Elder Austin Holt: Week 5: Happy Father's Day!!

The Good

It has been another great week in the mission and I wish I could tell you about all the wonderful things that happened, but I'll just focus on some of my favorites.

This past week we set a very high goal of 10 new people to find, which at the beginning seemed like a whole lot. We all admitted that it would be hard and we didn't know if we would get close, but it was more of like a "Lord we believe, but help our unbelief" type moment and help He did. After our first day, we found 5 potential new people and by the end of the week, we solidified that number at 9 new people for this past week. I am super excited to start working and teaching with these awesome people.

One of the cool experiences with finding happened last Tuesday. We had been working really hard that day, it was hot, we were tired, it was almost 8 o'clock at night which is when finding is no longer effective here, and we had already found 3 people so we were headed back to our apartment for the day. As we drove back, I somehow out of the corner of my eye caught something that called my attention. When I looked, it was just a mother and a son walking, but they looked Hispanic so almost before even thinking about it I said to my companions, "Are we going to talk to them?" After about a 10 second debate, we pulled over the next place we could and started walking in their direction. We talked to them and they had actually talked to missionaries before and said they they started reading the Bible because of some missionaries. The mom told us her husband had some questions and that she would like us to come over and answer them for him. We went over on Saturday and they asked us a bunch of questions and it was the best lesson I have had so far. They were so willing to learn and wanted us to come back to learn more about the Plan of Salvation.

Every Friday we play volleyball with a bunch of people in the community and this past Friday a lot of young adult aged people came. We always share a quick scripture about half-way through, so after one of the games I just said if they would like to listen to a quick scripture and uplifting message then they were welcome but not obligated. I am a soft spoken person so most of them couldn't hear me and I was embarrassed to repeat it because some already heard and were listening and I didn't really think the others would want to anyways. I said it a bit louder anyways and the vast majority actually came over and listened which was super cool. I also don't think they said a single bad word after we shared the scripture.

I have a new mom! Don't get me wrong I still have my Mama that raised me, and Cheri nobody can replace you as my second momma! I have a Sister Nickel is now my 3rd mom though. We had dinner with her this past week and she was so gracious and loving to us and is basically the mission mom. It was also an interesting experience because we may or may not have spent way too much time at the dinner appointment, but when I walked out of the house, I turned to Elder Ruiz (Elder Medina was off on exchanges) and told him that that was exactly where we needed to me that night and I knew exactly why for my own reasons. He then told me he felt the same way for his own reasons. As per the rules, we probably shouldn't have been at the dinner that long, but I now know that if I am where the Lord is telling me where I need to be, I am never waiting his time.

The Bad

Sometimes the mission can be pretty discouraging. This past week, we were talking to an older couple and over the course of the conversation they basically invited themselves to church and we were so excited afterwards, but this Sunday passed and they didn't come. It is sad, but you can never lose your motivation on a mission. You always have to look at the blessings and miracles.

The Beautiful

This past week, we received a training on how to approach sharing messages with the members in a more effective and edifying way. We basically share a little bit about the investigators we are teaching and ask them for advice. Every time we have done so, the members are are so willing to give their input and the spirit is so strong during those conversations. It is beautiful how the members can in a matter of minutes grow to love and truly want to help complete strangers because of the light of Christ in all of us.

The Funny

So we are teaching a man that has a very strong faith in God and knows the Bible very well, but he doesn't attend a specific church. He just gets together with a group of friends to study the Bible every Sunday, so he has some interesting religious practices. At the end of a visit, he asks me to say the pray before we leave and in the middle of the prayer he says, "Jesusssssssssssss" and it no joke lasted like 10 seconds. I just about lost it mid prayer. I cannot imagine what the prayers with his Bible study group are like.

The Spiritual

This past week we passed by a man who the Elders contacted a few weeks ago. We passed by, talked to him, had a good conversation and even gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon. There was something that he said during our conversation, though, that hit me hard and kind of made me sad. He said, "I don't want patience because if I pray for patience then God will give me trials." I want all of you that have made it this far through the email to think about something you want for yourself, a skill, a knowledge, a goal, something that you might already be praying for. Now think about what you are willing to do to obtain what is in your mind. Think about that as you pray. Our Savior, Jesus Christ wanted to be able to live forever with His family, all of us. He knew what needed to be done to attain what he wanted, so He gave himself to suffer more pain than we can ever imagine. He felt every temptation and affliction of every kind just so that He can save us from our sins if we choose to repent and live His teachings the best we can. Don't miss out on blessings in your life because you aren't willing to put forth the little effort that the Lord asks of us, and never take advantage the sacrifice that Jesus made for all of us.

Thank you again for reading. Thank you to all of you fathers that do so much for all of us. Remember that we all have a Father in heaven that watches over us and helps us every day even when we don't realize it. I love you all and would love to hear from every single one of you (I do actually read all the emails I get even if I don't have time to respond to them and they are sometimes the highlight of my day.)

The Pictures