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
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