Hey family,
Hope you guys had a fantastic week.. My week was alright..... We are doing really well as a companionship work wise and we have a lot of people we are working with but most of them smoke and they are too scared or busy to come to church. I read an excerpt out of the "Teachings of the Prophets: Joseph Smith" with a less active member that we are trying to reactivate. I felt the spirit very strongly when i read that to her.. probably more then i have ever in a lesson so far.. I really love Joseph Smith. I am really jealous of all the stuff that happened to him and how much strength he drew from the Grace of God. He was almost Illiterate and then all the sudden he was one of the smartest men that has lived on the earth. But i think that i will learn all that i will need to know for my time on the Earth.
I am really getting frustrated because all i want to do now is study like crazy and learn as much as God will allow me. My follow up trainer Elder Matthews is teaching me a lot, he knows more then he should for how old he is. The only thing he was missing in his life was sincere prayer and that is what i am good at. So we have taught each other a thing or two :)
We went and took pictures at Oregon State stadium today on the field.. and we saw Jaquizz Rodgers there doing his workouts in prep for the Falcons. He's got quite a bit of meat on those bones. Too bad he is like 5'7.. But the sister missionaries with us went red because he took his shirt off. it was pretty funny.
Anyways not much has changed.. i am doing really well.. i need to lose a little bit of weight.. and my goal is to be able to slam a basketball pretty good by the time my mission is over. And to be able to memorize where all the important verses are in the scriptures. I am excited to see the progression!
Well.. i love you guys and i hope you have an excellent week. I will try to have the same. I just need to stick this last 3 weeks out with this work horse then i get to have a baby!
love ya,
Elder Ballif
Monday, May 23, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Growing Testimony
Hey Family, i hope and pray that you all had a good week.
I like that Ryan is doing some missionary work of his own.
I have seen a pretty huge testimony builder for me this morning actually. but as for the specifics you will have to wait until i return home. lets just say i now know and have a testimony of the reality of spirits, and they are in fact real. But i know that God is really there and he can only bless us with what we ask of him and having faith that we will receive it. I know that there are many scriptures that point that out but i never realized the reality of that fact. I have been focusing on being very specific in my prayers and asking for things. I have already been blessed with more light and understanding on several matters... i have started to thirst for knowledge and have noticed the way that God works and the way that the Prince of darkness works. Being personally influenced by both in my life. I, like Alma the younger had to be reborn of the spirit.. now i did not fall into a deep sleep and wake up changed. But i did have my heart broken by God and he is rebuilding it in his way.
This might not make sense to you guys because you haven't been around me for almost a year.. but i testify that i know that these things are real and i know that the priesthood is a real thing. And that most people stay in the basic knowledge where they stay until they die, because they do not have believing hearts. But as i have been reborn of the spirit i now know that God can do anything he deems necessary, and because of that i am glad. Because we have truly found Christs gospel on the earth. Not some church that thinks they have the truth. I am 100% positive that Joseph Smith was the Prophet to open up this last dispensation and that the gospel truths had to be restored. I am also positive i am a true disciple of Christ and this work is the work of my father in heaven. Although i do wish i could be home with you guys so i could serve you in any way i can, because i have a true love for you. I know that God sent me here for a reason and that it is necessary for me to stay until my time is complete. But i promise that i will work hard and brings souls unto salvation and that i may shine as the stars in heaven when my life has ended. (i have been reading the Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith and it is rubbing off on me a little bit) I love you guys and i will continue to keep you all in my prayers. Ryan needs to make sure that he is praying--that is how he can have the spirit guide him.
Have a great week,
Elder Ballif
I like that Ryan is doing some missionary work of his own.
I have seen a pretty huge testimony builder for me this morning actually. but as for the specifics you will have to wait until i return home. lets just say i now know and have a testimony of the reality of spirits, and they are in fact real. But i know that God is really there and he can only bless us with what we ask of him and having faith that we will receive it. I know that there are many scriptures that point that out but i never realized the reality of that fact. I have been focusing on being very specific in my prayers and asking for things. I have already been blessed with more light and understanding on several matters... i have started to thirst for knowledge and have noticed the way that God works and the way that the Prince of darkness works. Being personally influenced by both in my life. I, like Alma the younger had to be reborn of the spirit.. now i did not fall into a deep sleep and wake up changed. But i did have my heart broken by God and he is rebuilding it in his way.
This might not make sense to you guys because you haven't been around me for almost a year.. but i testify that i know that these things are real and i know that the priesthood is a real thing. And that most people stay in the basic knowledge where they stay until they die, because they do not have believing hearts. But as i have been reborn of the spirit i now know that God can do anything he deems necessary, and because of that i am glad. Because we have truly found Christs gospel on the earth. Not some church that thinks they have the truth. I am 100% positive that Joseph Smith was the Prophet to open up this last dispensation and that the gospel truths had to be restored. I am also positive i am a true disciple of Christ and this work is the work of my father in heaven. Although i do wish i could be home with you guys so i could serve you in any way i can, because i have a true love for you. I know that God sent me here for a reason and that it is necessary for me to stay until my time is complete. But i promise that i will work hard and brings souls unto salvation and that i may shine as the stars in heaven when my life has ended. (i have been reading the Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith and it is rubbing off on me a little bit) I love you guys and i will continue to keep you all in my prayers. Ryan needs to make sure that he is praying--that is how he can have the spirit guide him.
Have a great week,
Elder Ballif
Monday, May 2, 2011
Not Feeling Well - Getting New Companion
Hey,
this week is very sad. I was sick, my wonderful companion Elder Russon left me. I'm scared of my next companion. He is a real go getter i hear.. i have not had to be like that yet. So i guess it will be a good experience for me. Get me up to my full potential.
I got to bear my testimony at church yesterday, in both wards.. it was a little nerve racking for a minute but then i started to get some confidence and i think i did alright. At least a few people told me they enjoyed it. So i am fine with that.
I hate being sick. Its pretty much not fun whatsoever.. especially when i had my last week to learn the area and spend time with a very good companion.. and i spent it laying down and throwing up a few times. And my throat is still sore. i hate it!
Unfortunately, Brother Afalava is leaving for Indianaoplis Colts training camp today so i won't be able to teach him the importance of going to the temple and the lovely covenants that are associated with that blessing. But hopefully i will somehow get to help him reach his full potential as well as me.
We taught a Lady and her daughter this week as well.. her son kind of too, but he was watching TV. They were pretty cool, their names are Kary, Destiny and Daymon.. i was feeling like crap when we taught them and they were super hyper because they were drinking coffee! Oh well, we will teach them about that soon enough. We are also going to be teaching a family of four next Saturday.. They are the Story family, Jennifer, Aubrey, Serina, and Bailey.. they are pretty cool too, except that one of them saw ghosts so we came over and blessed their home and gave her a blessing and now she says she doesn't see the ghost anymore.
I just wanna let you all know that i am sorry i have been not always been doing things to the best of my ability and i think that is going to drastically change in the next short while and i will become a full fledged messenger of Christ.. not that i wasn't before but i don't think my whole heart was in the right place, and although i am worried and scared even, i will be ok if i continue to do the things i know i should. I love you all and i will be a different person when i get home. a BETTER person. But still have the same Personality... maybe just a little refined.. we will see.
you guys have a good week i will pray for you all, just be the baller people that you are already and you will be fine! Keep up that reading with Ryan, he doesn't like it right now, but when he gets out here and that is all he does read, he will thank you guys for it.
love,
Your Loving Son
Elder Austin Jeffery Ballif
this week is very sad. I was sick, my wonderful companion Elder Russon left me. I'm scared of my next companion. He is a real go getter i hear.. i have not had to be like that yet. So i guess it will be a good experience for me. Get me up to my full potential.
I got to bear my testimony at church yesterday, in both wards.. it was a little nerve racking for a minute but then i started to get some confidence and i think i did alright. At least a few people told me they enjoyed it. So i am fine with that.
I hate being sick. Its pretty much not fun whatsoever.. especially when i had my last week to learn the area and spend time with a very good companion.. and i spent it laying down and throwing up a few times. And my throat is still sore. i hate it!
Unfortunately, Brother Afalava is leaving for Indianaoplis Colts training camp today so i won't be able to teach him the importance of going to the temple and the lovely covenants that are associated with that blessing. But hopefully i will somehow get to help him reach his full potential as well as me.
We taught a Lady and her daughter this week as well.. her son kind of too, but he was watching TV. They were pretty cool, their names are Kary, Destiny and Daymon.. i was feeling like crap when we taught them and they were super hyper because they were drinking coffee! Oh well, we will teach them about that soon enough. We are also going to be teaching a family of four next Saturday.. They are the Story family, Jennifer, Aubrey, Serina, and Bailey.. they are pretty cool too, except that one of them saw ghosts so we came over and blessed their home and gave her a blessing and now she says she doesn't see the ghost anymore.
I just wanna let you all know that i am sorry i have been not always been doing things to the best of my ability and i think that is going to drastically change in the next short while and i will become a full fledged messenger of Christ.. not that i wasn't before but i don't think my whole heart was in the right place, and although i am worried and scared even, i will be ok if i continue to do the things i know i should. I love you all and i will be a different person when i get home. a BETTER person. But still have the same Personality... maybe just a little refined.. we will see.
you guys have a good week i will pray for you all, just be the baller people that you are already and you will be fine! Keep up that reading with Ryan, he doesn't like it right now, but when he gets out here and that is all he does read, he will thank you guys for it.
love,
Your Loving Son
Elder Austin Jeffery Ballif
Thursday, April 28, 2011
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
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
Monday, April 18, 2011
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
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
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
Letter to Jenn, following pictures from Brynlee's blessing...
Hey Jenn,
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.
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
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Still working with Boyd to quit smoking
Hey, things are going alright. I'm glad you had a good talk with Elder Marlin K. Jensen (of the 70) about me. I also had a pretty good conversation with him before my areas stake conference. I was the only missionary that got to meet with him so that was pretty cool and he gave me some good advice.
I did watch the Jimmer fest. If BYU is is in the NCAA tournament, i am going to watch it no matter what. :)
About Boyd... we are trying to help him quit smoking still, he is doing very well, but he still has a few concerns about coffee and the prophet that we need to go over more in depth.
Its transfers this week and i am getting a new companion, the companion i like (Elder Russon) is staying with me but the brazilian is getting moved to another companionship in our zone. But we are also getting someone else to come with us... so i am not very excited. Threesomes are killing me.
Love, Austin Ballif
I did watch the Jimmer fest. If BYU is is in the NCAA tournament, i am going to watch it no matter what. :)
About Boyd... we are trying to help him quit smoking still, he is doing very well, but he still has a few concerns about coffee and the prophet that we need to go over more in depth.
Its transfers this week and i am getting a new companion, the companion i like (Elder Russon) is staying with me but the brazilian is getting moved to another companionship in our zone. But we are also getting someone else to come with us... so i am not very excited. Threesomes are killing me.
Love, Austin Ballif
Monday, March 14, 2011
Working with a Grandpa
We are teaching a Grandpa in his 70's. He has a word of wisdom problem with smoking but we have him down to a single cigarette a day from the pack day he use to smoke. We hope to set a baptismal date for him soon!
We got out and did some missionary service--it was raining hard so we had a good mud bath.
We had a general authority visit over the past weekend. Elder Marlin Jensen of the seventy. I had the chance to talk to him personally which was a great experience.
We got out and did some missionary service--it was raining hard so we had a good mud bath.
We had a general authority visit over the past weekend. Elder Marlin Jensen of the seventy. I had the chance to talk to him personally which was a great experience.
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
New Area - Albany, OR -- Address correction!
Elder Ballif was transferred this week. The secretary from the mission office saw Elder Ballif yesterday at transfers and said he looked great!
Below is the corrected address. Initially the mission office had told me that it was NW rather than SE for the street address. SE is correct as shown below.
His correct new Address is:
Elder Austin Ballif
436 Ermine St. SE
Albany,OR 97321
Below is the corrected address. Initially the mission office had told me that it was NW rather than SE for the street address. SE is correct as shown below.
His correct new Address is:
Elder Austin Ballif
436 Ermine St. SE
Albany,OR 97321
Monday, February 7, 2011
Transfer this Week- 10 minutes away, but new Zone
Hey, i found out that i am getting transferred tomorrow. And it is only like 10-15 minutes away from my area now.. the only thing that is different is that it is in a different zone. i love you guys and i will tell you guys more when i find out.
i have been praying and fasting for you guys for 2 weeks and i am glad that this last week was GREAT. That was what i was hoping for.
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