Amber's Report; General Conference and Personal Testimony

This week I am sending a short email home. 

We watched General Conference.  We were really happy because in the Sunday Morning session we had an investigator come to church, and she knew the congregational hymn that we sung in the middle.  So that was a wonderful thing.  The church and it's leaders are led by revelation received through the power of God.  I know it.  There is no other way that all.....this...... could work out.

So it was a wonderful revelatory experience.

I emailed my MTC companion, Sister Vance, this morning.  I can hardly believe that it has been almost a year since I met her, and since I was in the training center.  This journey has seemed long, and difficult, but in now looking back it seems too short.  And looking forward it seems there is not enough time left. It's surreal.

Sister Vance has served in 4 areas in the Richmond mission, and is now blessing the lives of many as a Sister Training Leader.  I'm so grateful for the time that I was able to spend as her companion for 2 weeks.  What a blessing.  I haven't seen her since. :)  But I am so proud to be serving alongside such valiant sisters even in different missions besides mine.

I just know that my weeks in Rock Mount are coming closer to an end.  So sad!  I love our ward SO much!  That has been the greatest blessing of serving here.  Plug for our ward:  If somehow this letter reaches someone that has the opportunity of coming to our blessed mission and serving in the Rocky Mount area, they are serving in the BEST place in the mission.

I am SO privileged.  To be on of the 83,035 some-odd missionaries and serving as one of the 4 in Rocky Mount.  Surely, the Lord's plan is perfect and divine.  Surely He is in the details of His work, and of our lives.  Surely He cares about me enough to send me to such a wonderful place. What a gift.

The next 6 months I KNOW will fly by.  Time is like the moment in Mulan when the little gorilla guy lets go of the rope and Mulan and the horse and Shang all fall off the cliff.  I'm the little guy standing at the top "[Time] slipped right through my fingers...."

But somehow the Lord will shoot me a rope to hold onto again.  That probably doesn't make much sense, but I've sorted through how I'm feeling about it and feel much better.  Also, I thought it was a great analogy! So thanks!  You are the best listeners!
:)

I just love you, and wish you each well!

Love,

Sister Garvin

Monday, March 3, 2014, Rocky Mount, NC, LDS Sister Missionaries

Good morning!

A few minutes to e-mail home...

This week seemed to fly by!  Just as fast as the first 2 months of this year.

Does time seem to go faster when you get older, or is it just a mission thing?  I don't know.  But I seem to be going on a really fast train, and I feel like when it's finally time for me to get off I'll have to take a jump, and the fall will be a little rough.  That scares me, but I think that it's the right feeling to have because it means that I'm finally becoming aligned with a greater understanding of my purpose here.

I caught myself thinking for a small moment this week about how totally devastated I would be if I had to leave this area in a few weeks.  I would be thrilled if I could spend the rest of my mission here.  Rocky Mount has become such an amazing miraculous chapter in my life, and I literally cannot see myself in any other place or in any other calling.  So I guess that's another way of Heavenly Father reminding me that I'm in the right place.

I think that I forgot to share the cool news!  Sister Jasperson is serving in an area that borders mine.  :)  She's in the boundaries of the other stake, but it's good to know that we'll at least see each other again. :)

I've definitely gained a new appreciation for her, and for the experiences that we had in Jamestown together.  At the time some of it seemed difficult, but I look back at it now and think (This is how my brain speaks...) "Man!  That was like the easiest time in my whole mission!" 

But I don't really want to go back and do it again, because then I think that it would be the hardest time.  

The point is:  I think that this has turned into a joyous experience becasue I have the reassurance from the Spirit that I will remember the fulfillment, and the joy, and the good things that happened.  So that makes me happy!!!!

IIIII CANNNNNNNNNN BEEEEEEEEEEE SOOOOOOOOOOO HAPPYYYYYYYYYYY!!!!!!

This is a good email.  Not a bad one.  :)

We had a miraculous week, and I've learned that members of the church are awesome.  A small testimony can open a door, and soften a heart.  Christ can change a heart. And "the church is still true contrary to popular belief". :)

Also.  I'm definitely going to cry when I come home.  Definitely..... 

Because I don't want to leave SOOOO bad!!  But I want to be with all of you SOOOOOO bad!  But I love the people SOOOOO much! And I will not know how to be a regular person probably.

This is a really extreme slew of things that I know are going to happen.  I'm not going to dwell on it, but I thought it a little.

Let me just say this!

I add my word to the testimony of Elder Uchtdorf "Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith."

And when you say you "can't" do something that is a choice.... And it makes it harder on you when you actually CAN do it, and you are fighting the whole way because you are telling yourself that you can't.

Yeah.  I've grown in wisdom.  That's what's up.

I recognize that sometimes I cover up deep stuff with humor, and irony.  I've had extensive talks with my companion(s) about it.  But just know that from the depth of my soul I know that this is Christ's church restored to the earth.  I know that the Book of Mormon contains the fulness of the gospel as does the Bible.  And I love this church.  I love my Savior.  I know that I am loved by both He, and Heavenly Father.  And I love you.

From the depth of my soul I love you all!  And it doesn't get better than family. :) 

(Except for when we are all a glorified, and exalted family.  Then it might be a little better.)

Sending love from North Carolina! 

(I love it here!  And SPRING IS COMING!  Along with an Easter Egg hunt I hope!)

Love,

Sister Amber in NC.

Had to send this '5,555' miles.  :)

and this…..'big tractor'

Gabby did our hair like hers!  :)

Sister Felt in 'Conetoe'

Also...my favorite City.....pronounced Koe-Nee-Tah.  :)

'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 27, 2014, Rocky Mount, North Carolina - SNOW

Sister Garvin and "Chester, the snominary'

This week there was a snowstorm.  We went to the Bishop's house to eat dinner, and we came outside after about 40 minutes and there was snow on the ground!  About 3 inches!  Whew wee!

 

We were "grounded" for lack of a better term, and had to stay inside from that point on until the next afternoon about 4:00 because we are not allowed to drive with ice on the road.  We built a little snowman in record time, and most of the snow on the roads had melted by the next day. 

 

Everything was mostly shut down though for a little while.  They cancelled school, and people tried to stay home, and stay warm. 

 

The wind chill is fridgid!!!!!!

 

We stayed warm, and were able to get permission to move our weekly planning day, so we did that while we were inside-- which was great!  We were able to stay productive and do the things that we needed to be doing, so the day wasn't just lost.

 

We did feel a little bit bad about cancelling some of our appointments, but people were very understanding, and didn't want us out driving either! :)  So everything worked out.

 

Sister Watt and I spoke briefly in Sacrament Meeting yesterday.  Our topic was Hastening The Work.  From the First Pres. Message in the Feb. 2013 Ensign El. Uctdorf gave a talk for "... The Hesitant Missionary..." it was really good, and I based my talk off of the things that he presented there.

 

One of the other speakers invited over 100 people to come hear him speak, and 30 came!  So amazing! 

 

It's possible people! :)

 

Love you! 

Beautiful Snow and Sky

First Snow of Season

Beautiful Sun between the branches

Gotta go!

Sorry for the rushed message this week.  I was looking at pictures of all the craft things that Ashley has been doing.

Do you all know that I have an amazing talented pair of siblings?!

(I do. :)

 

Love you all forever!

 

(Possible snow-day again this week!) Pictures to come again next week!  And transfer calls!  I forgot about that.

Call are next Sunday.  Surprise! :)

 

Love,

Sister Amber Garvin

Rocky Mount, North Carolina, LDS Sister Missionaries - Monday, January 20, 2014

So.  I don't really know what to write this week.

I just know that the Holy Ghost is a better teacher than I am.  And I'm really grateful that I don't have to try to figure it out on my own.

This week I'm sending home some pictures. 

We bought matching mustache pens with a gift card that someone gave us for Christmas.  

They are really funny.:)

Also,

I tried to make some bread.  We were going to give it to a member of our ward with the talk from Pres. Monson's address at the Relief Society Broadcast Oct. 2013.

But we didn't have an exact yeast measurement, and we used self-rising flour.  So, it didn't rise at all, and it was really salty. We had to use our sharpest kitchen knife to saw through the crust....

So I was embarrassed and refused to give it to them, and we made cookies instead.  The cookies were better anyway.

So lesson: We have to follow the exact directions and put in the exact ingredients for the end product to turn out the way it was intended.  So it is also with exact obedience.

Ummmm...

I had some blue pajama pants that turned my white bedspread blue.  So I'm going to probably spend all day trying to remedy that situation.... Good thing I have some trusty stain removers!

We had interviews with President Baker this week and he asked us to role-play teaching him some part of the Restoration.  It went really well!  It was good to be able to spend some time with him and Sister Baker, they are really delightful to be around.

Something really great that I read this week was the second half of 1 Peter 3 there is some good stuff there!  Very uplifting.  It talks about how we must always be ready to stand and bear testimony, and how Christ suffered all, and it is better to suffer for good than to suffer for evil.  So I really liked that.  If you have a few minutes to read and ponder it I would encourage you do to so.  Maybe you'll get something out of it that I didn't and that is personally important and relevant to you. :)

All my love!  

-Sister Garvin

Monday, January 6, 2014 - Amber in Rocky Mount North Carolina

Merry Christmas from Sis. Watt and Garvin

Well. 

 

Basically I'm going to write the same thing that I wrote in my journal yesterday to you, because I had some pretty good thoughts, and it basically describes some of the things that I thought through and dealt with this past week.

 

Preface:

In a really joking manner in which I didn't take offense at all-- we were in an appointment and someone told me that I was a perfectionist, that it was written all over my face, and that I tried too hard. (this is a very condensed version that probably sounds pretty harsh, but I can't explain the whole back story.  I just pulled out these three things so that I could expound on the thoughts that I had this week. :)

 

I really didn't take offense.

 

In fact, I will completely admit to the truth of the aformentioned statements.

 

So here are the deep thoughts.

 

As I recognized the truth of the statement "you're a perfectionist" I wondered why that might be.  I did some self-reflecting, and came to the conclusion that being a perfectionist and being controlling of other people are two different things.  Well, obviously.

 

Okay.  Talking myself in circles here.

 

I just want to let you know why I feel completely comfortable about being a perfectionst, and and important thing that I leanred this week and my agency to choose to do good, be good, and think good were tried a little bit.

 

I looked back over my life, and thought of all the things that have ever happend to me. All of the enviorments, challenges, tests, moves, sittuations, and other external things I RARELY had control over. 

 

But I did have control over my internal reaction to external challenges. 

 

So with "perfectionist" attributes I realized that yes, I am a perfectionist.  Be cause I have control over the things that I do, and my personal agency.  I want to know that I can be satisfied with the things that I do, and I have to do and be my best to be satisfied.

 

I don't know if that makes sense.

 

Maybe it's way too deep.

 

I probably should just testify of simple gospel truths.

 

So in summation (I looked 'summation' up in the dictionary last week, and I did use it in the correct context!  So I'll do it again!  Vocabulary=Expanded!)

 

God has given us agency to use to make decisions that will lead us to happiness, and will guide us bak to Him someday.  He wants us to try to do our very best so that we can grow, and can find goodness in each day we are blessed to live.  He loves it when we make good decisions, and when we are happy, and love it when we remember that He is the one that has given us a precious gift with which we can CHOOSE to be good, CHOOSE to do good, and CHOOSE to think good.

 

Maybe that's more simple. :)

 

So there ya' go!  Deep thoughts from deep in the South.

 

P.S. half way is this Friday. Woot.

 

Love you all, always,

 

:)

 

-Sister Amber Garvin

Christmas Packages - Thank you!

Kind of a Big Bite!  :)

Monday, December 23, 2013, Rocky Mount, North Carolina - LDS Sister Missionaries

Wow!  Can you believe it's Christmas?! Also..... it was 80 degrees yesterday. It's muggy and rainy, and hot.  It's a new experience for sure-- not to have cold weather on Christmas! :)  But I really am so so excited to be able to spend Christmas with some of the people here!  They have made such an impression on me and I love them!

 

We had a wonderful Christmas program in Church yesterday.  The chapel was PACKED! There were a lot of visitors as well as people that haven't been to church in a long time that were able to make it.

 

We sang in the Ward Choir as well as sang a song with some members called In the Bleak Midwinter.  It is a hymn that isn't in our hymnbook, but is in many others. President Monson quoted the last verse of it in the Devotional on December 8th.  There was a really sweet spirit in the room, and I think that combined with the otherr music and the Primary children there must have been at least one person in the congretation that learned and felt something that they needed to.

 

I love our ward!  They are so good to us!

 

This is another short email.

 

I'm just really excited for Christmas, and to see your beautiful faces, and hear your angelic voices (Andrew can be a Bass angel. :)

 

I love you!

 

Thank you all for taking the initiative to help others feel of the love of their Savior during this time of year!  I know that there are many all over the world that have need to feel it, and I hope that as any you have reached out you have been able to feel the Savior's love for you as well and what the true meaning and spirit of Christmas are.

 

I learned an important lesson this week.

 

We have each been blessed with unique capabilities and gifts, and Heavenly Father will provide a way that we can use those capabilities and gifts within our means to build His kingdom.  There is no one "right" way that everybody does it.

 

If there is a specific plan and purpose for our lives, as I know there to be, then there must also be a specific plan for how we can build God's way. 

 

I don't know if this makes sense or if it's just redundant.  We'll just say that it makes sense to me, and I'm working on figuring out how to use what I've got to build the way that I need to build.

 

(Maybe we won't include this in the book of wisdom that I know someone has got to be compiling. :)

 

Oh, P.S. We got a new Elder to work with!  One of our other ones finished his mission and went home.  We're really excited to keep the work moving forward, and there is a lot of new energy and excitement since our new Elder has just been out since our mission was created.  It's going to be "Excellent!"

 

I love you!

 

Love,

Sister Amber

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

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.