Monday, November 11, 2013, Sister Garvin in 'North Carolina'

Missionaries: Goldsboro Zone

So transfer calls were yesterday (which I can hardly believe....).  I've been here for 6 weeks already, and I get to stay at least another 5!

We are having a 5 week transfer next time because otherwise the new missionaries would be coming in on Christmas day.  Also it's no good to spend the entire week of Christmas getting ready to leave all the people that you love.  Now we get to spend the week before doing that.  Which is still no good, but it's better than the worst, and I can be content-ish with that.

Anyway.... I'll know if I'm leaving Rocky Mount on December 16.  Then I can tell you. :)

This week was adventurous.

On Saturday at exactly 5:00 AM our fire alarm started chirping every single minute.  The battery was low, and it was awful! We tried to take the battery out, but it was still attached to the ceiling, and had a back up power source, so it still chirped. We turned all the lights on, and I stood on my companion's bed to try to do something about it.  I just wanted my extra 1.5 hours of sleep left! 

We reached the conclusion that we were just going to have to sleep with ear plugs, but we said a little prayer over the battery, and put it back in.

Guess what?..... It worked, and the alarm stopped chirping!

Whether by miracle or happenstance it matters not, because I believe that it was an answered prayer.  Especially since at 6:30, as soon as my alarm went off it started chirping again.

We woke up and it was 61 degrees in our house.

We went to the store and got a battery at 6:45 a.m., as soon as we had put on skirts, and brushed our hair.

It was a long day, but I learned that as many bad things that there are in one day there are at least as many good things too.  There is always enough good to combat the bad.  It's just really hard to shift your perspective.

Oh P.S.   It was my 7 month birthday yesterday.

I'm growing up so fast!  In January I'll be half way done!

I read some good missionary (and life) talks this week-- both by Elder Bednar.

The First "That We Might Not 'Shrink",which I may have made mention of before.  It's great.  Everyone should read it.  It helps with the whole perspective business.

The second "Becoming a Preach My Gospel Missionary."

They helped me this week. :)

I don't really know how to end this week.  I've run out of things to say that are inspiring today.  Except rhymes.... If you're inspired by rhymes.... Then I am still full of inspiration.

add, bad, cad, dad, fad, gad, had, lad, mad, pad, rad, sad, tad, wad, zad, orange, grape, artichoke.

Haha.  I really make myself laugh.

I'm so weird, I hope that you still like me when I get home, and have no social skills.  All I'll know how to do is bear my testimony. 

Oh, Ash!  The member that we live with-- Brother Holloman had a 'hippie van' that had red white and blue, with American flag curtains on it.  You would really, really like him. :)     

(note from Amber's mom:  Amber's younger sister, Ashley, LOVES 'hippie vans' and wants one 'really bad'.)  :)

I hope you can meet (by Skype) at Christmas!

Love always, and forever!  even when its colder than 60 degrees.

Buenos Nachos! ;)

-Sister Garvin

Hakki! AKA: 'Hello' Via Ashley.

Monday, Oct. 28, 2013 - Rocky Mount, North Carolina

This week marks the first week of some intense holiday-ing.

We are also doing something spectacular.  We are making a missionary truck for the ward trunk-or-treat.  There will be candy.  There will be Copies of the Book of Mormon.  There will be pass-along cards.  There will be The Gospel, and IT WILL BE GOOD.

I'm pretty pleased with this idea, and feel that it is inspired. :)

Also, President Baker was there for this inspired decision, and I think was inspired to inspire the mission.  So there is a whole lot of inspiration going on all over the place.  Isn't a living church wonderful? :) (AKA modern revelation...otherwise it sounds kind of like I have no idea.... but less understandable than modern revelation. )

That ties into some of the great thoughts that I had during personal study this morning. 

Cross Reference Docrine and Covenants 109:37 with Acts 2:2

The Spirit is referred to as a "mighty rushing wind".

I think that is really neat!  And I had deep thoughts about it, but I also had a faithful thought about it:  You can't see the wind, you can't see the Spirit, BUT you can FEEL the wind, and you can FEEL the Spirit.

Yeah, I know that your minds were just addled.

(I learned that word from our assistant ward mission leader last week, and wanted to try using it in a sentence. Success?)

Using unusual words helps me gain confidence in speech.  I'm going to invest in a dictionary at some point. :)

So...

Last week I got a horrible cold.  I thought that my head was literally going to EXPLODE.  I don't know if I've ever had sinus pressure so bad in my entire life.

I have a greater appreciation for bodies though!  It's amazing that bodies have a natural way diffusing nasal bombs.

I tried to think of a more grosser way to say that, but I thought the first way it came out was a gem..... Sorry. 

That's gross, but also, it made me laugh.

Bodies are amazing.  I'm glad that I have one.  And I'm glad that it heals itself.  It's a good one.  I need to take better care of it.

Last night I couldn't sleep--on my bed, on the couch, or on the floor. 

So that why this letter is so on topic, and serious.

It'll be better next week.

Guess what?!

I come home in Less than a year.....

Just let that sink in.

Yes, it hit my like a freight train too.  I can't hardly bahleve it.... Mind again, addled.

I think that's all for this week.  Miracles are happening everyday, and we are living in a time more important than we even recognize.

It wont last forever. 

Recognize the importance of a second chance now.  It's better to take it now, rather than wait until you almost miss the boat, or do miss the boat entirely.

I love you always!

Love,

The One and Only,

Old and Wise,

(I'm almost 7!)

Sister (almost Trunky, but not quite there) 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

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

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