Eggs and Donuts! :)

Eggs from a ward members' chickens.

"Duck Donuts"  a favorite of the neighborhood

Gray Sky, Alligator Meat, Relatives' Visit and...Gospel Miracles!!!

Today it is with a heavy heart, and a dark red sweater, and 70 + degrees that I tell you for the last 4 days the sky has been gray.  Literally.  With the really miserable drizzle-y rain.  Not the glorious pouring rain that I love.  So Sister Carlson and I both have been a little blue.

I didn't even realize how affected by weather I could be.  And I have very little control over this circumstance except for prayers.

Good news.  We've had amazing miracles this week.  Truly miraculous.

I haven't got much time today, but here's a brief overview.

We had a goal to have 3 investigators with a baptismal date.  We had no investigators.  We dropped all the investigators that were ignoring us.  Which meant that we had no teaching pool, but here's my thought process "If you don't want us to come teach you about the best thing in the whole world, and we keep trying with no response, then we'll move onto the next person that really does want to know...." Then The Lord provided a way for us to teach a part-member family twice this week.  We were able to set 2 of them for baptism, and almost reached our goal.  The Lord made a way for us, and it took us acknowleging the miracles for us to see the way ahead that He paved. :)

Go team gospel!

Also, today.  We are going to go eat alligator meat.  It's going to be adventurous.
#ilovebeingamissionaryinthesouth.
That's probably the only time that I've ever used a hash-tag in an email home, but it seemed appropriate for the occasion.

Also, surprise encounter from some cousins at church that I didn't know were vacationing here alll week, and were super close to our place of residence!  I'm so glad that they came to church! :)  I think it's fine because they didn't come here just to see me. :)  And I appreciated the fruit they brought!  It made my day!  Now I don't have to buy it myself!  Plus, that's expensive for me living here on the beach!

Anyway. 

We have exchanges this week-- Sister Carlson's first one!  I'm going to be in super-charged missionary mode, and that will probably require a nap at some point today.

The gospel is true, the Book is Blue, I love Souther BBQ!  (and you! :)

Also, study the Apostasy.  It's incredible!  I've learned so much about it this week from Jesus the Christ, the scriptures, and Preach My Gospel.  It's so part of God's plan!

Love forever,
Sister Garvin

With my Uncle Paul, Aunt Christy and their children (who are currently living in Falls Church, VA)

Sister Carlson, Me and...some of my vacationing cousins  :)

Monday, July 28, Nag's Head, North Carolina - "Questions of the Soul"

Neat 'Tender Mercies' 
(From Sister Garvin's Mother)
Yesterday I received a text from a family visiting Nag's Head from Utah and...they took a photo of the missionaries with their family.  It was SO kind of them and SO rewarding to receive a photo and message.  How great to know that we're all connected and 'in this together'.  It was a tender mercy for them (as their son just entered the Mexico City MTC 2 1/2 weeks ago and...they felt very blessed to see and talk with the missionaries in NC) and...a tender mercy for me to see their bright, smiling faces and..to meet Sister Garvin's new companion.

That is the Second news item and neat 'miracle'.  Apparently Sister Garvin's new companion is Sister Cami Carlson from Sandy, Utah.  I'm just waiting this morning for e-mail with more details and while I do so I'm piecing together information.  :)  Yay.  It's SO neat to be involved in this exciting work.  ('The Adventures of the Spirit' as Elder Robert E. Wells called it.) 

Well, Sister Carlson's Mother 'friended' me on G+, which I'm thrilled about (and will respond to as soon as I get Sister Garvin's email) and...her daughter's blog is:  Sister Carlson in Chesapeake, so you can read both of their perspectives and experiences.  Isn't it incredible how technology can bless our lives?   

They are SO busy and don't have much time to write home on Mondays (their 'preparation days') so....they each share what they can and....it's nice to be able to read what they both write.

It's been a glorious blessing for me to be the mother of a missionary.  All the sacrifices and 'missing' her (sometimes tremendously) is compensated for because of her growth and learning and progression and the way that she has strengthen us at home because of her service and sacrifices as her covenant part in helping to build up the Kingdom of God here upon the earth. 

I feel particularly grateful, this day, for the members in NC that I've connected with because of this mission and...the mothers of her companions - who I now feel are all dear online friends. 
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sister Garvin's Entry:

Questions of the Soul:

Two answers to that question.... Preach My Gospel Page 107
AND....NEW Companion Information:

What's her name?  Sister Carlson
Where is she from? Sandy, UT
How's it going with her?  Wonderful!
Do you 'connect'?  Yes.  We watched the same youtube videos in the past, read the same scriptures, like to talk to people, and both have name tags/purpose in life.  So we've got a bunch in common! :)

Where did Sister Petrie go?  The pickle capital of the world!  Mt. Olive, NC in the Goldsboro Zone.  She'll love it there!

 

In other news.... (this is like a duct tape mustache that just got ripped off of my face...)

I found out at transfer meeting that the day I'm coming home got pushed to a week earlier.  So now it's officially, October 7th.

AHHHHHHHHHH.... And this week is August.  So that's outrageous.

 

Whatever.

 

I've made a countdown because Sister Jasperson told me that everyone was going to ask me about it anyway.  And they already are....

 

I've allotted myself 4 days that I can be emotional about this situation.  That is when I hit 50 days. 30 days, 10 days, and 5 days.
 

On to reports from this week:

 

Well, 

 

President Baker promised miracles as a trainer when you are trying to be obedient, and they are already starting to happen.  but I wanted to share a funny story first.
 

This is one for the journal for sure!

 

We went to contact a potential investigator.  There was a 'No Soliciting' sign on the door.  But we are not solicitors, so we knocked anyway.  They were obviously home, and obviously ignoring us.  So we said "let's just come back in a couple of days".  So we went back two days later, and there was an additional sign posted underneath the original.  Written on cardboard it said: (it was the little circle with the line through it.... No smoking sign...)

No religion,

No politics,

No magazines,

No candy

 

I don't know how else to react except to laugh.  It was funny.  Okay, we're girls in skirts, on bikes, and it's a lot less work to just say 'no' than it is to make a perfectly strait edge sign.
 

Please bless that house.  

 

Also, this morning, I saw a spider with florescent orange legs.  Weird.

 

Miracles:

We found a few new investigators that are really sincere.
We met many new families that we hadn't met before.

We met a family from Utah that took care of us at church, and were super nice.

We ate some delicious food.

We taught many lessons.

Sister Carlson gave out a Book of Mormon to the first person that she talked to.

It hasn't been deathly humid.

I received a letter every day from my dearest sister (Ashley).

We took the Sacrament.

We provided an environment for members of the ward to take care of us by "comforting those that stand in need of comfort".

 

One of Sister Carlson's (beautiful) spiritual gifts is that of being able to weep, and feeling deeply.  She's going to be wonderful for this ward, because she will allow people to love her and take care of her. 
 

I have a harder time doing that because I don't cry that much, and I have a hard time asking for help if I can do it myself (even with much difficulty....) So I'm looking forward to repenting, and learning new experiences for the next few weeks.
 

I learned a powerful truth for me yesterday during Sacrament meeting which I was grateful to learn.  "sometimes the biggest leap of faith is not accepting an answer, but in asking a question."
 

I feel that I've grown a lot in the past year, in ways that I cannot even see.  But I've still SO far to go!  And if I focus on that, all the results, and answers in the future.  I miss the joy of learning now, asking questions now, and having the peace that comes from a question.  There are many questions that I know I will probably never have the answers to, but my faith is founded.
 

The Atonement has already been made, the price was paid, and there are no take-backs.  Plus, there is no way that Christ would take it back anyway.  His gift to us is always there for us to reach out, take hold of, and to be the wings upon our backs when we haven't any strength left to walk.
 

In a very real way I am growing spiritual wings.  

 

I don't have the strength left to walk on my own, so I have to be carried.

 

That was promised to me in a blessing I received several months ago.

 

When I look back on my life and only see one set of footprints on the path-- I will know that I was not walking alone, but was being carried.

 

These are my wise words of wisdom for the day.  I feel that often they are meant more for me to vocalize than they are for you to read, but I'm appreciative of someone that listens to all my thoughts.  

 

It's therapeutic for me to write with a purpose, and is basically a purposeful journal.

 

I have to go now.

 

I love you all forever!

 

Sister Garvin

New companions:  Sister Carlson and Sister Garvin

Sister Carlson's Blog

My Testimony - Easter Time

(Note from my Mom:  The Sister Missionaries made paper Easter eggs and copies of their testimonies to share with some of the people in their area at Easter time.  I didn't receive a copy of them until a few weeks ago and...am sorry to say that I hadn't found the time to type it up until today.  But, I'm a believer that all things happen for a reason so...hopefully this testimony, posted today, will be for that. See Easter Post for more details.  :)

"Serving in Rocky Mount has had a large impact on my understanding and testimony of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  I catch myself sometimes feeling inadequate -- as most of us experience at some time or another -- and focusing on the weaknesses that I seen in myself, instead of my strengths.  I know that those are the times when Satan is trying to discourage me from the path of discipleship that I have chosen to walk as a member of Christ's church.

Through Christ's ''divine means of help or strength" (BD: Grace) I know that it is not my weakness that defines who I am as a servant of the Savior, but it is my confidence in Him, in His Atonement, in His power, and in His love that overcomes our limitations.  His 'grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before [him]" (Ether 12:27).  We can press forward with steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope' (2 Ne. 31:20) with each new day, and each new learning experience.

His Atonement is so perfect that it can correct each of us in the exact way that we need it.  He loved us enough to pave a perfect and exact path back to our Father in Heaven after we die, and He is walking it with us -- lifting, carrying, and encouraging each step of the way.

I know that I have felt His strength in my life as I have turned my heart to him, and have been willing to open the door to Him.  I have felt His penetrating love in times of need, and reassurance, and I know that His arms are open wide to all those who will 'come unto [Him]."  (Matthew 11:28)

In addition to knowing that He died for us, I know that He lives for us.  He lives to rescue, and lift, and He lives that we might have the blessing of eternal life with our families in the life to come.  Choose Him, and His way, and you will find joy even when circumstances are not ideal or even desirable.  :)

He loves you personally!  He knows you!  I pray that each of you will feel of His love as you remember His eternal Sacrifice, and the joy of knowing that He lives.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

- Sister Garvin

I Wrote a Song; "Fly Free, and Run Full Speed"

Well I received probably my last transfer call.  I'm training again, and staying in Nags Head.

Sister Felt is opening an area which is fantastic, Sister Jasperson is finished and going home, Sister Watt is staying in VA Beach, Sister Newbold is staying in Portsmouth, and Sister Petrie is going to Mt. Olive.
 

Tada!

 

Well because Sister Petrie is leaving I've written her a song.  It's basically the story of her life while we've been together.  So I thought I'd share it.  I hope that it contains a message that may bless someone who reads it.  The words came very easily, and it's pretty corny, but I thought it was pretty good corn.  (probably corn pudding) Also, the punctuation is no bueno.

 

 

I call it "fly free, and run full speed"

 

Running on empty,

feeling a loss;

Where is the brightness to push me along?

If I could only see the light ahead of me, I'd know I'm doing the right thing.
 

Ready, take off!

Take flight!

Faster than the wind, higher than a kite.

Filling each hole in the road ahead up with pure light.

Fly free, and run full speed.

Look ahead,

to the lighthouse--

lit with hope of promises in eternity.

Look up,

be filled with life.

Feel joy in each moment, as you always simply try.

 

See a cloud in the sky,

make an elephant dance.

Recognize the rain brings a second chance

the sky will clear into a brand new day.

 

Ready, take off!

Take flight!

Faster than the wind, higher than a kite.

Fill each hole in the road ahead up with pure light.

Fly free, and run full speed.

 

Start with a willing heart--

there are no limits to who you are.

In your soul there's a song, waiting to emerge.

Sing it loud and strong,

don't let it go unheard.

 

Be who you want to become,

but remember who you've been.

The sky has cleared, and brought a brand new day

Just so you can:

 

Take off!

Take flight!

Faster than the wind, higher than a kite.

Leave your troubled road behind,

and see ahead, paved with pure light.

You can fly free, and at full speed.

 

Your second chance has come,

so fly free.

Run full speed towards who you want to be,

and fly free.

 

Anyway, there's your corn for the week.  :)

 

I like writing songs. :)  It's a good outlet. 

Please include me in your prayers for these last 2 transfers.  3 months go by way too quickly, and I'm anxious about being ' trunky', and sabotaging the system.

 

Whatever.

 

Well,

I love you and hope that you know it every day.  I'm not good at informative emails, but I'm good at lots of words. :)

 

Love forever, and see you soon! (but I'm not going to talk about that for the next 3 months.  I have to be strict with myself on trunky-ness)

 

Sister Amber Garvin

Haircutting, Lawn Mower Mishap, and...STRAIT and narrow path....

I missed the free slushie day at 7-11 last week (on 7/11).  That was disheartening.

Whatever.  :)

This week I my attitude may be full of what appears to be dry humor.  Don't worry.  It's just a coping mechanism.

This week was awesome. (dry?)

I will start out with something that I forgot to mention last week.

I did the unthinkable. 

I cut my own hair.

Gasps everyone?

Good news: it looks about the same, just a little shorter. 

In fact, after all those years of observing hairstylists, I did such a passably good job that I cut 3 inches off Hermana Haywood's hair too.  (she was a year over due)  She even got a compliment on it Sunday.  It also looks about the same, but a little shorter, and a straighter.

Funny for this week:

Actually it was just awkward. 

I ran over a pair of boxer shorts with a lawn mower.  They jammed the lawn mower.  Sister Petrie pulled the remnants of said shorts out of the mower.  Then she threw them away.  I then started the mower up again, and it worked like a gem.

So that's super funny.  

Suddenly, I am super awkward all the time.  My excuse it that it makes it more comfortable for everyone else, but really I think it's just me.

Anyway.

I promised a spiritual thought right?

Here is something that Sister Petrie pointed out to me this week, and you have to be a little philosophical about it okay?

So in the scriptures is talks about the "strait and narrow path" not the "straight and narrow path". Notice the spelling differences.

Well according to the dictionary definition of strait and straight it puts a different perspective on the "strait and narrow".

(these are revised definition's according to Sister Garvin because I left my dictionary at home)

Straight: a direction without angles, bends, curves.  Without obstacle.

Strait: a narrow way, usually angled an dangerous between two destinations.

So thus we learn that the scriptures do indeed talk about the "straight and narrow" path because there is only one way. We must stay on the one path, and there really isn't wiggle room.  But it is NOT without obstacles.

2 Ne. 31:17-20  

 
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/the-cost-and-blessings-of-discipleship?lang=eng&cid=HPTH071014317

The path is truly "strait".  It is narrow.  There are obstacles, any "convenient God" as talked about in Elder Hollands most recent conference address would not walk the strait path with us.

The journey of disciple ship is paved with difficulties.  But for every pothole in the path and each obstacle that we face the healing power of the Atonement is there to fill the potholes, and the guiding light of the Savior is there to lead us home.

Go forth with strength!  The Atonement is for sinners and saints!  It's for the world, it's for the one, and it is for every single moment for the span of eternity.

What a magnificent gift.  What a waste if we don't take the time to understand it's influence in our lives, and what a waste if we do not try our very best to take advantage of it's enabling power each day that we walk the "strait" path.

 
https://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/04/the-atonement-and-the-journey-of-mortality?lang=eng 

I say that in the name of our Savior, Jesus Christ, Amen.

If I love you as much as I feel it in my heart, Heavenly Father loves you ALL the more.

Love Forever,

Sister Amber Garvin

We Slept Through the Hurricane :)

"I'm Seester Garvin, I'm a missionary, I love to plan things (that's new huh?), I'm a hurricane Arthur survivor, and I'm a Mormon...."

Do you think that would be a winner status for mormon.org?  I put a lot of effort into that one.

Well, here's the story that I know you are all anxious to hear, and know, and share....

On Tuesday we talked to a member, and they said (in more words) P.S. there is a hurricane coming, are you going to be evacuated?

Us: Uhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh........ Well, we dont know.

Then we hung up the phone and called the zone leaders.  Why were we only hearing about this 2 days before a natural disatster hit?  I don't know.... We were just forgotten I guess.....

Well, we were told that if it got too bad we'd be taken care of.

So we went throughout the rest of our day. (AND FOUND A NEW INVESTIGATOR!!!!  Woo!)

Fast forward to Wednesday during lunch while I was enjoying a delicious free sandwich. (that's another story altogether.)

President Baker calls and says "Sisters, I'm going to ask you to evacuate to Elizabeth City tonight for the storm. "

Then he said that he hadn't had time to get in touch with the Hermanas or the Elizabeth City Hermanas, and he asked us to and then to report back.

So we did.  Obviously, otherwise we'd be destroyed by gale force winds, and that seems like it would be a very unpleasant experience.  So we didn't do that.

The Elizabeth City Hermanas were SOOOOOOOOOO excited to have us come, and screamed on the phone.

We evacuated after taking down our recent converts trampoline. 

Thursday: The Elizabeth City Elders gave us some names to see in their area, and we were given permission to work there.  Also, I ate a self-pity shake from Cook-Out to calm my nerves.  Also, a Southern BBQ Sandwich.

Thursday night: We slept in the kitchen to avoid windows being blown out. 

Then......

The hurricane hit. 
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.

and I slept right through it.... along with the rest of the household.

Wasn't that an exciting story?

Thought you might like it.

We had zone meeting as planned on Friday morning (which was great, because we were already in El. City) and then we ate another shake, and waited for President Baker to call and tell us to go home.

Then we went home, and we assessed the scene, found no damage, ate dinner, made my last two planners (before I come home), almost cried because of that, and ate smores around a campfire with our friend Brother Kelly.

It was great.

I'm not going to take the rest of my 30 minutes on the computer today, because there is a long line, and some contentions.....

Also, we are going to a funeral today. 

Preparation Days are not so relaxing anymore.  But it's okay.

We have interviews with the mission President Tomorrow.

I am going to focus on spiritually uplifting things next week. 

Here's an entertaining story though that you can share with your friends...

And, I didn't die.

anxiety eased.

I love you!

Love,
Sister Amber

Baptism, Miracles, Forgive, Stay in your own Ward! :)

Happy Birthday Dear Sister Ashley-kins!

This week I wanted to start of my just saying that: We had a baptism.  Yay.  Except that it was in Washington State. So I didn't get to go to it.  But, for the first time in 11 planners, I was able to record that we had a baptism and confirmation.  Go Miracle!

Christ baptized by John

Really though.  I didn't know if that would ever happen. :)

We've been teaching a young woman who wanted to be baptized by her grandfather who is a member of the church in WA state, and so we coordinated her baptism there with the bishop and missionaries of the ward there. 

 

We were so thrilled for her.

She gave us permission to quote what she said to us yesterday after church.

We texted her to ask what she had learned at church that day (in WA). She responded back: "We learned about staying in your ward (congregation) and if there are people you don't like -- just endure and it will end up good."

That made us laugh, but there is also a very true principle contained therein.

I'm pretty sure that no matter what ward anyone ever goes to - there will probably be someone that says something that hurts your feelings, or offends you.  Sometimes, sadly, we are the person that offends or hurts another.  Don't let that get in the way of your salvation.  Frankly, if you do you are not repenting.  If we don't forgive - we are not showing signs of repentance.

This lesson will be learned over and over again for the rest of our lives.  I testify of this principle, because I continue to learn it.  So, here are some wise words of wisdom.... Forgive people. 

Nephi bound by his brothers

Remember in Nephi  (I don't have my scriptures, but I believe it was either when they went back to get the plates of brass, or when he was tied up on the boat.  Maybe I'm wrong about both, but I promise that it is in Nephi)..... Laman and Lemuel were being mean, and then they were chastised, and Nephi "did frankly forgive them".  Here we learn wise words of wisdom from the scriptures.  It's great. (see also 1 Nephi 18:9-16)

 

So that's what I wanted to share today.

Also, we had an excellent zone conference this week, and a 17-hour day.  We had to get up at 5 to make it to zone conference on time.  It was early.  I've spent all week suffering after-effects.

Also, last night in an effort to be home on time we biked about 4 miles in 20 minutes.

I'm being booted off the computer at the library now.

Read this EXCELLENT talk by Elder Bednar.

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2012/04/the-atonement-and-the-journey-of-mortality?lang=eng

I spoke on it in Sacrament Meeting yesterday.

Be an Agent to act this week.

Kay I love you!

byeeeeeeeeeeee!!!

Love,

Sister Garvin

Happy Belated Father's Day and....SO MANY MIRACLES!!!

I PROMISE THAT I DIDN'T FORGET FATHER'S DAY!  I JUST FORGOT TO WRITE ABOUT IT, AND I'M REALLY, REALLY, REALLY SORRY.   --  HAPPY FATHER'S DAY TO BROCK,STEVE, ANDREW, GRANDPA'S, UNCLES, COUSINS, FRIENDS, GOOD INFLUENCES, BISHOPS, AND ALL OTHER FATHER FIGURES THAT HAVE INFLUENCED ME!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I LOVE YOU AND APPRECIATE ALL THAT YOU DO, AND ARE!  FATHER'S ARE A GIFT AND MIRACLE FROM A LOVING FATHER IN HEAVEN. 

LOVE, SISTER AMBER

Now to this week:

This week we saw SO MANY MIRACLES!!!!!

It was miraculous, really.

 

But first I forgot to tell you something last week.

At Stake Conference we had to go up early, and we worked with President Baker so that we wouldn't have to be at the Stake Center (church) with nothing to do-- because that is not purposeful, and we would be bored.  So this great answer to my prayer happened.....

We got to work with the Portsmouth Sisters, and guess who the Portsmouth sisters are?!?!?!  SISTER NEWBOLD!!!!!!!!!! (and she just was called to be a trainer again.  We only had one Sister Missionary enter the mission this transfer-- Sister Smart (who is now famous because she is the 'one') and Sister Newbold is her trainer)

It was an answer to my prayers because I have wanted so badly to see her growth since we parted ways as companions.  I felt the transfers that we were together I didn't teach her the things that she needed to know that that I basically ruined her, but the good news is that she is doing phenomonally well.  I'm so pleased to know and have witnessed her growth as a missionary.

Also miracle #2 and another answered prayer.  WE GOT TO EAT WITH A SENIOR MISSIONARY COUPLE.... My dreams came true.  It was so much fun, and I just love being around the senior couples.  We ate with the Simmons who work in the office.  Elder Simmons blessed me with the lovely car that we drove in Rocky Mount. 

They are great, and so funny!  I learned.

Also, I'm not weird, because we had burritos and Elder Simmons brought out the pickles.  I found a kindred spirit! :)

Okay, so to the miracles of this week.

On Saturday we were rushing to an appointment and we walked outside, and there was a baby bird on the ground.  We weren't able to pick him up because we had to go.  But there had been a huge storm and I think he'd fallen out of his nest.  We prayed that maybe somehow his mom would come back and save his little life.

We came home about 6 hours later and didn't see him, but then we did.  He was under a bush just exhausted.

We called everyone we knew.  And talked to a vet in the ward, and then we got the baby bird some food, and fed it.  And then we gave it to a young man in the ward who works with wildlife birds... He's been taking care of it, and the bird has lived!!!!!!  I'm so happy because if it hadn't lived I probably would have been devastated....  But I'm not, so MIRACLE!

We also went to Chesapeake to go on exchanges with our Sister Training Leaders.  It went well.  It was far away.  We had to drive about 2 hours to get there.  But there were many miracles there as well.  We found a new investigator, and tracted using family history-- but it was really hot, and no one was outside, so we didn't do that long, and mostly 'planted seeds'.

I'm so grateful that I continue to learn things.  Go missions!

This has been more substantial than some of my previous letters home.  For awhile there I just had completely run dry of ideas to write home about.  But I think I got it again.  I just have to keep looking for inspiration that will keep my momentum up.

Summer is here, it's hot.  We almost reached 100 degrees last week, and I had heard that with the humidity there was a heat index of 112 degrees.  But that's just a random fact that I don't really understand.  I only did a semester of college.  ;)

Just know of my love for each of you, and your importance to me.  I remind you each week, but I hope that you feel my love each week.

This sacred time has seemed to pass in the blink of an eye, but the effects of it will influence me and last for eternity.  I hope you will still like me in October. :)

Love forever,

Sister Amber Garvin

What do we do all day?

I received a letter from my Mom with these questions that some of you have had - 

and now I will answer them as my letter home today.

1) What do you do each day?

 6:30 AM: Jolt awake, roll off my bed onto the floor.  Walk downstairs to wake me up so I don't fall asleep again.  Climb back up the stairs.  Pray.  Do some sort of physical activity. 

7:00 AM  Eat some food.  Choose an outfit.  Try it on.  Choose another outfit.  Put clothes away.  Write in my journal more.  Make my bed.  Etc.

7:30 Shower, put my face on, do my hair.

8:00 Study for one hour.  Right now we are reading the Book of Mormon so that takes about an hour 

to read about 7 pages.

9:00 Companion study.  Sing a hymn. Pray.  Read 3 pages in the missionary handbook (I've read it almost 18 times now... I counted this morning.) Talk about the way we felt during our personal study about how to help the people we will teach that day.  Make lesson plans.

10:00 Begin proselyting.  Usually we make phone calls.

Somewhere between 11:00-12:00 we take an hour for lunch break, and additional study (and do the dishes....)

12-5  Teach, find, teach, talk with people, go to lessons, contact people that previous missionaries found, do service, and other nice things for everyone.

We try to have dinner at 5:00 PM so that we can proselyte after 6.  That's the best time because people are home. :)  We often eat with members of the ward, and then have an experience after the meal when we discuss missionary work, principles from chapter 3 of Preach My Gospel, and ...we've begun to role-play with our members more.

9:00-9:30 PM  Talk about what we accomplished that day and set goals for tomorrow, make plans for tomorrow.

9:30-10:30 Get ready for bed, and go to bed.  This usually includes writing in my journal and praying.  Also sometimes eating a snack. :)

10:31 Dream about missionary work in a state of REM.  (or whatever that sleep business is called.)

2) What is the Area like?

We do indeed live on a sandbar.  The widest part is about 5 miles wide.  Usually I am acutely aware of where the ocean is. We also have lots of tourists.

Everyone's house is built on stilts in case there are floods--- so I get lot's of exercise climbing up many stairs.  There are lot's of pets.

Our church is about 15 minutes away.

There is a highway that goes from top to bottom of our area.  You cannot make left turns in the summer because of traffic unless you are at a turn signal light.  So we leave extra time for traveling.

There are wild horses in Corolla that live on the beach, and you can't touch.  There are lot's of mini-golf courses with pirate ships, volcanoes, and fountains, and one with a dinosaur.

There is a fancy outlet mall that I will probably never shop at.

We drive past the Wright Brother's memorial every day on the way home to our house. 

We have 4 out of 5 lighthouses in North Carolina in our area.

Also lots of wildlife. 

Last week I accidentally ran over a frog on my bike.

I also rode about 3 miles without using the handlebars. It was awesome.

Our first day on bikes....

3) What's the ward like?

Small, but wonderful.  We have a pretty small ward building, and are about 8 people short of an expansion.  So we're working on that, but we don't have a ward.  We have incredible recent converts, and not so recent converts, and life-long members.  They love the gospel. :)

4) Your Companion?

Sister Petrie is great!  She's from Boise, Idaho, and came out with Sister Felt.  We are now in her 4th transfer.  She's been in the OBX about 6 months.  She is the youngest of 9 children, loves musical theater, music, cats, Dr. Who, writing books, and Alice in Wonderland. 

We are currently in the library (writing to you), and there is some sort of kids-event going on where all I hear is about a duck that quacks.

I'm being kicked off the computer now, and have to go.  It's not really worth it to save this message just to write something for 20 more minutes.  I'll write paper letters.

I love you so much!  Thank you for all that you do!

Love,

Sister Garvin

Goose Egg, Time Travel, Dreams and Brother Kelly!

Haha!  I almost dated this email as April, 9th.  Guess it's not caught up with me how quickly time has passed.  I would just like to say  "THIS IS NOT OKAY!!!"  It's going too fast!  I only have 4 months left?!  What?  NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Go back!

Hurry, someone invent a time-travel machine.

Last week I had a dream that I decided I needed to serve another mission, and I got a mission call while I was on my mission.  I left to the MTC 3 days after I got home from this mission and it was crazy because I went from the VA Chesapeake Mission back to the VA Richmond Mission.

You know you're a missionary when..... You dream about being a missionary.

Life is so weird!

That's the status update.

Also, this week I fell out of my chair during studies, and hit my head on the solid wood windowsill and probably the floor. I had a goose-egg and a headache.  Then I called Sister Baker, she wanted me to go to the Urgent Care to see if I had a concussion.  But Urgent Care was closed.  So She called the mission Dr. and he told me to just take ibuprofen.  I don't have a concussion.   Go me!  The Dr. said I'm a lucky girl.  So go hard head (i probably get it from my dad ;)

We went on exchanges, which were great.  I wasn't even stressed even though I don't really know what's going on yet.  We talked with many people.

We also had transfer calls, and everyone in our zone received one except us. 

Not trying to predict the future or anything, but probably we're going to be the only ones that receive one next transfer. Which is only in a month.  And Sister Jasperson goes home.  Again I repeat "THIS IS NOT OKAY!!!"  It's going too fast!  I only have 4 months left?!  What?  NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!  Go back!
But it's okay.

We finished the Book of Mosiah today.

And I'm really sorry, but I accidentally left home the list of questions that Mom and Ash sent me in the mail this week.  So I'll have to answer them next week.

I feel like I've gotten worse at giving information to you about what I'm doing because it's just normal missionary life, and I don't remember what it's like to not be living this way.  That fact alone really terrifies me about no longer living this life.... I need an adjusting to nametag-less life plan.  Otherwise I will have no purpose, and I will grow fat on the couch.  That's not really an okay thing to do, and I don't want to live that way.  So I'll work on that plan, and y'all can research ways to stay busy for free on google.  Good plan?  I think yes.

Great.  Go forth! :)

This is rambling.  Is that okay?

I'm sorry really!!!!  I've just sort of run out of things to write about, and to say.  I don't know what's wrong.  This has never happened before, but the last few weeks, I've just not had a lot left to say.  Maybe I've reached an all new level of succinctness, where I just don't say anything.  This email is not a good example.

Thank you for all that you do, and all of your support!  You are wonderful, and I love you, and pray for you often.

Love Always and Forever,

Sister Amber Garvin

Shout out to Brother Kelly: If you ever find this blog online, and read through it, make note of the fact that I'm mentioning you, and your haircut looks great!

(Brother Kelly is basically the dad of the missionaries here in The OBX.  He'd love to see a post of him online. :)  So you have approval to put it online. :)

HELLO Brother Kelly!!!!   

map of the area...... (posted by my mom)

Urgent Care, 21 Photos and...Our Area boundaries! :)

with my cute sister Ashley  :)

Tada!  Sister Garvin is on a rollllll!!!!  So that one time when I realized that I've been to the Urgent care with all of my companions.... It's continued.  I must be bad luck for other people, or I just take really good care of me. :)  On Saturday, Sister Petrie fell down the stairs and fractured her finger.  We spent the afternoon in the Urgent Care yesterday because we could see that the swelling was right at her knuckle, and we had a medic look at it and he said that we should check it out, so we did.  We met a nurse from California, and from Idaho.  It was pretty neat.

 

We also found out that our area is probably 4 hours long (from top to bottom) and at the most 10 minutes wide.  Pretty crazy.  We had a few extra miles, and drove to the bottom of our area (almost)  Hatteras.  We saw the lighthouse, and we took a picture.  We were going to go to Ocracoke which is the very bottom, but it required that we wait in line for an hour to take a 40 minute long ferry.  And we were hungry and out of time.  So we didn't go all the way out there.

 

Pretty amazing though.  There were points where it looked like a sandbank on one side, and water on the other side of the road.  That's when it was about 100 feet wide. :)  That's probably an exaggeration... Just kidding.

 

I have to write letters now.  Today we are really busy.

 

I will send you off with a little short message.

 

Mosiah chapters 3 & 4.

Bodie Island Light Station

 

We read them today, and it all testifies of the Atonement.

 

I'm seeing more and more the patterns of repentance in missionary service, and what I need to continue to strive to become.

  

Also I love you.

 

Sorry.  I forgot what I was going to say today, so this is really short. 

 

Sorry, mom.... I was going to try to be more informative.  Will you and the kids just compile a list of questions?  then I can send you a list of responses of things that you want to know.

 

I love you!

 

Bye!

 

Love,

Sister Garvin

 

 

Sister Petrie and Sister Garvin at the Beach

 

Sister Missionaries - at the beach....

Bird Formation

The beach

Bodie Island Light Station

Ashley's photo at the light house

Bike Riding...

Sister Garvin and Sister Petrie

 

Service Project - something was funny.....

Cleaning the pool we found a turtle and named him 'Tiger'

Service Project with Hermana Hayward

The Spanish Sisters:  Pugman and Valdez

Little goslings..... (is that what they're called?)