Ode to Rain, Manteo Aquarium, Atonement of Christ, Imperfect People, Life of each ONE!

One time in Rocky Mount I wrote an "Ode to the Rain".

I don't really know what an ode is, but I know that it's related to music somehow, and also... today would be an appropriate day to sing that particular ode.

(insert from my mom)

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

ode

ōd/

noun

noun: ode; plural noun: odes

1. a lyric poem in the form of an address to a particular subject, often elevated in style or manner and written in varied or irregular meter.

   • historical

     a poem meant to be sung.

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

The sky is black.  The rain is falling, and I left my good umbrella in the car.

Good news, the wind doesn't look like it's blowing too hard, so the umbrella that I do have will probably be sufficient for today.  I don't think that it will turn itself inside out.  But there is only room for one missionary.... not two.... so we'll see how that works out as a companionship. ;)

We are going to the Manteo Aquarium today.  I've been waiting for this moment FOREVER!  I'm so excited!  I hope that the dinosaur exhibit is still there..... animatronic dinosaurs.... BEST. DAY. EVER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

No spider stories this week.

There is a toad story though... several of them.

Frog story: I found one in an outdoor sink, and in an effort to save it's life I found it jumped on my  shoulder, and I was so startled that I froze, and just walked to where it would be safe so that it would jump off of me.

Toad story: It jumped into the garage that our laundry room is in, before we get into our house, and hit underneath the dryer.  I don't know if it is still there, but I prayed that the Lord would lead him out of the garage so that he wouldn't die there.

So I'm just going to assume that prayer was answered.

I learned an important lesson this morning actually.

Remember the talk given in April conference "What were you thinking?"  Well I get annoyed when people just say that line over and over again, but it's a wonderful talk. 

Yesterday in Church we were talking about being offended, and the lessons that we can learn from 

General Conference.  A sister that was visiting brought up that talk, and spoke about the different perspectives that people have. 

Mis-Judgement has seemed to be a theme this week. 

There are so many people that have left the church or are considering doing so because of some mis-judgement that has occurred.  I feel to share a couple of messages about that.

Also I'm going to finish that in another email in case the power goes out.  I want you to get something from me.....

To be continued....

Continuation.....

Well here:

"Come, Join With Us!" --Elder Deiter F. Uchtdorf

"What Are You thinking?" --(Elder Zwick)

"2 Nephi 4:16-35"

Let's have a little thought here to connect all the above named sources.

First,  "...imperfect people are all the God has ever had to work with..."(Elder Holland, "Lord, I Believe") and most often, if we looked at ourselves through the lense of judgement that we project onto other people, our eyes would be opened, and we'd be severely chastised.

Second. We never really do know what people are thinking.  What they do makes sense to them, and before saying something unkind, or giving our opinion of what we think they should do we should follow the counsel of President Monson, and try to see them through a lense of true, Christlike charity. (See: April 2014 General Conference address)

Third.  Let's just face it; Nobody is anything without the Atonement of Jesus Christ.  If that were taken away we'd each be miserable, unable to measure up to anything, and directionless.

Fourth, because each of us fails to measure up perfectly to our potential every time we are all hypocrites. ("Come, Join With Us!")

Fifth, We see each other in a mere speck of time in the wide spanse of eternity.  You just don't know what is ever in a persons heart.  But it always turns out better if you try to know what is in their heart before putting a "dot" on them (Max Lucado "You Are Special")

I know with my whole heart that each soul truly "is precious in the sight of God", and that God's glory is to "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man." (Moses 1:39)

Heavenly Father knows our hearts.  He know us by name, and he sees us for the span of eternity, and who we are becoming. 

In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

All these things have I learned through a long thought process, doing the dishes, eating peanut butter toast, and sweeping the kitchen floor.

I hope that there is a heart in the world that reads this and feels strength from it.  Everything about the work of salvation is about reaching out to ONE, and touching the life of ONE.

It is my ONE that generations are changed whether for good or bad.

Sending my love your way, and beware!  You only have 29 days to strengthen your cores enough to handle how tightly I'm going to hug you.   So get you to some abdomen exercises!

Love Forever,

Sister Garvin

Good song: "No one knows my heart" Jessie Clark Funk

      (Read more of their missionary adventures from her wonderful companion Sister Carlson)

Dolphins at Sunrise, Overflowing Mailbox, Car Accident, Power in Unity

Whew wee!  Today marks 35 days left, and next Monday I'll be at 29.  This is going by WAY too fast!

 

This week many things happened.

 

We saw dolphins at sunrise at the beach of the Atlantic ocean.

 

A HUMONGOUS zipper spider made his home in the frame of our front door.

 

We saved the lives of various tree frogs.

 

We sang off key in the car on purpose.

 

President Baker called us on the phone.

 

We learned that at some point we will be moving, hopefully.

Hermana Haywood received a transfer call and will be going to Elizabeth City, which is                        super close to here.

 

Hermana Gray is coming here..... I don't know her.
 

Mail did not come on Monday.  So I'm expecting the mailbox to be overflowing tomorrow.....           Maybe that's too high of an expectation.......    Well...... Vision precedes goals....... So my vision is to have an overflowing mailbox, and my goal is to receive mail.
 

Good plan.

 

Oh.... And I drove into a fence.  Don't worry.  No one was hurt.  And the woman that works at the body shop used to live by the Church in Portsmouth.  So it was actually miraculous.  Now we get to talk with her about the restored gospel!  Go team Gospel!
 

Yay!

 

I think that those are the most historic/eventful/unique things that happened this week.

 

I wrote some more things in my letter to Andrew this week.

 

Our Zone set a goal to have 5 baptisms in the month of September, to teach 100 lessons in one week by the end of the month, and to invite everyone to be baptized in the first of second lesson. 

 

We had a zone fast, and by the end of the day there were 9 new people that were set with baptismal dates in the zone.

 

It's pretty incredible the power that there is in unity, and real-intent.  I know that Heavenly Father is so aware of us, and is hearing and answering our prayers.  It just all has to happen in His time.

Which is better anyway because we have a time table limited by a life span, and His time is measured by eternity--which is basically limitless-- so His way is always better.

 

I started my very last planner yesterday.  That was sad.

 

I'm sad that I have limited time left.  For such I long time I felt like it would never run out.  I know that God is preparing me for the next phase of the work, and that is my return home.  So I know that things will be okay.  I just hope that I will have lots of things to do because it's really hard to learn how to do nothing after doing the most worthwhile thing for the last 17 months.
 

Well,
 

That's my epistle for the week.

 

Also a really wonderful Mormon Message.

http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=1789679612001

Kay... Love you.

Gotta go for the day...

Bye!

Love,
Sister Garvin

AWESOME WEEK!!! Obedience, Standards of Excellence, Playing the Piano, Spanish Branch, Lord's Kingdom on Earth

Before I forget: Since Labor Day is next weekend, I will be emailing on Tuesday.  It will probably be later in the day, so I may not be able to chat back and forth, but I'll write home.  Promise. :)

Sisters Carlson and Garvin - Nag's Head, NC - Beach

I sort of regret sending the letter home last week that I did.  I'm really sorry that it was so negative.  I was just really grumpy that day, and it showed in my interactions with everyone on email.  I just wanted you to know that grumpiness doesn't last forever, and I've done a complete 180' to who I am today.
 

This week was truly incredible!  Sister Carlson and I are feeling so blessed.

 

We were able to reach almost all of our goals this week, and even exceeded our member present lesson goal.  We taught 7!  It was so great!  This week we've had the highest numbers in this area for the whole year so far.  And our zone exceeded the number of member presents total for the zone ever.  What a wonderful thing to feel that we've contributed in small part to the work in our zone.  

 

Our vision truly has been raised as we've focused on the Standards of Excellence.  I'm so grateful for President Baker's inspiration and reliance on the Spirit of God to help increase our faith in building, not just maintaining the Lord's Kingdom on earth.

Sisters Garvin and Carlson - (In the humidity)

 

I have a relate-able experience to share with you mom....

 

The Hermanas in our area a trying SO hard to start up a Spanish branch.  There are not many Spanish speaking members, and it's very difficult for them.  We felt impressed to go to their Sacrament Meeting last night, and it was such a special experience!

Here's the relate-able part:  I got to play the piano!  Boy.... I'm sure grateful that it was one of the electric ones that had the hymns already programmed in.... All I had to do was hit one key on the keyboard and count right.  Piano lessons paid off as far as understanding counting and time signatures!  :)
 

I didn't understand most of the meeting.  Bless our dedicated members.  We had several that speak no Spanish come just to support the branch.  It was so sweet.  Our Bishop is doing an amazing job.  He conducts in Spanish and reads off a card to say things right, and he's been practicing.

 

There was an English member that was asked to give a talk, and he consulted his daughter-in-law from Mexico to prepare.

 

The Spirit was strong, and was not bound by a language  barrier.  You could feel that.

 

There was one investigator that came, and he said the same thing.

 

We had 4 investigators at Sacrament meeting!!!!  I don't think that has ever happened to me on a mission!  There was a part member family that we've been teaching as well as an investigator that we just met last week.

 

We know that Heavenly Father loves us so much.  I feel that so strongly.  There were so many things that happened, not because we did anything different-- or discovered some secret recipe for missionary work, but because we were so set on being exactly obedient (No exception!).  We know that our week was good because we were trying so hard to be diligent.  The Holy Ghost bore witness to us both of that.

 

That's all I have for this week! 

 

It's the Last week of August, and I have only 6 weeks left. AHHHHHHHHHH!

 

Love forever,

Sister Garvin

Sisters w/youth- including Whitney who was recently baptized

Sister Missionaries  :)

At park with "Big Fish".  We read the Book of Mormon there with some members.

Bodie Lighthouse!  Sisters Garvin and Carlson

Cupcakes for Someone's birthday

Hard Week, Delicious Shrimp, CTR acronymns, The Currant Bush, Be Happy

Hello there Family.

This week feels like it's been the most hardest week of my life.  I've had people yell at me, criticize me, miss appointments, yadda yadda (well that last one is not really new.) Also, today, I received my 'trunky' papers via email.

Worst day ever.  The rest of it will be good though.

There were some good things though.  We had an investigator come to Sacrament Meeting.  We found a new investigator, we ate delicious shrimp from a delicious deli owned by the Mayor.  That was good.  We also watched some really uplifting Mormon messages.  I'd like to share this one.  It's basically the story of my life the past week....

http://www.mormonchannel.org/mormon-channel-daily/213?v=1839005837001 

It's called "The Will of God" and is the story of a Currant bush that got cut down.  But the moral is that God knows who each of us need to be, and knows that we will be happy being that person.  So sometimes He cuts us down when we are trying to be something we're not intended to be so that He can shape us into the thing that will make us the most happy.

We also spent the car ride home from our district meeting making acronyms for CTR.  Here are  a few.  Some we cannot take credit for.

Christ The Redeemer

Current Temple Recommend

Choose To be Ready

Called To Repent

Cause to Rejoice

Come to Rest

Called to rescue

Curb the Rebellion (AKA Apostasy...)

Claim the Redemption

Called To Reach out

Carry the Righteous

Celebrate the Restoration

Courage to Repent

Courage to Receive

Cleansed through Repentance/righteousness

Claim the reward

Count the Reasons

Personal favorites:

Contact, Tract, Role-play

Contact the Referral

So here is wisdom for today.  CTR!!!! :)

Sometimes I complain at the beginning of my letter.  Rest assured,  I do know better.  But sometimes journaling just doesn't do it for me.  I've gotta get it out.  And by the end of my letters I'm feeling encouraged and motivated to do a little better. :)

So I feel better now I think.

I read many things this morning related to missionary work.  Alma 38, Doctrine and Covenants 12-17, some favorite talks and Preach My Gospel.  Here is a bit of revelation that I received this morning.  It's not meant to stress people out okay?  I'm just sharing something that matters to me.

Its this:

President Baker has told us that we are here to build the kingdom, not just to maintain it.

So, if we are rewarded according to our works, and all we are working here is to maintain things and "putter around", we'll be rewarded with a place that we can "putter".  A stagnant place meant for not progressing and making changes sounds like a terrible state of being if you ask me, and I'm resolved to build. 

Now, I've had only 1 baptism.  And people may say that building the kingdom of God just means that we baptize everyone.  Let me direct you to Preach My Gospel Chapter 1.  Building the Kingdom is measured by your commitment to do what the Lord has asked.

Now think of your most favorite thing in the whole wide world.  Are you committed to it? Do you practice it?  Does it absorb you?  Well, then you are committed.

Now ask yourself this.  Am I committed to the promises that I have made with God who is the almighty being of the universe?  Do you practice it?  Does it absorb you?

Or is it just for Sundays and Wednesday night activities?

This week I am going to be thinking about what it really means to me to be committed, and not to just putter in maintaining the kingdom (which I don't think I do, but can be easy to get in the mindset of).  

I will build it this week. 

Ask me if I'm serious.

(notice that that was not a question)

I will report on the success, and miracles that we see next week.  

Thank you all for being here, for responding favorably to my request for quotes, and for enduring another episode of the Garvin Soapbox.

Just wait until I get home.  It's better in person.

I have to get off the computer now.

I love you still!

Love,

Sister Garvin

Read more about Sister Garvin and Sister Carlson 

here on Sister Carlson's Blog

Quote Book, Ups and Downs, Preach My Gospel, His Grace is Sufficient

I'm trying to make a quote book and write a quote that is really good each day.  I've fallen behind, because in all honesty I don't have time to look.  So I wondered if y'all would send me 20 or so quotes in the mail?  It can be over time.... I need about 70 more. :)

I'm going to be brief this week.  I'm about out of time.

I've just learned a lot from reading several talks this week.

"Living a Life, of Peace, Joy, and Purpose" Elder Richard G Scott

"His Grace is Sufficient" Brad Wilcox

"Bear up their Burdens with Ease" Elder David A Bednar

"Preach My Gospel"

I've found myself being a downer this week.  Dumb I know.  I know I know better, but I dont always do what I know-- which has been declared before.  So.... whatever.  :)

Anyway, there have been a lot of things to laugh about this week because I have a great companion, and we have similar senses of humor.

There is a shining experience that I had this week though.  I flat out told a guy that we were there as representatives of Jesus Christ to invite him to repent, to come back to church, and to keep his covenants.  I felt good about it.  But sometimes being that bold makes me shake a little bit.  I'm not sure if it's the Spirit, or if I just get fired-up.  It was a powerful teaching moment though.

In Alma it talks about using boldness, but not overbearance.  I looked through some of my old notes from meetings, etc.... and I read something that I had written a few months ago. 

"The difference between boldness, and over-bearance is the intent behind it." 

Elder Holland states in Preach my Gospel that " if we listen with love we wont need to wonder what to say.  It will be given us by the Spirit, and by our friends."

I re-learned that to be true.

This mission has been full of ups and downs. 

I learned from some of my past companions about multiple baptisms, and great success in their areas, and I don't have all those things under my belt.  It can be easy to compare my weaknesses to their strengths.  But I do have a strength.  I've been a part of the journey of each of the amazing, incredible people that are inviting so many to come unto Christ, and I am so grateful that they are having these miraculous experiences. Because I'm willing to have the ones that I'm having.  And they are willing to have the ones that they are having.... Also, there are mighty miracles wrought every day.  They are here.  They are evident if I but have the eyes to see them.

I don't know if that makes a lot of sense in words, as it does in my head.

Well.... Hopefully someone will learn something from that.

I'm making a conscious decision this week to only compare my strengths and weaknesses to what Heavenly Father expects of me right now, where I am in life.  That is all that I need anyway.

Sending love and hugs,

Sister Garvin

Go to this website for some uplifting music.

https://www.lds.org/youth/music?cid=YS-F-musicteaser&lang=eng

And for some inspirational memes, quotes, and photos.

https://www.lds.org/media-library/images?lang=eng 

Kay, Bye!

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. 
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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