Last Week

A quick snapshot of the week: Tuesday was Elder Lopez's birthday and we spent the day at the doctor's office because I had a problem. I'm fine though. Andres came to church yesterday! It has been incredible to see how he has changed over this past month. The Narro Family is progressing very well, they came to church again yesterday and their daughter is preparing to be baptized this Saturday. Today was my last Pday and we played basketball and soccer... Yankees vs. Latinos. We killed them in basketball... and we also won in soccer. It was fun. Not that anyone was keeping score anyway. 

Just so you all know, this will be the last time that I write home as a full-time missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Next week is transfers and they don't let those of us who are going home write home because we have some meetings that we need to go to and such. I would like to take this time to thank each and every one of you for your love and support over these past 2 years. I still can't believe that 2 years have really already gone by. It really hasn't hit me yet that this is it. I know that everyone says it, but these really have been the best 2 years. Since it's the last time I'm writing, I would like to share my testimony. 

I know that God the Father lives. I know that He has a plan for each and every one of us. I know that He knows us all individually and personally. He hears and answers our prayers, maybe not always as we want Him to, but He does answer. 

Jesus Christ lives. He made it possible for us to be cleansed and purified through His atoning blood, sacrificed himself on the cross and on the third day rose again, thus conquering both physical and spiritual death and making it possible for all of us to do so as well. As we sincerely repent and turn to Him He will guide us by the hand and help us overcome every trial and every temptation.

The Book of Mormon is the word of God just as the Holy Bible. As we study the scriptures daily we will receive the spiritual strength to keep pushing forward.

Joseph Smith saw God the Father and His son Jesus Christ. He was a prophet called of God. Through him the Lord was able to restore the Priesthood keys and establish the Church of Jesus Christ once again on the earth. Thomas S. Monson is the Lord's prophet on the earth today. He holds the same Priesthood authority that was held by Abraham and Moses.

The most important things that we can do to progress in this life are: read the scriptures daily, pray daily, attend church weekly, hold family home evening weekly, attend the temple as often as possible, and obey all commandments, even when we don't understand all the reasons as to why we should obey them. The Gospel of Jesus Christ isn't always the easiest way or the easiest choice, but it is the best way and the best choice. I testify that if we follow the principles of faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end, we will be found worthy to return and live with our Father one day. 

It's hard for me to believe that my missionary service is coming to a close so quickly. It has been the biggest privilege in the world to wear a badge on my chest that states that I am an official representative of the Church and of the Savior himself. I will be eternally grateful to my Father in Heaven for this grand opportunity and privilege.

12 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boastof my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.
 13 Behold, how many thousands of our brethren has he loosed from the pains of hell; and they are brought to sing redeeming love, and this because of the power of his word which is in us, therefore have we not great reason to rejoice?
 16 Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.
 27 Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.
28 And now behold, we have come, and been forth amongst them; and we have been patient in our sufferings, and we have suffered every privation; yea, we have traveled from house to house, relying upon the mercies of the world—not upon the mercies of the world alone but upon the mercies of God.
29 And we have entered into their houses and taught them, and we have taught them in their streets; yea, and we have taught them upon their hills; and we have also entered into their temples and their synagogues and taught them; and we have been cast out, and mocked, and spit upon, and smote upon our cheeks; and we have been stoned, and taken and bound with strong cords, and cast into prison; and through the power and wisdom of God we have been delivered again.
 30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.
35 Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name.
 36 Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my salvation, and my redemption from everlasting wo. Yea, blessed is the name of my God, who has been mindful of this people, who are a branch of the tree of Israel, and has been lost from its body in a strange land; yea, I say, blessed be the name of my God, who has been mindful of us, wanderers in a strange land.
37 Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of everypeople, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen.

(Alma 26:12-13, 16, 27-30, 35-37)

I love you all. See you soon. Come to my Homecoming on August 9 at 9:00 am. 

Much love,

Elder John William Garrett

La Gran Misión Buenos Aires Norte

This past week was pretty wonderful. On Tuesday Romina Pinto gave us a few referrals and contacted them with us! We've been struggling all transfer to get referrals, so it was great to have a member give us some and contact them with us. It makes all the difference in the world.

On Tuesday we went to Vicente Lopez to give the sister missionaries some priesthood blessings because they had had a hard week. Afterwards, Elder Lopez had to go to the hospital because he wasn't feeling well and they said he has problems in his gall bladder. We spent all day in the hospital/on the bus so it was a pretty tiring day. The good news was that I was able to read about 50 pages in the Book of Mormon. 

Elder Lopez and I eating Locro

 Thursday was Argentina's Independence Day, so we had a ward activity. There is this traditional meal here called locro, it's like some sort of bean/corn/cow stomach soup. Not going to lie, it's pretty gross. My companion and I forked it down (I guess spooned) with a smile on our face and said it was good. Sometimes as missionaries we have to eat weird things and say that we like it. Later that day we had an appointment with the Narro family from Perú. They are doing really well. Edwin and Diana need to get married, but their daughter Maria and Edwin's dad Andrés are preparing to be baptized on the 25th of July.

On Friday we had a special meeting in San Fernando with all of the missionaries that go home this transfer, next transfer, and the transfer afterwards. It was kind of a way to boost everyone up to end the mission well. It was a really great meeting and it was fun to see friends. Later during the day Elder Lopez fell in a zanja and it was pretty funny. The zanjas are these sewers on the side of the street that pretty much are full of animal/human waste. I felt okay laughing because I fell in one when I was in Pacheco. It happens to everyone.

On Sunday we had an appointment with our less-active friend Andrés that I've told you a little about. The first time we met him 3 weeks ago he didn't want to read the scriptures or pray, and yesterday when we arrived he said he had been reading during the week and he offered to say the opening prayer. It's incredible how the gospel changes people.

This week we read a lot in the Book of Mormon, it's been great. The challenge of reading 26 pages per day really makes the Book of Mormon seem more like a story (I mean, it is a story anyway), so it's been really fun to read and I've learned a lot.

Today for pday we went to an all-you-can-eat pizza place and then played tennis. It's really weird to think that I only have one more pday left... the next time I write will be the last time. I'm going to take advantage of every moment I've got until the very end! Thanks for everyone's help, love and support! You're the best!

Love, 

Elder John William Garrett

This week was pretty crazy. This week was crazy because it started the list of the last times I will do things on the mission.

On Tuesday I went to my last Leadership Council meeting with President and the Zone Leaders. It was a really great meeting and it was great to be there with a lot of my friends from the mission and learn form President Ayre. In honor of Pioneer Day, President extended the invitation to all of the missionaries to read the entire Book of Mormon starting on July 1 until July 24. We have to read 26 pages a day to read it all in 24 days (there are 642 pages in Spanish). It's been a bit of a challenge, but a huge blessing to me as I've been learning a lot and been able to strengthen a lot my testimony of the Book of Mormon.

On Wednesday I had my very last Zone Meeting. It was sad because I've really loved participating and leading the meetings and it's been a great experience to learn from all of these missionaries that I serve. We had a really spiritual meeting that was mostly centered around the idea of if we love our missions or if we are just putting up with our mission. I'm so grateful for this opportunity to serve and it's not over yet! I'm determined to work as hard as I can until the very end!

On Friday we got to go to the temple as a zone and it was really great to return. I've now been able to go to the temple 5 times on my mission in Argentina and it has been such a wonderful privilege. The temple is a very special place and for those of you who aren't missionaries and can go more frequently... go!! It is such a privilege to have temples and be able to be instructed by the Lord therein.

This past week we worked really hard. I probably worked harder than ever before on my mission. The problem is we just can't find the people who really want to progress. However, we're going to keep working harder than ever and I know that the Lord will put the prepared people in our paths or we will be put in theirs.

Today I got the Yellow Fever shot to be able to go to Iguazú and afterwards we went to Siga La Vaca with the zone. It's an all-you-can-eat restaurant of asado (barbecue), so it was pretty much the best.

Almost forgot... on Saturday we got permission to watch the final of the Copa de America. Argentina played against Chile and it was really fun to watch the game... but... well... Argentina lost. Chile was playing dirty anyway, though. They were hitting pretty hard and grabbing the jerseys. But anyway, everyone was pretty mad after the game... haha. I got to see Argentina make it to the final of the Copa del Mundo and lose... and get to the final of the Copa de America and lose... yikes.

Thanks for everything! I love you all!

Love,

Elder John William Garrett 

Saltando en los charcos...with elder lopez (new companion) and elder patey (last companion)

This past week was an adventure. We've been working really hard to get to know more members and help them participate in the work here in Suárez. By doing so we've received a lot of referrals and have found many new people to teach. This week we've been teaching a lady named Inca (Filomena) who is 66 years old. She went to church a few times about 5 months ago. She had been searching to find peace in her life and has told us that as she reads the Book of Mormon and prays, she has been able to feel that peace. 

A miracle from this week is that we started visiting an inactive member. He smokes 40 cigarettes per day. He didn't really want to pray or read the scriptures or go to church when we first met him, but yesterday when we visited him he had read 4 chapters in the scriptures and had planned to go to church yesterday (he didn't end up going because... well... I'll get to that). During our appointment he didn't even smoke! It was a miracle because before he would smoke about 3 cigarettes during our 30 minute appointment. It is so incredible to see how the Lord helps people change.

On Friday, while on our way to an appointment, we were walking down the street and a little family saw us and the kids came running up to us and said, "We're Mormons!" The Godoy family is from Rosario and they just moved to Suárez 2 weeks ago. It is a really big family and not all of them got baptized in Rosario, even though they were attending church every week. They wanted to know where the chapel was here in Suárez, so we arranged to help them get to church on Sunday and they were really excited. In the end... well... they didn't end up going because... well... I'll get to that.

Sunday morning there was a huge rain storm and it poured! My companion and I went looking for the Godoy family and we got drenched! By the time we got to church we were soaked all the way through all the layers of our clothes and freezing! At 9 o´clock there were only about 30 people at church, and over the next hour the members slowly trickled in. When it rains here... no one leaves their house. Overall it was kind of a rough day because no one wanted to leave their house and talk to us. Fortunately, Elder Patey had left his rubber rain boots in the pension when he left, so I put them on and jumped in every puddle I found to stay smiling and happy. It was the first time I had ever worn rain boots, so it was fun.

With Elder Lopez (new companion) and Elder Patey (last companion)

 The down side is that I woke up today pretty sick... so that's not fun. Today we only have 2 hours to write to the family and then it'll just be a normal day, because on Friday we are going to go the temple with the zone. It's going to be really great! Overall, it was kind of a rough week, but we're still working hard and I know that the miracles are going to come!

I love you all!

Elder John William Garrett

La Gran Misión Buenos Aires Norte

Once again with Elder Lopez

This past week was really great. Once again I am with Elder Lopez from Honduras. To answer a few questions, we were companions for 3 months in Pablo Nogués when I had been out 7 months and he had been out 4 months. It's pretty cool to be back together because we're good friends and we already know how to work together. We had our first zone meeting on Thursday and he was really nervous for it because it's the first time that he is a zone leader. He did great though and the meeting was really spiritual. I feel like this transfer our zone is going to accomplish great things. It's weird being the oldest missionary in the mission. It's really weird.

We worked hard this week and found a lot of people to teach while working with the members. Unfortunately the people we found didn't come to church because they already had plans for Father's Day, but we have a few people that we found that accepted baptismal dates, so we're excited to keep working with them this week. A cool experience was we were walking in the street and said "hi" to a girl who is probably about 24ish and she said "hi" back and was really really nice, so we stopped and talked to her and she showed a lot of interest. We noted her address and passed by the next day and it turned out to be the house of her dad that I had visited over a month ago with Elder Patey. He didn't want to learn a whole lot at that time, but his dad died this past week so he was a little more receptive aaaaand... turns out that his wife was baptized as a little girl with her mom. We have an appointment with them today.

We're working really hard and I'm really happy! This transfer is going to be fantastic! I love you all!

Elder John William Garrett

La Gran Misión Buenos Aires Norte

Last transfer surprises

This last week was pretty phenomenal. Gladys told us that she wanted to be baptized and she wanted to be baptized on Saturday, so well, she got baptized on Saturday and confirmed on Sunday. She was so happy. Yesterday we ate an asado at her house for my birthday and we got to talk to her mom who is a member. Gladys never even told her mom that she was listening to the missionaries, and on Sunday she visited her and told her that her and Robert had been baptized. Her mom was so happy.  It was incredible. I'm so glad that we were able to be instruments in the Lord's hands to help Gladys take this great step.

 

Gladys got baptized 

On Thursday Elder Patey had his last interview with President Ayre and while in the mission home, I got to eat pancakes, American style, with maple syrup from the US! Woohoo!! It was so great! I think I ate about 15... woops. It's not something we eat every day though! Because it was his last week, on Friday Elder Patey and I got to go to the temple. We woke up really early to get there, but it was so wonderful to be there again. I hadn't been in about 10 months. While there I was able to see Gladys Alfonso, a member from Pacheco who works in the temple. I had been praying to be able to see someone I knew and I saw her! Tender mercies of the Lord exist!

At the temple with Elder Patey

Marta was an investigator that Elder Patey taught the transfer before I got to Suárez, but then she was working every weekend and couldn't go to church. We visited her this past week and she got a new job and will be going to church now and wants to be baptized! We have an appointment with her today!

On Sunday we had the despedidas, and it was really hard to say goodbye to Elder Fabila, Patey, Zollinger, Stout and Nuñez, who all were my companions. It's been a good run. One of the best parts was seeing the Ramirez family again, who are doing great! They all wrote me letters for my birthday and they were so sweet. Also, a member who I didn't even know came up to me and said she had someone on her phone that wanted to talk to me, so I took it and it was my trainer, Elder Cruz, who is now in Mexico! He called to tell me happy birthday! He's the best!

Yesterday was my birthday. I'm 20. I'm not a teenager anymore. It's weird. We ate 5 cakes... so we'll be running a lot this week!

20 years old

Transfers! I'm going to be with Elder Lopez for my last transfer of the mission! He was my companion in Pablo Nogués when I had been out 7 months and he had been out 4! It's going to be great!

Love you all!

Elder John William Garrett

La Gran Misión Buenos Aires Norte

Last week of being a teenager...

This will be the last week that I am a teenager. The next time you hear from me I will be 20 years old. I feel pretty old. At the same time not though, because there are many missionaries that are 22 and 23 in my zone and I'm going home before them... haha.

Movin' up the totem pole, I'm gonna be 20! 

This past week was pretty good and hard. We've been working really really hard to do all the small and simple things and to talk to everyone and follow the Spirit. I was a little disappointed on Friday, but Elder Fabila called me and he helped me out a lot. He said that for things to turn out well, we have to give it all we've got and it has to be the Lord's will.  I know I'm doing my best and I guess that really is all that I can do. 

This week we had leadership council which is always great, and we talked a lot about the importance of baptism in what we do as missionaries. We find that many missionaries don't even believe that they can baptize in their areas, and well... if you don't believe you can... you can't. The next day we had a really spiritual zone meeting where we talked about this, and the best part of the meeting was when every missionary in the zone got up and shared a baptism experience. It was really spiritual and everyone was so happy and pumped to go out and work hard. This zone had always had kind of a reputation of not baptizing, because a couple mission presidents ago, it was the zone that all of the disobedient missionaries were sent to. When President Ayre came, he decided he wanted to change that, so we're doing our best to help it become a really successful zone and try to change what people think about it. Once again because, if you don't believe there are people prepared, ready to be baptize, you won't find them, and you won't baptize.

My first chapel when I got to Argentina

We had a really cool experience on Saturday. Elder Patey and I made a surprise check-in on the Elders from Villa Ballester during companionship study (we have keys to their apartment). It has been so great to see their progress these past several weeks. The first week of the transfer they taught 6 lessons with a member present, and this past week they taught 26. They are now a lot more optimistic and Elder Montenegro even said "I can hardly sleep at night because I just want it to be 11 o'clock so we can go out and start working." We're really proud of them. They also gave us a referral of someone who lives in our area, so later that day we went to contact him. On the way, we decided to talk to a couple on a street corner and they are golden. They are married and have 3 children. José was so excited and grateful that we gifted him the Book of Mormon, and I think it was because the Spirit really guided us to explain the importance of it. The Book of Mormon is so important. If it is true, and I know that it is, Joseph Smith was a prophet, the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored, the Priesthood Keys that unlock the doors of the Celestial Kingdom have been restored, families can be together forever, and we can one day become like God. To quote Thomas S. Monson, "If you haven't read the Book of Mormon... READ IT." I know that if we read it carefully, meditate upon it, and pray and ask God the Eternal Father in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, we will receive a confirmation of it's truthfullness by the power of the Holy Ghost. READ IT.

Today for Pday we played tennis as a zone and it was a lot of fun. We then ate cake and ice-cream because it was Hermana Baldwin's birthday yesterday and it is mine in a week! Don't forget! I won't be a teenager anymore! 

Love you all!

Elder John William Garrett

La Gran Misión Buenos Aires Norte

1 kilo de arroz chaufa

This past week was quite delightful. On Monday we had our Pday mission activity like I talked about last week which was great. On Tuesday after writing you all our member cancelled our lunch so Elder Patey and I were left without food. We decided to buy stuff to make arroz chaufa (a Peruvian food) and we ended up making about a kilo. We ended up eating it all week... haha.

This past week we helped Gladys paint her house. We first had to scrape off some old paint which covered us in blue paint dust and we were pretty much spitting blue all day. It was really fun though and she made us a Paraguayan breakfast and lunch.

We worked really hard this past week and found many new people to teach, but we're still busy looking for the people that have a sincere desire to learn about the gospel, I know they're out there!

Robert had his baptismal interview and was baptized on Saturday and confirmed on Sunday, and Gladys had a really spiritual experience attending her son's baptism. We have an appointment with them in a couple hours and we'll see how we can help her keep progressing.

Today for Pday we went to capital because Elder Patey goes home in two weeks. He spent time shopping and then we went to the Hard Rock Café for lunch. It was really nice to eat a pretty American hamburger.

I love you all!

Elder John William Garrett

La Gran Misión Buenos Aires Norte

Weekly Running Count: 26 miles

This was a good week. Elder Patey made me run 26 miles over the whole week... so that's fun. At least a lot of other missionaries have told me that I look skinny... haha.

This past week we had some really good lessons with Gladys and Robert. They are progressing really well, and are inviting friends to listen to us. Last night we had a great family home evening with them and with the Pizarro family who live around the corner from them. Walter Pizarro is also our ward mission leader, and Gladys and Robert had a great time last night and felt really loved in their home. 

We found a lot of new investigators this past week... but at the end of the week not very many progressed. It's disappointing, but we're still happy and working hard to find the people that really will progress. I know they are out there!!

Asado with Elder Edmonds, Elder Patey and Carlos Fernandez

Yesterday we had a Pday activity as a mission. We had a small devotional and then had a soccer tournament with all the zones. Our zone doesn't play very well, but we played surprisingly well until one of our sisters (who will remain nameless) accidentally scored a goal on our own team and then we had to go to penalty kicks and lost. Oh well. We then watched "Meet the Mormons," and I really enjoyed it. It was a fun activity and I got to see quite a few friends... but I felt really old because I don't know hardly anyone anymore. It seems as though most of my friends went home in February, March, and May. After this transfer I won't have many left, so I'll have to make some more!

The mission activity

Time is flying by, I can't believe how fast it is passing. Hay que aprovechar cada momento!! I love you all!

Love,

Elder John William Garrett

La Gran Misión Buenos Aires Norte

This past week was great. Elder Patey and I worked really hard. Elder Patey also has me running a lot. We get up at about 5:45 every morning and go run at least 6 or 7 miles. It isn't as bad as it was in the beginning, I'm getting kind of used to it. He also has a lot of weights, so we lift weights at night. It's fun.

Anyway, Gladys and Robert are progressing a lot . They are reading the Book of Mormon and praying every day and Gladys is inviting a lot of her friends to learn about the gospel. The Ward Mission Leader lives around the corner from her and is helping us out a lot with teaching her. On Saturday we had a ward activity that they came to and Gladys feels likes she has friends at church. They are progressing really well and have a baptismal date for the 30th of this month.

We found a lot of new investigators this week by working with recent converts and we have a lot of people who could get baptized, we just need to commit them a little more so they will be more settled on making the decision. 

This past weekend the Córdoba Temple was dedicated, so on Saturday there was the cultural event and Sunday was the dedication. It was a really really spiritual experience. Elder Christofferson conducted and offered the dedicatory prayer and President Uchtdorf talked. It was a great experience and I really miss going to the temple and feeling that strong spirit that I always feel there.

I'm really enjoying my time here in Suárez with Elder Patey, he's a great guy and we're becoming really close friends. Today we went bowling with the zone and my team won, so that's always fun. I bowled 3 strikes but didn't end up getting a very high score... oh well. Overall it has been a great week in José León Suárez.

I love you all!

Love,

Elder John William Garrett

La Gran Misión Buenos Aires Norte

Week 1 in José León Suárez

Last week was fantastic. I'm so happy here in José León Suárez with Elder Patey. We are having a great time together and working really hard. He also makes me run everyday with him because he's training for a marathon. The first morning here he made me get up and run 7 miles with him... yikes. So far I'm going strong though, so that's good. 

It was Elder Patey's birthday last Wednesday so we spent the week eating the 5 cakes that the members gave him.

My first day here we passed by for a referral from the offices and found Gladys, one of the most prepared people I've ever met. She met the missionaries in La Plata (other part of Argentina) at her mom's house because her parents are members. The missionaries were eating lunch there and she took interest and told them to send the missionaries to her house. When we dropped in she said she was waiting for us. She is from Paraguay and has lived her for 15 years. She lives around the corner from our Ward Mission Leader but they never met before. She has 4 kids, 2 of whom live with her. She is coming through on every commitment, has already received an answer that the church is true, came to church early by herself, and feeds us everytime we go to her house. She and her son Robert will be baptized on the 30th. Two things to learn from them: Always invite the missionaries to lunch, and get to know your neighbors.

This past week I started studying "The First 12 Weeks" manual in my personal study. It's a manual that you study when you first get to the mission for your first 12 weeks. I'm studying it again for my last 12 and going back to the basics, it's been pretty great.

I love you all! Thanks for everything!

Elder John William Garrett

La Gran Misión Buenos Aires Norte

Transfers...

Well, last week was pretty interesting. We did exchanges almost every day with the other areas in the zone, and seeing as everyone thought I would be transferred, I didn't stay in my area because I didn't really have to know where the investigators live. So, I spent most of the week outside of my area helping other missionaries in their areas. I had some really good exchanges with Elder Kelly (Las Vegas) and Elder Lanas (Chile). They are really great missionaries and examples. 

Friday was an interesting day, it rained all day and we were supposed to have a ward activity that night. We really weren't expecting anyone to come, because when it rains here, no one leaves the house. However, EVERYONE CAME. Andrea and Ezequiel (our most recent converts) even brought their next-door neighbor Mayra who loved it and then came to church on Sunday and has a baptismal date. It was really a great day.

Zarate Ward activity

Saturday the Elders in the Zárate 2nd Ward had a baptism, but they were afraid that there wouldn't be enough priesthood holders there, so I came with them to the baptism. It was a good thing that I did because other than us three there were no other priesthood holders. We had to fill the font up with buckets and then Elder Kelly had to immerse Aarón 8 times before he stopped kicking his feet around out of the water. I presided at the baptismal service, directed the baptismal service, directed the singing, and gave the welcome to the ward. All in all it was actually a really spiritual baptismal service.

On Sunday 8 of us Elders from the Zona Zárate sang in the despedidas again. We sang "Placentero nos es trabajar." Don't look it up in English, it doesn't exist. We nailed it. It was really great to say goodbye to some great mission friends like Elder Lanas and Elder Fuentes, and to see a bunch of members and converts from Constitución, Pacheco, and Chacabuco. 

Yesterday we got notified about transfers. They were supposed to send us the transfer details at 4:00 but the system wasn't working, so they couldn't email it out to us until about 9:30. However, Elder Fabila called me and told me about my transfer at 4:00 anyway. I had to leave Zárate this morning and I'm now a zone leader in la Zona Norte with Elder Patey. We are in the José León Suárez ward. I am really really excited. It will be a great new adventure. Elder Patey was in the Zona Zárate with me for two transfers and we are really good friends, so this transfer is going to be great. He ends his mission this transfer, so I'll be his last companion and then I'll get a new one before going home. I'm really excited for the opportunity to be here! It's going to be great! 

In José León Suárez with my new companion Elder Patey.
(I'm wearing the Chile jersey that Elder Fuentes gifted me today)

I love you all! Que la fuerza les acompañe!

Elder John William Garrett

La Gran Misión Buenos Aires Norte

This week was quite a week. On Tuesday we had to go to the hospital because Elder Guerra had an appointment to check on something. All in all it took out 6 hours of our day because Zárate is pretty far away from everything. The cool thing was that we got to eat lunch at a nearby Subway, which was delightful.

On Wednesday I got to go on exchanges with Elder Caifual in my area. Elder Caifual has been out on the mission for 3 months. He is from Chile, and is a fantastic missionary and friend. He has a lot of energy and is really grateful to be a missionary. I learned a lot from him and enjoyed the day a lot.

On Friday we had a special meeting with the Stake President, Presidente Frias and Presidente Ayre to talk about the missionary work in the stake. The meeting was in Baradero, so President stopped by to pick us up and take us there in his car. He also brought my ex-companion  and great friend Elder Fabila to accompany him, so I got to spend a while with him again, which was great. After the meeting, President brought us back to Zárate and he left Elder Fabila with us, so I got to do exchanges with him! My two companions, Elder Núñez and Elder Guerra, worked together and I got to work with Elder Fabila again! It was so much fun and so great to be with him again. He did the baptismal interview of Ezequiel and he passed it. 

Ezequiel,  Elder Núñez, Andrea (his mom), Elder Garrett and Elder Guerra

Ezequiel was baptized on Saturday and confirmed on Sunday. It was a really great baptismal service and there were even refreshments! Woohoo! We baptized and ate cake, it was great.

Well, that's about it for the week! Que la fuerza les acompañe!

Love,

Elder John William Garrett

La Gran Misión Buenos Aires Norte

This last week was a little difficult here in Zárate 1. Every member that was supposed to accompany us this week fell through. Almost every appointment that we had fell through as well. However, all is well. The work continues.

We've been working a lot with a less-active member named Andrea these past couple weeks. She was baptized last year and was really faithful until her brother died and she got really sad and depressed and stopped coming to church. We've been helping her and her family come to church again, and teaching her son Ezequiel at the same time who recently moved in with her. The family is progressing a lot and Ezequiel really loves reading the Book of Mormon and went to mutual this past week with the young men. He is preparing to be baptized this Saturday.

We have also been working a lot with Paula and her daughter Julieta. Paula was a former investigator of mine from my time with Elder Fabila. We had stopped teaching her basically because we could never find her at home. Last week we found her in a member's house and set up an appointment with her. While as her time was not when Elder Fabila and I were teaching her, it appears that now is her time. She is progressing a lot and is really excited about everything. Her daughter Julieta is also progressing really well and they both went to church yesterday. Julieta and Paula are even inviting their friends to listen to us and come to church.

We've been hitting it pretty hard with exercises lately, running every day and lifting weights, so that's been fun. I guess that is what happens when your companion goes home in a transfer haha.

I love you all!

Elder John William Garrett

La Gran Misión Buenos Aires Norte

Semana de Records

This week we decided to try something new to get the whole zone really pumped up and excited. We asked the secretary to send us the records of each area of lessons taught to an investigator with a member present. We then energetically pitched the idea of breaking the records this past week. I'm not going to lie, some of them were really high, but, as we always say, "nosotros ponemos nuestros propios techos, el Señor no pone techos." Basically meaning that we set our own limits, in missionary work there really aren't limits, we can accomplish what we put our minds to. At the end of the week the majority of the areas had set new records. It has been pretty incredible to see the blessings that have come by pushing ourselves as much as possible. We're really pleased with how the zone is doing and know that they have realized that they can really do whatever they set their mind to, we look forward to more success in the future. 

We had a pretty good week in our area. We were working really hard and talking with a lot of people, but in the middle of the week we decided we needed to be more effective, so we went to visit a few less-active members and recent converts and immediately found 4 new investigators who accepted baptism. 

We have been working a lot with a less-active member named Andrea. She has 5 children, but only 2 of them lived with her. This past week one of her other children (Ezequiel) moved in with her and he told us he wants to be baptized. He's really excited and is always reading the scriptures, going to mutual, and is excited to be a missionary some day. 

Making empanadas

I love you all! Thanks for everything!

Love,

Elder John William Garrett

La Gran Misión Buenos Aires Norte

Wow, what a week. This week we worked really really hard. Our ward mission leader Matías Gonzalez came with us almost every day and we contacted a lot of his referrals and found a lot of great people to teach. We taught a lot of lessons this week, and talked with more people than ever before.

On Wednesday we had the Leadership Council Meeting in President Ayre's house and it was great. I got to see Elder Fabila again and it was great to see him. He did a lot for me and we're great friends, I'm sure we'll stay friends for many years. After the meeting got over, Elder Núñez and I got a surprise and it was... a new companion! We are now in a trio. Our new companion is Elder Guerra, who was my companion about 9 months ago in Pacheco. They closed his area for some reason and sent him with us and his companion with the zone leaders in Vucetich. It's taking a little getting used to, it's the first time I've been in a trio in my mission. It's a little interesting as well because he isn't a zone leader, but we're doing our best to really include him in everything we do so that he can be a great leader in the mission in the future. 

Elder Guerra, Elder Garrett, Elder Núñez

Due to us now being in a trio, that allows us to talk to a lot more people during the day, which is great. We decided that if we three are all teaching the same person with a member then there are just too many of us and we make them feel really pressured, so while one of us teaches someone with a member, the other two go and talk with as many people as they can around them to keep finding new people to teach. We taught a lot of people and found a lot of new investigators this way, and we're excited to keep working hard and inviting everyone to come unto Christ. Unfortunately, we were expecting a lot of investigators to come to church on Saturday and Sunday and no one came. However, we're not discouraged and are going to keep working hard this week to find new people to teach.

On Friday we had interviews with President Ayre and afterward had exchanges with the assistants. I stayed in my area with Elder Pereira and Elder Guerra while Elder Núñez went to the offices with Elder Fabila and Elder Stout. It was a lot of fun and I enjoyed working with and learning from Elder Pereira.

This past week I spent quite a bit of time contemplating on and writing questions for the coming General Conference. All of my questions and concerns were talked about in conference. I know that the Prophet and the Apostles and the Seventy and that every calling in the church really comes directly from God and that God speaks to His children through His servants. I know people always encourage others to write questions before conference, but I had never done it before this last one and it was incredible how all of my questions really were answered. I invite everyone to do it. I know God lives and loves us. I know that His Son Jesus Christ resurrected on the third day and that He lives. He guides this, His only true church. He loves us. I know He does. I have felt His love every day over the course of my mission. I know He lives.

Today we went to San Pedro with the zone and had the best Pday ever. We played futbol (like always) but then played games with eggs due to Easter. We played catch with eggs and kept getting farther and farther until the last egg was drop. Elder Guerra and I won. Not that it was a contest though. We also raced with an egg on a spoon held with our teeth. It was fun. Overall it was a smashing success because everyone participated and had fun. 

I love you all! 

Love,

Elder John William Garrett

La Gran Misión Buenos Aires Norte

La primera semana de un nuevo traslado...

This week we worked really hard with my new companion. On Tuesday when we got to work after Pday ended we went to the Ramirez family's house and to our surprise found them having a Family Home Evening with the Bishop's family, and two other families from the ward. Elder Núñez got to know half the ward the first day... haha. Julio and Laura taught the lesson and it was pretty incredible. They are the best. After the FHE we got about 10 referrals to contact, so that was pretty cool. 

Bicicletas

This week we worked very closely with the members to contact a lot of referrals and met a lot of new people. We taught a lot of lessons this week.  Sometimes it can be hard because sometimes we don't have very many investigators, but I know that as we show the Lord that we want to teach people that will really progress in the Gospel, He will put us in the paths of those people.

On Saturday we decided to try something new. We were with our Ward Mission Leader, and, due to the new Church initiative "Because He Lives", we've got some new pass-along cards. We decided to go out with Guadalupe (age 13) and Abril (age 9) and have them give a few cards to whoever came to their mind. Abril wasn't scared at all and brought us to her neighbor Mariela's house. She came out and accepted everything, and on Sunday came to church. She is really great.  We could't talk with her husband very long on Saturday because he had to go to work.

On Sunday Laura Ramirez gave a talk in church and it was fantastic. She is such an example to me. If she was nervous you couldn't even tell. 

Les amo a todos, gracias por todo lo que hacen y por siempre apoyar a los misioneros.

Love,

Elder John William Garrett

La Gran Misión Buenos Aires Norte

Lots of Changes

Wow, what a day. What a week. Last week I had the opportunity to go on exchanges with my hijo Elder Lawyer in Campana, and with Elder Lanas in Zárate 2. It was a really great experience to be with and work with them and especially learn from them. What I love most about being a zone leader is getting to work with more missionaries and learn from them. It's the best. It was especially fun to be with my hijo again and see the progress that he has had since I took him back to Pacheco with me on his first day in the mission field. I spent a lot of time away from my area this week, so I'm excited to get to know the people that Elder Fabila met last week. 

On Friday we (Hermana Hemi, Hermana Carter, Elder Sanchez, Elder Lanas, Elder Fabila, and I) made tacos with the Ramirez family and Brenda for a family home evening because it was Elder Sanchez's last week in the mission, and he is from Mexico, so he just had to make us tacos. It was a lot of fun. The Ramirez family has progressed so much. On Sunday Julio gave the opening prayer in sacrament meeting and Laura gave a talk. It was really special. 

Saturday was a really special day as we did two service projects in the morning. We helped a sister in the ward put up a roof, and we helped another family shovel out a lot of gravel that they had behind their house. It was fun, but I got a little sore the next day. That night the Sisters had a baptism and, like always here in Zárate, us missionaries did a special musical number. It was a really great baptismal service.

On Sunday we went to the Missionary Farewell in San Fernando. Hermana Hemi signed herself, Hermana Carter, Elder Fabila and I up to sing a musical number. We had to sing in front of about 1000 people. I was pretty nervous. It's been a long time since I've sung in front of so many people. It was fun though and I felt like we did a really good job. After it was over a few people that I didn't know came up to me and asked for autographs and fotos... it was weird. This transfer 27 missionaries went home, and I knew almost all of them. It was bitter-sweet as a lot of my friends went home. Elder Cruz (my Mexican trainer), Elder Popoca (my Mexican friend from Constitución), Elder Sanchez (my Mexican friend from Zárate), and Hermana Hemi (my Australian friend from Chacabuco/Zárate) all went home. It made me cry when Elder Cruz hugged me and gave me one of his name badges so that I'll remember him. He was a great trainer and a great friend throughout my whole mission. This Farewell I was able to see a lot of members and converts from my old areas that I hadn't seen in a long time. It was so great to see them and know that they are still active in the church.

Yesterday morning we got a call from President Ayre asking Elder Fabila to be his new Asistant, so he left at about 11 o'clock and I spent the rest of the day with Elder Sanchez and Elder Lanas. Last night I had a really special opportunity. Hermana Hemi, who finished her mission today, asked me to give her a blessing before going home. I was her District Leader in Chacabuco and her Zone Leader here in Zárate.  It was one of those really really special blessings for me where I felt like a tool in the Lord's hands.

Today was transfers. I'm staying in Zárate as a Zone Leader with Elder Núñez. He is from Houston, Texas, and I've known him for a long time. We were in the MTC at the same time, we were companions on the airplane, and we've been in a couple zones together. It's going to be a lot of fun to work together and I'm excited for this transfer. This transfer half the zone was transferred out, and in every area someone was called to train or to be a zone leader in another area or to be a sister training leader. I'm really happy for the zone and the time that we were together. We're excited for another great transfer! I love you all!

Love,

Elder John William Garrett

This week was really good. On Wednesday I went on exchanges with Elder Vasquez in Lima and I learned a lot. That day we fixed two main goals: to teach 10 lessons with a member, and to find a complete family. We worked really hard that day and found many new investigators, but we didn't find a complete family until we taught our 10th lesson at about 8:00 pm. It was pretty incredible that in order to find that complete family we had to complete with our daily goals such as lessons with a member. It was a really fun day and I enjoyed learning from Elder Vasquez.

On Friday we had the first ward activity in the Zárate 1st Ward in probably many years. When I first got here the relationship between members and missionaries wasn't that great, but we've seen a lot of progress lately. To make a comparison, my 2nd week here we had a ward activity and only 2 people other than the missionaries came. On Friday we had about 60 people come, which was a smashing success. The Relief Society President taught the lesson and we were in charge of the games. Everyone had a lot of fun and on Sunday everyone was talking about the activity. It was a really great activity for the recent converts and investigators, as well as they were able to interact with the members. We were really happy with how it turned out.

Saturday night Brenda was baptized. She is a super family friend of the Ramirez family that was baptized a couple months ago. It was a really special service, because Julio gave the talk on baptism and testified that he knew that this is the truth. Laura gave the talk on the Holy Ghost and her testimony was really powerful. Then Hermana Hemi, Hermana Carter, Elder Fabila and I sang "Señor, te necesito" (I Need Thee Every Hour). We started off extremely shaky, but after the first part we pretty much nailed it and everyone was crying. It was great. After the baptism we went to Brenda's house and ate pizza with the Ramirez family and Mati Gonzalez (our Ward Mission Leader). 

Yesterday we met a taxi driver who is really interested in the church, is married, and has 3 kids... we have an appointment with him tomorrow.

I love you all! Thanks for writing me! Thanks for your support! Have a great week!

Love,

Elder John William Garrett

"Sigueme"

The weeks are flying by!! It is so crazy to be once again in an internet café writing home! Today I hardly have any time because we had to travel to capital so our companions who are finishing their missions could buy souvenirs, and we have to go back to Zárate in about 10 minutes. 

Brenda is progressing really really well. She is going strong with every commitment that we have given her and accepted the law of chastity and the word of wisdom very well.. Yesterday at church she was telling everyone that she is getting baptized this Saturday and she was really excited.

On Sunday morning we found some people in the street and invited them to church and they came with us! They had gone to church before in Jujuy (Provincia de Argentina) and really enjoyed it. We are going to be working with them this week.

This was a very spiritual week for me as we had a leadership council meeting with all of the zone leaders in the mission and had a zone meeting. We had an incredible experience in the zone meeting where the Sister Training Leaders of the zone did an activity. We were all blindfolded and we had to follow Sister Hemi's voice who was saying "sigueme" while Sister Carter was trying to lead us astray. At the beginning we were all in a pack and it was really hard to hear Sister Hemi and I didn't want to be led astray just by following my friends, so I decided to separate from the group. When I did I felt really alone, but after awhile I could hear Sister Hemi's voice telling me to follow her and step by step I did and made it to "the Celestial Kingdom." Everyone felt the Spirit very strongly and we learned a lot. In order to follow the Lord in this life, we need to pay very close attention, because he isn't going to shout at us to follow him. Many times we will feel all alone because our friends or those around us aren't doing what we are doing. However, if we will but have the courage to be different and to follow the Good Shepherd, he will always come looking for us. He doesn't want a single lamb to be lost. It was really hard, but when I made it to the desired destination I was so grateful for my patience and courage to be alone and I imagine that that may be what it is like in the end. This life is hard, because it is a time of trial. The Lord is testing us to see if we will but be faithful to Him. However, in the end, every sacrifice will be worth it. I love the Lord. I love His work. I love being a missionary.

Love,

Elder John William Garrett

Todo miembro un misionero

This week we had a special zone conference with Elder Zeballos from the Presidencia del Área Suramerica Sur. It was a really great conference. He mentioned that if you can speak English and Spanish, you can communicate with 80% of the members of the church, and if you speak English, Spanish, and Portuguese, you can speak with 90%.  Good thing I've got my friend Scotty, who can teach me Portuguese. I think what I most liked about the conference was something that he and his wife talked about. They cut an apple open and asked us what half an apple has to do with missionary work. When you cut an apple, it is when you can see that an apple has seeds and you can count them, but you will never know how many apples can be grown from the seeds of the apple. It's interesting that in missionary work we can see and measure some of the results of our labor, such as the number of lessons we teach, how many investigators come to church, or how many baptisms the Lord allows us to participate in. However, we will truly never know the impact that our small actions may cause. The Lord uses small and simple things to accomplish His grand purposes. I feel like a very very small and simple thing as a missionary. It amazes me that the Lord trusts so much in an imperfect, small, simple 19 year-old like me. It is such a privilege to serve the Lord full-time.

This week the Ramirez family has helped us a lot with the work! They invited their friend Brenda to their house to listen to us. She is 20 years old and has a 2 year old child named Jazmin. She is progressing really well and has a baptismal date for the 14th of March. We also met Juana, the mother of Brenda, who we feel will soon accept the message. We still need to contact Nico, Guadalupe's 14 year-old friend, and his family. The Ramirez family is progressing so well in the gospel. Julio blessed the Sacrament for the first time yesterday and it was so humbling for me to see. We met the family almost 2 months ago, and Julio has already blessed the Sacrament, they are doing family history work, and they are inviting their friends to come to their house and learn about the gospel. They are a very special family and hold a very special place in my heart.

Saturday was an interesting day. Elder Vasquez and Elder Jones called us because Elder Vasquez had had a problem and needed to go to the hospital, but they were supposed to have a baptism in a few hours. Elder Fabila ended up going to the hospital with Elder Vasquez and I went with Elder Jones to the small Lima Branch. When we got there, the pool (because they don't have a church, they meet in a house) was only half-full, and the water wasn't coming out of the hose. We ended up having to fill up the pool with buckets of water. Then it was 7 o'clock and the investigators were no where to be found. We waited and waited and finally went out to try and find them. We found them and got back to the church at 8 o'clock. Laura (28) and her daughter Sabrina (8) were baptized. Elder Vasquez was going to baptize Sabrina, and so Elder Jones asked her if it was alright if he baptized her. She didn't want him to. She wanted me to. So I ended up baptizing her. It was a fun experience.

Muchísimas gracias a todos por lo que hacen por mí. Les amo mucho y siempre los tengo presente en mis oraciones. Cuídense mucho. 

Con amor,

Elder John William Garrett

Una semana interesante

This was an... interesting week. Last Sunday while looking for a lost frisbee, I gave Elder Fabila a boost to look up on a high shelf and he fell and accidentally hit me in the head above my ear pretty hard with his elbow. My head hurt a lot, and the next day when I woke up, not only did my head hurt, but I couldn't move my neck at all. I talked to Sister Ayre and she sent me to the hospital, so we got there at about 8 pm Monday night. The doctor told me that I had a traumatismo de cráneo (not sure how to say that in English) (Head trauma). They gave me a shot (of I don't know what) and a few hours later I could move my neck a little, but it still hurt really bad. They gave me some pills to take for a few days and they told me that I had to rest 48 hours. We left the hospital at about 1:30 am, and arrived in Zárate at about 3 am. I'm doing fine now, my head and neck aren't bothering me. The best part of it is that Sister Ayre said that the mission pillows aren't good for my neck, so she told me to use some of the zone money to buy a good pillow:) The worst part of it was that we couldn't work on Monday, Tuesday, or Wednesday.

On Wednesday and Thursday we finally moved from the tiny apartment to a much bigger apartment. The secretaries said that it is the best apartment in the mission. It has a nice kitchen, living and dining room, with a room to study, and a bedroom. It also has 2 air conditioners, which is fantastic. It would be more fantastic if it were still summer here, but it is already starting to cool down. The bad news is that we had to finish up the moving on Thursday morning, and in the afternoon we had a bunch of meetings at church and weren't able to spend time in our area finding people to teach.

On Friday we were finally able to work in our area and we taught 15 lessons in one day. We were able to find a couple new investigators that seemed really great and that wanted to be baptized. It felt so good to finally be able to get out in our area and work.

On Saturday and Sunday Elder Fabila was sick and there weren't any members who could do divisions with us, so we were once again confined to the apartment and we couldn't work. Sunday afternoon when we were in the apartment, Elder Sanchez and Elder Lanas arrived because Elder Lanas was also sick, so he stayed with Elder Fabila and Elder Sanchez and I left to go work for 3 hours in my area, which was a nice break from being in the apartment. 

Then, last night when I got home, I wasn't feeling too great. I spent the rest of the night throwing up, so that wasn't very fun. I now feel pretty good though, so I'm excited to work hard after Pday gets over and find new people to teach! The truth is... this week was pretty horrible because we hardly got to work. It is so boring just being in the apartment. I'm really excited for this week and positive that we are going to find many people to teach!  This is the best work there is! This is the most important work there is! 

Que la fuerza les acompañe.

Love,

Elder John William Garrett

This past week was really wonderful. Elder Fabila and I are staying together another transfer as zone leaders here in Zárate, and we are really excited to keep working hard and helping our zone reach its potential. We had a really excellent zone meeting on Thursday and we could feel the Spirit very strongly.

This past week was a little rough in that we weren't able to find many new people who wanted to progress. However, we are going to keep working hard this week. On Sunday after church we cornered every member and asked them for referrals and in the end got about 20, so we're pretty excited. Our ward mission leader Mati is the best and is helping us a lot. 

The Ramirez family is progressing really well and yesterday we were helping them do some family history work so that they can take names to the temple when they go next week. They are so incredible. On Saturday Elder Fabila, Julio, and I bought matching ties to wear on Sunday which was pretty cool. He is going to bless the sacrament this week.

On Wednesday this past week the Bishop notified us that we would be having a Missionary Sacrament Meeting. The four of us missionaries and our ward mission leader had to give talks, and we did a special musical number of "We'll Bring the World His Truth." We each sang parts of the song solo, which was pretty nerve-wracking. The members said it sounded good though. I was really excited to give my talk, especially now that I have... a considerable amount of time on the mission and can speak pretty well. I planned a really great talk about the real reason of why we do missionary work, planning to talk about the creation, the fall of Adam, the Atonement, and some other thrilling topics. I was supposed to have about 15 minutes to speak... but I was the last speaker and I was left with just 5 minutes. It was probably one of the most spiritual experiences that I have had. During Sacrament Meeting I said a prayer and told the Lord that I had studied a lot and prepared a lot of material for my talk, but that I wanted Him to guide me to say what I needed to say. In the end, I gave a completely different talk from that which I had prepared. I was a little nervous walking up, but when I was in front of everyone I was completely calm, and the words just came flowing out of my mouth without even thinking. I mostly testified of the Savior using Moses 1:39, Mosíah 5:8, and D&C 18. Anyway, it was an incredible experience, and I definitely felt like the Lord spoke through me.

Thanks for all the support! I love you all! Que la fuerza les acompañe!

Love,

Elder John William Garrett

New Transfer and New Zone!

Today was transfers, and I have a new zone! Well... somewhat. Elder Fabila and I are staying together in Zárate, but there were 4 missionaries from the zone who finished their missions and a few others who got transferred, so it is a pretty new zone. We are so excited to stay together in this zone and excited to have a lot of success together! 

This past week was somewhat of a challenge in that we talked with a lot of people but no one wanted to progress in the gospel. We were going to have 2 baptisms on Saturday but they both decided not to get baptized at the last minute, so that was a bit disappointing. Oh well. There are more people that the Lord has prepared waiting for us! If there is something that I have learned in the mission, it is to be optimistic. Every day we are rejected. Most of the people tell us "no." However, all of the "nos" are worth it when someone says "sí." I know that the Lord is guiding this work and that He will guide us towards those chosen children of His, all we have to do is live worthy of the guidance of the Spirit and work diligently.

I had a couple of cool experiences this past week. On Sunday Julio received the Priesthood. It was a really special experience for the whole family, and they are still progressing really well towards their sealing goal. I love them so much! On Sunday we had the despedidas in San Fernando and I saw Joel from Pablo Nogués. He was a less-active 20 year-old. We worked a lot with him about 10 months ago and on Sunday he hugged me and said, "thanks to you guys, I'm preparing my papers to serve a mission." I also got to see Ana who we baptized in Chacabuco about 2 months ago, and her parents are getting married on Febuary 25th and are going to get baptized! 

It's a good day to be a missionary. Que la fuerza les acompañe.

Much love,

Elder John William Garrett

This week was pretty good. We are a little disappointed that we weren't able to find more progressing investigators, but we are ready to find a lot this week! This week as a zone we are going to focus a lot in expanding our circle of members to teach more lessons and have more progressing investigators. We are going to be focusing a lot on getting to know and working with more members, teaching short effective lessons with super strong commitments to see if the people really have the desire to progress in the gospel. In the past 6 months in the barrio Zárate, almost all of the converts have been children under the age of 12, and we feel that with this new focus so that they progress, it is helping us help others to become converted. It is incredible to see the difference as we focus a lot on the desire of the people to progress and we see them fulfill their commitments. There is a special spirit about them. This past Sunday a few of our recent converts had the opportunity to share their testimonies and it was really incredible to hear them testify of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon and the church.

In the first week after the baptisms of our investigators, all of them were faced with many challenges. Abril, the 9 year-old daughter of the Ramirez Family spent half the week in the hospital due to an illness that is going around. It was incredible to see that the family coped with these problems by reading the scriptures and praying together. Whenever Abril was in pain she would ask her mom to read to her from the Book of Mormon.

This week we have Antonella as a very strong possibility for baptism. She is the 19 year-old niece of an active family in the ward (her uncle was even a stake president), and she lives with the family. She has been attending church every week for the past 8 months but never had the desire to be baptized. These past few weeks we have been stopping by each day to help her gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon and it is really incredible to see the change that is taking place in her. If all goes well she will be baptized this week.

Today we had an activity as a zone and we played futbol and ate pizza. I think I'm improving with my futbol skills, Elder Fabila is helping me a lot. Julio, the father in the Ramirez family, came to play with us and had a great time.

I'm doing really well. Elder Fabila and I get along well together and we are having a lot of fun while working as hard as we can. I'm really learning a lot from him. I am grateful to have him as a companion, he is a fantastic missionary and a great friend. I'm doing all that I can to improve each day and help others become the best missionaries they can be.

Que la fuerza les acompañe!

Much love,
Elder John William Garrett

God is Great!

This week was fantastic. On Saturday the Ramirez family (Julio, Laura, Guadalupe, and Abril) were baptized, along with Lorena, her daughter Celia, and her friend Mica. It was a really really spiritual experience. The Spirit was so strong in the baptismal service. I think I've only felt the Spirit that strong in the temple. It was such a happy moment and everyone was crying. After the ordenances were performed Elder Fabila and I sang "Love at Home" in Spanish with a guitar. It was really fun. We practiced a few times and it didn't sound too good, but with the Spirit so strong and everyone so happy, it actually turned out pretty smashing. On Sunday all 7 of them were confirmed members of the church. This weekend was such a Spiritual bomb and I'll remember it for the rest of my life. 

Wet from the baptismal font! (Julio, Laura, Guadalupe, Abril,
Lorena, Celia, Mica, Elder Garrett, Elder Fabila,
Hermano Krausse (baptized Julio)) 

Sunday after church we ate lunch with the Ramirez family and they set a goal. On Tuesday, January 26, 2016 they will be sealed in the temple. They are so special. Lorena, Celia, and Mica were so happy as well, and it is so incredible to think that God trusts in us enough to let us participate in this work. I love Him so much. He did all of this, we didn't do anything.

Playing at the bridge - Elder Garrett and Elder Fabila

 I'm so happy. I don't know that I've ever been happier in my mission. I love this area, and I love my companion. Elder Fabila is so great and he is one of my favorite companions. We're working hard and having a lot of fun along the way. "Adán cayó para que los hombres existiesen, y existen los hombres para que tengan GOZO." It is really impossible to describe how I am feeling right now. I love being a missionary.

Que la fuerza les acompañe.

Much love,

Elder John William Garrett