Dear Family & Friends~
This past week has been a long one and despite some of the good things which have happened and the many changes which our mission is now undergoing, I can't [help] but feel slightly overwhelmed and stressed out. Sometimes life just isn't fun. I guess it always depends on how you choose to view your situation, whether it be through an optimistic lens or something else; nevertheless, it has been rough. Being a Senior companion is slightly more difficult than I imagined--mainly because the burden of making decisions rests almost solely on myself. Not that I don't get some degree of help, but it is a more trying position than normal. I guess I cannot say that I haven't been a leader before, however, it is still different than being a captain on a sports team. The main difference being that one deals with sports and the other deals with bringing Heavenly Father's children back to Him. Slightly different type of pressure. When it comes to choosing what to do, I compare it to my experiences with painting and drawing. Since I absolutely have to have what I draw or paint come out perfectly, I'll often sit there and wait until I am mentally prepared enough to begin. Then it becomes a constant game of maintaining perfection throughout the work until it is completely finished, no matter how long it takes. I'm sure you understand quite well what I am saying, Mom. Remember the essays I wrote for my English AP test? The ones that never quite got finished because time ran out?! I have learned much about making priorities, yet as far as organization is concerned, I still find the majority of my problems. Why? Because I have issues with perfectionism...and it's killing me. I'm sure there is some hidden lesson as to which I will soon learn as to why trying to be perfect is not a good idea, but I have a feeling that it is going to need to slap me in the face before I can entirely understand. One day I'll get it. However, we are commanded to be perfect, so am I contradicting myself? Who knows...only time will tell and I'm sure it will speak up soon enough. Patience is key! :)
I have been asked a few questions concerning life in Florida and so I'll do my best to answer them right now! First of all, it is extremely hot, all the time. The humidity is like a constant wet blanket that covers the immensity of all the land and so there is no escaping (except when you go inside!). The people in Florida are, for the most part, a very religious people. I cannot tell you how many times I have been out walking around, or inside of a restaurant, or grocery store, and had someone pass me by with a "Hallelujah, Brother!" or "Praise Jesus!" exclamation. It is definitely different than Utah. However, I would venture to say that although there are many differences in culture, the people I have been surrounded by are generally kind and considerate. Everyone talks to everyone and nobody is shy. Also, you better be able to eat, because they will stuff you! I have been told several times by several individuals, "If it ain't greasy, it ain't good!". Good old Southern cookin'! We eat meat with just about everything and I'm quite positive pork is the staple food. I have never had so much pork in all my life--hopefully it isn't enough to give me gout when I'm older. I've heard from quite a few people it feels a lot like broken glass stabbing into the bottom of the feet and or hands, everything being ultra-sensitive. Insects populate nearly every square inch of the ground and apparently a spider can be found every four square feet in Florida. Banana spiders are a lovely asset to some unkempt homes and they can grow to fairly large sizes (Elder Brown and I saw one about the size of a Book of Mormon). Yesterday I saw one that was about the size of my palm and I got it to walk on a shovel and I tossed it into a pond and almost immediately a fish jumped out of the water and chomped it for lunch. The other day I watched someone blast a hole through a venomous rattlesnake with their .12 gauge shotgun. Florida is a wild, hot, humid, and very green place. Trees, plants, grass as far as the eye can see. There are streams and ponds everywhere. The clouds are the biggest, puffy things I have ever seen and the sunsets here are always beautiful. That is about as much as I got for today on the wonderful environment of Florida, but hopefully it will suffice for now.
It is wild to think that everyone is going on missions right now! Tell Robbie's family hello for me and that I hope they're doing well! Same with Chase's family! How cool is this? Everyone is going on missions!!!
...I figured I'd go ahead and share my favorite scripture (as of this moment) with the teacher's quorum as well: Alma 41:15 and it reads:
"For that which ye do send out shall return unto you again, and be restored; therefore, the word restoration more fully condemneth the sinner, and justifieth him not at all."
The reason I like this scripture is for many reason, but the main being that it lets us know that what we give from ourselves is what will be returned unto us in the end. I learned that Karma is actually scriptural, haha! What you want most in this life, if you put forth your best to get it, the Lord will make sure you have it. On the other hand, if your desires are not good, and what you want are things not aligned with God's commandments, then unfortunately those are things as to which you will receive. So it gives us further insight to the Lord's teaching on keeping our eye's single to His glory rather than anything else, since if it is Him we want most, then it is Him we will receive. I'm sure as you ponder it for a little while you'll come up with more thoughts about this fun scripture. Soak it in, you'll be surprised what you learn!
Doctrine & Covenants 88:62-68
62 And again, verily I say unto you, my friends, I leave these sayings with you to ponder in your hearts, with this commandment which I give unto you, that you shall call upon me while I am near--
63 Draw near unto me and I will draw near unto you; seek me diligently and ye shall find me; ask, and ye shall receive; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
64 Whatsoever ye ask the Father in my name it shall be given unto you, that is expedient for you;
65 And if ye ask anything that is not expedient for you, it shall turn unto your condemnation.
66 Behold, that which you hear is as the voice of one crying in the wilderness--in the wilderness, because you cannot see him--my voice, because my voice is Spirit; my Spirit is truth; truth abideth and hath no end; and if it be in you it shall abound.
67 And if your eye be single to my glory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light comprehendeth all things.
68 Therefore, sanctify yourselves that your minds become single to God, and the days will come that you shall see Him; for He will unveil His face unto you, and it shall be in His own time, and in His own way, and according to His own will.
Another neat one :)
I love you all and I'll talk to you next week!
Love~
Austin
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