Sister Angela' Garrish: August 2016

2016.08.30 Kamusta [How are you]

<2016.09.01 UPDATE - Sis Garrish received Dr's clearance for Travel today!

Kamusta Friends and Family!

Although I don't have much to write about because nothing really happened....

I do want talk a little bit about how God has a plan for each one of us.

It's crazy how much I've have switched my thinking process from it's "just a coincidence" to "God has a plan".

I cannot emphasize enough that EVERYTHING that happens, happens for a reason.

You may not know the reason why.
God would do something, but that's okay because you don't need to.

You just need to know that God is preparing you to be something great.

God is our greatest friend, we will never be alone if we allow him to stand by our side.

- Sister Garrish

PS - Now I'll share some stories with some pictures!!!! :)

After getting a package from Grandma Garrish with some essential oils in it, one being Stress Away.

My whole district put it on their wrist then started to do yoga because they felt so stress free hahaha!

Elder Kortus, Elder Mahfiey, Elder Green

This is Elder Pauley!!!!!

He is my absolute favorite missionary I have ever met!!

He is also one of my greatest friends here!

He is completely deaf, but one night he and his companion were going around and sharing their testimonies to other missionaries and I ended up being one!

After he shared his testimony we sparked up a very small conversation (with as much ASL as I knew)

Then he continued to teach me with my finger spelling the word, then him showing me the official sign.

Every devotional my companions and I get to sit right next to them, so we sign with them during songs

I am getting a lot better at communicating in ASL because of him and the other ASL missionaries! He leaves September 14th to Missouri!

I love all the support I get when I roll to the temple ;)

I love the MTC!

Saw Elder Schwartz today!

Travel Itinerary!

Look at that long word on the pamphlet on the right.... yeah I know shocking, but I know how to say it.

*Pagpanumbalik*

The Elders like to take my camera and take pictures!

Elder Lee up front, Elder Hanks, Elder Glenn

On the Right Elder Matsen and Elder Maughn

Me, Elder Davenport and Sister Gonzales

Me, Elder Timoteo
He is the best!!!!

Me, Elder Timoteo and Sister Gonzales

This is the sweetest Elder I have ever met! He is from Fiji and speaks Citabus (not sure how to spell) He is serving in Ilo-Ilo and is learning two languages!!!! English and Hiligaynon!!!! So amazing!!!!

Elder Kelly!!!

Elder Glenn!
He has the most jokes in our whole Zone!
Such a funny Elder!

Mga kaupop
[My companions]

The whole Zone heading to the Temple!

Sister Thorton wrote me a note and made this.
So Cute!!!

2016.08.23 Sisters and Slivers

Dear Family and Friends,
I swear the weeks are blending together! Not quite sure.... The most eventful thing that happened this week is that we got new Sisters!!!! So exciting! Unfortunately we are not roomed in the same room so we have not been able to get as close with them as I would have liked to! It's okay it's probably for the best we don't get too close because I leave in just two weeks. I cried last time I had to separate from my other Sisters :(
OHHHH So SUPER sad news!!!!! My new district leader Elder Brown dislocated his shoulder!!!!! From playing Four Square!!!! He has to go home early and get surgery! He is so strong, he is going to stay till Sept 7th, the day we leave for Manila then later that day he is going in for surgery!!! Then it's about a two month recovery! He will be coming out after that, but if everyone could please keep him in your prayers! He is an amazing Elder and has been a great brother to me here in the MTC! If you want you can send him a letter or a package, our address is the same just change the name :) He was a huge help to me when I broke my foot!
Well, other than that Sunday's Devotional was truly amazing, not only because the auditorium was full and the usher saw me rolling away with my companions and called us over and had two Elders grab us chairs so we could watch it live (haha) but because it was The National Tribute Band that came and played for us. During their story telling and singing I promised myself never to lose that feeling ever again; to always be worthy of it. My favorite days of the week are Sundays and Tuesdays not because there is no class but because of Devotionals! They are so awesome! I would love to go to one every night if I could!
This week I have to say I have had some interesting times.... I have gotten a lot closer to my whole zone AND my companions.
Let me tell you a story.... We were about to start planning our next lesson for our investigator, so we started with a prayer like we always do, during the prayer my mind wandered off to thinking about getting comfortable and how to get comfortable, so while my companion was saying the prayer I scooted my tush across the WOODEN chair so I could put my feet up and be in a laying down position..... WORST IDEA! Well while I scooted my tush across that wooden chair I planted about 30 tiny slivers into my bum...... Yeah so if you were wondering how me an my companions got really close.... that's how. Sister Gonzales (an only child) has never seen another's bum before, so you could say it was traumatizing for her... Sister Pope and I were dying laughing so hard!
Needless to say when you are saying a pray FOCUS on the prayer, not on yourself! Heavenly Father has a sense of humor and will getcha.
On a spiritual note....
For about three and half weeks, after each lesson my companions and I teach; I leave frustrated because I wasn't able to explain or say everything I wanted to in Ilongo whether I was too scared to talk or what. About a week and a half ago one of my teachers pulled me aside and shared with me how people convert through your testimony, they see your faith and your testimony and that is what converts people. Up until then, I had a hard time because I felt like all I was able to do was bear a testimony of the gospel. But that's the most important thing! I've come to terms that if I don't know where the lesson is going I can turn to MY testimony.
Life here on Earth is too short to let Satan hold you back because of fear.

Well until next week!
Dearelder.com me if you have questions about anything or want someone to talk to!
I love all the letters that I have received this week! They made me so happy!

Halong!

PS Maybe in next week's letter I will share my testimony in Ilongo.... ;)

Love,
Sister Garrish

Was doing personal study when I saw two Elders standing outside of my residence hall, then I see a sister who was very ill come down with her companions for a blessing. What an amazing place to be.

Sister Gonzales and I with our awesome fans! Elder Mills in the back...

Elder Maughn, proposing to Elder Gonzales, and Elder Rogers and Elder Glenn reacting to him saying yes. haha

Elder Rogers and I on the temple walk!

Elder Maughn Proposing with my monkey bread that I received from Dearelder.com because it was so good!

After the temple walk I pass out on the lawn

I look so fat....
I promise I have only gained one pound.....

2016.08.16 Letter from MTC Presidency

Dear Sister GARRISH,

Congratulations on your new assignment as a missionary leader! Please see the attached letter regarding your new assignment.

Sincerely,
The MTC Presidency

2016.08.16 So about the Doctor.....

Dear Family & Friends,

Woahhhhhhhhhhhh this week went by zoomin!

Nothing crazy happened other then getting the most amazing "Dear Elders" from Alice + Kyle, Jesse<3, Zach, Grandma Garrish, Erik and of course KIM!

I can't tell you how much I loved reading everyones letters!

BTW Alice it's a deal ;)

I really enjoy reading them! Since I'm crippled and can't do much during exercise time I reread them and make me so happy!

So as everyone was wondering about I went to the doctor today and the verdict is......

My foot is looking GREAT! The doctor was so excited to tell me! I see him in three weeks about 4 days before I leave for the Philippines! The prayers are working! So thank you!

I still may have to come home and get surgery; but the chances are a lot lower!

Pretty sweet!

I don't have a lot to write because nothing really happened....

Well, I guess I did have my best lesson yet in Ilonggo, it was pretty awesome. In our lessons we are only allowed to speak in Ilonggo and are not allowed any notes at all! Yep, we've been doing that since week one. But this lesson was the first time I felt somewhat comfortable asking questions, teaching the lesson and sharing my testimony completely in the language. Although I struggle everyday with the language there are multiple times where I have felt the Gift of Tongues. Truly amazing. God knows I struggle, but he also knows how much I work. God will bless us. He WANTS to bless us! We just have to be willing to do our part so He can.

I love this Gospel and everything it gives to us! Kabalo ako matuod ang ebanghelyo.

Oh by the way... there is a rumor that Elder Holland will be speaking tonight at the Devotional! Super exciting!

Oh and super sad, my roommates, (The Cebuano Sisters; Pito, Togaga'e, Cherry) leave for the Philippines tomorrow!!!! I am so sad but so happy for them! They have become such great friends!!! But, we get new sisters that move in tomorrow which is equally exciting!!! Since there are only three girls in the zone and we are companions we are all three the Sister Training Leaders and we help the new missionaries that are moving in! So fun :)

Something strange to share, while I was at the temple this morning I had an older lady who was helping me that was from Scotland and I was doing a name for a girl from Scotland and for some reason was impressed to move to Scotland! Why? Probably because the accent was just so cool, and I want my kids to have that accent. Probably won't happened but I'm still in a Scottish phase.... But when ever I'm at the temple I feel like when anything happens it is a sign from the future... I should stop taking everything that happens in the temple so literal.

Welllllllllllllllllllllll Enjoy the photos!!!! :)

-- Sister Garrish

PS I LOVE DEAR ELDERS!!!!!!!!!