Where the Craic is mighty

The irish have a lot of words other english speakers don't use. Mostly comes from integrating Galic into the language. The word Craic is pronounced Crack. It essentially means banter. The way people greet or say Hi here is by usually saying something like

"hey what's the craic?"

My friends already know this is what i'm saying all the time now. It's been a slow, but steady going week. We had zone exchanges this week, which meant a trip back to Dublin City Center! My birth area! And what was really good about this time in particular, I was far more successful this time than when I started. I was at a gift shop last P-day and I found a shirt with that quote on it. You all already know I bought that REAL quick.

But other than that, It's been a really good week. Not much has happened, like normal, appoinments cancel, spot lessons arise, miracles happen, sometimes it rains, others it's dry. We are going to strand hill today, it's an area right by the coast of ireland, it's got a lot of picture worthy areas, so I should have some for next week. Not much here this time, I didn't really take much, but this one I do have is good craic.

In dublin, there is a nature market where they sell local food for extremely cheap, as in i'll just let the picture tell you.

and it's really really delicious.

I hear good things about the ward back home, Keep doing well everyone! The work here in Sligo is moving forward slowly, but it's not stopping. I can promise everyone who reads these words that I would not be here if I didn't know for myself that the Book of Mormon was true, and that because it IS true, Joseph Smith IS His Prophet of the Latter Days, That Russell M. Nelson is God's Prophet on the earth today, and that Jesus Christ himself leads and guides His Church through these estranged and troubled times. There is no other way, nor is there any other river we can go, nor gate we can enter, nor means that we can return to God than by and through His Son Jesus Christ. He is the Lamb, and the Lion, The Great Mediator, The Living Son of the Living God, Our Redeemer, and Our Savior. It is up to us as his chosen people for these times to rise up and fullfill our calling as servants, and as saints. To raise our Children that they may know to whom they can receive a remission for their sins. The way is not easy, nor was it expected to be, but when the work is finished, and the Lord calls for us at Judgement day, we will be able to look upon our Savior, and Our Lord, and say within our hearts the words maybe similar to Paul's words to Timothy. "I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith" 2 Timothy 4:7

Love, Elder Fisk

Sligo Surprise

The first week of the transfer has been realllly long. That's how I heard it was, and that's how long it ended up being. It's been strange. Big lesson in patience.

I was "born" in Dublin. Mission lingo for I started there. Dublin has massive city centers, and it's extremely unique, which I didn't realize until I left how good it was. Well by good I mean't easy. In Dublin you just walk around in the same small area and you always have floods of people coming both directions, and you just go. Due to sheer brute force so to speak, you can usually bang out 5-8 qualified appointments per day, and you end up teaching around 3-4 lessons per day. I didn't realize at the time that numbers like that don't just come to you in other places. Sligo is one of those. The city itself has a really small population, most are old people, and the City Center is basically just a big block of buildings wrapped around a river. Not too busy at all, which means you actually have to walk around. We actually have to Knock on doors in the later hours of the day, and you can grind for several days without getting any numbers at all. I then learned a valuable lesson. Every person, every QA, and every Spot lesson is a Gift from God. I have always been a patient person, but I had never before experiened this type of patience before. I was always good at waiting patiently, and it wasn't till I came here that I understood the idea of Working Patiently. 

The concept of diligence has a whole new meaning to me now.

For my birthday, We went to a local bakery and got a cake. Since everything in ireland has to be made with natural ingredients, It was a pretty good cake. And I feel I need to answer the question about food. There are foods you get here that you can't get in the US, and now that I've had them, I'm mad that the US doesn't have these. Here, there are treats you get here called Biscuits, not like the breakfast stuff, like this:

and you can get a sleeve that size for like 1.60 euro. and there are tons of different types of these around. You can find similar things in the US, but they can't really compare to the stuff you get here.

And since everything is made with natural ingredients the cookies and sweets in this country rock. So you already know when I'm headed back home i'm going to be 💪lifting💪 a whole suitcase with this stuff for all you guys. Also I've been Kebab-tized. A proper Irish Kebab is something I'll tell ya. A mission tradition is eating a proper Donner Kebab, as well as receiveing the gift of the Holy Coke. I can't remember all the dialogue about it but it's good stuff.

oh and the Cadbury creme egg McFlurry 👌👌

And So Picure dump!​

The mission is good. See you all soon! I have lots of stories for everyone, but they are not suited for the email!

Elder Fisk

Letter from Elder Fisk to Aunt Diana

Hey Diana! 

My birthday was really fun! Since it was on a wednesday, we didn't do anything fun, but We went to a local bakery and got a 3 layer crumb cake, it was really good. Ireland has a totally different standard of food. every ingredient needs to be completely natural, so some things like chocolate and cookies are wayyy better here, and for the most part foods are way more cheep than in the US. Some areas like in Finglas, there is a real chapel, big building, looks similar to the stuff you see back home, here in Sligo, we have a branch with 14 ish active members. We simply rent an office space and have church in there. If you need a comparison, look at the church next to Huhot in spanish fork. They are really amazing people. 

As far as the spring is concerned, it is beautiful. Sligo is exactly what you would expect ireland to look like. A small city center with a few windy roads that lead out to massive country landscapes, rolling hills, and ponds. The work in this area is slow, but we are doing everything we can to remain diligent and strong during these slow moments, and enjoying the laid back culture of this country.

Oh if you havent checked already, can you look for a sister missionary named Sister Kobongo? She was in my mtc district and was sent there. Probably at the Visitor center but I don't know for sure.

Getting Settled in (AND IM GONE??)

Well a lot has happened in the last week! It was pretty typical, but a little strange, a lot of pictures, had our last big meals, and we got our moves call on saturday.

A typical day well... I would wake up at 6:30. We don't do exercise every day like we should, but lets just say for the sake of the email we did. We would jog about 10 minutes over to the church parking lot where we would meet the district leader, Elder Berry, and his companion, Elder Moffitt. We would play touch rugby or soccer in the parking lot for about 30-40 minutes, then we'd head back. We'd then shower, get ready, study, have our daily planning, then study till 10:00. At 10:00 we'd pray, then head out the door. Our flat was in Rathmines, it's about a 45-50 minute walk from Grafton street. We'd get there around 10:45 ish and then just start talking to people. at say 12:30, we'd go to lunch. whether that was at Dicey's or Boojum, Whatever it may be. After eating we'd walk back to Grafton Street and GQ for an hour or two. Then we'd have companionship study. We'd go inside the Mcdonalds and study from whatever selection of items we wanted. Then we'd usually have a lesson or two somewhere in the day. GQ till dinner, have dinner, then Back to GQing till around 8:00 ish and head back to the flat. We'd get home and study more, relax, talk about whatever, then go to bed.

Since I didn't have anything for you all last week, I took a lot of pictures and I'll share them with you here.

And We got moves call on saturday. I'm no longer in Terenure 1st ward. I've been moved to a different area called Sligo. It's about a 4 hour drive from where I was in Dublin. It's on the west coast near Northern Ireland. It's a beatiful area that has a small city center, and a ton of countryside to visit. This place has a ton of hikes to go on, so expect some really good pictures in the next 7 weeks. I also have a new companion, Elder Calley. He's been serving for 15 months, and he's from minnesota. He's a really smart guy, can't wait to serve with him. His birthday is this saturday, which means we are both celebrating our birthday next week. It's going to be really fun. Our flat is the second best flat in the mission. It's got 2 floors, full appliances, a full kitchen, 2 bathrooms, and heated tile floors. and a tv. but we don't use it really. And we get to use a car in our area. So I've been driving around this morning. 

There aren't any birthday traditions in this mission, but we'll figure something out. I don't have long, so this is all I can really say, but I'm happy to serve. I've met some amazing people in Dublin, but i'm excited to have a chance to serve in a completely new environment​.

Elder Fisk

The rain keeps coming and it don't stop coming

When they say april showers, they aren't joking about it in ireland. We've had flash floods on the streets while GQing (finding) so for a few minutes everyone on the streets run inside the nearest store while the rain just pounds away.

But it never stopped this particular buscar from jamming on his guitar. everyone was cheering for him as he was going at it with his guitar solo. I'm beginning to love the area now. I am having an amazing time with the yummy dinners, the strange homeless people, and the stranger magicians and performance artists constantly peppering the air with their toys and instruments.

So we got one thing that happened this week. To be a missionary in ireland, you need a Garda card. It's basically a visa for this country. however due to so much political and religious turmoil regarding the vote to repeal the 8th, or rights to abortion, the law has changed for everyone here. All religious workers are no longer able to receive a garda card. this means if we aren't out of the country in 90 days, we will be kicked out of the country and black listed never to return. It's basically going to turn into the same thing russia has with having ward service missionaries. We know this because an elder went to his appointment eariler in the week and they rejected it, and then told him about it. However, we did some digging. We can still apply under the volunteer section instead of religious worker, and probably have no effect on our work. I don't know for sure, but we will find out soon I assume.

And Elder Ulisses Soares, the apostle from brazil is family friends with an elder that serves on the north side of Dublin, Elder Valiati. When his name was called, he went nuts. Who knows, maybe next conference he could be mentioned in there somewhere! That would be amazing.

I want everyone to know that we are doing the best we can, and I'm doing the best I can. I'm wearing the Utah State shirt, and I'll take pictures while we are out today. I forgot to bring my camera to the internet cafe, where i'm emailing this, so I wont have pictures this week, but I'll be sure to do so next week. Feel free to ask me any fun questions about the culture here, like how the bagpipes in ireland are, or whatever you want. I'm happy to answer them for all of you. 

Have a good week everyone! I'll see you around soon!

Elder Fisk

Chat Via Google Hangouts and Found by Utahns

Blog post from Elder Fisk's mom:

I am one of those moms that chooses to be awakened by their missionary's weekly emails. I don't mind that it comes into my inbox around 2:30am. I want to read it! When Tyler was in the MTC we were able to chat via Google Hangouts a couple of times and didn't think I would get the privilege to experience that again anytime soon. I was wrong.  Woohoo!  Tyler and I chatted via Google Hangouts this morning from about 2:30am-3:45am.  Best reason for missing out on sleep!  Below are the highlights from our conversation that would be interesting to ya'll:

• Google Hangouts isn't banned in his mission. (Best news ever!)
• He got 27 emails last week.  It was just what he needed.  (Thank you all!!)
• He is in a "no technology" mission (for now) so he reads and responds to emails at a local internet cafe using their computers on pdays.  He typically won't be reading emails during the week since this is their only access to the internet.
•  He says his area is "sketchy" on Saturday nights but probably not as scary as his friend's Elder Barton who is serving in the L.A. area. :)
• He and his companion downloaded conference this  morning so they can listen/re-listen to the talks in their flat tonight.
• He gets along with his companion "really well".
• They run into church members 2-3 times a day and enjoys talking with them.
• He is getting plenty to eat. (I'm his mom.  I ask the most important questions. haha )
• He has a washer, dryer, and dishwasher in his flat. He is able to do laundry at anytime not just on pdays.
• He hasn't had dinner at a member's house yet so he hasn't had any traditional Irish food.
• It rains a lot! "It's basically lightly raining every minute of everyday."
• He has seen the sun 3 times since he has been there. He misses seeing the sun but when the sun does come out, "everyone in the whole country is happy".
• They don't go knocking on doors, they just meet people on the streets.
• The Irish people in general are fed up with the established order of religion with government.
• The hostility surrounding the repeal of the ban on abortions "feels similar to Joseph Smith's account". Churches from all over the world shouting and passing out fliers about their beliefs.
• President Nelson and Elder Holland are going to the UK in 10 days. All the missionaries get to watch the event.

I am so thankful for being able to chat with Tyler for so long this morning! Such a blessing!

___________________________________

Tyler forwarded me this message and photo from a couple visiting Ireland from Bountiful:  

        Happy to meet these stripling young men on the streets of Dublin sharing the Gospel.

     
        Godspeed men. May the luck of the Irish be with you in your endeavors.

     
        Cheers!

        Jeremy & Lisa Barlow

        Bountiful, UT

Enduring to the End

Before I start, I just want to say thank you all so much for the support. I've spent nearly an hour just reading emails, and I'm so happy you guys are continuing to offer advice, and help me in this transitional phase.

So It's been a roller coaster week. My companion has had the worst days of his entire mission. I've had the best. From accidents to miracles. This week has been silly.

I didn't do a great job of keeping a journal this week, but I'll try and sum it up. So last P-day we went to the zoo right after I finished emailing you guys. There were a few companionships that had all given their cameras to me so I could fix them. They were all using janky cameras with bad interface and functionality, but I ended up fixing them all. Their problem was they had messed with presets and had no idea what any of the numbers or symbols were. I was happy to help.

After the zoo I had my first real missionary moment. for the first time, both us and the investigator had a lesson where we were both edified, and rejoiced. It was in those few hours that I understood the grind of missionary work, and the reward of the spirit when you bring souls to Christ.

We had a lot of the same ol same ol the rest of the week.

But then Friday came along.

OH MY GOODNESS the religious turmoil, the protests in the streets, the Garda (Irish police). Born again preachers on every corner, Angry Grandmas storming over to Mass to celebrate Good Friday. Animal abuse booths with VR tours of farms and how animals are treated. People passing fliers about repealing the 8th on one side, and people passing fliers to keep the 8th on the other. (Ireland is having a vote to repeal the ban on abortion in the country some time soon) It definitely wasn't a day of reverence in regards to the sacred calling and action that Christ had performed this time 2000 years ago. Oh and what was really cool was all the big catholic churches had red lights in their windows to represent the suffering of Christ. I was meeting bashers of religion and the Church BACK TO BACK TO BACK for hours.

Due to the time zone difference, we got to see the Saturday morning session on Saturday, but Only half because we were getting investigators to the church, and then we saw the Priesthood session, the Saturday afternoon, and the Sunday morning session on Sunday. Haven't seen the Sunday evening session yet, but we are hoping to be able to watch it this Saturday as an activity with some of our friends.

Me and a missionary from South Africa, both being new, were put on duty to teach a Chinese Lady about conference. She heard that we were doing something at 5 o'clock, so she came in to see what it was. We went through lesson 0 with her, and taught her the holy ghost principle with about 10 seconds to spare before the session started. She got a grasp of what the session was about, but she really liked what she heard from our prophet, so She's going to be meeting up with missionaries from the north side of Dublin this Wednesday to learn more about our church.

Can I just say that the candy and the Chocolate here is just so much better than American? I don't get why, everything is just better. It's bothersome honestly. And the Snickers bars here?? oh my goodness it's a little piece of heaven here now.

I want to say Happy birthday to my little brother Mason this week! He's turning 6 years old, and he's just an amazing little guy! I'm so happy to be part of his family, and his life. He's going to do amazing things when he grows up, I know it.

And I'm so happy they announced a temple in the exact same area as my good friend Elder Hansen!! A temple in Bengaluru!! I'm so happy for him, and for all the members there who are no doubt rejoicing in this exciting announcement. We have been given apostolic council about what needs to be done before a temple can be established in Ireland. The answer we got is the members are not yet worthy, and the work must continue, but with faith, and a brightness of hope, We will receive one when the people are ready.

This past week has been full of me getting past that hump of change. I really feel like I've pulled myself out of the hard transition, and I'm ready to serve with full purpose of heart.

One last thing. We have a portable dvd player that can read usb's for music. Feel free to send me any music that follows these guidelines:

1. Has no romantic undertones

2. Brings you closer to the savior, or feel peace. (my companion listens to the star wars and the Lord of the Rings soundtracks a lot, which I don't really know how that's ok but it's approved soooo)​

Thank you all!
Elder Fisk