30 July 2012

HEY FAMILY!!!

Wow that week went really fast!

SO my new companion’s name is Elder Bennett, he is from South Weber, Utah.  He is very nice! He works hard and knows a lot so that is really good!!!!

Things are going pretty great! We were able to find 5 new investigators this week and we were able to teach a lot of lessons.  I really hope that the people we taught take to heart the things we said and really do the things we asked them to do!!!  That’s always the hard part.  But I have faith that they will! The most promising one is named Mack, he used to go to church a lot when he was younger but now he never goes.  But he said that he feels like he needs something more in his life right now and he is looking for it!  SOOO we left him with a Book of Mormon and told him to read and pray about it!  He is going to be out of town this week but he said he would take the book with him and read it on his trip!

Training is a little different but it’s almost the same as regular missionary work, the only difference is that we study for an hour longer each day so the new missionary can learn and get used to the things we teach.  It’s nice!  I’m learning so much.  I agree with the statement that the teacher always learns the most!!  I have been able to see a whole different side of missionary work because of the training program.

Yesterday at church, Sacrament meeting was on the Eight Article of Faith, I believe. And I realized something .... I LOVE THE BOOK OF MORMON.  I’m about to finish it for the fifth time on the mission and I love it more and more every time I read it. There are so many great promises found in it, we just have to be willing to find them and to earn them!  I have grown a testimony of Christ through the Book of Mormon. I know it’s true!

Last night we were at a member’s house and they started talking about a trip to Salt Lake!  So me being me, asked them if I could have them take a package and give it to you all!! So in about a week and a half a member will be calling one of you to give you a box and then you will have to distribute it to the rest of the family ... because there are and have been a lot of birthdays as of late. Be ready!!

Oh while we are on the birthday topic .... MINE IS IN A MONTH!!!!!!!!

  

CORY HAPPY BIRTHDAY ON SUNDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!

Family I love you and I miss you all so much!! Before we know it Christmas will be here and we will be talking to each other on the telephono!!!

Love,

Elder Garrett

Justin's baptism in Santa Maria

Blake at LA Temple

23 July 2012

Oxnard District

David Katayama

Matthew's family

Dear Family:

Well Justin’s baptism was the bomb!! His father-in-law got to baptize him, he is only a convert of about 8 months, so it was so special, he also gave him the gift of the Holy Ghost. We had dinner with them last night, the spirit is just flowing through that house.  That family is the perfect example of member missionary work. There were two other people who got baptized that day so it was a very spiritual day, we also had interviews with our mission president, so it was a very good day!

Last night I got a call from the assistants and they told me I will be training a new missionary this transfer.  I’m pretty excited but I’m really nervous, so pray for me. And I found out that Elder Wenz is now my district leader.  I’m really excited for this transfer and I know that it is going to be full of success and so many blessings. And I found out that I’m going to be staying here in Santa Maria, it’s like we are white washing in because I have only been here for two weeks now.

Things are going pretty great, the other day we were going to see a part member family. We got out of the car and this lady was looking at us weirdly, so I waved.  She yelled, “What are you selling?” So I told her that we aren’t selling anything but we are giving gifts from Christ. She laughed and told us to come over to her house. So we started talking with her and found out she was raised JW, but she hadn’t gone in 25 years or so. We testified of Christ and we started to teach the restoration, half way through she asked why there are so many churches and why isn’t there a prophet on the earth now...... So we answered and you could see the spirit testify to her it was true.  Then her husband came in and asked questions .... it was great. They invited us back so we will see how that goes, but it was a very good miracle.

Love you so much and I miss you a lot!!!

Elder Garrett

16 July 2012

HEY HEY HEY HEY HEY HEY HEY

Well the new area is pretty great!  I’m still lost and have no idea what is going on, but it’s a lot of fun!

We were supposed to have a baptism with an investigator last Saturday but that didn’t work out, his family is all watch tower stiffs and talked him out of receiving blessings ..... kinda sad but he still is willing to meet with us and read and pray, so eventually he will be ready just not right now.  But the really good news is that we have a baptism on this Saturday!!  It’s a part member family, the husband/father is the one getting baptized.  His name is Justin, he is way cool!  We had a lesson on tithing yesterday and we talked about all the blessings that he has received, he really knows that God loves him!  He understood the commandment and is excited to live it.

My new companion’s name is Elder Jorgenson!  He has been out just as long as Elder Wenz, we are now Co-senior companions, so it’s a learning experience.  It’s fun, it’s kinda nice to be able to have a companion who knows what he is doing.  I’m not as stressed out as I used to be.  We have a few people with a date that I haven’t been able to meet with so when I meet them I will let you know how it is going with them.

So the babies are closer to being born!!  And just so you know Ashley and Brandon, Blake is an awesome name!!!  Hint Hint

OH big news!!!  We are going to the LA temple tomorrow! Elder Jorgensen’s birthday was last Friday so we are able to go sometime this month.  We picked tomorrow.  A member from the ward is driving us down.  I can’t wait!  I will take some pictures and send them to you.

Well sorry this is so short, but I really don’t know what’s going on too much here yet.

Love you so much and hope all is well with you.

Elder Garrett

9 July 2012

HEY HEY HEY!!!!

Well I talked to president last week and I just heard from the assistants, I'M GETTING TRANSFERRED .... A missionary got sick and had to go home which sucks .. so they are taking me to be companions with his old companion. I have a slight idea of where I’m going but I don’t know exactly where I’m heading to.  It’s somewhere in the Santa Maria zone, it’s on the coast and should be fun that’s all I know!!!!

But I have to go pack because I’m leaving at 2:15.  So sorry this letter is soooo short!  I will try to get out another email later today hopefully.

I’m doing great!!

Love and miss you all!!!!

Elder Garrett

2 July 2012

HELLO FAMILY!!!!!!

Wow it’s July..... CRAZY!!!  I can’t believe how fast time has gone. Well for me at least. haha

So for the Fourth of July we will be going to a big breakfast that the ward is having at the church and then there is a big water fight, so we will bail before that craziness happens, then we have a few teaching appointments!!  For dinner we are having a BBQ with a member and hopefully be able to watch some fireworks that the Navy lights off, because we have a base in our area!  It should be fun.

We are still working with George, he is doing alright, he could be progressing faster than he is but all in the Lord’s time right??  He got jumped the other week and is now in a wheel chair so we push him to where we usually would have our lessons and then push him back.  It’s nice to spend more time with him and actually get to know him and how he feels about life and about God and Jesus Christ.  He always seems to open up more when we are walking rather than teaching ... oh well it works!!

Another person we are teaching is named Sissy, she is way cool, she has like 6 kids under the age of 9 and they are all crazy, they are always wrestling with each other and screaming!  But it is funny and they settle down when it is time for the lesson.  She is doing great!  Besides not going to church .... but we will change that!!  But she is amazing.

So I heard from Elder Griner the other day and he says to tell you hi!

I’m glad that I chose to serve Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ because I don’t know where else I would be able to learn all that I have and feel the love of God sooo much, I know this work is true.

I love you all and I miss you so much and have a great 4th of July!!!!!

Love Elder Blake Garrett