Week #102 - 7.14.15 - Garrett is home!

Tuesday, July 14, 2015 -

It was a feeling of total exhilaration and anticipation as we waited for Garrett to arrive.  This is a moment I will never forget!  It was amazing to all of us how different he looked.  He looked so mature and grown up and skinny.  He changed so much while he was in Ecuador.  Well done Garrett!  Your mission is accomplished.  You did it!  The Lord is proud and so are we.

Welcome home!

The whole group is here to welcome Elder Farley home!  

I was so happy to see Garrett that I cried uncontrollably.  This is true joy!

Kendall

Hayden

Morgan

Dad and Chase

Austin, Adam, David, and Alexis

Grandma and Grandpa

Mission Accomplished!

Chase was the first person to greet Garrett.  He even ran passed security to get his hug and kiss.  So sweet!

Cami and I burst into tears when we saw Garrett down the hallway

I am so happy he is home!

Davis

Cami

Best friends reunited

Group hug

He was officially released.  No more missionary tag. 

Fun Ecuador t-shirts

Letter from President Riggins

Week #101 - Pay-Day for Cory

Dad-

I would like to thank YOU for completing your mission those many years ago.  Because if you didn't do that then you would have no authority or power to expect such a great mission from me!!!  Thank you for everything!  Thank you for being such a great dad!  You will never understand how great of a Dad I think you are!!! There are literally no words that can describe how great you are!!! I love you so much Dad!  I would follow you anywhere because I KNOW that you would never lead me astray.  Thank you Dad so much!!!

I love you with all of my heart!!!

LOVE,

Elder Farley

Week #101 - Signing Out!

HOLA!! Como estan?

Well, I honestly thought this week would never come, but it's here!!  It's very bittersweet to be honest.  I am very excited to see you guys and spend time with you after two years of being away, but I have had too many wonderful and hard experiences here in Ecuador that have shaped me into a man.  I can honestly say that I am a man now because I have sweat, bled, cried, and fought to brings souls to Christ!!!  I am forever thankful for my Lord, my redemer, and my friend Christ!!!! I am also thankful for you guys and the chance that you gave me to be here!!! I love you all very much!! ;)

Speaking honestly I will probably be very brief in this letter because we will see each other in a week!! ;) Sorry

To answer your questions-

1- What differences can you see in yourself from the first week of your mission to this last week of your mission?

1- Ja ja ja ja ja...umm one of the differences that I can see from the first week to the last week is that now I can speak Spanish!!! Ja ja ja

2- Were you able to teach Sulay and the Terrero family this week? 

2- The truth is that we weren't able to because the Terrero father is actually in a wheel chair and he had therapy so we understand very well and we will let time take its course with this family!!  And with Sulay we can't seem to find her but we will keep on trying to find her and teach her!!

3- What was the most memorable part of your week?

3- The most memorable part of this week was probably when we had a baptism. His name is Said Alejandro and he has 8 years.  We are helping the family become more active in the church!!!  But we still had a baptism and it was way cool!!

To tell ya'll about my week...it was very good!! The most important thing that happened this week was that we had a baptism.  His name is Said Alejandro and his family is doing very good in getting more active.  His mom is actually sick.  She has a tumor in her brain and she is going to get an operation this next month so we are taking things a little slow with her but everything is good!! She is super excited about her son getting baptized!!  This week we also rescued a family whose son is in the mission field.  He is serving in Bolivia and we were able to rescue them because they were inactive!!  We also played soccer today in the morning.  That was fun!!  But that was probably the highlight of our week.  Sorry I am writing so little but we will see each other in a week!!!  So, I thought that we could talk then!!! 

LOVE you all, 

Elder Farley, signing out!!!

Said Alejandro's baptism

P-day soccer.  Look at all of those Latino's.  I wonder how Garrett did being the only Gringo on the soccer field?

Week #100 - Temple Week

HOLA!! como estan?

I can't believe that I have been here for 100 weeks.  That is 2 years!!  That is pretty incredible if you ask me.  And the most incredible part is that in such a short period of time I have changed so much!!!  I truly hope that I have become a man.  The changes that have occured within me is something that I cannot see very well so I am not sure what to say about that!!!!  But yes, I do know that I have changed!!!

Well, now I will answer your questions:

1- Did you ever receive the last package that we sent to you?

1- Yes, I did receive the package.  Thank you very much.  That was very awesome!  I enjoyed sharing it with all of my compañeros.  It was cool.  I even shared it with some members and they liked it!!! ;)

2- Did the Jehovah's Witnesses missionaries ever come back to teach you?

2- The day that they were going to come back we actually went to the temple so IF they did come back, I wasn't there to receive them.  But they were nice ladies.

3- Have you taken all of the pictures that you want?  Have you bought all of the souvenirs that you want?

3- Yes, I think I have taken all the pictures that I want.  I have filled like 1 1/2 memory cards so I have a lot!!! I bought lots of souvenirs so I think I am good!!! But thanks for reminding me!! ;)

4- Will you wear your suit home?

4- Ja ja ja, yes, mom, I will wear my suit.  I will look handsome for when I get back.  Don't worry.  Sorry that I kinda got you confused in the last letter!!!

5- Tell me about the condition of your testimony and the condition of your heart?

5-My testimony is everything I know to be true.  I know that this is the true church of God.  Through the church is the only way that we can return home with our Father in Heaven!!!  My heart has every intension to serve him until the day I die and even beyond that!!!  I hope that God permits me to do so!!! ;)

Well, now I will tell you guys about my week-

Tuesday we had our District Meeting and my District Leader gave me the opportunity to teach the District so I taught about the sacrament, and the covenants that we make when we partake from the sacrament.  It was very awesome.  I actually learned A LOT, and I think I was able to help the District understand about the sacrament, so that they can help their investigators.  I loved teaching that--it was awesome!!!  The rest of the day we just visited people and we met some new people to teach.  I hope that they can progess in the future!! Her name is Sulay. 

Wednesday we went to the temple for our Zone Conference.  It was awesome because while I was in the temple I found some personal revelation about what my career is going to be.  So I hope that what I felt was the spirit.  But that will be confirmed when I get home!!!  I really feel that I should be a sheriff and start a business of weapon making.  So I hope that was the spirit.  WHAT DO YOU GUYS THINK?  Then for the rest of the day we went to the family history center and helped some recent converts with their family history!!!

Thursday was a normal day.  All we really did was visit people and try to find new people to teach--nothing to exciting--just the work of the Lord. ;) We did find one possible family.  They are the family Terrero.  That dad is a man in a wheel chair!!! But he is awesome so I hope that he can progess as an investigador!!!

Friday we went to the temple with the Baque Family and that was really fun to do that with them!! ;)  We decided to go with them in the afternoon but for some reason or another when we got there, after taking like 5 different buses, they were closed.  So we traveled back in those same 5 buses.  When we got back we found out that a different ward was going to the temple so we kinda hicthed a ride with them and after another long bus ride we got to the temple and they were finally able to do baptisms for the dead.  To get home we went back in bus!!  Ja ja ja, it was a long, but fun day!!!

Saturday we helped our District with all of their investigators.  We taught them and helped them to get ready for the church!!!

Sunday was another meeting-filled day.

Well, this has been my week.  I hope that you guys could feel the power that I feel while I do the work of the Lord!!!

LOVE, and will see all of you guys soon!!

Elder Farley 

Week #99 - Jehovah's Witnesses teaching Garrett

Hola!!! Como estan?

WOW, Adam is home? Thank you for telling me because he is like my best friend!!! I am not going to lie, Adam and Tyler look good.  They look old and wise, but I know that they probably aren't, right? :-)

I am sure Tyler was a great missionary, and I am proud of all my friends who were able to serve a mission.

What did all of the Skonnard family say about me? Are they going to be here when I get home? 

The Skonnard family has changed a lot!!!  The little girls of Aaron and Monica have grown a lot!!!  Wow, I am rather surprised.  But what can I do?  All I can do is live with all of the changes that have happened while I have been serving the Lord for two years!!!

I am excited about the B-BQ.  Invite everyone!!  Please invite Julie.  Her email is julahun@gmail.com.  The B-BQ should be really fun.  Hey, I have a quick question...when will I be released?

I am super excited about going to the Farley camp thing!!!!  It should be really fun!!  I am super que pumped now!!!!!  And I am also super excited about going to BYUI.  I can't wait.  Today I talked to an Elder who is from Idaho and he said that Idaho gets really cold!!!  So, I am kinda like not prepared but I have to do it because that is life!!!  Hey, another quick question...do you guys know when school starts?

Don't worry about what I need to bring back with me.  I will bring what I need for the house.  Because I will get it!!!  Soy pilas no te precupes!!! ;) (I am working hard, don't worry!!! :-))

Well now to tell you guys about my week:

Tuesday we had our district meeting.  But this time the assistants were there so our District Leader told Elder Lang to teach us about something.  So Elder Lang taught us all about using the spirit and using it to convert people!!!  It was actually very cool and spiritual.  But the assistants weren't even there!!  So it was kinda funny because he wanted to impress the assistants!!! Ha ha ha--oh well!!!  After that meeting we talked with the Zone Leaders about our goals for July and August, but I was sad because I am not going to be here so I was a little sad.  But what can I do because it comes to all of us?  The rest of the day we visited people and we were able to help them feel the spirit--it was actually very cool!!!  We also had to hike this mountain that is in our sector like 5 times and it was awesome!!! But very hard.

Wednesday was a normal day.  In the morning two Jehovah Witnesses' missionaries came to our house to preach us the gospel, but my compañero didn't have his tie on so he couldn't go out to talk to them.  So I went out and they tried to preach me the gospel and I was super nice about it.  I even offered them water.  Then they asked if they could come back and I said "yes, why not?"  But before they left I gave them a pamphlet of the restoration so it was cool.  This Wednesday they should come back to visit me!!! Ja ja ja its funny because I am like an investigator for them!!!  Ja ja ja, then we had an exchange and I was with Elder Chancon--he is from Bolivia.  It was fun to be with him!!! 

Thursday was a normal day, we just visited people and helped them to come unto Christ!!!

Friday all we did was invite people to come to our Stake Conference on the weekend.  Nothing too exciting happened other than that.

Saturday and Sunday was Father's Day and nobody came.  It was rather sad but it helps me know where their hearts are!!!

This was basically my week.  I hope you guys can feel what I feel here in the misson!!! It's amazing. 

I love you guys a bunch and yes mom I will take your advice about my buddies!!!

LOVE,

Elder Farley

Week #98 - Protecting the ward members from a drug addict

Hola, como estan??

Ha ha ha, do you guys really have my itinerary? That's cool.  So now you guys can plan for when I get home!!!  But that is ok because I have one month to work and give my all to the Lord!!!

Now I will answer your questions-

1- Tell me about a miracle you saw this week?

1- Umm a miracle that I saw this week was that the Lord, through us, stopped a man from getting into a fight where he could have died!!!  But I will explain more on that later on in this email.

2- What was the best thing that happened to you this week?

2- Probably when we had a ward activity this week and it was awesome because we were able to connect more to the members!!! So that was probably the best or the fact that we found more people to teach this week!!!

3- What was the most significant thing you did for the Lord this week?

3- Well, I am not perfect so the most significant thing I did this week was probably when I set goals for myself so I can become a better person.  I am going to strive to complete my goals!!

4- Have you been able to buy all of the souvenirs that you want?

4- No not yet but I will next week--I will!!! I was going to do it this week but what happened was that today we went to a space center here in Guayaquil and it was actually super awesome!!!

5- Do you know how much I love you Garrett?

5- Yes I do!! Do you?

So now I will tell you guys about my week-

Tuesday was a normal day.  We went to visit new people and we contacted some new people named Candy and Ignacio.  They are neighbors and they seemed very interested so we will see how they react to the message of the restored gospel.  We also saw this man who had dreadlocks and they were down to his feet.  He hasn't cut his hair for 14 years--it was pretty amazing.  I wanted to take a picture with him but I didn't!!! jaja

Wednesday we had our zone meeting where our zone leaders talked to us about what Presidente wants us to do as missionaries.  It was very good.  We talked about the basics.  H reminded us about the things that we should study and the things that we should talk to the people about.  But in particular he talked about the law of chastity and how this law is a law of change and becoming more God like!! So that was very cool!!! The rest of the day we just taught all the people that we could!!

Thursday we had an exchange.  I was with Elder Franco, he is from Bolivia and he is cool but we didn't do anything special.  All we did was walk, talk, and testify.  It was a pretty cool day but we were able to help them to find a new investigator so that was cool.  Her name is Jennifer so that was way cool!!

Friday was a normal day--we really didn't do that much.  And to be honest I can't really remember what we did specifically but we did work so don't worry about that!!!

Saturday was a busy day.  In the morning we had a service project where we basically cleaned the backyard of a family and we took out all of the weeds and made it look a lot better!!!  Then we had a different service project where we needed to prepare for a Ward activity.  The treat at the end of the Ward activity was fruit salads and we needed to cut up all the fruit.  So then we did that as another service project!!!  Afterwards we went home and changed our clothes and then ate lunch and then we went over to the Ward activity where we played a variety of sports and different activities.  It was awesome!  As we changed our clothes to play the sports, this little girl came running over to us and was in a panic because her dad and another man were fighting.  The other man was a drug addict.  The drug addict was yelling at the girls dad and calling him all kinds of bad words and he was getting mad and was going to fight him!!!  But we got to him first and made him go inside where I shut the doors and didn't open them until the drug addict left!!!  He was really mad!!!  So what happen is that the drug addict was hitting this woman and the member of the church stopped him and in the process the drug addict accidentally punched him in the face and for that he wanted to fight him!!! It was a little scary but at the same time all I felt was courage and strength--it was actually a really cool experience!!!

Sunday we had a bunch of meetings and then we went to a hospital to give this ladies' dad a blessing so that was also a cool experience!!!!

Well this has been my week I hope you guys have been uplifted by this letter!!! Sorry if it is lame!!!

I love you guys a lot--you are all awesome!!!

LOVE,

Elder Farley

Thumbs up! Garrett comes home in one month

I guess he will teach anyone :-)

Guayaquil Space Center - P-day fun

Baque family baptism

Service project

And he was filled with light

Return flight itinerary has arrived!

Dear Farley Family,

We are pleased to inform you of the return of Elder Farley, who will finish his Mission this coming July 13. We have attached his flight itinerary to make his return easier.

Thank you for your valuable help and support. Please confirm that you have received this email. If you have any questions, we are happy to respond.

Elder Miller and Elder Call

Secretaries of President Riggins

Ecuador Guayaquil North Mission

04-228-4323 | 04-229-3859

2012960@ldschurch.org