May 12, 2010 - Week 39

How’s it going everybody? It was really good to talk to everyone on Mothers Day. I love calling because it always gives me a good charge. Some missionaries get a little home sick and don't want to do any work, but I just get excited and want to go out and work even harder after I talk to you guys. Since I talked to everyone on the phone I probably won’t have much to say, but I will give an update for those who I didn't get to talk to and the stuff that has gone on since the phone call.

On Saturday John Janovich was baptized. It was my first time actually baptizing someone and it was amazing. I don't know if I have told everyone John’s story before but I'm going to do it anyway. John's wife is a member, but he was not. 20 years ago he started to take the missionary lessons, but he was offended by one of the missionaries. Well John kicked the missionaries out of his house. For 20 years he never had any missionaries or even members of the church come over to his house. About 6 months ago John’s wife was diagnosed with cancer. Her Brother-in-law suggested that she get a priesthood blessing from the missionaries. So Elder Buchanan and Elder Parlogean went over there and gave her a blessing. She decided that she needed to start coming back to church and E. Buchanan and Parlogean started teaching her. When I came here we sat down with John too. John had never participated in the lessons, but he finally liked the missionaries again. My first night in Dayton we talked to him and asked him if he wanted to take the lessons. He said that it couldn't hurt. Ever since then, he has progressed more than anyone I have ever met. He understood everything and committed to live all the commandments. He finished the Book of Mormon before his baptism and now he is reading it again. It was a great privilege to baptize him. It was a great baptism and very spiritual. On Sunday E. Buchanan confirmed him and gave him the gift of the Holy Ghost. John is doing great.

We taught Lynne again on Monday. We found out that she struggles with some word of wisdom issues. We taught her about the gospel of Jesus Christ and then we taught her about the word of wisdom. She is so great. She is the female version of John Janovich. After we talked about baptism she asked us, "What do I need to do to be baptized?" This led perfectly into the word of wisdom. Lynne understood it all and she said it makes sense to her why god would give us this commandment. She committed to live it and she is still progressing towards her baptismal date of May 29.

Yesterday we had our last interviews with President and Sister Belnap. I guess they are actually going home June 27 or 28. It was really sad. I love President and Sister Belnap. They have helped me out so much on my mission. In my interview with President Belnap he talked about my whole mission so far. He said that I struggled with some in the beginning and that I really felt like I didn't know what to do. But then he said that it has all come together for me now. I was amazed that he remembered all those things about me. That is exactly what has happened on my mission so far. President told me how happy he is that I was able to come to the Kennewick mission. He asked me if I would do one thing for him. I asked him what and he said, "Missionaries like to be led Elder Garrick. They may not think so, but deep down inside they do. Will you always be the example to the other missionaries and be a leader." I told him that I would be. It was pretty cool. I talked to him about psychology and law school too. He got really excited when I told him I was thinking about doing what he did. He gave me a lot of good advice and he said that law would be a good thing for me to do. He said I have the determination, the discipline, and the right attitude to go into law. I still have a while before I have to decide, but law sounds pretty good to me. President said that he is really proud of the work we are doing in Dayton right now. He said that he wants to clone us and spread us across the mission haha. I guess he told Elder Buchanan to expect a change at transfers. I'm pretty sure that Buchanan will be leaving. He has been here for such a long time. It will be good for him and the area, but I sure will miss him. It’s okay. I still have 3 weeks with him and we are going to enjoy it. And who knows, President could change his mind. I was talking to Elder Parlogean (Buchanan's old companion) and he said that he thinks I am going to train next transfer. He said that this is the time of year when a lot of new missionaries come into the mission and I am at perfect training age. We will have to see.

Last night I went on exchanges with Elder Sabe. He actually went to Cottonwood High School and was in the grade above me. It’s really weird because we both didn't know each other, but we know all the same people. It has been a lot of fun to talk about everyone from high school and all the teachers and stuff. He is actually dating a girl I went to junior high with. It was really good. Today is our Zone P-Day and I think we are going to have a sports tournament between each district in our zone. Should be fun too. Well I'm happy everyone is doing good. Sorry but I forgot my cord to hook my camera up to the computer, but I sent home some pictures in my package so you should be getting that soon. Hope you like it. I will try and send some next week. Love you all and have a great week.

Love,
Elder Garrick