Letter from Elder Austin Dated June 16, 2014

Hey Mum!

How are you doing?  I'm doing great!  We had a really good week, so I'm happy.  We found a new investigator named Courtney and she is GOLDEN!  She's about 18 years old and she grew up as a Christian.  She loved the stories in the Bible and it's always interested her.  We taught her at our church building, so we gave her a tour  and she liked that.  We then taught her about the Book of Mormon and baptism.  She understood everything and when we asked her to be baptized, she said Yes!!  It was amazing to see the Spirit so strong in that lesson.  She would've come to church this week, but after that day she got really sick and had to see the doctor.  Unfortunately, that kept her from coming.  She texted us and said she would pray to make it feel better!  We're seeing her again this week, so I'm really excited about that.  If all goes well, she should get baptized in July!

I had an interesting experience at the end of the week.  Us and the sisters decided to put up a family history stand on the busiest street in Falkirk.  We were talking to quite a lot of people and it was fun.  I was telling everyone about our family roots and encouraging them to look for theirs.  About an hour into the activity, some people showed up and started passing out pamphlets and brochures all around us.  We found out it was Jehovah's AND born-agains passing out anti-mormon literature.  They would specifically target the people we would talk to.  How mean and rude is that!?!  We weren't even preaching either!  That bothered me quite a bit.  So we ended up just leaving because it wasn't the best situation to be in.  It angered and frustrated me for the whole day.  When I think of those churches, I think of 2 Timothy 1:7, "For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love and of a sound mind."  These Christian religions weren't preaching peace or love.  They were instilling fear within others.  It was sad to see that.

I'm trying to work on having charity for these kinds of people.  I love those who are nice and want to listen, but I struggle with those who are mean and hate us.  I "pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love."  (Moroni 7:48)  Jesus specifically said to show love for those that hate you, and I'm trying to implement that.

That's all for me.  I hope you like my spiritual experiences.  Now you share some.  Love you!

Elder Austin

Letter from Elder Austin Dated June 9, 2014

Hey Mum!

It was a pretty good week this week!  We've been doing a lot of finding lately and it's paid off.  We're teaching a man named Steven and he immediately had a spiritual experience with the Book of Mormon.  He says it "rings true" to him, so that's pretty exciting.  We have other people lining up to be new investigators this week.  We had to start from scratch, but now we're really seeing the Spirit work through us.

We have this recent convert named Alan that we were working with.  He's a pentecostal man who doesn't have a testimony of our church.  He was promised one after he was baptized, but it never came (because that's not how it works).  We've done all we could to help him feel the Spirit, but he's too stubborn and not willing to listen.  He brought out an anti-mormon book in a lesson and said this is where he's learning.  We literally rebuked him, bore powerful testimony, and then left.  I felt the Spirit so strong when bearing my testimony, it was an amazing feeling.  I've never really raised my voice like that before, but it was 100% Spirit driven.

This Sunday, I gave a talk in Sacrament meeting.  The topic was on repentance so I had a strong testimony of it.  I don't know if you know this, but in my teenage years I did some things that were not pleasing to you or Heavenly Father.  They were things that weighed me down.  I made an early goal to be clean so that I could go to the Temple and go on a mission.  I worked really hard to get that forgiveness and when I did, nothing felt so relieving.  Because of these experiences, my conviction is strong.  So speaking on the topical of repentance was very emotional and strong.  People came up to me and said it was a "conference level" talk.  I think it's because of my strong testimony of the atonement.  My relationship with my Savior grew astronomically.  I will love and serve Him with all my heart, might, mind and strength!

I love you!

Elder Austin

First week in Falkirk, Scotland - First week in June, 2014

Hi Mum!

Well my first week in Falkirk was very interesting!  I love the area and I'm having a lot of fun.  Falkirk is a bigger town and we cover a lot of little towns just outside of it.  We use bus passes and walk all the time.  I actually prefer it this way.  You can talk to people while you're traveling and that's where the most success comes from.  We don't have any investigators right now, but we have a lot of potentials we are working with.  The branch is crazy and I absolutely love it.  In Scotland, you never have normal members.  Everybody is unique and special in their own way.  The district I have is great too.  There are two teams of sisters and one other team of elders.  We all get along great, so it's a ton of fun.  I love to teach/lead them every week.  I was nervous at first, but now I enjoy it.  I'm loving my mission more and more everyday!

Yesterday was zone development day again.  Our zone started off by playing softball, and I had a hay-day with that.  I was dropping bombs and making plays out in the field.  It's been so long since I've had a bat in my hands.  We then did this cool murder mystery game.  Everybody dressed up like 1920's.  You were supposed to do certain things and find out who the murderer was.  I was actually killed at the end of the game though.  I got the award for the best performance in the game.  We had a great zone development day and everybody had a good time.

I was taught a very valuable lesson this week.  One day when I was walking down the street, I tripped and fell flat on my face.  It was because of my worn-out shoes and it was really embarrassing.  People driving by were just pointing and laughing at me.  We also had a few really mean responses that day while tracting.  These things made me wonder why I'm trying to save these wicked people.  I thought that none of them would change, so why try?  By the power of the Holy Ghost, a distinct impression came into my mind.  The Lord told me "I didn't give up on you, so you shouldn't give up on your brethren."  I thought about that for a long time, and it is 100% true.  He will NEVER give up on us!  His love and mercy will always be extended.  We cannot hide from it.  2 Timothy 4:16-18.

Love You!

Elder Austin

Zone Development Day - Cast of Missionaries in Murder Mystery Game

Poor Elder Austin Died in the end!

Elder Austin's Journal Letter from May 12 - May 18, 2014

Monday, May 12, 2014

Well it was a very productive P-day today.  I didn't have much to email you about since I saw you yesterday.  I bought a new white shirt, but I think I need at least one more.  I bought a really nice tie too!  After P-day was over, Nancy invited us over for dinner.  We had pork steaks, and they were very spicy!  We had a nice little outdoor lesson with Bethany after that.  She has to work a lot now, so getting to church is hard for her.  She said she also doesn't feel the Spirit as strong anymore.  We had a good lesson on endurance, so I think that helped.  Oh, and happy birthday to Papa John!  I wore the tie for him.

Tuesday, May 13, 2014

So as every Tuesday starts, we had a wonderful district meeting.  Today we were on exchanges with the zone leaders.  I was up in a big city named Paisley with Elder Windhausen, also from Germany.  I really enjoyed being in a big city again.  I miss it.  Their area is having a lot of success too.  We taught two young friends with baptismal dates for next month.  Some members fed us some chicken with mushroom sauce.  Then we taught a recent convert who was completely crazy!  She's in a wheelchair and has only one leg.  She's so cheeky so its hilarious.  I really enjoyed it here today.  It's nice to get out of Stranraer for a little bit.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

The mission is having us do an hour of family history on Wednesdays to get more familiar with it so we can us it in our finding.  I was just growing through the family tree when I found out that some of our ancestors are from Scotland, on your side!  I thought that was kind of cool.  We exchanged back, then headed back down to Stranraer.  Nancy fed us again tonight and it was delicious as always.  We were trying to talk to people on the street for the rest of the night, but it seems like more and more people either make fun of us or yell at us.  I don't know why, but the streets are getting more and more unsafe.

Thursday, May 15, 2014

Today was one of the harder days of the week.  We did a lot of knocking but we didn't get much out of it.  We weren't able to see our JW (Jehovah's Witness) investigator.  She was sick.  We got her a "Get Well Soon" card with some scriptures from the Book of Mormon.  It's sad, but I think we're losing her to the Jehovah's.  I still don't understand why people choose other churches over ours.  That's a question that I haven't yet found the answer to.  The Corrigan's fed us tonight, sausages and rice.  It was pretty good.  Nothing much happened for the rest of the day.

Friday, May 16, 2014

Thank Heavens it was a much better day today.  It was actually the best day that I've had in a while!  It started off with us doing service for the McLeans.  We painted their fence and they fed us lunch.  We then went to a return appt with a man named William McGhie.  He has had some hard times, especially with drugs.  As we taught and testified, he said he felt something in his chest.  The Spirit was strong as we told him it was the Holy Ghost.  Then we had another appt with an older lady named Bridget, and she is golden!  She has a relative who is a member, so she said she's going to try it out!  I love days like this because they make you really happy.  It always reminds me of why I serve!  Oh, I also got told that I knock like a policeman.  Oh well, when you have an important message, you have a sense of urgency.

Saturday, May 17, 2014

Today started off pretty well!  Sister McGillvery took us out to a restaurant for lunch.  We always say that we're going to the "pub" because it has a bar in it.  After that we visited the people out of town.  If I get moved, then it will be the last time I will see them.  So I had to saw an awkward goodbye since I didn't know if I was leaving or not.  The McLeans fed us AGAIN!  I don't know why, but well, I'm not complaining.

Sunday, May 18, 2014

Do you remember the Obasuyi's, the less-active family?  Well their daughter got confirmed in the Catholic church today and they invited us to it.  We wanted to be supportive, so we went.  Trust me, we got a lot of weird looks in there.  It just felt soooo empty while we were in there.  Our church was nice.  I gave a talk on love and I enjoyed it.  Guess who fed us again??  Yup, the McLean's.  I think Nancy is feeding us more because we might be leaving.  We taught the Campbell's tonight and help them set a goal to go to the temple.  They're struggling a bit, so we're really focusing on them.

Letter from Elder Austin dated May 12, 2014

Hiya Mummy!

So this week, I'm not going to do a journal.  One of the reasons is that not much happened this week and another is that these kinds of letters express my feelings, spiritually and emotionally.  It was very good to see and talk to you yesterday.  You all seem to be doing great which makes me happy.  I know it was hard for you, but trust me when I saw it will go by fast.  The trick is to not worry about it and find something to do.  Get engrossed into your work and calling.  Focus on strengthening your relationship with Dad.  These things will help time go by a lot quicker.  Sister McLean really enjoyed talking to you too!  She said she's going to try and call you more often.  I love Nancy to death!  She truly is my Scottish Mummy!

So like I said to you, I realize that today is Papa John's birthday.  I'm wearing the tie to remember him.  It's weird, but I feel his presence even more now that I'm out here.  I feel like he helps me whenever I need him most.

We received some training at this last conference in Glasgow.  It was entitled, "The Why Behind it All".  They compared Nephi to Laman and Lemuel.  Nephi's brothers kept the commandments, but there's a major difference between them and Nephi.  They just went through the motions but Nephi had sincere desire and motivations to serve the Lord.  They asked us if we were just going through the motions or if we had the love and desire to serve.  Have you listened to "Missionary work and the Atonement?"  You NEED to listen to it, then you will know how I feel.  It will also help you in your calling.

This week was pretty slow, but it had some funny moments.  I remember we tracted into a Protestant Minister who tried to convert us.  He raised his hand and said "I pray that you will be filled with the Holy Spirit and that you will actually become Christians!"  I tried to contain myself but I couldn't help but laugh!  He kept trying to convert us but we ended up just walking away because we didn't want to argue with him.  I find it astounding that 20 year old kids can be more knowledgeable in the scriptures than priests who have studied all their lives.  It's remarkable to see that the Lord is keeping His promise when He said, "You will not be confounded before men".

Well, I'm sorry this is not as long as other letters, but I told you mostly everything yesterday.  I will continue my journal letters next week.

Love and miss you!    Elder Austin

Elder Austin's Journal Letter from April 28 - May 4, 2014

Monday, April 28, 2014

So as I explained in my email today, President Brown has instituted Zone Development Days.  It's where you meet as a zone and do fun things for the day.  He did this because there's a high level of stressed-out elders and sisters all over the mission.  Our zone went go-karting and had a barbeque thanks to a very generous and very rich member in our stake.  It was a lot of fun, but a little weird because we weren't working.  I'll feel better about it tomorrow!

Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Since we got a whole day off, we only had a half of a P-day.  We emailed, shopped, and wrote a couple of letters.  Nothing too exciting happened today other than our dinner apt with the Obasuyi's.  They made African rice and chicken which was delicious as always.  We had a really good spiritual though with the husband and I feel like he could be making the journey back to our church soon.

Wednesday, April 30, 2014

Today was a little more exciting than yesterday.  Since Sister Campbell's surgery, she hasn't been able to walk her dogs, so we did it for her.  I haven't walked a dog in a long time, so that was fun.  We had a really good finding day!  We found 5 more potentials and they seem to be really good.  When things like that happen, it makes the day so much better.  We had dinner with the Corrigan's and we're focusing on missionary work a lot with them.  They're seeing a lot of opportunities and answers to their prayers.  We finished the night by FINALLY seeing john the fireman.  It was just him, not his family.  We went over the Restoration again to make sure he understands.  It was a good lesion, I just wish his family was there.

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Some people from the mission home came down to look at our flat and make sure it's clean.  I guess they don't trust us or something.  I wouldn't blame them.  Today, we saw the lady named Kirsty who is about to be baptized into the Jehovah's Witness church.  She said she read and prayed, but the Book of Mormon was too hard to understand.  We gave her a DVD to help explain it better.  I think her mind has been fed with so much JW stuff that she's not open-minded.  Sometimes I wonder why the Lord wouldn't answer her prayer right there and then.  I guess He just wants to test her faith.  We had dinner with the Campbell's and a nice lesson.  They're having a tough time with tithing, so we taught about it.  It was a nice time.  They made jus what's called "American bean pie"  It's beans, mince and mashed potatoes.  Very delicious!

Friday, May 2, 2014

Today was a really good day!  First we had a lesson with a less-active named Jim McDonald.  He went from being a chronic alcoholic to only drinking 3/4 of a bottle per week.  He committed to come to church this week too!  The highlight of the day was teaching lady named Kirsty at the McRobb's house.  We now have 2 investigators with the name Kirsty!  This lady has a strong belief and has always been attracted to our church.  We taught her about the Book of Mormon and the Holy Ghost and the Spirit was HEAVY!  She committed to reading and praying plus coming to church.  I have a really good feeling about her.  I think she will go far!

Saturday, May 3, 2014

Well it wasn't the most exciting day but it was a good one nonetheless.  We did service this morning for the McRobb's.  We did some gardening and planted some flowers.  We then went to the out-of-towners.  We couldn't see Peter because there's a bit of trouble going on at the rest home.  They told his son that we are there for 5 hours and that we are agitating him.  It's not true because we only stay there for 15 minutes and he's always happy to see us.  I think they're creating these false accusations because we're Mormon missionaries.  They could get a file of religious discrimination but we're not gonna do that.  Other than that, little mix-up, it was a pretty good day.  I'm so tired, good night!

Sunday, May 4, 2014

Happy Star Wars Day!  May the 4th be with you!   Church was very interesting today.  Two less-actives who haven't been to church in years finally came this week, so that was the positive side.  The Negative side was that some members don't know what bearing their testimony means.  You have some people just telling stories expressing frustrations or just want to talk.  It just made the meeting kind of awkward.  On a sad note, it might have been the last time I bore my testimony in the Stranraer Branch.  The McRobb's fed us chicken which was really good.  They made my favorite Scottish dessert, banoffey pie.  PLEASE look it up, it's amazing!

Love you