Preaching the Gospel and Loving It!!!

It has been about to months since our last post and we apologize. Elder Buck is doing great and the french language is coming. He has moved into a new apartment in the Congo. His testimony and knowledge of the gospel is growing each and every day. The rainy season will start in the next month or so and he's probably going to get wet. He's grows each and every week into the man that will define him throughout his life. Heavenly Father is watching with a heart full of pride to see this young man sacrifice for two years to bring our brothers and sisters in Africa the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Always keep him in your prayers and he sends his love to all of you.

3 Months and Counting!

I'm sorry this will be short, but I at least wanted to add the pictures on so everyone could see Elder Buck in Africa. Poor kid didn't get any of our emails last week because our emails didn't go through. So we were able to set up a new account for him, and hopefully we won't have any more problems.

He's doing well, still working hard on the language. They had a bit of a stumbling block when Elder Chirwa, his companion, received a phone call from the mission president letting him know his father had passed away. It was difficult, but this is what Elder Buck had to say,

"But at the same time it made me look deep down and have a greater appreciation for the Plan of Salvation. I don't know what I would do if anything like that would happen If I didn't have this Gospel in my life. I am so grateful for this wonderful church and the wonderful plan Heavenly Father created for us and the infinite sacrifice His Son did. This church is the only true church on this earth today.  Never have I had a greater testimony of that than now and my testimony only continues to grow each and every single day I get to preach this amazing gospel to the people of Africa ."

He said he is starting to understand the language more, and people's accents so the teaching is becoming a little easier.  He's just growing and learning so much it's amazing. We just love getting his letters and hearing his testimony. We should be getting another email tomorrow morning, so I'll update everyone once we get it.

FYI

We want comments on this page, so feel free to comment. If you've got info from a letter or email from him, share it with the rest of us! =)

He Made It To Africa!

He made it to Africa safe and sound! It was a long trip, but he's there. He's already getting some funny looks for all the locals there, but I'm sure he'll get used to it, and so will they. He was flying to his area today to the Repulic of  Congo serving the city there Point Noire. His trainer's name is Elder Chowang is a native African from Zambania (or something? he wasn't sure.)
He's already been able to experience some of the food and drinks over there and he didn't think they were too bad! It's pretty humid, so he's having to try to adjust to that. So far, so good!

We don't have details as of yet for and address to send letter and stuff, but I'll let everyone know once we do.

He's Off!

So Elder Buck left the MTC yesterday! After some delays in flights and whatnot, he left the SLC airport around 5pm. They thought they would leave a lot earlier than that so he had a few hours of hanging out at the airport. It was a little hard on his nerves, but he was doing great. Dallas and I were able to go over with the fam and talk to him when he called from the airport. It was so good to talk to him! We all cried! His testimony has grown and he's learned so much, in such a short time. He was nervous to go Africa, but so excited.
He had a long flight ahead of him...He would have a nonstop flight to Paris France and he should have got there around 3 am today. We were hoping he'd be able to call when he got there, but we didn't hear from him. I'm sure he was busy trying to find where to go. At least he knows some French! =)  From France he'll go straight to Africa, and should arrive there around 1 or 2 pm today. So everyone keep him in your prayers and we'll let you know more when we know more!

1 More Week In the MTC!

Elder Buck will be leaving the MTC on May 25th! Can you believe it's been 2 months already?  I asked in the last letter I wrote for him to let me know something for the blog so this is his response.

"I love my mission so far! That the Lord has truly blessed me and the tough times out here wont even compare to the blessings my family and I will receive. I'm truly blessed to be on a mission and to be learning french.  I know this is exactly what I need to be doing right now in my life I love this work I love the Lord! . I cant wait to send you pictures of Africa ha and my very first incredible sunburn  I will get as soon as i step off that plane!"

 He's doing so well and loves his mission. The language continues to be a struggle, but he knows the Lord will bless him.  He is extremely excited to go to Africa and teach the gospel.  As each letter comes you can see how he is growing up and becoming closer to the Lord.

He's so grown up!

Elder Buck sent us a new letter on the 23rd. He has been out 1 full month, can you believe it?! He loves getting letters and hearing from everyone. He was even able to see his friend, Clint Ericson, so he was pretty excited about that. He feels like he's grown so much since he's been there, and so much older than those new missionaries coming in. He's so experienced now! =) In one month he'll be in AFRICA! 
He's sending us lots of pictures and showing how much fun he's having. So we'll post those soon!

First Few Letters

We have received a few letters from Elder Buck now, and it's so good to hear from him. It's even better because as family, we get to email him Fridays and usually receive a note from him too. He is doing really well. He loves serving the Lord and has an amazing testimony. He's had some adjusting to do getting used to having a companion, but it's going well. He loves getting letters and hearing from everyone. He is so grateful for all the love and support he is receiving.
Elder Buck is working hard trying to learn French so he can go and teach the people of the Congo the Gospel. He's way excited and can't wait to get there.

Missionary Pictures

The Sunday before Elder Buck left we ran to the park and took some pictures of him in his suit. Here are just a few we thought we'd share...Keep in mind I'm NO professional! 

He'll be such a cute missionary! 

Lookin Good Elder Buck!

This is one of my favorites.

He was trying ever so hard not to do his "Chandler Smile". 

Oh...and don't mind the house in the background! =)

Behind Already!

How sad is it that Sky has been gone a month and I'm already behind on this! Pretty darn! So hopefully this week I can get it all up to date and then we can stay current! So here goes, and sorry for the delay!

The Journey begins!!!

The wonderful journey began when Skyler opened his call and read that he would be going to the "Democratic Republic of Congo Kinshasa" mission where he would be speaking French. The following months would be packed with receiving immunizations, doctors visits, shopping, and much worrying.
March 21, 2010 would mark the realization that he would be leaving soon. He delivered his farewell address with passion and emotion. Friends and Family were in tears as he delivered his powerful testimony of the Gospel and his love for the people he would teach. Skyler would later have to say many goodbyes throughout the day and many more tears were shed for the love that everyone had for him and he had for them.
March 23, 2010 brought us the stake presidents office where Skyler would be set-apart as a full-time missionary and be blessed to baptize and learn the language needed to be a successful missionary. The spirit was strong as Skyler was set-apart. The spiritual giant which he is was blessed and became a messenger of the true gospel of Jesus Christ.
March 24, 2010 would be a very emotional day. We would be taking Elder Buck to embark on his journey and would enter the MTC at 12:45 pm. As we made the trip to Provo hearts were heavy with sadness and joy. There was much laughter and crying as Provo got closer. Finally, we arrived, as we pulled to the curb emotions were to hard to control. We hugged this wonderful Elder one last time before he started his wonderful journey that is a mission. Love and emotions were expressed and we gave our last goodbyes. The image of this strapping young man walking away to become one the Lord's stripling warriors is one that will be forever imprinted on the minds of his loving family.