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