Haha, you know me so well. I'm extremely stressed. I feel as if i'm running on fumes at times, but luckily the Lord tends to refill my gas tank based on obedience.
We had a great baptism this passed weekend. It went really well. Great talks, strong testimonies, and an excited little boy. The only thing we need to work on for next time is the member support. Only a few ward missionaries showed up.
So i keep meeting people who know my grandparents. I did meet the Bennets in Grove City. Bro. Bennet spoke very fondly of Grandpa. The latest, however, is the Daniels. Sister Daniels was Grandma's visiting teaching companion in Tullahoma. I guess they moved there just after Dad moved out, but they remember Mike well.
The Zone is doing well. We're struggling with improvement in certain areas and i have a strong belief that will improve through strengthened unity. Most of our District Leaders are relatively young, so we have to really work to help them be the example to their districts. No sisters in the zone, Mom. I don't have too many stories, but i'll probably recount a few in a year or so. haha.
The work here has been consistent for quite a while, but with some increased effort i think we can turn up the heat. We're tweaking some of our tactics which will hopefully increase referrals and productivity during our finding time.
The hardest thing about leadership is the more meetings the less proselyting time. Maybe it's the ADD in me, but i feel much less productive when i'm sitting in a meeting discussing stats than when i'm out working to improve them. Luckily, meetings are always enjoyable and beneficial when the spirit is present.
Haha, i just remembered a humorous anecdote to share with you. So, Scioto's are included a part of Columbus called, "The Bottoms." It was an incredibly poor area. Devin would say "it's way ghetto." Anyway, we were tracting in the Bottoms my last week in Scioto and had an adventure. We were contacting a man in front of his house when all the sudden we saw a black guy run down the stairs from the upstairs. He was half hidden by a wall, but he smiled and waved. Next thing we know he booked it down the stairs hopped on his bike and took off around the block. The real suprise came when we realized that the guy was completely naked. So, to sum it all up: I was exposed to ghetto booty. Kinda gross.
Anyway, my sprititual thoughts for today involve the subject of faith. Faith being the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Faith is a precedent of miracles. (Ether 12:12) Fear is the antithesis of faith. (Matt. 8: 26) Faith is the acceptance and acknowledgement of the Lord Jesus Christ as our advocate. It powers are ability to repent and apply Christlike attributes. (Moroni 7:20–48) Faith is the measured by our desire to make and keep sacred covenants.
Well, i gotta run. I miss you guys. Thanks for taking care of that card for me mom. Be good.
Love,
Austin
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Snow Yet?
Life is good. I've learned by now how to get easily adjusted after transfers. My new address is:
5869 Prince Edward Way
Huber Heights, OH 45424
Elder Tanner and I are doing well. He's from the St. George area.
We've got a baptism coming up this Saturday for an eight year old boy named William. He's a great kid, very prepared to make his first covenant. He's mom will join the church soon too, but she has to get married first.
No snow yet for us, just plenty of nast weather. I'ved pulled out my winter stuff, and made the intelligent purchase of a wool coat at a thrift store. Christmas music would be fantasic. I getting burnt out on the music i've got now. You can only listen to the same cd's so many times... The holidays are going to feel so different this year. I've become so accustomed to missionary life that big issues in the real world seem so unimportant right now. My mind set has changed so much in the last few months.
Tell Luke to give up on the marines, get baptized, go to byu-i, and then go on a mission. If he complains, find a way to take away his agency.
One thing i would really appreciate being tossed into a package would be some of the meros favorite chewable vitamin c's. Flu season seems to be dominating our mission. So far i've been lucky, and i'd like to keep it that way.
Good things are happening in Huber Heights. I miss Scioto a lot, especially Elder Whittle and Elder Warner. It's my first time leaving an area without a sense of closure, but Heavenly Father has other plans for me.
Well, it's gonna be a short note today. We've got a lot to do. I hope you all have a wonderful week.
Love,
Austin
5869 Prince Edward Way
Huber Heights, OH 45424
Elder Tanner and I are doing well. He's from the St. George area.
We've got a baptism coming up this Saturday for an eight year old boy named William. He's a great kid, very prepared to make his first covenant. He's mom will join the church soon too, but she has to get married first.
No snow yet for us, just plenty of nast weather. I'ved pulled out my winter stuff, and made the intelligent purchase of a wool coat at a thrift store. Christmas music would be fantasic. I getting burnt out on the music i've got now. You can only listen to the same cd's so many times... The holidays are going to feel so different this year. I've become so accustomed to missionary life that big issues in the real world seem so unimportant right now. My mind set has changed so much in the last few months.
Tell Luke to give up on the marines, get baptized, go to byu-i, and then go on a mission. If he complains, find a way to take away his agency.
One thing i would really appreciate being tossed into a package would be some of the meros favorite chewable vitamin c's. Flu season seems to be dominating our mission. So far i've been lucky, and i'd like to keep it that way.
Good things are happening in Huber Heights. I miss Scioto a lot, especially Elder Whittle and Elder Warner. It's my first time leaving an area without a sense of closure, but Heavenly Father has other plans for me.
Well, it's gonna be a short note today. We've got a lot to do. I hope you all have a wonderful week.
Love,
Austin
Saturday, October 17, 2009
Light of Christ
So i've learned to expect the unexpected. Elder Warner is back in his old area, and i have now been transferred to Heuber Heights in Dayton. Elder Whittle is most likely going to stay in Scioto one more transfer. The cool thing is that Bellefontaine is in my zone, so i'll get to go on exchanges there. Now i really do feel like the big man on campus, i'm zone leader over my old stomping grounds.
My new companion's name is Elder Tanner. He's a cool guy. He was in my district when i first got to Chillicothe. Unfortunately, he goes home in 5 weeks so i have to be ready to take over pretty quick.
Mom's probably fretting about another transfer, but i'm hoping i'll be able to manange finicially. I'm going to ship a box home sometime soon, i just needed to make sure i had money to send it.
The area sounds great so far. It's a slightly more missionary minded ward than Scioto, i think. I already know all of the district leaders i'm over, so it should be relatively enjoyable.
So, my studies this week have been focused on the Light of Christ. I've learned that the two purposes of the Light of Christ are:
1. To give life
2. To lead life home
As we fuel or light of christ with the things of God we become better equipped to fulfill our purpose in this life. D&C 50: 24; Alma 34: 32
I think in one of my previous emails i noted that Light and Truth are synomous and are the basis of intelligence. They are eternal, unchanging principles. D&C 93: 29, 36. They are what empower us to grow and progress. D&C 88: 40 Truth and light (and all associated principles) are a catalyst for change. Christ is light and offers the ultimate access to change. D&C 11: 11, 28. The light is the law that all things obey. 3 Ne. 15: 9. It is the enabling power that brings us back into the presence of God.
Sorry, i flew through some of my notes, but the point is that the Light of Christ is made possible by the atonement. The purpose of the atonement is to bring back to the presence of our Father in Heaven. If we truly understand that our desire to fuel ourselves with the things of God rather than of the world is so much greater.
Well, I gotta run. I love you all. Lots going on. I'm excited. I'll try and get some notes off this week, but i can't make any promises. Tell Hannah and Sarah that their DearElders are still going to Zanesville, so they need to switch the address online. It was strange when i didn't get a note from sarah for over a month. i'll get you my new snail mail next week.
Love,
Austin
My new companion's name is Elder Tanner. He's a cool guy. He was in my district when i first got to Chillicothe. Unfortunately, he goes home in 5 weeks so i have to be ready to take over pretty quick.
Mom's probably fretting about another transfer, but i'm hoping i'll be able to manange finicially. I'm going to ship a box home sometime soon, i just needed to make sure i had money to send it.
The area sounds great so far. It's a slightly more missionary minded ward than Scioto, i think. I already know all of the district leaders i'm over, so it should be relatively enjoyable.
So, my studies this week have been focused on the Light of Christ. I've learned that the two purposes of the Light of Christ are:
1. To give life
2. To lead life home
As we fuel or light of christ with the things of God we become better equipped to fulfill our purpose in this life. D&C 50: 24; Alma 34: 32
I think in one of my previous emails i noted that Light and Truth are synomous and are the basis of intelligence. They are eternal, unchanging principles. D&C 93: 29, 36. They are what empower us to grow and progress. D&C 88: 40 Truth and light (and all associated principles) are a catalyst for change. Christ is light and offers the ultimate access to change. D&C 11: 11, 28. The light is the law that all things obey. 3 Ne. 15: 9. It is the enabling power that brings us back into the presence of God.
Sorry, i flew through some of my notes, but the point is that the Light of Christ is made possible by the atonement. The purpose of the atonement is to bring back to the presence of our Father in Heaven. If we truly understand that our desire to fuel ourselves with the things of God rather than of the world is so much greater.
Well, I gotta run. I love you all. Lots going on. I'm excited. I'll try and get some notes off this week, but i can't make any promises. Tell Hannah and Sarah that their DearElders are still going to Zanesville, so they need to switch the address online. It was strange when i didn't get a note from sarah for over a month. i'll get you my new snail mail next week.
Love,
Austin
Thursday, October 8, 2009
The Funnies
One p-day i proceeded to clean and organize our kitchen cupboards. When i came to the cupboard with a friend's stuff in it I discovered 3 boxes of Chai Tea. I called my beloved friend downstairs and inquired about the purpose of the tea. It's was strange to discover he had no clue that if mixed chocolate with tea it was still against the word of wisdom. I will never forget the words, "Friend, will you keep the Word of Wisdom?" Never thought i'd have to commit that one.
***Edited for privacy.
We have some fantastic recent converts in our Ward named Josh and Janie Summers. Elder Whittle baptized them just before i got here. They live in the ghetto and have a serious addiction to Pokemon cards. The addiction is contagious and are apartment is now infected. We built decks on p-day from their spare cards, and had a small tournament. We also occasionally have a quick battle before climbing into bed. I personally run a lighting and colorless type deck and have pondered on adding in a few water pokemon. Unfortunately, i have been forced into early retirement because Elder Whittle has a Charizard and my Pikachu always gets dominated. -- As a positive twist on this tale, we've all noticed an increase recently in our ability to see the "cause and effect" side of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our Zone meeting the past week as on how to properly use questions to teach for understanding. Elder Whittle is a big food guy, so we started with a great food analogy. "Teaching without questions is like eating a hotdog without the bun." Following these words of wisdom I proceeded to pull a hot dog out of my suit pocket and Elder Whittle pulled a bun out of his pocket. To top off the dramatic moment Elder Warner chucked a bottle of ketchup from the back of the room and Elder Whittle caught it by the tips of his fingers. Very random, Very exciting. Hopefully it will stick in our Zone's minds.
***Edited for privacy.
We have some fantastic recent converts in our Ward named Josh and Janie Summers. Elder Whittle baptized them just before i got here. They live in the ghetto and have a serious addiction to Pokemon cards. The addiction is contagious and are apartment is now infected. We built decks on p-day from their spare cards, and had a small tournament. We also occasionally have a quick battle before climbing into bed. I personally run a lighting and colorless type deck and have pondered on adding in a few water pokemon. Unfortunately, i have been forced into early retirement because Elder Whittle has a Charizard and my Pikachu always gets dominated. -- As a positive twist on this tale, we've all noticed an increase recently in our ability to see the "cause and effect" side of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Our Zone meeting the past week as on how to properly use questions to teach for understanding. Elder Whittle is a big food guy, so we started with a great food analogy. "Teaching without questions is like eating a hotdog without the bun." Following these words of wisdom I proceeded to pull a hot dog out of my suit pocket and Elder Whittle pulled a bun out of his pocket. To top off the dramatic moment Elder Warner chucked a bottle of ketchup from the back of the room and Elder Whittle caught it by the tips of his fingers. Very random, Very exciting. Hopefully it will stick in our Zone's minds.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
I Am Rebuttled!
Hello there,
Life is good. I've got a wicked migraine today, and for some reason those have been frequent lately. The threesome is great. We're all humorous enough to keep our heavy load balanced. Elder Warner is our comedic relief.
Our investigators our doing well. If all goes as planned we should have 3 baptisms in October. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
We taught a fun district meeting yesterday about how faith and confidence are intertwined. We can always have full confidence in the Lord because he always keeps his promises.
It's the start of a new month, so money's back in. I hate that it's such a relief. Luckily, I've built up the simple things needed to maintain life. haha.
I'm so excited that Addison is back into school. She needs to go, have fun, make friends, then go on a mission. The order of those things is up to her.
So no one's told me, what are Devin's plans for next year? Has he started preparing to apply to schools? Is he joining his sister at BYU-I? Is he going to Utah? Tell him to send me a note and let me know what's going on.
We're a two car family still eh? I've come to a conclusion since i've been out here... I will never go back to college without a car. Especially Idaho. Things are tooooo far apart. And i hated mooching. The wierdest thing was that i was a half hour away from grandma, and i didn't see her til my last day there. Never again. Plus i have to many friends in Idaho and Utah now, so i have to go visit.
Haha, I appreciate Dad's rebuttal. I don't blame him for the lack of patience. I've become very familiar with those same feelings.
My studies this week have led me to an incredible understand of the purpose of this life, and especially the need for this mortal body. One of the greatest purposes of recieving a mortal body is the ability to recieve and perform ordinances. We are tested and tried in order to prepare us to meet our father in Heaven again. My need for the atonement has burned itself into me. I've spent so much time in 2 Ne 9. As Jacob described what life would be like with the atonement my love for the Savior gained so much strength.
One of the greatest things i've begun to learn lately is how to put myself in someone's shoes. Because of that i'm beginning to live, feel, and understand others concerns. I've started to realize that i inherited a bit of my mother's stubborness. I don't let up on people or finding truth. It's interesting that the deeper and better i understand the gospel the more simply i am able to teach it.
Elder Whittle's a stud. I told president yesterday that the feeling of being evenly yoked with a companion is unfamiliar but awesome. We get a lot done. Tracting is much more efficient with two people that know what's going on.
So Deb and Amy call dibs? Tell Deb she can have me if she'll meet with the missionaries. I'll figure out how to get there if she gets baptized. haha. It's interesting. My biggest regret of life before my mission is that i didn't share the gospel more with those that i cared about.
Well, time to go. I'm so pysched for conference this week. I love you and miss you.
Love,
Austin
Life is good. I've got a wicked migraine today, and for some reason those have been frequent lately. The threesome is great. We're all humorous enough to keep our heavy load balanced. Elder Warner is our comedic relief.
Our investigators our doing well. If all goes as planned we should have 3 baptisms in October. I'm keeping my fingers crossed.
We taught a fun district meeting yesterday about how faith and confidence are intertwined. We can always have full confidence in the Lord because he always keeps his promises.
It's the start of a new month, so money's back in. I hate that it's such a relief. Luckily, I've built up the simple things needed to maintain life. haha.
I'm so excited that Addison is back into school. She needs to go, have fun, make friends, then go on a mission. The order of those things is up to her.
So no one's told me, what are Devin's plans for next year? Has he started preparing to apply to schools? Is he joining his sister at BYU-I? Is he going to Utah? Tell him to send me a note and let me know what's going on.
We're a two car family still eh? I've come to a conclusion since i've been out here... I will never go back to college without a car. Especially Idaho. Things are tooooo far apart. And i hated mooching. The wierdest thing was that i was a half hour away from grandma, and i didn't see her til my last day there. Never again. Plus i have to many friends in Idaho and Utah now, so i have to go visit.
Haha, I appreciate Dad's rebuttal. I don't blame him for the lack of patience. I've become very familiar with those same feelings.
My studies this week have led me to an incredible understand of the purpose of this life, and especially the need for this mortal body. One of the greatest purposes of recieving a mortal body is the ability to recieve and perform ordinances. We are tested and tried in order to prepare us to meet our father in Heaven again. My need for the atonement has burned itself into me. I've spent so much time in 2 Ne 9. As Jacob described what life would be like with the atonement my love for the Savior gained so much strength.
One of the greatest things i've begun to learn lately is how to put myself in someone's shoes. Because of that i'm beginning to live, feel, and understand others concerns. I've started to realize that i inherited a bit of my mother's stubborness. I don't let up on people or finding truth. It's interesting that the deeper and better i understand the gospel the more simply i am able to teach it.
Elder Whittle's a stud. I told president yesterday that the feeling of being evenly yoked with a companion is unfamiliar but awesome. We get a lot done. Tracting is much more efficient with two people that know what's going on.
So Deb and Amy call dibs? Tell Deb she can have me if she'll meet with the missionaries. I'll figure out how to get there if she gets baptized. haha. It's interesting. My biggest regret of life before my mission is that i didn't share the gospel more with those that i cared about.
Well, time to go. I'm so pysched for conference this week. I love you and miss you.
Love,
Austin
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