My Testimony

Hey everyone,

This is Garrett writing this. I wanted to end this blog my mother has been keeping for me with my testimony. My mission has meant more to me than I possibly know to explain. As I served my Father in heaven with all my might, I have come to know Him better than I ever have before. I know with all my heart that He lives, He loves us, and He is constantly and actively engaged in the work of raising His kids. Namely, us. God wants our happiness more than anything, and He will never rest until we all have that fullness of joy that He wants for us so desperately.

There is a plan for us, and it is far more individual, far more powerful, and far more beautiful than our narrow, finite minds can comprehend. Jesus the Christ literally experienced our lives, every single moment of them, so that He could give us the strength and support we need to get through any trial that comes our way. The Atonement is very real. Any mistakes we may make, any pain we may experience, and any weaknesses we have can all be made up for and cleansed from us completely through the power of Christ's deliverance.

There is hope for every single person out there. No matter what your circumstances, your upbringing, or your challenges might be, you have a Savior who died for you. Could that all go for naught? No. The beautiful message of the gospel is that all will be made right in the end. All the wrongs that a mortal life throws at us will be righted someday. I know this to be true, and it gives me so much peace and comfort.

 I've been home about a day and a half now, and it already feels like my mission and the experiences I had are starting to slip into the realm of dreams. I feel like I've come back from Narnia, and I'm the only one that knows about the incredible journey I've been through. I know that memories may dim with time, but I know that the testimony I have gained from this experience will not. My life has been changed forever, and I only hope that I can continue to serve my Father in Heaven for the rest of my days, and forever into the eternities as well.

I thank all of you so much for your support and prayers while I have been gone. I have literally felt the strength flow into me from those heartfelt supplications to God. For those of you who I have left behind in California, I want to testify that we will meet again at the feet of the Savior (if not sooner). We will all see His face someday, and what a glorious day that will be. I love my Father in heaven so much. It has been one of the greatest joys of my life to be in His service. This work will go right on without me though, because there are many more people out there who are in need of help, who are in need of their Father, and He will never rest until He has found and rescued every single one of them. I leave this testimony and close this blog, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.