July 20, 2009
Hey,
I've been doing what I can over here on my end for her. Fasting every Sunday is probably one of the more effective things I can see. My only problem with the mail thing is that I don't know where a post-office is in this zone. That and my hand-writing! AGH! Anyways, I'll do what I can.
On Sunday I had to give a talk on preparation for Eternal Life. The doctrine behind it is simple. Faith in Christ, Repentance, Baptism, Gift of the Holy Ghost, Enduring to the End, receive and keep temple covenants. Most of mine was based on the extra things we can do. After I was done, there were at least twenty people at the end of the meeting that told me I was on fire, or that I had answered their prayers. One came up to me and said, "Welcome to the Seventy!" I found that a little funny.
The rest of Sunday was kind of hectic. Why? Well, Elder Parker began to have chest pains. Two hours later, he still did. So he called someone who came over and checked him. She is an RN and his former landlady. So that was fun. Today we had him in the hospital for an appointment with a cardiologist. She did an EKG and put him on a 24 hr Halter monitor. Fun stuff.
Not much else other than being a little discouraged. No one is ever home nowadays. NO ONE! So, trying to encourage myself in hard times is really hard in itself. Needless to say, I have been listening to the CD every night. Every time I do I get the feeling that I need to 'arise from the dust.' Almost as if now is the time. It helps keep me going.
A couple days ago I woke up feeling that something wasn't right. Everyday I have felt that way. I haven't seen anything or felt anything. It is not a loss of the Spirit because I can still feel it. It is something else. I have been praying about it, but nothing so far. I really just do not know.
Good to hear from ya.
Love,
Elder Austin Waller
Tuesday, July 21, 2009
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Week 47
July 13, 2009
Hey,
Three words. I love you. I have already listened to the CD nearly 5 times now. My favorite! It was very unexpected to get that one. Thanks for the notepads! I needed those. (we sent Austin a newly compiled cd from some movie soundtracks. It is a difficult process to find those appropriate for our missionary-no upbeat or intense music-I found 4 selections from Transformers and most of the Finding Neverland Soundtrack.)
Now down to something that I feel is a little more pressing. Our friend has cancer again? For some reason I just feel really compelled to ask for you to do something. Ask for a Book of Mormon from the Sisters over there. Write your testimony about prayer inside. Print out the section that I am going to type after this paragraph and insert it. Mark Moroni 7: 26 and either read it to her or ask her to read it. Tell her that I asked you to give it to her. Ask her if she would like to learn more about the principle of faith. Tell her that you know two sisters who would love to share that with her. It may seem hard, but that is missionary work. The meek change the stumbling blocks set in our way into stepping stones that can improve our lives.
(Name withheld), I hear you are fighting hard against cancer still. I have learned from the mission I am on that there is a way to come off conquerer. That is by prayer. It may seem silly, but God loves you. He wants to hear from you, no matter how your day is. There is a scripture in Moroni 7: 26 which is on page 523 of the Book of Mormon. Christ gives us very important counsel here. I know that if one will pray with a sincere desire and real intent, God will reach out with His arms and comfort you. He loves all of His children. You, me, your family, my family, everyone. He will give answers to our prayers, we just need to listen. There is a good chance that He will not answer with a big booming voice or a bright neon sign, but you will recognize when He does answer. I have experienced this many times throughout my life. If it wasn't for a prayer, and some steps of faith, I would not be where I am today, or who I am today. Prayer changes the night to day. Never forget that. When life seems hard and is not going your way, pray. You can pray anywhere. He hears all heartfelt prayers and WILL answer. I know this with all my heart. I bear witness that prayer will bring you through any tough ordeal with added will, strength, and courage. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
-Elder Austin D. Waller
I really want you to do that for me.
I have been having an alright week. Nothing really spectacular. Well, maybe one discovery. I realized that I learn through music. Words or not. I learned the importance of sacrifice after listening to wordless music. It just makes me think. I now have a very strong testimony about the need for sacrifices in our lives. Just as it states in "Praise to the Man," sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven.
Thanks for everything and sorry for writing so late today. The Family History Center wasn't open for a long time. Yes my companion is ok, he is getting better. We still don't know why it was happening though. The music can be listened to as we wish. There are some CD's my companions have had that I would rather not listen to. Like the Singles Ward or the RM. But, this is perfectly fine. Gotta run!
With love,
Elder Austin Waller
Hey,
Three words. I love you. I have already listened to the CD nearly 5 times now. My favorite! It was very unexpected to get that one. Thanks for the notepads! I needed those. (we sent Austin a newly compiled cd from some movie soundtracks. It is a difficult process to find those appropriate for our missionary-no upbeat or intense music-I found 4 selections from Transformers and most of the Finding Neverland Soundtrack.)
Now down to something that I feel is a little more pressing. Our friend has cancer again? For some reason I just feel really compelled to ask for you to do something. Ask for a Book of Mormon from the Sisters over there. Write your testimony about prayer inside. Print out the section that I am going to type after this paragraph and insert it. Mark Moroni 7: 26 and either read it to her or ask her to read it. Tell her that I asked you to give it to her. Ask her if she would like to learn more about the principle of faith. Tell her that you know two sisters who would love to share that with her. It may seem hard, but that is missionary work. The meek change the stumbling blocks set in our way into stepping stones that can improve our lives.
(Name withheld), I hear you are fighting hard against cancer still. I have learned from the mission I am on that there is a way to come off conquerer. That is by prayer. It may seem silly, but God loves you. He wants to hear from you, no matter how your day is. There is a scripture in Moroni 7: 26 which is on page 523 of the Book of Mormon. Christ gives us very important counsel here. I know that if one will pray with a sincere desire and real intent, God will reach out with His arms and comfort you. He loves all of His children. You, me, your family, my family, everyone. He will give answers to our prayers, we just need to listen. There is a good chance that He will not answer with a big booming voice or a bright neon sign, but you will recognize when He does answer. I have experienced this many times throughout my life. If it wasn't for a prayer, and some steps of faith, I would not be where I am today, or who I am today. Prayer changes the night to day. Never forget that. When life seems hard and is not going your way, pray. You can pray anywhere. He hears all heartfelt prayers and WILL answer. I know this with all my heart. I bear witness that prayer will bring you through any tough ordeal with added will, strength, and courage. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
-Elder Austin D. Waller
I really want you to do that for me.
I have been having an alright week. Nothing really spectacular. Well, maybe one discovery. I realized that I learn through music. Words or not. I learned the importance of sacrifice after listening to wordless music. It just makes me think. I now have a very strong testimony about the need for sacrifices in our lives. Just as it states in "Praise to the Man," sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven.
Thanks for everything and sorry for writing so late today. The Family History Center wasn't open for a long time. Yes my companion is ok, he is getting better. We still don't know why it was happening though. The music can be listened to as we wish. There are some CD's my companions have had that I would rather not listen to. Like the Singles Ward or the RM. But, this is perfectly fine. Gotta run!
With love,
Elder Austin Waller
Monday, July 6, 2009
Week 46
July 6, 2009
Hey,
Did not know Uncle Chuck was in Alaska at the time till he said it at the end of the call. All I knew was that my companion, Elder Parker, needed some advice and the people in the mission who are supposed to give the advice were not answering their phones. So I thought it would be best to call him.
I like this area much better. The homes aren't nearly as big and people actually appreciate what they have. Meaning, they don't go on spending sprees. The people here are much more humble, the part I like most.
Well, I kinda forget how old people are. It just sounded like he was already there! I was thinking....naw....really? Anita hurt her ankle....uhh...news to me!
My health? Well, the digestive booster you sent me...I can't swallow at all. Everything else is fine. Yes, I am getting in plenty of water. Why wouldn't I? It is 95 stinking degrees out here! Every home we stop by we get water from. Brother Farnsworth mentioned that to Aunt Sharon huh? (mom-that Austin looked pale) I don't know what could be wrong then. Iron intake is better than ever. Grape Nuts helps with 90% in one serving. Luckily I love Grape Nuts and all those healthy cereals. I did see one thing wrong, or rather felt. On Sunday I was depressed all day. No clue as to why, especailly during testimony meeting! GAHH! I haven't been feeling cold or anything like that. So...I really just do not know.
I need input on something. My vision is getting worse. I prayed about it and felt like it wasn't necessary to get it checked out. I also was impressed that if I felt so inclined I should talk to you about it. What do you say?
Independence Day out here is literally a warzone. There is smoke everywhere, fireworks lighting up along the way, bottle rockets flying everywhere, bombs literally bursting in the air. People shouting at you as you drive home to turn off your headlights...which I didn't. Oh yeah, I'm driving a truck! WOO!
Teaching time! The importance of prayer! Read D&C 39+40. Then go to D&C 10:5, 3Nephi 18: 18-19, and Helaman 5:12. When you read those, you will realize how vital prayer is in our lives. So pray always!
Take care!
Elder Austin Waller
Hey,
Did not know Uncle Chuck was in Alaska at the time till he said it at the end of the call. All I knew was that my companion, Elder Parker, needed some advice and the people in the mission who are supposed to give the advice were not answering their phones. So I thought it would be best to call him.
I like this area much better. The homes aren't nearly as big and people actually appreciate what they have. Meaning, they don't go on spending sprees. The people here are much more humble, the part I like most.
Well, I kinda forget how old people are. It just sounded like he was already there! I was thinking....naw....really? Anita hurt her ankle....uhh...news to me!
My health? Well, the digestive booster you sent me...I can't swallow at all. Everything else is fine. Yes, I am getting in plenty of water. Why wouldn't I? It is 95 stinking degrees out here! Every home we stop by we get water from. Brother Farnsworth mentioned that to Aunt Sharon huh? (mom-that Austin looked pale) I don't know what could be wrong then. Iron intake is better than ever. Grape Nuts helps with 90% in one serving. Luckily I love Grape Nuts and all those healthy cereals. I did see one thing wrong, or rather felt. On Sunday I was depressed all day. No clue as to why, especailly during testimony meeting! GAHH! I haven't been feeling cold or anything like that. So...I really just do not know.
I need input on something. My vision is getting worse. I prayed about it and felt like it wasn't necessary to get it checked out. I also was impressed that if I felt so inclined I should talk to you about it. What do you say?
Independence Day out here is literally a warzone. There is smoke everywhere, fireworks lighting up along the way, bottle rockets flying everywhere, bombs literally bursting in the air. People shouting at you as you drive home to turn off your headlights...which I didn't. Oh yeah, I'm driving a truck! WOO!
Teaching time! The importance of prayer! Read D&C 39+40. Then go to D&C 10:5, 3Nephi 18: 18-19, and Helaman 5:12. When you read those, you will realize how vital prayer is in our lives. So pray always!
Take care!
Elder Austin Waller
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