Weeks 28-29

l-r: Elder Waller, Elder Baker, Elder Thomas, Susan Johnson, Elder Peebles, Elder Epps Uncle Chuck Waller, Elder Austin Waller and Aunt Sharon Waller (Austin's aunt and uncle just happen to currently reside in his mission field. This was a surprise meeting. Chuck and Sharon have served 3 foreign missions.)
March 2, 2009
Hey!

For one thing, the home I am staying in is not anywhere near 9000sq ft. There are some around here that have more than that. But, not many. Yeah I'm doing fine. Still learning and all that missionary stuff. My new companion is Elder Epps. Still in the threesome with Elder Baker though. I've been losing weight. Yay! That is a good thing since we have a lot of fast food around here and we basically have to stop at one once a day, except Sunday.

Had a baptism yesterday. Susan Johnson, someone who has been investigating the church for...8 months? Elder Baker calls her a super model. I'm not so sure. I had a chlostraphobic attack while waiting for her to get dressed. The room was packed. I was concerned we needed to move into the chapel. As far as missionary stuff is concerned, we have had investigators pop out of the woodwork pretty frequently. That kind of thing makes a missionary giddy.

Everybody around here says I look so sad all the time. They don't realize how happy I am. My response is typically, "I'm sorry that I express happiness in a different way than you are used to." Makes it kind of hard for me. I just don't want to be some creepy person walking around with a smile on their face all the time. It would be like Jack Nicholson's version of the Joker!

Trying to think of what happened this week. Nothing much that I can think of. Just still going to work everyday...everyday. It can be (is) tiring. You just go and go and go, then when you get home, the Lord unplugs you and you just go to sleep within seconds. Then you wake up at 6:30, get ready, then the Lord plugs you back in and you zip zoom everywhere. Process repeats.

It is colder at home than it is here? Maybe I'm just too hot for this weather. It drove the cold away. No, I'm still in my big jacket, minus the scarf. Here that form of snow is called popcorn snow. I found it funny when I first heard that. I'm glad the snow is finally going away. Winter is no fun out here.

It is March now. Birthday is here soon. Wondering what is going to happen. Probably nothing. Likely nothing. Maybe some food at a restaurant, the only thing we can ever do to celebrate. Anyways, just keep that movie list running. I keep hearing of all these movies that interest me greatly. Are people trying to send me mail? If so, I haven't received much of anything. Anyways...

Love,

Elder Austin Waller
Austin's address is:
Elder Austin Waller, Utah SLC South Mission, 8060 South 615 East, Sandy, Utah 84070
e-mail: adwaller@myldsmail.net


l-r: Elder Waller, Elder Epps, Elder Baker, unknown, Elder Thomas
March 9, 2009
Hey,

No, I cannot accept the conference tickets. I would if I could, but I literally can't. As far as the letters, I'm sorry that I am only given an hour to write family, friends, anyone else, plus the missionary weekly report to President Laney. That would be one explanation as to why they might seem a little harsh. And trust me, every single letter is received very well. I have seen other missionaries do much worse and not accept the mail they get at all.

So Henry and Shanna like each other that much huh? I have seen quite a few of these things happen already. Advice, make it a matter of prayer! That is the message I am getting out here anyways. Speaking of which, what is with this expectation of me marrying maybe a couple months after I get home? It has been happening to the other missionaries, so I kind of figured it would only happen in time, such as, a little closer to the end? Don't do that....it makes me think of how to propose :). I might be writing them down. *

Had a lot of fun yesterday with the Frazier's, the Christiansen's, and the Conklin's. Do you remember Danny Frazier? He was a big name in college basketball during your time. Broke his neck? Yeah, we went over there yesterday and had some food. The Christiansen's are a big time fellowshipping family. Hans, the father, is from Denmark and has a cool accent. They are very encouraging out here and like to feed us as well. They want to keep in contact with me so that when my name gets big (talking film here) they can say they knew me well. I am making lots of friends out here. The Conklin's are a family that we baptized their youngest son Braden in. We stopped by yesterday to see how they were doing. They are going to church without us reminding them! YAY! Shared some stories with each other. Honestly, at the end of this mission, drive out here to pick me up! I want to introduce you to some of these families!

Elder Epps actually moved in with us. I am still on the air mattress. Sleeping isn't very good, especially since the spring forward. Blech! I am considering buying a sleeping aid. Talking about Elder Epps, both Elder Baker and I have lost weight. He knows how to eat healthy and make it good, on a missionary budget. When we had Elder Thomas, we ate out at least twice a day. We have only ate out twice since Elder Epps came in. Eating out is including fast food. Elder Baker lost 15 lbs. I lost 8. Amazing! We talk a lot about film and things of that nature. Quite fun!

We had three baptisms on Saturday. It was a great day! So what is happening out there? Ace still walking around....much? The country hanging on to the edge of its seat (the answer to that question is yes, we do get some of the events of the times here)?

You asked me in the letter what I would want for my birthday since it would be my last one before becoming "legal"? I never knew I was "illegal".** Uhhhh.....here is my question for you. Does it have to be sent out here? Which means, can I ask for something that I can use when I get home? If it can stay home, then I know precisely what I want. If it can't....it may take lots of thought.

With love,
Elder Austin Waller
* I printed and sent Austin a harlarious internet article telling the story of a proposal that took place after an LDS Institute class in New Mexico. The couple was featured on the Today Show. Danny and I watched the video after reading the article. If you would like to read it, type in "Gulp! She swallowed her engagement ring" at MSN LIVE, etc. I suggested he share this with his missionary companions for a "what not to do" proposal.
**Austin will turn 20 on March 25. Jokingly, I told him this was his last year before he turned legal.