April 6 Letter

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

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

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

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

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!

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

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