Our Faith WIll be Tested

Dear Family and Friends,

 

As so many of you heard on Christmas, this new area has a been a little bit difficult for me.  My companion and I have had our faith tried this these few weeks.  Leading up to Christmas we were looking for some new investigators to teach the gospel to. We were trying to share the Christmas video called A Savior is Born. But not many people were willing to watch it with us.  But we did get to share the video with people so that was great. 

 

On December 26th, however, we had a great night. We were able to find two new investigators to teach. It was a miracle. One of them we met while teaching a lesson to an investigator who was a referral from the YSA (Young Single Adult ward) Missionaries. He was at the house when we went to go and teach our investigator, we invited him to join the lesson with us and he accepted and he joined us in our lesson. The other we met while going to see our investigator who we have been trying to meet with and his sister answered the door and told us he was not home,  so we asked when a better time to stop by would be for us to catch him so that we could teach him. She said that she didn't know what time he would be home. My companion then said "We are sharing a message about Jesus Christ. Is that something that we could share with you?" She said sure. We then taught her the Restoration and schedule a time that we could come back and teach her.

 

God knows us and loves us. He will try our faith and test us. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior. I know that He was born so we could return back to life with our families and with our Heavenly Father again. I love you all. I hope you had a very Merry Christmas and that you all have a Happy New Year! I was so great to see those of you I got to talk to on Christmas day.

Love,
Sister McGarry III

Merry Christmas Everyone

Dear Family and Friends,

 

My new area is so amazing. I have met some many wonderful people here in Pleasant View. The members are amazing. The work is going well here. My companion and I have two investigators with baptism dates. I am being to see how the Lord prepares his children to find his Gospel. There are many different ways that people can be prepared to hear his gospel. Trials and Challenges is just one of the ways that he prepares his children to hear is Gospel.

 

Yesterday we went to an investigators house and we taught him the Plan of Salvation and after we were done teaching him the lesson. He told me and my companion I want to say a prayer now. The prayer was amazing. It shocked both me and my companion that he said a pray without us inviting him to say the prayer.  Sister Gardner said that the last time that she and her other companions taught him he didn't want to pray. So that was amazing that he offered to pray and the end of the lesson. I know that without a doubt that God is preparing his Children to hear his Gospel and that it is our job to find the Seekers. 

 

I am so grateful for the love I feel each day as I do the very best that I can to serve my Father in Heaven and to share His gospel. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is the only true church on earth today. (If you have not yet read the Book of Mormon with the true desire to know of it's truthfulness, I would like to invite you to do so. I know that as you read with real intent that you will receive a witness that it is true.)

 

I love you all! I hope that you all have a very Merry Christmas!!!     

 

Love,

Sister McGarry III

Left to right

Me, Sister Chapman and Sister Nuon and my Companion Sister Gardner. Sister Nuon is from temple square. She has such a big heart and the is so cool.

Transfers are here once again

Dear Family and Friends,

 

Transfer time has come once again. I am being transfer to Huntington Beach in the Pleasant View ward. My new companions name will be Sister Gardner, I've seen her around in Zone conferences and mission meetings, but I have yet to met her. I am so excited for this opportunity that I have to serve the Lord. I am grateful for the time I have had to serve in La Palma and for all of the wonderful people I have been able to meet. Sister Emmert is also leaving La Palma, she will be going to Huntington Beach North and will be in the Whitter Ward. She will also be one of my Sister Training Leaders. So that will be good to see her.  Because Sister Emmert and I are leaving that means that our areas will be White washes. Normally one of the missionaries will stay in area who know that area and who know the investigators, but when both missionaries leave the area and two new missionaries come in it is called White Washing.   

 

I am so grateful for this time that I have to share the Gospel with the Lord's children and the help them to come unto Christ. I know that the Lord will put us where he needs us. I know that I am in the hands of the Lord and that he is watching over me. I know that he is mindful of each and every one of us. It has been so wonderful to serve in the La Palma Ward and get to know the members here. My time in La Palma will never be forgotten, my time in this wonderful ward is over and I am ready for a new adventure to begin in Pleasant View.
I hope that you are all remember our Savior, Jesus Christ this Christmas Season and that you are having a great Christmas Season so far.

 

Love,

Sister McGarry III

 

Sister Child who we would help every Tuesday.

Time is Flying

Dear Family and Friends,

 

It is crazy how fast time flies. I have been in the field for about three months now and I feels like just yesterday.  It is beginning to like Christmas. Trees and lights are up. It seems like this time of year that hearts are generally softened to Gospel. The new Christmas Video A Savior is Born is truly inspired by the Lord. We have been focusing a lot as mission to use the video to find people who are prepared to hear the message of the Restoration of Jesus Christ's Gospel.  I am so  grateful for the time that I have to share the Lord's Gospel with his children. I know that he is preparing children to received his Gospel.   

 

The Lord knows and loves each and every one of us. He wants us to repent and to follow His example.  I know that through the atoning sacrifice of  Jesus Christ that all people can repent. I know that he is truly there to lift us up and to help us through our trials in life. We have a lesson with a less-active member last night and we were talking about the atonement at one part of the lesson. The member that we were teaching told us of his desire to come back to church and to go back to the temple. He also told us that he knew that he could make it to the temple though the atonement of Jesus Christ.  He bore a powerful testimony of the Atonement and I knew that without a doubt in my mind that Jesus Christ  can help us all repent and that He love us so much.

As we turn to our Savior, Jesus Christ to help us through the hardships in life, He will be there to guide us through them. I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and that he loves us. 

 

Love you all.

Love,

Sister McGarry III

Christmas will soon be here

Dear Friends and Family,

 

On Thanksgiving we have a Specialized training where we were introduced to the new Christmas video, which was just released on Sunday, then we went to members house til 8 and then we did weekly planning. We have been trying to use the video in contacting and in our lessons with investigators and less-active members. It is such a great video and it is truly inspired. If you have not seen it yet I would recommend that you look it up at christmas.mormon.org. I promise you that as you watch it, you will feel the Spirit. 

 

I am grateful for the time I have to serve the Lord. I know that the Lord is with us and that he is watching out for his people. 

 

Today we had the opportunity to go the the Temple. We had a member drive us to Los Angeles Temple. It was so refreshing to be in the House of the Lord. I have learned that the Lord is with  us every step of the way. Christ really is there to help us and to left us up. He is there to help us to forgive those who we don't think that we can forgive.  He understands our feelings better that anyone. I know he can help us forgive because he helped me to forgive and he has helped me with some many other things in my life as well. Christ is our Savior and he loves us. Remember the blessings that we have and the knowledge of God's wonderful plan for that we hold dear to our hearts, which helps us though trials of life. Love you all.

 

Love

Sister McGarry III

 Me and my Companion at Zone Conference

 My Zone, President and Sister Tew and Elder and Sister Zeballas

 LA Temple

Sisters Pic at the Temple

Gratitude

Dear Family and Friends,

This past Friday we had Elder Zeballos of the seventy came to speak to us for Zone Conference. It was amazing.  I have had a great week. He gave us a lot of good reminders.

On Sunday in Sacrament meeting there were some great talks on gratitude. There was one that really stood out to me.  The Speaker was talking about how she eventually learned to be grateful for all things including her trials and trying times in life. It reminded  me that I have some many things to be grateful for.  Our Heavenly Father has blessed us with so many blessings it is important that we show our gratitude for the blessings that we have been given. 

I have been reflecting on the blessings that I have.  I am so grateful for the Gospel and for the knowledge that I have. I am grateful for a loving Family who supports me  both my immediate and extended family. I am also very grateful for the many friends that support me too. I know that God wants to hear from us. I know that he loves us. I know that he is watching over us. Love you all.

Love,

Sister McGarry III

PS P-day Next week will be on Tuesday December 1, because we will be going to the temple.

God's Love Spends

Dear Family and Friends,

 

It has been one crazy week. We have been very busy. It has been difficult for us to find this week.  I have learn a lot from this week. We  went on exchanges with the STLs (Sister Training Leaders) on Friday/ Saturday. It was so great.  

 

I have been reading in Alma in the Book of Mormon and I have learned more about diligence as I have read about Alma and the sons of Mosiah. God knows what we need, He knew that diligence was what I needed to study this past week. I have learned that when God asks you to go something he always helps/gives you a way to accomplish what he have asked you to do. I know that the Book of Mormon is true I know that we have a Heavenly Father in heaven who loves us so much. He wants to help us and he wants to bless us. He only wants us to ask. He wants to hear from us. All we need to do is to ask, ask him for help. If you are doing well he still wants to hear from you. Pray is a two-way communication between us and God. I know that he will answer our prayers and that he will help us.

One of the biggest and best things that I have learned is just how much God loves his children.  This week we had someone that we are teaching, who has not missed a day of church since before I came here. This week he didn't come to church and we stopped by his house after dinner and talked to him. As we were talking to him and addressing his concerns and sharing a message with him, I was able to feel of God's love for him. I know that God loves us and that in his time all will find his Gospel. I know that God's loves is sufficient for all and that through the Atonement of our Savior Jesus Christ we can all  return to the presence of our Father who is in Heaven. Christ is the center of Gods plan. I know that God loves us and that he is there for us when it seems like no one else is. God loves us all and he will help us.

Sister McGarry III

God's Timing

Dear Family and Friends,

 

I have learned more about God's timing this week. This week the baptismal was changed to another date. We have not set a new date yet but we hope to set one soon. The baptism date has changed because the people that we are teaching needs permission from both parents to be baptized and her father is not very happy about her joining the church. Her mom is a recent convert and is a very strong member of the church. The Lord has a plan for all of us and all prayers will be answered, we just need to wait for his timing for all things. God has a plan for us all. He loves each and every one of us.  

 

This past week was transfers but my companion and I are together for another transfer. It has been a great week. We have found a few new investigators this week. One things that I have learned is that our time is short.  Our time on earth is very short. It seems like a long time but it is all a small moment. I am so grateful that I have to knowledge of the Gospel in my life. I know that our Heavenly Father loves us and wants us to return to him. It is because he loves us that he has given us a plan of happiness. I was reading in the Book of Mormon this morning in Alma 12 and I learned more about the plan of happiness. He loves us  because he is truly our loving Heavenly Father.  

God's plan is the best. God knows all and he know what is the best. As we follow in his plan for us and have faith in that plan we will see the blessings that come from it. I know that God's timing is the right timing. We take our trials in life and learn from them. God gives us trials to learn and grow from them. It is our choice whether we want to allow our trials to turn us away from God or if we allow it to bring us closer to him. 

I love you all and hope that all is going well.

Sister McGarry III

Progress and the Lord's Hand

Dear Family and Friends,

 

It's the end of my first transfer in the mission field.  My companion and I am staying in La Palma from at least on more transfer. Sister Emmert trainer is going home this transfer and so we went to the departure Fireside yesterday. We brought a investigator who we set a baptismal date with her. Her mother was baptized in January. She has friends who are members at school. She also went to an activity called Especially for Youth. She had a lot of fun at the activity. She reads the Book of Mormon every day, comes to church. 

 

I have learned so much those past few weeks. It is interesting to see how the Lord prepares people to hear his Gospel. I am reading in the Book of Mormon and has just finished Mosiah. As I have read it. This past month I am learning more about how the Lord helps and strengthens his people if they repent. I am also surprised at how the Lord prepares his children to receive his Gospel. The investigator I mentioned earlier has been taught before, but she was not ready to hear the Gospel now she is ready to hear it. It is amazing to see how the Lord's prepares his children. I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to serve the Lord. 

 

I love you all.

Thanks for supporting me. 

 

Love,

Sister McGarry III

  Sister Emmert and Jenn at a Halloween carnival

 Full Moon

Miracles

Dear Family and friends,

 

My companion and I have been working a lot on finding. We have been going through our list of investigators and trying to see which ones we need to drop because they are not progressing or don't have a desire to meet with us. We have a few that we are working with who have said yes to being baptized but they have not set a date yet.

 

I have learned to recognize when the spirit is present and when it is not. There  have been a few times in the past week where we have been teaching a lesson and it did not go well. On more cases than one it was because the people in which we were teaching were not open to listening to the things in which we are sharing with them. It is heart aching to know that you have a message that could change their lives and make it better but they don't want to listen to it.

I know as missionaries we are to INVITE others to come unto Christ by helping the receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost and enduring to the End.

 

I am working on finishing to Book of Mormon by the end of the year I started is a couple weeks ago, it was a challenge given to us during a Zone meeting. In order to finish it we are reading 5 1/2 pages daily. As I have read to Book of Mormon I have learned so much.  I was reading in 2 Nephi one of the Isaiah chapters, when Isaiah prophecies about Joseph Smith. It is incredible to read about it and to understand. We are told that the people in the last days will understand it the best, because they will see it unfold. As I was reading about Joseph Smith and I understood it I was surprised that I understood what Isaiah was saying. We have seen the words of Isaiah unfold in these latter days, and we can understand them because we have seen the unfold.  I know that Joseph Smith restored the fullness of the Gospel on earth today. I know that Jesus Christ is our savior and that though him we can repent and return to live with our Father in Heaven again. I know that he loves us and understand exactly how we feel. I know that the Book of Mormon is True and that it is another Testament of Jesus Christ. I know that Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by the hand and power of God. I know that we can see our loved ones again after  this life. I know that we are loved more that we can imagine b our Father in Heaven and our savoir Jesus Christ. I  know that the priesthood is God's power on earth today and that it it to bless the lives of His children on earth today. I love you all

 

Love,

Sister McGarry III

Dear Family and Friends,

 

The weather has been a lot cooler this week, during the first few weeks that I was here it got up to 104 degrees.  So this week have been a lot cooler.  Last week Sister Emmert and I went on exchanges with the STLs. That was so fun. I learned a lot last week about the STLs. So the scripture I ending up Ponderize last week was D&C 4. Now I will be working on ponderizing 2 Nephi 2:16.  I am also working on the Christ like attribute of knowledge as I have been working on this attribute I am feeling more confident in my teaching skills and in my studies. 

 I know that this gospel can change lives.  I know that pray can help us and that God wants us to pray to him day and night no matter what. He wants us to pray when we are scared, lost or alone. He will be there for us. He doesn't want us to feel bad for calling upon to help us. He wants to help us in our lives. I know that God's love in for everyone to share and that he wants all his children to know of his gospel, which was restored by the Prophet Joseph Smith. I know that through Christ our Savior's Atonement we can overcome all things.  I love you all. I know that this Gospel can bring us closer to Heavenly Father and our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that Christ lives and that he loves us.

Share to Gospel, Be an example to those around you and love as Christ would love.

Sister McGarry III

 Sister Skelton, Sister Webb, Sister Van DeVelde, Sister Emmert, Sister Simali and Myself.Sister McGarry III

Contact Info

jennifer.mcgarry@myldsmail.net

6500 East Atherton St.
Long Beach CA 90815

Ponderize

Dear Family and Friends,

I am so happy to hear that you are all doing well.  I have chosen to "ponderize" Matthew 5:14-16. We will be going on exchanges with the Sister training leaders tonight. So that should be fun to learn from the STLs.  We are working a lot on finding right now. It's is different, but so much fun. We are looking a potential and former investigators to better help us find people who are prepared and ready to hear to Gospel. We are also talking to everyone we see. I am grateful for Family History and for the tools that we have to use in order to help us find our ancestors better. I am learning that some times Family history is a way to find people. The heart of Elijah is effecting people all round the world, man are looking for ancestors and where they came from. It is interest to see how many people are interested in family history.

I know that the Lord is hastening his work. I know that I am here for a reason and that Sister Emmert is my companion for a reason. I am learning so much from her already, she is helping learn how to listen to investigators. She is also a really good listener which I need the other day. I am grateful for her and all she does to help me. I know that Power of the Priesthood is real and that it can bless the lives of  some many people. I know that I am a daughter of God and that he loves me.   I know that he know and loves all of you too.

I love you all.

Sister McGarry III

This is Sister Emmert and me. Sister Emmert is very sweet and loving

Taken from the plane before the mountains of Utah left my sight for 18 months

Just before the plane landed in the Long Beach Airport

Week 2

Dear Family and Friends,

 

I have had yet another week in the mission field. We have the opportunity to watch Conference this weekend. The talks were amazing. I really liked Elder Bednar's talk at the end of conference.

My companion and I have been trying to figure out where to focus our effects, we have some investigators we have been trying to see since I got here two weeks ago and we have prayed asking the Lord to make it work out if we are suppose to focus on the investigators we have had a hard time getting a hold of, and it have helps us decided where to focus our effects.

We have also been meetings less active members and recent converts, I am learning how to teach the Gospel more and more simply.

Im learning more about the importance of the plan of Salvation each day, we have taught the plan of salvation quite a bit. Cancer is a disease, I didn't know was so common. We have quite a few investigators who have either family or close friends with cancer.  I know that we can see our loved one again again and that they are watching our us and protecting us each day.

 I am slowly beginning to understand the important of "every member a missionary". We are so blessed to have the  Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives.  I am grateful the have this wonderful Gospel in my life.

I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that we have a loving Heavenly Father, and that he is mindful of each and every one of his children no matter how old and no matter where the are, he loves us and know our difficulties and our good times. If we will only put our trust in Him, he will help us find our way back home when we are ready. He truly has blessed us with the agency to chose what we do and how we act. He loves us. He knows us.

Sister McGarry III

MTC news

Dear Family and Friends,

 

I am enjoying the MTC so much. I have learned at the MTC,about the Gospel this past week then I have learned my whole life and that is saying something. I have learned more about the Holy Ghost and the power that I has in our lives and in the lives of the people that we teach. My companion is Sister Webb. We had connections together at Utah State. My district great as well. I have learned so much from them these past few days. 

We had a devotional last night, there was one thing that Rosemary Wixom, the Primary General President quoted from the prophet Ezra Taft Benson is says " Nothing will startle you more when you pass through the veil, then when you see how familiar your Heavenly Father is to you." I know that as we come to know our Father in Heaven then we will find that to be true.  I

Thank you all so much for the sweet letters you wrote to me. Since been here at the MTC I have not once left sad or upset about leaving home to teach the people of Long Beach CA. I miss you all so much, but  I know that this is where I need to be at this time in my life. I read your letters the first night I got here to because I felt like reading letters from home and those were all that I had at the time. I teared up a little reading them all. 

 I love you all so much and am grateful for the support that you have given in my decision to serve the Lord. 

Sister McGarry III

 

P.S. I promise pictures next week, I need an SD card adapter to do pictures and I don't have that right now. 

L to R Sister Webb, Sister McGarry, Sister Montague, Sister Abbott

MTC district

First week in the Mission Field

Dear Family and Friends,

 

My first week in the mission was amazing. My first area of the mission is La Palma. My companion/and trainer is Sister Emmert, she from Virginia.  She is really nice. We get along very well. We had a training meeting where the APs spoke and gave us challenges and taught us how to teach power. The difference between Power and Authority is one things that I learned this past week. Authority is that we are given permission and Power is actually doing it.
President Tew also taught us something that got my thinking more about my prayer. He taught that the most important words to a pray is the very last line we say In the name of Jesus Christ.  He said that by saying that we are unifying our will with his, if he were here these words are what he would say.
 Each today as I go out and spread the gospel, I am grateful for the blessings that it has been in my life. I have seen sadness in the life of people who don't have the Gospel, and I am grateful that I have been given the wonderful opportunity to share the Gospel with others.  It is definitely a change that will take a while to adjust too but I know that with the Lord help I can adjust to it quickly. 

I have done some contacting and have taught quite a few lessons. It is amazing how the spirit works. I have learned that if I study in the morning, then no matter what I studied or no matter what the investigator needs I have the words needed put into my mouth. I thought that I understood what the saying "The words you need shall be put into your mouth", after teaching about the Gospel of Jesus Christ this part week, I have gained a greater understanding of the meaning of those words.

Thank you all for your love and support. I love you all so much. 

I know that the Plan of Salvation truly is God's plan for us. I know that it is his way of helping us make our way back to him. I know that Christ is the Center of that plan. I know that the power of the Holy Ghost it real and that it testifies to each of us as we continue to learn more and more of the Gospel. I know that the Holy Ghost will be there to put into our mouths the words that need to be said at that time or place.

Sister McGarry III

Sister McGarry on her first day in CA with her companion Sister Emmert

Sister Jennifer McGarry officially began her mission, reporting to the MTC in Provo Utah on 9/9/2015.  I anticipate that tomorrow we will hear an update from her!  I am excited to hear how she is acclimating to the MTC and the missionary life.  Stay Tuned for notes from her.
- Ben