Keeping it Clean

3.14.11
Orange Park, FL
(Fleming Island area)

Dear Family~

I was excited to see the pictures you sent me! It was neat to see Billy up there bringing the heat (pitching)! Whatever he wants to do, he does! There is no stopping him!

...Elder Lucas shared with me something he learned from his Seminary teacher, which is, the Book of Mormon is the only book on the face of the whole earth that reveals the very tactics and nature of Satan--that it is a book that shows us what we must do to overcome him and his relentless attacks. He is out there, and he is real, but the Book of Mormon will aid us in our journey home. Heavenly Father won't give up on us, even if we have given up on ourselves. Satan would have us believe that we cannot be helped and that we are alone. I am thankful to know that that is absolutely untrue. God is always there. Jesus has already gained victory over all things, so if we trust in Him so can we!

John and Michael will be baptized this Saturday at 1:00 p.m. I am very excited for them. Each time we enter their home, the Spirit seems to flood the room and all of us can feel Heavenly Father's presence. I am happy to be able to have been part of the process in teaching them and to see how each day brings them more joy and more light! They still have their difficulties, but they are working on them and they are doing all they can to stay united. Saturday will be a great day for them. :)

I don't have much time left, but I will say that things are going well here. I am learning to eat a healthy and balanced diet. I am avoiding all the fast food stuff I can (aside form the expenses, I like eating healthier). I think I am also becoming Mr. Clean. I have this need to clean and organize the messes around me. Oddly enough, I like the organizing and cleaning. Obviously it takes time to clean and organize, but it is worth it. I have made an inner commitment to always be clean, in every aspect of my life. First thing I want to do when I come home, is to clean up for all the messes I've made before I left home! Whether it be helping in the yard, laundry room, or anything. I'm down. See Mom, if there is anything good that ever happened from me serving a mission, it is that I have gained a desire to be clean.

Elder Chadwick is a good missionary. We get along well. He is very quiet, however. He has a wonderful heart and will also accomplish much good on his mission if he will keep working hard. I am learning that the best way to work with the quiet is to lead by example and to teach what I know, leaving to them the opportunity to decide for themselves what they will do. They do not want advice, just a good example, and they want to learn.

Tell everyone that I love them and look forward to writing back next week!

I love you~

Austin