Genassee Garner returns from her mission (April 2013 – October 2014)

The experiences, the lessons I learned when things didn’t quite turn out as we planned, the doctrine we taught every day, and many more factors molded, shaped, and burned a testimony in me that is still growing today.

I served in the Philippines, Cebu Mission and absolutely loved it! I worked in six wonderful areas: my first area was Sibulan on Negros Oriental. I was then transferred to Naga on Cebu Island; I stayed on Cebu Island for the next two areas as well, namely Toledo and Capitol. Then I was surprisingly transferred to one of the areas in Cebu mission which was recently adopted from Bacolod Mission. Bonifacio is the name of that area, on Negros Occidental, which moved me to the other island now in the mission. I loved this area and served the people there until I was transferred back to Cebu Island. My final area was in Argao from September to October, 2014.

In one of my areas, Capitol (named for the Capitol building), there was a really great investigator named Kristel Hortelano. She had been going to church with a friend since October 2013 and it was about April 2014 when we started teaching her. Up until then, no missionaries had taught her. We, like all the missionaries before, thought she was already a member. Then, one Sunday, the bishop and ward mission leader asked us if we could teach her! We agreed right away. We ended up teaching her pretty fast because, not only had she been going to church for so long and her great friend had answered lots of her questions, but she just understood really well and asked questions when she didn’t. She was reading and praying and about two weeks before her scheduled baptismal date, she was doing great!

Then she told us about a little conflict: one of her family members, whom she loves dearly, was not in favor of her becoming “Mormons”. Kristel worried a lot, we as missionaries panicked, and all three of us prayed with all of our hearts. With a lot of faith on her part, this family member’s heart softened a little. Kristel was successfully, faithfully baptized and confirmed in June 2014. And she now has callings and is an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints!

This area, as well as every other area, helped my testimony grow immensely into what it is now. The experiences, the lessons I learned when things didn’t quite turn out as we planned, the doctrine we taught every day, and many more factors molded, shaped, and burned a testimony in me that is still growing today. Thanks so much to all of my leaders, especially my two Mission Presidents and their amazing wives, and my family and friends - my testimony of the Savior has grown more than I can explain in words. I know without a doubt that this is the true Church of Jesus Christ restored through his beloved prophet Joseph Smith; that through him, the Book of Mormon was brought to the earth. And that the living prophet today is Thomas S. Monson, who is commanded to lead this church by our loving Father in Heaven who watches over us daily. This is my testimony.

Gena Garner