Skibby sent us a short email telling us what time she could Skype with us on Christmas Day, and a little later she sent the following photos.  She is coming home in just 10 days!!!

Date:  December 18, 2017 at 11:31 AM

Subject:  Pictures are worth a thousand words

This is Skibby's companion, Hermana Peterson,
and I have no idea what is in the little cups on her tray...

IS SHE NOT DARLING?!?!?!?!

Skibby sent the following email & photo on Monday, December 11, 2017.  She is coming home on December 28th, and we can't wait!!!  Her homecoming report at church will be Sunday, January 14, 2018, at 11:00 am, at our church building located at 12998 S. 1300 W., Riverton.  All are welcome to come!

Date:  December 11, 2017 at 11:24 AM

Subject:  The weekly update

Hello familia! Well, we spent a long time today riding buses to make it to a Jesus statue. 3 hours in a bus, but by the end, I think it was worth it. So I'm writing from the windy bus which isn't really fun, but it's still a good time.

So I'll try to give a brief update of everything that has happened these past two weeks since I didn't really write last week.  It I'm starting with this week because it's fresher on the mind.  Monday might we flew to Madrid and Tuesday was spent in a meeting at president pack’s house. But afterwards we ran to the temple and we saw Adrian and Hermana Eckel and her companion (Hna strand). It was awesome. The temple was beautiful and the people are awesome. But it was freezing!!!!

 Wednesday we flew back and had district meeting. That not we had a noche de hogar with venezuelan members and Pedro. They made us arepas. Thursday we talked with Peter. He is from England. He has cataracts and can't see. He refused to be baptized until he can see. But he has a really strong testimony of the church and listens consecutively to the book of Mormon. Afterwards we had a lesson with someone we talked to in the street named Lisset. She's from Venezuela. I don't know if you know about the situation there, but it is terrible. Just awful. Last week we talked to her daughter in law (long story, we set up an appointment with her and when we got there only her dinlaw was there so we taught her) and they both express how scary and unliveable it is there. So the people that escape are lucky. The lesson was awesome and she came to church that Sunday with the restoration pamphlet we gave her. We're helping her tonight with English. 

Friday and Wednesday were holidays. Spain has a lot of holidays. So we taught Hayro beforehand about the 10 commandments. I really like the 10 commandments. Just good ol' common sense. We also helped Hayro download the gospel library app to listen to the bom. He was like, "you knew about this the whole time and only NOW you're telling me??" Well.. at least now he has it! We played futbol with the ward. Later that night Luis made us arepas. He's from Venezuela. After English we talked about the book of Mormon. He's been reading and trying to apply its teachings. He had some questions like, "why do Laman and Lemuel keep making the same mistake and murmuring and forgetting stuff if they saw angels and everything?" I was thinking "welcome to the club of all of us who are asking that same question". But we gave him a better response. Luis is really great. He is already really Christlike and I'm so excited for him to learn more. 

We spent a lot of time calling and texting people this week to set up appointments and get everything organized. It's good to be here.

Well lots of things happened last week, but I just wanted to include that we are teaching a young couple English and they are really cool. Christian and tabata. Last time we shared the light the world with them and they have a few questions about what we believe.

These past few weeks we've gone crazy with magic thumbs dad!!

Something I learned this last week:

We talked about the good Samaritan and a member made the comment about how giving isn't just giving your surplus. But giving is giving what you have. It sounds a lot prettier in spanish, but that struck me. If we give of what we have that is extra that's still nice, but the gift doesn't really have any worth to us. There is no cost or sacrifice involved. So giving from the heart requires giving what you have. 

Love you all!

Skibby & her companion, Hermana Peterson, are on the right

Skibby posted the following on her Facebook page! Light the World!

Skibby will be home in just a little over 3 weeks now!  We are so excited to see her!  She sent the following email & photos on Monday, December 4, 2017:

Date:  December 4, 2017 at 11:36 AM

Subject:  Island!

It's been a great week! I'm just sending some pictures this week, I'll send a better email next week. Love you all!

Skibby with her new companion, Hermana Peterson

Skibby sent the following email & photos on Monday, November 27, 2017:

Date:  November 27, 2017 at 11:25 AM

Subject:  Packed full

I forgot to tell the BEST BESTEST part of last week. I called Hna Eckel [one of Skibby's former companions back in Madrid] and she said that Adrian got baptized on Sunday!!!!! Yesterday he was confirmed. I am talking with him through messenger and he says he feels so much happier and that this is what he was missing in his life. All his coworkers see a change in him. I love Adrian. That was the best thing that happened this week. But Hayek and Luis are really cool too. But I am so happy for Adrian. God sniper shotted him I think.

Well it's been a crazy week. Since both my companions were going home we ate with members almost every day. My companions spent the week packing and sorting everything out. 

Thursday we had district meeting at the matrimony couples house and ate thanksgiving dinner. There was no spicy applesauce jello, but it was still pretty good.

We have been planning all week to have a great activity Friday night to introduce ilumina el mundo, and we made brownies and all sorts of stuff. But that morning Margarita died. She is a member living in Norway with her Norwegian husband and 5 year old son. They came here about 2 weeks ago because the doctors said there was no more they could do (liver cancer). We spent that evening in the velatorio talking to her husband. He doesn't speak Spanish, so we're about the best company he's got. Really sad. We had the funeral the next day and actually went to the cemetery. It's like a giant chest of drawers. They bury people above ground here. All of the tombstones had crosses. It made me feel a little uncomfortable. I'm grateful to know that Christ lives. It's way more fun to celebrate the living Christ than the dying one. 

Friday we also ate thanksgiving with a member. She made orange chicken and rice. We brought sweet potatoes and pie. We made hand turkeys.

We met with Hayro. He agreed to be baptized. He met with Luis and taught the plan of salvation. He is so cool. They both came to church, and I think they liked it. I was running all around because the piano player didn't come and my companions were speaking, so I translated. It was exciting. 

Now I've sent them off and am staying with the senior couple until my companion comes tomorrow evening. I can't wait to have a companion again. It's Hna Peterson. She is Hna Sam's baby. Good stuff.

I'm grateful for the time I have left. It feels like gifted extra time, so I've got to make the most of it.

Love you all!

Skibby with her (now former) companions, Hna. Sam (right behind Skibby)
& Hna. Wihongi (far left). 
Skibby loved serving with them!