Sister Jessica Garfield California San Fernando Mission

Hello all! First for some transfer updates: Sister Semenyuk and I are staying together here in Westchester 1. It's crazy to think that this will be my last transfer. Sometimes it still seems like I just left the MTC! What's interesting though (because something interesting always happens with transfers) is that they will actually be splitting our ward in half, so we have to work out a boundary with the new Sisters who will be coming in. They will also be living with us, which should be kind of fun! It's gonna be tight though. ; ) We're waiting for the Housing missionaries to come right now with a bunch of bunk beds and some extra desks and chairs. Favorite Spiritual Thought: Alma 15:17. Usually in the Book of Mormon, when the Nephites are praying for deliverance from Satan, it's because there is an army of angry Lamanites coming for them and they have recognized that they need the Lord's help. What I loved about this scripture so much was that this too...

Good morning everyone! I've been hearing a lot of complaints that Utah is so cold right now. Sorry guys. ; ) Just for the record, this is the coldest winter California has had in 10 years or so but I'm sure it's still not even close. ; ) Scripture/Spiritual Thought: I've got two this week: Alma 2:30 - In this scripture, Alma is leading an army against the Amlicites, and was in the middle of a fight for his life. The part of the scripture that stands out to me is "Alma, being a man of God, being exercised with much faith, cried". When we exercise, we work out and practice in order to become stronger. By this point, Alma had a lot of faith. But he was also one exercised of faith, as in, he used his faith often. This meant that when he needed it, he and his faith were already prepared. He had probably already prayed that morning when he woke up, again as they departed, out of the valley of Gideon, when they got to the river of Sidon, and right before he...

Good morning everyone! This week was definitely a little interesting between Sister Semenyuk and I.  I can happily say that, by the end of the week, we understand each other a lot better and are making each other laugh. God answers prayers for sure. Favorite Spiritual Thought: I enjoyed this past week's lesson in come follow me. One of the questions it asked was "What teachings do you find in John 3:1–21 that might have inspired Nicodemus to follow Jesus and be born again?" Verses 11 and 12 stood out to me. I thought it was so interesting that Jesus mentioned that they had testified of truth but that Nicodemus hadn't received it. It made me think of how we decide if we are going to share our testimonies of Christ, and the people we testify to decide if they will receive it and act on it.  Favorite Miracle: This was just a couple of little things, but they were miracles to me. Yesterday at church, we learned who the ministering brothers are for two less-a...

Happy Valentines Day! Favorite miracles: Abel, the guy from last week, called us! He wants to meet with us this week!  We also got to see Sister Howard and Sister Flinders at this Jewish family history event yesterday where Sisters Howard and Semenyuk were helping translate Russian documents. It was so cool to see the spirit of Elijah in these people who aren't even members. But it was also great to hear how well the Hollywood Ward is doing right now. There were so many tiny miracles that Sister Howard and I saw during my last week there that have turned into huge miracles now. What a blessing. : )  Favorite Spiritual Moment: This week, we got to go to the temple after interviews. It was such a wonderful experience. I had prayed before the session to feel God's love and a confirmation that these things are true, and the Spirit just washed over me the whole time we were there. I hope that all of you have the opportunity to go to the temple very soon. I know that...

Hello everyone! Surprise! They moved our P-day to Thursday this week and didn't tell us until Sunday night. To any of those who felt abused, neglected, or forgotten, I apologize. ; ) That's not the only surprise of the week for me though. On Wednesday of last week, I got a call from the mission president saying that there was going to be an emergency transfer. Sister Flinders got sent up to Hollywood, my last area, and I am now training Sister Semenyuk! It was a crazy day of unexpected packing and a whole lot of driving, but we're all settled now. Sister Semenyuk is from Kazakhstan and Russia. She is 23 and is learning English, and she's doing a super great job. It's so much fun to serve with her! I've been having fun teaching her a lot of things about America like how to order at a fast food restaurant and what the Super Bowl is. It's been a really cool experience so far, and it's just another witness to me that the Lord really does guide our tran...

Hey everyone!  This week was so good! This area is super great - there are a lot more neighborhoods and open complexes, and the people here are soooo much friendlier than in Hollywood. We've had a lot of success just trying to contact formers and people with interest from the past, because we've been going by, talking to them or whoever answers the door, maybe knocking a few doors nearby, and talking to everyone we possibly can on the street. And Sister Flinders is so great! This is her first week, but she already has a really good idea of what she's doing. She works really hard and has an incredible ability to follow the Spirit. I'm super impressed with her. Favorite Spiritual Thought: 2 Nephi 10:24 " Wherefore, my beloved brethren, reconcile yourselves to the will of God, and not to the will of the devil and the flesh; and remember, after ye are reconciled unto God, that it is only in and through the grace of God that ye are saved." I read through ...

Howdy! Transfers are tomorrow, and it looks like I'll be saying farewell to Hollywood. I'm heading off to a place called Westchester, in the Inglewood zone. I've never been there, and don't know tons about it, but I've heard good things. (Fun fact about Inglewood: the Savex lip balm that my family uses so obsessively is actually made there, haha.) Something super fun about it is that I'll be in the same zone as Sister Pinter for her last transfer! It also looks like I'll be whitewashing again, because I am training a new Sister. I'll meet her tomorrow. Sister Howard is also training (and so is Sister Pinter, haha); she gets to train a Sister from Kazakhstan who can be her new Russian-speaking companion! I know that she'll do a great job. : ) As much as we've struggled with this area, I think that I will miss it more than I expected. Sister Howard has been an amazing companion. I've learned so much from her. We may not have had tons of s...