Letter Sent on October 15, 2012

 Dearest Family,


This week in Sen Sok was pretty good! One of our investigator whose name is, Om Gumtii, was baptized yesterday.  It was a very special baptism and she was so happy! She wanted to receive the blessings of baptism so much; probably more than anyone I have taught before, she would tell us how badly she wanted to be baptized and to become a member of Christ's Church.  She would say that when she saw others have their baptisms she wanted to cry she wanted it so bad! After the baptism she went up on the stand and shared a powerful testimony and a desire to follow Christ until the end. She had a lot of adversity and things competing for her attention these past couple of weeks-trying to get a new "family book" which is pretty much identification and birth records for the whole family all put together in a book; something very very important here-and yeah, it was taking a lot of time because she had to go to different meetings and go to Phnom Penh a bunch of times. It was indeed a miracle that she made the time to meet us and also that she was able to be baptized was just so amazing! She has a desire to share the gospel, she had 2 of her daughters both come to church with her grandchildren so that they could join in for the baptism.  They stayed for the full 3 hours and one of them has a desire to learn with us-which is very exciting:)
Anywho, things here in the area are going just swell, we are doing are best and we really do see miracles everyday.  I came across this scripture this morning that really hit me, Alma 57:27, "Now this was the faith of these of whom I have spoken; they are young, and their minds are firm, and they do put their trust in God continually."  I love the example of the Stripling Warriors, I love reading the Book of Mormon and feeling of the sweet Spirit, which it invites.  I know that it is truly the word of God.  I have read it and I have prayed about it-the peace that I have felt when I do so and the Spirit that I feel continues to be a witness to me of it's divinity.  I hope that we can all  who is like unto the Stripling Warriors; faithful, firm, and trusting in the Lord.
I love you all and I pray that the Lord will continue to bless you and watch over you.  You really are a light to me and I love you dearly! Have a super week!


Love,
Elder Garlick

Pics; This was a less actives home who we were trying to find, they weren't home but their barking dog was! Elder Sprinkle, in action. Om Gumtii and her fam plus some members, Om Gumtii, her fam, and a couple of white guys:)

Letter Sent on October 8, 2012

Dear Family,

I love Elder Sprinkle and he has so many great ideas and insights on how to do missionary work.  We are trying to set regular dates and times to meet with investigators, less actives, and recent converts. We also have a desire to go and try to find Less Actives and help them come back to the fold.  Elder Sprinkle is an amazing Elder and I am so blessed to be companions with him.
This week in Sen Sok was pretty good! We had a great lesson with a lady named Ming Map, who is a less active member who has some children who are active members and actually her son-in-law, Bong Mauv, is learning with us right now.  She is a very funny lady and she is very sarcastic, haha:) We ended up talking about prayer and praying with our families. I remember she used to not be praying and now she says she is praying but not quite everyday and she also talked about praying with her family before eating too.  It was great to see her smile as she talked about her experience with prayer in her family.  I think that she definitely felt of the Spirit.  I am so grateful for all of you and for the opportunity that I had to share about how praying with my family has blessed my family.  I really am so grateful for that and for you.  I have fond memories of praying together before school and every night.  Prayer is such a blessing and looking back I see how it helped and continues to help us feel greater love for one another and for the Lord. At the end of the lesson she gave a really sincere prayer asking for help with coming back to church and being a strong member again. She even came to church on Sunday too! I love her and her family and I am confident that she is going to become a strong and active member again.
I actually don't get to watch conference until 2 weeks later because there is a Cambodian holiday or something this week.  However I am so very excited!! I have hear some really exciting things happened!:)
I love being a missionary and I love the opportunity to serve.  I know that this work is true.  I love you! Have a terrrrific week!

Love,
Elder Garlick

PS. I just figured out that you can look on LDS.org where missionaries in your stake are serving! Crazy! I'm like freaking out seeing were all these friends have left after me are going! Tanner Eastmond is in Elder Mathis' mission. Wow crazy!! Wow! I guess I have been on my mission for a while if I get this pumped seeing other missionaries mission calls!!! Haha, Wow!!.. okay. I need to chill out.. Talk to you next week:)
Pics; Kids playing soccer, Cute balding neighbor boy haha:), The Sun, in Cambodia! This "Chaa" (Stir Fry) It was a pineapple chaa, not gonna lie I can kinda cook now. This is the road that we have to bike down all the time to go to Phnom Penh.

Letter Sent on October 1, 2012

Dear Fam Fam,

Hey, how are you? I am doing great. Things are going great, I am in Phnom Penh right now emailing you...fun stuff! It is pretty crazy biking around in the big city.  It is nothing like biking on the side of the road in Lehi that's for sure!  It is crazy how close all of the cars and motos get and it is always like my "spidey senses are tingling"! Haha, fun stuff.  But yeah it's a good hour long bike ride to go to the mission home...but hey we are getting good exercise right?

Things here in Sen Sok are going well. This past week we had an investigator recieve baptism and it was the old branch president's grandson named Bol.  His parents are not members but he lives right by his other family members that are members.  He is being a great example for his family and friends.  He was so excited to be baptized and their was a lot of support from the Primary kids and the Primary Presidency. He was very nervous and excited but he was so happy afterwards.  We will continue to strengthen him and help make sure his family will continue to support him as well.  His uncle Cenda and other members that live around him help him and would help him get to church.  We will help make him strong. 

Elder Sprinkle is awesome! He is a really funny guy and he is a great missionary, we get along great and I am learning a lot from him.

I came across a verse today in Alma 53:10 and it kinda hit me how the people of Ammon were converted unto the Lord because of the word and power of God not by the missionaries. I started studying more about conversion and I am learning more about conversion through the Spirit and how this is the real "aim" for the investigators, the members, and even myself-indeed for all of us!  It just seemed to "click" a little bit more today.  I am excited to study more about conversion.  I still remember what Elder Bednar talked about at Christmas many months ago, he talked about how testimony is not enough we need to become truly converted.  He said that, "Testimony is to know something to be true and Conversion is being true to what you know."  I hope that I can continue to help the people here in Cambodia in growing in testimony but even more than that to become more converted.  I am grateful for my testimony and for the conversion I have already experienced and will continue to experience on my mission and throughout my life.  Things are going good here in Sen Sok and we'll work our hardest!  I love you, and I hope that you have an awesome Conference weekend!!

Love,

Elder Garlick

 

Pics. Bol and Friends. Guy plowing a field.

Letter Sent on September 24, 2012

Dear Family,

 

 

Hey! How's it going?? This past week things have been going really good! It seems like it has gone by so quickly! Like somtimes it's hard to even remember what new things have happened! But yeah there have been a lot of exciting things happening here in Sen Sok. 
We had a baptism this past week with Ming Sophea! She is an incredible woman.  Her baptism went well and I feel that she had a great experience.  It was so great to see her be baptized and to enter into this covenant and start a new life as a disciple of Jesus Christ.  I am very grateful for her and for the progress that she has made.  I remember when we taught her the Word of Wisdom and she told us that she used to occasionally drink with her friends but that when she started learning with us she stopped and therefore, she had already stopped drinking even before we taught her about it.  She has just such a strong desire to do good and she really always tells us that the things we teach her are good.  Anywho, it was just great seeing the progress she has made and how the members have helped her.  I feel so blessed to be able to serve, I know that I am very imperfect and I know that the great success and growth here is not from me but is the work of the Lord.  I am just grateful for His love in letting me be a part of it. 

This week with transfers I said bye bye to Elder Hem, who is an amazing missionary who has really taught me so much; and said hello to Elder Sprinkle! I am really so excited to be serving with him. He is from Maryland, and he has about 5 months left on his mission. We have only been companions for a few days now but we have already been doing some great work and have had some great lessons in which the Holy Ghost has guided us.  I love how Elder Sprinkle listens to the members and investigators with love, and then on top of that he also listens for the Spirit and follows the promptings he receives.  I am already learning a lot and I am confident that we will see some great things continue to happen in Sen Sok! We are going to exercise faith in especially finding a new family.  We get along real good and I am excited for things to come! I love the Lord and I love His Gospel.

Thank you for all that you do and for your letters of encouragement and love.  I hope you know that I really really do love you!  And I pray that you will have a fantastic week this week. 

 

Love,
Elder Garlick

 

Pics; Pekdei and Pektra and Preahkompii Momon; Picture doesn't do this sunset justice at all! Elder Hem is very talented;) Flowers. Ming Sophea and friends, Elder Sprinkle is in the back! And Elder Sprinkle showed me to this Belgiam restaurant that has the famous "Bazooka Burger" a missionary favorite;)

 

 

Letter Sent on September 17, 2012

Dear Family,

How are things back home? I have heard about crazy fires, regional conference with Elder Oaks, and a whole bunch of other fun stuff.  I am so glad to hear that you are glad and safe.
Things in Sen Sok are going really good.  This week I got pretty sick one day and we didn't leave the house for a day and then soon after wards Elder Hem got sick so we both were feeling pretty under the weather this past week; however we are both feeling a lot better now, so that is good!
We had a baptism this past week which was great! Her name is Srei Pouv and she is the sister in law of the Branch President.  He performed the baptism for her and it was great seeing the smile on her face and just how happy she was after wards.  She is such a bright and intelligent girl and she has a sweet spirit about her. 
We had a ward council meeting with many priesthood and auxiliary leaders for the first time yesterday, it was great! It is great seeing the new branch president, Sinaet striving to work his hardest and help the work here in Sen Sok grow.
Well we had transfer calls yesterday and Elder Hem is now going to be a Zone Leader and is being transferred.  I love him a lot and he has been such a great companion and example to me.  I have learned a so much from him and am going to miss being companions with him I am sure! He is actually going to be my Zone Leader and we will be in the same District so we will still see each other every week! I am thankful for the opportunity I have had to serve with him.
I feel very blessed to be able to serve here and to have so much work to do.  There are so many people to help and to serve and I am grateful for the opportunity that I have to be involved in this the work of the Lord.  I know that this work is true.  I know that our Heavenly Father loves us each individually and answers our prayers.  I have seen His hand in my life this past week and have recognized answers to my prayers and manifestations of His love.  I love Him and our Savior Jesus Christ so much.  I want to serve them with all of my heart and truly become a disciple of Christ, tested and true.
Thank you for all of your prayers and love and encouragement.  It is so comforting to know that there are loved ones who are praying for the missionaries.  We need it and it truly does strengthen us.  I know that your prayers are answered and that the Lord is moving His great work forward.  You are examples to me and it is so great to hear about the Christ like way you live your lives.  Every day.  May the Lord bless you for all you do and all that you are.  You are Child of God.  And He loves you and is ever so anxious to help you and pick you up when you fall. Don't forget that. I am so grateful for this testimony. I love you so much!
Love,
Elder Garlick

PS.  I also heard that Elder Jensen baptized Srei Pouv in Battambang a little while ago too!  It is so great hearing about success with old investigators and members in Battambang!

Pics; I love the clouds!!!! So beautiful. We had a FHE with the 2nd Counselor in the Branch Presidency Un Jun; We ate this super yummy curry! This is Srei Pouv with her family and with us! Me and one of my favorite members here an RM whose family I knew really well in Battambang, Dina.

Letter Sent on September 10, 2012

Dear Family!

Hey I hope that things are going great for you and that life is treating you just swell!  For Elder Hem and me things are going really good.  Yesterday in Sen Sok we had two baptisms.  One was for an awesome 9 year old girl named Vicchigaa who is from a part member family and the other was a 17 year old girl named Srei Tooc who is also from a part member family.  They are both so great and it was great to see them get baptized and to see them make this special covenant with God.
We also had a couple of great less active members who came back to church that came to church on Sunday which was great to see.  They are the family members of the missionary Final (of whom I sent some pictures last week) seeing an investigator or a less active member come to church really brings such happiness.
We also have been working with some of our other investigators and we have some that are progressing great towards baptism! So we should probably be seeing some in the next couple of weeks.  Elder Hem has told me that he wants me to start taking the lead on things and to start leading planning and making sure we go to place to place and try to make sure we try to achieve our goals and plans.  It has been going really good and he is always trying to teach me new things and to push me.  I really do appreciate him.  I feel like we have been really working hard and that we are seeing some great things from our efforts.  One thing we want to do is to find a new family and we are going to pray this week and discuss together we want to do in order to find a family that the Lord has prepared for us. We are going to exercise faith and do our best to find a family here in Sen Sok.
I know that this work is true.  I know that Jesus Christ is at the head of this work.  I feel so blessed to be a representative of Him and to serve my brothers and sisters her in Sen Sok.  I know that the scriptures are really "packets of light" and I continue to feel the Spirit and an increased desire to be better as I study them. I love this gospel and I love our Savior.  I still am amazed by His love and mercy and that He was willing to suffer and die in order to help us and "succor us according to our afflictions"(Alma 7:11-13) I know that He is a God of Miracles and will continue to work miracles in our lives today.  May we all keep to the faith and stay true to Him. I love you all.
Take care and have a terrific week!
Love,
Elder Garlick

Pics, Vicchigaa, she is really pretty isn't she? Vicchigaa, Srei Tooc and Elder Hem and me. In front of the font.

 

Letter Sent on September 3, 2012

Hello Family!



How are you? I am doing terrific here in Sen Sok! We saw some really great things happen this past week.  We have some investigators that are really progressing well. Our investigator Om Gum Tii is doing really well and like always comes to church for the full 3 hours and prays.  She watches her two grandchildren and is very busy so the hard thing for her has been making time to get into the Book of Mormon.  She said that she would like to read at night but that she has a hard time reading because the characters are too small and it's too dark.  We were able to get a really big Book of Mormon from the Senior Couple, the Spencers, for her and she said she can read it.  This is really exciting because she is doing so great and we know that as she does the Spirit will touch her and her testimony and conviction will grow even deeper.
We also have another investigator named Ming Sophiap whose next door neighbor is a member. They are good friends and the member was able to tell us some concerns that Sophiap had about not worshiping ancestors and not using little shrines in her home.  We were able to have a really good lesson with her talking about the 10 commandments and doing work for the dead in the Temple and were able to help answer her questions and concerns.  I am very grateful for Elder Hem, he really knows how big of a deal ancestors are and all about the culture so we were able to approach it in a good way.  I am learning more about Cambodian culture and about respect from him. It also strengthened my testimony of member missionary work/friendship!
Things are going really great in our companionship!  I have learned a lot from my mission so far about getting along with others and being submissive I am very grateful for and continue to learn more with Elder Hem.  I have been trying to be selfless and serve him.  I have also learned that doing little things like speaking English and trying to help teach him English really helps us get along and we have much greater unity.  I am really learning that the more you put into it the greater things go.  I want to really have genuine charity and love.
We had a good lesson with the Relief Society President yesterday about prayer and receiving guidance in our lives.  Afterwards we asked her if she knew of anyone that she felt prayer and heavenly guidance could help and would have an interest in learning.  She gave us 2 referrals that she is going to talk with about learning with us! It was fantastic!
We were surprised yesterday when the Branch Presidency changed!  However, we have a really great relationship with the new Branch President Sii Knight and he has some great ideas to help the branch and a strong desire to help missionary work.  We look forward to working with him and to continue to see the work here grow.
Things are going great here the work is going forward and we are learning and growing lots.  I feel that the Lord is much more involved in this work than we realize.
Thanks for your prayers, fasting, love and emails.  Even really simple things they really mean so much to me.  More than you know.  I love you!!!

Love,
Elder Garlick