What I Have Learned on My Mission

                                                                        May 2014

Hello Everyone!!!

Well Yesterday was one of my last fast Sunday on the mission. June

will be my last then guess what?!? I'll be reunited with you all!! I

can't wait! It will be amazing! As coming home is coming near and it's

exciting I still feeling like it's not time, that I still have 20

months left. I still think to myself "Austin have you really changed,

have you built a testimony so strong nothing can tear it apart?" I

doubt myself just like we all doubt are self. I then sit in with an

investigator, Less Active, Recent Convert, or even active members and

I bear my testimony of what I KNOW, not what my parents know or what

anyone else knows but what Austin McNabb knows and then I think what

is that? So I ponder in my heart of what do I know. I know that Christ

lives. That he is my Savior. That he atoned for my sins. I know god

lives. That he knows everything we do he never leaves are side no

matter how many times we mess up. I know that prophets are real and

are called of god. That they lead and guide this church. I know

families are ordained of god. That god made so MAN and WOMEN could

live together.  We joke in the mission that it's Adam and Eve, not

Adam and Steve being in Portland it's the other way around lol. That

baptism is the first step to return to live with God and Jesus

Christ... That is just some of the things I know and there are many

more. I wonder if I have had a mighty change of heart that we read

bout in Alma 12. I can say I have. The man I am today isn't the same

boy I was on July 4, 2012 when I said my goodbyes to most of you. I

have changed in so many ways. The way god himself had in store for me.

I know if I'd hadn't gone on a mission I wouldn't be the person I am

today, I wouldn't have the blessings and oppurtinetes that are in

place for after the mission. I also wouldn't have the love for God and

Christ.  I learned that you have to humble yourself even if you don't

want to. That pride is of Satan. I still remember the first two times

I called home my brother Josh didn't want to talk to me.. Why?? Cause

I was a jerk to him before the mission I was prideful and thought he

needed to be picked on cause he wasn't dealing with the same

challenges as his twin Jordan I had to humble myself and repent the

mission has helped me realize that we ALL have challenge there

different but we still have them. My whole mission I've tried to patch

up the relationship that I messed up with him it killed me for the

longest time of what could've been if I wasn't such a jerk. I learned

that family is the most important thing it was great to be able to

talk to my brother on Christmas and him tell me bout what is going on

in his life with sports, scouts and church it honestly was the best

Christmas present I have ever received in my life. I know if I hadn't

gone on my mission my relationship with him would still be what Satan

wanted not what god wanted. I love that kid to death and would do

anything for him. I've seen how brothers have treated each other on my

mission some where like how I treated Josh but there has been some how

I treated Jordan. I know without a doubt that when we treat others the

way god would we naturally humble ourselves. I've seen how you never

know when Love ones are going to leave this life I want my

relationship with my family to be the best it can be so there's no

hate in the next. I don't know bout any of you who want to leave this

earth with hate between a family member if there are some of you that

want that or are prideful I invite you NOW TO REPENT! Make things

right with the ones close to you cause you never know when they or you

will go. Family is THE MOST IMPORTANT THING TO GOD!! It should be the

most important thing to us! If not fix your priorities! I love you all

I hope you can feel of my love and my passion bout the gospel! I'm so

proud to be a member of Christ church, to wear his badge daily! I know

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the ONLY true

church on the earth. I love this Gospel! Love being a missionary it's

the greatest work I've ever done. It's the greatest work I or we can

ever do. We read in Moses 1:39 " for behold this is my work and glory

to being to pass the immortally and eternal life of men." When we do

missionary work we are doing that we are making it possible for

individuals but more importantly families to be with there Heavenly

Father for ever! This work is true! Take care! Have a great week!

-Elder McNabb-

*Much love from the OPM*