Week of June 12, 2016

Dear Mom,

That is alright, mistakes happen. But I am really happy that I got a letter anyways! I thought that it was really nice! Thanks for sending it to me. I am excited to see what life is like after the mission. Tell Hyrum that I will see him on the 4th then if he will make it to that! I am excited to see the cousins, I would prefer to be released and then go see Andrew so that I can be in normal clothes and also be able to do some important things before that. I need to make a phone call to Dustin to figure out what my job proposition is and if I will take it or not. I also need to talk to Molly, Lindsay, and Sadie about the homecoming and when that will be, they are all coming and say that they are excited! Molly is bringing her fiance and I can't wait to meet him! The first two girls are like little sisters to me and to see Marlee and Molly married is super exciting! Sadie and I are going to do something most likely the weekend after next week before she goes back to college as well so I need to figure that out when I get home as well. 

Brother Doeroe did baptize his daughter and he did an amazing job! It was a really cool experience for him and he really felt humbled to be able to have the priesthood! My week was good, we are just trying to find new people for the next 2 guys to teach and we have a little pool created for them. We also gave service at the Air Force Museum like always and that gets boring after a while. Brie told me that the dogs ran away because of Caden? What happened exactly? Tell Grandma and Grandpa that I said Congratulations for making it through 50 wonderful years together! And if you could invite everyone on my facebook to come to my homecoming, that would be great, that way all the people who would come are notified and no one is left out. Tell Bryn that I said good luck! I love you guys and I can't wait to see you!

Love,

Austin

Week of June 5, 2016

Dear Mom,

I was a little surprised that you didn't write me this week during e-mail time. Good thing that we have a computer at the apartment office. Brother Lowe is doing great as well. Things have been going really well in matters of work and things to do and baptisms so that is great. We went to Palo Duro Canyon for p-day and it was really fun, we went mountain biking and hiking and I have some great pictures for you! The package was great, I actually used the cliff bars and some of the sports chews for the trip and they helped me a lot! There is a lot of stuff that I need to do when I get home. But can you possibly invite Hyrum and Dallin to the airport as well? I would love to see them there with you guys as well! I heard about Bryn and Brie, tell them I said congratulations. What is going on with Bryson and Caden right now? Haven't heard from them in a while.

That is good to hear about the Grandparents, I can't wait to see them again. I hope you have fun on the camp trip. Brother Doeroe got the priesthood this Sunday so he will be able to baptize his daughter this Saturday. We also had this very funny moment at Wal-mart today where Elder Crop kept referring to different flavors of Shaving cream to mean different brands, so I said outloud while we were walking that if Shaving Cream had a scent and a flavor then all of our problems would go away (meaning that if it was safe to smell and consume, then shaving would be a lot easier!) So the Lady in front of us turns around, looks at us with a smile on her face and keeps walking. Haha

Anyways, I love you and I can't wait to hear back from you! Have a great week!

Week of May 29, 2016

Dear Mom,

That is good to hear, seriously though, the employees bugged me a ton before the mission so now that I know how to handle disobedient situations, I will help as much as I can while I am working on my own career pursuits of course. That is a good thing for Luna I guess, now she can't run off as often haha. That is a bummer for Lucky though, I hope that get figures out. They were confirmed this week! They were so happy to be a part of the church! They were extremely social during church. We are baptizing brother Lowe this Saturday and he is excited for that. Then next week, we are getting to witness the baptism of Beauty Doeroe, Annie and Augustine's 9 year old daughter. The members do feed us really well. I got the package, but 2 days prior I had started a diet to eat no trans fat, little sugar, and exercise daily. So the food contents were a little conflicting ;) But I really enjoyed it, thank you so much! Yeah, they still haven't fixed the mailboxes here so once a week we have to get a ride to the Post Office to pick up any mail. The main stuff that I need when I get home: Garments, Shirts, Pants, White Shirts, and that kind of stuff. What are we going to do about a phone/car? Just wondering. My goal is to get a samsung galaxy and a Subaru Outback. But the car for now is a longish-term goal! I'll be honest, I love being on the mission, but there is something about home that just makes me happier! (maybe a very beautiful girl is the reason) (discard that comment, I was halfway joking ;) ) I love you guys so much and I want to be the best post-mission son you can have. I want to help out whenever I can, I want to be very active in the church, and I want to help people. That is really crazy to see everyone. I hope that Grandma gets feeling better! My week was really good, I wasn't able to email yesterday due to it being Memorial Day but what can you do? We went to the zoo and that was pretty fun! Good thing that there were no Gorillas there ;) (Bad Joke, I'm so sorry!) Yes, I still study Spanish, I want to be fluent in it by the time I get married so I need to practice. I talk to all Spanish Missionaries in Spanish for the most part. I will pray for Brie and Bryn's success. I really hope that Grandpa can still keep up with me on our hunting trips! And I am sorry for your allergies! Hope you get better! I love you guys and I really hope that you have a great week! And if it is any consolation... I don't have any allergies right now ;) LOVE YOU!

Your son,

Austin

Week of May 22, 2016

Dear Mom,

Thanks for the blog post, I really enjoyed it! So what is wrong with the restaurant? I thought it was going well? I will keep that in my prayers, I wouldn't suggest giving up if the problems are minor. Tell Bryn and Brie that I am really proud of them! So what does that mean "overdoes it" Like can she still play and run and that kind of stuff or is she now crippled? I am glad to hear that the horse is doing really well though! I really hope you get feeling better! Our week went really well, a ton of walking! At least it was windy so it felt great to walk. The baptisms went really well! Annie and Augustine were really excited and the spirit was so strong in the room! Sadly though, they weren't confirmed as one of their daughters had to be taken to the E.R and they had to miss church because of that, but we have a lesson with them on Saturday and they will be confirmed this Sunday instead. Augustine will also be interviewed for the priesthood so that he can baptize his daughter who will be baptized next week or so!

 The ward did support but there has been a problem with fellowship in this ward for some time apparently but they are making serious efforts to try and change that! We are also teaching some less-actives, there is a man that I haven't met yet named Brother Lowe, he is a member's husband and they are feeding us this Tuesday and he will set his baptismal date when we see him! He seems really legit! I don't know how much money I have but I think that I am doing ok. But if you want you can put money in there. I don't need that much, I have a lot of food, I am planning on leaving a lot of my clothes here (socks, shirts, and that kind of stuff) We do need to buy new garments and shirts when I get home though, and new socks! Elder Crop and I were talking about cars and I realized that the best car for me would probably be a Subaru Outback but I am still not quite sure. Elder Crop and I decided that we are going to go as hard as possible for our last month and we have been doing a really good job lately. The area is nice, really rich neighborhood though so we almost completely rely on member referrals. I haven't received the package yet but I will check the office today. I hope it is here, did you write the correct address? They will either white wash the area, shut it down, or put sisters in the area. I doubt that the latter is true though as sisters are becoming extremely rare right now.

I still don't know the reasons because President Heap hasn't been told them either, but my last area got shut down. President promised that I would be the first one to know once he found out though. But I hope that everything is going well! I love you guys and I can't wait to hear from you next week! I will send the pictures again! Love you guys!

Love,

Austin

Week of May 15, 2016

Dear Mom,

I honestly do not know how to respond to that email. That sucks a ton. The address is 3631 Brennan Boulevard #9F, 79121 Amarillo, TX. I will read that talk when I get the chance! My new companion and I are doing good, we have a baptism of a Liberian Family this saturday at 2! It has been freezing cold here too! And I have been walking way too much! But yeah, that is my week! I honestly don't know how to reply to that but I hope everything goes all right! I promise I will make a longer email next week! Just know that I am doing really well.

A little more information on Annie and Augustine (the Liberians) They are really prepared, they are ex-refugees, have 8 children, and they have really strong testimonies! Great family! The Abilene Branch bought me new shoes when they heard I was leaving so I don't need shoes anymore! But that has been my week. My new companion is Elder Crop, he is from Fresno, California. He already has a temple marriage date so yep. I am really excited to finish my mission here though! Love you and I can't wait to hear about a better week next time :)

Your son,

Austin

Week of Mother's Day 2016

Dear Austin,

It was so great to talk to you and hear your voice! I am so sorry for the computer issues! If you get the chance, please tell the family you were with, Thank you and sorry we couldn't

see them and really talk to them! They seemed like a great family! I am thankful for the families that have taken such good care of you!

We have such a crazy month ahead that you will be home before we know it!! The girls are finishing up their soccer seasons and have 2 games a week with practices and then the last week of May is try outs! And of course 3 birthdays this month! It's going to be crazy! :) I am having surgery June 7th to help me with being able to run and live life without peeing accidentally!! Bryn has BYU soccer camp the week before you come home. So hopefully we can also get your room finished! :)

Caden is starting Drivers Ed. tomorrow and should have his licence by the end of May. That seems crazy to me!

It has been so rainy this past week, I am ready for some sun! Hopefully a much nicer week this week!

Bryson is trying to sell his car so he can buy a truck... We'll see how that goes!

What would you be doing with Dustin her in Utah or Alabama? Also where is he located? Have you talked to Karen lately?

I love you and I hope your transfer goes smoothly. Make sure you stay focused and do your best to keep your companion focused! Finish Strong!! Make sure an give me your address asap. I will ge the package sent to you as soon as I have it! I saw a cool quilt made with the ties of a missionary - maybe we can use some of your ties for that! :)

Be obedient, teachable and humble! Love those you serve and serve with. Work hard and know that we are praying for you and know that we love you!

XOXO

Mom

Week of May 1, 2016

Dear Mom, 

Thanks for the advice, it really isn't that bad. It just depends on perspective. anyways, would 5:30 our time work? I will talk to you a lot more on Sunday so we can talk more fully. But cute horses, I haven't talked to Karen for 2 weeks, she is super busy right now, And we got a lot of rain that flooded our streets :D We would like any mexican candy you want to send, and Ghiradelli chocolate. For me and my gringo companion. I love you and if you want to talk more then I am available but I will save all of the exciting news for Sunday :)

Love,

your son

Week of April 24, 2016

Dear Mom,

We just got 2 new investigators yesterday! They are Lupe and Isidro. They are extremely prepared and they had great questions and they said that they will read and be baptized when they find the truth of it. They were dead set on following God. They were very kind and she said that the Holy Ghost had to be with us in order for her to feel the spirit with complete strangers and that we were able to speak it in her language. She was really touched and she said that she wanted to know. Tell Bryn that titles and positions don't matter. Because of something that happened in the zone, I am no longer a District Leader. It was really devastating at first but then I realized that me being a District Leader has absolutely zero importance on what will happen to me later in life. My mission has zero importance if I take the politics instead of the lessons out of it. So I will just take the lessons and tips I have learned and forget about the rest. I will leave the mission happy and forget the mission as what it is and remember the lessons that I learned instead. So names and places will be forgotten, leaders and presidents will leave my life. But the lessons and what I do with them matter and will always remain. 

The rain is coming back this weekend! Yay! I can't wait to see what it does this time :) Tell Bryson and Caden that grades don't matter either, but life does. So do what you need to do to have a life, if that includes learning and retaining stuff in a manner that appeases the government, then do it quick and you will never have to deal with it again. I talked to Dustin and I will be having  a career right as I get back but don't worry, I will still help out at the restaurant when possible. besides the disneyland trip, I need to save up for a Guatemala trip hopefully. Do you think that Andrew and I will be on the same plane? I hope so, that would be amazing! Those horses are pretty, you have switched them out so much in the past 2 years that I have no clue which one is named what. So you will have to enlighten me about that! I have already explained most of my week. I honestly can't stand the politics of the mission or the leaders but again, it won't matter if I do it quick and move on with life. We haven't met with Jesse yet, Jesus and Maribel are still doing good, they notice the spirit that we bring as well. Really great people, and the branch is doing a lot better with unity and helping the missionaries! I teach in both languages, the price I have to pay by being in the United States. But I have been told that my spanish skills exceed that of the Branch President and his first councilor, and 90 percent of the branch itself. I still make mistakes, granted, but it comes naturally for the most part. I have memorized over 60 different pages worth of vocabulary in the Oxford Dictionary and I use that vocabulary every day. I will continue to master Spanish and it would be awesome to marry a native speaker. I can teach you Spanish but it will be a process. It will remind you a little of Tagalog. Tell Mason that I said hi, I honestly don't know if I will be seeing any of them really when I get back. It just seems like everybody has moved on with their life which is good for them but a bummer for me. But thank you so much for your support, I love you so much and I am sending a Mother's day card to you today! But have a great week and I love you guys so much,

Austin

Week of April 17, 2016

Dear Mom,

The battle fares well this week, we have gotten 3 new investigators and we are working hard on some more. Yeah, we decided never to go back to do service there because we deemed it not safe for us haha. A lot of people asked us about the Belgian missionaries these past few weeks so that is a great way to get in the door ironically. I really enjoyed the talk from Elder Holland! I saw the poster and I think it is the most adorable thing in the world!  I hope she wins the election, that would be so cool! It would also give her an early opportunity to lead and to have responsibility and stewardship which I think would help her a lot! It just seems that the only thing I hear about the girls is soccer! Is that their only part of life? ;) It flooded here in Abilene and it is still raining haha. I am impressed with the weather this week! That doesn't sound fun but it does sound better for Caden. I hope that Bryson will be planning on a mission by the time that I get home haha. And that will be useful for me while I am working on getting a car. That sounds like they are doing good as well. Tell Grandpa that I can't wait to go hunting with him and the old knee haha. I am excited about that trip as well, but who is paying for it? I still don't know haha.

I love you guys so much and I can't wait to see you guys, but I have more stuff to do. This week in a nutshell is that I was told by members that my Spanish is dead on perfect, I gave a talk about putting God first in Sacrament Meeting, It has been raining like no other! And we have gotten 3 new investigators named Jesus, Jesse, and Maribel. Jesus and Maribel are a couple and Jesse is another guy! Love you guys so much!

Your son,

Austin