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
Friday, July 31, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
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
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
Friday, July 17, 2009
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.]
[I will try to get some names for the missionaries in the pictures and post in a couple of weeks.]
Thursday, July 16, 2009
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
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
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
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
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
Thursday, July 9, 2009
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
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
Wednesday, July 1, 2009
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
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
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