No Other Place I'd Rather Be

Hey Mom, 

I received your package with the food and my jacket. Thanks for that, it helps a lot! I'm feeling much better and my health has gone up, so I'm fine!
I did not get the pictures of the mutual kids or the letters they sent me yet, but everything else I've gotten. I'm sending out my journal letters today. There's a letter in there for dad too, HIS EYES ONLY! But everything else is for you.

I'm glad you had a good time for Cara and Ashley. Ashley seemed really happy to be home, and I'm glad you got to see her. I have that family picture on my desk where I study and plan everyday, it helps me in hard times.

I'm so jealous you get to go to San Diego, I miss it there. But the weather here right now is GORGEOUS! It's a beautiful day, so we're going to go play football (soccer) in the park!

 

Just know that I'm okay. I know you worry a lot, but I'm just fine. I love where I am and there's no other place I'd rather be. "If we shall die, before our journey's through, happy day! All is well!" (I'm not gonna die, it just states that whatever happens, we have the gospel.) I taught someone named Debbie this week the Plan of Salvation. She had someone close to her die, that's what made her question her faith in the Catholic church. I promised her that whatever bad things happen, there's comfort in knowing that there's always something more, and that is how I feel here. Danger may cross my path numerous times a day, but I know what I know to be true, and that's all I need. Look this up for me, Helaman 5:12. No matter what storms or hail Satan throw at us, we have Christ as our foundation. We are wise men who built our house upon a rock :)

 

So I'm fine and I always will be. I love you and miss you so much!

Elder Austin

 

P.S. There was a picture at the mission home that read: "A missionary is one who leaves their family for a short period of time, so that other families can be together forever!" :) 

Spreading the Gospel to all who will listen!!  Even Statues!

Letter from Elder Austin dated September 10, 2013

I had an experience today that I thought I would write you about.  I am currently in the Bray District of the Dublin Zone.  We are a very close district and we call ourselves the Bray Family.  There is about 10 of us and we are always together on P Days and other missionary activities.  We have recently received a new addition to our district.  A sister missionary named Sister Lewis has been reassigned from her mission in France to the Scotland/Ireland mission.  She has no idea why.  She has teamed up with the sisters in our district.  Today we had a district meeting at the stake center in the heart of Dublin.  It was a great meeting and we learned about how to be more unified.  After the meeting was over, Sister Lewis and her companion said they needed us and they took me and my companion into one of the classrooms.  Sister Lewis said she needed a priesthood blessing.  She looked at me and asked me if I would do it.  Why she chose me out of all the elders in our district still questions me today.  She said since her reassignment, she felt stressed and upset, so she asked for a blessing of peace and comfort.  I laid my hands upon her head and gave her a blessing.  I did the best I could to listen to the Spirit and to know what to say.  I was afraid it would not comfort her in her time of need because I didn't think it was that great of a blessing.

After I was finished, there was a brief period of silence.  She then stood up, looked at me with tears dripping from her eyes, and smiled.  Still smiling and slightly crying, she said, "Thank you so much Elder Austin."  When she said that, it was like the Spirit punched me straight in the heart.  I know right then and there that she was comforted.  After we left the room, Sister Lewis went straight to her journal and with the help of her companions, wrote the blessing down that I had offered.  I still do not know why she chose me.  There were about 20 elders in the building, all of them hand been on their mission much longer than me and had more experience.  I looked in my Patriarchal Blessing and it said that I would be called upon at random times to give blessings to those who need comfort.  That look on her face and those tears in her eyes testified to me of the power of the Priesthood.  Even though it was not the greatest of blessings (in my opinion anyway), her countenance told me that the Spirit had touched her and she felt peace.

I know that the Priesthood is the power and authority to act in the name of God.  It is the SAME POWER that Moses used to part the Red Sea and it is the SAME POWER that Jesus Christ used to heal the sick and give sight to the blind, and raise the dead.  That SAME POWER is in me.  It may not do such extreme things as it did in ancient times (or at least not that much anymore), but it can give comfort and peace to those who seek it.  That to me is a miracle and I have witnessed it first hand.

When Sister Lewis smiled at me, it was a smile of pure happiness.  I have only seen that smile a handful of times in my life, and only one other time on my mission.  It was the same smile Yolanda gave me right after her baptism.  I recognized it because I felt the same way, truly happy.  I live and I serve because of that reason.  I live and I serve for that smile.

I hope you liked my experience and my feelings toward it.  I love and miss you!

Elder Austin

A Tough Week

Hey Mom,

Yes I have heard the news and it has been very hard for me as well. I met with President Fagan onWednesday and he told me all of the details. President Brown wanted to tell me himself, but he was in a Mission President's Conference in France. President Fagan and I talked for awhile. When he first told me there was a tragedy in the family, I was so scared because I thought something happened to you, Dad, Erin, or Ashley. When he told me about Jesse, I was very shocked and sad, but I was relieved that you guys were alright. My prayers this week have been focused on Weez and the Bowler Family. Thank you for telling me all the details and I'm glad that you got to see Cara and Ashley this week.

Along with all of this, I think I'm starting to get sick. It's getting colder and I'm not feeling great. I have a soar throat and my nose is running, but I'll be fine with that, it's just not very fun. Transfer call came yesterday and I found out I'll be staying in Clondalkin for another six weeks. I have now been on my mission for 2 months!

So enough with the sadness. We had another guy baptized on Saturday! His name is Ian and he's 22. He's from Malowi and he's a great guy, I love em! I didn't baptize him, but I got the chance to speak at his service. I don't know why but I got really nervous about speaking. I didn't even know if my talk made sense, but one of our investigators that was there said he really enjoyed my talk and he really felt the Spirit. That made me really happy! Attached is a picture of Ian along with some cool pictures of beautiful Ireland!

I love you and all of our family so much. These hard times are tough, but who said enduring to the end would be an easy task? Elder Holland said, "Salvation is not a cheap experience. Be prepared to walk the path the He (Christ) walked." It's not easy, but it's worth it.

Elder Austin

Emails from Mission President Fagan regarding the Death of Jesse Bowler (Scott's Cousin)

Email to President Brown from Rosanne Austin (Elder Austin's Mother)

Dear President Brown,

I am not sure how to handle this situation, so I am writing you to ask for your guidance.  My Son is Elder Scott Austin who is serving in Clondalkin and yesterday his cousin, Jesse Bowler, committed suicide by a drug overdose.  I didn't want to tell Scott by email, so I am writing you.  I feel he needs to hear this from someone that he may want to talk to.  I don't feel that a call is necessary either from us unless you feel he needs to talk to someone.  

I feel if you are able to talk to him about it and if he has any questions, you can answer them for us.  We are all doing fine.  His aunt is understandably upset and we are planning to have his funeral service this Saturday.  

If you or Scott have any questions, please email me or use whatever means you need to contact me.  Please let me know what your protocol is in these types of situations and I will follow through with whatever is needed.  I don't want Scott to have any distractions while he is Serving, but I feel he needs to know about this situation.  

Thank you so much for watching over my son.  From his letters and emails, he is very happy and so excited about serving the Lord. 

Sincerely,  

Rosanne Austin 

Email Reply:

Dear Sister Austin,

I am in France this week for the annual mission presidents seminar so all I could do is phone him but I’ll copy President Fagan one of my counsellors who lives near Dublin in on this email and he may be able to pass on this tragic news.

President Fagan – would it be possible for you to contact the Clondalkin Elders and pass this news on to Elder Austin?

Kind regards,

President Brown

Email from September 11, 2013

Dear Sr Austin I am so sorry to hear of the death of Jesse,I will be seeing your son Elder Austin at 3:45 and will send you a report later on. I know that our Heavenly Father will bless and comfort him at this difficult time. 
Best regards
Ray Fagan



Dear Sr Austin and President Brown I have met with Elder Austin and find him well and enjoying serving The Lord. He was quite shocked to hear the sad news about Jesse but knew that was a possibility from experience he had in the past. Although difficult for him he was alright with it and felt that he could handle it. I met with him in private that's the way he wanted it but I did encourage him to share it with his companion after I left if he felt to do so. At this time he feels that he can do most good by continuing to serve. I think he will be fine and will look forward to hearing from you by email on Monday. I also put his name on the Temple Prayer Roll. Thank you for allowing us the privilege of having such a wonderful young man serve in the mission field. His companion Elder Johnson and he get on really and are a great support to each other.  

Kind regards

Raymond Fagan

Pictures of Elder Austin- September 9, 2013

1- I present to you, Yolanda and Lindi. I baptized Yolanda(next to me).
2- Me and Elder Benesch! He's in my zone, so I get to see him every once in awhile! 
3- Meet our Bray District family! Elder Gill is a comedian!

 

Two More Baptisms - Email dated September 9, 2013

Hey Mom! Everything is going great! This week has been SUPER successful. Yesterday we had two convert baptisms. A 13 year old girl named Yolanda and her mother Lindi. We have been teaching them for about 3 weeks now. Yolanda asked me to baptize her!! I'm going to send you some pictures of me and her. Afterwards she came up to me and said, "That was amazing! I wish I could do it again!" It made me so incredibly happy. I have not gotten to write you anymore letters yet because I've been so busy, but I'll try to work on that. I haven't received any letters from you or the youth. When did you send them? I did get Erin's letter though and I did get your birthday package. I am still enjoying the candy :) Those are some good talks, I've heard them before. Those will be great for your lessons. How are the young women doing?? I haven't spoken in church yet, but we teach gospel principles every Sunday in addition to the many lessons we teach people throughout the week. I don't quite know what I want for Christmas. You guys don't have to send me anything, I'm happy the way I am :) When I was talking to brother Corrington he said that after he sold the house in Phoenix, he married a lady from the UK and moved to Ireland with her. He's now temporarily in my ward! So we talk about things over there quite a lot. Another guy moved into our ward from Gilbert! He says he has a brother in Glendale and I think he goes to YSA. Mcfarlene was his last name, but I don't know if you know him. Well I love you and miss you a whole lot, but know that I am very happy where I am. Remember to share the gospel with everyone! Love you! Elder Austin

Our Family Picture at Scott's Farewell

Dublin City Center and the Liffey River. Scott and the missionaries in his District

1-Dublin City Center and the Liffey River 2-Me and my district at some monument after playing some football.

Email to Mommy - Three Baptisms!!! September 1, 2013

Hi Mommy! Things are going absolutely WONDERFULLL!! By this time next week, I should be sending you BAPTISMAL PICTURES!!!!! Yes that's right, a 13 year old girl named Yolanda and her mother Lindi are getting baptized next week. We have been teaching them for about 3 weeks and they have made the big decision! And here is the best part, Yolanda has asked me to baptize her!!!!!!! I'm so excited and so happy. Also another investigator named Ian who is 22 told us he wants to be baptized as soon as possible! So we scheduled him for the 14 of September. So much success = A HAPPY ELDER AUSTIN The weather is getting colder and colder :p but not too bad, it rains every once in awhile. Me and Elder Johnson are doing alright, we teach fine together, but like I said, I have to step up a lot. (Don't include that in the blog). I don't know what we're doing today for P day, we're gonna meet up with our district and see what we can do. I don't care if you're letters are boring, I just wanna see how normal life is going! And yes, I received your package. I'm enjoying it as we speak ;) You'll just have to send me another one for my birthday ;) I'm glad that you guys are staying busy and that you're hanging out with Erin. I pray for her every single night, not for a boyfriend or more friends, but for happiness and peace. Last week I assigned her a little scripture and to pray. I hope she did it. I haven't received mail from anyone besides you and Erin, but I have gotten a lot of emails which makes me happy. Marisa says you write stuff about me on Facebook, is it my account? That's fine if it is, I kinda like that idea. How's my facebook doing? Anything interesting or any of my friends try to talk to you? And also, did you change my facebook name to Elder Scott Austin? Please and thank you! Do you know my oakley rain jacket, in my closet? Can you send that you the mission office address, the same one you sent the other package to, in Scotland? It'll get to me, they forward mail to all the missionaries. Also can you send a mini hymn book too? It would help a lot :) Thanks Mommy! Well that's my life so far! I'll try and write you more letters and send you more pictures. I love and miss you so much! Elder Austin :)

E-Mail to Dad - Crazy Coincidence September 1, 2013

Hey Honcho! Thanks for keeping me updated on all the sports news. It's all about soccer and rugby here, it's intense. I wanna try and get a soccer jersey, if I can find one for cheap. Keep looking for those cabins, I wanna visit you guys up there when I'm older! It's crazy about Will, I've been emailing him back and forth and he has changed a lot. I think he threw away his pride and went to work which is so cool. So guess what!? I was at a church barbeque and I met a visitor named DON CORRINGTON. He looked at my name tag and he said, "Austin....like Austin Brothers refrigeration? In Arizona?" My jaw dropped and I told him all about the company and you and Papa. He said, "Did you grandpa live in Flower Circle in Phoenix?" I was so shocked. He said he was the one that lived there before grandma and Papa. He said he was the one that signed it over to him. Small world huh? That is so crazy that I met him all the way in IRELAND. Make sure and tell Papa the story! Thanks for the email dad. Love you! Elder Austin