Spiritually Guided

Dear Family and Friends,

This past week has been amazing! It was President and Sister Miller's last zone conference in the mission and it was such a powerful spiritually uplifting experience. Bittersweet I might add. We're not going to miss them yet though, we still have time. 

In our travels we had opportunity to talk about some really amazing things pertaining to the Vision of the Tree of Life and the reality of it's manifestation in our day. As we traveled back up from El Paso, we stopped at a place were we normally stop for gas. I didn't realize it was a different stop until we were leaving after having talked to the cashier who is a recent convert that came here from Tacoma Washington. He has been in with a group that has taken him on a path he doesn't like and we were able to get him in contact with the missionaries in the area and direct him to the General Conference addresses from April. It was really cool to see the spirit work in such a simple way. Later that same night we went to contact a referral for the YSA branch we cover. We made it back to Albuquerque within minutes of the appointed time and set off on splits to get everything done. We visited with Brittainy who is the granddaughter of a convert of about 4 years. After having taught and visited with her as we were leaving we were able to engage Cory, a ranch hand and neighbor to our new investigator. He just got out of Prison and said that at this point he'll don anything to find a way out of addiction and to find hope in life again. It was incredible the series of events that helped bring us to the places we needed to be. That happened again on Sunday too. 

In reading today I loved what I found in Alma 27: 27. The People of Anti Nephi Lehi had become so converted that their Zeal for God and was what distinguished them. As a result of that "Zeal" they were perfectly honest and upright in all things. It would be a perfect world if that were the case for all of us, nonetheless it is a great thing to strive for. As we read in Luke 16:10 those that are faithful in that which is least area also faithful in greater things. Many things in life are full of quick seemingly insignificant decisions, yet even those small things are very significant. A correct understanding of the Doctrine of Christ will help in every choice that we make in life because we will have our end goal in mind first and foremost, then the spirit will be our constant guide. I hope and pray that this will be the case! I love you all! 

Have a wonderful week!

 

Elder McGarry

 

 Making some special Taco Spaghetti

Taking a Leap :)

Desire and Gratitude

Dear Family and Friends,

This week has been great so far! We have had Zone Conference with all of the North Zones so far, and in a little bit we will be heading down to El Paso for the South Zone Conference. This is President Miller's last Zone Conference with the mission so we have been immensely blessed by the spirit and the testimonies of him and Sister Miller. 

The main focus of Zone Conference has been using Preach My Gospel more effectively. It has been great seeing all the trainings and participating in them as well. One thing that has stood out to me above most other things has been spiritual gifts and specifically the Gift Spiritual of Power. I have never thought of spiritual power in that sense before. My favorite examples of spiritual power are in the 2 Nephi 33, 3 Nephi 7:17-19, and Moroni's last exortations in Chapter 10. In each of these it is a witness with such power that it cannot be denied, or with such confidence that they will stand before us at the bar of judgement. In these examples I love to consider the sacrifices that have been made, most of which not even accounted for, in order that we might have this record of the Book of Mormon. I am deeply humbled by that thought. Along with the Book of Mormon, I have come to realize that Preach My Gospel is an inspired book. Many times I have wondered what more I must do to improve without much direction or guidance. Over the past few months I have turned more to Preach my Gospel than ever before and have been richly blessed with greater direction and purpose than before. I read in a conference talk by President Eyring, that the most important feeling that we can remember is the Love of our Savior. This is what I find repeatedly in Preach My Gospel. Applying that to "regular" life I take it to realize that though we have many temporal tools and stewardships on this life, the ultimate purpose is spiritual progression. As it mentions in the Doctrine and Covenants that all commandments are spiritual in God's eyes. These things make me so grateful for a perfect plan and a loving Father in Heaven. 

That leads me to another thing that I read in the same talk by President Eyring (Put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good April 2016 Women's Conference). He said in the opening statements "Our desire to serve others is magnified by our gratitude for what the Savior has done for us." I would also apply that to all aspects of life that our desires increase as our gratitude in almost any respect. This was an eye opening realization for me. I have often wondered how I can strengthen my desire and my drive and motivation. I am just learning lots this week! I have a renewed resolution to show my gratitude and to express more fervently to my Father in Heaven how much I truly am grateful for his mindfulness of me throughout my life. Another profound blessing is each of my family and friends that have helped me along the way. I love you all and hope you have a fantastic week!

Elder McGarry

 ​We got to go on the longest tram in the world today! Here are some pics from the top :)​