Bendiciones

Well this week flew by really fast. Today I had to drop off Elder Flores in the office, because tomorrow at 3 a.m. he flies home to Honduras. It was kind of a sad weekend. We made a really great team. A family that we helped reactivate told us on Sunday that many missionaries have passed by in the last year to try and reactivate them, but we had something different, something special, that helped them have the desire to rekindle their testimonies. They have been in church without fail for four weeks already. They are incredible and we were very blessed to be able to be there to help them.

I don't have a whole lot of time left, but I just wanted to say that I know that God answers our prayers and helps us in just the right way. He knows our needs and if we'll ask for help, he will do it.

That's all for this week. It seems like there is never enough time. Mom, I am very happy, and very healthy. Maybe a little bit fat. Actually one of my ex companions that I saw in the office today told me that it looks like I've lost weight. Who knows? 

Elder Garrett

Everyone is Having Babies

So it sounds like I might have a new nephew today? Rachel was keeping me posted, but I guess I'll find out next week.... I guess I'll have to get to know at least three nieces/nephews when I get home. Just when I leave for two years everyone starts having babies. John will get to know what it's like... because he leaves in a month, right?

This week I hit my one year mark... and Elder Flores 23 months. So we celebrated with a funfetti cake that one of the other elders had left behind. I'd send you pictures... but I accidentally picked the computer that doesn't work very well. 

Yesterday we had Zone Conference in Lampa, so today is P Day... We're going to go to Santiago to some museum. It should be fun. 

I guess the most exciting thing that happened this week was that one day in lunch we were served prilletas... I think it's called blood sausage? basically it's a sausage filled with blood, which is then boiled and served. I wouldn't say it was my favorite dish that I've tried, but I was expecting it to be really bad, and it wasn't. 

I'm headed out.

Elder Garrett

One Year This Week

This week, on July 11, I will have been a missionary for one year. It's crazy how fast it seems like it's flying. My companion, Elder Flores goes home in three weeks, so I'm sure he can tell you about time flying. 

Well this week we received yet another surprise... on Friday at midnight, President called to inform us that the other two missionaries in Batuco would be changed to Santiago. So Elder Guzman left on Saturday, and we worked in a trio with Elder Beeson so he could show us the sector until today. We dropped him off in Santiago today. This means that we are now responsable for the whole branch, instead of half of it, at least for three weeks. 

On Saturday we ate hot wings with the Christensen family. The dad is from Arizona, and he teaches English here. So they invited us to lunch for the 4th of july... even though it was the 6th. But it was probably the coldest 4th of July of my life. Instead of fireworks, we had a fire in the chimney.... because it is very cold here right now. 

Until next week

Elder Garrett

Miracles

One day this week we passed by for a family of members, and when we were there, the daughter announced that she and her boyfriend want to get married in the temple. She said, "He's not member, but he wants to be." It was a great miracle at the end of a really slow day, and we started teaching him.

We prayed a lot that we could get investigators to feel the desire to come to church. 

Last week we invited a family to come to church, and all five declined the invitation. When we passed by this week, one of the daughters said that she and her niece had wanted to go the week before. So this week, they came!

Today we are going to Santiago so my companion can buy some souvenirs because he goes home in one month. 

Elder Garrett



Very cold



A gift from the Bolivians

My new companion, Elder Flores (Honduras)