Wow, what a week! I wish that I had some exciting stories to tell you, but alas, no lessons taught, no people committed to baptisms, and our two investigators ditched us three times this week. It makes me sad, not because we lost numbers, but because I know how much our message will bless them, and when I get so excited to share it with them, it hurts my heart when they discreetly tell us that they just aren't interested.
BUT
Still had a great week! Come on, how could I not. I am a missionary, I am in Chile, I am talking all day about the Gospel! My favorite thing! Despite the disappointments, I still have my greenie spirit and energy. Proud to be a greenie. In fact, this week we had a Greenie Meeting. Received some more training, and I got to see all my friends from the CCM. Hermana Mittelsteadt and I about attacked each other, and we all had a fine time exchanging stories about how no one can understand us, and yet, we are all ecstatic and crazy to talk to everyone who will listen! It is beautiful! Afterward, on the bus ride back to our area (since the meeting was in the city about 30 minutes away), it was like conference time on trax. So many missionaries on that bus! IT WAS RAD.
In the greenie meeting, we received some pretty exciting news. ELDER HOLLAND is coming on November 13th to talk to all the Santiago missionaries! The North, South, East and West mission will all get to be in the same building with him! I have been obsessing over E. Holland for the past three years. Just finished the book of Alma and I have been telling all my friends that Alma the younger reminds me of E. Holland, and I will get to meet him, shake his hand, maybe get a PICTURE with him, and then listen to him talk to us Santiago missionaries, a message just for us. I. Am. So. Blessed. So excited! I am MEANT to be in Chile!
We had a great experience while contacting this week. We had just been totally dissed by an older man about being woman AND missionaries, double whammy, and I took up fresh courage (because our God will never us forsake) and right after the mean man, we sat on the front steps of a house with this woman who had just found out that her son has the same cancer that her husband died of. She has literally crying on my shoulder. Hello. Plan of Salvation. Testimony. Prayer, right there on the porch. No appointment, but she has our number and the memory of the experience. I love being a missionary.
Also this week, I found out that our zone is singing Battle Hymn of the Republic in a big mission meeting this coming Sunday, and in the arrangement there is a quartet and I get to be the Soprano! I love how many times I have been given the opportunity to bear my testimony through song. I'm really excited for it. Wish I could send a recording, but I cant send videos with myldsmail. Darn it!
This Sunday in my ward we had the primary program, always the best Sacrament meetings. Whats funny in our ward is that no one plays the piano, so last week, we sang all the hymns a capella. This week, the director found someone who knew how to play the violin, so we sang the hymns with a violin. I thought of Mitchell. I'm sure it would have inspired him ;) And then with the primary program, they sang all the great classic songs. All 8 primary members! I thought of Chuck Nielson when they sang I know my Heavenly Father loves me. I always do. And every time I have sung alone or for a special musical number, I think of Dad, for making me love music. And Rita Schroeder, for giving me the beginning of a confident singing voice. I am so blessed with people who have helped build my testimony throughout my life, what more could I do to repay them than to serve a mission?
So this week, I had a bit of a rough patch on Thursday. The language is tough, I have a hard time communicating with practically everyone, and it got to my heart, and sometimes you just have to let the tears come. But then, the words "Gird up your loins, fresh courage take. Our God will never us forsake. And soon we ll have this tale to tell...all is well, all is well." Talk about the spirit telling me exactly what I needed to hear! Because once you let the tears come, you pick yourself up and you keep going. And you take up fresh courage and when all is said and done, you will have many, many good stories and experiences that you can treasure up for the rest of your life.
I know this church is TRUE. How could it not be. There is no doubt in my mind that this is the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love you all, Be bold siempre!
Hermana Harkins
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