First Good Snow!
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
17 Nov 10 - 24 Nov 10
10:57 AM
Hey everyone.
I'm better this week. I've spent a lot of time learning to not care. Everyone's gone through that point in there life where they're tired of feeling so they shut their emotions off to not hurt any more. Well, I've once again gone onto that stage. I just keep thinking that since I'm not in a companionship, whatever happens won't fall on my head. It's worked so far. I'm a lot happier now. We show up late to everything because my companion has no sense of time and believes that the world revolves around him, but with my new carefree attitude, whatever happens, I won't get blamed! Because at least I was on time.
So, I'm sorry I was negative last week. I don't really have any way of venting and I don't want to repress emotions. It's not good for you. Since I came out on a mission, I can't believe I ever saw missionaries as anything more or less than human. How could I think that? They're... we're just twenty something year olds trying to do what's right. We make mistakes, we goof around, we have personalities. To expect perfection from someone like that is to expect disappointment. Which is why, a lot of members don't like the missionaries. Because we fall short of their standards.
And it feels like this mission is trying to create a perfect missionary. One who serves 24/7, no breaks, no fun, no thinking outside of what you're told to do. I can't handle that. I think too much. I like fun too much. I like sleep too much to work 24/7. I'm not a robot. I'm not a zombie. I'm not a sheep or a parrot or any of those things. I'm real. And people can't handle that.
But all in all, I'm thankful that I came out on a mission even though it's really hard. It's seems like the only way I can progress is through trials. If someone would have asked me two years ago how I thought I'd grow on the mission, I never would have told them what I know now. Course I can't really say what I know now because of how much I've grown. Spiritually most of all. And if I had the option to go back and change things I'd refuse. I like who I am right now. I don't necessarily like what I'm going through though.
It's like Jesus Christ. He was perfect, but he did not have a perfect life. If you could imagine how your life would be like if it were perfect, just remember, God has imagined it better than you. If you want that life, sometimes you have to wade across a river of mud to get there. If I want to reach the top of the mountain, I'm first going to have to climb those steep slopes.
As Alphonse Elric puts it: Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost.
Does this apply here?
Later,
Elder Garcia
--
Mark 9: 23
Hey everyone.
I'm better this week. I've spent a lot of time learning to not care. Everyone's gone through that point in there life where they're tired of feeling so they shut their emotions off to not hurt any more. Well, I've once again gone onto that stage. I just keep thinking that since I'm not in a companionship, whatever happens won't fall on my head. It's worked so far. I'm a lot happier now. We show up late to everything because my companion has no sense of time and believes that the world revolves around him, but with my new carefree attitude, whatever happens, I won't get blamed! Because at least I was on time.
So, I'm sorry I was negative last week. I don't really have any way of venting and I don't want to repress emotions. It's not good for you. Since I came out on a mission, I can't believe I ever saw missionaries as anything more or less than human. How could I think that? They're... we're just twenty something year olds trying to do what's right. We make mistakes, we goof around, we have personalities. To expect perfection from someone like that is to expect disappointment. Which is why, a lot of members don't like the missionaries. Because we fall short of their standards.
And it feels like this mission is trying to create a perfect missionary. One who serves 24/7, no breaks, no fun, no thinking outside of what you're told to do. I can't handle that. I think too much. I like fun too much. I like sleep too much to work 24/7. I'm not a robot. I'm not a zombie. I'm not a sheep or a parrot or any of those things. I'm real. And people can't handle that.
But all in all, I'm thankful that I came out on a mission even though it's really hard. It's seems like the only way I can progress is through trials. If someone would have asked me two years ago how I thought I'd grow on the mission, I never would have told them what I know now. Course I can't really say what I know now because of how much I've grown. Spiritually most of all. And if I had the option to go back and change things I'd refuse. I like who I am right now. I don't necessarily like what I'm going through though.
It's like Jesus Christ. He was perfect, but he did not have a perfect life. If you could imagine how your life would be like if it were perfect, just remember, God has imagined it better than you. If you want that life, sometimes you have to wade across a river of mud to get there. If I want to reach the top of the mountain, I'm first going to have to climb those steep slopes.
As Alphonse Elric puts it: Humankind cannot gain anything without first giving something in return. To obtain, something of equal value must be lost.
Does this apply here?
Later,
Elder Garcia
--
Mark 9: 23
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
10 Nov 10 - 17 Nov 10
1:42 PM
So here's the latest news from the Utah, Salt Lake City Mission. Next week we don't really get a P-Day and we don't really get Thanksgiving. It's the same day! So if you don't hear from me for two weeks, that'll be because everyone is with their families NOT doing family history work for us to use the library. Our mission is so efficient. So far we've cut out all fun and strictly focused on numbers. It's all about baptizing out here. Then, because P-Day ends at 6 on Thanksgiving, we have to go out and try to find investigators who are home who want to be bothered and wish them a happy thanksgiving! If we wish an investigator a happy thanksgiving, we get 1 point! If we get a referral from a member (if we so chose to stop by one), we get 3 points! Whoever gets the most points get a prize of... a training to become a better missionary from our mission president!!! YAY!!!
So, if you haven't picked up on the HEAVY sarcasm yet. I'm mad. 10 April 2011 will be the most happiest day of my life thus far. I know we're not supposed to talk about the negativity in our mission, but I'm going to explode and/or do something stupid. Things are just wrong here. Our mission has a goal of 2500 baptisms this year and we're going to miss the mark by a couple hundred or so. The good (worse) news is that next year we're going for a goal of 3000 baptisms!!! If someone isn't ready for baptism, drop them and find somebody new. The Lord will give us numbers. He doesn't care about conversion as long as someone is baptized. No matter what we're told out here, they can say it's for their salvation all they want, it's really all about baptizing people.
I want to cry. The way we do things is all wrong. I NEVER came out on a mission to baptize people. Baptism was the farthest thing from my mind. I came out on a mission because it's what Heavenly Father told me to do and I want to do what Heavenly Father wants me to do. I just want to bring people closer to God. If I spent my ENTIRE mission reactivating people, I would be the happiest missionary ever because that's one more person who won't be condemned because of what they know. Remember what Doctrine and Covenants 18: 15-16 says;
15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!
No where in there does it mention the word baptism. If in bringing a soul unto God has baptism in the process then good for that soul. I'm just tired of all the politics.
And speaking of politics, I really wish I won't be called to any position of leadership including trainer. I don't want to be anything more than a senior companion. I've got enough to deal with already without having to lie through my teeth about mission things.
Sorry for the depressing letter everyone but Elder Garcia is not a happy camper right now. All work and no play turns Elder Garcia into Elder Grumpy.
Later
--
Mark 9: 23
So here's the latest news from the Utah, Salt Lake City Mission. Next week we don't really get a P-Day and we don't really get Thanksgiving. It's the same day! So if you don't hear from me for two weeks, that'll be because everyone is with their families NOT doing family history work for us to use the library. Our mission is so efficient. So far we've cut out all fun and strictly focused on numbers. It's all about baptizing out here. Then, because P-Day ends at 6 on Thanksgiving, we have to go out and try to find investigators who are home who want to be bothered and wish them a happy thanksgiving! If we wish an investigator a happy thanksgiving, we get 1 point! If we get a referral from a member (if we so chose to stop by one), we get 3 points! Whoever gets the most points get a prize of... a training to become a better missionary from our mission president!!! YAY!!!
So, if you haven't picked up on the HEAVY sarcasm yet. I'm mad. 10 April 2011 will be the most happiest day of my life thus far. I know we're not supposed to talk about the negativity in our mission, but I'm going to explode and/or do something stupid. Things are just wrong here. Our mission has a goal of 2500 baptisms this year and we're going to miss the mark by a couple hundred or so. The good (worse) news is that next year we're going for a goal of 3000 baptisms!!! If someone isn't ready for baptism, drop them and find somebody new. The Lord will give us numbers. He doesn't care about conversion as long as someone is baptized. No matter what we're told out here, they can say it's for their salvation all they want, it's really all about baptizing people.
I want to cry. The way we do things is all wrong. I NEVER came out on a mission to baptize people. Baptism was the farthest thing from my mind. I came out on a mission because it's what Heavenly Father told me to do and I want to do what Heavenly Father wants me to do. I just want to bring people closer to God. If I spent my ENTIRE mission reactivating people, I would be the happiest missionary ever because that's one more person who won't be condemned because of what they know. Remember what Doctrine and Covenants 18: 15-16 says;
15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one soul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!
16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the kingdom of my Father, how great will be your joy if you should bring many souls unto me!
No where in there does it mention the word baptism. If in bringing a soul unto God has baptism in the process then good for that soul. I'm just tired of all the politics.
And speaking of politics, I really wish I won't be called to any position of leadership including trainer. I don't want to be anything more than a senior companion. I've got enough to deal with already without having to lie through my teeth about mission things.
Sorry for the depressing letter everyone but Elder Garcia is not a happy camper right now. All work and no play turns Elder Garcia into Elder Grumpy.
Later
--
Mark 9: 23
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
3 Nov 10 - 10 Nov 10
11:29 AM
There's a funny quote in a Family History Library. "Those who say Family History work is fun has either never done Family History work or never had fun." I want to liken that unto myself. "Whoever said a Mission is like a marriage must have never gone on a Mission or has never been married."
Other than that I don't really have much to say. And from that you can figure out how this next transfer is going to go. In the meantime, I just have to try and not care and think of D&C 122.
I love lamp.
Later
Elder G
[Note from Mom ~ That must be a misquote, because Family History work IS a lot of fun!]
There's a funny quote in a Family History Library. "Those who say Family History work is fun has either never done Family History work or never had fun." I want to liken that unto myself. "Whoever said a Mission is like a marriage must have never gone on a Mission or has never been married."
Other than that I don't really have much to say. And from that you can figure out how this next transfer is going to go. In the meantime, I just have to try and not care and think of D&C 122.
I love lamp.
Later
Elder G
[Note from Mom ~ That must be a misquote, because Family History work IS a lot of fun!]
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
28 Oct 10 - 3 Nov 10
11:34 AM
Okay, so here's the news. I'm staying in my area. It'll be my third transfer here. It's pretty sweet. I like it.
Elder Mitchell is gone. He got a call on Sunday from the Mission Prez telling him he's now District Leader. And surprise surprise, the power and authority went to his head. He turned on me in a way that I never fully expected but didn't pass it off entirely. I still like him somewhat. But after what he did, it's hard to talk to him. Of course I called him a hypocrite for what he did and he said that he knew I'd say that. He tried telling me that that's what repentance is for. I wanted to tell him that you can't procrastinate the day of your repentance.
Elder Carter is gone as well. I really didn't like him to begin with. Sorry to all of you out there who are of a similar type as he is but all he really did was throw his weight around. He's the jock stereotype. Everyone respects him while everyone shuns me, the wimpy kid. He's only been out five months and yet he owned the place. Oh, what power does to a person.
Long ago though I had some personal revelation given to me on the meaning of a leader. And now that I think of it, I can actually add on to it. "A leader isn't someone who holds power. A leader is someone whom others follow willingly. A leader isn't measured by the quantity of his followers, but by the quality of his supporters."
It's kind of sad that I've never really been in any kind of anything on the mission. Then again, I really don't have anything to complain about. I've never trained. I've never greenie broke someone. I've never killed anyone. And I've never been in any kind of leadership position. The only thing I've really been is a DLC: District Leader's Companion, which basically means I'm a junior companion with less authority than a regular junior companion.
The only reason I'd want to be in any kind of leadership is to show everyone how they're doing it wrong. But I guess that's why I'm not in leadership. Instead I can just worry about my area, the work, and everything else God sees fit to bless me with.
My new companion is Elder Healy. Last time I served around him, he was a ADHD newbie. He's from Missouri. Don't know much else about him.
So we'll see how this transfer goes. I just hope it's not like the rest of my mission
Elder Garcia
Okay, so here's the news. I'm staying in my area. It'll be my third transfer here. It's pretty sweet. I like it.
Elder Mitchell is gone. He got a call on Sunday from the Mission Prez telling him he's now District Leader. And surprise surprise, the power and authority went to his head. He turned on me in a way that I never fully expected but didn't pass it off entirely. I still like him somewhat. But after what he did, it's hard to talk to him. Of course I called him a hypocrite for what he did and he said that he knew I'd say that. He tried telling me that that's what repentance is for. I wanted to tell him that you can't procrastinate the day of your repentance.
Elder Carter is gone as well. I really didn't like him to begin with. Sorry to all of you out there who are of a similar type as he is but all he really did was throw his weight around. He's the jock stereotype. Everyone respects him while everyone shuns me, the wimpy kid. He's only been out five months and yet he owned the place. Oh, what power does to a person.
Long ago though I had some personal revelation given to me on the meaning of a leader. And now that I think of it, I can actually add on to it. "A leader isn't someone who holds power. A leader is someone whom others follow willingly. A leader isn't measured by the quantity of his followers, but by the quality of his supporters."
It's kind of sad that I've never really been in any kind of anything on the mission. Then again, I really don't have anything to complain about. I've never trained. I've never greenie broke someone. I've never killed anyone. And I've never been in any kind of leadership position. The only thing I've really been is a DLC: District Leader's Companion, which basically means I'm a junior companion with less authority than a regular junior companion.
The only reason I'd want to be in any kind of leadership is to show everyone how they're doing it wrong. But I guess that's why I'm not in leadership. Instead I can just worry about my area, the work, and everything else God sees fit to bless me with.
My new companion is Elder Healy. Last time I served around him, he was a ADHD newbie. He's from Missouri. Don't know much else about him.
So we'll see how this transfer goes. I just hope it's not like the rest of my mission
Elder Garcia
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