August 12, 2013 - Willliamsburg, Virginia

I didn't budget my time very well this week, so I apologize I am including an exerpt from a letter I sent back to my Bishop (Bishop Nyman) about the Book of Mormon and the talk he gave a few weeks ago.

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"Our mission president has challenged us to re-read the Book of Mormon as a mission at a pace of about 7 pages per day to get through it in 12 weeks.  With this emphasis on the Book of Mormon I have learned so much pertaining to my personal growth, as well as how to help others grow.

"Abide With Me"  (AltusFineArt.com)

Since there are so many people in the "South" that are deeply religious and relate to the Bible it is sometimes difficult to talk about the Book of Mormon. I want to start with the Bible and then work towards the Book of Mormon.  But something that I am still learning, and love learning, is that the reason that I came on a mission is to share the Book of Mormon.  The world, and a vast amount of people already have the Bible, and the unique message that we share is centered on Jesus Christ and the other testament of His ministry in the Americas."

"It is amazing to see the miracles that come from the Book of Mormon, and the role that it plays in every persons' conversion.  Nobody can truly be converted without the Book of Mormon having a role in their lives."

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I know that it is (for lack of better words) dumb to quote myself, but I just did. And I am satisfied with that decision.  :)

Now my letter is longer with just a copy and paste! ;)

I've got it all figured out. :)

I learned something important this week; about one of the reasons that Heavenly Father called me on a mission.  Not about why I chose to serve. (This is one of those lessons that you had no idea you would learn until after you are already deep into an experience---such as a mission.)

Like all the lessons I learn and share, this is the run-on story:

Remeber that one time when I was a teenager, and I had no idea who I was, or what I wanted, and if God cared about me?

Well, at some point, I learned really well how to hide from things: Myself, others, the World... Etc... Then I was not a happy person.

Then I realized how important it is to make Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ a central part of my life, and I got back on the right track and found out who I was, what I wanted, and that God absolutely cared about me.

That came with a life.  Which included going to college.

Which was truly WONDERFUL.

Then I came home and forgot what I wanted to do with my life.

Then I made a choice that would forever change me called "Coming on a mission". That choice fixed the flat tire of my life and I was able to get back on the road going about 2 million miles infinity.

Then I came on a mission, and Heavenly Father taught me that although I had found happiness, and joy, and was doing all the right things before--I was still hiding.

Then He taught me that it is safe not to hide.  And that it is okay to hurt.

Then I read a quote that said "if there were no sorrow in death, there could be no joy in life." (True to the Faith; Death)

Then I cried almost at least once a week because I discovered that when you aren't hiding you get all emotional and stuff. 

And this lesson could only be learned through this experience.

That's the story.

I am so grateful that when we are called on our own personal missions that we go into it with certain expectations, or goals, but that Heavenly Father always has other lessons for us to learn that we never expected.

It's great.

Now everyone knows my life, and some of life's greatest mysteries have been solved.

This letter is sort of a ramble.  But that is what I learned this week in force. :)

Also, I learned again that I love my family, and that time is precious.  I've already been out 4 months.

Take a moment for that to sink in..... I hope your jaw dropped.

It still hasn't really hit me.... But really, wow.

Time is a precious thing.

I'm glad that I will have time forever with the people that I love the most!

Love always,

Sister Amber Bennett Garvin

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.  :)

Monday, July 15, 2013 - Jamestown/Williamsburg Virginia

Woah.

Today is pretty monumental.  I really had some days when I thought I would never make it this far, but here is is..... 12th week of being in Virginia.

Crazy things happened this week.  The new missionaries that were coming in had probably the worst flight experience EVER.  Their flight got cancelled, then re-routed, then they were all on different flights, with different layovers, more cancellations, delays, and everything that could go wrong while traveling.

So we went to transfer meeting, and all of the trainers met, and Pres. Baker announced that there were some new missionaries that still had not made it to Virginia.  And I just knew that mine was one of them.  I was right. :) -- So I stayed with my companion in her new area with her new companions for the night because it was too many miles to drive all the way home, and all the way back, and I didn't have a companion. (talk about identity crisis, I had no idea what to do with myself!!!)

But she arrived safe, and sound. Sister Newbold, from Utah.  I was so excited to meet her!

We had a mini transfer meeting, and I was the only one that could play the piano.  And I couldn't play well. So I choose the easiest hymns in the book, and played them poorly for the meeting.  I'm pretty sure that my face turned red, but that's okay!  I'm just blaming it on the temperature, because it is flaming hot in lots of places. :)

So, that is what happened this week.

I have a new appreciation for my trainer.  It's hard!  I don't know what I am doing, but I know that my new companion is meant to be in Jamestown, and that she has a specific purpose here!  I hope that together we can keep the work moving forward, and that we can reach more of our potential as missionaries while serving together in this area.

Bon Voyage! (Misieur Increabe!) (I can't spell French....)

Love Always,

Sister Garvin

July 8, 2013

Hello all!  

Today is really a milestone.  Actually it started yesterday....

I am going to be a trainer!!!

(Also, I am trying to be so excited about it that it pushes the fact that I am terrified out of my mind to the side...)

Sister Jasperson is going to be moving into every missionaries worst night mare. Opening an area, shot-gunning, training a new missionary, in a trio, in a singles ward.  Whoa.  

I know that she will be fantastic, and I know that she will be a success anywhere she goes. 

It was a surprise, and I am a little bit devastated to lose her, but I know that she will be a fantastic addition to the singles ward so I am excited for her. :)

As for myself.....uhhhhhh...... prayers please?  I wonder if it will be really awkward to train somebody that is older than me?.... I am thinking that I may just keep my age a secret unless directly asked.  Don't worry, there will be no lies.

My first thought after being asked to train was "how on earth is this going to work?!"  I know that God will provide a way for missionary work to be successful in this area, and that he will not let me ruin anything beyond repair.  And I am trying really hard to rely wholly on that faith, because I feel like that is all I have going for me right now. 

We had some great miracles this week!  We have been working with someone for probably 9 months that has been less active for quite awhile, and for the first time SHE PRAYED!!!!! I was so so so so so so so happy!!!!!

It basically made my entire time in Jamestown completely worth it.  Hard work pays off right?!  

This is a great area to be trained in because you learn quickly that not every person that you ever meet will be baptized.  But you learn quickly that that is not what makes you successful.  'Preach My Gospel' even says that your success as a missionary is measured primarily by your commitment... something, something, something.  I didn't bring it (the book) to the library (where I'm emailing) so I can't quote it directly... But I have learned that my success is not based on the agency of other people.  And that is a really wonderful thing to learn early on. :)

I am learning more, and more how to love people, and give them the benefit of the doubt for their honest and sincere efforts.  

Uhhhhh......

The End.:)

Sometimes I feel much better about things after I have thrown them all up in letters home.  So I would like to just give a quick shout out to all y'all folks back home who read the many little rants, and unorganized thoughts I send your way.  You have made a great support to the missionary cause, and I am better able to process things as I type them up.

I guess I should use a journal for that, huh?

Okay.  I think this thought is mostly complete now.

I love you so much, and really, truly appreciate all of your prayers. :)

Love Always,

Sister Garvin

New Mission: Virginia, Cheseapeake. July 1, 2013

Welcome to the Virginia Chesapeake Mission!  

Today is the official mission split, and we are excited to be a part of this historic milestone.  58 new
missions!  That is a big number.

Our new mission president (President Baker) flew in last week with his wife (Sister Baker).  Something that really amazes me is how inspired mission calls are.  Really.  And the age change announcement. Wow. This time last year I had just finished high school.  I never thought that I would be in Virginia. And now, I have already served in 2 different missions!  This is some crazy stuff. :)

We had a very interesting Sunday.  I was presented with some things that made my opinions burn so passionately that I sort of shook.  But I am not going to share those thoughts because I haven't completely  organized them yet.

What I will say is this:  The age change for missionaries was one hundred percent absolutely pure and inspired revelation, and the things that the First Presidency are doing now to further hasten the work of salvation are a part of that inspired, pure revelation.  There is no room for wondering and speculating, and saying things like "someone else will..." or "somebody should do something about that"s.  We have been prepared and are expected to be that someone.  We are more then capable of taking a stand, and doing hard things.  This is how it is right now, and no single person that is part of this church can participate passively.  President Perry said it wonderfully at our last mission conference "Ours is not a convenient Christianity."

Now, this is my fiery opinion, and is not to be quoted as doctrine.  But it is my belief.  I can take a stand, I am taking a stand, and I will continue to fight for the things that I believe and know to be true.  It is much harder to float around in gray space rather than to just keep fighting.

I am running short on time again and wan't to get some pictures out to you... 

... the most AMAZING sunsets... every day... except for rainy ones.

I love you!

Happy 4th of July!

-Sister Garvin

- Historic battle field that we go to when it feels really claustiphobic.
P.S.  Virginia has AMAZING clouds... every day.

Add  Funniest label on the back of a dvd player I had ever seen.  We laughed at that for a few minutes. :)

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!

June 24, 2013

This week was AWESOME.  Sometimes you have to use words like that to adequately express how things really are.

The first thing I have to say is.  WOW.  The Work of Salvation broadcast last night was OUTSTANDING.  Everyone should watch it.  Every day.  I wish that I could watch it every day.  It was SOOOOOOO good!  Every member should be a missionary.  It brings me great joy to see member reaching out to their friends and the people that they love so much and share some of the light of Christ that they carry with them, with their friends.  I have lots of really strong positive and supportive opinions about this broadcast.  The things that the Apostles, and Prophets taught us will change missionary work if we only implement and take the initiative to apply the principles they taught us in our individual lives.

Again, it was SOOOOOOOO good!  I loved it, and cried with joy that I can be a part of it.  

Also, everyone should look up that new website that is being realeased.  LDS.ORG--- (the work of salvation)?  I think that is what it is called...    

Alll I can say is WOW.

Also, tracting is not normally very effective, but this week it was miraculous.

The story is this:

We found out that there was a part of our area, actually a very large chunk, that was unknown to us.  We checked with the mission, LDS.org website, our ward, our map, and all the areas around us.  And finally found out that this large chunk was ours. Then we didn't know what to do because we are limited on miles, it is the end of the month, and because my companion ripped a tendon in her foot we physically could not tract all of that area.

Then our Sister Training Leaders called about an hour later and set up an exchange.

Historic Jamestown Settlement; Flag for VA

Long story short.  We went on exchange/splits in our area and tracted for 4 hours.  

Miraculously we found 4 new investigators.  THAT IS A LOT.

We have gained a testimony of tracting.

Also, we never answer the phone in any of our appts, but we were in an appt and the phone beeped and my companion felt impressed to answer it. (which was fine in the sittuation).

This guy called us because we left our phone number and our "I'm a Mormon" pass-along card in his door with a short note that said "May you find peace and happiness".  He asked us if we could really help him find peace.  Sister Jasperson taught him the Resoration over the phone and set up a return appointment.  (He is one of the 4)

That never happens.  People don't call you if you leave a number in their door.

MIRACLES HAPPEN.  And are happening.

I love being a missionary.  This work is grand.

I love you all forever,

Sister Garvin

P.S. Mom, please spell check this for me.  I give you permission to fix the spelling and the grammar errors as well.  I cant type and spell check at the same time sometimes. :)  LOVE YOU!

Monday, June 17, 2013

Hi all,

We had our last Zone Conference with President, and Sister Perry (before they left) - and they posted photos on  FB about things that have happened lately, (and there might be a picture of us up there soon) which was really nice, and really sad.  I was glad to be able to be a part of that before they left though. 

Also, I was really happy to see that Sister Cornilles (from high school) got here safely. She is training with an AMAZING sister.  And I am glad to see her here.  Also again, half of the district I came out with are going to be on this side of the mission.  I am not alone, and that makes me happy.

We had an investigator come to church, and the ward was really great to reach out to her.  Also, she participated in Sunday School and Relief Society.  We loved it!!! She is truly wonderful.

There were two tornadoes here last week, and half of the city didn't have power for about 2 days.  We are really grateful that our apartment has a backup generator.  That was an amazing blessing.  Besides that, I can now claim that I have really survived a natural disaster.  You are hearing from a veteran now!  We drove through one of the tornadoes on accident.  

Hopefully that won't happen again.

I love hearing about all of my friends who are getting mission calls!  It's truly amazing to be a part of this work at this time.  The gospel has to be brought to all nations, and we are all a part of that.  I am a part of that.  What a huge deal. Wow.

Time is short, but there is always lots to do after writing to you.

Today, we are riding a free ferry in our car.  It promises quite the {safe} adventure. :)

I love you, and pray for you!

You are my favorite family!

Love always,

Sister Garvin

June 10, 2013 (2 months out)

Today is my 2nd month birthday.  I entered the MTC 2 months ago.  I thought is was 2 weeks ago!  Time has gone by more quickly than I ever imagined it could.

I just need to get this funny story out of my system this week so here is goes:

This week we were hit with torrential rains as a result of Tropical Storm Andrea. (I sent you some in the mail Ashley. :)  Also, it is important that you are aware of the fact that the fan in our bathroom connects directly to the roof.

The story is that during our morning studies we heard screaming coming from the bathroom, and one of the other sisters came out and said that the ceiling had started raining on her.  We went to investigate and found that the fan (DIRECTLY over the toilet) was steadily dripping and splashing all over the place. We found a bucket, and in about three hours it was half full. Also, it was really hard to go to the bathroom holding a half full bucket of water over our heads (I don't know why nobody thought to empty the bucket...).  But it was definitely an adventure.  And I don't know if I've ever been in so much rain in my life.  I came down in sheets for really long periods of time.

This week we were able to go to a baptism in our ward with one of our investigators.  She is really amazing, and really loved getting to see the actual ordinance of baptism performed.  We have really great hopes for her, and know that she is a truly amazing person even if she decides not to join the church right now.  Having her in our ward has really helped the members see that we are working hard, and that we are trying our best.

We also got dropped this week.  It was okay because it really needed to happen--which might sound strange, but there were lots of miracles that went into it happening.  We pray that she will be able to be found by missionaries again, and that she will find peace in her life right now. :)  She is really a wonderful person, and has a really strong faith in God.

I have to go now.  Sorry I don't have time for more.

The Gospel is true!  God loves his children, and we are never forsaken. 

P.S. Thank you for those little pictures you sent in the mail.

Love,

Your Sister Garvin

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