May 28, 2012

Dear everyone,

Woah! That scared me! I saw the pictures of the car crash and seriously thought someone had died in our front yard. I`m glad to hear that that is not the case. But that is great to know that she was okay and that the Lord took care of her. Blessings for the living the gospel. And Kimberly, congratulations for graduating from high school. I feel like the family made fun of me when I graduated because it was apparently not that great of an accomplishment hahahaha. Good work, though.

This week was pretty good. It could have been better though. What I think was happening to me was that I was trying too hard to adjust to the area and also, my companion and I are adjusting to teaching together. It is completely different when a missionary changes companions. Elder Calarco and I weren't perfect but we had developed a very blended form of teaching the people and helping them learn. It helped us a lot to develop certain characteristics such us love for the people and the ability to seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost in order to apply the lesson to the person. But now that once again I have changed companions, I must find the way to teach with that missionary so we don't start to have confusing, themeless lessons that don't help the person to comprehend the message. It is an interesting process. But it also helps us to develop important attributes like humility and patience.

The ward is pretty interesting. They have their struggles but I am still firm in my belief that once we start having success, we won't stop as long as we keep being obedient and diligent in our work! We have to find people to help! Every time I contact people, I think in the Llaupi family because I love them soooo much and the thought of them pushes me. I remember that all people have the opportunity to accept the gospel even those who’s door we knock.

Yesterday, the Stake President invited us as the zone leaders to his meeting with the bishoprics of the whole stake. We gave a report of the progress of the zone and helped give them the same vision we have as missionaries to have real growth in the church! It was a great experience because we prayed and planned so much to know exactly what to say. Because what we said and taught was going to have an effect on the leadership of each one of the areas of our missionaries! And it went even better than I can have imagined. More than ever, I think the Bishops are going to have a trust in the missionaries and help them in the missionary work.

Well, that's all. Not too eventful the week but we're going to keep working hard this week so the Lord can bless us! Tonight we're traveling to Bahìa Blanca for the very last Leadership Meeting that I will have with President Detlefsen until he goes home at the end of June and the new president, President Parreño from Spain comes to take his place. Not sure if I mentioned that. It's going to be SUPER hard to say goodbye to President Detlefsen because he is such an amazing man! But the new president will definitely help us to continue growing!

Well, I love you all!

Chau,

Elder Garrison