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