Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family & Friends~
It is hard to believe the time is nearly over...the time has been so long and yet so short. Over the course of two years there hasn't gone a day past that I haven't remembered each of you and the love I have for you and the great love you have given me. Up to this point, it has been the most rewarding two years of my life and the hardest. But I am forever grateful for the opportunity I've had to serve the Lord by going on a mission. He has done more to bless me than I could have ever done to assist Him in His work.
Our baptism and confirmation went very well....
...I've learned from each of you that we are to love people for who they are inside, not for what they do or say. I've learned that patience and love and forgiveness are the way to hope and happiness. I've learned that endurance to the end means more than just never give up, but it means to always press forward. On my mission I have come to realize that many of the things that I naturally seem to do are not because of me, but because of how I was raised from the beginning. You and Dad are my examples, and I love you both so much. I'm thankful for who each of you are and I'm thankful to have spent this time away from you so I could realize just how important you are to me and ho much you've affected my life for good. Life isn't easy, but because of the things you have taught me, I know that there is always hope and that Heavenly Father is always there watching over us. ...I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior and Redeemer of the world. ...I know that Joseph Smith was called as a prophet and was sent forth to preach the gospel to all the earth and to prepare the world for the time we will meet our Heavenly Father again. Because of your faith, I have faith. Because of your testimonies, I have gained my own testimony. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ is the way to happiness and that because of Christ we can change and learn to be happy and live happy lives. I know that because of Jesus Christ there is always hope, and that we can reach our potentials and even surpass them. You have taught me without words how to live the gospel and to live the right way. None of us are perfect, but we're all striving to be our best. God is always with us, I know He is. I have a testimony of the power of reading the scriptures. I know that they are the word of God. I know that as I have studied the scriptures I have come to learn the greatness of God and His wonderful plan for each of us. I know that by reading the scriptures and by praying about them we will always be led back to our Heavenly Father. I know that the Book of Mormon has the power to change lives and bring us closer to God than any other book. I've learned that it is the keystone of our religion for a reason. I know that it was written for our day and inspired by God to be a testimony to all the world that He is gathering His children for the last time. I know that if we are faithful to our covenants, at the last day we will receive eternal life in the kingdom of God and that we will forever be a family. I know that eternal life is more than just a fable, but that it is a reality that we are striving to attain and which has been made possible through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I know that the price of eternal life may seem hefty at times, but that every affliction and suffering and sacrifice it costs to receive such a great reward will never surpass the greatness of the joy our Heavenly Father intends to give us. I know we can make it. I know we can help others make it. I know we have been sent to the earth for a purpose and that by our faith we can help many receive the gospel. I know that there is no greater joy on earth than to bring others to a knowledge of the Savior and enable them to make and keep covenants that will bring them eternal life because of their faith in Christ. The gospel truly changes lives and truly gives happiness to all who accept and live it. I love it. I am thankful for it. I love this work. I love each of you. We are a team. We are also on the winning team, with the Savior at our head. I hope and pray that we will always remain true to the Son of God, even as He has always remained true to us. My prayer is that we will strive forever to increase our ability to live the gospel and keep the commandments of God and the He will forever remain the center of our lives. In the grand scheme of things, I realize that this life is only a blip in eternity, but it will forever affect the outcome of our eternity. But we have nothing to fear and nothing to lose, only everything to gain and we can do it. I love you so much and look forward to seeing you this very week. I leave you my final mission email and final testimony as a full time missionary, in the sacred and holy name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.
Love~
Elder Robbs
Monday, September 26, 2011
Tuesday, September 20, 2011
One more week to lay everything on the line!
9.19.11
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family & Friends~
This is the last full week of my mission and I can't even believe it. It has been the fastest and longest two full years of my life! But let me tell you, this week is going to be busier than them all! On Sunday we were blessed to have a solid 18 people at church, ranging from non-members, to less-actives and recent converts--people just kept showing up to church yesterday and it was amazing! Granted, not all of these people did we necessarily invite to come to church this week; however, we have spent time working with each of them in some form or another of the past month(s). it was a great Sunday, that is for sure. It goes to show you, as long as you love the people and treat them like people, and build them up and encourage them, eventually they will make the decision on their own to come back and be blessed. I couldn't have been happier.
Well...I've got to get going, but I want each of you to know how much I love you and appreciate you. I look forward to next week with great anticipation! But before I do, I've got one more week to lay everything on the line! I can't wait to do it!
"Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come."
-Doctrine & Covenants 68:6
Love~
Austin
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family & Friends~
This is the last full week of my mission and I can't even believe it. It has been the fastest and longest two full years of my life! But let me tell you, this week is going to be busier than them all! On Sunday we were blessed to have a solid 18 people at church, ranging from non-members, to less-actives and recent converts--people just kept showing up to church yesterday and it was amazing! Granted, not all of these people did we necessarily invite to come to church this week; however, we have spent time working with each of them in some form or another of the past month(s). it was a great Sunday, that is for sure. It goes to show you, as long as you love the people and treat them like people, and build them up and encourage them, eventually they will make the decision on their own to come back and be blessed. I couldn't have been happier.
Well...I've got to get going, but I want each of you to know how much I love you and appreciate you. I look forward to next week with great anticipation! But before I do, I've got one more week to lay everything on the line! I can't wait to do it!
"Wherefore, be of good cheer, and do not fear, for I the Lord am with you and will stand by you; and ye shall bear record of me, even Jesus Christ, that I am the Son of the living God, that I was, that I am, and that I am to come."
-Doctrine & Covenants 68:6
Love~
Austin
We are all important to our Heavenly Father
9.13.11
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Home~
I'm happy to hear from each of you the past few weeks. All the letters and emails have meant a lot to me. Being able to hear about of you has uplifted me and has given me courage to work even harder these next few weeks and to finish this mission strong. I love each of you very much.
Yesterday we had the privilege of hearing from Elder Per G. Malm of the Second Quorum of the Seventy. He was a very calm and confident man. Each of us were able to shake his hand and look him in the eyes and to feel of the power that God had given him to be a special witness of Jesus Christ. He said that he was so pleased with our mission. He said that every one of us looked him squarely in the eyes and didn't try to look away from him. He said that we were worthy missionaries and that he was grateful for our faith. It strengthened my faith so much to hear those words, especially since I know I am imperfect, and in many instances fail to live up to my potential--but when he said that we were worthy missionaries, it made me know that Heavenly Father was pleased with my efforts, as well as all of our efforts.
He spoke much about life prior to birth. He asked each of us how old we were. A simple question, we thought. But he emphasized that our lives did not begin at birth, but we lived for eons of time before our lives began here on earth. "As a missionary, you may find times that you do not feel confident, or capable. But why should you fear? You were taught the gospel before you were born. You probably taught the gospel before you were born. You were chosen to come to earth at this time to preach the gospel here and now. How old you really? 607,345 years old, maybe? Who knows...but the point is, you've been around the block a few times. You ought to be confident. Never underestimate the power that is in you to fulfill what God has commanded you to do." (paraphrasing some of his thoughts and words)
It was profound to me when he said, "Do not underestimate the power that is in you." In my heart I felt it was true. We have much more power than we give ourselves credit. We hide ourselves because of our fears. But as we are obedient, Elder Malm taught, our fears will be dispersed by and replaced with our faith. We won't hide ourselves, but we'll shine and illuminate the world with the light God has given us to shine.
He also talked about the gathering of the house of Israel. He asked us if we ever knew why it was specifically called the "gathering of Israel". "Can you gather something that isn't created?" he probed. And he went further, "why is it important to know that we are gathering, not creating Israel?" "Did we not all exist with God prior to our life on earth? When was Israel first created? Who are the ones on earth with bodies now?" Boiling it down, we learned that each of us were "yes-sayers" to the Plan of Salvation once before. Every single human on earth said YES once before. He then asked, "Of what benefit is it to know that every one of us said YES before?" Think about that! Our spirits are eternal, and our spirits know the truth. If we said YES once, should we not therefore be able to say YES again? He spoke about expectations. In life we live up to expectations. We do the things that are expected of us because that is what is required to be happy and succeed. To come to earth, he taught, we were required to live up to certain expectations. to be here, living and breathing on earth, we once lived up to God's expectations of us so we could be here now! Next question, "If we know that everyone lived up to God's expectations in the pre-existence, what answer should we expect from them when we ask them to live the gospel now?" "How do we help them to recognize the knowledge they once had before?" Big questions to ponder, I would say.
Perhaps as you think about some of those things, you'll be able to be taught by the Spirit some of the things we learned yesterday and have the same experience we were able to enjoy. At least that is my hope. :)
Coming to understand our identity is such an important and powerful thing. It really changes your outlook on life and gives you great confidence to fight through every obstacle that interferes with with your life. It gives you confidence to live the gospel and to share the gospel. Since we're chosen before we were born to do what are now doing, what must we have been like before we came to earth? What must all of us have been like? :) We are all important to our Heavenly Father. If there is anything I learned yesterday, it is that.
On a different subject, our past week went well. We are continuing to work with members and non-members in our area. We helped another individual set a goal for baptism on the 24th of this month. Hopefully we can work with them to be prepared for the big day!
Please tell everyone thank you for the birthday cards and letters. It has been wonderful to hear from everyone. I'll be home soon enough to give each of you a big hug! I love you and thank you very much. :)
Have a great week everyone! I'll talk to you soon!
Love~
Austin
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Home~
I'm happy to hear from each of you the past few weeks. All the letters and emails have meant a lot to me. Being able to hear about of you has uplifted me and has given me courage to work even harder these next few weeks and to finish this mission strong. I love each of you very much.
Yesterday we had the privilege of hearing from Elder Per G. Malm of the Second Quorum of the Seventy. He was a very calm and confident man. Each of us were able to shake his hand and look him in the eyes and to feel of the power that God had given him to be a special witness of Jesus Christ. He said that he was so pleased with our mission. He said that every one of us looked him squarely in the eyes and didn't try to look away from him. He said that we were worthy missionaries and that he was grateful for our faith. It strengthened my faith so much to hear those words, especially since I know I am imperfect, and in many instances fail to live up to my potential--but when he said that we were worthy missionaries, it made me know that Heavenly Father was pleased with my efforts, as well as all of our efforts.
He spoke much about life prior to birth. He asked each of us how old we were. A simple question, we thought. But he emphasized that our lives did not begin at birth, but we lived for eons of time before our lives began here on earth. "As a missionary, you may find times that you do not feel confident, or capable. But why should you fear? You were taught the gospel before you were born. You probably taught the gospel before you were born. You were chosen to come to earth at this time to preach the gospel here and now. How old you really? 607,345 years old, maybe? Who knows...but the point is, you've been around the block a few times. You ought to be confident. Never underestimate the power that is in you to fulfill what God has commanded you to do." (paraphrasing some of his thoughts and words)
It was profound to me when he said, "Do not underestimate the power that is in you." In my heart I felt it was true. We have much more power than we give ourselves credit. We hide ourselves because of our fears. But as we are obedient, Elder Malm taught, our fears will be dispersed by and replaced with our faith. We won't hide ourselves, but we'll shine and illuminate the world with the light God has given us to shine.
He also talked about the gathering of the house of Israel. He asked us if we ever knew why it was specifically called the "gathering of Israel". "Can you gather something that isn't created?" he probed. And he went further, "why is it important to know that we are gathering, not creating Israel?" "Did we not all exist with God prior to our life on earth? When was Israel first created? Who are the ones on earth with bodies now?" Boiling it down, we learned that each of us were "yes-sayers" to the Plan of Salvation once before. Every single human on earth said YES once before. He then asked, "Of what benefit is it to know that every one of us said YES before?" Think about that! Our spirits are eternal, and our spirits know the truth. If we said YES once, should we not therefore be able to say YES again? He spoke about expectations. In life we live up to expectations. We do the things that are expected of us because that is what is required to be happy and succeed. To come to earth, he taught, we were required to live up to certain expectations. to be here, living and breathing on earth, we once lived up to God's expectations of us so we could be here now! Next question, "If we know that everyone lived up to God's expectations in the pre-existence, what answer should we expect from them when we ask them to live the gospel now?" "How do we help them to recognize the knowledge they once had before?" Big questions to ponder, I would say.
Perhaps as you think about some of those things, you'll be able to be taught by the Spirit some of the things we learned yesterday and have the same experience we were able to enjoy. At least that is my hope. :)
Coming to understand our identity is such an important and powerful thing. It really changes your outlook on life and gives you great confidence to fight through every obstacle that interferes with with your life. It gives you confidence to live the gospel and to share the gospel. Since we're chosen before we were born to do what are now doing, what must we have been like before we came to earth? What must all of us have been like? :) We are all important to our Heavenly Father. If there is anything I learned yesterday, it is that.
On a different subject, our past week went well. We are continuing to work with members and non-members in our area. We helped another individual set a goal for baptism on the 24th of this month. Hopefully we can work with them to be prepared for the big day!
Please tell everyone thank you for the birthday cards and letters. It has been wonderful to hear from everyone. I'll be home soon enough to give each of you a big hug! I love you and thank you very much. :)
Have a great week everyone! I'll talk to you soon!
Love~
Austin
Golfing and a good attitude
9.5.11
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family~
I'm glad to say that we had a pretty good week this past week. We had one of the families we've been working with be reactivated yesterday and they seem happier than ever. Little by little they are coming around and it is very rewarding to see them come together and receive a greater portion ofthe gospel in their lives.
Today we went to a stakewide activity and we had some food and whatnot, but I spent the majority of my time going around talking to everyone I knew. I wasn't too hungry so I skipped out on most of the food. I was glad to see so many familiar faces, nevertheless, there were still some names I couldn't remember, but I guess after such a long time it is to be expected that I'd forget a few names here and there.
The golf game was a lot of fun. I shot a 53, which is okay for not having played golf since I left. I only lost a couple golf balls too! We played nine holes total and afterward we went to dinner. I wanted to go golfing each day after we finished it was so much fun... but I had to put it out of my mind so I could stay concentrated. I learned quite a bit about myself as we played, however. I realized that the mechanics of a golf swing are important, but after having not played in so long and then jumping right into a game, you learn quickly that golf is much more mental than it ever was physical. My very first swing I completely missed the ball... but I smiled and laughed, then I got back up with a nice and easy swing and hit a solid drive right down the middle of the fairway. Most all of my shots were fairly solid. The biggest thing I noticed was that when I allowed my mind to push out any negative influence that tried to enter in, and only focus on the purpose of the game, and the fun it is, I played exceptionally well! I think that is how life goes... you kick out the negative thoughts, and you focus on the good and positive ones, and you'll always be successful (even if you fail).
Well, I look forward to the next couple of week. We should get a lot of work done and by the time it is all over, I think I will be about ready to drop dead, exhausted! But that is what we want... "it ain't over till it's over".
I love each of you and wish you a great week! Thank you for all the Happy Birthday's! I'll talk to you next week!
Love~
Austin
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family~
I'm glad to say that we had a pretty good week this past week. We had one of the families we've been working with be reactivated yesterday and they seem happier than ever. Little by little they are coming around and it is very rewarding to see them come together and receive a greater portion ofthe gospel in their lives.
Today we went to a stakewide activity and we had some food and whatnot, but I spent the majority of my time going around talking to everyone I knew. I wasn't too hungry so I skipped out on most of the food. I was glad to see so many familiar faces, nevertheless, there were still some names I couldn't remember, but I guess after such a long time it is to be expected that I'd forget a few names here and there.
The golf game was a lot of fun. I shot a 53, which is okay for not having played golf since I left. I only lost a couple golf balls too! We played nine holes total and afterward we went to dinner. I wanted to go golfing each day after we finished it was so much fun... but I had to put it out of my mind so I could stay concentrated. I learned quite a bit about myself as we played, however. I realized that the mechanics of a golf swing are important, but after having not played in so long and then jumping right into a game, you learn quickly that golf is much more mental than it ever was physical. My very first swing I completely missed the ball... but I smiled and laughed, then I got back up with a nice and easy swing and hit a solid drive right down the middle of the fairway. Most all of my shots were fairly solid. The biggest thing I noticed was that when I allowed my mind to push out any negative influence that tried to enter in, and only focus on the purpose of the game, and the fun it is, I played exceptionally well! I think that is how life goes... you kick out the negative thoughts, and you focus on the good and positive ones, and you'll always be successful (even if you fail).
Well, I look forward to the next couple of week. We should get a lot of work done and by the time it is all over, I think I will be about ready to drop dead, exhausted! But that is what we want... "it ain't over till it's over".
I love each of you and wish you a great week! Thank you for all the Happy Birthday's! I'll talk to you next week!
Love~
Austin
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Another good week!
8.29.11
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family & Friends~
This past week has been a good week for me and Elder Brimhall, from the baptism of Gisele to watching the Prophet of the Restoration movie with a member family and their friend.
To speak a little about Roy and Gisele, it is amazing to me to see how much each of them have changed in the span of a few short weeks. You can see the happiness emanating from their countenances. They are much closer to each other. They are reading the Book of Mormon each day as a couple and praying morning and evening together. they both have expressed desires to serve a mission together when their daughter graduates high school and moves into college life. I am so impressed with their faith and how much it has changed them. They are literally new people. They are who they were truly meant to be all along. I love them and am grateful to be able to take some small part in being able to get to know and teach them. They said something really nice to me yesterday, they said they wanted to talk to Bishop Budge to see if they could get the ward together to set up a dinner for me near my last day and do a barbecue and some other things. I thought that was neat. Whether or not it happens, the thought alone meant a lot to me. They said they were really going to miss me when I leave and I couldn't help but want to give each of them a big hug and tell them I was never going to go...but I knew that wouldnt' be the case...it's hard to leave the people you have come to know and love so much, but sometimes you need to let go and move one and trust that the Lord will take care of the rest and that one day I'll see them all again, but in a much happier place.
Speaking with President Barry was neat. He and I both spoke about seventeen or so minutes. The youth speaker kept his nice and concise with a solid three minute talk. Actually, I though david did really well. he spoke on preparing for a mission, both the physical preparation as well as the spiritual preparation, and his testimony of missionary work. he was very well prepared to give his talk--which lined up nicely with the general theme. I talked about my own baptism, the importance of faith, the blessings of the gospel (temporal and spiritual), how the gospel was restored, the First Vision, the change that the gospel will make in those who live it, that Christ can make our weaknesses our strengths, and that the best way to share the gospel is by living it, and my testimony. Somehow it managed to come out alright! President Barry also spoke about his own baptism, his gratitude for being a full-time missionary, his gratitude for the youth who passed the sacrament, the importance of baptism and the sacrament, the covenants we make, the vastness of the missionary work of this Church, the necessity of the priesthood keys, the perfect government (not necessarily perfect people) of the Lord's kingdom on earth, the fluidity of transition among church leaders, the importance of following those who hold priesthood keys, and lastly the commandment to spread forth the gospel, which gospel will save the earth from its own self-destruction, and his testimony. It was overall a very good meeting, I thought. We even had someone who had a dream about the Church the night before show up during Sacrament meeting! He isn't in our area, but I'm sure the missionaries who teach him will be able to help him learn the gospel.
We will still be going golfing today, which should be a lot of fun. We'll also be going with one of his friends who was formerly a Stake President. We'll see how it goes tonight!
On Hurricane Irene, I'm not even sure that our area was touched by the storm. We had a little rain, bu no worse than any of the rainstorms in the past, in fact, the weather was less powerful than other storms I've seen. I was hoping to see the entire sky begin to shift around in the familiar circular motion of a hurricane; however, it didn't happen. But I guess that is okay, I'd rather not have all the consequences of a severe storm. I even began to inventory everything I owned! I might still do that anyways just because I think it's a good idea, but it takes forever! We were told to make s 72 Hour Kit as well, so I began making preparations for wilderness survival. I had some rope, a good knife, leather work gloves, water, enough food to survive, and ways to purify water. But I think Man vs. Wild is going to have to wait a little while longer for me :) haha!
I hope each of you has a wonderful week and I look forward to hearing from you nxt week. I love you and I wish all of you well. I have a final little thought on progressio and change before I go:
Jacob 5:52-52;64-66;74
52 Wherefore, let us take of the branches of these which I have planted in the nethermost parts of my vineyard, and let us graft them into the tree from whence they came; and let us pluck from the tree those branches whose fruit is most bitter, and graft in the natural branches of the tree in the stead thereof.
53 And this will I do that the tree may not perish, that, perhaps, I may preserve unto myself the roots thereof for mine own purpose.
54 And, behold, the roots of the natural branches of the tree which I planted whithersoever I would are yet alive; wherefore, that I may preserve them also for mine own purpose, I will take of the branches of this tree, and I will graft from them in unto them. Yea, I will graft in unto them the branches of their mother tree, that I may preserve the roots also unto mine own self, that when they shall be sufficiently strong perhaps they may bring forth good fruit unto me, and I may yet have glory in the fruit of my vineyard.
65 And as they begin to grow ye shall clear away the branches which bring forth bitter fruit, according to the strength of the good and the size thereorf; and ye shall not clear away the bad thereof all at once, lest the roots thereof should be too strong for the graft, and the graft thereof shall perish, and I lose the trees of my vineyard.
66 For it grieveth me that I should lose the trees of my vineyard; wherefore ye shall clear away the bad according as the good shall grow, that the root and the top may be equal in strength, until the good shall overcome the bad, and the bad be hewn down and cast into the fire, that they cumber not the ground of my vineyard; and thus will I sweep away the bad out of my vineyard.
74 And thus they labored, with all diligence, according to the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard, even until the bad had been cast away out of the vineyard, and the Lord had preserved unto himself that the trees had become again the natural fruit; and they became like unto one body; and the fruits were equal; and the Lord of the vineyard had preserved unto himself the natural fruit, which was most precious unto him from the beginning.
When it comes to change, sometimes it requires that you bear with your weakness as you develop your strengths. you do your best with what you can do and over time you will be able to overcome the "bad fruit" with the "good fruit". If you expect to be perfect all at once, you may risk losing all the good "branches" you've grafted in to your life and be left with nothing. However, if you are patient, and allow the graft to be established in the tree and to grow with the tree and its infirmities, over time the good branches and the good roots will overcome the wild, or evil branches, and produce good fruit forever. Or, if you allow your raw and unconditioned talents, or even attributes, to grow despite the opposition of your weakness, eventually your truest self will spring forth into perfection, bearing all the good talents and attributes and every other good thing forever.
I love you!
Love~
Austin
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family & Friends~
This past week has been a good week for me and Elder Brimhall, from the baptism of Gisele to watching the Prophet of the Restoration movie with a member family and their friend.
To speak a little about Roy and Gisele, it is amazing to me to see how much each of them have changed in the span of a few short weeks. You can see the happiness emanating from their countenances. They are much closer to each other. They are reading the Book of Mormon each day as a couple and praying morning and evening together. they both have expressed desires to serve a mission together when their daughter graduates high school and moves into college life. I am so impressed with their faith and how much it has changed them. They are literally new people. They are who they were truly meant to be all along. I love them and am grateful to be able to take some small part in being able to get to know and teach them. They said something really nice to me yesterday, they said they wanted to talk to Bishop Budge to see if they could get the ward together to set up a dinner for me near my last day and do a barbecue and some other things. I thought that was neat. Whether or not it happens, the thought alone meant a lot to me. They said they were really going to miss me when I leave and I couldn't help but want to give each of them a big hug and tell them I was never going to go...but I knew that wouldnt' be the case...it's hard to leave the people you have come to know and love so much, but sometimes you need to let go and move one and trust that the Lord will take care of the rest and that one day I'll see them all again, but in a much happier place.
Speaking with President Barry was neat. He and I both spoke about seventeen or so minutes. The youth speaker kept his nice and concise with a solid three minute talk. Actually, I though david did really well. he spoke on preparing for a mission, both the physical preparation as well as the spiritual preparation, and his testimony of missionary work. he was very well prepared to give his talk--which lined up nicely with the general theme. I talked about my own baptism, the importance of faith, the blessings of the gospel (temporal and spiritual), how the gospel was restored, the First Vision, the change that the gospel will make in those who live it, that Christ can make our weaknesses our strengths, and that the best way to share the gospel is by living it, and my testimony. Somehow it managed to come out alright! President Barry also spoke about his own baptism, his gratitude for being a full-time missionary, his gratitude for the youth who passed the sacrament, the importance of baptism and the sacrament, the covenants we make, the vastness of the missionary work of this Church, the necessity of the priesthood keys, the perfect government (not necessarily perfect people) of the Lord's kingdom on earth, the fluidity of transition among church leaders, the importance of following those who hold priesthood keys, and lastly the commandment to spread forth the gospel, which gospel will save the earth from its own self-destruction, and his testimony. It was overall a very good meeting, I thought. We even had someone who had a dream about the Church the night before show up during Sacrament meeting! He isn't in our area, but I'm sure the missionaries who teach him will be able to help him learn the gospel.
We will still be going golfing today, which should be a lot of fun. We'll also be going with one of his friends who was formerly a Stake President. We'll see how it goes tonight!
On Hurricane Irene, I'm not even sure that our area was touched by the storm. We had a little rain, bu no worse than any of the rainstorms in the past, in fact, the weather was less powerful than other storms I've seen. I was hoping to see the entire sky begin to shift around in the familiar circular motion of a hurricane; however, it didn't happen. But I guess that is okay, I'd rather not have all the consequences of a severe storm. I even began to inventory everything I owned! I might still do that anyways just because I think it's a good idea, but it takes forever! We were told to make s 72 Hour Kit as well, so I began making preparations for wilderness survival. I had some rope, a good knife, leather work gloves, water, enough food to survive, and ways to purify water. But I think Man vs. Wild is going to have to wait a little while longer for me :) haha!
I hope each of you has a wonderful week and I look forward to hearing from you nxt week. I love you and I wish all of you well. I have a final little thought on progressio and change before I go:
Jacob 5:52-52;64-66;74
52 Wherefore, let us take of the branches of these which I have planted in the nethermost parts of my vineyard, and let us graft them into the tree from whence they came; and let us pluck from the tree those branches whose fruit is most bitter, and graft in the natural branches of the tree in the stead thereof.
53 And this will I do that the tree may not perish, that, perhaps, I may preserve unto myself the roots thereof for mine own purpose.
54 And, behold, the roots of the natural branches of the tree which I planted whithersoever I would are yet alive; wherefore, that I may preserve them also for mine own purpose, I will take of the branches of this tree, and I will graft from them in unto them. Yea, I will graft in unto them the branches of their mother tree, that I may preserve the roots also unto mine own self, that when they shall be sufficiently strong perhaps they may bring forth good fruit unto me, and I may yet have glory in the fruit of my vineyard.
65 And as they begin to grow ye shall clear away the branches which bring forth bitter fruit, according to the strength of the good and the size thereorf; and ye shall not clear away the bad thereof all at once, lest the roots thereof should be too strong for the graft, and the graft thereof shall perish, and I lose the trees of my vineyard.
66 For it grieveth me that I should lose the trees of my vineyard; wherefore ye shall clear away the bad according as the good shall grow, that the root and the top may be equal in strength, until the good shall overcome the bad, and the bad be hewn down and cast into the fire, that they cumber not the ground of my vineyard; and thus will I sweep away the bad out of my vineyard.
74 And thus they labored, with all diligence, according to the commandments of the Lord of the vineyard, even until the bad had been cast away out of the vineyard, and the Lord had preserved unto himself that the trees had become again the natural fruit; and they became like unto one body; and the fruits were equal; and the Lord of the vineyard had preserved unto himself the natural fruit, which was most precious unto him from the beginning.
When it comes to change, sometimes it requires that you bear with your weakness as you develop your strengths. you do your best with what you can do and over time you will be able to overcome the "bad fruit" with the "good fruit". If you expect to be perfect all at once, you may risk losing all the good "branches" you've grafted in to your life and be left with nothing. However, if you are patient, and allow the graft to be established in the tree and to grow with the tree and its infirmities, over time the good branches and the good roots will overcome the wild, or evil branches, and produce good fruit forever. Or, if you allow your raw and unconditioned talents, or even attributes, to grow despite the opposition of your weakness, eventually your truest self will spring forth into perfection, bearing all the good talents and attributes and every other good thing forever.
I love you!
Love~
Austin
Going to church
8.22.11
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family & Friends~
This Sunday was great, we had at least eleven different people that we have been working with come to church. Not all of them were investigators, however, but whether they were a less-active member or a non-member it didn't matter, we were happy they were there! Both of the families were working with came to church and both are continuing to change and progress. Roy, on this Saturday, will be able to baptize his wife, which is such a miracle. I'm so happy how much he's grown and changed over this past month, and since I first arrived here. Our other investigator is continuing to make small changes, but they seem to be bringin him much peace. When I saw him at church it seemed like a huge burden was lifted off his shoulders. Their children loved primary. His wife, also greatly enjoyed being able to go to Relief Society. Roy's wife, Gisele, was also able to go to Relief Society for the first time, and by the end of the day she was out in the halls chatting with all the sisters in the ward having a great time. In each of their countenances you can see peace and hope and happiness radiating. Their eyes seemed to be filled with new light, new joy. It is incredible to se the changes the gospel can bring in an individual's life as they begin to apply it, but it always works--that is the beauty of Heavenly Father's plan, it never fails--so long as we are faithful to it.
Next week sould bring about a little fun for us too. We will be going golfing with one of our members on Monday. He hasn't come to church in a long time, but perhaps this will be an opportunity for us to get to know him in a place he is most comfortable, out on the golf course. I haven't touched a gold club almost basically since the time I left, so it should be interesting to see how I'll do. But I'm not too worried, I'll take it easy and make it fun. Hopefully it will go well. I'll have to let you know in two weeks since we will be golfing probably after we do emails.
This coming Sunday should also be another good day. I will be getting the opportunity to speak in Sacrament Meeting with President Barry. I'm still working on my preparations, but I think it will be neat to have the privilege to speak with my Mission President. I know that it doesn't happen often. It probably wouldn't have happened; however, if I didn't call and ask if he would like to come and speak to our ward, but either way you look at it, I think it will be neat. it was initially going to be Elder Brimhall and I speaking together, but our bishop wanted to split us apart so we could have a missionary "speaker" more often than less often. Breaking it up like that might prove to be more effective anyways. But yes, I'm excited to get to speak with President Barry, it should be good.
I hope each of you have a good week. Good luck with the remaining house changes! I look forward to seeing the in-home renovations!
I love you!
Love~
Austin
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family & Friends~
This Sunday was great, we had at least eleven different people that we have been working with come to church. Not all of them were investigators, however, but whether they were a less-active member or a non-member it didn't matter, we were happy they were there! Both of the families were working with came to church and both are continuing to change and progress. Roy, on this Saturday, will be able to baptize his wife, which is such a miracle. I'm so happy how much he's grown and changed over this past month, and since I first arrived here. Our other investigator is continuing to make small changes, but they seem to be bringin him much peace. When I saw him at church it seemed like a huge burden was lifted off his shoulders. Their children loved primary. His wife, also greatly enjoyed being able to go to Relief Society. Roy's wife, Gisele, was also able to go to Relief Society for the first time, and by the end of the day she was out in the halls chatting with all the sisters in the ward having a great time. In each of their countenances you can see peace and hope and happiness radiating. Their eyes seemed to be filled with new light, new joy. It is incredible to se the changes the gospel can bring in an individual's life as they begin to apply it, but it always works--that is the beauty of Heavenly Father's plan, it never fails--so long as we are faithful to it.
Next week sould bring about a little fun for us too. We will be going golfing with one of our members on Monday. He hasn't come to church in a long time, but perhaps this will be an opportunity for us to get to know him in a place he is most comfortable, out on the golf course. I haven't touched a gold club almost basically since the time I left, so it should be interesting to see how I'll do. But I'm not too worried, I'll take it easy and make it fun. Hopefully it will go well. I'll have to let you know in two weeks since we will be golfing probably after we do emails.
This coming Sunday should also be another good day. I will be getting the opportunity to speak in Sacrament Meeting with President Barry. I'm still working on my preparations, but I think it will be neat to have the privilege to speak with my Mission President. I know that it doesn't happen often. It probably wouldn't have happened; however, if I didn't call and ask if he would like to come and speak to our ward, but either way you look at it, I think it will be neat. it was initially going to be Elder Brimhall and I speaking together, but our bishop wanted to split us apart so we could have a missionary "speaker" more often than less often. Breaking it up like that might prove to be more effective anyways. But yes, I'm excited to get to speak with President Barry, it should be good.
I hope each of you have a good week. Good luck with the remaining house changes! I look forward to seeing the in-home renovations!
I love you!
Love~
Austin
Fleming Island to the "bitter end"
8.15.11
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family~
This has been another busy week, but a good one at that. Our family is still progressing, and very well! They are reading the scriptures together morning and night and praying together morning and night also. They say the members of the ward feel like family to them. They are making miraculous changes and it is exciting to see. Another family that we had worked with since I've been in Fleming Island will be attending church this next Sunday too...they are a wonderful family and we will be happy to have them with us next week. I've already told both these families that when you come out to get me that we will be going over there to meet them!
Well...transfers are this week...but before I talk about transfers, I have a couple other things to say. Oddly enough, in Elder's Quorum this Sunday, we had the very same lesson (on Chastity)! I'll have to share the object lesson Brother Barrett shared with us--which was a perfect object lesson--but it also made me kind of laugh. But I did learn as he was teaching that the Law of Chastity in large part was given to protect families and also true love. The gospel was designed to strengthen relationships, and if the relationship is centered on anything other than love and service, and the Lord, it will fail; and it will fail miserably if it is centered against this commandment.
Our lesson in Relief Society last week went well. Elder Brimhall and I each spoke for about fifteen minutes. He spoke about the importance of understanding our identity in the family of God and I spoke on the joy of living the gospel pattern of life (i.e. prayer, scripture study, church attendance, service, etc...). We both centered our lesson on expanding our personal spheres of influence and getting to know more people and to share the gospel more frequently. The Relief Society sisters were very participative, so the lesson seemed to be good. I had fun with it. :)
Okay, back to the transfer board...Elder Austin B. Robbs and Elder Cole Brimhall will continue in Fleming Island. I will out to the "bitter end" here in Fleming Island, as Bishop Budge said in our P.E.C. meeting yesterday. I'm glad to stay here! It is going to be my longest area, my toughest area, but the area that I've learned and grown the most. I'm happy to serve here to the "bitter end".
I've got to get going, but I love each of you and wish you a wonderful and happy week! And I'll talk to you next week! I like Dad's quote on his email to me:
"There is a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results." -Ken Blanchard
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family~
This has been another busy week, but a good one at that. Our family is still progressing, and very well! They are reading the scriptures together morning and night and praying together morning and night also. They say the members of the ward feel like family to them. They are making miraculous changes and it is exciting to see. Another family that we had worked with since I've been in Fleming Island will be attending church this next Sunday too...they are a wonderful family and we will be happy to have them with us next week. I've already told both these families that when you come out to get me that we will be going over there to meet them!
Well...transfers are this week...but before I talk about transfers, I have a couple other things to say. Oddly enough, in Elder's Quorum this Sunday, we had the very same lesson (on Chastity)! I'll have to share the object lesson Brother Barrett shared with us--which was a perfect object lesson--but it also made me kind of laugh. But I did learn as he was teaching that the Law of Chastity in large part was given to protect families and also true love. The gospel was designed to strengthen relationships, and if the relationship is centered on anything other than love and service, and the Lord, it will fail; and it will fail miserably if it is centered against this commandment.
Our lesson in Relief Society last week went well. Elder Brimhall and I each spoke for about fifteen minutes. He spoke about the importance of understanding our identity in the family of God and I spoke on the joy of living the gospel pattern of life (i.e. prayer, scripture study, church attendance, service, etc...). We both centered our lesson on expanding our personal spheres of influence and getting to know more people and to share the gospel more frequently. The Relief Society sisters were very participative, so the lesson seemed to be good. I had fun with it. :)
Okay, back to the transfer board...Elder Austin B. Robbs and Elder Cole Brimhall will continue in Fleming Island. I will out to the "bitter end" here in Fleming Island, as Bishop Budge said in our P.E.C. meeting yesterday. I'm glad to stay here! It is going to be my longest area, my toughest area, but the area that I've learned and grown the most. I'm happy to serve here to the "bitter end".
I've got to get going, but I love each of you and wish you a wonderful and happy week! And I'll talk to you next week! I like Dad's quote on his email to me:
"There is a difference between interest and commitment. When you're interested in doing something, you do it only when it's convenient. When you're committed to something, you accept no excuses; only results." -Ken Blanchard
How much can one accomplish in six weeks?
8.8.11
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family & Friends~
This week has been an eventful one indeed! We've found a couple of families and hopefully we'll be teaching them over the course of the next few weeks. One of our previous investigators, who belongs to a part member family, and who, at the request of her husband, dropped us--we are now teaching them again and she has a baptismal date for the end of this month! I'm so excited for them. Especially to see the change of heart in her husband! It is amazing to me to see what happens when people actually pray with real intent for a knowledge of this church being true--Heavenly Father answers every time, without fail. They are reading the scriptures daily and nightly and want us over at their home as frequently as possible. We've got some things going forward here in Fleming Island and it has been wonderful. Things seem to be picking up!
There was a change in bishopric in our ward this last Sunday. We now have a new bishop and the previous bishop and his family will be moving out to Utah. I'm excited because they should be close enough that we can go see them when I get home. I'm sure I'll go and visit them often.
I have to say Mom, you are way ahead of me in the scripture reading! I guess you have always been a faster reader than me! I've had to change my goal, however, I would have been able to complete the entire standard works, but I decided that I was going to refocus my studies and master the principles of Preach My Gospel before I made it home. I went and bought some paper and some page dividers, and I organized a new study journal, which includes a section for the different commitments in each lesson, a place to study the doctrines of each lesson, a place to practice teaching and to evaluate that teaching, and a section on frequently asked questions and lastly a section devoted to defining key words. It might have a few other sections but I can't remember. I will say, however, that it has really directed my thoughts and helped me to understand more fully the correct way to do missionary work. Aside from my new study method, I must say, if there is one thing I've learned above all other things on my mission, is that I love the scriptures. They contain everything I, or anyone else, will ever need to be happy in this life. And what President Eyring said about President Hinckley and Elder McConkie may happen faster than you think...as you frequent the scriptures and share and teach what you learn, the words within them become tend to become part of you. Every experience you have will draw you your thoughts to some scripture or another, but especially as you teach. I've noticed that for myself, if I spend time studying material other than the scriptures, it becomes more difficult for the power of the scriptures to remain a part of me--however, if I make sure to study the scriptures and to read them and ponder them, then it is always on my mind and I can share them with anyone. I've never learned so much in my life as I have in these past two years and I would attribute most of what I've learned to the study of scriptures and the daily application of them. In 2 Nephi 31:3 it says, "For as my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for He speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding." When I study the scriptures they stick with me because the Lord opens my mind up to the truth, because He speaks truth to me in my own language! My problems are transformed into solutions; my worries transformed into peace and joy. So many good things come from reading the scriptures, and I never would have know unless I had read them.
...this next month is going to be fiery! We've got a lot of work to do and not a lot of time to do it!!! It is good to serve others and bring other people to the gospel :) It is a joyous work!
Whether or not I'll stay in Fleming Island, I haven't got a clue. Nevertheless, I will be sad if I am reassigned for my last transfer. I would like to finish out in this area. But if I do move, then let the games begin. I wonder just how much someone can accomplish in six weeks? Who knows--either way, I intend to find out.
I love you very much!
Love~
Austin
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family & Friends~
This week has been an eventful one indeed! We've found a couple of families and hopefully we'll be teaching them over the course of the next few weeks. One of our previous investigators, who belongs to a part member family, and who, at the request of her husband, dropped us--we are now teaching them again and she has a baptismal date for the end of this month! I'm so excited for them. Especially to see the change of heart in her husband! It is amazing to me to see what happens when people actually pray with real intent for a knowledge of this church being true--Heavenly Father answers every time, without fail. They are reading the scriptures daily and nightly and want us over at their home as frequently as possible. We've got some things going forward here in Fleming Island and it has been wonderful. Things seem to be picking up!
There was a change in bishopric in our ward this last Sunday. We now have a new bishop and the previous bishop and his family will be moving out to Utah. I'm excited because they should be close enough that we can go see them when I get home. I'm sure I'll go and visit them often.
I have to say Mom, you are way ahead of me in the scripture reading! I guess you have always been a faster reader than me! I've had to change my goal, however, I would have been able to complete the entire standard works, but I decided that I was going to refocus my studies and master the principles of Preach My Gospel before I made it home. I went and bought some paper and some page dividers, and I organized a new study journal, which includes a section for the different commitments in each lesson, a place to study the doctrines of each lesson, a place to practice teaching and to evaluate that teaching, and a section on frequently asked questions and lastly a section devoted to defining key words. It might have a few other sections but I can't remember. I will say, however, that it has really directed my thoughts and helped me to understand more fully the correct way to do missionary work. Aside from my new study method, I must say, if there is one thing I've learned above all other things on my mission, is that I love the scriptures. They contain everything I, or anyone else, will ever need to be happy in this life. And what President Eyring said about President Hinckley and Elder McConkie may happen faster than you think...as you frequent the scriptures and share and teach what you learn, the words within them become tend to become part of you. Every experience you have will draw you your thoughts to some scripture or another, but especially as you teach. I've noticed that for myself, if I spend time studying material other than the scriptures, it becomes more difficult for the power of the scriptures to remain a part of me--however, if I make sure to study the scriptures and to read them and ponder them, then it is always on my mind and I can share them with anyone. I've never learned so much in my life as I have in these past two years and I would attribute most of what I've learned to the study of scriptures and the daily application of them. In 2 Nephi 31:3 it says, "For as my soul delighteth in plainness; for after this manner doth the Lord God work among the children of men. For the Lord God giveth light unto the understanding; for He speaketh unto men according to their language, unto their understanding." When I study the scriptures they stick with me because the Lord opens my mind up to the truth, because He speaks truth to me in my own language! My problems are transformed into solutions; my worries transformed into peace and joy. So many good things come from reading the scriptures, and I never would have know unless I had read them.
...this next month is going to be fiery! We've got a lot of work to do and not a lot of time to do it!!! It is good to serve others and bring other people to the gospel :) It is a joyous work!
Whether or not I'll stay in Fleming Island, I haven't got a clue. Nevertheless, I will be sad if I am reassigned for my last transfer. I would like to finish out in this area. But if I do move, then let the games begin. I wonder just how much someone can accomplish in six weeks? Who knows--either way, I intend to find out.
I love you very much!
Love~
Austin
Things are going well...
8.1.11
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family & Friends~
Things are going well out here in Florida. We just had Elder Giddens of the 6th Quorum of the Sevently come and speak to us on Saturday. He is our Area Authority. He didn't come to our mission with an agenda or anything, he simply studied and prayed, and then did his best to follow the Spirit and speak to us for a grand total of three hours. He taught us a lot about the importance of letting go of ourselves and learning to think of others. He said that as we repent daily and feel of the love of God, we would be cleanses from our inner weaknesses and have a greater desire to share the gospel. I enjoyed being able to listen to him.
I don't have a lot of time to talk about [our investigator] today, but suffice it to say, he did pray and he was a little unsure about what he felt. Innocently, he prayed for two very large miracles, that God would heal him and God would help him find someone to love. I wish he could see how wonderful of a prayer that must have been to his Heavenly Father. He may not recognize how the Spirit is influencing him and softening his heart and opening him up, but Elder Brimhall and I can see the light slowly beginning to build within him. he still fights it, but he is willing to keep trying. He is going to read a page from the Book of Mormon each day this week and pray to know the truthfulness of it each day until our next visit with him.
My wrists are okay, thankfully. My tooth looks pretty good, as well. I think President/Dr. Patch did a wonderful job (he's the Stake President of the Jacksonville South Stake).
I love each of you and I wish you a good week!
Love~
Austin
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family & Friends~
Things are going well out here in Florida. We just had Elder Giddens of the 6th Quorum of the Sevently come and speak to us on Saturday. He is our Area Authority. He didn't come to our mission with an agenda or anything, he simply studied and prayed, and then did his best to follow the Spirit and speak to us for a grand total of three hours. He taught us a lot about the importance of letting go of ourselves and learning to think of others. He said that as we repent daily and feel of the love of God, we would be cleanses from our inner weaknesses and have a greater desire to share the gospel. I enjoyed being able to listen to him.
I don't have a lot of time to talk about [our investigator] today, but suffice it to say, he did pray and he was a little unsure about what he felt. Innocently, he prayed for two very large miracles, that God would heal him and God would help him find someone to love. I wish he could see how wonderful of a prayer that must have been to his Heavenly Father. He may not recognize how the Spirit is influencing him and softening his heart and opening him up, but Elder Brimhall and I can see the light slowly beginning to build within him. he still fights it, but he is willing to keep trying. He is going to read a page from the Book of Mormon each day this week and pray to know the truthfulness of it each day until our next visit with him.
My wrists are okay, thankfully. My tooth looks pretty good, as well. I think President/Dr. Patch did a wonderful job (he's the Stake President of the Jacksonville South Stake).
I love each of you and I wish you a good week!
Love~
Austin
God exists
7.25.11
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family & Friends~
One of our atheist friends finally decided he would exercise his faith and offer a prayer to God. He is a scientist and wants and/or needs proof in order to believe that God exists. But I don't believe that is how he really feels. he has had a rough life and many sore experiences that could easily turn a soul who doesn't know God against Him. My thoughts are that he really believes there is a God, but it is so hard for him to grasp that God has any care for him or the world around him. Mike sees the negative around himself and it turns to feed his negative thoughts and spins him in a downward spiral that is extremely hard to escape. We've been visiting with him for some time now and it seems that his heart is beginning to be softened. We came to the conclusion together that only one thing needs to happen for him to believe in Fod and that is he needs to pray. We taught him that everything we have ever taught him about God, or of God's plan, or of His love, can be confirmed by gaining a testimony of the Book of Mormon. Death is a part of life and though from our perspective it is difficult to see that there is anything more than this life, deep in our hearts we know there has to be more than this. We taught him that life continued after his death and the gospel of Jesus Christ was the way to ulitmate happiness. He didn't want to accept what we had to say, however. He told us it takes faith to believe in something like that and he was void of faith. We responded and told him that wasn't so, for, what reason would we be in his home if there was no measure or degree of belief or faith within his soul? We affirmed to him that we knew that he wanted more in life and that if he would just consider what we have told him and allow it to work in his mind, that he would be able to feel that what we were teaching him was good. We told him he needed to look past all the things that were preventing him from having this joy, i.e. his "lack of faith" and need for "proof" and simply think about what we've said. Then we explained that all of these good things which we taught were based off of a singular thing, which thing is the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. We taught him that because our message was true, that if he would do what we had asked him to do, that God would tell him by the power of the Holy Ghost that everything we have taught is correct. All he needed to do was pray. He finally consented and last night after we left, he offered perhaps one of his first prayers. We're going back to see him either tomorrow or Wednesday, but I really hope that he kept his commitment! This could be the beginning of a great miracle. :) We are really hopeful that he will do as we asked him to do and know that if he kept his commitment that he surely felt the Spirit! I'm somewhat jumping inside because I can see how much this will change his life, if he will just let it! He is a wonderful person and he just needs to know that Heavenly Father loves him and then he will be able to rest his wearied soul.
...at least none of you broke your tooth while flossing, right? Or crashed your bicycle because your pedal caught the sidewalk and knocked you over? Yeah, it has been an eventful week, along with the teaching. I was getting ready to make a turn on my bicycle when my left pedal made contact with the ground below and almost immediately smashed me into the ground near an intersection. Normally I wouldn't do this, but I put both my hands down to stop my fall and may have, to some small degree, sprained both my wrists. Oh well. At least this morning I got to drive a John Deere lawn mower...it is not every day I get to do that. I also got to use an edger to help prepare a member's yard to have sod put in place. It's been fun this last little while, haha :). I'm sure there's more to come!
I wish each of you well and hope you have a great week! I'll talk to you soon!
Love~
Austin
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family & Friends~
One of our atheist friends finally decided he would exercise his faith and offer a prayer to God. He is a scientist and wants and/or needs proof in order to believe that God exists. But I don't believe that is how he really feels. he has had a rough life and many sore experiences that could easily turn a soul who doesn't know God against Him. My thoughts are that he really believes there is a God, but it is so hard for him to grasp that God has any care for him or the world around him. Mike sees the negative around himself and it turns to feed his negative thoughts and spins him in a downward spiral that is extremely hard to escape. We've been visiting with him for some time now and it seems that his heart is beginning to be softened. We came to the conclusion together that only one thing needs to happen for him to believe in Fod and that is he needs to pray. We taught him that everything we have ever taught him about God, or of God's plan, or of His love, can be confirmed by gaining a testimony of the Book of Mormon. Death is a part of life and though from our perspective it is difficult to see that there is anything more than this life, deep in our hearts we know there has to be more than this. We taught him that life continued after his death and the gospel of Jesus Christ was the way to ulitmate happiness. He didn't want to accept what we had to say, however. He told us it takes faith to believe in something like that and he was void of faith. We responded and told him that wasn't so, for, what reason would we be in his home if there was no measure or degree of belief or faith within his soul? We affirmed to him that we knew that he wanted more in life and that if he would just consider what we have told him and allow it to work in his mind, that he would be able to feel that what we were teaching him was good. We told him he needed to look past all the things that were preventing him from having this joy, i.e. his "lack of faith" and need for "proof" and simply think about what we've said. Then we explained that all of these good things which we taught were based off of a singular thing, which thing is the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. We taught him that because our message was true, that if he would do what we had asked him to do, that God would tell him by the power of the Holy Ghost that everything we have taught is correct. All he needed to do was pray. He finally consented and last night after we left, he offered perhaps one of his first prayers. We're going back to see him either tomorrow or Wednesday, but I really hope that he kept his commitment! This could be the beginning of a great miracle. :) We are really hopeful that he will do as we asked him to do and know that if he kept his commitment that he surely felt the Spirit! I'm somewhat jumping inside because I can see how much this will change his life, if he will just let it! He is a wonderful person and he just needs to know that Heavenly Father loves him and then he will be able to rest his wearied soul.
...at least none of you broke your tooth while flossing, right? Or crashed your bicycle because your pedal caught the sidewalk and knocked you over? Yeah, it has been an eventful week, along with the teaching. I was getting ready to make a turn on my bicycle when my left pedal made contact with the ground below and almost immediately smashed me into the ground near an intersection. Normally I wouldn't do this, but I put both my hands down to stop my fall and may have, to some small degree, sprained both my wrists. Oh well. At least this morning I got to drive a John Deere lawn mower...it is not every day I get to do that. I also got to use an edger to help prepare a member's yard to have sod put in place. It's been fun this last little while, haha :). I'm sure there's more to come!
I wish each of you well and hope you have a great week! I'll talk to you soon!
Love~
Austin
Thursday, July 21, 2011
Elder Holland Coming to Jacksonville
7.18.11
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family & Friends~
This past week we did alright. We have been coming up with many plans and goals and have been doing a lot of work to accomplish what we want to do. We've got a lot to do! I don't have much time to share any stories right now, but I will be sure to next week, I promise!
Guess what?! On the 13th of August Elder Jeffrey R. Holland will be coming to speak to our mission! How cool is that! I prayed that before I went home from my mission that we would get at least one more guest speaker to come visit us, and lo and behold, Elder Holland is coming! I'm excited. Especially since his talks have always been my favorite talks. it will be great to have this opportunity to meet him. I'm also very thankful that Heavenly Father answered my prayer...I'm sure I wasn't the only one praying for a "guest speaker" to come to our mission however. But either way, I'm grateful to have Elder Holland as our guest for a couple of hours.
Tell everyone I love them and wish them well. I'm sorry for the short email, but I'm out of time...
I love each of you!
Love~
Austin
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family & Friends~
This past week we did alright. We have been coming up with many plans and goals and have been doing a lot of work to accomplish what we want to do. We've got a lot to do! I don't have much time to share any stories right now, but I will be sure to next week, I promise!
Guess what?! On the 13th of August Elder Jeffrey R. Holland will be coming to speak to our mission! How cool is that! I prayed that before I went home from my mission that we would get at least one more guest speaker to come visit us, and lo and behold, Elder Holland is coming! I'm excited. Especially since his talks have always been my favorite talks. it will be great to have this opportunity to meet him. I'm also very thankful that Heavenly Father answered my prayer...I'm sure I wasn't the only one praying for a "guest speaker" to come to our mission however. But either way, I'm grateful to have Elder Holland as our guest for a couple of hours.
Tell everyone I love them and wish them well. I'm sorry for the short email, but I'm out of time...
I love each of you!
Love~
Austin
Thursday, July 14, 2011
Three Pillars of Missionary Work
7.11.11
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family & Friends~
I hope that each of you did indeed have a good week last week. It was a pretty good week for my new companion and I. His name is Elder Brimhall. He is from Great Falls, Montana. His dad is his Stake President, which is neat. He is a hard worker and has many great ideas for helping the work progress. We have determined our focus on the ward will be on helping them learn how to "lay hold upon every good thing" (Moroni 7:16, 19-25). The object of our work will be in helping each member and non-member alike to raise their perspective so they can see and obtain all the good things available to them. President Barry showed us an insightful chart on what he termed the "Three Pillars of Missionary Work", which teaches us how to effectively apply the teachings of the gospel to develop all the Christlike attributes we are seeking to develop while we live here on earth. If I can create a picture of the chart, I'll send it to you. I will however tell you what the "Three Pillars of Missionary Work" and life are:
1. Desire
2. Work
3. Faith
Each of the three pillars are made up by three principles of the gospel and each pillar is related and connected to the other, forming a triangular relationship. Each pillar builds and improves off of the other. Consecration makes each pillar its most efficient and effective.
1. Desire:
-Testimony
-Love of God
-Love of Others
2. Work:
-Hard
-Smart
-Focused
3. Focused
-Obedience
-No Limits
-"Thy Will"
Desire and Work are connected by the principles of setting goals and making plans. Desire and Faith are connected by the principles of fasting and prayer. Faith and Work are connected by the principle of persistence.
To show how each pillar can build off of the other I will use the example of Desire and Work. Say, for instance, that I am completely lacking in desire. One way I can build my desire is be deciding a goal of something I wish to perhaps accomplish and then by creating a plan to achieve it. If I have the goal and the plan to achieve something important to myself down on paper and then commit to achieving this goal by sticking with my plans and WORKING toward it, as I WORK and begin to see my results (i.e. I had better be measuring my progress so I can see my results) my DESIRE will steadily begin to increase.
To help with the understanding of the principles that are the foundation of each pillar, I will explain the pillar of Desire. To make Desire effective and productive, it must be founded on testimony. As an individual receives a testimony from God, he or she is able to to feel the love of God in their hearts and they will increase in that love so much that they desire to share it with others (1 Nephi 8:10-11), which is a representation of the love of God (1 Nephi 11:25). As we gain the joy of obtaining a testimony of God, and gain a love of God, and a love for others, our desire to reach out and become something great, and to help others do the same greatly increases. We then have the desire and motivation to go out and reach our worthy goals, and we have the faith necessary to obtain them.
There is much more knowledge to it, however, I'm positive as you study it out, you will find all the applications. Here is an example of the "Three Pillars..." in action (look for examples of desire, faith, and work, and the things which connect each pillar to the other, and the foundational principles that build up each pillar):
"1 Behold, it came to pass that I, Enos, knowing my father that he was a just man--for he taught me in his language, and also in the nurture and admonition of the Lord--and blessed be the name of my God for it--
2 And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins.
3 Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints , sunk deep in my heart.
4 And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto Him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.
5 And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.
6 And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away.
7 And I said: Lord, how is it done?
8 And He said unto me: Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. And many years pass away before he shall manifest himself in the flesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole.
9 Now, it came to pass that when I had heard these words I began to feel a desire for the welfare of my brethren, the Nephites; wherefore, I did pour out my soul unto God for them.
10 And while I was thus struggling in the spirit, behold, the voice of the Lord came into my mind again, saying: I will visit thy brethren according to their diligence in keeping my commandments. I have given unto them this land, and it is a holy land; and I curse it not save it be for the cause of iniquity; wherefore, I will visit thy brethren according as I have said; and their transgressions will I bring down with sorrow upon their own heads.
11 And after I, Enos, had heard these words, my faith began to be unshaken in the Lord; and I prayed unto Him with many long strugglings for my brethren, the Lamanites.
12 And it came to pass that after I had prayed and labored with all diligence, the Lord said unto me: I will grant unto thee according to thy desires, because of thy faith."
These are just some of the things we have been learning as a mission and also things that I have studied and learned for myself, along with my companions. I think they are special and that they are uplifting and very helpful. These teachings have really helped me to prioritize and to set my life in order. It has given me a formula for success and happiness that is easy to understand, and that is centered in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope it makes sense and is as helpful to you as it has been to me. Either way you look at it, all of it is based on the love of God, and what we can do to be filled with more of His love, and what we can to do to share it with others.
Okay, that is a lot of information to think about! I hope it made enough sense. :)
Back to Elder Brimhall...I get along with him really well. We've had nothing but fun since we've been working together. I am positive that these last few months will be some of the happiest months of my mission. I've been through a lot out here, but every struggle is worth it. I've discovered that it isn't about how perfect I am or how well I obey all the rules, it is about who I am becoming and what attributes I am developing as I freely choose to serve God and to love Him. It is about what I learn while I serve and about who I help to learn these same things. It is about "[laying] a hold upon every good things". It is about looking for the good and letting go of the bad. I love my mission and I am so grateful to be here. It isn't easy, but it is worth it.
Don't get me wrong, I am more than excited to return home and to be with each of you again! Soon enough :) I find that when I am not working, either at lunch or other times, that is when my mind falters and I begin to miss home and wish to leave. But if I work, I can stay focused, and I can accomplish the hard thing, despite the fact that time is running short. I am learning how to endure to the end! That is for sure! But I can do it, because it is not over until it is over.
Tangents... Back again to Elder Brimhall :) he has been out on his mission for a little less than a year. His last area was near the Gainesville campus. he has two brothers and one sister. He is the second oldest. His sister is the youngest. So his family is quite similar to ours in that sense. He is a good missionary.
Elder Kiracofe is off to Gainesville. Go figure, right? His companion is Elder Maxfield, whom I served as his district leader for a time. He is with a good missionary, in a good area; I am hopeful that Elder Kiracofe will do well wherever he goes and I told him that too.
I hope you have a good week and I look forward to writing you next week!
Love~
Austin
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family & Friends~
I hope that each of you did indeed have a good week last week. It was a pretty good week for my new companion and I. His name is Elder Brimhall. He is from Great Falls, Montana. His dad is his Stake President, which is neat. He is a hard worker and has many great ideas for helping the work progress. We have determined our focus on the ward will be on helping them learn how to "lay hold upon every good thing" (Moroni 7:16, 19-25). The object of our work will be in helping each member and non-member alike to raise their perspective so they can see and obtain all the good things available to them. President Barry showed us an insightful chart on what he termed the "Three Pillars of Missionary Work", which teaches us how to effectively apply the teachings of the gospel to develop all the Christlike attributes we are seeking to develop while we live here on earth. If I can create a picture of the chart, I'll send it to you. I will however tell you what the "Three Pillars of Missionary Work" and life are:
1. Desire
2. Work
3. Faith
Each of the three pillars are made up by three principles of the gospel and each pillar is related and connected to the other, forming a triangular relationship. Each pillar builds and improves off of the other. Consecration makes each pillar its most efficient and effective.
1. Desire:
-Testimony
-Love of God
-Love of Others
2. Work:
-Hard
-Smart
-Focused
3. Focused
-Obedience
-No Limits
-"Thy Will"
Desire and Work are connected by the principles of setting goals and making plans. Desire and Faith are connected by the principles of fasting and prayer. Faith and Work are connected by the principle of persistence.
To show how each pillar can build off of the other I will use the example of Desire and Work. Say, for instance, that I am completely lacking in desire. One way I can build my desire is be deciding a goal of something I wish to perhaps accomplish and then by creating a plan to achieve it. If I have the goal and the plan to achieve something important to myself down on paper and then commit to achieving this goal by sticking with my plans and WORKING toward it, as I WORK and begin to see my results (i.e. I had better be measuring my progress so I can see my results) my DESIRE will steadily begin to increase.
To help with the understanding of the principles that are the foundation of each pillar, I will explain the pillar of Desire. To make Desire effective and productive, it must be founded on testimony. As an individual receives a testimony from God, he or she is able to to feel the love of God in their hearts and they will increase in that love so much that they desire to share it with others (1 Nephi 8:10-11), which is a representation of the love of God (1 Nephi 11:25). As we gain the joy of obtaining a testimony of God, and gain a love of God, and a love for others, our desire to reach out and become something great, and to help others do the same greatly increases. We then have the desire and motivation to go out and reach our worthy goals, and we have the faith necessary to obtain them.
There is much more knowledge to it, however, I'm positive as you study it out, you will find all the applications. Here is an example of the "Three Pillars..." in action (look for examples of desire, faith, and work, and the things which connect each pillar to the other, and the foundational principles that build up each pillar):
"1 Behold, it came to pass that I, Enos, knowing my father that he was a just man--for he taught me in his language, and also in the nurture and admonition of the Lord--and blessed be the name of my God for it--
2 And I will tell you of the wrestle which I had before God, before I received a remission of my sins.
3 Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which I had often heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints , sunk deep in my heart.
4 And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto Him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul; and all the day long did I cry unto him; yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens.
5 And there came a voice unto me, saying: Enos, thy sins are forgiven thee, and thou shalt be blessed.
6 And I, Enos, knew that God could not lie; wherefore, my guilt was swept away.
7 And I said: Lord, how is it done?
8 And He said unto me: Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen. And many years pass away before he shall manifest himself in the flesh; wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole.
9 Now, it came to pass that when I had heard these words I began to feel a desire for the welfare of my brethren, the Nephites; wherefore, I did pour out my soul unto God for them.
10 And while I was thus struggling in the spirit, behold, the voice of the Lord came into my mind again, saying: I will visit thy brethren according to their diligence in keeping my commandments. I have given unto them this land, and it is a holy land; and I curse it not save it be for the cause of iniquity; wherefore, I will visit thy brethren according as I have said; and their transgressions will I bring down with sorrow upon their own heads.
11 And after I, Enos, had heard these words, my faith began to be unshaken in the Lord; and I prayed unto Him with many long strugglings for my brethren, the Lamanites.
12 And it came to pass that after I had prayed and labored with all diligence, the Lord said unto me: I will grant unto thee according to thy desires, because of thy faith."
These are just some of the things we have been learning as a mission and also things that I have studied and learned for myself, along with my companions. I think they are special and that they are uplifting and very helpful. These teachings have really helped me to prioritize and to set my life in order. It has given me a formula for success and happiness that is easy to understand, and that is centered in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope it makes sense and is as helpful to you as it has been to me. Either way you look at it, all of it is based on the love of God, and what we can do to be filled with more of His love, and what we can to do to share it with others.
Okay, that is a lot of information to think about! I hope it made enough sense. :)
Back to Elder Brimhall...I get along with him really well. We've had nothing but fun since we've been working together. I am positive that these last few months will be some of the happiest months of my mission. I've been through a lot out here, but every struggle is worth it. I've discovered that it isn't about how perfect I am or how well I obey all the rules, it is about who I am becoming and what attributes I am developing as I freely choose to serve God and to love Him. It is about what I learn while I serve and about who I help to learn these same things. It is about "[laying] a hold upon every good things". It is about looking for the good and letting go of the bad. I love my mission and I am so grateful to be here. It isn't easy, but it is worth it.
Don't get me wrong, I am more than excited to return home and to be with each of you again! Soon enough :) I find that when I am not working, either at lunch or other times, that is when my mind falters and I begin to miss home and wish to leave. But if I work, I can stay focused, and I can accomplish the hard thing, despite the fact that time is running short. I am learning how to endure to the end! That is for sure! But I can do it, because it is not over until it is over.
Tangents... Back again to Elder Brimhall :) he has been out on his mission for a little less than a year. His last area was near the Gainesville campus. he has two brothers and one sister. He is the second oldest. His sister is the youngest. So his family is quite similar to ours in that sense. He is a good missionary.
Elder Kiracofe is off to Gainesville. Go figure, right? His companion is Elder Maxfield, whom I served as his district leader for a time. He is with a good missionary, in a good area; I am hopeful that Elder Kiracofe will do well wherever he goes and I told him that too.
I hope you have a good week and I look forward to writing you next week!
Love~
Austin
Saturday, July 9, 2011
Changing it up...
7.4.11
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family & Friends~
It sounds like the flooding in Utah has been fairly exciting! We haven't had any wild floods, that I know of, but we have had a few major rainstorms...but nothing too extraordinary. I'm kind of hoping I'll be able to see a large hurricane or tornado or something fun like that before I leave Florida. We have a member who says he prays for disasters...he works for [a large insurance company's disaster clean-up program]. His wife also made the note that every career he has had up to this point he has made a living at the cost of other's pain (EMT, insurance, etc...). It was a funny discussion to say the least, haha!
Elder Kiracofe is going to be getting transferred for the first time. I think he is a little apprehensive, but at the same time he is excited to move on and to see what awaits him. I will be staying in Fleming Island and it is likely I will finish out here in this area. But it is certainly possible I could be moved my last transfer also.
I am ready for this upcoming transfer, however. I finally have an idea of what I need to do to do the right work here in Fleming Island. I have felt a loss since I have been here as to what I needed to accomplish. And it has been rough. I feel like I've been walking in circles for the last four and a half months. I've been told this quote several times since I've been here: "the definition of insanity is to do the same things over and over again while yet expecting a different result". I've been doing the same different things over and again and have been driven to insanity over and over again. It is odd how life is full of patterns that repeat themselves. I think to some degree or another the object of the game is to recognize the pattern, and then to snap out of it, and to find a better pattern, or even to improve on the good pattern you've already found. I read the other day that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a pattern of living that becomes increasingly rewarding over time. Anyhow, back to the beginning point--I've discovered that the object of the game isn't so much to take everything upon myself to find every possible investigator, but to strive to help each person center their lives in the gospel pattern of living. As a missionary, we can see where people can apply the gospel more powerfully in their lives, especially in members--I'm sure it has to do with the fact that we are around them more. Nevertheless, we are called and set apart as teachers, and we are here to lift and to teach people a better way, a happier way for living, even the way of eternal life. We are so engrossed in the gospel that to some greater degree, we can see more clearly the way God intends for us to live the gospel (not that others cannot, and not that every missionary can see it either). I'm changing my focus from "how can I find people to teach?" to "how can I help members and non-members alike to better apply the restored gospel in their lives?" This way I can spend my time focusing on giving, rather than taking. And when I say taking, I mean this: what must I do to "get" this person to listen to me so I can teach them? That is a perspective that doesn't work. It will be better to look at in the sense that I will be striving to find what I can give to help people better themselves with what they are already doing that is good. I can't "get" anybody to do anything. But I can at least give them something helpful and rewarding. If they like it, they will decide to act upon it. If not, they will turn the gift away.
Hopefully that paragraph made sense.
So the focus is "how can I help?" or "what can I give?" or even "what can I give more?" No longer is it "how can I get more (investigators, lessons, baptisms, etc...)". When the focus is on forgetting what I want to receive, but on what I'm going to give, everything else will come. I hope that this is a true concept! I'm going to give it a go either way. Do you have any thoughts or experiences that might apply to these things that you would be willing to share? (the option is open to everyone!).
I've gotta get going, but I love each of you and hope all of you are well! I wish you each a good week and will talk to you soon. :)
Love~
Austin
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family & Friends~
It sounds like the flooding in Utah has been fairly exciting! We haven't had any wild floods, that I know of, but we have had a few major rainstorms...but nothing too extraordinary. I'm kind of hoping I'll be able to see a large hurricane or tornado or something fun like that before I leave Florida. We have a member who says he prays for disasters...he works for [a large insurance company's disaster clean-up program]. His wife also made the note that every career he has had up to this point he has made a living at the cost of other's pain (EMT, insurance, etc...). It was a funny discussion to say the least, haha!
Elder Kiracofe is going to be getting transferred for the first time. I think he is a little apprehensive, but at the same time he is excited to move on and to see what awaits him. I will be staying in Fleming Island and it is likely I will finish out here in this area. But it is certainly possible I could be moved my last transfer also.
I am ready for this upcoming transfer, however. I finally have an idea of what I need to do to do the right work here in Fleming Island. I have felt a loss since I have been here as to what I needed to accomplish. And it has been rough. I feel like I've been walking in circles for the last four and a half months. I've been told this quote several times since I've been here: "the definition of insanity is to do the same things over and over again while yet expecting a different result". I've been doing the same different things over and again and have been driven to insanity over and over again. It is odd how life is full of patterns that repeat themselves. I think to some degree or another the object of the game is to recognize the pattern, and then to snap out of it, and to find a better pattern, or even to improve on the good pattern you've already found. I read the other day that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is a pattern of living that becomes increasingly rewarding over time. Anyhow, back to the beginning point--I've discovered that the object of the game isn't so much to take everything upon myself to find every possible investigator, but to strive to help each person center their lives in the gospel pattern of living. As a missionary, we can see where people can apply the gospel more powerfully in their lives, especially in members--I'm sure it has to do with the fact that we are around them more. Nevertheless, we are called and set apart as teachers, and we are here to lift and to teach people a better way, a happier way for living, even the way of eternal life. We are so engrossed in the gospel that to some greater degree, we can see more clearly the way God intends for us to live the gospel (not that others cannot, and not that every missionary can see it either). I'm changing my focus from "how can I find people to teach?" to "how can I help members and non-members alike to better apply the restored gospel in their lives?" This way I can spend my time focusing on giving, rather than taking. And when I say taking, I mean this: what must I do to "get" this person to listen to me so I can teach them? That is a perspective that doesn't work. It will be better to look at in the sense that I will be striving to find what I can give to help people better themselves with what they are already doing that is good. I can't "get" anybody to do anything. But I can at least give them something helpful and rewarding. If they like it, they will decide to act upon it. If not, they will turn the gift away.
Hopefully that paragraph made sense.
So the focus is "how can I help?" or "what can I give?" or even "what can I give more?" No longer is it "how can I get more (investigators, lessons, baptisms, etc...)". When the focus is on forgetting what I want to receive, but on what I'm going to give, everything else will come. I hope that this is a true concept! I'm going to give it a go either way. Do you have any thoughts or experiences that might apply to these things that you would be willing to share? (the option is open to everyone!).
I've gotta get going, but I love each of you and hope all of you are well! I wish you each a good week and will talk to you soon. :)
Love~
Austin
Monday, June 27, 2011
The testimony of the gospel is powerful and authoritative
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family & Friends~
What an eventful week! A new puppy, a Happy Birthday for my favorite sister, Kendall Jane!, flooding, and the works! Happy days! I love it. :)
Yesterday we had a fun activity at the church, but by the end of the activity I absolutely broke down in tears...we watched the movie "Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration" with all the ward members in the Fleming Island 1st and 2nd Wards. I don't know if you've seen it or not, but if you haven't you need to get it so you can watch it. It is such a powerful movie. Watching the early saints and the life of the Prophet Joseph and their love for each other and the joy they had with one another despite their near endless afflictions kindled such love and gratitude in my heart for our family, this gospel, and the Church. Jesus Christ and His gospel truly are an invincible strength that we have opportunity to hold on to, that no matter what fire we are called to pass through in this life, we might overcome it cheerfully, with charity bursting from our souls toward all people, even toward those who have wronged us. Watching this movie helped me realize all the great blessings we have as members of this Church and made me want to share this message with everyone. I felt such a desire to listen to and obey Heavenly Father and to trust in Him and His Son in all my trials. Who knows what life will bring...but whatever it brings we will always have something to hold on to--and because of Christ, we can hold on to each other forever.
Now, if I could just keep that feeling with me all the time!
My memorizations are doing well, except for the last couple of days. They were so busy that I had to focus on other things besides my memorizations. I'll have to start again. At this point, with the rate I was going, I was memorizing a scripture a day. I've memorized Romans 8:16, Alma 7:11, 2 Nephi 25:26, and D & C 20:37--I have a list of scriptures I've got to memorize, but it is kind of fun! I'm starting to memorize just about everything I read, which is also kind of cool. :) I heard that President Monson promised that if we would memorize a single scripture a day for a year we would have a photographic memory by the end of the year! And I'm sure there are all sorts of other blessings for memorizing that many scriptures, not just having a photographic memory. But that is my eventual goal.
It was neat to hear about Eric's testimony to the people at Harmon Killibrew's funeral. The testimony of the gospel is so powerful and authoritative. It is by far the most convincing thing we have and the Spirit of God fires that witness to the very hearts of all who will open their ears and souls and listen. I think I am starting to learn that--it is when you face someone who is utterly against the gospel and the message of Jesus Christ that you feel the power of the Lord within you cause you to nearly erupt with truth and sound the gospel message right to the core of their soul. You know they can feel it. It is a fierce witness, but it is given in such great love and power that it uplifts and strengthens all who will hear it. The more you recognize the blessings, the more desirous you are to share them. I think that may well be why we made the covenant at our baptism to "always remember Christ". It is hard to "always remember" anything, let alone the Savior. It shouldn't be, but for whatever reason it is--we get so easily distracted it is amazing we can remember anything! No wonder we are commanded to read the scriptures every day and to pray always, because if we didn't we would forget quickly the Lord. I guess it is like anything, you must learn and relearn in order for it to become a part of you.
Who knows... Sorry for rambling...
I'm out of time, so I just want to tell each of you I love you and wish you a wonderful, happy, and successful week! Happy Birthday, again KJ! And Happy Birthday to you this Friday, Dad. :)
Love~
Austin
Dear Family & Friends~
What an eventful week! A new puppy, a Happy Birthday for my favorite sister, Kendall Jane!, flooding, and the works! Happy days! I love it. :)
Yesterday we had a fun activity at the church, but by the end of the activity I absolutely broke down in tears...we watched the movie "Joseph Smith: The Prophet of the Restoration" with all the ward members in the Fleming Island 1st and 2nd Wards. I don't know if you've seen it or not, but if you haven't you need to get it so you can watch it. It is such a powerful movie. Watching the early saints and the life of the Prophet Joseph and their love for each other and the joy they had with one another despite their near endless afflictions kindled such love and gratitude in my heart for our family, this gospel, and the Church. Jesus Christ and His gospel truly are an invincible strength that we have opportunity to hold on to, that no matter what fire we are called to pass through in this life, we might overcome it cheerfully, with charity bursting from our souls toward all people, even toward those who have wronged us. Watching this movie helped me realize all the great blessings we have as members of this Church and made me want to share this message with everyone. I felt such a desire to listen to and obey Heavenly Father and to trust in Him and His Son in all my trials. Who knows what life will bring...but whatever it brings we will always have something to hold on to--and because of Christ, we can hold on to each other forever.
Now, if I could just keep that feeling with me all the time!
My memorizations are doing well, except for the last couple of days. They were so busy that I had to focus on other things besides my memorizations. I'll have to start again. At this point, with the rate I was going, I was memorizing a scripture a day. I've memorized Romans 8:16, Alma 7:11, 2 Nephi 25:26, and D & C 20:37--I have a list of scriptures I've got to memorize, but it is kind of fun! I'm starting to memorize just about everything I read, which is also kind of cool. :) I heard that President Monson promised that if we would memorize a single scripture a day for a year we would have a photographic memory by the end of the year! And I'm sure there are all sorts of other blessings for memorizing that many scriptures, not just having a photographic memory. But that is my eventual goal.
It was neat to hear about Eric's testimony to the people at Harmon Killibrew's funeral. The testimony of the gospel is so powerful and authoritative. It is by far the most convincing thing we have and the Spirit of God fires that witness to the very hearts of all who will open their ears and souls and listen. I think I am starting to learn that--it is when you face someone who is utterly against the gospel and the message of Jesus Christ that you feel the power of the Lord within you cause you to nearly erupt with truth and sound the gospel message right to the core of their soul. You know they can feel it. It is a fierce witness, but it is given in such great love and power that it uplifts and strengthens all who will hear it. The more you recognize the blessings, the more desirous you are to share them. I think that may well be why we made the covenant at our baptism to "always remember Christ". It is hard to "always remember" anything, let alone the Savior. It shouldn't be, but for whatever reason it is--we get so easily distracted it is amazing we can remember anything! No wonder we are commanded to read the scriptures every day and to pray always, because if we didn't we would forget quickly the Lord. I guess it is like anything, you must learn and relearn in order for it to become a part of you.
Who knows... Sorry for rambling...
I'm out of time, so I just want to tell each of you I love you and wish you a wonderful, happy, and successful week! Happy Birthday, again KJ! And Happy Birthday to you this Friday, Dad. :)
Love~
Austin
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Opening Doors
6.20.11
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family & Friends~
This past week wasn't quite as eventful as last week; however, I did have many learning experiences-most of which led me to the understanding of the need to not only set goals and make plans, but the necessity of measuring my progress over time to see how far I've come! It is important to be able to recognize your own improvement, and your own successes, even if they are small. So my personal change for this next three week period is to keep track of my improvements and then to go back and see how much I've grown-here is the goal:
1. Memorize one scripture a day
2. Serve someone I know each day (companion, another missionary, member)
3. Serve someone I do not know each day (a non-member, a member I haven't met)
I also have some plans in place to make these goals achieveable and I have my faithful brown journal that I bought at the MTC to track my efforts. I know these are simple goals, but this will help me to learn to trust myself and also to gain some control over myself (i.e. thoughts, words, deeds, etc...), as well as to see evidence that I am growing and am changing day by day for the better, which will all serve to strengthen my personal testimony of Jesus Christ. This should be a good experience. So far I've memorized two scriptures in this person challenge: Romans 8:16 and Alma 7:11.
Romans 8:16 (Paul in a letter, is teaching the people of our relationship to God)- "The Spirit itself beareth record to our spirits, that we are the children of God."
Alma 7:11 (Alma is testifying of the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ) - "And He shall go forth suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith He will take upon Him the pains and the sicknesses of His people."
Now, here's the test -- I typed these from memory, so you'll have to check and see if I really did memorize scriptures. Not that these are the longest scriptures in the world, but each of them are full of meaning and truth. They are worth pondering.
Another story:
Last week Elder Kiracofe and I were visiting the home of a former investigator and instead of seeing our former investigator, her slightly younger sister answered [the door]. She is around thrity years of age and has a few children. Normally, when we show up at this particular home, the younger sister doesn't speak to us much. But for whatever reason, this time she thought it fine to take some time to talk with us. I was very surprised when she stayed at the door and allowed us to converse with her, and due to my surprise, all we spent our discussion on was about getting to know her. We spoke with her about her family, her career, to some degree or another her hopes and dreams, even a few of her worries and fears. It was encouraging that she trusted us enough to share her thoughts and feelings, especially when in the past she hardly would speak with us. Unfortunately, as Elder Kiracofe and I finally had the opportunity to start talking to her about her thoughts and feelings about church and about the message of the gospel...her boyfriend showed up.
Going backward a little bit, to give a preface of our conversation moments prior to the great interruption of our discussion with our new found friend we were speaking about her career working for the postal service over the past ten years. She wasn't a deliverer of mail, rather, she was one of the workers who loaded packages and letters into vehicles--recently she was moved into the office due to health problems and severe anxiety. This was what we were hoping to find, something that we could discuss, and then offer a bright solution through the healing power of Christ; when she shared with us about her health and her anxiety we were given the opportunity to then teach the gospel. We changed the conversation slightly and asked her if she had ever sat in with her older sister when the missionaries were teaching her. She said no, and that normally she was anti-social and felt uncomfortable talking with people she hardly knew, let alone about the sensitive subject of religion. Apparently she grew up in a church, but didn't have a very good experience, and because of it she shys away from the topic. Everything was building up for a very productive and positive discussion...and then the conversation abruptly halted...
...an otherwise good man, saw the missionaries all dressed up in their white shirts and ties, black suits pants, and polished shoes, as he pulled up in his vehicle, and saw the opportunity to contend with organized religion. "MORMONS! Have you come to preach to us?" He sardonically blurted out as he hopped out of his vehicle and walked right in front of us. As he strode past us, ready to "fight", he calmly but purposefully sat down on the bench on the front porch and put his arms behind his head, leaned back, and put his left leg on his right knee and looked up waiting for our response.
I watched him, somewhat confused by his manner and a little frustrated at the thought of our interrupted conversation with Brenda, as he marched on past us to sit upon his throne of authority, the park bench in front of the house. I looked away for a brief moment, gripped the blue covered Book of Mormon tightly with both hands, and for what seemed like an eternity, I looked at the green grass in front of me and observed the sun shining brightly and beaming down upon it. I felt the heat burning on top of me and could feel the sweat dripping off my brow. Smiling slightly, I clenched my jaw and pursed my lips together, realizing that this new conversation could go downhill quickly and breathed my last breath before my response. Still looking the other way, but gradually turning towards him, I said, "Well, we can preach to you if you'd like!" and I turned and looked him square in the eyes. Brightly and happily I began to open the conversation with the beginnings of the message of the Restoration and the testimony of the Book of Mormon and the Prophet Joseph. I told him that our message would lead him to Jesus Christ and help him to know the way back to his Father in Heaven.
He looked at me and scoffed and said, "I know you Mormons...you believe that Joseph Smith is a prophet. Ha! You guys are lost! Ha Ha!" I smiled, but responded sharply and testified that if he would read the Book of Mormon and pray about it that God would tell him that we were teaching the truth and then I invited him to do so. "Absolutely not! I don't want anything to do with that book..." he said, disgusted with the idea. "You mean to tell me that this record was written in ancient America? You're saying that it was written by the ancestors of the Native American peoples? You say they saw Jesus Christ?! You guys are a bunch of QUACKS! Ha Ha! The Native Americans didn't believe in God. I'm a Cherokee. I know our history. They believed that America was formed by a bug who dived down to the bottom of the ocean and pulled up earth. That book can't be true if you believe it was written by the Indians!" Again, I urged him to read the Book of Mormon so he could know for himself. I told him that the Book was convincing evidence in the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He looked away for a moment and then looked back and said, "You know, I don't even know if I believe in God anymore..." Then he looked back down to the ground. I shared with him that the scriptures teach us that man was created in the image of God and that He is our loving Father in Heaven and He desires our happiness and if we will but follow His Son, we can be happy. Apparently he wasn't satisfied with that response and he lashed out again toward us and began speaking irrationally and inappropriately about the nature of God. I stopped him in his speech and told him not to mock God. And then I asked him a few questions, "..., what is your purpose in asking us these questions and saying these things? Do you have a purpose behind it? Or do you merely desire to argue with us?? What is it that you really want to know? Because we both know that what you have said thus far is directed at nothing. What is it that you really need to know? What does your heart tell you? We are here for you and wish to help you and to answer your questions, so let us help!" He immediately looked away and became quiet. After a long pause, he looked off in the distance and said to us, "I guess I would like to hear about your doctrines...I've been condemned and accused so many times by preachers and pastors that I can't take it any more. It destroys my hope and makes me want to go the other way..."
Finally the door was open to his heart and we began to teach him about the mercy and love of Jesus Christ. We taught him that he can be forgiven and become clean. We taught him that eternal life can be found by gaining a testimony of Jesus Christ and living by faith and by following the example of Jesus Christ through baptism by authority and then enduring faithfully to the end. We testified to him that if he would read the Book of Mormon and pray about it that he could know that God sent us to teach him this message and to help him to be happy. After twenty or so minutes of discussion, he stopped us in our speech, and asked us humbly where he might get a copy of the Book of Mormon. Mine and Elder Kiracofe's hearts probably both skipped a beat. We were shocked! We then testified again of the importance of our message and of Jesus Christ and we told him that we give away copies of this Book to all who will read it and pray about it and be willing to act upon its message. He declared his interest in all sincerity, expressed a genuine desire to learn more. We gave him a copy and proceeded to teach him the steps to gaining a testimony and then invited him to be baptized upon gaining a witness from God. He said he would!!
How amazing the change of heart we saw in him! We gathered as much information about him as we could and hopefully we'll be able to teach him again and soon. We haven't seen him yet, unfortunately, but we'll keep trying. And for the other miracles which we saw, we haven't been able to follow up with any of them, YET! But we will. And I'll share with you more stories hopefully next week.
So, I've been thinking a lot about my decision to stay or to leave early from my mission (to start school) and I've made my decision. I have decided that I only get this opportunity to serve a two year full-time mission once and I intend to finish it to the end. Perhaps I''ll have to start school later, but I trust that things will work out. My heart feels good about this decision. I have much more I need to give the Lord before my mission is over and I feel I will be able to do that by September 28th....I know that this is what I need to do. I love each of you so much and all of our family and that is why I am choosing to finish my mission. So make plans to see me in September because that is when I will be returning home. I love you and I truly cannot wait to see each of you again. I have no greater desire than to be with you. I know the time will go quickly, and even before the blink of an eye, we'll be together again, and it will be as though we never left each other. This is a great cause and I ought to finish what I set out to do. I promised the Lord I would complete the mission to the last day before I left and promised Him again out here that I would stay. And I need to keep my promise to Him.
I love you and I hope each of you have a wonderful week and I look forward to hearing from you again next week!
Love~
Austin
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family & Friends~
This past week wasn't quite as eventful as last week; however, I did have many learning experiences-most of which led me to the understanding of the need to not only set goals and make plans, but the necessity of measuring my progress over time to see how far I've come! It is important to be able to recognize your own improvement, and your own successes, even if they are small. So my personal change for this next three week period is to keep track of my improvements and then to go back and see how much I've grown-here is the goal:
1. Memorize one scripture a day
2. Serve someone I know each day (companion, another missionary, member)
3. Serve someone I do not know each day (a non-member, a member I haven't met)
I also have some plans in place to make these goals achieveable and I have my faithful brown journal that I bought at the MTC to track my efforts. I know these are simple goals, but this will help me to learn to trust myself and also to gain some control over myself (i.e. thoughts, words, deeds, etc...), as well as to see evidence that I am growing and am changing day by day for the better, which will all serve to strengthen my personal testimony of Jesus Christ. This should be a good experience. So far I've memorized two scriptures in this person challenge: Romans 8:16 and Alma 7:11.
Romans 8:16 (Paul in a letter, is teaching the people of our relationship to God)- "The Spirit itself beareth record to our spirits, that we are the children of God."
Alma 7:11 (Alma is testifying of the earthly ministry of Jesus Christ) - "And He shall go forth suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith He will take upon Him the pains and the sicknesses of His people."
Now, here's the test -- I typed these from memory, so you'll have to check and see if I really did memorize scriptures. Not that these are the longest scriptures in the world, but each of them are full of meaning and truth. They are worth pondering.
Another story:
Last week Elder Kiracofe and I were visiting the home of a former investigator and instead of seeing our former investigator, her slightly younger sister answered [the door]. She is around thrity years of age and has a few children. Normally, when we show up at this particular home, the younger sister doesn't speak to us much. But for whatever reason, this time she thought it fine to take some time to talk with us. I was very surprised when she stayed at the door and allowed us to converse with her, and due to my surprise, all we spent our discussion on was about getting to know her. We spoke with her about her family, her career, to some degree or another her hopes and dreams, even a few of her worries and fears. It was encouraging that she trusted us enough to share her thoughts and feelings, especially when in the past she hardly would speak with us. Unfortunately, as Elder Kiracofe and I finally had the opportunity to start talking to her about her thoughts and feelings about church and about the message of the gospel...her boyfriend showed up.
Going backward a little bit, to give a preface of our conversation moments prior to the great interruption of our discussion with our new found friend we were speaking about her career working for the postal service over the past ten years. She wasn't a deliverer of mail, rather, she was one of the workers who loaded packages and letters into vehicles--recently she was moved into the office due to health problems and severe anxiety. This was what we were hoping to find, something that we could discuss, and then offer a bright solution through the healing power of Christ; when she shared with us about her health and her anxiety we were given the opportunity to then teach the gospel. We changed the conversation slightly and asked her if she had ever sat in with her older sister when the missionaries were teaching her. She said no, and that normally she was anti-social and felt uncomfortable talking with people she hardly knew, let alone about the sensitive subject of religion. Apparently she grew up in a church, but didn't have a very good experience, and because of it she shys away from the topic. Everything was building up for a very productive and positive discussion...and then the conversation abruptly halted...
...an otherwise good man, saw the missionaries all dressed up in their white shirts and ties, black suits pants, and polished shoes, as he pulled up in his vehicle, and saw the opportunity to contend with organized religion. "MORMONS! Have you come to preach to us?" He sardonically blurted out as he hopped out of his vehicle and walked right in front of us. As he strode past us, ready to "fight", he calmly but purposefully sat down on the bench on the front porch and put his arms behind his head, leaned back, and put his left leg on his right knee and looked up waiting for our response.
I watched him, somewhat confused by his manner and a little frustrated at the thought of our interrupted conversation with Brenda, as he marched on past us to sit upon his throne of authority, the park bench in front of the house. I looked away for a brief moment, gripped the blue covered Book of Mormon tightly with both hands, and for what seemed like an eternity, I looked at the green grass in front of me and observed the sun shining brightly and beaming down upon it. I felt the heat burning on top of me and could feel the sweat dripping off my brow. Smiling slightly, I clenched my jaw and pursed my lips together, realizing that this new conversation could go downhill quickly and breathed my last breath before my response. Still looking the other way, but gradually turning towards him, I said, "Well, we can preach to you if you'd like!" and I turned and looked him square in the eyes. Brightly and happily I began to open the conversation with the beginnings of the message of the Restoration and the testimony of the Book of Mormon and the Prophet Joseph. I told him that our message would lead him to Jesus Christ and help him to know the way back to his Father in Heaven.
He looked at me and scoffed and said, "I know you Mormons...you believe that Joseph Smith is a prophet. Ha! You guys are lost! Ha Ha!" I smiled, but responded sharply and testified that if he would read the Book of Mormon and pray about it that God would tell him that we were teaching the truth and then I invited him to do so. "Absolutely not! I don't want anything to do with that book..." he said, disgusted with the idea. "You mean to tell me that this record was written in ancient America? You're saying that it was written by the ancestors of the Native American peoples? You say they saw Jesus Christ?! You guys are a bunch of QUACKS! Ha Ha! The Native Americans didn't believe in God. I'm a Cherokee. I know our history. They believed that America was formed by a bug who dived down to the bottom of the ocean and pulled up earth. That book can't be true if you believe it was written by the Indians!" Again, I urged him to read the Book of Mormon so he could know for himself. I told him that the Book was convincing evidence in the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ. He looked away for a moment and then looked back and said, "You know, I don't even know if I believe in God anymore..." Then he looked back down to the ground. I shared with him that the scriptures teach us that man was created in the image of God and that He is our loving Father in Heaven and He desires our happiness and if we will but follow His Son, we can be happy. Apparently he wasn't satisfied with that response and he lashed out again toward us and began speaking irrationally and inappropriately about the nature of God. I stopped him in his speech and told him not to mock God. And then I asked him a few questions, "..., what is your purpose in asking us these questions and saying these things? Do you have a purpose behind it? Or do you merely desire to argue with us?? What is it that you really want to know? Because we both know that what you have said thus far is directed at nothing. What is it that you really need to know? What does your heart tell you? We are here for you and wish to help you and to answer your questions, so let us help!" He immediately looked away and became quiet. After a long pause, he looked off in the distance and said to us, "I guess I would like to hear about your doctrines...I've been condemned and accused so many times by preachers and pastors that I can't take it any more. It destroys my hope and makes me want to go the other way..."
Finally the door was open to his heart and we began to teach him about the mercy and love of Jesus Christ. We taught him that he can be forgiven and become clean. We taught him that eternal life can be found by gaining a testimony of Jesus Christ and living by faith and by following the example of Jesus Christ through baptism by authority and then enduring faithfully to the end. We testified to him that if he would read the Book of Mormon and pray about it that he could know that God sent us to teach him this message and to help him to be happy. After twenty or so minutes of discussion, he stopped us in our speech, and asked us humbly where he might get a copy of the Book of Mormon. Mine and Elder Kiracofe's hearts probably both skipped a beat. We were shocked! We then testified again of the importance of our message and of Jesus Christ and we told him that we give away copies of this Book to all who will read it and pray about it and be willing to act upon its message. He declared his interest in all sincerity, expressed a genuine desire to learn more. We gave him a copy and proceeded to teach him the steps to gaining a testimony and then invited him to be baptized upon gaining a witness from God. He said he would!!
How amazing the change of heart we saw in him! We gathered as much information about him as we could and hopefully we'll be able to teach him again and soon. We haven't seen him yet, unfortunately, but we'll keep trying. And for the other miracles which we saw, we haven't been able to follow up with any of them, YET! But we will. And I'll share with you more stories hopefully next week.
So, I've been thinking a lot about my decision to stay or to leave early from my mission (to start school) and I've made my decision. I have decided that I only get this opportunity to serve a two year full-time mission once and I intend to finish it to the end. Perhaps I''ll have to start school later, but I trust that things will work out. My heart feels good about this decision. I have much more I need to give the Lord before my mission is over and I feel I will be able to do that by September 28th....I know that this is what I need to do. I love each of you so much and all of our family and that is why I am choosing to finish my mission. So make plans to see me in September because that is when I will be returning home. I love you and I truly cannot wait to see each of you again. I have no greater desire than to be with you. I know the time will go quickly, and even before the blink of an eye, we'll be together again, and it will be as though we never left each other. This is a great cause and I ought to finish what I set out to do. I promised the Lord I would complete the mission to the last day before I left and promised Him again out here that I would stay. And I need to keep my promise to Him.
I love you and I hope each of you have a wonderful week and I look forward to hearing from you again next week!
Love~
Austin
Miracles DO happen!
6.13.11
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family & Friends~
This past week has indeed been a week of miracles. I have never seen so much success and so many changes of heart in such a short period of time in all my mission, let alone my life. The convincing power of the gospel is true. So this week, I do have some stories to tell, all of which have begun with a miraculous start, now we must hope they have the same miraculous finish. Here they are:
Wednesday, June 8th, around 7:00 p.m. I was on an exchange with a new missionary named Elder Haw, who is from Toronto, Canada, and we were out tracting. I decided to take us to some neighborhood I had yet to visit since I've been here in Fleming Island. We had finished almost all the houses on the street, save two, and had little result. On the second to last house, Elder Haw and I went and knocked on the door and came to find out fairly soon that nobody was home. As we turned to leave, however, a small sedan pulled up and stopped near the driveway, and the driver of the vehicle stopped and watched us as we were leaving her property and crossing to the other side of the driveway. Knowing that we ought to wait and at least attempt speaking with her, we waited, as awkward as it was, for her to pull into the driveway and park. We stood a distance enough away so it wouldn't be too uncomfortable for either of us and when she finally opened the door, I offered a quick hello. I felt I had a loss of words in the moment, so as I fumbled around for what to say to start a converstation, our "discussion" began to flat-line, and as it about died, her husband pulled up behind us.
"Great..." I silently thought in my head, "let's make it double awkward". So, rather than allowing the dialogue to finish and hoping to at least somewhat salvage something good from this contact, me and Elder Haw scooted over to the other side of the driveway and allowed the woman's husband to pull into the driveway. He was on his cell phone as he pulled into the driveway, and I watched as he and his wife eschanged glances that seemed to speak, "Yay, it's the Mormon's again!". Of course, there was no "Yay" about it, because really it has already been a long day for each of them and who wants two preachers to show up and speak to them just as they are coming home from work? Despite the busy day and the inconvenience of us being there, when the man got out of his vehicle he kindly introduced himself and asked us what we wanted. I told him we were there to teach him the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. For some reason or another the word "RESTORED" seemed to jump out at him. With a funny look on his face he asked us what that meant. As briefly as possible, and as clearly as I could muster, I told him that because God loves us and desires for us to live with Him again, He has chosen a prophet of God and restored His gospel and His kingdom, or curch, and His authority to baptize again to the earth, after having once been lost since the death of Christ and His Apostles, I shared with him that the Book of Mormon was the convincing evidence that these things are true and that anyone who would humbly read the book, study it out in their mind, and pray about it with sincerity, real intent, and faith in Christ, that God would testify the truth of it to them by the power of the Holy Ghost. And I continued by saying that those who gain this witness will know that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's kingdom on earth, preperatory to the Second Coming of Christ and that those who gain this knowledge will then have to make a decision as to whether they will follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by His authority or not. Having recently been baptized, the man then asked me one of the most difficult questions a missionary has to answer, "Can I get to heaven without the Book of Mormon and the Bible alone, or do I need the Book of Mormon to get to heaven?".
I've been asked this question many times and I've never really considered answering it as flatly as I did this time, but I told him that it was necessary that he had the Book of Mormon to get to heaven. He was shocked by my statement and needed further reassurance, so he and his wife both asked about the many people who die without a chance to be baptized into this Church, if they were condemned or not. And grateful for the question, and the guidance of the Spirit, we, in his driveway, ended up teaching he and his wife doctrines and principles from the first three missionary discussions and related to him that all people have equal opportunity to either accept or reject this gospel, whether in this life or the next, and to be saved in the Kingdom of God. We taught them that the Book of Mormon was the way to gain a witness of these teachings and we invited them to read and pray. They said they would. I told them the purpose of reading the Book of Mormon was to gain a witness of its truthfulness and then to prepare to be baptized upon gaining a witness of the Holy Ghost, and then I asked them the big question: "Will you, if after having read and sincerely studied the Book of Mormon, and having sincerely, faithfully prayed about it, and having received a witness from God of its veracity because of your real intent (which means you will act upon the witness God gives you), follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by His authority?
Both of them thought about it for a minute...they looked at each other and exchanged more glances, each desiring that the other should speak...and the husband finally voiced his thoughts. He said based off of what we had told him, that if he read and prayed about the Book of Mormon and gained a witness of its truthfulness from God, that he would be baptized again. Shortly after, I asked his wife if she had the same commitment and she smiled and said she would. It was amazing to feel the Spirit throughout our discussion and the way it seemed to life and build each of us as we discussed the gospel. We left each other as if we had been friends all our lives and were overjoyed to have had the opportunity to have met one another that evening. In smiles both husband and wife said they were very interested in learning more and would like us to return and follow up with them the next week. They gave us each a water bottle and thanked us for all that we do and wished us well as we parted ways.
We should be seeing them this Thursday, so pray that it goes well. :)
I want to write down some more stories, but that took me about 50 minutes to write and I have at least five more of these stories to share. Each of these miracles took place in the span of five days. It has been an amazing week. And this week will be no different. Our object is to love people enough to help them understand the message of the gospel and to explain it as clearly and boldly as possible so they might have the opportunity to actually choose between accepting or rejecting this message. Some people don't want to talk, so we don't push the issue, we'll allow them time to go on with their lives, trusting that God will give them another chance some time later; but for those who wish to talk, we'll deliver the message of the gospel as it was given to us. It really does make a difference when you are straight with people...but it makes an even bigger difference when they can tell, and know, that you do love them and sincerely desire for their welfare and to give them the gift of the gospel.
It is amazing what happens when you have "faith to believe" (Alma 37:40) that there are people who truly desire to hear the gospel and that you have been sent to teach them this message...miracles DO happen! WOW!! I never would haveg uessed that I could be a part of so many miracles in such a short time. And to see people change their hearts and minds and become willing to at least hear the word of the gospel, it is such a joy! Who knows what will happen next, but at least we did indeed help at least some people to hear and feel of this great message!
I love you and look forward to speaking with you next week. I hope each of you have a wonderful week!
Love~
Austin
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family & Friends~
This past week has indeed been a week of miracles. I have never seen so much success and so many changes of heart in such a short period of time in all my mission, let alone my life. The convincing power of the gospel is true. So this week, I do have some stories to tell, all of which have begun with a miraculous start, now we must hope they have the same miraculous finish. Here they are:
Wednesday, June 8th, around 7:00 p.m. I was on an exchange with a new missionary named Elder Haw, who is from Toronto, Canada, and we were out tracting. I decided to take us to some neighborhood I had yet to visit since I've been here in Fleming Island. We had finished almost all the houses on the street, save two, and had little result. On the second to last house, Elder Haw and I went and knocked on the door and came to find out fairly soon that nobody was home. As we turned to leave, however, a small sedan pulled up and stopped near the driveway, and the driver of the vehicle stopped and watched us as we were leaving her property and crossing to the other side of the driveway. Knowing that we ought to wait and at least attempt speaking with her, we waited, as awkward as it was, for her to pull into the driveway and park. We stood a distance enough away so it wouldn't be too uncomfortable for either of us and when she finally opened the door, I offered a quick hello. I felt I had a loss of words in the moment, so as I fumbled around for what to say to start a converstation, our "discussion" began to flat-line, and as it about died, her husband pulled up behind us.
"Great..." I silently thought in my head, "let's make it double awkward". So, rather than allowing the dialogue to finish and hoping to at least somewhat salvage something good from this contact, me and Elder Haw scooted over to the other side of the driveway and allowed the woman's husband to pull into the driveway. He was on his cell phone as he pulled into the driveway, and I watched as he and his wife eschanged glances that seemed to speak, "Yay, it's the Mormon's again!". Of course, there was no "Yay" about it, because really it has already been a long day for each of them and who wants two preachers to show up and speak to them just as they are coming home from work? Despite the busy day and the inconvenience of us being there, when the man got out of his vehicle he kindly introduced himself and asked us what we wanted. I told him we were there to teach him the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. For some reason or another the word "RESTORED" seemed to jump out at him. With a funny look on his face he asked us what that meant. As briefly as possible, and as clearly as I could muster, I told him that because God loves us and desires for us to live with Him again, He has chosen a prophet of God and restored His gospel and His kingdom, or curch, and His authority to baptize again to the earth, after having once been lost since the death of Christ and His Apostles, I shared with him that the Book of Mormon was the convincing evidence that these things are true and that anyone who would humbly read the book, study it out in their mind, and pray about it with sincerity, real intent, and faith in Christ, that God would testify the truth of it to them by the power of the Holy Ghost. And I continued by saying that those who gain this witness will know that Jesus is the Christ, that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord's kingdom on earth, preperatory to the Second Coming of Christ and that those who gain this knowledge will then have to make a decision as to whether they will follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by His authority or not. Having recently been baptized, the man then asked me one of the most difficult questions a missionary has to answer, "Can I get to heaven without the Book of Mormon and the Bible alone, or do I need the Book of Mormon to get to heaven?".
I've been asked this question many times and I've never really considered answering it as flatly as I did this time, but I told him that it was necessary that he had the Book of Mormon to get to heaven. He was shocked by my statement and needed further reassurance, so he and his wife both asked about the many people who die without a chance to be baptized into this Church, if they were condemned or not. And grateful for the question, and the guidance of the Spirit, we, in his driveway, ended up teaching he and his wife doctrines and principles from the first three missionary discussions and related to him that all people have equal opportunity to either accept or reject this gospel, whether in this life or the next, and to be saved in the Kingdom of God. We taught them that the Book of Mormon was the way to gain a witness of these teachings and we invited them to read and pray. They said they would. I told them the purpose of reading the Book of Mormon was to gain a witness of its truthfulness and then to prepare to be baptized upon gaining a witness of the Holy Ghost, and then I asked them the big question: "Will you, if after having read and sincerely studied the Book of Mormon, and having sincerely, faithfully prayed about it, and having received a witness from God of its veracity because of your real intent (which means you will act upon the witness God gives you), follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized by His authority?
Both of them thought about it for a minute...they looked at each other and exchanged more glances, each desiring that the other should speak...and the husband finally voiced his thoughts. He said based off of what we had told him, that if he read and prayed about the Book of Mormon and gained a witness of its truthfulness from God, that he would be baptized again. Shortly after, I asked his wife if she had the same commitment and she smiled and said she would. It was amazing to feel the Spirit throughout our discussion and the way it seemed to life and build each of us as we discussed the gospel. We left each other as if we had been friends all our lives and were overjoyed to have had the opportunity to have met one another that evening. In smiles both husband and wife said they were very interested in learning more and would like us to return and follow up with them the next week. They gave us each a water bottle and thanked us for all that we do and wished us well as we parted ways.
We should be seeing them this Thursday, so pray that it goes well. :)
I want to write down some more stories, but that took me about 50 minutes to write and I have at least five more of these stories to share. Each of these miracles took place in the span of five days. It has been an amazing week. And this week will be no different. Our object is to love people enough to help them understand the message of the gospel and to explain it as clearly and boldly as possible so they might have the opportunity to actually choose between accepting or rejecting this message. Some people don't want to talk, so we don't push the issue, we'll allow them time to go on with their lives, trusting that God will give them another chance some time later; but for those who wish to talk, we'll deliver the message of the gospel as it was given to us. It really does make a difference when you are straight with people...but it makes an even bigger difference when they can tell, and know, that you do love them and sincerely desire for their welfare and to give them the gift of the gospel.
It is amazing what happens when you have "faith to believe" (Alma 37:40) that there are people who truly desire to hear the gospel and that you have been sent to teach them this message...miracles DO happen! WOW!! I never would haveg uessed that I could be a part of so many miracles in such a short time. And to see people change their hearts and minds and become willing to at least hear the word of the gospel, it is such a joy! Who knows what will happen next, but at least we did indeed help at least some people to hear and feel of this great message!
I love you and look forward to speaking with you next week. I hope each of you have a wonderful week!
Love~
Austin
Faith to Believe
6.6.11
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family & Friends~
I've had a few experiences with prayer lately, which have been particularly meaningful to me. I read a scripture in Alma 37:40, which stated that the Liahona gave Nephi and his family directions if they had "faith the believe" that the spindles on the compass would point the way they should go. They still needed to be humble and obedient for it to work, but the key phrase for me was about having "faith to believe". The scriptures, in the same chapter, are later compared to the Liahona. If we have "faith to believe" they should point the way we should go, they will.
Before I continue with my experience with prayer, however, I have to share a few thoughts about having "faith to believe". I think for the greater portion of my life I have believed that having faith meant being perfect. Since I have never been perfect, many times I found it difficult to believe that God would ever work miracles in my life. Whether the miracles were wrought in sports, school, or any number of things, since I didn't feel I was perfect, I thought I was faithless, and so I was unsure that Heavenly Father would work things out for me. Yes, I have always believed that in the end everything would work out, but I never believed they could work out in the present. I thought that the now was a time for suffering, and not joy. I'm not sure where I learned that view, but somehow and for some reason I picked it up. I see now, thankfully, that it is possible to have joy in the present, and that we don't have to wait until after we're dead to be happy. We can be happy now! That is the purpose of the gospel, to help us to be truly happy! I realize that having "faith to believe" means trusting that if you will do your very best, trusting that God will answer your prayers and press forward with a "perfect brightness of hope" that God will work a miracle for you, you will see the blessings of fulfilled faith much sooner.
Back to prayer, I had a few questions I needed answered and so I exercised "faith to believe" that God would answer my prayers as I opened the scriptures and studied them. I prayed believing fully that He would answer me right then and there as I read the scriputres and I read with a sure hope that He would show me the answers in the scriptures. I asked two questions in the span of 30 minutes and found both my answers in the same chapter of the Old Testament, Deuteronomy 1. Perhpas if you read it you'll discover what my answers were. :) Then on Sunday I asked another question, and I was less sure about my prayer being answered, so as I opened the scriptures thoughts like, "He's not going to answer this question, it's too specific, and too big of a question to be answered" crept into mind. But I stopped...and I threw away my fears and repeated the statement about having "faith to believe" in my head again, then I flipped open the topical guide. I found some scriptures relating to my question and turned to them. I was led to Hebrews 10 in the New Testament. I read the beginning of the chapter and I somewhat questioned the relevancy of the chapter, but I continued on anyways. I read to almost the end when I came across the verse that let me know without a doubt that Heavenly Father had heard my prayer. The scripture said, "Cast not away your confidence...for ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." I know it may be difficult to understand what that scripture meant to me, but it meant everything. God wants me to be confident in Him and to trust His plan and His will and not to throw away my faith because of my fears, but to believe Him. I can make it and I'm doing good, I just can't give up. All of us can make it if we will keep our confidence in the Lord and not throw it away because of our worries.
I love each of you and hope you have a wonderful week. This week we are going to spend much time tracting in the neighborhoods of members. I know we'll find people to teach and it is going to be a good week. I love you all!
Love~
Austin
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family & Friends~
I've had a few experiences with prayer lately, which have been particularly meaningful to me. I read a scripture in Alma 37:40, which stated that the Liahona gave Nephi and his family directions if they had "faith the believe" that the spindles on the compass would point the way they should go. They still needed to be humble and obedient for it to work, but the key phrase for me was about having "faith to believe". The scriptures, in the same chapter, are later compared to the Liahona. If we have "faith to believe" they should point the way we should go, they will.
Before I continue with my experience with prayer, however, I have to share a few thoughts about having "faith to believe". I think for the greater portion of my life I have believed that having faith meant being perfect. Since I have never been perfect, many times I found it difficult to believe that God would ever work miracles in my life. Whether the miracles were wrought in sports, school, or any number of things, since I didn't feel I was perfect, I thought I was faithless, and so I was unsure that Heavenly Father would work things out for me. Yes, I have always believed that in the end everything would work out, but I never believed they could work out in the present. I thought that the now was a time for suffering, and not joy. I'm not sure where I learned that view, but somehow and for some reason I picked it up. I see now, thankfully, that it is possible to have joy in the present, and that we don't have to wait until after we're dead to be happy. We can be happy now! That is the purpose of the gospel, to help us to be truly happy! I realize that having "faith to believe" means trusting that if you will do your very best, trusting that God will answer your prayers and press forward with a "perfect brightness of hope" that God will work a miracle for you, you will see the blessings of fulfilled faith much sooner.
Back to prayer, I had a few questions I needed answered and so I exercised "faith to believe" that God would answer my prayers as I opened the scriptures and studied them. I prayed believing fully that He would answer me right then and there as I read the scriputres and I read with a sure hope that He would show me the answers in the scriptures. I asked two questions in the span of 30 minutes and found both my answers in the same chapter of the Old Testament, Deuteronomy 1. Perhpas if you read it you'll discover what my answers were. :) Then on Sunday I asked another question, and I was less sure about my prayer being answered, so as I opened the scriptures thoughts like, "He's not going to answer this question, it's too specific, and too big of a question to be answered" crept into mind. But I stopped...and I threw away my fears and repeated the statement about having "faith to believe" in my head again, then I flipped open the topical guide. I found some scriptures relating to my question and turned to them. I was led to Hebrews 10 in the New Testament. I read the beginning of the chapter and I somewhat questioned the relevancy of the chapter, but I continued on anyways. I read to almost the end when I came across the verse that let me know without a doubt that Heavenly Father had heard my prayer. The scripture said, "Cast not away your confidence...for ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise." I know it may be difficult to understand what that scripture meant to me, but it meant everything. God wants me to be confident in Him and to trust His plan and His will and not to throw away my faith because of my fears, but to believe Him. I can make it and I'm doing good, I just can't give up. All of us can make it if we will keep our confidence in the Lord and not throw it away because of our worries.
I love each of you and hope you have a wonderful week. This week we are going to spend much time tracting in the neighborhoods of members. I know we'll find people to teach and it is going to be a good week. I love you all!
Love~
Austin
Monday, May 30, 2011
Flipping the Light Switch
Fleming Island, FL
Dear Family & Friends~
...Rest, I've come to learn, is an important thing. You do everything you can, then after you've done all--you give yourself a break! It's a great thing. I wish I would have believed it was a good thing not to be so hard on myself all the time earlier in life, but I now understand that it is okay to cut myself some slack...at least once in a while. So I'm glad everyone gets to have at least a little break from life this summer.
We had a fairly productive week. We found a few new investigators this past week, all of which have committed to come to church within the next few weeks. We'll find out soon whether they'll end up keeping their commitment or not, but let's hope for the best. All of them are great people; however, some have major life struggles and need real support and comfort, so I hope we can help them in the way they need it most. I've found it difficult lately to dive directly into any of the missionary lessons. We've been spending so much time focusing on learning to get to know our investigators and their needs and to show them our love that it has been a battle to transition from a discussion of life's concerns to the doctrines and principles of the lessons. I know our investigators trust us more and that is a good thing, but I also know that there is less direction in our teaching. I'm really striving to find a balance between listening to the needs and concerns of our investigators and teaching them the lessons. TEACH PEOPLE, NOT LESSONS is our motto and it takes much effort to meet the needs of every soul we teach. Righteousness, knowledge, and charity are three things President Barry taught us we need in order to teach with the convincing power of God and also to be true disciples of Jesus Christ. I believe the more I work on these things, the easier it will become to fully help all the people we meet to come unto Christ and to receive His gospel. I love being on a mission, despite how hard it is, because I know it is helping me to become everything I need to become in order to live with Heavenly Father again. And all these lessons I'm learning about teaching people and helping people are changing and refining me and my desires, and are truly changing me more than anyone I'm helping. Why that is, I'm not sure I'll ever know...but when you give all you have, you always get more in return.
This morning in my studies, I concentrated on learning about the process of receiving personal revelation. I read part of Chapter 4 of Preach My Gospel, which is entitled "How Do I Recognize the Spirit?" and Elder Bednar's talk, "The Spirit of Revelation", then I spent time reflecting on the many ways in which I have been given knowledge and guidance from the Holy Ghost. The more I reflected on my past experiences the more I realized how much the Spirit has led me throughout my life. In so many ways and through so many varying avenues I've been directed by the Spirit to make certain decisions that have had lasting impact on my life. Some decisions I probably haven't come to understand yet how they may have affected me, but I'm positive in the future I'll know the good things that have come from following the promptings of the Holy Ghost. My focus for studies today were centered on what Elder Bednar said about a particular way in which we occasionally receive revelation, but usually very rarely--and he compared it to the way in which we associate with light each day: we walk into a dark room and flip the light switch on and immediately what was once invisible is now visible, and we can see clearly and understand perfectly what is now inside the room, even in an instant. Something to think about... :) (see Alma 32:26-43 for further insight--the seed of faith becoming a tree of everlasting life, or the process of revelation).
I've got to go now, but I want each of you to know I love you and hope you have a wonderful week this week. I look forward to hearing from you next week. :)
Love~
Austin
Dear Family & Friends~
...Rest, I've come to learn, is an important thing. You do everything you can, then after you've done all--you give yourself a break! It's a great thing. I wish I would have believed it was a good thing not to be so hard on myself all the time earlier in life, but I now understand that it is okay to cut myself some slack...at least once in a while. So I'm glad everyone gets to have at least a little break from life this summer.
We had a fairly productive week. We found a few new investigators this past week, all of which have committed to come to church within the next few weeks. We'll find out soon whether they'll end up keeping their commitment or not, but let's hope for the best. All of them are great people; however, some have major life struggles and need real support and comfort, so I hope we can help them in the way they need it most. I've found it difficult lately to dive directly into any of the missionary lessons. We've been spending so much time focusing on learning to get to know our investigators and their needs and to show them our love that it has been a battle to transition from a discussion of life's concerns to the doctrines and principles of the lessons. I know our investigators trust us more and that is a good thing, but I also know that there is less direction in our teaching. I'm really striving to find a balance between listening to the needs and concerns of our investigators and teaching them the lessons. TEACH PEOPLE, NOT LESSONS is our motto and it takes much effort to meet the needs of every soul we teach. Righteousness, knowledge, and charity are three things President Barry taught us we need in order to teach with the convincing power of God and also to be true disciples of Jesus Christ. I believe the more I work on these things, the easier it will become to fully help all the people we meet to come unto Christ and to receive His gospel. I love being on a mission, despite how hard it is, because I know it is helping me to become everything I need to become in order to live with Heavenly Father again. And all these lessons I'm learning about teaching people and helping people are changing and refining me and my desires, and are truly changing me more than anyone I'm helping. Why that is, I'm not sure I'll ever know...but when you give all you have, you always get more in return.
This morning in my studies, I concentrated on learning about the process of receiving personal revelation. I read part of Chapter 4 of Preach My Gospel, which is entitled "How Do I Recognize the Spirit?" and Elder Bednar's talk, "The Spirit of Revelation", then I spent time reflecting on the many ways in which I have been given knowledge and guidance from the Holy Ghost. The more I reflected on my past experiences the more I realized how much the Spirit has led me throughout my life. In so many ways and through so many varying avenues I've been directed by the Spirit to make certain decisions that have had lasting impact on my life. Some decisions I probably haven't come to understand yet how they may have affected me, but I'm positive in the future I'll know the good things that have come from following the promptings of the Holy Ghost. My focus for studies today were centered on what Elder Bednar said about a particular way in which we occasionally receive revelation, but usually very rarely--and he compared it to the way in which we associate with light each day: we walk into a dark room and flip the light switch on and immediately what was once invisible is now visible, and we can see clearly and understand perfectly what is now inside the room, even in an instant. Something to think about... :) (see Alma 32:26-43 for further insight--the seed of faith becoming a tree of everlasting life, or the process of revelation).
I've got to go now, but I want each of you to know I love you and hope you have a wonderful week this week. I look forward to hearing from you next week. :)
Love~
Austin
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Life is a game of progress
5.23.11
Fleming Island
Dear Family & Friends~
I am thankful to hear that things are going well back home. I'm sorry to hear that SLCC wasn't able to finally pull through, but the progress they made was exceptional. This will hopefully give them the momentum they need to go out and win it all next season. It is difficult to look much past a single season, but when planning for success, sometimes one needs to look years in the future. No worries, because life is a game of progress and as long as you're moving forward that is all that ever really mattered anyways... We don't go backwards--sometimes we fall, fail, and falter--but we always get back up and try again.
This coming transfer will be much different than the last seven and a half months of my mission. I will no longer be serving as a District Leader. I will continue with Elder Kiracofe in Fleming Island and stay in the same district; however, I will be serving as a Senior Companion instead. Honestly, it was a little sad to be released, but deep down, I know that it is the right thing. I've done a lot as a District Leader, and grown much, and helped others to grow and become better. It has been very rewarding and also at times extremely overwhelming. Nevertheless, I'm grateful to have a change of focus. All the things I've learned can now apply to a singular area. I can't wait to apply everything I've learned to this great ward. I feel as light as a feather, like a great burden has been lifted off my shoulders.
From the time I've been serving as a District Leader, I have been able to take part in seeing three of the Elders I've been serving with become District Leaders, I've seen one Elder become a Zone Leader, I've seen one become a Sister Leader, several others become Senior Companions, and a few others become trainers. it has been a major blessing to watch everyone progress and do their very best and continue upward. I may not have known what I've been doing the entire time, but I can say that I have loved these missionaries. So many of them have been so much greater than myself and I feel I've learned more from them than they have from me. Perhaps you always feel that way...but I am grateful for their examples to me. I don't think you get called to be a leader to be "in charge" of everything, but to humbly learn from everyone else all the great things they have to teach you and to love them with all your heart and to help them stay united with love one toward another. They'll learn all they need to become as you love them and give them permission to be their true selves--or even to see their true selves so that they can become all they are capable of becoming. Elder Oaks says that when you have a vision of what you can become your desire and power to act increase enormously--by sharing a true spirit of love and kindness toward others you inadvertently give them a vision of all they can become. Their hearts expand and their vision increases and their great hopes and dreams suddenly seem possible to them. By striving to look at those you serve through Heavenly Father's eyes, you can share with them what you really see in them, and who they really are to you, and to God. We can't see it in ourselves. Someone has to show us. No matter how many times I stand and stare at myself in the mirror will I ever be able to figure out my own worth. I learn my worth when I discover that God loves me and that I am His child; and so often that is learned through the selfless love and care of others. By having our existence affirmed by those who deeply love us are we lifted to our fullest and highest potentials.
We found a total of four new investigators this week, which is really good. This week we've also gone to several members homes and invited them to mightily pray to have investigators be taught in their homes within the next few weeks. To my great joy, all of them have accepted the challenge. I know it is a scary thing to ask of someone, but despite whatever apprehension they may have felt, they said yes! For all the hard times, the faith of these members have swept away the stress and pain I've felt these past many weeks because of our lack of apparent success. But the real success hasn't even been so much who we've found, it has been the growing relationship we've had with the wonderful members of the Fleming Island ward. I am so grateful for them and for all the members I've come to know on my mission. I am grateful for this Church. Life can be so hard, but there is always a home wherever you are or at whatever stage you are at in your life within the Church. Family is everywhere. How blessed we are!
I love each of you and wish you the best week ever! I love you and I'll talk to you next week.
Love~
Austin
Fleming Island
Dear Family & Friends~
I am thankful to hear that things are going well back home. I'm sorry to hear that SLCC wasn't able to finally pull through, but the progress they made was exceptional. This will hopefully give them the momentum they need to go out and win it all next season. It is difficult to look much past a single season, but when planning for success, sometimes one needs to look years in the future. No worries, because life is a game of progress and as long as you're moving forward that is all that ever really mattered anyways... We don't go backwards--sometimes we fall, fail, and falter--but we always get back up and try again.
This coming transfer will be much different than the last seven and a half months of my mission. I will no longer be serving as a District Leader. I will continue with Elder Kiracofe in Fleming Island and stay in the same district; however, I will be serving as a Senior Companion instead. Honestly, it was a little sad to be released, but deep down, I know that it is the right thing. I've done a lot as a District Leader, and grown much, and helped others to grow and become better. It has been very rewarding and also at times extremely overwhelming. Nevertheless, I'm grateful to have a change of focus. All the things I've learned can now apply to a singular area. I can't wait to apply everything I've learned to this great ward. I feel as light as a feather, like a great burden has been lifted off my shoulders.
From the time I've been serving as a District Leader, I have been able to take part in seeing three of the Elders I've been serving with become District Leaders, I've seen one Elder become a Zone Leader, I've seen one become a Sister Leader, several others become Senior Companions, and a few others become trainers. it has been a major blessing to watch everyone progress and do their very best and continue upward. I may not have known what I've been doing the entire time, but I can say that I have loved these missionaries. So many of them have been so much greater than myself and I feel I've learned more from them than they have from me. Perhaps you always feel that way...but I am grateful for their examples to me. I don't think you get called to be a leader to be "in charge" of everything, but to humbly learn from everyone else all the great things they have to teach you and to love them with all your heart and to help them stay united with love one toward another. They'll learn all they need to become as you love them and give them permission to be their true selves--or even to see their true selves so that they can become all they are capable of becoming. Elder Oaks says that when you have a vision of what you can become your desire and power to act increase enormously--by sharing a true spirit of love and kindness toward others you inadvertently give them a vision of all they can become. Their hearts expand and their vision increases and their great hopes and dreams suddenly seem possible to them. By striving to look at those you serve through Heavenly Father's eyes, you can share with them what you really see in them, and who they really are to you, and to God. We can't see it in ourselves. Someone has to show us. No matter how many times I stand and stare at myself in the mirror will I ever be able to figure out my own worth. I learn my worth when I discover that God loves me and that I am His child; and so often that is learned through the selfless love and care of others. By having our existence affirmed by those who deeply love us are we lifted to our fullest and highest potentials.
We found a total of four new investigators this week, which is really good. This week we've also gone to several members homes and invited them to mightily pray to have investigators be taught in their homes within the next few weeks. To my great joy, all of them have accepted the challenge. I know it is a scary thing to ask of someone, but despite whatever apprehension they may have felt, they said yes! For all the hard times, the faith of these members have swept away the stress and pain I've felt these past many weeks because of our lack of apparent success. But the real success hasn't even been so much who we've found, it has been the growing relationship we've had with the wonderful members of the Fleming Island ward. I am so grateful for them and for all the members I've come to know on my mission. I am grateful for this Church. Life can be so hard, but there is always a home wherever you are or at whatever stage you are at in your life within the Church. Family is everywhere. How blessed we are!
I love each of you and wish you the best week ever! I love you and I'll talk to you next week.
Love~
Austin
Tuesday, May 10, 2011
Momentum Shifts
Fleming Island/Orange Park
Dear Family & Friends~
I'm grateful to have been able to spend a short time this Mother's Day to speak with each of you! I was happy to hear each of your voices. Too bad time moves too quickly...but the time is near that I will see you again, so all is well.
Elder Kiracofe and I had an interesting study this morning about attitudes and its effect on the success of individuals and teams. We talked a little bit about momentum shifts in sports games and its comparison to momentum shifts in missionary work. A momentum shift, as we defined it, isn't so much a physical thing as it is a mental outlook on the final outcome of the game--whatever the "game" may be. We thought of some good questions:
-When you were at your peak performance, was the game easy or difficult to perform?
-When you were having the most fun, did you often find you were having the most success?
-When you weren't having success, yet maintained a positive outlook, did you find that later you found the success you'd initially hoped to achieve?
I'm sure there are a million other questions you could think of, but we concluded that the times we had the most fun and the times we had the most success, no matter the level of intensity or difficulty, were the times that everything felt like it came together, and whatever it was we were doing felt easy...not that we weren't working hard or anything, but we believed and hoped for greatness and we worked for it; we loved the game and accepted it for what it was--a game.
In the same sense I can look at myself; I am imperfect. I am fallen. I will come short every single time of what Heavenly Father requires of me: but that is life. I am not supposed to be perfect today. I am supposed to be grateful for the life I've been given and to enjoy it. I am to do my best to be as obedient as I possibly can to Heavenly Father's will, but if I mess up, I need to trust that He still loves me and believes in me. So I ask forgiveness and get over it! Then do better the next time. And if I fall short again, SO WHAT?!! At least I'm trying. At least I'm doing my best. That is all Heavenly Father can justly expect me to do, is my very best! And if I do that, He can give me mercy and show me grace because of His Son. If I'm persistent and faithful and BELIEVING and HAPPY and SMILING, it will all work out in the end.
Next week I'm going to try and find some stories to share with you about the people that we meet. I have a feeling this week is going to be a good week. No matter what happens, I think that we are going to take some major leaps this week as far as "momentum" is concerned. We have a great ward and great people in it. The people in the area...are good people. They have open hearts and minds and all they need is for someone like Elder Kiracofe and I, and the members of the ward, to reach out and show them that we care and that we love them. Heavenly Father will do the rest of the work. I couldn't imagine being in any other area than this one at this time. People don't mind talking and being friendly. I have met so many people who have offered me and my companion water during the heat of the day. People here are looking to serve. (Sometimes it's easier to look at the bad things--but in the end, I don't think it really matters what bad things surround us, all that matters is what we choose to do with what we've been given--whether we build, encourage, and love, despite the negative, or choose to be defeated because we cannot overcome the negativity, because we let it creep in our hearts and eat us alive! YIKES!!)
Negativity is truly like poison! It is amazing to me how much a person's attitude can affect every aspect of his or her life.
This week, just pray that each of us will be able to witness miracles--whether it be finding people to share the gospel with, success in school or sports, or work--anything. Miracles come by faith and God wants to give us miracles. So let's show Him that we wish to be a part of His team so He can give us miracles. "The miracle is that you recognized the miracle when it came." -Anonymous
I love you and I love that you listen to all my preaching as well! I hope you have a wonderful week and that everything goes well for each of you! HAPPY DAY AFTER MOTHER'S DAY!! Talk to you next week.
Love~
Austin
Dear Family & Friends~
I'm grateful to have been able to spend a short time this Mother's Day to speak with each of you! I was happy to hear each of your voices. Too bad time moves too quickly...but the time is near that I will see you again, so all is well.
Elder Kiracofe and I had an interesting study this morning about attitudes and its effect on the success of individuals and teams. We talked a little bit about momentum shifts in sports games and its comparison to momentum shifts in missionary work. A momentum shift, as we defined it, isn't so much a physical thing as it is a mental outlook on the final outcome of the game--whatever the "game" may be. We thought of some good questions:
-When you were at your peak performance, was the game easy or difficult to perform?
-When you were having the most fun, did you often find you were having the most success?
-When you weren't having success, yet maintained a positive outlook, did you find that later you found the success you'd initially hoped to achieve?
I'm sure there are a million other questions you could think of, but we concluded that the times we had the most fun and the times we had the most success, no matter the level of intensity or difficulty, were the times that everything felt like it came together, and whatever it was we were doing felt easy...not that we weren't working hard or anything, but we believed and hoped for greatness and we worked for it; we loved the game and accepted it for what it was--a game.
In the same sense I can look at myself; I am imperfect. I am fallen. I will come short every single time of what Heavenly Father requires of me: but that is life. I am not supposed to be perfect today. I am supposed to be grateful for the life I've been given and to enjoy it. I am to do my best to be as obedient as I possibly can to Heavenly Father's will, but if I mess up, I need to trust that He still loves me and believes in me. So I ask forgiveness and get over it! Then do better the next time. And if I fall short again, SO WHAT?!! At least I'm trying. At least I'm doing my best. That is all Heavenly Father can justly expect me to do, is my very best! And if I do that, He can give me mercy and show me grace because of His Son. If I'm persistent and faithful and BELIEVING and HAPPY and SMILING, it will all work out in the end.
Next week I'm going to try and find some stories to share with you about the people that we meet. I have a feeling this week is going to be a good week. No matter what happens, I think that we are going to take some major leaps this week as far as "momentum" is concerned. We have a great ward and great people in it. The people in the area...are good people. They have open hearts and minds and all they need is for someone like Elder Kiracofe and I, and the members of the ward, to reach out and show them that we care and that we love them. Heavenly Father will do the rest of the work. I couldn't imagine being in any other area than this one at this time. People don't mind talking and being friendly. I have met so many people who have offered me and my companion water during the heat of the day. People here are looking to serve. (Sometimes it's easier to look at the bad things--but in the end, I don't think it really matters what bad things surround us, all that matters is what we choose to do with what we've been given--whether we build, encourage, and love, despite the negative, or choose to be defeated because we cannot overcome the negativity, because we let it creep in our hearts and eat us alive! YIKES!!)
Negativity is truly like poison! It is amazing to me how much a person's attitude can affect every aspect of his or her life.
This week, just pray that each of us will be able to witness miracles--whether it be finding people to share the gospel with, success in school or sports, or work--anything. Miracles come by faith and God wants to give us miracles. So let's show Him that we wish to be a part of His team so He can give us miracles. "The miracle is that you recognized the miracle when it came." -Anonymous
I love you and I love that you listen to all my preaching as well! I hope you have a wonderful week and that everything goes well for each of you! HAPPY DAY AFTER MOTHER'S DAY!! Talk to you next week.
Love~
Austin
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
It's Time To Go For It!
Fleming Island/Orange Park
Dear Family & Friends~
My mission has probably been the most strenuous experience ever! But you know what? I don't think that it even matters. Life is not easty. Life was never meant to be easy. And it most certainly is never going to be easy. I have a few short months to sprint through the finish line. I haven't known what I've been doing almost all my mission and almost none of it has made sense to me, but one thing I have learned is that it is the biggest blessing I've ever been given. I'm excited to know that I can even recognize a blessing when it comes. To think how little I knew before I decided to serve until now, it is quite amazing to consider how far I've come. This week has passed me by quickly. The speed of the mission is going by quicker and quicker and I want to fight it. I feel that these last few months are where the real test begins. This is the culmination of everything I have been trained to do...so what am I going to do? Fight or flight? There has been so much going through my mind lately...a major mix of emotions and feelings. The attempt to stay strong and overcome the gravity of defeat has been excruciating. But I am realizing more than ever that the only thing the Lord wants me to realize is this: The work of gathering is His work and He will ensure its success no matter what I do or say. My job is to have a testimony of Him and His work and then to share that testimony with others. Those who are prepared will listen and those who aren't, won't. But as long as we do our part, He will bless us. So it is time to go for it!! Whatever that entails :)
I am basically out of time again today. I wasn't able to get on the computer until almost too late...but I do have a couple of other things to say:
1. Revelations 12:11 -- we overcome the adversary through the Atonement and by the word of our testimony.
2. We gain a testimony by studying the Book of Mormon and asking Heavenly Father in the name of Christ if it is true and by asking in faith, sincerity, and real commitment. (Moroni 10:3-5)
3. We can repeat this process over and over again
I realized something the other day, and I know I've been taught it before but I didn't ever think about it, and that is...if the Book of Mormon is true and that if this is the true Church, then nothing else matters. We give our best and do our best to do everything that God has asked us to do and He will take care of ALL the rest. Everything we know hinges on our testimony of the Restoration! So what greater thing to do than be empowered by the Holy Ghost through reading and praying about the Book of Mormon!
I really wish I had more time to write, but we will talk on Sunday! I love each of you and wish you a wonderful week. Good luck my brothers with baseball and KJ with dance!
I love you!
Love~
Austin
Dear Family & Friends~
My mission has probably been the most strenuous experience ever! But you know what? I don't think that it even matters. Life is not easty. Life was never meant to be easy. And it most certainly is never going to be easy. I have a few short months to sprint through the finish line. I haven't known what I've been doing almost all my mission and almost none of it has made sense to me, but one thing I have learned is that it is the biggest blessing I've ever been given. I'm excited to know that I can even recognize a blessing when it comes. To think how little I knew before I decided to serve until now, it is quite amazing to consider how far I've come. This week has passed me by quickly. The speed of the mission is going by quicker and quicker and I want to fight it. I feel that these last few months are where the real test begins. This is the culmination of everything I have been trained to do...so what am I going to do? Fight or flight? There has been so much going through my mind lately...a major mix of emotions and feelings. The attempt to stay strong and overcome the gravity of defeat has been excruciating. But I am realizing more than ever that the only thing the Lord wants me to realize is this: The work of gathering is His work and He will ensure its success no matter what I do or say. My job is to have a testimony of Him and His work and then to share that testimony with others. Those who are prepared will listen and those who aren't, won't. But as long as we do our part, He will bless us. So it is time to go for it!! Whatever that entails :)
I am basically out of time again today. I wasn't able to get on the computer until almost too late...but I do have a couple of other things to say:
1. Revelations 12:11 -- we overcome the adversary through the Atonement and by the word of our testimony.
2. We gain a testimony by studying the Book of Mormon and asking Heavenly Father in the name of Christ if it is true and by asking in faith, sincerity, and real commitment. (Moroni 10:3-5)
3. We can repeat this process over and over again
I realized something the other day, and I know I've been taught it before but I didn't ever think about it, and that is...if the Book of Mormon is true and that if this is the true Church, then nothing else matters. We give our best and do our best to do everything that God has asked us to do and He will take care of ALL the rest. Everything we know hinges on our testimony of the Restoration! So what greater thing to do than be empowered by the Holy Ghost through reading and praying about the Book of Mormon!
I really wish I had more time to write, but we will talk on Sunday! I love each of you and wish you a wonderful week. Good luck my brothers with baseball and KJ with dance!
I love you!
Love~
Austin
Monday, April 25, 2011
Testify with Boldness
Fleming Island/Orange Park
Dear Family & Friends~
I'm glad to hear your Easter weekend went well and that you were able to enjoy yourselves and also remember the good times from the past. It is kind of funny, lately I've been getting baseball and football dreams, some nightmares, others slightly less burdening, and others happier--I'm not sure why they are popping up, especially since it isn't like I'm thinking about sports, only in passing do the thoughts come. Perhaps because of spending my entire life playing sports it is difficult for my mind to forget. Who knows. I do notice that the dreams have been showing a gradual change, however, from miserable dreams to happier dreams. Maybe it is a symbol of me letting go of my negative experiences and learning to focus on the better times. I can see that as being true and my dreams aren't fully positive yet because at times I still slip into the habit of remembering the difficulties rather than the joy of it all.
Elder Kiracofe and I are getting along well. He is definitely one of the funnier companions I've had, but for the greater part, he is a very focused missionary. He didn't come to waste time! Which is good because it is nice to be around a motivated person. Interestingly enough, I've noticed that those whom I've been surrounded by are rather cheerful people. In fact, the majority of my District, and even Zone, is filled with missionaries who love to enjoy themselves, but also work hard. The overall attitude of these missionaries is pleasantly optimistic. It feels as though each of us are changing and letting go of the old and allowing the new, happier spirit into our lives. We are unifying little by little. It is powerful to see how things are gradually changing in the mission. I don't know how it works, but the Lord knows what He is doing. So does President Barry.
For Easter we went to a member's home in the other Fleming Island ward. The Kelly's are a great family. They have a couple of kids, one on a mission to South America somewhere and they have living with them another Sister in the ward and her son. They love the missionaries and it is their tradition to always have the missionaries over for ALL the holidays, if possible, especially Easter. We had a great time with them and really enjoyed their company. Also, Brook and Jonathan brought us over a dinner later that evening. I love their family too. It is amazing to see the example they are setting for their family and for the changes that are taking place in their lives. There is an aura of happiness that shines around them. You can see the peace that they feel and their faith is evident. Their son, Michael, and might I add Jonathan as well, received the Aaronic Priesthood a couple Sundays ago. Jonathan was ordained a Priest and was able to ordain his son to a Deacon. Michael passed the sacrament for the first time yesterday. He was a little apprehensive because of the large crowd that came to church, but he did a great job.
...I remembered a quote from Joseph Smith where he said we should pray like it all depends on God and then go out and work like it all depends on us. I think that is the relationship Heavenly Father is trying to build with me, to help me understand it does all depend on Him; however, whether He will work the miracle depends all on my faith and diligence: it is a team effort. In a similar sense it is like asking the other roommates to help clean up as though it entirely depended on them to keep the apartment clean, then to turn around and do every possible thing I can to help keep it clean as well--and then continually reminding them of my need for their support, as well as my continual effort in keeping the place clean. It is the process of uniting independent minds on a single purpose and goal. Seems to me kind of like a marriage of sorts...but then again, I'm not married, so I may not fully understand.
Anyways, I think Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want me to know that I can count on Them and that if I will trust in Them and do as They ask, I will always be able to rejoice.
Our "finding" is on the upswing. I am learning more effectively how to invite others to learn about the gospel. It can be difficult at times to understand how to relate with people in a powerful way that will help them to feel the truth of the gospel in merely a few seconds. God wants us to rely on the Holy Ghost to testify of His gospel and not to use many words, but to be simple and sincere in brief testimony so the Spirit can shoot straight to the heart of the individual and cause them to feel the truth. We are learning as a mission that it isn't up to us whether or not someone will become converted, but it is up to them, and whether or not they will receive the Spirit we invite. No number or combination of words, no amount of logic, nothing save the Holy Ghost can penetrate the heart in a way that would cause someone to be converted. Up to this point, I haven't understood that principle as well as I thought, and I think to a degree it is one of the reasons "finding" has always been a difficult thing for me to do, but now I am starting to see that God doesn't want me to convince them, He wants me to testify with sincerity and boldness, but simply and briefly so the Holy Ghost can convince them. In consequence of that relationship, it is so important for us to be exactly obedient so we can receive our own knowledge and testimony of the doctrine so we can also testify with greater sincerity and power. I am starting to see President Barry's game plan. He is wanting us to go out and work to convert others, but in so doing, he is helping us to become converted. Mind you, this is a gradual thing!! But it is working. :)
I love each of you and wish you a happy week and look forward to speaking with you again on Mother's Day!
Love~
Austin
Dear Family & Friends~
I'm glad to hear your Easter weekend went well and that you were able to enjoy yourselves and also remember the good times from the past. It is kind of funny, lately I've been getting baseball and football dreams, some nightmares, others slightly less burdening, and others happier--I'm not sure why they are popping up, especially since it isn't like I'm thinking about sports, only in passing do the thoughts come. Perhaps because of spending my entire life playing sports it is difficult for my mind to forget. Who knows. I do notice that the dreams have been showing a gradual change, however, from miserable dreams to happier dreams. Maybe it is a symbol of me letting go of my negative experiences and learning to focus on the better times. I can see that as being true and my dreams aren't fully positive yet because at times I still slip into the habit of remembering the difficulties rather than the joy of it all.
Elder Kiracofe and I are getting along well. He is definitely one of the funnier companions I've had, but for the greater part, he is a very focused missionary. He didn't come to waste time! Which is good because it is nice to be around a motivated person. Interestingly enough, I've noticed that those whom I've been surrounded by are rather cheerful people. In fact, the majority of my District, and even Zone, is filled with missionaries who love to enjoy themselves, but also work hard. The overall attitude of these missionaries is pleasantly optimistic. It feels as though each of us are changing and letting go of the old and allowing the new, happier spirit into our lives. We are unifying little by little. It is powerful to see how things are gradually changing in the mission. I don't know how it works, but the Lord knows what He is doing. So does President Barry.
For Easter we went to a member's home in the other Fleming Island ward. The Kelly's are a great family. They have a couple of kids, one on a mission to South America somewhere and they have living with them another Sister in the ward and her son. They love the missionaries and it is their tradition to always have the missionaries over for ALL the holidays, if possible, especially Easter. We had a great time with them and really enjoyed their company. Also, Brook and Jonathan brought us over a dinner later that evening. I love their family too. It is amazing to see the example they are setting for their family and for the changes that are taking place in their lives. There is an aura of happiness that shines around them. You can see the peace that they feel and their faith is evident. Their son, Michael, and might I add Jonathan as well, received the Aaronic Priesthood a couple Sundays ago. Jonathan was ordained a Priest and was able to ordain his son to a Deacon. Michael passed the sacrament for the first time yesterday. He was a little apprehensive because of the large crowd that came to church, but he did a great job.
...I remembered a quote from Joseph Smith where he said we should pray like it all depends on God and then go out and work like it all depends on us. I think that is the relationship Heavenly Father is trying to build with me, to help me understand it does all depend on Him; however, whether He will work the miracle depends all on my faith and diligence: it is a team effort. In a similar sense it is like asking the other roommates to help clean up as though it entirely depended on them to keep the apartment clean, then to turn around and do every possible thing I can to help keep it clean as well--and then continually reminding them of my need for their support, as well as my continual effort in keeping the place clean. It is the process of uniting independent minds on a single purpose and goal. Seems to me kind of like a marriage of sorts...but then again, I'm not married, so I may not fully understand.
Anyways, I think Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ want me to know that I can count on Them and that if I will trust in Them and do as They ask, I will always be able to rejoice.
Our "finding" is on the upswing. I am learning more effectively how to invite others to learn about the gospel. It can be difficult at times to understand how to relate with people in a powerful way that will help them to feel the truth of the gospel in merely a few seconds. God wants us to rely on the Holy Ghost to testify of His gospel and not to use many words, but to be simple and sincere in brief testimony so the Spirit can shoot straight to the heart of the individual and cause them to feel the truth. We are learning as a mission that it isn't up to us whether or not someone will become converted, but it is up to them, and whether or not they will receive the Spirit we invite. No number or combination of words, no amount of logic, nothing save the Holy Ghost can penetrate the heart in a way that would cause someone to be converted. Up to this point, I haven't understood that principle as well as I thought, and I think to a degree it is one of the reasons "finding" has always been a difficult thing for me to do, but now I am starting to see that God doesn't want me to convince them, He wants me to testify with sincerity and boldness, but simply and briefly so the Holy Ghost can convince them. In consequence of that relationship, it is so important for us to be exactly obedient so we can receive our own knowledge and testimony of the doctrine so we can also testify with greater sincerity and power. I am starting to see President Barry's game plan. He is wanting us to go out and work to convert others, but in so doing, he is helping us to become converted. Mind you, this is a gradual thing!! But it is working. :)
I love each of you and wish you a happy week and look forward to speaking with you again on Mother's Day!
Love~
Austin
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