Monday, November 30, 2015

Just a quick update

The Ramirez Family:
Oscar and Josefina (Oscar's Mom) absolutely love everything they are learning and they are seeing so many blessings in their lives. Elder Blake and I are basically part of the family now and we have grown to love them so much. We asked if they had any questions about the gospel, the church, or anything. Josefina thought for a moment then said, "the only question I have is whether you have one of those white jumpsuits that will fit me?" We all had a good chuckle and I can't wait until they are baptized. The only thing we are waiting on is the Oscar's divorce. 

Patricia and Rene are doing great as well. The devil's working hard to keep them from coming to church though. It took a couple weeks for her boss to finally give her Sundays off. Then that week she got sick. The next week church was canceled. Then they were finally able to come, and they loved it. And this week she got called in to work at the last moment. But her faith is strong and she has a real desire, so I know she wont let it get her down. It is so much fun and such a blessing to teach people that truly want to learn and come closer to God.

I love you all, have a great week!

Elder Harmon

450 S Peachtree Pkwy Apt R303
Peachtree City, Ga  30269

Monday, November 23, 2015

Baptism of Jasmine and Nadia

Saturday was the baptism of Jasmine and Nadia, Sunday they were confirmed members of the Church and they received the gift of the Holy Ghost. These are girls have been so fun to teach. It has been amazing to watch everyone accept this family into the branch and love them so much.

I've got a lot more to say, but I can't put it into words at the moment. I've felt God's love very strongly this past week. I have been strengthen by the scriptures and family and friends. What a blessing the Gospel is in our lives.

A lot of scriptures have been going through my head lately but one of them has stuck strong. It's one that I've used so much in my mission to strengthen others, and now it has strengthened me.

Heleman 5:12
12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo,because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.

It is no mystery that 'hard times' come to all of us. We never know what tomorrow will bring. But an unchanging truth is that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. With Him as our foundation we will not fall even in the hard times. I'm grateful for my family. The foundation they have, and the foundation that my parents have helped me build.

I love you all!
 

Elder Harmon

450 S Peachtree Pkwy Apt R303
Peachtree City, Ga  30269

Monday, November 9, 2015

The Gospel Works.

We had another great week and a still working with a lot of great people! A new family came to church. Mimi Casas and her daughter. Mimi is crazy. She just doesn't stop talking. Which can be hard sometimes.

 We didn't get five minutes into Gospel Principles before she brought up a lot of concerns. She started talking about a friend of hers that warned her about the Mormons. And she just kept on talking and asking tons of questions, but she didn't give us much of a chance to answer them. In the room we had Mimi, Oscar, his mom Josefina, Fernando, Juan (just get back from his mission), and Sister Cain (who also served a mission), and us. Between Juan, Sister Cain, and us we all did our best to control the situation, keep the spirit in the room, answer her concerns and return the focus onto the lesson. But then Oscar spoke up. And he bore testimony so strong and defended the church with all his heart. He told her about the spirit and how it testifies to your heart. After he finished Mimi asked him, "How long have you been going to this church?" 
He replied, "this is only my second week here."
As we were rapping things up Josefina spoke up and bore her testimony as well. As she directed her attention to Mimi she explained how she just moved here from Mexico. How when we first came to her home she was irritable and hard-hearted. In Mexico she been caught up in a lot of problems and used by a lot of people and committed some serious sins. She had little self confidence and was full of guilt and sorrow. Then she spoke about the peace and healing that she has felt just this past month. It was a powerful testimony. A real experience from a real person.
It has been so humbling to see the faith of this family. They just accept everything. And when they act on the things we teach them they see the difference it makes in their lives. I know the Gospel works! I know it brings peace and happiness. I can see it in the lives of this family.
They are going to be baptized on the 21st of this month.

I love y'all!

Elder Harmon

450 S Peachtree Pkwy Apt R303
Peachtree City, Ga  30269

Monday, November 2, 2015

What a week!

I saw a live armadillo for the first time. We were running in the morning and saw him to the side of the path. I wish I would've had my camera.

Yesterday was a special day. We had the normal three hours of church and then right after we had the baptism of two eight year olds. After the baptisms we had what is called, "break the fast" which is where everyone brings food and we break our fast and eat together. But what made it all better is we had 8 investigators there! Since I have been here we haven't been able to get anyone to church. For us it was literally a miracle.

Ramirez Family
Sister Castro was finally able to give them a ride. They absolutely loved church! Jasmine (9) and Nadia (8) were so excited to see a baptism and kept saying "I want to be baptized too." When it was time for them to go home they didn't want to and kept asking Sister Castro to let them stay longer. Oscars Mom was beaming. She felt so loved by all the members and can't wait to come back next week. Sister Castro told us that she even bore her testimony in Relief Society. She told us that she just felt so good. We are very excited for the whole family!

Fernando
We met him on Saturday. He was wearing jeans and a jean jacket as well. From Honduras. There were some empty beer bottles lined up on the porch and I wasn't sure how well it would go. But he was sober. He said he'd come to church if we got him a ride. So we did, and he did. He came in the same cloths. But he loved it as well. He fit right in with everyone, helped us set up tables, and it felt like he had been a part of the branch his whole life. The member who took him home called us afterwards and told us that Fernando was so excited, wants to come next week, and told him that he wants his children to grow up in this church. I think his family is in Honduras.

They have been talking about dissolving the Branch because it is so small and spread out and hasn't been growing. We have been praying very hard and I know a lot of the members and the Branch President have been praying as well. I know that the Lord answers prayers. This is His work.

Con todo mi amor,

Elder Harmon

450 S Peachtree Pkwy Apt R303
Peachtree City, Ga  30269