3 Weeks

Well I've only got three weeks left. It's a little crazy, but I'm getting excited. It's going to end whether I'm happy or sad about it, so why should I be sad? 

On Friday I ran into an old investigator that we visited about 5 months ago, but in that time she just didn't have time to meet with us. I set up an appointment with her for Tuesday. Yesterday we were trying to contact some other people in that street. She was outside and she invited us in because everyone had rejected us. She is golden! She mentioned that she notices a difference in her life. A year and a half ago she was about to get baptized and was always participating in church activities and meetings. In those times, she said that everything worked out right. She started to cry and said that in the year that she's been away from the church everything has changed. She feels really bad about things she's done and wants to repent and be baptized. We talked about repentance and baptism and in her prayer she asked for strength to get back to the church and get baptized! We are so happy for her! 

She learned that something Elder Perry said is true, "Obedience to the law is liberty." We are free when we obey God's laws. And when we do not, we suffer the consequences. 

See you in three weeks!

Elder Garrett

 

Changes

Today we had changes, but it looks like I'll be staying here in Los Andes until the end! I think these last four weeks are going to fly. I can't really believe my mission is rapidly coming to an end. 

The other day I felt like we should pass by and see a sister from the ward. When we went by, she said she wasn't doing very well. We asked if there was something we could do for her. She asked for a blessing so we went and picked up one of her neighbors who is member to help us. After the blessing she asked me "How did you find out I was sick and needed a blessing? Who told you?" The truth is that the only person who'd told us was the Holy Ghost. 

This week we moved into a new apartment that is much smaller, costs much less, and is much closer to our sector. Last week we fasted for an investigator and at the same time fasted that we could get into a new apartment so we could stop losing time traveling. There was a hang up that day. The owner wanted President to be there to sign the contract, which is something unusual. He usually signs it in his office in Santiago and then the owner signs it later. We hadn't known that he'd wanted that. But that day President happened to be in Los Andes doing interviews, so the owner met him and they signed the contract right away. Everything worked out perfectly and this week we got into the apartment, which is right in front of the chapel. 

Anyway hope all is well. 

Chao

elder Garrett

Mother's Day

Today we went to Santiago and did a little souvenir shopping. We'll be going there with mom and dad too, I'm sure. Lots of great things.

I'm happy, and doing well. Hope everyone's doing well. Tell Marc congratulations for me, I'm excited that he'll be getting married in the temple.

Yesterday was mothers day, and I wanted to say Happy Mother's Day to Sister Aburto, because she has always taken care of me like mom would and always writes me letters of encouragement. We're not allowed to make phone calls to people from our past areas, so I just said a little prayer, asking for a chance to talk to her, and at about 9:00 we ran into her in the street. I hadn't seen her in over a month, even though we're living in the same city. It's incredible how God answers prayers, even when it seems like something that would be insignificant to Him.

Elder Garrett

The Spirit

That investigator that I told you about last week that met with the sister missionaries in her parents home got back this week and told us the story. The missionaries just kind of showed up, and remembering us, she let them in. She went to church with them and was very impressed. She said she'd been to many other churches, and had ended up becoming an atheist. But she said she felt something in our church that she'd never felt in any other church. She felt the Spirit. She told me that when I'd explained to her that God talks to us through the Spirit and makes us have peaceful feelings in our heart, she didn't understand, and was skeptical. But when she felt that in our church, she understood what I was talking about. She said "I'm not sure how to explain what I felt. Maybe that's why I didn't understand when you explained it, but now I understand, and I want my whole family to feel it, too."

She came back much more talkative, all the skepticism is gone! I noticed that she was much more cheerful now. 

Anyone can feel the Spirit.

Elder Garrett.