Tattooed On My Heart

Palatka, FL

Dear Home~

I've got a whole bunch to write, but not a lot of energy to write it. I've been sick for a while now and I'm not sure what I have. I read a brief outline of some of the sicknesses I possibly could have in our Missionary Medical Book and the one that seemed the most accurate was Bronchitis--however, I did notice that the past couple of days my throat is starting to get sore, but it could just be all the coughing. Whether or not that is what I have, I'm about ready to be done with it! :)

Mom, I'm glad you had a good time with the Missionary Mom's thing. I'm also happy that you were able to meet Elder Chadburn, who is no longer an Elder. His first name is Brennan. He is a wonderful individual and someone that I truly admire. He was a very good example to me of what it meant to be a loving and hard-working missionary. He is thoughtful and wise, and whatever it is that he decides to do with his life, I know he will be able to make a difference in the lives of all the people he comes in contact [with].

I thought it was funny Elder McFarland was talking about having all of us go to school at BYU Idaho. He was talking to me about it at Zone Conference the other week. I didn't give a positive or negative response, I just said it sounded like it would be a lot of fun. Elder Murray will be going to BYU Idaho as well...so you never know. I'm thankful I have made good friends out here on my mission and hopefully I'll be able to keep them throughout the rest of my life.

Palatka is going well. I'm meeting new people and doing my best to get to know them and inspire them to have a happier and more peaceful life. I guess that is because that is the one thing that motivates me to live the Gospel. It is funny how when you actually take the time to get to know someone, you learn to love them. It is easy to see past someone's faults if you can know who they are. One scripture I always think of, and have shared quite often lately for various reasons, is the one found in the book of Second Nephi:

For none of these iniquities come of the Lord; for He doeth that which is good among all the children of men; and he doeth nothing save it be plain unto the children of men; and He inviteth them all to come unto Him and partake of His goodness; and He denieth none that come unto Him, black and white, bond and free, male and female; and he remembereth the heathen; and all are alike unto God, both Jew and Gentile. (2 Nephi 26:33)

The Lord loves each of us and He doesn't care what we look like, what we've done wrong, what we continue to do wrong, where we came from, what our skin color is, or anything else for that matter. He loves us because we are God's children and He wants us to be happy. And when I am able to view each person I meet in the same light that God views them, then I am able to forgive them of their faults and shortcomings, realizing I have my own--and I can move on and be a loving and kind friend. We're all people and we're all different, but what unites us is that fact we are all part of Heavenly Father's family. And family is the most important. God loves us all the same and because He does, we can love everyone the same also. Equality gives us hope and helps us to realize our identity as a son or a daughter of God. When we know that God is our Heavenly Father and that He loves us perfectly, then we can move past our weaknesses and trust in Him to help make us strong.

Schwans...they actually showed up at our apartment door and asked for a Mr. and Mrs. Robbs, and said that they were potential customers--and when I told him who I was, he asked me if I wanted to order anything and I told him to come back on his next delivery which is in two weeks. He left me with a magazine, but to be honest, I really didn't know what to think when he showed up at the door, and the magazine only served to further boggle my mind. So if you want to order something for me, I'd be more than happy to accept, but I don't have the slightest idea of what to get. I do know, however, that the ice cream looks really good :)

...I know that a tattoo isn't exactly what the Lord would have liked Aaron to put on his body, but I think the more important thing is that he is beginning to see the importance of family. Whatever it takes to make that realization in each of our lives, then that is what it takes. Either way, I am glad that he loves me enough to permanently tattoo me to his body. He is tattooed in my heart:

Ye are our epistle written in our heart, known and read of all men: forasmuch as ye are manifestly declared to be the epistle of Christ ministered by us, written not with ink, but with the Spirit of the living God; not in tables of stone, but in fleshy tables of the heart.
(2 Corinthians 3:2-3)

I thought that was kind of a neat scripture. Elder Nelson read that to us in May when he came and spoke to our mission.

This week we set two baptism dates. Darrien and his mother, Sharon. They are scheduled for the 17th of this coming month, and hopefully, if we can help them to switch their schedules around, they'll be able to come to church so that they can be baptized. Both are willing and ready to live some of the more difficult commandments, now if we can help them keep the Sabbath Day holy, all will work out. One of our other investigators, from Lake Butler, will be getting baptized on the 9th of October and we'll get to go and be a part of it! Marla is her name. We've got some exciting things coming up, so hopefully it all works out!

I'm glad to hear Haley is still striving to learn more about the Gospel. When it comes to sharing scriptures as missionaries, we are asked to share those things that have served to change our own lives. That way we'll be able to bear a more powerful testimony of the truth. One thing that has helped me to change and become better is this scripture:

Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God.

And now, I, Moroni, would speak somewhat concerning these things; I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith. (Ether 12:4,6)

I know that when we believe in God, we obtain a hope. Our hope gives us the strength to have faith that God is really there to help us and bless our lives. As our hope increases and our faith grows, we are able to overcome the trial of our faith and receive a witness of the truth from God, by the power of the Holy Ghost. The Lord loves us and He will bless us and show us the way as we strive to continually follow Him.

I love each of you, and I have so much more to say, but I am out of time. I'll talk to you next week and can't wait to hear from you then.

Love~

Austin

Palatka, Florida...Here I Come!

Palatka, FL

Dear Mom, Dad, Aaron, Billy, Kendall, Family & Friends~

I'm grateful to hear that our family is doing well and that things continue to go well. I, myself, have been down on energy lately. I think I am getting sick. I have a cough and a very sore and achy body. Who knows where all this coming from, but I guess I can just deal with it and hope that later I'll be fine. Surprising as it is, despite the weakness of my body, my minds feels very agile and awake. My brain always seems to be focused, or thinking of something ALL OF THE TIME, especially when I am trying to go to bed. And as tired as I am when I wake up in the morning, my mind is already full speed ahead. Who knows exactly what that is, but I guess it is a good thing that my brain is functioning. (:

At this time, I have been transferred to the Palatka 2nd Ward--where Elder Murray, Elder McFarland, Elder Pelo, and Elder Wily have all served. What are the chances? It will definitely be a new experience, but the ward seems pretty good. I still haven't met everyone or got to know everyone's names, but I tried as hard as I could to meet as many people as I could at church on Sunday. For whatever reason or another, I seem to be able to remember things a lot better than I ever have before, so when people tell me their names, it is as if I knew it all along (for the most part). I'm not entirely sure what lies ahead, but I am positive that if Elder Lucas (my new companion, who has been out for 1 transfer now) and I work hard, then whatever needs to happen will happen. Thankfully, I have a companion who will listen to me. Elder Lucas and I will work well together. And as he becomes more confident, he is going to be a great missionary. We have commissioned ourselves to do all we can to keep every mission rule and to be exactly obedient, while still having fun. The work will progress so much quicker if we do!

When it comes to Haley's situation, where she may not be quite ready for missionaries to teach her, http://www.mormon.org/ is an excellent resource. The website teaches all of the basic beliefs in a simple and easy way to understand. There are videos of those who have come to gain a testimony of the Restored Gospel and many other neat resources. If you wanted you could go through it with her--or perhaps go over it yourself and then give her the basic idea of what it is. If she wishes, there are missionaries she can shat with online. These missionaries are at the MTC and are fairly new, but if she is sincere with her questions, and is patient, she can find the answers she is looking for. I think one of the most important things for her to understand, if she doesn't already, is that she is a daughter of a loving Heavenly Father. And that she can go to Him in prayer anytime she wishes, and He will answer her. If she can understand that God knows her better than anyone in this world, it will be easy for her to rely on Him for strength.

"Believe in God; believe that He is, and that He created all things, both in heaven and in earth; believe that He has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend." (Mosiah 4:9)

Right at this moment in time, I am nearly out of time...Also, next week seeing as I'm out of time, I want to tell you about the youth vs. missionary boxing match that I have recorded on my camera...oh my goodness...let's just say I didn't plan on any such event, but it happened anyway. (: (this was the night before I left Lake Butler!)

Tell everyone I love them and hope they have a wonderful week! I have got to go!!

Love~

Austin

Leaving Lake Butler

Lake Butler, FL

Dear Mom, Dad, Aaron, Billy, Kendall, Family & Friends~

This past week has been an interesting one. It's also been a long one. And it has also been a sad one. To sum it all up, I am leaving Lake Butler. I'm being transferred to some other area, with some other people, and new experiences and opportunities to learn and grow. I wasn't the most excited person in the world when I got the call informing me that I was going somewhere else, but like everything else, sometimes it's simply time to move on. I will say; however, that I did feel like the Elder who left our area back home (mom's explanation: we just had an elder we have come to love get transferred to another area and he was very sad to leave...and we were sad to see him go!)...But I am so grateful for the people I have met here in this small community, they truly have helped me to change my life for the better. Despite the fact that we didn't have many baptisms, I think that the greatest time I had in this area was the many opportunities I had to serve the members of the ward. I got to know and love the parents and their children, and was able to get to know nearly every individual in the ward. The people here have been a second home and a second family to me. Hopefully one day we'll be able to come back together so I can show you all the wonderful friends I have made. I would have to say that out of all my experiences I have had on my mission, Lake Butler has been the best. I have learned more about myself here than any other place I have been.

The number one lesson I have learned up to this point on my mission is that it is okay to be yourself and not to be afraid to spend time to get to know and love other people. It would seem all my life I have had problems with being able to express myself to others, or to know how to talk to others without some sort of anxiety or another. Of course I still love my friends and was able to meet many new people before my mission, but this is different. The anxiety of getting to know someone feels like it has been lifted. I don't feel as though I have a metal box over my body locking me in place, drowning out my movements and speech and hiding me from the world as I once felt; I feel free. I feel free to be me. I know I have many lessons to learn, but this feels to me the one lesson that opens the door to all the others. I noticed as I was writing that I used the word "feel" quite often, and I "felt" to make a point on it: when I use the word "feel" my mind immediately gathers its attention to the heart and the feelings of the heart. As I have been out on my mission I have come to realize that the heart is the most important tool for guidance and progression we have while in this life. If our hearts are bleak, black, and devoid of hope and happiness, then unfortunately our futures will bear the same tone, and so will the eternities. As it turns out, like you told me, Mom, as you referenced the scripture to me, "Adam fell that men might be, and men are that they might have joy" (2 Nephi 2:25), that our purpose in life is to find joy and to learn to love one another, and most importantly to love God. I have learned that selfless service gives us the greatest joys in life and in turn enables our hearts to be filled with peace, love, and happiness, which also helps us to progress toward the great joys of eternal life and perfection. "For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also" (3 Nephi 13:21). If your treasure is joy and love then that is where your heart will be and all your actions will reflect the desires of your heart bringing the same love and joy you have obtained to others. And so, to tie it all together, my heart feels happy and it feels like it has love that seems to grow each day, and because of it, I feel okay; I feel at peace; I feel like I am becoming me. Finally recognizing that I am an individual in a world with so many copycats, I am grateful to know that the Gospel of Jesus Christ has made me free and separated me from the sameness of the world. I know that I am a son of God. I know that I am loved by God and that He is my Father in Heaven. I don't have to be like everyone else, I can be me, because I have a Father in Heaven who loves me for who I am and not because I am like someone else. If there was any lesson that I needed learned while being out here on my mission, I think that was the first and most important one.

I am grateful to hear that everyone is doing well and that Aaron, Billy, and Kendall are also "finding" themselves in the world and are beginning to experience joy and love in their own lives. I miss each of them, but I know they are going to be okay and that I will too....

Tell the rest of the family that I love them and that I am thankful for all their birthday letters and presents...

I also wanted to say that I was excited to hear of everyone who was leaving on their missions! That is crazy to hear! I wish them all the best and hope they have great missions.

I love each of you and hope you have a wonderful week this week and that all goes well. I'll let you know where I get transferred to on Monday. And one other thing, we have Elder Pearson of the Seventy coming to speak to us on Thursday, so that should be really neat. I'll let you know how that goes on Monday :)

Love~

Austin

Thanks For The Birthday Wishes!

Lake Butler, FL

Dear Mom, Dad, Aaron, Billy, Kendall, Family & Friends~

Thank you everyone for all the birthday cards and gifts! So far I have had a very pleasant birthday experience. Mostly, as I reflect on my birthday, my thoughts have been turned to our family. I am grateful for the family that we have and that we are so close. There is nothing more important to me than our family and I am grateful that I have come to understand that truth. I have been sitting around imagining everyone right here with me and although no one is physically in my presence, I can still feel your love and warmth right beside me and deep in my heart. Thanks for the happy birthday :)

As far as exciting things go, President and Sister Barry called me this morning and sang a happy birthday duet to me and that was pretty neat. They have beautiful voices! And before them, the Mission office called and the Senior Couples working in the office all got together and sang me happy birthday as well! I was grateful for their phone call and enjoyed their birthday present to me. Later in the day, a couple of the young men have some type of plot or another to come and destroy the apartment as their version of a birthday present--I wouldn't have know about it, but Elder Brown spilled the beans. So we'll see whether or not it actually happens. We still have the dinner set up tonight with the Bell family and I will be sure to tell them thank you, Mom!

Tell Grandma Mary and Grandpa Harold and TJ thanks for the birthday card as well as the gift card. And tell Grandma and Grandpa MacKay thanks for the birthday cards as well as the gift card (true story about running for your life, some of these Floridian dogs are crazy!!), plus the birthday email from the infamous Blackberry. Tell Aunt Michelle and Uncle Dave, as well as Isaac, Emma, Noel, Eliza, and Anna thanks for their bday email. Tell Aunt Jenni and Uncle Mike, Nora and Evan, and ? (wow!!), thanks for the bday email and the package they sent :) Tell everyone else that I love them and wish them a wonderful week this week!

I did get the package you sent, thanks Mom. The cookies turned out to be fine! I'm wearing one of the Cottonwood t-shirts right now, I thought they turned out pretty cool. I laughed at the Hey Arnold! shirt and wore it around all last night. The sunglasses fit well and they definitely help out as I am driving, so thank you! I read the entire Lectures on Faith book in a couple of hours and I thought it was very interesting. Some of the things the Prophet Joseph Smith talks about are slightly confusing, and so I think that I'll go through and read it again. I did notice, however, that at the end of some of the chapters, it said to memorize several of the verses within the chapters--maybe that can be my next challenge, I really appreciated the letters as well. Thank you :)

Our investigators are doing well for the most part. We are having some struggles with a few of them, since they haven't been keeping appointments quite as well as they have in the past...I'm not entirely sure as to why, but hopefully things will work out and we'll be better able to help them be prepared for baptism. If all goes well, on the 19th of September, we should have 3 baptisms. If we can keep visiting with them and if they will follow through with their commitments to change, then everything will work out for that day when it comes. Apparently President Barry is having us take a new approach to teaching lessons and within the next week or two we will begin to be trained on this new teaching plan. What it all comes down to is this (from what I gather): our goal is no longer to teach lessons, but our goal is to teach people. I know that Grandpa MacKay sent me a letter a while back about how people get in the habit of talking at you rather than with you, that is what President Barry is trying to get rid of. We need to learn to read people, to understand them and their needs, and teach them what they need to hear rather than what they are "supposed" to hear--the Spirit is to be the guide and we the humble followers. I'm excited for the changes because I think that they will really help. I truly believe we'll have much more success this way than any other, so as soon as I can learn how to talk with people and teach them according to their needs better than I already do, I think that things could get really exciting here in Florida. Nevertheless, the Spirit is still the key. Personal preparation is the answer to getting the Spirit and personal preparation is a big focus of President Barry. I am positive that as I put forth a more diligent effort to prepare myself to teach, that we will begin to see many miracles as we go out and work each day.

I was able to deliver at least two of your recipes, Mom. The members I gave them to were really excited about the recipes and they said that they want to make them and give us some. I haven't been able to go to the library yet, but as soon as I do I'll pass along the recipes to the individual who works there. I'm sure they will all want to email you at one point or another, and so when they ask, I'll give them your email :)

I went up and bore my testimony yesterday during Fast and Testimony meeting and everyone thought that I was getting transferred after the meeting was over. I told them not that I know of, but in another week or so I should find out. The last day of the transfer is supposed to be the 16th of September, so possibly by Saturday I'll find out. You'll certainly know by next Monday if that is the case.

Anyways, I'm going to go and run around the rest of the day--we'll see whether or not we'll do anything out of the ordinary or not :) I'm sure Elder Brown would love to if I agreed to let him. I love each of you and hope you have a wonderful week. Thanks for making this a special birthday :)

Love~

Austin