Tuesday, May 26, 2014 - Nag's Head, North Carolina

This morning I was looking through some old study notes; some quotes that I wrote down in my quote journal.  I wanted to share them with you today.  I love them. :)
 

"You are doing the best that you can, and that best results in good to yourself and to others. Do not nag yourself with a sense of failure. Get on your knees and ask for the blessings of the Lord; then stand on your feet and do what you are asked to do. Then leave the matter in the hands of the Lord. You will discover that you have accomplished something beyond price." -Gordon B. Hinckley (To the Women of the Church)

 

"...he stood upon his feet and received his strength..." (Alma 22:22)

 

This really hit me today because I went to bed with a terrible headache, then I woke up with a terrible headache, therefore I woke up late.  Well, I was up... I just didn't get out of bed.  Then I felt really bad about it.  And I needed to repent, and thus the story unfolds.  I read these things that uplifted my soul.

 

I believe that I have said before that, often, the smallest things are really big to us.  That is what this week has been full of: Small things.  Some good small things, and some less good small things that have accumulated into some big good things, and some big less good things. 

 

Ahhh.... a mission.

 

People are already talking about transfer calls again - because they are next week.  I can't even figure out how time has flown by so fast.  I want it to stop!  Whew.  It's exhausting.

 

I told Sister Petrie the other day that I feel like I'm living one, really long, continuous day.  I just take an 8-hour nap in the middle.  But I am so asleep at night that I don't even have dreams.  (Except last week I had a dream that Grandpa Allen decided to serve a mission, and he was in the mission office, and I didn't even know that he was there until I saw him there when we had to go do something for our car. I thought it was a funny dream. :)  Anyway... The days are long, but the weeks, and months are short.  Time is going fast/slow.  It's SO WEIRD!  One day, when I'm all knowing, and wise I will understand this time business...

 

So. Yeah.

 

Oh!!!!!!!  We did something fun this week!  We went to Manteo ( the birth place of the first English child, Virginia Dare, born on this continent) a city in our area, and we rode bikes.  I know you never thought that I'd be excited about that, but it was actually really fun.  I enjoyed the entire day!  And I have a GREAT tan-line on my arm from my watch. :)  It was really, fun!

 

That's basically this week.  Still pluggin along "inch by inch, row by row, [helping the Lord's vineyard] grow." (from a jingle I heard on a garden radio show one time in the car....)

 

I love you all,

Sister Amber Garvin

 

P.S.  HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY MOST DEAREST MOTHER!  (I NEVER FORGET! :)  YOU ARE THE MOST SPECIALIST, WONDERFULLEST MOTHER I'VE EVER HAD!  I LOVE YOU A MILLION TRILLION ZILLION!

 

Monday, May 12, 2014 - Nag's Head, North Carolina

This week we mostly cleaned.  I understand why I was sent State side on a mission now more that I ever have understood before.  I truly loathe living in uncleanliness and clutter.  I must be my mother's daughter.  :)

I feel so much better when I can just throw stuff away and everything is clean, and it has a place, and then I know exactly where I need to look if bugs get in the house.  And I can get them out.

That's the moral of that story.

We've been killing cockroaches, wasps, and spiders, (and some weird bug that looked like a land shrimp) every day this week.  The member that owns our house set off bug-bombs, and so that was great, but there are still some untouched places, as well as I think that as soon as the bombs went off the little critters tried to run for it, and they all died on our kitchen floor.... Many times.  So the good news is that they are not LIVING in our house, and the bad news is that they are still IN our house, and we continue to live an adventurous life.

We've begun to see miracles though.  Sister Petrie and I are becoming a very unified team.  I feel so honored to serve with missionaries that are still "fresh".  They have so much energy and excitement.  It gives me strength to try something new, and inspires me to continuously be bold.

We went to the beach for the first time since I've been here-- we had to get out of the house for the remainder of our weekly planning.... and it was Sister Petrie's suggestion.  As we were ready to leave we ended up talking with an amazing person about our purpose, and the Restoration of the Fulness of the Gospel.  It was a testimony to me that we are all impressed upon by the Spirit in small ways each day.  We knew that was why we Sister Petrie thought to go to the beach.  We are guided in such small ways each day, but those small ways are incredible significant to the course of our eternal destinies.

That was just on of the many small, and simple things that gave me a reassurance this week that no matter where you are sent-- if you are doing what you are supposed to be doing, and relying on the enabling power of Christ you will be used for a great amount of good. :)

It was wonderful to talk with all my family too!  Happy Mother's Day!

It never seems like enough time, but I don't think that it ever would be--- even if we didn't have a time limit.  My heart with always ache to be with my family when I am away from them.  I just know that I don't have to be distracted or dwell on it.  Plus, the time limit just makes the time we have more meaningful.  I was thinking about it this morning, and the time we have to talk with our families is just the same as the time we are supposed to keep our lessons.  40 minutes (45 for lessons).  I have to continue to ponder that, but I think there is great significance there.  I know the times that lessons have gone over 45 minutes for me I start to zone out and feel anxious.  The time is not as meaningful anymore.  We have 45 minutes to teach with great power, and after that its' REALLY hard to maintain focus, and direction.

That's probably not that important to any of you.  But I'm going to try to talk about my missionary life more instead of just assuming that you all know what is going on.  Sometimes I forget that this isn't the same way everyone else in the world is living, and I forget to share details, and important things I'm learning.

Just FYI:  I do really well with a list of questions.  So if you have any burning questions of the soul to ask, you can email those to me, and I'll just send a response of Q&A/FAQ.  The blog probably needs that segment too. ;)

Missionary life is the life.  I'm grateful that I've stuck to it for so long.  It's probably taken longer for me to mentally adjust than most people, but I'm finally to the point where I am thriving.  I know that this is my life right now, and I'm not worried about things afterward anymore--as I was in the beginning.  Man alive!  Wish I'd have known that little piece of wisdom sooner.

Sister Petrie said that I was a fountain of knowledge yesterday.  It was awesome.  

Sometimes I'm a know-it-all, and I think that's okay.  I use it for the benefit and well-being of all man kind.

Kay, Peace out till next Monday.


Also, isn't it funny that missionaries favorite day is Sunday and Monday?  That's so different than high school life when Mondays were dreaded. :)  Things change so quickly.  Life is weird.  The end.

Love,

Sister Amber Garvin

P.S.  I would like to put in a little plug about this substantial letter.  Go me!  (you can send me a gold star and an ice cream cone in the mail.  Thanks.)

I'm being Transferred to Nags Head, North Carolina. My "Ode" to Rocky Mount.

Dear Everyone,

So I got my transfer call.  I am going to Nags Head, North Carolina.  I will be companions with Sister Petrie.  She arrived to the mission with Sister Felt. Sister Quiroz will be taking my place in Rocky Mount.

"Selfie' - from a members Ipad.  :)

I keep crying.  And everytime I think that I'm all run out of tears there seems to be a back-up supply come from somewhere.
Bodies.... they are so funny.

I don't remember if I wrote an Ode to Jamestown, but I'm definetly writing an Ode to Rocky Mount.  Humor is the only way I know how to cope with heartbreak. (Insert HUGE sigh here)

Ode to Rocky Mount:
(To the tune of "You can Make the Pathway Bright")

In this land called Rocky Mount,
I have learned to smile not pout.

With my Southern family(ies)

Even in the darkest days
there were brightly beaming rays

as we searched diligently.

CHORUS:

For the people who God loves.

We found them here, and there.

They were placed everywhere.

And I know that He is pleased.

With the work of the Sisters here.

I have learned to love a lot,

and the Spirit's in my heart,

I have worked so mightily.

There is still much to be done,

by another one,

and I pray she'll arrive safely.

CHORUS:

For the people who God loves.
We found them here, and there.
They were placed everywhere.
And I know that He is pleased.
With the work of the Sisters here.

Through some small and simple things

I have grown stronger wings
and I know that I'm not done

There is yet some sky to fly

Under Heaven's watchful eye,

it will shape a greater destiny.

CHORUS:

For the people who God loves.
We found them here, and there.
They were placed everywhere.
And I know that He is pleased.
With the work of the Sisters here.

I know this chorus is silly,

but it's true enough to me,

I know that I am loved.

This journey has been long,

but I have become more

than I ever could've been before.

CHORUS 2:
And I know that there is need

for my service here and there,

I will go to anywhere.
(even the ocean where I might be killed my a hurricane or tsunami or eaten by a Kitty Hawk, or lost in the city of Roanoke, or fall off the sand bar, or see a jellyfish, or a beached whale, or stub my leg on hidden pirate booty, or whatever else bad can happen.....)

The Lord has promised me,
that if I follow him I will succeed.

So this is humorous, and serious.  But it's all true.

I wish anyone the opportunity to be on the Lord's errand in this blessed place. 

I love it!

I love you!

Goodbye until next week!

Love,

Sister Amber Garvin


(The following photos are from my Mom so that you can all see the area where I'll be serving next.  My Mom got these online and hope that they are representative of the area.)  :)

 

 

 

Before and After Storm

Hurricane Information and More Photos of Nags Head

More Detailed Map of Nags Head

 

 

 

How did the Town Get it's Name? Read Possible Ideas Here:

First Flight....

Wright Brothers' Memorial

Wright Air Strip

1911 Flight - Wright Brothers

Town of "Kill Devil Hills" where Sister Garvin will be living

Yep, it's a Real Place

Wright Brothers - Sculpture

Wright Brothers etc. - 1911

'Transfers' - Rocky Mount, North Carolina, LDS Sister Missionaries

I think that I will keep this week brief.

We received our transfer call a day earlier than expected.  Saturday!  So I've known for a little while longer than usual, but the good news is that Transfer calls are inspired, and I can trust that the Lord knows what's best. Plus, I keep praying almost daily that we will be led by the Spirit to know where to go, what to do, and what to say.

So I will be staying in Rocky Mount, and training another missionary.  In all sincerity I am excited, and I feel good about it, but I'm trying really hard to maintain commitment to serving with all my" heart, might, mind and strength" because I am tired!!!!!  I guess it will be good though because new missionaries always have a lot of energy, and drive.  I know that will help me keep going.  I just hope I don't get dragged along! :)

Sad to be losing Sister Watt, and so are many of the members of the ward.  She has left a big impression here. :)  Funny though because her next area is like 20 minutes south of here, in Wilson.  They have a wonderful ward there, and the Sister who will be her new companion is basically me. :)  She and I came out at the same time-- she was called to the Raleigh Mission though and I was Richmond.  She and I also have basically the same sense of humor, and personality.  I love her, and hope that Sister Watt will as well.

So that the status update.

I just love all of you!

keep in Touch --- Kay!  :)

  

Love,

Sister Garvin

Monday, January 13, 2014, Rocky Mount, North Carolina - LDS Sister Missionaries

Life has peaks and valleys….

"Peaks and Valleys"

Sometimes I think that I should look back over the things that I wrote last week so that I don't repeat the same things over and over again, but then I think "hmmmm..... that takes time....." And I don't do it.

So I might repeat the same things over and over again.

Someone once compared life to peaks and valleys.  I'm really glad that they did that because it is a good description. And it helps me to express myself better.

This week was mostly a valley.

Besides the normal things that are thought of as discouraging to missionaries-- like all your investigators dropping you in one week, and having nobody answer their doors after you spend 3 hours trying to contact people, and hitting a half-way milestone in your mission life and feeling like I'd not made much of a difference to anyone or anything anyplace--I was having a little bit of an emotional melt down too.

Don't take this the wrong way.  I'm not complaining. Merely explaining, and expounding.  And also-- when I write emails home I always learn something from having to form the jumble of thoughts I have into words.

SO, anyways, I was seriously low, and depressed.  That's not really fun if you know what I mean.

Ugh..... sometimes being a person is hard because there is all this emotional stuff.  I think that it's sometimes easier to just smash something and be done with it.  (that's an aside, and definitely just a fleeting opinion.... I don't really want to be a gorilla or anything.)

I read Elder Christofferson's talk on the 'Moral Force of Women' from Oct 2013 General Conference (this may be repeated from last week) and he said basically that the most important thing to remember is our relationship with Heavenly Father and the Savior.

It has been impressed upon me that that is something that I haven't been as focused on for a little while.  I need to improve on that.  I realized that if my relationship with Them is suffering then all the relationships I have with other people are suffering as well.

So okay, I got it.

I've really been praying more fervently than this email explains - and that I can do better at that.

I've also been going to all my church meetings and missionary meetings with a question.  Elder Perkins of the seventy who spoke to us last month encouraged us to change the attitue of "going to a meeting" to "going to have a revelatory experience". So, that has been helping as I've been working through the things mentioned above.

Without many details, because I'm running low on time, there is a principle that I learned this week while walking in the valley -- that I wanted to share.

The Lord always sends rescuers.

I'm part of a team of rescuers, but this week I needed rescuing.

The Lord sent me rescuers in many forms this week.  Leaders in the mission and in the ward.

Can I express the depth of my gratitude to those who listened to the Spirit to ask after me? Can I express my gratitute that the Spirit prompted me to answer with courage, and honesty-  something other than the rote reply of "good" or "well"? Well, no actually, because gratitute is a really overwhelming feeling and I don't do well to express it in words.  Just know that I'm realy grateful to the Lord for sending me rescuers, and for reminding me to look for the answers to my prayers that came through other people, and for the encouragement to act on the answers to those prayers.

We are NEVER forgotten. My favorite scripture was brought to my mind again "For a small moment have I forsaken thee, but with great mercies will I gather thee. " (3 Ne. 22:7)

Don't give up the opportunity to take the help of the rescuers, or to search them out. 

I also read the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 15:3-7.  We each deal with times that we feel lost, or are lost, but our Shepherd will never give up the rescue efforts.  He is always searching, always calling, and always true to his role as our Savior.

I hope that if anyone who reads this is struggling with any challenges similar, feeling lost, forsaken, or forgotten that something here will strike them with a remembrance of the deep-rooted truths that are in our hearts.  We are never so lost that we can be found by our loving Father in Heaven, His Son--our Savior-- and the Heavenly Rescue squad that covers the whole earth.  We are never as alone as we think we are, and we are NEVER EVER beyond being rescued.

You are greatly loved!

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

(I felt that was a better close than anything)

-Sister Garvin

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

P.S. (the following was written to my Mom as we emailed this morning -  but I told her she could share it on the blog if she wanted to.)

My Mom writes:  I'm grateful for these words of wisdom that helped me this morning as we are making some major decisions in our family and seeking the Lord's guidance.  It's been such a great blessing to have a missionary daughter who is serving the Lord, and who offers us strength, encouragement and guidance we we travel life's pathway together.)

Even when he was 90 years old Pres. Joseph Fielding Smith prayed that he'd stay faithful, and be able to keep his covenants.  We can't afford to lose the faith to pray for those things all the time.

There really isn't a rest from the tests that we are asked to go through in this life.  The "world" and the things of the world are incredibly wicked and people who turn a blind eye will not learn from it.  They will lose the opportunity to become discerning. 

I pray that now more than ever our home will compare to the temple as a refuge, sanctuary; holy House of the Lord; where there can be strength received as we strengthen each other.

I'm often discouraged and depressed, but it never diminishes the faith that I have the the Lord is watching.  Nor does it diminish the faith that I have that the gospel is true, nor that I can be happy. 

Sometimes I want to hide under a rock.  So I'm grateful that my spiritual self has the courage to ask on the promptings to keep going, even when my natural self wants to do nothing except hide and be by myself.  :)

I'm still learning, and there are just peaks an valleys all the time every day.

And if I'm in a valley and things aren't okay, the Lord doesn't let me stay there without offering some way to get to a peak. Then every thing is okay.

Tuesday, December 10, 2013 - Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Sister Missionaries

Wow! 

These last two transfers have seemed to ust fly by!  I feel like it's only been a couple of weeks that we have been in Rocky Mount, but it's come closer and closer to possibly being the end of our time here. (no speculation involved.  It's just probably that there will be a change here since we've both been here two transfers. :)

I am increasingl grateful for the time that I have been able to spend here.  I remember how it felt the first couple of weeks to just have to try to start from almost ground 0 with our teaching pool, but we have a solid building block now, and I know, that because of the help that we have had here, and the things that have been done, that future sisters will be blessed in being able to work off of something.  It's neat to have been a part of that, and a part of the lives of so many people that I love.

I've been reminded (by my Mom) that I haven't shared much about this area, and part of that is because I never want anything to be read out of context or in a different spirit than intended.  I'll apologize in advance if anything of the sort occurs. :)

As part of this Christmas season I have become even more aware of the need of the people here.  I have heard from different sources that parts of where we are serving have some of the lowest poverty rates in the United States.  I am continually amazed at the cheerfulness of those who have less than I have ever had.

I have learned that just because your belongings are falling apart it doesn't mean that your life is falling apart.  There is still fulfilment with out material possessions.

I'm not serving in a third world country, so maybe I don't understand what it truly is to have nothing, but from the expanded perspective that I have gained I know that I haven't gone without anything really.

I remember my mom saying that when she came home from her mission she felt like a rich person because there was carpet on the floors.  I feel like a rich person for having internet, and for being able to turn lights on any time that I want, and for being able to heat the house during the Winter without propane heaters. (I think that's what they are run off of….)

President and Sister Baker have proposed that service is going to be a key to not being homesick this season.  I know that there are going to be many, many opportunities to serve different people here, and I am grateful to know-- from experience on Thanksgiving-- that service is the best medicine for a hurting heart. :)  I will miss all the people  and family that I love, but I know that it's going to be alright.

On another sparadic note:  We had Elder and Sister Perkins of the Seventy come do a mission tour on yesterday.  We learned "many great and important things…"

And something that really stuck out to me was:

The key to revelation is asking a specific question that requires action.

So my new goal with personal and companionship study is to have a quesiton for every study session.  I'm excited to act on the answers, and see how it works.

This is one of the times that I have decided I just have to faithfully try.  But I'm going to faithfully try whole-heartedly, and just see how it goes. :)

I love you!

Have a marvelous week!

Love,

Sister Garvin

With a Special Family

Serve others, Serve God

November 4, 2013 - Amber in North Carolina

I didn't monitor my time wisely this week: Thus the really short update.

It's November.  In case anyone missed that Memo.

I AM SOOOOO GRATEFUL for Daylight savings.

It seriously changed my life on Sunday.  I had an extra hour of sleep.  It was great.

Beautiful Scene - North Carolina 

This week we drove to Portsmouth for a Sisters Conference.  It was fun.  President Baker taught the difference between being light-hearted and light-minded.  And he had me laughing so hard that I cried.  It was great.

I'm grateful for laughter.

I'm also focusing on 2 things this month that I know will make a difference not only in my mission, but in my life.  Patience, and Prayer. 

I just barely realized how interconnected those two words are. 

I thought I was patient, but then I came on a mission and it was all tried, then it ran out.  So I'm restoring my reserves of patience.

I thought I'd let you know. ;)

The leaves are finally starting to change color, and it is beautiful!  I like it!

I'm grateful for seasons. (And that cold here only lasts from Nov-Mar.) 

I'm grateful that I have a companion.  Literally, and spiritually with the Holy Ghost.

NC has lots of Cotton Fields that glow in the Sunset Sunshine.

Missionary work would be devastatingly hard if I had to do it all my myself.

Also, I'm grateful that right now I feel like I have enough stamina to do this for 11 more months. 

Can you believe that? 

I know I say it every week, but it really blows my mind!

These 18 months are a speck in eternity, and it determines so much. 

Wow.

I wish I had time for more, but most of all I'm grateful for you. 

You are my most treasured everybody!

Love Forever,

Sister Amber Garvin

Ward 'Trunk or Treat"- we shared treats and 'pass along' cards

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

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

Hello whole world.

Sister Garvin and Sister Friend from High School

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

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

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

That's basically a metaphor for life.

Preparation Day is tank cleaning day.  And nap time. 

It means a lot.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

There is great wisdom in that.

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

Also words of wisdom from me:

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

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

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

So, yeah.

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

Love, 

Sister Amber

Our 'District"

Sister Garvin, Sister Watt, Yolanda

Rocky Mount, North Carolina - LDS Sister Missionaries

It's official.  I've been banished from my homeland of Virginia.  3 hours banished.  Sent to the most farthest parts of the boonies.  Over 100 miles away from my birthplace of Jamestown, and let me tell you something.

Nothing is the same.

The trees are nowhere near the same.

There are cotton fields. (which I may possibly be allergic to......)

The sky is even a different color.

And it's 90 degrees again.

You think I'm being dramatic, but let me tell you in all honesty.

I'm neither poetic nor dramatic.  

North Carolina, and Virginia are not the same.

Except for Walmart, Target, and Chick-fil-a.  Those are generally universally the same.

This is not to say that North Carolina is bad, in fact, quite the contrary.  We received the warmest, most genuine welcome--more than I could have ever hoped for.  We have a BEAUTIFUL new car which I feel blessed an privileged to drive every day.  It's beautiful, (NC, and the car.)

And I know that I'm supposed to be here.

I'm praying REALLY REALLY hard that I'll find out why sooner rather than later, because it's hard.

Opening an area is like making a cake from scratch (also, it seems that I've forgotten everything that I've ever learned...).  We have all these ingredients spread out all over the house, and a recipe in one of the 47 cookbooks laying around, and there is so much to do that I might get over stressed and explode.  

We have all the ingredients or resources, but we have to find the right recipe so we can actually make cookies.

The great thing is that the Lord has prepared many hands in this part of the vineyard to gather in all the resources, and the Master has the recipe memorized.

So I feel like I have to do everything, but really it's all psychological.  I'm my biggest obstacle right now.

So now that I've made it through that thought process.... Thanks family for being an anchor to me.  I feel like my letters home are just compilations of my journal entries, only better because I've thought them through a little bit, and my brain has had time to process the emotional roller-coaster of the past week.  (This is a really long way of me saying that I'm grateful that you validate my fire-hose explosion of words each week.)

The vibes from this email are probably easy to dis-cypher.  It's been hard this week.  It's probably going to be hard this week too, and probably longer than that.

But I can hear the North Carolina rain beating on the roof of the library.
I have a GPS that tells me how to find home.

The Spirit witnessed to me that Rocky Mount is exactly where I'm supposed to be,

I know that if I wasn't supposed to be here I wouldn't be.

There is a team here, of angels and of inspired members of the church that have answered the Lord's call to come labor in His vineyard.

I know that I'm never as alone as I feel.

I know how to find Walmart, and the church, and the golf-course.

Even though I really question my own abilities, I know that the Lord is limitless.  I know that I want to get somewhere, sometime, and I know that quitting or giving-up wont get me either of those places. :)

So this is probably a little bit of a self-pitiful rant, but there it is.  

This is my life for the next year.  I hit 6 months this week (Gracious Agnes.)

So next October everybody!  I'm coming home full speed, and will probably run down the escalator strait into the people that I love mostest in the entire world, and then into my sweatpants for an entire day.  I think I can work a year for that. ;)

Love you always,

Sister Amber in: thebestmissioninthewholeworldbecausethisiswheretheLordsentme--VirginiaChesapeakeMissionForever!!(exclamation point!)

Here is my new address:

Sister Amber Garvin

3717 Winchester Road

Rocky Mount, NC 27804