Other Faiths

Hey family!!

My week was a little… well, let’s just say it was different. First of all, my companion and I were on fire this week! Literally contacting like pros, walking a ton but teaching more! It was really what we both needed to get that kick in the butt. It was full of miracles and blessings!

I have been seriously overly impressed with my companion this week. Really, I have truly found a forever friend in her! We have found how to work perfectly together!

That sounds all normal, right? My different part all goes along the line of it’s the week of the Virgin here in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Mary. So people go house to house doing rosaries. Now that isn't super strange here because it is super catholic country. The difference is that they carry a little doll on a stand. Was quite a sight to see! Sadly, I didn't have my camera! So on the lines of that, we were with one of our investigators. She lives behind her mother’s house. Her mother had one of the rosary stops at her house. We got to see it all. We, also, got roped into helping with the refreshments afterwards too. Got to love service!

But really that has been one of the great blessings of my mission. I have learned so much about other religions. I have learned what they believe, why they are the way they are, and how to show them the truth. Every time that I get to know someone that is serious in another faith, I love to ask them questions of how they were converted, how they found their church, and how their faith increases. It is amazing that God really does testify of any truth. He tries to bring faith in Jesus Christ to all. Sometimes it might seem like it’s not completely the right idea but the start of a belief is the footstep into true conversion. I love that Puerto Rico is a county of faith. The population is full of believers. It’s a blessing that we don’t need to develop faith in them; we only need to increase the faith they have. I have to say I truly love my mission! I love the people here in Puerto Rico. I love my companions that I have learned so much from. I love all the amazing things I have learned that can apply to the rest of my life. I know for a fact that I am not the same girl that left Great Falls 15 months ago. I owe it all to our lovely Father above and his son, Jesus Christ. I know my Savior lives and loves each one of you. I know he really is involved with every aspect of our lives. We just have to let him in. I know that God answers prayers. He is always there waiting for us to reach out and call him. I know that we are the true church of Christ. Learning about so many other religions just strengthens my own testimony each day. I know that we truly have the fullness of the gospel on the earth! I love my family, miss them terribly, and pray for you all each day! Please keep reading your scriptures and praying to your Heavenly Father I know that he will help you all in your lives!!

Ponderize: My scripture for the week is Alma 32:15-16!! “Blessed are they who humble themselves without being compelled to be humble”. Whats your verse??

I hope you all have a fabulous week and I love you all!!

Con Amor Siempre,

Hermana Harris

Testimony Building

Hey family!!              

           

The day has officially come... I have one year in my mission!! How crazy?? But literally, I would not change this year for any other in my life!

I have really come to know why I was sent to Puerto Rico in these last past months. I really feel if I had not served my mission I would have gone less-active. I know you are all thinking I am crazy but I now know that my testimony was not strong enough to test the trials that are awaiting ahead in my life. Yes, I knew that the church was true but I was just going through the motions. It wasn't until I truly had to test my testimony and build it to teach everyone else that I saw how much I needed to grow.

I have been taught so well in home, church, and seminary about all things of the Gospel to be able to teach the lessons. But it wasn't until I started testifying of the truth and I knew for myself that my conversion came. I know that I am serving my mission not only for the people here but definitely to build my testimony for my family, my future family, and for my future spouse. I am grateful for every investigator and less-active that sends me home from the lessons running to my Bible and Book of Mormon looking on how to help them. It really has taken helping everyone else to build my knowledge and my testimony.

We, as a mission, just finished this week reading the Book of Mormon all together. We had a testimony meeting of all missionaries in Puerto Rico! It was amazing! The spirit was so incredibly strong! I never thought how much closer we could come as a mission by just reading. It was incredible to hear the testimonies of others. This was a life changing experience for not only me but for everyone else.

I just want to testify that I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I know that the Bible talks of Christ and I can know him through its pages, but in the Book of Mormon, we all have the chance to get to know our Savior and our Redeemer more. I know that every time I have read it in my mission, I have grown a little closer to knowing my Savior. I have grown to have a love for this book that I cannot imagine my life without it. I know that Joseph Smith truly is a prophet of God to be able to translate the ancient writings. I know that the Book of Mormon really has its own Spirit. 

And that everyone who reads it with an open heart will feel this spirit. I know that one book can change people, their lives, and their futures. I know that it has changed mine for the good! I challenge all of you to pick it up and start 2 chapters a day. It can be less then 15 minutes in the morning either listening to the recording in the car, or a little break to make the day better! I can testify that you will feel the difference in your life and in your day. I'm not saying it will be easy. Satan will be trying hard to try and make you seem busy or distracted to not want to. But Heavenly Father will bless you greatly if you make the effort!!

I just want you all to know that I love you all so much and am praying for each of you every day!! I cannot wait to visit the temple with all of you when I come home!! Temple is really a holy place and something I miss greatly!  Promise me all that we can set apart one day to go in February?!? Pretty Please!! (and Saydi, we will go do baptisms too!!)

Con Amor Siempre

Hermana Harris

Juana Diaz

Hey family!!

Another week of more miracles!! I have an amazing companion! She has the best spirit in the world and is super funny. Wow, it has been so great to be in a new area again. It was super sad leaving Ponce because of all the time that I spent there. But it feels like I got back my greenie fire here in Juana Diaz!! I love having a fresh new start. New ward, new contacts, new investigators, and new less-actives that need saving. It really is a great feeling to leave an area knowing that the Lord has a plan for you in another part. I know that there are people that are here ready for me to come rescue them!

We literally have a golden investigator! Her name is Alicia. I just got here but she has already had about half of the lessons. This week, we taught her the Word of Wisdom and law of Chasity. She is the first PuertoRicano that has not had a single problem with the Word of Wisdom. She doesn't drink coffee, she doesn't drink alcohol, and she eats healthy food all the time! Literally, she is just a miracle in herself. The spirit was so strong in her house I couldn't stop myself from smiling at how amazing she really is!

Juana Diaz Dumplings!! Literally fried bread sandwiches!

So funny story, on my first full day here, we had all of our plans ready and were ready to go to an area that is a little bit of a walk. Short story, we got lost. We walked for about two hours without finding anything. The other sisters had to ask a member to come rescue us because we had no idea where we were. Hahaha! We have now learned that we need to be completely sure of where we are going before we make plans. I guess now we will never forget where that area is. Hahaha!

All dressed in Red, White & Blue for the Fourth

One huge miracle that we received was on the Fourth of July. Which by the way, The Fourth of July is just when everyone has work off and goes into the hills to go camping. No parades, no fireworks, and no bbq... so in other words lamest 4th ever! But a time for huge miracles. Because everyone was out of town, the streets looked like a ghost town! We started to hit up the ward list to see if we could find any less-actives. The first house we get to was empty. There are no numbers on the houses so we walked up and down the street trying to find someone to ask. The second house we find there is a couple teenagers outside working on the house. We asked if they knew the numbers, they were like, “Honestly, we have no idea but who are you looking for?” We said the Cruz Family. She got a huge smile on her face and says “Well, that’s funny cause we are Cruz Family.”  Come to find out that their mom and aunt are members who were baptized when they were 14 and 16 but then weren't active for very long. They completely accepted us into their house, feed us, and talked about Christ for a while. It was so amazing to see how much faith they have!

Cut these bananas from our yard!!

I really love that about Puerto Rico. The faith here is so strong. Everyone has a a knowledge of their Savior, Jesus Christ. It’s amazing to see even in these last days there are countries that still haven't run out of faith!

Well I love you all so much and hope you have a fabulous day!! Keep up the good work!!

Congratulations Aubrei and Aaron on the baby!!! I can't wait to be an Auntie!!

Con Amor Siempre,

Hermana Harris