La Prueba de Vuestra Fe

 

On Sunday the Elders Quorum President assigned our investigator, Nicolás, to give the lesson in two weeks. He accepted the invitation without even blinking. His faith is astonishing. After the meeting, he commented that right after his baptism, he is going to teach the class. We are planning his baptism for next Saturday. It looks like the ward is going to put him to work right away. It is incredible to see the determination that comes from recieving an answer from God. 

The other day I was talking to a member who was baptized 40 years ago. He said he investigated the church for 3 years. I asked him what took him so long. He said that there were two reasons. One being his pride, and the other being lack of faith. He didn't really believe that God would answer, and he didn't want to humble himself before God by kneeling down in prayer. However, when he finally chose to act on the little bit of faith that he had (even the desire to believe) he received an answer from God. He had the missionaries teach him all the lessons in one day, and he got baptized the next. 

I know that God speaks to man, because He has spoken to me, and many others that I've seen. But many times the testimony comes after the trial of our faith. I'm reminded of the words of Moroni: "I would show unto the world that faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith." (If you want to read an excellent talk about the trial of your faith, look up a talk by Elder Anderson from the October conference.) 

There are always and will always be trials of our faith. Life is full of trials, because God wants us to progress. He always throws us out of our comfort zone so that our faith will grow. But as we take a step into the dark, trusting that He will lead us, we receive more light. We learn, grow, and progress. 

When we choose to use our agency and act on our faith, even during the toughest trial, we will receive a witness from God. 

"And now, I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you forever. Amen."

Elder Garrett

Anyone Can Know It

On Sunday an investigator that has faithfully come to church for two months and has read through Jacob in the Book of Mormon, but whom we have only been able to teach about four times, told us he is ready to get baptized. His name is Nicolás and he is 20 years old. He had recieved several answers from God already and he felt like our message was true. On Saturday he asked God for a certain confirmation, which I think had to do with some questions he has. In Sacrament Meeting, all his questions were answered and he felt strongly the confirmation that he was seeking. So after the meeting, he asked when we can baptize him and how we will do it. Before Sacrament Meeting he had doubts, but God swept his doubts away and he is more sure of his decision to be baptized. 

He is studying in the University of Chile to become a professional pianist. His studies will take many years, and he already put them on hold once. He recently returned to his studies, and he said he has promised himself that he will finish it this time. However, he realized that there is a problem. He will be studying until he is 27, at which point he will no longer be able to serve a mission. For now, he thinks he won't be going. But, he says that if God tells him that he needs to serve a mission, he will do it. His faith is impressive. 

What has impressed me most this week is that anyone at any age can know that the Book of Mormon is another true testament of Jesus Christ, that Christ has restored His power and authority to His church. I have seen 10 year olds, 13 year olds, 20 year olds, 30 year olds, 40 year olds, and 80 year olds who have learned of the truth of the restored gospel. If any man is willing to humble himself before God, and kneel down before Him to ask Him sincerely, God will speak to that man. I know that God speaks to us. I have seen Him give the same answer to others that He has given to me. It amazes me to see the conviction and faith of people when they recieve their answer from God. 

The Living God still speaks to man. His words will never cease.

Elder Garrett   

Milagro

 

I don't have tons of time, but some great things happened this week. I was feeling very down at the end of last week and so I asked God in prayer for something that would lift me up a little bit. On Monday night, I found out that one of my companions from Los Andes had had a special transfer, and is now in my district in Independencia. The miracle? The week before we had planned to do exchanges on Tuesday with that very same companionship. So, out of the blue, I got to do exchanges with one of my old companions on his first day in his new area. We ate Dominos Pizza and had a great time working together again in my area all day long. Ever since then, I have felt a lot better. It's crazy how perfectly God knows us and knows what we need and when we need it. He helps us so perfectly.

 

Elder Alvarez and I

Que les vaya bien

Elder Garrett

Panoramic photo of me in Los Andes

Quasimodo?

Yesterday some members offered us a ride to the stake center for conference. We got stuck in a dead end street where the only exit was blocked by a really long parade of horses. I guess the week after Easter, all of the Catholics dress up and get on horseback or in carts and ride around in a parade. It's called quasimodo, I think. We had no idea it was coming and accidentally got stuck there. 

With 7 minutes until conference would start, we hopped out of the car, thinking it would be faster to walk than to wait, even though we'd never been in the area before. Then we ran into the Feria, which is basically where the street gets turned into a huge supermarket, where they sell everything from fruits and vegetables and fish to random toys and illegal copies of DVDs and surplus high school

t-shirts from the US. It was full of people and I almost lost my companion in the crowd because he's not quite as big as me.

We finally got out of the crowd and went down a side street. I thought we could easily turn right and make our way to the correct street that would lead us to the church. However, there were no side streets that went to the right and we power walked a very long distance to get the church. In the end, we showed up late and sat all the way in the back to watch conference. 

The members who waited out the parade arrived at the church before us. 

But other than that, the conference was really great and enjoyable. I definitely felt that the prophets and apostles really are called by God and that they are inspired by Him. They hold His power and authority to guide the Church of Jesus Christ. 

I know that He lives and that He answers our prayers. With conference, He gave me the boost of energy that I needed this week. I want my family to know that I love them and appreciate their support. 

Elder Garrett 

Y así no más po

So I guess John is headed off to Argentina. That's way exciting. I mean, Chile is better, but Argentina will do. Haha. I know an elder who is from that mission.

So this week there were several holidays:  Easter, and Combatant Youth Day. Because of the latter, we had to enter our apartment at 7:00 on Thursday and Friday.

They celebrate Easter about the same way, as far as I can see. The Easter Bunny leaves chocolate eggs here, too. The Catholics did a procession in the street with Jesus carrying a cross. But then they entered the chapel, so I don't know if they ever talked about the resurrection. They have Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off of work. Anytime there is a Catholic holiday, they get work off.
 

On Friday we did a service project with the elders quorum and high priests. We helped remodel two houses, basically. We rebuilt the front walls because they were having issues. I nailed my thumb pretty hard with a hammer and I got some sort of really awful bruise. But it's healing fine. It's really great to see the church in action like that. It would have taken them a lot of time to do it by themselves, and they didn't know we were coming.

 

Oh, so my new companion is Elder Mateos, from Uruguay, and I'm still in Vivaceta.  

Cuídense

Elder Garrett

 

 

Michael's Baptism

Graciela's and Fabiana's baptism

 

The Week Full of Surprises

Well this week was a little crazy. So I guess the biggest news is that I'm no longer in Los Andes. There was an elder in Santiago that had to go home for an illness, and because we were a trio, I was chosen to replace him there. President called us on Tuesday and asked me to be in the office on Wednesday at 2:00 to make the change. So I had to pack my bags that night and leave the next day. I didn't quite have time to say goodbye to everyone.

So now I'm in Independencia, in the ward Vivaceta. My new companion is Elder Keck, but he has been in this ward for about 7 months, so he'll probably be leaving when we have changes next week. So I've got to learn this sector really fast. 

The second surprise was the phone call I recieved on Saturday, telling me that they would be baptizing in Centenario. I recieved permission from President to go back to Los Andes yesterday for the baptism, and if the rest of the family gets baptized this week, I can go back a second time. So in the end I got to say goodbye to almost everyone. It was a wonderful baptismal service and was a very spiritual experience for everyone. 

The 10 year old who got baptized is named Michael. On Saturday he told Elder Glazner and Elder Alvarez that he was ready to get baptized. He surprised even his family. They asked him if he was sure, and he persistently said that yes, he was ready to do it. The elders told me he was on the verge of crying as they continued asking if he was sure and telling him how big of a change it would be, but he was sure. That morning he had been reading the Book of Mormon, and he prayed to know if it was true. The next part that he read told him that he needed to do it. I'm not sure what part it was but he felt something, and wouldn't back down when his family asked if he was sure. He was sure.

Due to a slight error in planning, the water ended up being a little cold, so he looked a little nervous when he got in the font. But when he came out of the water he had the biggest smile on his face and he said he just felt really happy. He says he wants to be a missionary in 8 years. 

I really enjoyed my time in Los Andes and I really loved the people, so it was a little rough of an abrupt change, but I'm adapting to my new sector. From what I've seen, there are some really great members here, and we have found some really great people to teach. 

About the time I arrived in Santiago, a family from Bolivia also arrived. They were looking for work. They were a reference from other missionaries. One of the brothers is a return missionary. We are working with his aunt and his brother. We talked to the bishop about their situation and the bishop showed up with members of the ward with beds and blankets to help them out. I was surprised at their fast and generous response to other people's problems. 

This week was a little rough, but in my mission I've learned that in hard times we wonder where God is and why He's not helping, but in the end if we look back we can see that His hand was in everything and that He was probably holding our hand the whole time. This week I have seen the hand of God in my life and in the lives of the people I know and love so many times I can't even think of all of them. Quite often, if we are willing to see them, God gives us a tender mercy. 

I guess that's about it. I'll send pictures next week of the baptism and everything.  

Elder Garrett

The stone cut of the mountain without hands

 

School starts this week, so there is a flood of uniformed children everywhere. It's a litte crazy. 

On saturday, one of the families we are teaching had a really tough day. But when the mom went to church, it seemed like all of the testimonies were perfect for her. It reminded me of the scripture that says that "the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom He hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance." It is wonderful to see the tender mercies that the Lord gives to investigators and missionaries.

One of our investigators recognized that everytime we are talking with him about something serious, something interrupts us, be it a phone call, the doorbell, or many other things. He told us that a matter of days after starting to talk with us, one of his friends, who didn't know that he was meeting with us, showed up with a bunch of anti Mormon literature. He has recognized that Satan is fighting a tough battle against us to make sure that the investigator does not continue with us. I pointed out that if we were teaching false doctrine, Satan wouldn't be fighting us, because he would already have won. 

How great it is to be participating in the Lord's work, especially during such an exciting time in the history of the world. Elder Holland has said that the prophets of old continued in the work of the Lord, knowing they would not succeed, because they had seen our day, and knew that we will succeed. It is good to know that a prophet of God is guiding us to victory, that we will not fail. 

Elder Garrett