Letter from 12/24/12

Hey mama, and everybody else!!!

How are you today! I received your package, But I have to say I was not a nice boy at the time as I might have opened it a few days early.. I'm sorry i just could not help it! I am wearing one of the ties it contained right now. It looks wonderful i must say. It has been an interesting holiday season.. It does not feel, or i guess i could say, look much like Christmas here. Maybe because of the year round tropical weather, the lack of the traditional holiday festivities it has not felt quite the same. But regardless of it all, the spirit that accompanies Christmas has never been stronger. It has been such a blessing to talk with people on the streets, to look them in their eyes and to testify to them of the reality and eternal love that a loving heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ have for them. I know that those that i have spoken to have felt the spirit. I know that i have. And maybe nothing will come from the contact that we had, but they needed to know.

 For Christmas we are going to be going to a members home in the city, have a wonderful meal together and watching our annual movie. I think the choice this year is Brave a new movie that has recently come out. And i will be calling you!!! I am very excited. 

 It is crazy to think that time has gone by so fast.... It doesn't seem like 12 months have come and gone...But i am grateful for the lessons that i have learned. And i am eagerly looking forward to the ones to come. I learned one yesterday that i would love to share with you... It strengthened my testimony to be as described in the scriptures, "like a little child", I was sitting in sacrament meeting yesterday morning, enjoying the spirit and talks that were being given. And looking to my left i saw Br. J.A. holding his daughter. She was standing on his lap, his arms wrapped just behind her knees. And every 5-6 seconds she would fall. Butterflies in her little tummy, an ear to ear grin, and oh she laughed. And as expected J.A. caught her, raised her to her starting position and the process repeated it self time and time again. But as i look and thought about what i saw deeper a new light shone in my mind. This young infant fell, completely unaware of what awaited her choice. Her innocence masked her fear, and her infancy all possible doubt that her loving father would not catch her. She trusted her dad, how we ought to trust of Heavenly Father. Sadly enough, as we age, our experience brings pride and fear. We believe that we know what is best. Our fear brings doubt, our pride, an inability to submit. I was filled with the spirit as i looked and little nunu enjoy the security of trust and faith. We too can enjoy this same security if we will only be willing to trust. This wonderful time of the year is a wonderful time to remember the Lord, and Savior Jesus Christ. And to REMEMBER the light that He brought into the world. A light that we can trust in. What will fill our hearts with warmth in we will not fear the dark patches of life.

 Remember His love for you. And give your heart to Him. And i can testify to you, He will never let you fall. He will catch you. I love you!!!!! MERRY CHRISTMAS!!

Love 

Mason

Letter from 12/10/12

Thank you for your email, love and support!! It is wonderful to be your son!!! And a blessing to have you as my mama!! I loved the package!! I loved the letters and the ties!! They were great!! As far as the new packages goes i would love pictures and ties.... I need ties. I always can use more ties. I cannot believe how fast the time is flying... It has been a blur.. Days feel like weeks but weeks feel like days... Christmas is here again. What a wonderful time of the year. It is a great opportunity to feel the spirit of Christ and to share his love with others....Be a light and help those around you to remember the true spirit of Christ.

We have had some exciting changes in the zone this past week. Due to the increase of missionaries we have split the 1 zone into 2...and I have been called to serve as the newest zone leader... Together with Elder G we have been called to look over 10 Elders. I will still be working with Elder J and D in Wanica North.I have never felt more inadequate, but i know that this is just another opportunity to look for His guidance and to seek His love. It is an opportunity to humble myself and submit to his will. I am scared because of my personal imperfections, yet comforted knowing who is my support, my rock and my salvation.. I know that everything will be ok.

 The future is full of challenges, and trials both seen and yet to be seen. But, with the spirit of truth is it full of potential blessings and triumph. I eagerly await what is to come... I love you mama! And know that you have a son that knows that the Gospel is TRUE. It is true. and i will never be able to deny it. Christ lives and the Book Of Mormon is evidence of His divinity. Read it study it. And you will feel of its spirit.

LOVE,

Elder Garcia

Letter from 12/3/12

How are you!! Thank you for your love and your wishes!! They are needed!! This week mama...... I am in a rough patch of my mission... We have few investigators and no one is coming to church... It is so disappointing... I am really fighting to keep my head above the clouds of discouragement, but the rain is pouring....There was a beam of sunshine this past week. I received a call from Elder J yesterday afternoon after church, and he had an unexpected task for me. There are a few men preparing for missions in the near future, "B" being one of them. Elder J asked how I would feel about having him serve a mini mission with us for the last two weeks of the transfer. I was surprised. But i gladly agreed. It strengthened my testimony. And i could not help but laugh. I had prayed that same morning that the Lord would help me increase my faith. And not 4 hours later, there it was. It is going to be tough, but i am looking forward to the challenge. I will be training two Elders for the next few weeks.The Lord answers prayers... 

 

I am learning and growing in faith and hope... time is flying i just received an email from Dave that he is heading home too.... Can you believe that??

Love,

Elder Garcia