teaches of Jesus Christ and if Joseph Smith was a Prophet this Church is true.
Well I know Joseph Smith was and is a Prophet and this is the Lord's Kingdom on the earth today. We teach of Jesus Christ and everything else in our church is merely an appendage of His teachings. I love you all. That is why I am here.
I want to give you all hugs and see your smiles and faces, but just know that you will see me soon =D
I love you.
Elder Blackburn
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