Dear Family and Friends~
Well, I guess it has been a fun past few weeks! Who knows, I probably am allergic to Palatka. The doctor prescribed me Singulair to help me deal with Palatka and its air pollution/pollen/whatever else it is problem. Surprisingly, I am allergic to both cats and dogs. I am allergic to milk, peanuts, all sorts of different grasses, a couple different types of mold, and even egg whites! None of the allergies are nearly life threatening, however, all of them are somewhat of a nuisance; more especially the grasses. It explains a lot, though. I remember doing conditioning for football and baseball out in the fields, and I swear, I would run out of breath faster than anyone else! And I knew I was in the best shape!! That always drove me insane, so I would run harder so I could push through it, but of course, that didn't ever help--well, I got in better shape...but I still couldn't breathe! I thought maybe it was asthma, but I never wanted to believe that, mostly because I never wheezed. Unfortunately, out here, on occasion I will hear myself wheeze, but I'm quite sure it has nothing to do with asthma, rather it is probably allergies. Go figure. The doctor gave me a prescription for Albuterol, but I don't really want to fill it because I really don't think I have asthma--Sister Barry said I should anyways...but I don't know...
Ingrown toenails...I can't say they have been too enjoyable, but I will say that I am fairly certain I have had these ingrown toenails since before my mission. I know that I've dealt with them as I played football, but I never did anything about them....but when all was said and done, the operation itself was relatively painless and the shots taken to the left big toe weren't nearly as painful as I thought they would be. One of the doctors (i.e. one of the students watching) commented that I was taking the shots very well, better than he had seen in any other "victims"... I have a couple others that I may have to get removed. Yes, you heard right, a couple. Luckily, there was only a wart on my left foot...and it was attacked with some type of acid and all I have to do is watch over it with wart (chap)stick and it should go away. The piece of glass [in my foot] was easily removed. It was so small I was amazed that it was causing that much discomfort...
Before I continue, I keep forgetting, but will you please tell the Rowberry's thank you for the Christmas package. Also, the Relief Society sent me a package as well, so will you please announce to them my gratitude for their thoughtful gift and tell them I am grateful to have heard from them. And finally, tell the youth and the youth leaders of the ward thank you for sending me letters and treats.
On another note, I am grateful you were able to talk with Sister Barry. I love both President and Sister Barry. Both of them are so loving and thoughtful and they are a great example to me as to what person I would like to become. They see us for who we are and what we can become and they don't judge us if we're not there yet, rather encourage and inspire through loving words and a loving example. They both said in a recent mission-wide conference they consider each of us their children and I told them in a letter to President Barry that I was honored to be considered such. Over the past few weeks I've been able to talk with Sister Barry quite a few times, mostly because of my sickness and injuries, and she has been so helpful. She always wants to know what more she can do to help and never fails to follow through. President Barry is the same way. They weren't sent here to judge us, but they were sent here to love us and to love the people and to help all of us become better. I trust them both and I love them both so much. It will be sad to leave when it is time to come home because I will have enjoyed being able to serve with them a little over the last half of my mission, but I won't ever forget them. Hopefully I'll always be able to keep in contact with them.
Transfers are in, Elder Lucas and I are staying together and so are most of the elders in the district. Elder Preator is leaving and is becoming a District Leader and Elder Johnson is going somewhere else as well. But that is all. Elder Murray is leaving Mandarin and might be moved from District Leader to Zone Leader, so that would be really neat! Other than that, our zone and district is pretty much the same.
Missionary work is progressing in a better direction than before. Elder Lucas and I are finally to the point where the ward semi-trusts us. Of course there are a few who always support the missionaries...however, there is still quite a bit of mending to be done. We're working on it though, and in the end, it is all going to work out. I love serving the people here and although I'm still working on getting to know each of them, I feel like I'm developing good relationships with many of them. Hopefully before I leave the area things will be worked out. At this moment we have a few people we are somewhat teaching--more or less we're taking it nice and easy with them. We are spending a lot of time getting to know them and showing them we care so we can earn their trust and teach them at their own pace. It is a little difficult because often it is nice to have instant results, but that...we are not getting, and sometimes I get frustrated. I think my frustrations lie more in this department, however: who is going to be disappointed with me because I don't have many people to teach and those I am teaching are moving slowly? Fear and doubt--great friends. Right?! The fear of disappointing others always seems to find its way creeping up underneath my skin. I continually have to remind myself to "blast down" the negative, like Uncle Mike told me. This scripture has frequented my mind so often lately that I am surprised that I still fall in the trap as many times as I do:
"Wherefore, all things which are good cometh of God; and that which is evil cometh of the devil; for the devil is an enemy unto God, and fighteth against Him continually, and inviteth and enticeth to sin, and to do that which is evil continually. But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing which inviteth and enticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve Him, is inspired of God." -Moroni 7:12-13
So it comes down to figure out which voice it is that is talking to me, and then to act on the one that is inviting me to do good, and the one that tells me loving things, rather than the negative and accusing voice that loves to jump in and wreak havoc inside my mind. I guess the solution is this: work hard, be happy, love everyone, and all things will work out in due time. :)
Before I go, I want each of you to know that I love you and that I am grateful to be a part of our family. I hope all of you have a wonderful week. Tell Dad to enjoy his business vacation to China for me. :)
Love~
Austin
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