WRITE AUSTIN!!

You can send any mail or anything else to Austin at:

ELDER AUSTIN TRUJILLO
Mision Nicaragua Managua Sur
apartade postal 3527
Managua, Nicaragua

He would love to hear from you!!

February 17, 2013

Yeah I think here its hot or hotter... not entirely sure exactly but one can imagine.  Ive truly learned about more than going to the grandest parts of the world, if we dont have anyone to go with its not worth anything.  These last few weeks we have been hanging out with a guy who is from the states and he is a member from the church... however i dont think he is too active. His trip here to Nicaragua has been a interesting one, full of grand stories that truely show the Lord is in the hands of all His children.  He came to Managua and was completely lost in a corner street he decided to pray for direction and decided to go to the church (not knowing if there were even any) so he called a cab and said take me to the Mormon church.  Being many in the area the driver talked with his friend in the car and decided to take him to the church that we were at this day.  Because every Friday we have meetings from 10 to 12... but he obviously didn't know that.  After going there was a random gardner there who opened up the gate and everything after entering he came looking for someone to help him... thinking there wouldn't be anyone because no one speaks english (oh he doesn't speak spanish either)  He then found us missionaries in our meeting.  Afterwards we talked for a bit and got to know him and he explained his story and how he was there to see the sights... however he has got caught up in all the missionary work that he doesn't want to leave our area because he loves it!! He has explained his joy and happiness that he has received in this last little while with us.  Also explaining that his testimony has grown because of the spirit he feels in the lessons (he teaches with us... we translate) lol but he is a awesome guy and as he lost himself here in Nicaragua he has found the joy of the gospel... some trip to go out to a place to do some tourism but in the end finding missionaries and hanging out with them!! lol its awesome i love it so much!  Things are going very well here i think i have about contacted everyone... ok not really but im trying!  lol  As for my companion he is from Salvador which is just a jump and a skip from Nicaragua! He has taught me so much and right now we are the best of friends and we are planning on finding every single soul who is here for us and get them in that water!! lol we are truly filled with joy and happiness and I truely love him with all my heart! oh and yes I've gotten the package and yes i will get fat! lol  This time here has taught me so much and I cant even believe how fast it is going sometimes it scares me because I dont know how to even think it will be like to be normal! lol Probably not all the time doing what we do but when i get back I want to stay doing missionary work and helping friends and family learn about the gospel!! I have learned so much with Elder Palma and he is such a great missionary!! He has 19 months but im keeping him strong and we are going to have much success!! I can't even begin to explain the joy I have and will yet have!! lol the Lord truly is looking out for us and loves each and everyone one of us.  If we look to him we will find rest!  I know He lives and that He loves us that He will guide us and show us the way if we will only but follow him.  I love you so much and am super excited to hear how things go!! love you tons!! 

Elder Trujillo!!

February 10, 2013

 Wow I cant believe how much snow you guys have gotten... im kind of jealous because I miss the cold.  However, I probably am only saying that because we don't really get any snow here. However, i am very happy here and also in good hands!  Thats amazing that you were also able to be a missionary!! im 100 percent positive that you did a great job! and if he goes on a mission he will help so many people i dont even know who it is but Im glad to have my mom as a example of one who lives the gospel and follows the spirit in every moment! Thanks for always showing me the way with your light and through your life.  I remember the day when I told you i wanted to go... haha in that moment in the car I remember a feeling of peace and joy that filled the car.  haha Im glad to have you as my mom.  Dad as well because so many things i have learned through your examples.  I am extremely happy for all the things i have been able to learn through you and dad!  I have been filled with a joy knowing that I have the best parents ever!! As well as the best family ever!! I love you all so very much! I am filled with joy knowing that i could be in such a family that lifts me up and gives me such joy.

As for me I've changed areas and as of right now I am in Managua again!! But I'm in another part thats called Acahualinca! Its a great area however its in the slums.  The people here are very humble and willing to listen to what we have to say and for many its a great light that comes.  My new companions name is Elder Palma and hes a great companion we are working hard to find some new families to baptize and to keep the members going to church.  Here is a little bit hotter lol but i love it a lot we have been able to find some really great new families!  Ive been striving to keep up the pace and to keep working hard until the end of my mission and to do all I need to bring every soul the Lord wants me to bring to him.  Its been amazing to be filled with the spirit who guides and lifts me up to do more than I could possibly do on my own.  Because Just in 3 days we have contacted 115 people!  I just went nuts and every person I saw I just started to talk... lol everyone was like what in the world, because we have been working so hard that we are the best in the zone!! I have made a goal to talk with every person in this area before i go and its been going so good so far! we have found some really great families and they are positive!! I know that with this spirit we can recieve more strength then we have, that we can become more like our Savior using all we have and doing even more! I know that Christ lives and that we can return with him one day!! i KNOW THAT the chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only true and living chruch on the whole face of the earth! I know the joy it brings and i know that its true!

With much love Elder Trujillo  

February 3, 2013

HEY Family!!

Hows everything going?? Ok to answer all the questions first. Everything for right now is the same I'm still with my companion but TOMORROW!! I will know if there are changes or not!! I feel like I'm going to be moved but I'm not too sure about what is going to happen. 

As far as I'm going, we had another baptism this week. lol It was one that filled me with the spirit and filled me with much joy because I had been teaching her and her husband from when I was here with my other companion Elder Pineda!! It was amazing and I was able to let him know today that she was baptized!! I truely have been filled with the spirit so many times here in Nicaragua and every time I open my heart to these people I grow closer and closer to them.  Sometimes its hard to do so because i know one day  I will leave.  I sometimes worry that they wont stay strong and that they will fall into the temptations.  However, that is also trust in God that He will guide them in truth and righteousness.  Almost like a parent and their child, or like you and dad, who taught me the ways and the things I should do right.  Then you trusted in God to let me choose, I sometimes think about how God sees us and how He thinks and sometimes its hard to even grasp that He too knew that some of His children would make it and some would not, that some would show all their love for Him and others totally reject him.  It is dificult for me to understand the love of a parent let alone God.  However i know that He loves me, not only my victories but also my weaknesses and errors.  I have referred back to the scripture that is in Ether 12:27 that explains that God gave us weaknesses, so then we can realize that we can't do anything by ourselves, however, if we come unto Him, He shows us our weaknesses so then we can become strong.  This week I have been studying the atonement more and more trying to grasp not only the power behind the atonement but also the significance.  It has helped me to understand the gospel as a whole and it truely puts everything else in its place.  What I have learned is about the power behind the atonement that gives us strength and helps us to become better than we could normally be without Christ.  I was reading in Mosiah 3:19 and it explains what we need to become, however we can only become this person through the atonement of Jesus Christ.  After reading I thought of the scripture that says that there are things to act and things to be acted upon.   I thought about that phrase and it came to me that we are things to act because God gave us faith and faith is an action.  Thinking of this i remembered a revelation that i received not too long back about Nephi and when his brothers had tied him up and were about to leave him to be eaten by the wolves in the desert.  He prayed and then it said through his faith he was able to break the bands that laid hold of him.  Another story is in the book of Mosiah 24 where the people of limhi were captured by the army of Ammulon and they were not able to pray unto their God,  that the Laminites put strong weights on their shoulders that they couldnt think or pray.  However,  they prayed in their hearts for the strength to overcome their situation.  For me that made me shocked because if it was me I would say get me out of here HELP ME!! lol however they didnt do that they instead prayed for strength to overcome their tests, and in the end they were given the strength to overcome all their afflictions.  However they did it with patience, love, much joy, and able to submit to the will of God.  As i got to thinking back to Mosiah 3 where it said what we needed to become and it was just that.  loving patient, happy, and willing to submit to God.  After learning this I started to test it and to put it into practice asking God for the spirit and that I can do His will in all things, however recieve it with joy.  In this moment i suddenly understood my favorite scripture that is found in Matthew 11:28-30 it suddenly realized that the atonement isnt only for cleaning it also is a power and a rock that if we are firm and stay strong with it we will be able to overcome the burdens that are put on our backs!! I have felt that same power in the work as I have learned to pray for strength and not just change the situations!  I have learned the importance of trials and tests that help us to grow and become more like Christ.  That if we are willing to submit to him we will be able to do all things that he needs!! I have felt the days go by so fast because I was lifted up in the joy of Christ and with his strength i am able to do all things!! I know He lives and if we will only but come unto him he will make our burdens light.  using his atonement we can become exactly what he is and return with him.

Love Elder Trujillo

January 27, 2013

Hello!! I too, just like pres. Hanks, have understood the importance of the resturation and as I have strived to know more and more of its truthfulness I have become strengthened as a missionary.  In many occasions I give my companion the part of Joseph Smith because he told me he doesnt have a strong testimony and I want him to have a strong one because I have learned of its importance.  However, in one special occasion I was teaching the truthfulness of the restoration of the gospel and I felt as the missionaries in the Book of Mormon who taught with power and authority because after i spoke I sat letting the Spirit fill the room and the hearts of the people and in that same moment the mom and the daughter were crying.  I asked how they felt and they told me that they felt something different and couldnt explain what it was.  As I sat for a bit allowing the spirit to speak we taught about prayer and how they can know that its true and in the end I asked when will they pray? They all told me in the night... a little surprised with their response I was filled with joy knowing that I wasnt the only one talking but  the holy ghost was teaching them as well.  They also came to church,  I am so grateful for this gospel.  I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that he truely restored the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I know it with my heart, and my soul.  I know that he translated the Book of Mormon from the plates of brass because so many times in my life i have felt the influence of those words from our ancient fathers.  I know we can recieve guidence in a changing world of ups and downs.  I know that God is our Father in Heaven who loves us and that His son Jesus Christ lives.  I have learned a lot about the atonement and how it helps us to become clean... however not only this but also it is a enabling power to become better! David Bednar said the atonement of Christ is to make bad men good, good men better, and to change the hearts of the children of men.  To put our hearts to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ,  Like it says in Matthew 6:18- 21 that what we focus our time on is where we put our hearts.  That if we always remember Him we will be with Him always.  As I have been studying about the atonement and our Savior I learned that He not only suffered for us but He also wants to live within us through the Holy Ghost.  I was asked this week by a member of the chruch how long I have been living in the gospel and i said my whole life pretty much, he then asked me how long has the gospel lived in you.  It truely made me think that we cant only be having the knowledge we need to act on this knowledge that changes us and helps us become saints and more like Christ.  I know the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only true living gospel, I know that God lives and that his son as well who gives us life, I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God,  I know we have a living prophet today who guides us and gives us direction.  I know these things to be true because I have fasted and prayed many days to know for myself that they are and its been made known unto me by the Holy Ghost.  I know we can return as a family together through our diligence and love for Him who gives us life.

     This week we had another baptism!! whaooo!! Im super happy with every person that we are able to help to enter the waters of baptism, we also have another one the next week who I know will be baptized!! Im super happy and I know that she will be a great member and she is 100% ready for this!  As far as the whole changes and things like that I'm not sure because we wont know if we have changes until the next Tuesday.  Im not sure what will happen I truely dont want to have changes because I know that I have gained such a love for the people here in Diriomo but I know that the Lord knows whats best and whatever He chooses is fine with me.  I'm still with my same companion and we are doing very well I have learned so much from him and from this time of being a leader.  I have learned a lot about patience and its something that is very good to have ALWAYS, especially because when I get frustrated I dont really think so even more its important.  To think then act and not act then think.  LOL however I am extremely happy and content with where I am at.  I have learned that we are in the gospel of Jesus Christ and that we can always be better and always we can progress.  Its what I love most about the gospel is that through Christ we can progress and become better! As far as the whole heat thing Its true because your in the cold but if you were here every day you would want to be there! lol but no i love it.  I can see you guys are going to be super fit with all that snow... lol but no sometimes i just want to jump into a huge pile of snow. I want you to know i LOVE you 

Elder Trujillo

January 20, 2013

HELLO!

Wow, well this week has been super incredible and I have learned so much.  Im so very grateful for all that i have learned and all the ways that I've grown.  Yes, its sometimes been hard and sometimes I just dont know what to do, however, one thing I've learned slowly and slowly is Trust in God and he will show you where to go.  Ive learned to be grateful for my trials because they teach me to become better and to become more like my Savior.  It's helped me to know that God as well trusts in me to give me the tests.  Because if He knew i wouldnt be able to overcome them he would never have given them to me.  At times i feel like its impossible but, he always shows me the path that leads me to Him. As ive been going throughout this week i have learned to ask myself in every situation what would Jesus do?  As i have been focusing on what i need to learn from every situation I become strengthened and my life becomes a learning experience.  Also I have been studying about revelation and I have learned that God can answer us in many  ways but there are three types of revelation that we recieve 1 is a type that comes very fast and fills our mind with all we need. kind of like a light that fills a dark room fast and we can see everything.  2 which comes in a gradual form until we understand all, like the rising of the sun which gives us little by little.  and 3 the one that I recieve most often which is like when we are only able to see a little in front of us to keep going step by step. learning more and more until we have all.  Like a foggy street with only a flashlight.  However, these three forms of revelation come from the spirit of God that which gives us light is the spirit which teaches us and gives us this knowledge from our Father in Heaven.  haha just a little knowledge I've learned from my studying.  Well like I've said this week has been great I've learned so much from love, to patience, to compassion, to courage.  Its been one of the most spiritual growing experiences I've had, however not only this but also some of the biggest trials that I've had.  Learning to love with all my heart is what opened the doors to the path to God.  Growing close to these people more has helped me to understand their needs, to truely care about what they have to say, and in every form possible helping them to recieve the restored gospel.  I was studying the kingdoms of glory the other day and learned about how amazing the lowest glory is.  And i got to thinking that if its truely that great I couldnt even imagine the Celestial Kingdom. This leads to the love that I have developed for these people.  Truely putting into perspective my mission as a missionary.  The love God has for us is one that I could never understand, and its only given me all the more strength to push myself even further for Him in this work... however not only for Him but also for my brothers and sisters who are lost and confused wanting the truth.  Ive learned more and more about the plan of salvation and I testify that if we truely understand the whole plan that we will only fight that much harder to the highest glory, however not for ourselves but for all.  As I've learned more and more Its given me the strength and desire to help others to this end that God has for us.  And its free to all who are willing to accept it.  I want to give you the chance to do the same and truely strive to understand more the plan of salvation and to understand the parts deeply.  I know that it will only help you to understand more of our purpose.  I know I was given this family for a reason and i know that i wouldn't of choosen any other family but this one.  I know even more that we can live together forever with God... But without a doubt.  I know it!! I cant explain how much i want it and it comes through our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  I know Christ lives and through Him we will live too! Follow the promptings of the spirit and he will guide you in paths of truth and happiness! I am grateful for each and everyone of you and for all that youve done! i hope you can all feel this same joy that ive felt through knowing this plan.  I hope you can come to understand this plan. I love you all! and want you to know thattttt!!

LOVE ELDER TRUJILLO!!

January 6th 2013

HOLA FAMILIA

  Well things are going very well as usual we had a baptism scheduled for this last Saturday but it fell through so this week we were only able to baptize one but this next coming up week we are for sure scheduled for two but its possible that we may have one more!! We are super excited that we might be having 3 people be baptized!! I have been learning so much this last change expecially about the atonement and about really following our savior Jesus Christ.  As I have been learning more and more about Him I have come to know that its not just learning about Him however its also we need to truely apply those things He taught.  He was our example in all the things we do in our conversations, in our actions, in absolutely everything we do.  That he loved everyone no matter what they did, no matter how rich poor, prideful or humble they were and no matter if they had hurt you.  Its been something very hard to learn and something even more to follow.  To be completely honest Its been harder to grow this way than any other way, to actually be applying those teachings in my life and asI strive even harder to develop them i only seemed to get pushed farther away.  However Ive learned about something... I learned that when I'm putting in actions of developing faith I become more like my Savior and Redeemer.  I am more patient, loving, more submissive. We actually become someone different then who we are.  As I was reading in Mosiah I read a scripture that the natural man is an enemy of God and if we dont become like a child through the atonement of Christ we will not be able to recieve the kingdom of God.  I have been studying about the atonement a lot this week and have learned so much.  I have learned that the atonement has two parts to it.  The first part is the forgiving power that makes us clean from our mistakes however it also is a strengthing power that lifts us up and makes us someone that God wants us to be.  Its a strengthening power that gives us joy that keeps us moving and not only for ourselves but for all man kind.  As i have learned about the atonement i have desired to not be mad at others for the things they have done however i have learned about longsuffering and patience.  I started to forget about the here and now in this point in time and space and have started to look at a perspective of the future.  I have learned what it means to have a vision on the Mount of God.  To see through the eyes of God is to look at someone and see who they can become and not who they are.  As we were in a activity with the zone I saw something different then what I was.  As we worked I started to feel the love of my Savior and as we worked harder and harder I felt the lifting power of the atonement that is our strength.  Because knowing that Jesus knew how I felt made me want to do more because i was able to feel more and more of what the Savior felt when He was suffering for me.  At difficult times i always think to myself of what the Savior would do and I feel his lifting power that helps me find what I need to do.  Many times I wonder what I need to do and it all came to me through a talk from an apostle which says its better to look up.  As I've applied this principle the experiences that we have dont seem to be so focused on what I want but really what God wants.  I know that God loves us and that Christ lives. I know the Book of Mormon is the word of God and is true. I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the only true church on the whole earth.  I love you all and hope you too can find the strengthening power of the atonement that lifts us and guides us!

LOVE YOU

           Elder Trujillo