Elder Austin Carroll

January 16, 2017

Hi all!

Wow.. like you guys assumed I was kinda shocked to get transferred. It was rough, I really liked that area and we had a lot going on. We were teaching tons, had lots of investigators, and the area was doing so great! This area... not so much. So I am in Broadneck, MD. It's the peninsula right above Annapolis. We share the building with the Annapolis Ward so we see all the midshipman so I'm gonna see Tanner Munsen (Granny's ward if you don't remember) next week! Also the Niumatalolo's are in my ward now! It's a lot of more wealthy white people. The work here is pretty dang slow, we only have one investigator. And without ZL responsibilities it's a lot of time tracting.. a lot. So when I first got here is was a struggle, it was really rough. But it turned around a lot on Saturday with the Apostle Visit.

My new companion is Elder Gregson, he's from Pocatello, Idaho. He's just finished being trained so I'm kinda helping him still get in the mission. Plus he got trained by a brand new missionary as well so there are times it feels like I'm training. But he's a really good kid, he's got a really good heart, and wants to work so it's gonna be good. The ward and area kinda remind me of White Plains, slow work but super awesome members! Sister Joyce is the one who texted you and we had dinner the first night with them. She is already my ward Mom. Each ward I've served in you have a favorite family who becomes kinda your second family and the Joyce's kinda became that right off the bat.

I don't know how I forgot to mention this, but Elder Rasband and Elder Ballard came and did a combined mission visit with us and DC South. Its like the rarest thing ever to have 2 apostles come and visit. But the conference was so amazing! It really helped lift my spirits. They challenged us to raise the vision for missionary work in the Nations Capitol and to grow the church here more than it has ever before. The biggest thing I felt from them was just their love for us. It helped me realize kinda like you guys said, it doesn't matter where I'm serving but how. I just thought hey, even if all I do is knock doors all day and no one wants to listen, I'm still doing exactly what the Lord needs me to do here. That said, I know there are people out there for us to find! I've really felt the thoughts and prayers from home this week. Thank you, I really have the best support system back home! Also after that I got to go over to Anacostia for Valerie's baptism! Ahh it was so awesome! So great to have seen here from the start to now being baptized! She was excited to see the missionaries who have taught her and all be there to support! That's what the mission is all about!

I hope you all have great weeks at home! Love you lots!!

Love,

Austin