Where in the World is Austin? Orange Park, of course!

I'm glad to hear everything is going good. It seems crazy that baseball is already starting. It is a little weird to not be a part of it, or at least to watch any games, or even hear of "fun" practices involving all the running and other stuff. But I guess it is ok, my new apartment is literally right on a baseball complex, so there are little league games almost every night. So maybe I'm still slightly part of it, if not from a distance anyhow. It seems as if everyone I have talked to in this new ward loves baseball, who would have thought?

My new companion is Elder Olsen. He is from California, near Barstow. I believe he said he is in the middle of somewhere around 10 children. He is a neat guy. He was assigned to be the District Leader, and so we are constantly doing things. Our new area is a much nicer area, however, people are much less willing to listen. So far we have tracted well over 100 houses and have taught well under 30 lessons (mind you, these lessons usually last a solid 2 minutes). It's been fun. Let me tell you.

On the bright side of things, this past week Elder McFarland and I were teaching a woman by the name of Angela and her family. She is a very sweet person. She was certainly prepared to hear the message and was so happy she finally found something that made sense to her. She has spent her whole life in search of something that actually agreed with what she read in the Bible, and basically gave up her search. Nevertheless, although her search wasn't quite the ongoing process, the need for truth always lingered within her. When the missionaries arrived at her door and began to teach her, she knew that this was the place she needed to be. The Timiquana Elders referred her to us since she lived in our area, but they met her before we did, and we began teaching her. She had already finished the Gospel Principles book when we met her. Her boyfriend, Amor, was actually baptized last week (on Valentine's Day), and confirmed a member of the Church just yesterday. Angela and her daughter Ashlee were baptized together at 4 o'clock yesterday afternoon. It was a neat experience. Angela has 5 children. She has 3 sons and 2 daughters. Ronnie, Ashlee, Michael, Amber, and Gino, in order from oldest to youngest. The ages range from somewhere between 15 to 3 years old. I took a picture of them and I'll send it home as soon as I fill up the new memory card.

This first Sunday, I forgot to mention, I was asked to give the opening prayer in Sacrament meeting. Afterwards I was informed that I was teaching the Sunday School class as well. I didn't exactly have much time to prepare, but I chose chapter 30 out of the Gospel Principles book. Charity. I have decided that this is the most important thing I could learn while I am out here, so I figure everyone else can learn it with me. I do know however, that without it, we will never be able to progress throughout our life, or the eternities. It is so essential to everything that we do. As long as we continue working on it every day, we will eventually come to the point where it IS the basis of everything we do, and not just an afterthought. Charity is so needed in the world today, yet it is so hard for people to let go of themselves and just give. I'm sure as the mission goes on there will be other things that draw my focus, but for now, this is the thing. Who knows?

Before I go, I want each of you to know that I love you and am so thankful to be a part of this family. And for everyone, I love each of you and will talk to you soon as well!

Love,

Austin