You can endure through any stomachache or headache, soak your feet in warm water if they're aching, or sit in a park for a moment if your legs hurt. But there is nothing you can do but be patient and wait for your voice to come back once your throat goes out.
Hermana Harkins KNOWS now :P
BUT, despite the fact that I slowly lost my voice this week- and am currently unable to speak- it was a wonderful week! Nothing huge happened, lots of little tender mercies that perhaps some have to put in the effort to acknowledge, but they all accumulated and made for a very happy Hermana H.
We found a little family to teach this week, and felt prompted to sing I am a Child of God as the hymn to start our lesson. They have two daughters, 9 and 4 years old, it just made so much sense. And the spirit was so strong with that simple song...that's why I love the primary songs so much. They are written simply so that a primary aged child can understand its meaning and feel the spirit, and more importantly, to be able to acknowledge that it is the spirit. That as they sing of following Christ and making good decisions, they can have a click go off in their head- this warm, fuzzy feeling comes when I think about Jesus! AAAH I JUST LOVE THE PRIMARY I MISS IT SO MUCH! It was great to have a little taste of primary spirit and know that they felt it, as well.
We visiting a recent convert this week, Jeannette, and taught about the importance of the Priesthood and Relief Society. She shared an awesome experience that she had about 6 months ago of offering her non member neighbor, who was very sick, to receive a priesthood blessing from her husband, and how after the blessing, she got better right away. Great experience...but the best part was that, before sharing, she said "Ok. I have a story, and I'm going to tell the WHOLE story, because I know you two care enough to hear the whole thing."
:)
I LOVE when we hear little things like that, little phrases that the people we visit perhaps don't even notice that they are saying that confirm that they trust us, and know that we care about them, we want to hear about their experiences and the things that they have to say. It's those small moments when it is confirmed to me that we are doing our job- that we are teaching and listening with love and, through that, they can feel our love and devotion for them and they WANT to share their experiences, they WANT to confide in us, they WANT our help. In an area where we are restoring confidence and love, that is huge.
Also this week, we had interviews with our mission President (prepare for a leadership position, Hermana Harkins) and divisions with the Hermana Leaders. Best moment...when Hermana Busby told me "I don't know how you do it, Hermana Harkins, but you are just always smiling!" HA best ever :) ya know, its just cuz my mission president told me that I am to always simply smile, and everything else will work itself out. I have come to learn that, as far as the mission goes, that is good and accurate doctrine. Just smile. Just be happy. And every little thing is gonna be alright... ;)
Also, like I mentioned in the beginning, I am now without voice. WORST ILLNESS EVER FOR A MISSIONARY (who actually wants to work) AAAAH!!! But, we had a little studying marathon yesterday. For real. Hermana Marquez and I went to our Sunday meetings and then straight back home. (very obedient...no talking...worst. EVER.) And we studied for 8 hours. Eight. Ocho. For real. It was the best ever. We are such nerds. I read from 2 Nephi 17 to the beginning of Mosiah. And Im almost done with Matthew. And we both went on a search in the scriptures about fasting when we read an article in the Liahona that said that fasting is a covenant (we couldn't find evidence that it is a covenant...is it?) for 2.5 hours. But it was fun. We are such nerds. Its the best ever when you can study all day with your companion and still have a good time. And not be able to speak. That's how you know you are good friends ;)
Also, your homework is D and C 58:2-4. We shared it with an inactive sister (while I could still speak) who told us that she feels that her trials are never going to end. I have such a testimony of hope; if we can but try to see as God sees, we can know that one day, and one day soon, our trials will end and we will receive the promised blessings. If we can just push a little longer...if we can be strong and obedient for just a little longer...we WILL see the end of our trials, and we cannot even comprehend the blessings and joy that we will receive.
Hope y'all have a wonderful week :) Stay rad, be bold, do what you do. Don't be afraid to just LOVE with all that you have :)
Hermana Harkins
Friday, May 23, 2014
Wednesday, May 14, 2014
Marcy- if you still can, BUY THE CAR!
We just can't live with only the national mail system when your best friend is asking such important questions ;)
Also, HAPPY MOTHERS DAY WOOT WOOT SECOND BEST DAY EVER FOR A MISSIONARY AFTER CHRISTMAS! I totally get why we are sent to this earth in families now, they make me feel so awesome. Just the bees knees. I have the best family ever, no battle. Also, Emmy sang Hey Jude and My Favorite Things via Skype. What a peach.
So this week, we had lots and lots of little spiritual experiences. I really just wish that I could use my whole pday to type up every single one...but alas, I only have 50 minutes left. Lets see how this goes!
We will start with my talk that I gave yesterday- as missionaries, we had the whole Sacrament meeting to use to excite our ward to participate en la obra misional. I literally cannot remember how to say that in English. Pero bueno, I felt very strongly to speak about how members- not just missionaries- can use Preach my Gospel to know how to talk to others about the gospel. I used a lot of quotes from Elder Ballard's talk this last Conference, and I was really excited to give my talk.
But that jerk Satan got to me on Sunday morning, making me doubt what I had prepared and feel like it's too direct or not spiritual enough or that it's all been said before...ya know, the average stuff that he tries to do to make us doubt ourselves. What a jerk. I was literally praying from the moment I woke up to the moment I stood at the pulpit to give my talk to be able to be calm and to know that what I prepared is what needs to be said, and that I can listen to the spirit and not the adversary to know if I need to change anything.
I'll be honest, I was shaking all during Sacrament meeting. But as soon as I stood at the pulpit and started talking, my whole body was calm and I spoke easily and changed a few things but still kept on the topic that I had prepared, that we can truly share the gospel easily as members, not just us missionaries. That when we were baptized, we promised to be representatives of Christ in every moment and to share the gospel (Mosiah 18:8-9), and that Preach my Gospel is a guide for missionary work, not missionaries. And since we all promised to spread the gospel and participate in missionary work, Preach my Gospel is for all of us, right? Right. So read it and do something about it! BOM!
Prayers are answered. Church is true. Accept it.
Short list of awesome things that happened this week:
-being made fun of for being obedient and thanking the person for saying it
-visiting someone and changing the lesson plan and Hermana Marquez and I both felt prompted to share the same scripture, Alma 7:11-12, the holy ghost is so COOL
-one of our investigators read up to 1Nephi 17 in 3 days
And the best of all...
We had a lesson with a less active sister, not knowing what we would share as we started the lesson, but slowly, as she opened up to us and we learned more about her, we knew exactly what to share (1 Nephi 21:13-17) and what to testify of. As we progressed more into the lesson, and she confided more and more in us of what has happened, we both were able to testify with power and assurity because literally everything she told us, we have gone through and overcome.
I'm not even kidding. I'm not saying it because it's something nice to say. I can honestly say that every trial that I have gone through, she is going through right now. And I can now see very clearly that Heavenly Father was preparing me to help her. I know that there were and are other reasons for my trials, but if they were only to be able to connect with this sister, it was worth it. Because I could honestly say "I know it's hard and I know it hurts but I know you can make it and be happy because I could make it through what you are trying to do."
God really does now how to help his children, who to send and how to send them and how to tell them what to say to help us. We really are surrounded by angels. God answers prayers many, many times through other people. All we have to do is listen for the spirit telling us what to say and we can do that. We can be an answer to someone's prayer.
Be Bold, Stay Rad, Do what you do :) God loves you :)
Hermana Harkins
Also, HAPPY MOTHERS DAY WOOT WOOT SECOND BEST DAY EVER FOR A MISSIONARY AFTER CHRISTMAS! I totally get why we are sent to this earth in families now, they make me feel so awesome. Just the bees knees. I have the best family ever, no battle. Also, Emmy sang Hey Jude and My Favorite Things via Skype. What a peach.
So this week, we had lots and lots of little spiritual experiences. I really just wish that I could use my whole pday to type up every single one...but alas, I only have 50 minutes left. Lets see how this goes!
We will start with my talk that I gave yesterday- as missionaries, we had the whole Sacrament meeting to use to excite our ward to participate en la obra misional. I literally cannot remember how to say that in English. Pero bueno, I felt very strongly to speak about how members- not just missionaries- can use Preach my Gospel to know how to talk to others about the gospel. I used a lot of quotes from Elder Ballard's talk this last Conference, and I was really excited to give my talk.
But that jerk Satan got to me on Sunday morning, making me doubt what I had prepared and feel like it's too direct or not spiritual enough or that it's all been said before...ya know, the average stuff that he tries to do to make us doubt ourselves. What a jerk. I was literally praying from the moment I woke up to the moment I stood at the pulpit to give my talk to be able to be calm and to know that what I prepared is what needs to be said, and that I can listen to the spirit and not the adversary to know if I need to change anything.
I'll be honest, I was shaking all during Sacrament meeting. But as soon as I stood at the pulpit and started talking, my whole body was calm and I spoke easily and changed a few things but still kept on the topic that I had prepared, that we can truly share the gospel easily as members, not just us missionaries. That when we were baptized, we promised to be representatives of Christ in every moment and to share the gospel (Mosiah 18:8-9), and that Preach my Gospel is a guide for missionary work, not missionaries. And since we all promised to spread the gospel and participate in missionary work, Preach my Gospel is for all of us, right? Right. So read it and do something about it! BOM!
Prayers are answered. Church is true. Accept it.
Short list of awesome things that happened this week:
-being made fun of for being obedient and thanking the person for saying it
-visiting someone and changing the lesson plan and Hermana Marquez and I both felt prompted to share the same scripture, Alma 7:11-12, the holy ghost is so COOL
-one of our investigators read up to 1Nephi 17 in 3 days
And the best of all...
We had a lesson with a less active sister, not knowing what we would share as we started the lesson, but slowly, as she opened up to us and we learned more about her, we knew exactly what to share (1 Nephi 21:13-17) and what to testify of. As we progressed more into the lesson, and she confided more and more in us of what has happened, we both were able to testify with power and assurity because literally everything she told us, we have gone through and overcome.
I'm not even kidding. I'm not saying it because it's something nice to say. I can honestly say that every trial that I have gone through, she is going through right now. And I can now see very clearly that Heavenly Father was preparing me to help her. I know that there were and are other reasons for my trials, but if they were only to be able to connect with this sister, it was worth it. Because I could honestly say "I know it's hard and I know it hurts but I know you can make it and be happy because I could make it through what you are trying to do."
God really does now how to help his children, who to send and how to send them and how to tell them what to say to help us. We really are surrounded by angels. God answers prayers many, many times through other people. All we have to do is listen for the spirit telling us what to say and we can do that. We can be an answer to someone's prayer.
Be Bold, Stay Rad, Do what you do :) God loves you :)
Hermana Harkins
Wednesday, May 7, 2014
"Everyone told us we were crazy- but we are a little crazy, so it was ok"
Ya know, I just have the best mission President ever :) Just what my family has always said..."We are all crazy, but life would be boring if we were normal." We are kindred spirits, my mission President and I :)
In other news, this week was wonderful! We had another visit from a member of the 70 to train us on this Pilot Plan that we are doing to reactivate inactive members, and it is so great! We are so excited to be a part of it! The best was when he spoke on the importance of feeling the spirit- that, as missionaries, we learn from and then teach by the spirit. That we must study in the morning to prepare to follow the promptings of the spirit during the day to know what it is that we need to say and how we need to say it. I dont remember who said this, but in the October 2013 Conference someone said "I know that I am teaching with the spirit when I learn something new from what I teach." It is so crazy true! When we truly prepare and are worthy of the spirit, we can be instruments in the Lord's hands and be his mouthpiece. It is SO rad.
We had an experience with that this week. We were teaching an inactive couple, Nancy and Roberto, The Plan of Salvation. They know everything about the gospel, a middle-aged couple, have gone to the temple and everything. It seemed almost silly to teach them The Plan of Salvation, but we felt the prompting and followed through.
And the thing is, as missionaries, it is easy to fall into a pattern of teaching, especially when it is one of the lessons that you teach a lot. Like the Plan of Salvation. It is easy to say the same things every time as we try to teach simply so that the people we teach can understand. But it was very different with them - we taught in a way that we never had before, saying new things and testifying in new ways of the doctrine that the four of us have been learning from years and years. Where we usually spoke of resurrection and the final judgement, we reminded them of temple covenants and enduring to the end. Where we usually teach about our life on earth, we reminded them of patriarchal blessings and participating in the Sacrament.
And the best part of it all was that we KNEW that it was the spirit working through us. That we were saying these different things because we felt to say them. And that is when you know that you are doing something right as a missionary- that the spirit can work through you to say the things that the people you teach need to hear.
Also this week, we had the most wonderful, adorable thing happen. Allow me to introduce 2 new characters- Alfio and Jesus. Both inactive members that we are visiting, and both a little different. Alfio has a problem in his head and is a bit like a childlike teenager. We are working on reading the Book of Mormon with him and getting him to church because it helps him to keep from smoking. Jesus is a 30 something year old and is blind.
They both came to church this Sunday and ended up sitting next to one another, and clicked instantly. I'm serious, they are best friends. We had a plan to visit Jesus later Sunday afternoon, and as we walked to his house, we talked about how he and Alfio are perfect friends for one another, just the right kind of different. And who should we find at Jesus's house?
Alfio. Of course.
And it turned out that we couldn't stay and chat because they were getting ready to leave to visit another one of Jesus's friends, who is also blind, so that Alfio could read the Book of Mormon out loud to them, because he loves reading it so much and kept saying that it is amazing and that everyone needs to read it, and since they cant, he will do it for them. It was the best thing EVER.
Lots of little miracles like these two happened this week and it was wonderful :) Being a missionary is the best ever. Be bold, stay rad, do what you doooo :)
Hermana Harkins
In other news, this week was wonderful! We had another visit from a member of the 70 to train us on this Pilot Plan that we are doing to reactivate inactive members, and it is so great! We are so excited to be a part of it! The best was when he spoke on the importance of feeling the spirit- that, as missionaries, we learn from and then teach by the spirit. That we must study in the morning to prepare to follow the promptings of the spirit during the day to know what it is that we need to say and how we need to say it. I dont remember who said this, but in the October 2013 Conference someone said "I know that I am teaching with the spirit when I learn something new from what I teach." It is so crazy true! When we truly prepare and are worthy of the spirit, we can be instruments in the Lord's hands and be his mouthpiece. It is SO rad.
We had an experience with that this week. We were teaching an inactive couple, Nancy and Roberto, The Plan of Salvation. They know everything about the gospel, a middle-aged couple, have gone to the temple and everything. It seemed almost silly to teach them The Plan of Salvation, but we felt the prompting and followed through.
And the thing is, as missionaries, it is easy to fall into a pattern of teaching, especially when it is one of the lessons that you teach a lot. Like the Plan of Salvation. It is easy to say the same things every time as we try to teach simply so that the people we teach can understand. But it was very different with them - we taught in a way that we never had before, saying new things and testifying in new ways of the doctrine that the four of us have been learning from years and years. Where we usually spoke of resurrection and the final judgement, we reminded them of temple covenants and enduring to the end. Where we usually teach about our life on earth, we reminded them of patriarchal blessings and participating in the Sacrament.
And the best part of it all was that we KNEW that it was the spirit working through us. That we were saying these different things because we felt to say them. And that is when you know that you are doing something right as a missionary- that the spirit can work through you to say the things that the people you teach need to hear.
Also this week, we had the most wonderful, adorable thing happen. Allow me to introduce 2 new characters- Alfio and Jesus. Both inactive members that we are visiting, and both a little different. Alfio has a problem in his head and is a bit like a childlike teenager. We are working on reading the Book of Mormon with him and getting him to church because it helps him to keep from smoking. Jesus is a 30 something year old and is blind.
They both came to church this Sunday and ended up sitting next to one another, and clicked instantly. I'm serious, they are best friends. We had a plan to visit Jesus later Sunday afternoon, and as we walked to his house, we talked about how he and Alfio are perfect friends for one another, just the right kind of different. And who should we find at Jesus's house?
Alfio. Of course.
And it turned out that we couldn't stay and chat because they were getting ready to leave to visit another one of Jesus's friends, who is also blind, so that Alfio could read the Book of Mormon out loud to them, because he loves reading it so much and kept saying that it is amazing and that everyone needs to read it, and since they cant, he will do it for them. It was the best thing EVER.
Lots of little miracles like these two happened this week and it was wonderful :) Being a missionary is the best ever. Be bold, stay rad, do what you doooo :)
Hermana Harkins
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