This week we had a good experience with Daniela and Cesar. They went to mutual with their grandma this week and it was the first time they'd entered the chapel. They said they felt at home there. They met the Bishop and made several friends. They were very excited and have watched several church films and have been reading the Book of Mormon. On Saturday Daniela said that she believes it to be true. She still doesn't know with certainty, but she feels like it's true. They also came to church on Sunday.

We had changes this week. I am still in Almendral, but now I'm with Elder de Castro and Elder Román... my first chilean companion! He's really cool and we are having lots of fun and working hard. 

My trainer, Elder Kelson went home this week, as well as one of my other companions, Elder Cuadros. It's kind of weird that I've already had several companions go home... and to think that I've only got 8 months left....

In a couple of weeks we will get to listen to Elder Holland. John said that he will also be speaking to them that week. So that should be awesome. 

Anyway that's about it. 

Elder Garrett (Chile)  

We had some great blessings this week, and we were able to find a lot of really great people to teach. We are teaching two children who are really incredible. Their mom and grandma are both members that participated actively before.

The grandma said that whenever she sees us, she feels peace in her heart. She had lost her scriptures many years ago, and when we pulled out the Book of Mormon she said it was like seeing an old friend, and she felt something when she held it again in her hands. They are very excited to learn, read, pray, and go to church.

We were teaching them about the Book of Mormon and how to receive and recognize an answer from God with respect to the book. We had one Peruvian, one Brasilian, one Chilean, and one Gringo who could all testify that they'd received an answer. And if we could receive answers, anyone can. It is true that anyone who asks sincerely and demonstrates their faith by their works will receive an answer.  

This week there was a stake activity right after a baptism and our building is the stake center. I ran into Fabiana, from Centenario. It is a great feeling when you can talk to someone you taught seven or eight months ago and see that they are stronger than ever in the gospel. I am so happy for her and her family. 

That's it for this week.

Elder Garrett (Chile)

This week we had a great blessing to be able to participate in the baptism of Victor. He is a great young man and we have seen great changes in his life as he has learned and lived the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so happy for him. And I know that as we live the gospel, the Lord blesses us. Our lives are happier because we are blessed with a happiness that will last forever.

 

 

We were able to find many great people this week to teach, and a couple of people who we'd taught before but we'd lost contact with them. 

I know that God answers our prayers and He is always there to help us, even when we're not sure of it. He's often just waiting for us to ask help. We have a bright future ahead of us because of our faith.

Elder Garrett

Conference

This week I have noticed that when the Spirit touches someone's heart, they start to change. I don't know if it's becuase the Spirit changes our heart, or because we change because we want to continue feeling it... but it happens. We have seen great progress this week in investigators as they excercised their faith, as they read the scriptures, prayed, and went to church. One investigator went to four of the five sessions. Even though he didn't understand everything, he kept coming, because he has a desire to know more.

This week I feel like I have come to know my Savior better. I started the week with that desire and a lot of prayer... and during the week and the weekend I felt like I got closer to Him and came to know Him better.

I know that He lives. I understand better what He did personally for me, even though I'll never fully understand it. I have felt His influence in my life, and in the lives of many. I know that He suffered for us to lighten our burdens... He is constantly lightening my burdens. I know that He was resurrected the third day, and I look forward to the day that we are all resurrected. That will be a glorious day. I know that if we follow his teachings and endure to the end, we will be able to enjoy a happiness forever that for now we don't understand. We will see each other again after death. 

Elder Garrett