So Many Miracles!

July 10, 2010

Hey Family,

I just wanted to take a few minutes and tell you about some of the miracles that have happened this week!

Yesterday, my companion had a doctor’s appointment, so our Zone Leaders told us that we couldn't go to Welfare Square after the appointment. She said we would have to be at Temple Square all day. My companion and I were not very excited about that because we love Welfare Square. We both thought that it didn't make very much sense for us to stay, but we obeyed anyway. We went to the doctor’s appointment and it went well. We were back on the square by 11:00am and we started working right away. We were trying to talk to people and invite them on a tour, but no one was receptive to our attempts. Then I had the thought to walk around the tabernacle, which we usually don’t do. So we went there and met some members and talked with them for a bit, but they didn't have any referrals for us. Then we kept walking and two men approached us and asked us if we were taking a tour. We told them we were looking for someone to take around Temple Square and they would be perfect! So we started taking them on a tour and found out they are here for a YMCA conference from Minnesota!! We were going to take them into the North Visitor Center, but they asked if they could go in the Conference Center (cc). We said of course and we took them there. We went to the hall of the prophets and showed them statues of past prophets and pictures of the apostles. The spirit was so strong! We went into the auditorium which seats 21,000 and they were in awe. We invited them to receive missionaries and a Book of Mormon and one of the guys, Tim, was unsure about accepting it. So then my companion said, “Well, while you think about that offer, I will read a scripture from it.” I don't remember what scripture she read, but it was perfect and the spirit was strong. After that the other guy, Pat, said he wanted a copy of the Book of Mormon. Then I re-invited Tim and he said yes. They both filled out the referral cards and were excited to receive the missionaries. I promised them the blessings of peace and happiness as they read the Book of Mormon and that they could have that same peace and happiness in their homes, with their families, as they read and study it together.

It's amazing! We weren't even planning to be at that spot where we met them, but every night when my companion and I plan our next day, and every morning before we leave our apartment, we ask Heavenly Father to lead us to where we need to go even if our plans aren't His will. He definitely put us exactly where we needed to be!

After that encounter we met a couple from Maryland! We took them on a tour around the Square. Unfortunately, they weren’t from any of the areas I served in during my outbound assignment. They were from another Sister’s area. They were very nice and we had a great tour, but they didn't refer. While on that tour we were on our way into the tabernacle and it got SO windy! A tree branch fell 20 feet from from us. It was so crazy, everyone started to come into the tabernacle so my companion got stuck holding the door for everyone. I continued on the tour and started talking about the history of tabernacle and in the process discovered a lot about them. My companion, Sister Schwager, got stopped by a couple of members and they wanted her to talk to their non-member friend. So I continued teaching the couple from Maryland and then it was time to go outside again. Sister Schwager met up with us just before we went outside and we continued the tour and it went well. After that tour Sister Schwager told me that the man she talked with was so “golden” that he referred in five minutes! She said he was definitely prepared to hear the message she shared with him. When she asked him what he thought about a living prophet on the earth today he said, "That's wonderful! I always wondered why there weren't any!"

Later, that day we took another family around Temple Square. They were from Montana and the dad was agnostic and the wife was a non-active Christian. They had a 12 year-old daughter and an 11 year-old son. At first I thought they were members of the church by the way they were dressed. During the tour, we found out that the man's mother was baptized when she was pregnant with him, but obviously not active. We took them around the South Visitor's Center and showed them the new temple display. It is amazing! It is a replica of the Salt Lake Temple and it actually shows the rooms inside. You should look it up on the Church News. The family thought it was really cool. We taught them about the Book of Mormon and the angel Moroni. While I was explaining about the Book of Mormon it felt like my words were just coming out of my mouth without any effort on my part. Afterward, my companion asked them what they thought about what I had just said. The husband and wife didn't have too, much to say then the 11 year-old boy said, "I think I want a copy of that book!" He had so much excitement in his voice and really was interested. We showed them a couple of video clips from President Monson and they really appreciated the counsel that he has the youth. We invited them to receive the missionaries and a Book of Mormon and the dad said, "What do you think kids, do you want that?" They both very eagerly said, "Yes!" The dad said, “Well I can't say no to them." I re-explained that the missionaries would be bringing the Book of Mormon to them and would also share a message about Jesus Christ that would bless their family. They agreed to have the missionaries come to them! Seriously, I love kids! They are so close to the spirit!

We got another referral today from an 18 year-old young man, Brian and his mother, Sherry. Brian has a fascination with studying religion even though he claims to be an atheist. Weird, right? He knew a lot about our religion and told us he has three Book of Mormons already. They were both very interested in the message we were sharing with them and they agreed to have the missionaries come and teach them more. I think Brian may have a little more difficulty in coming unto Christ, but I know it is possible. His mother was definitely prepared and I think she needed his interest in religion to get her here.

Anyway, those are some of the great experiences this week! I am running out of time, but I know this church is the only true and living church of Jesus Christ on the earth! I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and I have felt the spirit more abundantly in my life as I make it a priority! I love you all!

Don't forget about me! I still have five months left and I love letters and packages! :)

Love,
Sister Garbett