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