Last Entry

Hey my lovely family,

It is weird to think that in 3 days I will see you again. It almost feels like a lifetime ago since I have been with you and I feel like I have changed quite a bit. I am very very very Excited to see you and be able to start my Adult life. This past week has been very fun for me being on the Campus of the U of O. Meeting and teaching people my own age. I think God is preparing me for dating and being able to talk to girls and not be totally awkward. But I think it is safe to say that I will still probably be awkward due to the fact that it is part of my sense of humor. I am very excited to catch up with our family and everything.

I have often reflected on my mission and who I was before in 2010. Back before I believed that God and Jesus Christ were real and I felt that the Church was just a good way of regulating the Population to be "Textbook Citizens" and it was nothing else. All I can think about is how much better I feel and how much more peace I feel believing these things and having direction in my life. I have learned that it takes effort to achieve the things you want to happen and you can't just have the desire. I have learned many things from my mission, too many to write without boring you severely. But I am just grateful for the "push" to get me out here and all the support you all have given me. I have enjoyed the experience that I have gained out here. I feel your prayers and your love daily and I just might cry when I see you... we will see.

But we will all have to just suffer for another 3 days and just be soldiers till then.

I love you so much and am HIGHLY ANTICIPATING 7:33pm 3 days from now. May it go by quickly for you.... (and for me too..) 

<3 Elder Ballif <3

Little taste of a singles ward

Hey Family! I hope you guys are doing wonderful. So some wild news for you, I am in Eugene now and will be there until I head home. I am serving for the last 10 days with the Eugene Zone Leaders: Elder Pututua (my #1 love) and Elder Thompson who was on my football team sophomore year at Davis. They cover the Eugene young single adult ward and I am very excited because I have really wanted a chance to serve in a singles ward. And now I get a little taste.

That is awesome that Ryan sent his papers in! It's going to be a great learning experience for him as it has been for me. I am going to make a soft guess that he will be going foreign but I can't put my finger on where. Ryan is a very unique boy, like myself but I think he will grow more in a different country. Maybe he will go to Japan...?

I have been reading the Book of Mormon lately, I stopped reading it for a while and just read church books like Jesus the Christ, but I missed that feeling that comes from reading the BOM so I decided to continue it again, I am in Alma.. I believe it is chapter 25 or so. I love Alma, he is my role model. Him and Shiz from Ether.... good stuff.  

The Church is true, God knows us personally and wants to help us if we but ask and try and help him to help us, he knows what each of us are going through and through our Elder brothers Atonement we can do anything we need to do!

I love you guys, I am excited to see you all and will see you next week!!

<3 Elder Ballif <3

Release letter from President Young

New Part Member Family

Hey, sorry that I could not reply to you earlier. Our Zone Leaders planned this all day event in Bend on Monday and it made it so we had hardly any time to do preparation or relaxing. I was joking about the whole 15th thing, I would be totally fine having it be on that day and definitely not on the 8th. Hopefully that doesn't screw up anything too badly that I am a little late with my message.

And, that would be fine to have a sleepover the night I get back with the boyos. I just hope that you guys have cleared time with the Stake President on the evening of the 5th to release me. That would not be fun to be home and not be able to do anything fun.

I am really excited that I will be back in a few weeks! Elder Mcmakin and I are having fun and working hard. We found a new part member family that just got married by our bishop and they are my age and they are pretty awesome. Ethan and Taylor. And Larry and Cheryl are still away in Salem with their Mother. We will try and call and see how they are doing this evening or tomorrow. Everything is going pretty well and we are excited for the ward.

I got Cameron's letter and to answer him I would love to have AT LEAST 5 sleepovers with you and Carsen. I am glad you love and think I am your best friend. I feel the same way. I love you buddy and I will see you soon!

The only thing I am curious about is the amount of money I will need to send stuff home early which I plan on doing on Saturday. I know I am going to need more money but I was just thinking what the best deal would be. I think I could just send everything in an empty bike box and I believe that costs about 45 dollars for a bike box sized package.. I will check into it but I think just to be save if you could put like 100 dollars in my account and whatever it doesn't take, you will be refunded.

Anyways I love you all and will see you in the same amount of days as the jersey number for META WORLD PEACE!

<3 Elder Ballif <3

The book is blue and the church is true

Hey Family, i love you all! hope you had a fantastic week.

thanks for the info about the flight and all that jazz. At least I know that "I will have plenty of time to pack". (I will be packed about 3 days before the day I leave) But its all good. 

Well we saw the Arnold's last week on Thursday with our ward mission leader and that went great! they are just great people and I will miss them when I leave. I really hope things can work out for them and they can get baptized before I go. I would love to baptize them. But I am just being patient and hoping it will work out no matter what! 

Elder Mcmakin and I are getting along great. He is a # 1 Stunner. We are having fun and working hard and we just hope and pray the Lord will bless us with some wonderful miracles like I know he can and already has with us. We have a lot of appointments set up with people in the next few days so next week should have a lot more information with our investigators but for now I don't have much to tell you other then we have been tracting and trying to contact less actives and part member families all week.. but things feel good here and I love the support we are getting from the ward and all the great people here in Redmond. 

One cool thing was we had interviews with the mission president yesterday and those went great. He told me that we have grown close these several months and he hopes that continues after this mission is over. (I dunno what that even means)

Anyways, 

the book is blue the church is true,

the Savior DOES live and God does answers heartfelt prayers.

Have a good week!

love, Elder Ballif 

New Gators

Hey I am sorry that this is coming to you guys late.

We were pretty busy these last 2 days so I just wanted to write a quick email to you guys just to let you guys know that I love you and lets just say I am very excited to come and see you all again pretty soon!

The work is going good, we have found some new gators this last week and are excited to start teaching them this week and we have been doing a lot of work to motivate the ward to do some missionary work so that has been pretty fun as well.

Anyways, bike is working pretty well now. The only issue now is the pedal.. it is just crooked because the part that attaches to the pedal got stripped or something so I had to just brute force the pedal into the socket and it is pretty ghetto but it works for the most part. I love you guys very much and I can't fathom coming back!

The gospel is true!

see ya soon!

<3 Elder Ballif <3

PUT IN SOME WORK!!

Hey Family, I hope you all had a good week!

Our week was pretty good. We found some new investigators, and Elder Mcmakin was actually sick saturday night and yesterday throwing up so that was pretty cray.

I wish I could have gone to the cabin with you guys... I am looking forward to getting to spend some good old fashion family time with all of you! It will be pretty Fetch. 

This last week we were challenged to work really hard this last stretch of our missions and we agreed to step up and PUT IN SOME WORK! 

We haven't been able to see the Arnolds for a while so we are going to have to try and see them this Thurs evening. My goal for the end of my mission is to have 3 baptisms before I head out and I am determined to get those! 

We just helped a non member family move out and they were really nice and bought us some pizza for helping them and they told us a cool story about their 5 year old son when he was a baby that is very similar to what happened to me when Dad gave me a blessing for my head. But it was his lungs that were having problems and the mothers brother had the Priesthood and gave him a blessing and he was instantly fine. It was a neat experience to hear them talk about it because they said it was because of the church that her son was alive. 

I just wanna let you all know that I love you very much and I am very excited for July!!!!! 

see you then! 

<3 Elder Ballif

P.s.- I asked my Mission President what specific day I would be getting home so I can let you know and he didn't answer my question at all............. he just said "sure".... which tells me that he didn't even pay attention to what I asked. 

Sick and Things

Hey Family, I hope everything is going very well for all of you.

So about last week... ha ha the honest truth is that I was typing an email to you guys and I had to go do something but it took a long time and I couldn't remember if I finished and sent the email. And I didn't finish it.. so I will just have to make it up to you by being extra wonderful when you see me on Skype next Sunday at around 4:15-4:30pm.

Anyways, this week was a little slow... Larry and Cheryl are out of town until around Thursday this week so we haven't been able to meet with them at all. And I was sick for last Saturday and Sunday.. But I got a lot of reading done. I read the rest of Alma and now on to the less battle-filled Helaman.

I can't wait to see all of you on Sunday, that will be a very special time for me because I have been thinking about all of you a lot lately due to being sick and having more time on my hands than the usual. I can't wait to see all of you and to see Ellie and Brynlee and Cam and Carsen! we are going to have a five-way huge when I get back. I will even consider doing some free babysitting for a while when I get back! hehe not really I think I will do it for free from now on. But I don't really know what else to tell you. I just wish I could have teleported to Saint George so I could have spent my time with you guys. But whatever.. there will be plenty of time for that.

I love you guys! I will talk to you guys for about an Hr or 2 on Mother's day!

Larry and Cheryl Still Coming Along

Hey family! you guys are so Number 1!

This week was really good, Larry and Cheryl are doing fantastic and they are progressing like a G6. (you might not understand my reference.. it is a stupid song I heard earlier on in my mission that has just placed itself in my brain forever) But we had a great lesson with them this week and we actually invited them to be baptized but they said they need more time to read and find that it is true. But all signs are pointing UP. And my Ex-con Brotha Richard has agreed to let us come over some more and teach him despite being very busy with school. So we shall see him on Saturday.

But the work here is going good, I am really enjoying my Deathbed. Its a cushy spot. I just hope that I can see Larry and Cheryl get baptized before I come home. That would be my Teenage Dream. Even better then Katy Perry's.

Some cool things that have happened... I am driving a 2012 Subaru Legacy which is super nice. The nicest car I will drive for 20 years. It's "my precious".

Oh and thank you very much for wiring some money to my account! I got some good food for once. muchos gracious!!!! How are the Jazz doing??? I need my fix....

Anyways... Not much else to say this week!! but in 3 weeks I will be able to skype you guys for MOTHERS DAY!!! and then only like a month and a half and I will be returning into your loving arms.


<3 yall! have an EPIC week!

Elder Ballif

Larry and Cheryl still doing well

Hey Family, I hope all is well in Kaysville!

Cameron, Happy Birthday my little man! 6 years old! woohoo.

Thank you for all the Easter eggs full of love. I have already eaten them.

To answer a few questions, No I haven't been keeping a journal. The moments that are needed to be remembered will be remembered. And the camera you sent me out with pretty much stinks... sorry to say and I am not ungrateful but Fuji film is not a good company if you ask me.. every time I try and take a picture it tells me that the battery is not in the camera, but it sure is in there. So sufficeth to say I have not been a happy camper about "storing my memories".

Larry and Cheryl are doing awesome, they came to the Adult session of Stake Conference and they really enjoyed it. We stopped by to see them last night and they gave us a bunch of really good food!!!! (Salmon and Homemade Summer Sausage) I also gave Larry and Cheryl the Book of Mormon that you guys put your testimony and picture in and they really liked that. So thank you.

That is weird to hear that Quinn is leaving.. it will be sad to get back and not see his luscious locks.

Not much else has happened this week though.. Me and Elder Mcmakin get along really well.. he is part native american from Montana and he grew up on a reservation he is really cool.

I love you guys and CANNOT wait to see you.

<3 : ELDER BALLIF

Thanks for Birthday Wishes

Hey Family,


Thank you very much for the letters and Package for my Birthday. And especially for the Margarita mix. (nice....) I actually don't really like that taste but I would think you were sending me that as a joke. So its all good. I really liked all the stuff you got me. The spy glasses were pretty snazzy. I use them every day to make sure I don't miss any people to talk to about the Gospel with.

We went over to Cheryl and Larry's home yesterday to watch a session of conference and they really enjoyed it. I feel as though they will be baptized pretty soon. They are really awesome and nice and they love the fact that the Church is so family oriented. I am excited for them!!!

General Conference was pretty awesome.. I think I heard some little things that I needed to hear.. Especially the talk about holding grudges.. because unfortunately because of all of the girls before me in the fam.. I inherited that wonderful quality. But I can't blame them for that, I can only blame myself for not forgetting and forgiving others as much. I would say that with each new person I meet I automatically start to put them on a rating scale.. and if they do something that I like they go up on the scale but if they do something that offends me or that I don't like--then I tend to put them in the negative, and unless they do something that I like then I just don't like them. But I have been trying to fix that because that is not how I am supposed to view others.

I can't wait to get home though.. I am excited to see all of you and show you some of my "lovin'"...
It will be so precious. I get really excited when I see pictures of the little ones, They are growing so rapidly and I don't want to miss anymore of that cuteness. I am so excited to baby sit all of the munchkin squad. It will be a glorious time. I am just going to have so much to do when I get home... Catch Gata's with Cameron, Frolic in the lilies with Carsen, and finger paint with Princess Ellie. And teach Brynlee how to do the Soulja boy dance. (not really the last one but you get the idea)

I don't want you to register me for school yet, I wanna wait for a semester and just work but if you could look up what I will need to do to go to school and if you could also look up the requirements to play basketball. Just in case I am good enough to play when I get back and I get some Lebron Hops, :)

I hope you all are having a fantastic week and I will keep you all in my prayers for reals.

oh and I forgot to tell you that my new companion is named Elder Mcmakin and I already know him and I think that he is really funny.. so we will have some good times!

love you guys have a good one!



<3, Elder AJ Ballif

Austin's Line of Authority

LINE OF AUTHORITY

AUSTIN J. BALLIF was ordained an Elder, by Jeffery S. Ballif

JEFFERY S.BALLIF was ordained an Elder, by Don R. Ballif

DON R. BALLIF was ordained a High Priest April 29, 1979, by Newel Hodges Linford

NEWEL HODGES LINFORD was ordained a High Priest Oct. 25, 1955, by Adam S. Bennion

ADAM S. BENNION was ordained an Apostle April 9, 1953, by David O. Mckay

DAVID O. McKAY was ordained an Apostle April 9, 1906, by Joseph F. Smith

JOSEPH F. SMITH was ordained an Apostle July 1, 1866, by Brigham Young

BRIGHAM YOUNG was ordained an Apostle Feb. 14, 1835, under the hands of the Three Witnesses-- Oliver Cowdery, David Whitmer and Martin Harris

THE THREE WITNESSES were called by revelation to choose twelve Apostles and on Feb. 14, 1835, were "blessed by the laying on of hands of the Presidency" -- Joseph Smith, Jr., Sidney Rigdon and Frederick G. Williams -- to ordain the twelve Apostles.

JOSEPH SMITH, JR. and OLIVER COWDERY received the Melchizedek Preisthood in 1829 under the hands of Peter, James and John.

PETER, JAMES and JOHN were ordained Apostles by the Lord Jesus Christ.

Line of Priesthood Authority and more New Investigators

Hey Family, I hope all is well and that you all are having fun back in Utah.


Just to let you know last week I asked my mission president for official permission to leave in July and he said that would be fine. So it is totally official but the specific date is still unknown to me. I am going to say that I will be home at the latest the 12th of July but I am pretty unsure about that.

I am grateful for the LINE OF AUTHORITY that papa sent for me. I have been curious to know my specific line ever since it was brought up by the apostle L. Tom Perry last year when he came and spoke to the mission in Eugene. I was glad to receive it on account of the fact that Authority is such a huge deal to me because of the 15,000 different christian denominations out there.. who believe that the whole Bible applies to them.. when only a small part does. Because they haven't received the proper ordinances of salvation without the Authority of God. Which "no man taketh this honor unto himself except he be called by God, as was Aaron." (hebrews 5:4), which is shown to us that in Exodus 28:1 it shows that Aaron was ordained by Moses. Which Moses was directly called of God. I just wish there was an easy way to explain these things to others.

Anyways, Elder Stokes and I have seen some cool miracles this week. We found 3 solid new investigators and we also had a really awesome experience with one of our investigator couples that we have been teaching. Long story short we introduced Larry and Cheryl to their best friends in the pre-mortal life. And they have the best fellowshipping family in the UNIVERSE now. So we will be watching a session of Conference with them and they will be coming to stake conference the following week. We also found an awesome black guy yesterday named Richard. he is the Bees Knees. He read the Bible in prison and now he is trying to make his life right. I really like him. He reminds me of a shorter, older, Kobe Bryant... so sufficeth to say I am pretty excited to start teaching him.

We have transfer calls this weekend and we have been feeling as though Elder Stokes might be getting transferred and I will be getting the greatest companion I will have in my life besides my wife... the spirit works in mysterious ways I tell ya.

I love you all and I pray for yall to have a fantastic week!

See you in July!!

Elder AJ Ballif

We are Finding More People to Teach

Hey Family! I am sorry that I never got around to emailing much or at least sending a letter home.. we had a busy week. And we were running late last Monday so I didn't have time to write you guys a nice juicy
letter...

But I have more time today so just be happy! :)

Elder Stokes and I had a really good week this week finding 5 new investigators to teach. We are excited because we have been trying to find people to teach this whole transfer and I finally think that we can start teaching more so than finding.. because finding is good and all but I am a teacher. That is what I have worked on the most and I am just better at teaching when I am sitting down--and not on the doorstep.

We have very good potential in this area and I feel like I might end my mission here. Which is exciting because I will hopefully get to see many of the people I have found "do the dip". :)
(missionary rap song)

So to allow you guys to do a countdown for when I will be returning and along with that make me trunky.. I believe I will be probably coming home July 12th. I am not totally sure yet but I will ask my Mission President this week in my email to him.  I am working hard and I am and have been growing alot as a person.

Anyways to answer some questions about transfers by Jennifer's request: Transfers are every 6 weeks and they are usually on monday, tuesday and wednesday of the 6th week. the next transfer date will be April 2-4th, then May 14-16th, then June 25-27th. And then I will be home 2-3 weeks after that.

Anyways... I want to know any good movies and music I have missed. Because I feel like I have. So maybe make a list for me for when I get home. So I can get a few easy-er dates. I'll have an easier excuse for asking...? whatever..

I love you guys and I can't wait to see you guys..

I am happy that Cameron is ok about losing his teeth... just don't let dad pull them. He is a monster. And Cameron and Carsen are definitely my best friends still. They are the coolest. And I have a feeling Ellie and I will be best friends too. Then we will be the Wolfpack. The 4 best friends that anyone could ever have. (I hope no one understands the reference or you need to repent)

Have a great week!

Love you all.

Elder AJ Ballif

Fasting and Prayer --> Blessings

Hey Family, I'm glad that everyone is doing pretty good.

My week was a trial of faith.. but the Lord blessed Elder Stokes and I yesterday. I was fasting for an elect investigator and within ten minutes of the end of our fast, we tracted into one and got a call from our bishop for another. Needless to say, our fast was a great success. I love the Lord and I love the blessings he gives to those that keep his commandments. I, like Nephi glory in truth and I love when we have faith to accomplish something and are diligent the Lord doesn't disappoint.

I am a really big fan of our area and the people in this place. It is more conservative and the temperature and climate is similar to Kaysville. I have been reading a lot of the Book of Mormon and I love every time I read it. It is so good! as is the New Testament. But so many people don't understand the Bible.. so most people are not wanting to learn more because they don't understand very much. They just think the Book of Mormon is our version of the Bible most the time. I just want to cry... and many of them don't listen because we are two young men and think we don't understand anything. Which is bologna...

We are planning on going to Bend today and there is a Nike Outlet store there that everyone wants to go to and I was hoping I might get a little more $$$ for that adventure due to the "no sales tax". And I am also planning on sending home a box or two of stuff that I would like to be home so I can get on the plane with no hassle of excess weight.

Anyways.. to answer some questions, I love the members of our ward.. they are awesome. We have been fed every night we have been here. We tract 12 hours a week and we have a full car covering one ward. the Redmond 1st ward.


I love you all, and just so John knows I will be sending a card to him but it will be late because I am only supposed to write on P-day. So I will send it off today.

I love you all and CAN'T wait to see you pretty soon.

until then.... <3 YOU.

Elder Ballif

Getting Started in Redmond

Hey family, I hope you guys are doing a little better.

My first week in Redmond has been tough. The elders that left the area to us didn't have much going on so it has been a struggle to get anything worthwhile done. But we have focused on getting to know the ward leaders and seeing all of the former investigators to see if they would like to be taught at all. But I am sure this week we will see some good stuff now that I have had my first P-day. Which was really fun... We went into Bend and played football, soccer and volleyball at a members indoor sport arena so that was fun. And now we will just be hanging out and shooting hoops till we have to get home and shower and head to dinner.

I am glad to hear that the funeral went well. I will sure miss Grandpa, he was a very sweet man and I love him very much. But I know the Lord needed him for something, for the laborers are fewer across the veil then here. And it won't be too long until we shall be reunited.

I was wondering if I could get some money put into my account.. It is really cold here.. very similar to Utah but more wind. And I would like to get a few things like maybe a sweater or two and something to support my back. That would be much appreciated.

But as far as Redmond goes.. it is my favorite area so far. There are many awesome members here and it just seems a lot more organized then some other areas I have been in. The only thing that I wish was better was the work.. But I know that will pick up soon.

Anyways I love you guys and I will see you sooner then later.

Love, Elder Ballif

Thoughts on Grandpa Ballif and Transfer to Redmond

Hey Family, I hope you guys are doing alright...

I received the call yesterday that let me know that grandpa passed on to the world of spirits. As soon as I heard that I was in shock for a little while. I started thinking about the fact that when I got home I would not be able to see him for a long time. But I find comfort in knowing he is with grandma still, I know he is comforting her. And he will be anxiously waiting for her to return to him after her mission is done. I loved grandpa very much and it is sure sad that he won't be here with us but I do know that death for a worthy saint is very much a blessing. And I do know that grandpa was a great man as are his wife and children great. He has raised a great family. And he was a very good example for me and I hope I can be as good as him when I am older. I feel as though he will be resurrected a lot sooner then later in the 1st resurrection and I will get to meet the youthful Don. I love you guys and I know that angels can comfort you if you let them. I have been praying for you all and myself that I can remember that he is watching me and that I can make him proud.

I will be going to Redmond 1st ward with Elder Stokes. Elder Stokes was a zone leader prior to this and him and I are going to be whitewashing.. (which means we will both be new in the ward) I am excited for the change to get out of all the sopping rain.. And our mission president promised me that we would see baptisms if I was obedient so I shall be. I have been reading Preach my Gospel a lot lately so I can get better at teaching and finding. It really is a good book to help you learn what we are supposed to do out here. Ryan would do well to really study that book like he would his homework. I know Ryan is a lot smarter then I so he would learn a lot faster than I have. He just needs to realize that it is important as well as the Book of Mormon. VERY IMPORTANT STUFF. A mission is a wonderful experience, and I am really excited for Ryan to have a chance to serve. It will help him grow into a MAN. Mentally, Spiritually, and Emotionally. If you wanna be physically manly you have to exercise with me.

I love you guys very much and I will be excited to tell you about Redmond when I get there.. my address shall be 707 sw. black butte blvd #10 Redmond 97756   so you can send me all the mail that you want... (because it is sooooo much!) ;)

I love you guys and I will be praying for you all. Seek the Holy Ghost in your lives. It is the best feeling I have ever had.

love always,

Elder Ballif

Wild Week

Hey Family, Hope everything is going fantastic.

This week was pretty wild, Elder Goodfellow was sent home for medical reasons and I was partially not in my area this week. I am currently working in between my area and Eugene 3rd wards area. And I am feeling a little stressed but it is all good. A bowl of ice cream will fix me right up.

Therefore I believe I will be staying in my area for another transfer.. which means another 7 and 1/2 month area in a row for Elder Ballif. I think that I will be fine though.. Eugene is pretty crazy but we are finding a good amount of people to teach. And Shandra is doing good, she came to church yesterday and we are still working with her, she asked if we could move the baptism back and I am not going to baptize someone who feels like they are not ready for a covenant making ordinance. But she is still progressing, I think the next time we meet with her we will read from the scriptures and teach her about a few of the commandments, possibly that it is a commandment to study the scriptures.

I hope all is well and that you all are happy and safe. I got a really cool spiderman watch for two dollars that I have worn more then any other watch I have ever had. I love it.

Whoa, that's pretty wild that Alan Dixon is home now. Pretty awesome stuff, I can't remember who is next to come home out of my crew.. Probably Quentin or Avery.. I am not sure. Whateva.

My back hurts because I ride a bike that is not meant for a 6'4 7/8 person to ride.. And partially my bed.. I think I just want to buy a back brace or something... I don't know. I am trying to be the least stressful for you guys as I can be.

I like Josh read that talk and I often refer to it when I am trying to practice getting better at teaching. I really like the way he explained how the Holy Ghost specifically teaches to help us learn how to be influenced through the HG to be able to TEACH and help it STICK.

I miss you guys a lot right now especially since it is close to my Birthday... and I can't help little Ellie become like "Pearl the Landlord" (funny or die Will Ferrell video). Just kidding I would never do that unless I was paid really well. ;)

I love this church and a lot of people in it, I am grateful to be here to learn from all the people I serve around. There are a lot of really cool people in the wards that I have served in and I have enjoyed being here to meet these new peeps. I have changed quite a bit from when I was last home but I hope that it shall be a good change for everyone.

All I know is that I love you guys and I miss you a lot, but I still have important work to do and I will see this mission  through so I can say I have finished something good in my life. Then I will just totally be the same person I was and live with you guys till I am 40. :) Sound good?? cool.

I love you guys and I know that God is there and he can hear our prayers and answer them if we are keeping or at least trying hard to keep his Holy Commandments. I know that the Savior lives and he Atoned for our sins so we can all have a chance to come back to the kingdom of God. But we must CHOOSE what we will do in our lives to make sure that happens.

I pray that we can all CHOOSE to Submit to God's will and align our wants with his wants so we can be at peace.

I love you,

Elder Ballif

Good Week

Hey Family, I hope everything is going very well for you all.

Happy Birthday to Brynlee and Ry Ry, I sent a little bit of my love to both of you honeys. :D

Elder Goodfellow and I had a good week, it was a little slow at first but it ended very well. I am glad that I am out here right now and Tyson told me that all the girls back home haven't changed since high school so I don't even feel like I am missing out too badly. I do miss you all very much and my good friends and the good times I have had at home. But I have had a lot of time to change and become a better person which I am happy about. I am also excited for Ryan to have this change because I can tell he acts a lot like I did before I left. But since I have had that change I have seen the error of my ways and I hope that happens for Ryan as well. We had a good pday today, we played some football and then we had a zone picnic. which was pretty fetch. (mean girls)

I have been remembering a lot of the Book of Mormon now.. I love when I read so much I can remember where everything is in the book. That happened to me when I read the New testament as well. My memory is definitely enhanced when I have the spirit.

We have a few people that we invited to baptism this week but they unfortunately they denied the opportunity for now, but I feel like once they are a little more prepared then we will have a better chance of getting a positive response.

My back is still hurting me and my bike is slowly falling apart... so I think I will be needing a little bit of cash to pay for some things to make my life a little easier.

I enjoyed the pictures of Brynlee's birthday, she sure is a cutie, I am gonna love babysitting Jenns munchkins when I get back.. and Ellie if Kim and Todd need a date night or something.

Anyway, I don't have much else to say..  I hope Mitt wins the Republican party vote! I wouldn't mind having the Elders of Israel save this country.

Have a great week, one love!

Elder Ballif

Under the Weather

Hey Family, I hope everything is going well, Things are going pretty good on my side.

We were both sick this week so the working was a little sparce but we did have Shandra and her daughter come to church. And that went really well despite the fact that it was fifth sunday and the high priests talked about family history for the last hour.. it was a little dry I must say. But other then that I thought it was a success.

The only bummer this week was that Elder Goodfellow thought it was a good idea to go and invite one of our investigators to set a baptismal date and totally got rejected.. but that is good too so we can know concerns and know what to focus on.


I don't have much else to say this week..

I love you and next week  I am sure I will have a lot more to talk about.

Love,
Elder Ballif

Set Baptismal Date with Shandra

Hey Family! I hope things are going well for the most part. I love you all so much and CANNOT WAIT TILL I CAN see you again! you guys are "my precious".

This week went pretty well, we have someone that has accepted a baptismal date for Feb 11th, her name is Shandra. And we also had 4 investigators come to church this Sunday which is actually pretty good for our ward here. (very good for our ward).

I am working on trying to become a better teacher and working on loving everyone, which is a very hard thing for me to do. I have become a little bit of a Self Perfectionist. Many people say that I have a lot of potential, So when I am not fully living up to it I get a little frustrated. But that is alright, I am only 20. So I have a long ways to work on myself. it'll be fun.

Anyways, I am reading the Book of Mormon right now. And I am trying to read Preach my Gospel a lot more. I am very grateful that I can be out here to learn and grow through reading the scriptures and prayer. God has blessed my mind that as I pray and have things on my mind and as I read I receive the answers that I need to uplift my soul.

I love you guys very much and I want to be the best Brother, Son, Uncle, Friend, Person I can be when I get home for you all. I want to have a wonderful family of my own, and be sealed in the Holy Temple of God. When I see the world for what it is and what it is doing to families here. I am so grateful for the gospel and the fact that you guys embrace the teachings because they truly lead to more happiness. And forward progression. I have seen many times out here that if the family would have been keeping the commandments they would have "prospered in the land".

I can't wait to see you all again,

Love, Elder Ballif

New Companion Elder Goodfellow

hey family, i hope your week went well.

Elder Goodfellow and I are doing well, we have like 5 appointments setup for tomorrow.. I'm pretty excited about it.

Im currently focusing on Preach my Gospel and reading the Book of Mormon again but I will be going through it slowly and writing down what happens in every chapter so i can explain it in my own words. If Ryan should focus on anything he should read Preach My Gospel chapters 3, 4, 5, 6, and 10. They have really helped me to teach better and know how to teach.

Something I feel like i might need is something for my back.. my back is starting to hurt a lot and i need some "support" for it.

i love yall, and hope you have a good week.. my loves.

Elder Ballif

The Power of Faith

Hey Family, I just want each of you to know that I love you very much and miss you very deeply and pray for you daily. I have been thinking about how I got to see you on Christmas and how great it was to see all of your faces and talk to each of you. Being out here has definitely made me know how great of a family we have and the many blessings that we have individually and collectively in this life. I was talking with some members of my ward this week and they told me they read in a talk given by a general authority of the church and he said that alot of the blessings in our lives, such as great families and opportunities have been given to us because of what we have done in the Pre-Mortal world. And because we have been blessed individually and as a family from God so much! I know that we were great then, and have the potential to be great in this life as well. Each of us, have the potential to be great. Now, I am not talking about material things. But God does bless us with all the material blessings that we will need if we do what he asks of us. And it really is not that hard to do. I have definitely seen God help me again and again out here. And I know that he wants to help us if we will strive to obey his commandments. 

I have learned lately about the power of Faith, and that it really is power. Lately I have been trying to focus on Faith because I have been tracting a lot lately and it is a hard thing to do when no one is open to even listening to what we have to say. But the same thing was happening to Jesus Christ when he came. Many called him a fool, or said he was doing all the wonderful things that he did with the power of satan. Just as people say that I am a servant of the devil and that I preach a different Gospel. I do not, I preach repentance from the false traditions of men and that there is a straight and narrow path that they much enter in to return to God after this life. That is the same thing that Christ did, I have pondered that many times in my mind about the church that he set up when he was here and the church that has been restored because of disbelief and corrupt teachings that came into the world. It is the same pattern, Jesus gathered the elect to him and that is also what I am doing. And that is by Faith, the only way you can truly know that God is real. The only way you can know that the Bible is a true record. The only way you can know if there is life after death. This life is the time for all of us to learn to use the POWER of Faith. 

I love chapter 32 in the book of Alma because it describes faith wonderfully and how we can grow it likened unto a seed in the ground. I love my Father in Heaven for giving us the holy scriptures and restoring his Only Begotten's church to the earth. I love Christ, for I know that he truly came and atoned for each of us so we can become great like him. So that we can all learn from our own mistakes and try and ponder to ourselves "what can I do to or change to become more like Christ". I have made that a habit of asking myself this question on each Sunday. I have been happy when I have done this and as I have prayed and read the scriptures and tried to be as righteous as possible. And as I am trying to live my life for the sake of others and try to be selfless I know that is how I have grown the most in my life. 

I just wanted to let you know that I love you all and I can't wait till I can see you each again. I know that God is real, and I know that Christ was sent here to teach us our potential. This life is time to become great, and following Christs example as best we can is the way. Elder Gibson and I are doing very well and unfortunately he is being transferred this week and I am getting a new companion named Elder Goodfellow, my mission president called me and asked me to help Elder Goodfellow because he has been struggling like I was. And he asked me to help him and to motivate him in this work, I know that it won't be me that does this work but that it will be God. And I am grateful that God thinks that I can do this for him and that I can be an instrument in his hands. I have also been told that I will no longer be the District Leader here so that I can focus on my area and my companion. We have been seeing great miracles this transfer and the work has picked up very much. We have much potential and I feel that the Lord has prepared people for us to be baptized soon. You guys are great and I am grateful that I can call you my family. I tell you that I know that we can accomplish anything we need to do if we ask the Lord in prayer and have Faith that is will happen if we are doing our part and keeping the commandments of the Lord. Let us all hearken to the voice of the prophets and of the Lord and become Great. That is my wish, for all of us.

have a great week, each of you shall be in my prayers. P.s: Heathers Birthday card might be a day or two late.. transfers has made me a little busy but I hope she enjoys my words of love to her. 

love,

Elder Ballif

Enjoyed Christmas

hey family,

This day is our pday. so i shall be emailing yall.

Well, i am very glad i got to see you on christmas--that was a good time.

We are still doing well, we have found some new investigators. they are pretty cool. they should be coming to church tomorrow as well as some other investigators we are currently teaching.

i am reading Jesus the Christ right now, i am getting pretty far and learning alot from it. its a good one.

well.. i dont got much else to tell you.

thank you for the presents, they were wonderous.

love yall.