Hello there dear family,

Sounds as though as everyone is doing really well and that the week has been full of adventures and summer time fun. The end of summer is fastly approaching…hard to imagine!

 Thank you so much Grandma Clegg and Papa and Grandma Crouch for your sweet letters! You both don´t know how I much I treasure these letters. I love you all and pray for you daily, thank you for your examples and legacy. Have a wonderful week!

This last week was a really good one, if a ¨normal¨ week exists in the office I think it would have been this one. I had some more time to work in my area and we were able to find some investigators that have some good potential. He had a sister go home this week early because of some health problems and that was bitter sweet to take her to the airport. She is happy and is a really great missionary and I am sure she is happy with her family now. We also have a leadership conference tomorrow with all the Zone Leaders and the District leaders. We are all ready to go and it should go well tomorrow. I am enjoying my companion and especially the time with President and Hermana Parreño.  The ward is great here and I really want to have success here. I am super grateful to be here. I thought this week about real growth and how that is what President Monson wants in the church, and especially how we can have real growth in our personal lives. The office is a good opportunity to measure your progress and set goals. I love goals and trying to get better. I have also learned on my mission how the Atonement can make it possible to be happy even when we fall short some times. I love that. It is turning into a beautiful spring time here and the weather is lightening up. Really all and all it was a really moderate winter and not anything like I thought it would be. Jerome is way worse as far as cold, wind, and those things go. The sun feels nice though and I love the changes of the seasons.  I can’t believe that fall will be setting in up there. That blows me away. I feel out of wack with the seasons up there now, it doesn’t really calculate in my mind that it is fall there now for you soon. I am loving this time.

 Dad- I hope that your time in Provo with Mikesell is enjoyable and that you travel safely. Freshman orientation…crazy!  I will be praying for the fire situations and I hope that all settles well. That is scary about the power lines…I hope the resort escapes any power outage situations. I sure love you Dad. I miss you and am glad you such a good time with Kerry and everyone there last week. Have a wonderful week. YOU THE MAN!

Mom-  Thank you for your letter and journal... I love them so much! To answer some of your questions, we live like 20 min walk from the office, the mission house is a good 10 min drive from the office and the house.   Time is going fast.  I can´t believe Bridon gets home so soon. That will be fun. That is crazy about Sydney – getting married in November… Good for her. I hope the planning for your next weddings goes well. They sound like they will be very busy for you all in one week! My prayers are with all of the family…I will remember those you mentioned and keep them in my thoughts and prayers always.  Mom, you are the best! I love you and keep being awesome with your scripture study and prayers. I love you so much. Have a great week.

 Mikesell- I loved what Mom said about you, that is very true. You will love the feel now, the games, the busy-ness of the students. It is great atmosphere and just eat it up. I am happy for you and I am glad that you are soar, cause that means that you are growing and working hard! Are you enjoying the girls on the team? Enjoy this week and the start of the classes. Study hard. I love you Mikesell so much. Tell all the cousins and cougs hello. Go for it  girl!

 Brennen- I loved the pictures that Mom sent of you three in your church clothes. What studs, seriously!! So only a week til you head to Jerome....live it up til then! Are you still liking the dish pit? I sure miss you and love you so much. Keep being strong. What will you be studying this year in seminary?  I sure love you buddy. Keep it up and keep being a stripling warrior.

 Alex- Hey you look so great in your photo. Did you buy a new unicyle also?  I love you buddy. Keep living right and being happy. I sure admire you. Are you going to destroy XC  this year? You and Brennen are going to tear it up this year. Work hard for Del!!!

 Harrison- you are such a stud little man. I hope that you are happy and know how much I love you. We are going to do some way fun things next year. Start making a list okay? Are you going to do good in school this year? How is your reading coming along?

 McCall- I sure love you chica!  How are those teeth coming in ? Do you know who will be your teacher this year?  I love you sweety. Keep up the good work. Have a great week and remember who your favorite brother is…

 Well, may you all have a wonderful week, filled with great times. I love you and before you know it I will be writing again.

Thanks for your examples and please stay strong to that which we stand for in all that you do. Be grateful....

All the love in the world,

 Your son, brother, and grandson,

Elder Austin

Family....

Hello! Great to hear that you all have had a wonderful week. I was really happy to hear that Mark and Cynthia and family were up at Redfish!!! That made me really happy! I bet it was sad to say goodbye to Cassidi -- She has been a wonderful nanny and friend. Glad Julie and the girls could come up as well as Brennens friends. Wow what a full house you have had!  Dad - For sure lets do Braxon. I have the goal to climb five peaks next summer, but that can wait. I met a Hermana Squire this week who knew Landon from High School. She went to Lone Peak. I am also glad to hear that Mikesell is doing well and that she could enjoy the weekend with the wonderful Putnams. That was so nice of them to allow her to share in their family time. Sounds like everyone is doing well and that is the greatest blessing that I could ask for... How is Grandma Daw? I have been really praying and thinking of her and Grandpa.

This week was one to remember. Mon- Thur was a mad house of getting ready for Elder Viñas. Full of organizing the sleeping arrangements and travel of 100 missionaries to Mar Del Plata and 120 missionaries to Bahia Blanca. The office was been really busy. We also prepared a presentation, and that was awesome to talk to half of the mission in Mar Del Plata. We left for Mar Del Plata on Thursday with President and Hermana and that was great to be with them.  We spent that whole night moving tables from churches and getting everything ready for Friday Morning. I was able to see a few families that are from Mar Del Plata that we worked in Miramar, the family Isquidero. We slept that night in the car in the church parking lot because all the houses where full. I saw a ton of Elders and that was great. Elder Yost is doing great and it was really neat to see him. Elder Viñas is awesome, we got to talk with him (us 4) for like twenty minutes alone and asked him questions and that was... unreal. I asked him how he got a knowledge of scriptures like he has and he gave some great advice. The two conferences were awesome. He talked a lot about the Atonement, and the difference between Doctrine and the Application. An example he used was how there is the doctrine that families can be together forever through temple ordinances, an application of this doctrine is FHE. He talked about how application changes, not doctrinal. He is so wise and I am still digesting everything that I learned a little.

                          Elder Yost and Elder Clegg - (He is from Burley, ID and is our nanny's brother!)

In all of this we were extremely blessed to still have a little time to teach Nelly and she was baptized yesterday. President and Hermana Parreño were there and it was so special. Nelly is so sweet and after her baptism she turned to the audience and said ¨thank you brothers, thank you” and was so emotional.

                                                               Baptism of Nelly

I cannot tell you how much I have loved my time with Presidente and Hermana. The love that they have is incredible. Hermana, is not human. She has a love that is only comparable to that of my Grandmothers and my Mother. She is something else. President, is quiet and is very wise and has a ton of love and knowledge. It is incredible. It all is such a blessing!!

Also yesterday my Branch Presidents family from Nechochea were here because President set apart there daughter, that was so good to see them and to talk about Necochea.  She is going to Costa Rica and we took her to the airport this morning. It was awesome. A tender mercy for me. 

Dad- I am way excited to knock out that hike. I will enjoy it until then. Thank you for your advice on planning and everything. I will take all that I can get. I love you and I hope that the smoke in the air goes away that you are able to enjoy the week with the family before school. I love you.

Mom- I love you so much. I am so glad that you are doing well. This week will be a very busy week for you and I will be praying for you. I hope that all goes well. I don’t know how you do as much as you do. Thank you so much.

Mikesell- I am so glad that you are doing well. I hope that you are loving every second!! Enjoy it you will be glad when Cass and everyone gets down to Provo too!  I miss you and hope that you are staying strong. Tell the RMs to keep walking. I love you!!

Brennen- I hope that you are excited for school. David and Rio really are so great and I am so glad you had such a great summer with them. I love it.  Are you going to run this year?  I love you bud. 

Alex- I love you and keep being awesome!!  Keep being great and I hope that you are able to enjoy registration…school is right around the corner!

Harrison- How is life? I sure love you and hope that you are excited for school!! Are you reading much?

McCall-I love you and I hope that you are reading a ton. Jerome is right around the corner!  A big kiss!

Mom and Dad-  Happy Anniversary yesterday!!  Your letter is still in my hand…I will send it this week. I promise! I love you both so much and I hope that you are able to get away this week. I am so grateful for you both and hope you know that your annivarsary is one of the most important days in the year for me. I love you both!!!

I studied weakness this week and found the following scriptures...

2 Nephi 10:17 

Eter 12 :26-28 ,37

2 Cor- 12: 9-12

Jacob 4 7

D & C 135:5  136 32-33

D&C 1:28 

I love you all so much!!!

Hey , Mom  Elder Caicedo is a great missionary friend who wants to go to BYU and he wants to know some info about immigrant studying at BYU.  If you could send the info for how to apply he would really appreciate it.

Also I am sending a letter with yours for Bryan Harper, if you could send that to him.

I love you all so much. 

Have a wonderful week!

Love.

Elder Clegg

Hello Family,

My thoughts and prayers have been with you this week especially the last couple days, knowing that Mikesell was going to school and the hard time that would be. I have prayed for you all sincerly and hope that all is well. Time passes and these times make us stronger.

I loved to hear that everyone is doing well.  I can´t believe that the summer is winding down a little. It has been a nice week here. I don’t think spring is here yet, but it kind of feels like it.

This week in the office, to be honest has been the craziest and fastest week ever!!  Ill try and sum it up..

Monday- Was a really special day. The day was spent getting everything ready for the Family night with the leaving Elders. That was a really special night to be with President and those great Elders and Hermanas. It was a really special time.  I love having so much contact with President now.

Tuesday- We took all the Elders to the airport and said my last goodbyes to my comp Elder Connolly. it was so weird to watch them get on the plane. They were so happy yet, peaceful with their missions. It was great and a really sweet moment. I love those Elders.

Wednesday- We had two sets of emergency transfers in the mission, so this day was filled with terminal funs and other fun things. I had my first day in the office.

Thursday- We traveled to Mar Del Plata. I was able to drive a little. We drove through Miramar and Necochea. That was great, I wanted to see all those wonderful people that I love. We got back late and that was the day.

Friday- We had a 3 o clock terminal fun to pick up some elders.

Saturday- I finally got to work in my area. We have an investigator named Nelly that will be baptized the next week. She is great and I am grateful for her. She has like 65 years.

Sunday-Got to know the area and the ward. It was a good day.

This week Elder Vinas from the Seventy is coming. Friday we get to give a presentation with him. We will be in Mar Del Plata and then back in Bahia Blanca on Saturday.  It should be a great week.

This week I read about the Title of Libery. I was studying wiht the question about how do I help myslef stay focused and help other Elders stay focused on their purpose as missionaries. I was reminded that the Title of liberty was just that. It was the reminder of the why, and then the covenant to always remember. How great is that! I love that. I loved my studies this week.

I still feel a little overwhelmed and not sure why I got this call. But I am really grateful and love it. I am learning a ton. My companion is great and it is great to have a companion from Argentina I love it.

I just heard that we have to go the airport because an Elder is going to be leaving to his real mission in Venisula because his visa came in.

This week I will see Elder Yost for the first time.

Dad- I love you!  I hurt with you saying goodbye to Mikesell. She is something special.  I know this will all pass. Keep strong. I love you.

Mom - Thank you so much for your letter. I miss you.  Thank you for the addresses. You are an angel. I am so glad you are with Mikesell for these first days and such a crazy time for her. Drive safe!

Mikesell- I love you so much. Be looking at the moon. I know that you are going to do so great!!

Brennen- Keep it up. You are the leader now. Fall sports? I love you so much buddy.

Alex- You said that you having a little harder summer. I love you and I know that this will help you grow. Keep the faith and a happy attitude. Keep doing good things. I love you so much!

Harrison- I love you man thanks so much for your letter!! Have a great  week. Big hug little man. Keep praying for Mikesell.

McCall- I love you so much Cally. Oh how you must miss that big sister. Pray for her and she will be praying for you. Call her a lot. I love you Cally

Sorry my letter is so rushed. I love you all with all the energy of my soul. May Heavens richest blessings be yours.

I know that Heavenly Father can make weak things strong.

Thanks for your prayers.

I love you and I love Heavenly Father and our Savior.

Have a great week.

All my love,

Elder Austin

 

 

Hello dear ones –

 I am so deeply pleased to hear that you are all doing well and that it has been a great week for you.  What fun adventures you are all having!! This week was in all complete honesty, one of the craziest weeks of my mission, possibly even my whole life. The Family Peñalva did it! They all got baptized!! I am so incredibly happy for them. They are converted, they are in this. They are so happy and it was really an amazing experience.  Juan Cruz, the boyfriend of the daughter Victoria also was baptized. We were not sure about him… but man, this weekend he just turned it around and felt it was the right thing to do in his life.  He wore the suit that Elder Connolly gave him this weekend to church for his confirmation. He wants so badly to be missionary. We also did 4 baptism interviews. The zone reached the goal and baptized 14 people this week. I am so happy for Elder Connolly, it literally was the most perfect ending for a missionary that you could ask him. I don´t know how I am going to pull a repeat when my name is called and it’s time to go home.

Penalva Family Baptism

 This week has also been one of the most humbling weeks. Thursday was the day that we finally set the date for Friday for sure for the Peñalva family to be baptized and finished all the interviews. That night after I got done doing the calls with the district meeting, I received a call from President and he has asked if I would be his Assistant with three other Elders. It honestly shocked me. I did not sleep well that night. The next morning we got the transfers, had the baptismal services of the Peñalva family and I didn't tell anyone I was leaving until Saturday. I really loved that branch and was super stoked to work there for a few more months, but this is a great opportunity to learn and to grow. I got here into Bahia Blanca last night at 8pm, took the stats for the mission, got done at 12:30, DROVE a car - that was a weird experience with my awesome stud comp Elder Costanzi from Buenos Aires, Argentina.  I maybe slept an hour because we kept having to go to the bus terminal to pick up sisters missionaries who were arriving at their areas. Good stuff... I am really grateful for this experience. I already today have been able to have tons of contact with President and his wife and they are so awesome. I love them so much. Here we go!!  My last year of my mission just got a lot faster. I am really excited to serve and get to know all the missionaries more. It is going to be a great opportunity. Next week an Area of the Seventy comes and we are doing a mission round so that will be doing a lot of traveling.

Leaving Necochea

This week I was reading in Alma 43 and really enjoyed studying the importance of preparation, and to see how Moroni received revelation, ideas, and inspiration through his preparation.  I am in Acts 12 now and am enjoying the Bible as well. I loved what Papa said last week in his letter about pondering the scriptures. I tried to start all my studies with questions this week and it helped me to have a deeper thought time. I LOVE MY MISSION!!

 Dad- I am glad to hear that things are going well there at lake.  I love it when you give me updates on all of the kids. My favorite letters. I love you Dad and will be thinking about your example a lot this week. Thank you for your prayers. I love you with all my heart Dad. I sure miss you.

Mom- Yesterday I bore my testimony in church and told the congregation that they all need to meet my family - especially my Mom. I talked about how you told me that it is important to show love to each person with the time that you have with them. Love others to the fullest everywhere you are.  That lesson has helped me a lot. Mom, I sure love you. I am so grateful for you. You have no idea. Have the best day ever. Good luck with your wedding this week. I love you!!

Mikesell- Wow... My thoughts, prayers, and fasting have been in your direction this upcoming week. I cannot believe that this is your last week in the big Stanley ID. Enjoy it. Mikesell, my first few months at college were some of the funnest times, but also some of the hardest. I challenge you and encourage you to be strong, pray, read, build strong friendships, be firm in mind, and to just attack it. At one point it will all hit you - that you are growing up. Mikesell.... I really love you. I hope that you just eat it up there at UVU. I will be praying for you always. You are going to do such great things there. Just tear it up, tear it up. Burn that campus with your spirit.  You have institute class right? For sure get involved in that. Mikesell you’re the best. Go get em!!

 Brennen- I am so pumped for all the good things that you are doing!! Bagged another two peaks this week!! I loved that picture that Dad sent me on top of Elk Mountain... That was incredible. All I hear is that you do great things and are just destroying it. I am so proud of you and the great example that you are. I love you bro. Thanks for being a warrior. Keep putting on the armor every day!! I miss you bro. Keep it up!!

Alex- I am so happy for your buddy. I also loved seeing that you are working out on the ranch with Del and Wheaton. You will learn a great lot from them. You are such a stud. Alex, I love you man. You are the best. Keep reading those scriptures and praying…it may little but so important.  Keep it up.

 Harrison-I am glad that you are super happy buddy. I bet you are just growing a ton. You will have to send me pictures of your summer experiences! I just think you’re the best Harrison. I love you man. Live the dream! 

McCall- Hey sugarn- I love you and am so excited for you and for your attitude! I am super excited to see how you have grown. I sure love you and I want to give you a huge kiss. I love you.  

I love you all so much and I hope that you are having the best week ever. I love this work and testify that this is true.

Love,  Elder Austin