Austin's Missionary Journal

WOOOOWWW! I've sent home one hundred letters already. That's crazy! This week was pretty good. I've been feeling a lot better lately, and so I've been able to work more than I did last week. I was actually able to work three full days without having to rest! Granted they weren't back-to-back, but at least that means I'm getting better. We've been focusing on getting some new investigators as a district, since none  of  us have found any new investigators this transfer. So, we came up with a fun competition: Whoever found a new investigator first before Sunday gets to silly string the rest  of  the district! And two days later, Olympia 4th elders found a new investigator! ... but that also means I'll have to buy silly string later today. Willy's doing pretty good. Although he's been out  of  town  in  Idaho all week, and he still hasn't gotten back yet. But since he's been gone, he hasn't smoked or had coffee the whole time! So when he...

Hey everybody!!!! This is so crazy how suddenly this last month  of  the mission has approached! It does not feel like I've served the large majority  of  my mission yet! A part  of  me is saying, 'Finally! I'm ready to start life again', but there's another part  of  me going, 'WHAT? No! There's no way I'm done yet! I've still got six more months left!!' But hey, since I'm at war with myself emotionally, I'm determined to enjoy every day that I have left. So, some good news! Even though I've been feeling pretty miserable lately, what with constant pain and exhaustion. I'm actually feeling much better. But, I'm still feeling pain on a regular basis. I've learned that a lot  of  it comes  from  stress, so the good news is that I'm learning how to handle and manage my stress so that I'm not  in  as much pain. I think the biggest thing that has worked has been starting each day with the determination to be happy, no m...

Hey, family and friends! So, start  of  the new transfer! I got my new companion, Elder Scow!... And I completely spaced and forgot to take a picture  of  him... oh well, you'll get one next week then. Sorry that I'm emailing on Wednesday, rather than Monday, but last Monday we had a mission tour taking the place  of  P-day. It was really cool, because Elder Benjamin de Hoyos  of  the Seventy came and spoke to us. He's originally  from  Mexico, and he's still learning English, but he still gave a way good training about effectively finding people. He really emphasized visiting members and teaching them the missionary lessons, so that they can feel the spirit  of  missionary work and have it with them when the opportunity to share with their friends finally does come. But yeah, I'm enjoying being with Elder Scow. He's probably the most charitable companion I've ever had. He just loves everyone and he's very sincere... but on the...

Hey Family! Due to Labor Day, and the libraries being closed, I don't have much time to email today, so I'll make this email shorter than usual. Oh my gosh! Easton is here!!! I'm way excited to meet him and Kobe  in  a few weeks! (Though now that I think about it, I don't remember if I ever heard if it was going to be a boy or a girl before... but I could have overlooked that part. That just makes it an even bigger surprise!!) So yeah, got transfer calls. I'm going to be staying  in  Olympia 3rd, and all my companions are leaving me. Instead, I'll be getting Elder Scow. I've never met him before, so I'm not sure what to expect, but I think it'll be fun. And to top the whole call, for my last transfer only, I'm being called as a District Leader. Never served  in  any kind  of  leadership position before, so this should be interesting. It's so crazy! The end  of  my mission is  in  sight, but I'm not anxious, surprisingly.  ...