Wednesday, May 30, 2012
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
Monday, May 21, 2012
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.
Tuesday, May 8, 2012
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!
Monday, April 23, 2012
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
Monday, April 9, 2012
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
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
Monday, April 2, 2012
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
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
Monday, March 26, 2012
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
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
Monday, March 19, 2012
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
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
Monday, March 5, 2012
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 $$$ for that adventure due to the "no sales tax". And I am also planning on sending home a box or two of stuff that I would like to be home so I can get on the plane with no hassle of excess weight.
Anyways.. to answer some questions, I love the members of our ward.. they are awesome. We have been fed every night we have been here. We tract 12 hours a week and we have a full car covering one ward. the Redmond 1st ward.
I love you all, and just so John knows I will be sending a card to him but it will be late because I am only supposed to write on P-day. So I will send it off today.
I love you all and CAN'T wait to see you pretty soon.
until then.... <3 YOU.
Elder Ballif
My week was a trial of faith.. but the Lord blessed Elder Stokes and I yesterday. I was fasting for an elect investigator and within ten minutes of the end of our fast, we tracted into one and got a call from our bishop for another. Needless to say, our fast was a great success. I love the Lord and I love the blessings he gives to those that keep his commandments. I, like Nephi glory in truth and I love when we have faith to accomplish something and are diligent the Lord doesn't disappoint.
I am a really big fan of our area and the people in this place. It is more conservative and the temperature and climate is similar to Kaysville. I have been reading a lot of the Book of Mormon and I love every time I read it. It is so good! as is the New Testament. But so many people don't understand the Bible.. so most people are not wanting to learn more because they don't understand very much. They just think the Book of Mormon is our version of the Bible most the time. I just want to cry... and many of them don't listen because we are two young men and think we don't understand anything. Which is bologna...
We are planning on going to Bend today and there is a Nike Outlet store there that everyone wants to go to and I was hoping I might get a little more $$$ 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
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