I can't deny that this week was full of miracles. While there were somber moments with the recent passing of Sister Annabelle Nielsen, I couldn't help but feel God's encircling arms of love. (Annabelle was in Daniel's German class his junior year at Lone Peak. She passed away after a hiking accident in Switzerland while serving her mission.)Let me explain: 

-       Vickie is so solid and had a major miracle happen. The church actually paid for her two bus tickets out to Indiana to go live with her sister and receive some extra financial stability. Last minute, Vickie was super worried because she just needed a few more dollars for an extra 2 suitcases on the bus, money for a taxi to get to the bus station, and money to wash her clothes. A member pulled through the night before her strenuous search to get to Indiana. It just reminds me how God is a 4th watch God and will let us work and sometimes suffer in order to prove our faithfulness and ALWAYS will he deliver us. After Vickie arrived, she called us asking for the missionaries’ number up in Indiana and is already meeting with them! She is so awesome and I can't wait to hear how her baptism will go here shortly!

-       While on exchanges with some Elders in my zone, we had our 2nd video chat with Tierra and we read the intro of the Book of Mormon. At the end she said with the biggest smile "How does someone become LDS?" My companions and I kinda smirked and said "Well is that something that you'd like to do?" She smiled even bigger and said "YES!" We were able to put Tierra on date for November 8th! It was such a miracle and I know there is power in the Book of Mormon! 

AND. Get this. I was reading in the Institute Manuel in the Book of Mormon in 3 Nephi and there was a quote by Joseph Smith that said the word "Mormon" simply means "MORE GOOD." 

So.

The Book of [MORE GOOD].

And what is that "more good?" Well that extra measure of goodness is Jesus Christ! It's a record of MORE of his miracles, MORE of His kindness, and MORE of his mercy. So if there are any who are skeptical about the Book of Mormon, it is simply a book that promotes more good that points towards the Savior. It truly is another testament of Jesus Christ! Think about that!

One last thing...transfer calls came and I'll be on the move (again). In fact, I get to move my apartment tomorrow, then move again and transfer to Manchester in Richmond. It will be fun because that is where the office missionaries live, the APs, and the President! I'm excited to work closer with these amazing missionaries and influences!

Take care!

Elder Gardanier

 I have to add a few pictures to tell a story only you who clicked on the blog link get to see. I'm still laughing!

NOAH'S BAPTISM

 Alright, well this week was pretty STELLAR. I'll cut to the chase jase...

So Noah got baptized and it was the greatest ever! Just to give his story real quick: Noah was a referral from a member in another ward. He met with the missionaries a few months ago and literally was jumping up and down to be baptized. They put him on date but by the next time they met together, Noah did NOT want to be baptized, go to church, or do anything that the church has to offer. He kinda fell off of the map. When my comps and I got to the area to start teaching, Noah's name wasn't really brought up and people kinda lost faith in him. However, we kept pushing and having daily contact with him which led to a lesson or two which led to miracles. 

He said in one lesson that he prayed if he should read the Book of Mormon and got an answer that he shouldn't and won't change churches still. But we just told him to not trust anyone but to pray again and read a few verses of the scriptures to show some faith. He did that and accepted our invites and from that moment on he has been so solid. He has just felt God's encircling love around him during this whole process and he perfectly explained his conversion process when he said after his baptism "I KNOW now that I did the right thing. I can feel my Grandpa who passed away just jumping for joy." 

ANYWAYS...the baptismal service was unique because only a few people were there in person but we had a lot watching over Zoom! Noah called us literally 4 times that day to show us his "outfit," to thank us for his baptism, and to just chat before too haha. He is stellar and we are excited to work with him to find more people to come unto Christ.

Now for a quick story with Vickie. Vickie is on date to be baptized this upcoming week but she has a lot of financial problems and will be homeless or need to move to Indiana by TOMORROW. She has a special Needs daughter and Vickie cherishes her and will do anything to help her. I AGREE.

However, Vickie gave us a call on a SUPER busy day where we had so many lessons, meetings, and no time to even eat and breathe. When Vickie called she was somber and danced around the subject and finally said "would you guys be willing to bring my daughter and I food? We haven't eaten all day and I'm scared and want to take care of my daughter." Here is where the paradoxical miracle came in...Right after that moment, we were actually in the car to pick up dinner from someone who lives right next to Vickie. We also had our appointment right after reschedule for later so we ended up having an hour to buy Vickie some food and give her ours. She was so thankful and I honestly couldn't be happier that she reached out to us. But, in order for her baptism to happen this weekend Vickie will need a HUGE MIRACLE. But we know God is mindful of her and her situation and will help her perfectly!

Have such a solid week and do 1 thing extra this week to grow your relationship with Christ. That is SOOO important. You won't regret it ;)

Love, 

Elder Gardanier

 

"That's awesome sauce!"

We are teaching this lady named Joanna who is a huge miracle story (for later) but she said this and it made me laugh "I hear if you have faith the size of a mustard seed then you're good...and I KNOW I'm safe because i've got a whole bottle of mustard!"

     So I guess to start it off this week we were calling area book and ran into this lady named Joanna. She was joking with us and before we could even ask if she wanted a Book of Mormon she asked us for one! We drove down to a really cool part of Hampton next to this place called the Newport News Shipyard where they make war boats and it was so cool. Anyways, we dropped off the Book of Mormon and ever since that day she has called us just to check in on us. She is the diligent missionary that I strive to be! She tuned into conference and quoted some things from the Prophet and other speakers because SHE TOOK NOTES! She is so amazing and nice! We are meeting again on Tuesday and hope to see her enter the waters of baptism within the next few weeks! (She also asked where her dress is for church. She doesn't have one and needs one for when she attends church...we'll have to work something out!)

     We also met with Noah and taught him the Doctrine of Jesus Christ. I have never seen someone so excited to hear those 5 points in Christ's doctrine--Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and Enduring to the End. He was basically jumping out of his seat as he repeated them back to us. And, before we could even invite him to baptism he said "You know, I feel God is proud of me for going to your church this past Sunday! From now on I am going to be a member of your church!"

     We literally gave the biggest smiles and *virtual* hugs. We put a few dates for him to be baptized and he chose October 11! That is this next Sunday! We have a lot to teach him still and are excited to see him progress! Keep praying that the baptism this next Sunday will happen!!

 

Other than that, conference was just the most amazing experience ever. I was blown away that only 6 months I was with my family and a year ago I was in Brazil. Who knows where I will be next conference! All know now is just trust in God and let Him prevail!

 

Eat your veggies ;)

Elder Gardanier