The Best Two Years

Monday, August 25, 2008

August 25 Letter

  Hey, got your email.  Yeah, so there are some things you could send me. The first thing you could send me is a couple cases of Wingers Sauce, one for me and one for the assistant and one for Pres. and Sis. Seal (their request not mine, ha, ha).  Oh, and I've lost like 15 to 20 pounds.  It's just pants I need, my shirts actually fit fine now, before, like in the MTC, they were really tight around my neck. Now I can breath, so, yeah, and depending on pants, I know I can fit in a 36 waist dockers, but any thing else will have to be a 38, but make sure they are 34 length if you send, so, whatever, and hey, a few super sweet, nice ties every once in a while wouldn't hurt either.  So I think that should cover everything.
(This next part is in reference to a comment I made to Skyler to encourage him if times get tough and to remember that someone in the Oklahoma, Tulsa Mission needs him there.)
Don't worry Mom. I know why I'm here, and there isn't just one person for me to find, there are way more than that. It's good your praying for missionary experiences, but when we pray it is an act of faith. Just like faith without works is dead. It's not just you, it's everybody. I know that there are lots of people who work for us that could use the gospel that Dad or Chris could talk to. Remember, people won't change unless asked to do so. Are you studying preach my gospel? Do you have one? Do you know why members should have preach my gospel? Do you know why I feel strong that members should do missionary work? Well, (1) the prophets and apostles said so, so that basicaly came from the Lord, and (2) the church has split China up into 300 missions. Right now there are only about 300 missions in the United States, which means a lot of missionaries will be sent to China instead of other places. Right now, as missionaries, our job is to teach and establish a foundation for member missionary work. Because when the Lord says go to China there won't be any missionaries in the U.S. and other places, so it will rely solely on members, and this applies to me too because this won't be while I'm out. Well, hopefully it didnt sound like I'm ridiculing, because I'm not, I'm encouraging. If I could go back to high school, I would have talked to everyone who wasn't a member about the gospel because I know why it's important. We have something that non-members don't. It is up to the members to bring the world the truth. One thing I thought was interesting, was someone was interviewing Pres. Eyering, and they asked him what his fear was. He said, "I'm scared of my friends who weren't members coming up to me and saying you knew about this the whole time and you didn't tell me.". That to me is powerful. Our mission doesn't end in 2 years, and mine didn't start 6 months ago. It started when I became a member of the Church, and it will last the rest of my life. I just feel we, as members, forget that sometimes. I know I did. Mom, you and Dad have some of the strongest testimonies I know of. Tell me, how did it feel when you got to testify of something that has greatly blessed your life to someone who wasn't of our faith? How did it feel? Remember that (feeling), and like it says in Hebrews 2:1, don't let them slip. We should personally invest in our testimonies. So I know you are doing missionary work all the time, you just don't realize it. So keep up the good work and be an example. The believers, just like it says in 1 Timothy 4, should remember that sharing the gospel isnt just lip service. We should always preach the gospel and SOMETIMES use word. Well, the Spirit "constraineth" me, so hopefully you see where I'm coming from. I'm not condemning, I'm just testifying of what I have come to know to be true, with hopes you understand. Oh, and thanks for being the best examples in the world. loves

Wednesday, August 20, 2008

August 18 Letter - Skyler's new address

    Hey got your email and stuff.  So not much has happened huh, that's cool. Not much has happened here either. Elder Jeppeson and I get along good, and the Ward we're in is awesome. Our Bishop is very mission minded. It's awesome.
Last week I had to get my bike fixed which cost me about 90 bucks. I had to put a new rim on it,the bearing inside went bad and I had to get a new rim because it did some damage. I had to buy a couple pairs of dress pants because some of mine are like way too big and already worn out. So I had to make some big purchases. If you have any questions then just write me. I'm here, and if you send packages try not to send a lot of candy, cuz Elder Jeppeson has me on a diet. So I got to take it easy, but if Grandma ever sends me a package I will just have to make an exception.
I think I can remember my address. I'm pretty sure it's

4131 South Scenic
Apt. B-#106
Springfield, MO 65807

Ya, that's it. Elder Jeppeson just clarified, so send away, I will be glad to read them.
Oh, and if you're having trouble talking to people then read in preach my gospel chpt. 10 under listening. There is a quote by Elder Holland, I'm pretty sure you'll like it. Any ways, just thought I'd share that with you.
loves, take care.

Monday, August 11, 2008

August 11 Letter

 Hey, got your email.  Ya, so I forgot the address because I'm still new here and I was gonna write it down this morning, but I forgot, ha ha.  So people can still write me and send me packages, just send them to the mission home or something. 
So the goal of 40 lessons, ya, it's still on. Oh, and correction, it didn't come from Pres. Seal. It came from an apostle who speaks for the Lord. I will tell you one thing, it's tough. One thing we are trying to get is member referals. Because there is no way we can teach 40 effective lessons without members. I think it was implemented just to get members doing missionary work, personally. So how are your missionary efforts coming? You were probably hoping I would forget, huh. But hey, I bet there are 2 elders in the Burley Stake who would love some referals, huh. But hey, don't take it from me. Elder Bednar gave a great talk in the last General Conference, that talked about this certain subject. Remember, it comes from the Lord and one thing I've learned on my mission -- when the Lord commands, do it. So while your doing your challenge, one of these weeks, this would be a perfect time to implement this challenge the Lord has given us.
So what's the deal on a mission with ya'all? Are you going any time soon? Dad said that when I've been out 6 months that you were gonna go on a mission. Well, guess what, time flies.
Ya, so I guess I don't want to know what Chris saw, because it was probably a bear, huh. Tell him to email me back. I emailed him a couple weeks ago, but he's too cool to write back I guess, ha, ha.
So you had some major rain fall, huh. That's good. How is the drought coming, is it better or worse? So you had some hail. Sounds like it was small hail. We get like golf ball sized hail on up, now that's crazy.
Well, I kinda hope Uncle Darwin goes soon, it will be easier for every one, includin' him. I just can't beleive he is still holding on. He is one tough old bugger. Yes, I will definitely pray for them.
Well, one last thing before I leave. Tell the Young Women "thanks" for sending me their little card thing with their comments. I appreciated all their remarks. Well, hopefully I don't forget anything. I will probably write you a letter today with my new address, we will see if I have time.
loves, bye

Tuesday, August 5, 2008

August 4 Letter

 Ya, I got your emails both of them.  Sounds like it's been a crazy couple weeks.  I'm so jealous you get to go to the temple. You better go every week while you're there, and your lucky because you get to share your testimonies with people, that is way awesome.  The most powerful tool we have as members is our testimonies.    So you drove through a tornado, huh, seems like their getting more and more common in Idaho and the western regions, meaning it's getting close to the end of times. Right? So gird up your loins cuz it's gonna get rough. 
So they had a swimmer drown. That's too bad. I bet Dad felt terrible, but hey, we know where he went. We can't be sorry for him.
Ya, it is a small world isn't it. Elder Palmer was awesome. I got him on my tape recorder and some pics. So I might have to send them out to you. He is way cool. (Just a little side note - Skyler met Elder Palmer at the MTC. Elder Palmer is now the companion to Skyler's cousin, Andy Lloyd, who is serving a mission in Trinidad.)
Well I can't remember every thing you talked about, so hopefully I didn't leave any thing out ya know. I will get you my address as soon as I can. I don't know it off the top of my head, so ya. Oh ya, I remembered something. I'm serving in the South Stake in Springfield. It's only like, 15 miles south of my original area, so I didn't get transferred far, which is ok. My comp is Elder Jeppeson from California. He is a good hard worker, we get along good. He thinks I'm a hick though. I can't wait to get a country boy for a companion instead of these city boys, but their all right, ha ha. Well, I think that's it for me so over and out.
Love, your son, Elder Silcock