Esquina Blanca Week 1

       

Hola!

Well its been a very hectic and busy week here in the office. I am definitely not accustomed to sitting around as much. My companion is Elder Ballard, the grandson of the Elder Ballard. He is a great missionary, and my friend from earlier in the mission when we were together in the same zone. He goes home one transfer earlier than I do, so we will be together for three changes. I am excited to learn from him.

Last weekend, while still in Talagante, we baptized Mauricio. He is a great convert of about 21. He loves the church and made many friends. He had to give up a lot of habits and friends to be baptized, but he expressed his love and happiness for having made the decision. I am so happy for him and was very sad to leave. My heart was torn when President called me on Sunday night, because I didn't want to leave all the great people who were progressing toward baptism. But, the Lord's will be done:)

To fill you in a little bit on what I did this week. Monday I got to the mission office and we organized the changes. Then in the evening we took all the missionaries to the airport with President and Hermana Barreiros. We didn't go to bed till late. Then early on Tuesday morning we drove to the MTC and picked up the new missionaries that will be arriving in the mission and took them to President's house for lunch. We then brought them to the mission office and assigned them to their new trainers. Wednesday we did divisions with the Zone Leaders in a nearby zone and Thursday we reviewed the Mission Numbers and prepared for a reunion of the mission which took place yesterday. I haven't gotten as much sleep as normal. but I am doing well and happy. It is really cool to have a much closer and more personal relationship with Presidente and Hermana Barreiros. They are incredible people, and have so much love for the missionaries. I hope to learn much from them.

I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that He is our Savior and Redeemer. I know that there is no other way to gain salvation but in and through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. I love being a missionary and I love the Lord. I love the Chilean people and I am happier than I have ever been in my life. Have a great week!!!

Love,

Elder Harries

Happy Birthday Shanel!!

Happy Birthday Shanel!! I hope you have a great one! I love you so much. And look up to you so much!!  Hope you have a great year!

I don`t have much time today. Last night President called. He asked me to finish my mission as his asistant. It was pretty crazy and I am both happy to learn from him, but sad because once you enter the office the whole mission changes...its not the same as being a regular missionary...at least thats what the asistants have told me. I`ll write more on Saturday, my new pday.

Love,

Elder Harries

Talagante Week 11

Hola!

So this week flew by! I dont know where to begin. We have done many exchanges and I have gotten to know better the missionaries in the Zone. It is still going great being in a trio, as each companion´s personality and strengths help each other out. Elder Clegg and Elder Peterson are both very good people and we all get along well.

Mauricio is progressing very well! He made it too church and loved it. He is struggling a bit witht he Word of Wisdom, so please pray for him. We gave him a blessing and will be fasting for him. He is a very humble and good guy. Definitely a future missionary!

I am happier than ever here in the mission. Last night before going in for the night, I felt that we should knock one more door, of a man that I saw enter his house earlier that day. We knocked the door and he told us that he wanted to talk to us. He started bawling and shared with us an experience that has weighed on him for years. He wants to be baptized. I know that the Spirit is the most powerful tool in the work and that we must learn how to follow it to have success.

I learned some cool stuff about repentance, that I think could help dad in his calling. The word Repentance int the Old Testament originated from Hebrew, shube, which means to return to God. In the New Testanment written in greek it is metaneoreo, which means change the spirit, heart, thoughts. Only in Latin, where english gets the work it is peontonio(i think thats how it is spelled) which means punishment or pain. When we understand that repentance is not as much for punishment, but for change and to bring us back to God, It makes the process much easier. have a great week!!

Love,

Elder Harries

Talagante Week 10

Hola!

Surprise! We write Mondays now!!

Well we had surprise transfers this week! We recieved a new Zone leader to help us with divisions! He is Elder Clegg from Logan, Utah. He is an incredible missionary, and definitely knows how to have success. He is from my same group, and we were already pretty good friends before the changes. I really enjoy being in a trio--there is so much power in our teaching. I know that this was an inspired change, so that I could learn from another great missionary. Elder Peterson continues being his very diligent and consecrated self.

We had a great week, and found and have taught some great investigators. One is a 21 year old joven named Mauricio. He is a great kid who wants to find his way in life. He told us that when he was younger he read the Bible and a lot of religious books, and went to a bunch of churches. He tried to go share what he had learned with his friends, but they basically didn´t want anything to do with God. He stopped going to churches because he was pretty confused. When we knocked on the door, before we could talk he told us to come in. We explained that how he was similar to Joseph Smith, looking for the truth. He said, yes but more than searching, waiting for God to answer his prayers. He said we were an answer. He and his mom loved church and he really wants to get baptized. He will either this week or next. It is such a great reminder that "there are many yet on the earth among all sects,parties, and denominations...who are only kept from the truth because they know notwhere to find it." (D&C 123:12)

Another great investigator that we found is named Miguel. He is about 60 years old. He is the friend of a counselor in the Stake Presidency. It was powerful teaching him. We invited the counselor to accompany us and he bore such a powerful testimony of the changes that happened in his life when he accepted the gospel 12 years ago. He testified of the power of the Priesthood and Christ´s atonement. I learned so much from him, and it incredible how well he related the message of the Restoration to the specific blessings that Miguel will recieve. He accepted a baptismal date for the 23 and he came to church and was very intrigued.

We also have a few other investigators that are progressing well. A joven of 16 and some others who also came to church. I am constantly amazed at the greatness of my companions and all of God´s children. I know that He knows and loves each and every one of them. I love them too. My goal this year is to develop the pure love of Christ. After all is said and done, this is the very essence of the Gospel. In the presence of so many incredible people, I have come face to face with my weaknesses, however I know that through Christ´s grace He can "make weakthings become strong unto (me)". Have a great week and Happy Birthday dad!!!

Love,

Elder Harries

Talagante Week 9

Hola!!!!

Thanks for the emails and love! This week we had a great time! Pia was baptized and her whole family came to support her. It was so powerful as her older sister, who is preparing to serve a mission bore her testimony about the importance of being true to the covenants we make and enduring to the end despite what happens. I feel safe that Pia will do so with such a great example as an older sister.

I passed the new year in the pension of 3 other elders as I was on divisions. We all went to be early, and then suddenly one of the Elders from Brazil came in the room and asked for a blessing. He had called President, telling him that he wants to go home. His mom is really sick and he was feeling home sick. It broke my heart. After the blessing we all talked, and another elder who was also from Brazil began to tell him all the reasons why he should stay etc. I was pretty silent. (The elder who wanted to go home didn´t really like me too much, because a few months ago we didn´t give him permission to buy shoes during the week, instead of P-day. Anyway, ever since then he´s been a bit cold toward me). Then, suddenly I felt myself begin to speak and ask him questions. I told him how much I loved and respected him for his service in the Zone. I got choked up. I don´t think i had ever felt the Spirit direct my words like that before. As I left the next morning, I left him a note and the talk by Elder Anderson about the faith of a young Brazilian. It was a very tender experience. That night he called me and told me he felt much better and wanted to stay. I am so grateful to have been there in divisions so that I could know what was happening. It was one of the most special experiences of the mission for me.

Elder Peterson and I are working very hard to help the Zone, and at the same time not forget about our own area. We have made many plans to improve the work between the missionaries and members and have met with the Stake president to share plans.

I feel very happy to be here in the mission. I have never been so stretched emotionally, physically, mentally...each time I climb one mountain, I realized theres one more behind it. I love it. I am learning how masterful of a teacher the Lord is. I know He lives. I know that this is His work. I am happy to be here. I don´t really want anything else but to help others come unto Him. Have a great week. You´re in my prayers. :)

Love,

Elder Harries

Talagante Week 8

Hola!

It was so great to hear from you all on Christmas! It always amazes me how quickly the time passes..it definitely is the fastest hour of the mission:) Seeing your faces and hearing your voices gave me even more enthusiasm to continue working hard and stay focussed. I appreciate the advice and support and love you have given me.

We had a great week full of miracles as always. On wednesday we had a scheduled baptismal interview in the chapel with a 20 year-old lady who was preparing to get baptized. We cannot be alone with her in the chapel so we coordinated with a brother from the ward to accompany us. He didn´t show up and we finally got a hold of him 40 minutes after the scheduled interview and he said he could make it. We said a silent prayer and just then I look up and see an hermano from another ward that was in town with his family. I asked him if he could accompany us and he did! I know that the Lord answers prayers!!

We continue to prepare the Pia for her baptism this Saturday. She is excited and will have her interview tonight. She asked me to baptize her. I hope this will help her father become more interested in the Gospel as he isnt a member and as of yet has not shown much interest in being baptized. I hope that the Spirit will touch him at the baptism of Pia.

To answer mom´s questions with respect to the New year, we will enter the pension early at 8:00 and won´t leave until 1:00 on New Year´s day. I definitely will be in bed before 10:00. Call me lame, but I never was a late night person haha. 

I finished the Book of Mormon on Christmas Day. I know that it is true. It is incredible how aplicable it is to each time and situation in our life. It is the word of God and anyone who reads it with sincere intent will come to know that it is true. It is incredible to see. If an ivestigator reads, he progresses goes to church and gets baptized. Its so simple. Its the same with us as members. If we study the scriptures we progress spiritually and build our faith and we repent, making us more worthy to recieve the blessing of the covenants we have made.

I love studying the scriptures. In the past I viewed them as very complex and difficult to understand, but after spending so much time in them, I am amazed at how simply they teach the doctrine of Christ: Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Recieving the Holy Ghost and Enduring to the end. I love this scripture from D&C19:31: "And of tenets thou shalt not talk, but thou shalt declarerepentance and faith on the Savior, and remission of sinsby baptism, and by fire, yea, even the Holy Ghost." This is the simple yet clear way to a remision of sin and exaltation in the Kindom of God. I know that He lives. This work is real. Faith is tangible. 

Have a great week and a Happy New Year!

Love,

Elder Harries

Talagante Week 7

"Raising our hand is a sign to the Holy Ghost that we want to learn." Elder Richard G. Scott

Well I have a new companion! Elder Peterson! He is a machine! He has about 11 months in the mission and was called as a Zone Leader 3 months ago--by far the youngest zone leader in the mission. He has so much faith. I wouldn´t say that he is the most talented or smooth missionary, but he is relentless and has such a pure testimony. I have learned so much and have been humbled by his simple and faithful example. I hope to learn much from him this transfer. He is from Mesa, Arizona.

We are working hard to help Diego, who was planning on getting baptized this upcoming weekend. He got a new job that has him working Sundays and basically 24/7 so it has been frustrating. Hugo has been progressing well as well as Pia, the little girl of a family that is returning to church. I am having a great time here in Talagante and feel that I am starting to feel at home. I am happy to pass Christmas here in the mission, what could be better???

We had the annual Christmas meeting with the mission yesterday It was fun to get together with some old friends in the mission and we heard from President and Hermana Doll from the Chile MTC. We had a lunch and a small gift exchange. I really enjoy the way that Pte. and Hermana Barreiros do things..not sure if I´ve mentioned that before haha. They showed us a picture of the new mission president and family who will arrive in July after we go home. He is from Canada and is really young. His oldest child is 14 and youngest is 7 years old. He was a lawyer and seems to be a great guy. 

I can´t wait to see you all on Christmas and answer your questions..I feel like there´s always a mental block when I write. I love you all and wish you a very Merry Christmas!!! I know that Jesus Christ lives and that He is our Savior. May we all remember Him this special season!

Love,

Elder Harries

Talagante Week 6

Hola!

How great to hear from you! It sounds like you are all very busy! How great that you can all be involved in the service of others during this Christmas season. It appears to me that you all understand well the true meaning of Christmas and I appreciate your examples to me!

This week has been a great one as always! I never cease to be amazed as the Lord´s hand has shown itself over and over again in my life...especially here in the mission. What mom wrote to me about the talk from Elder Holland (How cool was that!?!) stood out to me as it is one of the truths I have learned here in the mission: The Lord can only heal a broken heart. I feel that so many times I am so prideful and impatient, that the Lord has to try me and test me until I finally humble myself and recognize His hand in everything. Never once has He abandoned me; looking back I see His hand in every aspect and detail of the mission. Why is this pattern so hard to see going forward?

Well the windows of heaven have been opened again:) We have found some incredible investigators that are progressing brilliantly! The first is Hugo! He is a very humble man with much faith! We contacted him outside of his house as he was doing some yard work. We couldn´t get a hold of him for about a week and then this Friday we found him. He has embraced the message of the Restoration! He read the pamplet 3 times in preparation for the visit on Saturday. We taught him the Restoration and gave him a copy of the Book of Mormon. Yesterday we got there and had read over 30 pages(unheard of). He said(i´m paraphrazing), "I know that Joseph Smith is a prophet of God. This book is true. I want to be baptized." He is a single man of about 60. He just recently separated from his wife. Please pray for him.

We also are teaching a man who is the husband of a less active woman. Her family is very active in the church and she has been absent for the past few years. She is very pregnant, like popable pregnant, and I think this has made them more receptive to the chruch. We are teaching her husband Diego, and he is very receptive. We had our second lesson yesterday with him and we brought over his wife susana´s brother who served his mission in Utah. The man was one of the best teachers I have ever seen. The Spirit was so strong and I don´t think anyone in the world could disbelieve what was taught. It is so important to use the members to teach! He accepted baptism as well!

We also are teaching the daugther of a family who is returning to church. She will be baptized in january.

I am sad to say that Elder Brophy has changes and I will be recieving a new companion. It feels like we finally got started together...I know that God lives and that He is the one who pours out these miracles! Have a great Christmas!!!

Love,

Elder Harries

Talagante Week 5

Quote of the Week: "No miren para los desafíos, miren para el potencial."

"Don´t look at the challenges, look at the potential." Presidente Barreiros

Hola!

Thanks for the emails! It sure sounds like school is ending and Christmas is starting! How fun to be together and celebreate the Savior´s birth. If you haven´t already, check out the videos on christmas.mormon.org! They´re great.

This week was a good one! Unfortunately, Alex the 19 year-old had to change houses, and we haven´t been able to get into contact with him. Cony, however is progressing slowly. She went to church again and is reading in the Book of Mormon, but she doesn´t feel ready to make the decision to be baptized. She is the daughter of a less active member that has been returning to church. Cony has three young children and is very nice and wants to get baptized, but has some hesitations...please pray for her.

We´ve had some other investigators attend church too. Some have to get married, and dealing with the papers takes a long time here. I am very excited for this upcoming week! I am happy and healthy and I pray for all of you daily. I will fill you in with details about skype in the upcoming weeks.  

Mom, the Stake Presidency asked for my testimony..its quite simple:)

I know that God is our loving Heavenly Father. I know that Jesus Christ lives. I know that His Gospel is the path to peace in this life and happiness in the life to come. I know that because of Jesus Christ and His atonement, there is nothing besides our lack of faith and obedience that can keep us from being freed from our sins and weaknesses. I testify that the power of the Priesthood is real. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet and recieved the keys of that Priesthood. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God and holds those keys. I know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true and living church on the face of the Earth. I know that the only way to come unto Christ is through covenants and ordinances performed under the Priesthood authority that solely exists in this Church. I know these truths and many others, because the Holy Ghost has welded them into every fiber of my soul. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Have a great week!!

Love,

Elder Harries

Talagante Week 4

Quote of the week: "Es pecado ser perezoso."

"It is a sin to be lazy" -Hermana Barreiros

Hola!

This week was great! Filomena got baptized! I cant believe we baptized an 81 year old! Haha she turned 82 yesterday! So much time and wisdom. Unfortunately her daughters didnt attend the service, but the ward did and she felt a lot of support. She was a great sport and couldn´t wipe the smile off of her face. Both Elder Brophy and I got in the font to help her up and out of it. It was a great experience.

We have been teaching a part-member family and have an investigator named Cony that is progressing very well. We also have another invesitgator named Alex who is 19. Both have baptism dates planned for the 12 of December, please say a prayer for them so that they can continue to progress.

We saw a huge fire on Sunday. A tree behind someones house caught on fire and a huge field went up in flames! It was the largest fire I have ever seen! Probably 50 feet tall. Tons of firetrucks came and put it out, luckily no houses were burnt down and no one got hurt. It was right next to our home so we were pretty freaked out.

I had a great week, with some ups and downs. I know that we have to know the bitter so we can taste the sweet. After some rough days, we had a bundle of joy on the weekend with Filomena. I want to write more, but I have to go...have a great week! Love you all and take care!

Con Amor,

Elder Harries