We had some major progress go down this past week with 1. missionary work and 2. me and my companion's new uncapped talent. My mom sent me 24 pickleballs (a story for another time) and so we decided to develop one of our talents and start juggling. In fact, we have found how to juggle 6 pickleballs passing them in between the two of us. We basically are ready for the circus...I just need my mom to send me a trapeze bar to practice during exercise time at 6:30 am. (I'm sure our downstairs neighbors will love us!). 

Here is also how we were able to juggle our missionary work this week with an amazing experience I had on Facebook this past week! We found out that there are public computers at the clubhouse in my apartment complex, and so we went there to crank out some Facebook work. Well, Facebook marketplace is just an amazing thing and so I sent a few messages like this "Hey, I'm not interested but felt inspired to reach out and say that God loves YOU! Is there anyone you know of that I can pray for or extend a helping hand?"

Sadly, I have become accustomed to thinking that almost everyone on Facebook responds negatively to me...but God is good and one after another, I received messages from people saying how touched they were, or how that text made their day. Honestly, it is cool to see how people respond so positively to Christ during Christmas and COVID.

But the Christmas spirit and miracles don't stop there...

You know Christiana, Makayla, and Isaiah? Well we went over this week to teach them and their mom--Shalanda--sat in on one of the lessons. We were so happily confused and thought that it was a freak accident or something. She has heard from missionaries before and clearly (or so I thought) she wasn't interested in what we had to say? Well we thanked her the next day for the lesson and she basically explained how she loved it and set up another time that week to do it again!! Well we went back and invited them to church and Shalanda said, "Yes, we will be there!" And sure enough, Shalanda and her daughter Christina showed up to church and were showered by love from the members. Could my week have gotten anymore blessed?

Love you all. GO LIGHT THE WORLD. THIS CAMPAIGN IS SO INSPIRED. 

-Elder Gardanier

December is Officially LIT!!

 

Daniel says this is probably only 1/3 of the Lone Peakers in his mission

With the light the world campaign and other miracles, my December has officially be LIT!!

This past week we had transfers and I got my new companion Elder Ellsworth who is from Sandy, Utah and went to Hill Crest. It was funny, we connected the dots that during our senior year, he played on his school soccer team, and they played Lone Peak at Hill Crest and that is a game I actually went to and watched. Who would've guessed that I was watching my future comp play soccer?! Kinda crazy. But he is an absolute BEAST. He is probably one of the hardest IF NOT the hardest working missionary. He knows how to be the most effective planner and he's super sincere and a powerhouse! We are ready to bulldoze this transfer and grind out some good and meaningful missionary work!

Today is actually the first time it has snowed here in Virginia! It is honestly just a few flakes that will melt by noon but because the state of Virginia shuts down during the lightest snowfall, we were "instructed" to stay indoors and we can't drive around. I guess it's kinda of sad the one day we could've actually left and enjoyed the outside world it decided to snow. But no worries, we are inside enjoying the scene, sipping our hot chocolate, and listening to some Josh Groban sing The First Noel. (I secretly think our downstairs neighbor wished it hadn't snowed either because I'm sure she wants a break of having us living about her 24/7 for at least a few hours ;)

But yesterday at church we were majorly blessed! Makayla, Christina, and Isaiah came to church! We had the Young Women's President (Sister Najdawi) pick them up and give them a ride to church. It was the most incredible experience. I got nervous when they came in late and walked into the sacrament room and honestly every single head turned to see them and Bishop even paused for a bit just to see these three youth walk into church in their ripped jeans and hoodies. It was good for the members. So good, in fact, that after the meeting we almost had a "greeting line" to meet this young family! Members were talking, joking, and fellowshipping these youth like crazy! It was such an amazing experience that they are excited to come to church again next week! Some of the best members live out here in Midlothina, Virginia! I'm so grateful for them!

The only 2 things I missed from Utah were the snow and the Stewart's Christmas lights. Now that it snowed, I guess I can live vicariously through you all as I INVITE AND BEG you all to go see the Stewart's Christmas lights. They honestly are one of the 7 wonders of (the Christmas season) world. 

Love you all!

Elder Gardanier

I'm Not Moving!

 Another transfer comes to an end this upcoming week and this is the first time in Virginia that I am not moving. REPEAT, I am not moving!!! I can actually smell the roses now and unpack a suitcase or two that I have kept all ready to move at a moments notice. It kinda feels nice. I guess I just got me a new home!

Thanksgiving Day turned into Thanksgiving weekend for the Gardanier and Wallace residence. We had a super good Thanksgiving meal with 3 pies and a lot of nice texts from members. I had no idea what I was missing out on while in Brazil.... BUT the next day a member gave us $50 to Texas Roadhouse. so naturally...we bought our meals and still had about $15 left so we bought about 15 extra rolls and 2 pints of the magic cinnamon butter! I literally have been on cloud 9 this week. But after stepping on the scale this weekend I realized that was the heaviest cloud that I have ever been on! So, we are going to grind out the workouts this next week #bulkingseason.

BUT catch this cool miracle. WAY BACK in July--my first area in Virginia in Charlottesville--I texted this lady saying "Hey Jessica, I just wanted to reach out because I felt prompted to and let you know that God is aware of you!" however, no response. 

But get this.

She reached out to me this past week and said, "Why did you tell me that?" I was kinda confused and just said "Well I felt touched to do it so I sent it." She couldn't get a grasp on it and was confused why I reached out to HER and THAT specific time.

She finally opened up.

She said that not only 10 days later her only brother passed away. As I scanned through her Facebook profile, she had posted a lot of photos over the past few months just saying how much she has missed her brother and how she is still really struggling. We continued to text about a few different things but she is busy and hasn't been too responsive though. But after that moment I grew my testimony in the fact that no effort is wasted! God has the perfect time table and whether or not she begins to meet with missionaries or just take this as a strange coincidence, I know that God orchestrates our lives to touch others. Can you imagine what would've happened if I hadn't come here because of COVID? Or if my mission President was touched by the spirit to send me to that specific location at that specific time?

Just remember this week that we are like Nephi being "led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which [we] should do." And to those that don't feel like they are necessarily being led by the Spirit every day, let's take a quick look at 3 Nephi 9:20 that mentions how the Lamanites were baptized "with fire and with the Holy Ghost, and they knew it not." We sometimes are led by the spirit and knowing that we are. Remember that if you are living right, living the commandments, and following the prophets, you are most likely being led by the spirit. 

Happy Holidays! Go LIGHT THE WORLD this month! (safely too. Don't forget your masks and social distance too!)

Elder Gardanier

Love and Gratitude

This past wee was a mission tour with Elder and Sister Duncan and that means this past week was a BOOYAH time! I got a lot of cool insights and am excited to keep my focus on the Savior in EVERYTHING that I do!

A quick update on Philip--He was having a stressful day this past Friday and we invited him to watch the video that the prophet put out. Here is what Philip said (DIRECT QUOTE), "I was kinda stressed today and the moment I watched it I felt calm. Even now, I'm not stressed." Then Elder Wallace asked him what other times that he has felt that way? Here is how Philip responded, "When I prayed to know if the Book of Mormon was true...I could've watched the prophet speak for another 3 hours."

WHAT? CRAZY!!!

Philip is so awesome and we are trying to help him move from the mentality of 'learning about the gospel' vs 'living the gospel.' I'm super excited about Philip and God is so good!

Finally, as I think about gratitude, OF COURSE, I think of my Heavenly Father. I first think what made him decide to let me develop to become like Him? What made Him decide to allow me to be in the current position I am with so many opportunities and blessings? What made Heavenly Father so good? 

Well I started to consider what I could do to show my gratitude. For me, I wish that I remembered exactly what the pre-earth life was like and what my Heavenly Parents looked like exactly. However, because of the veil, we are limited from that knowledge. But I think of a loving Heavenly Father who remembers the type of relationship I had with Him in the pre-earth life and the things I am capable of. (Hear me out on this) How grateful is our Father in Heaven when we rediscover the love that we have for our Heavenly Parents? When we re-devote ourselves to the plan we chose to follow so long ago? When we research and re-desire all that our Heavenly Father has created for us? For me, I know that Heavenly Father is so happy and that is one of the greatest gifts we can each give to him. 

There is this quote by President Ezra Taft Benson that says "Nothing is going to startle us more when we pass through the veil to the other side than to realize how well we know our Father and how familiar his face is to us."

Chills.

So, when you feel down, just imagine that moment when the veil of forgetfulness is taken from you and you see Christ and Heavenly Father as they are. You will see exactly how we all hope to see them one day--as LOVING family members.

Love you all and am grateful for you all!

Elder Gardanier 

Just a reminder that things don't always work out.

Young Women for the win!

 

Although the end of this past week has gone by slower, the beginning of the week flew by with too many miracles to count. Like catch this and tell me that God isn't in the details:

I met this guy named Shane on Facebook and we have been messaging. He opened up about some really personal things actually and he is very NOT religious; in-fact, he "denounces" religion he said. As we texted we figured out that his disbelief in God resulted from some sour experiences when he was younger with his family and some of his greatest friends. Some of them rejected him. They left him. wow. I can't imagine that hurt and pain. I can totally understand his thinking that if God is a merciful and loving God, why would he allow Shane to feel so hated by those that he loved the most? 

Well we chatted and actually did a video call this past week. As we were talking about the plan of salvation and introducing the Book of Mormon, he said "Maybe I will come to your church." But he was SUPER hesitant because almost all churches that he has gone to haven't really practiced what they preached. We assured him that while people aren't perfect, the gospel is and he will feel accepted in the church! Right at that moment, we got a knock at the door (and feeling prompted to get it) we did and it was the young women and 2 leaders heart attacking our door and giving a plate of desserts (wow. just blessing after blessing). Well, Sister Najdawi (the young women's president who we have been meeting with) saw that we were in a lesson and feeling inspired herself she said, "Can we all say hi?" We brought the phone with Shane over to the young women and they all gave the biggest virtual hug ever. Without even knowing any context they were saying, "We hope that you can make it to church! We would love to see you! etc." 

I was baffled. Shane's question and worry was answered with a "knock and ye shall receive" experience! We were able to reflect with Shane--after the young women left--that God was aware of him at that moment! However, while I want to say that Shane came to church this past Sunday and loved every moment, I can't. He had something come up but I couldn't help but share this amazing miracle that God provided! He is so good and mindful of every child! Angels minister to us today and for me, more often than not, these angels are those here on earth!

I've been blessed to use A LOT of Portuguese this past week. I found out there is a member from Brazil in my ward so when I called her and just said "Oi!" she paused for a minute and went off in Portuguese just excited! When I saw her at church this past week she only talked to us in Portuguese and the members who were listening in to our conversation were so confused! NOTTTTTT to mention too that the Hermanas gave an inactive member our number and we called her and she is just so nice. Muito gente boa! We were talking about what foods we both missed from Brazil and, of course, I exclaimed acai and she said "well, I know the most perfect acai place and I will be over with acai and other Brazilian goodies in 2 hours!" WOOT! I miss that food and love Brazilians!! #matasaudades #souabencoado

Annnnddd one more things (sorry not sorry!). With the help of 2 members at an in-person lesson, we were able to help Christina and Makayla (sadly not Isaiah yet) pick a date to be baptized! Right now they are planning on being baptized the 28th but that may be subject to change because of Thanksgiving. anyways, happy Turkey season!!!

Just a reminder for everyone to put President Nelson's address on Friday on  your calendars! This is going to be HUGE and a perfect way to kick off LightheWorld this year!! Love yall!!

Elder Gardanier