Well folks, the big day came yesterday that I had my very first change in the mission. I was in my first sector for 6 MONTHS, which is a lot, especially for a sister missionary. I had an interview with my mission president this last Thursday, where he told me that I am progressing wonderfully, he has heard and can see that I am a good missionary, and to prepare my suitcases, I have changes.
How lucky that I got robbed and all my stuff was already packed ;)
But now I understand why we usually don't hear about changes until the Saturday night before - I had all of Friday, Saturday and Sunday to continue working in my sector with these people that I love with an outrageously huge love and think about how I have to leave it all. Leave this part of Chile that has come to claim my heart in a way that I did not think was possible...When it was announced in Sacrament meeting that Hermana Harkins was leaving and therefore is going to share her testimony, there was a joint gasp from the congregation.
Literally. They all simultaneously GASPED.
I am loved :)
I was very nervous the night before cambios, and on top of that, I got a cold. I remember when I was in my interview with President Starks to turn in my mission papers and he told me that missions are hard, and that we have to keep working even when we have a head cold. I know what it feels like now to be a mission persevering through the head cold. Initiation...every day I am more missionary :)
But here I am in my new sector, with my new companion, and I am already absolutely smitten. I am in the zone of Maipu, bustling city, SO MUCH LOVE OH MY GOODNESS I CANT GET OVER IT, and my companion is Hermana Marquez. She is 20 years old, from El Salvador, has 9 months in the mission, and while we didn't know each other personally before, we knew of each other, and both admitted to hearing good things about one another. She is about 5 foot and makes me feel like a giant. Also, we are in a ward with Elders Fowers and Warrick, both of which I knew before! Fowers was my first district leader and Warrick was in my district in the CCM. God is so awesome sometimes with putting it all together the way he does.
My new area is called El Abrazo.
Guys. It means The Hug.
It is just so ADORABLE.
Being in a new area makes me realize just how...well...ghetto I was working in before. Everyone told me it is super calm, but being in El Abrazo helps me to see clearly. And I love it! it is so cute! Its basically townhouses and little homes, lots of young families, and lots of people to visit and teach walking down the street or playing in the park...very, very different. And I'm not living with ten girls anymore! It is just me and my comp in a gloriously spacious and organized and clean two story teeny tiny house and it is in the middle of our sector...so blessed. So very blessed.
Yesterday after the meeting for changes, we had a little lunch in the pension and Hna Marquez gave me a small rundown of all the people that we visit. LOTS of inactive members. I have come to love visiting the inactive members and helping revive their love for the gospel. We got to work immediately after doing the dishes.
We visited 4 people yesterday, and it seriously amazed me how...quickly I loved them. I like to think that I am a lovey and lovable individual, but the love that I felt instantly was so strong and so huge! I have the belief that it is a gift that missionaries have- or SHOULD have- to love people instantly. This morning in personal study I was reading in Mormon 3:12, where he is pleading to feel the love that the Lord has for the people he was trying to help, and I love that. In the beginning of my mission, I got the habit of praying to feel the love that the Lord has for the people that I visit. Like my good friend Katie told me...the key is faith and love. Like my amazing mom always tells me, love is always the answer with people.
It's all true.
I am so blessed to be here, in "The Hug", serving these people as a missionary and receiving a portion of the Lord's love to help them realize the blessings that the gospel brings. I am so happy. I love being a missionary :)
In closing...funny moments...
This week, a member made me a lemon pie because she knew it was my favorite. She surprised us by bringing it out for dessert, and I was so excited. She set it down in front of my with a fork, and then came out with another for everyone else to share.
She literally made a whole lemon pie for me.
And then wanted me to eat it all.
You would think that after that, I would never want lemon pie again.
That is false.
Have a wonderful week :) Do what you do and be bold and stay RAAAAD! Abrazo de El Abrazo!
-Hermana Harkins
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