Where's the bookstore over here? Is it by the Temple? I wish we could go when we have our temple trips. Oh, the service project's on the web now. The group picture might be a little small, I'm not sure, but I'm in the bright yellow in the back more to the left. And if you see a guy in orange that's Don, he's one of our investigators and he brought his son Matthew, he's on Don's right. Also can I get my priesthood line of authority? We've talked about the priesthood in Gospel essentials two Sundays ago and the teacher talked about the priesthood line of authority. As I thought about it it almost seems like a second patriartical blessing haha.
Yeah I got a tie, and a planner that he (Temy) made. Well he put a couple pictures on it (the planner).
Kaleen says that Scott has a picture with Bishop Bytheway also. From installing windows at his house. But he's my "best friend" so says an elder that I came out with. hahaha.
Yeah I got it (Daniel's present). I wasn't expecting bought CD's, I thought they were going to be burnt. It's still pretty cool and they are good CD's, thank you.
I feel bad, I totally forgot about his birthday. And I forgot to get you guys something for Christmas, I wanted to get something "southern" but they hardly have anything like that, at least where I'm at because most people here aren't really that "southern" but I do think I know what to get, but I'd have to go to walmart so it might be awhile before it gets there.
Speaking of church how is it? Has it shrunk? I've told some people how small it is and they're surprised it's not a branch. I got the cards from you and the ward, thank you, and it's good to hear from the ward also.
-Elder Garcia
PS Paula Gerwien has pictures of us, she said she wanted our parents contact information so she could send you pictures and talk to you (or something like that) I forgot to give it to her. She probably has a facebook account, I don't know, everyone has a facebook by now. Actually I heard that 1/10 people in the whole world has a facebook now.
(Pictures of John Bytheway in GA)
He’s got two pictures on www.ctrlds.org from when John Bytheway came and spoke to the youth. Go the the “LDS Roswell Stake Activities” and then go to the sub-album “John Bytheway”. He is on the last page.
I'm not finding the pictures of the service project he talks about. I'll keep looking, or ask him to find out how and where they posted them.
Tuesday, December 21, 2010
Tuesday, December 14, 2010
Bits and pieces from several emails ~ the last part is all he had for his blog.
[How's the weather?]
It snowed yesterday (Sunday), it wasn't bad, it didn't really stick to the ground, it looks like it's kinda snowing right now but there's no clouds. I just don't get the weather out here.
[What Ward are you serving in?]
Webb Bridge, the areas are too big to cover another ward, unless you are the zone leader in the Roswell Stake, they cover the ward they're in and the YSA in Atlanta, or where ever it's at.
[Elder Staton from Roswell Stake, GA (in Tyler's mission) is serving in the YSA branch on Fine Rd. It's a debate: Daniel says Staton, Tyler says Stanton]
It looks like Elder Stanton on his plaque.
In our mission it's either a 6 week boot, or you stay in an area from 6 to 9 months. Most missionaries stay in an area for 7 months. I've been in the Webb Bridge Ward for like 4 and a half months now.
mmmm. Do you get the Church News newspaper? The ward Christmas service project at Camp Twin Lakes will be in there sometime this month. We took a panoramic picture but I don't know if it'll be in there. There was about 280 members & nonmembers that showed up.
[It may be on lds.org under church news, too.]
[How's the weather?]
It snowed yesterday (Sunday), it wasn't bad, it didn't really stick to the ground, it looks like it's kinda snowing right now but there's no clouds. I just don't get the weather out here.
[What Ward are you serving in?]
Webb Bridge, the areas are too big to cover another ward, unless you are the zone leader in the Roswell Stake, they cover the ward they're in and the YSA in Atlanta, or where ever it's at.
[Elder Staton from Roswell Stake, GA (in Tyler's mission) is serving in the YSA branch on Fine Rd. It's a debate: Daniel says Staton, Tyler says Stanton]
It looks like Elder Stanton on his plaque.
In our mission it's either a 6 week boot, or you stay in an area from 6 to 9 months. Most missionaries stay in an area for 7 months. I've been in the Webb Bridge Ward for like 4 and a half months now.
mmmm. Do you get the Church News newspaper? The ward Christmas service project at Camp Twin Lakes will be in there sometime this month. We took a panoramic picture but I don't know if it'll be in there. There was about 280 members & nonmembers that showed up.
[It may be on lds.org under church news, too.]
Monday, December 6, 2010
8:00 AM
It might take awhile to send letters. I've been stressed this last transfer. So I'm pretty tired or have gotten "lazy" to write people back. I almost feel no desire to do anything or have no energy. But I'm working on it. I'm still doing missionary work, don't get me wrong. We also have a baptism on the 18th which is exciting. This Saturday almost the whole ward[the ward is about 400] so about 300 people which include nonmember friends are going to Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, GA. We're doing this huge Service Project instead of having a ward Christmas party. It's not in our Zone but we got permission to go, it's an hour and a half drive. Camp Twin Lakes host things for all sorts of disabilities for kids. I don't know how you would say it but yeah. It's an all day thing too.
So, I'm not getting transfered and neither is my companion. We also had a specialized training on Friday and now our mission gets to go on Mormon.org and create our own profile, which is pretty cool, it might take awhile to be on there though. And we've basically been told to stop tracting, that was cool. Especially here it's doing more harm than good. We've also been asked to ask all our members to make a profile on Mormon.org. Statistics show that 86% of people in the US have negative views on the Church because other people have been telling our story so we've been asked to ask members to make a profile so we can tell our story. On the old Mormon.org the church was getting 100 chats a month but with the new one that came out in June the church is now getting like 10,000 chats a month. Some people in Calgary, Canada have flown into Utah to be baptized by the missionary who chatted with them. And also in New York, some people have flown in to Utah to be baptized by the missionary who chatted with them. It's time we tell our story.
-Elder Garcia
It might take awhile to send letters. I've been stressed this last transfer. So I'm pretty tired or have gotten "lazy" to write people back. I almost feel no desire to do anything or have no energy. But I'm working on it. I'm still doing missionary work, don't get me wrong. We also have a baptism on the 18th which is exciting. This Saturday almost the whole ward[the ward is about 400] so about 300 people which include nonmember friends are going to Camp Twin Lakes in Rutledge, GA. We're doing this huge Service Project instead of having a ward Christmas party. It's not in our Zone but we got permission to go, it's an hour and a half drive. Camp Twin Lakes host things for all sorts of disabilities for kids. I don't know how you would say it but yeah. It's an all day thing too.
So, I'm not getting transfered and neither is my companion. We also had a specialized training on Friday and now our mission gets to go on Mormon.org and create our own profile, which is pretty cool, it might take awhile to be on there though. And we've basically been told to stop tracting, that was cool. Especially here it's doing more harm than good. We've also been asked to ask all our members to make a profile on Mormon.org. Statistics show that 86% of people in the US have negative views on the Church because other people have been telling our story so we've been asked to ask members to make a profile so we can tell our story. On the old Mormon.org the church was getting 100 chats a month but with the new one that came out in June the church is now getting like 10,000 chats a month. Some people in Calgary, Canada have flown into Utah to be baptized by the missionary who chatted with them. And also in New York, some people have flown in to Utah to be baptized by the missionary who chatted with them. It's time we tell our story.
-Elder Garcia
Monday, November 29, 2010
7:37 AM
[How was your holiday?]
It was pretty good. We had a turkey bowl in the morning and we played at Alpharetta High on their astroturf. It was pretty fun. My team had the ball and the quarter back threw it to one of our players and there was someone from the other team right behind him and both didn't catch it and I was probably 5 feet behind them and somehow it landed in my arms, I didn't make a touchdown with it but it was pretty neat how that happened. And also near the end of the game I made a touchdown. For actual Thanksgiving day a family in the ward invited us over and we went to their parents house just south of our area. There was probably 18 people there plus my companion and I. The food was alright. The family who invited us asked Elder Jordan and I what kind of pie we wanted and I asked for Lemon Merange? and it didn't taste like it at all, it didn't even look like it, except for the white stuff on top, but it was still good to eat. We played a couple games, Lagratto? it's a card game and I don't know how to explain it. Then we played Aggravation, it's like parcheesy, it was pretty fun, it's 6 players and I was the 3rd to win. I think that's it for Thanksgiving Day. I've probably had 4 thanksgivings now. The first one was at the end of October and this guy in the ward fed us what seemed like a thanksgiving dinner, he's a good cook. The second one was at the beginning of this month, though it wasn't really Thanksgiving dinner though it smelled like it and it looked like it. Actual Thanksgiving day. And the fourth just last night. There's a lot to say about this family but I don't want to get into it but basically the son wanted his mothers thanksgiving dinner. The son's married and he went to his wife's family for Thanksgiving. And it was pretty good last night.
Also, can I buy a CD player? it's pretty quiet/boring in the appartment when we've almost gone a whole transfer without listening to anything.
[How was your holiday?]
It was pretty good. We had a turkey bowl in the morning and we played at Alpharetta High on their astroturf. It was pretty fun. My team had the ball and the quarter back threw it to one of our players and there was someone from the other team right behind him and both didn't catch it and I was probably 5 feet behind them and somehow it landed in my arms, I didn't make a touchdown with it but it was pretty neat how that happened. And also near the end of the game I made a touchdown. For actual Thanksgiving day a family in the ward invited us over and we went to their parents house just south of our area. There was probably 18 people there plus my companion and I. The food was alright. The family who invited us asked Elder Jordan and I what kind of pie we wanted and I asked for Lemon Merange? and it didn't taste like it at all, it didn't even look like it, except for the white stuff on top, but it was still good to eat. We played a couple games, Lagratto? it's a card game and I don't know how to explain it. Then we played Aggravation, it's like parcheesy, it was pretty fun, it's 6 players and I was the 3rd to win. I think that's it for Thanksgiving Day. I've probably had 4 thanksgivings now. The first one was at the end of October and this guy in the ward fed us what seemed like a thanksgiving dinner, he's a good cook. The second one was at the beginning of this month, though it wasn't really Thanksgiving dinner though it smelled like it and it looked like it. Actual Thanksgiving day. And the fourth just last night. There's a lot to say about this family but I don't want to get into it but basically the son wanted his mothers thanksgiving dinner. The son's married and he went to his wife's family for Thanksgiving. And it was pretty good last night.
Also, can I buy a CD player? it's pretty quiet/boring in the appartment when we've almost gone a whole transfer without listening to anything.
Monday, November 22, 2010
8:40 AM
I'm doing pretty good.
John Bytheway came to our mission to speak to the youth. The schedule was split into two days. We went on Saturday, and before he spoke to the youth he spoke to the missionaries and before that he was talking with some. One elder I was with wanted to shake his hand and meet him, but I didn't want to, but we did anyway. He asked me where I'm from and I said "Modesto, CA" because nobody's heard of good ol' little Ceres. But anyway he was like "Oh, there's an Elder Garcia that serves in our ward" and I replied "Is he short?" (sorry, that's probably bad) and he was like "yeah, I think he's shorter" and I reacted "HE'S MY BROTHER!" (hopefully it is the right Elder Garcia). He took me into the hallway and we took pictures and he said he would show Elder Garcia the pictures of us during church.
We don't tract on major holidays, or after 8 pm. It is super not effective and people get really mad. We have dinner with a family who's going to their family in Roswell, that's pretty fun.
What's happening for thanksgiving over there?
And what happened with the Governor of California and all that? Anyways...
Hope all is well and that's cool that the cast is coming off.
-Elder Garcia
I'm doing pretty good.
John Bytheway came to our mission to speak to the youth. The schedule was split into two days. We went on Saturday, and before he spoke to the youth he spoke to the missionaries and before that he was talking with some. One elder I was with wanted to shake his hand and meet him, but I didn't want to, but we did anyway. He asked me where I'm from and I said "Modesto, CA" because nobody's heard of good ol' little Ceres. But anyway he was like "Oh, there's an Elder Garcia that serves in our ward" and I replied "Is he short?" (sorry, that's probably bad) and he was like "yeah, I think he's shorter" and I reacted "HE'S MY BROTHER!" (hopefully it is the right Elder Garcia). He took me into the hallway and we took pictures and he said he would show Elder Garcia the pictures of us during church.
We don't tract on major holidays, or after 8 pm. It is super not effective and people get really mad. We have dinner with a family who's going to their family in Roswell, that's pretty fun.
What's happening for thanksgiving over there?
And what happened with the Governor of California and all that? Anyways...
Hope all is well and that's cool that the cast is coming off.
-Elder Garcia
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
(Sent Monday, Nov. 15th)
Everything is going ok. We have four people we're teaching...well technically three. One hasn't called us back in a while. He [my companion] and I, I would say, don't really see eye to eye at all, but we do get along.
[Note from Mom: I asked about his apartment.]
Yeah it's bottom floor on the corner facing the street. We have our own mailbox and there's separate boxes for packages. UPS drops it next to the appartment door. If you're looking at Google Earth or something, the mail box station is by the club house by the pool.
One other thing I'd like to mention here in this area. Whoever said there's road kill in Georgia or a stereotype is not a lie. There's a ton of road kill, I see it everyday, most are squirrels, I've seen two snakes, two owls which was weird, one deer or doe or faun I don't know, Bambi, plenty of possums, raccoons, but mostly squirrels. I've also biked next to deers. We were riding home one night and there were a couple of deers eating next to the road but they ran off when we went by, that was cool.
-Elder Garcia
Everything is going ok. We have four people we're teaching...well technically three. One hasn't called us back in a while. He [my companion] and I, I would say, don't really see eye to eye at all, but we do get along.
[Note from Mom: I asked about his apartment.]
Yeah it's bottom floor on the corner facing the street. We have our own mailbox and there's separate boxes for packages. UPS drops it next to the appartment door. If you're looking at Google Earth or something, the mail box station is by the club house by the pool.
One other thing I'd like to mention here in this area. Whoever said there's road kill in Georgia or a stereotype is not a lie. There's a ton of road kill, I see it everyday, most are squirrels, I've seen two snakes, two owls which was weird, one deer or doe or faun I don't know, Bambi, plenty of possums, raccoons, but mostly squirrels. I've also biked next to deers. We were riding home one night and there were a couple of deers eating next to the road but they ran off when we went by, that was cool.
-Elder Garcia
Monday, November 8, 2010
8:44 AM
All I really need is a v-neck sweater. The weather cooled down a lot, unusual for this time of the year. But I still wear the short sleeve shirts, I'll wear the rain coat jacket when we bike but I get hot and sweat so I take it off when we get to a place.
My companion and I get along most times, we have our arguments but we get over them, nothing too bad. Oh, cause when he said he was from Dana Point it sounded familiar so I thought Uncle Dana was named after that place. [Uncle Dana was named after an old actor named Dana Andrews]. I know of only one other companionship that were both from California. One is from LA and he's on the UGA campus now (University of Georgia-Athens, if you didn't know), I forgot how to spell his name. and Elder Butler who is from Hollister but he's home now. There's Elder Mendon who's from somewhere up by Chico and another elder from the bay area. I think that's it for the California elders I'm not sure if there's any others.
Blog:
Being out on a mission for 5 months I guess you can say I took the church for granted. Since I've been out I've learned so much. I found new meanings in things like baptism, hymns, baby blessings, etc. I've felt the Spirit more and I've learned to appreciate it. These three songs never really hit me till my mission.
I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.
I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,
That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.
I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,
That he should extend his great love unto such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.
I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!
Such mercy, such love, and devotion can I forget?
No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet.
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!
For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotentwho reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases.
And he shall cast out devils, or the evil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of men.
And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.
And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary.
-Mosiah 3:5-8
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
-John 15:13
I need thee every hour
Most gracious Lord.
No tender voice like thine
Can peace afford.
I need thee every hour;
Stay thou nearby.
Temptations lose their pow'r
When thou art nigh.
I need thee every hour,
In joy or pain.
Come quickly and abide,
Or Life is vain.
I need thee every hour,
Most holy One.
Oh, make me thine indeed,
Thou blessed Son!
I need thee, oh, I need thee;
Every hour I need thee!
Oh, bless me now, my Savior;
I come to thee!
Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in the righteousness.
-Psalm 143:1
Abide with me; 'tis eventide.
The day is past and gone;
The shadows of the evening fall;
The night is coming on.
Within my heart a welcome guest,
Within my home abide.
Abide with me; 'tis eventide.
Thy walk today with me
Has made my heart within me burn,
As I communed with thee.
Thy earnest words have filled my soul
And kept me near thy side.
Abide with me; 'tis eventide,
And lone will be the night
If I cannot commune with thee,
Nor find in thee my light.
The darkness of the world, I fear,
World in my home abide.
O Savior, stay this night with me;
Behold, 'tis eventide.
O Savior, stay this night with me;
Behold, 'tis eventide.
-Alma 5:44-48
3 Nephi 5:13
All I really need is a v-neck sweater. The weather cooled down a lot, unusual for this time of the year. But I still wear the short sleeve shirts, I'll wear the rain coat jacket when we bike but I get hot and sweat so I take it off when we get to a place.
My companion and I get along most times, we have our arguments but we get over them, nothing too bad. Oh, cause when he said he was from Dana Point it sounded familiar so I thought Uncle Dana was named after that place. [Uncle Dana was named after an old actor named Dana Andrews]. I know of only one other companionship that were both from California. One is from LA and he's on the UGA campus now (University of Georgia-Athens, if you didn't know), I forgot how to spell his name. and Elder Butler who is from Hollister but he's home now. There's Elder Mendon who's from somewhere up by Chico and another elder from the bay area. I think that's it for the California elders I'm not sure if there's any others.
Blog:
Being out on a mission for 5 months I guess you can say I took the church for granted. Since I've been out I've learned so much. I found new meanings in things like baptism, hymns, baby blessings, etc. I've felt the Spirit more and I've learned to appreciate it. These three songs never really hit me till my mission.
I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.
I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,
That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.
I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,
That he should extend his great love unto such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.
I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!
Such mercy, such love, and devotion can I forget?
No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet.
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!
For behold, the time cometh, and is not far distant, that with power, the Lord Omnipotentwho reigneth, who was, and is from all eternity to all eternity, shall come down from heaven among the children of men, and shall dwell in a tabernacle of clay, and shall go forth amongst men, working mighty miracles, such as healing the sick, raising the dead, causing the lame to walk, the blind to receive their sight, and the deaf to hear, and curing all manner of diseases.
And he shall cast out devils, or the evil spirits which dwell in the hearts of the children of men.
And lo, he shall suffer temptations, and pain of body, hunger, thirst, and fatigue, even more than man can suffer, except it be unto death; for behold, blood cometh from every pore, so great shall be his anguish for the wickedness and the abominations of his people.
And he shall be called Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Father of heaven and earth, the Creator of all things from the beginning; and his mother shall be called Mary.
-Mosiah 3:5-8
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
-John 15:13
I need thee every hour
Most gracious Lord.
No tender voice like thine
Can peace afford.
I need thee every hour;
Stay thou nearby.
Temptations lose their pow'r
When thou art nigh.
I need thee every hour,
In joy or pain.
Come quickly and abide,
Or Life is vain.
I need thee every hour,
Most holy One.
Oh, make me thine indeed,
Thou blessed Son!
I need thee, oh, I need thee;
Every hour I need thee!
Oh, bless me now, my Savior;
I come to thee!
Hear my prayer, O Lord, give ear to my supplications: in thy faithfulness answer me, and in the righteousness.
-Psalm 143:1
Abide with me; 'tis eventide.
The day is past and gone;
The shadows of the evening fall;
The night is coming on.
Within my heart a welcome guest,
Within my home abide.
Abide with me; 'tis eventide.
Thy walk today with me
Has made my heart within me burn,
As I communed with thee.
Thy earnest words have filled my soul
And kept me near thy side.
Abide with me; 'tis eventide,
And lone will be the night
If I cannot commune with thee,
Nor find in thee my light.
The darkness of the world, I fear,
World in my home abide.
O Savior, stay this night with me;
Behold, 'tis eventide.
O Savior, stay this night with me;
Behold, 'tis eventide.
-Alma 5:44-48
3 Nephi 5:13
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
1 Nov 10
7:51 AM
Is Uncle Dana named after Dana Point, California? If so, that's where my new companion is from. Elder Jordan
One thing that happened that was an awesome experience. We went to see a lady who knows this church is true and knows the Book of Mormon is true but she wasn't home. There's a member who lives around the corner from her. We were going to see them but I wasn't feeling too good about seeing them at that moment. So we left to tract another neighborhood and we met with one person but nothing else was happening. There's also another member in that neighborhood and we stopped by to see how they were doing and to help them with missionary work. After we left we decided to go back and see that one lady. She was finally home when we went back and we talked with her for a couple of minutes and we gave her a DVD for her husband (he got a little anti about sometime after they came to church once). And the DVD is about the Book of Mormon and "proof", I guess you can say, with artifacts in Guatamala. She said she would be at church if it wasn't for her husband and hopefully the DVD will soften him. After her, we went to the members place [that we skipped before] and this time I felt really good about seeing them. We went in and talked to the wife for a bit. Her youngest daughter was sick and after a couple of minutes of us being there she started coughing weird and stuff like that. The mom asked if my companion and I could give her a blessing. So we did, my companion anointed and I sealed. But what got me wasn't the actual blessing she asked us to give. It was us being there. Her husband found work in Utah and is there six months at a time and her oldest boy is a deacon and he wasn't home yet. So it got me how we came at the right time, to be there when they needed it most, because there's no priesthood in the house. After that experience I realized that Heavenly Father really is the Master Planner (I don't really know how else to say it) and that he guides us. And that really hit me hard after that.
-Elder Garcia
Is Uncle Dana named after Dana Point, California? If so, that's where my new companion is from. Elder Jordan
One thing that happened that was an awesome experience. We went to see a lady who knows this church is true and knows the Book of Mormon is true but she wasn't home. There's a member who lives around the corner from her. We were going to see them but I wasn't feeling too good about seeing them at that moment. So we left to tract another neighborhood and we met with one person but nothing else was happening. There's also another member in that neighborhood and we stopped by to see how they were doing and to help them with missionary work. After we left we decided to go back and see that one lady. She was finally home when we went back and we talked with her for a couple of minutes and we gave her a DVD for her husband (he got a little anti about sometime after they came to church once). And the DVD is about the Book of Mormon and "proof", I guess you can say, with artifacts in Guatamala. She said she would be at church if it wasn't for her husband and hopefully the DVD will soften him. After her, we went to the members place [that we skipped before] and this time I felt really good about seeing them. We went in and talked to the wife for a bit. Her youngest daughter was sick and after a couple of minutes of us being there she started coughing weird and stuff like that. The mom asked if my companion and I could give her a blessing. So we did, my companion anointed and I sealed. But what got me wasn't the actual blessing she asked us to give. It was us being there. Her husband found work in Utah and is there six months at a time and her oldest boy is a deacon and he wasn't home yet. So it got me how we came at the right time, to be there when they needed it most, because there's no priesthood in the house. After that experience I realized that Heavenly Father really is the Master Planner (I don't really know how else to say it) and that he guides us. And that really hit me hard after that.
-Elder Garcia
Monday, September 27, 2010
7:40 AM
Thanks for sending me my patriartical blessing, I read it that night I got it and I learned something new from it.
We have investigators but they usually cancel on us for some reason, sick, busy etc. We received a referral on Sep. 8 for this kid named Alex, he's a senior in high school, Laotian, and he is awesome, we finally met with him on Sat. 25th and he wants to know more, his family doesn't really have a religion, and his parents are supporting him as he investigates. He said he wanted to join something, like a family, and we told him the church is a world wide family and he thought that was awesome. He wants a belief in God and Jesus Christ. He came to church with us yesterday and he wants to come to General Conference with us. We told him about prophets and apostles and how we have them today, and we showed him the picture of President Monson and the apostles and he really liked that. We soft comitted him to baptism and he said yes. We only met with him once and he's progressing more than our other investigators (I'm not saying anything bad about our other investigators)
-Elder Garcia
P.S. Also there's an Elder (Steven) Packard in my district who's a Bolivia visa waiter. Our district leader had to go to a leadership training meeting so my companion and I went with Elder Packard. I come to find out that he's Reed Stones cousin! I basically call him cousin because my cousin (Arthur) married Elder Packard's cousin (Sharice?) hahaha
Thanks for sending me my patriartical blessing, I read it that night I got it and I learned something new from it.
We have investigators but they usually cancel on us for some reason, sick, busy etc. We received a referral on Sep. 8 for this kid named Alex, he's a senior in high school, Laotian, and he is awesome, we finally met with him on Sat. 25th and he wants to know more, his family doesn't really have a religion, and his parents are supporting him as he investigates. He said he wanted to join something, like a family, and we told him the church is a world wide family and he thought that was awesome. He wants a belief in God and Jesus Christ. He came to church with us yesterday and he wants to come to General Conference with us. We told him about prophets and apostles and how we have them today, and we showed him the picture of President Monson and the apostles and he really liked that. We soft comitted him to baptism and he said yes. We only met with him once and he's progressing more than our other investigators (I'm not saying anything bad about our other investigators)
-Elder Garcia
P.S. Also there's an Elder (Steven) Packard in my district who's a Bolivia visa waiter. Our district leader had to go to a leadership training meeting so my companion and I went with Elder Packard. I come to find out that he's Reed Stones cousin! I basically call him cousin because my cousin (Arthur) married Elder Packard's cousin (Sharice?) hahaha
Thursday, September 23, 2010
20 Sep 10
My new companion is Elder Magleby from American Fork, Utah. My third companion from Utah (no surprise). He's a good companion not to say that my other companions were bad.
Anyways, one cool story that happened this week... Elder Magleby and I were tracting and we knocked on this door. This lady answered, she was pretty nice, and she had this small dog. The dog was pretty calm. We start talking to her and once we said "We're Ministers of Jesus Christ" the dog goes totally psycho!
Satan had a strong influence on that dog. The lady wasn't interested. Anyways, the work has been slow but Elder Magleby and I are trying to pick it up.
The weather is cooling down a bit.
Elder Garcia
Anyways, one cool story that happened this week... Elder Magleby and I were tracting and we knocked on this door. This lady answered, she was pretty nice, and she had this small dog. The dog was pretty calm. We start talking to her and once we said "We're Ministers of Jesus Christ" the dog goes totally psycho!
Satan had a strong influence on that dog. The lady wasn't interested. Anyways, the work has been slow but Elder Magleby and I are trying to pick it up.
The weather is cooling down a bit.
Elder Garcia
Saturday, September 11, 2010
Monday, Sep. 6, 2010
Hi, literally no time to talk...maybe later
Two things I wanted to ask.
How's his [Daniel's] eye sight? I'm guessing he's probably still blind but my companion and I are praying for him.
This lady in my ward came up to me yesterday and asked if I knew this Bishop in Modesto...I think it started with an S. But she said he was killed! and he's only been a bishop like four months. I don't know what's going on in California but I get worried.
Elder Garcia
Two things I wanted to ask.
How's his [Daniel's] eye sight? I'm guessing he's probably still blind but my companion and I are praying for him.
This lady in my ward came up to me yesterday and asked if I knew this Bishop in Modesto...I think it started with an S. But she said he was killed! and he's only been a bishop like four months. I don't know what's going on in California but I get worried.
Elder Garcia
Monday, August 23, 2010
Elder Beach should be home now, and I'm in his stake, his friend came back from his mission a couple of weeks ago and he's in my ward and I told him about Elder Beach and what not and so we all might have dinner together soon.
I don't really have anything for the blog, this week's been rough, our numbers are really depressing (not as in all we care about is numbers, but the goals we set and the actuals we got) but on the positive side we had an investigator baptized on Saturday but she's been investigating long before I got here. And just barely got one investigator progressing now, but that's about it. I'm in the richest stake ever and it's so hard to get anywhere(not as in physically)
I guess that's it for now.
Take care
-Elder Garcia
I don't really have anything for the blog, this week's been rough, our numbers are really depressing (not as in all we care about is numbers, but the goals we set and the actuals we got) but on the positive side we had an investigator baptized on Saturday but she's been investigating long before I got here. And just barely got one investigator progressing now, but that's about it. I'm in the richest stake ever and it's so hard to get anywhere(not as in physically)
I guess that's it for now.
Take care
-Elder Garcia
Monday, August 16, 2010
7:47 AM
[This is the story about President Dorius at the MTC]
So my companion and I are in our class planning and it's between 9 and 9:30 [p.m.]. So we left and it's dark out and literally no one else was outside. And our residence hall is right next to the cafeteria and we see this guy standing right there in between our residence hall and the cafeteria underneth the covering (I don't know what you call it). And this guy is just looking up at the sky and so I thought "ok, this guy is pretty weird, just some random guy at night looking up" and my companion and I walk past him and I looked back and I'm thinking "is that President Dorius!?" this guy looked exactly like President Dorius, exact image, but this guy looked a little shorter than President Dorius but I haven't actually seen President Dorius up close in a long time. He had a tag on but it didn't say any name it was like "language instructor" or something like that. I never asked him his name and I should have but I saw him a couple of days after that. The thing that really got me was that it looked soo much like President Dorius and he was there like two weeks before the new Mission Presidents were supposed to get there.
I have something for Daniel. But first the story behind it...so we were eating dinner with a member family a couple nights ago. And the husband has this "super hot sauce" and it was a "tradition" (for 14 years) that missionaries have some. So I'm like ok, sure I'll try it. It's pretty sufficient enough to put one little dab of it on whatever and still be pretty intense. So I put a little dab of it on my chicken and I only touched the bottle. (Don't be mad this happened cause it was pretty funny). So I only touched the bottle and for some strange reason I rubbed my eye and it didn't itch or anything. And all of a sudden my eyes were burning so much and the wife told me to go rinse under the sink...so I did. My eye was still burning pretty good under the sink but then my face was starting to burn. So as I was washing, the oil or whatever from the bottle of the sauce went in my pours as I was washing, and my face was literally on FIRE! well it just felt like a good sunburn. It didn't last very long and the burning in my eye went away faster than the burning in my face. (the shampoo was way worse than that hot sauce in my eye). Anyway since Daniel likes hot sauce I thought that he would like to try it, it's called "Da Bomb: The Final Answer" he just has to make sure he washes his hands good after he touches it and what not. And I think he has to find it online. Oh and I never tried the hot sauce after that happened.
(to Mother) I know you probably wouldn't want to do this or you could probably ask Father. But we had just got a new Elders Quorum President yesterday and on Saturday he took my companion and I to help someone move in the ward and he was saying how he served in Greece and around the same time Bishop went to Greece and I asked him if he knew a David Kernazitskas and he can't remember so I thought if I asked Bishop if he knew an Elder Castroman then what a small world.
[This is the story about President Dorius at the MTC]
So my companion and I are in our class planning and it's between 9 and 9:30 [p.m.]. So we left and it's dark out and literally no one else was outside. And our residence hall is right next to the cafeteria and we see this guy standing right there in between our residence hall and the cafeteria underneth the covering (I don't know what you call it). And this guy is just looking up at the sky and so I thought "ok, this guy is pretty weird, just some random guy at night looking up" and my companion and I walk past him and I looked back and I'm thinking "is that President Dorius!?" this guy looked exactly like President Dorius, exact image, but this guy looked a little shorter than President Dorius but I haven't actually seen President Dorius up close in a long time. He had a tag on but it didn't say any name it was like "language instructor" or something like that. I never asked him his name and I should have but I saw him a couple of days after that. The thing that really got me was that it looked soo much like President Dorius and he was there like two weeks before the new Mission Presidents were supposed to get there.
I have something for Daniel. But first the story behind it...so we were eating dinner with a member family a couple nights ago. And the husband has this "super hot sauce" and it was a "tradition" (for 14 years) that missionaries have some. So I'm like ok, sure I'll try it. It's pretty sufficient enough to put one little dab of it on whatever and still be pretty intense. So I put a little dab of it on my chicken and I only touched the bottle. (Don't be mad this happened cause it was pretty funny). So I only touched the bottle and for some strange reason I rubbed my eye and it didn't itch or anything. And all of a sudden my eyes were burning so much and the wife told me to go rinse under the sink...so I did. My eye was still burning pretty good under the sink but then my face was starting to burn. So as I was washing, the oil or whatever from the bottle of the sauce went in my pours as I was washing, and my face was literally on FIRE! well it just felt like a good sunburn. It didn't last very long and the burning in my eye went away faster than the burning in my face. (the shampoo was way worse than that hot sauce in my eye). Anyway since Daniel likes hot sauce I thought that he would like to try it, it's called "Da Bomb: The Final Answer" he just has to make sure he washes his hands good after he touches it and what not. And I think he has to find it online. Oh and I never tried the hot sauce after that happened.
(to Mother) I know you probably wouldn't want to do this or you could probably ask Father. But we had just got a new Elders Quorum President yesterday and on Saturday he took my companion and I to help someone move in the ward and he was saying how he served in Greece and around the same time Bishop went to Greece and I asked him if he knew a David Kernazitskas and he can't remember so I thought if I asked Bishop if he knew an Elder Castroman then what a small world.
Monday, August 9, 2010
So transfer meeting was pretty awesome, though I've been so depressed this week because I'm not in Coal Mountain anymore. But anyways, when President King was talking he talked about a couple things. One, he told us he had a vision that in 30 years those missionaries who were sitting in front of him were going to be leaders in the church. Then he talked about "The Vision of the South" and he said it's coming soon. He said that this transfer was by "divine revelation"...as my mission president, as a servant of the Lord, as an inspired man, I put great trust and faith in him. President King said that Baptist Preachers or maybe just Baptists will find fault in their own religions and seek for the truth and when they find truth in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day-Saints and become converted they will bring their congregations with them. President King and his son, that just came back from his mission, are working with 5 Baptist Preachers and he said that one is reading the Book of Mormon and tying the foot notes with the Bible and said that everything is fitting into place. Big things are about to unfold in the South, and we must be prepared to head them face on. I always knew that missionaries are the Lords army, and we literally are! These missionaries and I in the South are placed here right in the front lines in front of Satan's power. We have great work ahead of us. I hope and pray we are ready.
-Elder Garcia
(I'm in the Webb Bridge Ward. Our apartment is in Alpharetta, half the ward is in Fulton County and the other half is in Forsyth County, our stake and zone are in Roswell but we go to the Church in a different Stake. My comp is Elder Gubler, he's from Bountiful or North Salt Lake, I don't really know which one he's going to stick with.)
-Elder Garcia
Monday, August 2, 2010
2nd Post 8/2/10
[They never got to go to the Falls today.]
Well the falls are in the Dahlonega ward boundaries and it's a pretty huge area and it's up by the Marietta stake boundaries. There's 15 missionaries in my zone, two sisters and one senior couple, two spanish, Dahlonega has 8 of them and 3 of them are getting transfered and I'm hoping I'm getting transfered into Spanish Dahlonega.
[Tyler never took any Spanish...he had 4 years of German.]
I'm hoping I already got in...La Inglesia de JesuChristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias, and El Libro de Mormon Otro Testimento de JesuChristo...(though all those are easy) I have a Spanish Book of Mormon to read and I told Pres, King about the spanish families but he said "if the Lord sees you have a willing heart and a desire, he'll probably put you in Spanish" (something like that)
Well the falls are in the Dahlonega ward boundaries and it's a pretty huge area and it's up by the Marietta stake boundaries. There's 15 missionaries in my zone, two sisters and one senior couple, two spanish, Dahlonega has 8 of them and 3 of them are getting transfered and I'm hoping I'm getting transfered into Spanish Dahlonega.
[Tyler never took any Spanish...he had 4 years of German.]
I'm hoping I already got in...La Inglesia de JesuChristo de los Santos de los Ultimos Dias, and El Libro de Mormon Otro Testimento de JesuChristo...(though all those are easy) I have a Spanish Book of Mormon to read and I told Pres, King about the spanish families but he said "if the Lord sees you have a willing heart and a desire, he'll probably put you in Spanish" (something like that)
For the Young Men...
Go forth with faith to tell the world Of Jesus Christ, the Lord.
Bear witness he is God's own Son;
Proclaim his wonderous word.
Go forth with hope and courage strong To spread the word abroad
That people of all nations Are children of our God.
Go forth with love to tell the world The joy of families-
That we may be with those we love Thru all eternity.
Go forth to serve and do your best With no thought of reward;
Then you shall know the boundless joy Of serving Christ, the Lord.
Go forth with pow'r to tell the world The gospel is restored,
That all may gain eternal life
Thru Jesus Christ, the Lord.
Go forth to preach his glorious truths Of peace, of joy, and love,
That all who heed his holy word May praise the Lord above.
Ye who are called to labor and minister for God,
Blest with the royal priesthood, appointed by his word
To preach among the nations the news of gospel grace,
And publis on the mountains salvation, truth, and peace:
Oh, let not vain ambition nor worldy glory stain
Your minds so pure and holy; acquit yourselves like men.
While lifting up your voices like trumpets long and loud,
Say to the slumb'ring nation:
"Prepare to meet your God!"
Then cease from all light speeches, lightmindedness, and pride;
Pray always without ceasing and in the truth abide.
The Comforter will teach you, his righest blessings send.
Your Savior will be with you forever to the end.
And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all - they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.
Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him.
-Alma 53:20-21
Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually.
-Alma 57:27
And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.
-Mosiah 2:17
...I am a man; and a man in the beginning was created after the image of God, and I am called by his Holy Spirit to teach these things unto his people, that they may be brought to a knowledge of that which is just and true;
And a portion of that Spirit dwelleth in me, which giveth me knowledge, and also power according to my faith and desires which are in God.
-Alma 18:34-35
...the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandents, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
-John 14:31
Do as Nephi did...I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded...have a desire to serve a mission and I promise you you will see the salvation of God.
-Your Brother...Elder Garcia
Go forth with faith to tell the world Of Jesus Christ, the Lord.
Bear witness he is God's own Son;
Proclaim his wonderous word.
Go forth with hope and courage strong To spread the word abroad
That people of all nations Are children of our God.
Go forth with love to tell the world The joy of families-
That we may be with those we love Thru all eternity.
Go forth to serve and do your best With no thought of reward;
Then you shall know the boundless joy Of serving Christ, the Lord.
Go forth with pow'r to tell the world The gospel is restored,
That all may gain eternal life
Thru Jesus Christ, the Lord.
Go forth to preach his glorious truths Of peace, of joy, and love,
That all who heed his holy word May praise the Lord above.
Ye who are called to labor and minister for God,
Blest with the royal priesthood, appointed by his word
To preach among the nations the news of gospel grace,
And publis on the mountains salvation, truth, and peace:
Oh, let not vain ambition nor worldy glory stain
Your minds so pure and holy; acquit yourselves like men.
While lifting up your voices like trumpets long and loud,
Say to the slumb'ring nation:
"Prepare to meet your God!"
Then cease from all light speeches, lightmindedness, and pride;
Pray always without ceasing and in the truth abide.
The Comforter will teach you, his righest blessings send.
Your Savior will be with you forever to the end.
And they were all young men, and they were exceedingly valiant for courage, and also for strength and activity; but behold, this was not all - they were men who were true at all times in whatsoever thing they were entrusted.
Yea, they were men of truth and soberness, for they had been taught to keep the commandments of God and to walk uprightly before him.
-Alma 53:20-21
Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually.
-Alma 57:27
And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.
-Mosiah 2:17
...I am a man; and a man in the beginning was created after the image of God, and I am called by his Holy Spirit to teach these things unto his people, that they may be brought to a knowledge of that which is just and true;
And a portion of that Spirit dwelleth in me, which giveth me knowledge, and also power according to my faith and desires which are in God.
-Alma 18:34-35
...the world may know that I love the Father; and as the Father gave me commandents, even so I do. Arise, let us go hence.
-John 14:31
Do as Nephi did...I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded...have a desire to serve a mission and I promise you you will see the salvation of God.
-Your Brother...Elder Garcia
Monday, July 26, 2010
8:18 AM
Uh...I have nothing for the blog this week, I have something for the Young Men, from Johnny on down. I was thinking about them this past week before I got the letters from the ward (which was awesome by-the-way! Thank you!) I thought it was pretty funny how that happened.
We were going to go to Amicalula Falls(?) today for Zone P-day, but we're going to hold that off till next monday. Hopefully I'll get the camera sometime this week? If not that's ok.
8:34 AM
One little story I found hilarious this week.
We were having dinner with a member a couple days ago, and we were talking about something, I don't really remember what. But I think we were talking about fruits, you know Georgia has peaches and what not. And my companion was talking about grapes, and he said something about grape season for Georgia. I just thought to myself "What the heck is a grape season?" and I sat there for a second or two and I just started laughing and everyone looked at me. And I told them that I was laughing because I finally got what grape season was, and I told them that I saw grapes all year round and I didn't know there was a season for it. Hahaha I just told them that I'm a Californian.
I had another thing to say and I thought I would remember it...but I didn't.
Oh, and I forgot what our stake presidents name is the one before President Willden. and I don't know if I told you what happened in the MTC with him.
(Note from Mom: Guess we will find out next week...the story about President Dorius).
Uh...I have nothing for the blog this week, I have something for the Young Men, from Johnny on down. I was thinking about them this past week before I got the letters from the ward (which was awesome by-the-way! Thank you!) I thought it was pretty funny how that happened.
We were going to go to Amicalula Falls(?) today for Zone P-day, but we're going to hold that off till next monday. Hopefully I'll get the camera sometime this week? If not that's ok.
8:34 AM
One little story I found hilarious this week.
We were having dinner with a member a couple days ago, and we were talking about something, I don't really remember what. But I think we were talking about fruits, you know Georgia has peaches and what not. And my companion was talking about grapes, and he said something about grape season for Georgia. I just thought to myself "What the heck is a grape season?" and I sat there for a second or two and I just started laughing and everyone looked at me. And I told them that I was laughing because I finally got what grape season was, and I told them that I saw grapes all year round and I didn't know there was a season for it. Hahaha I just told them that I'm a Californian.
I had another thing to say and I thought I would remember it...but I didn't.
Oh, and I forgot what our stake presidents name is the one before President Willden. and I don't know if I told you what happened in the MTC with him.
(Note from Mom: Guess we will find out next week...the story about President Dorius).
Monday, July 19, 2010
8:53 AM
So last week was about putting on the whole armour of God and this week I've been thinking about talking to people when we tract.
First of all funny story...so one of my companions is white and the other is black, and I'm pretty tan, so I look hispanic and my last name is hispanic, we've tracted into 5 hispanic families, well 4, one family speaks english, but as they came to the door they would look at my companions, then they would just stare right at me. I thought it was funny because they are probably thinking "Well these two guys can't speak spanish" (turn and look at me) "OH! this guys hispanic because his last name is Garcia and he looks hispanic". Last tuesday we had our district meeting and an interview with President King. I asked him about transfering me to Spanish, he said some stuff, and I told him the story and he just laughed about it....
Ok, back to where I was going with what I was going to talk about. Everytime we tract and I go and talk to them I've always gotten a rejection, but that's a mission and I know that, and it comes with patience and time. And then I thought of a couple of scriptures...
29. Verily, Verily, I say unto you, if they reject my words, and this part of my gospel and ministry, blessed are ye, for they can do no more unto you than unto me.
30. And even if they do unto you even as they have done unto me, blessed are ye, for you shall dwell with me in glory.
31. But if they reject not my words, which shall be established by the testimony which shall be given, blessed are they, and then shall ye have joy in the fruit of your labors.
-D&C 6:29-31
18. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19. If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20. Remember the world that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
21. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
-John 15:18-21
The people down here believe that when they are "saved" they don't need to do anymore. We invite people to hear a message that's for them, we tell them that salvation is a process, not an event. In the end they just say "I'm good" or "I'm very happy with my church" and basically "All I have to do to get into heaven is just to believe in Jesus Christ". The people down here say they read the Bible, but I don't really think they do. Matthew 11:28-31? I basically get out of these people that they're saying, "My preacher makes me feel good, and all I have to do is believe in Jesus Christ" sometimes I want to say "Jesus Christ makes me feel good, and I want to strive to follow Him"
But I can't make them do anything, in the end...
44. ...yea, I am commanded to stand and testify unto this people the things which have been spoken...
45. ...Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true...
46. ...Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God.
48. ...I know that Jesus Christ shall come, yea, the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace, and mercy, and truth. And behold, it is he that cometh to take away the sins of the world, yea, the sins of every man who steadfastly believeth on his name.
49. And now I say unto you that this is the order after which I am called, yea, to preach unto my beloved brethren, yea, and every one that dwelleth in the land; yea, to preach unto all, both old and young, both bond and free; yea, I say unto you the aged, and also the middle aged, and the rising generation; yea, to cry unto them that they must repent and be born again.
-Alma 5:44-46,48-49
So last week was about putting on the whole armour of God and this week I've been thinking about talking to people when we tract.
First of all funny story...so one of my companions is white and the other is black, and I'm pretty tan, so I look hispanic and my last name is hispanic, we've tracted into 5 hispanic families, well 4, one family speaks english, but as they came to the door they would look at my companions, then they would just stare right at me. I thought it was funny because they are probably thinking "Well these two guys can't speak spanish" (turn and look at me) "OH! this guys hispanic because his last name is Garcia and he looks hispanic". Last tuesday we had our district meeting and an interview with President King. I asked him about transfering me to Spanish, he said some stuff, and I told him the story and he just laughed about it....
Ok, back to where I was going with what I was going to talk about. Everytime we tract and I go and talk to them I've always gotten a rejection, but that's a mission and I know that, and it comes with patience and time. And then I thought of a couple of scriptures...
29. Verily, Verily, I say unto you, if they reject my words, and this part of my gospel and ministry, blessed are ye, for they can do no more unto you than unto me.
30. And even if they do unto you even as they have done unto me, blessed are ye, for you shall dwell with me in glory.
31. But if they reject not my words, which shall be established by the testimony which shall be given, blessed are they, and then shall ye have joy in the fruit of your labors.
-D&C 6:29-31
18. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you.
19. If you were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you.
20. Remember the world that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also.
21. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me.
-John 15:18-21
The people down here believe that when they are "saved" they don't need to do anymore. We invite people to hear a message that's for them, we tell them that salvation is a process, not an event. In the end they just say "I'm good" or "I'm very happy with my church" and basically "All I have to do to get into heaven is just to believe in Jesus Christ". The people down here say they read the Bible, but I don't really think they do. Matthew 11:28-31? I basically get out of these people that they're saying, "My preacher makes me feel good, and all I have to do is believe in Jesus Christ" sometimes I want to say "Jesus Christ makes me feel good, and I want to strive to follow Him"
But I can't make them do anything, in the end...
44. ...yea, I am commanded to stand and testify unto this people the things which have been spoken...
45. ...Behold, I testify unto you that I do know that these things whereof I have spoken are true...
46. ...Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God.
48. ...I know that Jesus Christ shall come, yea, the Son, the Only Begotten of the Father, full of grace, and mercy, and truth. And behold, it is he that cometh to take away the sins of the world, yea, the sins of every man who steadfastly believeth on his name.
49. And now I say unto you that this is the order after which I am called, yea, to preach unto my beloved brethren, yea, and every one that dwelleth in the land; yea, to preach unto all, both old and young, both bond and free; yea, I say unto you the aged, and also the middle aged, and the rising generation; yea, to cry unto them that they must repent and be born again.
-Alma 5:44-46,48-49
Monday, July 12, 2010
8:40 AM
I just figured it was easier to email you guys, it's still cool to get stuff in the mail.
My birthday...yeah it was pretty cool, we were doing exchanges and Elder Ebert and I got Elder Hemsley while Elder Wilbee went with Elder Hemsley's comp. So the morning of my birthday Elder Ebert and Elder Hemsley made me breakfest burritos and a watermelon sprite shake thing, it was pretty good. Then the last half of the day we got Elder Wilbee back and worked. Wednesday mornings we do service but we didn't do much this last Wednesday because what needed to be done was impossible with the tools we had so we stopped.
I haven't used the composition book yet, but I might soon, because I feel like using it for a purpose I have not yet thought of. I don't really know what I would want in a package. Oh there's a Five Guys here in my area and I told my companions it's of the devil (random).
(Note from Mom: Five Guys is an Eastern hamburger/hot dog/fries chain. "of the devil" probably means it is a rip-off of "In-N-Out"! :) )
I did not get a package from Am yet. And for Father... I did not meet Elder Sochoo, there's like over 2,000 missionaries there. And thanks for the letter.
I did not eat anything unusual yet, I did have Boiled Peanuts but it's pronounced (bowled peanuts), it was kinda good but it was nasty, I'll probably try again later.
About the car, to me, my area is pretty big, not as big as others in this mission, but there's tons of hills, and neighborhoods here are like 10 miles away (no joke). We're like in the boondocks, we're basically in the middle of the actual city or town of Cumming, and Dawsonville.
Take care, and enjoy California weather
-Elder Garcia
I just figured it was easier to email you guys, it's still cool to get stuff in the mail.
My birthday...yeah it was pretty cool, we were doing exchanges and Elder Ebert and I got Elder Hemsley while Elder Wilbee went with Elder Hemsley's comp. So the morning of my birthday Elder Ebert and Elder Hemsley made me breakfest burritos and a watermelon sprite shake thing, it was pretty good. Then the last half of the day we got Elder Wilbee back and worked. Wednesday mornings we do service but we didn't do much this last Wednesday because what needed to be done was impossible with the tools we had so we stopped.
I haven't used the composition book yet, but I might soon, because I feel like using it for a purpose I have not yet thought of. I don't really know what I would want in a package. Oh there's a Five Guys here in my area and I told my companions it's of the devil (random).
(Note from Mom: Five Guys is an Eastern hamburger/hot dog/fries chain. "of the devil" probably means it is a rip-off of "In-N-Out"! :) )
I did not get a package from Am yet. And for Father... I did not meet Elder Sochoo, there's like over 2,000 missionaries there. And thanks for the letter.
I did not eat anything unusual yet, I did have Boiled Peanuts but it's pronounced (bowled peanuts), it was kinda good but it was nasty, I'll probably try again later.
About the car, to me, my area is pretty big, not as big as others in this mission, but there's tons of hills, and neighborhoods here are like 10 miles away (no joke). We're like in the boondocks, we're basically in the middle of the actual city or town of Cumming, and Dawsonville.
Take care, and enjoy California weather
-Elder Garcia
Monday, June 5, 2010
I'm also doing fine.
The mission probably don't forward packages (maybe) so if they don't I'd have to wait till some sort of meeting or whatever. (Note from Mom: The Mission does forward packages...it just takes twice as long for him to get them! So we have to mail early.)
We have a car right now.
My area, there's big hills and small hills, and everything is country.
The 4th was fun, lots of tracting, how awesome is that!! I got to tract on a Sunday, on Independence day, in the heat, when hardly anybody was home. Besides everybody here practically celebrated it on the 3rd.
Hope it was good in Cali.
-Elder Garcia
The mission probably don't forward packages (maybe) so if they don't I'd have to wait till some sort of meeting or whatever. (Note from Mom: The Mission does forward packages...it just takes twice as long for him to get them! So we have to mail early.)
We have a car right now.
My area, there's big hills and small hills, and everything is country.
The 4th was fun, lots of tracting, how awesome is that!! I got to tract on a Sunday, on Independence day, in the heat, when hardly anybody was home. Besides everybody here practically celebrated it on the 3rd.
Hope it was good in Cali.
-Elder Garcia
Monday, June 28, 2010
1st Week
I don't really know what to write for my blog
maybe...
It's very hot, plus the humidity, plenty of dinner appointments from the members, it seems like tons of biking with the hills, there's a lot of Baptists, we're tracting into some in which we have return appointments with some, everyone is a Baptist Preacher. Everybody is so nice (including the Baptists). But the Spirits still strong, and I love it here, it's great. President King put me in an area with the KKK, but we don't go tracting near there, Elder Wilbee would have to do a teamup with a member, if he goes around that area, because I'm pretty tan now, and Elder Ebert is one...that wouldn't be welcomed there at all. I guess that's it for now.
-Elder Garcia
maybe...
It's very hot, plus the humidity, plenty of dinner appointments from the members, it seems like tons of biking with the hills, there's a lot of Baptists, we're tracting into some in which we have return appointments with some, everyone is a Baptist Preacher. Everybody is so nice (including the Baptists). But the Spirits still strong, and I love it here, it's great. President King put me in an area with the KKK, but we don't go tracting near there, Elder Wilbee would have to do a teamup with a member, if he goes around that area, because I'm pretty tan now, and Elder Ebert is one...that wouldn't be welcomed there at all. I guess that's it for now.
-Elder Garcia
Friday, June 25, 2010
First Letter from Georgia
He wrote in "trainer's: Elder's Ebert & Wilbee (ZL's)"
(Zone Leader's)
(Posted by Tyler's mom)
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
ARRIVAL IN GEORGIA
Just wanted you to know they arrived safely this afternoon...but much later than planned (almost 3-hours later!), due to some instrumentation problems that had to be fixed in Dallas. In the end, they put them on a different plane and got them on their way. When they finally arrived, we had dinner (they were starving, as you can imagine!), took their mission portraits and this photo, plus a testimony meeting and introductions to the mission and each other. Each one also had an interview with President King...and, tomorrow morning, they'll find out where they'll be serving and who their trainers/companions will be. We had a wonderful evening. You'll be receiving two letters shortly--one from your missionary and another from us with a printed picture for their scrapbooks.
Thank you for training up such wonderful young people. They come to us well-prepared, happy and optimistic...with deep testimonies. Please be sure to write them an encouraging letter every week...and they will also write you. There will be many marvelous experiences to share.
Any questions or concerns...please let us know!
Best wishes,
President and Sister King (and 16-year old Connor)
Georgia Atlanta North Mission
P.S.—Preparation Day here is on Mondays. It’s best to write prior to this at his/her MyLDSMail.net address so they have something to read and can respond. When you send handwritten letters from now on, please mail them to:
Your missionary's name
Georgia Atlanta North Mission
1150 Cole Drive SW
Lilburn, GA 30047-5426
Monday, June 21, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Wednesday, June 16, 2010 8:02 AM
My P-day is Wednesday, but seeing how it's my last here...oh well
Fast Sunday was pretty cool, I fasted and was at 54. The elders here all know that I'm diabetic. Some even have family members who are diabetic. All of them were amazed how well I did all day, I told them that I did it to show faith to Heavenly Father. Well for Fast Sunday it was weird how they scheduled that, but for Sacrament it was pretty regular, sing, pray, sacrament and testimonys, song, and prayer. That night we had a devotional and after that they played different church movies, my companion and I watched Legacy. I took a picture of our schedule, I don't know how well it came out though. That's pretty cool that the Harman's came. How are they doing? Yeah I thought about Daniel Wolf too on his birthday. How is he doing? The letters I get are from you (I'm not trying to say anything bad). I got one letter from Veronica and one email from Kaleen. It's just nice to see how much my friends care because it's pretty intimidating when my companion gets five letters a day (no joke!). I looked for the immunization paper but I guess I didn't take it. I turned it in to the lady and she said I was good to go after writing in that one date. I'm good on the homesickness part, I just felt really bad which made me a bit homesick. Elder Asher is from Burley, Idaho. Regular church was basically the same but in shorter time. Its probably like an hour or something because there are so many zones, there is more than one chapel. The Tuesday after Fast Sunday all the missionaries had another devotional and Robert D. Hales and Sister Hales came and talked. I didn't get to meet them but I sat close enough to get a good look at him. Oh yeah my zone leaders are going to Cebu, Philippines, Cebuano speaking, it's funny when we had a district meeting they would say words in Cebuano and I could understand but nobody else did.
I guess that's it for now,
Elder Garcia
My P-day is Wednesday, but seeing how it's my last here...oh well
Fast Sunday was pretty cool, I fasted and was at 54. The elders here all know that I'm diabetic. Some even have family members who are diabetic. All of them were amazed how well I did all day, I told them that I did it to show faith to Heavenly Father. Well for Fast Sunday it was weird how they scheduled that, but for Sacrament it was pretty regular, sing, pray, sacrament and testimonys, song, and prayer. That night we had a devotional and after that they played different church movies, my companion and I watched Legacy. I took a picture of our schedule, I don't know how well it came out though. That's pretty cool that the Harman's came. How are they doing? Yeah I thought about Daniel Wolf too on his birthday. How is he doing? The letters I get are from you (I'm not trying to say anything bad). I got one letter from Veronica and one email from Kaleen. It's just nice to see how much my friends care because it's pretty intimidating when my companion gets five letters a day (no joke!). I looked for the immunization paper but I guess I didn't take it. I turned it in to the lady and she said I was good to go after writing in that one date. I'm good on the homesickness part, I just felt really bad which made me a bit homesick. Elder Asher is from Burley, Idaho. Regular church was basically the same but in shorter time. Its probably like an hour or something because there are so many zones, there is more than one chapel. The Tuesday after Fast Sunday all the missionaries had another devotional and Robert D. Hales and Sister Hales came and talked. I didn't get to meet them but I sat close enough to get a good look at him. Oh yeah my zone leaders are going to Cebu, Philippines, Cebuano speaking, it's funny when we had a district meeting they would say words in Cebuano and I could understand but nobody else did.
I guess that's it for now,
Elder Garcia
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Monday, April 26, 2010
I fly to Salt Lake City on June 1st and enter the MTC (Missionary Training Center) in Provo, UT on Wednesday, June 2, 2010.
I would love to hear from all my family and friends. When I check into the MTC I will be given a P.O. Box and the complete address will be posted on this blog. I will probably be there about three weeks.
I will let everyone know when I leave for Georgia. After arriving there I'll be able to post my new mailing address. You'll find it here in the sidebar.
Just keep those letters and cards comin'!
Elder Garcia
I would love to hear from all my family and friends. When I check into the MTC I will be given a P.O. Box and the complete address will be posted on this blog. I will probably be there about three weeks.
I will let everyone know when I leave for Georgia. After arriving there I'll be able to post my new mailing address. You'll find it here in the sidebar.
Just keep those letters and cards comin'!
Elder Garcia
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
