Amber in Virginia - September 30, 2013 - Transferring to North Carolina

So I didn't have a chance to respond to all the emails I wanted to this week, so here is my public apology. :)  Thank you all for writing to me though!  I love to hear from you!

I'm being transferred this week.  I don't really know where I'm going geographically, but I'm going to be opening an area where sisters have never been, and I'll be training a new missionary.  (see links at end of post for more info. on where Amber will be serving; Rocky Mount, North Carolina.) 

I'm so so excited!  I'm also so so sad!

I have grown in Jamestown, and I'm going to always have a part of my heart reserved for this place.  I wouldn't be the person I am right now if I hadn't been here.  So it is sad to be leaving, and I'm sad that I wont see any of the immediate results of some of the things that I tried to do here, but I am SO THRILLED for Sister Newbold!  She will begin the harvest, and I am so glad that she will have the opportunity to train and grow here!

Well, mixed feelings.

I was so sad to hear about the passing of my friend Adam this week.  I had a hard few days, but I prayed and said that I needed 3 days to mourn, and then asked for a blessing.

I have learned a lot.  I loved that kid, but I know that things will be okay, and I'm so glad and grateful that he can be in a place with no pain, only love joy, and beauty.  I know that he is happy there.  

There is a scripture in Nehemiah 6:3 "...I'm am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down..."

I know that he is in a better place, and he is doing a great work, and I am so happy to be connected to people that aren't here in person through this wonderful Work of Salvation.

I can stand (write) before you, and say with full conviction and testimony that I KNOW that The Plan of Salvation is Heavenly Father's plan of happiness for us, and I know that it is true, and I know that it is really more than what I know of it.

It's truth though, and I can stand by that.

I don't know everything that is in store for me in the next year, but I do know that Heavenly Father has a place for me in His plan, and that His plan includes my happiness.

I'm so grateful for the experiences that I have had here, and I know that I wouldn't be able to fully become who God designed me to be without this opportunity to serve.

Thank you to those who have helped provide it, and who have been a part of it.

I cherish you!

Sorry this is so rushed!

It's cram-everything-that-you-have-to-do-and-pack-day along with grocery shopping and appointments!

I love you for eternity!

Love,

Sister Amber in North Carolina (soon)

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

City of Rocky Mount

Photos of Rocky Mount

Map of Rocky Mount

Our 'District' - Jamestown

Amber in Virginia - Monday, Sept. 23, 2013

So apparently when I try to type really fast my brain spells the wrong version of words that I am thinking of like four instead of for.  Well, that's embarassing..... Oops!

Guess what I'm SOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO excited for?!

You probably will take to long to guess so I will just tell you.

General Conference is (not this weekend) NEXT WEEKEND!

Guess why this is momentous?! 

Because it will mark 1 year since the age change for missionaries (which changed many peoples worlds--including mine.)

Also, I get to spend 10 hours sitting-- which is way more than I have done in 2 days in the last 5 months. :)  So that will be great.

This week I have been thinking a lot about being successful, and becoming, and other deep thoughts like that.

I have reached a really wonderful conclusions (thanks again to my lovely mother, and also my great mission president) 

Wise words "all we have to show for this is what we have become."

So then the question is: What would have to happen for me to feel like I had served a successful mission?

Would it be 'X' number of baptisms, or 'Y' number of miracles?

You are right if your brain just thought "NO!"

Go you!

While my realizations may not be accurate for all other missionaries around the world, they are for me, and on the slight chance they may benefit somebody I am willing to share.

If (super metaphorically) I came home tomorrow, or next week, or next month, would I be satisfied with who I had become?  The answer: yes. Why you ask?  What is the point, or what do you have to show for it?

Well, my answer is simply that I have become more.

I know that it sounds weird. But it's true.  I haven't become a completely different person (I still think I'm SO funny!)  but I have become more, and maybe even more important than that is that I LOVE the people here.

I could come home tomorrow and feel like I had been successful simply because I opened my heart up again, and I learned to love the people.

I can show for all this that I loved. And that I served out of love.

That's good enough for me, and I feel that it is good enough for the Lord.

I know that He called me on a mission so that he could teach me about this really miraculous, and minor-ly comprehendable thing called love.

And that's that.

Also,

Well, not also, 

But! 

(as always)

You are in my prayers, and 

I love you forever.

Love,

Sister Amber

From:  Mission Conference in July - (Photo posted by my Mom)  

(Amber is on third row back, kneeling 5th from left, red top.  :)

Missionaries in Virginia, Chesapeake Mission, 2013

Tuesday, September 3, 2013, Williamsburg, Virginia, LDS/Mormon Missionaries

Hello,

My name is Sister Garvin.

I'm a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Sister Amber Garvin - 2013

I bear a message about "the good news" of the Gospel, which is centered around your Savior, and my Savior, Jesus Christ.

I know that the message which I share is true, and I know that no matter what stage of life you may be in it can bring strength, relief, and courage to face anything that may lie ahead.

I am not here to change your faith, only to build upon it.

I am here to teach.

I am here to testify that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever.

He loves you, and he knows you.

I am here to witness of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, I know it to be the word of God.

I am here to share this message to all who will heed it.

I am here to lead others to Christ by helping them to receive the teaching of this restored gospel, and to exercise their faith unto repentance.

I am here to love.

I am here to learn.

Most importantly, I am here to serve.

God is mighty.  Through many small and simple things I have been a witness to the power of everyday miracles this week.  I wish that I could share all of them.

Something that I learned from somebody important to me this week we were talking about chances/percentages.

I learned this: God can work with a 10% chance. In fact, He can work with a 0.00000000000001% chance.  I'm not completely sure how small a percent can get, but I KNOW with all conviction that God can work with that low of a percent chance.

"...The things which are impossible with men are possible with God." (Luke 18:27)

I have probably said it before, and I know that most of my letters are probably pretty redundant, but I will continue on with stating the things that I have learned.

Ours is a God of second chances.

Do you understand how profound that is?

We have the option of a second chance no matter where we have been, where we are, or who we are.  We are only defined by the limits we set for ourselves.  Our Father truly loves us, and desires our success.  For that reason He doesn't set limits on us.  With limits all things are not possible. In the context that I am pondering limits-- they are man made.

In this context, limitless and impossible are synonymous.

Also, I really think that this pondering that is occurring in my brain ought to be published in a book or something.  In my very apparent opinion, these thoughts are not that of a not-quite-yet 20 year old woman.  Whew!

I know another thing for certain, I am grateful that grandma is saving all these letters, because if I don't have a book published, I sure am going to make a giant quote wall with my face on it along with all the profound thoughts that I forget I send home! :)

For those people that have been instruments in the Lord's hands for making my perceived limitations possible I thank you most graciously.  Thank you for encouraging and supporting me in overcoming the things that I thought were impossible, and for allowing me to experience this time of growth, and profound thought.  You will never truly know what a lasting, and infinite effect it has had on the welfare of my soul.

Sorry, no more time.

Get me published! ;)

Just kidding.

It would probably make me blush.

Love you always!

Sister Amber Garvin

P.S. Will send photos next week!

-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Also --- My Mom is posting the following for all your information...and, because I didn't send any photos this week and...she thinks that people like to see photos. 

Here's the link to the article about the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Performance.

Flash Mob at Tabernacle Choir Performance in Williamsburg, June 22, 2013

August 5, 2013 - Williamsburg, Virginia - Missionary Work

I have a really cool story to tell.

First of all it was a long and dreary night.....

Just kidding, it was a really wonderful Fast Sunday.

We taught Primary.  Which is sometimes hard to do as missionaries because you can't touch kids, and you always have to be within sight and sound of your companion.  But we made it work.

That's not the story.

The story is that all of the missionaries in our zone are having a really hard time finding new people to teach-- especially the Spanish Speaking sisters that just opened new areas. So we had a zone fast to help us find people to teach. (more specific than that, but you get the gist. )

Also, we were trying a new thing that our Mission President wants us to work on with asking members of the ward for referrals.  

So we went to our dinner appointment, and for our dinner message we asked the members to be open to recieving revelation for one of their friends who could use the message that we shared with them in their own lives. We then taught parts of the Restoration with a focus on families, and Prophets.

At the end we asked them who they had thought about that could be blessed with the peace and joy and power that we feel through the gospel.

Our member immediately said this name.  We were so grateful!!!! And I sort of started to cry. Then she said that this woman lived in a different area.  (Which is still great, but didn't really help us find someone to teach. ) But the area IS in our zone, and we have wonderful elders serving out there.  So we were all excited, and I cried a little bit.

Then our member went to get her friends contact info, and she realized that she only had a PO box, and a phone number. So, she just called her friend, sort of explained the situation, and asked her if it would be okay if the missionaries came over to her house.  Her friend said "You know what?  I would not have any problem with meeting with those young men."

Wow.  Really. Can you feel the power of member missionary work?! It's incredible!  And it works!  That is how it is supposed to work!  And it is a miracle!  (and I really cried.)

Principles that I have learned from this miracle.

There is a power in friendship.

There is IMMENSE power in fasting, and prayer.

God is watching out for every single one of us.

He knows us.

He loves us.

And He doesn't ever want anyone to fall between the cracks unnoticed.  Every person is significant in the kingdom of our Savior.

So that is the story.  It happened.  It was amazing to witness. I loved it.

I hope that this brings strength to your lives to know that things like this do happen, and that it truly is "by small and simple means [that] great things are brought to pass."

I love you forever and eternity!

Love,

Sister Garvin

P.S. We ate at the Soderholm's and their son served his mission in Nebraska when the Galland's were the Mission Presidents.  So he told me to say 'Hi'. :)

Have a wonderful week!

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

Monday, July 22, 2013 - Williamsburg, Virginia

Soooooooo......

Hey.

This week was really good.  I was pretty long.  I can't believe that in weeks I wil have been a missionary for 4 months.  I don't know if that is okay with me.  But it really is because I love Utah so much!  And there are some things I miss about home life.  Like: Sitting around and reading a book for an entire day because I have no other plans.  

I am confident that will never happen to me in the next 14 months.  Whoa.  14 Months.  Whew.

You may wonder why I have thought this thought that I thunk.  :)

It's because last night we got home and after planning and getting ready for bed I had 30 minutes left of time with which I was unsure what to do.  In those moments most often you study.  

But I was in the mood for something different, so I picked up 'Jesus The Christ'.  

I tried to read it a little bit before I left with little success.  There are lots of big words in that book.

But last night my mind was enlightened and expanded, and I read 2 chapters while comprehending all things which I read.  WAHOO!  I have learned that the more familiar you become with OT, NT, and BOM language the easier it becomes to read really lengthy books with lots of big words. 

So that is what I did last night.

I know.... It's facinating, and I am sure you all really care about this really long thought process that I had last night while reading Jesus the Christ.

It's a good book.

I was a little sad that it would've been a really bad idea to stay up all night reading it.  But not devestated, because I REALLY like the 8 hours of sleep I get each night.

That's not sarcastic at alll. Really.

This week there were lots of miracles.  We were able to contact some people that haven't been contacted for at least 2 years, and were able to have some really incredible experiences with appointments.

That is all I have time to say today.

Virginia is humid, and hot.  And it rains.  A lot.

My new companion is AWESOME!  And I love her.

Bye for this week!

I love you all!  Always!

Love,

Sister Garvin

P.S. look at this cute puppy that this family in our ward got!  (don't mind my chubbiness. :)  I WANT ONE! 

Sister Missionaries - Williamsburg, Virginia

Also: best speed limit ever.  It's my favorite!

Best Speed Limit Sign Ever.  :)

Photos - July 1, 2013

Recent Photos -

 We rode the ferry to Surrey before the Mission split!  

Ronnie (friend from BYU-I) sent me some money that fed us dinner and bought us cheesecake that was surprisingly good, and danced upon our tastebuds. :)

Sister Roberts and me - on the Ferry.. I seriously love her! .. She is outstanding and adorable!

May 20, 2013

Dear...Best family in the entire world who I love (and friends),

I had my one month missionary birthday!  Can you believe it?  I sort of wish I could keep starting over so that time never moves forward and I can learn as much as I have learned all the time. That probably doesn't make sense.  

But mostly I am trying to say that time has really just flown by, and we only have 13 days left in this transfer which is really soon!

We don't know what is going to happen, but Sister Jasperson and I did some math (which I didn't think would ever happen on a mission.  ;) and there is a possibility that we will be getting 140 new missionaries in the next two transfers.  WHICH IS THE EQUIVILANT OF AN ENTIRE MISSION....almost.  Basically, that is really a lot of missionaries. Also, I am not really sure how to spell equivilant...the computer says it is wrong, but has no alternative spellings.

Sister Jasperson and Me

This week was really busy, and I loved it a lot!  Also, through many many miracles we were able to set two investigators for baptism in June!  So they will be the first baptisms in a year, and we are super thrilled--so is the ward. :) 

Being able to see the gospel change people, and bless their lives is a miracle to witness, and I love it! 

Along with the miracles comes great opposition, and I am learning how to pray with sincere desires for others, and humility myself.  Something that one in my branch presidency at the MTC told me is to never forget humility, and that has really become a goal for me.  I am learning a lot of things about humility that I never let myself learn before because I wasn't being humble.  HaHa now I am learning a lot, but it is really a special blessing. :)

Also, this is important.  I have learned some really important things that I would like to share with you this week. They are not in order:

1- A good box springs is more important then the actual mattress.

2- Those dried coconuts and mangos we get from Costco are supposed to be refridgerated.... it says so on the bag.  Woops. :)

3- Always pack an umbrella for unexpected torrential rain storms.

4-  The MTC is one of my favorite places in the world.

5-  It is important to laugh, but also really important to be moderate in all things and maintain a dignity at home as well as at all the other places you go.

6- Pray for everyone, and everything all the time.

7- Don't drive with the emergency brake on because it doesn't work and then you have a heart attack. 

I will continue the list later.

Also, I splurged and bought a pair of shoes at Walmart because they were on clearance and I loved them really fast.  Sooooooo.... That is that story. :)

All the roads look like this, and you can't tell where the houses are!  :)

I am sending pictures this week. Sorry it has taken so long. And sorry this letter isn't really an update.  

I am doing really alive, and I miss you my family, and I love you, and almost everybody now. :)

I also learned a lot about forgiveness this week.  I was reading somewhere between Alma 33 and Alma 43 and I learned a lot about forgiveness.

That is more of an update. :)

I love y'all for all my years forever! :)

-Sister Garvin

MTC District

May 6, 2013

This week has been so much busier than last week, and I love it.  I love having my time filled, and having structure in a schedule.

We had dinner with couple this week, and he brought his friend from work because they have been talking a little bit about the gospel, and religion.  We taught The Restoration lesson, and he committed to read the Book of Mormon.  We will be contacting him next week for a follow up apt, and will hopefully have a new progressing investigator!  

We were also able to visit with another investigator who we taught the Plan of Salvation. (Two full length lessons in a week is really good for us!) And she committed to be baptized!  We were unable to set a date, but when we meet with her this week we will talk to her a little bit more about it, and see if she would be willing to set a date for the end of this month, and progress towards that.

Something that is amazing about being here is that every single person that I have met here both member, and non-member I have had people De-Ja-Vu--not even exagurating (not sure how to spell that one.  I am google-free :-). I honestly feel like I have met them before.  I know that it is just another reminder that this is exactly where God wants me to be.  It is a completely different experience, and has tested my faith a lot, but I am reminded daily that I am supposed to be here.

Something that I was taught in the MTC is to never lower your expectations because that is how your performance is measured.  I re-learned that this week.  I came into this area with high expectations, and it seemed like everything that happened in the days that I first got here were things that really tested, and hinted that I should lower those expectations, but I have learned that it is good to have high expectations.  It is okay if they are not met, but there always needs to be a standard to measure by--that is what determines your success as a missionary I think.  Not whether the expectations or goals were met, but whether or not you were doing everything that you could to work towards them, and make progress, and meet the standards and expectations of the Lord.

My favorite scriptures this week were Alma 26:3,27, and also a CES fireside talk by Elder Bednar from March.  He talked about faith and told the story of how a young, newly married man was diagnosed with cancer.  He and his wife had immense faith, and knew that God could make him better. Long story super short.... They asked Elder Bednar for a blessing, and he asked them a couple of questions before they started--- this question really hit me hard---"Do you have the faith not to be healed?"

That is something that I needed this week.  I asked myself if I have the faith to do something that is really hard, and I don't understand.  Still something to ponder. :)  I hope that I would be that kind of person with that kind of faith.  It is something that I hope to be able to continue growing into.

Love forever,

Sister Garvin

P.S. Sorry for typos.  I can only type in scripture lingo now.  Side effects of being Thereforto art thou hath fore naught....... :)