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
Thursday, July 21, 2011
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
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