Mucho amor from NC!

Hola Familia!!

This week FLEW by!!! It honestly feels like 2 days ago I was typing an email. But a lot happened too!!

First I want to say sorry, I forgot my camera again :( I am setting a goal to take more pictures this week so hopefully I will have a bunch to send next week. SORRY!!

So yesterday, we were asked to speak in Sacrament meeting. We were assigned the topic of Missionary Work, nice specific topic huh? haha I felt prompted to speak on being a worthy example of the church 24/7. I shared the story about the man that was that example to Valarie and that's why she chose our family to adopt Nicole. Kinda funny that it happend to be on her birthday but it was really cool. The 3 of us didn't tell each other what we were talking on, but they all seemed to build on each other well. Elder Kamoe threw down on the members not helping us enough so hopefully they will start helping! We ate with the Harnage Family again last night, they are awesome and everything is set for their son to be baptized on April 6th right before conference starts.

We went to visit the Guzman family and I was asked to say the closing prayer. In Mexican culture, it is very common for them to all say their own prayer while we pray. It is super distracting and really pretty funny. Especially when I am trying to pray in Spanish and they start talking its super hard, but we probably wont be going back there too much, cause Hermano Guzman is not progressing at all...

I have a new found love for mini cat naps!!! whenever we go anywhere in the car for a while, I almost always fall asleep, crazy huh?!? me sleeping in a car, but I'm getting better at it!

We get to listen to Disney music, and Elder Dillon had a CD from home with a ton of Disney music so we put that on my iPod and that is constantly playing!  All Disney music is allowed and we need a change of pace! hah

So there is a senior missionary couple in my area that used to be in the the Finlayson's ward. I guess he was their bishop for a while, I cant remember their names but they are super nice!!

We have been teaching this 13 year old micronesian named I.J. he is super receptive to the spirit and he is always really excited when we go over to teach him. He said in his prayer "thanks that I can have friends, and thanks that I can have these guys, my special friends too." It was so cute and he will hopefully be baptized April 13th. We had a couple of people at church yesterday so hopefully that will lead to more interest and progression from them too!

There is this little girl named Yarethi (Yaretsi is how it is pronounced) I might steal her and bring her home! I quickly became her favorite and she even said that Me and her mom are her 2 favorites! She told her sister that I was her boyfriend haha we helped their family move on friday for 5 hours.... what a long day. hah but she was following me around the whole time and she kept grabbing my hand and dragging me everywhere to show me things. She is so cute and we get to go see their new house on Saturday so I will send a picture. Her older sister Texa was supposed to be posting a picture of me and Yarethi on my facebook wall, so hopefully she remembers.

I was thinking that you guys could send me some pictures each week too! AND If you wanted to send that SD card back then you could put videos/pictures on it that I would be able to look at and watch ya know?

That is so cool about Brooke!! I wonder if I will be here still, who knows?! I kinda hope not ;) Tell her she will love it here, the people are amazing! I have not heard anything about the vacation visas but I like that idea!!!!!!! hah

Scriptures to read: Helaman 13:22&27. These are great scriptures to help us be grateful for what we have and also to listen to the teachings of the prophets!

I love you all so much, have a great week!!! La Iglesia es verdadero! I love being a missionary!

Love, Elder Sisk

March 18, 2013

Hola Familia!

This week was great! We feel like we are all helping get the work moving here in Hendersonville! We were able to talk to more people and get a few new investigators so hopefully they will lead to something!

So we had a couple of wild experiences this week of just random things that were all awesome! I have noticed that while we have been trying to be more obedient we are all more in tune with the spirit and able to be guided to do the little things that end up being awesome.

One day we were just knocking doors and we pulled up in this trailer park, and Elder Kamoe said "should I park here" and not thinking much about it i said "Yeah it probably doesnt matter, just stay in this spot." right as we got out of the car, a HUGE mexican guy called us over and we thought he was mad or something. He told us to come in and then we met his 17 year old son Josue (who was also HUGE) had been taught by the missionaries before but it had been over a year. So we found that he was super prepared to hear from us and we taught him the whole restoration. At the end of the lesson his dad said that if we hadn't parked right there then he wouldn't have seen us and it wouldn't have worked out. So that was pretty cool.

A few days later we were going to try to visit Josue again but then Elder Kamoe thought we should go visit this less-active micronesian named Brian. We got there and he was not home and Elder Dillon asked his little brother if he would be interested in learning from us, and he was and Elder Kamoe asked if we could teach him outside. As we taught him, their next door neighbor walked up ask asked who we were. We explained who we are and he was super interested to learn more from us. We went over to his house and taught him the restoration as well. If we had not been outside he wouldn't have seen us.

On Tuesday we were knocking doors and it was so crazy. One guy almost closed his door on Elder Kamoe's nose. We met a CRAZY Russian lady who probably had botox because she never stopped smiling but she could not have been less interested in anything we had to say to her. One guy who smelled like a smoke shop opened the door in literally ONLY a big tshirt and socks on, luckily we didnt see anything! Next we stopped at the spanish lady who we gave a blessing to after she had her baby, and in the middle of the closing prayer she just pulls her shirt down and starts breast feeding her new baby in front of all of us. (Apparently this is common for hispanics) That was just a crazy day!

So yesterday morning we woke up and we could not find our keys anywhere! So we missed branch council meeting and we were almost late to sacrament meeting but we looked for over an hour to find our keys. Finally we kneeled down and said a prayer and within 10 minutes Elder Kamoe found them in one of our binders.... cause that is exactly where they belong huh? Well we all had our testimony of prayer strengthened through that, so it was a good experience.

Last night we went to the Harnage's for dinner like we do every Sunday. We finally got them to agree on a date for their son to be baptized on April 6th. We were super excited about that. They asked Elder Dillon to do it.

Random things: It is super interesting what some people wear to church here, it is not uncommon at all for people to show up in everyday clothes. That even includes some of the active members. Its just very different! There is a boy in the branch named Ethan and he is in 8th grade, and apparently he can run a 10.9 in the 100m. He is black obviously!

So this next Sunday is Coley's Birthday!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! I will try to send you a little something but it will probably be late.. hope that is okay!

I am still loving my time here in North Carolina! I hope everyone is doing well at home and is enjoying life right now! I promise that everything happens for a reason and that we have a loving Heavenly Father who is watching out for us all the time! I love you all so much, have a great week!

Love,

Elder Sisk

Answers to Questions:

Yeah i heard about the new Pope from Argentina, it will be interesting when i get there, maybe harder? I'm not sure. 

Yeah we eat more at home to save money, I just make random things. Its been fine. Usually Mac n' Cheese, Ramen, Orange Rolls, or Cereal. But its great.

Week 2 in the NC

Dear Family,

This week flew by!! It's weird that it is already monday again but its really good! I like it here in NC, but the town of Hendersonville is really pretty bad. If the people weren't so amazing i would hate it here for sure. Super hick-town, especially when we are targeting the hispanics because they almost all live in the crappiest trailer parks in the whole city.

So the biggest news this week, is yes i got a new companion. His name is Elder Kamoe and he is great! He is truly one of the smartest people i know and we decided that he will be a general authority one day! We all get along really well except for when they go off talking about stupid Animae (Japanese Cartoons) but oh well i just ignore it and do my own thing cause it happens a lot.

This week we started teaching an 8 year old girl named Venorleen, she is one of the many Micronesians here in Hville. It is really frustrating because her family has the islander chill not want to do anything attitude so its usually hard to get her to want to learn and focus. She turns 9 in 1 month so we want to get her baptized but we will see if it actually happens. I love this family though, we have hung out with them a couple of nights this week and its so fun. I will send a picture we took with them. Random thought: the Micronesians here are so confusing. there is about 60 of them and they are ALL related!! All the parents are part of a 14 person family and most of the kids live here. There is Clay and Warney and Marney and Morney and Maco and Bekki and i cant even remember them all but its nuts.

This week we went finding in a few sketchy trailerparks. we only go in the middle of the day because they are way too scary to go late at night! We didn't have much success at the sketchy ones but we went to one called Hope Circle and we found a lot of people that want to learn more! We went back for a couple of 2nd lessons!

Coolest story of the week is Maria Moreno. We do this thing at the beginning of our first visits where we actually put a blessing on them and their home. after the blessing we asked her how she felt and she said "I feel like my son is going to come home" cause i guess he left and hadn't really talked to his family for a while. We all were stoked when we heard that (even though i didn't FULLY understand it ;)) So we went back and her and her daughter both agreed to read the Book of Mormon and pray about it. They also said that they would be willing to prepare themselves to be baptized in April! They weren't able to come to church yesterday, but hopefully next sunday. I cant wait to go visit them again soon! Like i said, the people are great here!

Questions:

-The weather is decent, we have had snow a couple of times but it usually melts by lunch time. The kids got a snow day for the most pathetic snow ever! NOT FAIR!

-The humidity isn't awful yet, but its not kind on the acne! :P

-My companions are great, they both love video games and stuff but they also like sports a lot too. Elder Kamoe is a way good skateboarder! and Elder Dillon is absolutely in love with Disney and he knows like every fact about Disney.

-We try to work out, but its hard to get going at 6:30! I use my bands a lot but I want to go to the gym at our apartment more cause they have a tredmill. I have gained a couple pounds since i left, but its not too noticeable ;)

-My shoulder couldn't be better! I think its a blessing for sure, and maybe that shot was worth it...

-No news on the visa, I wont hear any news until I actually get it so you will know as soon as I find out!

-We have a car, because the Spanish work is super spread out over the city, walking or bikes would be really ineffective. The car is a blessing and a curse.

-No I dont need my suit, we only wear them 2 times a week so its totally fine that i don't have it. Yeah i brought a lot but I will be sending a package home probably pretty soon with some things that i dont use. I carried my pillow on the plane with me, so worth it!!!!!! it wont matter how bad my bed is!

I love the sports updates but i wouldn't mind more detail! I want to hear everything!!!!! High school, college, pro. pretty much just whatever big happens! especially March Madness :) I miss the random things in sports like that. for example, big games, someone has a big game, byu stuff anything like that!

Ah i'm so pumped for Dallin!!! I'm glad he finally got it that is going to be so great! except the slacker made it so i will get home 6 months before him :P

I'm glad Dan is lookin good with the haircut, now we just gotta get Dallin to cut his! :) work on that for me yeah? and did you hear if Dallin Sisk ever got my letter? I sent one while i was in the MTC but i never heard anything?

I love you all so much!! You are all in my prayers! Have a great week!

Mucho amor de Carolina Norte

Elder Sisk

Me with Winter Alati's family (Venorleen on the far left)

Me, Elder Dillon, and Elder Kamoe at a sketchy old house we found

My desk :)

Week 1 in the field!

Hola mi familia!!

First week in North Carolina! All i can say is wow! I'll be really honest, this week went by really slow. But I am liking it here and I feel like i am learning a lot about how to be a missionary. I sent you guys a letter so hopefully you can involve that in the weekly post or whatever! It is basically a summary of my first full day here.

So my companions are great! Elder Ferolino is from Gilbert, AZ and Elder Dillon is from Farmington, UT. Elder Ferolino says he doesn't know the Montgomerys but he says the names sound familiar. They are both really good at spanish and have been helping me as much as they can. Its hard though because here in Hendersonville there is not a lot of spanish work, so we end up speaking a ton of english. Elder F has been out for 18 months and he is getting moved to be a Zone Leader tomorrow. So Elder Dillon and I will be getting a new companion.

I feel like we did a ton this week, one day when it was nice we went to multiple parks trying to find people to play in basketball, they said they usually go beat people then teach them a quick lesson after! But i guess it wasnt a nice enough day because no one was playing. We have taught a few lessons but Elder Ferolino was sick for a couple of days so those days we were kinda cooped up and we slept a lot :). We have eaten meals with a few families and then the last couple of days we have been going around to see a lot of families so Elder F could say bye to them before he leaves, he has been here for 7 1/2 months so it was hard to say bye to some of them.

Last night we went over to the Harnages house and they fed us and everything, but it was hard for me because it was a Sunday night and they were just hanging out as a family and it made me miss the Sunday nights at home. I've been trying really hard to not get homesick but its been hard this week. I think about you guys all the time. My companions said it gets easier over time.

One day we were tracting (in a trailer park) and we came across the Ponce family. We were able to go back and teach them (even though i didn't say much at all, spanish) but it doesn't look like it will go anywhere with them because we gave Karina a Libro de Mormon and she didn't seem too interested in it. I was really bummed because she would have been the first investigator that i really got to see progress.

The first night i got here, we went and taught Hermano Guzman (again in a trailer park), it was super interesting because i had no idea what was going on. But they had be bear my testimony and it went pretty well. It is hard to learn Spanish here, but i know its possible because both of my companions have done it!

Our ward mission leader, Manuel, owns a mexican restaurant and it is sooo good! We went there my first day and we are going again today. I would go everyday if i could!

President Craven and his wife are 2 of the nicest people ever! We stayed at the mission home for the first night and she cooked for us and everything, so good! Especially after the MTC and compared to the stuff in Hendersonville.

Well I am really enjoying it here for the most part! I am super glad to be serving the Lord. I love you all and I think about you all the time!

Much love from NC

Elder Sisk

P.S. What is the Dunkley's address?

P.S.S. A random thought, be super grateful and thankful for all that we have. The houses here in Hendersonville (especially the spanish speakers) are super crappy and always dirty and gross. They all find ways to be happy and cheery even when they don't have much or they are all crammed in a little house. The members always keep the Savior in mind and never doubt that everything will be okay. Just remember that, because we really are so blessed to live where we do and have what we have.

Questions:

-Yes with the pants, i was going to ask you if you could send me some more Nike Elite socks? They are super comfy and we rarely take our shoes off so they would totally be fine. Try to get some cool colors or something if you can, cause the basic ones get old :)

-Our apartment, oh boy.... It is super crappy I'll be honest. Its really dirty and stuff but it gets the job done, luckily we are just 19 and 20 year old boys and it doesn't really matter where we live!

-No we never cook for ourselves, we eat out everyday for lunch, but they said most dinners will be with members.

-I am with Spanish missionaries but we do a lot of English work.

-No news on Visas, but i really hope they come soon.

Safe and Sound

This is an email that we received from Alex's mission president in North Carolina.  We were so happy to know that he had arrived safe and sound.  They also attached these photos.

"Dear Loved Ones of Elder Sisk,

Your son has arrived in the North Carolina Charlotte Mission.  He has been assigned an outstanding companion to help him grow and develop as a missionary.  The people of North Carolina are wonderful and the members of the church love the missionaries.  We will work hard as a mission to assist him to become a successful servant of our Heavenly Father.

Your son will be serving in the Asheville area  his companion is Elder Ferolino. 

You may send letters and packages to him at the following address until you have been notified otherwise:
238-A Brittany Place
Hendersonville, NC 28792

We love your son and look forward to serving with him.

Sincerely,
Ronald L. Craven
President"

Missionary in Charlotte, North Carolina

District in North Carolina

Elder Sisk with President and Sister Craven

Charlotte, North Carolina

Just a little detour on the way to Argentina.

Leaving the MTC

Because visas did not arrive in time, Alex and some members of his district were temporarily reassigned.  He will be serving in the Charlotte, North Carolina mission while he awaits his visa. This is just a quick email and some pics that Alex was able to send before he left the MTC.

This week I got Packages from: Jen Murphy, Becca Cannon, The Ward, Kim Buhler, Kathy Sisk, Ann Miles, The Dunkleys, Dawn Anderson, Sister Holman, The Monsons, the Finlaysons, and 2 from mom! it was a crazy week and i set a record by getting 6 in 1 day! hah  Please tell everyone thanks so much for me.  It was great to get so many treats and letters and stuff.

Sorry I dont have a lot of time, hopefully they will let me email when i get to NC! but i love you all so much!

A video for you to watch and possibly post on my facebook is Mountains to Climb. Its the newest mormon message and its great.

Yo se que La Iglisia es verdadero, y yo se que Jesucristo es nuestro Salvador y el Redentor de el mundo! Les amo!

-Elder Sisk

Alex in the desk that he spent 3 hours a day in!

The whole MTC district with their teacher

Hanging out in the laundry room.

Hermano Kruegar

With Hermana Messina