One of the best pouch days for a missionary is the day in June when you finally receive the Conference Ensign. That happy day was about 2 weeks ago, and I am wallowing in the pure happiness and joy that comes from reading the most recent revelation that God has given us through His apostles and His Prophet that He has called to guide us in these Latter Days. I know without a doubt that they are men truly called of God. I love our Prophet and our Apostles. I could go on all day about how incredible they are. The Gospel is just so true, I cant even get over it.
(a hint...I started in the back with the talks from the Women's Conference. The second one, about how we need each other, yeah. Changed my life. I'm LOVING the Conference Ensign, people!)
Also this week, I came to truly understand that whole tights with thick socks and short boots trend- it's not just because its cute. Its because it all started with the sister missionaries that wear holes through their tights but still need to use them to keep warm, so they just put socks on that cover the holes and their cute little short boots and they keep on walking. True story :)
Did you all know that we are in the World Soccer Tournament? Here in South America it's called Mundial, and Chile just keeps winning, which apparently is a miracle, because they usually don't get very far. Anyways, we aren't allowed to leave during the games where Chile plays because 1) we can't watch it, and literally EVERYONE watches the games. And 2) when Chile makes a goal, the crowd goes wild. The crowd being everyone in the country. Ya know, except the LDS missionaries. And when Chile WINS, oooof. They really go crazy! So we sit in our pensions for the two hours and study the scriptures and keep score by listening for when the party starts outside, and then we go out and keep working. This last week, after Chile won the match, there was a crowd of people doing the national dance in the main street of our sector.
So this week, my testimony has grown SO much of the Book of Mormon. Because the thing is, I have always known it was true. I have been blessed to always have it in my life and have a knowledge of its power. But it wasn't until my time here in my mission, and truly needing to rely on it to guide me and answer my prayers and my questions, it wasn't until I truly read it all, cover to cover, even the testimonies in the front like my dad always told me to read but I never did because I just didn't GET the importance of testimony before my mission, that I have truly come to know and love the Book of Mormon. There is no way that it was made up, and I have no doubt that it is truly a gift from God, because only something from God has the power to do what the Book of Mormon does. Only something of God has the power to change lives and bring people closer to Him.
Allow me to share a few experiences I had this week.
The first was with Mariela, an inactive member who is struggling right now with some big sadness and frustration. We went in prepared to share a scripture about our baptismal covenants and focus on our responsibilities as members, but as we sat down and began talking with her, it became evident that this was not the message that she needed to hear. So we listened more, kept asking questions, kept searching for the deeper meaning to her sadness and frustration. And then she said the word "weak." That she feels weak and she doesn't know what she can do to feel strong.
That's when I knew what we needed to share. Alma 26:12. Alone, we truly are weak. But with the strength of the Lord, we can do all things. We shared that verse with her, and ya know, shes a sassy 'lil thing, and she said to us "You know Hermanas, this verse can't be shared with anyone else, because it was written exactly for and ONLY for me."
Another experience from this week was with Rosario- an inactive member that we don't get to visit very often because her work schedule doesn't permit it. But we missionaries just know that there is always something MORE than just work that keeps people from coming. We went in prepared to teach about the Sacrament and the blessings we receive when we participate, but, just as with Mariela, upon talking with her for a bit, we felt that the Sacrament just wasn't what she needed to hear. So we followed the prompting and just kept asking and listening, to her and the spirit, to know what we needed to say.
She told us that she misses her old ward, where she was a teacher for the youth in the ward and she had lots of great friendships and she misses the feeling of family that she had before. And that when she moved here, she got distracted by worldly needs and the few times she went to church, she was frustrated and sad that she didn't have the same friendships. That she misses feeling that she has something to contribute and people that really need her. And the whole time, I kept thinking of Mosiah 18:8-9 where it talks about our responsibilities as members of the church (what we WERE going to share with Mariela!), and at first I thought that it was just because I'm totally obsessed with that scripture right now, and that it cant be the spirit, just ME. But the feeling kept coming, so that's the scripture that we shared.
Halfway through reading it out loud, she began to cry. Not just little silent tears, but real weeping. And she said that this is what she wants to feel, that people need HER to help bear their burdens and that she can have people to rely on to cry with her when she needs to cry. That the verse "woke up something" inside of her, and we were able to testify that there are people that NEED her in this ward- that people need her to serve and to be served, because it's what we promised to do in our baptism.
The third experience was with Jaime, our ward mission leader. We passed by his house and he was outside with his dog. It was obvious that he was bummed out about something, so we stopped to talk to him and see what was wrong. He told us that he was going through a tough moment in his job right now and that he feels like it will just never end. He doesn't typically like advice, but we shared a scripture with him anyway, Mosiah 24:13-16, and we told him that even while we feel like the hard moments will never end, if we just trust in the Lord, he will free us eventually, when it is really time for the hard moment to end.
He looked at us a moment and said "Has that scripture always been there? I don't remember ever reading it, but I LIKE it."
Seriously, in all these little moments this week, my own testimony has grown of the power of the Book of Mormon. Among these three experiences, every day, I was able to receive other little personal revelations, for myself, for my companion, for the people that we visit, and it made me stronger. It helped me to testify with more power and authority, at times inciting tears, because I just LOVE the Book of Mormon, and I just know that it's true, because I have been able to feel its power so many times in my life, and I have literally seen how it can change someone's heart, strengthen their soul, and give them the strength that they need to keep rocking this hard life.
I know that the Book of Mormon has the power to do anything. It answers every questions and doubt and gives us light and hope and it has the power to convert everyone to know of the Lord's love. And I love that.
Stay rad, y'all :) Be bold and do what you do :)
Hermana Harkins
Monday, June 23, 2014
Tuesday, June 17, 2014
21 years old WHATTTTTT
Who would have thought a little over a year ago that I would be in SOUTH AMERICA for my 21st birthday?! NOT me. But what an awesome birthday it was :) woke up to find a banner set up by my beautiful comp saying "Happy Birthday Ashlynne", yeah, in ENGLISH, and she searched my English scriptures for how to spell my name and everything. Opened a bunch of gifts from the best mom ever- clothes, sticky notes, stationary, lush products(!!!), earrings, spa supplies(!!!), scarves. They sang to me in Relief Society. I got a ridiculous amount of chocolate. We had lunch with an awesome family in the ward, they made burgers and cake (because what else would a gringa missionary WANT for her birthday?) and then...we had to go on divisions.
Long story short, my comp and her trainer had to go back to their sector to visit some people that were struggling, and I went to the sector where my comps trainer is right now with her current companion.
Know what that sector is?
Lo Erazurriz.
That is correct. On my birthday, I got to work in my old sector.
TALK ABOUT BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER FOR A MISSIONARY!
Guys, seriously, you do not even know what amazing happiness I felt. Pure joy. Seriously the best birthday gift ever. We visited a bunch of people and they were all just crazy in shock, and BENJAMIN! My convert! Two weeks ago he received the priesthood and Sunday was the first day that he blessed the Sacrament! And he is preparing to go do baptisms for the dead in the temple and he invited his mom to read the Book of Mormon and she is in Alma 21 and I just could have cried to see him so happy and strong, in spite of so little support in his home, he is making miracles happen and is HAPPY to be a member of the church.
It was a wonderful day :)
And, surprise surprise, we don't have changes. I am very blessed to be in El Abrazo with Hna. Marquez for one more change :) and we are EXCITED. We had a little goal setting session yesterday and we are pumped up and ready to go and unified by our love for the people in this sector. There is still so much that we can do, and we are ready to do it.
And we had an experience last night that I would love to share with you all.
We had a lesson with two investigators last night who are the parents of a recent RM: Literally, he got home two weeks ago, and has gotten right on top of teaching his parents the lessons. We have been visiting them for a long time, but have found it to be a bit of a struggle to teach them. They have a crazy huge love for their son, but their desire to listen to the truths of the Gospel and put action to what they are learning...not so much. But now their son is home, and we have big faith that we can see a miracle happen. So we continue teaching.
Last night, we taught The Plan of Salvation, which we honestly thought would touch those lil heart strings and help them feel the awesome power of the spirit. And we had their son there to help us out, lemme tell you, returned missionaries make for an awesome MAC. We had qualquier esperanza. But it turned out to be one of those lessons where they contradicted everything that we said and trying to confuse us with craftily phrased questions. Like Abinadi and the priests of King Noah. And we did our best, but Abinadi had some amazing power, see Mosiah 13:3-4. I don't like sounding so weak, but it honestly scared me. And I did not feel good after the lesson.
As we sat down to plan for the next day, I asked Hna. M how she felt about the lesson, expecting to hear exactly what I was feeling- that it wasn't our best. But she told me that she felt great about it. And when I asked her why, she said something that I will never forget ever. She said "During the whole lesson, all they did was say no to what we were teaching. But in the end, when we testified, they didn't say anything. They can deny the gospel, but they cant deny our testimonies."
And that got me reflecting back on the lesson...on the moment when we bore our testimonies of the things that we had taught. And I realized that it was true; and I felt the strongest desire in that moment to share my testimony with her. I didn't understand why, I had just shared it in a lesson and she obviously heard it, but if there is any one thing that I have learned on my mission, it is to always act on the promptings of the spirit. So I shared my testimony. And I really just poured out my soul, we were both crying by the time I finished. And then she told me something else that I will never forget. She told me "Hermana, you have a powerful testimony. You should never be afraid to share it. Even if the people we teach don't want to hear anymore of the message we have or if they deny all that we teach, you have to share your testimony as you just did with me. Because it can move mountains."
You never think that missionaries are scared to do what they do, and maybe its just me, but I will admit to my weakness, and sometimes I get intimidated by my fellow man and their mere words and actions. But I know that I was prompted to share my testimony, my TRUE straight from the heart testimony with her so that she could tell me that. So that I could take up fresh courage that I could then realize that I was lacking and bear my testimony. Even if they deny what we teach. Even if their hearts are closed. Even if it seems like there is no hope to teach them anything else. MY testimony can move mountains. But it cant do anything if I keep it in my heart or only give it half way.
It's SO rad, the things that I am learning on my mission.
Stay rad, y'all :) Just keep doing what you do :)
Hermana Harkins
Long story short, my comp and her trainer had to go back to their sector to visit some people that were struggling, and I went to the sector where my comps trainer is right now with her current companion.
Know what that sector is?
Lo Erazurriz.
That is correct. On my birthday, I got to work in my old sector.
TALK ABOUT BEST BIRTHDAY PRESENT EVER FOR A MISSIONARY!
Guys, seriously, you do not even know what amazing happiness I felt. Pure joy. Seriously the best birthday gift ever. We visited a bunch of people and they were all just crazy in shock, and BENJAMIN! My convert! Two weeks ago he received the priesthood and Sunday was the first day that he blessed the Sacrament! And he is preparing to go do baptisms for the dead in the temple and he invited his mom to read the Book of Mormon and she is in Alma 21 and I just could have cried to see him so happy and strong, in spite of so little support in his home, he is making miracles happen and is HAPPY to be a member of the church.
It was a wonderful day :)
And, surprise surprise, we don't have changes. I am very blessed to be in El Abrazo with Hna. Marquez for one more change :) and we are EXCITED. We had a little goal setting session yesterday and we are pumped up and ready to go and unified by our love for the people in this sector. There is still so much that we can do, and we are ready to do it.
And we had an experience last night that I would love to share with you all.
We had a lesson with two investigators last night who are the parents of a recent RM: Literally, he got home two weeks ago, and has gotten right on top of teaching his parents the lessons. We have been visiting them for a long time, but have found it to be a bit of a struggle to teach them. They have a crazy huge love for their son, but their desire to listen to the truths of the Gospel and put action to what they are learning...not so much. But now their son is home, and we have big faith that we can see a miracle happen. So we continue teaching.
Last night, we taught The Plan of Salvation, which we honestly thought would touch those lil heart strings and help them feel the awesome power of the spirit. And we had their son there to help us out, lemme tell you, returned missionaries make for an awesome MAC. We had qualquier esperanza. But it turned out to be one of those lessons where they contradicted everything that we said and trying to confuse us with craftily phrased questions. Like Abinadi and the priests of King Noah. And we did our best, but Abinadi had some amazing power, see Mosiah 13:3-4. I don't like sounding so weak, but it honestly scared me. And I did not feel good after the lesson.
As we sat down to plan for the next day, I asked Hna. M how she felt about the lesson, expecting to hear exactly what I was feeling- that it wasn't our best. But she told me that she felt great about it. And when I asked her why, she said something that I will never forget ever. She said "During the whole lesson, all they did was say no to what we were teaching. But in the end, when we testified, they didn't say anything. They can deny the gospel, but they cant deny our testimonies."
And that got me reflecting back on the lesson...on the moment when we bore our testimonies of the things that we had taught. And I realized that it was true; and I felt the strongest desire in that moment to share my testimony with her. I didn't understand why, I had just shared it in a lesson and she obviously heard it, but if there is any one thing that I have learned on my mission, it is to always act on the promptings of the spirit. So I shared my testimony. And I really just poured out my soul, we were both crying by the time I finished. And then she told me something else that I will never forget. She told me "Hermana, you have a powerful testimony. You should never be afraid to share it. Even if the people we teach don't want to hear anymore of the message we have or if they deny all that we teach, you have to share your testimony as you just did with me. Because it can move mountains."
You never think that missionaries are scared to do what they do, and maybe its just me, but I will admit to my weakness, and sometimes I get intimidated by my fellow man and their mere words and actions. But I know that I was prompted to share my testimony, my TRUE straight from the heart testimony with her so that she could tell me that. So that I could take up fresh courage that I could then realize that I was lacking and bear my testimony. Even if they deny what we teach. Even if their hearts are closed. Even if it seems like there is no hope to teach them anything else. MY testimony can move mountains. But it cant do anything if I keep it in my heart or only give it half way.
It's SO rad, the things that I am learning on my mission.
Stay rad, y'all :) Just keep doing what you do :)
Hermana Harkins
Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Best Job Ever No Battle
Mine :) it's the best job ever :)
So many little things that I want to share, which are the best things to share because the little things make the work the best everrrr!!!
We visited an outrageously inactive sister this week who we always have a hard time catching at home or with time to visit with us- but miracles of miracles, she accepted us wholeheartedly when we passed by this last Monday evening. It was the first time that I had visited with her, so we spent a little time getting to know her, and we found out that she served a mission! Which was the best thing EVER to hear because missionaries are really good at helping returned missionaries remember their mission fire. We requested mission photos and all, and it was like magic. She got to explaining every photo, every companion and ward and investigator and baptism. We shared Alma 29:9 and testified of the joy we feel when we keep our baptismal covenants (Mosiah 18:8-10...and 11 because it's all happy and joyful), one of which being to participate in the mission work.
Better believe she came to church this Sunday :)
Also visited our pal Alfio this week, and he has finally gotten into the habit of starting his prayer with Heavenly Father, not the Catholic way. I honestly don't know what it is in English, but in Spanish, its Padre Nuestro que estas en los cielos, santificad sea su nombre. And that's just...so long. And Heavenly Father is sufficient. Small steps, my friends. Small steps. Also, in that lesson with him, we read 1 Nephi 4. It is always interesting to see how people react to that chapter. I have witnessed a colorful array of reactions. Being a missionary. For real, it's the best ever.
We taught an inactive couple, who I LOVE and am attaching a photo of them with this email, about covenants. We taught them in the beginning of the week and returned on Saturday to teach them again, and they were all excited to share with us a note they found in their old hymnbook with a quote written on it about covenants and their importance, wow Hermanas, its such a coincidence!
So not a coincidence. God works in awesome ways.
I have become the companion that does the hard man things. I have fixed showers and unclogged drains, and this week, as we walked one morning searching for people to teach, we came across a spider, and I mean, it was a big spider. It was hard to miss. And it was dying. My sweet companion took pity on it and resolved to kill it. Ya know, take it out of its misery. But she didn't want to get close to it, so she found a big rock and tried to use her foot to get it over the huge spider and crush it. All the while squealing and cringing. Total fail.
So I bent down and picked up the rock and did the job. Not the first big spider Ive killed here in Chile. Incredible, the things I'm learning in my mission. I never thought I would be the companion that killed the spiders and fixed the showers.
Also this week...surprise...we had a baptism! It was for Carlos, the brother of a very active and incredible sister in our ward. He has special needs, and has been listening to the missionaries for a long time. Years. And we finally got permission to baptize him. It was a bit of a time crunch, leaving us with about 12 hours to plan the baptism, but we somehow pulled it off! (thank you CM for preparing me for such occasions)
The best part of the planning happened with Brother Perez- an inactive member who we felt prompted to ask to give a talk in the service. He used to be the ward mission leader, and we know that he loves participating with the missionaries, and while he was a little nervous, he accepted the invitation. Saturday evening at about 8:45, 15 minutes to needing to be in our pension, he called us asking to please come by and listen to the thoughts he has for his talk and help him know if it was good.
It was the best thing ever- he and his wife were at their kitchen table, with every single gospel pamphlet, Ensign magazine, scriptures, gospel books, and Preach my Gospel all spread out. He read to us the thoughts he had, which were great, and was like a little boy, asking us if it was good enough. WE LOVED IT! He took so seriously the invitation to speak, and wanted it to be just great. He pulled out every resource he had to prepare, up to calling the "professionals", the sister missionaries, to help him put together something wonderful.
And it WAS wonderful. Not just his talk, but the whole baptismal service. To see this sweet man, with the mind of a child but the pure desire to be clean and do what God wants us to do, finally be able to be baptized...it was simple and it was beautiful.
Guys, i just love being a missionary. Its the best, most rewarding thing ever. There's nothing I would rather do right now. I have the best job ever. No battle. Stay rad, be bold, do what you do :)
Hermana Harkins
p.s. if y'all love me, you'll send me tights. I'm already wearing holes through all mine and its COLD. I accept any color or design ;)
So many little things that I want to share, which are the best things to share because the little things make the work the best everrrr!!!
We visited an outrageously inactive sister this week who we always have a hard time catching at home or with time to visit with us- but miracles of miracles, she accepted us wholeheartedly when we passed by this last Monday evening. It was the first time that I had visited with her, so we spent a little time getting to know her, and we found out that she served a mission! Which was the best thing EVER to hear because missionaries are really good at helping returned missionaries remember their mission fire. We requested mission photos and all, and it was like magic. She got to explaining every photo, every companion and ward and investigator and baptism. We shared Alma 29:9 and testified of the joy we feel when we keep our baptismal covenants (Mosiah 18:8-10...and 11 because it's all happy and joyful), one of which being to participate in the mission work.
Better believe she came to church this Sunday :)
Also visited our pal Alfio this week, and he has finally gotten into the habit of starting his prayer with Heavenly Father, not the Catholic way. I honestly don't know what it is in English, but in Spanish, its Padre Nuestro que estas en los cielos, santificad sea su nombre. And that's just...so long. And Heavenly Father is sufficient. Small steps, my friends. Small steps. Also, in that lesson with him, we read 1 Nephi 4. It is always interesting to see how people react to that chapter. I have witnessed a colorful array of reactions. Being a missionary. For real, it's the best ever.
We taught an inactive couple, who I LOVE and am attaching a photo of them with this email, about covenants. We taught them in the beginning of the week and returned on Saturday to teach them again, and they were all excited to share with us a note they found in their old hymnbook with a quote written on it about covenants and their importance, wow Hermanas, its such a coincidence!
So not a coincidence. God works in awesome ways.
I have become the companion that does the hard man things. I have fixed showers and unclogged drains, and this week, as we walked one morning searching for people to teach, we came across a spider, and I mean, it was a big spider. It was hard to miss. And it was dying. My sweet companion took pity on it and resolved to kill it. Ya know, take it out of its misery. But she didn't want to get close to it, so she found a big rock and tried to use her foot to get it over the huge spider and crush it. All the while squealing and cringing. Total fail.
So I bent down and picked up the rock and did the job. Not the first big spider Ive killed here in Chile. Incredible, the things I'm learning in my mission. I never thought I would be the companion that killed the spiders and fixed the showers.
Also this week...surprise...we had a baptism! It was for Carlos, the brother of a very active and incredible sister in our ward. He has special needs, and has been listening to the missionaries for a long time. Years. And we finally got permission to baptize him. It was a bit of a time crunch, leaving us with about 12 hours to plan the baptism, but we somehow pulled it off! (thank you CM for preparing me for such occasions)
The best part of the planning happened with Brother Perez- an inactive member who we felt prompted to ask to give a talk in the service. He used to be the ward mission leader, and we know that he loves participating with the missionaries, and while he was a little nervous, he accepted the invitation. Saturday evening at about 8:45, 15 minutes to needing to be in our pension, he called us asking to please come by and listen to the thoughts he has for his talk and help him know if it was good.
It was the best thing ever- he and his wife were at their kitchen table, with every single gospel pamphlet, Ensign magazine, scriptures, gospel books, and Preach my Gospel all spread out. He read to us the thoughts he had, which were great, and was like a little boy, asking us if it was good enough. WE LOVED IT! He took so seriously the invitation to speak, and wanted it to be just great. He pulled out every resource he had to prepare, up to calling the "professionals", the sister missionaries, to help him put together something wonderful.
And it WAS wonderful. Not just his talk, but the whole baptismal service. To see this sweet man, with the mind of a child but the pure desire to be clean and do what God wants us to do, finally be able to be baptized...it was simple and it was beautiful.
Guys, i just love being a missionary. Its the best, most rewarding thing ever. There's nothing I would rather do right now. I have the best job ever. No battle. Stay rad, be bold, do what you do :)
Hermana Harkins
p.s. if y'all love me, you'll send me tights. I'm already wearing holes through all mine and its COLD. I accept any color or design ;)
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