A For Effort!‏

Good Morning All!

This is an email about another crazy week on the mission. So much stuff happens with so many different people that it's hard to keep up with all the time. When I think about it on a week to week basis or on a long-term scale, it really seems incredible that we get through it all or that we do all the things that we do. It's here that I'm learning a lot about how to plan for the future and live in the present in such a way to acheive what you've  planned, but really just focus and worry and feel anxiety for the bite-sized chunk of life we usually call a day (sometimes less). The mission has taught me a simple art form of pleading with the Lord the strength to do what He wants me to do just enough for that day, and sometimes just enough for the next couple of hours or the next task. The miracle is this: it works.

In talking about the work, it's been interesting. I'm really trying to unify with my companion more, because we don't really share a vision for the work or what we should be doing or even being here in the area. There have been some good successes in this week. Other things still need to improve.

Celia Mereles was finally there for another visit on Wednesday, which went super long, was super great, but in the end, we weren't able to find her again and she didn't come to Church! It's frustrating.... When we can't teach someone, and they can't find the will to take the invitations that we make them to be able to come unto Christ and rejoice in a firm and fruitful repentance, we have to start looking at the option of leaving them. I don't want to leave Celia, because I know that she needs help, but I feel that she might not be letting us help her.

The only people we visited in the week who in the end came to Church on Sunday were the couple: Diego and Rossana Montiel Orrego. They're doing quite well! They had their first ever family home evening last week and are progressing in the Gospel. Their testimonies are growing and they're finding themselves strengthened by the Book of Mormon. It's not perfect, but it's good progress.

It was also so wonderful to get to talk with the family on Saturday! That always brings strength and consolation and brings the sights higher to remember that what I'm doing here has longer lasting repurcussions than what's in the field.

We've been looking for new people this week, and we've had some good first lessons, but nothing really solid so far. We're going to follow-up with those whom we've visited this week, but we need to keep searching for more new investigators. There must be some way to find them, and I have that faith that there are people prepared to receive us.

I love this work and know it's true! I hope that you all have a wonderful week and can feel your own testimonies grow!

Love,

Elder Harris