Dear Mom, Dad, Aaron, Billy, Kendall, Family & Friends~
Things are going pretty well here in Palatka. My sickness seems to be floating right along, but I'm sure I'll eventually get over it. I got the package with the Azithromycin and the other goodies (that I shared with everyone). Unfortunately, or fortunately, however you want to look at it--I went to the urgent care to get my sickness checked out (since it has been a good 3 weeks now of being sick) and it turned out that I had a sinus infection as well as bronchitis at the same time. She prescribed Azithromycin to me as well. So I have two packs of them. I'm on the second to last day with the one and probably won't take the other--unless perhaps I need to? I don't think that would be the greatest of ideas though. If it doesn't get any better within the next couple of days, then I'll probably go back and get it checked. I am going to make tapioca pudding within the next couple days, so hopefully I can do it right! Thanks Mom :)
I got Grandma and Grandpa's package and thought it was great. I shared the pumpkin bread with all the other Elders and they thought it was the best thing ever... I loved the ties and I wore each of them over the course of the weekend...
...by the way, I just received a super heavy wool cold weather dress jacket. It was supposed to be for another set of Elders, who then gave it to Elder Lucas because it was too big for them and it turned out to be too small for him, but ended up fitting me well. Of course I'll need to wear my suit underneath to make it fit right, but it is a neat jacket. I'll probably go and dry clean it soon. Awesome!
Tell Aunt Rachel and Uncle Brendon thanks for the email last week, I forgot to mention. Also, Uncle Mike and Aunt Jenni sent me a cool package containing quotes from Elder Neal A. Maxwell. I've already skimmed over much of it, and I really like the things he says. As far as getting a southern drawl goes...well, you can be the judge when we talk at Christmas. But I can say that I have had people comment on the speed at which I talk, which is S L O W...whatever, I guess I am understood well then, I match the speed of the South.
Tell Aaron good job for me! That is so awesome he struck out the All-American. I wish I could have watched!! But, soon enough I'll be able to. College man...wow! Just keep working hard--perhaps set some goals as well, they always seem to help!
I'm glad that Billy had fun dancing the night away. I never could, nor would--even still, and perhaps more so now. But hey, as long as he enjoyed himself! He's more brave than me. I will say this, however, as I have been out I have learned to love to listen to and play around on the piano. I have learned a few songs and I am determined to learn many. When I get home I want to get lessons. Hopefully Aaron is still keeping up on his talent, because then we could play together. Of course, I still need to catch up with him, but I'll get there. So, Billy, you and your craziness beats mine, but I am doing something musical--just not with my body. You can Kendall can do all the dancing you want. :)
Lexee sent me a package a few weeks ago, and I feel bad for not sending her a thank you yet. Could you tell her thanks for the things she sent and that I will write her soon? I hope she is doing well.
My favorite conference talks included Elder Holland's on the Saturday morning session. He spoke on his gratitude for all the things we do and it was neat to hear it from an Apostle. It was an expression of God's love for all His children.
One question I really wanted answered as I went to conference was how to know that the decisions I make are the right decisions and that God approves of them. I'm sure no one wants to make the wrong decision either. So my question was how can I know the difference between the good, the better, and the best of choices; how can I discern the difference between those choices which are a mere distraction from doing what is most important and what really is the most important. Decision making can be difficult, especially when faced with seemingly many ideal choices. It's like taking a test when all the answers are right, just some are more right than others...I hate those kinds of tests by the way! The answer, we know, is in relying on the Spirit. But we need to be able to know the difference between the Spirit and the near identical fake. Elder Ballard spoke on this in the second to last talk this conference--and Elder Oaks also gave some essential pointers.
Some key things I pulled from all the talks to answer my question, or at least in part (I'm still learning here...) were these:
1. God gives us good feelings in our minds and hearts to help us know we are receiving guidance from Him.
2. Emptiness, confusion, and doubt are evidence of a bad choice.
3. A prophet of God tells us what we need to hear and learn, not what we necessarily want to know and learn.
4. It is always better to keep God's commandments and do His will rather than trust in ourselves or others--so, in essence, ask God in prayer for guidance first.
5. If we want to know whether a decision is good or bad, we should spend some time and think about it first, and we should think about it as long as we absolutely need to.
6. Scripture study leads to answers and a majority of revelation comes when we spend time pondering, or thinking, about what we have just studied.
7. Setting goals helps us to put to action the direction we feel we should take.
8. God will witness to us the goodness of our choices after the trial of our faith.
9. As with points 1 & 2, our feelings really and truly help us to make good choices.
Those were some of the things I felt like I learned, but in all reality, I still feel like I need to do a lot more thinking about this one. I do know, however, that scripture study, as one of the Apostles said, helps us to learn to recognize the voice of the Lord. And so, as I study the scriptures and write my thoughts, I am learning, slowly but surely what it means to listen to and hear the voice of the Lord. Concentration and desire to know and willingness to act are key.
Anyhow, I'm about done right now. My body is ready to collapse. So until next week, I hope each of you have a wonderful week and I love you all!
Love~
Austin
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