Second Full Week in the MTC

This week has been a great week! I don't feel like anything super crazy has happened. Except the Broadcast of course. I was really hoping that they were going to open China or Israel and take volunteers but that didn't happen. So the broadcast was definitely more geared toward the members and they only skimmed over the technology part but it's actually a really exciting change. There's a pretty good chance that we will be getting IPads and IPhones and we'll have missionary Facebook profiles. It's pretty sweet. On Tuesday we had one of the greatiest, funniest, reverent, and irreverent Firesides I've ever been to. The speaker was Janice Kapp Perry and her husband. If that name sounds familiar, it's because she has a bunch of songs in the Primary song book and she wrote As Sisters in Zion. So her husband spoke first for about 5 minutes and just talked about his mission in France and how none of them knew French. Then Sister Perry started her talk and she introduced herself and how she met her husband. She said the very first line he ever said to her was "I think those lips were made for something better than playing the clarinet." So we all started laughing and lo and behold, her husband gets up from out of his seat and walks to pulpit and gives her a huge kiss and walks back to his seat dancing and pumping his fist in the air. Then he did it again! It was crazy. We also sang a bunch of Primary songs and then at the end the Elders and Sisters kind of did a duet where the Sisters sang a new verse to Sisters in Zion and the Elders sang We'll Bring the World His Truth (Army of Helaman). It was super spiritual and awesome. Oh and I found some crazy connections. My Branch President, President Jolley, used to live next to Tess and her family when they lived in Utah. Crazy right? But here's the kicker. Afterwards, Elder Ward and I were talking about how awesome we were of course (He's in the zone). Then he said he was from Boise and went to Centennial. This prompted Elder Donakey (who is in my district) to ask him if he knew Tyler Day. And of course he did. So all three of us know Tyler Day and he's coming into the MTC next week and he's going to Baltimore Spanish Speaking. So then I asked Elder Ward if he was in the same ward with Tyler and Andy and he said he was so I'm pretty sure we hung out when we were little. I'll need confirmation on that from you. The only other exciting thing that happened was I saw Elder Hartsock and Elder Shaw. I didn't get to talk to them but I'm definitely taller and bigger than them. Well that's about it. Go Utes!

 

Love,

Elder Montgomery

And his letter in Espanol to Cousin Blake 

Blake

 

Estoy super bien especialmente que yo voy a asistir la escuela de los profetas despues de mi mision! Yo no cambiare la escuela even si Duke me llame. Jaja

 

Yo se que mi familia no tiene dinero para divertirse porque ellos no pueden tener divertido sin mi! Y todo el dinero es para mi mision tambien.... Estoy feliz que mi familia te visitieron y que tuvieron divertido. Por supesto, yo pienso que TY necesita una camiseta de Utah todavia. Yo voy a comprar uno para le despues de mi mision.

 

Chou

Elder Montgomery

Elder Montgomery in Deseret News

People should know who Elder Montgomery is when he returns to Utah to play basketball. He is now talked about in the Deseret News. 

You can read the article here.

 mormon-athletes-leaving-their-sports-to-serve-missions

Letter 6/21/2012

I got the suit pants. Thank you. And the watch too. Thanks. And theres so much candy and food that I don't know what to do with it all! Sunday was alright as far as the church services go. Priesthood and sacrament has like a 3 hour gap in between so it's kind of strange. I definitely got the cinnamon rolls. They were sooooooo goood. I ate 5 in like 20 minutes. Oh and thank you so much for the stamps! I had written like 6 letters but hadn't sent them yet. Can I iron the suit pants? They got really wrinkly in the package. That's unfortunate that they only won one game but it's more fun playing against the good competition anyways. I heard he played well at Western Carolina though. Coach Vining's alma mater! My spanish is becoming really awesome. Our new teacher, who was previously our "investigator," said our district had some of the best Spanish she's ever heard out of non Advanced districts. Isn't the picture of us super awesome! We took it right before the Devotional on Sunday, which was awesome. The speaker was previously the commercial director for the church so we watched some of the old commercials. Elder Goodman and I sang in the choir for the Tuesday devotional. There were like 2000 missionaries in the choir, more than half of the MTC. We sang Hark All Ye Nations and it was pretty sweet. The speaker was Elder Gay, who used to be the Area Authority of the Southeast so it was pretty cool hearing him speak again. So I just found outon Sunday that there is a huge announcement coming on this Sunday and I'm going to be able to be in the Mariott Center (gross) when they announce it! I'm going to be in a building with the prophet and the apostles. It's super crazy. Well, that's about it.

 

Con amor,

Elder Montgomery

First Picture from the Missionary Training Center

First of all.. Let me remind you of this post..

Sunbeams to Missionaries

They did indeed run into each other at the MTC.. How Cool is That?

L to R

Elder Hartman, Elder Montgomery and Elder Kotter

Former Lakeview hoops star fuses faith, basketball in new endeavors.. Front page sports story June 16 Gainesville Times

File Photo Lakeview Academy’s Austin Montgomery attempts a shot during a Region 8-A Tournament game against Hebron Christian Academy on Feb. 17. Montgomery will spend the next two years doing mission work for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints before attending the University of Utah, where he will play basketball. View Larger View More » 1 2

Austin Montgomery was never the typical college basketball prospect. His faith and family have always outweighed any desire to play at the next level.

Even with very strict stipulations, Montgomery, a recent Lakeview Academy graduate, secured a spot on the University of Utah men’s basketball roster and an almost complete academic scholarship starting in 2015.

“God is first in my life, family is second,” said Montgomery, who recently agreed to play for the Utes.

Montgomery, who averaged 21 points and nine rebounds a game as a senior with the Lions, is a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Before beginning his college career, he’ll spend the next two years of his life serving his LDS mission, which he started this week with a six-week stay at the Mission Training Center in Provo, Utah.

There, he’ll brush up on his Spanish and prepare for his activities performed during his mission in Texas. He’ll spend his days sun up to sun down sharing his faith and doing service work projects for the community he lives in. He could end up in the big city, possibly San Antonio or Austin, or in a rural area as part of the church’s regional territory that goes all the way down to the U.S.-Mexico border.

Before leaving to fulfill his LDS responsibilities, the honor student and basketball star spent last Tuesday with his mother, Alison, touring the Utah campus in Salt Lake City to see the school’s engineering department and see where the basketball program plays at the Jon M. Huntsman Arena.

“We’re very proud of Austin,” said his mother. “He’s been a very good example for his (four) younger brothers and sisters.

“He’s always worked hard and strived for perfection.”

Montgomery finished high school with a 4.0 GPA, earned the Presidential Scholarship to Utah and acceptance to the Honors University. Currently, he plans on majoring in the engineering field or pursuing a career in medicine.

After college, the 6-foot-8 center would love to stay involved in the game, whether it be playing overseas for a while before beginning his professional career, or coaching his kids at the recreational level.

However, with two years away from the game, Montgomery can’t promise he’ll enter Utah in basketball shape. While in Texas, he’ll have 30 minutes of exercise at daybreak. Montgomery will also use a bicycle as his primary form of transportation. He’ll log about 8-20 miles per day, his mother said.

However, basketball will be reserved to when he can get to an open court and free time away from church duties.

“They (Utah) are very familiar with recruiting athletes that go on missions,” Montgomery said. “Other schools that recruited me were a little more apprehensive.”

He says that spending two years in the mission field will help him become more mature and independent before starting his college career about 1,900 miles away from his Gwinnett County home. One of the benefits to playing at Utah, Montgomery says, is that the athletic department is very understanding of students that choose the LDS Mission field.

Montgomery pointed out one of Utah’s current players, Jeremy Olsen, is from nearby Collins Hill High in Lawrenceville and is a 22-year old rising junior after serving his two-year mission for the Church.

“Utah is well known for its academic programs and having a basketball program that plays at a high level,” his mother added.

Although not recruited by Utah for basketball, he contacted the school via email and followed it up with highlight videos and a package of career honors and accolades. When they promised he could come on in 2015 as a preferred walk-on, and he felt comfortable the school matched his academic interests, he made it official in the spring.

Montgomery’s mother is originally from Idaho. When Austin moves to Utah, he’ll be attending school with some of his cousins, as well as others that attend nearby Brigham Young University.

Farewell Austin.. See you in two years!

Moved to Intermediate Spanish and now has New Address.

UPDATED Address!!!
Elder Austin Bruce Montgomery 
JUL24 TX-SAN
2011 N. 900 E. Unit 238
Provo UT 84602

email address

austin.montgomery@myldsmail.net

First Letter from the MTC.. 2 days later.. :)

Dear Family,

So I sent a letter to you guys because my P day was originally on Wednesday perro mi companero y yo tested out of beginning espanol so we got moved to a new district and thus have a new P day. We didn't find out our new schedule till 2 hours ago so we're not going to have time to go to the temple or anything so that's sad but oh well. Oh and since I got moved I have a new address. If you could post it, that would be very helpful. It is

2011 N. 900 E. Unit 238

The 2011 and 238 are the things that changed. If you've sent any mail yet, I haven't gotten it because we didn't have a district leader till yesterday (and he's not my DL anymore) and so he hasn't had the time to get my mail. Hopefully I'll be able to get it tonight but I'll for sure have it by tomrrow. Spanish is going muy excellente! I love the language but I still am having trouble with the conjugations. Hopefully, in my new class I'll learn them. So in my original district, 6 of the 10 were all going to San Antonio Spanish speaking! Es muy loca! I also had the coolest zone leaders! They're going to Lima North. Oh yeah, my suit pants weren't with my suit so I'm fairly certain that they're in my closet. Could you please send me them and also a watch please. I never know what time it is. Luckily, mi companero es muy awesome! He's about 5'6" and tiny but he's very sensitive and we get along great. Hopefully we'll continue to master the language. How did Zach do at camp this past weekend? Sorry, I don't have much time but I love all you guys.

Love,
Elder Montgomery

Oh also, mi companero ran into a friend from school and guess what her name was? Hermana Billat! Apparently she's second cousins with Ashlyn and Hailey but it was way crazy!

And He is Off!!

Last Facebook Post..

Dear friends and family,

This is going to be my last post on Facebook for the next two years (Except for when my mom updates it of course). I leave tomorrow for Utah and report to the Provo Missionary Training Center on Wednesday. I will be in the Provo MTC for about 6 weeks as I prepare to teach the gospel of Christ in the Spanish language. While I'm there, my address will be:

Elder Austin Bruce Montgomery
JUL24 TX-SAN
2009 N 900 E Unit 175
Provo UT 84602

After 6 weeks, I will be serving the people of the San Antonio, Texas area for the rest of the two years. My address there (until I receive my first assignment) will be:

Elder Austin Bruce Montgomery
Texas San Antonio Mission
404 E Ramsey Rd Ste 105
San Antonio, TX 78216

Also, my email address will be:

austin.montgomery@myldsmail.net

Remember, the Gospel is true and that when you are in the service of your fellow men, you are also in the service of your God.

P.S. Feel free to send letter, packages, cookies, or emails. You guys know how I like food.

Elder Montgomery

Adios Elder Montgomery

Living in the South, is all about Social Gatherings! 

 The Montgomery Casa

 Pres. and Sis. Howick Missionary Prep

 Brothers by different Mothers and the photobomber baby bro Ben

 Cait, Kim and Grandma keeping things tight in the kitchen

 3 buds from his basketball team

 Saying goodbye to his 5th grade teacher from Shiloh Elementary

Austin between two worlds, his basketball team and the missionary force.

 Bro Byrd and Bro Gerber chillaxing on the front porch.

 The elders who have been teaching him the ropes!

 YW and the Sis. Missionaries

 Kids from Lakeview drove an hour South to say goodbye

 Parents from Lakeview came down as well! His homes away from home, the Reynolds and Price's.

 YM and Cubs playing some hoop.

 YW, plus little sis in pink Katie. 

Austin and Hyrum, ballin buddies for years.

What a great turnout from family friends, who stopped by to say goodbye to Austin.

One Hour to Pack

"It will only take me one hour to pack"... Austin Montgomery..

"For two years? Sure it will! "....Mom

Hanging with the Missionaries here in Georgia

Elder Hastings and Elder Boman didn't want Austin to go out to San Antonio as "greenie", so they have been showing him the ropes. That means a district meeting, teaching discussions, tie shopping and of course eating several times a week at Taco Bell.  Good thing, Austin reports to the MTC in 6 days!

Update: Austin's Bud's Elder Hartman and Elder Kotter, didn't get their Visa's in time and reported to the Provo MTC. All three will be together when Austin reports this WEd.