7/8/13

Our 4th was fine, just some fireworks and we were given the evening off because the higher ups thought it would be ineffective for us to go out.  So, we went to the Harter's and they had a huge 4th party for the Branch and more.  It was great!  We were told we could wear our regular clothes so people were more open to us it seemed like.  We met our new Mission President this week and got some of the DC missionaries.  The DC missionaries are an hmm interesting group, ha ha.  It's going to take some getting used to. 

We also got bikes this week!  WOO!!  It was about $200 for the bike and more for a few supplies I needed like a helmet and light and such.  So, around $300 altogether.  We bike every morning for our exercising now, it's fun!  We are trying to save on miles by having bikes because we had to borrow some this last month.  Hopefully, it works! 

Yeah, we have been eating just great!  Members feed us and we cook real food, nothing like your smoked meat though, Dad.  No one out here can compete with that! 

So, this last Sunday I was prompted to share my testimony of the Restoration so I did as well as a few other members!  I kind of took the lesson of the Restoration and First Vision and used it in my testimony!  It's nice to feel the Spirit confirm to you that what you are saying is true!  I also felt prompted as Elder Bird was saying a prayer for an investigator, that this investigator, Carlton, needed a Priesthood Blessing.  I wasn't sure if it was me or not though so I just was pondering it when Elder Bird asks Carlton, "Would you like a Priesthood Blessing?"  I then told myself, oh, that was the spirit prompting me to ask Carlton too!  I was then able to give Carlton a Priesthood Blessing and Elder Bird stood in.  I guess Carlton was inspired to have me give it because he asked me to! 

Well, I will get you more pictures next week!  It's just been slow with the pictures!  I also don't know what I want for my birthday, I honestly still don't feel like it's July at all.  If you could send me my side pack from college that would be great because missionaries are no longer going to be using backpacks.  Crazy huh?  They're saying it doesn't look professional and that it hurts the back.  Don't send me goodies because I don't need junk food, lol. 

I am so glad Luke got to go to EFY and that Alex will be going in July!  It is such a spiritual experience!  Now, I hope they don't do what I did and let it die so quickly,  I hope they continue to be an example to those around them and continually read what they wrote when they were at EFY.  You have to continually strengthen your testimony.  We need to always trust in our Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ and be like a stripling warrior, never wavering!

Love,
Elder Austin Mounts