Phone Call Home: Monday, December 5, 2022

This has been a busy and fun week for Elder Garcia as he continues to work hard and help to keep the growth going in the new Branch they have recently created. Some highlights from this week:

- The Jeffcoats came for a visit! Elder Garcia always loves when they come and say hello. This time they did an activity with the youth centered around 'The Spirit of Giving'. They gave each of the kids a fresh new Book of Mormon and together went through to highlight different scriptures that were about Christ. Then they had the kids write their own testimonies on the inside cover. Once that was complete, they gave each of them a piece of red string and they tied a bow on the Book of Mormon. The Jeffcoats then encouraged these youth to find someone they knew who would benefit from this book and from the highlighted scriptures and written testimony on the inside. I love this idea so much and love that it doesn't just apply to an area where a new Branch is but can apply to any area where the Gospel needs to be introduced.

- Sister Jeffcoats was quick to do the inspection on the apartment and made sure to let Elder Garcia know that she appreciates his efforts in making sure the living arrangements are always better than when he found them.

- Elder Garcia and his companion had an evening of teaching hymns to the Branch members. The songs are even so new to these members and so to avoid any mayhem on Sunday when it is time to sing, the Elders decided to sit and teach. 

- Elder Garcia enjoyed the FHE that they attended this week. They watched the Book of Mormon video with King Lamoni. He said that the spirit was so strong and he just loved watching it alongside these that they are teaching

- On Sunday there was a new gentleman there that Elder Garcia wasn't 100% familiar with. Comes to find out that the Branch President works with him and has invited him a couple of times to come to church. Well, this week he showed up and actually drove him there. This gentleman told Elder Garcia that he really enjoyed the feel of the service and even ended up staying for 2nd hour. They met up with him on Sunday evening and he asked the Missionaries "How do I join your church? Do I have to just listen to you for a minute? Tell you I believe everything I am feeling?" He continued to tell the Elders that the feeling of quiet and peace is just what Gods church should be and that is exactly what he felt today while he was at church. During the rendezvous he said he hadn't read 'the book'. So Elder Garcia said that they encouraged him to read the brochures alongside the 'book' (Book of Mormon) and to pay special attention to Moroni 10:3-5. They are super excited to be working with him, who by the way is Luciene, and will meet again on Wednesday. This time he says he will have as many friends and neighbors that he can get to join him because he wants everyone to feel what he has felt. How exciting right?! Elder Garcia is living in a super exciting world of such infancy of the church. We take so for granted the knowledge and ability to have the Gospel day in and day out and these people are showing the pure joy and happiness because it is so new! I pray that they will continue to love and embrace and continue their growth in this. 

- Elder Garcia and I talked a little about Christmas and he started to talk about my many nativities that get put out each year. He laughed because part of this memory is hauling the many totes up and down stairs to get them just right but mostly he shared that while he has been on his mission and in these past few weeks, it is the Spirit and the feel of what the nativities bring to our home that he loves the most. As he sat with tears in his eyes I found myself smiling. I love my nativities this is true but this year it was incredibly hard to put them out. I just haven't felt 'in the mood' for Christmas and with the struggles in our ward I have been having a hard time there too. It was such a special reminder that something in our home that Elder Garcia can remember is those simple decorations and to have them mean something a little more to him this year, I am sure glad that I put them up. 

- Interviews with President Proudfoot are this week. This is always something Elder Garcia looks forward to so I am excited to hear what teaching and lessons will come from that

- Elder Garcia says his Togo visa expires this month and he isn't sure what the plan is for renewal. He is hopeful that he will have the chance to get to Benin now that the borders are open and so maybe this will be the catalyst that will make that happen. I guess only time will tell. With transfer news coming on Saturday, we will all just sit and wait to see what is in store next.

Keep working hard. I love you for forever, 

Mom