First and foremost, I can't believe you're finally done with school, Aaron! I hope you had a wonderful night celebrating the end of homework--for a time--and the start of a new life. Soon you'll be off to college, and probably have a whole year done before I get back...crazy guy. Congratulations on making it through...and alive!
Secondly, I got a hold of Natey Boy and let me tell you he has changed a lot! His words are much softer and sweeter...you can tell the sincerity of the things he writes. Here are some of his words:
"Yesterday we were tracting and we talked to this very nice family and they were of some other different faith and they asked us 'How do you have the courage to go out and share the gospel with others?'. And when they asked us that I thought about that and I have asked myself that since I got here. I mean nothing of what I have ever done in my life. Here you talk to at least 50 or more people from tracting each day that you never met before. It's definitely the spirit. When they asked me that question I told them first before you can walk on water you need to leave the boat and have faith that you can do it. Faith leads to action and that is what gives us the courage to do what we do and never fear what may happen cause fear is the opposite of faith. They told us they admire us for what we are doing."
I thought it was pretty neat. Nathan is a good man and I know he'll continue to do well. I find it interesting so many of us are getting sent to the East coast. I believe Chase's mission is bordering my northern boundary, but I'm not sure. Either way, I think it is cool that all of us are so close together. Spencer is left to take over California on his own, but that's okay, he can do it! But be sure to tell Chase congratulations on his call and that I'll be waiting for him here on the other side of his mission! I really can't believe Chase and Robbie are going to be there [the MTC] at the same time, however, how exciting is that?!
There have been some storms since last week, yet most involve torrential downpours rather than the explosion of thunder and lightning. Nevertheless, it certainly has been raining quite a bit lately. Many of the people we have met have said the weather is out of character, but then again, I wouldn't really know. I enjoy the rain. I don't necessarily love getting wet because of the rain, but I still enjoy watching it. Sometimes it's as if the rain appears out of nowhere as though the key to the floodgates in heaven were turned and all the water dropped down upon us. I don't know why, but (random fact, literally two seconds ago my companion and I were coerced into taking a picture for the library wearing rabbit ears for the summer children's program..I swear, sometimes I just have to wonder) the rain just likes to pour out here in Lake Butler.
On Saturday I was able to go and take part in the baptism of some of my very first investigators that I met in Jacksonville. I don't know if you remember the names Brian and Erica and their two year old daughter, Patience--but they finally got married and finally they were baptized. It was such a neat thing to be a part of. Little Patience was sick and so during a break I was able to give her a blessing. That was a special experience, especially considering a few months before I had given her a blessing because she had the flu (this was in Normandy, just in case you weren't sure). After the baptism, which Elder Pelo performed, I was able to confirm Erica a member of the church. Brian was going to do his during Sacrament meeting and Erica did hers early because she might not have been able to attend church the following day because of work. Anyhow, I was glad to see them and how much they have grown over the past five or so months I'd been gone (perhaps not that many, I can't remember). We took one of the young men with us and his name is Albert Brand. He has a brother serving in the SLC South Mission, he was in West Valley area last I heard and is currently the Assistant to the President. Perhaps you'll get the chance to meet him? They've got a good family and they've been kind enough to feed us just about every week.
The ward is still taking care of us in all we do. During fast and testimony meeting one of the members got up and spoke of how thankful she was to have us in the ward, and especially to have us over at her and her husband's home and the influence we were for her young children and the sweet spirit we brought with us every time we stopped by. I thought that was really nice of her. Me and Elder Bagley have spent a lot of time trying to build up the ward and although some missionaries think we ought to be spending all of our time knocking on doors, I feel that we have been doing well to visit and do our best to take care of the ward. Within the next few weeks we should be having a couple of baptisms, both of which come from part-member homes. I'll let you know more about them next Monday, but for now let's just say they are well on their way. It is amazing to see just how much the Spirit can touch a person's life and change it for the better--if only more people were willing to listen then everyone would be able to see changes in their own lives. Too bad it isn't always the case...
Aside from being fed almost every other day, I haven't been able to cook as often as I would like, but this morning I did fix German pancakes for the Waters' family (where we do our laundry). They turned out kind of interesting, though. They still tasted fine and everyone liked them, but it came out more like a cake than anything else. The texture was very spongy. If I had to guess, and I may be totally wrong, but I think it could be there was just too much flour. Mom, I'm sure you have some thoughts :) I also made mapeline syrup and they all liked that as well, so I left them with the leftover syrup. Today, hopefully I'll be able to make another skor bar cake. I have got all the ingredients, now I just need to do it.
...I have noticed unfortunately, that my back has been killing me lately. I'm not sure why, but more often than usual I'll move around and my back will seize up and send my whole body through a wonderful shock of pain. Who knows...but I hope it will go away! Don't worry too much about it though, it isn't enough to send me to the hospital or anything, it just hurts. I have found I relate to old people much better because we can each complain about how great our backs feel together. Perhaps I can start a fun discussion with somebody and then turn around and teach them a lesson, haha.
...Other than that, I'm good. If you want to start making things again, I welcome your cooking Mom. Whatever you feel inspired to make I'm sure will be perfect. But I miss the treats you make from home :) and if I get too carried away, I can always share them with the neighbors--I guarantee they'd love them!
Tell everyone hello for me and that I hope they're doing well. Tell Grandpa Harold I hope his treatments turn out well. Also, you can tell Grandpa MacKay that I saw a recent picture of myself and it reminded me of some of the younger pictures that had been taken of him! I guess he was right, I'm doomed to grow up and look like him!!! :) hahaha!
I Love You,
Austin
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