December 15, 2008
Hey,
No, I don't have a new companion. It was a temporary exchange for the day since I was having so much pain. No, I didn't get the push-up things today. Things are getting hard for me. Of course, everyone around me says to stick through it. I'm trying, but no one understands exactly what I am going through. It is hard to focus on anything. That plus lack of sleep does not help. It is still a rollercoaster right now. I'm just really glad about the advice Uncle Chuck gave me.
Other than that, plus other things which just piled up, the week has been alright. We had a baptism Saturday. Marie Gonzales. She's cool. Yeah. Had a lot of success yesterday as far as getting referrals, giving blessings, learning stuff, and finding out how to meet Elder Perry's baptismal, activation, and teaching goals.
I'm only giving this one more shot. I read in D&C today that 3 times is the charm. I forget the section. I have had more injuries, sicknesses, and problems in the time spent here so far than I have ever had in several years at home. It is official...Utah hates me. I'll stick it out as long as I can. Just know that I am doing my best here.
Love,
Elder Waller
...................................................................................................................................................................
December 22, 2008
Hey,
Not a good week at all for me. All the things that happened were great. But physical pain is just getting intense. I'm playing it off that I have none because they only say the same things over and over. "Rely on the Lord. Trust in Him." They don't realize that I have been doing this ever since it has started. I even tell them this. I have been praying and fasting recently, exercising my faith just so I can get a complete answer to things. Mental anguish is again on the rise. I have set a specific date and place in the basement where I will pray. Dehydration is far to hard for me to control out here. I can't focus on multiple things at once. So it is either missionary work or hydrate. There is only one person here who was a missionary and is now a nurse that really understands my issue. There is far too much stress right now. Far too much. It is all going downhill once again.
I got the Perfect Push-up box today. Didn't get to go all the way through it right now. Some of our investigators are really excited. Two have given me Christmas cards with some uplifting messages. One gave me a hot chocolate mug (YAY!). That is pretty much it.
Don't think I am homesick. I'm not. If anything, I'm having far more spiritual experiences right now than I have ever had. I have been studying on revelation, guidance, the Holy Ghost, and other things relating to that. Prayer has been extremely important for me since all this started. I feel as if I am being prepared for something big. The missionaries tell me that I am going throgh more these first months than they have seen. It is as if I am on this extreme grinding stone, being taken to the very edge. It is hard to explain what is happening. My journal could explain it better. Just please support me all you can. It is hard to do anything right now.
With all the love I can muster right now,
Elder Waller
..............................................................................
December 22, 2008
Hey....again,
I just sent a package to you with stuff I don't need to be lugging around. Also, I need to know how to put up crown molding. Yes, crown molding. One of the people we are working with is doing this and I remember vaguely how to do it. There is a potential investigator that comes from this service.
Love again,
Elder Waller
Austin's address is:
Elder Austin Waller
Utah SLC South Mission
8060 South 615 East
Sandy, Utah 84070
e-mail: adwaller@myldsmail.net
Monday, December 22, 2008
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Weeks 12-16
Austin's knee injury kept him and his companion from going out much and created some doubt about being on a mission. His Mission President, Uncle Chuck, Stake President, mission companion, Bishop and us, his parents nurtured him through this difficult time. I will keep the contents of his letters from weeks 12-15 private but week 16 (2 e-mails) are as he sent them.
As a family, we love movies and the ones with great musical scores are purchased and listened to regulary. Lord of the Rings, a composition of Howard Shore and is one of our favorites. Austin often played several of the tunes on his viola.
December 8th, 2008 (week 16)
The really cool, funny picture!
Far right, is Austin and to his left, Elder Peters.
As a family, we love movies and the ones with great musical scores are purchased and listened to regulary. Lord of the Rings, a composition of Howard Shore and is one of our favorites. Austin often played several of the tunes on his viola.
December 8th, 2008 (week 16)
Hey,
A lot of things are better now. Back and joints hurt for some reason. No idea. I already wrote you what I want. I want a picture of you two. Framed, one I can put on a shelf or something.
Heavenly Father really knows how to help me out. Through that thing I was going through recently I kept praying and praying, trying to find a way out of it. Then, something simple happened. A song that MoTab sang, But In Dreams. It is on the LOTR: Fellowship of the Ring CD. I heard that song and immediately thought of those two and what they had to go through. I compared myself to Sam and what he had to go through. He volunteered, like me, no pushing involved. He knew he had a mission to accomplish and he did it. That is really what I realized I had to do. A simple song made me think of something I could compare with. It has helped me tons.
I have seen two extremes now on the mission, both comparable to each other, because they are opposites. Both of these families have similar issues. One is prideful and covetous, the other is humble and grateful. The same Ward Mission Leader is helping both. Talk about the one being stubborn. They treat us as kids, not knowing what we are talking about and having no idea how to help them. Sadly, we know exactly what they need. Yeah...sad.
By the way, I did the transaction today. My coat wasn't keeping out the wet snow....yes...it is snowing now. Curses. I believe the cold is making my joints hurt, but my spine, I have absolutely no idea why it is hurting. It has been doing so for the past two weeks now. We even replaced the mattress. Still hurts. It stops hurting whenever I lay down. I'm going to the mission doctor tomorrow, but I refuse to take pain relievers because they only reccomend those that are fever reducers. Those have actually been inducing fevers. Yeah...bummer.
Anything else? Uhhh....not really.....but I have a really cool picture for you! Haha! Tis funny. By the way...it will be impossible for me to use all of the memory you sent me...even on the highest setting. It is insane how much I have. It shall work though! HAHA!
Love ya,
Elder Waller
The really cool, funny picture!
Far right, is Austin and to his left, Elder Peters. I asked Austin about Thanksgiving and this was his report:
The day of the giving of the thanks? Otherwise known as Thanksgiving?
Let's see. At 10:00 am we went to Bro. Stephens for Thanksgiving breakfast. It was really good, especially breakfast consists of cereal.
At 1:00 pm we went to dinner with Sis. Neff. It was...insteresting.
At 2:00 pm we went to our landlords for dinner. It was from a restaurant called Marie Callendar's. They are known for their pie.
At 3:00 pm we went and checked on refferals and were hated for it. People don't like it when you do proselyte on holidays. Especially bishops, unless they are from South Africa.
At 4:00 pm we went to Bro. Moore's for another dinner. He is another Ward Mission Leader. He has some amazing stories from the post office of all places. Interesting people there.
At 6:00 pm we went back to Bro. Stephens and had dessert. We also did a lot of correlation at the time.
The rest of the night was going and checking refferals for people who were not home. I was alright as far as eating. I know how to keep myself from getting sick. Elder Peters on the other hand, ate way too much and was sick the rest of that night. He keeps forgetting that he cannot eat as much as he used to because we are no longer on bikes. I thought it was hillarious.
One request...can I get my push-up things sent here? They should be on the lower shelf of the thing on the right when you enter into my room. They look like handles, and they rotate. Yeah.
Love ya,
Elder Waller
Thursday, November 6, 2008
Week 11
Austin's e-mail was a couple of days late. He explains why.
Here is his address and e-mail address again so you don't have to scroll down.
Elder Austin D. Waller
Utah Salt Lake City South Mission
8060 South 615 East
Sandy, Utah 84070
Here is his address and e-mail address again so you don't have to scroll down.
Elder Austin D. Waller
Utah Salt Lake City South Mission
8060 South 615 East
Sandy, Utah 84070
Hey!
Sorry, we had a Zone Conference on Monday. So today is my P-Day!
Good news. Had a leg and knee doctor look at it. From the X-Rays and other stuff he concluded that something happened with the cartilage under my kneecap. I have a brace on and can already walk better because it is being held in a sturdy poistion. It only hurts when there is pressure on it. I will not be biking because of the grinding that occurs. Do not want this problem to happen again!
News on Great Grandpa Waller. The one who was in Utah is not ours. In fact, it is highly likely he was never even IN Utah. It looks like he was born in Kentucky and died in Ohio. I feel strongly....very strongly that this is him. Why? I have prayed about it several times and kept getting that strong feeling that this is him. Just tell me who I should send this information to. I am getting extremely excited about this.
At Zone Conference, I gave possibly my strongest testimony. I do believe that this is the reason why President Laney kept calling me "a good one." During the testimony, I was shaking, but firm. It was powerful. Everyone saw and felt it. There is a long entry about it in my journal, so I could remember what I said. YAY!
Cabin fever is not good at all. However, we found ways to combat this. Cleaning (mostly Elder Peters), studying, contacting investigators with the phone. Not much we could do. But, we are coming through.
Dad, the violin's tone is fine. It might not be giving the SOUND you want because it isn't very good quality. Another thing that will help with your tone and sound will be your bow control. You do remember that we had the Pirates Music already right? It didn't have the accompaniment and was for piano, but we had it. Yours might be different. I don't know.
Not much else to report. Oh yeah! We had a baptism of a 9 year old girl named Alex Halkney. My first one that I taught every lesson! WOO! Don't have my camera with me, so I can't give you the image now....bummer. Anything else? It snowed at least 6" today. The "fleet" (cars) got grounded for a while. They are back up now. The nasty slush is around now...boy is it nasty.
Anyways, I still get that feeling that Great Grandpa Waller was never in Utah. I only get the strong feeling whenever I think about this one who was born in Kentucky and died in Ohio. I'll look at this more and pray about it everyday till I hear back from you about it next week.
Love ya,
Elder Waller
Monday, October 27, 2008
Week 10
Hey,
Nothing good is happening this week. Sleep is perfectly fine. It is my knees. So I got my new bike, and no knee problems, till maybe Tuesday. It felt as if they were grinding together again. Then on Thusday (or around then) my knee popped just above the knee-cap on my right leg. Since then I have been limping everywhere. It hurts to walk on it for a long time and biking is completely out of the picture now. If I go biking again, my knees will just get worse. Going up and down stairs is not good, especially if they do not have a rail or something to hold on to. I have been getting better lately and am able to walk much better, but still limping. It is likely that we will get a car.
Total on the bike is $600. It is a really good bike. It sold for nearly 65% off the price of a new one. It really does not help now that I cannot ride a bike anymore. If I were using it, I would be happy. But, since I am not, I am kinda frustrated.
That is really the only thing this week. I am still in my original area. Others count their transfers, I don't. It is too confusing. Friday was insane. We were basically stuck in the apartment, not able to do much of anything the entire time except study. We were getting cabin fever. We were able to get out of the house and get rides from people to places. When we got back, the house was full of people. Now I do mean full. Complete with kids running up and down the stairs with lightsabers and playing in our basement. We hunkered down in our room, unable to study because of the noise. Cabin fever made us go insane with all of that going on. This lasted for maybe two hours. After one hour though, the kids were forced upstairs. My mind basically whited out. Here I am, crippled, have cabin fever, and there is noise everywhere and you cannot study or get much of anything done. I was near the point of insanity.
As I said, this week was not good. I hope we can get a mode of transportation soon. By the way, the thing about Elder Packer. Aparently it was primarily towards that group. Many people in there are living beyond their means. I've noticed that here. Houses are at least 3,000 sq. feet. Some have two, one for warm weather and one for cold. That is basically it. I just hope I can get back to work soon. I feel as if I am holding things back because of this knee. I'll be alright...just my moods are down.
Love ya,
Elder Waller
We are concerned about the knee issue. I will have to call to get a better understanding.
Hey,
Forgot to mention something. The people here at the Family History Center are doing work on the Waller line. They found Great Grandpa Waller, his father and mother, some others, and also a line that no one has found out yet. Her name is Mary Land. She is the part of a line no one knew about. When I get this information in a packet, I'll send it out to you.
Love ya,
Elder Waller
I hope he is right about this. We waited a long time for a break. I'll need to get Chuck over there to check it out.
Nothing good is happening this week. Sleep is perfectly fine. It is my knees. So I got my new bike, and no knee problems, till maybe Tuesday. It felt as if they were grinding together again. Then on Thusday (or around then) my knee popped just above the knee-cap on my right leg. Since then I have been limping everywhere. It hurts to walk on it for a long time and biking is completely out of the picture now. If I go biking again, my knees will just get worse. Going up and down stairs is not good, especially if they do not have a rail or something to hold on to. I have been getting better lately and am able to walk much better, but still limping. It is likely that we will get a car.
Total on the bike is $600. It is a really good bike. It sold for nearly 65% off the price of a new one. It really does not help now that I cannot ride a bike anymore. If I were using it, I would be happy. But, since I am not, I am kinda frustrated.
That is really the only thing this week. I am still in my original area. Others count their transfers, I don't. It is too confusing. Friday was insane. We were basically stuck in the apartment, not able to do much of anything the entire time except study. We were getting cabin fever. We were able to get out of the house and get rides from people to places. When we got back, the house was full of people. Now I do mean full. Complete with kids running up and down the stairs with lightsabers and playing in our basement. We hunkered down in our room, unable to study because of the noise. Cabin fever made us go insane with all of that going on. This lasted for maybe two hours. After one hour though, the kids were forced upstairs. My mind basically whited out. Here I am, crippled, have cabin fever, and there is noise everywhere and you cannot study or get much of anything done. I was near the point of insanity.
As I said, this week was not good. I hope we can get a mode of transportation soon. By the way, the thing about Elder Packer. Aparently it was primarily towards that group. Many people in there are living beyond their means. I've noticed that here. Houses are at least 3,000 sq. feet. Some have two, one for warm weather and one for cold. That is basically it. I just hope I can get back to work soon. I feel as if I am holding things back because of this knee. I'll be alright...just my moods are down.
Love ya,
Elder Waller
We are concerned about the knee issue. I will have to call to get a better understanding.
Hey,
Forgot to mention something. The people here at the Family History Center are doing work on the Waller line. They found Great Grandpa Waller, his father and mother, some others, and also a line that no one has found out yet. Her name is Mary Land. She is the part of a line no one knew about. When I get this information in a packet, I'll send it out to you.
Love ya,
Elder Waller
I hope he is right about this. We waited a long time for a break. I'll need to get Chuck over there to check it out.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Week 9
Mom notes: I didn't get the names of everyone in the photo. Of course Austin is on the far left. Last week Austin seemed so down, I put together a care package. It had punching ballons, a balloon inflator, Gold Fish Crackers, Nibbles Pretzles, Trail Mix, Halloween Eyeballs with a scripture referenceing "eyes", Gummy dinoasurs, and a cute toy snake stuffed in the bottom. When I got this e-mail from him I laughed to tears in his deep, almost reverent appreciation for the snake. Yep, he is still Austin. This is the kid we had to force to read fiction. Until fiction, it was dinosaurs, alligators, crocodiles, snakes, etc. Even in a collge science class he challenged his professor on some facts and she acknowledged he was right. She wants him to change his plans to major in Film Studies to a science. But he's not blinking.
Hey all!
So, the bad stuff first. I haven't been able to get a full nights sleep for the past three days. The first one, I just kept waking up. Same with the third. But the second is special. Elder Kemer decided to play a joke on us, so he put an alarm on the cell phone. Elder Peters and I were asleep when the cell phone alarm goes off (note that we only use my clock alarm). I get up, knowing that it was Elder Kemer since he was messing around with the phone earlier, and turn off the alarm. I find Elder Peters getting on his knees, seeing how the alarm going off meant morning prayer. What he didn't realize was that it was 2 in the morning. I ask him what he was doing. His response, "Getting ready to pray, what else?" Of course then I tell him to go back to bed that it was 2 in the morning. He lets out this groan and rolls back into bed. Hillarious over here.
I did get the care package today. I love it! It has candy! But that isn't the best part. The eyeballs were very clever, same with the balloons. But what really made me happy was the snake. That REALLY made me feel good. Thanks for that.
Had a spiritual experience. We were trying to find someone to go with us to an investigators home. We needed an adult male to be there. So I call around. Her fellowshippers wife hung up on me. The Ward Mission Leader was gone. The Priests could not come for family reasons. Called some Ward Mission Leaders out of Stake. The UF7 wasn't there. So I was finally able to get Bro. Mayhew. When we had that lesson, those two connected with a similar problem. Both had their original spouse cheat on them. Bro. Mayhew knew exactly how to help her. Also, the scripture we read, Alma 5, applied directly to her at her stage in life. It was amazing. Everyone else was gone so that I could call Bro. Mayhew. When our lesson was ending, Bro. Mayhew said he had a meeting he had to get to. He thought he just lied to end the lesson. When we got to his home, his wife was waiting outside and told him that the RV had been broken into and the police wanted to see everyone at the same time. Funny how those feelings work.
Other than that...nothing.
Business. I have done each and everyone of those transactions. I can only tell you about these on Monday since this is the only day I can e-mail. :P And today will be my last day for huge withdrawals of cash.
Bike. YAY! MY KNEES NO LONGER HURT BECAUSE OF AN OVERSIZED BIKE! The bike I was riding was really killing my knees in the end. I now have a bike that eliminates that for me since it is my size. Not to mention I can travel faster because it a more efficient size. Yay!
Other than sleep deprivation, a new bike, and a spiritual experience, there is only one thing I need to say. Things are going to be getting hard here soon. It seems almost like a second Depression will come. As far as money is concerned, only spend it on what you need. If you can live without it, do it. Minimize your cost of wants. Also, plan on picking me up at the end of my mission. Why? Planes will not be flying here soon. Another good thing is to build up food storage. I see fallout shelters over here full of food. Now you ask, why am I saying this? Elder Packer gave his testimony for 45 min. or so, all about this. President Hinckley said that we would have 7 years of abundance. That was in 2001. It has been 7 years since that conference. From what I heard, this month alone, stocks went from 13000 to 7700. He also said that there would be 7 years of hardship. Guess what, that starts now. I feel that missionary work is going to accelerate because of this. People will be humbled. Also, I noticed that before a big scientific boom, there is a Depression or a big war. Just be ready.
One thing. Could you make a list of good movies while I am on my mission? I would like to see them when I get home. Why do I say this now? It is going by really fast.
Take care, and tell Ace thanks for the snif. It is amazing how good he is with spelling snif!
Love ya,
Elder Waller
So, the bad stuff first. I haven't been able to get a full nights sleep for the past three days. The first one, I just kept waking up. Same with the third. But the second is special. Elder Kemer decided to play a joke on us, so he put an alarm on the cell phone. Elder Peters and I were asleep when the cell phone alarm goes off (note that we only use my clock alarm). I get up, knowing that it was Elder Kemer since he was messing around with the phone earlier, and turn off the alarm. I find Elder Peters getting on his knees, seeing how the alarm going off meant morning prayer. What he didn't realize was that it was 2 in the morning. I ask him what he was doing. His response, "Getting ready to pray, what else?" Of course then I tell him to go back to bed that it was 2 in the morning. He lets out this groan and rolls back into bed. Hillarious over here.
I did get the care package today. I love it! It has candy! But that isn't the best part. The eyeballs were very clever, same with the balloons. But what really made me happy was the snake. That REALLY made me feel good. Thanks for that.
Had a spiritual experience. We were trying to find someone to go with us to an investigators home. We needed an adult male to be there. So I call around. Her fellowshippers wife hung up on me. The Ward Mission Leader was gone. The Priests could not come for family reasons. Called some Ward Mission Leaders out of Stake. The UF7 wasn't there. So I was finally able to get Bro. Mayhew. When we had that lesson, those two connected with a similar problem. Both had their original spouse cheat on them. Bro. Mayhew knew exactly how to help her. Also, the scripture we read, Alma 5, applied directly to her at her stage in life. It was amazing. Everyone else was gone so that I could call Bro. Mayhew. When our lesson was ending, Bro. Mayhew said he had a meeting he had to get to. He thought he just lied to end the lesson. When we got to his home, his wife was waiting outside and told him that the RV had been broken into and the police wanted to see everyone at the same time. Funny how those feelings work.
Other than that...nothing.
Business. I have done each and everyone of those transactions. I can only tell you about these on Monday since this is the only day I can e-mail. :P And today will be my last day for huge withdrawals of cash.
Bike. YAY! MY KNEES NO LONGER HURT BECAUSE OF AN OVERSIZED BIKE! The bike I was riding was really killing my knees in the end. I now have a bike that eliminates that for me since it is my size. Not to mention I can travel faster because it a more efficient size. Yay!
Other than sleep deprivation, a new bike, and a spiritual experience, there is only one thing I need to say. Things are going to be getting hard here soon. It seems almost like a second Depression will come. As far as money is concerned, only spend it on what you need. If you can live without it, do it. Minimize your cost of wants. Also, plan on picking me up at the end of my mission. Why? Planes will not be flying here soon. Another good thing is to build up food storage. I see fallout shelters over here full of food. Now you ask, why am I saying this? Elder Packer gave his testimony for 45 min. or so, all about this. President Hinckley said that we would have 7 years of abundance. That was in 2001. It has been 7 years since that conference. From what I heard, this month alone, stocks went from 13000 to 7700. He also said that there would be 7 years of hardship. Guess what, that starts now. I feel that missionary work is going to accelerate because of this. People will be humbled. Also, I noticed that before a big scientific boom, there is a Depression or a big war. Just be ready.
One thing. Could you make a list of good movies while I am on my mission? I would like to see them when I get home. Why do I say this now? It is going by really fast.
Take care, and tell Ace thanks for the snif. It is amazing how good he is with spelling snif!
Love ya,
Elder Waller
Week 8
I didn't get an explanation of the photo. Looks like a basement where children play. momHey,
The bike at home will not last out here. The cheap ones out here are not worth it because of all the maintenance costs. A professional is building a bike for me that will be well-to-do for a decent price. As soon as this bike stuff is done, my bank account will be almost completely unused.
I have been eating my vegetables and have lost 8-10 pounds.
I was just able to buy some winter clothing today from Target. All of the purchases you see have been made by me. Don't worry. I just learned today that we can use the missionary fund to buy other necessities as well as food.
E-mail can only be sent to immediate family. If grandma needs me to write to her, I'll need her home address.
The voting thing is too complicated. I did what you said to do and that was what they sent me. I don't have that information.
I can only give you the mission office address. Rules.
Snow yes. Slush no. Just really cold water.
Had two baptisms and confirmations this week. Chase and Alexis Westberg. Really nice.
Had a fireside yesterday. President Laney was the key speaker and kept telling me in front of everyone what an extraordinary missionary I am. I have yet to find out why he and the other missionaries say that, yet they don't say that to anyone else. Has me puzzled.
Again, I'm doing my absolute best with managing the money. The first transfer is always like this. That is what the missionaries have told me. Don't worry. Last night I got an answer to my prayer about some things. One is that money will not be a problem. How will this happen? I have no idea. All I know is that He said it would happen, and as long as all of us have faith, it will. This mission is not just blessing my life. It is yours as well in terms of many things. You don't realize how often I pray for your well being and ability to be well-to-do while still managing to finance this mission. If I told you all the answers I have received about finances, you would be quite surprised. I put a lot of effort into my prayers, knowing that they will be answered.
I don't know why, but I feel really down at the moment. It will likely pass. Anyways, that is really it. It is good to hear that everyone is doing fine. Wish I could write more.
Love ya,
Elder Waller
The bike at home will not last out here. The cheap ones out here are not worth it because of all the maintenance costs. A professional is building a bike for me that will be well-to-do for a decent price. As soon as this bike stuff is done, my bank account will be almost completely unused.
I have been eating my vegetables and have lost 8-10 pounds.
I was just able to buy some winter clothing today from Target. All of the purchases you see have been made by me. Don't worry. I just learned today that we can use the missionary fund to buy other necessities as well as food.
E-mail can only be sent to immediate family. If grandma needs me to write to her, I'll need her home address.
The voting thing is too complicated. I did what you said to do and that was what they sent me. I don't have that information.
I can only give you the mission office address. Rules.
Snow yes. Slush no. Just really cold water.
Had two baptisms and confirmations this week. Chase and Alexis Westberg. Really nice.
Had a fireside yesterday. President Laney was the key speaker and kept telling me in front of everyone what an extraordinary missionary I am. I have yet to find out why he and the other missionaries say that, yet they don't say that to anyone else. Has me puzzled.
Again, I'm doing my absolute best with managing the money. The first transfer is always like this. That is what the missionaries have told me. Don't worry. Last night I got an answer to my prayer about some things. One is that money will not be a problem. How will this happen? I have no idea. All I know is that He said it would happen, and as long as all of us have faith, it will. This mission is not just blessing my life. It is yours as well in terms of many things. You don't realize how often I pray for your well being and ability to be well-to-do while still managing to finance this mission. If I told you all the answers I have received about finances, you would be quite surprised. I put a lot of effort into my prayers, knowing that they will be answered.
I don't know why, but I feel really down at the moment. It will likely pass. Anyways, that is really it. It is good to hear that everyone is doing fine. Wish I could write more.
Love ya,
Elder Waller
Friday, October 10, 2008
Week 7
Hey,
So conference! WOO! YEAH! TV! Hey, during the first two sessions I made myself a winter hat (beanie thing). Yay! No picture of it yet though. Ends up that I will indeed have to buy a bike. Bummer. Now watche me buy it and find myself in a car this next transfer, which is in about 2 weeks.
We have been teaching more and more people. Our baptismal projection for this month so far is 24. It is likely to rise. We are already past our projected goal. Yay!
There really hasn't been anything exciting happening out here. I was able to participate in a priesthood blessing for this sister who needed comfort. It was amazing how fast it happened. Then we met this guy named Paul Clemens. He is a convert and looks up to Paul, the apostle. Really neat stories he has. Was wondering how he could do missionary work, and we told him about referrals. Oh yeah! Elder Peters and I ran into this really cooky lady. She had the truth, she just didn't use it to the fulness. She said salvation is through Christ (correct) but that baptism is done at birth (wrong). She thought born of water means birth and born of the spirit is conversion. Elder Peters called her a Born Again Christian. I really wanted to tell her that faith without works is dead, but that would have led to an argument.
I have heard possibly the most honest and sincere prayer ever. Doug Dunford is an inactive who only made it to the office of teacher. He knows the church is true, but certain members drove his family away by their constant judging. This was during an exchange, so he is not in my area. He wants to be able to feel the spirit again, and he said he could feel it while Elder Kemer (batman) and I were there. He said he wasn't ready, but we came at just the right time when he needed it most. He is a film editor (YES!!!). Anyways, we offer a prayer and told him that we would like him to offer a prayer at the end. At the end of our prayer, he automatically goes into his own prayer. I will tell you, the spirit has never hit me so strong in a normal home as it did to me there. He did not have a Book of Mormon, so we got him one. I grabbed one from my bag and remembered that I had written my testimony on both. I grabbed both and skimmed over it. Honestly, one of them had the perfect testimony for him. I gave that one to him and he nearly broke down into tears (again). He said it was very personal for me to do that. He is the first person that I wrote down his mailing address because I want to keep in contact with him. It was a sad story with a great ending. Elder Kemer and I set up a return appointment, of which I would not be there, and left feeling great that we had truly helped someone.
That is about it. Nothing else other than a couple from Germany. I'll have more stories on them later.
So how is everything going?
Love ya,
Elder Waller
So conference! WOO! YEAH! TV! Hey, during the first two sessions I made myself a winter hat (beanie thing). Yay! No picture of it yet though. Ends up that I will indeed have to buy a bike. Bummer. Now watche me buy it and find myself in a car this next transfer, which is in about 2 weeks.
We have been teaching more and more people. Our baptismal projection for this month so far is 24. It is likely to rise. We are already past our projected goal. Yay!
There really hasn't been anything exciting happening out here. I was able to participate in a priesthood blessing for this sister who needed comfort. It was amazing how fast it happened. Then we met this guy named Paul Clemens. He is a convert and looks up to Paul, the apostle. Really neat stories he has. Was wondering how he could do missionary work, and we told him about referrals. Oh yeah! Elder Peters and I ran into this really cooky lady. She had the truth, she just didn't use it to the fulness. She said salvation is through Christ (correct) but that baptism is done at birth (wrong). She thought born of water means birth and born of the spirit is conversion. Elder Peters called her a Born Again Christian. I really wanted to tell her that faith without works is dead, but that would have led to an argument.
I have heard possibly the most honest and sincere prayer ever. Doug Dunford is an inactive who only made it to the office of teacher. He knows the church is true, but certain members drove his family away by their constant judging. This was during an exchange, so he is not in my area. He wants to be able to feel the spirit again, and he said he could feel it while Elder Kemer (batman) and I were there. He said he wasn't ready, but we came at just the right time when he needed it most. He is a film editor (YES!!!). Anyways, we offer a prayer and told him that we would like him to offer a prayer at the end. At the end of our prayer, he automatically goes into his own prayer. I will tell you, the spirit has never hit me so strong in a normal home as it did to me there. He did not have a Book of Mormon, so we got him one. I grabbed one from my bag and remembered that I had written my testimony on both. I grabbed both and skimmed over it. Honestly, one of them had the perfect testimony for him. I gave that one to him and he nearly broke down into tears (again). He said it was very personal for me to do that. He is the first person that I wrote down his mailing address because I want to keep in contact with him. It was a sad story with a great ending. Elder Kemer and I set up a return appointment, of which I would not be there, and left feeling great that we had truly helped someone.
That is about it. Nothing else other than a couple from Germany. I'll have more stories on them later.
So how is everything going?
Love ya,
Elder Waller
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