Monday Phone Call Home: November 15, 2021

Brooklyn saying goodbye as she heads out the door to school

Even blurry you can still see he is happy

Mondays are the BEST days

Elder Garcia is just plain happy. Happy. And this Mom could not love anything more than that! He is literally just beaming with smiles when he talks and he even has a sparkle in his eye. Pure joy. 

Elder Garcia had Zone Conference this last week and it was awesome. He said that all of the missionaries from Togo were there. Roughly 60 is all because believe it or not, the majority of the missionaries are in Benin. This surprised me just in that that is Elder Garcia's call but the borders have been closed due to the Covid. It is all working out though and Elder Garcia is good in Togo. :) During Zone Conference, President Proudfoot shared a message about following rules. Obviously about mission rules and why they are important but also holding these missionaries in Togo accountable for themselves because he isn't there all the time. He also spoke a lot about the use of technology and Elder Garcia was THRILLED to not have any heavy or worry there like he did in his last companionship. Elder Garcia and Elder Kikwati don't even have the Facebook on their phone. They log into it on Mondays but that is it. They use their phone for messages and calls to members or ami's they are working with and that is it. I can't begin to imagine the relief it must have been for him. 

President Proudfoot also talked about having 2 feet in on a mission. This got Elder Garcia thinking. And not just a small amount but a lot. Elder Garcia admitted today that he was definitely NOT two feet in as he started his mission at the home MTC and certainly didn't change things when he arrived to Africa. He said he was stuck in living two lives; one on the mission and two worried about a girl at home. He said that he realized that if he had continued on this path he would have been sent home or simply would have chosen to come home. He was not committed 'all in' and said he was sure grateful for the words that President Proudfoot shared during this conference. How tender a blessing to recognize in small moments like this these Mission Presidents serving are truly the voice of the Lord and it is clear that He answers prayers from a Mom clear in Utah on  my Elder's behalf. <3

Elder Garcia had me in stitches today! I was laughing so hard as he was telling me that during Zone Conference he was talking to a couple of other American Elder's about how to lose weight in his face! Seriously...I was dying. I had tears running out of my face. He says he is only getting chubby in his face and that is it and that these Elders had some good advice but one in particular told him to get a jump rope and add that 'cardio' to his world. A jump rope huh? Okay, well...Elder Garcia is now on the hunt for a jump rope. 

Elder Garcia told me today about an ami they have been working with and some of the frustrations that come from 'stubborn' people, who crazy...exist in ALL parts of this world. :) This particular ami has said from the beginning that he only wants to use the Bible as scripture and is not interested in The Book of Mormon at all. Thankfully, Elder Garcia remembers from Peach My Gospel, some verses that they can tie the two together. Elder Garcia was able to share his own testimony as well as point out some very black and white details and yet this ami still wanted to be combative and was doing all he could to contradict what it is that these missionaries are trying to teach him. Elder Garcia said he felt absolutely zero presence of the Spirit and could tell this was going to be toxic so they have moved on from working with him. As a missionary I would imagine you encounter all kinds of crap and mean people who are just looking to be rude. But to see how it affects a missionary as a Mom, it breaks my heart but also makes my heart swell. Elder Garcia shared that although super frustrating, he was grateful for the experience because it was a reminder of his testimony and where he is on his own journey in this Gospel. 

Elder Kikwati and Elder Garcia continue to really enjoy one another and their companionship is thriving. They had a little 'test' if you will over this last week with having to have a conversation about budgeting money. Elder Kikwati apparently  had all of his MSF funds spent within two or three days and had to borrow some from Elder Garcia for food and what not. That didn't sit well with Elder Garcia (which is interesting because pre mission, Elder Garcia was a spender and even in area #1 Kpalime, Elder Garcia was still spending so this is good to hear) so instead of pushing it under a rug, Elder Garcia and Elder Kikwati sat down and hashed it out. Elder Kikwat received the frustrations well and apologized and they agreed to work together to see if they could learn the concept of budgeting. All of the adult world teachings right? :) I also really loved as I talked with Elder Garcia today that Elder Kikwati was in the background (in another room) singing. Elder Garcia says he sings all the time and he loves it. I remember reading once that a happy person sings. And Elder Kikwati seems to have rubbed off on Elder Garcia so happy is the best word to describe the two of these missionaries together. 

Elder Garcia said he feels like he is truly living a mission experience now and looks forward to each day. He also said that every Tuesday morning they have District Counsel where you have a small lesson, a spiritual thought, and they discuss the weekly email they receive from President Proudfoot. He says it is a huge missionary support group/system and he loves it. He is growing each day and he says he can sure feel the difference that it is making in his life. 

As we were ending our call, Elder Garcia said that he is already a little sad that transfers are coming up quick. They will happen on December 7 and he isn't ready to even think about changing the world he has right now. He is thriving and I can see that but perhaps it is time for another companion and/or area for his spirit to be with. Time obviously will tell but ultimately, it is all in the Lords hand and we have to trust and have the faith that He will put Elder Garcia exactly where he needs to be. I love Mondays and I love my time with Elder Garcia on the video call that we get. 

Talk to you soon. Have the BEST week. Love you for forever and for always,
Mom