Sister Jessica Garfield California San Fernando Mission

Hey guys. ; ) Just a little back story to the title: we have started getting access to a few apps that should help us to be able to proselyte more effectively in this, the digital age. One of these is the Area Book Planner App. It's like a paper area book, but it stores all the information in the cloud, which is actually pretty awesome. There are only two problems: One, we have to be very careful what we say because there are privacy laws we have to follow with it being in the cloud. And two, it takes freaking forever to input all the information from the paper records to the app. ; ) We're supposed to dedicate two hours a day to putting it in, and it's so boring. ; ) We're getting through it though, and doing our best to make sure it doesn't affect our proselyting efforts. And it actually has been pretty cool to see how much we really do want to get out and get to work when we're doing it, because it shows how important this work really is to us. Anyway...

Hey everybody! This week was really kind of a weird one. For some reason, it just seemed really long, and there were a lot of random things that happened. Some of them were really sad, but others were really awesome. Ah, the life of a missionary is an adventure. ; ) Favorite quote: "You are called to represent Jesus Christ in helping people become clean from their sins." Preach My Gospel, pg 2. I thought this was really cool to think about. As a missionary, I know that I am a representative of Jesus Christ, but until reading this line, I always thought of it kind of like being a representative from a company: we wear His name, and it's pretty easy for people to figure out that we're there to do His work. But after reading that quote, I think my perspective changed a little bit. The actors who portray Jesus Christ in the Church's Bible videos and other things receive a calling to do so. They must be worthy of that calling. Everything they do and say must he...

Hey everybody! Favorite scripture: I don't remember the exact verses because I was kind of studying in a weird place, but this week I really enjoyed reading 1 Nephi 19. It was a different perspective on the Atonement and the events that surround it than usually comes to mind I think, but I really enjoyed it. It also just talks a lot about the Savior and God's promises with us. It was especially cool with Easter coming up this Sunday.  Favorite spiritual moment: So, I'm a total jerk and haven't even mentioned our investigator named Rafael, but he's getting baptized on Friday! (He's just ridiculously quiet, so it's hard sometimes.) We got to go to the temple visitor's center with him this past week. It was a really long car ride in the rain with five of us in a tiny car, but it was worth it. While we were there, the missionaries showed us this really cool newer video about Oliver Cowdery's experience with Joseph Smith during the...

We're So lucky, we got 2 letters this week from Jessica, one for last week, and one for this week! Yay! March 12, 2018 (last week, haha) Hey all! Favorite scripture: Mosiah 28:3 I read this scripture when doing a study on charity. When I read it as part of the list, I thought it was so interesting because I'd always considered this to be a missionary scripture before. But after a minute, the thought came to mind that Jesus Christ's mission was the salvation of our souls. The thought of any of us enduring endless torment caused Him to quake and tremble. So even though His mission was the hardest thing of all, to carry out the atonement, He did it anyway because He loves us. And that right there, the love of Christ, what charity is supposed to be. It was then that I realized why this scripture was listed under charity, because those missionaries had that same love for the people they were serving. And I want to be the same kind of missionary. Ever since that r...

There was no group email this week but here is a little note that she sent to us: Transfers are tomorrow! Sister Parker is going home, and Sister O'Bourke is getting transferred to the other valley! That was really surprising since she's only halfway through training, but I guess it's what the Lord thinks is best!  It will be sad to see Sister Parker go, but I think she's ready. And I'll miss Sister O'Bourke too. But I'm excited for this coming transfer. I'm staying in Newhall and YSA as one of the STLs. The other STL, who will also be my new companions, is named Sister Pinter. She is super awesome; she actually was already in our zone, just serving in a different district. She grew up in Laketown and is absolutely hilarious. I'm excited to see what happens this transfer. I really love you guys! Keep being awesome! Sister Parkers "Funeral" This one is much less morbid ;-) I'm gonna miss this Trio! Sister O...

Hey Everybody!    Favorite scripture/quote: 3 Nephi 18: 32 "Nevertheless, ye shall not cast him out of your synagogues, or your places of worship, for unto such shall ye continue to minister; for ye know not but what they will return and repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal them; and ye shall be the means of bringing salvation unto them." This may seem a little random, but it has a point, I promise. It even goes with one of my favorite spiritual moments for the week. I liked this scripture from the perspective of a missionary, because it lets me know that whether a person will accept the gospel or not is not up to me. It's their agency. But that doesn't mean that I don't still have a responsibility to share the gospel with them. I may not be the missionary that helps them to change their life, or even the one who touches their heart enough to help them begin to soften it. But they still deserve that chance. Because someda...

SORRY EVERYONE!  We were so excited to get letters this week, but also so busy that I forgot to post until today!  Here is the letter and pictures from Monday! Hey everybody! Favorite scripture/quote: 3 Nephi 28: 11 I love how this is just a simple testimony of the Godhead, and makes it clear the purposes of each member. It's just simple, but it stood out to me. 4 Nephi 1: 15-18 When we have contention, it drives away the Spirit. When we focus on Christ, it invites the Spirit. I want to make sure that I always am living in such a way to be able to have the Spirit with me. Favorite spiritual experience: Oh man, there were so many this week. We had a lesson with Monse and her family this week just a couple of days before the baptism. It was so cool. We read Alma 32 with them, which was super cool because Monse's nonmember sister was there too and loved the imagery of it. But the coolest part of it was that Monse bore her testimony to her kids. It was so amazi...