I miss Suz.
BUT, lots of great experiences this week, ups and downs and some tears, but that's just how the mission goes! That is the wonderful thing about a mission- best Real Life Prep EVER. As Elder Holland would say, "This is the realest life you are ever going to get."
For starters, a miracle to share- I have FINALLY received the package that mom sent me when I was in the CCM. Merry Christmas to ME, I honestly don't know if I was more excited about the post it notes or my favorite pens, yeah I am SO weird. But it was wonderful, smooshed, and full of love and drawings from little girls, a beautiful moment.
One of our investigators, Benjamin, was having some trouble with his prayers. He would pray when we asked him to in the lessons, but other than that, no. I invited him to make a goal to pray every night before going to bed, and to make it more of a conversation with a loving parent than the general idea of what is a "prayer." He told us that he wanted to, but that he didn't think he would be able to remember at night when he is tired and just wants to go to bed. So I told him that, if he wanted, we would call him at 10:00 every night for the next two weeks to remind him, until it is a habit.
THERE IS ALWAYS A WAY. Silly excuses don't work with Hermana Harkins. We have been calling him every night since Thursday :) Woooohooooo!
My fellow Hermanas in the pension have started addressing me as "gringa linda." Which I am ok with. "Rubia" is also very common between the four of us. I just love love.
Ok, an absolutely hilarious and slightly blush worthy story- this Tuesday, we were on splits with the Hermana Leaders. When this happens, it is basically an evaluation of how well we are working in our sector and our personal and companionship progression. It is a tad important. So we are all splits and go to visit Alex and Fransisco, to teach the law of chastity. I know, cringe, right? I wasn't expecting there to be any problems- in the first, blunt lesson, they both asked the church's stand on being a virgin before marriage, if we think that is good or bad, because they both have this crazy opinion that that is something you should save for marriage.
I know. They're golden.
So I wasn't expecting difficulties. And the lesson was going great when Alex said "I have one question." He is the more blunt and crazy of the two, so I was bracing myself, but I couldn't have possibly, adequately prepared myself for his question. "So, do you believe that you can do this for enjoyment, or is it just, "Ok, lets go procreate"?" For real. That happened. Vamos procrear. I couldn't handle it. And with the Hermana Leader and all. I mean, WOW! Adventura cada dia!
Another lovely heart lifting story- we stopped by Francisco's house on Saturday, didn't have an appointment just felt we should stop by and say hi maybe share a scripture, and it turns out that he was having a hard time, just lots of little things that built up to an all out, classic bad day. So we sat and listened to all of his little stories and reasons as to the suckiness, shared a scripture, simple stuff. But he told us afterward that he truly felt better after our visit, that he had prayed for something good and happy to happen, and 20 minutes later, we are at his door. Just one of those things that reminds you why you are here doing what you dooooo.
All in all, the week was good and uneventful (except for the vamos procrear moment)...and then, Friday night came, and along with that, one of those experiences that can make you or break you as a newbie missionary like me.
Alex called to tell us that he doesn't want to be baptized on December 22nd.
He told us that he still wants to be baptized, still wants to take the lessons (sounds like a breakup, right? bleh), but that he just doesn't feel ready to stop smoking right now.
Ouch...my heart.
I know that this probably happens a lot, but it was the first time for me. And when you teach someone about the gospel and see spiritual change in them and they are excited to learn more and invite you into their home and you invest so much TIME into studying for them, pondering how to teach lessons and scriptures and find answers to their questions and have true happiness is guiding them to Christ, and one day Hermana Velazquez and I walked down an especially messy street to find an unbent cigarette box and we decorated it with pictures of Jesus and wrote scriptures for overcoming addiction and comfort and rolled them up to fit perfectly and when he is tempted to go for OUR cigarette box, not his box of camels, and you acquire a small portion of Gods love for them, you truly come to LOVE them, when you do all this and it doesn't...work...
Ouch...my heart.
I had a little cry fest that night in the middle of daily planning. Thank goodness for Hermana Velazquez, I truly adore my companion, she was so sweet and understanding and tender in comforting me to know that there was nothing more we could do for him; that at some point, he would have to put in some real physical effort on his part to stop smoking, to do this ONE LAST THING to make himself worthy to be baptized, and he is not ready. Now.
That is the beautiful thing, the ray of light in this sad story- he truly wants to be clean. He wants to be baptized, and he knows the church is true. We haven't lost him, he just isn't progressing as smoothly as we would have liked him to. But patience is a Christ like attribute, and I am here to become more Christ like.
Another nice story...as we were leaving the lesson with Alex after finding out his news, so Saturday, Hermana Velazquez told me that my Spanish is perfect when I am testifying and inviting people to do something- to pray, to repent, to read the Book of Mormon, any of these things. In the lesson with Alex, we were gentle but direct, and I invited him to put in a little more effort. That we want to help him, we will do whatever we can to help him, but we need his help in this as well. And Hermana Velazquez told me that the spirit was strongest in that moment. Thank you, gift of tongues, appreciate the help :)
Aaaaaand I spoke in church on Sunday.
WHAT?! Ashlynne spoke in Sacrament meeting for 15 minutes in Spanish?! Without her companion there to help her in times of need? Whaaaat?
Yeah, that happened :) Bishop Calderon asked us to talk about the mission work (that's bad grammar, but I can't remember how to translate la obra misional into English) I talked about The Book of Mormon (because I can actually talk about that for 15 minutes) and how we can better study and apply it in our lives. It is my favorite thing to talk about right now. Also, this morning I finished reading it in Spanish for the first time! The first of many :)
Well, I am signing off for today. thank you all for your love and excitement for my little stories, this really is the best experience of my life, and I love sharing it with as many people as I can. One favor...please pray for Alex and Fransisco this week. Fransisco is really nervous about his baptism on Sunday, and Alex just needs strength right now. Por favor? A Christmas present for Hermana Harkins, your prayers for my investigators? I would really appreciate it :)
Stay rad, be bold, love y'all :)
Hermana Harkins
Tuesday, December 17, 2013
Tuesday, December 10, 2013
I was offered cherries 6 times this week in the houses of members and investigators and every time I internally thanked Camilla Starks for inspiring me to be a big girl and JUST EAT THEM
So thank you, Camilla :)
I have come to the conclusion that these posts do not need organization...that it is ok to just blurt out all the random little stories and experiences from the week in no particular order and it will be ok. Hope y'all are ok with that :) (that y'all was for Steve, btdubs)
This Tuesday we had a Zone Conference with three different zones in the mission, for meetings and training and such. I was able share my testimony once again through singing with a group of five other Hermanas- I know that my Redeemer Lives. And in English! It was wonderful! And the conference was great, lots of good advice and ideas for reactivating members. We also talked a little bit about the Christmas meeting we are going to have on the 19th as a whole mission, and one of the things we are going to do is give a gift to Christ, similar to the stocking that we have in our house for Christ, where you write something you want to give Christ and put it in the stocking and then read it the next year. Ya see, that's why we need a mission president and his WIFE, because they are the ones that think of this cuteness for us homesick missionaries!
Every Thursday we have a three hour planning session for the whole week, and one part of it is that you talk, as a companionship, about the things you like about your comp and things, if any, that you would like to work on or change. I have noticed a trend in my two months now in the field...always in this part of the planning, my comp starts out with "Hermana Harkins, you're crazy...but its a good crazy...like, you just want to talk to everyone about how much you love the church."
:) yup! that's pretty much 100% ACCURATE.
By now, you all know about our two golden investigators, Alex and Francisco. They are still going strong, I will talk about them in a bit. But I wanted to share another experience about Francisco; this week, we contacted his younger brother. We know his house, but always teach at Alex's house, so we don't know Francisco's family. We were walking to another appointment and saw his brother leaning against the gate, texting. (What? What's texting? I don't remember...) They look JUST so much alike. So we talked to him, gave him a pass along, and he brought up that his brother is taking the discussions from two Hermanas. So we laughed about that and said yes, that's us, and does he talk about the gospel or the Book of Mormon at all with his family. He said a little, but that the most noticeable change has taken place in Francisco- he said that in the past three weeks, his brother has become happier and more outgoing- "A brand new Francisco" is what he said.
:) YAY!
We are reading the Book of Mormon straight through with an almost active again member, Hermana Violeni. She is fabulous and a little insane, I adore her. We were reading 1st Nephi 3 where Nephi kills Laban and- mind you, she has been a member for 7 years and this is the first time that she is reading the Book of Mormon- and she is gasping and adjusting her glasses and her mouth is gaping open and she is just aghast! She said "This is better than a soap opera!" I never thought I would hear that about the Book of Mormon...but what can I say? I have adventures every day. Adventura cada dia :)
Awesome experience from this week- we got to take Alex and Francisco to Santiago for a grounds tour of the temple! Just like in Salt Lake, there are sister missionaries in the east mission who are trained to give tours of the temple, and it was amazing. They were so attentive and captivated by the message. The best part was when they were sitting in a front foyer of the temple that people on tours can be in (that's a new bit of info for me, I thought it was amazing that they could be in the temple), and the spirit just hit us like a wall. As we were walking out, Francisco was especially hesitant to leave. When we asked him why, he said that he felt something so strong when he was sitting there, and didn't want to leave because he knew that it was something special about the temple.
:) YAY YAY YAY!!!!
And to close...I would like to share my testimony about fasting today. On Saturday, Hermana Velezquez and I decided to fast for our investigators, especially Alex. He is having a tough time trying to stop smoking, and we want so badly to help him, just didn't know exactly how. So, we fasted. When God says that he will pour out blessings, he doesn't say it because the words sound pretty together. He MEANS it. The blessings were literally poured out for us! We invited another one of our investigators to be baptized, we found two new people to teach, and a member offered us a ride home, simply because she saw us walking alone, at night, it was cold, and she just felt it was a good thing to do. I wish I had more time to eloquently and more accurately bear my testimony of this, but take my word for it- there is great power in fasting!
Church is true, folks. Be Bold, drink some hot chocolate with cinnamon for me, sing Baby its Cold Outside and think of Hermana Harkins in the 90 degree weather of Chile and be HAPPY with your white Christmas! Ciau!
Hermana Harkins
I have come to the conclusion that these posts do not need organization...that it is ok to just blurt out all the random little stories and experiences from the week in no particular order and it will be ok. Hope y'all are ok with that :) (that y'all was for Steve, btdubs)
This Tuesday we had a Zone Conference with three different zones in the mission, for meetings and training and such. I was able share my testimony once again through singing with a group of five other Hermanas- I know that my Redeemer Lives. And in English! It was wonderful! And the conference was great, lots of good advice and ideas for reactivating members. We also talked a little bit about the Christmas meeting we are going to have on the 19th as a whole mission, and one of the things we are going to do is give a gift to Christ, similar to the stocking that we have in our house for Christ, where you write something you want to give Christ and put it in the stocking and then read it the next year. Ya see, that's why we need a mission president and his WIFE, because they are the ones that think of this cuteness for us homesick missionaries!
Every Thursday we have a three hour planning session for the whole week, and one part of it is that you talk, as a companionship, about the things you like about your comp and things, if any, that you would like to work on or change. I have noticed a trend in my two months now in the field...always in this part of the planning, my comp starts out with "Hermana Harkins, you're crazy...but its a good crazy...like, you just want to talk to everyone about how much you love the church."
:) yup! that's pretty much 100% ACCURATE.
By now, you all know about our two golden investigators, Alex and Francisco. They are still going strong, I will talk about them in a bit. But I wanted to share another experience about Francisco; this week, we contacted his younger brother. We know his house, but always teach at Alex's house, so we don't know Francisco's family. We were walking to another appointment and saw his brother leaning against the gate, texting. (What? What's texting? I don't remember...) They look JUST so much alike. So we talked to him, gave him a pass along, and he brought up that his brother is taking the discussions from two Hermanas. So we laughed about that and said yes, that's us, and does he talk about the gospel or the Book of Mormon at all with his family. He said a little, but that the most noticeable change has taken place in Francisco- he said that in the past three weeks, his brother has become happier and more outgoing- "A brand new Francisco" is what he said.
:) YAY!
We are reading the Book of Mormon straight through with an almost active again member, Hermana Violeni. She is fabulous and a little insane, I adore her. We were reading 1st Nephi 3 where Nephi kills Laban and- mind you, she has been a member for 7 years and this is the first time that she is reading the Book of Mormon- and she is gasping and adjusting her glasses and her mouth is gaping open and she is just aghast! She said "This is better than a soap opera!" I never thought I would hear that about the Book of Mormon...but what can I say? I have adventures every day. Adventura cada dia :)
Awesome experience from this week- we got to take Alex and Francisco to Santiago for a grounds tour of the temple! Just like in Salt Lake, there are sister missionaries in the east mission who are trained to give tours of the temple, and it was amazing. They were so attentive and captivated by the message. The best part was when they were sitting in a front foyer of the temple that people on tours can be in (that's a new bit of info for me, I thought it was amazing that they could be in the temple), and the spirit just hit us like a wall. As we were walking out, Francisco was especially hesitant to leave. When we asked him why, he said that he felt something so strong when he was sitting there, and didn't want to leave because he knew that it was something special about the temple.
:) YAY YAY YAY!!!!
And to close...I would like to share my testimony about fasting today. On Saturday, Hermana Velezquez and I decided to fast for our investigators, especially Alex. He is having a tough time trying to stop smoking, and we want so badly to help him, just didn't know exactly how. So, we fasted. When God says that he will pour out blessings, he doesn't say it because the words sound pretty together. He MEANS it. The blessings were literally poured out for us! We invited another one of our investigators to be baptized, we found two new people to teach, and a member offered us a ride home, simply because she saw us walking alone, at night, it was cold, and she just felt it was a good thing to do. I wish I had more time to eloquently and more accurately bear my testimony of this, but take my word for it- there is great power in fasting!
Church is true, folks. Be Bold, drink some hot chocolate with cinnamon for me, sing Baby its Cold Outside and think of Hermana Harkins in the 90 degree weather of Chile and be HAPPY with your white Christmas! Ciau!
Hermana Harkins
Wednesday, December 4, 2013
Bienvenido a Chile, Diciembre!
Guys. It is SO HOT.
But the work is progressing beautifully here in beautiful Chile! For this week, I don't have any huge stories, just lots of little experiences that I want to share.
We invited Alejandro, the spouse of a member in the ward, to be baptized on January 2nd and he accepted! THREE investigators with baptismal dates! It is so beautiful!
Alexander and Francisco, our golden investigators, are quickly progressing and are excited for their baptismal date, which is in 20 days. WHAAAAAAT. This week, they came to a ward activity and to all three hours of church on Sunday. When we asked them afterward how they felt in the chapel, and especially during the sacrament, they both answered with "peace." They also commented on how they liked how organized our church is. They also told us that they have a goal to finish reading the B.O.M. before they get baptized, because they feel it will make them more ready. Francisco told us when we were giving a tour of the church building that since the first lesson, he has felt that this is right, and that he wants to be a part of it. Then yesterday, he asked how long after baptism someone has to wait to be able to serve a mission. He said that he wants to do what we do, and share his happiness of the gospel with others, like we share our happiness and testimony.
I really did not stop smiling for about an hour after he said that. That's probably the number one thing a missionary could hear from her investigator. What a gem!
Another great experience with a chapel tour- we have an investigator, Pedro, who was completely convinced that he has no faith. We have been working with him, little by little, and this last week, Hna. V had the idea to invite him to the chapel, to feel the spirit of the building. It was truly amazing! The spirit was just TANGIBLE, and every couple of minutes he shared his feelings with us, of being overwhelmed by this feeling of love. We ended at the baptismal font, and invited him to be baptized. No specific date, just if he feels that this is the Lord's church, will he be baptized. And he said YES.
The church is true, the holy ghost is real.
I had a delightful plan to have McDonald's for dinner on Thanksgiving, but ran out of money making copies of papers for ward council meetings. My comp was sweet enough to buy me some ice cream, but it just wasn't the same. BUT! A beautiful tender mercy! The family we had lunch with on Friday heard that it was El Dia de Gracia this Thursday, and knowing that the North American Hermana would be coming over, they made turkey, mashed potatoes and corn for lunch. A Thanksgiving lunch Chile style. It was so sweet and delicious :)
And it is officially Christmas time, which means...neeewww traditions for Hermana Harkins! Everyone knows that Christmas is my favorite time of year, and that this year, it's necessary for me to take the lead, make some new traditions, and spread some Christmas cheer Ashlynne Rose Harkins style! We have a little tree that we will be decorating tonight, we are doing a secret Santa gift exchange between the four of us in the pension, I wear my Filthy Animal shirt to bed because that is obviously necessary, and most importantly, I have my little white nativity scene set up on my desk. And Christmas music playing every morning when we get ready. Still waiting the Christmas feelings to really kick in, but we will get there!
As I was sitting in sacrament yesterday, watching the priests break the bread for the Sacrament, I noticed that one was singing the hymn and one was not. And it got me thinking...I LOVE that he was singing! I think that, more than anyone else, it is so important for those two priests to be feeling the spirit in that moment than anyone else. What an honor it is for them, to prepare the sacrament for everyone in the ward to renew their baptismal covenants and start a new. They NEED to feel the spirit, and it is so easy to feel it when we are singing the hymns. It made me happy that he was putting in the effort, being a good example.
Side note, LOVE my ward. They are delightful and I feel truly that I am a member of this ward family. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!
Today in the zone activity, our zone leaders paid for mine and Hna. Vs lunch, because we have more investigators progressing and with baptismal dates than any other companionship in the zone. Not that its a competition, but I got a free strawberry salad today. Blessings, people. Blessings.
Yesterday after church, Hna Violeni, an inactive member that we are working on getting back to church, told us that she needed our service to help decorate her house for Christmas, all six of us missionaries. More of a service from her to us! She had Christmas hymns playing, Chilean Christmas spice bread, and let us all decorate her tree together. She knows; she knows we are all dying for home and for Christmas. So she let us come and have some of those homey feelings together, disguised as "I need some help, can you come and do some service at my house this afternoon?" That's how you know they love you :)
And the last story, a funny one for the road! Hna. V and I were walking down the sidewalk one afternoon, and she was complaining about a huge zit she had acquired on her cheek that morning. The woes of a sister missionary. I was assuring her that it isn't important, that she is still lovely and beautiful. Right as I was saying this, a man rode by on his bike and called out, "Ustedes es bonita!" "You two are beautiful!" We get hit on in this manner a substantial amount, but the timing was beautiful and we were laughing for a good 10 minutes.
That's it for this week; know that I am happy, every day I am noticing blessings and tender mercies in my life, and there is nothing that I would rather do right now than be here, in Chile, as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I love who I am, and I want to share my happiness with everyone! I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! Stay Bold, y'all :)
Hermana Harkins
But the work is progressing beautifully here in beautiful Chile! For this week, I don't have any huge stories, just lots of little experiences that I want to share.
We invited Alejandro, the spouse of a member in the ward, to be baptized on January 2nd and he accepted! THREE investigators with baptismal dates! It is so beautiful!
Alexander and Francisco, our golden investigators, are quickly progressing and are excited for their baptismal date, which is in 20 days. WHAAAAAAT. This week, they came to a ward activity and to all three hours of church on Sunday. When we asked them afterward how they felt in the chapel, and especially during the sacrament, they both answered with "peace." They also commented on how they liked how organized our church is. They also told us that they have a goal to finish reading the B.O.M. before they get baptized, because they feel it will make them more ready. Francisco told us when we were giving a tour of the church building that since the first lesson, he has felt that this is right, and that he wants to be a part of it. Then yesterday, he asked how long after baptism someone has to wait to be able to serve a mission. He said that he wants to do what we do, and share his happiness of the gospel with others, like we share our happiness and testimony.
I really did not stop smiling for about an hour after he said that. That's probably the number one thing a missionary could hear from her investigator. What a gem!
Another great experience with a chapel tour- we have an investigator, Pedro, who was completely convinced that he has no faith. We have been working with him, little by little, and this last week, Hna. V had the idea to invite him to the chapel, to feel the spirit of the building. It was truly amazing! The spirit was just TANGIBLE, and every couple of minutes he shared his feelings with us, of being overwhelmed by this feeling of love. We ended at the baptismal font, and invited him to be baptized. No specific date, just if he feels that this is the Lord's church, will he be baptized. And he said YES.
The church is true, the holy ghost is real.
I had a delightful plan to have McDonald's for dinner on Thanksgiving, but ran out of money making copies of papers for ward council meetings. My comp was sweet enough to buy me some ice cream, but it just wasn't the same. BUT! A beautiful tender mercy! The family we had lunch with on Friday heard that it was El Dia de Gracia this Thursday, and knowing that the North American Hermana would be coming over, they made turkey, mashed potatoes and corn for lunch. A Thanksgiving lunch Chile style. It was so sweet and delicious :)
And it is officially Christmas time, which means...neeewww traditions for Hermana Harkins! Everyone knows that Christmas is my favorite time of year, and that this year, it's necessary for me to take the lead, make some new traditions, and spread some Christmas cheer Ashlynne Rose Harkins style! We have a little tree that we will be decorating tonight, we are doing a secret Santa gift exchange between the four of us in the pension, I wear my Filthy Animal shirt to bed because that is obviously necessary, and most importantly, I have my little white nativity scene set up on my desk. And Christmas music playing every morning when we get ready. Still waiting the Christmas feelings to really kick in, but we will get there!
As I was sitting in sacrament yesterday, watching the priests break the bread for the Sacrament, I noticed that one was singing the hymn and one was not. And it got me thinking...I LOVE that he was singing! I think that, more than anyone else, it is so important for those two priests to be feeling the spirit in that moment than anyone else. What an honor it is for them, to prepare the sacrament for everyone in the ward to renew their baptismal covenants and start a new. They NEED to feel the spirit, and it is so easy to feel it when we are singing the hymns. It made me happy that he was putting in the effort, being a good example.
Side note, LOVE my ward. They are delightful and I feel truly that I am a member of this ward family. I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!
Today in the zone activity, our zone leaders paid for mine and Hna. Vs lunch, because we have more investigators progressing and with baptismal dates than any other companionship in the zone. Not that its a competition, but I got a free strawberry salad today. Blessings, people. Blessings.
Yesterday after church, Hna Violeni, an inactive member that we are working on getting back to church, told us that she needed our service to help decorate her house for Christmas, all six of us missionaries. More of a service from her to us! She had Christmas hymns playing, Chilean Christmas spice bread, and let us all decorate her tree together. She knows; she knows we are all dying for home and for Christmas. So she let us come and have some of those homey feelings together, disguised as "I need some help, can you come and do some service at my house this afternoon?" That's how you know they love you :)
And the last story, a funny one for the road! Hna. V and I were walking down the sidewalk one afternoon, and she was complaining about a huge zit she had acquired on her cheek that morning. The woes of a sister missionary. I was assuring her that it isn't important, that she is still lovely and beautiful. Right as I was saying this, a man rode by on his bike and called out, "Ustedes es bonita!" "You two are beautiful!" We get hit on in this manner a substantial amount, but the timing was beautiful and we were laughing for a good 10 minutes.
That's it for this week; know that I am happy, every day I am noticing blessings and tender mercies in my life, and there is nothing that I would rather do right now than be here, in Chile, as a missionary of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I love who I am, and I want to share my happiness with everyone! I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY! Stay Bold, y'all :)
Hermana Harkins
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