December 31, 2012

Hello there dear family!


Thank you all for your emails. It was so great to hear from each of you. I loved talking to you on Christmas. It is such a spiritual experience for me to talk to you. Thank you so much. You all sounded so good and it did my heart good to speak to each of you.

It has been a great week. We finished the year with more baptisms than we have had in fifteen years in the mission. I am excited for next year!! Tuesday after we talked to eachother on the phone Elder Gravelle, Elder Costanzi, and I went out and worked together. It was actually the best way to spend my Christmas. I loved it and we had a good time. On Wednesday we had a meeting with President planning the zone conferences which start this week. That will take some time from the area, but it will be a great learning experience and I am excited to have contact with the missionaries. On Thursday it was a normal day in the office... oh I think that is the day I lost my wallet? A man who lives on the other side of the streer saw it and he picked it up and gave it to Elder Huey. That was great to know that he was honest. I was really grateful... my Argentina Documentation was in there, my Driver License, Missionary Card, Personal Bank Card and all of that good stuff. So it was a really great blessing. I think sometimes I caught some of Dad`s luck gene with losing stuff. I am still banking on finding my scriptures that I left on the bus about a year ago. (Faith... right?). That experience helped me alot!! haha. Thank you for your prayers for the wallet. On Saturday we did a huge service project and we moved 5 palets of bricks and cleaned up a back yard for a member that is moving in the another ward. That was fun and I quite enjoyed being outside and getting in some physical labor. We had a cool experience was when Martha and Miguel Angel invited us over for dinner. They were super prepared and they invited a non member friend. We taught him before dinner and we have a date with him the 20th of January.  He as a great guy and got really emotional during the lesson. I am excited for him. I just want this ward to explode with members. There is a ton of potential here. It was a good week. I got my " Vision 2013" for the mission set and my theme words are santification.  That is something that President Defletson alway said and that was be "Be 100% obedient, Be 100% diligente" That is my focus for this time..
The two scripture references that I am memorizing this week are:
1 John 4: 18-19
Isaiah 40:30-31

Dad- I hope that you have had a great week. Thank you so much for your council on the phone. I am so grateful for you Dad. Hey FYI- There are two Elders here who are maybe looking at working at Redfish. If they apply I will let you know. I don´t know how long they could stay. But FYI. I hope that you have a great New Years. Have a great week and thanks for sharing your goals with me. You are the man!! Love you Dad. Ring out wild bells! I know you always think of that song at New Years.

Mom- I loved talking to you so much Mom. You are so sweet. Thank you for your prayer at the end of our talk. I love Family Prayer so much. I hope your talk went well!! I will look at it later today. We will be with a family that lives really close to us tonight so it will be a good experience. I sure love you Mom!! Thanks for all you do!!  Have a great week.

Mikesell- Here you go... getting ready to start your second semsester? That will be great. Are any of your roommates changing? Lots of snow? I am sure excited for you . I loved talking to you and I could see how you have matured and really grown. You are just all grown up!! :) I love you Mikesell, thanks for being great in all that you do. Did you see the Moon? Have a great week?

Brennen- I still can´t get over you and Alex´s voices... way deep. haha. You sound great buddy. I am pleased with your testimony and your ¨firmness" keep strong!! You are at a age of great temptations. Keep " an eye single" to where you want to go. I love you Bro.  Stay Strong!

Alex- I loved your goals you wrote to me in your card.  It was wonderful to talk to you. Keep diligent with your goals. You are a great young man. Keep strong!! BE A LEADER. Don´t ever drop your standards to get a few laughs of feel a feeling a "love" . I love you man!! Go out and Do buddy.

Harrison- You sounded so good. I loved your goals also. That is so neat. Keep reading lots of books and getting really smart. I love you little buddy. Keep being excellent. Enjoy your last week of break.

McCall- You sounded so good!! When I couldn't understand you on the phone.... I dont know if was because I havent listened to English in a long time, or if it was your missing teeth, or if it was I couldn't believe how smart and grown up you sounded. You sure are special Cally. I love you and I hope that you have a great New Years. Only two months until your baptism!!! That will be excellent!

Well Family, I love you all more than air. Please send my love to Papa and Grandma Crouch and Grandma and Grandpa Clegg. Also to Grandpa and Grandma Daw. HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Have a wonderful week!!

Love,

Elder Austin

December 24, 2012

Hello there family,

I am very happy to sit down and write you and actually think about what I am saying today!! It is a little bit calmer here and we might get the first real P-day in a month and a half.
I am so grateful for all of your support and prayers. I have recieved so many very kind letters from so many wonderful people. Kim and Matt (Yost), Sister and Presidente Tateoka, The Binghams, Cindy Bishop, a letter that Amy sent in August (haha but arrived this week) and also a Christmas letter from her. Mom I got all your packages and continue receiving your letters. Thank you so much!! Please send my love to each of them.

I hope that each of you are enjoying Muldoon. That place is sacred. It rained today but it has been really hot here. Sounds like you are getting some good snow up there. That is wonderful! I am excited to hear your real voices tomorrow! That will be incredible. I am planning on calling at about 2 o'clock here, that is like 10 there I think. Is that ok? I will send an email if anything changes.

The Oficina

Well my week was wonderful. Monday was crazy, crazy with all the preparations for Tuesday. Tuesday was a really great day. The singing went well and it was a spiritual experience  I loved Presidents message as well. He talked about how Joseph and Mary were chosen because they didn't think about themselves, they were the perfect parents to teach the Savior how to live his life at the highest level possible, always putting others before yourself. It was worth all the work for me to hear that message. I believe in being simple. Wednesday we had the preparations to go to Mar Del Plata. President asked if one the three assistants could stay in the office and I told him that I could. So it was great I got to work in my area and in another area and get back in a missionary routine. On Friday my companion got back from Mar Del Plata. Saturday and Sunday we worked in our area and it was great. I love telling every person in the street Merry Christmas. Peoples hearts really do soften this time of the year. 

 President and Hermana talking to the news after the Conference and Community Singing

President and Hermana did so much. Hermana wrote over 170 cards (hand written) to missionaries.  I couldn't believe it. They are one of kind people and I am so grateful for them. The mission is doing a little better the last couple of weeks in baptisms but we still have a ton more potential.

Christmas Pig and Ward Social - Bishop and his wife

Dad- you sound like you are doing really well. I will read you letter later in the afternoon. I am sure you are busy looking for that prized perfect tree. I am really excited to talk to you tomorrow. I love you Dad. Thank you for being so excellent. Have a great day today. Merry Christmas.

Mom- I am super glad that you get to talk about missionary work this Sunday. I have some ideas for you... but I will tell you tomorrow. I loved your thoughts in the letter and that sounds like a great base of a talk. That is what it is all about. Thank you so much for your letters and the packages. You are so extemely thoughful. I can't believe it. I love you so much Mom! Have a wonderful day today. Watch "It's is a Wonderful Life" for me.  I love that movie so much. Thanks for being great!

Mikesell.- Sounds like you have had a really great Christmas break. I am so happy you got to see so many of your friends. That is wonderful.That is a fun thing, it is crazy to see all the directions that peoples lives can go... just in the couple months after high school. Good Stuff! I love you Mikesell so much!! I will talk to you tomorrow!!! I am super excited!

Brennen-Hey my man! Thanks for you letter!! I hope that you are doing well!! I sure love you. I am excited to talk to you tomrrow.. How is B-Ball? You sound like you are doing great things!!!

Alex- I hope that you are enjoying Muldoon. I love you Brother. Talk to you you tomorrow huh?

Harrison- I love you little buddy. I hope that you are doing well. Are you going to build a snow man today?
Did Elfy make it to Muldoon?

McCall- How are you? I am so so excited to hear your voice tomorrow. Send me a picture of you in your Christmas pajamas. I love you Cally.

Though here in Argentina Christmas has a different feel... one thing  that I love is the amount of " light" that there is. The 21st is the longest day of the year.on Christmas Eve everyone shoots off fireworks. The people are all outside until the sun goes down. It is a time of light, and that is one of the best promises that we have received from the Savior.The scripture of this season for me has been John 8:12. Everything about Christ, everything that has to do with being a Christian is about " light", about hope, about change, about progress, about truth faith, and charity.  I love Christmas, because we look back, we repent, and give thanks for the power of the Atonement and then we look forward, because we believe in the light and the hope that comes from our Savior.  I hope that this will be a day of light for you all. That you will remember your Savior and that through His light, you all can do anything.

I love you all with all my heart. Thank you for being a big part of the light in my life. I have sent you each a letter, but it will arrive late, maybe in time for New Years.

You are in my prayers, enjoy this wonderful day and the wonderful place that you are in.


Merry Christmas,

Elder Clegg

December 16, 2012

Hello Family!

It sounds like you are all doing so wonderful I am so happy that you are enjoying the season! It is awesome!

Mom - I received the package with the cards. I am excited to open it on the 25th.  I have also received three of your hand written letters. Thank you so much! What a special treat!

Papa Crouch- Thank you so much for your letter. I just printed it and am looking forward to reading it!! I love you and Grandma so much. Have a very Merry Christmas!!

Grandma Clegg- Thank you so much for sending that picture! I printed it out.:) I hope that you have a wonderful week and that it is a very special week for you.

I am doing really well. HaHa--- I have never had less time in my life.... but I love it. I got to study this week and that was all  I needed. Yesterday we left with the Bishops son to visit one of his friends and that was great. He had great courage and just asked if we could come in and teach and that he had some friends. That was LEGIT!  We taught him lesson 1 and he considered a date and we are excited to teach all of the family.  Tommorow half of the mission comes here to Bahia Blanca.  We are singing in the centro, and a hospital, 110 missionaries and the news will be there. Thrusday we are in Mar Del Plata, same deal, the other half of the mission!!
A cool experience  that we had this week:
In the Presidents house there is a member who works there doing the cooking and cleaning. She is awesome and has 6 kids that are married. One of her sons is in our ward. He always see her. But one day her husband was at Presidents house and we just small talked and it was good. Last week they invited us over for dinner and we ate with them on Friday. We were thanking them and they said no... we invited you both over because we noticed how kind you are with the people.  We can tell that you must have have a great mission. I was a little shocked because we barely knew them, but it taught how far being kind to someone goes. It was incredible. So BE KIND TO EVERYONE. Kindness opens doors of opportunity that are incredible. That is my little message.

Once again, time, I dont have right now. Maybe Wednesday I will be able to write a little more.  I will plan on calling you at Muldoon for Christmas. Could you send me the number again? What time works for you all? I love you all I am doing the "No ask for anything in your morning prayers" December with you!!  Please send my love to all. Have a great week. Dad, I will check in this afternoon to read your email, dont worry.

Mikesell - get her to talk to the missionaries!! Set a time and invite her to talk with all the family and the missionaries.  Missionaries have the power to INVITE, or ask people to do things, it is part of the power of the calling. As a member your job is to be her friend, answer her questions, help her do the things that the missionaries ask her to do.  I will write more later. I love you.

I love this work. HEAVENLY FATHER ALWAYS ANSWERS YOUR  SINCERE PRAYERS!!

Enjoy this special time.

Elder Austin

Hello dear family,

I am so glad to hear that you are all doing so well. Sounds like it was a busy but good week.

 Please send my love to Uncle Alan and I hope that he has a wonderful birthday.

Well, we are right in the thick of transfers. I slept a hour and a half last night on the couch in the office. It is a big group that is leaving and so lots of running to the bus terminal, back to the house…and all that good stuff. I am doing good, don`t feel too tired yet, just kind of numb.

It has been a wonderful week. Martha and Miguel Angel are doing great. The members love them and everything has worked out great.

I have learned a lot this week. I am trying to put first things first. I have another transfer with Elder Costanzi. That will mean 6 months together when all is done. We get along great and I am excited to be with him again.  Elder Perez my trainer leaves tomorrow. Also some of my old Zone Leaders and really good examples and friends. I am enjoying my time with them. We had a good week in the mission and baptized more that before. That was good.  I received a great letter from the family Gonzalez in Miramar. They are getting ready to go to the temple!

I am sorry that this letter is so short…  If I can I will try to write a little more tomorrow. I love you all so much! A ton! Here soon we will be talking on Christmas Day! I love my Savior and know that the power of the Atonement is real.  Heavenly Father wants each of you to have a huge success in your life.

You are so great!

I love you.

 Elder Austin,

Your brother and son and best friend.

LOVE YOU ALL!

Saying goodbye to some of my favorite people

The Goodbye Group

Tuesday:

Just got back from the airport. It was a harder one. I had my trainer, three of my zone leaders, and some of my best friends in that group. I love the mission.

Have a wonderful week!!

I apologize for the short letters this week. I am praying for you all and thank you for your greatness!!

I love you with all of my heart!!

I love this work and testify of it.

Love, Elder Clegg

Hello there!

Great to get your emails!!! Thank you so much!

Bishop Prince- Thanks so much for your email. Got a good laugh and am glad to hear that everything is going well. I love you Bishop. Merry Christmas and thanks for being the best!

Leah Lasike-Thank you for your letter and the sweet Redfish sticker. Glad to hear that you are doing well. Have a great Christmas and enjoy school break!

Sounds like you are all doing well. I was sad to hear about your brother Grandma. Thank you for having such a great testimony and wonderful example. I love you and Grandpa and I hope that you enjoy your Christmas season.

I sure hope that David gets feeling better. I will be praying for him and Rio and all of his family. What a scary thing to have a motorcycle accident as that. He has been such a good friend to our family and especially Brennen and Alex. Prayers to him. Redfish family is family!

This week was a excellent week and I really enjoyed it. The highlights were doing visits with Enzo Martinez, the Bishops son, and Factundo Currelef.

Picture of youth member who has his mission papers in!

But most of all is the baptism of Miguel Angel and Martha. They are so awesome and the ward is so happy for them. Martha is a social person and is just learning so much and making all the friends possible. Miguel was a big tango dancer and now that he doesn't have his leg he was depressed, and he has changed so much...he feels hope. He is so happy and they are just pumped. He had a great week this week working with the members and we had a good turnout at the baptism. Elder Costanzi confirmed Martha and I confirmed Miguel Angel. That is a really special experience.

Baptism of Martha and Miquel

I love the ward here. I would love to have all my time to work with them, but I am grateful for what I have. The mission is preparing for transfers and for Christmas.  Also tomorrow the 22 zone leaders are coming in and we have a one day conference with them. Then I am planning on going to Necochea to do observations. We have had two low baptizing months in a row now and so we are trying to see what we can do to change that. I love the mission so much, there really is just so much oppurtunity. I love that.

This week I really enjoyed my studies. I am trying to finish the new testament before the end of the year. I will make it.  Somewhere I heard a scripture in D&C 95:13 that talks about not living the ways of the world. I have loved that in my mission. It is so freeing to know that every morning when I wake up I have one purpose and that purpose is to invite everyone to Christ through faith, repentence, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost and then to stay strong in the Gospel. Oh man, that is the best. I also learned this week the importance of relying on God. When I got here in the office for the first little while I tried to do it all be myself and the last little while I have changed my attitude and trusted a little more in God and huge blessing have come. (Helaman 4: 12-13)

This week is the last week of the transfer and then next week it will be transfer in the begining of the week, then Christmas prep, the conference, Christmas, and then in the first week of January we have the next round of zone conferences. So I have to use the time in my area very wisely. It goes by like nothing.

Dad- I hope that you are doing awesome. I am sure that you were happy for all the sporting events this week. I hope you enjoyed the Christmas Devotional yesterday. I will try to watch for it on the internet here this week. I sure love you Dad. Thank you for your outstanding example. This week I was doing a practice with an Elder for comp study and I have my pencil jar covered with the picture of you all at the Hoover Dam and we acted like we were teaching you all as investigators. It was actually interesting because I realized that if I could teach everyone with the same love that I have for you all it would be a really more powerful teaching. Charity fights all complacency, or things average.  Have a great one Pops!! Your'e the man.

Mom- Thank you for your email. I loved your soup story for Pack Meeting...(stone soup idea) ...and don`t worry I don't think I have had to eat anything like that here! I dont think I have ever ate soup with members. Tell Tom, Jon, and Mikaela that if they pass by Bahia Blanca on their way to Patagonia to look up the mission office. I am here Monday through Friday 11-5. haha No, I dont think we can have visits, but they can come and we will teach them!! I love you Mom SO MUCH!

Mikesell-Great job, great job in your race!! I am really happy for you. It sounds like you are crazy busy but happy. I love you Mikesell so much. Enjoy the stress of finals and live it up. I ran three times this week, I have lost all of my sprint. But I can walk for days. I love you Mikesell. Peace.

Brennen- Hey Mr. Newly ordained Priest, that is awesome!! I am super excited. That is great that you are taking some fun classes. Sounds like you will need surgury on your knee huh. That is no fun. Hopefully it will help you. Take some pics of your sled and show me. How is Bridon doing? Is he engaged yet?  :)jk  I love you Brennen!! Keep playing really hard, living hard, and being awesome.

ALEX- Sup bro. How is life? I miss you man. I am going to whip you into shape on that Kitchen door hoop though dont you worry. How is your testimony? What do people know you for?
I love you buddy. Represent the good stuff in life.

Harrsion- Every picture I see of you, you look more grown up. That is good. Are you going to play rec ball this year. I love you buddy. Keep being awesome....

McCall- WOW!! Where did your teeth go? You are going to need dentures if you don't start growing in some teeth where you have lost those babies! That is incredible. I love you McCall. What stories are you reading these days? Are you looking for Elfy every morning?

Well Fam,

I love you all more than air. I hope that this week is wonderful and that you know that I love you and am so grateful for you.

Keep being the best. Love you all.

I love Heavenly Father and this work.

Elder Austin

November 26, 2012

Family,

What a simple, but wonderful word huh?

Sounds like it was a wonderful "picture perfect Thanksgiving" at the Ranch house. I am so glad that you all enjoyed it and it sounds like many good memories were made and testimonies strengthened!  That is wonderful that the missionaries were able to come over also. Did you give them referrals? :)
I loved reading your letters and it sounded like a really fun Thanksgiving. I am really happy for that. Sounds like you did lots of fun activities. Thank you for your prayers. Please know that I am doing the same for all of you.

This week was a great week. Monday thru Wednesday I was in Mar Del Plata observing district meetings and  then we still had to buy some things for some houses still. Mostly fans because it is getting so hot here. I think we are finally done with that now. My favorite part was seeing the Beloqui Family again.

They live next door to the missionaries in Mar Del Plata and so I got to talk to them. They are just so wonderful and they do so much for the missionaries. They actually used to live in the barrio where I serve now and so they know a whole bunch of my ward members. We talked about the branch in Miramar. They are doing really well. The Gonzalez family is still really active, have callings, and the priesthood. I love that place... also I had a really neat experience with a Elder who is struggling a lot right now and wants to go home. We talked a lot on Tuesday, he wanted to talk to President and we caught a bus that left at 11 at night to get to Bahia in the morning and he talked to President. I helped translate for another appointment that day. Praying for the best! Thursday, we helped to the legalization of some missionaries and did office work and got a good day in the area.  Friday, we took my Trainer Elder Perez, who is my zone leader right now to the airport to go Buenos Aires because they lost his passport and are having to do the whole thing over again, and he finishes his mission in two weeks.

The best part of this whole week was with Martha and Miguel Angel. They are AWESOME! They went to the baptisms of another ward and they were a hoot. Elder Bledsoe (who I met in BYU and we played on the same intermural basketball team) and his Comp Elder Ruyan - from Merdian High School are teaching a family and the 13 year old daughter was baptized, that parents are coming to church but are not married. Martha started talking with the father of the girl who was getting baptized and asked him when was his turn, he said he was not sure and then Martha starting laughing, asked him if he was afraid of the water. She told her sweet simple testimony, it was really a neat experience for Elder Costanzi and I. We made the announcement in Church yesterday of her baptism, gave out invitations, and they had a interview with Bishop. I hope that lots of people come to the baptism this Saturday. It is so huge for the converts. I am trusting in the members and we will do all that we can to invite them.   We are making plans for the Christmas Conference and that will dominate my time for the next month. We have transfers the 16th of December right before, so this will be a really crazy month. I am pretty sure that my comp will be transferd this transfer and that will be a big adjusment for me. I have depended a lot on him, he knows so much about Argentina and the mission and it has helped me. But I have learned in the mission that change is something that can help us never allow mediocrcay in our lives and I am grateful for that lesson form Pres. Def. The Moran Family and doing ok. Sister Moran is a angel, but her kids and husband are a little more farther in thier conversion. We will see what happens. I love Brother Moran and it would be my dream to see that man under water, and then in the temple. Agency is more important though.
I hope that you all remember to write three goals for before July that you want to accomplish. It is seriously all I want for Christmas.
I am glad that Julie and girls arrived safe and that everything is ok!!! Scary about hitting a deer!! And tell AJ congrats!

Dad.- I am super excited to read your talk. I am happy for you. Glad you got to do the Turkey trott also. I am sure it was wonderful to have all the family together and I am glad that you enjoyed the activities. What did Uncle Richard Bowl? If Mikesell bowled a 138, he must have been smoking it. I laughed out-loud reading your letter. I could hear you saying exactly that. What good times....I love you Dad. Thanks for all that you do.Thanks for your wonderful example. Have a great week and enjoy your gym time. Love you Dad.

Mom- Sounds like you also had such a great time with family.  I loved that you were able to knit with Katie. That will be a treasure to her for ever and ever.What a very sweet thing to do. This week will back to the routine for you. Christmas is coming up quickly. I must say, I do not feel it at all. But maybe here in a couple of weeks I will. I sure love you Mom. Thanks for being the angel of all the angels. Have a wonderful week and thank you for your prayers. I miss you too...but we will just keep pluggin on doing our best!!! It will be so much sweeter when I get home. Love you Mom.

Mikesell- Hey baby girl,
I am sure that you just loved being home for Thanksgiving. Be sure and Tell Ash and Hailey Clegg congrats on their calls. That is so awesome. Sounds like you had a great week and I am glad!! Good luck with your meet in Boise this week  That will be a great experience for you. Finals should be coming in quickly also. That is neat. You will rock it. Stay strong and focused in school. I always started out the sememster better than I finished and that is something that I want to change. I love you Sis. You are the most incredible person ever. Keep happy. Tell the cousins that I love them!

Brennen - I am glad that you had such a fun time this week. That is wonderful. I hope that you are enjoying ball and that it is a good experince for you. Thanks for being such a wonderful kid. I love you Brother and I  look up to you. Hey how tall are you now? Keep being a stud Brennen.  I hope that you enjoy you new trimester...What classed do you have? Have a great week!

Alex- Hey buddy!- Did you enjoy the break? Sounds like you all had a blast. Did you like Muldoon? I love Muldoon so much. How were your grades last trimester? I love you buddy. Keep being awesome. I miss you. Keep reading your scriptures and doing to basics. Is there anyone if your Deacons group who isn't coming every Sunday who you could go visit and help out with Dad and Brennen or your leaders in the ward? That would be a good Christmas thing to do!

Harrison- Hey buddy ! Has Elfy started showing up yet? How are you friends doing? What movie have you been watching lately?I love you Harrison and I hope that you are doing well.

McCall- Hey Sweetie! Did you eat lots of turkey?  Are you gettting taller? How was Bowling and your time with the Cox´s and Putnams? They are just the best! I  sure love you McCall. I love you alot. Have a great week!! BIG KISS

Well I love you all so much. I hope that you have a wonderful week this week.I am sure that it will be a super busy one. This week I really learned the importance of diligence. Steadly striving for something better daily is how we grow.It is daily effort in the same direction. That is how we become better.

Some Scriptures:
Gal: 5 :
16 This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
17 For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith,
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.
24 And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
26 Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.

As we approach Christmas I hope that you can all focus on the " Spirit" of Christmas and what it is really about. It is blurred so much my all the lusts of the "flesh".  I love you all so much.
Have the best week ever!

Elder Austin

November 19, 2012

Hello Awesome Family,

It was so wonderful to recieve all of your letters. You all sound so happy and I am glad to hear that the dedication of the temple was a spiritual experience for all.

I am glad that Papa had a wonderful day yesterday on his birthday!! I sent him a email. It will be great to have everyone together for Thanksgiving up there at the ranch.

Grandpa and Grandma Clegg- Thanks for sharing your experience of the temple dedication. Thank you for all of your love and support. I love you both so much and I am so grateful for all that you do. Have a wonderful Thanksgiving and know that I am thankful for you.

This week has been a great week. The highlight has defiantly been the progress of Miguel and Martha. They are just loving everything. They are really excited, just excited about the Gospel. I love it. We have changed the baptism date to the 1st of December. Our Bishop wanted to be sure that they had three church attendances, which is fine. The Bishops here have a general fear of people never coming back after their baptisms. That is hard and it is something that we are really trying to change in the mission to have and experience real growth. It is so sad to see when that happens. Tragic.  Martha and Miguel are some of the most prepared people I have seen. They are reading the Book of Mormon everyday and tonight we have a FHE with them and a great family in our ward.  Today I am going to Mar Del Plata with Elder Gravelle to do division with the Zone Leaders in Mar Del Plata.  I want to be back here as soon as possible to teach Martha and Miguel Angel. Today my companion will be with a member. It has rained every other day this week. But is is hot humid type of rain. It is a lot hotter here in Bahia then in Miramar last summer. We had a couple of meetings with President this week planning Christmas in the mission. The mission has improved a lot in the last two weeks in the amount of investigators that we have found and so we are hoping for a high convert month in the month of Christ (December).

I wanted to share a cool experience with you all. On Saturday we left the house the morning after studies to work in our area. We have to walk about 11 blocks to get to our area. We were two blocks from the house when the cell phone of Elder Costanzi rang - it was President and about 15 seconds into the call he looked at me and moved his head like we have to go back to the house. So we turned around... I will admit... I might have been murmuring a little in my head because we had so much to do.  We needed to find a lot of investigators that day and we had a full day to work. After we had turned around and we were heading back to the house a man came up to me and started talking to me. Elder Costanzi was still on the phone and so I started to talk to him and Elder Costanzi realized I wasn't at his side and stopped. The man asked me if we were missionaries, I told him that we sure were! I could tell he was a little shaky and wasn't sure if maybe he had been drinking or not. He then explained to me that he had seen us walk by the first time from the other block and wanted to call us. He explained how he had just barely left his church because he got in a fight with his Pastora and was really upset. He talked about how she was cheating the people to go to church and had a another motives and how he was sad because his girlfriend was in the church still. Basically he was really upset because he had argued with the pastora. He was really upset...shaking. He told us how he got out of jail five years ago and was starting to find the light with this church and then he realized that the Pastora did not have pure intentions. We were able to share the message of the Restoration with him and gave him a Book of Mormon and set an appointment with other Elders in his area. It was a neat experience. I need to talk to the other Elders to see if they were able to talk to him. It was a testimony of how God sometimes just puts you in the right place at the right time.

I bet that you are all excited for this week. I am sure that Mikesell is really pumped to be coming home and spending time with the family. It is crazy how quick time is going I can not believe that it is Thanksgiving already. I hope you know how grateful I am for each of you and all of my blessings.

Dad- I hope that you enjoy this week. I am glad that you get to speak in church this Sunday. I am sure the dedication of the temple was wonderful.  I sure love you Dad. Thanks for all that you do.

Mom- I am super grateful for you. Thank you for your letter and your kind words. I hope that you have have a wonderful week. Enjoy the wonderful time with the family. I love you so much Mom.

Mikesell- Enjoy your time at home this week.  Give everyone a hug and kiss for me. I love you Mikesell so much and I hope that you have a great week. Drive safe. I am so grateful for you.

Brennen- I hope that ball is going well. Say hi to Coach Sharp for me.  I hope that your can enjoy your time with the family this week. I love you Brother. Keep being a stud. Love you!!

Alex- Thanks for writing brother. I am glad that you are enjoying your time with Mrs. Otto. She is wonderful and I love her. Have a great week and keeping being great in life and on the court.

Harrison- I sure love you little man. I hope that you have a wonderful week. Enjoy the cousins!! Eat lots of Turkey. I love you buddy so much.  Big hug...

McCall- I love you sweetie. Enjoy your Thanksgiving.  How many blessing do you have?

I love you all so much. I read the talk  "Of regrets and resolutions" by President  Uchtdorf.

If we:
Follow the Savior
Work with Diligence
Listen to and obey the spirit
= Reveal things to us we never knew... illuminate the path ahead, open our eyes to see unknown, and perhaps unimagined talents.

I also loved the scripture in Romans 13:9-10

I love you all so much.
Have a wonderful week and know that I am grateful for each and everyone of you.

All my love.

Elder Austin

November 13, 2012

Hello Family,

Dad- Thanks so much for your handwritten wonderful letter. I loved it and thanks so much for taking the time to write. It meant a lot to me.

This week as far as a missionary life goes, has been one of the best weeks of my  mission. From a world perspective, it may be one of the gloomiest.

Monday and Tuesday were excellent days. The leadership conference was amazing. It is amazing for me to see the way that 20 year kids can make something happen like we do as missionaries.  The Lord works miracles. We really have some wonderful missionaries here in the mission. Tuesday I left with the new elder in charge of the finances and we found 5 people in very little time. It was a miracle. The office has taught me how to put God first in my life in everything and I am learning a ton.We found Martha and Miguel Angel. They are brother and sister and are living together because they are widowed and divorced. They are really great people. Miguel Angel lost his leg a couple of years ago and he was a taxi driver. He is reading the Book of Mormon like crazy. Martha is an angel. She lives to serve her brother who she loves. They have a date for the 24th of November and I feel pretty confident about it. We also started teaching the granddaughter of Hermano Moran. Her Dad is less active and her Mom is not a member. She is coming to church and tonight we have a FHE with all of the family. I am really excited for them. She has a  baptismal date for the 1st and it is also golden. We purchased supplies to make a cake and gave the supplies to a member and she baked a cake to give to her because she came to church even though it was her birthday.  We gave the cake to her afterwords and it was great. Her Grandmother Hermana Moran is the sweetest lady. She went to the temple this week all by herself . She told us how in her Patriarchal Blessing it talked about how her family would all be baptized. We are doing all within our power to help that promise come true.

Leaving after Leadership Conference for an afternoon of  knocking doors!! Such a great day!!!

It rained so hard here on Thursday. We were soaked. There was a tornado warning for a little and so we had to go insided the church and we took some pictures of being soaking wet. It really was not even a tornado, there has ner been one here. Friday and Saturday were great work days and yesterday we had 4 investigators in church and it was a great blessing. I really love this ward here and am super grateful to be here.  I cannot believe that it is November. The weather has been nice other than the huge rain storm. It is really pretty. Yesterday a recent convert gave a talk in the ward and she did excellent. It was so great. I love this work!!!

  LET IT RAIN!!!

I read in Romans 8: this week and I really enjoyed that chapter especially vs 7, 28,37, and 38. There is nothing like studying the scriptures.

Lots of people have said things about the elections here. I am sure all are very dissapointed. I dont feel it as much being here because of the blessing of being a missionary, or I have not felt angry, just felt, "the people chose it and now we are going to pay for it".  When I found out in the morning I honestly just thought well, we need to baptize more people, that is all I can do. Hermana Parreño told me right of in the morning, she looked at me and said. "Elder Clegg I feel like I need to tell you that President Obama will be the president for the next four years" She was a little sad also. I love President and Hermana. It is all part of the plan and I am excited because it is certain the the Gospel will play a huge part in it. So, keep moving forward and doing great things we have much work to do!

Dad- Thanks so much for you letter.  I loved it. I want you to do something for me, if you could look up the song by a band called "Lower Lights"  called " Be Thou My Vision".  Are you getting excited for your favorite holiday?? Will you all be in Jerome? I hope that you all enjoyed your time in Jerome on Sunday. Lots of basketball coming up for you. Hows Jerome and BYU looking this year? I love you Dad. Thanks for being a warrior. Have a great week!

Mom- How is your new calling doing in Young Womens? You were put there for a reason no doubt! Are you getting back into a schedule? I love you so much Mom. You are such an Angel. I hope that you have a great week and that all is going well. Please tell Ben and Lani how much I love them. Thank you for your emails and journal entries...I love them so much. Thank you so much for the package....thank you for thinking of me. I love you Mom. You are the best! Have a great week.

      This one is for you Mom...your initials....too bad it didn't say 513 or it would have been  your birthday!

Mikesell- Sounds like you are just having the time of your life . I am so happy for you. I hope that you are really enjoying it. Mikesell I love you and I am excited to to a ton of great fun things with you. I hope that you have a wonderful week. Keep being strong and doing everying the to the best of your abilites. While teaching Martha and Miguel Angel and thought about how grateful I am to have a sister that is my best friend. I love you and keep being strong.

Brennen- Hey buddy I want you to read in 2 Nephi 2:14.   I was thinking about one of the ways we grow from childhood to manhood is starting to learn how to act upon the situations in our lives and not be acted upon. Stuff doesnt happen to you, you happen to stuff. I encourage you this year in school, basketball, and all the things that you embark in to never let anyone set your standard for you. You are Brennen Clegg and you only do the best. You are instopable man. I love you Brennen with all my heart. Keep being a outstanding young man. Soak up Seminary!

Alex- So you drained a buzzer huh? Atta aboy!! Sounds like some great games!! Hey man, I want a email from you with the following things.
What are your classes?
Who are your friends?
What are you liking about school?
If there is not a email in my Inbox next week.... you are going to get it. :) I love you Alex. Keep being a good kid. I know you are busy and that it is hard to remember your big old brother who you never see anymore... but I would love to hear from you. I love you Alex... Love you a ton. Enjoy ball.

Harrison- Hey little man, I love you so much. You are a incredible kid. I hope that you are learning a ton. I sure miss you and hope that you are doing well. I love you Harrison. That is part of the reason why I am here. Keep praying and being happy. You are great Harrison.

McCall- I love you so much little sweetie. I am glad that you have such good friends. I sure appreicate you. I hope that you are liking school and that you are happy as can be. Keep remembering that you are princess. I love you Cally.

This week was wonderful.I am growing,  I know I am no where near perfect, thankful that God has helped me to have desires to share the Gospel, and that he has helped me reach those desires. I just love the mission. I cant tell you all how happy I am when I loose myself and give it all to the work. I also know I have a lot more to give.

Please each of you know that I pray for you with all energy. The greatest blessing that I could ever ask for is to have each of you strong and progressing in the Gospel. I am thankful for Parents, Grandparents, and all of my family that have vision, love Heavenly Father and have been outstanding examples to me. I am learning about sacrafrice.

May Heavens richest blessing be yours this wonderful week.

All my love,
Elder Austin

Nov 6, 2012

Hello there wonderful family!

I am so sorry that I was not able to write yesterday. We had a leadership conference with all the district leaders and all of the zone leaders. It was wonderful. The conference was really great and the spirit was really strong. It was what the mission needed. I loved it.

It was a good week. We recieved a great group of new missionaries and I am super grateful for that. I met a Elder who was serving in Colorado who knew Elder Clegg. That was fun.  After that we had a good week in our area. We had to prepare for the leadership conference today... it was a two day conference. We had it set up so everyone could leave and work in the afternoon on Monday and we found 92 contacts in 5 or 6 hours with about 30 compionships. That was great!! I hope that everyone left with a lot more energy and that it will give a boost to the mission. We found a great lady named Martha who is super prepared. We found her working with a member and I am excited for her. Lately we keep finding all these great people and then they move, or we cant find them again. We don't have all the time in the world to search for them and so we are doing the best we can. I am super excited for this transfer. It will be my first time being with a compainon for three transfers, we get along great and I really love Elder Costanzi. He is a outstanding missionary. One of the greatest blessings in my  mission has been my companions. This week was filled with some really neat spirtual experiences and I was reminded how much that this work roll onward because it is the Lords work. You just can not stop it.

Halloween doesn't really exist here. I didn't remember it was halloween until like 6 oclock in the afternoon. I am glad that you all enjoyed it and I loved all the pictures.

Last night we had about 30 Elders in our house. We said a prayer as a house and it was a great spirtual experience.

                                           My past companion Elder Yargar - love that man!
Well.... Today is the day. We are all excited to hear of the news down here. What a big, big day. I am praying that it will all work out like it is supposed to.

Dad- I hope that you can  get settled in soon and all the transisitions. I have learned that I love routines in life.  I feel like you can progress better with a routine, but maybe it is just a choice of style. I sure love you Dad. Thanks for being the greatest father in the world. I hope you enjoy your day. Send up a smoke signal when you know who wins. Have a great week Dad.

Mom- Thanks for your wonderful letter and thank you for the package. The camera works great and I will be sending that photo soon. Thank so much. I am glad that you had a great week. I am glad that you enjoyed your time with Mikesell there so much. I am excited for you and your new calling in young womens.  I know that you will do so great!! I sure love you Mom.

Mikesell- I am just so happy that you are doing so great in school. What a great thing!!  I sure love you. I hope that you can prepare good for finals and just kick it. I hope you are doing well with health. I am super excited for Ash. What a wonderful place to go on a mission and she will do so great there. Another Clegg in the field. Austrailia! That is wonderful.  I love you Mikesell. You are the best .. I mean it.

Brennen- I am super excited for your bball season and glad that you are going to be able to get involved in Young Mens now in the ward. You will do a excellent job. I love you Brennen. Keep being awesome.

Alex- I love you little bro. I hope that you have a great week. Bust it out there in the court and keep doing great. But more importantly bust it in life. Keep being a outstanding Aaronic Priesthood holder. Remember your ability to lead and to bless others.

Harrison- What a great spiderman that you are. I hope that you have a great week. I love you buddy. Keep being wonderful.

McCall- I love you so much. You are a cute redhead there sweetheart. I love you. Have a great week.

D&C 88:40

Romans 5:3-5

I love you all and I love the Gospel so much. I love the power of the Atonement in our lives. I love repentance and encourage all of you to do it everyday. That is the way to be happy.

Have a wonderful week. I pray for you individually and your needs and goals. Keep being the best you can everyday.

All my love!

I will be praying for Romney!!
.....have been for 16 months. :)

Elder Austin

Hello dear ones,

So glad to hear that you are all doing well. Sounds like it was a wonderful week. Sounds like a lot is going on...which doesn't surprise me.

This week has been a really good, really busy.  Monday and Tuesday we were in Tandil and Olvarria delivering all of the house things. Wednesday and Thursday we were able to work in the area. Hermano Moran is doing really well. I am excited for him... his granddaughter went to church and there is a lot of reactivating, and baptizing to be done in this family. I am super excited to try and work with them. On Friday we went to Santa Rosa.... it was Elder Costanzi`s birthday. He really enjoyed it. The conference went really well and I was able to see the family Ose and you won`t believe it....the Garcia Family!!! Sergio was in the hospital and we went and visited him. We just talked for a while and it was a great time. Sergio asked for a blessing. They are doing well and have bought a car! Sergio is working to recieve the Melchesdik Priesthood.  It was so nice to see them! We had a great zone conference!! I talked to Elder Yarger, who I just love to death.  His Dad has recieved a calling as Stake Patriarch. It was just so great to see him.  We then returned by bus to Bahia and got here at three in the morning. Saturday we passed transfers and then did some preperation with buying the tickets and orgaizing the houses and worked in our area. 12 Elders are leaving and we are getting 14 tomorrow. Which makes the mission have 218 missionaries. They are telling us that we will grow up to 250. Presidente and Hermana Parreno were in Buenos Aires for a Mission Presidents conference and they had some great experiences with Elder Oakes and Elder Bednar that were really fun to hear. I love them both so much. I am doing well... I just want to invite people to Christ and nothing else. Thanks for your prayers and your support. Tonight we have the final dinner with these 12 elders.   Tomorrow we roll to the airport in the morning to see them go, and then at 7 we go to recieve the new missionaries. Wednesday is the trainer conference and then Thursday life should start to be normal again. My companion and I gave a talk yesterday in church and it went well we have a wonderful ward.  I would love more time to work with them. We are doing all we can and the Lord is blessing us a ton.

Dad- I saw this profile on Mormon org and I firgured that you have to know this guy, check out the link. How are you doing? I am sure glad that you went to State in Lewiston with the team. That is wonderful.   I love you Dad. Thanks for being who you are. Have a great week!
http://mormon.org/jason/

Mom- I love you. Thanks for everytihng. Thanks for taking such good care of me. I loved your stories of following your promptings. You and President Monson. Honestly Mom, to answer your question about Christmas I dont ask or need anything for Christmas. Whatever money you would spend , you can use your creativity and serve someone... or save it for a family activity or something. The only thing I want  is a hand written letter from everyone with three things that they are doing to do before July to get better, serve, or grow. I love you so much Mom. I'm glad you got to teach seminary those two days. I wish I was in your class! Thanks for teaching me so much with your huge example. You really are the best. Have a great week. Enjoy the ward there in Jerome this week and tell everyone that I love them.

Mikesell- I am glad that you have found the  problem with your shins! That is wonderful I am so glad that you are having so much fun and that you did so good on your math test. You are diong so well!! What a girl! I hope that you are enjoying your dates every weekend. Sounds like this one guy is pushing. More than three dates if they are returned missionaries means that they most likely will ask you to marry them. haha, kinda of a joke, and kind of not.  I love you Sis. Keep strong. Keep being excellent! Enjoy the full moon!

Brennen-  That is funny about what Bridon said. I love you buddy. Keep being a light in  school and making good decions. Go domn the court this year. I love you Brother. Thanks for being the man.

Alex- I hope that you are doing really well with Ball and everything. I love you man. Keep reading the Book of Mormon. I love you Buddy. I miss you.

Harrionson- The man! I love you and hope that you are excited for Halloween. Who are you going to be? I love you man.

McCall- Will you send me pictures of your Halloween? I love you Call. Keep being so nice to everyone and giving Harrison kisses. I love you.

I love you all so much. This week I learned the importance of studying the scriptures and not just reading. It has been so busy that I have been trying to just get in time to read the scriptures and I learned how I need to study. I am so grateful for the schedule of missionaries. I love you all. I love Heavenly Father. I love this work and I am grateful. Have a great week. I am sorry for the rushed letter. Its just one of those busy weeks again.
I love you with all of my heart!

All my Love,

Elder Austin

Hello Wonderful Family,

Sorry that I could not write yesterday. Since I wrote yesterday I literally have been driving and driving. Out of eight Elders here in the office only four can drive and so it was my turn to help out the housing Elders. We went to Olvarria and Tandil. It was a  great! It is a pretty drive with blue sky, green grass, pretty sunshine and 17 million cows. I feel quite comfortable. I saw Elder Yost and that was nice.

Brian Williams-Thank you so much for your letter. It meant so much to me and it is a great treasure. I am thrilled to hear that your family is doing so well. Have a great week and thanks so much for your wonderful example. I love you all and thank you so much for your prayers. Hope Jerome´s Bball team is looking good this year. Thank you for taking the time to write to me.

I am also thrilled to hear that the temple open house is going well Grandma and Grandpa Clegg. I hopé that you enjoy such a special time. What a wonderful blessing!

Last week was a great week.... Actually even though I had a surprise trip to Mar Del Plata on Tuesday and Wednesday to do zone conferences up there because the Elder Gravelle, the other assistant, wasn't feeling very well... we had some great success in the area. We found this awesome and really sweet couple Jaun Carlos and Ana. They have four kids that are doing really well. They are thinking baptism and are really good people. I love talking to good people... it make me so happy. Also we are working with a less active family that have a brother in law who is not a memeber...well they are not married... but that doesnt stop us. I am excited I have a lot more desire to work in my area and  that is what makes me most happy. This office stuff is not my style, but I love it, and am grateful to learn that now. And I am learning so much and don´t want to sound ungrateful at all. It such a blessing to serve so many missionaries. On Friday we go to Santa Rosa to give the last Zone Conference.  This week is also transfers and so Sunday- Tuesday will be crazy but I love transfers and seeing the Elders leave... and the new energy of the missionaries. I think we are receiving some from Colorado... I am not sure what mission, but I will sure ask them if they know Elder H. Clegg!!

I hit a a wrong key and half of the email that I wrote just got erased.... haha. So I will try to put it in next week.

Mom and Dad- I am glad you enjoyed the time at the fish and that you are doing well. It is a lot of work to get moved out and all of the vehicles out. Good luck teaching seminary Mom those two days.  I love you both so much and thank you for your great letters. Have a wonderful week and thanks for your prayers.

Mikesell- I am glad you are so doing well and enjoying school. Keep hitting the books hard and enjoying your many dates. I love you sis. Keep being a capa.

Brennen- I am so glad you will be getting your license this week or so. That is wonderful. Enjoy it and I hope that baball goes well. Tell Coach Messick hello for me. I love you bro.

Alex- I expect a report on your stats every week. I love you buddy and amd glad you are doing well. Keep being the real deal.

Harrison-  I love you little man, I am glad that you are so happy and doing so well. Have a great week and remember that I love you more than anything.

McCall- You are Harrison looked so great out there on the docks. You are so tall. I hope that you have a wonderful week. Happy Halloween. What are you going to be this year?

Well I love you all so very much. I am so grateful for prayer and the power that it brings us. Keep doing miracles there in JTown....


All my love,

Elder Austin

Good Morning to the best family in the world!

I am going to be outside the office this morning and tomorrow helping the Elder who is charge of the housing deliver microwaves and some other items throughout the mission. I will really try to write sometime today, but if not I will write on Wednesday.

I saw about Shalice's baby.... please send my deepest love to her and Trevor and the family. What a blessing the Gospel is. The Atonement will carry them through this very difficult experience. So glad you could go to the funeral Dad, Brennen, and Alex. Family is everything!

 I have had a great week. This week is transfers and so it will be a busy one. The mission is the greatest blessing of my life.

 I love you all so much. Thank you for your prayers and your great example.
Alma 11:9-11
D&C 82:3

Yesterday was Mothers Day here. I am so grateful for you Mom, Grandma Daw, Grandma Crouch and Grandma Clegg. Some of the most amazing women on planet earth.

Have a wonderful Monday and know that I love you all so much. I love our Savior and Heavenly Father. Keep being good examples!

I will talk to you soon.

All my love,

Elder Austin

Dear Family,

Thank you so much for your letters. I really enjoyed the emails from Papa Arlen and Grandma Crouch and also from Grandma Clegg. Thank you so much for taking the time to write and for your prayers.

Sounds like you are all had a wonderful week and that it has been a beautiful fall. I am glad that the closing of Redfish was smooth and that you will be all under the same roof here very soon. I bet Mikesell just loved her time at home and I am sure that was a very good weekend for you all. That is so great.

This week was a truly wonderful week. I have been spirtually fed to the max. With General Conference last weekend and then listening to and particpating in four zone conferences in the week... I am super pumped to be back in my area and apply more of what I learned. I feel a little more focused in my area and and super excited. I met a whole bunch of new Elders. I got to see Elder Yost - he is doing wonderful. He had a baptism yesterday and will baptize next week also. His zone leader told me that it is impossible to not love that kid. He is right. Elder Gravelle and I were able to be with President and Hermana all week and we both got our fair share of driving in. It was wonderful to see some more of the mission. I can not tell you how much field there is with cattle. It is insane. It makes Idaho looks like nothing. It just is flat pasture forever in all directions. We went to to only mountious part of the mission in Tandil and is was pretty there. I learned so much from President and Hermana. They are such wonderful people and I am so blessed to learn from them. The conferences went well and it was fun. We slept in the car one night and in the zone leaders houses the other nights. Our mission has so many great elders. The focus of the zone conference, that we focused on was based on planning and setting goals and using time wisely. President talked about the importance of following the spirit and working with members. Hermana, she is a trained motivational speaker, I am sure. She talked about dreams and her dreams to baptize thousands in the mission...and she is serious. We are working our tails off to baptize 1000 this year. It is reachable but everyone in the mission has to baptize instead of only the same handful that are baptizing. Mosty, we need to become the type of Elders that can baptize every week in the mission. DESIRE.
A very spritual experence that I had was the oppurtunity to visit the Peñalva family and Estefenia Gomez in Nechochea and see a less active family that is coming to church now and the District President. The Peñalva family is struggling, we all cried and they were very shocked when they realised that it was me knocking their door. They havn't been very active in the church and that has been hard for me. Member help is so essential in missionary work. We had a good lesson and I did all that I could do to help them. I hope they start coming again. They are so close to breaking through. Please remember them in your prayers. I am super grateful for the families that stay active in the church after baptisim. It is not a easy thing. I invite you to visit and establish relationships with any new converts in the ward.  Estefenia is doing great - she is growing in the gospel and her sister is going to church everyweek. A missionary got back to our ward yesterday he is doing well. I am not going to lie, that adjustment looks really tough. Not going to think about it.Lots of miracles happened and it was a great week. Betty will getting married within the month and she is super happy. We had a new investigator Fabian in chruch who had a really great experience. He is great and we have a lesson with a member tonight with him. The ward is great here, we have built a good relationships with them and I love them all. There is a family in our ward that has ten kids, they are all married and grown up all our active, bishops, high coucil members, but the father is inactive. I watched as the 8 brothers blessed a baby yesterday and was so grateful for the power of the priesthood and BROTHERHOOD in our lives. I love the relations of brothers. I am grateful Dad, for your example of that with your brothers.....and the love that I have for Brennen, Alex and Harrison. You are studs and I love you.

Dad- Thanks for your great email. I am praying like crazy for the States. Oh man it is so huge what is happening. I think it is a blessing I am not there becuase I would be going crazy. Keep mentally sain and I will be praying for you. Tell Art and Jane hello for me. I am glad that the Fall has been smooth. I love you Dad. Thanks for you great example. Keep winning.

Mom- I am so sorry I forgot to tell you last week that I did recieve the package... with all of the traveling it slipped my mind. Thank you so much!! I loved the pictures and thank you for your thoughtfulness. I love you. What was your favortie GC talk? I am glad you enjoyed teaching seminary. I am sure you influenced and inspired many kids....you always do!!!  I love you....

Mikesell- It is so great to go home your first time. I went to Muldoon the first time. That was good stuff. It is hard to drive away but you fill refreshed and ready to attack it again. I love you so much Mikes, thanks for your photo. That was great. ha ha. I imagine you all grown up and a college woman. Keep loving it and doing good things. Thanks for being the best sister ever. I love you.

Brennen- Hey stud. How is those jumping stilts going? Are you gettting pumped for bball? How is your team looking this year? Will your coach be Mr. Sharp? That will be a great year!  I love you Brother. Thanks for being awesome. Keep strong and active. Have fun  at Sadies. Don't make too many girls cry. I am excited for you to be a Priest and we can bless the sacrament together up at Stanley. Love you Bro.

Alex- Hey my man, third place huh? atta boy. This morning we ran to our Bishops gym and worked out and we are going to start doing that more....it felt really good. I love you Alex. Keep being a great kid. Exceed your vision. Love you man!

Harrison- How are you buddy. I sure love you. how is summit? Sounds like you are making some great friends. Harrison the friends that you make are so important....the most important thing...so choose buddies that do good things and do excellent things. I love you buddy!! Keep up the good work.

McCall- Hey there toothless, just like that dragon. I love you Cally and keep being a excellent girl. I love you more than you know.Keep being wonderful. You are beautiful!


I read in Moroni 10: 30-34 this week and I loved it.

LOVE CHRIST WITH ALL YOUR HEART, MIGHT, MIND, AND STRENGTH=
BE PERFECTED BY HIS GRACE.


May Heavens richest blessing be yours and know how much I love you and pray for you.

Keep on the sunny side and enjoy the Fall!!

Love,

Elder Austin

Let the mission madness begin... I am super excited and I can feel the excitement down here from up there, well and the members here are also really excited too!!

Grandma Clegg- Thank you for you email and for your prayers. I am excited for the experiences that you will have and are going to have during the course of the temple. I love you and please send lots of love to Grandpa and Uncle Alan and dont worry...I will bring you home a whole suitcase of Christmas Ornaments if you would like. I have been and will be keeping my eye out.

  

Well I am writing from a town called Trenque Lauquen.It is about four hours away from Bahia Blanca. President just finished all of the interviews with the zone and now tomorrow we have the conference and then tomorrow we go to Olvarria and then to Tandil and then to Necochea and then we come back to Bahia this Saturday. It is a busy week!
Last week was a great week,
I am trying tp peice it together in my head and it was a normal week. Had to be in the office alot because my comp left to a zone conference but I left and did splits with a member that is preparing to leave to go on a mission now. It was a good week. We dropped Luis Torres and family, or we got really honest with them and told them what they were going to miss...and he explained how he was comfortable in his church and didnt want to change.   Good ole Agency!!! I am excited for this week and amd getting to know alot more missionaries and am really glad for that. Dad, thanks for your great advice and thoughts on that.

Dad- Thanks so much for your letter this week. I loved it. It has been a adjusment for me to be in the office, but it has helped me learn that a career with not so much office-ness would be something that would make me happer. I love to be out with the people. But I am so grateful for this time and the number of people that I can serve the realm has increased greatly and I am super grateful for that! Thanks for the update on the debate. I almost started crying I was laughing so hard when I read what Glenn Beck said. I thought the General conference talks were so great. I really liked the Elder Eyrings talk about expecting the will of God. Elder Hollands power house and really all of them. I felt like they were are really clear and left us with desire to act.  The message is so clear. My ten questions were answered and then some. Thanks for your advice about thoughts.  It is so important, and something that I need to watch even more in the office. I am so grateful for mission rules that protect us. Have a great week and thanks for sharing your love for Mom. I think she is pretty special also. We both got pretty lucky!! I love you Dad. Have a great week. Shout at the tv for me during a debate.

Mom- Thanks so much for sending a camera... I am sure BYU and Provo is a mad house with all the girls wanting to leave. The sisters in this mission are such studs and the church is going to grow a ton now. I am pumped. We have decided that the BYU campus will be pretty empty on the female side the first  year that we get back, and really it is wonderful. I am glad that the end of the year employee slide show went well and that the season ended well. So many great people. I get giddy with all the missionary oppurtunites that I am going to have when I get back. I want to get the missionaries teaching at least three employees. Mom -I love you so much!! This Sunday is Mothers Day here in Argentina. I will be thinking of you and Grandma Crouch and Clegg. Thank you for sharing that sweet story about Ben and Katie. I was thinking about them during conference. Send my love to them. You are the best Mom. Have a great week and thank you for your prayers. . Oh and I was able to see Preisthood and it was absoulty wonderful!!

  

Mikesell- You were the first one I thought of obviously when the annoucmnt came out. Dad´s advice is great. Think, pray, you got time. You know how I feel about the mission. I am glad to hear you got to run so well, and that you love your roommates. I formed bonds with my Freshman floor that can never be broken. I love those men. You will form life long friendships and it is so great to have so much time with cousins and wonderful aunts and auncles. I love you Mikes. I will be praying for you like always. Thanks for being incredible and such a wonderful example. Have fun and keep studying hard!!

Brennen- I sent your letter on Tuesday last week and so it should be getting there this week I think. When is Sadies? Brennen, keep being a stripling warrior. The war is getting thicker and you can't mess with the gray brother. Stick to the rod. I love you so much Brennen. You are such a great example to me. Keep jumping--- Do you have a Preach my Gospel? I would recomend that you study chapter 3 a little. It will help you do the basics. We will practice teaching also. I love you man. BE A STUD!

Alex- Hey stud. 4th place! Great work. How is your legs feelings? How is BYU football? I love you buddy. How is school? How is your reading in the Book of Mormon. I challenge you to finish it before I get back. Where are you at in it? I love you Alex. A ton. Keep being great. You have an ability to lead that is incredable. People follow you because you have a natural sense of energy and I know that you are going to do a ton of good things in the world.

Harrison- Thanks so much for writing. I am glad that you are doing well. I love you!! Are you excited to have Dad in Jerome with you soon? That was a huge rat in the picture Mom sent. I hope you can learn your mulitcaptions good. Tom from Redfish will really like Argentina. I love you Harrison! Keep being a "Grande"

McCall- It looks like that rat could eat more than just your Barbies nose! I am glad that you are happy I love you and miss you. I hope that you are making lots of great freinds and doing great things. I sure appreciate you and I hope that you know how much I love you. Keep being awesome and growing a ton!!! Handshake!!

Well I really like the scripture I read in Mosiah 5 2- 5 this week. Talks about the importance of the Holy Ghost in our lives to helps us to reopent and and change and repentance gives us VISION.

I love each of you with all my heart and I feel and am really grateful for your prayers every day. I'll keep trying to be the missionary that you all think that I am.

All my love,

Elder Austin

Querido Familia,

There literally is nothing in the world that makes me more happy every week other than to read your emails and feel of your spirit. Even though we haven’t seen each other for a good bit, I feel like our relationship has grown. What a blessing and I love you all so much!

Grandma Clegg- Thank you so much for sharing that wonderful experience with me. I love you.

This week has been spectacular. There have been so many miracles in the area and in the office. Really, the most important thing is the area, because I need to set an example, or else the words that I speak don´t have much meaning.

We just finished the zone conference here in Bahia Blanca with my zone and another zone it was the first of the month. Next week I will be out of town all week with President and Hermana and Elder Gravelle to visit the zones Tandil, Pehajo, Olavarria, and Necochea. That will be great. The zone conference went well and we were super blessed.  We were blessed this week to be able to find some great investigators. We found a man named Gabriel on Saturday and yesterday him and his daughter went to church. He is the brother of Luis Torres, the man who is now visiting his Evaneglico church actively, but we are working with him. I had some great experiences with the Familia Parreño and we talked a lot about the focus of the zone conferences. We are trying to reach the goal of 1000 baptisms in the year and if we  put in the last push we can make it. I am so pumped and want it as a mission so bad. We had a FHE with the Hermano Moran and the familia Parreño and another family from our ward. That was really great. He is coming along. It is more of a process with him. I have a lot of faith and vision in him and I know that he can do it if he lets the spirit work with him.  I received a letter from the family Garcia this week that Sergio has received the Aaronic Priesthood and they are doing well. That is the best. I have lost my camera, and I am sad about that. It fell from my pocket in the taxi and, well, it would be very rare for someone to return it to the company. I have called them several times. If there is an old camera laying around in the house that you could send I would appreciate it. The cameras here are super expensive, DO NOT BUY A CAMERA and if there is not a spare one, I can just download the photos of other missionaries on my sd cards.  Hermana Parreno takes a ton of pictures and she said that she would give me them also. So I am all good. I feel good, I am adjusting better to the office and learning how to make better use of my time in the area.  Mom. I think this week I will be receiving the package. 

Dad- Sounds like you are enjoying your time in Jerome. I am glad that you are getting to spend some time with the crew. I also am super excited for General Conference. I have written down ten questions that I would like to have answered. I did it last session and it was really cool how they were answered. I hope that you get to see a lot and that is a great experience for you. Thanks for your email. I love you Dad. Have a great week. 

Mom- I got talking about desire with President and Hermana Parreño this week and I sent them a copy of some of the letter from Papa about desire. They loved it. We are talking about the use of time and planning and accountability in our presentation. It is great. Thanks for your scripture last week. That is one of my favorites. It sounds like you are doing well and thanks for all the updates. I hope that you know how much I love you. You are the best ever. Have a wonderful week and I am thrilled that you are using my room for your photo album project. That sunlight is the best. Papa told me that would be the best room… I took his advice and I think that he is right. I love you Mom. Have a great week.

Mikesell- Sounds like you had an excellent week and I am excited for your meet you will be going home here in a couple weeks to visit… that sounds good! I am glad that you are liking your ward. Be looking for a good place to like next year. We will see what happens. I love you Mikesell!! I  liked your picture of the moon. I love you Mikesell!! Keep growing spiritually and doing all of those great things that you are doing. I love you.

Brennen- HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!! I have your letter written and ready to send tomorrow. I don´t know if it will arrive on time…I don’t think so. But I will be thinking about you and I hope that you have a wonderful day. Sixteen…. sounds like you got the dates lined up by being asked to Sadies by a girl. Atta boy! Thank for being great example Brennen. I love you.

Alex- Thanks for your email buddy. I sure love you! I miss you. How is XC? Broken 5 min mile yet? Are you excited to start going to church in Jerome? I am sure that you are. Add an hour to that church block can be rough coming from Stanley’s two hours. I love you Alex. Thanks for being my best friend and my brother. Keep to the rod.

Harrison- YEAH MAN! How are you? Are you liking school? I hope so. What is your favorite thing to learn about? Are you excited for the treasure hunt at the end of this week? I love you Harrison. Keep being great!!

McCall- I was thinking about how cute you are! I hope that you are having a wonderful week. Are you learning a lot in school? I love you Cally!

I invite you all to look up the new Mormon Message that talks from Elder Christofferson on trials.  Also the talk by Spencer W. Kimball called Jesus the Perfect Leader. He actually gave it in Sun Valley. Also the scripture in Proverbs 15: 31-32. I was thinking this week how some of the greatest blessing we receive are trials. I am grateful and humble to be here in the mission. There is nothing better and I have never been happier. I love the Gospel, I love my Savior, and I have a vision of what my purpose here is. I love you all and am grateful to be able to pray for all of you. Thank you for your prayers. Have a wonderful week. Thanks for all being amazing and great examples of Christ.

Love,

Elder Austin

.

To the best family in the world...

How are you all? I am sure that is was an another really busy week for you all. Thank you so much for your letters last week. We passed the day when we have exactly the same amount of sunlight. It seems like yesterday I was in Miramar and the same day passed.

This week has been a great week….a bit of a roller coaster…but I have a lot to be grateful for. Yesterday Elder Arnold came and spoke for our Stake Conference. It was so good. He has been through so many experiences and has a testimony that is incredible. His classic line that all the missionaries copy is ¨No es fe para mi, se, se que JesuCristo vive y que hay vida despues esta vida¨" he says it with such power it kind of gives you the chills. He patted me on the shoulder and shook my hand. I am so grateful for example of the prophets and apostles. Hermano Moran came to the church yesterday and it was honestly one of the sweetest moments ever. His wife is our music director and she is the sweetest and most active later and her husband is not a member - I still don’t know why, but we are teaching him with Presidente and Hermana and he is coming along. I think that he will most likely be the next one baptized we hope and pray. I learned a lot this week that I have to work with members so much more. Three of  our investigators told us for sure, for sure that they were going to come yesterday. I can read them well and I knew that they were going to come. They even prayed at the end of the lesson to be able to make it there safe.  Then yesterday they didn’t show up. That is the hardest thing about this work. But the two that did come were results of working with members, or they were members of incomplete families. The other three we have passed by with member also, but the strong friendship with the members isn’t there yet.

I am learning a ton from Presidente and Hermana. This week we discovered that we were all fans of "How to win friends and influence people" by Dale Carnegie, it is Presidents favorite book.

Tonight all the Zone Leaders are coming in and tomorrow we have a meeting with them. That will be great. In October we are doing the zone conference rounds and so I am excited to get to know the mission a little better.

I am doing well. Trying to do all that I can and serve with all I can.

Dad- What day will be the last day of Redfish? What a quick season! I bet it is really pretty up there. I love you so much Dad. I just can’t thank you enough. Thanks for living, doing, and applying the Gospel in everything that you do. I hope that you have a great week. You’re the man. Go get em.

Mom- I am hope that things have settled down a little and that you have been able to put your feet on the ground a little. Are you excited for General Conference? I sure am. How is everything going with your family? I have been praying for them. I hope that everything works out. I have grown so much vision for my life here in the mission. Like the scripture says in Proverbs, I truly believe that men without vision, without something to strive for, perish. We lose hope, without vision there is no desire, so the stronger our vision, the more we can have righteous desire, and I know that God grants unto us our desires. I love you Mom. Have a wonderful week. I miss you and am so grateful for you!

Mikesell- Thank you so much for you sweet letters. You are awesome. Sounds like you are going out on lots of dates these days. That is fun. I love you Mikesell and am so grateful for you. Your coach sees in you what you have. Keep up the good work and doing great things! I love you sis. Moon is getting full.

Brennen- Thank you so much for your letter. You sound so good. I am excited for you. How is Cross Country going? I hope that you are enjoying it. How are your efforts in school going? I hope that you have a wonderful week. Keep being awesome my friend and brother. I love you.

Alex- How are you man!? I would love to get a email from you. I love you so much buddy. I hope that Cross Country is going really well. I sure miss you bud. How are the Cougs doing this year?  Keep praying being an excellent person.

Harrison- I sure love you buddy. How are you doing in school? I bet you are doing super well. I love you Harrison so much. Are you happy?  Enjoy piano and become good at for me okay? Have a great week little man.

McCall- Hey sweet pea, I sure love you. I hope that you are liking school also. What are you learning? Is it cold at Redfish? Have you seen any bears? Will the salmon come this year?

These are some of the scriptures that I liked about hope last week.

Romans 8:28

1 Peter 1:3

Ether 12: 4, 32

Moroni 7:40-48

All my love to each of you----
Elder Austin

Hello dearest family,

I am so sorry that I was not able to write you yesterday. It was crazy busy, from 4:30 in the morning until the night time. I just got back from the airport as we said goodbye to the Elders and Hermanas. It is really bitter sweet and you feel a lot of emotions. Also, an Elder from Argentina parents came and picked him up and to see them was spectacular. Those moments are so great. I can’t keep my eyes dry. 

You won’t believe it but. Gionabilii the player for the spurs is from here in Bahia Blanca. We just saw him in the airport. My comp went downstairs with another elder in the airport and when he came back up he showed me the picture that he took with him. I will send it next week. Crazy huh. Seeing a NBA player in small Argentina airport!!

This last week was really good. President got his things from Spain and we helped them move in and we had a huge breakfast with them. It was really nice. They are so wonderful. I am learning a lot. We will only have three assistants this transfer and within the next few transfers we will only have two. The area has asked that we only have two assistants. The Torres family is doing just okay. The father started going to his Evanegical church again, It looks like we are going to drop them. I am trying hard to find a balance to have success in my area and the office. Happiness comes from forgetting yourself and serving others.

I read a great talk from Elder Maxwell titled ¨Put of the natural man and come of conqueror" it is excellent… I encourage you all to read it this week.

I am happy, trying to grow, and really grateful for your prayers. I loved my studies this week on hope. I have some scriptures written down for you in my journal, but I left it in the house, so I will share it with you later.

Dad- I am glad that you are doing well. Thanks for your insights on that talk. I remember in BYU we had a devotional when someone invited us to write down one goal or thing to do after the talk that way our actions correspond with what we learned that week. That was pretty inspired. I love you Dad. I miss you, and am happy to be here serving the one who has given us everything that we have. Have a great week.

Mom- Thank you for sharing your thoughts and whats going on with all of the family.   I am so grateful for the relationship that you and Dad have. It has blessed our families lives beyond measure.  You had quite a week last week... I am amazed at all you can pull off and make it look so easy. I love you more than air Mom. Have a good week and I hope that you can get you feet back on the ground a little. You are amazing.

Mikesell- Today I saw a missionary, who was my zone leader and a great example to me, give his Mother, Father, and little sister a hug for the first time in two years. That is about the happiest thing that there is, but only after two years and after we have all grown the ways we need to grow, and helped the people that have needed to be helped. I was so happy to read your letter yesterday. You seem happy, you are adjusting, and doing wonderful. Just like we all knew you would. Enjoy it. I love you so much and miss you. Keep strengthening your relationship strong with Heavenly Father. Have a wonderful week. I love you.

Brennen- I think that it is outstanding that a 15 almost 16 year old young man, takes time out of his week to write his 20 year brother every week. Brennen, you are a outstanding young man and I love you so much. Keep being excellent and never settle for anything average in your life. Put a lot of effort in your seminary. Enjoy Cross country and all the fun times. Live it up. I love you  Bro. Keep up the work.

Alex- You can do it all – can’t you!?... A pink unicycle, by the time I get back you will all be hang gliding or something. I love you broth. Keep doing your prayers. Write when you can--

Harrison- I love you so much little bro. I hope that you are enjoying school and all of your classes. I am so proud of the great kid you are. Keep being great!

McCall- I love you so much I hope you are happy and enjoying your classes. I love you. Keep saying your prayers and doing nice things for people. I love you.

I love you so all so much.

Have a great week.