World Responses

This week's gone pretty good so far. We didn't find any new people like we were hoping, but the teaching was very smooth. I'm still in Huber Heights. I'm excited to announce that my new companion is..... none other than.... ELDER ROWLEY. haha. I'm training my MTC companion as a new zone leader. Pretty cool.

We had dinner with our investigator, Brad's, family this week. I've never been so scared in my life. Strong catholic family. Our job was to tell them why Brad should be Mormon. It went really well considering the pressure. We're hoping the let him get baptized soon.

We've spent a lot of time tracting the last few days and have seen some decent success from it. It was tough to see Elder Evans go, but the work goes on.

The zone is doing pretty good. A lot of finding to be done. A lot of changes. All but one area recieved at least one new missionary. One area was doubled-in.

Studies are going great. We're pouring over the Book of Mormon. This week we're teaching a zone meeting on using the scriptures to teach the restoration. The preparation has been a very cool "back-to-the-basics" experience.

I find it very interesting the way the world responds to the gospel. There's typically 3 types of repsonses. 1. No Gracias. 2. They are willing to listen but have no desire to act. 3. They're prepared to act in faith. These repsonses apply to everything: Finding, Teaching, Studying, Member Work. The biggest challenge in the world is figuring out how to put off the natural man and become a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord, and become as a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father. But when we figure out how to do that the world opens up.

Well that's it for today. Have a wonderful week.

Love,

Austin

To Omaha....

Sorry, with the snow and President's Day there was no way to email yesterday. Life is good though. We had an awesome baptism on Friday night for Melonie. I performed the ordinance. The only rough spot was the pilot light in the water heater was out. I had to hold a game face as i climbed into the 45 degree water. Melonie could barely breathe it was so cold. haha. One of those moments you thrive on as a missionary while everyone else thinks you're nuts.

Transfer calls come tonite, so if you have a chance to get those shirts and stuff sent off make sure they go to the PO Box. There's a good possibility i'm leaving Huber Heights.

The best experiences we've had recently have been from shoveling snow. My back aches and my arms feel like their on fire, but we've had some fantastic experieces. We've got just over a foot piled up right now with more falling at the moment. People are much more humble when they see us laboring in their behalf.

We had a great zone conference this week. Elder Evans and i taught about the characteristics of a "true and living church." We had a blast. The zone is gradually improving. We've seen a dramatic increase in the diligence of the missionaries over that last few weeks.

We're still plowing through the book of mormon and learning a lot. One thing i've gained a surprisingly increased reverence for is the sacrament. When we partake of the emblems of Christ's suffering the renewal is unmatched by anything of this world. We are pure and clean and rekindled as long as we partake repentant and faithful. I'd challenge us all to choose to have a more reverent and renewing experience during the partaking of the sacrament this week.

I hope everyone has a wonderful week.

Love,

Austin

Chatting

The work went well this week. Had a great exchange on Friday. Elder Evan almost got trapped in Bellefontaine for the weekend because of the snow storm. Church was cancelled yesterday. Of course missionary work was not. Note to all future missionaries: Tracting up to the kick off of the super bowl is not such a good idea.

We've done a lot of shoveling the last few days. We ended up with about 4-5 inches. Not too bad. The difference between this and Colorado is the amount of ice. Driving is a nightmare right now.

Our investigators are doing well. We've got another baptism on friday evening for Melanie Kraus. We're also having dinner this week with the family of a teenage investigator. Brad's 18, and he's having a hard time convincing his family to support him in his decision to be baptized. We get to go fix that.

Mom, i have no idea what you're work email is. You'll have to let me know. Have you had a chance to send that package of yet?

My doctrinal notes are not as elaborate this week. We're continuing to cite the Savior in the Book of Mormon. The most interesting things i've noticed are the shifts in the language and descriptions of Him when the name of "Christ" is introduced and when they learn that he will be born of Mary.

Well, i hope all is well. I have to get a survey done online for an upcoming zone conference, so i should be on a little longer. Hopefully you can get a note off, but if not have a great week.

Love,

Austin

Let's Chat!

Life is good. The baptism was fantastic. One of the best i've been to by far. It was very different baptizing Cory compared to Louanne. Partly because Cory weighs barely a hundred lbs and Louanne is more than double that and also because Cory's desire for spiritual nourishment is out of this world. Last night, after her confirmation, we had her first new membler lesson to which she invited as many of her friends as possible. Some of them will be at church next week.

Tj's best friend Brad is set to get baptized in 2 weeks, and Louanne's friend Melanie is also set for that weekend. More to come.

Haha, mother, optism is an interesting thing in the mission field. We're were laying in bed last night and all the sudden Elder Evans said "Elder Montgomery, I'm chronically negative. I need to fix that." I couldn't help but laugh a bit. I find great joy in the work. If i'm not diligent and doing something i get down, but for the most part i'm very satisfied. Counting my blessings has turned into a measurement of my faith. Our trust in God only goes as far as our gratitude for the things we've already been given.

I'm working on the Sunlight thing mom, it just scares me to death. Too many wicked sunburns in my life.

I'm not sure if you thought of this already, mom and dad, but if you happen to be online the same time as me you can chat with me a little bit. Haha, Elder Evans parents get to cheat, though both just email him with their blackberrys, but if you're near a computer between 10:30 and 12:00 ohio time, you can shoot me back a note when i send one. My best bet may to to email dad since he's got outlook which should automatically tell him when he's got a new email.

Anyway, work's moving forward. Meetings all week. Faith is high and energy is low. Gotta run.

Love,
Austin