09 Dec 09 - 17 Dec 09

My Zone

My District

For diehard Faths of Fate fans

(someone will have to explain this one to my Mom)

Elder M. Russell Ballard, me, and Elder Franco (of the Seventy)

Date: Thursday, December 17, 2009, 2:14 PM

So, if anyone wants to know... I'm a dork. If any of you called (or tried to call) my mom last week, you will have undoubtably noticed that the number I gave was not my mom. My mom does not live is Utah but in the warmer climates of California with a 209 area code.

And speaking of first liners...

"I just wanted to let you know, that I'm a girl. And I like to wear pretty ribbons in my hair. And I like to kiss all the boys..." (For all those who get this)

So yesterday was pretty crazy. It's SO crazy in fact, that I can't actually talk about it in an email.

But on a lighter note, on Monday, I got to do some service in the temple which was pretty sweet. I got to see some of the temple that only those who work on the temple have access to. Plus I also got to vacuum the Temple President's office and he had some pretty sweet books on his bookshelf.

About the snow, I don't know if I've said this yet but I'm actually surprised at myself. My companion is from the colds of Canada and I'm from sunny California where the average summer day is 115 degrees. So why is it that in 8 degree weather, I'm holding my own with him? It's quite nice out side.

I don't know what else to say... so I'll attach some pics.
The first one is a picture of my zone.
The second one is a picture of my district.
The third one is for those who are diehard Faths of Fate fans.
The fourth one is [Apostle] Elder [M Russell] Ballard, me, and Elder Franco of the Seventy.

Later

Elder Garcia

03 Dec 09 - 09 Dec 09

Date: Wednesday, December 9, 2009, 3:03 PM

Hey everyone.

Just letting you know that things couldn't be better out here in the 10 degree, snowy, slippery, hazardous wastelands of Salt Lake City Utah. I still have a car even though I only cover 5 wards (it's cause I'm diabetic). I have several people that I'm teaching and one who's convinced that Heavenly Father sent me specifically to her. My Missionary Level is now 8 and I don't even know how to count my Experience Points. During those times where I'm not thinking about the gospel, or gospel related things, I think about girls, dragons, werewolves, zombies, any combination of those four, my book, another book that I'm supposed to write, more girls, Munchkin, Christmas carols, and girls.

Speaking of girls, as we were driving over to do email today, this car full of girls pulls up next to us and they go crazy waving and doing things that involve flirting and stuff that made me say, "Hey look! There's a cloud in the sky!" Of course nothing bad happened other than my companion almost speeding to get away.

So yesterday, I helped out with a Zone find in the sister's area. I was actually surprised at how well I did. I'm usually not one to call people to repentance and tell them that homosexuality is gay (<--- redundant statment), or that Jehovas Witness is a false religion, or that a couple months is long enough to get to know some people and invite them to hear the missionary lessons, but I did just those things. Elder Wright, whom I was with was wondering why I wasn't cold as we were tracting. I jokingly said that my testimony keeps me warm, but that was probably the reason why I wasn't cold. I knew that what I was doing at that moment was the right thing to do, that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints was the only true church on the face of the earth and that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God who translated the Book of Mormon by the power and authority of God. I knew that it was that same power and authority I held which calls me to serve God with all my heart, might, mind, and strength. If I know these things, why should I fear rejection? Why should I not tell people the truth? So, at the end of the night, I found two potential investigators for the sisters and got them three member lessons. All in all, it was a good night.

Oh, my mom says that if anyone wants to look at the photo album that I gave to her, all you have to do is call (209) 606-1233 and she will bring it to church. It's full of awesome photos of ME! Your favorite Elder Garcia on a mission!

So, if anyone has any questions, let me know. If you don't let me know, then I won't be able to answer any of them.

Take care everyone!

"One way to tell if someone is a member of this church is if you see that they're truely happy. If you're not happy then you're not living the way Heavenly Father wants you to live. If you want to be happy, 'by small and simple means are great things brought to pass.'"

Elder Garcia

25 Nov 09 - 03 Dec 09

Date: Thursday, December 3, 2009, 2:25 PM

Okay, so everyone wants to hear about transfers. First off, I've finally left my area after 6 months (4 transfers). Ironically, I've been in-zoned. So I'm still in the same zone, but I'm not in the same area. Second thing, my new companion's name is Elder Doucette, who just so happens to be my oldest brother. He's been called to be a District Leader making me the DLC (District Leader's Companion) or as he likes to call me, the DLA (District Leader's Assistant). So one of the elders out here asked, "Well, if there's a DLA and a DLC, then what's DLB?" I told him, "DLB stands for District Leader's..." and for some reason, everyone just so happened to think of a rude word to put in place of B. I don't know why. I don't know why I didn't finish that sentence either and just left it hanging in the air.

So we cover the South Salt Lake Stake that has the Kairn(sp?)/Burmese(sp?) Branch, and one ward. But last night as we were going out of our area to teach some of these people, the AP's start harping on us about us not covering what we were called to cover (The Kairn(sp?)/Burmese(sp?) Branch). Apparently, they want Elder Cammie (Elder Doucette's previous companion, my previous District Leader, our now current Zone Leader) to die in that branch (aka leaving the mission in that area). So now we're wondering what to do as far as working in our area goes because that branch IS the work.

As far as I'm going, I'm feeling MUCH better. So much more happier. If it were'nt for the Nay Speak No Ill song, I'd tell you all about my previous companion Elder Torres.

My appartment is also much nicer. It has that bachelor/roomate feeling about it.

The sister missionaries are kicking me off. If anyone wants to know what to get me for christmas, email me personally that way I won't have to say what I want and have everybody get me the same thing.

I'm having much success out here. I can't go into it right now because I'm being kicked off.

Later all.

Will someone let me know how my pictures are?

Elder Garcia

18 Nov 09 - 25 Nov 09

Date: Wednesday, November 25, 2009, 2:58 PM

Hey everyone. Not much going on here. Transfers are coming up on Dec 2nd and odds are against me that I'll stay. Hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving! Send me lots of pics!

Later

(The reason why this email is so short is because we met our Zone Goal for baptisms and they're playing a movie right in front of me so my attention is somewhere else.)

Elder Garcia

Elder Cammie, from Thailand & Elder Garcia

Sister Turner & Elder Garcia

12 Nov 2009 - 18 Nov 2009

Date: Wednesday, November 18, 2009, 12:51 PM

So last night I had a low blood sugar in the middle of the night. If you've never had a low blood sugar in the middle of the night then I'll describe it to you.

It feels sort of like you're pregnant and have amnesia at the same time. And when I say pregnant, I mean you crave the weirdest foods part of pregnancy.

So I was staring at a little glowy light. I don't remember waking up. I don't even remember how long I was staring at this glowy light. All I remember was that it was AMAZING!

So I want to touch the glowy light. I'm sad to say that it was solid. So I pick up what the glowy light is attached to and the glowy light disappears. I'm sad now. I feel what the thing in my hand is and I slowy realize that it's my companions shaver.

I suddenly realize why I'm awake, why I was staring at a glowy light for who knows how long, and why I was now holding a shaver in my hands. I had a low blood sugar.

So now I'm ravenous. I jump out of my bed like a frog and run out into our living room where the community candy box is and start shuffling through it deciding on what I want to eat more. So I start wolfing down anything that's in my hands.

Then I go to bed and wake up late because of my late night episode.

Story time over.

Next time, I'll write the talk that I gave last week on superheroes.

I got to get off now. Later.

Stay true to the faith!

Elder Garcia

04 Nov 09 - 12 Nov 09

Date: Thursday, November 12, 2009, 12:51 PM

Story Time!!!

Okay, so last week sometime we met this old lady named Marsha Erickson. We couldn't go in to teach her because there was no male there who was over 18. So we rescheduled it for another day.

So another day comes around and Marsha's son invites us in. As we wait for Marsha, we talk to her daughter Briana about gospel stuff. Thirty minutes pass by and then Marsha shows up. We start teaching her and Briana The Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ through Joseph Smith, The Savior's Earthly Ministry, and how the Gospel Blesses Families.

The spirit was strong all except for the times when Briana's daughter and son kept barging through the house screaming their heads off. You'd think for being 14 - 17, they'd be a little bit more reserved. But I have learned by sad experience that the nature and disposition of almost all teenagers, as soon as they get a little authority, as they suppose, they will immediately begin to exercise unintellegent actions. Hence many are tolerable but few are respected.

So we leave feeling good about the work we were able to do.

A couple days later, we get a phone call from the Ward Mission Leader asking about how the lesson went. I told him as much as I could in which he told us that we shouldn't go back there.

Turns out that the house was being watched. An under cover police officer was across the street in a neighbors house. As soon as he was about to give the go ahead, we walked in. He asked the owner of the house how long we (the missionaries) had been going there. The neighbor didn't know, so he waited. Forty-five minutes later we leave. The cop calls it in. The swat team drives up, kicks down the door, storms the place, and takes Marsha and her son to jail. Marsha get's released earlier the next morning, but as far as I know, the son's still there.

So, all in all, it's a good thing that the cop didn't call in the swat team while we were there or else the worst case scenario would be that I would be excommunicated right now on suspision of... whatever was going on in there. Probably best case scenario would be an emergency transfer from this area, or being sent home from my mission.

Fun story, eh?

Almost as funny as the guy who accused me of wanting to have an affair with his wife. But that's a story for another time.

Here's the thing that I really want to get at. And I KNOW that this will make one person happy *cough (Nicole Grace) cough* but, I have the option of being called to speak spanish and being in the spanish program.

So the Pros of this is that I will be somewhat able to speak spanish or that I will have an excuse to learn spanish. Also, when people ask me "Habla espanol?" because my last name JUST HAPPENS to be spanish, I will finally be able to say "Si" and know what it means. Another Pro is that I will be somewhat bi-lingual.

Cons: I'm lazy.

So, as far as I'm concerned, the Cons wins. BUT, I want to see what everyone else thinks. Should I say yes to the spanish program or not. And I don't just want what you think I should do. I want to know how you feel about it. Other wise, I'll probably just chicken out and say no because I'm scared to pray about it (I'm afraid I'll get a yes, which probably means that the answer is yes anyways, but I'm just going to pretend that the answer is no and feign ignorance.

Take care, yall. Send me some pics and some money to send home pics. Someone also tell Heather Brown HAPPY FREAKIN BIRTHDAY for me. Tell all the YSA Relief Society to send me Heartbreaker Dear John letters. I want to cry when I read these.

One last thing...
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I think I grew an inch ;)

So to make this letter more long and more meaningless, I'm going to write out the song that most relates to me at this point in my life.

Every morning, I wake up just the same
Another victim of ordinary fame
I don’t see myself as invincible
It’s not true at all

I’m just your average, ordinary, everyday superhero
Trying to save the world, but never really sure
I’m just your average, ordinary, everyday superhero
Nothing more than that, that’s all I really am

Just a day job that someone’s got to do
It’s kind of hard when everyone looks up to you
I try to make it look easy, gonna make it look good
Like anybody would

I’m just your average, ordinary, everyday superhero
Trying to save the world, but never really sure
I’m just your average, ordinary, everyday superhero
Nothing more than that, that’s all I really am

I’m just like everybody else
After all the hype it’s hard to tell
I keep my game face, I’m so real

I’m just your average… ordinary… everyday superhero
I’m trying to save the world
Average… ordinary… everyday superhero
Superhero…

I try to hide my true identity
But no one knows it’s only me

I’m just your average, ordinary, everyday superhero
Trying to save the world but never really sure
I’m just your average, ordinary, everyday superhero
Nothing more than that, that’s all I really am

I’m just your average… ordinary… everyday superhero
Just trying to save the world
I’m just your average… ordinary… everyday superhero

I’m just your average, ordinary, everyday superhero
Trying to save the world but never really sure
I’m just your average, ordinary, everyday superhero
Nothing more than that, that’s all I really am

Later everyone!

Elder Garcia

29 Oct 09 - 04 Nov 09

Date: Wednesday, November 4, 2009, 1:27 PM

Sorry, not much for today. I'm being kicked off.

Later everyone. Take care. Send me pictures!

(I don't know why he got kicked off so soon, unless he was answering a lot of other emails...I didn't get much from him, myself.)
Posted by his mom.

22 Oct 09 - 29 Oct 09

Date: Thursday, October 29, 2009, 1:02 PM

Chapter 28

So it has come to my attention that the presence of the Great Artemio is sorely missed. Cries of boredom have reached mine ears. I write unto my friends to offer my condolences.

I totally wish I could be back home right now cracking jokes (and playing some D&D). But I have a calling right now. And apparently, my calling is to baptize all of the Utah Salt Lake City Mission. Needless to say, I've failed.

But that's okay. That's all right. I got something that you'll all like.

Not really. I just thought I'd say that. It seems that I'm like a bright ray of sunshine for those who are feeling down. If I'm boasting of myself... oops. Anyways, it's not the first time I've wished that everyone could have a clone of me. That way EVERYONE could be happy (and I can kick back, relax, and let them do all the work out here on my mission). But, as my previous companion used to say, "If there are two of the exact same person, one of them is useless."

He might be right.

So, everyone will just have to wait another 17 months/68 weeks/476 days/11424 hours/685440 minutes (roughly) for me to get back. Or you can just wait until I find some way to buy a tape recorder and then just mail my voice back to everyone (tapes provided at your expense).

On another note, I forgot to mention transfers.

I'm still in the same area. I'm still covering the same three stakes, the same 24 wards. I've been here for four and a half months now, thus meaning that I've broken the record for anyone who's stayed in this area (the record was 3 transfers aka 12 weeks).

My companion is different though. His name is Elder Torres (pronounced Toehes). He's half brazillian/half uraguayian. He's the youngest of four with the oldest kid being a boy. He's been out only one transfer longer than I have.

He's headstrong and does a lot of things different. There are a lot of things that I don't agree with but I'm going to need to find a way to work things out.

Other than that, I have a new car. I've been driving every other day and two days ago I almost crashed into a house. ;)

So I should be getting my licence soon all you lucky people out there.

As far as everything else goes, I'll be sending out a photo album to my mom in a couple of weeks (minus the pictures that NOBODY but those who truly understands my peculiar mind would want to see... heh heh he). So if you want to see them, I'm sure she'll put them on the internet, or you can just talk to her personally. Most (if not all) of you know where I live.

If you have any questions, let me know. I'm sorry if my sense of humor offends anyone.

Later



"You know you're a missionary when you watch conference and you wonder where all the General Authorities get their ties."

14 Oct 09 - 22 Oct 09

Date: Thursday, October 22, 2009, 12:57 PM

Chapter 27

"It was a mild week in the land of Salt Lake. With a heavy coat of only one color on my back, the perspiration caused me great anguish as I tried to find an uplifting attitude as I served the people... " - Scholar Artemis

So, I've been teaching a lot more... I think. Most of the lessons are for eight to nine year old kids. That and Less Actives.

Abbey Dalton is nine and shy. I've only been able to teach her the first two principles of the first lesson. Near the end of it, she started to open up a bit.

Issac Postlethwait (Postlewait. The th is silent.) is nine too. His family is Less Active so we're teaching the lessons to get everyone caught up on the basics of the Gospel. He'll be baptized soon within the next couple weeks. They want one of his Active older brothers to do it so they're waiting for him to get some time off.

Tori Procter is eight and her family is semiactive. I think the bishop and the ward mission leader want us to teach her the lessons to get her caught up before she get's baptized.

Jackson Marcum is nine and has ADD. His Dad smokes and is not willing to give that up and because of that, he doesn't go to church. Jackson looks up to his dad so this is a great stumbling [block] for Jackson. If dad doesn't go to church, why should he? His mom is reactivating and that's a big help. I hear kids only have a 30% chance of staying in the church if they're baptized into a less active family.

Symantha Hagen is... nine, I think and has some health problems as well. She's super funny though. I love teaching her because she has so much support from her relatives. Her dad is less active and I don't know about her mom. Her grandma though is beginning to be a hinderance. Last lesson she basically took over and went off on something or other thinking she was helping. It was nice of her to do what she was doing, but she was stoping the work from progressing. We're going to have to find a way to deal with this.

Carlos Hensen is eight and both of his parents are less active. He wants to get baptized on Halloween though. So that's what we're trying to do.

As far as everyone else goes, we're not teaching adults... that I can recall. They're too set in their ways so they reject us fast. The bishops and ward mission leaders for some of our wards are begining to be a pain as well. They're basically telling us to not do any work in their area at all because we might ruin the "friendships" that the members in the ward are making with those who aren't members. So their area's are dead. And if by chance we track into these people (which we don't do much of anyways) the reputation of missionaries goes down and even less work happens, if that's even possible.

My suggestion, throw a wrench into everyone's plans. Screw everything up and then let the Lord take over. Missionaries aren't here to wait for everyone to get ready. We're here to teach those who are. It's something that I have a hard time doing. I should be more bold. But as you all know, I'm an easy going guy. I don't like contention, but contention happens to the best of us. Sometimes I feel like in order to tell people how it is, we have to be contentious.

Once again, I was wrong. If we tell people the truth of the gospel, plain and simple and with love, then it's not contentious. Jesus Christ was never contentious and He was the best teacher ever.

I challenge everyone to find someone that the missionaries can teach. I love it when the members out here give me referrals. I'm positive that the missionaries out there would love it as well. Every member a missionary.

Talk to everyone later.

Hope this is more detailed Mom.

Elder Garcia

A Letter from Pres. & Sis. Sonne (see below for larger view)

7 Oct 2009 - 14 Oct 2009

Chapter 26

So I decided to write as if I were writing in a journal or if I were writing a story in a book.
So far, this has got to be a boring book.

But that'll change. Lately, I've been wanting to shoot myself in the face. The days have been going on forever and I get irritated a lot. Mostly it's been coming from my companion and the rest of it from everyone else. But the worst part is me because I'm letting them get to me.

The area that I'm in has had a growth in the beginning of the transfer but slowly it's been dying down. After a missionary fireside that we put on not too long ago, the Zone Lords inspired me to have a Zone Find. The Spirit really influenced us in this decision. It happened yesterday. There were 20 missionaries in my area. 3 Stakes. 24 Wards. There were barely enough missionaries for one per ward, but that was okay. Some of our Ward Mission Leaders fell through on getting us a list of names for the missionary to stop by and some of the Bishops just didn't care about missionary work.

We asked a bunch of members to come out and go on splits with the missionaries so that they could have missionary experiences. It was from 6:30 - 9 yesterday. We saw tons of success. At the missionary fireside, one of our mission presidency, President Atkinson, invited all the missionaries to sit up on the stand. As soon as we did, it was really noticable of the abundance of spirit that filled the room. That was attributed to the consentration of missionaries in a single area. And so it was with my area, because of the consentration of missionaries, the Lord opened up a window of opportunity and poured His Spirit out towards the Missionaries, the members, and those who the missionaries visited.

By the glory of the Lord are all things within our capabilities possible.

And now, transfers are next Wednesday... I hope I stay.

01 Oct 2009 - 07 Oct 2009

Date: Wednesday, October 7, 2009, 1:01 PM

So conference was awesome. I got to go to all the sessions (although I slept through Sat Morning, part of Sat Afternoon, part of Sun Morning, and part of Sun Afternoon).

Things have been really hard here. And cold. Really cold. I am ill prepared for the winter. I may come back an ice cube and for once I'll be really cool!

I'm doing a lot of less active work in my area and I couldn't be happier. For a while, I fell away from the church, but something inside me knew that the things I'd been taught were true. Last night, I was an instrument in the Lord's hands as I taught this single mother and her two children. The Spirit was strong. They even started crying (which, only the spirit and possibly a girl can get a sixteen year old boy to cry).

I'm sorry that my letters are so short. I don't have much time to write and these family history computers are super slow.

Take care everyone. Doubt not, fear not. And when you eat pie, think of me.

Elder Garcia

23 Sep 2009 - 1 Oct 2009

Sorry about this everyone but the computer that I'm on is stupid and it frustrates me so much that I can't think straight.

I'll give more info next week.

Elder G

16 Sep 2009 - 23 Sep 2009

Date: Wednesday, September 23, 2009, 11:38 AM

So I guess all of you know that yesterday was mah birthday (and if you didn't, repent and remember next year!). Things were pretty sweet... as far as mission life goes. My District Leader called me up to wish me a happy birthday and then before bed told me to dream of "beautiful missionaries." Another set of Elders sang me a happy birthday and my Zone Leaders wished me a happy birthday right before they gave me my mail.

Thanks to everyone who wished me a happy birthday. I'll thank you personally after I've finished with this. Thank you again to all those that sent me mail. My companion was pretty jealous of all the letters (and a couple packages) that I got. Heh heh heh...

So as I've looked back on this past year, I've seen just how much I've grown. And I'm not just talking about since I've been on a mission. I'm talking gospel wise. There's so much that I've learned and it all started around March of '08.

Anyways, I was just thinking about how I've spent previous birthdays. Mostly just hiding in my room trying to avoid the world and avoid coming to the realization that I'm now another year older. Last year though, I had a pretty sweet kareoke party and cut the cheese. This year, I just mainly spent my birthday thinking about all that everyone has done for me.

It wasn't just my birthday yesterday. It was also the day that my mom gave birth to me. So if for some reason you actually LIKE me, thank my mom for carrying me for nine months. Without her, I wouldn't be here to bless (and sometimes terrorize) the lives of others.

(Okay, maybe not terrorize. I probably just make other people's lives more difficult.)

So here's to you mom.
Elder Garcia

10 Sep 2009 - 16 Sep 2009

Wednesday, September 16, 2009 1:06 PM

Hello everyone from your friendly neighborhood Nerd Herder.

This week, me and my companion did a lot of nothing with the occasional something every now and then due to his bump on the head.

This Sunday, our Zone is holding a special missionary fireside for all the youth and 2.5 of our 3 stakes aren't coming.

We have several Potential Investigators lined up. Which is sweet.

Uh... if you have any questions, let me know.

Later

Elder Garcia

02 Sep. 2009 - 10 Sep. 2009

Date: Thursday, September 10, 2009, 11:49 AM

Sup everyone,

Okay, I have things to talk about this time.

So this is my third transfer in the same area and the second with Elder Huffaker (Huff-acer). We moved to a new apartment though that is now two stakes out of our area and he can no longer drive for the next 2-3 weeks due to the concussion he recieved last week from our ALL DAY P-DAY activity. So now I'm car-less once again. Not only that, but since I'm in a new apartment, I also have a new phone. That means I have to Bluetooth all of my old contacts into my new phone. Joy.

So Satan is working really hard against me. I think it's because I'm a stud, or something like that. But that doesn't hinder me. I think the thing that scares me most is that while my comp has been recuporating(sp?), the thing I spend my time doing most is studying the scriptures... and I find that I like it! *GASP!*

Anyways, hopefully within the next couple of days I'll be getting my learners permit so once again we can drive. Which reminds me, Mom, if you can send me a copy of my Driver's Ed certificate... if you can find it or get ahold of it somehow, I'd much appreciate it.

Other than that, not much has been going on. I've been quarenteened(sp?) for the past week because of my comp. If there's one thing I'm thankful for for being a bum for the past four years before my mission, it's that I handle myself extremely well for not being able to do anything. Some missionaries go crazy without anything to do. I'm not bored at all with reading the scriptures and staring at the vastness of space for several hours while I slowly lapse into a semi-coma.

Sorry that I haven't been keeping up with all those who've written me. I'll [try] to keep up with those letters.

Take care everyone! Stay safe! Floss your teeth!
Elder Awesome

20 August 2009 - 02 September 2009

Wednesday, September 2, 2009, 1:37 PM

So... just to let everyone know, I'm not dead.

Having said that, I really don't have that much to say. Transfers are next week and someone's told me that I'll be moving from this area. I hope not because I really like it here working with less-actives. I've seen a lot of growth with the members as well as the non.

Hope everyone is doing good.

Let me know how things are going.

Later

Elder Garcia

12 August 2009 - 20 August 2009

Date: Thursday, August 20, 2009, 2:27 PM

I'm running out of things to say...Um... I hope everyone is doing well.

I'd like to hear more about what's going on at home or with everyone else.

I really don't know what to say right now. It seems like I've already said everything. I'm sorry this is so short, but I guess I'll just leave with a scripture. I don't know if I've already given this one so I'll just give it again.
"Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever." - Alma 26: 12

Have a good week everyone!

Later

Elder Garcia

30 July 2009 to 6 August 2009

Date: Thursday, August 6, 2009, 2:10 PM

Hmm... what to talk about this week. Well, I've never been as busy so far in my mission as I have been this past week. Since I'm the one who's been in the area longest, I'm basically Senior Comp (Elder Huffaker has no clue what to do so I have to basically plan everything). Since I've been in this area, I've seen some things that I said I would change if I stayed. So here I am.

In one of my stakes (I don't remember if I've said this, but I cover three. Yup... STAKES) there is very little mission work going on. When I say little, I mean that there's one potential investigator in the entire stake. The missionaries a few transfers back believed 'If you don't help me, I'm not going to help you.' So nothing went on and none of the Ward Mission Leaders cared to come to Correlation meetings except that one time of the month where they had to.

I choose to be different though. Instead of working mostly in the best stake that we have, I choose to work in the worst stake. I took what the other elders believed and flipped it around. 'I'm going to help you out so that you can help me out.' It's all trust issues here. If you don't trust the missionaries then why would you ever give them your family and friends and neighbors to work with?

Well, since the beginning of the transfer, we've been working with all of the auxiliary leaders to try and get mission work fired up in the stake (we haven't worked with all of them yet. Just in this stake alone there's 54 or so leaders so we're working our way systematically through the wards.) Because of all this focus on this stake, the members are seeing us more often. Because of our new resolve to contact the referrals that we get ASAP and then report back, more people are trusting us. Just yesterday during the Correlation Meeting, all but 2 of the WML's showed up and they said they'd show up next week as well. That's something this stake hasn't seen in MONTHS. I'm really excited about the possibilities of what's happening.

As for the other stakes, we only have time to contact those who we're actually teaching and referrals that we get. This kind of reminds me when Zion was established after Jesus came to the America's. There was no rich or poor among them. They were all equal. Well, when it comes to these three stakes, there should be none better than another. They should be all equal.

We've been teaching less and in-actives more than investigators and that's just fine with me. I'm not content to just focus on those unbaptized. I want to help save the souls of ALL my brothers and sisters. I don't know how everyone feels about me not trying to baptize thousands like Nephi and Lehi but I have been told that "I will help bring many back into the fold of God." (<- I'm paraphrasing.)

Let's see... what else to say...

I don't have any good stories to tell. The ones that I do have are all about missionary work or things that I shouldn't discuss. Sorry to let you all down.

Anyways, if you read this, drop me a quick line (unless you get this personally. I already know who you are).

If you have any questions that aren't "How many baptisms have you had," and "Where are you at?" then send them my way.

Anyways, later.

Elder Garcia

22 July 2009 to 30 July 2009

Date: Thursday, July 30, 2009, 11:50 AM

Okay, first off, I'm just wondering why I've received so little emails? This is the bulk of what everyone writes me. Hmm. That's okay though, just making sure everyone is okay, or that they have Internet.

Second thing. Yesterday was transfers so today is P-Day. I'll also be emailing next Thursday as well because Wednesday is Zone Conference. Friday is also an Area Conference and Elder Christiansen from the Quorum of the Seventy will be speaking.

So I'm still in my area. I got a new companion though. He's like me as in he's a geek like me. So we hit it off right from the start. He IS tall though, so that's kind of a bummer.

This past week has been pretty cool. The only problem is I can't remember anything that happened...

Uh... so yesterday Elder Huffaker (Huff-Faker) and I had a meeting with this Catholic girl named Jenny. I'd like to say we had a Lesson with her but it was more just talking and bashing. I didn't do any bashing though. I stayed quiet practically the whole time except for when I bore my testimony.

She wants to learn more about the church but she's set in her Catholic ways. Needless to say, I walked out of her home with a headache.

We then had dinner with a man named Chef Toney (Chef is his title). His food was so delicious... and this is coming from a guy who used to live off of Ramen and canned corn. I could have gotten fat off of his steak.

After that, we had a correlation meeting with one of our stakes where there's slim to none mission work going on there. I was surprised when two of the Ward Mission Leaders ACTUALLY showed up. Elder Dyer and I have been doing a lot of work in their area lately to try and get mission work fired up. Now it seems that the fruits of our labors are finally starting to appear.

So that's all I pretty much have to say. Oh, and in the Pioneer Day Parade (or whatever else it's called) I saw President Eyring. I was on the wrong side of the street though and got Sister Eyring mainly in the picture.

So hope to hear from everyone soon. Later.

Elder Garcia

16 July 2009 - 22 July 2009

Date: Wednesday, July 22, 2009, 12:41 PM

So this has got to be one of the most and probably will be the most craziest transfers that I will ever have. I just thought I'd like to tell everyone one.

Anyways, last night I was thinking to myself. A while ago, my friend Dann told me that I was going to change on my mission. I flat out refused. Me change? Never! I liked who I was. I was a pretty okay guy. At that time in my life, things couldn't be better.

So why would I change?

I'm sad to say that he was right. I HAVE changed. I could not NOT change. I was forced to change just like all the other times in my life where I had to realize that who I was wasn't exactly what I could be. Would anyone deny the opportunity of becoming someone better? Well, I almost did.

So I wonder if I sound any different to anyone. Looking back, I would never go back to who I once was. Some people spend most of their lives trying to become older while others spend the rest of their lives trying to sound young. I wonder which one I fall into...

This past week has definitely been interesting. I can't say much on the subject though. Mostly because it's all a blur. Some parts stand out, but not a whole lot.

I don't know if I've told this story yet, but there's a man named Ted Florek that we've been teaching for a while. When I first met him, he was just beginning to show an interest in the church because of some things that have happened to him. We eventually got to sit down and have a full lesson with him one day.

As we kept visiting him, his countenance began to slowly change. Pretty soon, he was finally able to discern the difference of the spirit when we were at his home and when we were gone. Now it seems like he wants us to come by more often just so that he can feel that peace.

Not too long after we started teaching Ted, his son came up to us and said that he wanted to be baptized. Every missionary wants to hear that. So now we've been trying to teach Ted and his son Teddy to prepare them for baptism.

We asked Teddy when he wanted to be baptized and we settled on Aug 1st. Ted on the other hand felt differently. He sat us down. Took a deep sigh. And then went into this long discussion about something or other. Then when he finally spit it out, instead of what we thought he was going to say, he of course threw us off. He wanted his son to be baptized on July 31st.

He of course didn't feel that he was ready to make that covenant yet. We told him it was okay. The only reason we give people dates is so that we can prepare them within that set time. It's kind of like studying for a test. You wouldn't study for it if you had 6 months. But if you knew it was three weeks away, you'd start hitting the books.

But if you're not ready for the test then you're not ready. We told him that as soon as he felt he was ready for baptism then be baptized. This is one thing you don't want to rush. Of course he's going to be baptized. When you help bring others unto God through the spirit, baptism will happen in the process.

Because of how we act, and hold ourselves, and treat him. He respects us the most out of any other missionary he's met, and he's met a good six or seven pairs. And he's told us specifically that we (Elder Dyer and I) can't show up to Teddy's baptism, then he's not getting baptized. It's either us, or no one.

That makes me happy that I've been able to make that kind of impact on someone.

Missionaries give up two measly years of their lives to serving the Lord, but by all means those two years are far from measly. That time that's been given up to bring the gospel to those who seek it mean the world to them. I mean the world to someone. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ mean EVERYTHING to them.

So when I have experiences like this, why would I ever go back to who I once was? I would never have known what I know now. Hopefully, I can become a better and better man each day. Boy, it feels weird calling myself a man. But it's true.

As Paul said:
"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." 1 Cor 12: 11

But that doesn't mean that I'm a stick in the mud. I'm still going to be the goofy, oddball, wise-cracking, role playing nerd that I always was when I get back.

Jesus Christ told us:
"Behold, ye are little children and ye cannot bear all things now; ye must grow in grace and in the knowledge of the truth. Fear not, little children, for you are mine, and I have overcome the world, and you are of them that my Father hath given me; And none of them that my Father hath given me shall be lost."

I am not required to be a stick-in-the-mud just yet. It'll be a LONG time before I get all old and wrinkly. So I'm going to enjoy my youth.

Paul said to Timothy (heh heh):
"Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

Don't get old before your time. I'm trying not to.

Elder Garcia

NEW PICTURES!

Check out the bottom of this page for a few pictures his family finally got today from Temy (Elder Garcia)!
[I will try to get some names for the missionaries in the pictures and post in a couple of weeks.]

9 July 2009 to 16 July 2009

Date: Thursday, July 16, 2009, 1:51 PM

So this past week has been interesting, especially yesterday. While doing service in the temple, on a trip of taking scafolding outside, I was told that there was this girl that wanted to speak to me. I thought to myself, "Why would any girl want to speak to me?" I went over to the girl anyways who was standing just off to the side with an older lady. She said to me, "Are you from Ceres 2nd Ward?" Well, technically no. But I said yes anyways. She then asked me, "Aren't you one of my brother's friends? Do you remember me?" That's when it all fell into place. I was like, "Hey, yeah! You're either Hailey or Jenna!" Laughing, she said that she was Jenna. She then tried to introduce her grandma whom I already assumed she was. Jarrett had already told me that if I ever served in Cottonwood Heights that he'd hook me up with meals from his grandma. His grandma confirmed that story. Jenna asked what I was doing and I told her that I was on my mission (just in case she didn't know... or care to find out) and that I was doing service in the temple. To prove my statement that I was on my mission, I looked for my companion. Wouldn't you know it, the Elder that I WAS working with took off! It was a good thing that my real companion showed up. I then said "Later" and left. After that, I got flack from just about everyone. (I think they were jealous.) The head... contractor(<-?) then told me HIS side of the story. He said that this girl caught a glimpse of me as I was moving the scafolding. She asked the guy if he knew an Elder Garcia. The guy said, "Why? Are you his girlfriend?" OH MY GOSH!!! I just about died from laughing. I couldn't believe he actually did that! I'm not sure of the validity of that statement though. I guess I'll have to find out from Jarrett. Anyways, about this guy, he singled me out from the beginning because I'm the most racially diverse out of everyone there. He's Samoan. He was funny too. After we were done moving all the scafolding (someone tell me if I'm spelling that word right) he said, "Hey, Garcia. After your mission you come work for us." I'm pretty sure he told me that because I used common sense when stacking things. (You wouldn't believe that common sense is dead, but it's true. Don't quote me on that.) Anyways, I asked him if that was a guaranteed job and he said of course. It's too bad I never got his name...

Other than that, we've been teaching a lot of investigators who have become more than just strangers. They're now family. For some reason, they all want to be baptized in August and transfers are on the 29th (so that means that P-Day will be on Thursday the 30th). I just hope that I don't get transfered out of my area. I was talking with my District Leader about how missionaries don't just die once (missionary lingo for going home). Missionaries die every time they get transfered out of their area. You form such strong bonds with what used to be strangers that when you leave, you fear that without your help they'll fall away from the church. Just like when your kids leave home for whatever reason. It's also amazing how you can see the Light of Christ begin to grow withing the hearts of those you teach. You can actually see it radiating from them. I once told an investigator when I was on exchanges with the Zone Leader that, "God hasn't stopped showing miracles. Just because they're not out there like He did for the Israelites, doesn't mean that they don't happen. I see a miracle everytime someone let's His servants into their home to learn more about His gospel."

I'd also like to send everyone a copy of Natalie Glenn's talk, but you'll have to ask her yourself for it. It's so amazing, you'll wonder why it wasn't given at General Conference. I read that talk when I gave a talk this last Sunday. The Spirit was so strong, if it wasn't for the little kids making noise, you could probably hear your heart be pierced(sp?).

I don't know what else to say except if you know anyone who wants me to send them an email, send me theirs or give them mine (I'll probably get in trouble for saying that but I have more family than just blood and there's no rule that I can't send an email to my spiritual family. If there was a rule saying that I can't talk to anyone except blood then I really couldn't talk to my Heavenly Father now could I?) Send me letters if you can.

My address is:

Elder Artemio Leon Garcia
Utah Salt Lake City Mission
3487 South 1300 East
Salt Lake City, Utah 84106

If you don't feel like writing then send me pictures. If you don't feel like sending me pictures then send me a blank piece of paper. That way I can at least try and write to you.

Anyways, take care

Elder Garcia

15 July 2009

Date: Wednesday, July 15, 2009, 6:19 PM

Hey, sorry that I didn't write anyone today. I was asked by my Zone Leaders if we (Elder Dyer and I) would be willing to do some service in the temple (it's currently under construction and repainting and whatnot). So from one to four we were moving painter's scafolding out of the Celestial Room to outside. It was fun and worth it. So I wasn't able to check my email today but I'll be on tomorrow at one to respond to everyone. (That's one MST.)

Later

Elder Garcia

1 July 2009 to 9 July 2009

Sorry I wasn't on yesterday. We had interviews.

I don't know if I've said this already so I'll just say it again. Since I've been out here, I've noticed that we all have a particular testimony that we bear a lot and that's usually the strongest one. For some, it could be the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. For others, it could be how the Gospel of Jesus Christ blessed their family. For me, I KNOW that my Father in Heaven loves me. I've felt his love. I feel it every time I feel the Spirit. It's that little bit of warmth and peace that makes me do everything I can so that I can be with Him at the last day. When that happens, I will be able to feel that love continually. Who wouldn't want that? It's the strongest (for lack of a better word) "drug" ever. I seek to feel that love as often as I can. I yearn for it. And I want everyone to know of that love too.

For the record (instead of a memory of what I once said) I'm out here because one night not too long ago, I wanted to know if a mission was right for me. I always thought of going, but I never really believed that I could handle a mission. After all the things that I've been force fed all my life, who would blame me? But still, I got down on my knees and sincerely prayed for an answer. I wanted to do what my Heavenly Father wanted me to do regardless of what worldly things I had to loose. The answer I got... suprised me. I felt impressed to search my Patriarchal Blessing, something that I had read over a dozen times. When I read it, it told me of my life on a mission. My prayers were answered long before I even prayed! Because Heavenly Father wanted me to go on a mission, I went. What Heavenly Father wants is what I want. Plus, something has always told me deep inside that there were souls out there (now come to be known as the Utah, Salt Lake City Mission) that needed ME specifically to teach them. Who am I to deny them?

I try to be as best a servant as I can, even though I fail sometimes. But there still seems to be a thin line between what I say, and what I know. I want to teach what I know. I want what I know to be what I say and do. I KNOW that Jesus Christ, mine and everyone else's Savior, bled for me specifically in the Garden of Gethsemene(sp?). Who could ask for a better bigger Brother? Even though I'm a little conflicted right now, I feel prompted to say that I was told by a VERY special person that there is no bigger love or better love that anyone could have than to lay down his life for his friends. Jesus loves YOU and he died for YOU. I think sometimes we feel a little like he doesn't really care about us as individuals because He took upon Himself EVERYONE'S sins, and pains, and afflictions. But he didn't just do it as whole. He did it for all of us as individuals. He knew each and everyone of us as individuals. And if you were the only person on earth, He still would have partook of the Atonement. Jesus loves you. That has got to be one of the most powerful statements that anyone could ever hear. It's because of that love for me that I want others to feel of that love as well. I'm a screwup and imperfect. But even a screwup with a testimony can still be an effective instrument in Heavenly Father's hands. A screwup with a testimony can still help save his brothers and sisters, even if it's only by one testimony at a time.

There's a girl out here named Morgan who's Golden. Literally. Her baptism is coming up and Elder Dyer and I are going to do everything that we can so that when the time comes, she'll be prepared for the covenant she's about to partake of. If she's not ready, then we'll wait till she is. As long as we help bring her soul towards God, baptism will happen. As long as her soul is directed and follows toward God, she will never fall away. As long as she knows for herself that the things we teach are true, then we'll meet again after this life and rejoice. Shouldn't that be all our goals?

I love you all. None of you are like pie to me. You are a part of me. Without you, I wouldn't really be who I am right now. I've gained something from each and every person who has touched my life and I sure hope the same could be said of others of me. To be forgotten may be worse than death, but one day, I'll remember you all, fondly.

I hope this email finds everyone well.

Happy Birthday to my youngest brother Tyler who turned 19 on the 7th of July! (Maybe we'll be out together? More blessings for my mommy!)

Happy Birthday to my cousin Bobbie who turned 22 on the 30th of June! Sorry this is late. The days fly by here. In September I'll be once again a year older than you. Sorry.

Happy Birthday to my friends Dann and Natalie who turned... whatever ages they are now on... the 1st of July? You'd think I'd remember. Anyways, Sorry that this shout out has the two of you together. Since you share the same birthday, you'll share the the same shoutout. It is by sad experience that we know that Elder Garcia is lazy.

Sorry if anyone else has had a birthday that I don't know of or can't remember.
Happy birthday anyone else!

And while I'm at it, my older sister Kaleen is going to turn... 24 on the 23rd of July! Hey, wait a minute... that means she had her Golden Birthday last year as well...

Take care everyone! (And letters couldn't hurt. I'll take wedding invitations and Dear Johns. Just send them. Spread the word! Or not.)

Take Luck
Elder Garcia

24 June 09 - 01 July 09

Not much has happened within the last week. Progress in this area is REALLY slow. I practically walk around all day in the heat because we don't have that many teaching appointments and when we do they usually fall through. We teach when we can though. This area is a lot harder than my last one. I've already had a couple people flat out discriminate against me just cause they know I'm a missionary. But oh well... life goes on.

Me and my comp have a love/hate relationship. Sometimes, things get a little too heated between us. But that's okay. If I didn't struggle with something then I'd never grow.

AND DON'T ANY OF YOU TAKE THAT SENTENCE THE WRONG WAY!

This is just a side note for everyone who reads this.

If you get offended by anything that I say then you don't know me. I may have my faults but I have never sought to offend anyone. When I joke around I usually do it at my own expense or I do it in a prideful way. Sometimes, I have to do that because others tear me down a lot. If I don't bring myself up, even if it's in a prideful way, then I'll take it. Does that mean that I'm prideful. Gosh, I hope not. I said it before and I'll say it again though, "We are not who we want to be. We are what everyone makes us out to be." If you don't understand what that sentence means then maybe I can give you an example as to how you can apply it to yourself.

Why do some people think that Jesus Christ was just an ordinary man and not the Son of God? It's a hard question to answer if you already have a firm testimony that He is the Son of God and our Savior and all that jazz. But for someone with the mindset that yes, there was at one point on this earth a man named Jesus Christ and of course He died, but not necessarily for our sakes, then how could he be anything other than just some ordinary man? I could look at anything and make it to be whatever I want and no one could tell me otherwise that they are anything other than what I believe them to be. A doctor could be a drug addict. The fireman could be the arsonist. The NASCAR driver could be suicidal, and one boy who grew up never hurting anyone could be counted as more worthless than the dirt you walk on. If you get offended at what I say then I am offensive. If I try and lift myself up then I am prideful. If I try to make others laugh then I am immature. It doesn't matter if I am anything but whatever anyone sees me as, that's who I am. Even now, I am a messenger of God come to bring glad tidings to all those around me and yet most of the time I am considered the devil's advocate. Because I have only been out on my mission for 11 weeks, my word is taken for naught because someone out as little as I have been could never have anything to say that's of importance. Does anyone but God know of what I'm going through? I certainly don't know the pains and afflictions that rage withing the bodies and souls of my family and friends. So do we have any right to bring others down to lift ourselves up? How many people must I carry on my back before they are able to walk on their own? How much more criticism and negativism must I take before I finally snap under this load? I am not here to be a punching bag for others. I try and bring laughter to the lives of those who sorrow. I try and "bear one an other's burdens that they may be light and comfort those that stand in need of comfort." If you read this and don't believe me then either I'm lying or you don't know me. I tell you these things on part that this is something that I need to vent. How much of my life did I spend hiding from speaking my mind? How much of my life did I spend hurting my Savior and Heavenly Father because I endured the hurt everyone gave me instead of standing up for myself? I don't know. I don't want to find out. I don't want to hold my tongue any more.

The second part is that you may "learn wisdom." I may be only twenty-two. I may only have been on my mission for eleven weeks. That does not mean that I am any more above or below any one else. If there is something that I can teach, then I'll teach it. If there's something that you can learn, then learn it.

I hope this email finds everyone well. I just want to leave with my testimony. If there's one thing I noticed out here on the mission, it's that everyone bears there testimony on what they know best. For some, it's that the Book of Mormon is true. For me, it's that I know that my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ loves each and every one of us. I have felt that love. I feel it every time I feel the Holy Ghost. And that's just a small portion of the love that we will feel when we live with Them forever. It's the kind of love that I want to feel forever and I will do everything in my power to attain that. Even if it means going against the norm. If you want to hear a song about me, listen to "I Never Stand Alone."

Later all

Elder Garcia

18 June 2009 - 24 June 2009

From his mother: My apologies, also. I really didn't want to post this last letter. I thought a long time about it. So, I'm posting it only because, if I don't, everyone will ask where it is. Here it is for what it's worth.

Date: Wednesday, June 24, 2009, 1:51 PM

I'd just like to formally apologize to everyone in this letter, especially [to those who have worked on my blog]. Thank you for all that you have done for me. I'm sorry to anyone who became offended at anything I said.

Elder Garcia

10 June 2009 thru 18 June 2009 (2nd Letter)

First and foremost, I'd like to appologize to everyone for having to put up with my emails for the past couple weeks. I realize the error of my ways and I have repented of them. No more will I seek to do what should not be done. When I came out on my mission, there were a lot of things that I felt... wrong about. It is my conclusion that there is a lot of Pride or The Silent Sin out here. We HAD the privalege(sp?) of the highest baptizing english mission in the world but now we CLAIM the title of third highest coming in behind Provo and Ogden. Now we (as a mission) seek to reclaim the title of number one.

WHO CARES!?

I was asked not to disclose any information that wasn't uplifting or fun-fun happy times. I think lying would be the greater sin. I'm telling everyone this so as not to get caught up in what I had for my first transfer. I was weak. I was new. I was a fool. Numbers mean nothing. Baptizing means nothing except as a means of coming closer to Christ. (Forgive me anyone if I say something false.) If a man is baptized and he falls away from the church, it would have been better if he had not been baptized at all. It even says in the first paragraph in Preach My Gospel, "Our purpose as a missionary is to INVITE OTHERS TO COME UNTO CHRIST by helping them receive the restored gospel THROUGH faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. "Our purpose as a missionary isn't to bring people to the waters of baptism AND THEN help them come unto Christ. That's all we focus on is baptism, baptism, baptism. Aren't the lost souls JUST as important as those who've never known? Why don't we focus on Less Actives just as much?Doctrine and Covenants 18:15-16 talks about the worth of souls. "How great shall be your joy in my Father's kingdom if you bring many souls unto me!" Souls! Not baptisms! Numbers, numbers, numbers! I'm sorry if I rant. If you understand what I mean then good. If I'm not very clear then maybe someone else could explain it better than I.

As far as the week went, I got over the flu. I was transferred yesterday to the Parley Zone and I have a new companion named Elder Dyer. I don't want to talk bad about him so I won't.

The mission life is hard. Tracting, street contacting, teaching, the schedule, all that is easy. It's doing what you're told and following the Spirit that's hard. It seems like I'm being pulled by opposite ends. When following the Spirit is the same as what I'm told then everything is all fine and dandy. But otherwise, the screaming voices in my head never seem to cease.

I hope this email finds everyone well and congrats to my youngest brother Tyler for becoming an Elder. I just hope that he as well as everyone else who has accepted the authority knows of the oaths and covenants that they've made. Don't take them lightly. The Lord will not be mocked.

Anyways, hope to hear from everyone. If you don't have my address, get it and use it. Later!

Elder Garcia

18 June 2009 (1st letter) Mistaken Case of...Humility

I know that a lot of people are going to be reading my emails.
That's why I say what I say.

Plus I won't be sending pictures individually.
I'm going to send an album when it's full.
That's 600 pics. So be sure to keep a decent amount in my bank account.
I won't be printing pictures until the memory card is full.
I don't know how many will fit on a 2 gig.
I will also be printing doubles.

Also, I have no clue what you're talking about in your last letter.
In what aspect am I supposed to be humble?
Or was that just a joke?
I'm not really concited you know.

Also, I'd like to know Daddy's history.
I've tried to ask him a couple times but I don't really remember anything.
All I really know about him was that he may have been an alter boy (for the Catholic church?) and that he smoked(?) before he became a member.

Elder Garcia

Last week of the 1st transfer!

10 June 2009

Uh... from last Wednesday to now

So I'm sick and everyone is making a big deal out of it. Last night, my companion prayed and thanked the Lord that I wasn't dead. As if the flu could kill me.
I'm wearing a face mask in the public library as I'm writing this too. I feel so stupid.

Anyways, I just found out that apparently I have a blog which I can't check. If anyone so feels inclined to check it out, here's the link. http://elderartemiogarcia.blogspot.com/

I know it's probably not as good as if I were to do it myself, but I'm sure it's good nonetheless because it's about me. And as we have read from the scriptures, whatever is good is of God. And since I am good, I am of God.

So on Saturday, I had four more baptisms with me personally baptizing two of them. It was the Maestas family. My companion, Elder Elbert, baptized Michael (the father) and Armando (the nine year old son) while I baptized Lisa (the mother) and Alize (the oldest son). Lisa was kinda heavy (as in like 2 to 3 times my weight) but with the power of God, I was able to dunk her once. Alize was a breeze after that.

On Sunday they were confirmed and I personally did the confirmation of Lisa. Other things that are noteworthy that happened on Sunday, I can't say because I would be thoroughly chastized by a certain someone *cough Rae Toale cough* if I said it.

Yesterday was my first day as "senior companion". For the last week of my first transfer, I get to be senior companion.

During the day, we were able to committ 5 people (two of them accepted) and we added 4 new investigators. It was a pretty successful day up until I got sick. Yesterday I did nothing. Today, I'm oot and aboot (even though I shouldn't be for some reason or another). So that's basically it.

The weather here sucks and the bums are crazy.

Oh yeah, on Thursday I had 24's with my Zone Leader Elder Satterfield (24's are when you spend the whole day with another missionary). While we were street contacting, John Bytheway passed us and I didn't even know it.

Till next week...

Elder Garcia

10 June 2009

Uh... from last Wednesday to now

So I'm sick and everyone is making a big deal out of it. Last night, my companion prayed and thanked the Lord that I wasn't dead. As if the flu could kill me.

I'm wearing a face mask in the public library as I'm writing this too. I feel so stupid.

Anyways, I just found out that apparently I have a blog which I can't check. If anyone so feels inclined to check it out, here's the link. http://elderartemiogarcia.blogspot.com/

I know it's probably not as good as if I were to do it myself, but I'm sure it's good nonetheless because it's about me. And as we have read from the scriptures, whatever is good is of God. And since I am good, I am of God.

So on Saturday, I had four more baptisms with me personally baptizing two of them. It was the Maestas family. My companion, Elder Elbert, baptized Michael (the father) and Armando (the nine year old son) while I baptized Lisa (the mother) and Alize (the oldest son). Lisa was kinda heavy (as in like 2 to 3 times my weight) but with the power of God, I was able to dunk her once. Alize was a breeze after that.

On Sunday they were confirmed and I personally did the confirmation of Lisa.

Other things that are noteworthy that happened on Sunday, I can't say because I would be thoroughly chastized by a certain someone *cough Rae Toale cough* if I said it.

Yesterday was my first day as "senior companion". For the last week of my first transfer, I get to be senior companion.

During the day, we were able to committ 5 people (two of them accepted) and we added 4 new investigators. It was a pretty successful day up until I got sick. Yesterday I did nothing. Today, I'm oot and aboot (even though I shouldn't be for some reason or another). So that's basically it.

The weather here sucks and the bums are crazy.

Oh yeah, on Thursday I had 24's with my Zone Leader Elder Satterfield (24's are when you spend the whole day with another missionary). While we were street contacting, John Bytheway passed us and I didn't even know it. Till next week...

Elder Garcia

May 6th 2009 - Letter sent from The Mission Home

Things so far

June 3, 2009

Okay, things that have happened since last time I wrote. This past Saturday, I had two more baptisms. The first one was a nine year old girl named Hannah Hendry. She was baptized by her older brother. The second one was a woman in her 40's named Tammy Gallegos. She was like... over 200 pounds and she wanted me to baptize her (cause it would be my first).

So I did.

She was freaking out because she was sure that something would go wrong, either I would mess up the prayer, or I would drop her, or I wouldn't get her under all the way, etc etc. But I said it right and she went under all the way and I didn't drop her. When she came back out she looked at me with a suprised look on her face.

"You did it!" she said to me.

I smiled at her and said, "Of course I did it. I had faith that everything was going to go well. Where was yours?"

I wasn't scared at all. I think it was one of those things where I would rather jump in feet first that wade in.

That was practically the highlight of my week. I was also able to teach a nine year old and a six year old with short attention spans. All I needed was the right incentive (Candy).

We took two families to see the Joseph Smith Movie. There were mostly kids in them so we had to split where we were sitting. After the movie we walked outside and it was raining. I had to walk uphill in that.

As for everything else, things are pretty slow. We're asked to Hard Committ practically everyone, which means that if we run into someone on the street, we teach them a couple principles and ask them if they want to be baptized. Salt Lake City mission is unusual in that respect. We're not sowing seeds. We're harvesting.

We should have four more baptisms this Saturday.

So Far

May 27, 2009

Things have been going pretty slow, I must say. Besides those people who are on date for baptism, all we do is tract and street contact. During those times, we have found nobody to teach and nobody who wants to hear the gospel.

I have seriously met more homosexuals here than I ever did in California. It's them and those "Spiritual" people. Those are the ones who don't need to follow God's commandments because of how spiritual they are. And because of how spiritual they are, they will be saved in the last days.

Also, the Less Actives and "Christians" get to me in a funny way. Apparently, the Less Actives follow all of God's commandments but they don't need to go to church. And the other day, I ran into a Christian who said that LDS members aren't Christian because we don't worship the same God. Christians believe in the Trinity. They believe that Jesus Christ was the son of God but is God himself. So Jesus Christ is his own father. That makes so much sense!

If you can't tell... that was sarcasm.

I laugh (even though I know I shouldn't) because I keep thinking that in the Spirit World, all these people that I meet will come up to me and say, "Why didn't you tell me I was wrong? Why didn't you stop me from making a fool of myself?" And I will say to them, "I did. You just didn't listen."

So other than things being slow and all the nut jobs, I do manage to find those who are somewhat receptive to the gospel. There's this guy named Paul who is a drug addict. Me and my comp are slowly getting him to become clean so that he can get baptized on the 13th.

Uh... I don't know what else to say.

Second letter home

May 21, 2009

Hey,

Things are going good here in SLC. Within a month I will have baptized seven people. The work isn't as hard as walking these hills. I don't have a car but I have a bike.

Other than that, I filled up that 256mb card with photos. I don't want to send the card just in case it get's lost but I could print out the pictures and send those. The only problem is that I have no money. So if I could get an email with the amount of money that's on my bank card, I could use that to print out the pictures.Other than that, I'll have to email when I need more meds. The thing out here is dumb.

Also, anyone can use DearElder.com to write to me. We get letters monday night/tuesday morning.

Later

Hey

April 24, 2009

Okay, so I finally have my MyLDSMail account and I'm typing home. It's hard for me to write letters out here in the MTC because I have no time to do it. I'm actually going to bed around eleven or so instead of ten-thirty because I've been writing in my journal. Everything is going good over here. When I have time out in the field, I'll try and send some stories of what I have been going through. So you got my letter right? I got yours and Kaleen's. Tell the family that I won't have time to write them either so if they want to hear from me, they'll be getting an email. I'm not opposed to getting letters though. I'll need the emails of those who want me to email them though. But as for the MTC, it's been going great. I gained three pounds because I'm now eating three square meals a day. I also have bad gas, but that's to be expected. Most of those in my district actually look up to me as the most knowledgeable in our group. I never got called to be District Leader though. I'm just a lowly peon Senior Companion. That title means diddly squat. I am learning a lot more. My teachers are fun and Elder Stone's not as bad as I thought he would be. I also met Sister Howell. She seems to be transitioning well. But then again, I've only talked with her twice. Well, I'm in the middle of doing laundry and then it's back to class. Hope to hear more from everyone soon. Later.

- Elder Garcia