Hey friends, family, associates, and a few other who are
just kind of here.
Welcome.
This Email is not the best email you have ever read.
It might, however, be worth your time.
That's for you to decide.
How are you guys doing? Warm? Cold? As for me, see the above
email title. I'm a little worried about the coming Christmas I just got
transferred, and it is extremely cold in my new area. I've already had to break
out my thermals, and it's only mid November! Prayers are needed.
Anyway, my new companion is Elder Neale. He comes from
Texas, and is a lot like me in a lot of ways. We are getting along really well
so far, and I am excited to keep working with him.
As far as new things go, I am being District Leader for the
first time, and I don't think that I've broken any youngn's yet, so that's a
plus! It's actually really weird. Depending on the next few transfers, I might
achieve the dreaded status of being the oldest missionary in my district soon!
The only missionary senior to me is Elder Neale, and that is only by two
transfers.
Speaking of additional callings, Elder Neale is also the
Persian Group leader. He is currently the best Farsi Speaker in the mission,
and that leads to some extra work that we have to do, but we manage it. Because
a lot of this work involves me not being able to understand anything, I get to
do something else on the side. That means that I finally have time to devote to
Russian again! I'm super excited to be able to begin working on that again!
As for one final note; This weekend was District Conference
(It is like stake conference, but the church in this area is not big enough to
be called a stake), and we got to have a really cool time.
Elder Gary B. Sabin of the area presidency came, and he
shared a very personal, powerful story relating to some of the hard experiences
that he and his family have had. He told me later that he wasn't planning on
saying most of what he said, but he did. Boy am I glad. Near the end of his talk
he shared the video "Because of Him." For those who have never seen
this video, it is a short description of our faith on Jesus, what he means to
us as Mormons, and the power and peace that we have, because of him. During
this video, I also had a very strong and personal witness that the church is
true, and that God loves me.
He also had a really fun time messing with his translator,
President Knabe, the first counselor in our mission presidency.
When Elder Sabin started his talk, this little exchange
happened:
"Elder Sabin - Let's all stand up for a moment.
President Knabe - Lassen wir alle mal aufstehen.
Elder Sabin - Let's also thank President Knabe for his
translation.
President Knabe -...
Elder Sabin - He is very handsome. Will you translate that?
President Knabe - Don't tempt me."
Anyway, President Knabe also spoke, and shared a message
which I really needed to hear, and I want to share with you as well. Shortly
summarized and paraphrased (translated),
"When we read in the book of Mormon and hold firmly on
the Iron rod, our prayers, our reading, and our obedience will have an effect
and an influence on those around us who don't or can't"
I know that my (and your) actions affect others in profound
ways, and I am very grateful for my opportunity to serve the Lord.
Liebe Grüße,
Elder Austin Spaulding
Elder Austin Spaulding
Bilder:
1 and 2 are the results of a rainy street display
3 is Elder Bushman and Elder Watts having a little tussle
while overnighting with us after district conference
4 is a nice shot of some stormy German scenery
5 is Elder Neal and I doing what we do best: looking
awkard!
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