Week 23

 Dear Friends and Family!

Thank you for the birthday wishes! I feel so lucky to be acquainted with each and every one of you.

This week has been filled with stocking drop offs! We have had so many marvelous experiences as we meet less active members and try to reactivate them. Our adventures have taken us into the far reaches of the deep south, and we have explored little roads off the highway that google maps doesn't even know exist. All of this being said, I am continually in awe with the spirit of love and friendship that everyone (even strangers) act in.

During this season of giving, I have had the opportunity to reflect on why we give. I have taken a moment to recognize how many wonderful examples of charity I am/have been surrounded with: both here in Bristol and also at home.

I want to share an example from Bristol.

There is an older couple in my local church congregation who live in the outskirts of Hosford. Billy Joe and Laree are in their 70s. They have lived here their whole life, and you can tell that they never had excess. They live in a small wood house that looks as though it was damaged by hurricane Michael. You can tell it is poorly insulated: there are holes in it, and it isn't clean. They didn't have the opportunity to obtain very much education. Their English is difficult to understand and they are not very progressive or culturally aware. They drive an old truck that sounds funny when it runs, and I imagine it breaks down often and he fixes it himself.

Despite not having much in the world's eyes, they have untold spiritual wealth.

They give all that they can. They drive to Tallahassee, Clarksville, and other far places multiple times a week to pick up free food at the local food drives. They don't pick up this food for themselves, but they do it for others. They have a route that they drive and they drop food off to people who would go hungry without it. They often give us gift cards to the local grocery store, and they are so willing to take us to Subway.

Perhaps the best part about it all is that they do it silently. No one asks them to do this, and very few people know that they do it. They are older, and as they move all of this food, I can't imagine their bodies handle it well. They receive no temporal benefit out of it, but they do it so willingly.

If everyone was a little bit more like BJ and Laree, the world would be a much better place. They truly understand charity, and they are so willing to sacrifice for the Savior. This is what the Christmas season is about: recognizing God's gift of his only begotten Son to all of us: even Jesus Christ. Christ then set a perfect example of giving and service for us to seek to emulate.

Christ didn't only serve those who were well kempt, and self-sufficient, he served everyone.

I am reminded of Matthew 25:40 where it says, "Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me."

Mosiah 2:17 echoes this when it reads, "When ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."

I hope that during this season of giving, we will be in the service of God. I hope that we will serve those that need it most. BJ and Laree's example is one that I hope to emulate, and I hope you will remember it.

You are wonderful examples to me, and I love you all.

Love,
Elder Garff

Here are some pictures from our expedition to Pamama City Beach today!!!