"Someday"

December 1, 2009

Hey Mom,

My new companion, Sister Rodriguez, is from Mexico and she is such a good missionary. She’s way more lay back than my other companions, but she goes home in February. We get along great. She is funny and she likes to shop too! She is so cute! Every morning she wakes up and says "Someday Sister, I won’t have to wake up so early." The other night as we lay in bed we started naming off all the "some days" that we will get to do when we are not missionaries anymore. We both hate waking up early in the morning. But we do it anyway and say "someday." The other night she said "Sister, someday when we get home we’ll be so tired from dancing all night!" I was really excited to think about that!

But it’s true. I am SO tired after working all day that when I get home I can barely get undressed before I fall asleep! I am getting so many referrals! My companion said the other night I was talking in my sleep and I was asking someone for a potential referral and I said I just need their phone number!

We both are working hard! It is extremely busy now at Temple Square especially at night with the Christmas lights display taking place. Our mission goal is to get 4 potential referrals a day. On our first day my companion and I got 54 referrals together! We are so good and our Mission President knows it! He keeps moving us where the people are even though our schedule says to be at other places.

But I have to admit, I think some of the other sisters may be a little jealous of our success because one of the sisters accused me of flirting to get potentials! But don't even get me started on that! I am working really hard to get those referrals and it seems that whenever I am doing what is right Satan always tries to interfere. I don't know who it was that said it and to be honest I don’t want to know. But I do know that my Mission President watches over me and if I was doing anything wrong he would be the first to tell me.

Just the other day, I didn’t know it but my Mission President was watching me as I was getting potential referrals from some football players who attend the U. Now, to be honest, if I was ever going to flirt with anyone it would have been with those guys. But I didn't and President was right there and saw me get those potential referrals through hard work. The next day he told me how great I'm doing and how our companionship is leading the mission.

It makes me feel so sad whenever I hear people say hurtful things about me, like I can't go on a mission because I will distract the elders! I was sent on a mission for my personality so I am not going to change that and obviously its working!

Thanksgiving at Temple Square was fun. We went to this place with a big cultural hall where dinner was served. But it wasn't like the Thanksgiving dinners I remember at home. I think the turkey was like some kind of processed turkey because I really thought it was ham! After dinner we got to do karaoke and sing “apostate” songs. We also got to watch the movie “UP” it was good! Then on Saturday, at Temple Square, I got to see Uncle Scott, Aunt Judy, Michael, Donna, Cheryl, Denavon and their babies! It was fun seeing family at Temple Square.

Thanks so much for the heater blanket! I’m sleeping so much better since I got it. For the past few weeks, I was having such a hard time sleeping, but the first night I put it on, I slept better than I had in a long time.

That is so cool about you cutting down your 20 foot Christmas tree for the cabin! I am jealous! At the Thanksgiving Dinner they also played the movie “White Christmas” but I couldn’t watch it. It made me trunky for home!!! As for calling home on Christmas day, there are six of us in one apartment, but three of them have to call home to Europe. I’m hoping they will go to the RC for their calls. I will probably call home in the evening because the Square is open until 6pm on Christmas Day. So I’m thinking we’ll have to call after then.

Well, I got to go! I love you lots, you’re always in my prayers!

Love,

Sister Garbett

Talents

November 21, 2009

Mom and Dad,

Hello! How are you doing? How’s work going? Today could be my last Saturday P-day for a while. Transfer calls are this Monday. I’ll find out what my fate is for the next six weeks. I’m excited/nervous. I wonder what’s going to happen.

Everything is going good right now. I was telling mom how I’m using my personality when I teach to avoid becoming a “robot”. This week we took a member family through God’s plan. They had three children CJ 7yrs-old, Katie 5yrs-old and Angie 3yrs-old. We finished the movie and I got up to testify. I started talking then Angie interrupted me. She said something then I said, “Oh, really?” then I continued and she interrupted me again. She showed me her new mini Book of Mormon. Her dad told her to be quiet and I realized I needed to focus on teaching the children. So I stopped trying to testify and started to talk with her. I asked what her name was and how old was she? Then I asked if she saw the temple. I told her that because of the temple she can be with her mommy and daddy and brother and sister forever. My companion kind of gave me a weird look because of the way I was talking to Angie, but Angie understood what I was saying. I was able to talk to the children and got down to their level so I could get to know them better. While I was building the relationship with the children I was also forming one with the parents. They were surprised that I remembered their children’s names when we said good bye.

I used my talents and built the relationship of trust. The parents referred a friend for us to call. I love how Heavenly Father knows us and loves us so much. He sent me to this mission for people who specifically need my personality. This church is true. It is Christ’s church and ran by revelation from God. I am so blessed to be a part of it!

I love you all so much! You’re in my prayers always!

Love,

Sister Garbett

Family Search: A Wonderful Missionary Tool!

November 21, 2009

Hey Mom & Dad,

Well this week and a half has been good. I had a blast last week at Park City, serving at the Family Tree Center. When I got there the director told us that when people come to the Family Tree Center they are so prepared and that they almost always refer. I have such a testimony of Family Search. The Spirit is so strong when they find their ancestors. This is such a wonderful missionary tool.

While I was there, one of the sisters that I served with was not feeling well and thought she should have her diabetes checked. After I left, she went to the doctor and they found a lump on one of her glands. She had to go home to have her doctor look at it. She left a couple days after I came back to the square. Also, when I got back to Temple Square I saw my companion from my last transfer and she had cast on her foot! She broke her foot while I was serving in Park City. So lots of drama.

The past week on the square has been a good one. We’ve been working hard and seeing lots of success. I am so much more comfortable in Family Search than ever before. I am getting better at teaching and inviting. I have yet to have any referrals in Family Search this whole transfer though. My companion gets one like every day! Sometimes I get a little discouraged, but I am realizing we all have our own strengths. My companion is good at getting referrals, but I feel I’m great at getting potentials. They usually ending up referring, which takes even more work! But I love it! I am also great with people my age. Yesterday we took two guys on a tour. They were both 20. They were pretty immature, but I know how to relate to them. So I would laugh at their jokes then talk about the gospel and apply it to them. I am very real with them. They ended up not referring, but I built a great relationship with them and feel they will referral one day.

Today my companion and I went to the Jordan River Temple! It was so nice not to have to attend a live session. I felt like I was at home again, in the Sacramento Temple. It made me a little homesick. I love the temple so much.

I love sharing the gospel it’s so cool to have so much variety when I do it. I love serving in the Temple Square Mission, it is such an amazing opportunity. When I get home I will be able to bridge anything to the gospel. This church is really the Church of Jesus Christ. Everything testifies of him and Heavenly father. I am so grateful to be part of this marvelous work!

Thank you for your wonderful example you have been to me! I’m always praying for you!

Love,

Sister Garbett

More Pictures

So Happy!

November 10, 2009

Dad,

I'm so happy! The spider man came yesterday :) Now I can sleep at night.

My p-day is today. I will be on at about 10am your time! So if you are on at that time, we can talk. I am in park city all week working in the Family Tree Center. It is so pretty here, but it is cold. We are downtown on mainstreet and there are a lot of cute shops and a place that has amazing carmel apples(so I hear).

I will be on in an hour or so! I love you! Thanks for your letter! I was
laughing out loud when I read about the nija girl inviting you to go to war with her and you guys could "eat fish guts for dinner!"

I love you,

Sister garbett

Happy Halloween

October 31, 2009

Dear Stacy,

Hey Happy Halloween!

I’m at our Halloween “party”. We just finished watching Emma. Have you seen that movie? You really need to see it. It has the same actors from the Joseph Smith movie we play here. It is so good. But it’s pretty depressing. I really recommend you see it, but it made me cry because it was so good.

I haven’t had much of a P-day to day. We had zone conference this morning. Then I printed off pictures, did my laundry and then I came here to the party. We ate pizza and watched the movie. Now we are going to watch a movie about Gordon B. Hinckley.

I hope your Halloween is more fun than mine. I heard you’re going to Michael and Donna’s house. You’ll have lots of fun there! This time next year I’ll only have a couple months left of my mission. I can’t believe how quickly time is going bye. Halloween is already over. November is tomorrow. Happy 1st Birthday, Lucas! Thanksgiving is just around the corner and next is Christmas.

I can’t believe how fast time is flying. Sometime I happy that time is going by quickly. But other times I’m sad. Sometimes I feel like a mission is something I have to do before I can move on with my life. Kind of like high school, I didn’t’ want to always be there but I knew I would learn and grow so much from it if I went. Plus, I couldn’t do anything with my life if I didn’t go. When I’m freezing and I don’t want to get out of bed, I sometimes think I just have to do this for a year-and-a-half and then I can move on with my life. Did you ever feel that way when you were on your mission?

But then there are lots of days when I just love being a missionary. It’s usually on the days when I see lots of success (and days when there aren’t spiders all over my apartment). We have spiders EVERYWHERE in our apartment. They are ugly and scary. I pray every night that the spiders won’t crawl on me. So when you pray for me you might want to mention the spiders and ask God to keep them off of me.

The other day I saw Joseph W. Sitati, from the seventy. He is the one from Africa who spoke during the Sunday afternoon session. Speaking of conference, my picture is not in the Ensign, but my Mission President is!

This church is so true! I know Joseph Smith was called of God to bring back Christ’s church on the earth. I know that Thomas S. Monson is called of God today to lead and direct us. We are so lucky to have that guidance given to us from God through his prophets. We really are God’s children and He really loves us all. I love it when I tell people this and they understand and want to learn more. This is why I’m here.

I love you! Take care, write me!

Love,

Sister Garbett

Photo shoot on P-day

Lots of Spiders

24 Oct 2009

Mom & Dad,

Hello! I’m so happy I got to talk to mom online today! My companion and I had a photo-shoot today for our p-day. It was a lot of fun, but we were in p-day clothes. Next time we’ll have to do it before we change.

We had a really good wek. We worked really hard and we’ve seen a lot of success so far. Sister Basurto still teaches me Spanish. I’m learning the days of the week now. She is super nice. Today sand said she really likes me being her companion. She always makes me food and gives me little notes. She is so cute.

There are lots of spiders in my house. They are really icky! I pray that they won’t crawl on me when I sleep. We have sticky traps for them all over the house.

I still love being a missionary. I’m working really hard with my companion I love when I go home exhausted from working so hard. Although lately I can’t fall right to sleep at night, I’m super tired, but I lay in bed for like a half-hour before I actually fall asleep. Our room is really dark. I wonder if it’s too dark for me. Especially since there are probably spiders crawling on me. Maybe it’s a good thing I can’t see. I would feel like Peter Brady, in the Hawaii episode, when he opened his eyes and saw a huge spider crawling on him! Man, I miss watching the Brady Bunch on DVD. When I get home we need to have a Brady Bunch Marathon. But I have about 14 months till I’ll get to do that.

I can’t believe how quickly time is going by I love sharing the gospel. It’s cool to learn new ways to teach people, especially since I’ve been in family search. Speaking of, I want to do some of our family history. I’m getting birthdates and places so we can get their temple work going. I’m sharing the gospel with people from all over the world, but my family hasn’t even heard it yet. I’ll send you a pamphlet on temples so you can share it with your siblings who aren’t members, yet.

This church is so true something my Mission President always says is if we don’t invite we are taking away their agency. That was Satan’s plan. I love this church. I am so grateful for the faith of the pioneers who came here so we can worship in freedom.

I love you so much you’re always in my thoughts and prayers!

Love,

Sister Garbett

A Fever of 102.6!

October 12, 2009

Mom and Dad,

I'm sorry I didn't get a long letter out to you this week. Thank you for the package! We had tranfers today. I'm moving into a different apartment in the same house. However, I'll be in the basement. It's suppose to be the worst apartment, everyone says it's always freezing and there are lots of spiders! Pray for me! I'm still in the extended zone and I'll be working in Family Search.

Here are the answers to your email questions...

How was the VIP tour?
It went well. It wasn't actually people who are deciding right now if they want missionaries or not. They are like lawyers and stuff who have an influence on those types of decisions. The tour couldn't be religious in any way so it was a very historical tour, which actually made it a little less stressful. But it was pretty cool to see all the people from different countries.

How was conference?
Conference was busy! We got 2,421 potential referrals from members! I'm still calling people on my list. I actually talked to three people on the phone today whose friends I met at conference and they referred them. Those three people accepted to have the missionaries over! I'm waiting for the Ensign to come out so I can see if my picture is in it. :) Tell Steven thanks so much for making cd copies of the conference talks for me. I've been listening to them all week. And I loved the package you had Christina deliver to me!!! Thank you!

What was the best experience at conference?
I actually really loved seeing people that I know. For some wierd reason it doesn't distract me, it motivates me! But also, the next day we got to sleep in till 9:00am!!!!

Did the boots fit?
Yes they do! They are really comfortable, too! Thank you so much!

How's your new companion?
Good, Sister Basurto is from Texas/Mexico. She and I are in the same class, which means we came out together. We are both in our 3rd transfer. I am supposed to be the senior companion, but this week I have been really sick. The flu/cold is going around! I've had to stayed home for two days this week with a fever of 102.6! I am getting better now, but I sound like a man. Sister Basurto has made me breakfast every morning since I've been sick. She is very kind. I think we'll get along well.

How's the weather?
Beautiful!! Today and yesterday has been clear and just a little chilly! It feels like fall! I am warm enough with just a light sweater, but it is supposed to be getting much colder very soon.

I've been feeling a little sad that I won't be home for Halloween! Please go to the pumpkin farm for me! I would absolutely love it if you would buy me some pumpkin cake or muffins from the Bishop's Pumkin Farm and send them to me! I'm have to admit that I've been feeling very homesick this week because I was so ill. I am going to send a tape to Stacy soon, and it is kind of depressing. There is like 20 min of me complaining about how sick I was and how I felt nobody cared! I wanted to call home so bad! I've decided I hate being sick on the mission cause it just makes me want to go home!

Well, I love you! Hopefully I will hear from you soon! I didn't get your letter this week. Hopefully, I'll get it on Monday. I love you so much! You're always in my thoughts and prayers!

Love,
Sister Garbett

V.I.P Tour

30 Sept 2009

Mommy,

I was so happy to email with you online today! I miss you! You made my day so much better! It was so cold today. We were walking home and it started snowing! It didn't stick or anything but still, it was cold!

Thank you so much for putting money into my account. It is so nice to have that extra little security. I bought a nice sweater that will keep me warm, but I didn't find any snow boots that I liked enough to spend $70.00 on! So I will keep looking. My companion said I can borrow a pair of her boots for conference this weekend if I need them.

The work has been good. We are always working but we aren't always seeing success. But we continue to work. I love being a missionary. It's amazing to testify of the truthfulness of this gospel and to have the spirit confirm it every time I do. I love being part of this work.

Sister Green and I are taking part in a V.I.P. tour next Wednesday. Basically, a bunch of people are coming from a country that doesn't allow missionaries to proselyte in their land. They're here to decide if that will change! So my companion and I were asked to take a group of them on a tour. The organizers said that Sis Green and I were one of the first chosen by the office sisters (they are the ones who make our schedules). So this is a pretty big responsibility. I will need your prayers.

This weekend is conference! I only get to go to one session, Sunday afternoon. During the other sessions I will be working on Temple Square. You will have to let me know how it is. I asked Steven to copy the talks onto a CD for me so I don't have to wait to read them in the November Ensign. Speaking of conference, wouldn't that be cool if I was in the Ensign!?! I think that's what all the Temple Square sisters hope for.

Well, I should get ready for bed. It's late. I love you so much! Thank you for everything you do for me. You are an amazing mom. You really are such a strong, spiritual woman. You are an amazing example to me. If it weren't for your incredible testimony. I wouldn't be here today. This church is absolutely true! Keep up the good work. Go to the temple often. I'm going tomorrow. I love you so much!

Love,

Sister Garbett

"Is It A Thong?"

Sept 19, 2009

Mommy,

I love you! I was so glad that I got some e-mails today. It sounds like things are going pretty well for you all. I heard you and daddy got to be the witness couple at the Temple last week. That is so special. I miss going to the temple with you. We have had a lot of schedule conflicts, so I haven’t gone to the temple in about a month. I am having withdrawals.

How is the cabin? I heard about you sleeping all day at the cabin and I got really jealous. I miss sleep. I never feel fully rested. I never wake up in a good mood either. I feel sorry for my companion. I have to remind myself every morning that obedience is better than sleep.

We had a really funny experience this past week. We were on a tour in the Beehive house. We were in a very small room with about 15 people. One of the group members was a woman who was probably over 60 years-old. She asked us why the men in the church wear special underwear. My companion, Sister Green, explained that not only men but women, too, who have gone through the temple wear special under garments. She added that we wear them to remind us of the promises we made to God. All of the people were asking lots of questions about the garments. They asked what do they look like and Sister Green answered they are white. They then asked why the underclothing was white. Sister Green said to symbolize purity. Then the older woman asked in complete sincerity, “Is it a thong!?” HA, HA, HA!!! Both Sister Green and I couldn’t help but laugh. If they weren’t so genuinely curious, I would have probably gotten very upset. But Sister Green handled the situation very well.

We definitely get every question you could possibly think of. A mission is a very interesting experience, but I love it. Going on a mission really was the best choice I’ve ever made. I have grown so much already.

I’ve really been learning how much Heavenly Father loves us. He really does want to bless us and answer our prayers, but we need to have faith enough to act. Just like Nephi, the brother of Jared and even Joseph Smith. We need to have faith, but faith is an action word. That’s what separates the prepared and those who are not yet ready to receive the gospel. If they are not going to act, why should they receive that knowledge? I think that’s why sometimes our prayers aren’t answered.

Heavenly Father’s plan is absolutely perfect. I am so happy to know about His plan. Sometimes as I testify that we lived with Heavenly Father before we came to earth and that we can live with him again after this life, I feel so close to the veil. Thank you so much for raising me with this knowledge and understanding of who I am. We really are all children of God. This is why I’m here, to help everyone find their way back home.

I admire you so much for your ability to find the church and your willingness to act and to stay strong in the gospel. You are my rock. You have such an incredible testimony. Thank you for your example and support. You and dad are the BEST parents in the whole world!

I LOVE YOU!

Love,

Sister Garbett

Three Months Out!

Sept 19, 2009

Daddy,

Thanks so much for your e-mails. I printed them off and then read them when I got home. You are so funny! You made me laugh especially when you wrote about the huge spider you found at the cabin. I also thought it was pretty funny when you wrote about how, Allie, our pug, “talks” about me all the time. I have to admit that when I read about you watching the Brady Bunch DVDs I got trunky for a minute. I do miss eating ice cream and watching the Brady Bunch with you in the evenings. That activity is high on my to-do list when I get home.

Can you believe I’ve been out for three months! Did time fly for you, too? In three months I’ll be calling home at Christmas. Did you hear I get to call home on Father’s Day, too? I also get to call from the airport when I go outbound. That will probably be in February or March. Plus I’ll probably get to call at the airport when I go back to Temple Square after my outbound assignment. So, I get to call home like five times! My mission is so cool!

I love reading your e-mails about your missionary experiences. I bet it was hard learning to speak and read Spanish. It’s so cool that you know what I’m going through. It’s nice to hear from people who have been where I am.
As a spiritual thought a couple of weeks ago, I heard about an article from the Church News “Music Warms and Lights”
( http://www.ldschurchnews.com/articles/57778/Music-warms-and-lights.html) It really touched me and I thought of you and all the years you have played the organ in church as I was growing up. The article was true. Because I know how important music in the church really is. So I went to the distribution center and bought the church News so I could send you the article. Your calling as the Ward Organist really is so important. You’re so lucky to have such a wonderful talent and so faithful to share it every Sunday with the members of our church.

I love this church so much! I love being a missionary on Temple Square and that I get to testify about eternal families. I’m so happy to know that my family will be together forever!

I love you so much! Keep up the good work. Keep going to the temple often.

Love,

Sister Garbett

A Simple Act Of Kindness

Sept 12, 2009

Mom & Dad,

Another week gone by… It was a great week. I love my companion. We get along great. Today we went to the Mall! I felt like I was in heaven. But I wish I had more money. Groceries are so expensive. But I did buy a pair of shoes. They were cheap, cute and comfortable. I couldn’t pass them up. We also got ice cream cones at Ben & Jerry’s and a girl gave us $20.00 to buy it. She was a really cute return missionary. It was such a small, simple act of kindness, but it was such a big deal to a couple of poor missionaries. It shows that when you are doing God’s will, you are always blessed. I’m sure that girl will be so blessed for her sacrifice.

How is the cabin coming a long? Something really random, my house I live in sometimes smells like the old cabin. It’s weird to wake up to that smell. I think it’s because it’s so old.

My companion and I get along so well. We talk about everything. We just sit on our beds at night and talk about scriptures and the miracles we’ve had. Today we were both so happy for no particular reason. We realized it was because we had the spirit with us all the time. Today at the mall we could literally feel how we were set apart from the world. It almost felt like we were in a bubble that kept the world away from us. It was the first time I’ve really felt my mantel. Everyone always told me about it, but I never noticed it before. I’m so lucky to serve everyday on dedicated grounds. As I walked back to the Square I could feel the difference as I passed through the gate onto Temple Square. I love my mission. I am so lucky to be a missionary and to represent Jesus Christ. This is his church. I love being able to tell people about it. Heavenly father loves us so much. We really are His children. Isn’t that amazing? And as His children we are all heirs to His Kingdom!

This church is so true!

I love you!

Love,

Sister Garbett

So Many Miracles

Hey Daddy!

How are you? The mission is going so good! I love my new companion! We get along great and we both work really hard! I have seen so many miracles so far this transfer.

We were contacting on the square and my companion thought we should go to the East gate. So we did. We were there just a couple of minutes and a couple walked by with bikes. They looked in the gate and asked if they could come in dressed in jeans. They were so cute! They saw so many people dressed up, so they wanted to make sure it was ok. We talked to them and they had a new baby and a toddler. They had a lot of questions. We answered them and talked to them for like 15 minutes. They were very curious about our beliefs. The man was Jewish (not practicing) and the wife was Catholic. They were very nice people and you could tell their family was very important to them. We offered to send them a DVD about families and to have missionaries deliver it to them and answer more of their questions. They were a little apprehensive, but you could tell they were interested. They said they did want the missionaries to come. So they filled out a referral card! They are so golden! I could definitely see them getting baptized and sealed together. Wouldn’t that be amazing!? Then their whole family would be together forever!

The gospel is so amazing! I love that I am able to take a year and a half out of my life to do this! I have learned so much already! I continue to grow everyday in so many different aspects. This really is the best thing I have ever done in my life! Thank you so much for being an example to me by serving a mission! Thank you for always being a worthy Priesthood holder to show me that there are still good people in this world with the power of God.

I love this church so much! I know it really is the exact church that Jesus Christ established while he was on this Earth! I love you! I am so happy that we can be together as a family forever! Thank you for all of your support!

Love,

Sister Garbett

"I'm Trying To Be Like Jesus"

Sept 12, 2009

Mommy,

Well, I'm not gonna lie, I'm a little sad that you're not online and that I didn’t get an e-mail from ANYONE this week... Saturday we don't get mail so I love e-mails.. but this week I didn’t get anything. Oh well, I guess I'm not in my 1st transfer anymore so people start to forget about me.

This week has been good. My new companion, Sister Green, and I get along great. We talk about lots of things and we laugh all the time. We work hard together too. She is such a great example to me and I am learning a lot from her. We have seen lots of miracles this week. We give tours in the Beehive house and that’s where we talk about plural marriage. I was really nervous to talk about that, but I have really gained a testimony of why it was necessary. It is pretty neat to give a tour in such an old house with so many antiques.

I like giving tours at the humanitarian center too. We mainly give tours to members. Last Tuesday we gave a tour to a YM/YW group from a Ward in Provo. It was a lot of fun. I love the youth. The Bishop also asked us to bear our testimony of why we are on missions. It was so great, because there were so many YW there. I hope some of them decide to serve a mission because of us.

Another thing we do a lot is present and contact at the Joseph Smith movie. That is interesting. We're still trying to figure out the most effective way to do that. But last night there were missionaries from the Salt Lake Mission who brought a part member family. We were getting ready to go home and one of the Elders asked us to bear our testimony on baptism to the two children who are preparing for baptism. I told them that one thing I remember about my baptism was the song we sang "I'm trying to be like Jesus." I told them that was my favorite song and how when I was baptized I felt like I was being just like Jesus and how happy I felt for doing that. The spirit was really strong when I told this story. I know I was prompted to say what I said, because I had no idea what I was going to say until I opened my mouth.

I love being a missionary! I love sharing my happiness with so many people. People come up to us all the time and say how much they admire what we do. The other day we had a couple that came on a tour and said they hope that more young women will be more like us. They also said that we don’t have to say anything, but when we walk outside people know who we are and they know what we represent. They weren't even members!

I know I am doing exactly what the Lord wants me to be doing! I love it here! This is such an amazing mission! I love you so much! Keep writing me! I haven’t heard from you all week :(

I love you

Love,
Sister Garbett

First Transfer!

31 Aug 2009

Mommy & Daddy,

Today we had transfer conference. We found out who is going outbound (transferred to another State-side mission) and what our transfers are. But we don’t actually transfer until Wednesday. I am going to be in the extended zone and my main assignment is the Humanitarian Center. So I will be giving tours there. I don’t exactly know how that will work. My new companion is Sister Green. I don’t know her very well, but I hear she likes to shop! I am so excited for that because I haven’t been shopping in 10 weeks. My companion now told me on my first day that I would have to wait till my 2nd transfer to go shopping. So I have earned a companion who wants to go shopping.

We had a really great experience this week. I was on exchanges with Sister Rafi. She is from France. She is so cute and has lots of energy. She is an amazing missionary. We contacted into two young men, probably my age. One of them was having a really difficult time. He was driving on a suspended license and got pulled over. So he got his car impounded and was stranded without any money in Salt Lake. Little did he know how lucky he was. He talked to a senior couple and they arranged for him to meet with a Bishop at the Welfare Square. He needed to get home to his girlfriend and his three-year-old son. So while he was waiting of his appointment we took him on a tour. The other guy he was with was just a random guy, neither had met each other before. However, they both had had hard lives and grew up without family.

We gave them a tour and talked about temples and prophets. We told them there was a prophet on the earth today and they believed us. We took them into the Tabernacle and there we taught them the restoration. Both of them were taking in everything we said. When we were leaving the Tabernacle one of them said he felt so good. He said there is a feeling here that’s different! They both felt the spirit so strong. We took them to see the Christus at the Visitor Center and it was amazing. I testified how the atonement helps us in our lives with any trials we are going through. We taught about the Book of Mormon and shared with them how we have another scripture to help us in our lives. I was guided by the spirit perfectly when I invited them to have the missionaries bring them a Book of Mormon. They both referred! They were so happy that they got to take the tour. At the end of the tour the young man who was stranded said how he felt that he was stranded here for a reason. The Lord works in mysterious way!

I love being a missionary. The work is hard, but it is so worth it! Those moments when I see someone feel the spirit makes all my hard work worth it. This church is true! This really is the Church of Jesus Christ! The same church that was on the earth in the Bible is on the earth today!

Thanks so much for everything you do for me. I love you! Keep me in the loop.

Love,
Sister Garbett

The Days Are Long But The Weeks are Short!

Aug 24, 2009

Mommy & Daddy,

How was your week. Mine has been really good. The days are so long, but the weeks are incredibly short.

Yesterday was one of the greatest days so far on my mission. I got to attend the Music & Spoken Word at the Conference Center. It was amazing. I get to go again next week because it is my companions last week in the mission field. But next week it will be in the Tabernacle. After that we had an Italian speaking tour and a French speaking tour and both families referred. Then we went to the Oquirrh Mountain Temple dedication. It was so good! It was such a spiritual experience. It made me want to go to the temple every week for the rest of my life. Then we had another Italian speaking tour with 13 people an four referred! It was such an amazing day! Oh, and on top of that, I saw my best-friend Kaysi! This week was so hard. But yesterday was good, it really was filled with many tender mercies from God.

The mission is going so great! Thanks so much for all the support you give me. I pray for you all the time. Oh, that was one thing that was super cool. During the Oquirrh Temple dedicatory prayer, they blessed all the missionaries and their families and while they were praying I felt the spirit so strong. I seriously felt like they were individually blessing me .

I love being a missionary. Although, sometime I get trunky for cute jeans and high heels, I know there is no better place for me to be right now than here on my mission. And I know that this mission is going to bless me and my posterity more than I can imagine. Not to mention all of the random people I meet from all over the world.

This church is so true I love this gospel so much. Thank you for raising me in a righteous environment where I was always able to feel the spirit. I love you so much keep me in the loop!

Love,
Sister Garbett
P.S.

Today was my 2 month mark!
Only 15 and a half months to go! Crazy, huh?

Working Hard

Aug 17, 2009

Mom & Dad

Hey! How is life going? How is the cabin?. Thank you so much for the package. I was actually just thinking about making trail mix. You can always tell mom is in tune with the spirit because she always knows exactly what to say and do.

I love you so much. I had a good P-day today I went to the mall, but I didn’t buy anything. But is was so nice to be in the mall. I got a little trunky. I was looking at the cute stuff then I realized it would be pointless to buy anything cause I can’t wear it anyway. So my companion got her haircut and I sat in the salon writing letters.

I love the mission. Sometime I forget I’m a missionary. Then random people come up and tell me how great I am, and how much they love the missionaries. It’s pretty nice. It’s still pretty weird that I’m really a missionary though.

How is the missionary work going there? You need to help the missionaries out. Any baptisms in the ward lately? How are the ward members? I got a few cards from the Relief Society. It was so nice. I’m glad to know the Ward supports me.

I’m having fun on the mission. Working hard and trying my best to be obedient. I’m mainly taking language tours. Which is pretty nice cause all I do is stand there and look cute. :) The only problem is it gives me lots of time to think and get distracted. Pray for me to have the ability to focus, especially during language ours. But other than that everything is great! I love you so much. Thanks for your support. Thank you for being so wonderful. I love you so much!

Love,

Sister Garbett

August 10, 2009

Mommy and Daddy,

This week was busy. Even my P-Day was busy I had to go to Wal-Mart and I went with a couple of companionships to a park. Then we came back and played Scattergories. It was fun but not as relaxing as I would have liked.

So the mission is work. I’ve had some good experiences because of it, though. Today my companion and I were evaluated by our zone leaders (ZL). They said I did really well. They asked me if I’ve ever taught kids before, because I teach very animated and simply. On that same tour where I was being evaluated by my ZLs, we got a comment card back that said, “Sister Garbett was wonderful” (or something like that). Also on that tour, a woman came up and told me that she used to think that Mormons were racist. But I was so friendly and had such a love for God that she said, it couldn’t be true. She referred. J It’s amazing how being personal really pays off.

Sorry this is going to be a short letter. But it’s late and my hand hurts. Remember to be the person Heavenly Father knows you can be. I love you!

Love,
Sister Garbett

P.S. Here is a list of things you can send me whenever you make a package for me :)
Wal-Mart gift card
Subway gift card
Mascara (pin tube, mom knows which one)
Stamps
Licorice
Stationary
Trolli candy
Fruit snacks
Clothes (I can wear button up shirts with small patterns --strips/polka-dots)
Jewelry
I love you!

Aug 3, 2009

Mommy and Daddy,

Well today is my P-day. It’s about 830pm so I only have about a half-hour left to finish writing my letters. I’ve done lots of laundry and I’ve written almost 10 letters. It’s been a pretty no stress day. Well after noon, because on P-day we work from 10-1pm. But today we got called in early so we worked from 9-12. I’ve been in my apartment on my bed for most of the day.
Thank you so much for the licorice. I ate one bag in like three days. I haven’t opened the second one yet. I’m saving it for an emergency.

The mission is so good. I really feel like I am good at giving tours. Because even though I may not know all the facts, I’m a people person, so people seem to like me. The other day (I don’t remember which one, because they all run together) we had a tour with a middle age couple. I try to learn everyone’s name on the tour and I try to talk to everyone. This tour we gave had 20 plus people in it! So after the tour we handed out the referral cards for people to leave comments and to refer. This same middle age couple left all of their information and comments, but didn’t refer. So I re-invited them and asked if they wanted a Book of Mormon. The husband said he had been reading it in the hotel. So I offered him one for himself. He said yes and checked the box to receive the Book of Mormon and missionaries. I found out they are Quakers! Later I looked at the comments and it said, “Sister Garbett did an excellent job.” They even wrote this before I re-invited them. It’s amazing how talking to people and building that relationship makes such a difference. Every day I remind myself, “We teach people, not lessons.”

I know I’m here for a reason. Being able to talk to people is a gift from the spirit that I have be given. It has blessed me so much already and I know it will help me throughout my whole mission. This church is so true!

I love you so much!

Love,
Sister Garbett

More Missionary Pictures

Pictures from the Mission

Aubree at Temple Square

P-Day at Temple Square

July 27, 2009

Mommy & Daddy,

I love you! Today is my first preparation day (p-day) at Temple Square! It was great! Busy, and yet relaxing. We worked on the Square from 10-1 then our p-day is from 1-9pm. So after working on the Square we went to Wal-Mart. I spent a lot of money because it is my first p-day and I had to stock up on everything.

This evening, I was making fried chicken strips for me to eat throughout the week and some of the sisters came over and wanted some. So I ended up making enough for them, too. One of the sisters made smoothies and my companion made rice. We all sat at the table and had dinner. It was pretty fun! But I ate too much and I feel kind of sick. There are a bunch of sisters in my living room right now, singing and talking. It’s fun at Temple Square. The sisters are real fun! I never thought I would have this much fun hanging out with a bunch of girls, but sometime they’re a blast!

Tomorrow we have this special outing where we get to go to Cotton Wood Canyon, which is where the pioneers went to get the granite to build the Salt Lake Temple. We were told to wear p-day clothes and that we might be getting wet…. So I’ll let you know what happened in my next letter.

So, I emailed you a bunch of pictures today. I hope you got them. I can upload pictures straight from my camera. So you’ll get all the pictures first.

I don’t know if you’ll get my letter before Brian and Rachel leave this weekend for Utah, but if you do, tell Brian if he wants a tour with me he needs to call mission services to find out which tours I’m scheduled to be on.

Well, I love you! I love being here. It’s amazing when you have a tour of seven people and you feel the sprit so strong as you’re giving the tour and afterward two people want the missionaries to visit them!!! That’s what happened yesterday! That kind of experience reminds me of why I’m here, to invite others to come unto Christ. It’s even better when they accept the invitation!

I know I’ve been the happiest on my mission when I’ve worked my butt off during the day and at night I fall right to sleep. The next morning I wake up renewed with the needed energy to do it all over again! I love this church! I love you! Thank you so much for the package! You’re the best!!!

Love,

Sister Garbett

The Best Day Of My Mission!

July 18, 2009

Dear Mom & Dad,

I had the best day of my mission, so far today! I went to Temple Square! We left the MTC at 3pm and got to Temple Square at 4pm. We all went to the “underground laired.” We met in a conference room and sang “Called to Serve.” The mission has added a third verse about Temple Square. Then we met our companions for the day. My companion was Sister Higgenbotham from Virginia. She was amazing! We talked to lots of people and got lots of member referrals.
As Sister “H” was talking to a member family and getting a referral from them, I saw a family walk by us. They looked like middle age parents with a young toddler. I later found out they were the grandparents to this two-year-old boy. Right when I saw them I knew I needed to talk to them. The spirit was prompting me very strongly. My stomach was churning and my heart was racing, like right before you bear your testimony on Fast Sunday.

When Sister “H” was finished talking with the first family she asked me if I wanted to go contacting somewhere else. I said no, we needed to talk to these people (the grandparents of the 2 year-old). She didn’t object, so I walked over to them and started talking. I introduced myself and got their names. Oh, right when I started to approach them the two-year-old looked up at me. He smiled and ran straight towards me and gave my legs a huge hug! I almost started crying because, Mom, I remembered our talk just before I left on my mission. You said you felt prompted to tell me that as non-member families come to Temple Square, the parents may not be receptive to the gospel message but their little children will seek me out. You said, years from now when I’m off my mission, the children who will then be adults may not remember my name or what I said to them when they visited Temple Square as a child, but they will always remember the spirit they felt as I testified to them of Jesus Christ and his great love for them. When that little boy sought me out and gave me a hug, it was as if the spirit had just witnessed to me that what you had said was true!

As I began to talked to this couple, I discovered that I had no problem talking with them. I felt so calm and we connected very quickly. We offered to take them on a tour and they accepted. We took them to God’s plan for families. Although, the two-year-old was a little rowdy most of the time, the spirit was still there. After the tour we asked if we could send missionaries to visit them. They rejected. Sister “H” talked to them about the Book of Mormon and testified of the truthfulness of that sacred book. I don’t know how she did it, but they accepted the missionaries!

I had an amazing time! I am so excited to be able to serve at Temple Square every day of my mission! I wish Sister ”H” would be my trainer! She’s awesome. Oh, so we were contacting people and we started talking with a man and woman who were very nice and appeared kind of “hippish.” The man asked why all the Sister missionaries at Temple Square were so pretty. I explained that it’s a proven fact that confidence makes people more attractive and that all of the sisters at Temple Square were confident because we know who we are and we know Jesus Christ is our savior and we know God has a plan for us. The woman with him then said she notice how Mormons seem to have a “glow” about them. My companion then explained about the Holy Ghost. But in the end, they said they weren’t really interested in hearing more about the church (yet :~)).

I know Temple Square is the mission where I am supposed to be. I can’t believe I ever doubted Heavenly Father. I can’t wait until next Wednesday (22 July), that's when I can come to Temple Square as full time missionary and to do God’s work. I am in a better mood right now than I was on my first day at the MTC, and that’s saying a lot because you know how excited I was when you dropped me off in Provo!

I love you both so much! THIS CHURCH IS TRUE! I have such an amazing testimony! Thank you for raising me in the true Church of Jesus Christ! I love you!

Love,

Sister Garbett

Remember Who You Are!

July 16, 2009

Mom & Dad,

Hey how are you? How’s life without me? I started the Visitor Center (VC) training yesterday! It’s a lot of fun. Basically we take everything we’ve learned in the last three weeks and learn how to apply it to Temple Square. We have a practice tonight where we give a mock tour. On Saturday we go to Temple Square and give tours with other sister missionaries already there. We officially go to Temple Square on Wednesday, 22 July. I’m so excited! It really is fun here, and I’ve learned so much.

I’m able to call people who have been referred to me, while I’m at the MTC and at Temple Square. We can ask other missionaries if they have any referrals and we can call them just like we do here in the Referral Center. So if you have any friends or co-workers you can give me their number and name and I can call them and send them a Book of Mormon or a church DVD. I’m so excited!

I wake up about 5:45am on the days when I wash my hair. If I don’t have to do my hair, I sleep till 6:15ish. But I am out of bed everyday by 6:30am and I am so exhausted by the end of the day that sometimes I write in my journal as fast as I can just to be in bed 15 minutes early. I sleep through the entire night, every night.

M stomachaches are only a couple times a week. I don’t know if I’m just stressed or what. But usually if I feel sick I just skip a meal and I better by the next one. The food is good. It’s a lot of carbs, but I like carbs, so I don’t mind. But I’m probably gaining lots of weight!

It’s still really weird that I’m on a mission. In eight days I can say I only have 17 months left! It’s so crazy. Time has flown by. People weren’t kidding when they said the days are long, but the weeks are short. I can’t believe I’ve been here for almost three weeks. Every Wednesday, when the new missionaries arrive at the MTC, I remember when you dropped me off. It wasn’t sad at all. I’m glad I was ready.

Mom and Dad, I know this church is true. I know that Heavenly Father loves me. That’s why he blessed me to come to you. I know that Heavenly Father answers prayers. I know that he answered Joseph Smith’s prayer. I know that God and Jesus Christ appeared to him and told him the true gospel of Jesus Christ was no longer on the earth. I know Joseph Smith was the tool God used to restore His church. I am so grateful to live on the earth when the true gospel is here, in it’s fullness. I am grateful that the Priesthood keys have been restored and that Dad has the power and authority to act in the name of Jesus Christ! I’m grateful that Dad gave me a father’s blessing before I came out on the mission field. I forgot to tell you, one of the MTC Branch Presidency was interviewing me and he said he felt prompted to tell me that I would see the results of my efforts while I was still on my mission. Didn’t the Stake President say the same thing when he set me apart as a missionary? I am so grateful for worthy Priesthood holders who have influenced my life!

I love you so much! I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for your great examples and testimonies. Thank you for everything you do. REMEMBER who you are. Live up to the potential you have been pre-ordained to become. Something I have learned is we expect too little! We can all work harder, be better, and expect more of ourselves! I love you so much!

Love,

Sister Garbett

MTC Referral Center (RC)

July 13, 2009

Hi Family,

I' m doing great at the MTC! I love it here and I have learned so much already. I can't believe I've been here for three weeks. I have had so many great experiences!

I went to the Referral Center (RC) today. That's where we call people who ordered movies and copies of the Book of Mormon from the church commercials. I called to confirm if a guy who had requested his Bible received it. He wasn't home, but I talked to his nanny. I told her I used to be a nanny and we ended up talking a lot. I asked her about her religion and she said she is christian. I asked if she had heard of the LDS church. She said she had but she didn't know very much about it. So I started talking to her about how God loves us and blesses us. I told her we believe in the Book of Mormon. I asked if we could send her a copy and she said yes! I also told her we had some representatives (missionaries) who could bring the book to her and share a message with her. I asked if I could send them, too, and she said yes!

I was so happy! I bore my testimony and told her how happy I was that she was going to meet with the missionaries. I know that the Lord needed me to make that phone call at that time. I know I'm suppose to be here! I don't know if I'll ever see the fruits of my labors while on my mission, but just planting a seed is satisfaction enough for me.

I know this is the only true gospel on the earth. I know that Jesus Christ atoned for us, not only for our sins. but also for our pains and afflictions. Because of this, we can turn to him for anything!

I love this church so much!

Please write and keep me updated on everything!

Love,

Sister Garbett

Pictures from the MTC!

I can’t believe I’ve been here for 2 weeks! It actually kind of feels like forever ago, and at the same time it feels like yesterday! It’s so weird!

I know that I’m supposed to be here, and my mission is going to help me so much! I know this is the only true church! I love being here, and I know I’m going to love Temple Square. I love you all so much! Write me!

Oh! So my ecclesiastical certificate says it expires December 8, 2010. See you then!


Love,

Sister Garbett

HELLO FAMILY

6-30-09

I have been in the MTC for 6 days today. It is so much fun! I have 2 companions, one from Jamaica (Sis Pommells) and one from North Carolina (Sis Heath). They are both great! Today we had a teaching appointment (TA), which is when someone comes to the MTC and pretends to be an investigator. We taught her the 1st lesson. It went so well. It was such a spiritual experience. I testified to her about how we can pray and receive answers through the Holy Ghost. Then she asked how we know it’s the Holy Ghost, and the scripture in Galatians 5 popped into my head and I turned right to it. I hadn’t even planned to use that scripture. But the spirit prompted me to do so. I’ve learned that we teach people not lessons. It took me a little while to understand that, but now I really understand. It’s not really what we teach them, as much as it is how well we meet their needs. When we teach them, to help them and meet their needs, I feel the love Heavenly father has for them.

Yesterday I went to the referral center (RC), which is where we call and receive calls from potential investigators. I was really nervous. My first call I just go an answering machine. Then the computer stopped working right so we had to call a different group of people. We had to call people who were supposed to have had the missionaries visited them.

I looked at the name I had. It was a women from Michigan. So I picked up the phone and called her. She answered and I began talking. She said she had met with the elders and received a Book of Mormon. She also said she referred one of her friends with a young daughter to the missionaries and they had been to church twice. I found out this woman had just been diagnosed with diabetes and lived alone. She said she felt like no one care for her. Then she saw the church commercial on T.V., so she called. She was so grateful for the love the missionaries gave her. I testified of Heavenly fathers love and told her that I sincerely cared for her, for I truly felt God’s love for her. She said just when life was getting hard “Jesus called her phone and came knocking o her door.” That’s who we are, representatives of Jesus Christ. I committed her to read the Book of Mormon and to meet with the missionaries this week.

This is why I’m here! I absolutely love the MTC. It’s hard and stressful but it’s worth it. I had my first hard day yesterday, but I already feel better. I know I just need to continue to rely on the Lord. I have a feeling I’m going to lose weight in the MTC. I am overwhelmed and stressed and I get stomachaches at least once a day, which prevents me from eating very much. But that’s ok with me. J I’m in bed by 10:30 almost every and up by 5:30 almost every morning. It’s a good thing I’m so vain. It’s such a great motivator to get me out of bed. I iron my clothes every night all by myself. :)

I’m super happy and outgoing everyday. It may get a little annoying to my companions, but they deal with it real well. I say hi to everyone I see and tell jokes to all the districts in my zone.
Why do melon always have big weddings? --because they cantaloupe!
Why couldn’t the missionaries eat dinner? --because Moroni hid the plates!

Yeah, they all think I’m pretty silly.

A bunch of elders in my zone left the MTC today. They’re serving in Sacramento! I told them it was 108 yesterday and they weren’t too happy to hear about Northern California summers.
I really am having a blast! I love you all! Write me! I got 6 letters yesterday and I felt so loved! Keep it up!

Love,

Sister Garbett

My First P-Day

Hey Mommy!

So today is my first P-day! I seriously love it here. I am doing laundry right now. I am learning so much already. I know the first lesson and I have taught it to an "investigator" already. My companions and I get along great. It gets kind of old not being able to be alone, but it's for the best. I am trying really hard to be obedient. I wake up earlier than I need to every day! I have written you a few letters and you should be getting them in the next few days, if you haven’t already.

I get a stomach ache every day. I can barely eat anything or else I get really sick. I have a stomach ache right now because I think I ate too much for lunch. I am actually trying to eat healthy and get all of my fruits and vegetables and protein. I really hope my stomach aches stop. So please pray for me.

How is the family? I am not even homesick yet. Are the kids getting bigger already? I need everyone's e-mail address. And can you please forward these to everyone, unless it is personal and I ask you not to. I love you all so much. This is seriously the best, most spiritual time I've ever had!

Tell Stacy hi, and thanks for the letters and pictures! I haven't received any real mail from anyone else, so tell them to get on that! I know this is where I'm supposed to be. I love this church so much. I love you! Thank you for being such a great example to me and for supporting me on my mission.

My stomach hurts, so I'm gonna go! I love you so much!

Love,

Sister garbett

First Day At The MTC

24 June 2009

Dear Mom & Dad,

Today was one of the most amazing days of my life! I've learned so much already. I've been to a lot of orientations and met my district and part of my zone. I am in a three-some and both of my companions are amazing! One of them is the girl I met on facebook from Jamaica! How crazy is that!?!

So apparently I am the senior companion. I had no idea, but that is what my companion said today in our district meeting. We had interviews with the Branch President. His name is President Hacking. He is amazing. The Lord continues to bless me with awesome leaders.

In the district meeting they called one of the elders to be the District Leader then they called one of the sisters to be the Coordinating Sister, which is one sister in the district to go to special sister meetings and branch presidency meetings. Can you guess who the called? That's right, Sister Garbett! I'm already in a leadership position on my first day!

All of the sisters here are amazing! I have really been thinking about the blessing Dad gave me, and the blessing I received from the Stake President when I was set apart. In both blessings they counseled me to be optimistic and full of energy. So, that's how I was today. A little annoying probably, but full of energy! All of the sisters say they love my happy personality.

I'm not homesick yet. But it still seems weird that I'm here in the mission field for 18 months. This is a long-term relationship!

This week at the MTC is different than normal. They are training new Mission Presidents, so the schedule is changed. I've heard there is going to be a lot of General Authorities visiting the MTC. We are also having a special devotional on Friday by one of the General Authorities. We don't know who it's going to be but whoever it is is going to be amazing.

I am really having a blast! I love you both! Thank you so much for the wonderful example you've been to me. Thanks for the advice you've given me. I feel the spirit so strong here and I know this is where I'm supposed to be!

I love you so much!

Write back!

Love,

Sister Garbett

God Be With You Till We Meet Again

Brent, Stacy, Aiden and I just got back from dropping Aubree off at the MTC. She was so excited. As she departed there was definitely a joyful bounce in her every step. The host who met her at the car had a challenge trying to get Aubree’s two, very heavy suitcases organized so they could transport them to her room. It’s a good thing she is only going 40 miles down the road to the Temple Square Mission. Otherwise, she would have had to pay extra airfare for “over the weight” limit on each of her suitcases. I know her large suitcase was at least 75lbs and the small one was easily over 50lbs with all of her books and grooming products crammed inside. Although, she complained of butterflies in her stomach, she was ready to go and serve the Lord. There wasn’t a tear in her eye, only a huge smile on her face as she said goodbye.

I must admit, I’ll miss Aubree’s dynamic personality for the next 18 months. But I am so proud of her decision to serve our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as a full-time missionary. I know a great adventure awaits her at Temple Square. She has asked me (her mom) to keep everyone updated on her progress, which I will try to do. I want to thank everyone for their part in Aubree’s decision to serve a mission. She wouldn’t be where she is today if it wasn’t for great priesthood leaders, wonderful Young Women and Relief Society leaders, loving family members and good friends. To all, who’ve set such positive examples in directing Aubree’s footsteps on the faithful path she is trekking this day, thank YOU!

My pre mission weekend!

This weekend has been so much fun! I love my family so much. We drove to Utah on Saturday and have been staying in a hotel all week. We stayed in Salt Lake the first couple days then we stayed in Provo. We've been to the zoo, Rodizio(Brazilian restaurant), the Salt Lake Temple, and Red Lobster. I also hung out with one of my friends and we made foil dinners and roasted marshmallows! It was such a blast. I am definitely going to miss everyone, but I am ready to go serve the Lord.

My mom, sister, Lucas, and me at the zoo!

My last singles ward for the next 18 months!

Officially a missionary!!!

I was set apart as a full time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints today. At first we went to the wrong building, but luckily we are in Utah, so the right one was just across the parking lot. I have the most amazing stake president and bishop. They said such great things about me and gave me wonderful advice. I am so grateful for their support and love. It was so amazing to be set apart. Its hasn't completely set in yet, but it will soon enough. I report to the MTC tomorrow June 24, 2009. I am so excited!

This was the best pre-misison weekend ever! I cant wait to go into the MTC tomorrow! I love my family and everyone who has shown their love and support. Please keep in touch with me! My mom will keep this updated while I am gone!

See you in 18 months!!!

Farewell!

So, yesterday I gave my farewell talk. My topic was chapter 4 from Preach My Gospel "How do I recognize and understand the Spirit." I was asked to prepare a 10-12min talk. I was so worried that I would have too much to say and not enough time, or that I would go over my allotted time. I prayerfully prepared and I felt ready. I practiced it a few times and it was about 13min long. I was ready.

The morning of, I did some last minute preparations and made sure everything was in order. I prayed to have the Spirit and to do well. I got to church and they didn't have programs, so I had no idea when I was speaking. There were two other guys speaking with me and we were trying to guess who would go last. The guy beside me jokingly said if he went second, I would have LOTS of time to talk. The conducting counselor announced the program and said I would be the concluding speaker. I was kind of happy about that. After all, it was my farewell.

So the first speaker got up and gave his talk in about 3 minutes! Then the second speaker got up and gave his in about 7! I looked at the clock and started laughing and tried not to freak out! I had prepared a 13min talk and now had over 25min of time to fill. Luckily, the choir sang and took up almost 5 min.

I got up to the pulpit and began my talk. I made sure to talk slowly and to take my time. I felt confident and comfortable in front of everyone. I felt the Spirit guiding me in what I should say. I added a couple extra stories to help me fill the time and finished my talk in about 22min. I was very pleased with how I presented my talk and by the responses I was getting from the congregation. I received lots of compliments including being told I "sounded like a missionary," which is what I was hoping for. I am very grateful that I was able to know the things that I should say.

It was a bitter-sweet day. I am very happy that I am going on a mission in just a few days, but It was a little sad to say goodbye to my family ward. After, church we had a small family get together at my parents house. We ate nachos for dinner, and cake that my sister made in the shape of the Salt Lake Temple for dessert. It was nice to spend time with my family and friends for the last time before I leave. I had a great "last Sunday supper" With my family. I am so excited to go on my mission and to share the Gospel with the people on Temple Square!

9 more days till I'm in the MTC!