From Elder A. Goff - "16th transfer, 4th week"

Hey Family.

   What a week?  (I wonder how many of my e-mails have started out that way?)  Things have been good up here in my neck of the woods.  Temperatures dropped to below zero again.  The weather here is crazy.  It can never decide what to do.  50 degrees or -10.  GAH!!! Haha drives me crazy sometimes. 

   Tuesday we had Zone Conference in Billings for the Billings zone, Billings East zone and Glendive Zone.  It was a really good meeting.  These Zone conferences have been so different.  We have zone conference every other transfer now, so since this is my last zone conference I had to bare my testimony in Zone conference, not to mention I go to all of the zone conferences, so I had to give my "departing" testimony 4 times.  The first 2 times on the west side of the mission wasn't bad at all.  It was a total different story with the Billings Zone Conference.  And I think I know why.  A lot of the missionaries I have been closest with were at this zone conference.  So it was a lot tougher to say goodbye...in a sense.  I'll still be around a while but it was still not easy.  At the end of Zone conference President Gardner reads off the names of the new missionaries who are present and lets them bare their testimonies.  Then he reads off the names of those who are departing.  He read through the names.  He read Elder House, Elder Goff...and so on.  I looked at Elder House as his name was read aloud and tears flowed quickly.  My name was called and had the same effect.  Elder House bore his testimony before me and talked about the trials he has endured on his mission...which he truly has.  He talked of friends, teaching the gospel, his testimony of our Savior, and so on.  It was very touching.  I had a hard time during his.  Then I got up and scanned the room, looking at all of the face I have come to know and love.  Elder Ika was present, Elder House, Elder Heywood.  And many more.  I thought of our time spent together.  A missionary going home once said that his stake president said he would find his best friends on his mission.  The missionary thought he had best friends and that there was no way he would find his best friends on his mission.  As he gave his departing testimony he told us all that his stake president was right.  I second that.  I have found some of my best friends on my mission.  Elder Ika gave me a bad time after because I made him cry. ;)  It was rough though.  Wyoming was tough too.  I have a lot of wonderful memories down there.  Elder Child was at the Wyoming Zone conference.  So that was tough too. Good times though.  A time never to be forgotten.

  Jeanna Butterfield did not get baptized this week.  I got a message on facebook on about Thursday saying she wanted to postpone her baptism.  Her husband had to work on Sunday and she wants him to be there.  She is also switching jobs and is very stressed out and felt like she wasn't in the right frame of mind to be baptized.  She said she still wants to be baptized.  Doesn't know when yet.  So hopefully I'll still get to be a part of it.  There's a reason for it.  I just don't know what it is.  I have wanted that my whole mission.  Maybe it's not meant to be. Or maybe it is meant to be and won’t happen until I am about t o go home.  Who knows but God?

   On a much happier note.  Daina Newby will be baptized on March 10th.  A week before Elder Heywood flies home.  So that is really exciting.  We have spent a lot of time teaching her and trying to help her understand more fully.  She is ready.  :)  We are teaching her about 3 times this week to make sure she is ready before her baptismal interview.  She is a sweet girl.  The gospel is going to bless her life so much.  It's hard leaving a reservation like she has done and forget all the things she has seen.  And I doubt she will forget, I also hope she never forgets that it's the gospel that can make her happy and bring her the fullness of joy she seeks. 

   Elder Vroom has all of the P-90-X videos on a flash drive and we got them from him and did Ab-Ripper-X, so that explains the pictures we have. Haha Thought you might enjoy them.  I love you all. 

   I think it's great that Joli got her patriarchal blessing.  I have been bragging about her all week to President and the office staff at the mission home.  I'll be happy to read it when I get home.  It sounds like hers is similar to mine. :) well a couple things. I don't think a dude will take me to the temple and I won’t be a mom. ;)  Your turn Glen!  Time to get yours and find out what you are supposed to do.

   Sawyer seems to be doing awesome too.  Training for the 4th time?  I thought 3 was a lot.  I'm not surprised though. He is quite the missionary.  I wish I could go on team ups with him and learn a thing or three.

   I love you all.  You are in my prayers.  LOVES.  2 months from today I will be flying home.

Love, Elder Austin Gene Goff

Oh shoot, I almost forgot.  Ok so a while back I found out that the Rebers live in our mission in a little town in the Cody Wyoming stake.  Anywho.  I have wanted to go visit them for a while and we got a chance to stop in and stay hello.  It was pretty funny.  Sue answered the door and said, "Well look here, Austin Goff from Bunkerville is getting as tall and handsome as his Dad.  I better go get Gordon....HEY GORDON AUSTIN GOFF IS HERE!"  "WHO?"  "AUSTIN GOFF FROM BUNKERVILLE!!"  "OH BOY"  :) haha I got a picture with them.  It was odd being in their home as a missionary.  But it as good to see them.. They looked good.  It's been 6 years since they moved!!!

Current Area: Billings, Montana

Current Companion: Elder Heywood