Nathan Garlick Music, nathangarlickmusic.blogspot.com

Hello, all!

I have enjoyed the time I have had at home with my family since returning from Germany, and am now in Provo preparing to continue school at BYU.

I love music, and have always enjoyed writing and arranging for piano, choir, and more. I made a new blog as a way to share this music, as well as my testimony of the Savior.

www.nathangarlickmusic.blogspot.com

Check it out! Tell your friends! I will be adding more music periodically, and if anyone has any requests or suggestions, just let me know!

Enjoy!
NateGarlick

Dortmond Christmas 2012

It's Time.

Liebe Familie und Freunde:

Wow, two years have never flown by so fast! I look back, and can't believe all that has happened in these two years serving the Lord. But then again, I can believe it. I have come to know that this truly is the work of the Lord, a work of miracles. Many people have asked me if I feel sad to leave, or excited, or if I even want to leave. My thoughts went to the beautiful word of Ecclesiastes:

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:

A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace." (Eccl. 3:1-8)

I have enjoyed my mission more than anything! These have been the best two years of my life up to this point. But the time is come, and it's time to move forward. The Lord has just put me through the most intense Spiritual training course ever! Now it's time to really put it into action. And I'm excited for that! It feels very natural that everything is coming to an end, as far as being a full-time missionary is concerned. I feel it is time to go on to the next stages of life, and enjoy all that the Lord has in store for me!

Church on Sunday was the fullest I have ever seen it! It was an area-wide "Reach-Out Week", where we focused on inviting less-active members and those that were alone, to come back. There were so many people in church, several who haven't been in the building for over 10 years. I was able to bear my testimony as my goodbye to the ward. I looked out and saw so many faces of those that have blessed my life, and provided me with opportunities to learn: Danni, Vikki, Benjamin, Christiana, Stefan, Christian, Ana, McPhersons, Bruckmanns, Birgit, Celine, Lisa, Roths, Sylvia, Kodjo, and, of course, the Romanian Family. I was filled with the spirit of Family and love. I will never forget these wonderful people, and do all I can to live worthy of their trust and respect. I have seen the hand of the Lord guiding this work every single day. The many spiritual experiences, miracles, and tender mercies have confirmed to me, that this is the work of the Lord. It is true, it is real, it is His. There is no way that 19 and 20 year old boys and girls could do all that is expected of Missionaries, if it wasn't of a divine origin, led by divine hands. 

There is so much I could say and write and think right now. But of all the things I could write in my last email, the one thing I could share, the one greatest thing that I am taking home with me, the one thing that means more to me than anything else in the world, is this:

Ich weiß, dass dies das Werk des allmächtigen Gottes ist. Er lebt und ist mein himmlischer Vater. Er hört und erhört meine Gebete. Jesus Christus ist sein Sohn, mein Heiland und Erlöser. Er lebt und durch die Macht des Sühnopfers, kann ich mich umkehren, mich verbessern, lernen, lieben und das Leben genießen. Sein Priestertum und seine Kirche sind wieder auf der Erde durch den Propheten Joseph Smith wiederhergestellt worden, in Vorbereitung auf sein zweites Kommen. Das Buch Mormon ist ein Zeuge davon. Es ist ein Zeuge dafür, dass alles wahr ist. Christus führt dies Werk durch seine Propheten, so wie auch durch persönliche Offenbarung zu jeden von uns durch seinen Geist.

I know that this is the work of Almighty God. He lives and is my Heavenly Father. He hears and answers my prayers. Jesus Christ is His Son, my Saviour and Redeemer. He lives and through the power of His Atonement, I can repent, improve, learn, love, and really enjoy life. His Priesthood and His Church are again restored on the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith, in preparation for His second coming. The Book of Mormon is a witness of that; it is a witness that it is all true. Christ leads this work through His Prophets, and through the individual and personal revelation to each of us through His Spirit. 

This work is one of learning and experiencing for ourselves, then inviting others to learn and live, the Plan of God for our eternal salvation. Shall we not go on in so great a cause? So long as I have the hands the serve, the heart to love, the voice to testify, I will.

Ich liebe euch. Danke für alles. Bis gleich! 

--
Elder Nathan D. Garlick
German Frankfurt Mission
"Shall we not go on in so great a cause?" D&C 128:22

"O Tannenbaum!"

Practicing for the choir performance

Stefan's Baptism

Fröhliche Weihnachten!

Liebe Familie und Freunde:

Another Christmas is here! I can't believe it! I am excited to see you all on the computer tomorrow, and then in real life next week! I think Jacob explained it best: "the time passed away with us, and also our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream." (Jacob 7:26, Book of Mormon). It has been a wonderful two years, here in Germany serving a mission; and there is still a week and a half left to enjoy and serve and help and teach! The best is yet to come!

This week was real great- Stefan was baptized! It was a great experience. He was so natural with everything- no fears, and no real huge excitement, just understanding that he knows the gospel is true, and baptism is the next step. We were going to start at 5pm, but the Hamm missionaries were bringing somebody, and got to the train station late, so Sis. McPherson went to pick them up. We waited, but didn't feel stressed or rushed or anxious. In the meantime, a car pulled up, and 8 of the Romanian Family pulled up, the grandparents, 4 sons, and two daughters! They loved the baptism! That room was full, too! The others arrived and we had a great baptism service. In the font with Stefan, I felt a great Spirit of the reality of the Priesthood and of baptism. I looked out to the people watching, and the two Romanian girls, about 18 years old, were there with huge eyes and bigger smiles! Yesterday at church, they said they all want to be baptized in the beginning of next year! The friend that the Hamm missionaries brought was also very touched by the Spirit. I talked with him afterwards, and he said that he wants to be the next person to be baptized! That was the first baptism he saw. When we found out that they would be late, we considered starting anyways, and hoping they got there to see the baptism. How grateful I am that we waited, so these great people could experience the power and Spirit of baptism. How could we have not waited?

Christmas is here, and so are the members who all want to feed us and show us a real German Christmas! Tonight, we are going to the Petzold's. Christmas Eve is Germany's main Christmas celebration. I love how everyone takes the time to celebrate Christmas and remember Christ, even in a world that is becoming more "politically correct", and not wanting to talk about religious things, for fear to offend. We got on the bus this morning, and the bus driver was looking real intently at our name tags. She then said out loud, and slowly, "Jesu Christi...Ok, then I can wish you a merry Christmas!" We said thanks, and I thought about how many people today are finding the name "Christ" taboo, and worry to say it. I was so grateful that this woman felt comfortable enough to wish two strangers a merry Christmas. During the whole year, not just at Christmas time, we have the responsibility to be witnesses of God at all times and in all things and in all places, to always invite others to come unto Christ, to spread His name, His Gospel, His truth to the world. I thought about my gift to the Savior, that which I can give to Him this Christmas: So long as I have a heart to love, the hands to serve, the voice to testify, I will! The life of a missionary is much longer than just 2 years... it is an eternity of progression, of learning, of teaching, of testifying, of serving, of loving, of helping. It's the life of a disciple of Jesus Christ.

On this Christmas Eve, I testify that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God. He was born to Mary, lived a perfect life, showed us the way, and sacrificed His life so we can all repent and return to live with our Heavenly Father. He was resurrected and lives today, just as real as 2,000 years ago! His Priesthood authority and His Church are again restored upon the earth, in preparation for His second coming. His Gospel is a message of peace and joy; joy to the world, the Lord is come!

Ich wünsche euch alle eine wunderbare, fröhliche Weihnachtszeit!

bis morgen; bis nächste Woche!

Ich liebe euch!

--
Elder Nathan D. Garlick
German Frankfurt Mission
"Shall we not go on in so great a cause?" D&C 128:22