Winter is Here!

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