A couple of weeks ago we taught a less active member a lesson. We sang two hymns and talked about her baptism and her experiences in the church. I felt prompted to share a scripture about our baptismal covenants and the promise of having the Holy Ghost with us. She cried and said she wanted to come back, because she needs the Spirit. One time her husband almost died of a heart attack, but the Spirit alerted her about what was happening, so she was able to save him. This week we talked to her again, and she said she'd gone to church with her daughter in Santiago, because she wants to move there. She also asked the bishop for an interview, because she wants to come back.

As I studied for an investigator, certain words from a scripture popped into my head. I couldn't find them anywhere. It would've been nice to have had an electronic device to be able to look them up.... I prayed for help to find them, and the next day in an exchange, Elder Osborne opened his scriptures right up to that scripture with those words. Wow. I felt strongly the Spirit as I shared that scripture with the investigator. 

I can't remember if I told you about an alcoholic that we'd been helping out... but the other day I saw him again and he looked completely different. He gave me a huge hug and said he's almost alcohol free and he's going to start working again. 

I hope all is well.

Oh está todo bien.

Elder Garrett

Why is it that when I get here on Monday I forget everything that happened in the last week? I think on Monday my mind just goes blank....

Oh... we had a nice experience this week. We left our house and we were on our way out of our neighborhood when someone waved to us. I waved back, but we just went on. Then I started feeling guilty for not talking to her, and felt like I should contact her, so I turned around and we went back to her.

She was weeding the garden in front of her house and I offered to help. We went and changed clothes and came back in about five minutes. For about an hour we helped her out. She explained to us that she'd had 3 strokes and several other health problems and that just recently she'd felt good enough to get out and work in her garden. She was very grateful for the help.

She basically said that she felt the Spirit when we were with her... although she described it like good vibes.... good energy. She was so happy, she invited us to eat lunch with her this week and said that normally she didn't speak to the missionaries, but that we could even share a message with her. It turns out she was baptized about ten years ago, although she's been inactive ever since. She also mentioned she'd gone to see President Hinckley in Santiago one time.

We've had several experiences like that this week where we've felt prompted to do something, and we've been able to be instruments in the Lord's hands.

Oh sorry guys, I forgot that last week I didn't know who my companion was yet... haha. Yeah, so on Tuesday we went to the office to pick up our new companions. My new companion is Elder Ortega, from Santa Cruz, Bolivia. He's learning Spanish very fast, thanks to his great teacher.

I'd send you fotos, but the other place where we do internet was full, so we're in a different place and the computers are so lame they don't even recognize my memory card.

Anyway, that's about it.

Chao (de verdad)

Elder Garrett

 

This week was really good... although I feel kind of exhausted. Today I'm with Elder Willoughby, I was with him in the MTC, so that will be awesome. Then tomorrow I will be picking up a new trainee and I'll head back to Los Andes.

Last night as Elder Preciado said goodbye to Lalo and Verito, they had some very nice things to say about us. They said they'd waited for quite some time for a companionship that would baptize him. They said we were just like a perfect pair of missionaries and we helped them to feel the Spirit, and that helped him to get baptized. So we felt really good about that. It's funny how God puts us in the right place at the right time to help the right people, because Elder Preciado would've been in Argentina if his visa had come through.

They also told me I'm very patient, and very persistent.....

We are really happy with Lalo's progress. He received his first callings yesterday... ward missionary with his wife, and also asistant ward mission leader. They are so happy and progressing so well. We are super excited to work with them.

Anyway... until next week.

Chao

Elder Garrett

2014

What a way to start out 2014... sick. Ha. And I'm still kind of a little sick. I feel even worse when we head outside, because the heat makes me feel worse. On New Year's Eve I thought I was going to pass out in the street... But I didn't, don't worry. I survived.

I feel really good about this year. I hope that these will be the best six months of my mission. I've learned so much and grown so much in the last year and a half. 

I'm really tired because we had a zone activity today in San Felipe... and all I want to do his sleep a bit. So I'll jut say that we had some good experiences this week.

It was a tough week, but it's always worth it. Lalo is doing so well. He blessed the sacrament this week in church, and he also took it to his mother-in-law, because she's sick and can't come to church. This week we are going to go do some family history work with him to help him get ready for the temple. It's been really exciting watching his progress. 

Elder Garrett