Dear everyone,
So this week was crazy. We had a zone conference to plan
and organize as well as a baptism to plan and organize. And conveniently they
happened to be the same day. Well the zone conference came out perfectly. Elder
Howard and I were worried because the Stake Presidency asked us to hold our
zone conference in a different church building than normal. So we had to go to
a faraway church to set up, get tables from our building to the other, and
figure out how to set everything up seeing as there is no screen for the
projector. But it all came out well, and we used the wall at the back side of
the stage as a screen.
The conference was great. President Parreño interviewed
us all and he and his wife and the Assistants shared fantastic presentations.
Elder Howard and I were seeing a big problem in the zone that everyone was
pretty down and needing to get pumped up. This I explained to President Parreño
in my interview. And after several other interviews that he did before the
meeting, he decided to change what he was going to talk about. He showed us 2
Nephi 2:14 that shows that the Lord created all things in the heavens and on
the earth. He explained that we have been made to act, not be acted upon. That
Satan, as he had tried to tempt Jesus in Matthew 4 to forget who He really was
and to change His nature, would try to do the same thing with each one of us,
tempting us in every way possible so that we change our nature and become an
object to be acted upon. He challenged us to be strong and to do what we were created
to do. He challenged us to not forget our "nature as missionaries"
which is to invite all to come unto Christ. It was very inspired and very
inspiring.
As for the baptism, Federico was having problems all week
long. Satan hit him with everything he could. Federico had HUGE fights with his
wife over the 12 year old daughter and was super distracted. Regardless, we
worked as hard as possible to help him get excited about Friday, teach him what
he needed to learn, have his interview and get him baptized. We fought until
the day OF. I left with Elder Yarger while Elder Howard stayed at the other
church. We filled the baptismal font in an hour flat which was a miracle and
when I called Federico, he was doing bad. He had told us he did not want to
sign his baptismal record. I had to be very firm with him on that call because
he had promised us that he would think about it. Well I told him he was failing
God, us and himself. That he had always told us that he didn't have friends
because they always stabbed him in the back. I told him he was doing the same
to God, us and himself. I told him we was allowing the devil to win and that he
was laughing as the Lord cried because he preferred to lose his eternal
salvation over a signature. I then asked, "Will I see you at 6?" And
he responded, "Yeah we'll see." So I just dropped to me knees and
begged Heavenly Father to bless him.
He showed up 5 minutes later and told me he was getting
baptized and that he'd sign his baptismal record. Miracle. It was fantastic. When
we passed by after church yesterday, he was super happy. Just as excited as he
was when we first came by. He hasn't fought with his wife since Friday. I saw
the real power of the Atonement in him.
But now I have left Santa Rosa. It was hard. Like leaving
Pehuajò and Viedma. They called Saturday morning and gave us transfers and I am
now Zone Leader here in Bahìa Blanca, Maldonado Ward with Elder Forbes from
Utah.
This week was Stake Conference and so it wasn't announced
that I was leaving like they would have done in church any other Sunday. No one
knew until after the meeting. So I took tons of pictures and said my goodbyes.
The Gutierrez and Herràn families freaked out. The grandma kept kissing my hand
and Marcos wouldn't let go of my shoulder, telling me that their lives had
changed thanks to the gospel. I love them all so much. Federico took it well
but it was obvious that he was sad. Mariano Romero fed us lunch Saturday and
was pretty bummed that I was leaving. But he'll be alright, he is very strong
in the gospel and he and Marcos were sustained to receive the Melchizedek
Priesthood. I didn't cry though until I said goodbye to Bishop Pilati. It just
sort of overcame me when I hugged him goodbye. He has done so much for us.
As for saying goodbye to Elder Howard and Elder Yarger,
it was tough but I'll see them soon.
I will never forget La Pampa. I was there for almost 6
months after all and I fell in love with every aspect of that Santa Rosa. The
people, the missionaries, my converts, the city itself, everything. But this
starts a new chapter in my mission. And funny thing: Elder Arias is a district
leader in my zone! Hahaha. I spent the day with him.
Anyway, thanks for the letters and pictures!! Pray for me
:)
Love,
Elder Garrison
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