Liebe Famile und Freunde:
What an amazing week!! So much happened, it would be impossible to describe it all through an email!
But before that, I have a new favorite sport: Bahn surfing! So on the busses and trains (Bahns) the drivers sometimes get going a little crazy- it is definitely an adventure to try and balance without holding on to the bars or handles as the busses and trains go through the cities. We've gotten pretty good at it, and it makes for an enjoyable ride. This works best when not many people are on the bus :-)
Megan and Alicia got baptized this weekend! It was so wonderful, and the Spirit was really strong. I remember the first time we went over to Megans house, and met with her parents. They hadn't been accepting of missionaries for quite a while, but we were just the right ones at the right time, and were able to experience the conversion of the whole family. Megan's dad baptized her, and he was so nervous, but he did it all perfectly. It was such a blessing to see Megan so excited and ready for baptism, as well as the parents come back to church and now play a strong role in the ward. Alicia has been to church her whole life, but her dad, who is not a member, wouldn't let her get baptized until she turned 16. She turned 16 two weeks ago, and she was so ready to be baptized! I was able to do the baptism interview for her, and it was a real neat experience. She hadn't been taught a lot by missionaries, but grew up learning in Primary and Young Womens, and from her mother. The first question is about our feelings about and our relationship with God. As she bore her testimony of God as our Father, I felt the Spirit so strong, and knew that she was ready to be baptized and make these covenants with Him.
Dallin, these baptisms made me think about when you asked me to baptize you. That was such a neat time! Thanks for letting me do that a few years ago!
I was able to work with Elder Mildon in Koblenz on Wednesday, and we had a real interesting experience as we were talking with some people in their homes. One woman we talked to was 60-ish and her whole family had passed away- husband, children, parents. She was the only one left. We naturally brought up the hope and joy that comes with the knowledge that Christ was resurrected and lives, meaning that we will too. She said something I won't ever forget. She shook her head and with this look of hoplessness said "Well, in my church, we believe that Christ died, but that was all." My heart sank into my stomach- this woman was faithful at going to church every week and praying night and morning, and truly believed that Christ lived and died. But that was the end. That also where her hope ended as well. The resurrection is THE source of hope for everything in this life! It is like reading a story, getting to the climax, and then turn the page, and then find out the end page is blank... WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?! We talked with this woman about the accounts in the Bible about how Christ showed Himself to many people after His resurrection- she shook her head, and said that it was all a spiritual symbol, and that Christ now lives in each of us... Then we pulled out a copy of the Book of Mormon, and testified that Jesus Christ truly did show Himself to the ancient inhabitants of America after His death and resurrection. The Book of Mormon truly is another testament of Jesus Christ- not just that He lived, or a second witness of His doctrine and all that He taught, but the Book of Mormon is second witness that Jesus Christ lives TODAY! This sweet woman said she was pretty skeptical of this all, but we promised she could find out for herself. I shared my testimony of Christ, that He lives, that His resurrection is the source of all hope in this life, and that she would be able to give a hug to her beloved family members again someday. I looked in her eyes and noticed something different than before- not a belief or acceptance of what we said, but a desire to hope for it- a want to want to, as Sister McKneely said in seminary- and that was what this older woman needed that night. I don't know if she looked at the website or read the card we gave her, but she sure did enjoy showing us her flower garden that is starting to grow, and I felt that she now has a desire to believe. And that's enough for the Spirit to work. I know Christ lives today. He lives and has a perfect, glorified, immortal body of flesh and bones- if it weren't so, I think I would be like this woman was before, with absolutely no hope that any future could bring anything good or worth-wild. Christ is the source of all things good- without Him, the isn't any good. But there is so much good in the world today, it is another witness to me that He lives! The doctrine of the resurrection is so crucial and central, I could go on and on about it- I love it, I know it is real, I know I will be able to give my Grandma and cousins and great-grandparents big hugs in the next life! That's the hope I hold on to- everything else is earthly and temporal. The family is eternal.
Another thing I have really come to love and appreciate this week is the difference between the fruit and the roots of the Gospel. If we imagined the gospel of Jesus Christ as a big tree- like one of those huge gorgeous ones we saw in Mier Woods in California a few summers ago. The tree of the Gospel is huge and magnificent! The trunk is thick and strong, the branches are many and the fruit absolutely delicious! Most people notice the fruit first thing- it is normally the most colorful, the most delicious, the tangible thing we can hold and eat and see. But the fruit without the branch wouldn't live. The branch without the trunk wouldn't live. The trunk without the roots wouldn't live. There are a lot of absolutely wonderful, magnificent, delicious fruits of the Church of Jesus Christ- youth organizations and welfare and family history and universities and service and beautiful buildings and the Tabernacle Choir and the visitor centers and the historical sites and the history and so on and so on. But these fruits of the Church are nothing without the roots. Many people can copy the fruits, even very well duplicate them, but without the roots of this Church, the fruits won't live. What are the Roots of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints? Jesus Christ and His resurrection, God as our eternal Father, Joseph Smith and his predecessors as Prophets of God and the Priesthood power they hold, the Family as the central social unit. We must have solid roots in order to have delicious fruit. Some of the investigators in the ward right now are extremely focused on the fruit- the welfare program or the social interactions at church. And while these are all great and essential parts of the Church, a firm foundation of God Father, His Son Jesus Christ, Their prophets and the eternal role of the family, and a burning testimony of the same is what converts people to the truth. That testimony is what leads people for the right reasons to make sacred covenants with God. We are working with these investigators to make sure their roots are firm and deep, that their testimony in the essentials is firm and first, and then the wonderful fruits of the Gospel can be explored and enjoyed after that. And speaking of covenants, we will be able to go to the temple tomorrow! I love going to the temple and remembering the sacred covenants I have made with my Heavenly Father.
We were able to meet Raza and Lina this week- two people that are ready for baptism! Raza lived in Düsseldorf and had his baptism all set up and planned, but needed to move down here with his father. He will be baptized in a few weeks. Lina's boyfriend lives in Colorado and she has been to church many times before. She wants to learn more, and is letting her parents know that she want to join the church. They were both at Alicia's baptism this last weekend, and felt the Spirit so strong- Bob and Luisa are also preparing for baptism at the end of March. This is how the work of the Lord works! It works through miracles. It is done one by one. I used to wish that we could convert everyone at once and solve all of their problems all at once. But that is not the way of the Lord. His ways are the best, His ways are most effective and lasting. His ways are one by one.
The prophets and apostles have promised and prophecied that this area of the world would grow in the gospel and the Church would again be strong here. I believed that before I came here to Germany. I believed it months ago in Mönchengladbach. And I believe it now, as prophecies are continuing to be fulfilled. I am so grateful to be here at this time. The Lord works in great ways- normally putting the right person in the right place at the right time in order to do His work. I have come to understand that more clearly recently. The Lord has also greatly humbled me and shown me things I need to change, fix and work on. This mission truly is the best two years FOR my life! These miracles, these changes, these life and eternal lessons and experiences all began for me with a prayer of faith. And that's how this whole work got started- Joseph had a question and he prayed in faith. I know it is true! Miracles are brought by a prayer of faith. I am so grateful for the knowledge I have that God is there and hears and answers every prayer.
Thanks for your prayers and love- the people of Germany are benefiting from it as well!
much love,
ElderGarlick
Monday, March 5, 2012
...and it all began with a prayer of faith.
Tuesday, February 28, 2012
The days fly by, the weeks don't really exist... the miracles are everywhere!
What a fantastic week! And this coming week is going to be even better! MEGAN AND ALICIA ARE GETTING BAPTIZED! I love this work! It is so exciting, and the joy I get from doing it every day truly is the greatest blessing!
This last week was Zone Conference in Heidelberg! Sister Nieman served there a few months ago, and wanted to show us all the Heidelberg Castle! So we went a little bit early and climbed up to this gorgeous castle on the side of a mountain! I will send pictures as soon as I can figure out my camera card... Zone Conference was great! The greatest thing that I felt was the confirmation that missionary work is a spiritual work. Yes, we teach and study, and we talk with people and we ride many trains, but it is ALL a spiritual work- all those physical elements are just ways that we act on the promptings of the spirit. Also, one of the greatest things about Zonw conference was that I got to see my cousin! No, not Sister Garlick, but Elder Jardine!! He is a Hicken!! His mom talked with Aunt Marne and figured out that we are second cousins! His Grandpa is Uncle Jay! I love being a Hicken and a Garlick and a Blake and a Burton! It was so neat to be with him and really feel that family connection!
It is great to work with Elder Crosby- he is very relaxed and calm. I admire his humility and desire to become better and learn. He has such a great focus on other people, and definitely one of the most slef-less people I know! I am so grateful to be learning so much from working with Elder Crosby!
Yesterday was a special Stake Conference broadcast for all of Germany, Austria and Switzerland. It was so aweseome! Elder Nelson and President Eyring spoke to us. The two greatest points I got from the conference was 1. Prayer of Faith, and 2. Connect with spiritual power by doing the small and simple things. President Eyring spoke a lot about his ancestors from Germany, and their path in life that led them to the church and to marriage, ect., and it was all governed by their prayers of faith. I am so grateful for prayer- it works! Sue Ellen is just discovering the power of prayer. She is middle aged single mother, and came to church yesterday. She has been feeling the spirit recently, and really gained strength from prayer. As we have met with her, we can see the gospel and the church starting to "click". Yesterday, with tears coming down her cheeks, she said that it finally "clicked"! She has some great friends in the ward now, and her testimony of this gospel was started and perpetuated by her prayer of faith. She will be baptized very soon.
Spiritual power is the reason we are able to do all we do as missionaries and members of the church. Prayer, Scriptures, church, covenants, are those little things that, when we do them, connect us to the powers of heaven, and allow us to do the work of the Master on the earth. We have all heard that every answer to any question in the church is "pray, read your scriptures, come to church..." but it is SO true! Those are the means that Heavenly Father has given us to tap in to His spiritual power, to call down angels and revelation, and to do miracles on the earth. The Priesthood is also a means for that, the permission and authority to act in God's name, but it only functions and the powers only useable upon the principles of righteousness- and righteousness begins with "pray, read your scriptures, come to church"... And temple covenants is what everything is aimed at! I love it all so much- I know it's true.
I was able to play the organ for the Stake Conference as we waited for the broadcast to start- I love the organ! I love the piano, too, but there is a special feeling on the organ! It's like the difference between hearing the Tabernacle Choir sing on a TV or CD, versus hearing them live... ooooh yeah!
The Lord's hand is here in Germany. Miracles are happening, and people are flocking to the church. The office sent us information today about a college age young woman who has a real good friend in Colorado and wants to learn more and be baptized. Last week, a couple from Africa just walked into church and stayed for all three hours. When we are obedient, work as hard as we can, and rely on the spirit by becoming rooted in scriptures and live with a prayer of Faith, miracles just happen. We can't stop them from happening! I am so grateful for a God of miracles, a God who speaks, and a Father who loves me. I know He lives. That is why I am here. If God spoke, loved, and did miracles, then that would be all nice and good, and I would probably be at home in College Station, maybe reading about those events in the Bible every once in a while and going on with life. But He speaks, He loves, He listens, He lives and does miracles every single day- and that's why I'm here! And the miracles aren't about to stop any time soon! Hundreds of stakes, thousands of wards, temples dotting the Rhine River- prophets have prophesied it, I believe it, we are experiencing it here, now, today! This work is the greatest of all works to do! Shall we not go on?!
Alles Gute,
ElderGarlick
Monday, February 20, 2012
Bumblebees, and Horses, and Cookie Monster, oh my!
Liebe Familie und Freunde:
Fasching is definitely a one-of-a-kind expereince! I am here in Mainz, at the institute center by Bahnhof, and there are so many people, all dressed up in the greatest constumes! It is like Halloween, but without all the guts and blood and scary stuff. So many constumes- and they are all so fun and bright! Animals and dragons, cowboys, and even George Washingtons :-) There is a HUGE parade going on out the window in downtown- SO much candy and confetti! We came earlier here this morning so we could get back to Wiesbaden before it gets too crazy. Here are some pictures- you can't really see it too well, but here's enough to wet your whistle. I can't really describe this Fasching... but we have been able to stay clear of the big groups of people and all that fun :-)
This last week was such a great week! We met with Guang the last time before he goes to China, and it was such a neat time with him! We reviewed the Plan of Salvation as well as talked about the Gospel of Christ. He loves everything we teach so much! He is so interested and asks the perfet questions. One was "So I know we need to be baptized in this life to return to live with God, but what about all those people who die without being baptized with the right authority?" Then we were able to explain to him the mercy of the Plan of Salvation, in how we all have the chance here in life to learn and accept the gospel, but if we don't have that opportunity, then we can have another chance in the spirit world to learn and accept the ordinances of the gospel there. He loved that! He felt the truthfulness of it, as well as the love and mercy of our Father, who wants all His children to return to Him. That's why He gives us second chances to do what is right; today, tomorrow, and in the next life. God didn't just send us here to earth saying, "Good luck, hope you do it right the first time, hope you make it." NO! He gave us help every single step of the way, giving us the answers before we have to take the test. He didn't just leave us here alone to fend for ourselves and to be cut off if we fall or make mistakes. He is truly a God of second chances... and third chances, even fourth! He knows this life is hard, but that's why we are here! Guang felt the spirit as we discussed this earth life and why we are here. He expressed concern about wanting to be baptized, but still having many concerns and even some doubts- but an overriding desire to be baptized. We went to Mosiah 18 in the Book of Mormon, where Alma teaches that the qualification for baptism IS that desire and willingness to serve God and others. That made me think back to my baptism- that was 12 years ago, and I sure didn't know everything about the Gospel! I still don't, but I keep holding on to what I do know and what I do understand. We also have met with some young men who are struggling with their testimonies of this gospel, and we discussed a bit about how questions are good, even necessary! It is good to feel that way- we are here to feel. Now, what matters, is what we do because of what we feel. These young men and Guang have come to find that it is in the questioning and the concerning that understanding comes, that a peace comes that all is well, and it is perfectly okay to not understand all the ways of God in this mortal life! But that desire is that overriding motivation and motor for doing what we do. "If you have desires to serve God, ye are called to the work" is what we learn in D&C 4, and Alma taught that desire and willingness qualifies us for baptism, and so forth. Guang has come to see that God doesn't expect us to be perfect now, nor have a perfect knowledge or understanding of His ways- we're not here to HAVE a perfect knowledge and understading, we are here to GAIN knowledge and understanding- and that comes through questions and asking! I love what King Benjamin taught: "Believe in God; believe that he is, and that he created all things both in heaven and in earth; believe that he has all wisdom, and all power, both in heaven and in earth; believe that man doth not comprehend all the things which the Lord can comprehend." (Mosiah 4:9) I believe that. I live by that. And by the power of the Holy Ghost, we can know the truth of all things- it doesn't say we will completely know them, or even completely understand them- but we will know they are true. Over time, I have found that my understanding and knowledge have grown greater and bigger, into a knowledge of things I never knew before, and I expect that to continue to happen. And all the while, I believe in God, and know that He knows what He is doing, and me living with a desire to do my best and follow Him. I know that I don't know everything, nor completely understand what it all means. But I know it is true. Elder Crosby asked me last night: "Why are you out here on a mission?" The first thought that came, and has stayed with me since, and my answer from when I submited my mission papers in Summer 2010, was: "Because I know it's true". I do know this Gospel and work is true, and I look forward to learning more and understanding more about it throughout the rest of my life.
Thanks for your love and prayers- prayer is one of the most important and essential things in our lives. Thanks for making me a part of yours.
Alles Gute!
--
Elder Nathan D. Garlick
German Frankfurt Mission
"Shall we not go on in so great a cause?" D&C 128:22
