Opa's Scripture of the week

January 9, 2009

It's been so long since I did the Scripture of the Week I think I should call it the Scripture of the Quarter. Sorry! I wil try to do better in 2009.

It's been interesting to watch world geo-political and financial events unfold over the last few years. The last 2 emails I have sent reflect my thoughts that we could be in for some tough times economically and otherwise, scary stuff I think, yet it is not wise to let fear rule our lives. That tough times come, whether economically or otherwise, i.e., health, natural disasters, etc., is a given with life. We can prepare, given enough time, for many of these events, but probably what best helps us get through these times is the relationship with have with each other and with our Father in Heaven and his Son, Jesus Christ. Perhaps being here in Germany as a missionary has strenghtened my testimony of the power of His love for us which helps us overcome fear, repent of our mistakes and sins and endure in his Gospel to the end. With that thought in mind I send the following scripture:


John 14: 27

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you….Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.


May each of us live in accord with the gospel of Jesus Christ and feel his love for us as individuals as it helps us to overcome all fear. Go do the right thing. Love.

Opa

Raising Children in Truth and Light

For all my daughters and dauther-in-Iaws I thought it would be fun to send a thought a week using the quotes I put in the book I gave last year with all the picutres. These come from "Postive Discipline Guidelines in the book by Jane Nelsen.

Raising Children In Truth and Light

The quote is, "Misbehaving children are discouraged children, who have mistaken ideas on how to achieve their primary goal. To belong. Their mistaken ideas lead them to misbehavior."

Sometimes as children of our Heavenly Father we are all hungry, or tired, or too stimulated or in pain. This is true not only for young children but all of as well. These become the times when we are discouraged and want to feel we are loved. Many times a child just needs a bit of time and attention and they are fine.

I remember a time when I was busy in a church calling for our ward trying to get everything done and it seemed impossible with this little baby Amy hanging on me trying to get my attention. I remember saying this prayer to my Heavenly Father, that I was busy doing His work and,"Would you please take care of this crying child while I get your task done." I will never forget the profound thought that came into my mind. "She is your 1st priority and in this moment it is more important that you take care of her." I can still remember where I was when those thoughts entered my head. I was walking up the stairs in our home in West Jordan. I stopped everything I thought was so important and kneeled down and gave my full attention to this little Amy. As soon as she felt I was really there for her she was fine. I marveled that it took such a short time. I then, in peace and calmness, completed my other tasks.

I love this little poem

How do I know just who I am
I learn from you who I am
Within your eyes I see
reflected me.

Thank you cute moms and moms to be. You are learning with your children the principals of Godhood..



Love Mom Arlie

Happy New Year

Happy New Year everyone,

This is the first New Year in the last 36 that I did not watch one bowl game or another, or see the Rose Parade on TV, yet somehow I survived. On New Years day in Germany its as quiet outside as a Cathedral (James will tell you how quiet that is) and there were very few cars on the streets and the only people you see are a few walking their dogs or pushing a baby stoller, with child wrapped better and tighter then an eskimo baby, barely peaking out of a small breathing hole in the hood over its tiny head, like a baby seal coming up for air in the ice flow. The weather does not slow down these people, even though it is only 21 or 22 degrees fahrenheit outside, but a night of partying does cause them to stay home and recuperate. The fireworks on our street alone went on till at least 1AM and in other parts of town it was longer and I can only guess how much beer was consumed in Chemnitz alone but probably sufficient to float the USS Kennedy.

This year turned out to be somewhat mild in comparison to previous episodes because, so I have been told and read in the local papers, the financial situation is not as strong as in past years. In other words the germans are beginning to realize that 2009 will bring more unemployment and lay-offs along with the resultant cutbacks in personal and public (government spending). Unemployment has been high here in the East (between 15-20%) depending on the area one lives and now in the western parts of germany, where it has been 10-12% over the last 15 years, it is also expected to increase. Can you imagine unemployment that high in the US. That's what I feel compelled to write to you about now. I think it's possible to see those kinds of numbers in the US. The reason I came to that conclusion is based on a sleepy night I had 2 days ago. I was not feeling great when I went to bed and , for whatever reason, my mind began reviewing the financial events of the past 2-3 years so that by 4AM I realized that I could give up on sleep. I got up and started to jot down a few thoughts that had come to me such as escalating property values over the last decade, increasing fuel costs, bankruptcy and near bankruptcy of several large businesses (think airlines), business fraud in a scale unheard of and to some degree unprosecuted not only under the Bush Admin but also und the previous admin. Then throw in things like the collapse of the sub-prime mortgage market and the resulting crash of the real estate and complete mortgage market, the collapse of several major banks and the near demise of the US Auto industry (and some in Europe and elsewhere) and the near bankruptcy of several major cities and states (does the financial collapse of State Government of California scare anyone) and one asks himself what is next. Do I sound alarmist? I hope so.

In my opinion much of our problem comes from incompetence and corruption on all levels of business and government, inadequate planning by the same and ignorance of apathy on our part, and at the present I do not see these fundamental underlying problems being addressed or changed significantly. Perhaps, as we have all viewed the events of the past few years, we have just blithely ignored the warning signs that have been all around us hoping that nothing would disturb our personal world but how much longer can we afford to do that? Some say that the new Administration will change all that but it seems to me that when we talk about giving federal aid to the banks and auto industry without required radical change or accountability in the management of those entities, then, as the saying goes, we find ourselves on a boat without paddles on that famous river in Egypt. We might see a small euphoric bump in the stock market following the inauguration but if the fundament elements of the current condition do not change, and no one, including O'bama, has explained what that might be, then the current downward spiral will continue.

So why am I writing this, because, candidly stated, I have no great ideas on how to change the coarse of events other than to prepare for what I see as tough times coming and I am not talking about weeks or months but probably years. If I am wrong then please, tell me how. So what I am doing is taking inventory of my personal situation to determine what I can do to not only protect the few assets I have now but also determine ways I can help in small ways to strengthen my personal economy and help friends and family do the same. I am writing because I don't think that I can do this alone and I know you all have great ideas so I would like to hear what you have to say. Maybe we can start an American beer craze here in Germany. Just kidding, but the point is the process starts with ideas. Who would've thought that $$$$ could be made selling used soft drink bottles. So put your thinking caps on. We, as thinking Americans, have the ability to work and think our way through this, I am convinced, but if we wait for others in government or business to save us the country will fail.

In the meantime I am fleshing out a budget plan and recommend that each of you personally take some time to develop one for your own households. A family is much like a biz and a biz that doesn't account for expenses and asset management doesn't last long as an entity. I would try to have some food storage on hand so my family could at least get through a crisis such a natural disaster (Utah think earthquack), a man made disaster (terrorist strike on major city or even a disruption in transportation) or personal unemployment or dibilitating sickness. The auto industry might not appreciate this but I would not recommend the purchase of a new auto unless it were absolutely necessary and I would not be buying any other major asset unless it could almost be guaranteed to generate income, and I that case I would love to know what it is. I hope this email is just the beginning of some ideas we can exchange so that we can begin to be part of the solution and not merely the problem. Love you all and hope that the challenge of facing and living in the year 2009 makes of all stronger and happier people. God bless you all.

Elder Austin (your pops, opa, and brother)

Temple Trips

Here's a collage of our temple trips with the missionaries...

A Christmas to remember...

Dear Family and Friends

It has been another eventful day as we have planned for our Family Home Evening here in Chemnitz.


We recently read Elder Bednar's talk on "Praying Always". We were impressed with the princilples he outlined as we learn to have more meaningful prayers. Principle #1 was couseling with the Lord in all our doings. I was particularly impressed with the "the patterns used by God in creating the earth.......we learn in Moses 3:4-5 that all things were created spiritually before they were naturally upon the earth" He goes on and says " that the spiritual creation preceded the temporal creation. In a similar way, meaningful morning prayer is an important element in the spiritual creation of each day----and precedes the temporal creation or the actual execution of the day...." there is more of course but we were both impressed with this enough to really thoughtfully in our prayers that morning seek guidence as we prayed to use that creative process. We prayed that the Spirit will guide us and will manifest to those who attend our Family Home Evening, and that the love of our Heavenly Father will be felt and that the Spirit of Christmas will be sweet and powerful.

Another note of interest, at least for my journal, is I awoke after having two nightmares. This seemed to affect me throughout the day and I found myself nervous and somewhat frustrated, unable to concentrate very well and feeling disoriented. We shopped and got things ready and finally as we reached the church I said "Doug please, I feel like I am having a nervous breakdown....give me a blessing." He laughed and reminded me of the many I have had and said just draw on one of those. I said I know you have given me many, but I need one now. He of course said alright. He gave me a beautiful blessing of comfort and the promise of peace and I immediately felt the calmness I so desired.

We then began the preparations for the night. Our plan was to have Elder Austin read from the Scriptures the story of the birth of Christ, bake cookies and make little goodie baskets to share as we went caroling to the houses near our church.

The cookies were baking and we were in the process of making our baskets and practicing our songs when one of the Young Single Adults became very ill. David, who we love and adore and who is known as the "ewige untersucher" or eternal investigator, (not a member) began with an allergic reaction from an almond that he had eaten at his sisters house just before coming. I walked into the room and looked at him lying on the couch and cried out "Oh my goodness he is blue. I called for Elder Austin to come quickly as he was in another room with another YSA. He went for the administration oil and called another YSA with the priesthood and they were ready to give a blessing. He was anointed and Elder Austin sealed with a blessing of peace that he would be able to breath and be comfortable until the ambulance arrived. and he would get the medical help he needed. Yes did I forget to mention another YSA called an ambulance.

As David lay on the couch it seemed as if he went unconscious as we tried to talk to him he did not respond. That is when the blessing was given and shortly after he revived, and was able to speak as the paramedics came.

Well Elder Austin and another YSA went to the hospital with David and I stayed to finish out the evening.
I called another YSA who is in the presidency and asked if he would take over the story of the Birth of Christ and sharing of his testimony. Of course he took charge and did a wonderful job. We then practiced our songs, had our prayers and finished our cookies and candy packets.

Just before we were to leave Elder Austin returned with the good news that David was fine and explained that by the time they left the hospital David was smiling and doing well. We sang a few more songs and went out to carol.. It was such an interesting experience as some would not answer the doors one person slammed the door others opened their windows and seemed to enjoy every minute. Others laughed and could feel the joy of the moment. One couple brought their little grandaughter with a miniture violin and she played with us It was delightful.........all in all a wonderful experience.

We had another treat that night as we had two young girls with us 10 and 11 years old. One was a sister of a YSA and her friend. They were the joy of the evening as they carried the Christmas goodies and ran from door to door ringing the bells and giving out the Christmas goodie baskets we had prepared. This young sister and her friend were not members. However they brought a sweet spirit of love with them and we all enjoyed having them with us. Back we finally went to the Church.....we then proceeded to clean up and the kids began making paper airplanes and flying them across the room.


What an adventure....a night to remember.... the music of the carols....the sweet story of the birth of Christ......the power of the priesthood in action......the joy of being together and sharing our love and concern for each other. Our creative prayers were truly answered in ways we did not even anticipate. In gratitude we thanked our Father for his blessing in our life and we did this though the name of his Son, Jesus Chirst.

The organization of this church is such a blessing to all of us. We have opportunities to serve and love each other with the blessing of the Spirit of God in our midst . We are about His work.....

May the blessings of this season be in your heart.

Love Sister Austin

Christmas 2008 Poem

JOYOUS CHRISTMAS OF 2008


AT THIS JOYOUS TIME OF YEAR
WE CELEBRATE OUR SAVIOR DEAR
COME TO EARTH AS NEW BORN CHILD
MIDST HUMBLE SETTINGS, MEEK AND MILD

BORN TO DIE AND LIVE AGAIN
BORN TO SAVE US FROM OUR SIN
BOUGHT US, WITH HIS PAIN AND TEARS,
HE HELPS US OVERCOME OUR FEARS.

TO BE THE CHILDREN OF THE LIGHT
AND IN HIM FIND ETERNAL SIGHT
THEN SEE AND THINK AND FEEL AND DO
THE THINGS WE HOLD SO DEAR AND TRUE

AND WHEN OUR TIME ON EARTH IS PAST
WE JOIN HIM IN HIS REALMS SO VAST
SO LET US SING AND WORK AND PRAY
THAT WE WITH HIM MAY ONE DAY SAY

FATHER OURS, THY WILL BE DONE
WE PLEDGE TO SERVE THEE AND THY SON
HELPING OTHERS KNOW THY LOVE
THAT CAME TO US FROM STARS ABOVE.

BY ELDER DOUGLAS AUSTIN
ZU WEIHNACHTEN 2008
CHEMNITZ DE
BERLIN MISSION