April 9, 2012
Hey family!
So I'm still alive after that Book of Mormon marathon. Our zone ended up finishing first out of the whole mission and we will supposedly win a prize!
It was so dang hard, we didn't sleep at all and finished in 24 hours and 25 minutes. It was pretty tough to make it a spiritual experience as we were all in zombie mode. It was pretty hilarious, heads bobbing up and down. To stay awake we armed ourselves with plastic balls and threw them at everyone who fell asleep. We also stood up and switched seats every time we read 'And it came to pass'. It was quite a challenge.
As we read I focused on finding examples of people fulfilling their 'duty' and I realized that that's all the Book of Mormon really is, a history of men and women fulfilling their duty to God and being blessed for it. As we fulfill our duty we grow closer to the Savior and receive power and blessings, which naturally result in happiness and joy. I spent some time afterwards (after a good night sleep) meditating on my personal duty. I came to the conclusion that I sincerely want to be obedient. What I need is divine asistance in turning that desire into action. My plan of action is improve my habits of prayer in order to enhance my relationship with Heavenly Father so that I can more fully rely on His power to help me be more obedient and diligent with my time. That's my focus right now. I mention it because when I tell people my goals it motivates me even more to reach them.
Mom!
The dentist appointment sounds good to me! Regarding the backpacking trip...I would love to go backpacking when I get back. Whether it's Rawah, Wind Rivers, the Neversummers, or RMNP, I would love to go backpacking and camping. I miss the mountains even more than I miss apple juice and warm chocolate chip cookies.
Easter was great! Very spiritual, David, a recent convert (three months of being a member) gave a talk on the Atonement yesterday and wow! So cool! I celebrated Easter by making a steak and egg sandwich with a can of cold root beer. I'm good on supplies for right now. I may have to buy a couple shirts here, but I'm doing alright. Thank you for all you do!
I've been thinking... since I've been on my mission each of us has been through some of the toughest trials of our lives (at least that's what it seems like to me. I mean the whole selling the house, moving, crazy work schedules and changes, really tough callings, crazy school schedules, Brock having a rough time, my challenges in the mission, etc.). And I was thinking about the messages in General Conference. Looking back I feel like we've all grown so much and in so many ways. It's hard, but cool how the Lord has tried us all at the same time and we've progressed so much as a result. It makes me happy to think of it all that way.
Dad!
Speaking of crazy work schedules, sounds like things are pretty intense. Thanks for all you do to provide for our family. I'm sure sometimes it feels like an obligation, but I really am thankful for what you've done to provide such a secure lifestyle for us. My companion is still great. Being around him without sleep was kinda hard haha, but that was the case with everybody during the reading marathon. Haha it was so crazy. How goes the election?
Brock, I'm going to bring my mini-chess set when we go backpacking.
Oh, yesterday I saw a preview for the new Avengers movie. It's amazing how such a little thing can become such a huge distraction.
Aubrey! Thanks for your note! Good luck with school! You'll do great!
Haley,
thank you for Mike's address and WHAAA!??? After this concert vacation sounds so epic that you probably won't have anything to pass that up until you get married... And CONGRATULATIONS on your ACT score! Keep that up! What would be the female equivalent of 'stud'? Studnisha.
I think I'm still tired from this past weekend.
I don't know if I mentioned this, but Saul got baptized! He is doing great! His wife is still in recovery after the new baby and all, but she also wants to get baptized! So wonderful!
So this week we will be preparing for Elder Eduardo Gavarret from the Seventy. He's coming here to Coatepeque to share a message, inspect our houses, accompany us to appointments to evaluate how we teach, interview some of the missionaries, and there's a lot of pressure on me to make it perfect! That will happen on Monday, so you might not hear from me until Wednesday. On Tuesday he's going to meet with the zone leaders in Retalhuleu. That should be cool, but intense. After that we have a stake conference and then the temple trip!
So it should be a tough, but rewarding few weeks. I look forward to it, but it's a lot of stress.
I absolutely love Elder Bednar's message in the Liahona/Ensign. I read that yesterday and I think I'll read it a couple more times this week to really study and meditate about it. Way cool. I gotta get off now, but I love you guys so much! Have an awesome week.
Haley, I love that scripture you shared.
Love,
Elder Austin Tyler
