Subject

So, I want to apologize for a lot of seemingly random email subjects. I always intend to explain them, but then run out of time and just get the bare minimum out in the email. It's annoying. Sorry.

But this week's been great! 

My companion and I really have learned how to work a lot more and a lot better. We had crazy lesson numbers this week, just crazy. And this was good. Now, this week we want to get more lessons with active members present and we want to strengthen up this Branch a little. The Branch President and many of the members are really suffering some harsh family problems and we've just been kind of moving along with the work independent of the Branch, but it's time to solve that and strengthen Zion in all of her Stakes. So, I'll report back to you on that.

However, in the way of awesome people, our investigator Pablina had some awesome things happen this week. First and foremost, her boyfriend Virgenio moved out of the house so they could live the law of chastity! It's a miracle! Every missionary I've ever talked to has told me that it's impossible to have someone baptized from the situation they are in, but she's going to be baptized in three weeks because of this! He's moved to the area of the Assistants to the President, which is super Chuchi, so he gets the chapel which shares a parking lot with the temple and two of the finest missionaries in the mission as teachers. He's lucky. Pablina remained here and has accepted a date to be batpized between sessions of conference on Saturday, April 5th!!!! We might push that to the 12th so that she can be confirmed the day after her baptism, but it's going through!!! She has no barriers, and she's so humble and wants to come unto Christ! I look forward to helping her progress towards baptism for the short time I'll be here.

Also, Gonzalo came to church again! He's learning piano really fast. But, the cooles thing is that we met his girlfriend!!! She's only seventeen, but they have one child (about to have two) together and they have plans to be married. I know that the path they'll travel will be a tough one, but I know that they can grow and come to be sealed in a little over a year. I love them so much. We'll be visiting them both this week.

Stuff:

Zone Training!!! they dropped fat cane on daily planning. They showed me how to daily plan well and how to plan out a lesson more effectively. It takes a lot longer, but it really works, and because of it, we were working so much this week. I loved it. However, it means that we lost almost an entire day of work.

Then, the next day, we were moving boxes and had to sit in the back of a moving van... A sealed moving van... Without light...... An elder almost lost his eye from a package that slid back and smacked his face. I include pictures of this trip. :)

Furthermore, we've begun another stake choir, which means we lose all time on Sundays, but I get incredibly enjoyable choral training for a limited time from a man who knows well. It was brilliant.

So, that's my life and happenings. I'll keep you all informed of other things that go on. Feel free to send me wonderful things or demand pictures. I'm always up for sending more!

Also, the last picture is a Book of Mormon story. Which one?

I love you all,

Elder Harris

Love Thy Neighbor As Thyself‏

Hello dear loved ones! How are you all?

This week in Paraguay was a little hotter than last. But, things are starting to settle down to be a cool, pleasant autumn in the Heart of America.

This week was tough for me. For some reason, I just wasn't operating well, and I was really discouraged in the start of the week. I just felt really down on myself and I think I've just always struggled to feel good about my work at anything in life. The result: actually poorer work. Discouragement just breeds bad things, like less diligence. However, on Thursday, I did my very first division with the only other companionship of Elders in my whole District, and that changed things. 

During this division, I was with an Elder who has much more time in the mission and probably knows much better than I on a variety of missionary subjects. I always feel like he should be my leader when I'm with him... But, what I was going to say is that we did this division so I could give a baptismal interview to one of his investigators. And it was a truly rejuvenating experience. The sister was incredibly prepared and it was a great opportunity to see someone's faith grow and flourish and I loved seeing her reach this point. She was baptized on Saturday and confirmed on Sunday, and she will be the means of a great deal of good in San Jorge Ward.

At the end of that division, I tried to fulfill my responsibilities as a leader and evaluate our day and efforts, and the Elder really lifted my spirits. He told me I was a truly good District Leader and I left that division feeling wonderful.

After that day, I started to take some time to find ways to keep spirits up, to keep focused on the Lord's work and determined to do His will. I found success and have been able to do much more and in much more efficient ways.

A little bit about people we're working with:

Virgenio and Pablina: New investigators we met almost two weeks ago. They are an unmarried couple who are living together who are truly humble and want to change their lives and circumstances. Virgenio works 12 hour security guard shifts every day without break, but he's trying to find other work so he can come to church. He really wants to have a different life, be renewed. And the Hna. Pablina actually came to church this Sunday! It was so good to see her there. The situation here is one that most missionaries would see as impossible though, because Pablina has a husband who separated from her years ago. So, in order to marry Virgenio and be baptized, she'd need a divorce. Divorces cost a ton here (really it's not much more than 1,000$, but that's a huge amount for the people here). So, it's very possible that they'll be investigating for the better part of this year before baptism, but I have absolute faith that the Branch will come together and get them the help they need to continue on the path towards baptism, no matter how long it takes.

Gonzalo: He's an 18 year-old inactive member who has a child (the child is almost 2 years old). He was baptized when 14 years-old and was a faithful member for over a year, but then fell. Now, he's an incredibly talented person who can operate film cameras, choreograph dance, sing and play music in some professional capacities, and is finishing highschool on an accelerated path so that he can get into some higher education. He too came to church on Sunday and I've actually been giving him some basic piano lessons as a way of helping him want to come to church more. We're hoping to help him to improve his situation and receive the priesthood to be a stronger father and a more capable provider for his son. I think we really can acheive much, but the true test with him comes when I leave and there are no more piano lessons. I don't think he's just been coming for the piano, because he's shown so much sincere interest to grow closer to God, but we're definitely going to need to work on developing a desire to meet with us as a way to love God and the gospel.

Those are the two biggest ones for right now. However, we found some really solid new investigators this week, one of whom has a Capuchin monkey as a pet. We just saw it sitting outside of the house. They're really oddly human.

But, the work sallies forth! Today we're planning on swordfighting (yes, my companion actually used to swordfight before the mission with exaggeratedly cushioned sticks, and so we've fought already up on the roof). Stay tuned for more pictures and adventures next time!

I love you all.

Sincerely,

Elder Harris

Repentance

Hello wonderful family and friends! I want to say thank you for your letters this week, they were a blessing and gave me peace. I love you all so much.

This week was interesting! We've been working really hard to find some new investigators to help progress, however, my companion and I have had some adventures, and needed to change ourselves a bit in order to overcome some struggles. 

Adventure first: Elder Merrell entered the area having daily nosebleeds that ran like a faucet from his face. They were pretty bad. We procured some cream to help things out in there and hopefully heal whatever had broken in his indoor plumbing, but it was to no avail. So, the nurse organized a hospital visit for us.

We went in and the doctor didn't speak English, so I had to explain things to my companion, and once we'd sorted everything out, he said this exactly:

"Okay, entonces, tenemos que cauterizarla."

I dunno if you guys know what cauterizing is, but it's when you burn a blood vessel closed using fire, or chemicals, or electricity. Well, we went back to the lobby to go pay, and on the way, I told my comp a little bit about what was going on, but at the time, I wasn't aware that you could do electrical cauterizations, so I was foggy on the details as to not freak out Elder Merrell. Well, we got back, and I asked how it'd be done, and then the doctor showed us his big pair of tweezers that had bright metal tips, or as my companion would describe, malicious metal tips. He was super freaked out, but we swore it wouldn't hurt. 

They injected the inside of his nose with anesthesia, and then stick the tweezers into the nostrol where his vein had burst open, and nothing happened. Then, I saw the doctors foot press down on a pedal and my comp jerked back in pain.... I didn't know what to think because the doctor just kept saying that it wouldn't hurt, so I must say that I was pretty amused by the odd situation (I mean, the doctor was wearing that weird reflective head thingy, so it was kinda comical looking), but Elder Merrell later said that it was the worst pain he ever felt in his life. For good reason too, he just had a vein seared shut by a hot electric rod.

He's absolutely fine now by the way. The bleeds stopped immediately.

As far as the week goes, we slackened our strength for a time at the start, and a lot of it was because of discouragement. But, the second half of the week, we defied discouragement with the healing power of Christ. We took hope and worked with the honest belief that there is so much good that we can and will do with our efforts. We worked with greater passion and greater faith. It was in this time that I began to pray for a greater change of heart and greater trust, and we just went to our visits and worked with that trust that God would take care, and He did. He provided us with more successes that we'd hoped for and helped us to acheive more. I know that with His help, we can undo the mistakes we make, recently and in the long stretches of past that loom over us at times.

I read the April 2013 Ensign in English today, and I want to testify of what so many have before me. I know that Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior suffered all the consequences of death and hell, but more importantly, that He overcame them. Any who believe that happiness is far from them must know that Christ felt your sorrow and pain, and has happiness anyways. He can undo all pain and suffering you have felt. I know that you can join the Heavens on the morning of the Resurrection of the Just and enjoy a life free from the pains of this one. Let us fulfill the purpose of our creation and have joy, through Christ the Lord who enables us to do so.

I love you all, have a wonderful day.

Sincerely,

Elder Harris

PS my compa and I take a pic every day before leaving. Here are a couple! The prize goes to whom guesses what famous art piece we're trying to imitate in the second.

Unto the Renewal of Their Bodies‏

Hello All!

This week has been one of ups and downs and overall just a lot of work and effort. We were able to get a lot more done than last week, and use our time more efficiently. That was one big blessing of the Lord. 

However, this week also came with many trials and a lot of stress from some harsh rejections and members with problems that missionaries really just can't solve... So, I've been taking a lot of comfort in the scriptures. Memorizing good verses, and reading over parts of the Book of Mormon in english for the first time since being a missionary (I just study in spanish pretty much all the time). I testify to all of you that if we study with humility, going to God to receive from Him what we cannot find that the scriptures will be opened unto us and we will find in the words of the ancient prophets the aid we need. I love the word of God in all of its completeness. I love His word in the mouths of modern prophets and apostles and testify of the truth and validity of their ministry. I love the beauty of the voices that cry out from the dust and declare the glad tidings of the Christ in our ears.

In the Oath and Covenant of the Priesthood, it says that he that is faithful unto the obtaining of those two priesthoods shall be sanctified by the Holy Spirit unto the renewal of their bodies, and I testify of that. The more I magnify this calling I am given, the stronger I grow and the more prepared to face another day without tire or care.

So, just some spiritual thoughts for the week. Make sure to read General Conference talks! Or listen to them! You guys have that luxury!

Other than that, we have my new comp.: Elder Merrell.

He is a huge nerd and that's pretty awesome. He lived just thirty minutes outside of Seattle, Washington before the mission, and he's really new out in the field. His Spanish is coming along and we're working in it super hard. He's a diligent, obedient missionary who is willing to learn and teach freely. Though I am the senior comp, I am often astonished at how much of an example he is to me at times, and he boosts my confidence in our ability to manage this area.

As far as the work goes.... Well, we're searching for progressing investigators. Wish us luck! Someone needs to get baptized this change! I'm probably going to leave and we need at least SOMETHING more to leave behind!

I love you all. Thank you for all of your support and encouragement. Keep the faith where you are and continue on fighting the war at home.

Love,

Elder Harris

Short‏

This week, unfortunately, has to be incredibly short, because I have absolutely no more time left.....

You see, in Paraguay, we have to use businesses that have computers in order to use a computer, and, well, we tried three different ones all of which were closed, and then found two open, but had people using all the computers. We didn't get into one until just now, so I'm writing now to all of you a very short email of this week.

This week was incredibly difficult. I had to say goodbye to Elder Brown, from whom I learned so much and with whom I developed an awesome friendship. He was a great missionary and will be sorely missed in Paraguay.

Furthermore, I am now the senior companion in the area, and I am District Leader, two things I have neither done. Being senior comp right now means I have to decide what to teach, when to teach, where, and what to do when plans fall through. With all the pressure.... I didn't do quite so well this week.

However, something that really helped me was reading about David's story when he conquered Goliath, in Samuel 17. David was a mere shepherd boy, and despised for his inexperience, but nevertheless, the last thing he said to Goliath as the giant spat in the face of the faithful youth's defiance is "de Jehová es la batalla." The battled is the Lord's. So it is with myself, and I know that if I am firm, I can overcome the many faced Goliath who is currently staring me down. I have a lot of worries, but slowly, I'm becoming less worried about them. I'm growing to realize that patience and patient love works better and brings more growth than constant worry and frustration at mistakes (even when we're making LOTS of mistakes). 

Well, I have some pictures of my new companion: Elder Merrell.

As well as our Buddhist Temple Trip: :)

Enjoy.

That's this week! I hope you've all been well! I love you all!

Sincerely,

Elder Harris

 

Changes week!!

Hey folks!

Unfortunately, because my companion got into his final interview an hour late, I have five minutes to write this in!!! But yes, my companion leaves for America on Wednesday and arrives at eleven o'clock on Thursday night. That's a fun series of flights. His leaving makes me think a lot, especially since I saw him writing his final report, and it asks all these crazy questions about marriage and after the mission, and how you look at the mission you've had. I want to be able to write a crazy good final report!!!

But, since Elder Brown goes, that must mean CHANGES! Yes, that wonderful time that comes every six weeks. And, as we all may have guessed, I am staying here in Zeballos Cuè A, but there's one really really important change that's going on.....

I'm DISTRICT LEADER! 

Yay!!!!

My new comp will be named Elder Merril and he has been out in the field for only three months. I'm super excited to lead and help the mission move forward in that way. This will be a great opportunity to help out the other missionaries in the district. I just feel young and unprepared, but it's going to be great and I'm really excited! Wish me luck!

I think there's a best two years quote (I never saw the movie): "Junior Comp, to District Leader!" (said in triumph). Yeah!

But, I wish all of you well. Thank you for the birthday wishes and all of the prayers and efforts for Sofìa. I love you all!

Elder Harris

Birthtism‏

Thank you all for your wonderful birthday wishes! Your love, support, and encouragement are always incredibly appreciated. I'm now twenty years old! The mark of a decade! Whoa.... I'm old.

I was going to hold off on the big news, but I just couldn't. Sofìa Ortiz has been baptized!!! It was a full-on miracle, but it happened! The date of her rebirth was the very same day that I was born twenty years back, which means that yes, we ate lots of cake and I made some delicious from scratch brownies (which actually just turned out mostly like cake). Also, Sofìa is just the coolest investigator- I mean Recent Convert! -ever, because she bought me a new shirt and a birthday card AND called me at like 7:50 in the morning to sing me happy birthday. It was super nice and we celebrated super well. I'm happy.

Lets tell the story of this though!

So, Sunday, she says no to baptism, but we stay firm, hopeful, and faithful, and hold the date.

Our next lesson is on Wednesday, and she was worse!!! We couldn't even bring the Spirit into the lesson for such a long time! But finally, we whittled down her defenses again with the Spirit and kept the date. It was just kind of a repeat of Sunday actually.

Thursday: I have to go to another area for the day so that Elder Jimenez, our District Leader, can give her the baptismal interview (keep in mind that she still says she's not ready for baptism, can't do it that Saturday).

Well, I didn't find out until Friday, but apparently Elder Jimenez was strongly Catholic as well before joining the church when he was like 16 years old. It was a tough decision for him too, and his parents still haven't followed his lead. But, he helped Sofìa so much. Hearing Elder Brown describe how it went was so strange, she sounded like a different person.

Friday: I'm back for the final lesson before the baptism, and lo and behold, a new person answered the door when we rang the doorbell (she's chuchi and actually has a doorbell). The Spirit had given her a mighty change of heart, and that because of her faith and willingness, and our fervent, desperate prayers to the Lord that He would grant her the strength she needed to make the decision to be baptized. She said amazing things that night, like that she couldn't say no, she couldn't resist the pull of the Spirit. While we explained further, she began to fidget even and she said it felt like she was on fire. We explained that this was simply fulfilling the promise God gave Oliver Cowdery in D&C 9, that his bosom would burn as a fire to confirm his decision if it were right. God confirmed her decision, and I could not deny it.

Just as things climaxed, she received a phone call from someone she pretty much hates, and had to have a twenty minute long conversation. Spirit dead. But, we ended things well, pointed out that Satan was trying to stop her, and kept on.

She was baptized the next day.

Friends and Family, God answers our prayers. I prayed harder than I ever have that this would happen, I worked for it, I held up every scripture promise I could find that might help to this woman joining the true church of God, and God heard my pleas. She was batpized by Elder Brown, and I was able to witness a true miracle. I testify that Moroni and his father Mormon did not lie, that God is a God of miracles, and that, because we still had faith, a miracle was performed this week. I bear witness that our efforts are meaningful; we can have hope. We can have faith. God will not leave us alone.

I bear this witness with so much joy! Thank you all for your prayers, for your faith and contributions! I love you all so much and know that your faith helped move this mountain and I thank you deeply. Have a wonderful week.

Elder Harris