Hello Again,
Things have been going pretty well these past few days. Transfers are here and as it turns out, I will be getting a new companion this coming Wednesday. Elder Pelo is being transferred to the Palatka 2nd Ward and Elder Chadburn is getting transferred to the Gainesville 3rd Ward. I will still be here in Normandy as well as Elder Izatt. I believe my new companion is Elder McFarland (or McFarlane, I'm not quite sure how you spell it) and he is 24 years old.
...I have gotten up on the stand [in sacrament meeting] at least once every month to bear my testimony, and to be perfectly honest, I don't get nervous speaking in front of a crowd. I guess it has to do with talking to so many random people throughout the day that it isn't as bothersome anymore.
About that letter I said I would send, it left my apartment on Friday, so it should be there soon. I can't really remember what I wrote, but I'm sure it has to do with those two that were baptized on Sunday last week. They didn't come this Sunday to be confirmed, so that will have to wait until next week...
Everything else is going good. I've had a couple long days, but most of them rush by. It is so weird to me that Nathan has his farewell this coming Sunday, I'm so excited for him. It is amazing to see how much he has grown and is continuing to grow. Each time he emails me I can tell the difference through his writing. this is such a big step for him and I know he will do great. I won't be surprised when he has the most success out of all of us. His heart is certainly the biggest and most enduring. To think of him when I first met him in 1st grade until now, he has overcome so much. I know he'll be blessed forever because of his choice to serve a mission.
One other thing before I close; here is something I've been thinking about over the past few days, or maybe weeks--I can never tell--and that is the importance of a testimony, and what it truly means to have one. Consider this passage from the 12th Chapter of Revelations:
9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.
10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ; for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
Pay special attention to verse 11, then tell me what you think next week. I'll respond with my thoughts later. There is so much to the scripture, but I guess it's easier for me to apply it considering all I do every day is study the scriptures and apply them to my life, but it is cool to think about nonetheless. Here is a hint: try to figure out who the accuser is, what it means to be an accuser, and how the accuser is finally defeated.
Anyways, I love you all and am glad to hear everything is going well back home. Tell everyone I say hello and wish them all a Happy New Year's for me! I love you so much and am thankful to be a part of our family, I know I am blessed.
Until next week!
Love,
Austin
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