Attributes of Christ

Hey Family!!

This week was definitely a little crazy! First of all, the packages that I actually recieved were Saydi’s, and Grandma Harris'. But the Sister Trainers are going to the office tomorrow and if the packages are there they will bring them to me. But I did have an amazing Birthday!! Literally, I owe everything to my companion. She really tried to go all out to make my day special! I can admit that I ate way to much food though! Cheesecake, chocolate cake, fried bread, soda, and broccoli. It was a day that I think I am still trying to work off. 

Hermana Melgar has had serious pain in her foot for the past week, so we scheduled an appointment and got her in to see a doctor. Sad to say that there isn't much she can do about it. She is retaining liquid in her foot. The only thing the doctor told us was that she needed to eat less and not eat fried, salty, or sugary food. It has been probably the healthiest week of my mission. We have been eating lots of veggies, fruits, and tuna. But hey if it will help her foot and us get into shape not problem with me!

Wednesday was the best day of the week! It was Zone Conference! It is seriously my favorite time of the month. We get to be filled with new work ideas, spiritual uplift, and get to hear the inspiring words of our President. This conference had a couple of different themes. First, the Sister Trainers and the Zone Leaders taught us about chapter 8 of Preach my Gospel. It was amazing. They told us if we aren't finding people or aren't seeing the results we want then we need change something, especially our planning. It was great to see the way that the little things that we do each day can change everything. My companion and I really set that as our new goal. Thursday morning, we had our weekly planning and focused more on how in our everyday actions, we can be more “Preach My Gospel” like missionaries and help our investigators progress in a more effective way. Literally, it was the best planning session I have had in all of my mission! I cannot wait to see the fruits of the new planning come alive!

Also in the conference, Sister Boucher talked about the attributes of Christ. She did an amazing job. She started by asking us all a question: “Why should I as a missionary/member desire to develop Christ-like Attributes?” She talked to us about how the more and more we strengthen ourselves here and forget ourselves in the mission, it will not only bless us in our missions but we will recieve the blessings in our future, too. She explained also that it is not only to be, but to do. If we do one without the other we are not becoming like Christ but if we strive to do them together that is where we will see the change. I loved it.

Opening Saydi's Package! Had to Break out the keys to get into it...

President and Sister Boucher challenged each of us to try to develop one Christ-like attribute by Christmas and to memorize The Living Christ! I am so exciting to see how much I can change my attitude and my faith by coming more unto Christ by this Christmas. I challenge each of you to do this with me. Try to focus on one quality that Christ has that you need or could develop by Christmas. I can't wait to see and hear about how it is going!

I love you all from here to the moon. Hope you all have a splendid week. Please pray for my companion that she can get better!! :)

Con Amor Siempre,

Hermana Harris

Walked & Walked & Walked

Hey family!!!

Thank you everyone for the birthday wishes. So scary to think I am actually 21. I left for my mission at 19 and now close to the end, I am 21. Where did the time go?? Now I am legal to buy things that I was never in my life planning to buy. Hahaha! Life of a Mormon at 21 is the same as life as a 20 year-old! But its one great life!!

This week was a walking week. We went to an area called Guayabal 3 times! It is a huge hill and you have to go up, down and back up it The hill takes about an hour. The people made the trip very worth it though. I can definitely say that it was a tiring week!!

First picture being 21! Sneaky companion tried to take a sleeping pic!

One of the days that we were over there, we were searching like maniacs for a reference the Elders gave us. We thought they were crazy. Still, we went up, up, up and up I believe to be the biggest hill I have ever walked in my life searching for this lady. Sadly too no-avail, but one amazing blessing was only part way up the hill. With the crazy drawn map we had from the Elders, we had to stop and to ask for directions. We talked to a lady named Magiale. She was super, super sweet asking about what we were doing there and what was our purpose as missionaries. That is one of the greatest things about looking like a weirdo walking up a big hill in a skirt with a nametag on... people ask questions! I loved that we were able to talk to her for a little bit and feel her spirit. I can't wait to go up that horrible hill again to see if we can help her come unto Christ!

Another day this week that we went to Gualabal, we had that chance to visit the lovely Jose Cruz! He continues to amaze me. Every time we get the chance to visit him, he thanks us for finding him and bringing him back. It was amazing when he started to explain all the Sisters and Elders that have passed through his home but have never completely touched his heart for a desire to come back! He told us that if it wasn't for Hermana Melgar and I, then he doesn't know if he would have ever come back. He also said, with tears in his eyes, that there is a reason that my companion and I are the ones that came to his door. That is what makes my job as a missionary totally worth it. I know there are people that need each of the missionaries that come into the field. It is crazy to think that one simple inspirational decision to serve a mission is a decision that changes lives, and not just my own.

I know that this because it is the Lord's work and will. I know that without the Spirit with us everyday there is no way that we could ever accomplish this work. I am so grateful for the Savior and the guidance He has given me each day.

Thank you all again for the packages that I hope to get Wednesday at the Zone Conference, and I hope you all have a great day!! I love you dearly!!

Con Amor Siempre,

Hermana Harris

Changes

Hey family,

First of all!!

Happy Birthday Jaren!!!

You are an amazing brother and we are the luckiest 3 sisters in the world to have a brother like you! Thank you always for your example and your love! Love ya big bro!

It is transfer time!! How crazy right?? I feel like time is just flying by! I am staying in my area, thank heavens, but I have a new companion! I get a Latina again and her name is Sister Melgar! She already lives in my house. Yay! Hahaha! So our mission just got a ton of elders to come in this transfer but the sad thing was that we lost more sisters then we are gaining. So, we are now, in my area, going down two sisters and up two elders! So, we are bringing our two areas together. What i know about my companion is that she is from Honduras, she just finished her training so she is super greeny in the mission. She is 19 and has a heart of a 6 year-old, and I love playing games on her! :)

To answer some of mamas questions: I live in a house about a two minute walk from the church on a huge hill. It has three bedrooms, one bathroom, and a fairly big kitchen! We live right next to a huge hill so there is nothing in front of us and we only have old people as neighbors so super safe!!

On the language, I am absolutely loving it! I have people everyday ask if I am from Mexico, South America, or Spain (Spain, I don't get because their accent is super weird). I feel very comfortable but, of course, I can always be learning more! It was strange to have a Gringa (Greenie) companion again. I have to say I am happy to not have the laziness to speak in English with my new companion though. It was definitely difficult at times to remember that she is still starting her mission and that the she always needs to be practicing. But now I will get back on track and learn so much more with my new companion!

This week was a huge change for the area! To be honest, we have definitely not had the best transfer. It has been a lot more walking then finding. But, I really have learned a lot this past month in a half. I feel it was the time that I really needed to learn the most, to humble myself, and learn a great lesson on the worth of souls. It really has been a great time to know that really every single decision of effort has its own consequence. Some are good, some are okay, and some are not so great. I have seen little miracles everyday like getting a ride very far away, having someone offer us water, someone accepting baptism, and people that are kind and loving. Little things like that make a missionary’s life so much easier! I really love the work! I cannot wait for the new trials. I am ready to make these last 4 transfers the best yet!! Wish me luck and pray for the people here in Puerto Rico!!

Love you all so much and have a great week.

Again Jaren have an amazing Birthday!!!!

Con Amor Siempre,

Hermana Harris