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
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