"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived. I did not wish to live what was not life, living is so dear; nor did I wish to practise resignation, unless it was quite necessary. I wanted to live deep and suck out all the marrow of life, to live so sturdily and Spartan-like as to put to rout all that was not life, to cut a broad swath and shave close, to drive life into a corner, and reduce it to its lowest terms, and, if it proved to be mean, why then to get the whole and genuine meanness of it, and publish its meanness to the world; or if it were sublime, to know it by experience, and be able to give a true account of it in my next excursion." ~Henry David ThoreauFor anyone that knows Austin (even just a little bit) knows that he lives every moment deliberately. He's definitely one of the most unselfish, considerate, well-rounded guys I know. Austin Bergera...that is Elder Austin Bergera now, is my brother. I've seen him almost every day of his life (give or take a day or two) for over 19 years. On October 12th at approximately 12:40pm was the last time I will see him for two years...kind of sucks. On the plus side though he is serving the Lord and I honestly couldn't be prouder of him! Yup my brother is a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and is devoting two years of his life to serve the people of Madagascar...what could be cooler then that?! (I think it kind of out weighs the whole rotten part about not being able to see him for so long.)
The day that we took Austin to the MTC I asked him what his favorite scripture was. I figured it would probably be a good thing to know and I wanted to make sure we got the right scripture on his missionary plaque. Without hesitation he told me...
I can't think of a better scripture for Austin as he begins this journey. I know that if he takes this scripture to heart and truly cries unto God for support, any trial he faces will fade away.“Yea, and cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and whithersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea, let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever.
Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.” ~ Alma 37:36-37
Before Austin left he asked me to whip up a little blog for family and friends to stay caught up on how he is doing. Being the devoted and loving sister I am I couldn't say no...plus how do you say no to someone who looks so dashing in a suit? So I put together this little site and promise to update it with photos, letters, and anything else I can think of for all the fans of my brother out there (and I know there is a lot!) So bookmark it or save it as your home page and whatever you do please make sure to check on it often.
Thanks!
Brittany R. DeGriselles
