Every You Go, There is Always 'Skye'

* A Note from Elder Van Wagoner's Mom: "Most of you know Ashley had her baby unexpectedly Sunday evening around 6.  This was convenient in that we could send Logan very up to the moment pictures and information on Monday.  He has told me all along that he felt like this little unborn spirit was  spending part of her time with him on his mission.  Logan mentions being woken up in his letter.  He told me he had a dream that she was leaving and woke up a little before three am his time. This was within the hour she was born. I certainly don't claim to know how all of that works and what the restrictions are on our spirits, but I do know that his little girl is all ready very loved.  I haven't been able to unscramble these pictures yet because Landon dismantled the computer I use to do it.  Hopefully they aren't anything too crazy.  I will untangle them later today and send them out to you all.  The last line of the letter is referring to the very last friend of the the FAB FIVE who is leaving on his mission. They will all be out in South Korea, Africa, Argentina, New Jersey, and finally Atlanta Georgia, Spanish speaking. They are an amazing bunch of boys. What a crazy life this is. Happy New Year all you people I love!"

-Myrna

(Written January 6, 2014)

The African "Skye"

Over 5 months ago I entered the Ghana Accra Mission. It has been an experience I will always fall short of, in terms of eloquence, to describe. Words can not do the justice needed to bring the understanding of the day to day, minute to minute life I have seen.

Yesterday popcorn 'popped'. Yes, the Popcorn! Skye Kamdyn Maxwell was born at 5:55 on the 5th of Jan. From the pictures I have seen, she is just as beautiful as I knew.

Some of the sweetest and most tender moments came with her. I have had the privilege of serving with her here. Several occasions stand out clear as day. So maybe I'll mention a couple. 

Nearly 4 months ago, as I biked the streets of Cantonments, Accra, I prayed for any help I could get. That day was a tough one. Some of the most serious prayers I have said came on the back of that bike. I felt an answer almost immediately. There was a light and a warmth within my heart, and popcorn was by my side. I wish there was words I could use that would make you felt what beautiful spirit was there.

The title from this email, comes from the Ghana phone service 'MTN'. They are not by any means the best or most reliable. In fact we cannot, for the life of us, figure out why they put us on contract with them. However, as you make a call, there is a start up tone. The MTN ladies voice comes on and, instead of a ring, you hear these famous lines: "Everywhere you go, there is always sky (Skye). Big, Beautiful, endless sky. Just look up into the Sky and take a deep breath.. *breathes deep*..."

The line carries on longer about calling your friend and telling them 'next time you look into the sky, pick up your phone and call a friend. Tell them, just how Beautiful the Skye is.'

Yes the Ghanaian sky is beautiful, but there are not words for Skye. I will always remember playing the guitar the night before I left, and knowing she was right next to me. That was the first time I knew she was a girl.

This week we were able to teach a lot of great people, have some cool lessons and work hard. One very sweet moment came the day after I prayed to exercise my priesthood more. So the next day as we were getting some food, a taxi with a load of wood drove by. The wood fell out and all over the street. We ran over and started to help them pack it back up. As we did I received the pure knowledge from the Spirit. That this was a direct answer to my prayers and I was using my Priesthood. The understanding came so strongly and surely that I don't think man, in any words or language, could explain, in any adequacy, how pure the knowledge was.

It was so simple, but so wonderful. I am very blessed. As I look back on that moment, that was one last day with Popcorn, or as she is now known, Skye.

Skye, I hope one day, be it a long time from now, or sooner, that you will read this. I want you to know that I love you and will be grateful forever. You carried me on in some of the darkest times, you have already been and will yet be a light unto all who see you. Even a lower light whose good works others see 'and are lead to glorify your Father, who is in Heaven.' I want you to know that through you the promises of the Lord were kept as we learn in the Doctrine and Covenants. The Lord did send 'Angel(s) round about [me] to bare [me] up'.

I know this Church is true, that Jesus is the Christ and he lives. I know that the promises of Heavenly Father are fulfilled, always. I know that you are an Angel sent from God.

I don't have all the time I wish I did but even if you won't remember all these times, I always will. Thank you, with all I have.

You said goodbye and woke me up before you came. :) I love you.

Family I love you forever, from Ghana and Back and To Eternity.

love,

Elder Van Wagoner

p.s. Elder Jordan Wells, 'ye elder of Israel come join now with me' and all of us serving the Lord our God.

Happy Almost New Year!

(Written December 30, 2013)

Hey Everyone! It was so cool to hear from you all on Christmas, sorry for the tech problems, but that was pretty cool! Most people don't get to face time here, since most areas can't, so we are blessed!

After our talk I left to go say a prayer. As I knelt down, alone as you are aloud to be as a missionary, I felt such an overwhelming love from our Savior. I was praying for my family, for each one to be uplifted. Not for the first time, and hopefully not that last, I felt a more full entrance the presence of God. His love for each soul is great. He promised that he had been there before. That he was leading the way. I felt once again the words 'Fear Not'.

This week I was asked to lead more, Elder Jones has been dealing with some several issue arising in our zone. So I was left to lead the work in the area. I used to feel some anxiety at making a day truly effective. But praying for the guidance of the Lord I have felt the fear be replaced with faith. As we have worked I have seen God's hand carefully lead our steps and we were able to see success and have very effective days. The more we give up our fears the more room and chance we have for faith to take hold and lead us along. The more possible it is for Heavenly Father to enter in and guide us. The more allowance made for the Grace of Jesus the Christ to change us into all we can be.

Christmas was truly a blessing and I look forward to a bright new year. I pray that the goals we set can be to find the will of the Lord. Looking at Either 12:27 'if men come unto me I will show them their Weakness."

Let us ask God where he would have us improve. That is where we will receive the strength to do 'All Things.'

I love you all from Ghana and Back and to Eternity.

Elder Van Wagoner

Sa KoKwe La(Silent Night)

(Written December 23, 2013)

Merry Christmas everyone! I hope you are spending time with the family and keeping Christ close. Each time we teach people, we ask 'what are you giving to Christ for Christmas?'. As a mission, a zone, a companionship, and myself, we are trying to give our will to Christ.

We had our mission Christmas Conference this week. It was awesome to get to see everyone! Elder Nelson and I got to talk for a while and Elder Strong and I sat together for lunch! The three of us sat together for the devotional. I sang far far away on Judea's plains with some Elder's in my district. President Judd spoke at the end.. and as usual blew my mind. I really want to take his class when I get back home.

He spoke of how as the Angles visited Mary, the Shepherds and Joseph that he always said 'fear not'. (Luke 1 Matt. 1) We looked at how the shepherds were those called and set apart to safe guard that sacrificial lambs. and Many other things. But that is the focus of the advice given.. to fear not. God gave us the spirit of his power, not of Fear. There is no mistake ever made in his plans. 

He blessed the mission as we left. He came to the alter and gave a blessing through the priesthood as if we were each at his hands. There is a spirit here that can't really be replaced. Some moments that you couldn't have anywhere else but on mission.

I am sorry that I don't have much time this week, but I will call home on Wednesday using the google hangout thing. I will make the call at 6 my time meaning it will be 11 your time. I really am so excited to hear from my family! 

I love you all from ghana and back and to eternity!

Elder Van Wagoner