Short & Sweet...Email #2 from Normandy!

10.26.09

...About the bicycle, I bought a 500 dollar bike for 300 dollars and ended up paying around 430 on the bike anyways...yesterday someone stole it off the bike rack while we were out contacting. Funny thing is, I actually heard them take it! But everything is ok, we found the bike hiding on the other side of a fence in perfect shape, so no worries.

I forgot to mention about Brother Price, let me tell you, he is the coolest guy ever. He used to be a boat captain for President Kennedy and President Johnson, and he personally knew Ezra Taft Benson and his family. He served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. Right off the get go he was there to take care of us missionaries, I don't believe there is anyone else like him in all the missions of the world. I'll talk more about him next week, but for now, realize he is completely awesome! In about two hours we are having a bratwurst party at his house to celebrate the beginning of a new transfer. It's the tradition here at Brother Price's house. Next week ask me what it means to be in uniform, and I'll tell you!

Anyhow, I'm more comfortable talking with people than I ever have been before, nonetheless, I still don't love it. I'm getting used to it though. It is really tough trying to teach people who don't understand anything about the gospel or who understand very little, because I like to go over all the details, but I find that hardly anyone has even the slightest clue as to what I'm talking about. I need to learn how to simplify teaching. It won't be easy, but I'll learn.

...I love you Dad. Tell Mom I love her too. Please tell the rest of the family thank you for all of the support. I love hearing about what is going on and I'm so grateful for all they are doing for me. I'm going to keep doing my best for them...let 'em know I haven't forgotten them and I love them very much. I'll talk to you soon!

Love you all,

Aut

More backtracking...a little out of order! Oops!

10.5.09

The MTC has been pretty good to me up to this point. I've made a lot of new friends these past two weeks. It has been a neat experience thus far. I really enjoyed General Conference this past weekend. I know I learned a ton. Elder Holland's talk on the Book of Mormon in the Sunday afternoon session was one of the most powerful testimonies I think I have ever heard. It honestly felt like it shook me to the core.

We did end up watching conference in the gym and I did end up leaving my scriptures in the stadium seating. Hopefully someone will return them to the lost and found before I get too worried. My guess is I'll have them back before you receive this letter, but who knows.

A group of Elders were having slingshot wars with thera-bands and pennies. One of the kids decided he'd be funny and use a quarter instead...he drilled Elder Murray's companion, Elder Engele, right across his right eyebrow and slashed a cut a centimeter or two deep. His eye swelled up nice and big, but we took care of him so he'll be ok.

I want all of you to know I love you very much. I'm glad I am a part of this family. I wouldn't have it any other way. I know this is where I am supposed to be and I'm thankful I have all of you to continue to push me forward as this journey begins.

My testimony is this; Heavenly Father loves each of you very much, and if you will but go to Him in humble prayer, He will always answer. The Savior suffered for all of our sins. He has felt every single pain, affliction, or sorrow we have ever known in this world. He knows how to bless your life and make it whole again if you have faith in Him. So I ask you this day to go forward with faith, unwavering in your stance. Be believing and never give in, no matter how hard it gets. I promise if we do these things our family will be united as one forever. You are the most important people in my life and I am so blessed to have you. Please tell the rest of the family I love them and am thankful for all the letters. I have all the pictures they have drawn for me on the wall...Also, please tell Nathan, Robbie, and Spencer that I really appreciate them and that I hope they are doing well. Tell 'em I love 'em and look forward to see where the coming months take them.

Love your son,

(Elder) Austin B. Robbs

Backtracking a little...

9.30.09

Hey Everybody,

I hope everything is going ok back home, 45 minutes away. I want you all to know I love each of you very much and I'm sorry that I haven't written yet. You wouldn't believe how busy it is over here. Everything is going well and I am having a lot of fun.

Today we went through the Provo Temple...it was a neat experience to go through for a second time.

I love (all ) of you and I think about you every day. That goes for everyone reading this as well. I'm glad you are my family, because I couldn't do this without you. As far as the weather goes, it poured all morning, then it snowed for a few minutes. Timpanogos is covered in snow.

As far as prayers being answered, I forgot to bring white gym socks with me, and I prayed that somehow you would send me some or that I would have time to write back and let you know I needed some; but, as it turns out, I found a whole brand new bag of socks in the outgoing missionary "leave behind old stuff" box. Even with the little things Heavenly Father has been there for me. The MTC is definitely a different place than anywhere else I've ever been, but while I've been here I have almost constantly felt the Spirit, or Heavenly Father's love for me this past week, and I have learned a lot more than I ever thought I could in one week. I'm starting to understand what it is exactly we are supposed to be doing as missionaries and I'm excited to get out to Florida and see what lies ahead.

Keep praying for me, I can already tell it's helped me thus far. Until next time.

Love your son,

Elder Robbs

First Letter From the Field!

Hey Everyone,

It's me again. I'm in Florida, and I'm serving in Normandy which is in the Jacksonville West Zone. My companion's name is Elder Pelo. I don't know his first name, but I guess it doesn't really matter anymore, haha. He has been out for three months already and I'm pretty sure this is his first time being a trainer. He is a great kid and he has given me a lot of opportunities to teach so far...we work really well together. I usually let him go and talk to everyone and every once in a while I'll interject.

I'm having a lot of fun though. You won't believe it, but I have already baptized someone. Her name is Courteney-Marie. She is 17 years old and has a son...she made the decision (to be baptized) completely on her own, and almost completely out of nowhere (at least that is what it seems like to me). It was a really cool experience and I'll have to send a picture as soon as I can.

I also forgot to mention that my first Sunday I was asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting , along with Elder Murray, because the other speaker called in sick. Anyways, it was quite an eventful week, but it was still fun. One other thing, we met a man...and spoke with him in his house the other day and answered some of the questions he had for us. He told us how he was released from prison back in 1994 and how ever since he has been trying to find some meaning in his life. He is married and I believe he only has two kids...A couple of years ago he was at a real low point in his life and he decided to get down on his knees and pray and to ask God if there was anything more for him in this life. He immediately felt something, a feeling he couldn't describe. He said he felt warm and comfortable, full of love, and he had the distinct impression that there was still more for him to do and that he and his family should move to where they are at now. So he listened to the prompting of the Spirit (I'm unsure whether he knew what it was or not) and left his home and moved here, right in the same apartment complex I am staying at. As we were speaking with him about the Savior and Heavenly Father's plan for us - preexistence and all - he told us he felt that same feeling he had felt a few years previously. He said he hadn't felt that for so long, but he certainly did feel it again when we were there. He asked for the Book of Mormon and said he planned on reading it all the way through, start to finish. We haven't seen him for a few days, but we have high hopes for he and his family to be baptized. He is a really nice guy and is open and willing to learn new things. I know he'll benefit from this message if he continues to study and pray about the Book of Mormon and its veracity. I'll keep you updated on his progress!

We are moving in a day or so...The apartment we are in now only has enough room for two people and we have four. By the way, Elder Murray and his companion Elder Chadburn are staying with us in the same room. Cool huh! Tell everybody I love them, and I'll write again as soon as I can.

Love,

Austin