Outbound???

Jan 22, 2010

Hey Mom,

Today is my P-day so I’m hoping I can connect with you via email. The mission is going well. I went to Wal-mart today to buy more tapes and they didn't have any! I'm completely out! They said they no longer carry them! Arrrrgggg! Can you ask Stacy to send me some?

The work has been so slow! I have had some good contacts, but people aren't referring. But I had contact with an amazing member referral that referred last night while I was working in the Referral Center. I write you a nice long letter about it tonight.

I found out that sometimes when sisters are going outbound the mission that they are going to sends a letter to the parents. It's happened before that the parents find out where their daughter is going before she knows and they tell her and ruin the surprise. Soooo... just in case that were to happen (it doesn't happen often), but if it does, don't tell me. I won't find out if or where I'm going until Feb 15 and I want to be surprised. So just so you know!

My companion is a delight. She is little and silly and English is definitely her second language. She tried to say beaches the other day, but said something else. Ha-ha! She said it like 3 times too! We get along really well. I am pretty laid back with her. She said all of her other companions had made her cry in their first week together, and I haven't made her cry at all! And she is really sensitive. We have fun together and we try to work hard. It's hard because there is nobody here though.

Well, got to go. I hope we can email next week! I love you!

Love,

Sister Garbett

Moroni's Promise

January 22, 2010

Mommy & Daddy,

I was so happy to talk to both of you online today. You seriously are the best parents ever! I love e-mailing when you guys are on.

This week has been ok. We really haven’t been seeing too much success. We have had a few really good tours, but for some reason, they’re not referring.

Monday we were in the South Visitor’s Center and a man came in to visit. He was probably in his 40s, very clean cut and here for business. His name was Andrew. He walked right up to us and asked for a tour. We took him through the Construction of the Temple, Assembly Hall, Tabernacle, the Christus and to the Book of Mormon display. We taught him about eternal families, prophets, restoration, Jesus Christ, and the Book of Mormon. The Spirit was super strong. We found out he has two children, but wasn’t married. When we were at the Book of Mormon display we taught him about how the Book of Mormon and the Bible both testify of Jesus Christ. I testified of how much it has blessed me in my life. I invited him to receive a Book of Mormon and have the missionaries visit him and teach him. He respectfully declined. I was so sad. I was sure he would want a Book of Mormon. He was picking one up and looking at it and everything. I re-testified and told him he had nothing to lose and told him about Moroni’s promise. Then I re-invited and he said no again. I couldn’t believe it! Why wouldn’t someone want a free book to learn even more about their Savior? I asked if he was staying here in Salt Lake City and he said yes. So, I encouraged him to look at the Book of Mormon in his hotel room. He said he would.

The next day I was telling one of the sisters here at Temple Square what happened and I was on the verge of tears. Ever since I’ve been re-reading the Book of Mormon, my testimony has grown so much! I can’t understand why people won’t just pick up this book and read it for themselves!

On a little happier note, I did see some success in the Referral Center (RC). I don’t know if I told you but the member who came to Temple Square a couple of weeks ago. His name is Landon. He just got off his mission a few weeks prior to visiting the Square. He was really missing his mission. I realized that’s how I want to be when I get home. He gave me two of his friend’s names to call. The other day I called his friend, Jeff. I was a little nervous to call him for some reason and I had put if off for a while. When I finally called Jeff I told him my name and that I was calling on behalf of his friend Landon. I heard a lot of people in the background so I asked if there was a better time to call back and he told me to call him back in a half-a-hour.

I called him back about 45 minutes later and he answered! I’m not gonna lie, I was surprised. I told him who I was and that I met Landon a couple weeks ago and that he wanted me to send him a free DVD. Jeff said “Yeah, why not?” I was so happy! I continued to talk to him and told him we had missionaries just like me and like Landon, who had just finished serving a mission. I explained how they would come and share a message that means so much to me. I asked if that would be ok. He said “Yeah that’s fine.” And then added, “I actually just ran into the Elders on my way home.” He didn’t get to talk to them but talk about being prepare! I was so happy that he accepted the missionaries! Another good thing was when I followed up with a call to Landon he, too, was so happy. Sometime the members who refer don’t even seem happy when I call back and tell them their friend accepted the missionaries! I know, they’re crazy!

I really felt like that whole call was guided by the Spirit of the Holy Ghost on both ends. I felt comfortable and built a relationship, which made it easier for me to invite. It also makes them more likely to refer.

This gospel is true! I know with all my heart that the Book of Mormon is true and that it was translated by the power of God though Joseph Smith. I know that through temples families can and will be together forever! I am so grateful that the sealing power that binds families here on earth seals them together in Heaven for all eternity! I know my Savior lives! I know that through Him we can return to live with our Heavenly Father again.

You are the greatest parents in the whole world! I love you so Much!!!

Love,

Sister Garbett

100% Obedient

January 8, 2010

Mom & Dad,

I’m happy transfers came. So far I like my new companion. Her name is Sister Cheng and she is from Hong Kong. She is really little and cute and a lot of fun.

This transfer I am trying to be extra, 100%, obedient. This includes working out in the morning. My companion doesn’t like to work out. So it looks like I’ll have to workout inside. Today I went to Wal-Mart and bought a “Step” to do step aerobics. It cost me $30.00! Thank you Kaysi for the gift card! Hopefully I’ll get skinny this transfer just in time to go outbound in February. I really don’t want to go until March, but I’m thinking I’ll probably go out next transfer. Sister Heath and Sister Pommell were sent outbound this transfer and we were companions together in the Mission Training Center last June. If I do go out this next time around, pray for me to be out for only three transfers!

Another goal I have for this transfer is to read the Book of Mormon in three weeks or less. So far it is completely possible. I have read almost 100 pages in three days. I love the Book of Mormon! As I’m reading, I’m highlighting every time Jesus Christ is mentioned. There are so many different names for Him. Did you know the name “Christ” isn’t used in the Book of Mormon until page 78 (excluding the introduction and cover of course)? But every page testifies of Him!

I had a really great experience the other day. Three Young Single Adult (ages 18-30) came into the south Visitor’s Center and I was able to tell them about the Temple. They are working at Park City but they were originally from South and Central America. I was very bold with them and testified that through the Temple they can be with their families forever. I invited them to receive the missionaries so they could learn more about eternal families and all three accepted! It was an incredible testimony to me that the spirit is the dividing factor which separates being bold from being pushy.

This church is so true! I love you so much! Thanks for your love and prayers!

Love,

Sister Garbett

Happy New Year!

December 29, 2009

Mommy & Daddy

Happy New Year!!!

How was your Christmas and Daddy’s birthday? I’m sorry I wasn’t on line when you emailed. We change the time we e-mail every P-day. Next week will be my last morning P-day. Transfers are next week! So crazy! Tuesday I will tell you what’s going to happen during next transfer.

So I ended up having to do that solo on Christmas. It went surprisingly well. It wasn’t amazing because I only practiced once, but it was ok. Some of the missionary sisters came up to me and told me they had no idea that I could sing. They told me there is a music concert scheduled in March and they asked me to sing in it. So that means I won’t go outbound till March 31st! But I have to figure out what to sing by Thursday. I’m trying to figure that out soon.

This week has been good. I can’t wait until the lights go off and it’s not as busy anymore. It will be nice to be able to breathe again without all the people. There are thousands of people visiting the Square everyday.

Thanks so much for all the presents. I absolutely love the new camera! I’ll take lots of pictures and send them to you so you can put them on my blog!

It’s almost bed time, so I gotta go!. The church is true! I love you so much!

Love,
Sister Garbett

December 22, 2009

Mom and Dad,

Hello, by the time you get this letter it will be after Christmas and I will have already talked to you. So, it was so good to talk to you!

Thanks so much for all of the Christmas presents! My tree looks so nice with all the present under it. I feel like I never left home because I still have a ton of presents on Christmas.

The Mission really is going better. It’s hard but that’s how Missions are supposed to be, right? I’m getting more sleep now and I think that’s helping me feel much better during the day. There’s still a lot of stress, but I think that sleeping at night is helping me cope better with all the stressors.

The work is going well. I’m still seeing success especially when I’m working in the Referral Center (RC), calling people and talking to them about the church. That’s one of my favorite things to do on the mission. It’s nice that I get to teach and I don’t have to worry about anyone judging me on how well I’m teaching.

Something that I’ve noticed lately is when I’m being myself I have so much more success on the mission compared to when others are telling me I need to be more like them. Lately, I really got all stressed out trying to be someone I’m not. I was starting to be afraid of just being me. Then I realized that’s how Satan really works. He uses others to create doubt in yourself and your abilities. I’m slowly learning how to stop caring about what people are saying and just do what works best for me and the work. That’s the hardest part, trusting in God and using the talents He has given me to bless the lives of others, regardless of what some critical person thinks or says.

So, I’m feeling better now and learning more as I read from the scriptures everyday. I’ve been reading the Old Testament because there are so many awesome stories in there. I particularly like to read before I go to bed and it seems to help me sleep better.

Well, this letter is going to be short, but I love you! I know this Church is true and I know there are people who need MY testimony. That’s why I am still here even when it’s hard. Thank you for your prayers. I love you so much!

Love,
Sister Garbett