Fun Chile fact. There are people who, as their occupation, literally push people onto the micro, which is basically the subway. That's right, folks. I am in the China of South America. So many people! And they all need the gospel! And that's what I am here to do! Thank you bus pushers, for impressing upon me my calling :)
So this week was awesome. As per usual. I am after all a missionary ;) Nothing too big and exciting, just lots of little fun stories. Which are the best in my opinion, so here we go.
I started my week with a visit to the CCM again; Hna Ortiz had a follow-up appointment with the doctor. Afterward, we were able to talk to the missionaries who are in the CCM right now getting ready to go out. It feels surreal to think that basically a month ago, that was me! I remember when I was there and proselyting missionaries would come, and when they talked to us, I remembered thinking how cool they were, how learned and knowledgeable they seemed to me. And now, I am (apparently) that cool, learned, knowledgeable missionary! I was giving all sorts of advice and comfort to those missionaries, and it felt great.
I have said every single day, multiple times, since I have been here, that I am on an adventure. Everyone knows that Hermana Harkins' catch phrase is "adventura todo dia!" Well this Tuesday, we (being the 6 of us missionaries in our ward) were taking the bus to a member's house, and I was the last one to get off in our group. As I started getting off, the doors started closing, and I don't know how else to explain this dire situation than to say that the bus system here is terrifying haha they drive too fast and never brake when going around corners, and once the door is closed, your off. So this was scary. But I ran and jumped through the doors, barely landing on my feet, and the bus was gone before I hit the ground. Everyone was staring at me like "is she ok?" and I broke into the Indiana Jones theme song. Woohoo I am the nerd sister missionary! Adventura todo dia!
Speaking of my ward missionaries, I wanted to include how much I LOVE that we work with other missionaries so often. I really have come to have lots of little families here in my mission. My CCM families, the four of us Hermanas in our pension, my zone of crazy Elders and only us two Hermanas to keep them in line, and then the 6 of us in the Los Errazuris 3rd ward. We work with them more than anyone, and we have more little jokes and good times than any other group of missionaries, I am convinced of it. The comradery that instantly forms when you are with others serving the Lord is truly beautiful.
There is a 19 year old girl in my ward named Marisole. I LOVE Marisol! She is sweet and Christlike and always comes with us when we need a member present in our lessons. She is just permeating with love for people and for the gospel. She is the one that gave me earrings to match my birdcage necklace, and we have the same style. Which doesn't sound like much, but we instantly clicked, and she is patient with my Spanish. Truly an angel. And this week, she got her mission call! She opened it at 10:00 at night because her dad works late, so we couldn't be there (curfew for us is 10), but she called us immediately after. She is going to BRAZIL! I feel like I am sending a little sister off, we have gotten so close to her. My excitement for missionary work continues to grow, I didn't know that that was even possible!
Something great that happened this week was that I got to have an interview with my mission president. He is just the perfect example of a pres to me, so spiritual, but so fatherly and funny at the same time. I really feel like I can tell him anything, and he will have the solution. I know, that sounds simple, but it really means so much. He told me that my Spanish has improved, that he has heard wonderful things about me from my comp and my district leader, and that I am doing well. And when he said the closing prayer, he prayed for me, but also for my family, that they will be safe and will be blessed by my service. I think that sometimes as a missionary, we forget that we are not only blessing our lives, but the lives of our families and future families. His prayer was a reminder of the potential that I have to be something great for them. He prayed for me to have happiness and smiles- this has been my new goal. To smile! So simple, but really, it can mean so much to someone. Beautiful stuff, beautiful stuff.
A great spiritual experience from this week...we were teaching Gloria, our toughest investigator, simply because it seems that she is determined to stay angry and miserable with her situation in life. We have tried so many different ways to try and touch her heart, but it seems that she has worked very hard at hardening it. So we are teaching her about thanking God for our blessings. I have a hard time understanding her, because she has the classic Chilean Spanish- very fast and very grammatically incorrect. So I am trying so hard to just understand what she is saying, then suddenly she looks at me and kind of smirks then says to my comp (and this I did understand) I'm sure you cant wait to get a new companion, she's not much of a help to you."
Oooooh...ouch...of course THAT had to be the part that I understood, right? WOW that just really hurt! But I stuck it through to the end, bore my testimony to her, and after the prayer, asked to use the bathroom. And it was in the bathroom that I promptly knelt down and poured out my soul a little bit- my frustration with this sister, the helplessness I felt, and to please help me to love her. Because in that moment, I honestly felt that she was a lost cause.
When I came out of the bathroom, I saw her holding one of her grandchildren that she tends to, and I saw her happiness. And I just...I don't know how to explain it, that moment helped me to see that it is possible! She can have happiness, and we can help her have it, and we need to do it by focusing our lessons on families. It was like a light switch, and immediately MY heart was softened for her, and despite the fact that she thinks I am no help at all, I am determined to help her. The power of prayer is real, people!
Yesterday was Hermana Lyniss' birthday; she is one of the other Hermanas that lives in our pension. We had a grand time blowing up an obscene amount of balloons late Saturday night after she went to sleep, baking her a cake, and decorating our humble abode for her. It turned out that we didn't need to bake her a cake, because she got SIX from members of her ward! SIX CAKES, PEOPLE! It is crazy, we have so many tupperware containers in our fridge, there's more cake than yogurt, which is saying something for a house with 4 girls in it. I had lemon pie for breakfast this morning, which really just brings my heart so much happiness. I am coming to love holidays in the mission- you celebrate them differently, but it's still special and still a total blast! I wish I could explain it better, but I am losing my English, so we will just have to settle with that haha
Well, my friends, it is time for me to close this week's email. Alma 26:12 and Phillipeans 1:18-20. Two of my favorite scriptures. You guys...this church is so true. I know it with my whole heart! Yo se este es verdad, con mi todo corozone! Be Bold, Ser atrevido, I love you all, te amo mucho, till next week, ciau!
Hermana Harkins
Monday, November 11, 2013
Tuesday, November 5, 2013
I have a tan line from my glasses and I dream in Spanish
Thaaaaats riiiiiiight :) I call that progress.
Fun Chile fact! At Lider, which is Wal Mart, they have a special area in the parking lot designated for taxis, and they are there for the people who walked to Lider and cannot walk home with all their groceries. Because everyone walks and few have vehicles. Crazy different stuff! I must be in Chile!
So this week. IT ROCKED.
I will start with the two great stories about two of our investigators (We have TEN!). The first is about Estephania. She is a 15 year old girl from Haiti who moved here with her family three years ago and learned Spanish solely from experience, no studying. So she speaks slowly, unlike everyone else who speaks SUPER fast, so you know what that means...I CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT SHE IS SAYING! And it is a beautiful thing because that means that I can say things BACK, and even though my Spanish is low and imperfect, she understands it! Its great!
So her dad was a street contact of the elders, and we knocked on their door, he wasn't home but she was, and invited us in to talk to her. We gave her the first lesson, and at the end invited her to read the B.O.M., pray about it, and if she receives an answer of its truth, to be baptized. And she said YES. Whoa. Talk about golden investigator! We haven't gotten to the point of setting up an actual date, but taught her the Plan of Salvation and she is planning on coming to church with us this next Sunday. I was so giddy and excited as we walked away from the first lesson, I was literally dancing in the street.
The second story is about Doris, our investigator who said that she didn't want to be crucified. We have been trying to figure out a way to teach her the restoration so that she would remember it and feel the spirit; the regular way was not working out with her. We had the idea to share a movie with her about the first vision, and at first she was just as distracted as ever, and I was starting to lose hope, that after FOUR times trying to teach her, that it just wouldn't work.
But then, it got to the part in the movie (the spirit is literally tangible for me as I type this) when Joseph is walking into the grove, and Joseph Smith's first prayer is playing quietly in the background, and he kneels down and offers up the desires of his heart, and then when God and Christ appear, I look at Doris, and she is silently crying. In that moment, the spirit was so strong. Everyone was feeling it, it was beautiful. I nearly shed a tear at my absolute joy in my testimony of the Restoration. That is literally where my testimony started! With a film on the restoration! And here I am in Chile helping this daughter of God gain a testimony of it as well. Once the movie was over, we invited her to pray about being baptized. But she already knew that it was what she wanted.
She has a date set for a baptism on December first.
I repeat.
Investigator with a baptismal date.
:) yay :)
Now! This week was HALLOWEEN! Hna Ortiz and I sang Thriller intermittently throughout the day. I sang the high notes, naturally ;) Dulces o travesura instead of Trick or Treat, but it's basically the same as in the U.S. Remember that one year when Marcy and I were sister missionaries for Halloween? And dad made us name tags on photoshop so that we wouldn't have to use our dads elder plaques? My dad. He is a gem. But yeah, it made me smile as I walked down the street with the monsters and princesses as a real like missionary, just as I had dressed up to be when I was 8 or 9. Speaking of Marcy...I GOT TWO LETTERS FROM MARCY THIS WEEK!!! Oh Marcy, you delight me so. You are such a peach. Thank you for sacrificing sketchbook paper and paycheck money on stamps to write me. It made me so giddy!
So this last Monday, Hna Ortiz and I went on an adventure to the CCM! She has a problem with her back and the doctor needed to look at it. So I got to act as translator, since the doctor doesn't speak Spanish very well. Halfway through, he asked me how much time I had in the field, and I told him 3 weeks. He told me my Spanish was very good for 3 weeks, the fact that I could translate for a doctor appointment meant I was doing well. Yay :) Also, we got to stop in at the distribution center to get some essentials, and I got an English hymnal for 1mil, or $2. It is now my new favorite thing to study! It is marked up like scriptures! I LOVE THE HYMNS! I do have a question...what is the definition of fetter? It is in a few hymns, and is not defined in the bible dictionary, which is the only English dictionary I have. HA. Please and thank you :)
Also this week, I made Peruvian food with my comp for a family we are working with. The mom is a member, but her husband and two kids are not. We thought about trying to teach them the lessons, but decided that it would be better to be friends before trying to talk about the gospel. So we made them a delicious meal (which yes, I did help with! Who would have thought, right? Peruvian food!), shared a little thought, and this week are going to help paint their house. Not all of missionary work is teaching lessons and baptizing people ya know!
Funny story. We were at a lunch appointment at a member's house with the other 4 Elders in our ward, who we work with a lot so we are all pretty good pals after this one month. The members were poking fun at us greenies about being young, since both the Elder greenies are 18. I said that I am 20, but I was trying to be funny and contribute to the joke, since I could actually understand it (ha), and they all started laughing, which, ya know, is good. Then E. Baumman imitates me: "Yo tengo viente añoooooos!" I kid you not, it was exactly the same as the "I'm almost ninteeeeeeeeen" moment with Shyla. I. Was. Dying. Beautiful moments, really.
This week, I want to bear my testimony; I know that after the difficult moments come the amazing, heart lifting moments. I had a tough 10 minutes after lunch this Sunday. The frustration of not understanding and difficulty of communication got to me, and a few tears were shed. I told Hna Ortiz that I felt like a bad comp, like a waste of space in Chile (which, when you think about it, the fact that I could say THAT in Spanish should have turned my mood around, but none the less, this is how the story went). She comforted me, and suggested we go visit a member we know is in need of comfort. Really, all i wanted to do was go back home. BUT, I am a missionary, and missionaries work, and they keep going, even after crying in the street!
So we went and visited this sister, and Hna Ortiz prompted me to give the scripture and spiritual thought. So I shared Mosiah 24:14-15, and shared a story about how it helped me in the CCM. This seems small, but it was a scripture and story that I had never shared in Spanish, I was going totally off of what I was feeling that this dear sister needed the most. And I was able to do it all in Spanish.
Then, this morning, we had personal study together as a zone, something we do every pday. We all share something about our reading after the hour of study, and again, I shared it completely in Spanish, and a scripture I had never shared before. I know! These are small things! But with these small things, I am given strength to keep going, to keep trying, to keep doing my best to be a good missionary. Because I am HERE, right now in Chile, and I am Hermana Harkins, and I have a testimony that I have just gotta share with everyone! I know that after the bad comes the good, comes the testimony builders. I know this church is TRUE! I love you all, stay Bold, till next week!
Hermana Harkins
Fun Chile fact! At Lider, which is Wal Mart, they have a special area in the parking lot designated for taxis, and they are there for the people who walked to Lider and cannot walk home with all their groceries. Because everyone walks and few have vehicles. Crazy different stuff! I must be in Chile!
So this week. IT ROCKED.
I will start with the two great stories about two of our investigators (We have TEN!). The first is about Estephania. She is a 15 year old girl from Haiti who moved here with her family three years ago and learned Spanish solely from experience, no studying. So she speaks slowly, unlike everyone else who speaks SUPER fast, so you know what that means...I CAN UNDERSTAND WHAT SHE IS SAYING! And it is a beautiful thing because that means that I can say things BACK, and even though my Spanish is low and imperfect, she understands it! Its great!
So her dad was a street contact of the elders, and we knocked on their door, he wasn't home but she was, and invited us in to talk to her. We gave her the first lesson, and at the end invited her to read the B.O.M., pray about it, and if she receives an answer of its truth, to be baptized. And she said YES. Whoa. Talk about golden investigator! We haven't gotten to the point of setting up an actual date, but taught her the Plan of Salvation and she is planning on coming to church with us this next Sunday. I was so giddy and excited as we walked away from the first lesson, I was literally dancing in the street.
The second story is about Doris, our investigator who said that she didn't want to be crucified. We have been trying to figure out a way to teach her the restoration so that she would remember it and feel the spirit; the regular way was not working out with her. We had the idea to share a movie with her about the first vision, and at first she was just as distracted as ever, and I was starting to lose hope, that after FOUR times trying to teach her, that it just wouldn't work.
But then, it got to the part in the movie (the spirit is literally tangible for me as I type this) when Joseph is walking into the grove, and Joseph Smith's first prayer is playing quietly in the background, and he kneels down and offers up the desires of his heart, and then when God and Christ appear, I look at Doris, and she is silently crying. In that moment, the spirit was so strong. Everyone was feeling it, it was beautiful. I nearly shed a tear at my absolute joy in my testimony of the Restoration. That is literally where my testimony started! With a film on the restoration! And here I am in Chile helping this daughter of God gain a testimony of it as well. Once the movie was over, we invited her to pray about being baptized. But she already knew that it was what she wanted.
She has a date set for a baptism on December first.
I repeat.
Investigator with a baptismal date.
:) yay :)
Now! This week was HALLOWEEN! Hna Ortiz and I sang Thriller intermittently throughout the day. I sang the high notes, naturally ;) Dulces o travesura instead of Trick or Treat, but it's basically the same as in the U.S. Remember that one year when Marcy and I were sister missionaries for Halloween? And dad made us name tags on photoshop so that we wouldn't have to use our dads elder plaques? My dad. He is a gem. But yeah, it made me smile as I walked down the street with the monsters and princesses as a real like missionary, just as I had dressed up to be when I was 8 or 9. Speaking of Marcy...I GOT TWO LETTERS FROM MARCY THIS WEEK!!! Oh Marcy, you delight me so. You are such a peach. Thank you for sacrificing sketchbook paper and paycheck money on stamps to write me. It made me so giddy!
So this last Monday, Hna Ortiz and I went on an adventure to the CCM! She has a problem with her back and the doctor needed to look at it. So I got to act as translator, since the doctor doesn't speak Spanish very well. Halfway through, he asked me how much time I had in the field, and I told him 3 weeks. He told me my Spanish was very good for 3 weeks, the fact that I could translate for a doctor appointment meant I was doing well. Yay :) Also, we got to stop in at the distribution center to get some essentials, and I got an English hymnal for 1mil, or $2. It is now my new favorite thing to study! It is marked up like scriptures! I LOVE THE HYMNS! I do have a question...what is the definition of fetter? It is in a few hymns, and is not defined in the bible dictionary, which is the only English dictionary I have. HA. Please and thank you :)
Also this week, I made Peruvian food with my comp for a family we are working with. The mom is a member, but her husband and two kids are not. We thought about trying to teach them the lessons, but decided that it would be better to be friends before trying to talk about the gospel. So we made them a delicious meal (which yes, I did help with! Who would have thought, right? Peruvian food!), shared a little thought, and this week are going to help paint their house. Not all of missionary work is teaching lessons and baptizing people ya know!
Funny story. We were at a lunch appointment at a member's house with the other 4 Elders in our ward, who we work with a lot so we are all pretty good pals after this one month. The members were poking fun at us greenies about being young, since both the Elder greenies are 18. I said that I am 20, but I was trying to be funny and contribute to the joke, since I could actually understand it (ha), and they all started laughing, which, ya know, is good. Then E. Baumman imitates me: "Yo tengo viente añoooooos!" I kid you not, it was exactly the same as the "I'm almost ninteeeeeeeeen" moment with Shyla. I. Was. Dying. Beautiful moments, really.
This week, I want to bear my testimony; I know that after the difficult moments come the amazing, heart lifting moments. I had a tough 10 minutes after lunch this Sunday. The frustration of not understanding and difficulty of communication got to me, and a few tears were shed. I told Hna Ortiz that I felt like a bad comp, like a waste of space in Chile (which, when you think about it, the fact that I could say THAT in Spanish should have turned my mood around, but none the less, this is how the story went). She comforted me, and suggested we go visit a member we know is in need of comfort. Really, all i wanted to do was go back home. BUT, I am a missionary, and missionaries work, and they keep going, even after crying in the street!
So we went and visited this sister, and Hna Ortiz prompted me to give the scripture and spiritual thought. So I shared Mosiah 24:14-15, and shared a story about how it helped me in the CCM. This seems small, but it was a scripture and story that I had never shared in Spanish, I was going totally off of what I was feeling that this dear sister needed the most. And I was able to do it all in Spanish.
Then, this morning, we had personal study together as a zone, something we do every pday. We all share something about our reading after the hour of study, and again, I shared it completely in Spanish, and a scripture I had never shared before. I know! These are small things! But with these small things, I am given strength to keep going, to keep trying, to keep doing my best to be a good missionary. Because I am HERE, right now in Chile, and I am Hermana Harkins, and I have a testimony that I have just gotta share with everyone! I know that after the bad comes the good, comes the testimony builders. I know this church is TRUE! I love you all, stay Bold, till next week!
Hermana Harkins
Monday, October 28, 2013
I have been in Chile for 2 months TODAY! Que es este?!
I have committed a couple dogs to baptism. I have a lot of practice saying "¿Seguir el ejemplo de Jesucristo y ser bautizado?" Now if any of our TEN investigators would see how much their lives would be blessed by baptism...I am fired up and ready to go :)
In other news...this week rocked! Fun fact about Chile...they don't have trash cans for trash day. They have big wire baskets hanging on the outside of their gates, and they tie up all their little trash bags and put them in the basket and the trash man picks it up that way. So. Weird. But I'm sure they think its weird that we have huge bins of trash hanging out in our garages for a whole week, so I wont judge. I love Chile. I realize I say this a lot. But can you really blame me? ;)
This week, we had lots of great experiences with teaching. I have 3 stories to share. The first and second are about Pedro, a 33 year old living with his parents. He was a referral from the Elders, and we were all pumped up and ready to teach him the first lesson about the restoration and the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith...and then about 2 minutes after the prayer, Hna. Ortiz and I both had the impression to shift to faith. Pedro hadn't even said anything, he was just listening. But I took out my Restoration pamphlet and felt so strongly that it was not the topic he needed. I looked at Hna. Ortiz and knew she was feeling the same thing. So we gave a little intro to the B.O.M. and then taught Alma 32, el semilla de fe. The seed of faith. Turns out that he has no faith in Christ...so talking about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ wont have any effect on him until he has faith, no? The Spirit. It is so amazing.
The second story is also about Pedro, our second visit with him. We found out that he speaks a good amount of English, which ROCKS for me because I can talk in Spanglish and he will understand me. So we followed up on the commitments we had talked about previously, bearing testimony and discussing scriptures, and for the first time since I have been on my mission, I was able to really get serious and invite someone to do something, and have them really understand my testimony about it. I asked him to pray with one specific question or problem in mind, just one. We taught him the simple way to pray - thank God for his blessings, ask for guidance, and talk to God. To talk to him like we talk to our best friends. Because he is our Heavenly Father! He WANTS to hear about our day, the things that made us happy and the things that were frustrating and nerve wracking and heart wrenching. All this I was able to say in Spanglish. We will see if he did it this week :)
The third is a story for the books, seriously. We have an investigator, Doris, who is 76 years old. She is a total sweetheart, and when we met her, she was very interested in listening to the discussions. Cool! Awesome! So we taught her the first lesson this week, and Hna. Ortiz invited her to read Moroni 10 and pray to know of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. Doris said she would. Hna. Ortiz nudges me, mouths "bautismo" and nods. So I said "Y si usted recibe una respuesta el Libro de Mormon es verdad, seguir el ejemplo de Jesucristo y ser bautizado?" And if you receive an answer that the Book of Mormon is true, etc.? She stared a moment, and told us that she did not want to be crucified as Christ was.
WHAT?!
Baptism by immersion was taught immediately haha being a missionary is the best.
Let's see, more good moments...we were visiting inactive members, and at one house, they were making sausage. As in grounding it and pressing it into the plastic. So we helped! I have pictures! I will try and send them!
We were at a members house for lunch early in the week, and they, being the mom and her 19 year old daughter, commented on my necklace, how they liked it. A birdcage with a pajarito...little bird. We stopped at their house on Friday to talk about the ward, since the mom is the YW pres, and they had a gift for me...earrings! Birdcages with little pajaritos in them! Delightful!
I was reading F. Enzio Busche this week, as always, and noticed that he and Emmy are totally on the same wave length. He says "Be not so concerned with what you do, but DO WHAT YOU DO with all your heart, might, mind and strength. In thoroughness is satisfaction."
So Wednesdays rock, because they are District and Zone meetings.And in these meetings, that is when we receive letters. And this week, I got THREE LETTERS!! Whooooa I am feeling the love :) they were all sent to me when I was in the CCM, but still. I got them exactly when I needed them. Special shout out to my girl Katie Miller. I love you, darling! Lets go to Paris and eat all the macaroons, yes? Yes. Mom, still haven't received your package, but I will be going to the CCM tomorrow, and will ask the mail people.
Why are you going to the CCM, you ask?
Well, my comp has an infection in her arm, and has gotten so bad that the medical staff for our mission suggested we go to the main mission medical office, which is the the CCM. So not only do we get to go and be in the CCM and say hi to teachers and friends, but we get to go TO THE TEMPLE! Hello, prayers are answered! I am so EXCITED! So I will give a package update next email, sorry I don't have better news on the subject. Really, my week was so great. I love being a missionary, I love being in Chile, I love wearing Jesus Christ's name over my heart every day. This church is true. Love you all. Do what you do. Be bold. Ciauo!
Hermana Harkins
In other news...this week rocked! Fun fact about Chile...they don't have trash cans for trash day. They have big wire baskets hanging on the outside of their gates, and they tie up all their little trash bags and put them in the basket and the trash man picks it up that way. So. Weird. But I'm sure they think its weird that we have huge bins of trash hanging out in our garages for a whole week, so I wont judge. I love Chile. I realize I say this a lot. But can you really blame me? ;)
This week, we had lots of great experiences with teaching. I have 3 stories to share. The first and second are about Pedro, a 33 year old living with his parents. He was a referral from the Elders, and we were all pumped up and ready to teach him the first lesson about the restoration and the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith...and then about 2 minutes after the prayer, Hna. Ortiz and I both had the impression to shift to faith. Pedro hadn't even said anything, he was just listening. But I took out my Restoration pamphlet and felt so strongly that it was not the topic he needed. I looked at Hna. Ortiz and knew she was feeling the same thing. So we gave a little intro to the B.O.M. and then taught Alma 32, el semilla de fe. The seed of faith. Turns out that he has no faith in Christ...so talking about the restored gospel of Jesus Christ wont have any effect on him until he has faith, no? The Spirit. It is so amazing.
The second story is also about Pedro, our second visit with him. We found out that he speaks a good amount of English, which ROCKS for me because I can talk in Spanglish and he will understand me. So we followed up on the commitments we had talked about previously, bearing testimony and discussing scriptures, and for the first time since I have been on my mission, I was able to really get serious and invite someone to do something, and have them really understand my testimony about it. I asked him to pray with one specific question or problem in mind, just one. We taught him the simple way to pray - thank God for his blessings, ask for guidance, and talk to God. To talk to him like we talk to our best friends. Because he is our Heavenly Father! He WANTS to hear about our day, the things that made us happy and the things that were frustrating and nerve wracking and heart wrenching. All this I was able to say in Spanglish. We will see if he did it this week :)
The third is a story for the books, seriously. We have an investigator, Doris, who is 76 years old. She is a total sweetheart, and when we met her, she was very interested in listening to the discussions. Cool! Awesome! So we taught her the first lesson this week, and Hna. Ortiz invited her to read Moroni 10 and pray to know of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. Doris said she would. Hna. Ortiz nudges me, mouths "bautismo" and nods. So I said "Y si usted recibe una respuesta el Libro de Mormon es verdad, seguir el ejemplo de Jesucristo y ser bautizado?" And if you receive an answer that the Book of Mormon is true, etc.? She stared a moment, and told us that she did not want to be crucified as Christ was.
WHAT?!
Baptism by immersion was taught immediately haha being a missionary is the best.
Let's see, more good moments...we were visiting inactive members, and at one house, they were making sausage. As in grounding it and pressing it into the plastic. So we helped! I have pictures! I will try and send them!
We were at a members house for lunch early in the week, and they, being the mom and her 19 year old daughter, commented on my necklace, how they liked it. A birdcage with a pajarito...little bird. We stopped at their house on Friday to talk about the ward, since the mom is the YW pres, and they had a gift for me...earrings! Birdcages with little pajaritos in them! Delightful!
I was reading F. Enzio Busche this week, as always, and noticed that he and Emmy are totally on the same wave length. He says "Be not so concerned with what you do, but DO WHAT YOU DO with all your heart, might, mind and strength. In thoroughness is satisfaction."
So Wednesdays rock, because they are District and Zone meetings.And in these meetings, that is when we receive letters. And this week, I got THREE LETTERS!! Whooooa I am feeling the love :) they were all sent to me when I was in the CCM, but still. I got them exactly when I needed them. Special shout out to my girl Katie Miller. I love you, darling! Lets go to Paris and eat all the macaroons, yes? Yes. Mom, still haven't received your package, but I will be going to the CCM tomorrow, and will ask the mail people.
Why are you going to the CCM, you ask?
Well, my comp has an infection in her arm, and has gotten so bad that the medical staff for our mission suggested we go to the main mission medical office, which is the the CCM. So not only do we get to go and be in the CCM and say hi to teachers and friends, but we get to go TO THE TEMPLE! Hello, prayers are answered! I am so EXCITED! So I will give a package update next email, sorry I don't have better news on the subject. Really, my week was so great. I love being a missionary, I love being in Chile, I love wearing Jesus Christ's name over my heart every day. This church is true. Love you all. Do what you do. Be bold. Ciauo!
Hermana Harkins
Monday, October 21, 2013
Coming to you from an Internet Cafe. I must be a missionary!
Wow, what a week! I wish that I had some exciting stories to tell you, but alas, no lessons taught, no people committed to baptisms, and our two investigators ditched us three times this week. It makes me sad, not because we lost numbers, but because I know how much our message will bless them, and when I get so excited to share it with them, it hurts my heart when they discreetly tell us that they just aren't interested.
BUT
Still had a great week! Come on, how could I not. I am a missionary, I am in Chile, I am talking all day about the Gospel! My favorite thing! Despite the disappointments, I still have my greenie spirit and energy. Proud to be a greenie. In fact, this week we had a Greenie Meeting. Received some more training, and I got to see all my friends from the CCM. Hermana Mittelsteadt and I about attacked each other, and we all had a fine time exchanging stories about how no one can understand us, and yet, we are all ecstatic and crazy to talk to everyone who will listen! It is beautiful! Afterward, on the bus ride back to our area (since the meeting was in the city about 30 minutes away), it was like conference time on trax. So many missionaries on that bus! IT WAS RAD.
In the greenie meeting, we received some pretty exciting news. ELDER HOLLAND is coming on November 13th to talk to all the Santiago missionaries! The North, South, East and West mission will all get to be in the same building with him! I have been obsessing over E. Holland for the past three years. Just finished the book of Alma and I have been telling all my friends that Alma the younger reminds me of E. Holland, and I will get to meet him, shake his hand, maybe get a PICTURE with him, and then listen to him talk to us Santiago missionaries, a message just for us. I. Am. So. Blessed. So excited! I am MEANT to be in Chile!
We had a great experience while contacting this week. We had just been totally dissed by an older man about being woman AND missionaries, double whammy, and I took up fresh courage (because our God will never us forsake) and right after the mean man, we sat on the front steps of a house with this woman who had just found out that her son has the same cancer that her husband died of. She has literally crying on my shoulder. Hello. Plan of Salvation. Testimony. Prayer, right there on the porch. No appointment, but she has our number and the memory of the experience. I love being a missionary.
Also this week, I found out that our zone is singing Battle Hymn of the Republic in a big mission meeting this coming Sunday, and in the arrangement there is a quartet and I get to be the Soprano! I love how many times I have been given the opportunity to bear my testimony through song. I'm really excited for it. Wish I could send a recording, but I cant send videos with myldsmail. Darn it!
This Sunday in my ward we had the primary program, always the best Sacrament meetings. Whats funny in our ward is that no one plays the piano, so last week, we sang all the hymns a capella. This week, the director found someone who knew how to play the violin, so we sang the hymns with a violin. I thought of Mitchell. I'm sure it would have inspired him ;) And then with the primary program, they sang all the great classic songs. All 8 primary members! I thought of Chuck Nielson when they sang I know my Heavenly Father loves me. I always do. And every time I have sung alone or for a special musical number, I think of Dad, for making me love music. And Rita Schroeder, for giving me the beginning of a confident singing voice. I am so blessed with people who have helped build my testimony throughout my life, what more could I do to repay them than to serve a mission?
So this week, I had a bit of a rough patch on Thursday. The language is tough, I have a hard time communicating with practically everyone, and it got to my heart, and sometimes you just have to let the tears come. But then, the words "Gird up your loins, fresh courage take. Our God will never us forsake. And soon we ll have this tale to tell...all is well, all is well." Talk about the spirit telling me exactly what I needed to hear! Because once you let the tears come, you pick yourself up and you keep going. And you take up fresh courage and when all is said and done, you will have many, many good stories and experiences that you can treasure up for the rest of your life.
I know this church is TRUE. How could it not be. There is no doubt in my mind that this is the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love you all, Be bold siempre!
Hermana Harkins
BUT
Still had a great week! Come on, how could I not. I am a missionary, I am in Chile, I am talking all day about the Gospel! My favorite thing! Despite the disappointments, I still have my greenie spirit and energy. Proud to be a greenie. In fact, this week we had a Greenie Meeting. Received some more training, and I got to see all my friends from the CCM. Hermana Mittelsteadt and I about attacked each other, and we all had a fine time exchanging stories about how no one can understand us, and yet, we are all ecstatic and crazy to talk to everyone who will listen! It is beautiful! Afterward, on the bus ride back to our area (since the meeting was in the city about 30 minutes away), it was like conference time on trax. So many missionaries on that bus! IT WAS RAD.
In the greenie meeting, we received some pretty exciting news. ELDER HOLLAND is coming on November 13th to talk to all the Santiago missionaries! The North, South, East and West mission will all get to be in the same building with him! I have been obsessing over E. Holland for the past three years. Just finished the book of Alma and I have been telling all my friends that Alma the younger reminds me of E. Holland, and I will get to meet him, shake his hand, maybe get a PICTURE with him, and then listen to him talk to us Santiago missionaries, a message just for us. I. Am. So. Blessed. So excited! I am MEANT to be in Chile!
We had a great experience while contacting this week. We had just been totally dissed by an older man about being woman AND missionaries, double whammy, and I took up fresh courage (because our God will never us forsake) and right after the mean man, we sat on the front steps of a house with this woman who had just found out that her son has the same cancer that her husband died of. She has literally crying on my shoulder. Hello. Plan of Salvation. Testimony. Prayer, right there on the porch. No appointment, but she has our number and the memory of the experience. I love being a missionary.
Also this week, I found out that our zone is singing Battle Hymn of the Republic in a big mission meeting this coming Sunday, and in the arrangement there is a quartet and I get to be the Soprano! I love how many times I have been given the opportunity to bear my testimony through song. I'm really excited for it. Wish I could send a recording, but I cant send videos with myldsmail. Darn it!
This Sunday in my ward we had the primary program, always the best Sacrament meetings. Whats funny in our ward is that no one plays the piano, so last week, we sang all the hymns a capella. This week, the director found someone who knew how to play the violin, so we sang the hymns with a violin. I thought of Mitchell. I'm sure it would have inspired him ;) And then with the primary program, they sang all the great classic songs. All 8 primary members! I thought of Chuck Nielson when they sang I know my Heavenly Father loves me. I always do. And every time I have sung alone or for a special musical number, I think of Dad, for making me love music. And Rita Schroeder, for giving me the beginning of a confident singing voice. I am so blessed with people who have helped build my testimony throughout my life, what more could I do to repay them than to serve a mission?
So this week, I had a bit of a rough patch on Thursday. The language is tough, I have a hard time communicating with practically everyone, and it got to my heart, and sometimes you just have to let the tears come. But then, the words "Gird up your loins, fresh courage take. Our God will never us forsake. And soon we ll have this tale to tell...all is well, all is well." Talk about the spirit telling me exactly what I needed to hear! Because once you let the tears come, you pick yourself up and you keep going. And you take up fresh courage and when all is said and done, you will have many, many good stories and experiences that you can treasure up for the rest of your life.
I know this church is TRUE. How could it not be. There is no doubt in my mind that this is the gospel of Jesus Christ. I love you all, Be bold siempre!
Hermana Harkins
Monday, October 14, 2013
PRIMERO SEMANA EN EL CAMPO WHAAAAAT
I do NOT even know where to begin, so I am glad that i have
my mom's questions as a guide! WOW what an adventure I have embarked on!
1. We walk everywhere. Everywhere! After my first 5 days of proselyting (no clue how that is spelled), my legs burn, my feet are blistered,
and I have discovered I have more shades than white and pale. That's right,
folks. Ashlynne Harkins is TAN. Woot. I love that we walk everywhere! More time
to admire the area and enjoy the weather. Which is gorgeous, btw. Sun always.
Love it.
2. My companion's name is Hermana Ortiz. She is 26, from
Peru, speaks a little English but not enough for a full fledged conversation.
She is a ROCKIN missionary! She will talk to literally everyone, which is so
good for me. Everything about her is a blessing; I literally have no choice but
to improve upon and speak in Spanish, and we talk to everyone! Its
beautiful! Contacting is my favorite. Talking to people in the park, on the
street, on the metro. Favorite. Seriously. Our house is small, but there are
only 4 Hermanas living in it, so it is just right. A kitchen with all utilities
except a dishwasher, and a washer! Hallelujah! But we hang our clothes to dry.
Gotta get a little authentic somewhere ;)
3. I have had mostly yogurt and fruit haha the deal is that
we have lunch at members houses, since it is the biggest meal of the day in
Chile. Every day so far I have had chicken and rice. But OH MY GOODNESS they
give us so much food! Its insane! We start out with a soup, then a salad plate
that contains avocado, eggs, beets, salad, potato salad...then the chicken and
rice then fruit for dessert and I have never eaten so much food IN my life. I haven't had dinner once since arriving in the field. Its insane!
4. Wake up at 7:30. Work out till 8:00. From 8 to 9 get
ready, shower, breakfast, etc. 9 to 10 personal study; I am in the process of
reading the B.O.M. out loud in Spanish with a pencil in my mouth, to help with
the pronunciation. Win win! 10 to 11 companion study. Since I am a greenie,
from 11 to 12:30 is additional language and missionary training study. 1:30 is
lunch at a members house. 3:00 to 9:30 is proselyting time! The best time of
the day! 9:30 head back to the house, 10 to 10:30 plan for tomorrow, 10:30 to
11:30 personal time, prayers and lights out at 11:30.
5. My Spanish, while still meager, has grown a lot in the
past week. Like I mentioned, there really is no choice but to improve, which is
great! Flash cards are my favorite. Flash cards for dayysssss (that's for
Camilla ;) )
6. Love my area and the way I get to start out my mission.
We are in Cinco de Abril in Maipu, Chile. (pronounced my poo. Thaaaaaats
riiiiiiiiiight.)
It's a white wash, which means that our area hasn't had
missionaries for a while, about a year and a half. So we are doing a lot of
contacting inactive members and recently baptized who have fallen off the ship.
I seriously love it! Because of my meager Spanish, I pray and testify a lot
when doing this. I am so blessed to pray upwards of 20 to 25 times A DAY. All
the houses are the colors of Josephs coat, graffiti everywhere (I use certain graffiti as landmarks of where we are in the sector. WOW, right?!). Everything
is gated, so we stand at the gate and say "en voz alto"
"HALLO!" Instead of knocking on doors. So FUN.
7. We have two official investigators that we got while
contacting. One is Paula, a 17 year old girl who is a total sweetheart, and
Marisole, a 20 year old girl we found when trying to find inactive members. Her
mom, who has the same name, was baptized 3 years ago, but died 7 months ago. We
talked with her at the gate for about 20 minutes, she invited us in and we taught her about the plan of Salvation, and we
have an poointment with her this week! I love this work!
Ok, now for my own scattered thoughts without questions to
give me guidance!
1. I would compare my sector to Daybreak meets Escondido flower
streets, then multiply it by 5 in terms of ghetto. Super colorful, pretty sketchy, but not so much that I am nervous walking home at night. Does that
even make sense?
2. They have this thing here called paparillana. Its a
loaded hot dog. And it is delicious. Oh my goodness. Also, the empanadas ROCK.
BE jealous, my friends. Be jealous.
3. Friday, we were walking down a residential street, and
there was a soccer game playing in everyone's houses. It was the afternoon, so everyone's windows were open because it is so hot, and Hermana Ortiz and I could
follow the game as we walked down the street. The best was when a goal was
made...everyone simultaneously cheers, and we can hear it all! So we cheer too.
Vive Chile!
4. The people here are so kind, and for the most part, very
open to listening to our message. We haven't been rejected yet. Sure, not
everyone invites us back or talks for long, but they always listen. They talk
CRAZY fast, so I have a hard time understanding them right now, but I always
know how to testify of the gospel. I guess that's a pretty good thing to know ;)
5. So conference ROCKED. Mom, if you could send an English
copy, that would be delightful. BTW, haven't received the package yet, but that
is probably because it was sent to the CCM. If I were you, I'd send that blessed
Christmas package now, and to the address that was emailed to you last week. At
least there's no mail strike! But anyways, conference, it was ALL amazing! Be an
exclamation point missionary. Christ like attributes. The importance of covenants and the sacrament. And literally no better way to prepare for the
field spiritually. Like ed week! Woohoo!
6. I have spiritual, uplifting experiences literally every
day. I can't wait for the day when there is time enough to share them. This is
hard, some days are harder than others. But always, there is a blessing received and a tender mercy to be acknowledged. And I am acquiring Jesus feet.
What a fantastic Christ like attribute to have! The feet of a disciple, a
missionary, of someone who publishes good tidings of good
Mosiah 15:14
And these are they who have published peace, who have brought good tidings of good, who have published salvation; and said unto Zion: Thy God reigneth!
(Mosiah. Best book in
the B.O.M.)
Guys, I am so happy I am here, in Chile, serving a mission.
I know this is probably the excitement and some sort of honeymoon phase, but
everything about being a missionary brings me such joy. The aching feet,
blazing sun, rapid Spanish. The kind people, colorful atmosphere, TEACHING THE
GOSPEL...everything about this is good and right and I KNOW THIS CHURCH IS
TRUE! I love you all, stay awesome, be bold!
Hermana Harkins
Hermana Harkins
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| Last day at the mansion -Al Contera, matchy matchy! |
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| Pointing to my mission |
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| Thanks for the shirt, Elder Harkins (my service shirt) |
.JPG) |
| I am tan - WHAAAT |
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| Me on our street |
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| Lunch today, Peruvian! |
Hello From the Field
10/09/13
I am sitting in a chapel in the best mission oeste (west), in training, and one of the things I get to do is to write you all a letter. My goodness, I am already smitten with my mission area. Chile has already claimed a part of my heart. It seems sureal to be sitting here in training and that tonight I will meet my trainer, go to our apartment, and then who knows what tomorrow will bring. I am so excited for the next part of my adventure.
I want you all to know that I LOVE THIS GOSPEL. I have learned to rely on the Lord, to find joy in studying the scriptures (my new favorite thing), to respond to the promptings of the Spirit, and while I did not think it was possible, my testimony of the restoration has grown the most. To quote Jeffrey R Holland, "Everything great in my life has come because of the gospel." That is the truth. Thank you for giving me the one thing that can bless me forever. Now I want to share it.
Here is the address that is best for letters, packages, and whatever you'll need to send me for the rest of my mission. Disregard the MTC address and any other addresses. THIS IS IT!
Hermana Ashlynne Rose Harkins
Mission Chile Santiago Oeste
Correos, Casilla 149
Pajaritos 1921
Maipu, Chile
I LOVE YOU! BE BOLD! YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT YOU DO!
Ashlynne (Hermana) Harkins
p.s. met the mission president. BEST PRES. EVER!
I am sitting in a chapel in the best mission oeste (west), in training, and one of the things I get to do is to write you all a letter. My goodness, I am already smitten with my mission area. Chile has already claimed a part of my heart. It seems sureal to be sitting here in training and that tonight I will meet my trainer, go to our apartment, and then who knows what tomorrow will bring. I am so excited for the next part of my adventure.
I want you all to know that I LOVE THIS GOSPEL. I have learned to rely on the Lord, to find joy in studying the scriptures (my new favorite thing), to respond to the promptings of the Spirit, and while I did not think it was possible, my testimony of the restoration has grown the most. To quote Jeffrey R Holland, "Everything great in my life has come because of the gospel." That is the truth. Thank you for giving me the one thing that can bless me forever. Now I want to share it.
Here is the address that is best for letters, packages, and whatever you'll need to send me for the rest of my mission. Disregard the MTC address and any other addresses. THIS IS IT!
Hermana Ashlynne Rose Harkins
Mission Chile Santiago Oeste
Correos, Casilla 149
Pajaritos 1921
Maipu, Chile
I LOVE YOU! BE BOLD! YOU HAVE TO DO WHAT YOU DO!
Ashlynne (Hermana) Harkins
p.s. met the mission president. BEST PRES. EVER!
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| My new area - 5 de Abril |
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| President and Sister Barreiros and my new companion, Sister Ortiz |
Wednesday, October 2, 2013
I Live in a Mansion
I. Live. In. A. Mansion.
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| My 2nd companion, Sister McRae, and I |
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| Sister McRae and I in front of our mansion house |
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| It's starting to feel like spring in front of the Santiago, Chile temple |
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