Writing...

Palatka, FL

Dear Family~

I am glad that things are going well back home and that you were able to meet Albert's older brother. From what I hear, he sounds like a really cool guy.... [tell him] the young men are doing awesome [in Lake Butler] for the most part, there are a few who could use a little motivation and inspiring, but it would seem that all of them, young men and young women, however, are getting the spark of missionary work lit up inside them, so you can tell him if he writes the ward letters of his success stories, that would surely motivate them! Also, I tried sending the boxing match over the Internet, but it didn't exactly work. Maybe I'll fiddle around with it some more another time so I can get it to you...and him.

As far as missionary work goes here in Palatka, we are still struggling to find people to teach, but our Bishopric seems like they are very willing to help us with the work. Throughout the week we visited many less-active, part-member, and inactive families. we had a small amount of success and there were certainly times when we knew that we were guided by the Spirit to visit various families. Hopefully as we begin to work with the Bishopric we'll be able to have more success and even find more families who are prepared and ready to be taught the gospel. Tracting doesn't seem to be doing the trick, but we'll keep on trying anyhow. You never know just when someone in your path happens to be that individual who is prepared.

I have to say, I didn't expect to see that Billy and Kendall had grown that much in the span of one year! Holy Cow!! They probably don't realize it, but I definitely do, especially after being gone this long. They look so much older!! Tell them I said they can't keep doing that, because if they do I might not be able to recognize them when I get home! They look great though :)

On another note, I didn't expect to get an email from Grandma Mary telling me that Brittney just had her first child! What?! That was out of nowhere (mom here: we did tell him she was expecting months ago, but it must not have registered!)! It was neat to see her picture. Hopefully Brittney is doing well, it seems like it's been forever since I've heard from her. Send her congratulations from me if you can, please. :)

This email seems to be going back and forth from topic to topic, but one thing that I wanted to write about this week is something that seems to be a recurring theme in my life. It has to do with writing. I have discovered that when it comes to speaking out loud, often times it is very hard for me to express how I feel, but whenever I write, I always seem to know what to say. At times, it would feel that the closest I am to the Spirit is when I write, rather than when I speak. Whether this is true or not, I'd imagine only the Lord knows. Perhaps that is how it is for all of us. I know that when we write, at least for myself, it requires a greater amount of focus to get on paper what you are unable to express vocally. It requires fine-tuning of the mind to the heart, and aligning it with the voice of the Spirit, and as it happens words simply seem to flow. One thing I have noticed is that as I try to apply that same focus to my studies or even as I go about my day I am able to a much greater degree to hear, or rather feel, what it is the Spirit is guiding me to do. But it truly requires a sincere and concentrated mental effort to be able to be aligned with the Holy Ghost. Our minds tend to wander a million different directions seemingly every moment and so it takes a massive effort to gain control of our minds. It is almost a constant battle to see who is going to win, our sporadic thoughts or the Spirit. Writing is a good way to train ourselves to listen and to recognize the voice of the Spirit! I think I never would have guessed it, but through all the times I have studied and written letters it is clearly apparent that the Holy Ghost guides our thoughts as we place them on paper. Of course, we can only have that guidance if we humbly ask for it in prayer and live our lives the way we are supposed to, but when we do, He freely guides us in the right direction. Revelation has a smooth, free-flowing motion about it. When it comes, it ties all loose ends back together. Things make sense as the Spirit speaks to us. Even today, Uncle Mike sent me an email of something that I absolutely needed to hear and I sent him back a reference of a scripture it reminded me of, and then he sent me back an email telling me how he studied that very scripture this morning! Heavenly Father knows us personally, and works through each of us to bless the lives of all His children. I am amazed at how He works all things for our benefit, despite our lack of knowledge and understanding about the things which He has in store for us.

I don't know, perhaps that was slightly redundant, but those are the thoughts which came to my mind as I was writing. :)

Out of everything I could share right now, I feel impressed only to do one thing. And that is to share what I know. I know that Heavenly Father loves us and that He is watching over each and every one of us. He knows our thoughts, our hearts, our greatest joys and our saddest moments. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to come to this earth and live a perfect life and to atone for our sins and sufferings so that one day, we too could return to live with our Father once again. I know that life sometimes can be more difficult than we are capable of dealing with and that through Jesus Christ's Atonement, our heavy burdens can be lifted and we can find peace. God gave us this gospel, and these truths, so that our families can be blessed, and even eternally united. He wants all of His children to return and be with Him again. I know as we trust Him, and follow the example of His Son, that one day we will return to our Heavenly Father and that He will receive us with great joy. Like Nephi, we can say, "...I know that [God] loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things." (1 Nephi 11:17). We may not have a perfect understanding of what lies ahead of us, and it may even be scary, but the one and only thing that matters is that God loves us and He will do all withing His power to bless us as we strive day by day to prepare ourselves to live with Him again.

I love each of you and hope you have a wonderful week...that this week will be a more peaceful and hopeful week than all the other tired and difficult ones. :)

Love~

Austin

p.s. please tell Aunt Rachel and Uncle Brendon for the cheesecake! It was awesome!

p.p.s. next week p-day is on Tuesday due to the coming transfers.