June 3, 2013

Hello,

This letter is going to be short today, because I am not really in the mood to send something long.  Sorry if that is really disappointing... I had lots of people to respond to this week.  

It is easier to respond individually via paper letters, so if people want to send an added measure of sunshine into my life they can send me mail.  Then I can get nice little surprises throughout the week, and I like that. :)

I don't really have a good story for this week.  It was transfer calls.  I am staying here, and will be in the (new) Chesapeake mission effective- July 1.  President Baker is the new Mission President.

All I will say about that is that I have learned a lot more about trusting that the Lord has a greater plan for each of us then we have for ourselves, and that right now it is not about my plans, but it is about His plans.  I really am happy to be staying here, and I am grateful to be staying with my companion.  I know that this is where I am supposed to be, and I am trying my best to completely trust in the Lord throughout this finalization of the changes ahead.  I completely trust my Priesthood leaders, and their revelations on my behalf.  I know without a doubt that their prayers were fervent in my behalf as an individual, and also for all the people that are in Virginia, and meeting the needs of each area.

I think that this week I have really just questioned myself more then anything.  There have been a lot of those moments, and I am learning that in order for there to be progression there must be change.  And I don't like feeling "stuck".  I am learning to be willing to change in order to progress.  I am learning that I am willing to sacrifice things of lesser worth for things of greater worth.

That is where I am at this week.

Raining in Jamestown, Virginia

I am sure that you can tell that this letter is not like the others.  That is because today it is raining, and I am not ashamed to admit that the last few days have been far from ideal missionary days, and that sometimes (like today-- a lot) I am discouraged.  I'll just let you all know now, not everyday is perfect, and ideal.  Those days are sometimes fewer then those that are hard, but I also know that the hard days are sometime the days where I learn the most about myself, and I learn the most about how important gratitude and laughter is. 

Words of wisdom from me:  There should never ever be a day where you cant find a minute to laugh or smile about something. (I need more time to make that quote-worthy, but that's pretty much it)

I'm still pluggin' along.

I pray for you often, and, "love" more than anything else, keeps me going.

-Your Sister Garvin

Week 5:

Dear Mom (And everyone else),

(some personal things then,)

Also, I take missionary work very seriously.  So I hope that my letters home don't make it seem otherwise.  Please correct me if that is something that I need to improve on immediately rather then gradually.

This week has really been a tough one on me.  I am calling it a "Missionary Meltdown" and have likened it unto a candle.  I started out really strong, and slowly melted into a puddle at the bottom of the candle holder, and struggled to keep the light strong and steady.  

I am saying that I really was burned out, and I probably cried for reals for the first time since we sold the puppy in March (you know mom).  It was a huge blessing, and actually an amazingly spiritual experience to kneel down and pray feeling so completely discouraged and ask Heavenly Father if he really cared about me, and if he was still there.

I needed to be reassured that he was aware of me, and the feeling of comfort that I received was something that I can't ever really express adequately.

I know that if Heavenly Father is that aware of me, then he must be that aware of all of his other struggling children.  From this understanding, my love for the people that we are working with, searching for, my companion, and myself has grown even greater.

Ending on a slightly more adventurous note, this is what happened this week..........

We were helping to unload a storage unit full of really big trash, such as broken box springs, desks, and shelves.  We have a dumpster. There is only one way to get big things in that dumpster, and I am happy to say that missionaries such as Sister J. and myself, were that way.  We climbed into a dumpster.  Don't worry, we were wearing service clothes, we were being supervised, and we took showers very promptly afterward.

Thus is the life of a missionary.  Surprise!

You are my best friends, and I am glad that we are an eternal family.

Love,

Your Sister Garvin

Discretion being used on this blog.... :)

From Amber's Mom:

So, after emailing Amber and getting her feedback - we've decided to keep this blog public - but, just use more discretion as to what is posted.

She wants it to be a place to share some of her experiences with those she loves, as well as perhaps encourage others who may be considering serving a mission.

We don't want to blog about things that others wouldn't want posted, nor do we want this to be a place to share things that are too sacred or private.

So, thanks for your support and ....encouragement.  A blog can be a great tool for good - or used for other purposes.  We hope to be of the former - and also provide a record of this wonderful blessing in her life.

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 12, 2013 in Williamsburg, VA

Williamsburg, VA

Dear All.....

We had a miracle.  We had planned to go to a house and Skype home (for Mother's Day), then they weren't home (Which is really, really okay... absolutely no hard feelings at all because we learned some important lessons we needed to learn.) Then I tried not to have a panic attack, and tried not to imagine my beloved family sitting all alone on a couch with no missionary to talk to, then we called and texted people that we know to see if they could help us out and nobody answered.  Then we said a really important prayer (That is a key part of this poorly punctuated story) Then we called ________'s house. Then his wife answered and I tried not to sound like I was in frantic mode as I sort of explained (I am not really sure what happened actually because I was bordering hysterics) and asked if we could just use their phone to call and say that we couldn't call, and she was SUPER nice and said "no problem come on over" or something like unto it. (PRAYER ANSWERED!!!) Then I was so overwhelmed with appreciation and love for God, and for those blessed members that I cried a little.  Then, they were actually some of the closest ward members to where we were so we got there a minute later at almost exactly when we were supposed to call home.  Then they went the extra 80 minute mile and let each of us use their IPad to call home.  Then I cried a little bit more, but played it off because I'm good at that (and via Skype you can't really tell that I actually shed a tear)  Then I cried a little because I had to say goodbye again, and also Mother's Day is a day of emotional roller coasters.   Then we were forever indebted to the kind _______family, and had to leave their house (but we will go back at some point to try to repay their immense kindness).

Then Sister _____ and I both tried really hard not to cry because we had a dinner appointment right then.  So we tried to not think about it, and not talk about it and distracted ourselves with the horrible reality that we had not been home since church, we had two appointments left, and we don't like using other peoples lavatories.  Discomfort is uncomfortable so we had to stop thinking about that too.

Beautiful Virginia (in vehicle while driving)

That is what happened yesterday.

Please save this message somewhere so I can look back later in life and laugh at how I tell stories.  I already know this one is a gem, and well worth keeping. (Also, I am smiling while writing it, so I hope you smile too. :)

This week:

Uhhhhh.... Lot's of things.

I know that this is exactly where I am supposed to be right now because I am learning so much from the people in this area.  _____ I am determined to be a successful missionary here because I am determined to allow a mighty change of heart to come over me so that I can continue to more fully come unto Christ, and so that I can more fully be converted to the Lord.  That is success because my soul counts just as much as everyone else here.  

My job is to invite, encourage, uplift, and teach truths.  If they aren't ready for it, it is not because I failed.  There are ways I could improve I am sure.  But if there is one lesson that I have learned to sum up my life here so far it is that I have the power to use MY agency to bring myself closer to Christ.  And that is what I want, and that is what He wants for me.

"Choose ye this day whom ye will serve...." Joshua 24:15.  Make the decision now.  Not tomorrow.  If you choose a side the "battle" finally becomes meaningful, and you have a chance to win.  

I love you all (in the words of that one song that is sung in the Swan Princess movie) "far longer than forever",

-Your Sister Garvin

Favorite Scripture of the Week:

Alma 26: 3, 27  
"Behold, I answer for you; for our brethren, the Lamanites, were in darkness, yea, even in the darkest abyss, but behold, how many of them are brought to behold the marvelous light of God!  And this is the blessing which hath been bestowed upon us, that we have been made instruments in the hands of God to bring about this great work.

"Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thins afflictions, and I will give unto you success."

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....... :)

Letter to My Mom - April 24

(This was a quick letter on the evening she arrived in Virginia. )

Dear Mom,
I made it here safely!  So excited to be here, and also to meet our Mission Presidency, and their wives.  I have been awake since 2:30 a.m. (they left the MTC for the airport at 4:00 a.m.) so some of this may not make much sense - sorry. Mission President is wonderful and they served us dinner, and we will get our area assignments in the morning.

I am sorry for not calling from the airport, but I also figured that you didn't know about it anyway.  One of the sisters from our other district, Sister ____, was with me in the airport, and we had a little visit with a 57 year old woman named _____.  She told us about her life and about how she really appreciates what we as missionaries are doing.  She used to be a Baptist and is now a Seventh-day Adventist. She was super sweet, and made it easier to (figure out how to) approach people.  I was awkward at starting the conversation, but she was wonderful.

Got to go!
Much love,
Sister Garvin

President and Sister Perry - with newly arrived missionary Sister Garvin

First Letter from Virginia; Williamsburg!!!

Williamsburg (from Wikipedia)

I am HERE!  I was sent to Williamsburg in the Jamestown Area.  My new trainer is Sister _____.

I miss my district and the MTC SOOOO much!  I wish that we were still together.  They are my missionary family, and I am not allowed to email them, so I just have to pray that they are each doing well, and trust that Heavenly Father is taking great care of them.  I really am excited for each of them, and know that their trainers will become great friends of theirs, but it was hard to say goodbye after being with them for 15 hours a day for 14 days.

Apparently the area I am in now is hard.  We haven't had a baptism in over a year, and we get ignored a lot.  There are two HUGE (really enormous, and elaborately decorated) churches right by where we live, so lots of people go to those.  Also, everyone has dogs, and Sister J has been chased by some before.  Also, people blatantly ignore you when you knock on their doors.  That one is funny actually.  Really?  You don't think we can hear you ignoring us through your open window?  We can.  But we just keep on Keeping on.

We met with _____ last night.  It was an awesome  experience.  She is one of the most enduring people I know, and the pieces  of her story that she shared, and pieces of my story that relate to her.  I know that she has the potential to be an outstanding disciple of Christ.  

I leave you with my favorite scripture of the week: Psalms 116:1-9 (Look it up!)  I know that He hath heard my supplications.  He answers Prayers.

Love Always,

Sister Garvin

Read more about Williamsburg, Virginia

MTC - April 18, 2013

Hi!

Today is our very first p-day at the MTC!  We were so excited to do laundry that Sister ___ and I made a song. :)  Sorry that it has taken so long for me to get back with you!

I got an unexpected package from ____ and the _____family--it almost made me cry.  _____ sent me a wonderful talk by Elder Holland, and an entire starter kit of the fullsized Doterra oils.  I also got a picture from ____ and she wrote her own name!  (I think) And that kind of boggles my mind.  I don't have a return address, but I will have more time to hand write letters today then I will have to email, so if I send thank you notes back could you forward them to ____?  Because that would be great.

I did mention that I was called to be the Sister Training leader for our zone right?  I feel so blessed to be able to meet with the amazing ladies that entered the MTC yesterday.  9 new sisters!  _____ and I were albe to talk to them last night before they went to bed, and they are amazing girls!  I already feel such an amazing capacity to love them!

MTC Missionaries

Our district is amazing, and have quickly become some of my favorite people in the world.  We were joking about petitioning our mission pres. into letting us stay together as a district for at least one transfer of our missions.  They are my family at the MTC, and I am going to cry a lot when we have to shake hands and say goodbye. 

I can't send pictures today because I have to go to the bookstore and get a card reader, but I promise to get some to you soon.  We do matching district days, so we have a picture of our entire district wearing Blue, Black and a day that we tried to do red, but I don't really have red, so it is more pink.

(I'm) Doing great!  It is a huge blessing to be surrounded by men holding the Priesthood Authority of God.  I have had a couple blessings and know that I have a huge team that wants me here.  I  asked for angels when I arrived to be with me, and I know without a doubt that they were here.

I love you all so much, and am glad that you are continuing to do activities that will uplift you.

Last thing.  Elder Scott came and talked to us about prayer Tuesday night.  I know without a doubt that he is a prophet of God, and I love this truth and this gospel with all of my soul.

I have learned that this is not a time for self-evalutation.  It is a time to learn how to help investigators progress, and to evalutate how they are coming closer to Christ.  We learned that yesterday and it finally clicked.

Also, Mary Ellen Edmunds came and talked to us for Relief Society.  She is great!

Pick and choose what you want to put on my blog.  Almost out of time.

Love you!

Sister Garvin

MTC - First Entry - April 11, 2013

These are excerpts from Amber's first letter.  I was SO thrilled to get it.  :) I'll be the one updating her site.  Thanks for following.  Heidi G. (Amber's Mom)

Dear Mom,

We were challenged by our MTC Presidency to write letters home last night.  I am a little late, but I am fulfilling the commitment I made.

I finally feel reassured that I .....have been prepared to be here.  I asked that there would be angels round about me to bear me up, and I felt there were throughout my arrival day and still.  Thank you for teaching me to ask.

It is an amazing thing to be here and to be part of this work.  I have already gained a new appreciation of being surrounded by the feeling of the Holy Ghost all the time.  I have also begun to learn to love differently despite mortal differences.

I know that Heavenly Father has prepared me to be a missionary for many reasons, one of them being that I really haven't gotten a huge culture shock -- maybe that will come later.  Right now I feel like studying and having a companion are what life should have always been like.

My companion is Sister ____.  She is from California and has amazing curly hair.  So far we get along really well, and she is teaching me, through her example,  how to talk to, relate to, and love others' no matter what.

Our district consists of 6 Elders and us.  We have already become close and have had some great discussions.  I am amazed at how quickly Elders step up their game and behave like men of God.

I know that one day ______(brother) can be one of them and learn some of the same lessons and behaviors he has already begun.

I want you to know that I am doing good.

I am glad to know of the birthplace of peanuts :)   Our district was wondering if peanuts grow on trees, shrubs, or underground?

Talk to you soon!
Sister Garvin

p.s.  I was called/chosen to be a sister training leader and Senior Companions for this week.  I will be in training with the other sisters until Sunday because they leave Monday from the MTC to their missions. I didn't know I could grown so much in such a short time.   :)

Easter Talk And A Hard Tuesday

I was assigned to give my "farewell" talk on Easter Sunday.  I prayed hard that I would be able to give a good talk that could reach each person in the congregation in some way.  The musical numbers that were before me invited the Spirit into the room, and I felt like the people that were there were more open to the whisperings of the Holy Ghost because of the music.

The talk went well.  I finished feeling like the things I had said had all come out the right way, and that the message was important and contributed to the meaning of Easter.  I was so grateful to the friends and family that were able to come.  I felt so loved and supported.  There were people there who I hadn't thought would be there, and it just added to the joy I felt throughout the rest of the day.

The weather was a miracle.  It was sunny, and warm accompanied by a sunburn.  The world was green, and there were lots of smiles all around.

Thanks to some of the Relief Society sisters who provided the food, and helped us set up our house to accommodate more people then would have been able to fit otherwise.  We could not have possibly done it without them.

I was able to visit with some of the most important people in my life, which was a huge blessing.  It was great to see old roommates, best friend families, and have a chance to share the day with people that I love.  I was able to meet new people, get to know some old friends better, and at the end of the day I felt exhausted, but entirely fulfilled. :)

We had so many leftovers that we had a family picnic in the house Monday.  It was all soggy, and rainy, and cold outside so Andrew made a house proof Easter Egg hunt, and we let the kids loose for a couple of hours while we visited with the Aunts and Uncles, and Grandparents.

The hard Tuesday wasn't always hard.  I woke up and started laundering and packing all of the things I have to have ready for next week.  I got thank-you cards written, phone calls made, and changed out of my pajamas for once.  It was actually really great!

The hard thing came when I got a phone call from the manager from the apartment complex I lived at last semester.  She said that the girl who she had lined up to buy my housing contract backed out, and signed with someone else.  That leaves me with one week to either sell the contract at a incentive reduced price, or figure out how to pay for it.  One week is not a long time to be able to do that.

It is overwhelming to have something so big go so wrong with such short notice.  I think I will probably have to pay for it.  That is three months of my mission unaccounted for which is hard for me to move forward with.

I am learning that it is easy to trust the Lord when you know that things will fall into place, and be taken care of, but it is not as easy when you are launching yourself into the unknown at full speed and know what you are running for, but not quite where the finish line is.
(that is my wise analogy for the day)
I know that somehow things will fall into place.  I know that I am running for the Lord and His team, I just have a little anxiety because I don't know where or when things will fall into order.  My God is a third watch God, but I hardly ever know when that is.

I just have to keep telling myself that He will take care of it.  That He already has this all planned out, and that if I am on His errand, He will provide.

I hope that that girl who has unknowingly taught me such a hard lesson has a really great semester wherever she ended up living.  I hope that she has great roommates who become lifelong friends, or that she finds a husband in her singles ward or something.  Then I can justify not being upset with her.