Consider the Lilies

 Well some great news and mostly studies this week! We did exchanges with the AP's and it was fun to be with Elder Gappmayer again. We finally made the whole circle after arriving here the same day and then finally he's training me to be a better zone leader! That's how it should be!

 Here is how my social interaction has plummeted IMMENSELY during COVID. We went to pick up a dinner that a member bought us at Mission bbq (literal mana from heaven) and while we were there we ran into a group of YSA's who were on a group date. It was so hard to not sit and chat for a while but we managed to run away all awkwardly because #quarantinelife. While we were getting our food, we went to pick it up under the name Danielle (the member’s name) and the whole time we were doing that there was a worker that kept eyeing us down. I thought she was a member and wanted to talk and as we started to walk out she nervously blurted out, "Is your name Danielle?" I kinda looked at her confused and gave a nervous laugh and was like "haha no it's Daniel." and then we left. It was just an awkward exchange between us hahaha. Not to mention we then went next door to Gelati Celesti to get, you know, some gelato and while I was trying to figure out how to pay for the ice cream and sliding my card the lady said, "You have a cute tie!" But I was so in my zone I didn't even acknowledge her and just walked away hahahahaha. Anyways, turns out I can't talk to people face to face!

 

However, this does end on a good note. While we were in person church, our bishop asked us (again) to sit on the stand. Right before the meeting started he went, "I served in Utah covering 7 stakes so almost every single Sunday we were asked to speak. Be ready." So for the next 10 mins I gathered a few thoughts and we were able to speak for a bit that Sunday. I didn't realize how much I thrived in that situation. I think I took a bit longer than expected but I guess it went well! In fact, Bishop Palmese stood up and said, "You know, I have worked with a lot of good and amazing missionaries, but I think these 2 are the best missionaries in the mission." I was so blown away that I legit turned to my companion kinda just aww struck and said, "Is he talking about us?" Apparently all the effort we have been putting into working and fellowshipping and loving the ward has worked! The ward has completely broken the stigma that I first heard when I came here of "they do nothing" to becoming one of the most missionary minded wards I have yet to serve in!" It's such a blessing!

 I just wanted to end (haha, I feel like I'm typing a church talk) with a quick thought. This past week I've had A LOT of feelings and memories and doubts and excitements and worries about what my future for my mission may look like? Will it be a cold Virginian winter or a blazing hot Brazilian summer? What language will I even be thinking in here in 1 month? It's gotten me pretty frazzled and I decided that Matthew 6:28,30,33 provide my answer. Here is what they say:

 28) Consider the lilies of the field. How they grow, they toil not, neither do they spin.

30) Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?

33) But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you."

 Wow. Those verses are powerful. The Lord will "fight for you and he shall hold your peace." There's one last poem I wanted to share and a talk by Sheri Dew which is 1000/1000 (I included the link so go and read it!)

 "To walk with God, no strength is lost.

Walk on.

To talk with God, no breath is lost.

Talk on.

To wait on God, no time is lost. 

Wait on."

These things are true! So whether in the southern hemisphere watching toilets spin counterclockwise or in the northern where the trees are bare of leaves, I will go and do!

Elder Gardanier

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/sheri-l-dew/born-lead-born-glory/

They Built a Zoo

Some highlights from week 2 in midlo:

 -Zone conferences and I got to see the one and only ELDER SEEGMILLER. That elder is a stud!

-WE WENT TO THE ZOO. Legit, some members in the stake bought a zoo so the missionaries get in for free and I was legit a kid walking around. There was once I cut a kid off to feed a camel without even know and I felt really bad! I made up for it though by catching a bird and giving it to a kid to feed! 

-We cleaned for Halloween night and we were so determined that we won a chick-fil-a gift card from the mission!

-Daylight savings! Even though I got another hour of sleep it didn't even feel like it! I think I just over-hyped myself tho...

 But yep! This week was so amazing! We saw so many miracles as we worked with the members! Let me explain a bit more here:

When I was coming up to Midlothian I had a few people say "good luck, that bishop isn't missionary minded," or "good luck, they haven't had any progress in that area for at least a year," etc. BUT we were determined to let that be the end of an era and to now work really hard!

 So.

 We’ve done that.

 We have about 2-3 member lessons a day and we have helped members come up with their own goals to do missionary work. We have reinstated a ward mission plan that has been 9 months in the making ;);) We also went back to church and were asked to sit on the stand so the ward could see us. We were asked to bear our testimonies too. AND (get this) the bishop bore his testimony of missionary work and how our meeting with him has helped him get excited. We have now gotten a few texts of members doing missionary work, we hears prayers from members asking for missionary experiences, and the work is picking up speed here! We are excited to keep this stone rolling and seeing people progress down a covenant path soon!

 And to end, get how cool this is. So because of the amazing blessing of technology, I've been able to keep in contact with Eduarda and Clausner who the Lord guided me to in Brazil who were baptized. Just as a quick update, Clausner has the Aaronic priesthood and is preparing himself to receive the Melchizedek! They even have plans to get married in the temple when COVID passes by. BUT the point of all of this was that I was able to join in a virtual family night with them and my former companion who is in another city as well in Brazil. The spirit was so strong as we saw these two elect Brother and Sister talk about the goodness of God. Clausner even said "You guys promised me when I was first learning about the church, if I continued to learn, study, and pray diligently I would receive a testimony for myself that these things are true. I now can say that I don't just have one testimony but many that tell me that these things are true." HOW COOL, right? He is such an amazing missionary and I am so grateful for them!!

 Have such a good, safe, week!

Elder Gardanier

 

Mistakes, Miracles, and Midlothian

MIRACLE. Worth the read. (After a quick recap of my week)

I'm afraid it has finally taken me 16 months to figure out I have been doing my mission not wrong but also not completely right. I ran across this quote by President Oaks and it hit home,

 "We learn from this command that it is not enough to serve God with all of our might and strength. He who looks into our hearts and knows our minds demands more than this. In order to stand blameless before God at the last day, we must also serve him with all our heart and mind."

 I have been putting in all of the work and actions and stress to missionary work but not putting in the feelings. I was trying to make the big things come to pass without doing the small things first. I have been doing missionary work but not fully knowing the WHY behind things. It's charity. I'm not here to serve for referrals, for the most amount of baptisms, for the biggest finding week of any missionary, or for any worldly praise, OR even for any friend or family member. I am here out of Charity. God's love. God's pure which is Christ. I am here to exemplify him and give all I have to every member in my ward, every missionary I serve with, and every interaction I have. This is what a successful mission is to me. I'm happy I have 8 more months to fix the rest of my mission!

 Alright. This miracle actually happened this morning. Let's say I was FREAKING out. Anyways, my wonderful mom sent me my absentee ballot to vote in this election just like the good citizen I strive to be haha (I have lots to improve on;). Anyways, I went to the mission office and someone gave me a pile of mail (thanks grandma and mom!!!) and so I didn't really think twice when I saw this ballot there because I knew my mom sent it to me. 

 WELL. That thing was sitting on my desk for a day so I could look over it and think, ya know, and I finally sat down to vote. I thought it was funny just how it never said my name but I just continued. I literally finished the ballot and went to put it in the other envelope to get it sent off and when it told me to sign it gave the name of whose ballot it truly was. Let’s just say

 IT WAS NOT MINE.

 I totally robbed a Sister in my district of her ballot. My stomach dropped 15 floors and I was afraid the cops were already tracking me down. I finally sent a text to this sister after dreading what was going to happen and once I sent it you would never guess what happened. 

 She had already received ANOTHER ballot from home and she was just waiting for this one to come so she could destroy it. GOD IS SO GOOD AND I FELT SO LOVED AND EXCITED AND JUST WAS GIVEN A SECOND CHANCE WOOOOOO. Anyways, I was pretty excited you could say!

 That's all I got to report other than driving through the east during fall is like the prettiest thing ever. Just imagine going through a canyon in Utah during fall and seeing the amazing trees and colors BUT everywhere you drive. It's kinda legendary. Kinda dope. Kinda HUGE. 

 Love ya all!

Elder Gardanier