Got to go to the Temple

Hey guys, sorry i am a little late, my p-day was kind of screwed up. So since we are preparing for lunch i thought it would be appropriate to email the family, Thank you for your love and support and your prayers. I can feel some of the weight of my shoulders taken off just knowing that you guys pray for me and that God really is blessing me and you guys (since i do the same for all of you). But just kind of an update, We are seeing the Afalava's tonight and we are going to be teaching them about the temple and how they need to go there because their kids are too cute to not have that blessing of being sealed. And since i had the opportunity to go there on Tuesday, i think i will be able to teach them pretty well. I am getting happier and happier with our area. There are still alot of dope fiends everywhere and alot of them say we don't believe in Christ.. but when they say that i own them with my knowledge. But they are all too stubborn to believe me.

The Old man that i was teaching Boyd, is actually not even an old man.... which i still think someone is pranking me. He is only 55 years old.. but he looks like he is 75. So i guess smoking makes you look way older! So for all those who think smoking is cool and makes you look older.. its true it does... but just not in a good way!!

My mission president is sending an ex zone leader to be my companion for 1 transfer. Then depending on how well i do with him, i will be having a baby the next transfer. (training a new missionary)

So that is exciting, we have some progressing investigators and we are teaching a pretty good number of people so i am excited for the near future. but now i gotta step up and join the big leagues. Kind of stressful, but i will manage. just make sure you guys pray that i will have inspiration and stamina because i hear that this guy i am getting doesn't stop moving till 9 at night.. which i am a good missionary and i go at a pretty good pace but nothing like i hear this kid is like.. i will need all the help i can get.

Oh well.. i love you guys, and i hope you have a fantastic week. And as for Ryan, just read a page of Preach my Gospel EVERY night with him and he needs to make sure he is reading a chapter from the book of mormon everyday and he is praying at least every night, preferably every morning too. If he does those things, the rest will come pretty easy. well i love you guys and i am thankful the lord blessed me by placing me into your family. Although i have many flaws, when i don't think of them i do well.

have a good week!

love,

Elder Ballif

Get to Teach a football player from the Indianapolis Colts

Despite the fact i hate emailing, and I hate sharing my feelings for all to see. I decided that i will out of the sheer love that i have for Momma Bear. And that fact that it "makes her day"...

Anyways my week has been pretty good, i got alot out of church yesterday and I got news that i get to teach Al Afalava # 23 on the Indianapolis Colts once a week because his wife came up to us and asked if we could come over weekly to teach him.. so i am excited for that. (he needs good influences in his life other then Peyton Manning and Austin Collie)

make Ryan watch the little mermaid part where they are in the boat with the lobster and he starts singing.( kiss the girl) Only if he wants to risk getting mono??

We have some free time today so we decided to come to the library so i could email and look at things on wikipedia about other churches. (for doctrine curiosity)

My last couple of weeks has been pretty good. I met some cool people and i also learned some cool things throughout the week. For instance i learned that the Arabs invented the base 10 number system. which took over the use of Roman numerals because it's ability to use high numbers and negative numbers. Anyways, now i can participate on "Are you smarter then a fifth grader".

I met a girl named Casey yesterday and she showed me a minute of undercover brother to show my companion his resemblance to Chris Kattan, and she was making fun of herself because she is a Ginger. And fact that ginger kids have a strand of DNA that is messed up and that is why Gingers usually have no souls. (south park reference) ...but thats neither here nor there.

I just started Jesus the Christ by James E. Talmage. It has a lot of words that even i will need a dictionary for.

My companionship is now down to 2 people me and Elder Russon, my homie G. We are a pretty good companionship and our traits and abilities compliment each other pretty nicely; for example he is a more passive person and i am more of a blunt aggressive person so in lessons we do "Good missionary, Bad missionary" and its got a good track record so far. I've only had to push around a few people. My favorite thing to do is basketball now.. but i only get to play once a week. But a few people asked me if i played in college last Monday. That was after i got some ice for their ankles when i broke them. :)

Well, i don't have too much else to say so i will just say i love you guys, and i miss you all very dearly, And don't send me a birthday cake or i'll "throw it on the ground!"

love yall,
Elder Ballif

Letter to Jenn, following pictures from Brynlee's blessing...

Hey Jenn,

Thank you for that email. It managed to make the tears come which has been difficult as of late.

I love you guys, all of you guys. I wish i could be there with all of you and share these memories with you.. But it's ok because time here is temporary and I am growing and changing for the better. I can see the change but I still want to be with you all more.. I think that just shows how much I love y'all.

I am glad everything is working out for all of you guys and everything is peachy. Things here are going alright. I am getting tired of all of these people who are too stubborn to listen to us when we can really change their lives for the better.

Tell your boys i am their self appointed Godfather. And if they ever need anything from me. They can ask. Because when i am rich.. i will have plenty to go around. ;) I love you guys and miss you.

Love, 

Austin