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