I have a ridiculous amount of things that I want to share this week! I hope I have enough time! Let's start at the very beginning, a very good place to start. Ha. I am a NERD and I miss musicals, so I incorporate them into emails and everyday conversations. Woohoo!
SO Tuesday was the big day! The Jeffery R Holland conference! Oh my GOODNESS it was seriously amazing. We woke up at 5:00 and left at 6:00 so that we could have good seats close up, and we were sitting in the first few rows of the overflow, which turned out to be great because there were people in classrooms and sitting in the hallways. It was so fun seeing all my friends from the CCM who are in other missions, and because we were there three hours prior to, we had lots of time to chat and catch up.
And Elder Holland gave an amazing address. We decided on the train ride afterward that it was like all of his best talks all wrapped up into one, when it comes to missionary work. The very first thing he said was "I am so pumped up. I am ready to roll. You are all lucky I'm on bouncing off the walls and ripping up the curtains." That's how you know its going to be good :) He said tons of great things, but for times sake, I am only going to share my favorite. He told us to stop wondering why missions are hard, why LIFE is hard. This is our eternal progression, this life is our proving ground to the Lord, and it was not meant to be easy. It was meant to be worth it! He also said that the road to Salvation always goes through Gethsemane, and we will all have to spend some time there getting to know Christ, and THAT is when we change. In those times, we grow and improve and become better. But it can only happen in Gethsemane. I just LOVE HIM.
I got told 3 times this week that I look French, and in one instance, a man just started talking to me in French, assuming I was from France. I was SO confused. It was like...ok, I must be really sucking at Spanish, because that doesn't even sound FAMILIAR. French with a Chilean accent...yeah. Adventura todo dia.
On Wednesday, Hermana Ortiz told me that I was in charge of the phone for the day. Which really intimidates me, I don't know why when I walk up to people I don't know to talk about Jesus, but the phone just scared me. But I did it! In that moment it was truly significant, to be able to call someone and ask them questions and understand immediately, with the bad connection and all, was really great!
One evening, I looked at my bare feet and the first thing I thought of was a paint sampler, with the progressing, darkening gradients.
On Thursday, Hermana Ortiz lost her plaque, which is debatably the most important thing to a missionary, so we were a tad distressed. We knew it was in the house, but literally had torn apart our room and it was no where to be found. We started searching the bedroom when I had the thought to pray. I felt a little silly suggesting we kneel down and ask God to reveal to us the hiding place of the rascally name tag, but I did. It was a simple prayer, but it did the trick. As soon as I stood up, I looked to my left, and it was sitting there on the bookshelf. And the first thing I thought of was Emmy Creason, and that made me heart so happy!
Hermana Ortiz and I splurged a bit and bought strawberries in the fair this week. I was floored when the lady told me they were 700 pesos, $1.40 in American money. The bag was bulging, I had the same amount as a large box from Costco. I love Chile. I have had strawberries for breakfast every morning since. That makes for a happy missionary.
This week, I had 2 instances where I noticed how my Spanish has improved, and I felt so fabulous after both of them. The first was when we were visiting an inactive member. She was confiding in us about her worries of how the world is such a dangerous place. I simply shared a scripture and told her to focus on her own progression in this life and to put her trust in God, and in the moment, it wasn't huge. But I was thinking about it the next morning, and that is something that I have been saying that I want in my mission, just to help comfort people. That when that happens, that's when I know I'm doing my job. When I can understand what people are saying and respond immediately, then that's how I know I'm doing well. And it happened so naturally that I didn't even notice it until the next day when I found a scripture to share with her. The second time was when I was testifying of the Book of Mormon, and I was getting really bold and into it, and when I was finished I just said "yeah po, yo hablo en español!" And we all laughed and they said they would read it! I KNOW that the Lord is with me, helping me progress, and it is little things like that that make me happy, when I see my progress and know that it was with Him that it was made possible.
Another great experience from this week. We have a family that we visit often who is inactive, and this week the husband was feeling very sick. When we called to ask if we could visit he told us as much, and we asked if he wanted a blessing. He said yes, we set it up with the Elders, and it turned out to be just what we needed. It was one of those blessings that came at just the right time...I am tripping over myself in my thoughts right now, I wish I knew how to describe it, but he received more than just a blessing of health. I have such a testimony of the power of the priesthood. I know that it is the power of God, and I am so blessed to have so many worthy priesthood holders in my life, and especially in my mission. This brother was so touched by the blessing, and the spirit was so evident in that moment. He said the closing prayer after our message, and he was choked up during it and thanked God for the Elders who administered to him. Also, they came to church on Sunday. AAH I JUST LOVE THE GOSPEL AND IT IS SO TRUE!
And last but not least...I have a new companion! I know, crazy! Usually. you have the same comp for two changes when your a greenie so that you can finish your training and become acquainted with your area before changing or introducing another missionary to it. But Hermana Ortiz was transferred and I have a new comp! Her name is Hermana Valasquez, she is from Argentina, she is 21 years old, and I met her 2.5 hours ago! AND I am the only missionary that knows this area because it was a white wash when Hermana Ortiz and I got here.
SO! Adventura! I am SO excited to take on this responsibility. I will admit that at first I was a little freaked out, a little intimidated. I am still just a baby missionary, but I am leading the area and teaching my comp about white washes and our investigators?! What is this?! But still, I have a lot of excitement. I know that President trusts me in this, that the Lord trusts me in this, and that I CAN DO THIS! SI SE PEUDO!
I just need to have love and faith (thank you Katie Miller) and Be bold, as always :) Thank you all for your love and support, te amo con mi todo corozone!
Hermana Harkins
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