June 29, 2009
Hey,
Answer to the movie question. Do NOT post it on the internet. I will repeat that. Do NOT post it on the internet. You can show it to people, but not online. Yes, I would very much be appreciative to have the memory back. Good to hear that it got to you alright. Thank you Mom. The pianist is Elder Epps. He is really good and can you believe that it was improv? Well it was! WOO!
We had a baptism this week. His name is Alan Battles. Very neat guy. I really like teaching people older than me because you learn from them as they are learning from you. It is really cool! Still, this area is really slow, but we are doing what we can to prepare the stakes for member missionary work.
My companion, Elder Holden, is leaving for Alabama Thursday morning. He likes to write a lot. Today he is downtown and will be going through SLC temple. Nice.
The talks were great! It made me feel really good when Dad used Joshua 1:9. Thank Dr. Piper for the Detroitosaurus Wrecks. (We sent Austin a copy of the cover of a magazine-The Economist- which had a T-Rex made of car parts-very clever) My companions liked it a lot, but of course I had much more appreciation for it. Why? I love dinosaurs! WOO!
Hmmm, so the lack of communication gene comes from Dad huh? (In reference to a funny misunderstanding story I told Austin) I'm managing. We had a communication thing out here as well, so I can relate! We were in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house at the baptismal font. We were stopped, explaining to someone we were taking through what the temple font was for. The lady behind us stopped and backed up the line. Elder Makiyama asked for her to go on by. For some reason she pointed at the font and said, "You first." This really confused him so he asked her again. Again she said for him to get in the font. I came to the rescue and explained to her that he wasn't telling her to get into the font, he was telling her that she could go past us. It is really funny to us now, telling a non-member to go by and she thinking he wanted to baptize her. Goes to show you what people immediately think about us when they see us. That is why only Sister Missionaries are on temple duty!
Anyways, transfers are coming up and I am wondering what will happen. I hear that Transformers 2 is out. I heard it was really good! Of course, I don't care had they said it was horrible, when I get back I will watch it. You don't see my smile right now because all you see is text! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! (laughter)
Hey, where is Matt serving?
With love always,
Elder Austin Waller
Answer to the movie question. Do NOT post it on the internet. I will repeat that. Do NOT post it on the internet. You can show it to people, but not online. Yes, I would very much be appreciative to have the memory back. Good to hear that it got to you alright. Thank you Mom. The pianist is Elder Epps. He is really good and can you believe that it was improv? Well it was! WOO!
We had a baptism this week. His name is Alan Battles. Very neat guy. I really like teaching people older than me because you learn from them as they are learning from you. It is really cool! Still, this area is really slow, but we are doing what we can to prepare the stakes for member missionary work.
My companion, Elder Holden, is leaving for Alabama Thursday morning. He likes to write a lot. Today he is downtown and will be going through SLC temple. Nice.
The talks were great! It made me feel really good when Dad used Joshua 1:9. Thank Dr. Piper for the Detroitosaurus Wrecks. (We sent Austin a copy of the cover of a magazine-The Economist- which had a T-Rex made of car parts-very clever) My companions liked it a lot, but of course I had much more appreciation for it. Why? I love dinosaurs! WOO!
Hmmm, so the lack of communication gene comes from Dad huh? (In reference to a funny misunderstanding story I told Austin) I'm managing. We had a communication thing out here as well, so I can relate! We were in the Oquirrh Mountain Temple open house at the baptismal font. We were stopped, explaining to someone we were taking through what the temple font was for. The lady behind us stopped and backed up the line. Elder Makiyama asked for her to go on by. For some reason she pointed at the font and said, "You first." This really confused him so he asked her again. Again she said for him to get in the font. I came to the rescue and explained to her that he wasn't telling her to get into the font, he was telling her that she could go past us. It is really funny to us now, telling a non-member to go by and she thinking he wanted to baptize her. Goes to show you what people immediately think about us when they see us. That is why only Sister Missionaries are on temple duty!
Anyways, transfers are coming up and I am wondering what will happen. I hear that Transformers 2 is out. I heard it was really good! Of course, I don't care had they said it was horrible, when I get back I will watch it. You don't see my smile right now because all you see is text! MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA! (laughter)
Hey, where is Matt serving?
With love always,
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
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June 22, 2009
Hey!
Nearly forgot the week number? Wow...I have to look either at this or the last one I sent. You just lose track of time out here. It is merely a day of the week with a number attached to it. Sundays are hard. Mondays are fun. Tuesdays are tiring. Wednesdays are difficult to find work. Thursdays are similar. Friday has a lot of planning. Saturday is also difficult, especially when most everyone ignores you. Holidays are the worst because NO ONE IS HOME!
I got the package but have yet to open it. I hope there is a list of the songs. Don't worry, I'm confident you found the appropriate ones. We like the exact same stuff remember?
This week has been...interesting to say the least. Ok, so it was quite creepy. Dangerous? No. Just creepy. An example is that one of the nights we had a call come through our landlords, the Henries, home phone. It says the name of the caller. Well, the caller was zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero-zero. We were freaking out. We only learned about two days ago that it was a reverse 911 warning us about the mudslides happening. Nothing happened to us, so don't fret. That was just one of them. The others, uhh, I will leave for another time. Can't really express those in written words.
I got to do something that missionaries rarely get the opportunity to do. I got to sit in on a patriarchal blessing! WOO! Rudy Vidal is awesome. I only taught him new member lessons but he is cool. More missionaries witness sealings than patriarchal blessings.
Did you get the pictures I sent? Hopefully they don't just leave it at the door. That would not be good. I would be EXTREMELY upset. Anyways, let me know.
Love to all,
Elder Austin Waller
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June 15, 2009
Hey,
This week has been really hard both physically and mentally. Physically because we had to evade huge storms in which there was lightning every 10 seconds. Mentally because of all the stress occurring. It is good to know that there are two coming my way. I don't specifically care, just as many as you can find.
I'm telling you, words have far more impact on lives than people realize. Both constructive and destructive. I wish people would look at the things they are saying more often.
So most everyone is moving huh? Not cool. I was able to see President Cottrell, the new mission president for the Raleigh mission. He said he already has it scheduled to meet President Brew and maybe come out and see the ward. Yay! He is a nice guy. You will like him. I told him about the elders being pulled out of the ward.
I really like teaching people out here who are older than me. This is because they teach things to you as well! Anyways. The Toms sent me a card with a Brittany on it. Has a lot of "Hi's." They expressed an appreciation for your talks, calling them great and other really good descriptive terms. Thanks! I'll look forward to next week.
Love,
Elder Austin Waller
This week has been really hard both physically and mentally. Physically because we had to evade huge storms in which there was lightning every 10 seconds. Mentally because of all the stress occurring. It is good to know that there are two coming my way. I don't specifically care, just as many as you can find.
I'm telling you, words have far more impact on lives than people realize. Both constructive and destructive. I wish people would look at the things they are saying more often.
So most everyone is moving huh? Not cool. I was able to see President Cottrell, the new mission president for the Raleigh mission. He said he already has it scheduled to meet President Brew and maybe come out and see the ward. Yay! He is a nice guy. You will like him. I told him about the elders being pulled out of the ward.
I really like teaching people out here who are older than me. This is because they teach things to you as well! Anyways. The Toms sent me a card with a Brittany on it. Has a lot of "Hi's." They expressed an appreciation for your talks, calling them great and other really good descriptive terms. Thanks! I'll look forward to next week.
Love,
Elder Austin Waller
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June 8, 2009
Hey,
Sounds fun over there. Did that necessarily happen here this week? Uhhh...not at all. Lets just say that patience is wearing VERY thin. So this was a frustrating week.
Anything cool? This morning was possibly the coolest moment this entire transfer. One of our investigators, an "eternal investigator," told us about a dream he had a while back. In that dream he was told to read the book of Titus. Of course, he didn't even know that the book of Titus existed at the time he had this dream. Later on he found it. At the end, we all exchanged scriptures to read. Today we read Jeremiah 23, the scripture he gave us that talks all about false prophets and some qualities of true prophets. We felt inspired to read Titus. Three chapters, three companions. The book of Titus answers ALL, EVERY SINGLE ONE, IN FINALITY, OVERALL, EVERYTHING, COMPLETELY, ALL of his questions. We were literally jumping out of our seats for this one. At the end of Titus, it even gave us instructions! Now how about that? Talk about being smacked in the face by the Spirit...in a spiritual way of course.
About the pictures. It would probably be easiest for me to send it by way of mail in the USB flash-drive. Why? It can hold 8GB of memory, that's why. Plus, I have many pictures which would require more than one CD.
Spider adventures? (mom wrote -Well, it is Asiatic Garden Beetle season. If the Milky White Spores we put out in March made them sick, I can’t see it. I’ve been gathering about 20 per night in a 15-20 minute time period. Although, I did take a break for a few days this week because of a surprise collected item. I came in from the dark and was showing Danny my catch, when I spotted a plump, crab looking spider. Aaaaaaaahhhh!!!!! (Temporary loss of breathing ability, loss of focus, creepy feelings for hours-fear). When I could look, the little guy looked so out of place, I felt sorry for him. “Trust me little guy, you were an accident.” I asked Danny to release him, but, he said “he got caught, let him die”. So, after calming down and truly feeling sorry for Crabbie, I isolated him from the beetles and VERY CAREFULLY partially opened his corner of the zip lock bag. I quickly withdrew after Crabbie creeped out. He seemed to look back with a thanks and disappeared. This is outside of course.) Hmm....I could picture that happening. Crabbie. Although how it got in the bag, I am clueless. Somehow, you grabbed it thinking it was a coffee bean beetle (they look like coffee beans), then put it in the bag. You know that was a jumping spider right? Consider watching Eight Legged Freaks again. Yeah...you know it. Hooray for goofy sounding spiders and carnival music! YAY!
Speaking of music. Could you perchance be able to select some of the calming songs from the movie soundtracks, burn them to a CD, then mail it here? No upbeat or intense music though. Just that. If so, then...YAY! Are my "YAYs" making me sound more real? I think I was just really happy that day. Don't know why.
Off to save the Valley!
Elder Austin Waller
Sounds fun over there. Did that necessarily happen here this week? Uhhh...not at all. Lets just say that patience is wearing VERY thin. So this was a frustrating week.
Anything cool? This morning was possibly the coolest moment this entire transfer. One of our investigators, an "eternal investigator," told us about a dream he had a while back. In that dream he was told to read the book of Titus. Of course, he didn't even know that the book of Titus existed at the time he had this dream. Later on he found it. At the end, we all exchanged scriptures to read. Today we read Jeremiah 23, the scripture he gave us that talks all about false prophets and some qualities of true prophets. We felt inspired to read Titus. Three chapters, three companions. The book of Titus answers ALL, EVERY SINGLE ONE, IN FINALITY, OVERALL, EVERYTHING, COMPLETELY, ALL of his questions. We were literally jumping out of our seats for this one. At the end of Titus, it even gave us instructions! Now how about that? Talk about being smacked in the face by the Spirit...in a spiritual way of course.
About the pictures. It would probably be easiest for me to send it by way of mail in the USB flash-drive. Why? It can hold 8GB of memory, that's why. Plus, I have many pictures which would require more than one CD.
Spider adventures? (mom wrote -Well, it is Asiatic Garden Beetle season. If the Milky White Spores we put out in March made them sick, I can’t see it. I’ve been gathering about 20 per night in a 15-20 minute time period. Although, I did take a break for a few days this week because of a surprise collected item. I came in from the dark and was showing Danny my catch, when I spotted a plump, crab looking spider. Aaaaaaaahhhh!!!!! (Temporary loss of breathing ability, loss of focus, creepy feelings for hours-fear). When I could look, the little guy looked so out of place, I felt sorry for him. “Trust me little guy, you were an accident.” I asked Danny to release him, but, he said “he got caught, let him die”. So, after calming down and truly feeling sorry for Crabbie, I isolated him from the beetles and VERY CAREFULLY partially opened his corner of the zip lock bag. I quickly withdrew after Crabbie creeped out. He seemed to look back with a thanks and disappeared. This is outside of course.) Hmm....I could picture that happening. Crabbie. Although how it got in the bag, I am clueless. Somehow, you grabbed it thinking it was a coffee bean beetle (they look like coffee beans), then put it in the bag. You know that was a jumping spider right? Consider watching Eight Legged Freaks again. Yeah...you know it. Hooray for goofy sounding spiders and carnival music! YAY!
Speaking of music. Could you perchance be able to select some of the calming songs from the movie soundtracks, burn them to a CD, then mail it here? No upbeat or intense music though. Just that. If so, then...YAY! Are my "YAYs" making me sound more real? I think I was just really happy that day. Don't know why.
Off to save the Valley!
Elder Austin Waller
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June 1, 2009
Hey,
Very good news! I was able to sell my bike for $400. Yay! We also had a baptism! Yay! He was Russian! Yay! I have a headache! Yay! I am being as optimistic as I possibly can for this week! Yay!
So it was a very good week at parts. Most of it though was one big headache. I gave a talk on Sunday as well. It was based on fear and faith. I just seem to give really powerful talks when I base missionary work on that. Many people get up to shake our hands after it. There are some times where I wonder whether people like the person or the title.
Do not buy any memory for my camera! I have plenty! I just bought a USB so I can put my pictures on it and send it. It would be much easier that way. The letter quote is very true, probably why there is much humor found in it! (mom wrote-On Saturday, Dad talked with Uncle Brian. Together they came up with this short description of a mission from a parental view. “Write a letter, read a letter, write a check (repeated over and over).” Having sent out three missionaries, Brother Tom especially appreciated it. He let out an extra big laugh when dad delivered it.)
AHH! PACKAGES! While they are nice...they can be a hassle. Ummm.....I really have no idea. I can't really think of anything. My mind is just whirling with things that need to be done and cannot slow down to think for myself. Now you are making me think.....there is nothing that I really NEED. I can suggest things not to send. No candy or hygiene items. I seem to be in excess of those. Be creative.
Still it is good to have a day of rest after a long hard week. That is my favorite commandment, Keep the Sabbath Day. Why? It commands you to REST!!!
Love to all,
Elder Austin Waller
Very good news! I was able to sell my bike for $400. Yay! We also had a baptism! Yay! He was Russian! Yay! I have a headache! Yay! I am being as optimistic as I possibly can for this week! Yay!
So it was a very good week at parts. Most of it though was one big headache. I gave a talk on Sunday as well. It was based on fear and faith. I just seem to give really powerful talks when I base missionary work on that. Many people get up to shake our hands after it. There are some times where I wonder whether people like the person or the title.
Do not buy any memory for my camera! I have plenty! I just bought a USB so I can put my pictures on it and send it. It would be much easier that way. The letter quote is very true, probably why there is much humor found in it! (mom wrote-On Saturday, Dad talked with Uncle Brian. Together they came up with this short description of a mission from a parental view. “Write a letter, read a letter, write a check (repeated over and over).” Having sent out three missionaries, Brother Tom especially appreciated it. He let out an extra big laugh when dad delivered it.)
AHH! PACKAGES! While they are nice...they can be a hassle. Ummm.....I really have no idea. I can't really think of anything. My mind is just whirling with things that need to be done and cannot slow down to think for myself. Now you are making me think.....there is nothing that I really NEED. I can suggest things not to send. No candy or hygiene items. I seem to be in excess of those. Be creative.
Still it is good to have a day of rest after a long hard week. That is my favorite commandment, Keep the Sabbath Day. Why? It commands you to REST!!!
Love to all,
Elder Austin Waller
