One Shade Different (08/18/2014)

Throughout this week I've really felt like I've gotten to make a difference. Of course missionaries are always trying to make a difference in someone's life, or in our own life. But this week I made a conscientious effort to notice the differences around me and be of good cheer for the chance I have to adapt to current circumstances. Did I change Altus? In my dreams! The differences aren't anything huge, just a little bit here and there. 

The first difference? The way I responded to almost eating the most outlandish thing I could have eaten on my mission (so far!). We celebrated Sister Thomas' birthday on Monday. She's a sweet older lady in her 70s. We had pork chops for dinner...cooked in a panini maker. That's a recipe for disaster! And it almost was. I ate several bites into mine, and the next cut I made into it there were gut remnants and a nice shady spot of pink right in the middle! Fortunately, they had baked potatoes there as well, so I grabbed an extra one to make it look like I was enjoying the food :) For dessert we had chocolate cake. All was well with that. Luckily I didn't get sick or anything, but if I did I would have started singing "Master The Tempest is Raging!"

On Tuesday we taught Vince and Shelby! YAH! And they committed to be baptized! Then on Friday I went on exchanges in the other elders' area, so I wasn't personally there, but my companion and the elder I exchanged with conducted a church tour for Vince and Shelby, which they reported as successful. 

On Thursday we tracted in a little town called Granite that hadn't really been touched by previous missionaries. We received a less than favorable welcome from its residents. The last house we knocked on, however, was a miracle. We tracted into a member whose name isn't on the rolls. I always love it when that happens! She was so grateful and astonished that we ran into her. We gave her a Book of Mormon since she didn't have one. We're hoping to fellowship her and get her back to church. Those little differences we make in other peoples' lives... We're hoping she'll recognize that and want to make a difference in herself.

Back to the lovely Sister Thomas. We helped her box up some stuff that she wanted moved into her new house on the south side of town. After we helped her with that, we got to PAINT! I got to paint her bathroom a shade of minty green! For those that know me, you'll know that color represents me so well... 

We had ward conference on Sunday, and members from the stake came out from Lawton and Wichita Falls, Texas and spoke to the ward about hastening the work. I really think the ward needed it. It's good to know that the stake's working alongside with us trying to make a difference. 

Anyway, that's all folks! I guess what? I finally have some pictures to show y'all of God's little slice of pie in southwest Oklahoma! Have an awesome week!

Love, Elder Garner

Crossing Lines (08/11/2014)

I am thrilled to say that I now have one more state to add to my list of states traveled. This week I got to go to the bottoms of the mission in northern Texas! 

Tuesday and Wednesday were killer days for me and Elder Wilkes. We both got allergies... It completely took over us. Elder Wilkes got really bad bloodshot eyes and I got hives that looked like leprosy! A member family asked us to clear out the weeds from their alleyway, so that's what attributed to the leprosy-allergies. The member had me sniff some lavender and melaluca for about 20 minutes. I swear, I was almost high. After that I washed the the rivers of our home bathtub....once. It didn't take seven times ;)

On Friday I entered the mega-state of TEXAS! I now see what all the hype of Texas is all about. Wherever you go....it's Texas. You go down for 500 miles you're still in Texas. You go over 1,000 miles...and you're probably still in Texas! Oklahoma must feel invaded having such a massive "mini-country" below them. I got to explore Burkburnett, Texas with one of my zone leaders. We had a great exchange, and I got just a little dab of the Lone Star State.

On Thursday and Sunday we had dinner at a member's home, the Hull's. They are an awesome family that moves around from place to place due to being in the Air Force. They have a kid about six years-old that likes to do magic tricks. The poor kid... He tried doing a magic card trick with me, but when he did it wrong and he guessed the wrong card... When I told him it was the wrong card he almost started crying! I felt so awful... As if that wasn't enough, he tried redeeming himself on Sunday with another card trick, this time more elaborate. After about 20 minutes of doing the trick he predicted that I had a 3 of hearts. It was a Jack of Spades... I paused for a good five seconds trying to decide if I wanted to dash his hopes and confidence again by telling him I picked a different card, or if I should just fib a little and tell him he'd picked the right one. It wouldn't have really mattered, right? I ended up telling him it was the Jack of Spades. The same results happened. I hope me and this kid are still friends! I think we are... 

Sometimes I wonder if we are brimming over with confidence and we think we know what we're doing only to find out that we did things wrong. Sometimes as a missionary it feels that way. Enduring to the end sure is an important step in all our lives as we make mistakes and learn to pick ourselves back up and try again. And someday, with the help of the Lord, we'll know the tricks so well that our performance will be perfect in God's eyes. And we'll be able to dwell in His presence. 

One last miracle for this week: The Hoffman family. They live just north of the elder's apartment in Purcell. Me and my trainer, Elder Evans, had found them and taught them July and August of last year. After a year of being taught by missionaries, they finally got baptized!!! The seeds have finally harvested! Unfortunately, I was informed after the baptism, but had I known it was going to happen I would have been there. This is quite possibly the greatest moment on my mission of seeds being sown. It gives me a lot more reassurance that what we do as missionaries is far-reaching and impacting--we really do make a difference. I can only imagine what comes in the next nine months...

Elder Garner 

Road Trips Across Oklahoma (08/04/2014)

In the corner of southwest Oklahoma, the missionaries of Altus West are exploring the land and meeting the citizens and latter-day saints of Jackson, Greer, and Harmon county. All starting off the week with a good trip to the temple and paying a visit to my old turf: Mustang and Yukon. Our zone had our temple trip on the 29th. While there, I had lots of time to think about the recent changes that have been taking place in my life. I had lots of time to reason with myself why things have turned out the way they have. After a good session in the temple, lots of questions and prayers were answered. I'm so grateful for the temple and for the peace it brings.

Then to Mustang. The four of us payed Elder Watkins and his new companion a visit in my old apartment. The sisters got moved in to their new apartment just this past week. They all seem to be enjoying living and serving there just as I have. We got to see Wyatt get baptized. It was so sad having to turn him over to the Mustang 2nd ward missionaries, but it was all for his own good. And no matter which set of missionaries taught him, he still got baptized.

Most of the remaining week was spent meeting people, getting to know the area, and exploring our massive area. On Thursday we went to Mangum for the first time, where we met a couple members and got a map to find our way around. We had an amazing finding miracle just 15 minutes before we were supposed to turn in for the night. We were walking around just a few blocks south of our apartment when we got followed by a guy riding a motorbike. He pulled over, stopped to talk to us, and introduced himself as Rocky. He had missionary experiences before. He knew who we were and what we do. He was fascinated by the Church and the gospel. He used to live in the Middle East. He almost died (from causes we aren't aware of) and apparently he was saved by a Christian. He then came to the United States and become converted to Christianity. He'd moved out of Altus, and the missionaries, as a result, lost contact with him. And he finally ran into us just the other day! And wow, it's the best thing that's happened since I got here...

On Saturday an older couple that the other elders had been teaching got baptized, and they asked me to give the talk on the Holy Ghost. I'd never given a talk at a baptism before, but nonetheless it was a great experience to see them come to gospel and enter into the waters of baptism! 

And today--you'll never guess this--we went hiking! in Oklahoma! We hiked up the Wichita Mountains near Lawton. They're the tallest "mountains" Oklahoma has to offer. And afterwards we went to Meers, a hole-in-the-wall restaurant that's been around since 1901! And I ate a Seismic Burger that was as big as my head! Hoping to gain a couples pounds from that...

My apologies for the short update, I don't have as much time as I would like. But let me just say I am incredibly antsy for good things to start happening in this area. There is so much potential that has yet to be explored. Eventually, I'll understand the reasoning for me being down here in Altus. With every area I've been that same question always gets answered. Hope all of you have a great week. The gospel is true!

Elder Garner

The Changing Air in Altus (07/28/2014)

My biking days in Mustang certainly didn't last very long! When I arrived at transfers I waited and waited for my new companion to arrive, and when he did I got introduced to the Chevy Colorado. The rumors are true, Altus indeed is a truck area. Sounds like a rough area... 

"Rough area" is an understatement. 

The roadtrip to Altus from Mustang opened my eyes up to a new part of Oklahoma I'd never seen before—the southwest flats. Altus is quite possibly the flattest and most barren part of Oklahoma you can find. Miles and miles of farmland and fields as far as the eye can see. The sunsets are incredibly vivid and beautiful. The simplest way to describe Altus is to say that it's very Air Forcey and very retro. There are a couple brand-new Super 8 hotels and a Walmart, but other than that it may as well be 1974 in Altus. I feel as if I've stepped into the 1970s. Other than the new cars people drive, everything else in Altus is about 40 years behind the times. It's kinda cool, actually.

On Thursday we talked to a lady named Virginia. She told us all about her life and her past...deeds. She used to be a dancer. She said something interesting: "I learned more about the world doing that than anything else I did." And unfortunately, she and her family were ruined by it, but from her past experiences she learned the hard way. It makes me so grateful for the gospel to be able to teach us life's most important lessons without having to learn them the hard way! 

On Saturday we drove to Hollis, the town on the very fringes of the Oklahoma and Texas border as well as the mission. A town of about 2,000, and hardly anyone seems to know about the Mormons. We talked to a lady named Tiffany that never knew what a Mormon was until she married one. She was open to learning more. As soon as we have an established way of getting to Hollis from time to time, we'll make regular visits there. 

Church was interesting. The bishopric is kinda quiet. The ward is the smallest I've ever seen. I was told that if it wasn't for the Air Force Base, Altus would be a branch. President Walkenhorst came to church on Sunday, and afterwards we had a ward Linger Longer, so that was fantastic. Lots of new faces and new names. I have no idea what to expect this week. It's all in for a new adventure!

Elder Garner 

The Southwest (07/21/2014)

Much to my devastation, the time has come once again: Transfers. After six months of being in Mustang, I am headed back south to Altus, Oklahoma! Population about 20,000 located in Jackson County. I know all about Jackson County, Missouri, and I hope it's not quite like that in Jackson County, Oklahoma. I am now going from the southwest part of Oklahoma City to the southwest part of Oklahoma! The Altus ward is one of the biggest areas in the Oklahoma City Mission. The entire ward covers five counties! Since the ward is split between two sets of elders, my area will probably cover two and a half counties. My area is the Altus West area, which is tucked snugly at the border of the mission on the south and west border of Texas. My new zone is the Burkburnett Zone, which is the zone that covers the Texas areas of the mission.

My thoughts have been swallowed up by transfers. Another change?? I just got used to this recent change of having a new companion (now I have to have ANOTHER one??), new apartment, biking 24/7, and having new sister missionaries in the ward. Once again, off with another transfer. Transfers are always so bittersweet... Just like Purcell, just like Sulphur, and once again with Mustang. I can't believe how much of a home I've made Mustang. These past six months have just felt... right. Like it was just the place I needed to be. 

To send me off, we had a great finding miracle yesterday. We met a couple named Jim and Marie. They were the last house we knocked on for that day. They invited us in and asked us to pray for their children in their various locations. After 20 minutes of getting to know them and praying with them, Marie broke down and informed us that missionaries some 12 years back in Michigan visited her and helped her get through her depression she had at the time. It was very humbling and touching to have heard that experience. I'm grateful for the impact those missionaries had on her. I hope Elder Watkins and his new companion get somewhere with them!

On Saturday, we had a very solemn experience. We attended the funeral of a member of the ward who'd passed away fighting cancer. It was a very spiritual and emotional service. The member lived just a couple apartments north of our building. The first time I ever met him with Elder Bolan, he had us teach him a lesson on the Gospel of Jesus Christ on the spot. Though the lesson isn't difficult to teach, it was the first time teaching it in a while. And right there it was the first time I'd taught with Elder Bolan and the powerful teaching combination we had. He helped us recognize our spiritual power, and I appreciate him for that. He endured to the end faithfully.

I guess this makes area number four... I may only have one more after Altus, but I hope to grow even more in Altus and in the rest of my mission. Updates on Altus will soon arrive next Monday. Wish me luck! I know the Lord is doing the right thing. I will put my trust in Him.

Elder Garner

07/14/2014

Mmmmm smells like Oklahoma heat... It's a relief to think that we're halfway through summer. This past week we had a good soak in the Oklahoma sunlight...and a good literal soak in the humidity. It is such a blessing to see a stray hose at a member's house from which you can drink and get your head drenched. It makes a long day not so long.

 

There's a family in our ward with two adorable girls: Gabby and Gretchen-preschool/early elementary age. They say some pretty funny stuff. On Monday we had dinner and a FHE with them and their parents. Lately the two girls hadn't been obeying their parents... They'd been watching too much Nickelodeon on TV and started having an attitude whenever their parents asked them to do something. So guess what the lesson was on for FHE? Obedience! When Gretchen was asked why it was important to honor her father and her mother, she goes, "UGH. I DON'T KNOW!" And I cracked up. I hope the parents don't think I'm encouraging their behavior...!

 

Tuesday was our specialized training from our zone leaders. The previous day we went bowling in Moore. I was doing pretty stellar at first by getting a turkey, but after that my bowling performance kinda went to pot. Oh well! 

 

On Wednesday we got in contact with a few inactive members that normally wouldn't give us the time of day. We had great conversations with them, and their hearts softened! The key to all that? We brought a member out with us to fellowship the less active. We had spent a lot of time visiting less actives just us two, but when we brought a member along it made things flow so much better conversation-wise. We had some pretty great miracles with less actives.

 

On Friday we did exchanges with the zone leaders. I got to go to Moore on an exchange for the first time. One of the zone leaders interviewed Rodney for his baptism the next day, which by the way was fantastic! Elder Bolan made a guest-star appearance in Mustang and gave a great talk on baptism. After that Rodney entered into the waters of baptism! YEEEEAAAHHHH! He told us how great he felt afterwards... What a great feeling it was to see someone get to this point in their lives. It was a good reminder for me, Elder Bolan, and Elder Watkins.

 

And yesterday at church. Rodney was confirmed by a newly ordained Melchizedek priesthood holder. Great opportunity for the member to exercise his priesthood! After sacrament we got to do sharing time in primary! Those kids say the darndest things... We asked them what some of the commandments are we need to keep in order to be baptized, and one kid raised his hand and said "don't push your brother off a cliff..." The primary presidency got a kick out of that... Man, good stuff. I really hope to stay in Mustang for just one more transfer. I don't feel ready to leave yet... Whether it's now are in six more weeks, saying goodbye's going to be hard. Only the Lord knows...

 

Elder Garner  

Patriotism in Mustang (07/07/2014)

Let freedom ring in Oklahoma! Let the gospel ring throughout the world! 

Fun fact, Mustang city limits is the only city in the surrounding OKC metro that still legalizes fireworks. So guess where everyone in Oklahoma County goes? Mustang. Guess where we went to watch fireworks? Mustang! All day all throughout this past week Mustang residents have set off fireworks. Wherever we went we'd hear what sounded like gunshots. Mustang had the nutsiest crowd of firework fanatics the night of the 4th of July! Wherever you turned and looked up you'd see fireworks lighting up the night sky. Super cool... Mustang's the place to be on the 4th of July. 

Aside from all the holiday frenzy we had a great week with Rodney. He's so ready to be baptized on the 12th! It's about time we've seen some fruit from our labors here in Mustang! We spent a lot of time this week with Rodney doing service and getting him prepped from this Saturday. We cleaned up his backyard and got it ready for their "5th of July" celebration they had the day after the 4th. Funny story: The Bennetts have a pet chicken. It just chills and bobs its head forward as it walks around the backyard doing what normal chickens do. Sister Chevalier decided to pick up the chicken, and when she did the chicken freaked out and pooped all over her shirt! I have pictures to prove it! Luckily all four of us were wearing service clothes instead of our church clothes. The chicken got paid back later on that night when Rodney's little brother threw a firecracker next to the chicken and scared it half to death! I have a video to prove it! 

Anyway, that was our week. Just filled with 4th of July activities and wrapping up the discussions with Rodney. It was a great 4th of July. It's sad to think that it's my last 4th of July out here in Oklahoma. I'm blessed to have been able to spend it with good members and solid investigators in one of the most happening places in the OKC mission! The gospel is true! 

Elder Garner