Día 139‏

This was a pretty crazy week. On Tuesday we went to San Fernando to a mission conference. It was really fun to see all the missionaries, even if I only know about 4... haha. As part of the conference we did that little activity where you read a story and every time it says right or left you pass your present. President Ayre bought all of the presents and we did the activity. I got a little thing of peanuts... not quite the tie that a few others got. That night we had dinner with the family of Olga, Graciela and Dani. It was a lot of fun to spend part of Christmas Eve with them, and we ate good. We had asado, milanesa napolitana, and all sorts of stuff. There was also blood sausage, which I was the only one brave enough to try, and it was disgusting.

About to try blood sausage

I didn't like it too much

Wednesday, Christmas, we had P-day, so Elder Popoca, Elder Johnson, Elder Fuentes and I went and explored Puerto Madero and the central and took a ton of photos. Afterwards we had lunch, which was an asado also, pretty much the best beef there is. Afterwards I got to talk to the family, which was pretty cool. It was a bummer that I could only talk to Joe for about 5 minutes tops, but it was still great. Unfortunately, the family of which I was using the computer was really, really loud the whole time I was talking, so I don't know how well you heard me. When Elder Fuentes was talking, all of their family and friends had left, so it was a lot quieter. It was really nice to see you all and see how big Josie, Jackson, and Liesel are. I also think Rachel's grown a lot, no one believes me when I say that she's only 13 years old.

Elder Johnson cut my hair...

Friday Alan had his baptismal interview, and Elder Popoca told us that he ws really excited about his baptism and he wants to serve a mission. He said he knows you have to be 18 and he's only 15 and doesn't want to wait. Anyway, we were really excited and he was really excited. When we went to his house to pick him up for his baptism on Saturday however, his mom told us that he had gone to Provincia and wouldn't be back until nighttime. We went back later that night and he still wasn't there. We went to pick him up for church yesterday morning, but his mom wouldn't let him go because he had to take care of his nephews. Fortunately when we went back for him later that night he could come and we baptized him last night. The service was really small, becuse he didn't want a whole lot of people to come, but it was still really special. We also went out Sunday afternoon with Graciela and talked to a whole bunch of people in the villa and have new investigators, so we're pretty excited about that.

 

Baptism of Alan

Anyway, I love you all!

Elder John William Garrett

Día 132‏

So last week we had transfers and my new companion was Elder Seda. However, Thursday morning we got "flashed." During companionship study we got a call from an unknown number. It turned out to be our mission president, President Ayre. He told us that there had been a situation and some missionaries were getting moved around. Elder Seda got shipped out to Soldati, and I got a new companion, Elder Fuentes, from Santiago, Chile, who knows Los Andes, the area in which the other Elder Garrett is serving right now, so that's pretty cool. Now I also know how weird the other Elder Garrett is going to talk when I get to talk to him in Spanish... haha. Elder Fuentes is a pretty great guy.

Elder Fuentes and I at the Stake Christmas devotional last night.

It's kind of interesting now that Elder Cruz is gone. Yesterday I felt super old in this ward, because the four of us elders in the ward ate lunch with the Villalba family, and I'm the only one who has eaten there before. Also, now that I've been there the longest out of the four, all of the members and investigators talk to me and ignore the others, kind of what it was like when I was with Elder Cruz, so that's definitely a change. Something I noted yesterday though, was that I don't know what changed or when, but I have been talking a whole lot lately and understanding most of what people say, so I've been pretty excited about that. Yesterday was a lot of fun because I brought the beef jerky that mom sent me to church to share with the members, and all of them were freaking out because they've never had it before. The bishop had tried it on his mission because he had a Yankee companion, and when he ate it he literally acted like he was in heaven, it was hilarious. Also, last night when Elder Fuentes and I were praying for our investigators, we decided to pray in English so he could practice. When it was my turn to pray, it was honestly extremely hard for me to form sentences. I'm pretty sure I sounded like a caveman. Half the time the words were coming out in Spanish and I had to correct myself and translate the word into English, and then other times I would be translating a phrase that I know makes sense in Spanish but doesn't mean anything in English, so that was pretty weird. I guess that's good though, right?

 
Yesterday I had the opportunity to confirm Olga a member of the church during sacrament meeting. It was my very first time doing it in my life, and it was in Spanish. I was kind of nervous, but when it came time to do it, I wasn't even really thinking about it, and my mouth really was filled with the words to say. After church got over I had the opportunity to baptize Graciela as well, which was special. Graciela and her family gave me a tie and a card expressing their thanks. In part of the letter they wrote that I have been the biggest blessing in their lives, they love me, and if I ever return to Argentina after my mission their door will always be open, which was really really humbling for me. There honestly is nothing better than being able to be a tool in the hands of the Lord in helping people come to a knowledge of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, and helping them to come closer to Him. I don't really know that I can find the words to describe the happiness I've been feeling lately, and I can't even imagine how happy our Father in Heaven is. I have come to realize that the mission clearly isn't easy. I have had many very hard experiences and sad experiences and frustrating experiences, but when it comes down to it, these past several months have been some of the happiest in my entire life.


 

Elder Garrett, Elder Cruz, Dani, Olga and Hermana Cisneros

at the baptismal service for Dani and Olga

 



Elder Fuentes, Dani, Graciela, Elder Garrett, and Olga
at the baptism of Graciela



Last night we were able to attend a stake Christmas devotional where a choir sang, our stake president spoke, and President Ayre spoke. It was really special because it reminded me of the stake Christmas devotionals we have in Kaysville. Also, it was nice to remember that it is Christmas this Wednesday as we are dying of heat and humidity.

I'd like to end my email with something I sent to a friend from high school who wrote me this week about Christmas. I hope you have an awesome Christmas. It's such a wonderful time of year to focus even more on the life of our Savior and remember that the greatest gift we have ever received in eternity, is His gift of the Atonement. It is only through the healing power of the Atonement that we can change, repent, and receive forgiveness of our sins. The laws of God are very simple: when we are obedient, we are blessed, however, we clearly aren't perfect and we make mistakes and sin everyday. We would be eternally damned if it were not for our Savior. The Gospel of Jesus Christ is very simple as stated in the scriptures. The only thing Christ asks of us is to have faith and repent and be baptized. After that, we know that we need to press forward and make the other saving covenants, but at the very base of everything is faith and repentance. When we humble ourselves enough to kneel and plead for help and forgiveness we will always receive it, and when it comes time to stand at the judgment bar of God, our Savior will be able to say that we're covered. It is for that reason that we celebrate Christmas. Santa's presents are great, but clearly don't compare. I know that our Savior lives and loves us, and his arms are always stretched out toward us pleading for us to come unto Him. A very Merry Christmas to one and all from Buenos Aires, Argentina.

Love,

Elder John William Garrett

Día 126

Wow, this past week was pretty crazy. We had been meeting with Olga, Graciela, and Danny, our referral from the Guillermo family, and their baptismal date was scheduled for this past Sunday. On Wednesday Olga told us that she just didn't feel sure yet and she wouldn't be baptized until she felt completely sure. Then Danny, her 16 year-old son proceded to tell her that she just needs to have faith and pray and read the scriptures to feel sure. In the beginning Danny wasn't even sure if he believed in God, so that was a pretty incredible moment for all of us. Olga committed to read and pray every day, and on Sunday Olga and Danny were baptized. Unfortunately, Graciela was not, because she had to go to a luncheon thing for school, but she will be baptized this next Sunday. It was a really special day, and when Olga saw Danny dressed in white she just started crying. Danny had asked me to baptize him, which was pretty special as well. Yesterday when we visited them, it was like Olga was a different person, and she has noticed it as well as her family. She's a lot happier, and a lot more patient. They said that as a family they've been trying to do a lot better and are praying together a lot, and Graciela is looking forward to her baptism this week. It's so cool to see the change that the gospel of Jesus Christ makes in peoples lives. The mission is really rewarding.

This past week was our last week with Elder Buxton as he should be just about in Utah now. We went to Once again last P-day so he could buy a bunch of gifts and stuff to take home. He left yesterday in the morning, so Elder Johnson came with Elder Cruz and I for the day because Elder Johnson wouldn't get his new companion until today. When we went to their pension Elder Buxton was just finishing packing and his suitcases weighed a ton. Definitely well over the 50 lb. limit... so I'm guessing he had to pay quite a bit to ship those bags. It was kind of an interesting moment when we said goodbye to Elder Buxton. I was excited for him, but I was also sad to see him go. We were together for about 3 months in the same ward, and he was my friend who spoke English, really tried to get to know me, listened to me, and gave me advice. I'm going to miss him being around, but who knows, maybe I'll see him when I go home because he's from Orem.

Today we had transfers. Last night was pretty nerve-wracking as we waited for the call from the zone leaders telling us what was up. Elder Cruz got shipped off to Provincia somewhere... I don't really remember where. I'm still in Constitución, and my new companion is Elder Seda, also from Mexico. He actually knew Elder Cruz before the mission as well because they went to the same school. Elder Johnson is also still in Constitución, and his companion is Elder Popoca, also from Mexico and knows Elder Cruz. It'll be kind of different as it is a change, but I'm excited. I have faith that President Ayre is called of God and I should be in Constitución with Elder Seda right now.

Love,

Elder John William Garrett

ps. Christmas is coming, but it's really hot so it doesn't feel like it... haha.

Día 118

Wow what a week. It's really starting to heat up down here and it doesn't really feel like Christmas time because of that. Also, I had a member ask me yesterday what day Christmas is... so I'm not sure how big of a holiday it is down here.

This past P-day we went to the stadium of the Boca futbol club and toured around, which was pretty awesome. I've been slowly improving when it comes to playing futbol... but I'm still pretty bad. However, this past week élder Buxton kicked it to me from the corner and I headed it in for a goal, so everyone was pretty impressed even though I know it was just luck. Oh well, I'll take what I can get.
 

 

This week we had divisions again and I was with élder Buxton in my area. It was a really good experience and I learned a lot. I had to lead out in all of the lessons, and I realized that I really can do this and the Lord will fill my mouth with words when I simply have the courage to open it. I also learned that one of the most important things is just to relax when we're in lessons. I'm reminded of all the breathing stuff I did with Andra and Bonnie and I've been trying to breathe more in the lessons and I've noticed that it's a lot easier to relax and the Spirit is able to help out more when we aren't so nervous.

We had to drop the beloved Guillermo family this week, which was really hard. Danny told us now that he doesn't want his boys to make the decision to be baptized until they are at least 18 because he thinks that until they are adults they aren't capable of making the decision for themselves. I'm not really sure where the reasoning is in that, but we have to respect people's agency. He has really just hardened his heart which was quite obvious as he would repeat over and over that God is everywhere and we don't need to be in a church as long as we try to live right and be good people. As much as we tried to help him, he just wouldn't open up his mind, and as he wasn't allowing his children to be baptized either, we just had to drop them to spend our time finding and teaching people who are prepared for this message.

On the flip-side, the reference that the Guillermo family gave us of Olga and her two children Graciela and Danny are doing fantastic. They really enjoy going to church and are reading the scriptures and praying. Yesterday Graciela couldn't come to church because she had to take someone to the train station, and Olga was just sitting at home and didn't want to go to church alone. However she said a little prayer and asked God what she should do and then opened up her Book of Mormon and read a scripture that says something like "don't put off to tomorrow what you can do today" and she got up and went to church. Later we went to her house and picked up Danny to bring him to church as well and it was really great. The Lord works in mysterious ways. We thought that the Guillermo family was put in our path to be baptized, but maybe it just isn't their time and through them we were able to find this family. When we follow the Spirit and take advantage of every opportunity we are given, we will truly be led where we need to go.

Alan is doing really well also, but unfortunately he couldn't come to church yesterday because he had to take his little brother to a soccer tournament, so unfortunately that pushed his baptism back another week. We have faith though that all will work out with him.

Yesterday was kind of an interesting day as we had two different appointments with an inactive member and a nonmember husband of a member who were just attacking the Book of Mormon. The husband of the member said that he can't believe the book of Mormon is true until there is proof that Zarahemla exists and where it is. The inactive member just kind of slipped into apostasy and has been interpreting the Bible the best way he can and doesn't believe that the church is true. 

 

I learned much from yesterday and received personal revelation through these appointments. It doesn't matter how much knowledge we have or want, we will always arrive to a point when we simply have to have faith. It is impossible to know everything. When we humble ourselves enough to simply ask our Father in Heaven, expecting to receive an answer, we will always receive it. This answer, this feeling, is something that no one can take away from you. I know that Jesus Christ lives and He atoned for me although I have not seen Him. I have felt His love and His help and guidance in my life. I know that The Book of Mormon is the word of God even though I have not seen Zarahemla, because I have read it, I have meditated on the word, and I have asked God and received the confirmation that it is true. I also know that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God and that this church is true. I know that I don't have all the answers for every question, but frankly, even if I read in the newspaper tomorrow that Zarahemla has been found or if I see my Savior tomorrow it wouldn't change what I already know to be true. However, no one can receive this witness until they humble themselves and simply have faith. I also learned that it is when we stop doing the little things that we slowly slip into apostasy. This inactive member wasn't attending church and wasn't really reading the Book of Mormon when he decided to go on this personal quest to find out what is truly the doctrine of Christ according to the Bible. It is when we stop doing the simple things such as attending church, reading the scriptures, and praying that we slip into apostasy and Satan really starts working on us. We as members cannot afford to let our guard down. If we are not progressing steadily forward in our testimonies, we are moving backwards. There is nothing sadder in this work than visiting with inactive members of the church who have completely fallen into apostasy. When we think we can figure something out on our own is when we develop pride and fall, which is a pattern shown time and time again in the Book of Mormon. 

I know this church is true. I know that my Savior lives. The Book of Mormon is the word of God. Joseph Smith saw God the Father and Jesus Christ. Thomas S. Monson is God's prophet in the world today. If anyone has doubts or questions, there is no better place to go than directly to our Father in Heaven, because He knows if this church is His church, if the Book of Mormon is His word, and if Joseph Smith was His prophet. When we humble ourselves sufficiently to ask Him, He will make it known unto us. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

élder John William Garrett

Día 111

This past week has been pretty good. I've had some breakthroughs with the language and I've been able to understand and communicate pretty well, so I'm really excited about that. On Monday we visited with the family in the ward from Ukraine that only two of the children speak Spanish. We watched the movie "Finding Faith in Christ" in Russian so that they could understand it, and I felt brand new again as I couldn't understand anything that was being said in the movie. I also came to be grateful that I'm learning Spanish and not Russian. Every time we visit this family they give us some Ukranian food that is always kind of strange, so I was really excited when I saw that this time it was 3 pancakes rolled up. Then I ate it and discovered that there was some kind of pumpkin or squash vegetable in the middle of the pancakes, so that was a little strange, but oh well.

We've run into some walls with the Guillermo family, and we've fasted the past 2 Sundays to know how we can help them. It appears that Danny really won't budge on waiting to get married until next year even though he knows he needs to be baptized. However, he gave permission to Axel and Bryan that they could be baptized. The only problem now is that Danny won't sign the baptismal record forms, because he believes that it isn't important to sign something to be baptized, the same reason why he won't get married civilly. We tried to explain about the form, but he just wasn't understanding and we're going to try to explain it a different way. They also didn't attend church yesterday because they had a birthday party for Axel until 12:00. We're disappointed, but we're just going to keep on working and press forward with faith.

Alan is really great and is reading and excited for his baptism. The only problem is yesterday élder Cruz and I had to go to the Villa to pick up some investigators, and our ward mission leader was to pick up Alan for church. We called and reminded him the night before, but Alan nor the ward mission leader came to church, so we aren't really sure what happened. That is a problem though, because to be baptized in this mission the investigators have to attend church 3 times, so it pushes his baptismal date back a week.

This week Jessica Guillermo gave us a referral of one of her friends, and we contacted Olga and her daughter Graciela and they accepted everything in the first lesson and came to church yesterday with us. They are looking for the right church, and Jessica had lent Olga a Book of Mormon and she was already reading it, so that was pretty awesome.

On Saturday we donated blood at a blood drive in a chapel in Chacarita, about 45 minutes from Constitución. élder Johnson and I were completely calm about the whole thing because we've donated before, but élder Buxton and élder Cruz were freaking out about it. Afterwards élder Buxton and élder Cruz had to stay in their chairs for about 5-10 minutes because they were really pale and loopy. 

Have a great week and enjoy winter because it's really hot and humid here. I'm thankful for all of you.

élder John William Garrett