Blessings

When we got to church yesterday, we found out we were going to speak... I mean, the week before, the old Branch President asked us to speak, but since no one else really said anything about it, we thought maybe we were off the hook... in the end, we had to ride back to the house to fetch our talks... and my back tire was flat...

This was the first talk I've given in Chile, so I was a little nervous. I have no idea what language spewed out of my mouth for the first two minutes, or if anyone understood me... but I got the nerves under control and started speaking like a normal person (almost) and I think it turned out alright... I'm sure it would've been worse in English... so I'm counting my blessings!

Today we're headed to Santiago to buy some more ties.... there's not a whole lot to do on preparation day in Batuco... email and naptime. We have to travel in bus for about 45 minutes to get there and then take the subway, but it's nice to get out and see something different for a change... even though I've already seen it before... haha.

They say it looks like I've lost a little weight, but I don't weigh myself because I don't want to get my hopes up just to find I still weigh the same. Or maybe it's just because I don't have a scale.

On Saturday night we had a cool experience. We finished a lesson with a family and the daughter said the closing prayer. She broke in tears... and the whole family started crying. When she finished, we just kind of all sat in silence. They told us to come back on Sunday, and they all told us they had felt pèace and warmth in their hearts. The father said he'd never felt like that before. We helped them to recognize that it was the Holy Ghost. They said they felt like during that prayer God was very close to them... and that he expected them to follow Him. 

 

Surprises

This week we were asked to speak in Sacrament Meeting. So we prepared our talks on Saturday. When we got to church, the Branch President told us we weren't actually going to speak... maybe next week. As it turns out, the District Presidency came to reorganize the Branch Presidency. So they spoke. They also surprised us by assigning six families from Valle Grande to our branch, where before they went to Lampa. 

The new Branch President is President Christensen, from Arizona. We are teaching his niece, who is now living with them, and it looks like we will be preparing a baptismal service in a few weeks. One of the cool things that happened is that he only called one counselor... he didn't feel like he should call another yet. Today he recieved the surprise that six more families would be part of the branch. 

We are now starting to see the fruits of our efforts, which is exciting. I've been in Batuco for 2 months now. (Time flies fast) One of the most rewarding parts of the work is being able to see the progress and the changes in peoples lives.  To feel like you were an instrument in the Lord's hands to help someone. 

Where did July go?

It's hard to believe that it's already August. July flew by way too fast. Before we know it, John will be in the MTC. 

One of the greatest things about the mission is that you can make really great friends. The hard part is that at some point there is always change. I'm not sure I'm quite used to that yet. Some changes are harder than others. 

So Elder Flores is already home, already chatting with our investigators and the members on Facebook with his cellphone. My new companion is Elder Riera, from Ecuador. He has 9 months in the mission. 

I've been a little bit sick this week but I think I'm already starting to feel better. It doesn't help that it's very cold right now. I mean, ahorita it's pretty hot, because the sun's out, but in a couple of hours it's going to cool down and by 6:30 when the sun goes down it gets freezing cold. Sometimes I wear thermals, a sweater, and two coats. haha. And I'm sleeping at night with 5 blankets. 

Yesterday, Maxi (15 yrs old) who was baptized two weeks ago, was confirmed a member, shared his testimony, and received the Aaronic Priesthood. In his testimony, he said "I know that the steps that I'm taking are right."

I also shared my testimony yesterday. Sometimes people think that the life of a missionary is easy, or always full of happiness.... Wouldn't it be great if life were like that?  But we wouldn't grow, and we wouldn't have to learn to trust in the Lord. I know that Jesus Christ, our Savior, lives. He suffered for our sins, pains, and afflictions, so He knows how to help and comfort us in hard times, when no one else can. I have felt Him carry me through all of my trials. 

Have a great week!

Elder Garrett

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)