No Temas, Cree Solamente
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This week we hit a roadblock with an investigator with respect to a very important commandment of God, knowing that it would be very difficult for this investigator to keep . With much prayer and singing of hymns, we prepared the lesson plan, and invited the spirit. We felt the spirit guide us in the preparation and as we taught the lesson. We went into it with faith, remembering the words of the Savior before raising a young woman from the dead: "Be not afraid, only believe."

 

We testified to her that if she would put in her effort to keep the commandment, that God would prepare the way for her. We should not fear what will happen if we keep the commandments, because God will support and raise us up. 

 

It's amazing how much faith grows when we read the scriptures, pray, go to church, and act on our faith. The scriptures tell us that miracles are worked by faith. 

So, be not afraid, only believe.

Elder Garrett

Pónganse Las Pilas...

Last week, the 62 year old mom (Mary Luz) of a recent convert had told us "Pónganse las pilas, porque me quiero bautizar." After watching the example of her daughter for several months, and noting the changes in her, she started to visit with us. She went to church two weeks ago and loved it. This week we passed by her house every night to teach her. She will be getting baptized the weekend of June 1, so we have little time to teach her. But, we have seen the impact of the gospel in her life already. She studies what we ask her to study, and always does her prayers. It's very cool to see testimonies and faith grow when people read the scriptures, pray, and go to church. Yesterday in Gospel Principles she announced to the class that she had a surprise, she is getting baptized on June 1. 

Elder Cuadros and I get along really well and we are working hard. We have great expectations for this change. 

Que estén bien 

Elder Garrett

Mothers Day

 

Well I talked with my family yesterday, so I don't have a whole lot more to say. Nicolás got baptized on Saturday, confirmed on Sunday, and taught the lesson in Elders Quorum. He gave a lesson about the temple. He bore testimony that the temple is the house of God and expressed his desire to enter it. He taught a better lesson than we usually have... haha. We are so happy for him and his progress. He is going to be member of the church. His baptism was a great experience, and he was very content. 

Baptism of Nicolás... with my new companion Elder Cuadros

On Wednesday, President called us and asked Elder Mateos to pack up his bags and be in the mission office in two hours. This came out of nowhere, since we had normal changes on Monday. He went to Renca to be a Zone Leader. Elder Cuadros (from Lima, Perú) is my new companion. He's only got 4 months left of his mission. I met him in Renca, so we already knew each other beforehand, in fact we'd done exchanges. In Renca, I could hardly understand him... needless to say, he says I talk a lot more now. I'm his second companion from Kaysville. It's a small world. 

I guess that's about it.

Elder Garrett



Santiago in its fulness of glory... a thick layer of smog

The Lord Guides His Work

 

Well, this week we had changes. But we don't have any changes, so nothing has changed. I'm still in Vivaceta with Elder Mateos, from Uruguay. 

I guess the coolest thing that happened this week started out with a mini disaster. But I'll start out with a little background information. Nicolás has been reluctant to speak with his parents about his decision to be baptized, because they don't really approve. We have always taught him in members' homes or in the church so as to avoid causing any problems for him at home. 

About a week ago, I randomly had a dream that we went to his house, spoke with his parents, and everything turned out fine, they didn't reject us, and we left on good terms. We had never even thought or talked about going to his house.  

On Saturday, we had a barbecue with some members. They got home a little late, so they got lunch started a little bit late. While we were eating lunch, my companion was playing around with the phone and accidentally put in the wrong security code and so now our sim card is blocked. SIM Rechazada. 

We took a taxi to the church, hoping that Nicolás would be there... but he wasn't. On our way to our apartment to find the zone leaders' number so we could call them with a payphone, we passed the street where Nicolás lives. I felt the impression that we should pass by his house. I kind of brushed it off, because we've never been invited to his house. But as we kept walking, the impression got stronger and stronger. 

When we got to the house I prayed and asked God directly if what I was feeling was real and if we should pass by his house. The dream that I had had the week before popped back into my head and also I felt strongly in that moment that we should go there right away and not worry about the problem with the phone. So I asked my companion what he thought. He was a little preoccupied with the phone, but later he told me he felt prompted that he should support me, which he did.

When we knocked on his door, he immediately invited us into his house... not what we were expecting or planning to do. He asked us if we thought it would be a good idea to invite his parents to speak with us. We didn't really have time to answer him before he ran upstairs to talk to his mom. 

The unplanned and unexpected meeting with the parents started out a little contentious. We kept quiet and patient for quite a while, responding every once in a while when there was time to respond. We shared with them what the Spirit told us to share, and everything turned out alright. We left on better terms than what we started with.

The next day, after Stake Conference, Nicolás set the hour of his baptism with the bishop for Saturday at 5 o'clock, and asked one of the senior missionaries (Elder Gomez) to baptize him.  

It was amazing to see his faith as he told his parents that he has already made the decision to be baptized, and that as he has lived our religion for three months, he knows it's not a cult that they should fear. He knows that if we ask God, He will answer us. We invited them to ask God if what he's doing is right. They're good people and I'm sure in the future we will be able to share the gospel with them, because Nicolás will be a great example to them. 

We saw many miracles that night, all because we chose to follow the guidance of the Holy Ghost. 

Elder Garrett