Testimony.

"And behold, He shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem...she being a virgin, precious and chosen vessel...and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God. And He shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith He will take upon Him the pains and sicknesses of His people. And He will take upon Him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind His people; and he will take upon Him their infirmities, that His bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh...that He may know how to succor His people according to their infirmities."

~Alma 7:10-12~

If there is one thing that I have grown in an understanding of more this week, than anything else, it's that Jesus Christ didn't just take upon Him the sins of His people but also the sicknesses and afflictions of which we also have as trials and challenges. 

Both Sister Justus and I spoke in the Willow Hills Sacrament meeting yesterday and the talk of which I prepared was actually meant for the previous Sunday's Sacrament meeting, but Sister J was sick and we were unable to make it there. So we used our same talks we previously prepared, for yesterday's Sacrament Meeting. We came up with a theme together on how it is that we can Hasten the Work of Salvation in our daily lives. We also invited the Stake President to come to the meeting as well and he did! President Castleton, he's the greatest!

Sister J focused on the new Discovery Center and how we can Hasten the Work through doing Family History work. I have a strong testimony of that as well, so I was very happy to see her stand up there and speak on that. As for myself, I wasn't too sure what to talk on. But then I got to thinking...if we don't have a strong and sure testimony of this Gospel, with regards to the Restoration and the Book of Mormon and even the first Prophet in the Latter-Days Joseph Smith, how is it that we can even find the strength to Hasten the Work in building up Zion? That's what my talk was centered around, around our testimonies and having a sureness of them. Here's an excerpt: 

"Brother's and Sister's, now is the time that we re-evaluate what the Gospel of Jesus Christ means to us! We need to ask ourselves.. What is it about the Gospel that I know is true? Why does this Gospel mean so much to me that I spend a countless time of effort towards it? Why does it bring me so much endless joy and happiness? And for some, why do I desire for my children to be baptized? If we take the time to realize how it's touched our hearts, our desires will grow tenfold in wanting it to share it with our neighbors and friends. And that's another thing.. Our desires are to align for this to be possible. Our will Has to align for this to be possible. Align to what? To The Father's Desires and Will. For us. Our testimonies of The Message of The Restoration is what sets us apart from the other church's all over the world. And us, all of you and I, have had the privilege to be blessed with the knowledge of it. Just as Elder Eyring said in the Women's First General Broadcast, that we are some of the "favored few" that know of the truth here on Earth. And that He gave us help to not go through it alone. I would like to share with you the testimony of the Prophet Alma to the people of Gideon...."

The scripture I opened this email with was the testimony of which Alma bore. After I shared this, I told the people in the congregation that the Spirit has bore witness to me that each of you know the truths of this everlasting Gospel, just as it bore witness to Alma for the people of Gideon. He said in verse 17, "..I know ye believe them; and the way that I know that ye believe them is by the manifestation of the Spirit which is in me...great is my joy." 

I know that each of you that read this email, that know and have an understanding of the Gospel or maybe don't, we can merely be instruments in the Lord's hands in helping to Hasten His Work in these last days preparatory to His coming again to the Earth. I am so grateful I was able to share this glorious message with the members in the Willow Hills Ward. I also was able to sing the hymn "The Light Divine." What an absolutely beautiful hymn. Brought tears to my eyes to know that my talent is truly a gift of Christ's spirit and I am and will always use it to build up His Kingdom here on the Earth!

Back to the testimony I have within me of Christ suffering ALL things for us, there's a quote from President Thomas S. Monson's talk called "I Will Not Fail Thee, nor Forsake Thee." He said, "Our Heavenly Father, who gives us so much to delight in, also knows that we learn and grow and become stronger as we face and survive the trials through which we must pass. We know that there are times when we will experience heartbreaking sorrow, when we will grieve, and when we may be tested to our limits. However, such difficulties allow us to change for the better, to rebuild our lives in the way our Heavenly Father teaches us, and to become something different from what we were—better than we were, more understanding than we were, more empathetic than we were, with stronger testimonies than we had before." These are the trials that we MUST face, remember that. They are to bring us closer to Him and His goodness and to taste of His love and mercy.

I hope that this email brings unto each you great joy and a better understanding of your self-worth to our Father in Heaven. Thank you for giving me endless support, comfort, and counsel. I extend all my love to each and every one of you! Have a bright and joyful week!

With all love and humility,

Sister Garretson

March 10 Letter

"Humility is not a sign of weakness, it is a sign of spiritual strength."

-I stand in need at all times for support and strength from the Lord. I by no means can do this work alone. I cannot say any good that I do is from my own doing, it's all from The Lord. Being humble includes always showing Him that my good is from Him, always. But often times we find in the world that we'd like to take recognition for the good that we do. If we think of what GOOD even is, it's God. It's from Him, it's part of Him, it is HIM. I have had to humbly admit that I cannot get through a day without His strength, His Spirit, and His love working through me. Even Christ was humble enough in saying, "I can of mine own self do nothing...I seek not my own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me" (John 5:30).-

What a joy and honor it is to find myself writing to you all once again!

Just to let each and every one of you know, I pray for you daily! I pray that your Father in Heaven will pour out His blessings and love upon you so abundantly and always show you how special you are to Him :)

  

As far as how I am doing...well, let me just inform you all!!

My FIRST baptism was this past weekend!! Yes, Kirsten was BAPTIZED!!! AHHH!! Kirsten is now a Member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints! The Baptism in itself was such a beautiful and humbling experience for both Sister Wight and I, and all those who came to support her. To have seen all the things that have taken place in her life to help her reach this very point, it's incredible. She is a neat girl and has such a strong testimony of what this gospel means to her! She was always searching for something that she felt was missing and when she met with us she said that THIS, this gospel, was exactly what she was missing :) So she was able to enter into a covenant with her Father in Heaven and receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost. She was just absolutely glowing when she rose up out of the water. Sister Wight and I sang "Come Follow Me" after the talk on Baptism, and I could not even sing for the first little bit. An influx of memories and emotions came over me and I looked Kirsten in the eyes standing up there and I just lost it. But with strength from above I was able to pull through and we finished it. Her story is quite similar to mine and to have been a part of her conversion has reminded me of how much Heavenly Father loves me and prepared me so perfectly for that special time as well. It seems like it was just yesterday that I was entering the waters of Baptism right after the Easter Activity we had as a Ward on April 7th, 2012! I know that the only way that we can return to live with Our Father in Heaven and His Son Jesus Christ again is if we follow the Savior's example and are baptized by the proper Priesthood authority. And how blessed are we to have Christ's church again restored to the Earth again with that same Priesthood authority!

So the love that Heavenly Father has for Kirsten and her decision to do this has just shown through Sister Wight and I. What joy has filled our hearts to have witnessed this beautiful miracle! I'll attach pictures to this email :)

Funny story though, after she was baptized and went to go dry off and change...we followed her into the bathroom and we found her standing there dripping.. Haha she forgot a towel! Oh my goodness it was funny! So I went to the closet with all the baptismal dresses and jumpsuits and found the few that would absorb water the best. So i'm rushing them into her in the stall to give them to her to dry off! It was seriously the funniest thing ever :) she's so cute! And her boyfriend Ryan, that baptized her, he forgot one too.. I mean THAT makes sense for a man to forget! ;) haha just kidding! But I guess she was pretty overwhelmed with her BIG DAY she just forgot. But any way, thought that was too cute of her :) And Sat. evening we went by her boyfriend and his families house and put sticky notes all over the door.. i'll attach a pic! :)

SO! Transfers are this week.. we find out tomorrow what the dealio is. I have come to grips that I could possibly be leaving the area, but the best part to know that brings such great comfort, is that our Mission President receives revelation for who goes where! So I know wherever I am assigned to go, or stay at, it's where i'm meant to be. It'll be great regardless! Plus, Sister Wight has taught me well and has helped me transition into the missionary lifestyle. We have grown so much with one another as well. She's a doll! Even though it may be rough at times, it happens. It happens when you're with someone 24/7. But I know that it's a lesson that I am learning for when I am with my Eternal Companion someday. So, I am most indeed grateful for her and for all the love and support she has shown me.

Get This. Ready?!?!? My Great Great Grandfather's Temple work was done in 1998, in the Logan Temple! WHAT THE??? :D :D :D

Do you understand what the means! Someone in my family has to be LDS somewhere down the line...mysteries...hmmm... when I found this out I about fell over to the ground. I was absolutely freaking out! Brother Bunyon is his name :) Isn't that so cool?? I love love love doing Family History work and both my comp and I have been blessed with The Discovery Center that opened in the Stake we serve in. It's been such a great tool in getting those who we are trying to teach involved with the Church, in a simple yet big way. So that way we can invite them to that center to find and learn about their ancestors! Even myself, i've been able to go to this center and do some of my family work for a couple hours a week. I mean, that's how I found out about my Greatx2 Grandfather having his work done!! And don't worry, i'll findout somehow who did it :) Yay!! But, the thing is.. he's the only one who had it done. Not his wife or even his 9 kids were, so I need to figure that out. Any way, just wanted you all to know that!

The work is picking up in the area! We have found a girl who is in a family who just decided over a month ago to start coming to church again and be active! She isn't baptized :) so much potential! There really are people just waiting...waiting for us to seek the Spirit and be worthy of the Spirit, to lead and guide us to the hearts of those who are ready to receive the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ! :)

Thank you for all of your prayers! I can feel how much each of you care for me. I know Heavenly Father loves you all and wants to see you with a big beautiful smile on your faces!! :D

Have a beautiful week! ( sorry it was a bit long...i'm just so pumped up! :)

Love always,

Sister Garretson