Saturday March 2, 2013
Dear Family and Friends,
Some of you may have noticed that there has been no letter for the past three weeks. Others of you haven't noticed, and that's okay. Just by way of explanation, I have been battling a sinus infection/cough, etc., and have not felt like writing letters. For that I apologize, and resolve to repent and be a good boy again. In other words, I am feeling much better and will get back into writing regularly.
Sickness brings an appreciation for good medical care. The move from Mesa to WI has, of course, necessitated a change in our insurance coverage and establishing new health care provider relationships. We have been blessed to find a good primary care doctor. Because of my recent past medical history the primary care doctor has asked me to also establish new relationships with certain specialists here. That has also turned out well. We feel good about the healthcare available to us here in Kenosha. We expect to live on now, until we die.
Yesterday was a remarkable day for us. We have not been able to attend the temple since leaving home. The temple was such a vital part of our lives before. To not be able to attend for this long has indeed been painful. Well, with our MP's permission and blessing, we went to the beautiful Chicago Temple yesterday. What a wonderful day it was for us. The 50 mile trip south on I-94 and on to I-294 to Glenview, a north Chicago suburb, was a bit of an experience in and of itself. On our way out to WI we passed through IL and first experienced the Illinois Tollway. Somehow, I had forgotten about them. Be assured the Tollway is alive and well! As we seldom carry any cash with us here, using our debit card for most every expense, we set off for the temple unprepared for the tolls. We were not long on the freeway before the "Welcome to Illinois" sign appeared. Shortly thereafter came the sign that advised us we were on a toll highway, and to prepare to stop and pay our toll. I was about to panic. There was no escape off the freeway, nothing to do but head on into the toll both and suffer the consequences. Well, it turned out to not be as bad as expected. The kind lady filled out a missed toll slip for us to go on line and make our payment there. They give you 7 days to do so, and then they come after you I suppose. We took care of that detail this morning, thankfully. On the way home we were better prepared. The toll each way was $2.80. In fairness I must report that the toll highway was in excellent condition. I suppose the funds to maintain the roadways are more available for toll highways. In Chicago it is possible some of the funds go other directions I suppose.
The temple was absolutely wonderful. It was one of the early small temples, built in 1985. In 1989 it was enlarged and renovated. Architecturally it looks very much like the Boise Temple. We arrived at mid-afternoon, and there were almost no other patrons present. We were royally welcomed. One other couple was in the session we attended. We were also able to participate in some sealings and some initiatory ordinances. I cannot explain to others how much I love the temple, and being in the temple. The Holy Spirit always manifests Himself to me powerfully therein. I feel Heavenly Father's great love for me whenever I am there. The temple makes it possible for all Heavenly Father's children, who will prepare themselves as He requires, to attend and receive the wonderful blessings, the covenants and ordinances, that will allow each one to enter back into His and the Savior's holy presence. Without what He freely gives us there, we cannot return to dwell with Him in the hereafter. He forces no one to come, but He is constantly reaching out to us, hoping that we will choose to come to Him. When we go to the temple we symbolically re-enter His presence. I believe the experiences we have in the temple are intended to help us remember who we really are, and what it will really be like when we are prepared to return to Him. They strengthen us and give us great hope and assurance for the future. They sustain us in all that we face each day.
The temple does not rent the needed white clothing. Missionaries do not generally take their temple clothes with them. However, the temple is kindly prepared to provide the needed white clothing for missionaries. For that we were very grateful. Interestingly there is a Distribution Center attached to the temple. It only handles the needed special clothing associated with the temple for the members in the area. They can purchase whatever they need there. It does not have any of the printed materials available however. We learned as a side note that Deseret Book used to have a store nearby the temple. It has been closed down in recent months however. It is always interesting to see who you meet when you go to the temple. President Coy Miskin, a counselor in the presidency, greeted us. He and Sister Miskin are originally from Idaho Falls. I asked if he had any Mesa relations. He said he did. I asked about Thayne Miskin. Thayne is a first cousin to Pres. Miskin. I have known Thayne for many years. He was over Mesa Schools finances for many years when I was teaching in Mesa. As we were preparing to leave the temple, a brother came to us and asked if we might know of an Elder Skinner who had served a mission in France in 1960, when this brother was serving there. Well, it just happens that Uncle Halver's (Dad's brother) son Roger served in France at that time. Anyway, the brother gave me his name and a little about himself to pass along to Roger. Morgan called this morning to share Roger's phone and e-mail contact info. It is a joy to have little connections happen when we are out and about in the world.
This week Vicki received the materials to teach basic music skills, leading and keyboard, in the branch. We met with the branch president and briefly explained the program. We gave him a copy of an Ensign article about what it can do for a branch. We now need to await his approval to move forward with it. The program is meant to teach members he basic skills, and to also teach them how to teach others what they have learned. That way the skills can theoretically be perpetuated in the branches.
Next Saturday we have three baptisms scheduled in the branch. One is the sister we have been accompanying the elders in teaching. The other two are from Racine and are being taught by the Sp-elders who serve there. Both cities are part of our branch. Anyway, it will be wonderful to have these new people in the branch as members. It is good to feel well enough again to be accompanying the elders in their teaching.
Our little family in Elkhorn that is preparing to go to the temple are progressing well. We had a wonderful lesson with them this week. The Spirit is working upon them. They will be ready when their date comes. We assigned them to have a preliminary interview with the branch president this week if possible to see where they stand with their worthiness. Tithing is always the most difficult commandment people struggle with. If they only knew. What a blessing to pay our tithing!
This weekend is stake conference. We will receive the Sunday session by satellite from the stake center in Milwaukee. Three units will be meeting together tomorrow in our building. We will need to get there early with our elders and investigator and her grandchildren to have good seats. Oh, I didn't report that with the last transfers, our elders were put on bikes. We are their transportation much more than before.
Winter storm Rocky dropped a foot of moist, heavy snow on us this past week. I noticed that all the snow plow drivers are happily fulfilling the measure of their creation. This is the heaviest snow of the winter so far. We are warm and comfortable and happy to be serving in WI.
May you each be blessed in your labors and responsibilities. May you feel Heavenly Father's love for you. Blessings on you, each one!
Love,
Elder & Sister Skinner
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