Short and Sweet

Hiya there everyone!

 

I promise to keep this email short, sweet, and quite simple. Promise! (plus I don't have like any time to email. We have to rush home, get some lunch, then head to the Aquarium).

 

So let me start off with some highlights of the week!

 

First off, miracles are occuring around here in Sandy like no other. This always seems to happen too like right beofre transfers take place. They are next week BTW. AH! I most likely could be leaving Sandy, but then again, who really knows? God. So yesterday we were in Ward Council and a Bishop brought up that there is a guy named Borhan that's been attending church for the past year, on and off, and came up to him and asked if he could be baptized and how it can be done. WHAT?! Gold Investigator. They are real guys! We are going to contact him tonight, ask when we can meet with him and GET HIM BAPTIZED!

 

Next! We met this Less Active member named Karen. She hasn't been to church for the past 3 to 4 months or so. Her Home Teacher asked us to go by and visit her and invite her to come to church with us. So we did, it took the third time for her finally to be home, but she was! We went in, got to know her and shared a scripture on the power of the Atonement of Christ. We then extended the invitation for her to come to church! She said, "yes...I know. I know that's where I need to be." Doesn't this sound might familiar? Same story as Reed's practically! So AWESOME! We then said a closing prayer and offered to pick her up and bring her to church. So we did! Showed up at 12:45pm and she was all ready :) everyone was so happy to see her there again! They embraced her with arms wide open.

 

Zane is on date to be baptized the 7th and he is just so excited. This week we did this really fun lesson with him, Lesson 3 (The Gospel of Jesus Christ), and basically put a paper world on the ground and about 10 feet away we put a paper Celestial Kingdom. We asked him if he thought he could jump from earth to heaven in one jump...he said, "uhh yeah!!" So he tried, didn't make it. Tried again, oh but wait...he didn't make it. haha so we asked him if it would be easier if he had stepping stones to help him reach the Celestial Kingdom. Of course it would be!! So the first Step was Faith, then Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and lastly...Enduring to the end! With those stepping stones, he was able to make it to heaven. That was a fun lesson, I always learn something new when we are teaching it. Any way, I attached a picture of him jumping around from each one. It's adorable! We are so excited for his baptism :) so is he!!

 

And lastly, Anika and Sam. So these two kids are actually in a Stake that a set of Elder's in our District cover. Anika is 10 and Sam is 8. Sam is being baptized the 8th and their mom wanted the Elder's to come and teach Anika too and invite her to be baptized the same day as her brother. Well, the Elder's went to teach her and invited her to be baptized that day and she just started crying and begging her mom not to do it. She also had a problem with being baptized the same day, she doesn't feel that would make her feel special. She is a VERY intelligent girl, knows the bible well. It's amazing! But any way, so the Elder's contacted our District Leader and said that they felt that Anika was intimidated by them, so the Zone leader's talked to our Mission President and he said that it would be a good idea for the Sister's (us) to teach her a lesson and see how she reacts. So we did, we went and taught them. It must have been a complete 360 degree turn around! All of a sudden she was sharing insights with us, she was participating in the lesson, well engauged. She also accepted the invitation to be baptized the same day as her brother! She even prayed in the lesson to know if the Book of Mormon is true. it was a beautiful prayer! Any way, we reported the the DL and told him how it went. Anika and Sam decided, after talking to their mom, that they would like us to continue teaching them. That was amazing seeing the change come about her :) she is excited about the gospel! Excited to read the commiments that we leave with her. What a miracle! Their baptisms are this weekend! Wahoo!!

 

Guess I didn't keep this as short as I hoped... but you all have even a slight glimpse of the mighty mighty miracles that are taking place! And I know that it's because we are truly seeking the Spirit to guide us to those who are ready, to teach us, to bring the words to our mind and to our mouth that we are to teach. I can promise right now that missionary work is not all dandy and giddy and happy all the time. But what would be joy without experiencing the trials of a mission or of life? Someone here in the mission once told me that joy is found when we experience the trials in going up hill, but then we recignize what we can do to help us overcome, and then we use the Atonement to overcome, thus to help us CHANGE. Then, that is when we truly experience the Joy of life, of the gospel. I know am blessed to know that the Savior is always beside me, comforting me in times of need and leading us to those whom He would like us to share this glorious message to.

 

Bless each of you! Have a marvelous week :) remember who you are and always always stand up for what you believe.

 

Peace, love, and a handshake from...

 

Sister Garretson

 

Oh! And I got to sing in a sacrament meeting yesterday...it was an amazing experience! My voice is well appreciated here and it makes me feel good. I know that's a talent that My Father gave to me to touch the hearts and souls of many out here.