WEEK 71

This week is called ¨That grasshopper just bit me!!!¨ Well this week has been stressful! We have had a little problem with the numbers of lessons we are teaching each week so we have been trying to get everyone to teach more and with members. Zone Leader has been a tough but very rewarding job. I have seen some great blessings through my work here. This next week is transfers and I am kinda nervous about some of the changes. I know that we are getting a couple of great missionaries but I am unsure about some of the other changes. I hope they are all just ready to work. We are unsure whats going to happen to my comp, Elder Medrano so we will find out soon! I feel so ready for this next transfer and for the big changes that we will be seeing in this zone. Ha ha about the title, last night we were at the house of one of our investigators, Yeilin, who has a baptismal date for the 10th of January, sharing a lesson with her when all of a sudden her mom says ¨There is an Esperanza in here!¨ Not only meaning Hope, Esperanza is a green grasshopper. So being from Utah and loving to pick up creepy crawlies, i picked it up. Right before I put it outside, IT BIT ME! I was like ¨What the freak, the grasshopper just bit me!!!¨ EVERYONE WAS LAUGHING. They didn't care to tell me that Esperanza's, when attacked, they bite. I started bleeding a little and I was like this country is crazy, even the grasshoppers have self defense tactics. But that's life I guess.  Ha ha don't worry mom, Esperanza's aren't poisonous. Also, tomorrow will be the last Turkey Day in the Mish that I miss so I hope everyone enjoys football and food because I will be home for the next! Well I love and miss you all! Have a great week! Elder Garfield

 Elder Medrano, his Companion

 Last day in Puerto Plata

 Elder Espinoza, his Companion in the MTC

Him and a tiger.. TYGAR

WEEK 70

 This week is called ¨You haven´t been here for long, have you?¨ Well this week has been pretty good, besides seeing 5 less actives in church on Sunday, we have been seeing some miracles in Cien Fuegos. I am so in love with this area, the members, the less actives and our investigators. They are all so willing to learn more and go the extra mile to learn for themselves! I have been so grateful for being called as Zone Leader because it has given me that extra responsibility that I have desired my whole mission! I have been studying a lot  about disabilities and trials in the scriptures because I feel as if my mission has been a year and 4 months of trials. One of the biggest has been reappearing every once in a while as I try to get better everyday; Spanish. I have felt that I was called Spanish speaking because Humility was not one of my strongest attributes before I got here. I got told at least twice a week that I don't know Spanish. Its not that I don't KNOW, its that I was born a mumbler and I am almost positive a mumbler I will die. I study the dictionary everyday for almost an hour to memorize words and I know a ton of words and I know how to talk, its just I have gotten so used to the language, people just hear a bunch of mumbles together. I really love my mission. I love speaking Spanish. I love having disabilities and trials. I love the Gospel! I know this church is true and I know that nobody is perfect but that's our Celestial Goal. I love you and miss you all! Elder Garfield

PICTURES

WEEK 69

This week is called ¨Hey, nice shirt¨ This week has been a fun adventure for sure! We have been working super hard to increase the effectiveness of our missionaries in our zone and the President is pleased with our work! I really have been working my butt off here! We had to have some special intercambios (where a missionary goes with my comp and I go with the other) for some trust issues. I have a hard time seeing difficulties between companionship's because I never struggled with that! We also put 2 baptismal dates for January and I am super excited. 2 Sisters and they are super dope! I love the mish! I really see the blessings of it everyday! Today we had a sweet multi zone activity and I got to see all my friends in Santiago! They are all doing good. On the 17th I will have 16 months and its freaking me out. I really have no idea what I am going to do when I get back! Thanks for all the prayers and support! I love and miss you all! Elder Garfield

WEEK 68

This week is called ¨Emilio: The Next Dominican Area 70¨ Well this week has been grand! I love the mish so much! Especially when you get a fat bap! That's right! My first ¨Male-over 9 years old¨ bappy! Emilio Almonte is such a great kid! I can honestly say he was another Goldy! He got baptized on Saturday and left with us to teach on Sunday and he taught almost every lesson alone... AND HE DID SO WELL!! I was so surprised! I know he will stay strong in the church! He also received the Aaronic Priesthood on Sunday so he will pass the Sacrament the next Sunday. Life as a Zone Leader has been great! I had my first exchange this week with one of the DL´s from Villa Gonzalez. His name is Elder Castillo from California" He is a thug and probably the hardest working missionary from the zone! I will have another with him on Friday and another tomorrow with another Elder. I have loved having responsibility in the mission! It has helped me so much do a better job as a missionary! I love the mission and cant believe I have 8 months left! Time is flying by! I love you and miss you all! Elder Garfield