Elder Skyler Silcock

Details of Skyler's return home and his report

2010-03-08T17:14:00.000-08:00

Hi Everyone,

Well, it's been a long two years (Bob says it's been five), but our missionary is finally coming home. Skyler has served well, has touched many lives, and, just like our other sons, is coming home with honor. We are proud of Skyler and a little sad to see this wonderful phase in his life come to an end. We hope you will join us for his report on Sunday, March 14, 2010, @ the Unity 2nd Ward building, @ 9:00 a.m. We will have a dinner following his report for all who came to hear Skyler speak in Sacrament Meeting. The dinner will be held at Morey's Event Center here in Burley. If you need directions to any of these places give us a call or leave a message on Skyler's blog. We also invite all who would like to join us at the airport when he arrives on Friday. He will be flying into the Pocatello airport at 6:00 p.m. and then we will be going into Pocatello to eat at Winger's and invite all to join us. I am including Skyler's last and final email (although it is really short and not much to say). We thank you for checking in on how Skyler has been doing while on his mission and for your comments. I will do one final entry (hopefully next week) that will contain any pictures Skyler would like to share with you. We hope to see you this weekend!

March 8, 2010

Hey, so I still haven't gotten my plans for flyin home yet. You know more than I do. So great, I have along layover in Salt Lake, oh well!! Anywase, I don't have too much to say. But it might help to put some more money on my card because I want to send some packages home instead of going through the hastle of taking them on the plane you know!! Anywase, I will see you Friday!!

Loves, Elder Silcock, over and out !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

February 23 & March 1 Letters - Touching lives!

2010-03-02T14:12:00.000-08:00

March 1, 2010

Hey how's it goin! And ya, I got your package and stuff and loved it!! It was nice to see pics of Trevor and Shilo! Anywase, I don't have a whole lot to say either because it was just a normal week nothing too crazy happened to us, just the usual gettin guns pulled on us and gettin shot at and you know nothing too crazy and anywase I hope you get this email! Anywase I will let you go. So talk to ya later!!

Loves,
Elder Silcock

February 23, 2010

Hey, how's it goin! Sorry this is a day late! Yesterday while emailing our computers at the library just shut off and we had to wait till today to email again. The worst part was that I had just finished up a nice long email to ya when it shut off so it was kinda frustrating! Anywase I got your package yesterday and it was awesome!!! I think those movies will be cool to watch with investigators. So ya about the investigator we found a couple weeks ago! His name is Jurrell and it was on a Saturday and it was kinda dark and usually we don't talk to people outside if it's dark because they might shoot us or something or get scared! But on this occasion we were going to see some Spanish ivestigators that lived in an apartment. Well while walking to the stairs a guy came out to smoke a cigarette. Elder Poulsen and I kinda kept walking to the stairs when Elder Poulsen and I got a strong prompting to go talk to him!! And it was cool cuz at the same time Elder Poulsen and I just started walking to him at the same time with out even saying anything to each other!! We found out that he had just gotten a phone call from his mom and she told him that is 3 year old son was diagnosed with a severe case of asthma and was in the hospital! Well his son is in Minnesota and Jurrell came here to find work and so things weren't working out like he thought they had!! Well, in the phone call his mom said you need to find you a church and get some beliefs! Well, being sad, he walked outside to smoke a cigarette to calm himself!! Then along came two missionarys!! It's awesome to tell someone they are a child of God and to see the light of Christ work in them! He asked that we say a prayer with him. So I offered the prayer. Then I asked him if he knew how to pray and he told me about his life and how he never really grew up in a church or going to church for that matter! He told us he didn't know what to believe, but thought it was crazy that as soon as he got off the phone with his mom telling him to find a church there we were! He told us that he had friends that followed the devil and that he had been shot twice and stabbed twice! And the whole time he is telling us this he is crying and so we teach him how to pray and then asked him if he would like to pray right there! He was scared, but we talked him into it! He gave the most sincere prayer I have ever heard! He truly plead with the Lord and at the end of the prayer all of us were crying! And the cool part was that he came to church the next day! Unfortionatly he had to go back to Minnesota to see his son, but promised us he would find the church and stuff!! And I think he will, but if not some point down the road missionarys or a member of the church will find him and he will remember how he felt the day we found him!! Anywase it's just cool to see how the Lord prepares people and then puts them in your path! Anywase, tonight we are going the the Steins house to celebrate my b day. They are an awesome family and do alot for us! Anywase I think thats about it and I will be looking for your letter in the mail. And oh, I did get my extension. (***his drivers license extension) they actually sent me 2 card extensions for some reason! Anywase, read some of the book "The Transfer"! It was cool to see Lindsy Spjute's story in there as well! (****This is the book that has Nick's story in it) Anywase, I will talk to ya later and tell everyone I said hi! And just so you know mom, I love you!

Loves,
Elder Silcock

Skyler's Coming Home & his last few letters

2010-02-08T09:02:00.000-08:00

January 25, 2010

Ya, I got the news that Chris was in Springdale and I talked to President Merkley about it and he says I can't go see him. Which is sad because he is only 30 minutes away!! But ya, I'm aware!! And I fly into Pocatello!! I told them Twin Falls, oh well, I guess it's alright as long as I get there, right!! I wonder when they will let me know all that stuff!! Anywase, I havent started the Isagenix yet, I'm waiting for the right time which might be this week!!! Anywase, I will let you go! Nothing too exciting to tell you other than I will be finishing up my mission here in Berryville with Elder Poulsen! But ya, if you want to call President Merkley, sweet talk him in to lettin' me see Chris, you can do it, you can probably do a better job at it than me, just don't tell him I told you so!!! Anywase, I will let you go. So talk to ya later.

Loves, Elder Silcock

February 1, 2010

Hey, what's up!! So I got your letter and you said I will be released Feb 10 and fly home Feb 12. Did you mean March 10 and 12? Hopefully you did, because you scared me, haha!! It better not be that soon. (* * * I did put the wrong month, just anxious I guess, but Skyler flys into Pocatello on March 12 @ 6:00, p.m. and we invite all, who would like to, to come join us at the airport that day!!!) Anywase, we had a crazy week. We had the ice storm and then it snowed like 6 inches. We didn't get it that bad we only had like 1/4 of and inch of ice but it shut the town down. We didn't loose power or anything, so it wasn't bad. Anywase, that's pretty much my week, not a whole lot to talk about either, so talk to ya later.

Loves, Elder Silcock

February 8, 2010

I don't want anything for my bday. I'm good! I just need to know when we plan on coming out here to see my people in the mission!! Anywase, not a whole lot happened this week basically the same ol, same ol!! And I'm thinking about going to Utah State. Trevor Searle wants me to go there and it feels right! I don't know when maybe next year because I really want to help Jay and Dayne on the farm and make a lot of money so I can affford college if I so choose to!! So I have definitly got a lot of options, that's for sure. But I will just have to take it to the temple when I get home!! But anywase, tell everyone I said hi and happy Valentines day!!!

Loves, Elder Silcock

January 11 & 18 Letters

2010-01-20T21:47:00.000-08:00

January 11, 2010

Hey, how's it goin. Ya, I haven't gotten your package yet. But I talked to the dmv here and I also talked to our office missionary and I will need to get a new drivers license because I need to drive and also for the plane ride home, I need a renewed drivers licence, so either way I will need to get my drivers license renewed here and get an Arkansas one!! But ya, we had a good week and we had 2 investigators at Church! So that was good! But ya, I will need a birth certificate and our office missionary said I need to do it asap! But anywase, I can't think of what else to tell you! I guess you wanted to know what the country is like here! Well, it's rolling hills with alot of oak trees and cedar trees and a few maple trees! There are a couple other kinds but I don't know what their called! But ya, that's the country here and there are a lot of chicken farms and ranches and stuff so it makes me feel at home here! But ya, anywase what week do you plan to come back to the mission? I just want to know so I can tell the people here when I'm coming back you know! Anywase, I will let you go, nothing too exciting is happening other than Berryville was shut down for like a week with only 1 inch of snow!! They even cancled church because of it!! And school was out for a whole week over 1 inch of snow, is that dumb or what!! Anywase, I'll talk to ya later ok.

Loves, Elder Silcock

January 18, 2010

Hey how's it goin. So how was your week!! Mine was good and busy, but still not much to say! It's basically the same ol same ol! But I have been told that Elder Poulsen and I are in charge of the 5th Sunday this month and so we got to pull something together for that! So it should be fun! I got Dad's letter and I'm impressed because his hand writing is gettin' better!! And I also talked to Trevor Searle today on my email and he said he is gonna try to stop by sometime soon! So anywase, I'm sorry it's short, but there is really not much to talk about. But anywase, I will talk to ya later!!

Loves, Elder Silcock

December News

2010-01-04T07:32:00.000-08:00

Hi Friends,

Sorry about the delay on updating you with news from Skyler. What can I say? It was December!!!!! Anyway, here is an update plus last weeks letter from Skyler.

Skyler was transferred just one week before Christmas, which was a sad thing since he would be in un-familiar territory with a lot of strangers for Christmas (I think we need to put pressure on the mission office in Salt Lake to make a rule that there can be no transfers right before Christmas! What do you think?) Anyway, you will see his new address in the left hand column. We didn't know what to send Skyler for Christmas since he will be coming home in a few months and he didn't really need anything, so we sent him a few personal items and then we also sent him a box of gifts to give to a family of his choice. So on Christmas I asked him what he did with the gifts, and he said that he and his companion knew a family that could use it and left it on their doorstep, rang the bell and ran. He said it was a lot of fun and knows that the family will really appreciate it. He did have a baptism a week before he left Mountain Home, which was a great experience. The man's name is Frank Pfeifer. His family has waited a long time for him to get baptized (like 17 years). You can find out more about this family by reading Skyler's December 7 letter. Anyway, this has been a cool experience, even for us because Brother Pfeifer's daughter, Tiana, has been sending me text messages and pix of the event and of Skyler, and as soon as I can get what I need to download the pix off of my cell phone, I will post them for you to see!!!! Here is one of the messages she sent to me:

"My family has waited 17 years for my Dad to join the Church. I think God has sent your son here to help my Dad, with as many things they have in common who could turn him a way? We thought to say thank you and gave him and his companion a gallon of egg nog. I don't think it lasted long."

Tiana Pfeifer

Thank you Tiana!!!!

We also got another letter on Christmas eve from the Brown family that Skyler got so close to while he was in Springfield, MO a year ago. It was a real nice letter and the following is part of what they said:

"Elder Silcock served in our Ward during Christmas time last year and we even had the missionaries over on Christmas Day. It was a fun time. The misisonaries have such a spirit about them that helps carry over in our home. One thing that Elder Silcock shared with us was how your family writes letters on Christmas to your son, Nick. I was very touched at the letter about your son's death. (Skyler had asked me to write a letter to them last year, telling about Nick). Elder Silcock, as you know, can be very silly, but it was touching to hear of your son, Nick, and also of Elder Silcock's desire to serve. ..... I just found your brief history of what happened to Nick. What STRONG people you are to let your next son serve a mission. I felt like I needed to let you know what an example you are to many people. What a touching story. I have 2 sons who will eventually be old enough to serve missions and knowing that they may never come home is a sad thought, but with the gospel it makes it worth it. Thank you for sending out such a great son & for letting him share your story with our family. I hope you have a wonderful, Merry Christmas & know that our thoughts are with you during this holiday season.

Love, Sis. Julie Brown"

We really appreciated Sis. Brown's letter, it came at a time when we were missing Skyler and Nick, and lifted us up. Thank you Sis. Brown!!!! I would also like to take the time to share something with each of you (and I don't mean to detract from Skyler, but this is something that means a lot to all of us). A new book titled "The Transfer: Stories of Missionaries Who Gave the Last Full Measure of Devotion" is available on line at:
www.latterdaylegends.com

It contains the story about Nick and his mission. This is a project that was started about three years ago and we are honored to have Nick's story told. It also includes the story of one of Megan's friends, Lindsey Spjute, who died a year and a half ago while serving in England. This is a great tribute to all that serve missions. Anyway, back to Skyler:

Skyler had another baptism scheduled, but he wasn't going to be able to attend that one because it was scheduled for Christmas Eve. But he has been given a new challenge. He told us on Christmas that the town he is in is called Berryville and is small (he is still in Arkansas and only about 60 miles away from his previous area). They only have a Branch there and many of the members are Spanish speaking and even some of the meetings where said in Spanish. Fortunately, Skyler's new companion can speak Spanish and is teaching Skyler, which will be a big plus when he comes home. Below, is the letter we got from Skyler last week. Thanks for checking back with us.

December 28, 2009

Hey, how's it goin? So ya, for Christmas we went to the Jones family and we had some food and then we watched the Emma Smith movie that goes along with the new Joseph Smith movie!! It was pretty good, I liked it alot! But other than that we just relaxed and wrote letters and stuff so nothing too exciting. And it was kinda tough being in a new area because I was in Mt. Home for so long that it was hard not being able to be with some of those people, but it's alright, it was good for me to relaxe and take a load off, I needed it. But ya, I do pretty good on the excercise thing because we are supposed to exercise every morning for at least a half hour! So anywase, I will let you go, I can't really think of anything else except that on my address cr stands for Carrol County, so it's a common thing out here to have cr or some abbreviation on your address!! Anywase, talk to ya later and can't wait to get your letter and whatever else your were gonna send me!!

loves Elder Silcock

December 7 Letter

2009-12-08T07:11:00.000-08:00

Hey, how's it going! Ya, I'm pretty sure I'll be out of here on the 18th, but you never know, I could stay, but I've been here now for 6 months and that's usually the longest they will keep you in an area. If you send them (his Christmas presents) to me this week and I stay, I won't open them till Christmas unless I need to. Or even if I get transferred I can carry them with me on transfer loop! Just whenever you want to send them I'm not to pickey. So Boise State plays TCU huh, that's awesome!! That will be a good game, you should record it for me, I would love to watch it!! Anywase, we had a pretty good week and this Saturday, Frank Pfiefer is getting baptised, so pray that Satan won't stop it!! He finally decided this last Saturday and wants to do it before I leave Mt. Home! So it was awesome! The best part was Sister Pfiefer (his wife) told us that their daughter, in her patriarchal blessing, it says she would see her Dad get baptised and be a leader in the Church, how cool is that. So the most rewarding part for me was when he called his daughter and told her he was getting baptised!! Way awesome, huh!! Anywase, and we are still gonna have a baptism on the 24 too, so 2 baptisms in December, not bad, huh!! Anywase. Isagenix is going good. Couldn't tell you as of now how much weight I've lost, but I can tell in my waist!! So thanks a bunch for that. Anywase, for Thanksgiving we just went to some peoples houses and ate turkey and pie and then went to the apartment and cleaned up a bit and studyed the scriptures because nobody was home for us to see and it was kind of a day off for us!! Anywase, hopefully that answers your question and hopefullly I haven't forgotten anything else. And oh, I don't know for sure when or where I will be flying into, but they usually wait to send me that stuff. I'd imagine you'll probably know before I will! Anywase, talk to ya later, and how did the temple go!! I guess you'll let me know in your letter, I hope! Anywase, talk to ya later!

Loves, Elder Silcock

November 30 Letter

2009-12-08T06:42:00.000-08:00

What's up!! So ya I will definitely pray for that!! Wish I could be there, that would be awesome! (Skyler is referring to our family trip this week to the temple in honor of Nick's birthday. Doing a sealing session was our gift to him and will be a family tradition from now on. We know that Nick is still very much a missionary and we never know when we do the ordinance work for someone at the temple that it may be someone Nick has taught! Cool, huh!)
I always write him (Nick) a letter or something and put it in my pocket for remembrance! Anywase, we set a baptismal date this week with the Spanish lady I was tellin' you about for Christmas eve so that should be way sweet, huh! And another cool story, we have an investigator, his name is Frank Pfiefer! His wife and kids are members, but he isn't, yet! Anywase, me and him are good buddys and according to his wife he thinks alot of me! But back to the cool part, we taught him on Saturday( he is a truck driver so that's the only day we can usually teach him) and I asked him how his praying was going and stuff and he said that the Book of Mormon is true, so I asked him when he wanted to get baptised( which he wanted to be baptised before I leave here which will probably be Dec. 18th) so ya, in a couple weeks we are going to have another baptism, sweet huh! And his wife came to me at church and said, "You don't realize how awesome it was to hear Frank say what he said about the Book of Mormon!" They have been working on him for a long time! They said I don't realize how cool it was to hear him say that!! sweet huh! But ya, this place, when I first got here, there was nothing going on and was kind of a dead area! That stuff Elder Oaks talked about with the member area book and stuff, well, I'm sure that's what he told ya about. (Elder Oaks came to our Stake Conference last month and told us that conversions here in the U.S. are up considerably) anywase, my companion and have worked hard to get it established and the Ward is doing so much better, it's not even funny! It's amazing, when I first got here I didn't like it, but it's amazing how much you come to love people while serving them. Even when the people do things to you that could make you mad you still love them! I'm pretty sure that's what charity is, huh! Anywase, that's my week! And I'm sure your gonna be asking me the question, what I want for Christmas, well, I really don't need anything and I'm sure there's people out there who could use it more than I do! I know Steph told me they are going to have another humble Christmas, so maybe get something for them. I don't need anything and I don't want anything! I got everything I will ever need, so I will be ok! Anywase, talk to ya later and hope to hear from you soon!

Loves, Elder Silcock

p.s.
And by the way, I've lost like 7 pounds, thanks!!!!!!!!!!!! (I sent Skyler some Isagenix as he had asked to help him lose some weight. Glad to hear it is working for him!)

November 23 Letter

2009-11-25T08:28:00.000-08:00

How's it goin! So sounds like it's gonna be a good Stake Presidency! That's cool, wow, everything is changin! Anywase, we had Stake Conference yesterday and I got to see a lot of members from Springfield that I knew! So it was awesome! Didn't have any General Authorities, but some good speaking! Anywase, I can't remember if I told you about the lady and her daughter that came to Church, not yesterday, but last Sunday! Anywase, this lady from Chile and her daughter came to church! The daughter was a member and she is like 17 but her mother is not, but has been affiliated with the Church for over 45 years when her mother got baptised and stuff. Anywase, we set up an appointment to see them and we went over and got to know them. Then when we were getting ready to leave she starts bearing her testimony to us about the Church and she said I have a testimony of Joseph Smith, 100% (with a Spanish accent) it was awesome, then she was like, who do I talk to to get baptised!!! We we are like, well, you would talk to us, ya you would talk to us, haha!! Pretty awesome, huh. We were both kinda like, wow, did that just happen, I think it did. Anywase it was awesome! But ya, I haven't gotten your package yet but I will let you know when I get it and thanks a bunch for that I need it, haha!!! Anywase, I will talk to ya later, I can't think of anything else to tell ya, so later!

Loves, Elder Silcock

November 16 Letter

2009-11-18T08:31:00.000-08:00

Thanks Mom, your the best! (I just let him know that I was sending him some Isagenix as he had previously asked to help him lose some weight. Let's hope he sticks with it) I hope I can loose some weight before I go home, we will see how I do. Anywase our week was pretty good. We did a lot of service! But it payed off, on Sunday we had a lot of less actives there and kind of a sweet miracle. There was a mother and daughter that came to Church that no one recognized! So we went and talked to them. Found out that they are from Chili and the mother told us that she had been affiliated with the Church since her mother joined over 45 years ago, but she has never been baptised! She has a strong testimony, we just need to help her have a desire to be baptised. And what's cool is that her mother was one of the first converts in Chili, I guess, is what she said! But ya it was cool. Her daughter is already a member, we just have to work on her mom! Anywase, that's pretty much it! I will be looking for the package and ya! Hopefully I haven't forgotten anything. Tell everyone I said hi!!!!

Loves, Elder Silcock

November 9 Letter

2009-11-10T20:10:00.000-08:00

hahahahahahahahahahahahah!!! I knew it hahaha! Just tell Dad I told him so!! It may not be the Bishop, but hey, Second Counselor will do, haha! Anywase that's awesome. (Bob was put in our Ward Bishopric on Sunday)
Well, it was a good week for us too! Ernie Sylvan got baptised finally, so we are way excited. So Elder Woodward got to perform a baptism on his b-day! And it was cool because when Ernie came out of the water he just couldn't stop smiling and the same thing at Church, he was tellin' everyone he was getting confirmed today! So anywase, sounds like things are going good back home and so what's gonna happen to the shop, because I can't see it keepin' up with all those jobs! Are they gonna hire more people or what! Anywase, let me know who the new Stake Presidency is and how Elder Oaks' talk was. I always miss out on the big General Authorites, oh well, some day I guess. Well that about covers our week and oh Elder Woodward got your package and really appreciated it, he says thank you! Anywase I will talk to ya later and look for your letter in the mail by!

Loves, Elder Silcock

November 2 Letter

2009-11-06T13:51:00.000-08:00

We had a pretty good week. We have a baptism this Saturday so pray it will happen. It's actually Ernie Sylvan the guy who almost got baptised a while back, so pray Satan won't stop it this week. Anywase, I got your package and stuff and thanks a bunch! I loved the pictures and I still can't believe how tall Cole is!!! Anywase, I'm gonna be stayin' in Mt. Home another 6 weeks which means I will be here for a grand total of 6 months! That's pretty rare out here! Anywase, Elder Woodward's birthday is on Saturday, so maybe you could send him a little something! His Mom sent me a tie and some other things so maybe y'all could send him something(and if you send a tie send brown ones he needs brown ones). So ya I will be looking for your letter and my email next week should be bigger! So anywase, I'll talk to ya later, tell everyone I said hi!

Loves, Elder Silcock

October 19 Letter

2009-10-30T07:26:00.000-07:00

Hey, what's up! Hopefully I didn't sound too angry, I just want to hear from everyone. (Skyler wants to get more mail from someone else besides me, so if you are reading this he would probably like to hear from you. His current address is in the left hand column. Thanks!)
Anywase, we had a pretty good week! We saw some pretty sweet miracles. There is a less active family that we are working with. Their names are the Gadows. Anywase, they have a lot of health problems and it was causing them a lot of grief and plus they were not reading the scriptures or praying or any of that stuff. So you wonder why they were suffering! Well, anywase one of their things was that Brother Gadow had a quadruple bypass about a month ago and now he can't find any doctors to work on him plus he has arsnick(rat poisning) so he was pretty bumbed, well anywase, last Wednesday we went over there and called them to repentance and promised them that if they read and prayed and all that stuff that in less than a week they would find doctors and there body's would heal! So ya it was a pretty bold promise! Well 2 days go by and they call us and they had been faithful in keeping the commandments and they got the test results back for their poison and it was no longer there and they said that out of nowhere doctors were there to help them and stuff so it was a pretty cool miracle! Anywase, thought I'd share that with you. Anywase, I will talk to ya later and I will be looking for your letter and package soon. Anywase, talk to ya later!
Loves, Elder Silcock

October 5 Letter

2009-10-06T14:26:00.000-07:00

Hey, what's up! So it sounds like it was a pretty good week. Well, we had a lot of miracles this week. First, we had gotten back from our appointment and had like 20 minutes till our dinner appointment so we went out to knock on doors and talk to people. Well, we knocked on this one door and nothin'. So we knocked on the next door, nothin'. Finally, the last door an old lady answers the door and we do our speel, and she says, "So your Mormons" and we were like "ya, sure" you know. And she says "Hold on a second" and she comes back with this Book of Mormon that had been read like what looked a million times! She said she loved the Book of Mormon and because of it she quit reading the Bible! We then set up a return appointment to see her which was the next day. So we go back and she invites us in and we were like "Well we can't come in unless there is another male here. So she said "Go get my son-in-law, Joe, he lives next door and is "ex-Mormon" so we were like "What!ok!" So we get Joe and he is very less active but is married to Marjorees daughter and in the space of 24 hours she talked to her daughter and told us at our appointment with her that her daughter wants to learn more about the Church and is actually looking for a church to join. So she already set up an appointment for us on Tuesday, so that was awesome haha!! It's not every day you knock on someones door that has a testimony of the Book of Mormon that is not a member. And let's see, another one, we were going through our Ward roster which consists of more than 600 people and only about 200 are active. So we see this name and decide to go see him and we find out that he had a wife that wants to learn more and they have an 8 month old baby and want to get it blessed, so that's awesome, I think. And at General Conference, the Sunday morning session, a guy showed up that was 85 years old and I guess the story behind it was Wednesday night he showed up at a church and apparently a pastor told him that there was no way he and his wife could be together for eternity (his wife has recently died) so he came to church and came to General Conference and loved what he heard. His name is Bill and he is a character. But it just makes you realize how blessed we are to have the knowledge that families can be together forever. So ya, it was awesome. So ya, I watched General Conference and I think that President Monson's talk on doing good to others or Elder Holland's talk on the Book of Mormon and laying the smack down why it's true were good. Anywase, there was a bunch of good talks this time, but of course they always are, aren't they. It seems like the main message of conference that I got was that God loves his children. I think it was the most repeated. Along with repentance and recognizing and recieving personal revelation. Anywase, tell everyone I said hi and as for garments just send the regular ones and I got the shirts, so I'm good there. Anywase, can't wait to see the pictures. So I will talk to ya later.
Loves, Elder Silcock

September 28 Letter

2009-09-29T16:51:00.000-07:00

Hey what's up! How are things goin'? Sounds like things are going good. But we might be moving nicks baptismal date back to the later part of October. which is OK with me because i want our converts to retain. so ya i am excited to stay i kinda like it here. i am still training a missionary his name is elder Woodward he is a stud. we get along great and have alot of fun together. he is from a town by riverton UT which is right by salt lake city. but i forgive him for that haha!! so ya it awesome! anywase that's to bad that the windmills are spreading false rumors about us just be glad that we don't have to be judged by the city of burley or them because that just wouldn't be fair would it. that's why I'm grateful for justice and mercy. because of Christ those 2 principles can both be inforced. so i know how stressful it can be but be the better people and share your love to your enemy's. i think the savior said it best to love your enemy's bless them that curse you. now unfortunately that's easier said than done, but we call ourselves Christians so it is something we do it is an action. it may be the hardest thing in the world to do to love your enemy's and bless them but if the savior can do it then surely he can help me have the strength to do it. anywase so dad did get his new truck that's awesome please send me pictures and stuff. that's awesome that declo is doing great I'm so glad they beat filer because i hate filer. and Boise state is #5 that's way awesome is that the big pole you know with all the big dogs on there or a smaller one you know what i mean. anywase tell everyone i said hi and stuff and i will talk to ya later and oh could you send me like 4 more pairs of garments those extra support ones didn't last very long some of them are coming unstitched so that's not good. anywase hate to do that to ya and wish there was a better way. but anywase talk to ya later. By.
Loves Elder Silcock

September 21 Letter

2009-09-23T22:35:00.000-07:00

Hey what's up! So it was a slow week, huh. Ours was kinda disapointing. Ernie, the guy I was tellin' you about, dropped us, it was kind of a bummer. It's a long story, I will just tell you when I get home. But we still have Nick, so it should be good. So did Dad ever get the truck? Anywase, you want to know how small of a world it is. President Merkley was trained by DR. Joe. Crazy, huh! President Merkley said to tell him he sends his love, so could you do that for me. Anywase, I will be looking for the shirts and could you do me a favor? Could you put some money on my account, I need to fix some stuff up on our apartment because Elder Sattler is gettin' transferred, because I trained him so good! Their givin' me another greenie, ha,ha. Maybe I should take the humble test, ha,ha! Anywase, so ya, transfers are on Friday, so hopefully, before then, but if not it's no big deal, I just like to have the apartment in good shape when I get a new missionary. Anywase, I'm trying to think if there is anything else to tell you but I get a blanc sign, so I will let you go, and so I will talk to ya later.

Loves, Elder Silcock

September 14 Letter

2009-09-15T11:55:00.000-07:00

Hey, what's up? So Dad finally might be getting a new truck, that's awesome, I can't wait to see pictures of it. It sounds like a nice truck. I just hope he takes care of it, you know what I mean! Anywase, we had a pretty good week. We were able to set another baptismal date. It's a kid named Nick, and he was taught byt the missionaries about a year ago and he couldn't be baptised because his Dad wouldn't let him, but we miraculously found him and he set a date with himself. We didn't really have to do anythig. So that was cool, and this week we have a mission tour, which is where a General Authority comes to the mission and speaks to us. It's going to be Elder Jensen, so nothing major. But it's still cool. I'm not complaining. But ya, there hasn't really been anything major happen here. Same ol', same ol'. And ya, I got your package and everyting fits good. And thanks for keeping me posted on the football thing right now. I really hope Declo can go to the championship again. Anywase, I think that's about it for now. I will let you go, so talk to ya later.

Loves, Elder Silcock

September 8 Letter

2009-09-15T11:34:00.000-07:00

Hey what's up? So it sounds like it's been a good week. Your the new Beehive advisor huh, that's cool. I think you'll be good there. Ya, it's really unfortunate about the whole Fine Furniture thing. Hopefully they won't hate us, but you got to do what you got to do. Tell Chris he needs to quit showing off on the saw, haha! I bet that was a bloody mess! I wish I could have been there, haha!! (*Chris had an accident with a table saw and nearly cut off the tips of two fingers, but Dr. Joe was able to fix him up. He will have two more deformed fingers, but at least he has them!)
Anwase, that family that I was tellin' you about that we found, well, they kinda dropped us. They had a date for the 19th of September, but not anymore, kind of a bummer. But our other investigator, Ernie, we were able to re-set a date with him. So on the 26 of September we should have a baptism. But Ernie is really a funny story. He has some learning disabilities, so he is kinda slow. But he is like, 50 years old, and lives by himself. The house he lives in is the one his parents moved into when he was a kid. And it's kinda sad, because they still have half the house packed with boxes from when they moved in. So the house is a disaster. And on top of that he has about 12 outdoor cats in the house, and they don't really care where they go to the bathroom and everytime we go over we get fleas, and Ernie doesn't have very good hygiene, so we challenged him to take a bath every day and to brush his teeth every day. It's sad that it's that way, but that's just how he was raised. So last week we bought his a suit at the thrift store and a white shirt and tie and gave him a haircut, got him looking good for church, so we have really helped him clean up, him and his house. It's so much nicer now, even though we still have a long ways to go with him. At least he's getting baptised. The gospel will bless him so much. It's already changed him a lot. But anywase, I got to go, so I will talk to ya later.

Loves, Elder Silcock

August 31 Letter

2009-09-01T20:07:00.000-07:00

Hey yall, so it sounds like it was a crazy week. But ya, I kinda had a low week as well. Our baptism fell through. We had some way crazy stuff come up. Too crazy to tell you now. So that was a bummer, along with some others, but I don't dwell on them. Because the Lord blessed us yesterday, we had a family come to Church and theya re all getting baptized right now. It was kind of a miracle, becuase we prayed to find a family and the Lord led us to one, so that cancels out all the bad I think, even though we didn'y have a baptism on Saturday.
(The next part refers to a building we own and are trying to decide what to do with it) But if you ask my opinion on what to do with the furniture store, either *********** (sorry, can't let you in just yet as to what our plans may be), would be way sweet, but that's just me, there are a lot of possibilities. So things are changin' in the Ward huh, that's good to hear, I guess, and don't worry about where you go because the Lord knows where you can go. (Skyler is referring to my release from my Stake Primary President calling this week) So Bryson gave a talk, huh. I'm glad that something I said touched him. I was really hoping something would. So anywase, that's pretty much my week and tell everyone I said hi, especially Scott. I need to get his address and write him a letter. So ya, I will be looking for the package. So ya, talk to ya later!!

Loves, Elder Silcock

Letter from President and Sister Merkley, Skyler's mission president and his wife

2009-08-26T11:09:00.000-07:00

August 14, 2009

Dear Brother and Sister Silcock,

We are pleased to inform you that your son Elder Skyler K. Silcock has been called to be a "trainer" in the Oklahoma Tulsa Mission. Elder Silcock has been called of the Lord to fullfill this assignment, for the Lord knows that he is qualified and capable to succeed in doing this work.

In this mission, the calling of "trainer" is the most sacred and important leadership position. We personally feel that the first few months in the life of a new missionary will generally determine his success as a missionary. Your son has accepted the responsibility to see that all is done, through the diligent use of the gifts with which he has been blessed, in the development of the new missionary.

Elder Silcock is a fine missionary and we are honored to serve with him. Please accept our personal thanks and appreciation for you and your family, and especially for your support of your son.

Sincerely,

President Richard E. and Betty Lu Merkley
OKLAHOMA TULSA MISSION

August 17 & 24 Letters

2009-08-25T09:25:00.000-07:00

August 17

Well hey, what's up? Man, I'm glad I was sittin' down when you dropped that on me, holy cow! (One of Skyler's friends just got married, a big surprise because he had just returned home from serving his mission a couple of months ago because of an illness.) Anywase, I'm happy for Ben and I think I know the girl he married. Anywase, that's crazy, but ya, I'd like a Cat Country (local radio station) t shirt that's x -large, it would fit perfectly. And I didn't get the wedding invitation from Rebel, did you throw it in there, maybe I just didn't see it. But ya, if you see Ben, tell him I said hi and stuff, and ask him if he got my letter. Anywase, ya it's been a good week. Our one investigator, Ernie, said he would like me to baptize him, so that's awesome because it will be my first one. All the others were done by members. But ya, this is my first time trainin', it's way awesome. My comps name is Elder Sattler from Grantsville (by Tooele) Utah. Ya, we get along good, he is pretty funny. He has what I call the "baptism spirit", but ya it's all good. Anywase, tell everyone I said hi and stuff and I will talk to ya later.
By!!!!!!!!!!!
Elder Skyler Silcock

August 24

(The first part of Skyler's letter is in reference to our last Friday events where Bob had to fill in for our Bishopric andwas needed to help a couple of families in our Ward that had accidents and were at the hospital.)

I'm tellin' ya, Dad is being prepared to be the next bishop whether he likes it or not. But ya, so that's cool you got to talk to some Southern Baptists about the gospel. They can either be really nice or really mean. But most of them are taught to either bash with us or something. So I'm glad that you were able to share the gospel with them, the thing with those people is it's not what you say, it's what you do. A lot of people are taught false things about us and so that's why they are so ignorant because they just don't know. So an example is so important for those people. They know you believe in Jesus Christ, which in Elder Perry's talk, the first time we share the gospel with someone is to testify of the Savior because a lot of people think we don't worship Jesus Christ. So the next thing you should talk about is the restoration. That is from an apostle, not me, and the last thing you will talk about is the Book of Mormon. That was in Elder Perry's last talk he gave at General Conference. Anywase, so how is McKay doin'? He is plannin' on serving a mission or did it take this accident to humble him? I hope he serves a mission. Well, trainin' is goin' good. We definitly got the "baptismspirit". We now have 5 investigators with baptismal dates, and will probably have 3 more at the end of the week along with a baptism this Saturday. So ya, the Lord is blessin' us, that's for sure. But ya, the accent here is ok. (I asked him if he had developed a southern accent.) A lot of people here retire from Chicago, so we get a lot of stiff necks up here that are old and arrogant. But you talk to the rednecks and they have an accent, it's pretty cool, and I think it's rubbed off on me, what do you figure! I will be looking for the package and here it doesn't matter when you send it, I will get it, so just send it when you can. I will go get some pants and stuff probably today, so thanks for that. It should be plenty. Anywase, I will talk to ya later, and thanks again for everything.
Loves, Elder Silcock

August 10 Letter

2009-08-13T07:11:00.000-07:00

Holy cow, it sounds like a lot has happened back home. I can't believe that Reble is gettin' married, wow that's crazy. I'm anxious to see it (the invitiation) now. Anywase, we had a pretty good week. Transfer calls were Saturday and I'm going to be training a new missionary. It will be fun, I'm looking forward to it. But ya, we had a pretty cool week, we were able to set 2 baptismal dates this week. One of them was a member referral, we basically didn't have to do anything, but teach the guy because it was at the members home. We set a date with him after we taught him the first time which was the plan of salvation. After the lesson, the Spirit prompted me to invite him to be baptised, so I did, and he accepted. He is really excited to be baptized and loves the Church. But ya, it was way good. And I'm glad my letter made Bryson's day, hope it will make a difference, just keep me posted with him, ok! Anywase, that's about it for the week, and I will look for your package either Wednesday or Thursday, and I think I will just get the pants here, that way I will know they fit me, you know. So anywase, tell Grandma I got her package, it was really good. Anywase, I think that's about it so I will talk to ya later, ok! Thanks for everything.
Loves, Elder Silcock

August 3 Letter

2009-08-04T07:43:00.000-07:00

Hey what's up! So it sounds like things are the same ol same ol. Ya, I got the package, thanks for that. I can't believe how much everybody is changin'. Like Jake, he looks likea grown man, it's crazy, I can't believe it. And Shilo is doin' good, so is Trevor Searle, he comes home November 3 or something like that. You know what's crazy, I was just thinkin' about Bryson this week, I actually felt like I should write him a letter, so I guess I will. Anywase, I will just send the letter to Bryson to you so you can give it to him. Anywase, tell everyone I said hi and I'm looking forward to your letter (*I'm sending Skyler a detailed letter about my time at Education Week at BYU-Idaho last week, woohoo!!!), and I will just tell ya all my stories when I get home. Anywase, talk to ya later, hope I didn't forget anything.

Loves, Elder Silcock

July 27 Letter

2009-07-27T20:38:00.000-07:00

Hey y'all! What's up? Glad to hear everything's going good that way, nice to know. we had a busy week which is way good. We had exchanges with the assistants which was cool. We were able to set 2 baptismal dates with people this week which was way sweet. The one guy is just golden but the only problem is that he is sick a lot because he is recovering from a heart attack. Anywase, that was cool. But ya, we had some pretty cool teaching experiences this week. One of them was when we were leaving a less active members house and Elder Clark heard a lady crying (I couldn't hear it because you know I'm because I'm deaf, so it's a good thing he is serving with me, haha) and he was like "Elder, should we go talk to her?" and I was like "Uh, ya!" so we did. It was wau cool becuase we told her that we felt prompted and inspired to come and see her and that we were represetatives of Jesus Christ, and then she started crying and opended up to us. This was Elder Clark's first time ever experiencing this, so he was kinda scared, so I kinda did most of the talking. Basically we taught her that she was a daughter of God and that Jesus christ knew what she was going through (she was having a lot of problems with her family and other things and was very devastated). You could tell she appreciated it and that she knew that God loved her no matter what, you know. Anywase, it was way cool. we are going back to see her on Saturday. But ya, there have been a lot of miracles happening here. So everbody is excited, it's cool, I like it. But ya, you know how my patriarchal blessing says how my work ethic will inspire my companions, well, Elder Clark is kind of a layed back missionary and he has never jumped 6 feet (meaning teaching 40 lessons a week or getting 140 otm's which are street contacts) so he was relly excited, I saw him change you know, he became more dilligent. So it was way cool. We worked really hard and saw a lot of miracles and that made him excited too. He told me that his faith grew this week. So it's been a rewarding past couple of weeks. Anywase, I might need some money for some new pants because some of my pants are just falling apart now and it's only been in the last week, and I don't care what you say, I still feel bad. But they have a Stage retail store, it's like a TJ Maxx you know, so they have nice name brand clothes for discount prices a lot like a JC Penney. So I figured I'd just buy some pants there, they should last a couple more months. Anywase, I will talk to ya later. Ok, thanks for everything. By.

Loves, Elder Silcock

July 20 Letter

2009-07-23T19:57:00.000-07:00

Hey what's up, and ya, I got the pictures on saturday and man, everybody has changed a loy, holy cow! Man, I can't believe Anniston has hair that long, it's just wierd, I've missed out on all of it, dang! Anywase, just a regular week for me too. It seems like it just flew by, I don't know where it went, but you know I guess that's supposed to happen. But ya, the new mission president is way cool. He is very loving and there is a big difference between him and President seal. President Merkley is very humble and loving while on the other hand President seal was very bold and at the same time loving. Just cool how people can have 2 different Christlike attributes but still be loving, you know it's cool, I think.

(* I am leaving out this part of Skyler's letter because I didn't think you would be interested in his detailed list of things he needs. Although I do think it is funny that he wants me to send him some Isagenix drink mixes for weight loss. He is worried that he will be coming back fat and wants to be able to fit into all of his old clothes! Anyway, back to his letter.) but ya, I think that's about it for now, so I will talk to ya next week. And oh, remember the Chapman's in Springfield? Well, they are still making chicken and dumplings and when I went to Springfield to Zone conference I stopped by and they gave me some left overs. So that was way sweet, anywase, just thought you would like to know that, haha!!!
Loves, Elder Silcock

July 13 Letter

2009-07-15T08:10:00.000-07:00

Hey what's up? About the stuff you could send me, I could probably use some white shirts. And I don't know how the whole ctr clothing thing works, but some of my sirts are pretty worn and stuff, so I could probably use some new ones and I like the ones they gave me because they are athletic fit and I like it, so maybe you could figure something out there. But I'd rather get them from there than from another store, you know what I mean. Anywase, I think that's it. And I can't relly think about what to say for the family reunion, just tell them I'm too busy to tell stories, so I will save them for when I get home. Anywase, tell everyone I said hi and stuff. that's so cool that all the reservoirs are over 100% full, definitly a blessing. Anywase, I got to go so hopefully I'm not leaving anything out, there is just not much to talk about. We are gonna meet the Merkley's (new mission president) for the first time this Thursday, so that's cool, looking forward to that. I guess they are changing things around quite a bit, so it's kind of a weird transition right now. Anywase, I will talk to ya later.
Loves, Elder Silcock

July 6 Letter

2009-07-06T12:25:00.000-07:00

Hey what's up, man, that was a long email. (I re-sent last weeks to Skyler so he got it this time) Sounds like there is alot of drama in that Ward back home. You know it's funny of all the people that should be in there to handle the situation it should be Dad. Because he will be staight up with ya and won't take any crap from anybody and that is the Christ like attribute of humility!! That's why I think Dad could easily be a bishop. Dad is on good relations with the ward (for the most part). Anywase you can just see why Dad is in there right now. Anywase that's good that Chris is gettin' his house started. Man 6 months before it's done, man if he doesn't hurry and build it that means I might have to help build it, tell him to hurry, haha!! Ya, anywase we didn't really do anything fun on the 4th. You see, us, as missionarys don't get holidays off, apparently we should be able to get into homes and teach families. Well I'm not gona put a limit on God, but man, on holidays nobody wants to hear us, but we sill go out and try, you know the whole faith and works principle. So anyways I'm just glad it's my last 4th of July on my mission. But ya, we still had a pretty good week. The area is very pretty. There are alot of big hills, I guess you and I would call them buttes, but here they call them mountains, haha! And it's really green just like all my other areas, and Mt. Home is the same size as Burley, so sometimes it makes me feel at home, kinda funny, huh. But ya, I like it here and oh ya, I'm driving a car now after all I went through to get my bike fixed, haha!! Anywase I still use my bike alot, my comp, Elder Clark is from Flagstaff, Arizona and he is about as big as me, but about an inch shorter and 20 or 30 pounds lighter(I have more muscle than him) and he wants to be a Marine when he gets home, so I use my bike every once in a while to help get him prepared. Let's put it this way, he has a long way to go, but hey, small and simple things, right. But ya, he is really fun we get along great. But ya, hope I dint leave anything out. Anywase hope you have a good week and hope everything gets settled between the Teeters and the Downs'. Anywase, talk to ya later.
ok, by!!

p.s
Dad, if you get a truck I would prefer you get a 7.3 because that was Fords best diesel. The reason I say don't get the 6.0 is because, yes, they do have problems and are not as reliable as a 7.3. Now they can be fixed, but I know you wouldn't want to put those aftermarket parts on a truck to fix it. So I think your best bet is to get a 7.3. And if i were you I would buy the truck and depending on how many miles it has, rebuild the transmission and the engine(and this is if it has say more than 150,000 miles on it). The reason I say that is because the 7.3 is indeed a work truck and people tend to use it just like you use your truck. Now this is just cheap insurance. If you did that, have a rebuilt engine and transmission + all the other powertraine and suspension systems, it would be a brand new truck and be more reliable than the one you would buy brand new from a dealer. Now that's just my opinion you don't have to listen to me, but that's what I want to do when I get home because it can be cheaper to buy a used truck and put, I don't know, $10,000 + or - into it, you can still end up on top if you know the right people which I know you do. And if you did go buy a 6.0 there are afermarket parts for it that still keep it reliable and if you talk to the techs at the Ford dealership they will install it for you so it won't void the warranty. Now that's just some dealerships. I don't know if they are all like that. But some of these aftermarket parts are better than stock and are more reliable. The 6.0 is a very good engine and have been out now since 2003 so there are companys that know alot about them and what their faults are, it's just a matter of researching what ever you feel like doing. And no matter what you do, your truck could still end up in the shop even a 7.3. For example your truck hasn't had too many problems, but someone else who does might have had several problems with them. So you see it's a gamble no matter which way you go. But anywase don't just listen to me, there are people out there who know more than I do this is just my opinion and it would make since to me to do the 7.3. and oh, if you do the 7.3, I don't know if it will get the gas mileage your 6.0 does, but again there is the aftermarket and it won't be too much different than yours, but I'm pretty sure they could get less, don't take my word for it. Anywase, good luck buyin' your next truck! Talk to ya later. If your have anymore questions you can write me or have Mom email me. So, talk to ya later.

June 29 Letter - Skyler's transfer

2009-07-06T12:13:00.000-07:00

Hey what's up. Glad you got my packages, that was all of them. The one is full of letters and the other is full of ties and the other clothes I won't wear on a mission, haha!! Anywase here is my new address:

229 Hillcrest Rd.
Mountain Home, AR 72653

So ya, you better wright me and send me pics and stuff now, now there is no excuse, haha. Anywase today is kinda wierd. I'm driving a car again, wierd, we get a new mission president today, wierd, and some of my past companions went home this last weekend with transfers. Man it's wierd, everything is changing here. I got to stop in Springfield and say hi to some people on the way to Mt. Home, so that made it all worth it. But that's pretty much been my week, good but just plain weird. It's amazing how things change so quickly. Anywase hope things are goin' good for y'all because I never got an email from ya (* just a note to our readers to let you know we did send an email, but for some reason Skyler didn't get it, go figure, I hate it when that happens!!) and by the way I ended up just fixing my bike, it wasn't reasonable to buy a new one and with the money I saved I was able to send that stuff home which I've been needing to send home for forever. Anywase, I will be looking for the letters and pictures and stuff. Talk to ya later!
Loves, Elder Silcock

June 22 Letter

2009-06-22T19:04:00.000-07:00

Hey, what's up? So it sounds like a crazy week from the sounds of things. Hope things get settled ok for Sterling and the Downs', you know, because they are all nice people. Speaking of the Downs' there is a member here who served with Shane Downs and he called him when we ate out, it was crazy, it's a small world. Anywase tell Dave and Connie to look for Elder Crosby from Springfield. He is serving in Salmon right now, cool beans, huh, it's a small world. Oh ya, I almost forgot to tell ya I'm getting transfered again. I'm going to Mt. Home Arkansas, which is in the same Stake Springfield is in, which means for Zone Conference and maybe Stake Conference I'm going back to my other home, hahah!!! I thought it was kinda sweet but it could be tough you know. Anywase, I think that's about all, so I will let you go, so tell everybody I said hi and stuff, so by!
Loves, Elder Silcock

June 15 Letter

2009-06-17T08:32:00.000-07:00

(*In this letter Skyler talks about a friend of his, Ben Field, who just recently came home early from his mission in Africa because he developed malaria and had complications.)

Well ya, we had a pretty good week. A lot of appointments fell through, so we got around to see some less actives and stuff, so it was good. Elder Robinson and I get along great. He is a pretty cool guy, not bad for a utard, haha!! Anywase thanks for the money for the bike. I almost couldn't take it anymore because everytime I turned around something was wrong with it. But I got a guy that will take me to the bike store to hook me up, so cross your fingers. Man I can't believe Ben is home, that is crazy, I feel bad for him. That would be so hard to deal with because I know he was so excited to go and serve. I hope he still gets a chance to go back out, but I bet if they do they will send him state side. But anywase tell the Field's I said hi and stuff and ya try to get Ben's address for me, I think I have it but you know, whatever, just to make sure you know. Anywase nothing new is really happening here just gettin' ready for the new mission president. We're all anxious to see what he will be like. But anywase, thanks again for everything and tell everyone I said hi.
Loves, Elder Silcock

2009-06-09T10:51:00.000-07:00

Hey, what's up. Sounds like you had a pretty good week. Mine was fast and they just keep getting faster. Anywase about the whole thunder thing, I usually don't go inside till I get soaked by the down pore, and if there are tornados outside, I don't care about the rain, haha!!. Anywase, I guess I don't have a whole lot to report on either but we had our last zone conference with President and Sister Seal, it was kinda sad. We will get to see President Seal 1 more time but not Sister Seal. I just can't believe where the time goes you know, holy smokes. Anyways, PresidentSseal told us he talked to like a general authority or a seventy or something about our miraculous month and the general authority said that that had never been done in this part of the country, no other mission like ours has done that before, sweet huh. Anywase tell every one I said hi and stuff and that its ok to write me, I haven't gotten any mail for like a month which I don't care what Chris says about that. Anywase hope to hear from everybody soon, it's just nice to know that everybody is still alive and that they haven't forgot about me. So talk to ya next week. Loves, Elder Silcock

June 1 Letter

2009-06-02T20:19:00.000-07:00

Hey how's it goin'. Sounds like a pretty interesting week and stuff. I still haven't seen pics of Meg pregnant and by the way, I did get your package Saturday because one of our investigators works for UPS and me and him are tight, so he gets my packages for me, and he collects John Deere stuff, sweet!! Anywase, ya my area is pretty sweet. I don't know what you want to hear about it, it's just like any other part in the US or my other areas. It's really green and humid. So nothing spectacular. But ya, we had some way awesome sweet miracles in the mission in May. We had a grand total of 116 baptisms in one month. President Seal was pretty emotional because this is what he has been shooting for the whole time he was out here, so we were all pretty excited. Needless to say it was nothing more than a miracle. I just can't believe the Seals leave the first week of July, that's crazy, time is flying, holy cow. But ya, we set a baptismal date with a 9 yr old kid on Saturday. The rest of his family is less active, but they are the nicest people you'll ever meet. We finally got them to come to church and nobody believed us when we said they were coming. I had people in the ward come up to me and say "Hey, good job on getting them here." So that made me feel good inside, you know. But it was way funny, on Saturday night, when I set the date, I was like "So Matthew, do you have any questions", and so he asked a few questions and I was like "Anything else you wanna ask?" and with all seriousness he said, "How much does it cost?" and everybody just started laughing, it was funny!! So ya, we should have a few more baptisms coming up. You know, Mom, people told me before I went on my mission that I probably wouldn't see as many baptisms, and they are right, but we as a mission, are seeing a lot of baptisms and every thing a missionary does counts, so I probably won't see a lot of baptisms, but we as a mission will!! I think a lot of people would be surprised of how much more work there is to do here, we need more troops. But anywase, have you had any missionary opportunities lately? But ya, I got to go, so talk to ya later and tell everyone I said hi and that it's alright to write me letters every ounce in a while.
Loves, Elder Silcock

May 25 Letter

2009-05-26T20:52:00.000-07:00

Hey, how's it goin'? Congrats on your baby Meg and Dayne, tell Alli I said hi, haha!! and I'm looking forward to some pics. And for the rest of your email, those pics I sent y'all were pics of members. I wrote on the back, and I got a letter back that had some more pics I had sent. So I will get them sent to y'all. I can't think of anything else to put in my package just lots of love. My comp now is Elder Robinson from Utah, he is pretty cool, we get along good. So how fast were the winds that came through the other day? Just courious. Anywase, so Cole has been having problems with a few kids at school. I say let him kick their butts! I know he could. I don't care how big they are! That family has no right to just walk all over my family. Anywase, love your enemies, right!!! Oh well, hopefully nothing happens and everything gets taken care of. Well things are goin' good here. It's gonna be a good month for baptisms, so that will be good and then in July President Seal goes home. Man time flys, doesn't it! Wow!!! Anywase have a good one. I got to go, tell everyone I said hi and stuff. So talk to ya later, loves,
Elder Silcock

May 18 Letter

2009-05-19T21:05:00.000-07:00

Hey, what's up? And ya, about my Duty To God letter, I sent it last week, but it didn't go through, so I will re-send it, and as far as packages we have an investigator who works for UPS and he pics them up for me, so as of now you can send them anytime. And if your thinkin' about church movies the best thing you could do is just send me the money because we actually have a LDS book store here in our area and they have every movie and thing you can think of, you know. But anywase, we did have the 2 baptisms on Saturday, it was awesome. So now I'm up to 3. Just pray for my mission, Mom, we are trying hard to double convert baptisms and we are shooting for over 100 for the month of May, so we need as many miracles as we can get right now. I think Elder Jurgensmyer told me we had about 60, so that's way awesome. But ya, Elder Siola'a is gettin' transferred to the other side of Springdale. We will still be in the same district, cool hugh! So I'm getting a new companion, Elder Robinson, who I think is from Utah, so it should be interesting. But anywase, hope y'all get the move done and stuff. So I will talk to ya later and keep it up with the missionary opportunities. Sometimes you really have to come out of your shell but you feel like a stud afterwards. So I will talk to ya later and could you do me a favor? (1) I would like to get Lauren's address and (2) could you send some pics of me from high school because some of the elders here don't believe I was that skinny you know. But anywase, talk to ya later. Loves, Elder Silcock

April 27 Letter

2009-04-28T10:09:00.000-07:00

Hey, so sounds like a pretty crazy week. And it sounds like things are changin' fast back home. It won't be the same when I get home you know. But ya, 2 more weeks and I get to talk to ya again, that's crazy. But ya um, let's see, a list of movies I already have, well, The Restoration, Together Forever, Finding Faith In Christ, Lamb of God, and Joy To The World. I think that's it. Oh, and The Best 2 Years. So ya, that will give you something to work with and my comps first name is Tevita which in translation means "David" and his last name "Siola'a" means "sunflower" so he really likes Davids Sunflowr seeds. They don't have them in Tonga and he likes sunflower seeds, pretty funny I think, haha!! Anywase, so did Kyle change physicaly at all, you know? Anywase, tell the punk I said "Hi", haha!! Anywase, sounds like things are goin' good back home and everybody is doin good. Has Dad lost weight yet? haha!! Well, I have, but I haven't, because I put muscle on really easy! So right now I weigh about on average, we will say, 270 and all my clothes still fit the same and some of them even looser, so I don't know what to tell ya! Everybody says that they think I weigh like 240, so I don't know. Well, I will talk to ya later. Hope I didn't forget anything, so by.
Love, Elder Silcock

April 21 Letter

2009-04-22T18:50:00.000-07:00

Hey what's up? So you had a crazy week, that's awesome. So it sounds like you learned a valuable lesson at conference. The Lord blesses us when we open our mouths. I don't know why we are so supprised when He does. He says He will do it you know. But anywase, just another normal week for us. We set a baptismal date with an investigator on, like, Tuesday. So that was cool. And we have a few more people we are gonna try to baptise this transfer as well. One of our investigators, get this, collects John Deere tractors too! So we have a tight bond. He is the only non-member in his family and he has been an eternigator. So maybe that's one reason I've been sent here, you never know. But ya, we will be looking for your package on Thursday and yes I got grandma's package. Tell her thanks a bunch. And ya, I was gonna get some pics for ya today but wolly world's comps were down, so I didn't get the chance. But hey, I will talk to ya later so, love you. By,
Elder Silcock

April 13 Letter, Skyler's been Transferred, Again!

2009-04-13T20:16:00.000-07:00

Well, Easter was great. I got stuffed. But my new area is sweet and we have a full excercise gym here that we use, so I excercise with the missionaries here for 1 hour every morning. It's awesome, so hopefully I can lose a few of those un-wanted pounds, you know. But ya, we share an apartment with the Spanish elders, so that is way fun. There are a lot of Spanish and Marshalise people here. So I'm lovin' it here, I really can't complain. Elder Siolaa is way cool! He still doesn't speak very good English and stuff, so it's way awesome, because I just took it for granted, you know. But we get along great. He is a really hard worker and hard to keep up with on the bike, ha,ha!! And he is really funny. So ya, his family is still in Tonga and that's why he doesn't get much mail, you know it's expensive. But ya, just whatever you want to send I think he would really appreciate it. But let's see, oh, on Thursday, the day before transfers, we had a bad tornado and thunder storm (and you might have seen it on the news) but Mena, Arkansas got destroyed by a tornado, and yes it's in our mission, and yes I know the missionaries that were there. They said their house was destroyed, but they were ok. So now I'm jealous because they got to experience an f-4 tornado that was at least a mile wide. But ya, I was out tracting during the storm and there was a sweet funnel cloud behind us and some guy driving by in his truck insisted that we get in his truck and he took us to some members houses. But I got that on video and stuff and then like 30 minuts later it was really dark outside and the sky was a dark green, so there was another tornado close by. But I didn't see it, dang it, but it was sweet. But ya, just thought I'd let you know. But I'm trying to figure out how to send videos. I have made some, you know. That's what I'm waiting on, but I promise you will get pics 1 way or another. But as for now "nofo a" which means good by in Tongan.
Loves, Elder Silcock

April 6 Letter

2009-04-08T11:46:00.000-07:00

Well, I got some news for you... I'm getting transferred, ha,ha! It's crazy, I'm so used to these 7 month areas you know. I'm actually goin' to serve with a Tongan, myself. (One of Skyler's friends, who is serving in Argentina, is now serving with his second Tongan comp). Elder Siolaa, which is pronounced (see oo la ah) for all you who don't know how to pronounce it. So that will be cool, and I'm serving in Harbor, Arkansas, which is in Springdale, which is right by Fayettville and Bentonville. And my suggestion, don't send the package yet, and send Elder Siolaa a big package, because he doesn't get much mail and he would appreciate it more than me, you know. So please get him something worthwhile, plus, I don't even need anything special, so that gives you another reason to spoil him. Anyhow, I got the address for ya, its:

4193 Links Dr. Apt. 206
Springdale, Arkansas
72762

and ya, I was supposed to go to the dentist, but I canceled because my appointment was at 8 and I thought it was at 10, and I guess it was a 2 hour thing that they were gonna do to my tooth, so that I was like, no way, I'll just pull it out, that's rediculous you know. And our ride couldn't come get us any earlier because we had to drive 30 minuts to the dentist, so you know how that goes. So I will just wait till it falls out or till I get to an area that has a dentist that will do it for cheap or somethin' it's like they think that us missionaries are made of money or somethin' you know. So, hopefully I'm savin' you some money. But, then again, I need to get my bike fixed again because my rear rim is toast. I think I should be able to survive in Springdale because it's for the most part flat and that's good, (because I don't have rear brakes). But, when it gets down to the point that I can't ride it I will let you know. So how high did Clinton jump? I would kinda like to know. Anywase, what did you find out with Meg? Anything? Are things stayin' busy at the shop and on the dairy farms? Oh, and we set a baptismal date with Rolland Nelson, one of our investigators, for May 9. He is excited for it. What's cool was last week we gave him a ride to church because he can't drive and this weekend he told us he was goin' campin' with his family and wouldn't be there on Sunday, but we prayed that he would be there anywase, and of coarse (with our faith) he was there. We said, "How did you get here?" and he said, "I walked here!!!" Now that is faith! He walked nearly 4 miles up hill to church and he is not even a member yet! Is that sweet or what. Too bad I won't get to see him get baptised, same with Liz. She just needs to quite smoking, which she is close. She slipped a few times last week so we have to reset a date with her. Overall we have about 10 investigators, so hopefully that answers your question. But anywase, don't forget about that package and stuff you know. But anywase, tell everyone I said hi and tell Nathan Brown he needs to write me and Shilo Hawks, he needs to write me. I sent off a letter to them last week, so hopefully they will write me, you know, ha,ha!!! Those slakers, ha,ha!! Well anywase, I'm still fixin' to get y'all some pictures and stuff, I haven't forgot ya!!! But I will talk to y'all later, most likely next week! But hey, take care!
Love y'all. By. Elder Silcock

March 30, Letter

2009-04-02T09:01:00.000-07:00

Well, how's it goin'? Sounds like a pretty exciting week. Well, the same here. And no, the storm didn't turn out like it should have, it never does. We just had lightning and a little bit of hail. But I guess today, according to someone I talked to on the street, it is supposed to be pretty nasty, but we will see. But we set a baptismal date yesterday with an investigator for April 12, kind of a cool day, don't you think. We will see how it goes because she is trying to quit smoking, so, ya. But I have faith, so I don't worry. Then, lets see, we had 2 investigators at church. One was Liz, the one I just told you about, and the other is Rolland Nelson, and we will set a date with him on Wednesday when I see him. And don't worry Mom, Elder Brady says he thinks I'm a pretty humble missionary, but I don't know, that's just what he says, haha!! I'm serious! That's what he says! So ya, it was a pretty good week. Elder Brady is doin' awesome and he says hi. And you know what's crazy? General Conference is this weekend and that means this transfer is almost over. Where the heck does the time go? Holy smokes! But I'm excited for GC, it should be pretty interesting. But since transfers are almost here, I don't know if I will be stayin' or goin', because Elder Brady wants to stay here and he wants to go senior companion, and I think it would be good for him to go senior companion. But I don't think he will do any better by me stayin', so I think when I talk to president tommorrow, I'm gonna see if I can go, not because I want to, but because I need to. And that all depends on if Elder Brady stays or goes. And usually if a missionary wants to stay (and in his case, go senior comp) then he will probably stay. But if he does, I'm happy for him, he has really pushed himself and he has a heart of gold. So we will see on Saturday where we will be goin'. So how is Brother Ringle doin'? That guy was cool. His son was pretty cool too, it's just crazy that it (a car acident) happened on the way home, you know, that's tough. I played with his son in football, that's crazy. So, I'm glad to hear that the Spjute family are doin' good. That's just awesome, they deserve something like that you know. It just makes me feel good to think about it. And now Savanna is pregnant, that's crazy! Holy cow, everybody is just growing up. So Clinton already came to Arkansas, huh. That's too bad he took 8th. What was the competition like? Did he jump as high as he normaly does or what? And I don't think they make sugar free bbq sauce, and I won't eat it any other way. You can make things healthier, but don't mess with my sauce, ha,ha! I'm scared I might not recognize Dad because he will be so skinny when I get home, ha,ha!!! So how much does he weigh, so I can see how much fatter he is than me, ha,ha!!! Well dang, tell everyone I said hi, and tell the snow I said hi, (I miss it) you could probably send it my way if you want, ha,ha! Well, I guess I will let you go. So talk to ya later!
Loves, Elder Silcock

March 23 Letter

2009-03-24T19:33:00.000-07:00

Hey, how's it goin? Another slow week, huh. About the same thing here, but hey, not bad, and I don't want to make you jealous, but the other day the weather here was about 82 degrees! It was nice, but then again the humidity made it feel like 90, but hey, I didn't complain. So who does Dad think his councilors will be in the bishopric? Has he decided yet? ha,ha!! (Skyler is definitley way off on this little joke!) Anywase, you might have to send me pics of Chris' boat and the truck, ha ha!! But ya, I'm planin on sending pics soon. Well, today should be a pretty cool day. The forecast is calling for severe weather meaning, heavy rain like y'all nevar seen and some lightnin' and some thunder and even tornados! woo wee!! So it should be interesting if anything cool happens, I will let you know next week. As for the dumb dentist, I had an appointment with him tomorrow but he canceled because someone died. So I go back on the 6th of April. I was wishing he would have just pulled my tooth out man and you know something funny? Before I came to Arkansas, Bro. Brown said "Yup, as soon as you get there all your teeth are gonna fall out!", ha,ha! So that kinda scared me because it almost came true. But ya, I haven't had any pain with it so far since he worked on it the first time. So I will fight it as long as I can. It was kinda nice having a sore tooth because I didn't eat as much. And Mom, let me tell you what. There is some good cookin' out here in the mid west, mmm! I've learned a few bbquen' secrets, if you know what I mean. So anywase, I'm hopin' this 10 pds I've gained will melt off again. Anywase, we will see. But ya the work is goin' good here. There are many miracles happenin' here. Our zone is actually leading the mission: so that is sweet. I think the Lord is trying really hard to get the Fort Smith Stake split. The branch in Sallisa, Oklahoma need (what I heard) 12 more members and then it can become a ward, and all we need in the Stake is 1 more ward and they can split it. As of right now the elders there in Sallisa have 11 baptismal dates set. So, sweet, Mom, miracles are happening! And keep this on the down low, but as soon as our stake splits, so does the mission. It needs 1 more stake before it can split, so no wonder our zone is leading the mission, pretty cool, huh. I'm not trying to brag, but this is what the zone leaders said in district meeting last week. They said the best missionaries in the mission are serving in the Fort Smith Zone. Pretty sweet huh! I guess I must be a pretty good missionary, I don't know. But anywase, I just wanted to tell you that, because no matter how ignorant some people are here, the Lord provides a way, and I think 1 way he is doing it is through the economy. But hey, the stone cut without hands to fill the earth must grow, right? ha, ha!! Well anywase, it's a great time to be a missionary. I better get gone, but anywase, have a good week and tell everyone I said hi and stuff. Loves, Elder Silcock

March 16 Letter

2009-03-17T18:55:00.000-07:00

Hey, how's it goin'? Got your emails. I guess I kinda laugh at Dad, because he has to eat less now, but in a way I feel relieved, because it could have been a lot worse you know. But ya, Arkansas is pretty sweet. I still can't figure it out, why in Kansas, it's you know, Kansas; but in Arkansas, you put the Ar on front of Kansas it becomes arkansaw, you know??? Just a mystery. But ya, world's strongest redneck is exactly right. All that stuff you see on CMT is right. I just might have to send you pictures of some funny stuff I've seen. But the Ward is pretty cool. It's small, not very big. It's older, a lot of old people. Which reminds me, a member here wants to get some information on our Preston property because he has a friend that wants to buy some property in Idaho. So I better get some commision from this, ha, ha!! But ya, it's a nice Ward, but I will definitely miss my last Ward, it was just so awesome!! But I will be fine, I already get along good with some of the members here. As for the storm, it didn't happen, not even thunder or lightning. The saying out here in the midwest is, "if you don't like the weather, just stick around it will change", and what's sad is it's true you can't predict the weather here. Like today for example, it says it's a 10% chance of rain but the clouds say more than that so you just never know sometimes. So you haven't sold my fourwheeler yet, hugh. Well, if you get the chance, you can sell it, and tell Dad he needs to get as much out of it as he can, I want to use that money when I get home to put down a payment on a truck or something, you know. Oh, and I know this is still forever away, but tell Dad to look for some acreage for me. The way the economy is, I want to be prepared, to you know, even though I'm on a mission and all. But anywase, who do you think the next bishop will be (besides Dad, ha, ha)!! I guess it is time for a new one, hm, man, the time really flys doesn't it. Well, let's see what else could I report on? Oh ya, I did get your packages and every thing and that tie is the sweetest tie in the whole mission! (I can't wait to wear it to zone conference!!!) And the shirt is sweet, it fits great and I promise I won't dry it in the machine. The shoes you got me, well I returned them because I already had b-ball shoes. I needed some work shoes and those were a little nice to work in you know. So I got some shoes that were like, 10 or 5 bucks cheaper, so it's all good. But ya, I will try to get some pictures out to ya, you know. So I will keep my eye peeled for some hick stuff. Well, I guess it's everywhere I go, but you know what I mean. Well, I will let you go. Tell everyone I says hi and stuff. So I guess I will talk to ya later. By. Oh, and tell Dad I think he is looking a little skinny, ha ha!!!-----Original Message-----

March 10 Letter

2009-03-10T19:36:00.000-07:00

Ya, don't worry, I'm not in a hurry to get stuff, (I think he is referring to the gps he wants to get) your fine. I guess I will be looking for a package from you this week. But, ya, I had to get a partial root canal last week. It sucked! What it was, was in one of my fillings. It was too deep, I guess, so it killed the nerve and then it got infected, thus causing me to get a root canal. It really sucked. I don't want to get another one. Unfortuntely the doctor only had time to do a partial root canal. So I've got to go back in on the 24th so he can finish it. Talk about bummer!Anywase, you want to know more about the tornado, ok, I will tell you. So it was like 10:20 pm and it was my turn to pray, right, well we knew that there was a tornado watch going on (which means that they haven't spotted a tornado and there is nothing on the radar but conditons are right so they are thus watching), well, Elder Scholle and I wanted to see a tornado even though it was night time. So as I was praying I asked the Lord to humble the people if there was a tornado so that we could serve them (so basicaly I prayed for a tornado, ok). So it is like 10:28 and I go to wash my face. Not joking, 2 minuts later, after I prayed, we hear the wind pick up and then it got really intense, and then I heard what sounded like a freight train hitting our apartment. The windows were shaking and so was the apartment. Elder Scholle was scared to death and I was, like, so excited that I was getting hit by a tornado all I could do was stand there and smile. Then the thought came to me go try and see it! So I go running out side only to catch a glimpse of the tornado, but, hey I saw a part of it, so that was way sweet. (So much for thinking that Skyler had played it smart and safe!) But ya, it actuly hit my apartment. My dream came true, not only did I see a tornado, I experienced a tornado! Mom, it was sweet!!!!! Now I have an even bigger itch for tornadoes! And guess what? Tonight it's supposed to storm which means a chance of tornadoes. And guess what? It's my turn to pray again, ha, ha!! But don't worry, Mom, I won't do anything stupid. But ya, I got to drive a car for a week. Now I bike for a week, and next week I get the car again and then repeat the schedule. But ya, I took a drivers test so I could get undotted, so that's how I can drive. I was just excited to drive a car because I haven't driven for a whole year, so I was like, this is weird. And we get brand new cars. I never got to drive a brand new car, I always had clunkers you know. But ya, there are alot of differences in Missouri and Arkansas. One is the language and the landscape is alot different. Missouri is much more rolling big hills and Arkansas is a lot closer to mountains than anything I've seen so far. They actually have valleys and stuff, it's pretty crazy. It's much warmer in Arkansas than Missouri, much more humid in Arkansas than Missouri. But I think of all the places in the mission I could live it would be Missouri. But ya, there are a lot of differences. And people here all know about the church, they just don't really know the church history. Any successes we see is through the members here(which is the same anywhere else). But ya, I hope I answered some of your questions and stuff, and thanks for everything you have helped me with lately. I really appreciate it and I can't wait to watch those movies of Nick, I could probably use that. But hey, keep steadfast and the Lord will bless you, He always does. D&C82:10 says, "I the Lord am bound when you do what I say. But when you do not what I say ye have no promise". It's a true principle don't forget it! But hey, have a good week and tell Courtney and Kiersten I says good luck. by!
love, Elder Silcock

The following are two letters that Skyler sent Meg and Dayne. We thought you might enjoy reading them.

Sorry, I just found out about this email I never read from you, today. But ya, basically everybody here is a freakin' hill billy. And I learned something new here. The tooth brush was ivented here because if it was ivented anywhere else it would have been the "teeth" brush. People in Arkansas only have about 1 tooth (I'm serious, it's true!). And here is the big question down here in Arkansas, "If a man divorces his wife can they still be brother and sister?" I don't know about that one, ha ha!

Hey, thanks for the email glad to hear that your gettin' fat like me, ha ha!!! Now tell me what you mean you don't like drivin' tractor! That's the best part! Your crazy, I guess it is a girl thing. But ya, I thought of a good name for your baby. Tell me what you think about Abish. Now before you say no, just remember that Abish was a great missionary in the Book of Mormon, probably the best female missionary I might add. But hey, don't take it from me, pray first, the Lord will tell you, ha, ha!!! But hey, I got the package from Steph, so I guess your all sending me another package? Anywase, have a good one by. Oh, and there are chances of a tornado again tonight and guess what? It's my turn to pray, ha, ha!!

March 2nd Letter and some pictures from his closest encounter yet to a tornado!

2009-03-02T18:07:00.000-08:00

Following the path of an F-1 tornado!

The building in the upper right hand corner

is Skyler's apartment. If you follow the

path of the tornado you can see where it

looks as though the tornado was headed straight for it!

Skyler said that the woman who lived

in this house slept through the tornado

ripping off her roof!

These people didn't!

That's not plastic wrapped around a power line.

It's a metal sign!

Ice storm transformations!

The service project!
Looks like we finally got a serious

picture of Skyler.

**Dear Friends and Family,

Well, we finally have our computer problems worked out. We gave in and bought a new one! We missed hearing from Skyler on his birthday, but we are back on track again. After 10 months in the same city, Skyler finally got transferred. He is now in Alma, Arkansas. Thanks for not giving up on us!

* * * * * * * *

Hey, it's good to hear from ya. You know what's funny? Elder Jergensmyer told me about Dayne on transfers. So I had already heard the story from someone else. (Skyler's brother-in-law, Dayne was stuck for two days in a white out while snowmobiling. He was with a friend and they found shelter at the look out on the top of the mountain.) I'm just glad he is alright. That could have been alot worse. Well, that's good you got your computer problem all fixed. The new area is sweet. It's a small town of 4000 people and they are all really nice. We actually cover a few other small towns around the area. So that means we have a car, but we share it every other week with other missionaries in our district. So now I have a car and will get to drive it on Wednesday. SWEET!!! I haven't driven for a year. But I definately miss my last area. Springfield was a way sweet place I look forward to the day I go back and give everybody there a hug for what they have done for me. They fed me so much my last week that on Friday I didn't need to eat breakfast or lunch and barely dinner. That's how full I was. It was awesome. Needless to say they took, way, good care of me. So now I can basically say I have 2 homes, Burley and Springfield, ha ha!!! But my b-day was, way, sweet. We went to the Brown's because they had signed up to feed us. So they made me a German chocolate cake with 20 candles and I got a few presents from them. It was pretty cool. But I must say the best part was when I finally got to eat squirrel. It was so good!!! So my b-day was just like all my others I guess you could say. But, anywase my new comp is from Blackfoot. So my first comp from Idaho. His name is Elder Todd Brady. He has a strong testimony. He is a little shy, but he has a great personality and is fun to be around. He has been out about a year and a half and so he goes home in like 6 months, which is wierd because we graduated the same year. That just makes me feel old. But anywase, 1 year on Thursday! How bout that, huh, ha ha!!! Sweet! But, ya, you mentioned videos of Nick. Please send them to me. That would be way sweet. The only thing that could come from it is I would become a more determined missionary, I mean, come on! Anywase, Alma is cool, Mom, and there is a sweet church site here. Ya, Parley P. Pratt is buried here. Don't worry, I will send you pics. I would like to buy a gps because we do cover a big area here with a lot of small towns. So I personally feel it would be a good investment. But, anywase, let me know if I can get one as soon as you can, like preferably your next email if not sooner. Anywase, take care, have a good week. I will have a good week. Elder Brady and I are gonna tear it up down here in Alma and we are gonna baptize the heck out of these people, ha, ha!!! talk to ya later

love, Elder Silcock

February 9 Letter

2009-02-12T12:20:00.001-08:00

Hi Friends,
Sorry about the long wait. We have had a few technical problems and we are finally able to post Skyler's latest later. Thanks for checking back.

February 9, 2009

Hey, how's it going? Sounds like things have been going good down there. Steph said she was worried about the farm in her email, but with a little bit of faith and the will of the Lord they will be ok. But I know things will get better. Man, don't remind me it's been a year! That's just crazy. I don't know where the time goes, you know. Today was cool, we went bowling with one of our investigators named Ryan Klebe. I set a record for myself, bowling a 157, woo hoo!!! So that was coool! As for our baptisms last week, they didn't happen. Remembr the elderly couple I told you about. Ya, well Richard, the husband, he has cancer in 6 organs and had a doctors appointment that week and told the doctor he was getting baptized and the doctor said "No your not.", so that was devastating. We just have to wait for his health to get better. So it is but one trial of faith for us, so that must mean we are gonna have more success. But ya, that's cool you got to meet Elder Jerginsmyer's mom. She told ya about our miracle, huh. Ya, it's pretty cool. What happened was in December (I can't remember if i told you we had a 40 day mission fast so that we would have 100 baptisms for Dec.), well, it ended and we didn't come close, we had like 40. Isn't it ironic! Well, the next day, President Seal got a call from the area Seventy, saying, your mission will be getting 14 new missionaries. That's on top (I think) of what was coming in, so we will have 14 more missionaries. So President Seal said "Why? Why are they sending them? What for?", and the area Seventy said "Bcause the First Presidency said that there are people in the Oklahoma Tulsa Mission that need baptized". Isn't that cool! So you see we had a miracle in a very different way, awesome, huh. So those missionaries will be coming out at the end of February. So you never know, I might be training one of them. Anywase, things are going good. As for the ice storms, we only had like maybe half an inch, so it wasn't bad at all. But then we got like 4" of snow, that was the most snow I had seen since I was home. But ya, now the weather is about 70 degrees and tomorrow a chance of thunderstorms and most likely, you betcha, TORNADOS!!!!!!! So maybe I will see one. Oh, and be careful when you compliment me, it might just go to my head, ha ha, just kidding!!!! Tell Dad his letter didn't count. I could barely read it, ha ha!!!! Ya, I got it laminated the other day and put it in a sheet protector. That thing is worth some money. I said to Elder Sholle when I got it in the mail "Do you know what this is Elder? You have no idea! It's a letter from my Dad! Is that crazy or what? Wow, I do believe in miracles!!! I don't think he fully understood, you know what I mean. Anywase, elder Sholle says hi as well. As for b-day stuff, I don't know, ties, I guess and oh, I could use like a new John Deere shirt, my other one shrunk, so if so, get me a xlt in that as well, but if all else fails, just put some money in my account because I might want like a new camera or a gps if I ever get a car! You can never go wrong with ties, you know, and oh, I might need a new pair of shoes, you know like some work shoes. You could probably send the ones I wore back home, my Nikes that are worn out. They are comfy, anywho, I don't know what I want for my b-day, I'm already blessed. But ya, maybe you could think of something I need, I don't know. Gift cards are fine, but when I get transferred I don't know where I will go to. I might get transferred to Chacota, Oklahoma(that's where Carrie Underwood is from), it's a really small town, so you know what I mean. But hey, maybe I'm wrong, I'm sure if you gave me something I could find good use for it. Oh, tell Dad he has to send me some duck and goose jerky. I haven't had wild game for ever. I'm gonna go crazy!!!! Anywase, talk to ya later.
love, Elder Silcock

Some recent pictures!

2009-01-15T19:23:00.000-08:00

Skyler called this his "pet" brown recluse!

Do you think we will ever get a picture

of Skyler where he isn't showing off????

This pic speaks for itself!

Taking time to enjoy the Nativity Celebration!

Skyler, Elder Scholer,

a Ward friend - J.D. and his little bro

Yes, Skyler's t-shirt really does say

"Fear The Poo"! A Springfield missionary tradition is to get
a t-shirt from Kickapoo High School!

January 12 Letter

2009-01-13T09:40:00.000-08:00

Hey, thanks for your email. So, they finnaly got the mortuary open, huh. You'll have to send me pics of the finished product.
Anywase, that's good to hear that there should be enough moisture. I don't know why I worry about it. I guess that's what I get from Dad, and I guess that's just the farmer in me (ha, ha)! You know, that's what I tell everybody I'm gonna do when I get home, is be a farmer, because, hey, that's what I wanna do(ha,ha)! Anywase, this week has been good. Found out that I'm gonna be staying here in Springfield another transfer. SWEET!!! That will put me here in Springfield for 7.5 months, that's just in this ward. So I will reach my b-day and my year mark in Springfield, awesome, huh!
So ya, funny story. You mentioned Lindsey, well the other day I was on exchanges with the zone leaders and Elder Wride, the one with me, saw my picture of Nick and asked who it was. So I gave him my speell and he said "I was reading in the church news a few months ago about a missionary who died named Spjute" and I instantly knew what he was talking about and went and grabbed Lindsey's funeral program thing and I said "Is this who you are talking about?" He said "Ya, that is so crazy. How did you know her?" So I told him (that Lindsey was my sister's roomate), and he said, get this, "Her brother was my MTC companion". Is that crazy or what? It's just a small world. So ya, I thought I would tell you that.
So how was the wedding? I need to see pics of them. I never got a wedding invitation, I kinda feel left out, oh well. Anywase, thanks for all the advice. Talk to ya later. love ya, by!!!!!!!!!!! Elder Silcock

January 5, 2009

2009-01-05T12:30:00.000-08:00

Hey, thanks for the email. Sounds like a lot of stuff has happened. I still can't believe he (Skyler's cousin, Clinton)is getting married. That is so crazy. Did they send me an invitation? Because I would sure like to see a picture of them. Anywase, so another storm is about to hit, huh. That's good. So are they getting the moisture they need and stuff or will it just look like we are getting enough moisture (you know what I mean)? Anywase, New Years was good. We went to the Crosby's like I told you and had what they call bonya cata and I really liked it. It was good. We had to wear our p-day clothes because the smell of garlic was so strong. It was crazy, but it was really good! But ya, reflecting back on my patriarchal blessing, the part where it says "many will find peace from your teachings", well, one of our investigators has been going through a lot of trials and then we met her. So we shared with her the Book of Mormon and taught her a bunch of stuff and it really made a big difference in her life and stuff. Well, one day she said "You will have to come over and meet my sister. She is coming here to visit from Texas and she is going through some of the same things that I'm going through and she is thinking about changing religions like me". So I was like "ok, we can do that". So we came over a couple of days later and met her sister and the first thing she does when she meets me is gives me a big hug and said "Casey(our investigator)has told me a lot about you and all this stuff". So we sat down and started teaching. Casey says "Chris(Casey's sister), I have found a lot of peace in what they have shared with me. That's why I am so different". It was cool to see that people in Casey's family noticed a difference in her and wanted to know what it was. So that was way cool. But when she said that she had found peace in things we had taught her I instantly remembered my blessing and it gave me comfort knowing that I must be doing something that the Lord wants me to do, ya know. So it was awesome to hear that. But ya, Casey will be baptized some day. She is so close and way awesome. Their actually feeding us tonight, so that will be awesome. Another thing I've noticed in my blessing is where it says the spirit will speak to you in your heart and in your mind. I guess for me I've always struggled, trying to recognize those times, and so I started acting upon those promptings from the spirit when I had thoughts or feelings, and good things came from them. It was way sweet. So anywase, I'm not gonna apologize for being preachy, because that's what I'm called to do. But ya, I liked the story of Nick, it was way awesome. I've even showed it to a few members here. One of the members will probably be writing you soon, I'd imagine, just as soon as I give her our home address. Anywase, looking forward to your letter and stuff. Hopefully I didn't forget to tell you anything. Until next week, happy trails!
Love, Elder Silcock

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year

2008-12-30T20:25:00.000-08:00

*We got to talk to Skyler on Christmas Day. It was great, you know, like the best present ever! Skyler sounded great. He got our packages in time for Christmas and was especially thrilled to get the two ties we sent that came from his Dad's tie collection, (one of which was the same tie Bob wore when we were dating, Skyler thought that made it an antique!!!!). We would like to thank the Grissom Family for feeding Skyler and his comp, Elder Scholler, and also thank the Brown Family for including them in their Christmas Eve and Christmas Day activities. Skyler said it had been a great day and the food was wonderful, he said that he had the traditional dinner like we have here. So that was cool. While we were all enjoying our "white" Christmas, Skyler was enjoying 50 degree temps! They were anticipating a storm over the weekend which could possibly bring some tornadoes. I asked Skyler what his best experience had been so far. He told me that the best thing he had experienced so far was his own spiritual growth. We have seen how his testimony has grown by leaps and bounds. It has been amazing. This alone makes his mission a successful one. We know he works hard and we are proud of him. Well, below is the letter he sent us on Monday. Happy New Year to all of our blog friends!

Hey how's it going? Sounds like it was an interesting Christmas. It seems like it always snows hard when I'm gone, and that storm that was supposed to hit us, well it did and we got soaked, don't worry, I made a video of it and some day I will put all my pics on a cd so you can see them. But we didn't get any tornadoes, but St. Louis did. So it kinda missed us. But we are going to the Crosby's for New Years Eve. It should be awesome. They have a tradition in their family called "bonya cata", (not sure if that's how it's spelled). Basically, it's a lot of garlic and it's good. So that should be fun. I'm gonna go get fitted for a suit and I will know for sure how much it will be. So I might write you a letter. Oh, and remember Jay D., the one who called you and told you about my ties, (*this was a story about some ties he was given by a Ward member who had bid on them at an auction, and Skyler ended up with something like 100 ties.), well, he is with me right now and he says "hello"!!! Anywase, as I was saying, I will let you know if you need to deposit more money in my account. So ya, does it really seem like I've changed? It's just weird to me to think that. It scared me when Dad said that I have just a little more than a year left. I didn't realize how much time had gone. Anywase, it was a good week. But one of the biggest things that has helped me is my patriarchal blessing. I can read things in there that are happening right now, and that's not when it's talking about my mission! It's crazy! So anywase, I will let ya go. Happy New Year to you to.

December 15 Letter

2008-12-16T20:49:00.000-08:00

Hey, thanks for your email. I guess I havn't told you much about the area, huh. I guess it didn't dawn on me till just now how long I've been here. Well, the area here is rolling hills. We are in the "heart"of the Ozark Mountains. But they're not much of a mountain, just hills. In the summer it's green and now it's cold like 20 degrees. We were supposed to get an ice storm this morning but we just got snow. But I guess another one is on the way. I was kinda disappointed. I come to an area where they have extreme weather and I never get to see any of it. Anywase, there are a lot of caves here and not too many farms. I think I told you that it's about the same size of Twin Falls. Anywase, other than that, it's about the same climate and everything, just a church on every corner and one in between.
But ya, for Christmas Eve we are going to the Brown's for dinner, they are a way awesome family, so I'm excited for that. Then on Christmas day we are going to the Grissom's for the main dinner, then probably the Brown's again, because their kids wanted us to come back and see them, ha ha. It should be fun.
But ya, crazy, it is a small world! Meg and Dayne fed Elder Crosby because he served in Rupert, so that was crazy. I guess now he is training a missionary with a severe handycap in Blackfoot. But ya, it's crazy how you can be in the farthest place in the world and still find someone who knows someone you know.
But as for things to send, I don't need pants yet, because it is suit coat season. So I won't wear them for a while. Oh, I got the (sorry, I had to delete this part because it refers to Christmas presents). I will try to get them out this week. Oh, and those guys that called you, their names were JD, and Alan, and Jeff. They are members in the ward here. They are awesome! They help us out a lot. They were trying to tell you the story of the ties that I got. When I have more time I will tell you about it. Anywase, hope I am not forgetting anything. Oh, you could send a phone card, that might be useful and just email me any phone number of wear you think you'll be at, whether it be your cell phones or grandmas or what, just let me know because as of right now I don't know the set schedule. But I will do my best to let you know. Anywase, pray for some extreme weather here. I'm anxious to see it and tell everybody I said hi and stuff.
loves, by!

December 8, 2008 Letter

2008-12-10T07:29:00.000-08:00

So, someone came from Oklahoma to fire everything up at the bbq. The only thing that troubles me is that I didn't hear anything about sharing the gospel with him. I don't care what the excuse is. He could have been in my area or something. Hopefully you did, you just didn't tell me. But, if not, I have one word for you - repent! Just like you were saying about BaiLee, how we take the Holy Ghost for granted, well it's the same thing with the gospel. (*BaiLee is Skyler's niece who had just been baptized and had asked her parents how long she would get to have the Holy Ghost with her) You don't know how blessed you are until your not blessed. God didn't have to create us. He didn't have to send his only begotten son to die for us but he did because he loves us. That's so important that we understand that. If you look in "Preach My Gospel" in ch3 the first lesson under the first principle is what? God is our loving Heavenly Father, then what - the gospel blesses families, then what - God reveals his gospel in every dispensation, then what - Christ's earthly ministry, then - the apostasy, and then probably something we totaly take for granted, the restoration followed by the Book of Mormon. Do you see how lucky we are to know these things. How important is the restored gospel to us. If we really understood these principles we wouldn't need full time missionaries. In Helaman 12 it talks about how we are less than the dust of the earth. To me that's disturbing, I don't want to let God down after all that He has done for me. There was an apostle who said, (I think it was Elder Packer, not sure) but he said "When I grab a pen and write with it I want it to work, I can't use a pen that doesn't work, it's useless to me. What am I going to do with a pen that doesn't work. Same thing with us, are we going to be instruments in the hands of the Lord or are we going to be less than the dust of the earth? I often think of the song in the hymn book, pg 260 "Who is on the Lord's side, Who?", I love that song because it's so bold and so true. Who's on the Lord's side, who, NOW is the time to show. We ask it fearlessly, who is on the Lord's side, who? Are you on the Lord's side? Pretty sure Nick was. Not only was he willing to sarcifice his time for the cause of Christ, but he left knowing that he wouldn't see his family and friends again and knowing that he wouldn't have a family in this life. He gave that up for the cause of Christ. I wish I had half the faith Nick had, he was such a good example and that's part of the reason I'm on a mission and I hope in my 2 years I can be at least half the missionary he was in 2 months. We are on a higher plain than most people are because of Nick. He died sharing the gospel. We flinch to share the gospel. I think of the scripture in D and C 68:5-6, it talks about how the Lord will be by our side when we talk to people about the gospel, and to put that into a different perspective for ya, the Lord said he would be by your side (if you haven't read it yet get your scrips and go read it) well I know that to be true. Think of the story of Meshak, Shadrack and Abednigo. When they were thrown into the furnace who was with them? Remember, the king threw in 3 but saw 4. The Lord will be by our side, I know that when we share the gospel with others the Lord himself will be there and so will the Holy Ghost. So now you can tell BaiLee how she can have the spirit with her always, and I think it's interesting to me that BaiLee asked how long she would have the Holy Ghost. Most people today don't feel it while they have it, they feel it leave and want it back. We will not have successful missionary experiences until we learn to recognize the spirit when we know we have it.
So I am almost out of time and I will have to go and get measured for a suit because the one I have now from Ferrals is way big on me. So I will get measured and see what kind of a deal I can get, I wish you would have given me a price range so I would know what to look for, but I will try to keep it under 300 dollars. Anywase, hope you have a good week and feel free to send Elder Scholle something for Christmas. His family situation is fine, but still it would be the nice thing to do. Because we have been given much, we to must give.
love your missionary, Elder Silcock

December 1, 2008 Letter

2008-12-03T20:59:00.000-08:00

Well, it was a crazy week. I'll tell you what. I'm still full from Thanksgiving! Sad to say this, but, I've actually gained weight here because the members are so awesome and they all cook really good. But I'm still the same weight I was in the mtc so nothing too major. But, for clothes, I still need a new suit and stuff. I don't know what you want me to do about that, but there is a mens warehouse here in my area and so I could trade in my old suit and get a discount or something but it all depends on what you want me to do. I don't want anything from Ferril's because they measured me too big. The pants they give me, if I didn't wear a belt would fall off. So I would like to probably get fitted again. But I might need new socks because mine are starting to wear out and of coarse nice phat polyester ties. Oh, and I do need a few long sleeve shirts preferably a 17.5 to 18 inch collar. Probably like 2 or 3, and I gave the money to a member to get the (sorry, readers, I can't tell you what Skyler is sending because they are presents!), so I should get those this week, and what should I do for everybody else? I'd feel bad if I didn't get them anything. What's your advice? Yes, I remembered Shilo's bday. I sent him a birthday card like a month ago because he said it takes like 6 weeks to get mail. No baptisms yet, but we are working on it. Transfers are on Friday and I'm getting a new companion, his name is Elder Schule. He has been out for like 4.5 months and I'm going to be senior companion, so that's way exciting. I imagine that I'll be training before too long. So ya, I will be here for Christmas and stuff. So you won't have to worry about me going anywhere. But ya, nothing too exciting happening, other than transfers. Oh, and the Nativity Celebration here. It's way cool, they have some of the Branson performers come and perform. It's pretty cool and they have a bunch of nativities set up in the gym and a live nativity outside. It's a cool deal they got going on. Members from 2 Stakes in Springfield put it on. Anywase, hope I haven't forgotten anything and I will talk to ya next week.
Oh ya, I almost forgot to tell you what I did for Thanksgiving. We went to 3 members houses. First the Forsyth's (their son is the one going to Boise). Then we went to the Crosby's for the dinner. You'll think this is funny. Bro. Crosby is the High Priest group leader and Sis. Crosby is the Stake Primary president and their son is on a mission in Pocatello and was in Rupert not too long ago. So anywase, be looking for Elder Crosby. Then we went to the Brown's and had more food, mostly pie, though it was delicious and then I taught them how to play spoons and B.S., then yesterday at church I talked to one of their kids and she said that they have played B.S. like none stop since we taught them, it was funny, ha ha! But ya, that's what I did for turkey day. This week one of the Brown kid's is gonna try and get me some squirrel so we can have a squirrel fry. So we will see how that goes because they have been trying for like 4 months, ha ha! Anywase, loves

November 24 Letter & The First Epistle of The Elders

2008-11-25T07:42:00.000-08:00

Hello Madre,

Well, I finally got your email and stuff. Sounds like a lot has happened over the week. I'm excited for Steph and Jay. That will be way sweet if they get the baby and stuff. So Dad's been busy, huh. Sounds about normal.
Ya, so I'm at a members house today emailing ya. Nile, the kid that lives here leaves for his mission in January and guess were he is going? Boise, Idaho. So I've told him all about it and stuff. I told him you need to take him shopping there so he can get missionary discounts and stuff. His name is Nile Forsyth. So tell Steph and Jay to look for him and stuff. Anywase, I haven't gotten the things you wanted for Christmas yet but I should today, so that will be good, and I will try to get you a list of stuff I need for Christmas. Probably some way sweet poly ties, you know the kind, the more the merrier, and I guess the new general conf dvd and, um, let's see, oh the church history dvd's and the testaments and like all the church movies, and do you know when the Joseph Smith movie comes out? Because if you can get it, I want it. Oh, and the "Best Two Years", that's a movie we can watch. So, ya, hopefully I can get a better list for ya. But anywase, I'm not to picky.
Anywase, we might have a baptism this week if things go as planned. So I will let you know how things go. Anywase, I got to go, so sorry it's short, I just don't have much time. Tell everybody I said hi and stuff. peace

(The following is a letter we received from Skyler, thought you might enjoy reading it)

THE FIRST EPISTLE OF THE ELDERS TO THE DEAD LETTER WRITERS

CHAPTER 1

In the beginning was the mailbox
and the mailbox was void of letters.
2. And the missionaries said, "let the
box be filled" and the box was not filled.
3. And the missionaries beheld the
continuing void, and were not pleased.
4. And it was the first day of the week
and there was no mail delivered. But
this was good.
5. But on the second day was the mail
delivered; yet the box remained empty.
6. Yea, even from the second day unto
the seventh was the mail delivered.
7. Even so, the box retained it's void.
8. And yea, a great mist of darkness
spread forth from the void and enshrouded
the missionaries. Yea, and did bring much
sorrow to their otherwise cheery days.
9. Even the long hours of fruitless
tracting, being attacked by the fowls of
the air, and being pursued by the beast of
the field were not as disheartening as the
lack of blessed objects, known as letters.
10. And yet they persisted.

CHAPTER 2

And it came to pass on the second
day of the second week, the mist still
encircled the mailbox.
2. And on the third day, from within the
depths of the void, was a single postcard.
3. And the postcard put forth a ray of
light that pierced the darkness and overcame
the mist.
4. And the missionaries were exceedingly
joy full, and there was much happiness in
the apartment.
5. But, alas, their exclamations of joy
were in vain. For it came to pass that the
postcard was for someone else.
6. But if their joy was so exceedingly
great over someone else's mail, how great
would be their joy at partaking of their
own mail?

CHAPTER 3

And there will be many which shall
say, a letter, a letter. We have already
written a letter. We have no need to write
anymore letters.
2. Know ye not that there are more days
than one, and more events than one in a day?
Why think ye that these events need not be
reported?
3. Yea, and ye need not worry that your
letters will go unanswered.
4. But thous shalt say, "I will go and
write the letter that a missionary request.
For I know that he giveth no request except
that he be prepared to speedily respond.
5. II And we give unto the parable of
the self addressed envelopes to his friends.
7. Unto one he gave five, unto another he
gave two, and unto the third he gave one.
8. And it came to pass that while he was
gone, he that was given five envelopes wrote
five letters, then in his zeal wrote five
letters more.
9. The same with him that had two envelopes:
he wrote two letters and then two letters more.
10. But he that was given the one self
addressed envelope became slothful and careless,
and he lost the envelope, even that which he was
given.
11. And when the missionary came home, he went
unto his friends. And he that had written ten
letters was warmly greeted.
12. The same with him that had written four
letters.
13. But he that had written none at all was
given nothing more than a fishy, wimp like
handshake.

CHAPTER 4

And the missionary said unto his
friends; "Lovest thou me?"
2. And the friend said, "I lovest thou".
Then the missionary said, fill my mailbox.
3. He saith a second time, "Friend, lovest
thou me?" And the friend said, "Thou knowest
that I love thee." Then he saith, "Fill my
mailbox."
4. He then spake a third time saying, "Lovest
thou me?" and the friend said, "Thou knowest
all things, thou knowest I love thee."
5. The the missionary said, "Stuff my mailbox."
6. And the vision is become unto all as the
words of a letter is sealed in the envelope that
men deliver to one who is serving a mission, saying
"Read this I pray thee." And he saith, "I cannot,
for it is not mine."
7. And the letter is delivered to him that is
serving a mission, saying "Read this I pray thee."
And he saith, "Why, sure."
8. Therefore, you should do a marvelous work for
a missionary. Even a marvelous work and a wonder
by writing a letter.

Love, Elder Silcock

November 17 Letter, Chicken and Dumplings!

2008-11-20T08:45:00.000-08:00

*  (Just a little note to explain that our computer had problems and so I went to Meg's  Monday morning to email Skyler.  Skyler emailed us earlier than usual, so he missed ours.  Drat!  Anyway, thanks Sister Chapman, for feeding Skyler chicken and dumplings.  You are awesome!)

Skyler's Letter-

   Hmm, I guess I won't get to hear from you this morning, because there were no emails from anyone on here, so I hope everything is ok.  Anywase, we had a good week this past week. We taught a lot of people.  It was sweet! I worked Elder Turner's tail off, it was good!  We had Stake Conference this past Sunday. It was pretty good. We had Elder Martino from the Seventy, so that was pretty cool.  He speaks Spanish and so he came down to start a Spanish Branch in Branson. So that is way awesome to hear the work is going good.  We are hoping to have some baptisms soon. We have been working so hard for them and it's getting better every week.  The dumplings were way good. You must have given Sis. Chapman a very detailed recipe, because it tasted just like yours!  Well, I hope everything is going good because I probably won't get your email before I leave.  So you might have to mail it to me.  Hopefully there wasn't anything you were expecting to hear. If so, you'll have to wait till next week.  Loves

November 10, 2008 Letter

2008-11-11T21:05:00.000-08:00

Hey Mom,

Ya, so it was a pretty good week and we contacted some of those referrals. Two of them we kind of did. The members who gave them to us, told us to hold off like a couple of weeks because they had just gotten married a day before. But they still want to be taught, so that's good. So Meg's prego, huh, that will be exciting. Now Chris and Kristen need to get with it.
It will be exciting to see how Obama does. I wish I knew what he has to offer before I jump to conclusions. I guess the Lord just need's to humble people. I don't know. All I can say is that the world isn't ready for Romney yet. Just remember, all things are done in wisdom of Him who knoweth all things. Any wase, enough of politics.
So, they did some reorganizing in church. That's cool. Has there been any new move-ins since I've been gone? How is the bbq coming(our mortuary and crematory)? Send me pics if you can.
So, has Declo (high school) been doing better in football? It sounds like it, if their in playoffs, huh. Ya, I bet Tyler(Briggs) is quite the football player, he was good when he was a freshman. How big is he now? Is he as big as Scott, or is he still my height? How did Tanner(Field) do in the game, and how has he done this season? I wish I could go back and play football again. Especially in the 2a division. We would have been State Champs, seriously and you know it. Oh well, life goes on.
Well, guess I don't have too much to report on and I will let you know how dinner goes on Tuesday. I'm sure it will be good. Sister Chapman is a good cook, and if it's made with love, who cares, haha! (It looks like Skyler may just get those chicken and dumplings, after all!)
Well, I better get going, so I will talk to ya later, oh, and I thought you were only 38? (I told Skyler that I had just turned 39. Again!)

November 3, 2008 Letter

2008-11-04T10:30:00.000-08:00

  So sounds like it was a good week.  It's comforting to know that everything is going good with the farmers.  That had me worried, but I guess it kinda turned out for the better.  Ya, I will be here at least another 6 weeks, hopefully longer because I really love it here.  I'm still serving with Elder Turner though.
 Well, your gonna have to send me pics of all the antlers that were harvested, haha.
 Ya, fast and testimony meeting was good here too.  We asked 2 people to share their testimonies about missionary work and then after that there was like a whole bunch of people that bore their testimonies about missionary work, and we even got a few member referrals that day. So it was way successful.
 So have you had any more contact with Eric? How is he doing and stuff?  I wrote him a letter, hopefully he got it.  Oh, and how is Mckay doing and how is the rest of the Heward family doing?
 Ya, so I guess I just don't have much to say. Nothing too exciting happened this past week, other than we almost got soaked because there was a crazy thunder storm that came through.  We were close to the church when it hit, so we just went inside. Luckily we did because it started hailing and everything.  Well, cool beans.  Tell everyone I say hi and stuff, and all the people back in the ward and whoever you see that I know.  loves by!!!

October 27, 2008 Letter

2008-10-27T16:18:00.000-07:00

Hey, got your email. Ya, I got the package and everything was good. Love the General Conference dvd's and I've used them a lot with investigators, and maybe when you get the chance to get the past session's dvd's, do ya think you could send them to me? I would appreciate it because they do get put to use.
So how is Eric doing? I guess I'll find out when he writes me back. How about Nathan, and Shilo, and Ben? Are they doing good? Have you heard from them recently? I only hear from them like once every 6 weeks maybe, give or take.
So Chris found his elk and Tyler got his buck. That's sweet! They will have to send me pics of both of them. Looks like we just know the right people or something. Like come on! What's the chances of that happening? Haha, that lucky punk. You know he is only blessed like that because he served a mission, haha! (Chris shot his first elk in September with his bow and then lost it, but someone else came across the carcass and reported it to a friend who knew Chris' story and told him where to find it.)
Ya, so we had a good week. The end of another transfer. Looks like I'm staying here another 6 weeks. I'm hoping I'll be here at least 6 months, because I really like the members here and stuff. So Sister Chapman is looking at the blog. That's cool! I told them about it and they checked it out, I guess. Ya, her husband is the Ward Mission Leader. He is way, sweet! Well, that's good that their saying good stuff about me. So I must be doing something right. So this Ward will definitely be a Ward I will come back and visit. Whether you come and pick me up or not, I'm coming back here. Ya, so there are some members that are going deer hunting for the first time next week, and they want me to show them how to gut a deer, and then how to cook the heart, and then hopefully at that time we can have a deer heart and squirrel fry, ha ha! So, I'm kinda hoping they get something. Oh ya, and on Saturday we had the (Ward) Trunk-or-Treat, and some of our investigators came to it and loved it. They had a great time and then they said that they didnt want to go to the one at their church because it wouldn't be as fun. So how cool is that? It just makes you realize how much success is in Ward activities and stuff. So make sure you invite your non-member friends to Ward activities, because they are successful.
Well,hopefully I haven't forgotten anything. Well, I got to go, got other stuff to do. Talk to ya next week! LOVES!!!

October 20 Letter

2008-10-20T18:28:00.000-07:00

Oh my gosh! That is so sweet! I can't believe Eric Sanders (a friend of Skyler's) got baptized! You just never know what will happen from a seed you planted. And guess what? Do you know where Eric met this gal? (Eric's girlfriend, Courtney.) Remember our road trip to St. George and Las Vegas a while ago. (Skyler is referring to a road trip that he, Eric, and Nathan Brown went on a year ago) Ya, that's where he met her. So you can thank Nathan for hooking him up. That's just so cool. Holy cow, ahhhh! Ya, I knew he would come around eventually. Nathan and I were always inviting him out to activities and stuff, so that's insane. Man! Well, that's the best news I've heard for a long time. That just made my week and everything. Holy cow! That's so coool. So what did Eric have to say? Did he say hi to ya and everything?
So how is Grandma Smith doing? I want to write her a letter. If you see Steven Kirk tell him I say "hi" too, and give him my address.
So what did you think of Mr.Morgan? (We got to meet the returned missionary Skyler was referring to in his last letter.) He is kinda funny. So, he told you stories about me, huh. Hopefully they were good ones, haha. He told you about the "Mo Ho" huh. (The "Mo Ho" is the Missouri Hotel, a place where many homeless people go for shelter). That's funny. We were teaching people that lived there. Some of them are crazy. It's scary on that street at night. Boy, I'll tell you what!
Anywase, hopefully the farmers can get back into the fields this week. It sounds like they need to be more specific in their prayers for moisture, haha. But seriously, they need to. The Lord is just trying to teach them something, that's all. They will learn eventually. Well, nothing too exciting happening this week. I'll be looking for your package in the mail. Mom, just tell me one thing. Where does the time go? Holy Cow!
Anywase, loves by

-----Original Message-----

October14 Letter

2008-10-15T09:12:00.000-07:00

(In the first part of Skyler's letter he is referring to Jay and Chris each getting a deer on the hunt they went on last week. I think Skyler is a little jealous!)

Well, I can't believe they ACTUALLY got anything, that's crazy. So you had a snow storm, huh, that's crazy. It never snows like that when I'm home, I bet Dad had a fun time scraping the driveways out for everybody though, huh, ha ha. Well, our week was good. Nothing new to report, same old, same old.
(In Skyler's September 29 letter he mentions the Mcquilcam family. They called us and asked us for our recipe of chicken and dumplings. They wanted to make some for Skyler and Elder Turner on General Conference weekend.) I never did get to eat chicken and dumplings because they moved before they could feed us. It was like an emergency thing because they were already planning on moving. They just had to move sooner.
So, ya, you could send me a conference Ensign, that would be nice, and if you could send the conference dvd's, we like to show those to investigators. Any of the sessions would work if you sent some. We just don't have a good variety of good music. You basically listen to everything a million times. If you can, could you send some John Bytheway cd's. Their pretty good to show to investigators and any of his music cd's, because their pretty funny. You could send some Winger's sauce and my other lining for my coat.
We usually don't get snow here, if we do, it's not a lot. They just get rain and an ocasional ice storm. Well, hopefully I haven't forgotten anything. So have a good one. Talk to ya in a week. loves

P.S.

Hey, I got an email from one of my fellow missionaries in the mission. He went home a month ago. He said he's gonna ring you up and come visit with ya. So take him out to Morey's or something. He was my district leader. So, ya, any wase the Elder's name is Michael Morgan from Logan. Tell him I say hi and stuff and show him the tractor collection and everything. I need like 50 more bucks in my account because I had to fix my bike again. I had to fix the crank and the pedals and the gears because they were all shot. A member paid for it so I just have to pay them back. It was like 117 bucks.
loves by

October 6 Letter

2008-10-10T20:24:00.000-07:00

  Hey, how's it going.  So it sounds like you had a normal week, no news is good news I guess.  I keep telling Jay that he won't get anything (deer hunting) because I'm not there. I don't even know why he tries! ha ha!  Tell Meg to take a bunch of pics of the farm and all the tractors and the mountains.  That way when she sends the camera to me they will already be on it.  Ya, so conference was good.  I think my favorite talk was by Elder Holland.  Guess what he talked on?  Angels!  Oh ya, it was good!  I liked how he said that angels still visit us today, both heavenly  and earthly, seen and unseen.  Of coarse, they were all good.  How about the announcment of a temple in Kansas City.  That's Jackson County Missouri to you foreigners.  Ya, that's crazy. We better start repenting.  Oh, and a temple in Rome, Italy.  That's funny. Right next to the Catholic headquarters, ha ha!  Maybe the pope will get baptized and so will all other Catholics, ha ha! Wouldn't that be nice.  I also liked Elder Wirthlin's talk. I laughed pretty good through it and Elder Perry's talk.  For a second I thought he was going to announce the opening of China.  But he didn't. I guess the members aren't ready for us to leave here in the U.S.  Oh ya, so, do I get to vote? Don't I get like an absentee ballot or something?  Anywase, I will talk to you later. loves, by

September 29 Letter

2008-10-01T22:15:00.000-07:00

Hey, well I got your email. Ya, so I just figured Meg's camera would be nice. We can't have camcorders, so Meg's camera would be nice. Oh, and I just thought I would let you know that, not yesterday, but the Sunday before was our Primary Program and the theme was "I Am Child of God" and they sang "If The Savior Stood Beside Me". So I just thought it was funny. I don't know if that's like part of the script that the Church gives to Wards or if they just decided to throw it in there. Either way it was a good song. I liked it alot because the Primary sang it. When the Primary sings, the spirit is always there. We had 2 investigators come from members inviting them to the Primary Program. Ya, it was awesome because it's a whole family, so it should be good. I just hope that President Seal keeps me here for 6 months. Any wase, that was that, and one other thing, (wow, I can't believe I'm actualy asking for this), could you send me some Heartbound music, because Mo-Tab gets old after a while, and I just need a variety, ya know. Any wase, keep that on the down low.
So you got a car huh, and it's a Honda. That's impressive, I'm so proud of Dad. Now we don't have anymore Chevy junk, and Honda's are really reliable and I like Accords, they are really nice and classy (and like what you said, FAST). Ya, when you come pick me up in like, 17 months, you can let me drive it, ha, ha. You know, I was thinking the other day, I haven't driven a car in like, 7 months, plus. That's weird.
Oh, and I got a letter from Shilo, that was sweet. He told me a story how his companion still doesn't speak very good Spanish. So he was talking to someone on the street and they weren't interested and kept walking, so his companion said "Have a good day" in Spanish or something, but he didn't say it right and the guy turned on him and said "What did you say? You trying to start something?" and Shilo was like "Hey, take it easy, he was just saying "have a good day" and the guy (Mom, this is where you stop reading) pulled out a gun and said "I shoot you like dogs!" Shilo laughed and the guy walked away. Isn't that awesome! haha.
Oh ya, and it wasn't Elder Turner that got hit by a car, it was Elder Jeppesen. It was a narrow road and we were going to see someone and there was no side walks. So I was walking in the burrow pit and he was walking on the road, and there was a car coming in front of us and one from behind. Elder Jeppesen didn't move and the one from behind hit him with it's mirror, it was stinkin' hillarious. And the people that were driving looked at each other and you could just tell they said "Did we hit them? Ah, their Mormon's, they will forgive us, ha, ha". Then they kept driving, didn't even apologize. It was funny, it made the journal.
Wow, I can't believe Trevor Heward is getting married. That was fast. I'm sure Melissa (Trevor's sister) will get married here shortly too. She is too pretty to be not married.
So, as for the members the Mcquilcams(or something like that) pronounced mac-a-wams, that called you, they are an awesome family and like to cook. I guess that's good they said good things about me. I bet that makes you not worry as much, ha, ha. Ya, they are a nice family. I will miss them because they are moving in a couple weeks.
As for sports, I can't believe Declo is doing bad. As for Burley, I expect it. Then there is Boise State, and I hear from some Boise State fans here in my ward(they moved here from Boise)that they are doing better than they expected. Especialy for how young they are. I caught a glimpse of their game against Oregon when we stopped by to see a part member family. They were watching college football and it showed Boise State, it was hard, because I wanted to watch it so badly, but I focused on the lesson, haha.
Well, gee, I hope I didn't forget anything. All right, I will talk to ya after General Conference. It should be good, I can't wait, which is weird because usually I used to sleep through it, haha. Anywase, don't want Kristin to think I'm gettin' "preachy" on ya, haha. Well, I got to go so tell Grandma Smith and Grandma Silcock I still think about them and haven't forgotten them, so tell them I said hi. Pray that I will get to see some extreme weather for 2 reasons. One, to humble people, and two, to get some sweet footage of an F5 tornado. Humbling people and so I have picturs of a tornado(and softball size hail). Anywase, have fun in your new car and tell everybody I said hello and stuff. If I forget to tell you anything sorry just remind me next week. loves!!!!!!!

September 15 Letter

2008-09-15T12:13:00.000-07:00

Well, I got your email and your package. I appreciate it. The pants fit good and I loved the ties. As for Charles, he didn't get baptized because we felt he wasn't ready, so we moved it back a couple weeks. He was fine with it so I don't worry about him too much.
This last week was crazy because we had transfers and I got Elder Turner from Colorado Springs, Colorado. He is alright, he can use some tuneups, but that's probably why I'm serving with him, to build him up. But he is a hard worker and knows the scriptures very well. I was kinda hoping Pres would give me a companion I could straighten out. I want to train soon so maybe this will help.
But ya, that's cool you did do the studying. I love that chapter and it gives you a different perspective of "come unto me" doesn't it. I was reading in pmg (Preach My Gospel) the other day and studying temples. In ch3 under the 5th lesson it talks about temples and family history work. It says the Lord commands His people to build temples and to build the kingdom. It's amazing how one thing leads to the other. If we go to the temple then we will be blessed and building the kingdom will come easier. I just wish more members would get the picture of the important calling we have not as missionaries, but as members. If we all truly understood, we would be finding people for the missionaries to teach, because we would understand what the Lord has done for us. So we would want to share it with others. Members of the Church often times need more trials to get them on their knees. It just goes to show you how merciful the Lord truly is.
Well anywase, I better get going. Tell Chris and Kristin that I'm looking to get their package today. Would you mind sending me one of the cameras from home? I want a camera that has sound on the audio, mine doesn't and I like making videos, you know how it is. But, anywase, that's not important. Talk to ya next week, and tell Grandma Smith I love her and wish her the best.
Loves, by

September 8 Letter

2008-09-09T19:55:00.000-07:00

(For those of you who have been following along with us this last year, the first part of Skyler's letter this time is in reference to the sad news we received last week concerning the potential adoption of the three children Steph and Jay were hoping for. It seems that this is not to be. Certain facts have come to light that has now made it impossible for these particular children to be placed in their home. Steph and Jay have not given up on the idea of adoption and we are all hoping for a much better outcome next time.)

Well, I got your email, and man do we have trials in our family. I figured God wouldn't make it too easy on us. We've got to keep our testimonies strong, and the way to do it is through trials. Well shoot!
Well, enough with the bad news, time for some good news. We have a potential baptism this Thursday, it's a guy named Charles. He has been an investigator for a while and has come to church a couple times. Those 2 people I told you about last week are doing good, so we have a potential of like 3 baptisms in the following weeks to come. SWEET! The Lord is just blessing us right now. It's awesome! When I got here, this area was a "dead" area. Then I came in and now we've got baptisms. The first ones since February. So we're getting the Ward out of a drought. Any wase, it just shows how hard work pays off.
Well, I got Grandma's package. Tell her I says thank you and I love the suspenders, ha ha! I plan on writing her a letter today and possibly Grandma Smith as well. I'm getting a new comp on Friday, it's transfers again. I just can't believe it! Where does the time go? Oh ya, my new companion will be Elder Turner.
Well, after what you told me in your email I was thinking about something that I had learned a few weeks ago. It's called Celestial math. So, I was studying Ether, chapter 4 and in 2 verses (like 13 and 14), somewhere over there Christ says "Come unto me", then in the next verse he says "Come unto me", again. The Lord doesn't usually repeat Himself. So think about that "come unto me". Those 3 words are pretty deep aren't they. So going back to this Celestial math and "come unto me". What it is, is we have Telestial math, that's 1+1=0. So, like maybe you swear, but you go to church, so you're doing something bad and good at the same time. So it cancels out. Then, we have Terrestrial math, that's 1+1=2. That's where you stop swearing and you still go to church, but you still hang out with the same friends, so you haven't taken yourself out of the situation. Ok then, we have Celestial math, and that's 1+1=8. What happens if you turn the 8 sideways? It then becomes infinity. So what this means is, (1) we stop doing something the Lord wants us to stop doing, and (1) start doing something the Lord wants us to start doing, and this principle then becomes =8, eternal or never ending. Interesting, isn't it. You probably never thought of coming unto Christ like that before, have you? So, in reality, those 3 words are very deep. So go read that chapter and those verses(it might be others, but it's somewhere in there) and tell me what you think. One other thing it says in those verses is "Come unto me and I will show unto you the greater things which are hid up because of unbelief.". What are the greater things? Where do we go to learn the greater things? So study that and tell me what you think. Remember what you tell me will be used to help strengthen the members here. So any stories you could tell or anything else, that would be nice.
Well, I will be looking for your package. Tell everybody I said "Hi", oh, and I plan on printing some pics and getting some other stuff. The one thing I wanted to get was a t-shirt from one of the high schools here, and the name of the high school is "Kickapoo High School", and on the back it says "Fear the Poo". They are hilarious, and it's tradition for the missionaries serving in the area to get one (just so you know). Well, I think I'm done for the day. So anywase, talk to you later. by

September 2 Letter

2008-09-03T09:49:00.000-07:00

Well, we had an awesome week this last week. We taught more lessons this last week than the missionaries ever taught before Elder Jeppesen and I. It was in the hole when we got here. This last week we had an awesome finding experience. I will just tell you about it. So, we were walking by some apartments and there was an old guy and a lady named Brenda. We had talked to Brenda before so we weren't going to go talk to her, but the Spirit said other wise. We kinda walked past and at the same time turned around and went and talked to them. The cool part was he (the old guy) had just saw us walk by and told Brenda(who is his wife) "I wish those 2 young men would come talk to us.", and then we came. Long story short, we came back on Sunday and taught about the restoration and then we watched the restoration with him. He said, and we could tell, that he was overcome with the Spirit. He told us that he has cancer in his kidney and gallbladder and like 5 other organs and the doctors told him he would have 45 days to live and he has now lived for 2 years. Over the 2 years he has been prepared to recieve the gospel. We actually ended up setting a baptismal date with him that night. It was an awesome experience. Elder Jeppesen and I had been praying to find the elect, and what happens? The Lord provides every time. It's amazing!
We had that on Sunday and the combined 3rd hour. The bishop here is really awesome and very mission minded. So the theme on Sunday was missionary work and getting member referels to the missionaries. It was one of those things where I didn't know what I was going to say. So I just said what the spirit wanted me to say. But, basically what I told them was the vision I had for Springfield, and that was a temple. I asked them where they saw the church here in 10 years, and now I think they understand. You see, it's not about the baptism, it's about returning to live with God. We as members don't get that. We are the only ones to offer that because the church has the authority to do so. So, I ask you this question, what's your vision of Burley? Hopefully it's a temple. You see the 2 commandments that Christ gave us are still in effect today, (1) love God, and (2) love thy neighbor. If we love God, go to the temple, if we love our neighbor, let's share with them the true and everlasting gospel. Mom, you and Dad have strong testimonies for a variety of reasons, and you know them. But in order for our testimonies to grow we have to share them and I think Pres. Monson said that, I'm not sure. But, any wase, enough with that.
You asked the question about Nick. (*Note:I asked him if he had any experiences when he could tell that Nick was with him.) Well, I have noticed a helping hand. One time we were out on the road talking to these guys working on the manhole cover. So their truck was parked on half the road, so cars would go driving by cautiously around the truck. Well, after we were done talking, and I was going to go to the apartment (because it was right across the street)I didn't think to look for cars, and I just started walking when something just pulled me back and no sooner a car came flying by around the truck. So I'm pretty sure he was there.
About Steph and the kids. Don't worry, their where they need to be. Those kids definitely need to be where they are. If it's hard to get used to them just think back in the last 10 years and when has it been easy for us. The best thing Steph and Jay need right now is some good old Silcock support and how about a priesthood blessing. I didn't tell you this, but when Steph told me they had found those kids and were hoping to adopt them, and they hadn't told anybody but me, I knew when Steph told me about them that they were the ones. I had a spiritual confirmation right there on the spot! If it's tough, look at where they came from and look at their background. Remember, everything Christ touched, he healed. So what is the gospel? The gospel heals things, and what's the first principle of the gospel. Ya, that's right - faith in Jesus Christ, in His atonement. I have a cool scripture for you, Alma 7:11-13, read it, it's good. Not only will the kids be blessed, but as Steph and Jay continue to step up and become committed to the gospel, they will be blessed to. You should get all the kids together and go to the temple together with everyone, and make it a tradition. Remember, we should always preach the gospel and sometimes use words. So we teach by example, that's strong.
Well, I think that's it. Oh, if you get this and you haven't sent the package, get my camelback, because it's nice and compact, and my back pack leaves sweat stains on my shirt because it's so big and hot. Don't worry, I'm gonnna try to send some more pictures. Oh, and what's the deal with the hurricane? I guess I'm not too far from it, so this week we're supposed to get a lot of rain, oh well, we will see, and I will keep my fingers crossed. Well, tell everyone I says hello, and let me know how things are going back home. Oh, and could you send me pictures of my quad when I had it clean in Chris's garage, I know I took pics. The reason is because Elder Jeppesen wants to see pics of it and I wouldn't mind having pictures to show. Well, I think that's it for me this week. loves, by!!!!!

August 25 Letter

2008-08-25T11:14:00.000-07:00

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

August 18 Letter - Skyler's new address

2008-08-20T18:42:00.000-07:00

    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.

August 11 Letter

2008-08-11T18:53:00.000-07:00

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

August 4 Letter

2008-08-05T09:05:00.000-07:00

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

July 28 Letter and a little more!

2008-07-28T20:01:00.000-07:00

Well, guess what? I'm getting transfered. I'm not going far though, just to south Springfield, to the 3rd Ward. It will be cool, it's the smallest bike area in the mission. SWEET!!! Any wase, I'm excited, but don't want to leave the Ward I'm in, I just wish I could take the members with me. Well that's about it for me. So I will try to talk to ya next week. love ya, by.

Since Skyler's letter was so short I thought that I would do something different and share our letter we wrote to him with you. We have had a very eventful week, which seems to be the norm this year (because of the length, I did not print our entire letter, just the best parts). Thanks for checking in on our missionary, we truly appreciate your support.

Hey Bud,

How's it goin'? Did you get our package? I hope I sent the right scriptures. These were the ones in your scripture case, along with your scripture mastery cards, so I figured that they must be the right ones. So what's the latest in your world? We have had a very eventful week, so this will probably be a long letter. Here goes!

On Monday, Dad and I went to the Twin Falls Temple Open House. We went so that we could get a refresher course on the whole tour guide thing. It was so cool! There is a spirit there that you can feel as soon as you pull into the parking lot. I talked to President Larry Gerratt the next day about that, and he said that he had heard the same thing from several people who had visited. Which shows that even though the temple has not been dedicated yet, the Spirit of the Lord is still there. There were men outside to direct you as you parked. Then before you entered, there were men waiting to direct us to the Stake Center where the tours begin. They were also there to assist anyone needing help getting in and out of cars, needing wheel chair assistance, waiting with umbrellas in case of rain, and they opened the doors to the building as you entered. Once inside you were greeted by women handing out pamphlets explaining things about the temple and what we learn while there and its purpose, and then they directed us where to go next. It was like being in the temple itself, there were people all over waiting to send you in the right direction so
you won't get lost. Everyone was smiling and you felt so welcomed! Then we entered a class room where a sister missionary greeted the group in the room and started a video that re-emphasized the things that were in the pamphlet and also going into detail about the history of the Church in this valley. The amazing thing about the video is how it makes you feel, (Dad and I, plus several others in the room shed many
tears). After the video ended, our tour guides took us on the tour of the temple. It took about half an hour to go through the temple. Before we entered the temple, we were greeted by the youth from the Paul Stake, who put shoe coverings on over our shoes. These were to help keep the carpets from getting dirty. Then there were
two girls that stood in front of the big doors and opened them for us to enter. It is very beautiful inside, the colors are very soothing, and there is a wonderful, peaceful feeling. Our tour guides were a couple from Paul, (he was a former Stake President). They did a good job. Then they took us back to the Stake Center where we met Sister Missionaries who were there to answer any questions and to fill out referral cards. There were also refreshments waiting. The room was set up like a visitor center, with paintings of Christ, and panels of pictures of the rooms of the temple, with more explanations of each rooms purpose. There was someone there playing a piano, so once again you felt welcomed and at peace. The whole thing
was such a great experience.
Then on Tuesday, we went back to do our turn as tour guides. We had to be there at 7:00 that morning for a prayer meeting with Elder Brent Nielsen, who is our area authority. He gave us a few details that were very encouraging. He told us that as of that Monday there had been 118 referral cards turned in since the open house began two weeks before. In the whole six weeks of the Rexburg temple open house they had
received a total of only 70 referral cards. This is very good news. He also shared with us the support of the media in the area and the ministers from other Church's there. He said the Pastor of the one church told him that on Sunday he stood before his congregation and said, "I am going to the LDS Temple Open House. Who is going with me?" He is planning on bringing two groups through. Cool, huh? We have all been warned about the protesters standing outside the temple grounds. We have been told to ignore them, they are professionals and do this at every major LDS event. Elder Nielsen told us that he has been contacted by many ministers of area churches who have said that they asked their congregations to not participate in any of these protests, since it is a very un-Christian like thing to do. He said that they have received great support from the other churches, which has been a huge turn around for the Twin Falls area! Weren't we promised that this would happen? After the prayer meeting, Dad and I had to wait for over an hour before it was our turn to take a
group through. We were both very nervous. One of us was supposed to be the leader who did all the talking and the other was the follower who brought up the rear and made sure that everyone stayed together. It was recommended that we take turns. So I told Dad that he could go first. This gave me the opportunity to visit with people as we walked. Our first group had about 23 people in it. That is just about the right size. Our next two groups were both larger, around 35. Anyway, you could see how affected the people were from the very beginning with the video presentation. You would see members and non-members shedding tears. The last room we go to is the largest of the two sealing rooms. At this point the leader is supposed to share their testimony of the temple with the group. So Dad stands before everyone and explains the purpose of the sealing room. Then he calls me to come forward and share my testimony instead of him. He said that he could not control his emotions well enough to be able to get through it. He is such a baby! So, I shared with everyone just how much the blessings of the temple mean to us because of the loss of one of our children, and how the promises we are given because of the sealing power of the priesthood gives us hope, peace and comfort. I told them that we have a very
loving Heavenly Father who's plan for us is one of happiness, and testified of our Saviors' great love for us through his atonement and sacrifice. After I finished, then Dad invited everyone to stand in front of the mirrors and look into eternity. It was a pretty awesome experience. I took the next two groups around and Dad followed. He liked getting to talk to the people as we walked. I was too nervous to
notice some of the things that Dad witnessed. He told me later that in each group there was someone who was extremely touched by the experience. In the last group we took through, there was a man with our group who lived just a short distance from the temple. We don't think he was a member, because he seemed to be in total awe of everything he saw and heard. He became very emotional more than once. There was a
couple from New Zealand in one of our groups. They were members and just happened to be here visiting family. There was a family from Sun Valley, who were not members, and were there with a member friend. They also seemed to be pretty touched by what they saw and felt. We may never know if anyone in these groups ever joins the Church, but we will always remember the wonderful experience we have been given to do this. We get to go back on August 7 and do it again. We are both excited and looking forward to that day. We have found out since then that the day our Stake was in charge of the open house it was the second largest day since the opening. There were approximately 4200 people who went through that day and get this, they received 23 referrals that day, which boosted the total over 200! Pretty cool, huh!

Well, I think this is enough news for one week. Have a good week, and good luck with your transfer. We love you.

Mom and Dad

July 21 Letter

2008-07-21T11:23:00.000-07:00

Ya, I think it's pretty safe to say our family rocks. Sounds like it (the Silcock Family Reunion) was fun and wish I could have been there, but hey, I got more important things to do. I will find out this Saturday if I'm getting transfered. So I will let you know in my next email. Pres said that there is a 75% chance of me getting transferred so it could be interesting. Well, that's good to hear that Cole and BaiLee are getting along. It definitely won't be easy for them, but just wait, those kids will warm up to them (Alex, Shanna, and Jacob) so fast they won't know what hit them. That's what I love about the gospel, you look threw out the scriptures and every thing that Christ touched he healed. So getting those kids into a gospel home will do wonders for them and that I do know. So how is Clinton adjusting to being home. It's crazy to think that its been a month already, I guess time flys when you work hard, huh. Well, I was thinking the other day, for Christmas I might need new pants and stuff because they are way too big on me now and I don't plan on trying to make them fit. We go running in the mornings like 2 miles worth plus biking all day, so any ways, I don't have to worry about that, tho you know what I'm saying, ha ha. Well, tell the family I says hi, and I still need Kristen's email because the one I have doesn't work.
Love, Elder Silcock

(forward this to grandma)
Hey Grandma, how you doing, well to answer some of your questions I do cook a lot. My comp now basicaly didn't even know how to cook hashbrowns which was kinda funny. Ya, a couple days ago I cooked a pot roast and made real mashed potatos(which was pathetic because I had to actually buy them) and home made gravy and corn bread, but usally I cook like pancakes or something, you know, nothing too big. I wouldn't mind some of your recipes, you know, like your lemon freeze dish, don't know why, but I have been craving it for some reason, ha ha. Well, hopefuly I didn't leave any thing out, if I did, I'm sorry. Well, thanks for the address and stuff. I'm looking forward to hearing from you.
love, Elder Silcock

July 14 Letter

2008-07-14T11:08:00.000-07:00

Well, what a week it has been. We have 1 baptismal date set and we are going to set one tomorrow. It's almost like the people here are opening up. It's slowly happening, but it is coming along. Well, Pres (President Seal)told me in interviews that there is a 75% chance of me getting transferred. So I might have a new address for you in a couple weeks, so if you send something send it quick. I can't believe it's already the Silcock family reunion again. I guess time flys when you work hard and have fun. If I were to tell the family anything I would ask them to pray for the missionary work going on around us. Specifically that people's hearts might be softened. It may not be much, but if we pray with faith, with real intent, then we as members can bring to pass God's plan which is eternal life. So many people around the world have hardened their hearts to our message, it is sad to think this, because what we have to share with them will bring happiness to their life forever. That's what I have, nothing much, but hey, it is by small and simple things that great things come to pass, right. Well let's see what else happened. Oh ya, um, I knew about Steph and Jay adopting for a couple weeks now, so that wasn't new. Steph told me to keep it a secret. I just can't believe we have 1 more niece and 2 more nephews, it's crazy. We truly are blessed. I just have to wait about a year and a half to see them now, ha ha. So we're building a mortuary! Why are we building a mortuary, that's kinda weird, isn't it? Oh well, I guess it would do well, huh. Well, have fun at the reunion for me. Send me lots of pics. Oh and I sent you some pics in the mail today so be looking for them. Well, that's me for this week. Signing out! Elder Silcock, loves, by.

July 7 Letter

2008-07-08T22:03:00.000-07:00

 Well how's Burley? Read your email, sounds like things are going good.  Ya, I got your package and muchos gracias!!!  The only thing you forgot besides my line of authority was my seminary scriptures, but it's all right, I don't hold grudges! haha.  Well so far it was a good week. We set a baptismal date last week, so hopfully on the 26th we will have another baptism.  So how are the McKrakens doing? That would be pretty tough, but I guess I don't need to worry to much about them, they have strong testimonies. They will be fine.  So the Gerratts knew the Stamms, go figure, its a small world isnt it. Well I don't mean to cut it short or nothing, I just have to hurry we wanna play b ball today so we are in hurry up mode.  Thanks for everything.  loves by

June 30 Letter

2008-06-30T10:50:00.000-07:00

One other thing that you could send me is my seminary scriptures that would be kinda nice to have, or my quad, but preferably my seminary scrips. Well not much happened this week, just teaching like crazy. We might teach a guy tonight, the same guy I think I told you about a few emails ago. We taught him and his girlfriend, she was penticostal and she was way anti, and we totaly shut her down. Well, I called him the other day and he said that his girlfriend was giving him all sorts of crap and he said we might be teaching his girlfriends pastor tonight, which should be kinda fun. It just bugs me because all these "christian" churches put out all sorts of anti-mormon literature and teach false things about us and they call themselves christians, it really bugs me, but it really strengthens my testimony, because you look back throughout the Bible and the Book of Mormon, and Christ's church was always ridiculed for their beliefs. People today just don't see that pattern. The other thing that bugs me is people put a limitation on God and Christ. This guy tried telling us yesterday that Jesus could not have appeared to Joseph Smith, He can't do that it's impossible. Well, don't you think the guy who created the world can come and visit it whenever He wants? Hmm, maybe I'm wrong though. Not! So those are some things that bug me about the world today. I just wish they would look at the whole picture instead of through the peep hole looking at the whole picture. If that makes sense. Well I hope things are going good back home. Has anything new happened or anything ya know. Well, if so let me know. You know were to find me.
Love ya' all By By.

June 23 letter

2008-06-23T20:57:00.000-07:00

Good. So you got the pictures huh. I thought you might like them. Ya, I did get pretty dirty cleaning up that burned down house. It didn't stain my shirt though. Shortly after that storm came (shown in pictures), in like, a few days later, another storm came in and all of a sudden the tornado sirens went off and so we went outside and watched the storm come in. It was crazy. A tornado touched down a couple miles away from us. It tore the roofs off a couple buildings and bent the Baptist churches flag poles. Our church which is really close to all this didn't get touched. Well, I met a family in our Ward who knows someone I do. Finally! The Stamms know the Gerratts, go figure. I guess they know them because their daughter married, I think, one of Rex's sons or something. I'm not sure, but they know the Gerratts real well. Oh, and their son-in-law served in the Pocatello, Idaho Mission and he served in Declo. He couldn't remember anybody from there, off the top of his head, but he remembered Stokers milk and the old Albion college. Well, I got a new companion his name is Elder Blair, can't remember if I told you already, but he is from Logan and his uncle lives in Incom, go figure. Ya, he probably wouldn't know the family because he is a preacher at a community church, but hey, ya never know. See if they (Uncle Rod and Aunt Marilyn)know a Pastor Blair. Elder Blair is really cool. He is teaching me to play piano, but, shhh, keep it on the down low. So Clinton hasn't changed huh, just spiritually. Well, that's good so what's his plans now? So Jake and Cody got in a fight. That's so funny, and what's funnier is Jake is grounded for life, ha ha. Well, I will look out for Nedra's nephew for sure. Oh, I was gonna send ya' all a picture of me and Elder Jergensmyer and Elder Carasea, but I forgot my camera, so most likely next week. Oh, could you send me my brown docs, and my patriarchal blessing, and my line of authority, and I think that's it for now. Oh, and some of those pouch things so I can write Ben and Trevor and Shilo, and the rest of the clan. Oh, and one more address. Could you get me Steven Kirk's address or at least give him mine and Brogan Darrington's. I know your trying and thanks a bunch. I don't think I'm forgetting anything. I sent a letter to Meg and Dayne and some more pics to you all. So I hope you like them. Oh ya, and the light saber thing (shown in MTC pictures)is called the "Spirit of the Lord", ha ha. Maybe when I get some pics from everybody I will tell ya (how they do the whole light saber picture thing). Oh, and what's Kristen's email address. I email her and it, like, doesn't work or something. Hope things are going good and stuff.
Love ya' all. Bye.

Happy Father's Day, 2008

2008-06-22T18:46:00.001-07:00

Skyler's home in Springfield.
Skyler and Elder Barney (another missionary in the area) found this box turtle and tried to convert him! It didn't work because the turtle was a little "slow" at catching on. Actually, they stopped and played with it for a minute.
"So much rain it came out of the ground. WOW!"
"Just a cold, stormy, tornadoey day!"
"A family we helped clean up after their house burnt down."
(Bet ya' can't tell which one is Skyler!)
Skyler wanted his Dad to know that he hadn't forgotten about Father's Day. He sent these pictures in a card with the words: "Your the best Dad!"

June 16 Letter

2008-06-16T12:01:00.000-07:00

Well got your email, good to hear from you. Well, we had, or I had my first baptism this weekend. It went well. Cheyenne, the lady being baptised, was crying the whole time, so I guess that's good. It was an awesome baptism. We felt the spirit very strong. I had the opportunity to confirm her, it was awesome. I was so scared, but the Lord helped me. This last week has been crazy. It went by fast, it seems like every week is going by a little faster. I can't believe that Clinton comes home this Friday. Tell him I said hello. So Golden (Zollinger) got his call. That's awesome and Jordan, way cool. I'll write Meg and Dayne today, I will have some time hopefully, so I will plan on it. I sent Dad a father's day card today so hopefully he gets it. Well, I'm not getting transferred. Elder Williams is. (ha ha) He was mad. We both love this area, the members here are awesome. Last night we went on exchanges with a member and I told him at church that we had some open spots so if he new anybody he could take us to visit that would be great. Well, sure enough he took the challenge and we went to see his neighbors. They are really nice people and if the member keeps working with them I believe they will get baptized. So any ways, I get to stay here at least another 6 weeks so that will be good. My new companion is Elder Blair. He is supposed to be a nice, good missionary. I sure hope so. I need someone I can work their socks off. So anything new happen in the Ward or at work or anything? I guess the Morgans came home, thats pretty cool. Sounds like they are pretty humbled. That's really good. I bet their family was glad to see them. Things have been going good here. You can slowly see people become more receptive. The Holy Spirit is just leading us to people who are more receptive. Well hopefully I'm not forgetting anything I don't think I am so I'll let ya'all go.
Love ya, bye (happy fathers day!!!!!!!)

June 9 Letters

2008-06-10T20:08:00.000-07:00

Skyler has been busy and so his letters are short. If they don't make much sense, well, just figure that he was in a hurry and then try to read between the lines!

(Skyler's letter to Mom and Dad)

Hey, I don't have much time to write right now because we have plans today. So I might have to write you a letter some time today.  Well, can you get Ben Fields' address and Shane Pickup's address for me, I would highly appreciate it.  So Ben is doing good huh.  Sweet!  How are his parents doing?  You need to go check out Declo's football team this fall and tell me how Ben's little bro does.  His name is Tanner.  He is a stud! So I'll try to get the rest of the stuff in either later today or next week. Sorry. Love ya tho, by.

(Skyler's letter to Kristen)

Hey Sis, hows my girls doin?  What's new?  Anything at all?  Well, we
got a baptism on the 14th of this month so that will be awesome.  Chris
tells me he bought some property and is gonna have a house built when I
get back.  Are you excited?  When are you getting started?  Man, I really wish I
could be there to help build it.  NOT! (ha ha)  Well thats good.  So have
you done anything fun lately or are you doing anything fun in the future?  Oh,
I guess I could tell you about my Bible bash yesterday, it was funny.  We
got a return appointment with this guy and his girlfriend.  He wasn't a very
religious person and she was a member of Assembly of God (which is a very anti-Mormon
church).  He thought the Book of Mormon was true and everything, it was awesome. His girlfriend the whole time was like shaking her head no. It was funny.  Well, there is story for ya. Hope it made sense.
love ya'll gotta go.


Elder Silcock

Get Ready! Here's our May 27, 2008 Letter

2008-05-27T20:37:00.000-07:00

Got your email, and no I haven't gotten any packages from ya yet. Well, it's been a crazy week. We had zone conference last Thursday and it was pretty good. Yesterday, which was Memorial Day(we work on holidays, then the next day we have preparation day if the holiday is on a monday so thats why I'm writing on Tuesday)I went on exchanges with Elder Arnold Azl. It was crazy, cool. We were walking down this street when this car drove by. Then they stopped and the lady who was driving was like "Can I have one of your books?" We were like "Sure." So we talked to her a little more and she said that her family was being taught by missionaries before when she was a little girl and she just felt like she needed to stop and ask. She said we could teach her and her whole family. It was a pretty cool experience. Then later that night we taught a black 17 year old kid named Michael. He is way cool. We were teaching him out on his porch when all his family came out of the house and started asking questions and stuff. So we answered questions for a while and eventually got on to the subject of coming together in unity. They said "Ya, that's what we need to do. We should get a whole bunch of people from different churches so you guys can teach them because y'all got the apostles and prophets, so sounds like we need to join your church and come together in unity. We were like, ya, way excited. So this Saturday their gonna have a bunch of people for us to teach. So that could be cool. It was just cool that they saw the importance of apostles and proqhets so we could all come together in unity. It was cool.
Ya, I remembered it was Steph and Kristens b-day. Tell them happy bday for me. Did you get Shilo's address for me it would be nice to have so I could possibly write him or something ya know. The guy that was getting baptised on the 31st dropped us. Basically he knows its true. He just needs to get his prioritys straight and get back on track. No, I haven't been transferred yet, not till June 20 is my next transfer, so ya. I don't know where yet, but I will be sure to let you know. So have you found anyone you could have the missionaries teach in your home? We all know people we could open our mouths to. We just need to do it. So the next email I get has to include who you shared the gospel with both you and Dad and anyone who reads this email. You are now accountable. But tell me at least one none member or less active person you could have the missionaries teach or invite to a Church activity. That's the challenge. I'll follow up with you next Monday, so don't let me down. You can do it. Just like Elder Bednar's talk, he said missionaries are the full time teachers, members are the full time finders. When we pray for missionaries we shouldn't be praying for them to do our work. It goes something like that. So there is the challenge. We call them otm's or open thy mouth. Oklahoma Tulsa missionaries do about 150 a week, all we ask members to do is 1. So I know you can do it just read 1 Nephi 3:7 and see what Nephi says. Well, I think I annoyed you enouph so I will let you go. Love y'all. By.

May 19 Letter

2008-05-19T20:55:00.000-07:00

Hey got your message. So how is Lindseys parents doing'? Have you talked to them at all? If not I know that they would love to hear from you they could benefit from your testimonys. How is Meg dealing with it? Surley she knows that she is in the celestial kingdom(or at least the spirit world for now that is) what more could someone ask for. What a blessing do die on your mission. How could you morn for them! Instead rejoice where she is at. It is like a million times better there. Yah, I bet Nick and Lindsey are up there holden hands or something. Couldnt you see them together, I mean come on, it was a match made in heaven ha ha just kiding, but hey you never know. So shilo has been on my blog spot hugh haha thats funny. You still need to get me his address not his email address. I must write him and find out all the stuff he wont tell his mom thats so cool ha ha. So have you talked to Ann Brown. How is nathan doing? He is probably doing fine, but it would be nice to hear from those guys. So dad bought 2 more fourwheelers! Dang, I knew that was going to happen. Just as soon as I leave, more new toys, oh well life goes on. Ya I bet Chris is in wonderland, I know I would be. I guess I still don't get the assignment from the young women. It has to be from someone that has been an example to me while on my mission? If so I would have to say the bishop here. He is way cool and very mission minded he wants to get preach my gospel going in hometeaching and visiting teaching and in Sunday School. He has stepped up and has helped others step up and helped them to stand strong and immovable. Hopefully thats what they wanted if not that, then of coarse, Nick, because he reminds me of Abinadi. He taught king Noah what they needed to hear and sealed his testimony with his blood. Same with Nick, he knew that he was probably going to die on his mission(maybe you could expound on that to them if they use this example)he could have not gone on a mission, just like Abinadi could have denied what he told king Noah and his priest, but he didnt he taught right up to his death, just like Nick taught up to his death. The people needed to hear what Abinadi said just as much as the people needed to hear what Nick had to say. So if someone can go on a mission with the thought of not comeing home because they feel they might die, but they go forth and preach the gospel, apparently its very important and its worth dying over. So who am I to not go on a mission! If someone is willing to die for the gospel then I must go and share this glad message with others. Hopefully this is what they where looking for so pick and choose and let me know what they thought. Thanks. Love ya, by and dont forget to get me shilos address.
Elder Silcock

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-19T20:18:00.000-07:00

We got to talk to Skyler on Mother's Day. What a wonderful present. These pictures were taken while Skyler was talking to us. Thanks to the Coe family for sharing these photos with us. He sounded so humble. He has really taken the Lord's work to heart. He and his companion have accepted the challenge to give 40 lessons a week. Skyler said it is tough, but they have been able to do it. He is getting ready for his first baptism and is very excited. He has seen the change come into the lives of those he teaches and is gaining a strong testimony of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and the scriptures. We are sad to have to share some sad news with all of you, however. On May 10, Megan lost one of her friends. Sister Lindsey Spjute died while serving in the England Birmingham Mission. She was a former room mate of Meg's from her Logan days. We understand what it is like to lose a missionary and our hearts and prayers go out to the Spjute family. We also know that they are about to recieve some of the greatest blessings they will ever know.

May 5, 2008 Letter

2008-05-06T12:23:00.000-07:00

Dear Family

Well,it looks like everything is going good, not a whole lot happened this week except the bar got raised again.  Pres (Seal) says we gotta teach 40 lessons a week instead of like 20. Thats a lot of lessons a day, especially where we are on bikes.  But we did it last week so we can do it again. Tell everybody I'm sorry I havent kept up in letter writing it really is buisey right now so I don't get much time to write.  Tell Steph to hang in there and to keep up every thing.  If she does all she can do then the Lord will take care of the rest, but its important that she does her part.  Well tell everyone I said hi.  I'm planning on sending some pictures today so be looking.  Well not much to say I guess, just having fun and teaching. So love ya bye.

letter from Skyler

2008-04-30T07:17:00.000-07:00

Dear Family,
Well, things are going good. Yah, I've Bible bashed a lot, but it ain't bad. Usually you can use their scripture against them or ask them why there are so many churches, something to that affect. They usually get stumped, feel the Spirit then shake it off and throw another scripture at ya, it's really pointless. The work is going good though, so far we got two people committed to baptism. The latest is a really cool story. We were going to see a less active family because they were feeding us. After dinner we gave a lesson and challenged them to invite a nonmember friend to family home evening. Turns out the person they invited wants to learn more about the gospel so she can be baptized. We are trying to get the members to do the finding and us missionaries do the teaching because that's what we are, teachers, not finders, plus everybody knows a person they could invite into the home and have missionaries teach them, they just have to pray to find someone whom they could invite. Not just nonmembers but less actives because they are lost sheep too. What's sad is since 1999 when Pres. Hinckley said he wanted to double convert baptisms, since that time it has decreased. The solution is putting I think it was David O. Mckay's quote to work, every member a missionary. The statistic is like 1 out of 1000 doors we knock, 1 person gets baptized. 1 out of like 500 people we talk to get baptized. But for every member that has a nonmember in their home, get this, 1 out of 2 get baptized. See the difference, it's huge! I'm not saying that we can't do some finding, but what's more affective, us or you. Now, if we could activate all of our 350 plus less actives and have them invite some one to a church activity could you see the growth rate, it would be huge. We would more than double the convert baptisms. This is even more true for where you are back home because more people are of the same faith, but everybody knows someone they could have the missionaries teach, we just have to open our mouths. It ain't that scary, just do it. The Lord won't let you fail.
Well, I haven't gained weight, I've lost weight, about 10 pounds. We ride our bikes everywhere, we have a huge bike area. Oh, the coolest part about Springfield is the Bass Pro Shop, it's like the first one ever built. It is huge, probably the biggest one ever, it's amazing. We went there the other day to go to the bathroom, seriously, we did just go the the bathroom. Honestly! Then when we came out, some guy tripped and dropped his kid, and his kids head hit the rock floor pretty hard and we were right there, so we called 911 cause it was a hard fall. We ended up giving them a pass along card so hopefully they will check out the website and get baptized. Oh, and while this was going on, our bishop was there and he came out and talked to us. What do ya think he was thinking, "What the heck were these elders doing here?". Oh well. That was kinda funny, but the kid got a concussion or something. It's amazing how the Lord can lead you places and certain things will happen, huh. Well, hopefully I didn't forget anything important that you wanted to know. So, well, gotta go. Love y'all, miss y'all. Don't know for sure when I'm gonna be calling on Mother's Day, but try to stay at home cuz I can remember the house phone number, ha, ha. Seriously though!
Elder Silcock

2008-04-20T16:40:00.000-07:00

Dear Family and Friends,
Here is Skyler's current address if
you would like to write to him.

Elder Skyler Silcock
517 E. High St.
Springfield, Missouri
65802

(Mission Home Address)

Elder Skyler Silcock
Oklahoma Tulsa Mission
5215 East 17 Street Suite #300
Tulsa, Oklahoma 74136

Skyler's first big day

2008-04-15T19:13:00.001-07:00

Skyler says that President Seal is real cool and
that we would like him.

President and Sister Seal greet all of the new
"Greenie" missionaries to the
Okahloma Tulsa Mission. Looks like Skyler
is out shining or is it out sizing the bunch.
Way to go Skyler!

Good-Bye!

2008-04-13T20:27:00.000-07:00

"I hope they call me on a mission!" Oh yeah! They did!!!! On March 5, 2008, Bob, Steph, Chris, Meg, and I took Skyler to the Missionary Training Center (MTC) in Provo, Utah, where he began his mission. We had to make a stop in Salt Lake first to take Steph to the University of Utah Medical Center for some blood test. Skyler and I got off at Temple Square to gather materials for Bob and I to take to Jamica for some of the Branch Leaders there. While we were ther we visited with a woman who knew Skyler's misssion president, President Seal. That was cool. After that it was off to the MTC.

After we arrived, Skyler took his luggage to an assigned spot before entering the building. The girls and I went with him while Bob and Chris parked the car. Bob and Chris heard somebody holler at them and turned to see non other than Skyler's buddy and our sort of other son, Elder Shilo Hawks. Skyler, the girls and I missed him but we figured that Skyler would be seeing him soon.

Note the sign above the door! Watching Skyler go through that door was a bitter sweet moment.

Once Skyler entered , he was given a packet which included his name tag. Bob had the honor of pinnin it on for the first time.

Saying goodby to Skyler was about what you would expect it to be. However, Skyler helped make it a little easier for us by following the example of his older brothers. I know that some missionaries have a hard time saying goodby to their families, but our boys all had smiles on their faces and walked with confidence out the door. Skyler followed that example. We have a family tradition that started with Chris, which is, that before they walk out of sight they turn at the door and wave so that I can get one last picture of them. This time as I was taking Skyler's picture I hit the wrong button and turned off the camera instead. After the picture was finally taken, I turned to leave, and, standing behind me was a line of missionaries waiting to go out the door. As I started to pass them, one of them announced to everyone there "Scrapbooker!" He was so right and we all laughed.