Teamwork

November 15, 2010
Palatka, FL

Dear Family~

I think that things are on the turn-around. Each of the letters/emails that were sent to me have helped me to see things from a clear perspective and to judge things correctly, and in the proper light. Out of all the things that were written, I'm going to list the things that I absolutely needed to hear:

-None of us are perfect, nor will we be as long as we live [on this earth].

-God loves each of us individually and knows us perfectly.

-The most important thing for us to do while we live on this earth is not so much to become masters of the spoken/written word, but to build and maintain a positive and loving relationship with ourselves and others.

-There is a difference between policy and doctrine: doctrine is eternal, policies are subject to change.

-Sometimes we simply need to CHILLLL!!!

-"It was a tragic irony that he made himself sick worrying about his health."

-When we love others and spend our time serving them, our own worries melt away.

-The Adversary is good at twisting our thoughts and disrupting our communication with the Spirit and that makes it hard for us to see things in the right perspective.

-Heavenly Father will always give us help if we just ask for it.

There was so much more that mattered to me as I read, but those were some of the main points that I felt tied all the letters/emails together. I am grateful to have each of you as a part of my family, because through all of your experience, I am able to make sense of myself. I always say this to everyone that asks me about my family--I tell them that they're the best! I say they're the smartest! The most loving! The most caring! The most helpful! And the most wise! Heavenly Father planned perfectly when He put us all together, because we make a very strong team. Considering all the wisdom that was sent to me, I thought of a scripture in Doctrine & Covenants Section 88 verse 122:

"Appoint among yourselves a teacher, and let not all be spokesmen at once; but let one speak at a time and let all listen unto his sayings, that when all have spoken that all may be edified of all, and that every man may have an equal privilege."

Each of us have something unique to share and the Spirit is able to work through each of us in a way that would most benefit the other. Yesterday, Elder Lucas and I spoke in sacrament meeting. It went very well, I thought. I didn't write anything down, except maybe a few ideas that popped into my mind as I listened and learned from others the things I felt that maybe they needed to hear. What it came down to, all the thoughts not only from the membership, but from all the letters/emails over the past week, including the 3-day leadership training, was the importance of teamwork. It finally dawned on me how God has set up and organized the earth: He created it so that all things could benefit from each other if they would so choose to work together. Granted, there are things to act and things to be acted upon, so it only applies to those that are able to act for themselves; but all things were created to work together for the benefit and good of all. All things, whether inanimate, organic, living, and even dead, are used and reused to build off of each other and sustain life and growth on earth. When the Lord teaches us about consecration and discipleship, he uses the world around us to show the true meaning of teamwork and that true teamwork can only exist through selfless love, or charity. Families are meant to be forever together, but that can only happen if they are willing to work together--because those who work together and build each other up, love each other. No wonder the first and greatest commandment is to love God, because when we choose to love God, we choose to love all His creations, and we choose to work with them because of that love. God is trying to get us to learn how to love!

Anyhow, those are my thoughts--which were inspired by the thoughts of others (just so I can further emphasize the importance of teamwork; but it is true, I wouldn't have thought them had in not been for each of you and all the people I'm working with out here).

Our district is doing well. I've had the opportunity to go on a few trade-offs with the Elders within our district and have been able to get to know them a little better. I'm learning a lot about the importance of listening and allowing others to speak and share their thoughts. Maybe I ask one question and then be quiet for a time...everyone needs time to pour out their heart to another, sometimes it's the only way to get relief from our burdens. Yesterday I had to resolve a small conflict within our apartment. Afterward, I sat each Elder down and interviewed them one at a time so I could learn what was bothering them. I think, for the most part, the problem has been worked out. I had a positive discussion with each of them and they both ended on a good note. I was proud of myself for working things out with the Elders. I don't think I have ever had to sit down and handle a situation like that before, nor have I ever handled a situation like that the way I did. I felt a little bit like a parent, or a coach, or even maybe a teacher...Let me just say this, although I kept a very collected attitude throughout the ordeal, that was stressful to deal with! But things are better now, so we're all good! :)

Another Elder I worked with on one of our trade-offs, we sat down and had a really long discussion together. We talked about how everything we are doing now is centered on helping the things we do now to become a lifestyle we can maintain throughout the rest of our lives. The Elder had many frustrations and disappointments he shared with me and I sat quietly and listened to him. As I listened to him talk I thought about all the things I had been learning and shared with him some of the thoughts I had. The Atonement, in all its power and splendor, was motivated by one thing, and one thing only, and that is the great love our Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ have for us, and all Their creations. The purpose of missionary work is not to get other people to do the things we want them to do, but it is to show them that God is our loving Heavenly Father, and we do that as we serve them. Service, when motivated by faith in Jesus Christ, is an act of love and is also an evidence of the love of God. The pure love of God is charity and it is this charity that softens and changes hearts. The Holy Ghost can work through the heart of an individual whose heart has been changed by love. Our purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ and we do that through our love of God and our love for all our spirit brothers and sisters. When he and I spoke about these things the Spirit entered greatly into the room and we were both comforted and edified.

Who knows where things will take us next, or even what lies ahead...all I know is that all will be well. I love each of you and wish you all a wonderful week. I look forward to hearing from "ya'll" next week. :)

Love~

Austin