"Hi, this is Autsin."

Just like every rose...this week had it's thorns. HOWEVER, we ended on a HIGH note! But let me explain a fun little moment I had that left me red as a tomato for a solid half hour: We recently were given another area to cover which is an hour away...Buckingham. We have been reaching out to all of the leadership there to introduce ourselves, etc. We are also teaching a guy named Anthony who I'll explain a little further down in this email. But we were in need of a member to be on a call with him to start fellowshipping Anothony and getting him friends in the church. We were waiting for the Buckingham Branch's Ward Mission Leader named Austin Knight (important detail) to call us with a member suggestion. Additionally, we were waiting on a member to call us for our dinner that they were bringing that night. During a lesson we missed a call so we called it back and there is a man on the other end that goes "This is Austin." CLEARLY I thought to myself "This is Austin Knight...the ward mission leader." I then went OFF and told this Austin for 5 mins about the situation we were in needing a member on this lesson with Anthony and a million other things. Finally this Austin (also known as Austin Keaton) cuts me off in frustration and goes, "I JUST MOVED HERE AND HAVE NO IDEA WHAT YOU'RE TALKING ABOUT. I HAVE YOUR FOOD." rip. It didn't help that he was outside of our apartment and was knocking 10 seconds later after we hung up. It was so awkward hahaha. It's okay, the Taco Bell he gave me was sufficient enough to mend my wounds. However, what are the odds though that 2 Austins would be calling us within minutes? I'm not sure what type of coincidence or tender mercy that was but it was interesting. NOW for the important and beneficial details of my week...we are meeting with this guy named Anthony (I called him Andawg this entire week until finally he told me he doesn't like that name...another Elder Gardanier moment). Anthony is super sweet and told us that he is wanting to live with God again and return to live with his family forever. Nothing is greater than looking at Anthony with a calm smile and reassuring that we have the answers. That God wants that for him too. We taught him the Restoration and also read the Book of Mormon and he mentioned how he needs to be rebaptized! We are excited for him and pray that all will go smoothly so that he can be baptized here in a few weeks! ps. My mission is doing something called "fit for the kingdom" which means no soda, no high fructose corn syrup, no refined sugar, and no happiness. hahaha jk. But it is a competition in the mission between all the zones to get up at 6:30 am, drink 64 ounces of water, exercise at least 30 mins a day, and not to drink any energy drinks. I'm excited for some extra motivation to help me get beach body ready for this summer! Love you all! Elder Gardanier