May 25, 2009
Hey!
Before you ask, yes the charges are mine!
Progress on the temperature situation. Well, I had the worst possible week on the mission. I was visiting the bathroom quite frequently during the day and night, puking out my guts. Digestive issue. Might have been due to lack of gall bladder. Temperature, getting better.*Anyways, I have seen the plumber syndrome here many times. Ace sure does seem to stick his nose into things he shouldn't...still. (mom wrote - *Plumber: We had a plumber come over to fix the bathtub's leaky faucet. Okay, I have heard about plumbers pants but never really took it seriously. Now I do. The very pleasant, tall, thirtyish plumber was nice enough to remove his high top, lace up shoes at the doorway. But, as he squatted down and bent over, is was obvious his low riding pants were a little big for him. Startled at the flesh flash, I monetarily lost control of Ace. You know Ace loves new odors. Instantly he had his nose where it had no business. I was so embarrassed. With great effort I hauled Ace into the extra room for penitence. But, because I don’t think he could repent, the door was tightly closed. Although a worded sign, “No customers allowed to observe while work is in progress” was not posted, the message was clear. Observe the plumber at your own risk. The faucet does not drip any longer.)
(mom wrote - Any words of wisdom you would like to share with our ward? Your dad and I are the main speakers for the 31st of May. We are to speak about Missionary Work. Since we have been given the general topic, I thought a little bit of speaking to the future missionaries would be a good idea. Plus, I am thinking about speaking to the mothers of future missionaries. Shortened, that would be “Mothers, you have a very difficult task ahead of you.”) Missionary work huh? You could talk about the power of words, examples, the actions we do, there are many. Something I have focused on is fear and doubt. Go over all the scriptures in the Topical Guide, pray about those things, and you can get a talk. One of my favorites is Joshua 1:9. But if you really want some good sources, just look in Preach My Gospel. Talk to the Young Men's President, Bro. Kipfer I think. He can get you one. If you mention what you can do as members of the church and state the importance of it, you will have a great talk. If people actually start doing what you say, you will see the Elders back in the ward. I can promise you that.
I'm starting to cook more. Scary thought huh? Don't worry, I know how. I do eat things other than Mac and Cheese. Usually rice, corn, beans, tuna, chicken, anything that sounds good. It is healthier than what would be eaten! Yay!
Trust me when I say I know what you are going through. I can tell because of the title. *64 weeks to go? Good grief. Also, every ward has at least two missionaries on a mission, so we meet those mothers every Sunday. We think it's funny because we know our moms are back at home doing the same thing. Hey, we get fed really good here because of it! If I can do missionary work 24/7, you can wait for 2 years. Keep yourself busy and it will fly by. (mom wrote - *I titled this week's e-mail week 40 - 64 to go)
To the Young Men and Women. Thanks for the letters and the supplies! Helps save on the budget I have here. The candy...built up my little (HUGE) stash of candy. Hey! You all need to get ready to go on a mission! Start now! You will not regret it if you get to know the lessons you share right now. I guarantee you that. Always be of good courage and never lower your standards. It is those standards that make you an example to others. Read Joshua 1:9. You will understand.
Love you all!
Elder Austin Waller
Thursday, May 28, 2009
weeks 38-39
May 11, 2009
Hey,
It was really good talking to you. I was thinking that my one year at UNCW would be sufficient for me to transfer to BYU. If not, I'll go to UNCW. Still, the information would be nice. It is nice to know that some people have faith in my choice of career. It is being contended out here by some other missionaries, but I'm not letting that get my hopes down. My abilities are improving rapidly and it is also helping me see what I need to work on. Of course, that is done in free time. When the gospel is applied, the equation changes.
Thanks also for the information about being cold. I get the feeling that more activity would change that problem around. I might need to take Dad's advice and literally, roll out of bed.
The lesson last night did not happen, sadly. He was off doing Mother's Day stuff (something good). It is good to hear that about your prayers. One thing I would like to ask is that you pray that I can remember the things I learn, especially the doctrine I teach. It will help, I know it.
How is Alec doing as far as the stuff I am giving him? Is Jeremy using this as well? How are Shanna and Henry doing? What about the rest of the family? It would be nice to hear how they are doing as well. I trust they are doing fine, but I would still like to hear. Love you all.
Love,
Elder Austin Waller
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May 18
Hey,
This week was good, up until yesterday. Oh it was terrible! I am still feeling its effects. It had to be dinner or something. Sunday was not a good day. So, my faith in acting is growing rather quickly. Rudy Vidal (a recent convert) said he would gladly help me with contacts from New York after my mission. YAY! Two people we are teaching said that I reminded him during one of my talks of Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Jack Nicholson. He said it was weird that I was planning on being an actor and he thought those things. Coincedence? Quite sure it wasn't.
We are seeing what we can do about this sickness thing. Apparrently more people are getting worried about my always being cold. So we took my temperature. It is a whopping 95.2 degrees! That spurred me into action to really find out what is going on. Pray that everything will come to light.
For memory, I have been writing in my study journal. Yes it works, but not as good as I would like it. It is frustrating, but some things just don't work fast in me, unlike other things. Anyways, not much else is going on around here except for trying to find people. I just wish people would take us seriously and try to find people.
To the Kipfers. Thanks for the packages. I haven't opened them yet because I don't want them to be raided by 12 missionaries! I'll try to remember it in the next e-mail.
Love to all,
Elder Austin Waller
Hey,
It was really good talking to you. I was thinking that my one year at UNCW would be sufficient for me to transfer to BYU. If not, I'll go to UNCW. Still, the information would be nice. It is nice to know that some people have faith in my choice of career. It is being contended out here by some other missionaries, but I'm not letting that get my hopes down. My abilities are improving rapidly and it is also helping me see what I need to work on. Of course, that is done in free time. When the gospel is applied, the equation changes.
Thanks also for the information about being cold. I get the feeling that more activity would change that problem around. I might need to take Dad's advice and literally, roll out of bed.
The lesson last night did not happen, sadly. He was off doing Mother's Day stuff (something good). It is good to hear that about your prayers. One thing I would like to ask is that you pray that I can remember the things I learn, especially the doctrine I teach. It will help, I know it.
How is Alec doing as far as the stuff I am giving him? Is Jeremy using this as well? How are Shanna and Henry doing? What about the rest of the family? It would be nice to hear how they are doing as well. I trust they are doing fine, but I would still like to hear. Love you all.
Love,
Elder Austin Waller
-----------------------------------------------------------------
May 18
Hey,
This week was good, up until yesterday. Oh it was terrible! I am still feeling its effects. It had to be dinner or something. Sunday was not a good day. So, my faith in acting is growing rather quickly. Rudy Vidal (a recent convert) said he would gladly help me with contacts from New York after my mission. YAY! Two people we are teaching said that I reminded him during one of my talks of Phillip Seymour Hoffman and Jack Nicholson. He said it was weird that I was planning on being an actor and he thought those things. Coincedence? Quite sure it wasn't.
We are seeing what we can do about this sickness thing. Apparrently more people are getting worried about my always being cold. So we took my temperature. It is a whopping 95.2 degrees! That spurred me into action to really find out what is going on. Pray that everything will come to light.
For memory, I have been writing in my study journal. Yes it works, but not as good as I would like it. It is frustrating, but some things just don't work fast in me, unlike other things. Anyways, not much else is going on around here except for trying to find people. I just wish people would take us seriously and try to find people.
To the Kipfers. Thanks for the packages. I haven't opened them yet because I don't want them to be raided by 12 missionaries! I'll try to remember it in the next e-mail.
Love to all,
Elder Austin Waller
Week 37
May 4, 2009
Hey,
Yes, I am playing the flute. Sad thing though, it doesn't reach that high, but it still sounds really good. Just I am very limited to the time I can spend with it. *I thought it was quite funny when you called the mission office because right after I sent the e-mail, I was called by them. They thought it was a little funny as well. The bike? I just need to find a place to sell it. My knee is starting to give me problems every now and then just from walking. Lots of popping there. Not so fun! (*mom wrote - I had a question about a credit card charge that wasn't explained in Austin's e-mail and did not want to wait another week for the answer. I called the mission home and asked them to call him with my question. The secretary spoke with Austin and got back to me within 15 minutes with my answer. Great secretary.)
So dad was able to make everyone smile really big in the office huh? That is great! There are similar pranks pulled every now and then by other missionaries causing them to get up at say 2am. (mom wrote - Danny didn't play a prank but misread the clock, said goodbye to everyone, was in his car at the edge of the parking lot, when he realized it wasn't as late as he thought. He parked the car, came back into work - to eveyone's amusement.)
No, don't send the viola. I don't want it to get stolen. I am still trying to get back a hanger, a good one. It is making me anxious. Yesterday I actually woke up having a panic attack. Plus, the size would make it difficult to lug around. I wouldn't be able to play any music, though appropriate, either. Really, some of these things just tick me off. Let me think a little more before making the decision final.
I really don't like it that the day we get to call is a Sunday. SUNDAY IS OUR BUSIEST DAY! IT IS NOT A DAY OF REST! AGGGH! So a specific time is not capable of being given. We simply do not know our schedule for that day at all.
I have something else for Alec. Read D&C 88:123-126. This is the Doctrine of Preparation. If you do these things, you will be a very strong missionary at the get-go.
There is something I would ask you to do. I teach it to everyone. Just try it if you haven't been. Pray together in the morning, such as when you get out of bed. Pray together when you go to sleep. Before eating dinner, have a spiritual thought from the scriptures. Just those things will change your entire day. I am still trying to get that picture. Plus something else I felt inspired to get you.
It is funny how much you can learn. I am seeing a promise being fulfilled here on my mission. The more I learn about the gospel, the more I am blessed with knowledge about film and acting. It is crazy! I wish you well and wish I had more to report on. One more thing. I can't really look at schools right now, but the time is coming up where I need to start. Sadly true. Also, could you try to plan on picking me up at the end of this? I would like to spend time out here with you showing you around. Maybe Uncle Chuck would like to play golf?
Love,
Elder Austin Waller
Hey,
Yes, I am playing the flute. Sad thing though, it doesn't reach that high, but it still sounds really good. Just I am very limited to the time I can spend with it. *I thought it was quite funny when you called the mission office because right after I sent the e-mail, I was called by them. They thought it was a little funny as well. The bike? I just need to find a place to sell it. My knee is starting to give me problems every now and then just from walking. Lots of popping there. Not so fun! (*mom wrote - I had a question about a credit card charge that wasn't explained in Austin's e-mail and did not want to wait another week for the answer. I called the mission home and asked them to call him with my question. The secretary spoke with Austin and got back to me within 15 minutes with my answer. Great secretary.)
So dad was able to make everyone smile really big in the office huh? That is great! There are similar pranks pulled every now and then by other missionaries causing them to get up at say 2am. (mom wrote - Danny didn't play a prank but misread the clock, said goodbye to everyone, was in his car at the edge of the parking lot, when he realized it wasn't as late as he thought. He parked the car, came back into work - to eveyone's amusement.)
No, don't send the viola. I don't want it to get stolen. I am still trying to get back a hanger, a good one. It is making me anxious. Yesterday I actually woke up having a panic attack. Plus, the size would make it difficult to lug around. I wouldn't be able to play any music, though appropriate, either. Really, some of these things just tick me off. Let me think a little more before making the decision final.
I really don't like it that the day we get to call is a Sunday. SUNDAY IS OUR BUSIEST DAY! IT IS NOT A DAY OF REST! AGGGH! So a specific time is not capable of being given. We simply do not know our schedule for that day at all.
I have something else for Alec. Read D&C 88:123-126. This is the Doctrine of Preparation. If you do these things, you will be a very strong missionary at the get-go.
There is something I would ask you to do. I teach it to everyone. Just try it if you haven't been. Pray together in the morning, such as when you get out of bed. Pray together when you go to sleep. Before eating dinner, have a spiritual thought from the scriptures. Just those things will change your entire day. I am still trying to get that picture. Plus something else I felt inspired to get you.
It is funny how much you can learn. I am seeing a promise being fulfilled here on my mission. The more I learn about the gospel, the more I am blessed with knowledge about film and acting. It is crazy! I wish you well and wish I had more to report on. One more thing. I can't really look at schools right now, but the time is coming up where I need to start. Sadly true. Also, could you try to plan on picking me up at the end of this? I would like to spend time out here with you showing you around. Maybe Uncle Chuck would like to play golf?
Love,
Elder Austin Waller
Weeks 36
April 27, 2009
Hey,
Yeah, I met Uncle Mike's parents, or rather his mom. Talked with his dad on the phone. It is comforting to know that there is family in your area. They said if I ever needed anything, just call them. Have to stick to mission rules as much as possible, but if I ever did need anything, I will call.
A terabyte? I knew they had them out before, but they were expensive. So, did you get that or the 500GB. Apparently there are many flat screens out that are in the $300 range. To me, that is insane. When I left they were still going for $1000 or more! You want to know how much I have changed? Time is being spent how to utilize time in work and see satisfaction from that rather than time in fun and temporal satisfaction from that.
So Gran is alright? That is good. Shanna and Henry are getting married. I didn't doubt it for a second. Of course, here I am in the heart of Utah. Imagine that.....done imagining. I am sure that Bishop Carpenter will be able to find a job. Mosiah 2 promises that as long as you keep the commandments of God and go forth with a purpose of good works, you will be able to provide. Reading Nephi's story of the broken bow and building the ship might help.
Speaking of LONG, HOT DAYS. I am going to have many. Out of which, there will be much walking. Just not nearly as much humidity. Speaking of hot, I hear there is a bad fire in Myrtle Beach.
Happy Birthday Mom! It is tomorrow! Yay! I am assuming you want that painting? I will probably be able to get it somehow. I'll have to go to the Deseret Bookstore.
If there is anything I want right now, it is my viola. Could you send it to me? Just got the package now. The poker chip? Oh I just found it on the sidewalk and picked it up. Then I was given the tie. I just thought the two went together well. So I took it! Yes a photo was taken, but it wasn't very good. Plus, it is kinda hard to send photos right now...especially since there are no USB ports on the computer I am using! ARGH!
Now that I know when Mother's day is, I am panicking less. I will have to call you after all my meetings are done. So it will be 2 when you end at 4. All I can really say is...stay home. I have no idea with this schedule.
Talk to you soon!
Elder Austin Waller
Hey,
Yeah, I met Uncle Mike's parents, or rather his mom. Talked with his dad on the phone. It is comforting to know that there is family in your area. They said if I ever needed anything, just call them. Have to stick to mission rules as much as possible, but if I ever did need anything, I will call.
A terabyte? I knew they had them out before, but they were expensive. So, did you get that or the 500GB. Apparently there are many flat screens out that are in the $300 range. To me, that is insane. When I left they were still going for $1000 or more! You want to know how much I have changed? Time is being spent how to utilize time in work and see satisfaction from that rather than time in fun and temporal satisfaction from that.
So Gran is alright? That is good. Shanna and Henry are getting married. I didn't doubt it for a second. Of course, here I am in the heart of Utah. Imagine that.....done imagining. I am sure that Bishop Carpenter will be able to find a job. Mosiah 2 promises that as long as you keep the commandments of God and go forth with a purpose of good works, you will be able to provide. Reading Nephi's story of the broken bow and building the ship might help.
Speaking of LONG, HOT DAYS. I am going to have many. Out of which, there will be much walking. Just not nearly as much humidity. Speaking of hot, I hear there is a bad fire in Myrtle Beach.
Happy Birthday Mom! It is tomorrow! Yay! I am assuming you want that painting? I will probably be able to get it somehow. I'll have to go to the Deseret Bookstore.
If there is anything I want right now, it is my viola. Could you send it to me? Just got the package now. The poker chip? Oh I just found it on the sidewalk and picked it up. Then I was given the tie. I just thought the two went together well. So I took it! Yes a photo was taken, but it wasn't very good. Plus, it is kinda hard to send photos right now...especially since there are no USB ports on the computer I am using! ARGH!
Now that I know when Mother's day is, I am panicking less. I will have to call you after all my meetings are done. So it will be 2 when you end at 4. All I can really say is...stay home. I have no idea with this schedule.
Talk to you soon!
Elder Austin Waller
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