I'm LEAVING!

So its my last p-day and I'm so happy. Unfortunately though, I am the lone wolf in my action. My whole district has left but me. But I don't care, at least I get one last day to write letter, do laundry, and go to the temple and have a devotional. I told my district it's going to be an apostle and they will all have wished they would have stayed with me and not abandon me. Haha! No it's really okay.

Well this past week has been on fire in practicing my teaching and becoming better. We had a day of marathon teaching: We taught three 45 minute lessons in a row. I committed 2 baptism. Of course here everyone is willing to get baptized, but it still feels great. I also got to got to got to the referral center for the last time in English, unfortunately the church has stopped their advertisements on tv, and there aren't enough people to contact throughout the day so they are closing it. But on my last day I testified to 4 people of the truthfulness of the gospel and sent a dvd of the restoration to a lady in the south. I didn't have a clue what she was saying, but she was happy so I kept talking. I don't know if that is considered the gift tongues, but I was grateful for the opportunity. The missionaries are going to deliver the movie, so hopefully something great comes from it.

Oh yeah! New missionaries came in and I found Sister Holland from back home immediately. It was great. We had lunch and dinner together. I also tracked down were she lived and brought her Martenille's to celebrate. I love having someone I know. Also, the Elder from my mission prep class came who is going to Austin's mission. Luck have it, his classroom was right next to me. I got to be an investigator for him for one of his classes. Good times. I love playing the investigators because it helps you realize how you need to be speaking as a missionary and how to really understand their needs.

Oh speaking of packages, I loved them! I got all of them and I got everyone's dear elder letters; they are great!!! Thank you so much! My sisters in my district loved celebrating with the candy and Martenille's. I have pictures I'll be sending shortly:) I just don't have enough time in the MTC. I have loved my MTC time, but I am so anxious to just get teaching. I may not be perfect, or have it down by any means, but the Lord will make me able. I know that.

So Sunday we had a neat experience. The MTC President came to our sacrament meeting because our second counselor was being released. He got to hear our district sing our goodbye song which was "I'll Go Where You Want Me To Go." We did okay... the elders were a bit mono tone, but the Spirit was there. I got to shake his hand and he told me jokingly, after i told him i was going to DC, to "Cry repentance now!!!" Haha! I made sad face because I thought he meant me, but than he corrected himself and said, "To the people." We had a good laugh. Well, time is up. But I love every so much!!!! The support has been so nice and I am so blessed. Now I am so ready to serve... let the people of Virginia know I am on my way!!!

Love Sister Garbrick

Week 2

This week on Sunday for sacrament meeting, everyone was given two topics and had to write a talk. After the sacrament, the branch president picked 2 people to give their talks. I was the lucky winner this week. I was completely surprised. I gratefully prepared a talk but I could have sworn it wasn't going to be me just because 2 districts left this week and it was their last Sunday. But no, of course it was me. It actually went really well and the president's wife thanked me for my talk on hope. She said it was by the spirit that I spoke the words of God. I thought it was the most amazing compliment I have ever been given.

This week had some pretty funny things happen while teaching in the TRC, which is a place where members volunteer to be investigators. We asked this couple what some of their hobbies were and they said they enjoyed going to the temple. haha. During the lesson quoted the temple movie. Hilarious old people, no surprise they accepted the commitment to be baptized!

I also had a fun time in the RC (referral center). This is where we call people who have received the dvd about Christ, a Bible, or a Book of Mormon from us and follow up with them. I had 12 people in a row and answer and I testified of truth to almost half of them. My teacher said he had never heard so many people answer for 1 person. It was good but i didn't place a Book of Mormon... bummer, maybe next time. Although, I did have a great conversation with a Jehovah's Witness.

Oh yeah how can I forget!!! I got my traveling itinerary! I leave next Wednesday and get into DC by 3:00 pm!!! Yay I can't wait. I just met my elders who are going with me. Their classroom is one floor above me. There will be 6 elders and then me, the solo sister. Hollar! Another cool thing: I met 5 other sisters who are serving the same time as their brothers, so mom I guess it's really not that uncommon.

So time is running out!! I wanted to share some bonding inside jokes me and my district have. Everyone calls me Sista G when are out of class joking and laughing, but in class I'm strictly Sister Garbrick. We always justify anything we say, right or wrong, by finishing our statement with "just sayin." So we save ourselves when we say something. Everyone else just looks at us like we're crazy. We also have a habit saying "preach my gospel" in place of "oh geeze."

Time is out, I love you all!!!! Till next week.

Sister Garbrick

First Week

So hello,

Nearly the first week completed! I can't believe how fast it has gone!!! The days are extremely long and busy, but the week is fast. My district is made of 4 sisters and 4 elders. The elders and a sister are going to the Rapid Springs, South Dakota mission. One sister is going to Tacoma, Washington. My companion is going to the Oklahoma City mission. They are all really fun. The sisters and I have bonded over our hate of Nylons. My hate has only but grown!!! I feel like I only wear a pair a day till have a run.

The first day was a bit of a shell shock and was only finished by all of us sisters being locked out of our room. But that isn't the last of my typical clutsy moments. Me and Sister Porter, my Companion from Sugar City, Idaho, were going to Zone meeting. We thought we were running behind, so we went into the first room we saw open. It only took a second to realize this was an Asian zone having a testimony in Japanese. Haha! Yeah we looked like fish out of water. After a minute or so we noticed our zone walking in the hall and they all enjoyed our humiliation.

So I have been really lucky to see everyone I know at the MTC. I've run into my mission prep buddy Sister Mccombs and I shouted with excitement scaring all the elders walking beside her. I also have seen Elder Garner, Holli's cousin, at dinner. Its nice to see familiar faces, but everyone is super nice. It is the friendliest place on earth!

This week we have already began teaching and doing calls at the.. I don't remember whats its called. There are so many acronyms that I can't remember them all! Geeze, this timer is stressing my out. Teaching is truly all by the spirit and preparation. We taught one about prayer that went so nice and smooth. Then another that was, well, a beat down... We taught for 60 minutes and they forgot to come get us at the 40 minute mark, so we just kept going. Our teachers are really great, but it seems a bit unorganized. They are trying new curriculum on our district. So, we have mostly just learned about people asking questions finding their needs and loving them. It's interesting for sure.

Well there were some surprising callings made, I have been called as coordinating sister after only 3 days. I'm a bit over whelmed. I have new meetings to go to that don't allow me to go to choir. Bummer. But it's pretty neat; I get to welcome new sisters in the zone this Wednesday and I work closely with the zone leaders on behalf of the sisters. My companion is really happy for me, but i think she has to be! Haha! No, she is great and really sincere.

WOW time goes so fast. So the rundown of all my feelings: I'm overwhelmed but empowered. The Spirit is so strong and you feel the Spirit teaching everyday. I have such a desire to serve and am getting so excited to meet the people of Virginia. I'm so happy to be serving and have a tag to wear proudly. Although the MTC is definitely nothing I expected, it's different, but not bad. I love you all so much and miss you.

Family: I love you and will be getting letters soon. Please send nylons I'm in need yuck!!! Haha!

Lonny: thanks for the dear elder letter it was a great welcome keep writing letter are great.

Brianna: Congrats on the graduation!!!! I'm so proud of you!!! I wrote you a letter you should get it this week.

Mikalyn: Thanks again for doing the blog for me you da best:) I hope your looking tan from the cruise and hope your enjoying your family.

Love Sister Garbrick

First One

My name is Brittney and I'm going on a mission