God Fed Us

okay so there's pday but I will probably send lots of pics at the end of the day! we're going to a museum as a district and then some members are making a southern dinner and taking us to a convention of all these churches! our stake president is speaking and part of it. 

Miracles of the week:

God fed us! our dinner appointment said they would bring the food to the church and leave it in fridge so after our appointments we went to the church and heated up the food that was in the fridge and we ate it! come to find out that the Member never was able to get into the locked church building so they never dropped food of but my dear...we ate. I told her, "sister, we ate! There was food in the fridge..." We were in shock. God knew I was hangry so I he gave us food, haha.

Book of Mormon is so good. We've been challenged to finish it in 12 weeks so it's 5 pages every day and friends, it makes a difference. The voice of the Spirit is heard during the day! We were planning on Friday and we felt inspired to text a member and see if we could stop by and visit her non member friend who she had brought to church and she respond with, "sisters, its a miracle that you texted me- today is the only day that she could." So we went and taught her. Not only is SHE interested but her mom is looking pretty elect. GOLDIES. 

Anyway, life is good. I'm so grateful for sister Hammond. it's amazing how much we need our companion. I thought I came here for her but I didn't. I came here because I needed her. There's so many things from her I am learning. Most important one is humility. GOODNESS.. she's so good. 

Anyway, missions are great. Life is great and God is GOOD. always. he's always good.

-hermana Garcia 

Probably my longest email... But it's the Adriana Miracle Story

I feel like this far on my mission, I have found  one of the reasons as to why I had to come serve in Charlotte, and had to come out at the time I did. I was waiting for Adriana. 

On December 30, 2016, 3 days prior to meeting/teaching her for the first time, I was studying when I came across Alma 7:17. This scripture talks about putting fear behind and simply entering into a covenant with God and being baptized. I felt very strongly about putting a mark on that scripture and on the side I wrote "to be used when someone is nervous about entering into baptism." I remember telling my companion about this scripture and how wonderful it was and how much of an impression I had to just keep that scripture aside. 

The days went on and my companion and I made an appointment to meet with Adriana. We went over the lesson in the car before we got out and I remember feeling hesitant and nervous. We prayed in the car before going into the lesson and I just felt an overwhelming feeling of confidence.

While in the lesson we discussed  baptism and she told us she was hesitant about it since she felt like she didnt know enough. My comp looked at me and told me I should share the scripture I had read days prior. I couldn't belive it. I gladly pulled out the scripture and told her of the experience I had with the scirpture. I felt the spirit so strong and I said what came to mind, "I feel like one of the reasons why I came to this area was to come teach you. You may not know why you came to North Carolina, but I feel like I came here to teach you. I felt the spirit testify to ME that it was true. We read the scripture and she accepted her baptismal date of January 28th.

Adriana gave up smoking in preparation for her baptism. On January 26, 2017, 2 days prior to her baptism, while we conducted her practice interview , we felt inspired to ask her if she had kept the work of wisdom. In order to be baptized, one has to live all commandments for at least 2 weeks. As we interviewed we felt inspired to ask if she had done anything into the last 2 weeks that is  not in accordance with the commandments. She looked down and said she hadn't . she had smoked a cigarette 2 days ago. Our hearts broke but we assured her that all would work out. We just needed to talk to our leaders to know what to do.

We went from our District Leader to Zone leader to President and the final word was that she needed to wait. With heavy and nervous hearts, we called her and told her what had been decided. Adriana was beyond hurt. We could hear her over the phone speaking through tears. We explained that our mission president felt that it was necessary for her to be baptized having lived all commandments. We assured her that she can still be baptized, she simply had to wait..She said she would have to think about it. We hung up the phone with nervousness and tears. What is going to happen?

We went to visit Adriana the next day and within walking into the apartment, you could feel in the air a change. As we sat across Adriana, I could see the light in her eyes gone. Her glow, her happiness and her attitude was different. As we discussed what happened and why, she shook her head saying, " Jesus Christ has already forgiven me. He knows that it was a moment of weakness and he still loves me. He wants me baptized and *that man* judged me. Who does he think he is? God? to judge who is ready for baptism and who isnt? I feel crucified." It was the saddest thing for me witness. I saw at first instant the power that pride has in the hearts of people. I saw how pride is really what the scriptures talk about as the "destruction of man" since it 100% blocks the spirit. There was nothing we could say that would make it to her. She was closed off entirely. My heart broke.

For 3 months, Adriana continued coming to church but she didn't want people to ask her about baptism or get her to commit again. She said, "when these nasty feelings go away, I will consider baptism again."

I didn't realize that for 3 months I too had a heart of pride. I didn't realize how hurt i was with Adriana. I felt as if part of what happned with Adriana was my fault. I felt hurt at the way she was so prideful. I felt frustrated with her and tired. There were days where I would hear her name and simply get irritated. This continued up to getting Sister Fragoso. 

On April 16th 2017, while driving in the car, Sister Fragoso brought up Adriana and I rolled my eyes. She looked over at me and said, "Sister Garcia, I'm going to tell you something and you might  not like it. Have you considered the thought that Adrianas heart may not be soft yet because yours isn't? Maybe angles can't help her because you're not allowing them to."

I thought long and hard about that and I felt the spirit chastise and confirm its truth. That night in prayer I cried in supplication and repentance in realization that she may have been impeded by me. I cried and prayed for forgiveness in my pride. I prayed for charity and love towards her. 

2 days later, during a ward activity  Adriana came up to us and said the following, "Girls, last night I had a face to face with God. I told him I was hurt but that I needed Him again in my life. gilrs, last night I prayed in a way I hadn't in a long time. Tell me what's left for me to be baptized."

Well, there isn't much to be said about that story. Adriana was baptized on May 7th. After Meeting with Bishop on April 23rd, she said she wanted to be baptized the first saturday in may. Her long awaited baptism brought with her the baptism of her best friend and roommate , Deisnid. 

When Adriana came up out of the water, I felt a physical spiritual presence. I felt the spirit in a way I hadn't before. Seeing them go underwater and rise again, I knew that what had just occurred was more than what met the eye. I saw a glimpse of heavenly beauty and glory. The room was bright and shining with cleanliness glowing with light.

I know that repentance is real and more than just change. It influences others and allows for angels to help others. Adriana taught me about the heart and she taught me about repentance in a way I hadn't ever experience. Charity really does quality one for this work. 

Sister Esther Garcia
North Carolina Charlotte Mission

Past photos and this week's email!

This week I had an experience in putting faith to the test since I realized how much I lacked it...Late Monday we had a miracle brought to pass due to the faith of my companion. I wanted to be of more help to her and I was so grateful that she had been faithful but I realized how much I needed it to. I prayed that night for the gift of faith so that I could be of more use. 

We pulled up to an apartment complex at 3pm on a Thursday where the sun was hot and just a lazy time of the day. I park the car and and Sister Fragoso and i both pull our seats back and close our eyes and just say how tired we are and laugh at our misery. She looks at me and says, "let's knock this entire complex. 4th floor last door?" (in reference to uchdorfs Talk.) I look at her and say, "I'm trying out this new Faith thing, they said it works..." So we did it. 

I realized I couldn't just knock to get the doors done. If I wanted this to work I would have  to mentally have the faith that things WOULD work out and that there WOULD be good come from it. The apartment had 3 floors, and each floor had 4 doors. 12 total. the bottom floor had 3 doors open but they weren't interested. the last one the floor opened up and it was a 15 year old girl. she talked to us and we had a wonderful discussion about regions and about our purpose on the earth. She gave us a return appointment. 

Things like this happened all week. Things like new investigators and referrals and individuals keeping their commitments. It was wonderful and it was a learning lesson for me. Had it not been me realizing how much I lacked and how much I needed Christ in my equation, I don't think this week wouldn't have been such a happy one.

On Sunday as I turn to face the congregation after playing the opening hymn (yes I still play haha) I saw my companions face beaming and smiling as she hinted for me to look left. I saw 3 of our investigators seated by her. My heart about popped our of my chest. I then look over and there's 2 more on the other side of the chapel. We had 5 investigators come. My heart filled with overwhelming joy as I realized how much faith works. The funny thing is, it was always there for me to choose. I'm sure this miracles wouldn't have been given had we not proved to God that we were serious about his work. That we knew it would be hard but what he could trust us with this individuals to teach. Faith was always an option but it wasn't until I was as compelled to be humble that things happened. God didn't just give me faith though. I had to choose it. I had to choose to work a little harder. have a better attitude and try to have more faith. I learned of this equation in a zone meeting and it loved it. 

you + Christ=more

It's so true. It's not us doing more prayers or more study that makes us be better, it when we put Christ first that things start happening. I wanted more faith and so I had to choose to have faith in Christ would give me more energy and would lead me. Interesting how that works...

May we always include the savior more in our daily lives and CHOOSE to be better as he will allow us to grow.

Much love!

-Hermana Garcia 

Joy

This week i studied the defintion of joy. It was so intersting to learn more about it. I learned that joy is only possible when spirit and flesh are one.  Which would explain 2 Nephi 2:25 "Adam fell that men might be; and men are that they might have joy."

I just really realized how important it is to have a body and how as members we have the capacity to be truly  JOYOUS. Not just happy, but really joyous. 

This afternoon at Walmart we saw an interesting advertisement for eye contacts :) They said something along the following, "buy these contacts and have shinier eyes that glow!" something like that. Basically having light in your eyes. My comp and I looked at each other and she said what i was thinking, "Join the Mormon church and be baptized! Its free!."

The scriptures teach that joy is a gift to the righteous. Happiness is a regard when we do what is right and when we live a life that is according to the will of God or when we follow His commandments. I realized how much the world is yearning for it and hope to attain it by monetary means. 

I left the light on of our car on Friday night and so Saturday afternoon we discovered the car battery dead. This all happening while it was raining baaaddd. Well we called for our help and it was just so fun. We were outside while it was raining and cold and wet yet...we were happy. I thought of what Elder Nelson said, "Only saints could be happy in any circumstance." I love this and know this. I know we can be happy in any trail or circumstance that we live in. We can suffer with joy and put our trust in God and know that he will do the rest.

I love my mission. I see miracles every day and i see the hand of the Lord in all things. It makes me wonder of all the miracles i missed or didn't take notice while i was home. I encourage you all to count the daily miracles and be overcome with love when you realize how much God helps you and is mindful of you. 

CTR!

-Hermana Garcia

 (we also sitcky note our recent converts...life of a sis missionary haha)

O Christmas Tree, O Referrals, O Companion..why are you sick

Greetings Friends! This week has been interesting for sure. Its been super cold. Im way up north and closer to the mountains so its cold. None of this super hot humid stuff. Its a wet cold. This week we had a zone meeting. It was powerful and honestly, life changing. It was much needed since i felt like i was getting used to his whole mission things (2 months out! What..). That meeting was life changing and made me realize all that i needed to work on and change. Just when i thought i was doing good i realized there are things i need to be doing better. That meeting set the meeting for this entire week. My comp and I decided to be "all in."

That dedication and that drive to show heavenly father we are serious, made us candidates for blessings.

On the coldest day of the week, we had a lot of finding/tracting events planned. It was cold. So cold i think thats why my comp got sick...haha. We went to visit the people we had planned and we did brave things. We approached a non hispanic lady walking her dog (so wild) and asked if she knew her neighbors. We knocked on all doors that had the slightest look of hispanic decent haha. We knocked on houses that had toys laid out, dish 500, and all those fun things. When we didn't find hispanics we asked if they knew their neighbors and if they were hispanic. At the end of the day there wasn't a whole lot of success. BUT! The next day...

At our branch christmas party we a member come up to us and say, "sisters, im bringing a friend to church. I just asked him to come and he said yes! Just so you sister know." We were in shock! 20 min later a member come up to us and says, "I have 3 families i want you to teach." I about wet myself. Was this really happening? The fun doesn't end there. We get to our apartment earlier than usual. My comp is dying from a cold and we get a text from a member not in our branch. He says, "sisters i have a friend coming over to my house for dinner tomorrow. i want you to be there. i feel like you should teach her. I feel like sister missionaries will do well with her. come to my house for dinner tomorrow?" Im not making this up people. As i was reading that text message to my comp, she thought i was kidding. She said, "this is something you hear and see in the Mission District videos! what is happening!!?" Miracles. I have such a testimony of the blessings that come from obedience. When we obey God's commandments, he is bound to bless us. It is his law and his promise.

About the Christmas tree...we didnt have one. I was pretty upset. We found a saw in our closet the other day while looking for a christmas tree. As a joke we said we would cut a small one out in the woods. Towards the end of the week we actually considered it, we were getting pretty desperate hah. But no worries, no law as broken. A member who we had dinner with this week overheard we didnt have one and so this sunday they  brought us one. Another member who is moving and cleaning out her house gave us a box of Christmas decorations. We now have a christmas tree :)

I love being a missionary. I realized this week after zone meeting, while i was feeling overwhelmed with the changes i had to make, that never again will my life be dedicated to this. To bettering myself in developing Christ-like attributes. I dont have school or work or anything else to worry about but the gospel. The gospel is my life. I love this. I love being in this work. There is no greater work. I love seeing how true the gospel is everywhere you  go.

I hope you all have a wonderful christmas and serve others. Light the World!

-Hermana Garcia

The Lost Name Tag, The Chicken in the Rain, Using FB to Teach, 1 month In NC

I needed an interesting title to intrigue :)

This week wasn't super eventful, which did make things kind of frustratig since i felt as if i wasn't doing anything. I'll share some of my favorite things that happened.

-On Tuesday i couldn't find my favorite nametag (i had a backup) and i was really sad. I prayed and prayed i would find it, but i felt as if i found the nametag in parts. I found  the magnet part of it one day, but not the actual thing. This taught me to pray fervently and to pray not only to find it, but to for the belief I actually would. 4 days passed until i actually did find it. It had dropped in a memebers yard, proabably while i was taking my shoulder bag off. It was such a miracle and i knew that this week i was suppose to learn the importance of prayer.

On saturday night, as my comp and i were planning, she said we needed to pray for new investigators. With Rogelio being baptized soon, we need new progessing invetigators.  With that in mind, i prayed that we would be blessed with the willingness to work and find, and for us to prove to God that he can trust us with new people to teach. On Sunday, we had 3 invetigators come. Because they fulfilled their commitemet and they accepted a return appointment, that day we gained 3 new progessingn invetigators. Miralces happen :)

-This week it rained a lot. It was cold rain and we were walking in the trailer park neighbourhood since we had several people in the area. No one was opening and we were both cold and wet and a little tired. Just then, as we're turning from the door to the street...comes a chicken. A chicken :) I can't help but laugh at how strange it is. My comp and i started laughing and joking and start taking pictures and have a blast, in the middle of a rainstorm with a chicken on the road. I love the tender mercies we see during the day. The way we laugh at the most random things, the way our conversations become something inspired and meaningful, and the way all things denote there is a God.

I am blessed to be part of a mission where we are allowed to use Facebook to proselyte. Only 10 mission in the world are FB missions. Our on date investigator wasnt able to come to church, but we were able to fb video chat and read the Book of Mormon! It was so fun and such a neat experience.

I learned this week that missionary work is something that should be enjoyed. Although not all weeks will be super successful, or eventful, its important to laugh and have fun and enjoy the minor details of our life. Im grateful for facebook, for the chicken who crossed the road (hah) and for the power of prayer. I know that through prayer we connect with our Heavenly Father. That time is so sacred, so personal and so needed in our lives. We need prayer because God needs to hear from his children. I love being a missionay and having lived in North Carolina for 1 month! Such a beautiful state :)

-Hermana Garcia

Greeting from the Greensboro, North Carolina!

Yup, where in the world is that?! Its about 2 hours north of charlotte. Infact, Sister Fragoso and I are in the furthest parto of the mission. Super close to Virginia. i have been assigned to the Piedmont Branch which a spanish speaking branch! I didnt thin i would be serving spanish speaking so soon but it happened! The mission office is sending me my new nametags soon :) Since the ward is small, we are working with the inactives to get them coming again and to also get refferals from them. I'll share with you one of my favorite things that happened this week.

The Gomez family is inactive family who haven't bee to church in a while. We went to their house and i we used the "were new to the area and want to meet the branch's members!' card and the "im new to the mission! can i practise on you!" card haha. Sister Gomez said we could come back on saturday when her family would all be home. So we did. Sister Fragoso (14 months on the mission, from Merida Yucatan Mex) said that the best thing to do for inactive memebers is to do the Restoration with them. That lesson is very powerful and always invites the spirit. Doing so will enable them to remember how they felt the first time they heard it. So we had that planned.

When we get there, they let us in and Bro Gomez right of the bat tells us why he hasn't gone to church. He said someone from his ward back in utah really did him an injustice. He said the man who stole from his was a person who he trusted and when the member did that to him, he just coulnd't beleive. He said he didn't want to be around people like that so he left. His wife continued to go but she felt uncomfortable since she felt people from the ward labled her as a single woman. So she left. My companion and I listened to this and felt that we needed to remind them of thier testimony. Remind them that their conversion and testimony isn't to the people, but to our Father in Heaven. So we taught them the restoration. When we got to the part of telling Joseph Smith's vision, the room was filled with the spirit. We invited them to think back to when they first heard the story of the first vision, and then proceeded to tell them. As my companion recited the words of Joseph Smith,  the room felt as if it was sucked in and shut off from the world. It was so powerful. We all had tears in our eyes. Then brother Gomez said, "I have to go back.  I know i need to. I have been away for far too long and i want my family to be happier." He then turns to his wife and says, "Ive alway known this is true. It was good to have them remind us." I felt like crying. I felt so happy for them and so glad that they felt that.

As missionaires, our purpose is for others to feel and know what we know. I am a child of god. YOU are  childl of god. That in it's self is something that could change the world of an individual. That knowledge. And we as missionaires get to do that. But we can't do it without the members. As members; missionaries and not missionaires, it is our job to bring the world it's truth!

One last thing i wanted to share, that really made me reflect. We went to a less-actives house. When we asked if he missed coming to church he said, "no, not really. Im really comfortable the way i am." That stuck with me for the entire drive back home. I asked my companion if Happiness is synonimous for comfortable. And we came to the conclusion: The Gospel of Jesus Christ is something that never leves you stagnant. It will always make you grow. She then said something i loved:  Faith is uncomfortable. As members, we know that living the gospel means we are constantly changing. We are always wanting to improve and never "comfortable." Better yet, if we are comfortable, something is wrong. The Atonement of Jesus Christ is to be utalized every day. Everyday we should be making changes that make us better, make us uncomfortable and make us grow.

Are you comfortable?

My dear freinds, ward members and family, I love this Gospel. I love the blessing and opportunity it is grow. I love that mistakes are allowed and even encouraged, because then and only then can we become what we were meant to be. Be strong and be missionary always.
-Hermana Garcia

5281 Hilltop Road 
Apartment R 
Greensboro North Carolina
27407

MTC (week 2)

Well friends, it sounds cliche, but i dont have much time to write haha. Ill just share one of my favorite things that happened this week. While we were in the referral center, i was scrolling through the people that need to be contact and one name intrigued me. I clicked on her and she was requesting a Bible in english but didn't provide her mailing address. i called her and she answered!!

This is how the conversation basically went. I told her i was from mormon.org and how she had requested a bible and i was just going to call and ask for her mailing address. She gives it to me and i ask why she felt she wanted to get a bible and she told me the following, "i need to be closer to Jesus. I just found out i have cancer (her voice starts to crack) and i want to be close to jesus. I dont know why certain things in my life are happening and i just want help.."

I felt my missionary purpose ring loud and clear!

"Monike, would it be arlight if Mormom missionaires dropped the book off and share a short message of jesus christ? Their message is just for you. its for you. It's centered on your need right now." She begins crying and pleads yes. She then asked something that made my heart ache for her. She said, "i want them to come. I want somone to pray with me. Im scared Mrs. Esther. i was thinking about what to do with my life and then you called. And youre telling me a message of hope and of joy. Thank you for calling me and thank you for saying those things." 

The conversation continued, i sent the refferal to the missionaries in that area. Those Houston Texas missionaries are lucky. She is golden and is so ready.

i love being here and having this blessing, this opportunity to tell people this message that is for them. i realized really how much people need this and want this, they just dont know it. It made me sad for monike, that she felt so helpless and didn't know what to do, but somewhere she knew that a bible would help her. I feel so privledged and so excited! Monike is being helped her loving HeavenlyFather because he really and truely loves her. I love her! I wanted to go through the phone and help her and hug her. She was crying and i wouldn't be surprised if the conversation we had was of the most hope. 

My friends, be nice. Everyone you meet is going through hard times. Smile when youre out, be the light that people need. You are god's child and he loves you :)

-Sister Garcia 

MTC (week 1)

Well hello friends and loved ones! Its been exactly one week since i got here and i can't believe how fast the week went, yet how slow some days were. The first day was chaos and the second day was hard to also because there was so much information and so much to know and get used to. But it was really fun. It all got better on sunday, ill explain that in a sec. 

My companion is from Turner Oregon and she will be serving with me aswell. The rest of the girls from my distict will be serving in LA. 

The beginning days i had a hard time because i felt like i needed to show others that i have prepared for this. I felt like everyone around me had the same story and that frustrated me and so i felt the need to show how i was different. i Learned how wrong this was. The biggest lesson i learned this week was about humility and pride. I emailed my family when i first arrived to let them know i had made it safe, but then i got extra time the following evening and i told them of my frustration. My brother david told me some words of advice that really made me understand the need to look outward rather that inward. He said, "the spirit not only works through you, but through others."  I wouln't be able to learn the things i needed to if was constanly feeling frustrated by the girls who would talk about their boyfriends, or the girls who would cry at how they missed home. I need to learn compassion and learn that everyone has come to the MTC with different backgrounds. 

The Reno Nevada Stake's Mission prep classes really prepared me so much. I think thats why i felt like i was so ahead of everyone becuase i began my mission prep and learning long ago. They really made you learn about what missionary work is and how to begin NOW. So shout you to you guys! I feel very prepared and so grateful to have attended. 

We had Elder Nelson speak to us during the Tuesday Devotional. No one knows who the speaker is until they arrive (the missionaries don't know.) I was in the choir and seated doing some stuff on my tablet when all of a sudden everyone stood up. before i could see who it was i felt a strong power in the room fill up. I felt it in my heart and knew that whoever it was had power of god. The true and real power of god. As i looked up it was Elder Nelson and his wife. My heart pounded and i started crying. The room was filled with over 2,000 missionaires set apart with the rights and privledges of preaching the gospel. And in walks an Apostle of the Lord. My heart was full and i couldn't help but cry tears of joy. ME! i was involved in this. I was taking part in this amazing change that the world will know. 

i dont have much time so thats basically it. But i would encourage all of you to think of things that you might be doing that would impede you from feeling the spirit and would allow you to receive revelation. This week i will be working on humiliy. i would encourage you to pick something to work on and see how much the lord wants to help you be better.

i know this work is true and there is a prophet on the earth. he speaks to god and heads this church. 

CTR!

-Sister Garcia

ps, we got to go to the referral center where people from all over the world requested A Book of Mormon or bible on mormon.org and we get to call them and make sure the address is ok. we also share our testimony or favorite scirputre and it was soooooo fun!

(sorry for the typos, im on little time hah)