Hello all, 
Garrett is counting down his last days in the CCM. By Tuesday or Wednesday of next week he will be assigned and in his first area in the Bogota South Mission. He has had some highs as well as lows this last week as he continues learning to be the best missionary he can be. He is concerned that he continues to lose weight, which he tells us is almost 15 lbs now. He is experiencing some other health issues that have been taxing on his spirit, yet he continues in faith that everything will be fine. He and his companion went out on splits with Elder Leon (a Peruvian) into Bogota last Saturday. Garrett shared his excitement of teaching a women and committing her to be baptized. Later that day they encountered a blind man, who asked Garrett for a blessing. He tells us that it was a pretty awesome experience. His recent temple trip was a powerful reminder to him that he is where he is supposed to be. In his own words, "the spirit was super fuerte." Above all, in his letters to the family, he has repeatedly shared his love for Elder Nick Moss. He told us that Elder Moss has been his rock through this entire CCM experience. In D&C 121 the Lord tells the Prophet Joseph Smith, "thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment...if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high...Thy friends do stand by thee...''. The most important thing we can do when adversity or afflictions come our way is to endure it the best we can. It sure helps when you have the support of family, friends, and earthly/heavenly angels. We are grateful that Garrett and Elder Moss have had this experience together. We are grateful for the comfort that Elder Moss has given our son. We thank you and love you Elder Moss. Good luck in Ecuador and Godspeed. 
Here is this weeks letter. Enjoy

Amigos!
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> > This last week went by super-fast and if I am being completely honest I do not remember any of it. All I know right now is I have one more week until I am out into the field and I am super scared. My Spanish is not that good, however, I know that as I continue to work hard, the Lord will help me. I have been super homesick this week and I received a blessing from Elder Moss last night. He and I were meant to be in this CCM together. His words were powerful and comforted me a lot.
> > We watched Elder Hales funeral on Friday and it was really sad. What is comforting to know is that families can be together forever. And I am so grateful for my family. Yes, I miss them a lot. Yes I would like to see them right now. But because of what I am doing, I am blessing the lives of others, my family, and me for eternity. The closing hymn that they played was "God be with you ‘til we meet again" which was the closing hymn at my farewell. That got me a little emotional.
> > Today might of been my last time attending the Temple for 22 more months! So today during the session, I tried to make it as spiritual as possible. Oh yeah, I got kicked in the face while playing soccer and I thought for sure I had broken my nose. Sorry my emails are so short and no pictures this week. It will not let them load for some reason. If they end up working I will have my mom send them out. Also, I don't think you will be getting an email from me this next week because I have training all day next Tuesday in the mission home.
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> Hasta luego