Hello Whole World - From North Carolina, Monday, Oct. 21, 2013

Hello whole world.

Sister Garvin and Sister Friend from High School

Sister Garvin here, with news from the North Carolina front.  Or west-east, I don't really know.

Anyway, there is this thing called the sun, and I pretty sure that the world revolves around it, and it just so happened that today it is shining.  So it's a good day.

I keep thinking and saying that one quote from Finding Nemo--"The sun is shining the tank is clean, and we are getti... AHHHH the tank is clean!"

That's basically a metaphor for life.

Preparation Day is tank cleaning day.  And nap time. 

It means a lot.

This week was a little bit overwhelming, but great too.  We met with lots of people and had some of the highest key indicators in a couple of areas that I've ever had, so I'm thrilled to know that it's possible, that it's happening, and that I'm a part of it.

We worked really hard to stay busy all week, and there was so much going on.  So many new people, so many appointments, and just so many manys.

I have the need to nap so that I can process information.

Something that I have learned from this area is that I have not had it as bad as I sometimes think, in terms of life and experiences.

People have real struggles, and the movies are more accurate than I thought. 

I love them so much for their desires to find something better, and to be better, and my knowledge of this one fact has increased: God doesn't create a no-good anything or anybody.

We all have goodness within us, it is who we are.  And I think that is one of the reasons that we look for happiness.  Happiness is a good thing, and two good make an even better.

Yes, we fall short, and sometimes we look for good, and for happiness in the wrong areas, but we are doing the best we can with what we know and with our current capacities.  And life is a hard thing.

We were listening to a talk tape this week by Mary Ellen Edmunds, and she said something that struck my thoughts at the time "Happiness never was misery." and "Happiness doesn't mean a lack of sorrow."

There is great wisdom in that.

These are scrambled thoughts, but the I hope you get the gist.

Also words of wisdom from me:

1) Look for happiness in the right places!  The Lord has provided the correct and good resources for us to find those right places.

2) Endure to the end!  There will be sad times, but next year you probably wont remember them.

I know that I'll look back on my mission and I wont remember the times that were hard--which is at least 80%.  I'll remember the joys, and the happinesses.

So, yeah.

I still love you as much as I have always if not more!

Love, 

Sister Amber

Our 'District"

Sister Garvin, Sister Watt, Yolanda

July 29, 2013 - Williamsburg, Virginia - Sister Missionaries

Dear Dearest Most Darlingest Most Wonderful Family in the ENTIRE world,

Hey.

So this week went by really slow, but really fast.  So fast, that I don't really remember everyday.  8 hours of sleep just seems like a really long nap these days, and so all of the days in the whole week really feel like just one really long day.  :)

But things went good!  We tracted a lot.  And I got exactly one letter at all. (hint hint)  I know that I never respond to letters but that does not give you an excuse to stop spending all day long composing me pages and pages of your lives which then end up in my very small mailbox.  That's just not a valid excuse.  It's just not.  I'm sorry I have to be so blunt with you here. ;)

FOR MOM:  There is a really cool missionary infographic that I would love to have you post on my blog.  go to this page http://www.mormonnewsroom.org/topic/missionary-program and click the view infographic and then there is a code at the bottom which you can embed.   If it doesn't work then no worries.  (note from mom:  I've posted it below)

Just as always there were many miracle this week, but the major one was I got through it.  Yup, truth revealed.  It was a rough week.  In all honesty that is usually how weeks are.  I didn't really understand that until I was living it, but being a missionary is hard.  There are days when you have to consistantly remind yourself why you made the decision to go on a mission. Not I ever question my desire to serve the Lord, but I do sometimes find myself questioning why I made the decision to serve in this way. Trying to teach simply, while teaching doctrine fully and completely AND following the Spirit to tell you what to say is not a simple task.  Sometimes I want to curl up in a ball and never speak again.

But along with the discouragement that occurs for at least a second everyday there comes great lessons.  

I have learned to talk to people.

I have learned to get past the first judgements that I frequently make.

I have learned about second chances.

I have learned about love.

I have learned to open my mouth.

I have learned to do things that are intimidating, and scary.

I am learning to teach with love always,

I am learning that every day is a mountain to climb, and it's worth climbing.

I am learning that Heavenly Father doesn't expect us to cross the finish line before he will bless us, but he will bless us as we take each labored step to get there.

I am learning that the only person that can hold me back is me.

I am learning about the person that God designed me to be, and am seeing more potential in myself, and the opportunity to do good than I have ever seen before.

This week was a mountain, but I reached a checkpoint in the race, and I it was worth it.  I am still here, and I still have faith.  I can still pray, I can have a second chance, and I can continue to open my mouth and speak.

I love you all so much, and will admit that last Monday I was a little bit homesick so I bought myself a box of Reese's Puff cereal because it reminded me of mom.  I know that is weird.

Also, I ate the whole thing. 

Shhhhh!  No telling. ;)

I hope y'all have a better day everyday. :)

Love forever, and past eternity,

Sister Garvin