Austin's Missionary Journal

    (departing missionary mixed emotions) (Me)                       (Mom)  (Dad)          !!!!! -Elder R. Austin Moe Wa-Tac Missionary  

HEY! So... last week. Time to make it or break it. I'm gonna make it, and I'm gonna enjoy it the whole way, too. I'm actually the least trunky I've ever been right now, which is completely the opposite  of  what I thought would happen. It honestly doesn't feel like I'm going home yet. At this rate, I don't think I'll even feel that way until I'm actually home... or maybe when I sit  in  the plane and it takes off. I don't know, but this much is certain. I'm determined to make this last week my best week ever! I want my last week here to be one I can look back on with full satisfaction. But this last week was pretty fun, too, so let me tell you about that. This whole week we've been mostly knocking doors, just trying to find some new investigators. We have a couple  of  potentials that we'll be seeing later this week, so I hope those become something. But other than that, I've been busy focusing on meeting with members  in  the war...

Hey Everybody!!!    I'm doing good! Still same-old, same-old. Working hard, trying not to get trunky (kind  of  failing), and just having fun with it. It's really, really weird to think I go home this month... and yes, Dad, I'm looking forward to laying down some sod the weekend I get back.  This week was pretty long, but  in  a good way. On Wednesday, we were about to start the day, but we suddenly got a text saying that our carpets were getting clean, and we only had three hours to get all  of  the furniture off the carpet before they arrived. This was bad news bears, because our apartment is two stories and mostly carpet. But with a little bit  of  rushing and playing tetris with it all, we got it all taken care  of . Then once the carpet guys showed up we jetted and got to work for the day. It was way nice to get back and have a completely clean carpet waiting for you. It also gave us a nice opportunity to rearran...

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...