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