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!

My Call!

I went to work on Wednesday, April 8 and it was a pretty normal day. On my way home my mom called me and she said she wanted to be on the phone with me in case I got my call. So I went to my mail box and opened it. I saw a big white envelope with the return address from The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! I was so excited! I was yelling on the phone to my mom and I ran inside! I yelled up at my roommates and told them I got my call. Then I went down to my room. I got off the phone with my mom and called everyone else in my family.
After I was done calling everyone I just stared at it wondering where I would be going. It was pretty thin, so I assumed it would be in the states. but I texted one of my friends who was going to Argentina and his postage was less than mine. So now I was officially confused. I got on facebook and told everyone I received my call and started taking guesses. My most popular guess was Temple Square, which was the only place that I didn't want to go to.
After I was done staring at my call and wondering where I would go, I got dressed and went out to dinner with one of my friends.
That weekend was Easter weekend and I already had a plane ticket to go home, so I waited until I got home to open my call. I got home on Friday, but I had to wait until Saturday to open it. That was the hardest part. I really had no desire to open it without my family, but once I was home I didn't want to wait another day. But of course, I did.
Saturday morning I woke up and started to get ready. Somehow I knew it was Temple Square. Maybe I was being prepared so that I wouldn't be disappointed. I couldn't think of anywhere else, and I just knew in my gut that I would be sent to the one place I didn't want to go. While I was getting ready I just kept saying "I know it's Temple Square." My family kept trying to convince me that it wasn't, or that if it was, it's the place I need to be. My whole family was at my house, and I was still in the bathroom doing my hair and make up.
When I was done, I grabbed my call and sat down on the coffee table. I looked at everyone staring at me. This was it. The contents in this envelope would decide where I would be for the next 18 months of my life. I was so nervous I almost didn't want to open it. I tore open the envelope and wasn't sure how to take my call out without spoiling where I was going. When I got it out I read that it was dated on my Birthday! I was so excited that the Prophet had signed my call on my birthday! I continued to read it with excitement, " You are hereby called to serve as a missionary of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. You are assigned to labor in the Utah Salt Lake City Temple Square Mission." A roar of laughter filled the room and disappointment hit me. I finished reading it and my family tried to comfort me by saying it is where the Lord needs me.



It took me a little while to overcome the disappointment. I felt so ungrateful and selfish. I couldn't believe my lack of faith. I got down on my knees and thanked Heavenly Father for the call, apologized for my disappointment, and asked for comfort and faith. I'm not gonna lie, it took a few days for me to start to feel more excitement than disappointment. But now, I know it's where I'm supposed to be. I still have some hard days, especially since I'm leaving in 2 weeks, but when I do I remember the feeling I had when I received my confirmation.
I am so excited to serve the Lord for 18 months. I cannot wait to share the gospel with millions of people at Temple Square! I know that Heavenly Father will bless me and those that I teach because of my sacrifice.
Temple Square, here I come!

I've finally done it!

Ok, so I finally decided to create a blog! I am going on my mission to Utah Salt Lake Temple Square so I figured I should create this to keep everyone informed while I am gone. My plan is to have my mom maintain this and post recent pictures so everyone can stalk me easily. :D I report to the MTC on June 24 and I will be there for 4 weeks. Then I'm off to Temple Square!