Temple

This week was great! We had a lot of great lessons and had 4 investigators at church; its the best! We got a surprise contact by contacting at the metro in the morning. We invited him to church, got him a ride and he came! I love when people follow through!! We have a lot of people cancel or aren't home when we planned, so its a battle. When one pulls through, its such a tender mercy!

This week we also went on exchanges with some sisters that live close by. One was sick, so I went out with Sister Aulava to check on some people in her area. It was nice to see a different place. Her area is a lot smaller than mine, but it didn't matter. There were so many new faces and we actually saw the elders they share the area with. It was nice to visit with her. She has only been out 2 transfers more than me, so we were able to relate to how much we have learned, how much we still have to learn, but also how happy and new it all is.

Fathers day was the best; I got finally go to the temple! It really was the best way to remember my dad. He grew up watching the DC temple being built and later working security there. I grew up hearing all about the temple, how beautiful it was, and how my dad had painted the lines in the visitor's center parking lot for his eagle scout project. So everything I saw I was oohing and ahhing. It was the perfect night too. The sunset was gorgeous with orange, and pinks and purples.

I can't write this week without mentioning how today is a special day of remembrance of a dear friend. I can't believe it has been a year. As a member of the church I grew up understanding the plan of salvation, at least I thought I did. It wasn't until I taught it as a missionary that I realized the real joy and happiness that can come from it. Watching someone realize that there is a better way, that there is something different, a more loving plan, and a way to see loved ones again is incredible. Seeing it in their eyes has made me so grateful for the plan he has given us and how much he really loves each of us.

Love Sister Garbrick

NO NYLONS!!!

Yes it is correct, Nylons are out! At least till mid September, but I'll take it. All this came about because we had a mission conference with Elder and Sister Hinckley. Yes, the son of the former President, Gordon B. Hinckley. It was the best. The spirit was so strong and there were times while listening to Elder Hinckley, especially when bearing his testimony, that he sounded just like his dad. They informed us of a lot of new changes that are going to be happening. There is a new Mormon.org site and new ads around the world. They have implemented cells phones and are even piloting texting with our mission. We're one of three missions they are testing it with. They also mentioned the idea of using Facebook!! Can you believe it? Facebook?! I'm not sure how that will work, but they are really putting a lot of trust in us. President Albright says its only because were obedient and need to continue.

Anyways the best changes came from Sister Hinckley. The news came, straight from Salt Lake, that the dress code is changing!!!! Color and pattern are for sure in, Nylons are out, suit jackets are out, knee length skirts are IN!!!! Say goodbye to all the frumpy mid-calf skirts. Apparently the church for the past 18 months has been doing intense research to learn how missionaries can be more approachable and normal. The results came in, and it looks like the more updated look has been approved. Yay! I'm so excited! I came at the perfect time and the Lord knows.

So this week was wonderful, we finally saw Manny again. He was the one who went into detox for his drinking problem but he has called us nearly everyday since to talk about the Book of Mormon and plan of salvation. We saw him and taught him and set a date of baptism. Yay! We also taught the golden investigator, Oliver. He is from the Ivory Coast and he is amazing. We taught him the 1st lesson and didn't see a real impact until the next time we showed him the restoration video. He felt the spirit so strong, believes it true and wanted to learn more. He came to church and loved it, he is so dedicated now reading, praying and coming to activities. He also has 3 other single brothers! Jackpot for the singles ward missionaries! Haha. Preach My Gospel says to teach families and we sure are. It's great because normally we have to pass all families to family ward, but this one we get to keep. I love it.

Sister Garbrick

My First Transfer

Well my first transfer is complete and it was amazing. I did everything I wanted and served and met people that I love and will never forget. But lucky for me, nothing has to change. My companion and I are staying together. It will be her last transfer and were going to help finish her mission strong. I love our area and our ward. We are central to everything.

In fact, we spent our p-day in D.C. and it was so fun. I love the monuments! We met 3 LDS families from Utah. I love when people say hi, especially here because there aren't very many members. I love being a representative of the Church. We rode the metro in (another thing I love; every city should have a metro. You met all sorts of people).

Anyway, the final week of transfer was amazing. Me and Sister Le Sueur set high goals. We reached them and experience tons of miracles. It was an act of faith. We told ourselves it would happen and it did. There were several times we were lead by the Spirit to be where we needed to be in order to meet the people who we needed to meet.

The most amazing experience was with Mannie. We were contacting at the King St. metro for about a half an hour. We were ready to head back home when we decided to give this last young adult a card. He stopped us and asked if we could talk. It was starting to get dark, but both me and Sister Le Sueur both felt prompted to stop. He wanted to talk in private, so we walked to a place where it was quieter to talk. Mannie had just gotten out of the hospital and was really down on life. He proceeded to tell us how much he hated his life and he just wanted it end and wanted to know how we could help him. We proceeded to teach him about the Atonement and told we could help him know his Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ. We explained that we were representatives of Christ and that we were there for him if he would trust us. By the time we left he was talking about going straight to a detox center instead of his other plans which probably would have been so much worst. He has called us ever since and we dropped of a Book of Mormon for him, which he has been reading non stop. Its fantastic we have so much hope in him. We call him my greenie miracle. We are going to be able to witness the change in his life.

I love missions and I love the Atonement. It just doesn't get better than this!! I am so happy. The Church is true and the book is blue!!

Sister Garbrick

HOT HOT HOT!

June has come and it is hotter than ever and the humidity is insane. But I don't mind it, it's pretty strange and sticky but I'm getting use to it. The one thing I'm not getting used to are the summer lightning and thunder storms that come out of nowhere. We got caught in two of these down pours yesterday. We have forgotten our umbrellas a lot, so we have decided to just leave them in the car because you never know when the rain is coming. Unfortunately for me, I always have to help back up the car and get the wettest, but its fun. It's what missionary work is about, rain or shine:) I love it.

Memorial day was the greatest, especially here where people are so patriotic. It really makes me grateful for this country, how it was created and how it prepared a way for Joseph Smith to restore the gospel. We also got to go with our ward to the Reagan Airport and cheer on the veterans that were coming to celebrate memorial weekend. They were the greatest, sweetest old men and women. Some were so jovial and other were tearing up with gratitude. It was quite a shindig with balloons, a live band and a dressed up fifties girls.

The work has been fantastic. We are teaching so much and there are so many people here. I have yet to talk to the same person twice, but it is great. I love it. We have had a bunch of member referrals and we have taught two already. We are teaching a Methodist minister from Korea named Song. He is really sensitive to the Spirit and has great concept of prophets and a need for them. I can't wait to see the difference the Book of Mormon will have in his life. Stephanie is another member refferal. She is great too; she has such an understanding of the Bible and the Atonement. She has alot of questions, but it's great because you know she is really trying to understand. We taught her the Plan of Salvation and barely got through the premortal life before our time was up! The lessons are so in depth and Spirit filled. I love the Spirit! It's the only way and the best way to learn. Well I love you all. Have a great week and happy Memorial Day!!