Blessings and comfort

 My companion and I were able to give blessings of comfort to these elders.  It was an amazing experience. It has really hit me after helping with those that the Lord really does work through us.  He uses us to do His will on earth and we stand in a sense as proxy for him when we give blessing to those that need His comfort.

The last person we taught was an older man from Argentina he had just been baptized like less then a year ago. When we first got in there it was kinda tough to understand what he was saying, but we were able to pick up on it. 

We talked about El Salvador and the political situation there and his family. We while we were speaking to him, he told us that he found it hard to find happiness in all of the scary things that were happening in the world. It was amazing how Elder Going and I were able to share scriptures and our testimonies about how when we are doing as the Lord wants, we don't have to worry about what is going on in the world.  That made me even more excited to go to El Salvador and Belize!

Navidad in the MTC

I'm so glad that I get to be here during this Christmas season.  We've had the BYU men's choir come for devotionals - they are incredible.  We've had members of the 70 come and speak to us and I am so excited for the Christmas Eve and Christmas devotionals.

I am so grateful for this season of giving and I am so grateful for the gift that the Savior gave to us. I can't wait to teach about His gift of the atonement with all those whom I meet in El Salvador and Belize.

Ahh, Espanol...

Hey family it's been another great week at the MTC.  In case you didn't get my quick email yesterday, they told us that the MTC in Guatemala is way over capacity with the new influx of missionaries, so they´re going to have us stay here for the whole 9 weeks.   I'm kind of disapointed, but it is what it is.  I am happy that I get to spend more time with my district here and I'll be here to listen to the general authorities who will speak to us on Christmas.

This last week I've been working on Spanish a ton.  Some days are better then others, but I'm getting better. I don't know if I told you, but my first Friday here we got our first investigator "Hano" and taught him our first lesson in Spanish, it was ridiculously tough.

Since then we've finished teaching him and now we have two more investigators Fabian and Juan we've improved a ton since our first time teaching. The worst part about teaching in Spanish right now is knowing what they're saying and then you know exactly what you should say in English but you have no idea how to say it in Spanish it drives me crazy.   I love the MTC and I'm glad I'm here. I love you guys!

He's in !!!

Lots of snow, hugs, and happy tears.

We're hoping that as Carson is teaching, he'll be able to see Austin occasionally before Austin heads to the MTC in Guatemala on Dec. 5th for 6 weeks of additional missionary training.

It was an incredible sight to see all of the missionaries lined up curb-side to assist with new arrivals.  Austin saw a number of his friends who are already in the MTC.  One of them was able to help with his luggage and escort him to the MTC check-in.

Austin is speaking in sacrament meeting today at 2:15p at the Black Cat bldg in Meridian.  1985 N. Black Cat road.  He reports to the MTC on Wednesday, the 14th.

We're very excited!

Llego' la llamada !

Elder Austin Ralphs will be serving in the El Salvador Santa Ana / Belize mission. He enters the MTC on November 14, 2012.