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