Merry Christmas Merry Christmas Merry Christmas!

It is official. Christmas time is coming. I heard from one of the sets of zone leaders that we will be locked in Saturday night, go to church Sunday, and return back to our apartments for the rest of the day.  It will be fun to wish you all a Feliz Navidad, prospero año y felicidad!

The opportunities to share the gospel are endless! 

Sometimes the difficult part is in helping people see all that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints offers. For example, God is the same yesterday, today, and forever. So, it makes perfect sense that God always calls His prophets to teach His children for their specific needs. Also, the New Testament talk about baptism not being complete without the laying on of hands to communicate the gift of the Holy Ghost. THIS is ESSENTIAL for our Salvation. Those who inherit the Kingdom of God will have the Spirit with them. Another point, many people are confused about the Resurrection and the judgment day. These truths are fundamental. Those who say we will not ever be reunited with our bodies after the death, deny the whole plan of God. One of the central purposes of this earth life is to receive a physical body. This life would serve for nothing if we could not receive our bodies again. God sent His only Begotten Son to die for us so that we may live with Him again. Those who deny the resurrection of all mankind, deny that Christ suffered for our sins and that He lives once again. The restored gospel of Jesus Christ has the answers that we need to fully comprehend our earth life. It answers the true nature of God. These truths, so basic, are distorted in the teachings and ideas of man. So, God in His love for us, has called His prophets once again to help us return to His presence. 

This is what I was thinking and feeling yesterday as we watched to Christmas Devotional. Those who I have taught and have gotten baptized have testimonies that are just developing. They do not understand all of the scriptures or the Restoration, but they have felt the truth. Just as Adam and Eve offered sacrifices without knowing why, these faithful, elect children of God have gotten baptized with minimal knowledge but lots of faith. Faith due to obedience to the commandments of God.


I have heard now many commentaries of other believes and religions. I have had to relearn the fundamental truths of the restored gospel to recognize exactly where and how I believe what I do. As we tell our investigators in the first lesson, the understanding of our message cannot come in just one visit. It will come by the study of the scriptures, prayer, experience, and keeping the commandments of God.

All is well here! Hector, who was baptized in April just wrote me and told me he finished reading the Book of Mormon and thanked me for recommending it. I loved that he put it this way. I recommend the Book of Mormon to everyone! hehe. Johanna who was baptized just a week ago shared her testimony yesterday in church. 


Robert this week told us about the difficult things that have happened this year and said that the only good thing that has happened is that God sent us to visit him. Because of that, he knows God loves him. WOW. It is really neat to be an instrument in the Lord`s hands. It is because of Heavenly Father`s love for His children that He guides us to them. 

We are still in the two sectors....A little interesting. Ok a lot interesting. Taxis, buses, two sets of district and zone leaders... But I am all up for the adventure!

Today for lunch we ate sopa de pescado con mani and arroz of course con seco de carne de res. delicious! 

Sending lots of love and sun!
Hermana Garlock

Transfers

This week has been absolutely unlike any other. Monday night, we received transfer calls and at 6am Tuesday we left to Guayaquil. Hna Lara is now in Machala (four hours from here) and it was sad to say goodbye. We really have had some very special experiences together as companions. I will always be thankful for her dedication to the work. I then joined up with my friends-- The mission nurses!

I then went to the training for the new missionaries and found out that my companion did not arrive! She is still in the Provo MTC because she got sick and has to wait to come. All week I was in Guayaquil in the office with the nurses. That was interesting because I was not planning on spending the night there...and I ended up staying in Guayaquil until Saturday morning. And what a different mission life in the office. Wow. I have a lot of appreciation for all that they do for the sickies of the mission. Saturday, Hna Needham, one of the missionaries had to go home because she fractured her foot or something like that. Saturday I was sent back home with her companion, Hna Robison.

Hna Robison and I are now companions! She is from SLC, UT and got here one change ago. We do not know if it is permanent or what will happen but we are enjoying ourselves. She is in the bordering sector to mine so we are working in both sectors for now and will wait to see if we are assigned new companions or if we are assigned to work in just one of our sectors. Yesterday at 10am we left my investigators at my church building and went in taxi to Hna Robison`s ward to give talks. I talked about the how we must share the gospel because we are all children of God. Also, that our knowledge of the Plan of Salvation makes us accountable to share the message of the Restoration. I am thankful for the principles that my parents and grandparents have taught me and it is my desire that the converts I have taught will likewise teach their children the principles of the gospel.

Saturday we got back in time to see our baptisms. Thanks to my excellent zone leaders and ward members, Sergio was able to be baptized!!!!!!

I hope that you have a fabulous Thanksgiving. I will be eating lots of rice and perhaps fish for Thanksgiving.  I am most thankful at this time of year for my family, the gospel of Jesus Christ, and the opportunity to share the gospel!!!

love,

Hermana Garlock

Thankful!!!

Hola hola hola to one and all,

Yesterday when it started raining here, I closed my eyes and tried to imagine the cold. I almost could feel it. So far, even if it rains, it is warm. Oh I love this place. :)

Some of our mamitas have turkeys waddling around and I am wondering if they will kill them for the Christmas season. 

Last week, for PDay we went to the center to look for Ecuador stuff. But, shortly thereafter we found Christmas trees and I broke down and bought two!!!!! They are beautiful little trees with lights and we bought sparkly ribbon to put on it. We are happy for our trees. Small as they might be, they are special reminders. Primarily of the birth of Jesus Christ.

This week an organization from the U.S. came to give clothes and toys to children here. They had asked that the missionaries help out, so in response to their request, we went to help handout these gifts and sing church songs. I realized that this was a very nice, generous gesture, but I also felt a deep sense of gratitude for the great calling that I have currently. I do not simply hand out toys to children, but I share the true gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel of Jesus Christ that heals hearts, comforts the abused, and offers us HOPE to change our lives. Through this restored gospel, we can be baptized, receive the gift of the Holy Ghost and by continuing faithful, enter in God´s presence with our families. Can I just say that I am so thankful to be a missionary for our Savior Jesus Christ! It is a beautiful work.

Yesterday in church one of our converts, was asked to share his testimony of his conversion. I was touched by his simple testimony. He stated with emotion in his voice that he has had a drastic change in his life. It is true! Saturday he will be interviewed to receive the Melchezidek (oh no....I do not remember how to spell that!) Priesthood. He was baptized September 3rd and is a faithful member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Yesterday we went with him to talk to more of his brothers who are living the ways of the world....I pray that in the future they will fully accept the gospel and experience the wonderful change that their brother has had.

 Love,

Hermana Garlock

Happy Halloween!

Happy Halloween mis queridos zapallos!

 

Yesterday when we were teaching we used Genesis 39 to teach about the way we can flee from temptations. We are working with a man to help him stop drinking acohol. This seems to be a very common theme- teaching about the Word of Wisdom and helping them leave behind addictions and habits. I am thankful that Jesus Christ suffered even for our temptations. Even if I have never experienced the challenges of these people, I know that Christ has and that He knows exactly how to give them relief. I have felt the Spirit tell us exactly what to say or share to help others recognize the healing power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

 

Yesterday, Hna Lara and I walked with long branches in one hand and rocks in the other. Just in case the pack of dogs decided to do more than bark loudly. haha.

 

It is heating up in Milagro but we are working through the sun and I am loving it here. The members are wonderful and help us out a ton. Our Bishop is all about focusing on helping the converts and I love this. Yesterday a member took us to the house of his cousin to teach her. It was so fun. The lesson went something like this, Do you believe that God hears your prayers? 15 minutes of stories. Would you read this scripture? reads... What can you do to prepare in this life to meet God? 15 minutes of feelings and experiences. Ok ¿Se bautizarà? 15 minutes of questions, and a hopeful response. This is an exagerration of the lesson but something like that. The people here are sooo loving and kind to us, and I feel grateful to serve among a people that believes in God and wants to be close to Him.

 

I know that Jesus Christ is the head of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I know He lives and loves us. I know He wants us to be able to live with Him again someday. He is so merciful to those that come unto Him. I have seen and felt this!

 

Love,

Hermana Garlock

 

Duck Soup

Hola,

 

What do you do when the mother of three eager kids does not want to sign the baptism permission?

 

Enter the house, start cleaning, exit. Repeat weekly. This is what we did about two months ago. End of the story--- the mother herself, was baptized and confirmed a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints this very weekend. It is a miracle story. I testify that by small and simple things great things, even the Salvation of mankind, are brought to pass.

 

I love this family so much. The kids run down the street to meet us and yell as soon as they see us, Heeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeermaaaaaaaaaaana! It anounces to the whole neighborhood that we have arrived. The younger kids call me Hermana Garliiitiii. It is so so fun.  

  

After church Sunday, my companion and I were happily eating our soup and chatting with our mamita Ruth. My blissful enjoyment of the soup quickly ended as she mentioned to us that she bought the meat (DUCK) in the soup from Nancy and Sergio. I wanted to cry. It was like eating my pet after she told me that. Nancy and Sergio have ducks that waddle around and I love them because it reminds me of the beach- of Grandma and Grandpa´s house. Sometimes it is just best NOT to ask what we are eating and to simply ENJOY the food.

 

Interesting points of the normal happenings;

-For breakfast, we enjoy blending bananas with milk. Delicious! The bananas here are sooo good. There are all different types and our investigators often give freely from their trees.

-At KFC here you can buy a full meal with rice, beans, fried chicken thigh or breast, and pop for $2.25

-As of late, the people have told me that I look like I am 16 years old. This makes me happy. I am as free and innocent as a 16 year old. Good to hear it!

 

I am doing very well and we are working to find more people ready and waiting to accept the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I love this work. It is a joy to be able to see the changes in the lives of these people. I pray and pray that the conversions are lasting.

 

Edmundo said the sacrament prayer for the agua. The members were sooo impressed because he had memorized it in just one week and said it perfectly. He was baptized about two months ago and is already in Mosiah in the Book of Mormon. Love it! I know the Book of Mormon is true and it is the iron rod. Hold tight!

 

Thank you for your love and prayers. I need them and I can feel them!

 

Love,

Hermana Garlock

 

 

 

Angels Among Us

Well Hello There!

 

When we apply the scriptures, the Spirit can teach us for our specific needs. This is what I strive to do in every lesson. Sometimes we succeed more than other times in our efforts to teach individuals and not just lessons. I can tell when the Spirit is teaching when new ideas come as we are teaching, the spanish flows easily, or when I learn as well. These are the best because we leave the lesson practically bouncing down the street.

 

We are trying to figure out how to teach little children the scriptures! When the kids are running around or distracted or hitting each other, we wonder more if the PARENTS are even able to learn. But I believe the answer is yes. When I believe the answer is no, is when I look to Hermana Lara and say HEEEEEELP! One useful tactic is to bring an apple with us. The kids love apples. Many kids just eat the fruits that grow on the trees around their houses (papayas, bananas, plumarosa, almendras, etc). Apples on the other hand are bought in the grocery store. So, four gleeful children share an apple- one bite at a time. You would not believe how many scriptures talk about repentance and becoming as a child. I have found many and know there is much to learn from these loving children.

 

Yesterday during Sacrament Meeting, Andrea came and sat by me. She is nine years old and was baptized about a month ago. She squeezed herself onto the bench and immediately took my hand in hers. I am touched by the love of the children. When I was feeling a little stressed about the investigators at church, baptisms, etc, the Lord sent me Andrea as a tender mercy. She reminded me of Christ`s love for me-steady, constant, forgiving. She gave me hope to press on with the hope in Christ as my solid anchor. I am oftened reminded in moments like this of the scripture I chose for my missionary plaque, which says the Lord will go before my face and His angels will be on my right and left hand. All of the Lord`s promises are sure. I am blessed to feel this often. It seems the angels in my mission have been my companions, little children, and various others who have said JUST what I needed to hear in the right moment. An angel is someone who does the direct bidding of the Lord.

 

I would like to be this kind of servant of the Lord. A true servant- quick to fulfill the Master`s request. Many times, I feel like I am being served- with such love and blessings from the members, converts, investigators. I am humbled by the offerings of so many and grateful for the examples in my life. Hermana Ruth for filling in for another mamita when she was not home, another member- Alberto for accompanying us for 5 hours this week, Edmundo for always having papaya or squash or coconut or banana or etc! cut up and ready to give us.

 

Thank you for your support for me during my mission.  

love,

 

Hermana Garlock

 

Conference

Well hello again my dear ones!

 We should all feel just a little bit closer knowing we spent eight hours this weekend doing the exact same thing--- watching conference! I love conference. I love it. It is a little different here. Should we say a little stressful? But very very exciting. It is a wonderful opportunity for investigators to learn and to understand a little more about the Church. 

Hna Lara and I prayed our little hearts out and walked and talked our feet out. I actually did lose my voice, and we had to buy pills for the pain in Hna Lara´s feet. It all paid off and we had a very fun week. We learned to teach quick, invite, and testify. :) 

Lots of the evangelical churches here prohibit dancing when you get baptized. Along with makeup, earrings, etc. It made me laugh when Luis, one of our investigators, commented that he was surprised to see us wearing earrings and with makeup. I am certain to put earrings on everyday now to distinguish us as missionaries. 

 

I absolutely loved conference. We were able to watch all the sessions. I am excited to memorize more scriptures, gain a deeper understanding of the Atonement, listen to the Spirit more, and serve.  

 

Love,

 

 

Hermana Garlock