Week 79

Note: Austin has a new email address: austin.waller@myldsmail.net

On Sun, Feb 21, 2010 at 6:36 PM, Danny & Diane Waller wrote:
Hi Elder Waller,

We finally have a bright sunny day which was above 50 degrees. But we are supposed to get more arctic air soon. And yes summer will probably be murder.

I saw Chris at the mall on Friday. My cousin Vickie came over we spent the day shopping. We were both very tired. She found a bunch of bargains and I bought a replacement for the George Foreman grill. I spoke to Chris. He gave me a phone number for you when you get home. He is working at a mental institution and living at home. He looked like he used to.

I had a new experience at church today. Five year old Stanley was sitting beside me. He had crayons and paper. On a piece of paper there was a hangman game ready to play. Just before the sacrament was passed he asked me if I wanted to play. He was in my primary class and his parents said I was his favorite teacher which they said was a BIG deal. So I whispered to wait until after the sacrament was passed. He did and was ready to play. I wrote the letters on a sheet of paper to avoid talking and he applied them to the game. There were about 24 blanks and I wondered if Stanley was a super smart kid. But pretty soon I realized he was playing the game by his own rules. I missed a few letters and then I didn’t miss another one. Although, the letters could not possibly spell anything in any language. Then I was given the task of creating a word and hanging. I made enough blanks for Stanley. He got all the letters but S, but, still could not read it. When I told him what it read, he gave me the biggest smile. He then proceeded to play tick- tac- toe. Of course I couldn’t win. Every time he had 3 x’s, he connected them no matter where they were. It was cute. Danny said his mother, who was sitting in the seat ahead of us, kept turning around and giving big smiles when she saw Stanley and myself. I was able to hear most of the talks.

Last week I cracked Danny up and embarrassed myself. I kept getting up and down from my chair in the living room. It was one of my sit downs that drew a surprised gasp. I had left my bottle of water in the chair and it had fallen over along the back of the seat. I did not see it as I plopped down. The cap burst off wetting my whole bottom. Hmmmm!

Dad and Larry finally were able to go golfing yesterday. Dad didn’t do so well. He’ll get better when the weather warms up some.

I start the 12 week chemotherapies of Taxall tomorrow. Again, not looking forward to them but very happy to get them completed.

That’s about it for the Waller’s this week. Hope this finds you well and happy. Elder Holmgren sounds like he is having a good time. Again, we continue pray for people to contact you for missionary lessons. Hope it is working.

Love you, mom


Aloha!
I am starting out every talk I give with that. Starts out great! Gave another one this Sunday on Choosing to Follow Christ. I basically bore testimony the entire time. Many people came up and thanked me for it. I knew though, that it was the Spirit that taught them those things.

It is good that you are having fun. Maybe it is not always fun for you, but it will be funny in the future.

Yeah, I'll talk to Chris when I get back! He is working at a mental institution? That can be hard from what I heard. At least he has something other than KFC. He hated that! Or he said that he would like something different.

I got a letter from the Young Women, the beehives specifically. The one who just moved there from Okinawa said that she actually pays attention in Dad's class. Normally she sleeps but he keeps her attention. Hmmm...I guess this batch doesn't have 666 tattooed in their forehead do they? (a reference to some earlier class members who were very challenging) She said that I might hear from the other classes. Uhh...that is all I can remember.

We were shopping today in the mall and those vendors were out. Elder Holmgren and I were walking by. One of them immediately came out and asked if we were married. We were so flabbergasted that we stopped and proceeded to tell them no. It was an Israeli and a Brazilian. The Israeli proceeded to do her little demonstration of skin care. The Brazilian tried, but failed. I know how to get away from that. Elder Holmgren on the other hand, ended up buying something. There were two French girls at another stand and when they heard that he was from Sweden, they turned their eyes on him and began talking quietly to each other in French. We literally had to run off. It was weird. Especially when they kept asking us why we don't have a wife because of how handsome we are. Yeah. Weird.

Anything else? Had another baptism this week. Bryan. He was in the Air Force and is now in the National Guard. Pretty good. He is very thankful for it. It is this kind of thing that helps me remember why I am out here.

Umm...anything else? Oh, we were screamed at by a member to not tract in a little apartment thing. Then we got chastised by the Stake President beacuse of it. Fun! Not really. I just feel like some people out here are doing more against the work of God than for it. Oh well. I also wish that some people would see just how much they are in the height of the pride cycle. I have never seen so much pride in my life! Not much else really. Just out doing the work.

Yo Ho! Yo Ho! A Missionaries life for me!
Elder Austin Waller

Weeks 76-78

Note: Our letter to Elder Waller comes after his reply.

Week 76
Monday Feb 1, 2010

Yodels!

Hey what is going on? I got transferred and am in a car now. My knee is feeling better but springs up on occassion. Yes, my knees hurt quite a bit during the walking. But during college it didn't hurt, and I walked more than ever. So it is weird. I haven't had to wear the knee braces lately, but I do put it on every now and then.

$100 shoes! Wow! Well, we went to Sam's Club today. I got some food, thinking I could use the card the mission gave me. YEAH RIGHT! I ended up spending over $50 on it with my Debit! MAN! Just an explanation of that.

Ice storms...YICK! We haven't had much of anything here. Just a dusting. I think it is funny how all the Utah weather has gone home!

Brother Peterson is in there? Nice. I keep telling everyone out here how Bro. Tom has someone give talks. He walks up to someone, puts his hand on their shoulder and says, "Will you give a talk on (date)? Thanks we'll see you there!" They end up being grateful. But hey, I love giving talks! Others may think otherwise, but it is a chance to grow.

I am with Elder Holmgren now. He is from Sweden and is very funny. I forgot my cable, I'll send a picture next week.

Yes, we eat jello. It is alright. Like I said though, we had to make the green jello ourselves.

PEACE!

Elder Austin Waller

-----Original Message-----
From: "Danny & Diane Waller"
To: "Austin Waller"
Date: Sun, 31 Jan 2010 20:42:31 -0500
Subject: Week 76

Hi Elder Waller,

We received the two packages.

Humidity. If ours gets below 50% it is very dry.

We didn't get to feed the sisters. Turns out they scheduled their own calendar and had a dinner appointment. I found out when I called because they were late. They were going to have salmon. We haven't had it for months and wanted some. I was looking forward to some company.

Are the knee-braces still working? Did you have any knee pain before your mission? I remember you walking with me just before your mission and complaining that it didn't feel good but I thought you just didn't want to walk for exercise.

I've had a really good week. We had some sunny 50 degree days and I was able to get out and walk with Bobby on Tuesday. My feet hurt so bad I shopped the next day and bought some walking shoes for $100. Dad is still giving me a hard time for spending so much on walking shoes. But they have the cool gel stuff and make my feet really good. Since they'll last for 1000 miles, that is only 10 cents a mile. What's his problem? Heh Heh!

We didn't get snow like Albertson, Kinston and everything west of there, but we did get ICE. They got ice and snow. The power kept flickering off and on and off and on. Very annoying. But thank goodness it came back on and stayed on. It happened on Saturday so we didn't need to go anywhere. I did the shopping earlier before the storm. And of course there was no golf this weekend. But we did have power, so we caught up on some of the recorded shows. Also we didn't have all of our meetings today. We met at 1 just for sacrament. Our porch and car were still quite frozen this morning. And a couple of bridges were closed due to icing. Things warmed up to a balmy 37 by 11am with the bright sunshine and anything not in the shade melted. We're having a HEAT WAVE!!

Today Brother Peterson was made a High Priest and put in as 2nd counselor in the Bishopric. Brother Tom was released. Phillip Smith is still in the Bishopric. Dad says his head shines more than mine. He must polish his. I don't. Maybe one day we'll compare.

I receive my last "bad" treatment tomorrow. So one more round of being sick for 11 days. I have complained about the nausea from the treatments but when I compare the surgery recoveries with the infected port, the treatments haven't been so bad. The surgeries and infection were tough.

About the quote from last week, credit must be given to a temple worker I talked to on the phone arranging your endowment date.

I can't believe you ate jello of any color. You would have not touched it before your mission. Are you still Austin? I am sure you are, just maybe a little hungry.

With love, mom

Week 77
Feb 8, 2010

Hey!

Doing better. Knees act up every now and then, but not nearly as much and the time periods between are getting longer and longer...which is a good thing!

Ummm...where did this release date thing come into play? All I remember saying is that I need to know. We have to send these things in early.

DOH! Uncle Dwaine and the arrow through your brand new Mustang. Wow. I still remember you talking about that story. Really funny.

It might have been Elder Hurley and Olsen, but I am not sure. Jones and Bennett? I am in the Murray West and Midvale East stakes. Not very far away from Uncle Chuck and Aunt Sharon! I told the Zone Leaders to look for them.

Yeah, the game was on every single TV. It was only not on during dinner. You cannot escape these things. Nothing much else really. We are having a hard time finding people to teach. Wish it will get better.

Weather out here is starting to feel like early spring. Elder Holmgren is not happy about it. He is used to the cold, much colder than here (East Coast Sweden), and it will probably be very hot.

Had another baptism. Amanda. I will send the picture another day. Getting very tired. Of course, that is expected when you have been on your mission for nearly 18 months! AGHH! Anyways...really nothing happening. Just feel kinda weak from the decreasing rest. Oh well, you work through it and feel fine near lunch.

YARGH! I don't know what to write about! Oh wait...yes I do. I went on exchange two times in a row. I first went with Elder Hurley. MAN! Did I learn a lot of stuff! I will tell you later. Then I immediately went on exchange with Elder Chang. He is a Spanish missionary from Washington (Kirkland) who is part Korean. Had fun talking about things we have in common. It was interesting to not be able to teach beacuse really no one speaks english. He had to translate.

Uhh...yeah that was it.

Yo Ho! Yo Ho! A Missionary's Life for ME!

Elder Austin Waller

-----Original Message-----
From: "Danny & Diane Waller"
To: "'Austin Waller'"

Date: Sun, 7 Feb 2010 22:59:57 -0500
Subject: Week 77

Yodele e who Elder Waller,

Hey you told us you got transferred but not where. Anita told us. And oh yes your release date. Who sends you a letter each week, without fail? Who? Moms and Dads are not a sideline, we are your mainline. How about a little respect? Just kidding, kindof. Still, I am happy you wrote to Anita. It was very timely. Dad and Bishop Strickland had preplanned to give Anita a blessing Wednesday.

We had another real frenzied weather event. Big rain and big wind but Virginia, Maryland and north received up to 30 inches of snow.

I posted a picture of me, without hair, on facebook and this is how your uncle Dwaine responded "And still smiling in the face of adversity... The only time I can recall you unhappy is when I shot your car with the arrow, and even then you did not kill me as you had rights to do... You are a good example to us all. Dwaine" He is right about me not smiling that day.

Looking forward to the pictures. My cousin Pam said she asked the missionaries in her ward if they knew Elder Waller and both of them did. She didn't get their names and I don't have her ward yet. I'll try to get it this week.

I skipped church today. I am still in the 11 day zone. That will be completed on Thursday. I haven't had a single throw up event this week.
YEAH! I was given some extra medicine which has made me sleep at lot. I did lose track of what day it was and nearly forgot about the bulletin. I "woke up" on Friday and was able to gather all the information in time for today.

We watched the superbowl tonight. It was a very good game. The underdog, the New Orleans Saints overpowered the very favored Indiana Colts 31 to 17. The action took place in the last half of the game which made it exciting.

We are making appointments to choose my plastic surgeon for reconstruction.
We want to do it as quickly as possible. When we can get it done will depend on us being able to come pick you up. As the schedule looks to me, I would be ready for surgery by the beginning of July. That would give me about 6-7 weeks to heal before we would need to travel. Of course that is my calendar.
The doctors will have the last word.

I am happy to hear your knees have calmed down a bit. I want them to continue to improve until they are well. Hope you still have lots of people to teach.

Love, mom


Week 78
Feb 15, 2010
HEY!

For some reason the church has made this new e-mail account for me using Google. No idea why, they just did.

Ok, at least now I know what is going to be happening when coming home. That is a relief.

Karma man! Woo! I think it is global warming. How about you? Elder Holmgren over here is laughing since he just relized hom much 8" is. He is from Sweden.

I am doing very well out here. Just got over something that Uncle Chuck called a mixture of the flu and strep throat. YUCK! Not too happy about that one.

Well...uhh. Yeah. Not much else happening. It is starting to feel like spring over here, and it hasn't even hit it yet. Summer is going to be murder.

Just something I learned yesterday about violins, violas, cellos, and basses. The more you play it, the better it sounds. It has to do completely with the wood, cutting of the wood, and glue. If the instrument doesn't have any open pores, it won't have a good sound. That is why handcrafted instruments are so good. Different wood does different things to the sound and structure. Neat huh?

It is good to see you in high spirits. I see many people out here who are downtrodden because of the health of their family. I take what Joseph B. Wirthlin said, "Come what may, and love it."

Anything else? Uhh, had 2 baptisms. Amanda and Jay. Two separate ones. We have a car? Yeah, I can't think of anything...nevermind just did. It is starting to be really neat for me on receiving revelation. I just ask the question then it is almost like the entire atmosphere is parted so that all the "white noise" of the world goes away, and I receive my answer. Neat huh? I got so many cool things last night that I was laughing really hard. It didn't help me get to sleep, so I got up and wrote them down. Neat stuff!

Last but not least, on playing the violin. Do you focus on short parts? Or do you focus on the entire piece? If you focus on the short parts, the entire piece will come together much quicker and better. Make sure that you are having good bow control. And furthermore...RELAX! Don't be mechanical. That was one thing that I learned by myself. Being mechanical is not the best thing. You need to experiment until you get the sound you want. If it makes you feel better, break out my viola and play it. You will sound much better, I will let you know that right now.

Peace out!

Elder Austin Waller
On Sun, Feb 14, 2010 at 11:25 AM, Danny & Diane Waller

Hey Dude,
I watch the weather in your area often via the Utah Transportation Department website. It has webcams so that I can see the snow fall. I had been laughing that you guys keep getting snow then melt in cycles. So what goes around comes around, we got 8” Friday night. I told your mom that it was because of my laughing at your weather, and asked if it was too late to repent : ), mom just smiled!

Mom and I went to see a reconstruction plastic surgeon this past Thursday. He wants us to get the radiation therapy treatments completed before this major surgery. Mom, starts a cycle of just one drug (instead of 3) at half dose each week for 12 weeks. This will start on February 22nd and should be completed by May 10th. That should be the last of the chemotherapy… yes!

We have an appointment over at Greenville with a radiation oncologist to start that planning process on the 24th of this month. We expect that to start a few weeks after the chemo. Usual treatments are 5 days per week for about 7 weeks ending sometime mid July. Then we have to wait about 4 weeks for the surgery (make sure mom’s white blood cell counts are good) mid to late August. As mom would receive treatments 5 days a week for about 30 minutes, they have a place for mom to stay called “Hope Lodge”. Mom would go up on Monday and stay thru Friday coming home for the weekends.

The reconstruction surgery is going to be major, about 5 hours typically. Mom would have about 3-4 day stay in the hospital (New Hanover) before coming home. As they are planning to take abdominal muscles, mom is going to need some help during recovery. So it looks like you might be getting home just in time to be Elder Waller aka… Nurse. After healing they go back and do some outpatient touch-ups for completion.

I was very excited when mom asked the plastic surgeon if she would be able to play golf after healing (because of the muscle lose).. the answer is yes, cool huh!

As you can see from the schedule it is going to be impossible for us to come out and pick you up. Financially, it is very important that we get this done in the same insurance year. It would have been a lot of fun, but mom’s health comes first. We will have to plan something in the future.

Still playing the violin but not getting any better : ( !
Love Dad