General Conference

Bonjour! Ooops... Hola!

I do not remember much more french than that, but I expect lessons from my brother and sister in the future. Our FHE activities can be language focused. What do you think about that?!

Conference was wonderful! I loved the talk that mentioned making Celestial Traditions. What a rich thought. As I think about all the times Dad or Mom or whoever called us for family prayer and scriptures, I am filled with gratitude. This along with family dinners, FHE, and family planning are truly celestial moments in our
home. I listened to all but Sunday afternoon Conference in English. How did I accomplish this? Well, Luiz, our recent convert who is deaf, watched Conference in a classroom with subtitles. So, in an effort so that he would not be alone, Hermana Falls and I joined him (with others) and put the audio on English. Perfect solution! I love hearing the speakers voices, and was sooo thankful for the opportunity to listen in English so that I could fully understand.

I also loved the talk by Elder Bednar about the Spirit. As I think of experiences with the Spirit in the past few months, most of them are small, simple moments. It is almost tempting to say that these were just coincidences or my own thoughts, etc... but truly this is the beauty in how the Spirit works- a still whisper.

For example, Saturday two weeks ago, we had only 10 minutes before we normally go back to our apt in the night. We were right by our house, and I had no idea what to do for just 10 minutes. But, I felt a gentle push to not go back to our street. We started walking toward the house of a girl we had taught once. As we walked in this direction, I saw a woman entering into her apartment. I felt that we needed to talk to her. So we did! I thought she was a lady Hna Rosas and I taught once and she, Gladys, also thought we were the same missionaries who had taught her a year before. (Turns out we were both mistaken, but this mistake was key in our trust in each other). Gladys told us of her problems with her spouse and we invited her to church the next morning. Surprisingly, she was up and waiting for us when we passed her apartment for church. Truly the Spirit guides us in this work. Gladys, her husband, and her neighbor all are planning to be baptized in just another week. The Lord blesses us for obedience.

I was also touched in conference by the mention of angels. As I think of my setting apart with President Call and our family, I think of the scripture in Doctrine & Covenants 84:88 that says His angels will be around me. This is the truth. I can feel it. Often these angels are the mortals- my companions, church members, and investigators. I have also felt that at times, there are angels strengthening, comforting, encouraging, and guiding me in this grand work of God.

OoO! Last night there was a huge thunder and lightning storm. Drenched us through, but Hermana Falls and I were gleefully skipping in the flooded streets.

I wondered if you were eating German pancakes yesterday! :) YUM!

Love,
Hermana Garlock

Excited to be a missionary!

Hola!

This week was wonderful X1000. The senor companions had a four day training with Presdient Montalti and I loved it. I AM SO EXCITED TO BE A MISIONARY NOW! Now-- as in now in these days. This is a very exciting time to be apart of the missionary work. The Lord is hastening His work. It is evident in every way. We learned about listening to the investigators more and applying the Book of Mormon to their individual lives. There is such power in this that people can feel immediately that this is the true gospel of Jesus Christ. When people feel this, then they have a desire to CHANGE their lives. Woo Woo yea yea! The fruits of this change or repentance then is.....baptism.

Jester and Luiz were baptized Saturday. Jester is 14 years old and is super cute. It is a beautiful process to watch her grow and learn in the gospel. She gains more and more confidence all the time. As for Luiz, this is a downright miracle. He is deaf and mute, but can read and knows sign language. We began teaching him when Hna Rosas was here and I would laugh and laugh after because Hna Rosas tried to do sign language with him. Well, Hna Rosas left and I found myself doing the same thing! I am simply happy. Happy because Luiz now can have the Spirit with him all the time. I know this is a huge blessing in my life and I can only imagine what it would be like to never hear or talk, but I am certain that Luiz does not feel quite so alone or isolated with the Spirit. I am thankful for the opportunities I have to know these precious people. I am thankful for the converting power of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This gospel is true true true.

I feel rejuvinated and excited about this work! 

Love,
Hermana Garlock

Entertaining

I was able to entertain the President's son while he met with the health missionaries.

 Being Silly!

Training a new companion!

Me with my new companion, Hermana Falls

Ready to work hard together!

Ticket to Happiness: Your Choice

Buenas Dias!
I believe the fastest hour of my day is personal study in the morning. I cannot get enough of it. I was studying in the Book of Mormon about the happiest people, and it hit me that this is the message of Jesus Christ. The gospel might as well be called, "Ticket to Happiness: Your Choice." Truly, the plan is laid- Christ came to the earth, He suffered our pains, temptations, and the punishment for our sins. Our purpose is to apply His life and teachings so that we can enjoy the full blessings that God has already planned for us.

Every Friday morning, we spend three hours planning for the week. Every night we spend 30 minutes planning for the next day´s activities. We talk about the people we are teaching, their needs, and how we are
going to help them progress to be baptized and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. Planning is a great act of faith. Sometimes the little doubt bug crawls into my brain and starts gnawing at my faith, telling me, ¨What´s the point to plan, if you don´t know if the people are going to actually accept and keep their commitments?¨ I realize that I must SMASH this doubt bug like I smash the cockroach in our bathroom at 2 am....or better than how I smash the cockroaches because this is actually kinda difficult.

I am here to testify that Heavenly Father planned for us to come to this Earth. He planned and allowed the sacrifice of His Only Begotten Son, knowing that His children would have the choice to reject His Beloved. Jesus Christ willing completed all the Father asked of Him, knowing that many people would never repent of the sins for which He suffered. I know that when this little critter called fear threatens to destroy faith, faith rooted in Jesus Christ will not be shaken. I am thrilled by the blessings Heavenly Father desires for His children. It is up to us to seek and receive the blessings. Prayer is the act of aligning our will with the Father´s. Prayer is one of the first principles we teach as missionaries because it the vital connection we have with our Heavenly Father.

I am excited for this time I have in my mission to develop my faith. With every door we knock on, we have the opportunity to develop faith. We are teaching a man named Luiz who cannot hear or speak, but can read. I am impressed my his faith to learn about Jesus Christ and to accept Him. When I see people with such great challenges, I cannot help but be reminded of the Lord´s love for these people. It is a blessing to be able to feel the Lord´s love for the one. I am thankful Mom and Dad that you have always showed me such love. It is easier for me to understand the Savior´s love because of the love you have always shown me. I love you both sooo much! Thank you for helping me begin to understand the perfect love of Jesus Christ.

love,

Hermanita Garlock

Saying Good-bye to Hermanas!

Training!!

Hola!

This week we had a big training meeting on Friday--with the tsunami in Japan and events in other places, I believe Ecuador was on alert or something. So Friday we got a call to pack our bags and go to the
stake center where all the missionaries in the surrounding areas were gathered. It was a neat training about listening to the needs of the investigators. A great time to have a training so that Hermana Falls and I can apply the principles in the start of our companionship.

             President Montalti and me at our Training Meeting

It was good to see President Montalti as always. I am waiting to meet his wife and three kids someday. Hermana Montalti is busy, busy helping with the nurses of the mission and being a mom! President Montalti is a fun man and in the training he asked me to share my experience about the first baptism invitation I gave.

My first day in my sector we met, taught, and invited Gio to be baptized. He was baptized just 3 weeks later! I am realizing that if I do not willingly get rid of my fears and overcome my weaknesses, Heavenly Father in His wisdom will give me opportunities to overcome them. President Montalti also shared Hermana Rosa's testimony (my first companion). We all love Hna Rosas and I miss my dear friend and companion!

         4 a.m. saying good-bye to my sweet companion at the airport!


Hermana Falls is my new companion and  we get along just great. She is from Ogden, Utah and is a worker! We are ready to baptize all of Ecuador. haha Hermana Falls says she is not very social, but she does
great with the people. When we eat the food, she says, "WOW! I love this. oooooöooo delicious. WOW. What is this called? Mmmm good!" It goes over REALLY well with the members and they love her too. I was
thankful this week that she loved the sardines we ate....I may have given her a good portion of my sardines.

I have really felt the Lord's love this week. It is wonderful to feel His love for His children and to feel His love for me! I am thankful to be a member of His church and to have His guidance in my life.

Thank you for your love, prayers, letters and thoughts.

Love,
Hermana Garlock