Monday, June 6, 2016

Julio

We taught Julio last night. He wasn't able to come to church but we were able to catch him at the end of the day. He invited us in, sat us down, ran to grab the Plan of Salvation pamphlet we had given him, and then said, "I have a question." I love that. I love teaching people who really have a desire to learn and understand. We taught the lesson and I felt like I was learning just as much as he was. We talked about John 3:16 "And God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son." Julio thought for a second and said, "wow, God must love us a lot then." I know that God does love us a lot. He is just as exited to teach us and help us through life's journey as I am to teach Julio or anyone who receives me. But imagine His joy when we invite Him in and open our heart, when we kneel down to pray and say, "I have a question," and then listen and learn. I testify that God will answer those who ask him with a sincere and humble heart.

I love you all,

Elder Harmon


Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Keep the Commandments.

I can't believe how fast that week just flew by!
We saw Celeste and Jiovanni again. I wanted to talk to Jiovanni a little more because he listens when we come by but he's kept himself pretty quiet. The spirit was strong. Jiovanni opened up a little bit. I was hoping he would tell us about how his family is against him listening to us and coming to church, because I know that that is a problem, but instead he talked about how he never got an answer when he prayed. I know that one day he will join the church with Celeste, it just might take a little time.

We have a lot of people we are working with who have drug and alcohol addictions. It is super super hard. It ruins peoples lives, takes away their agency, traps them, and destroys families. My testimony of the Word of Wisdom is strong. Living and following the commandments of God truly brings freedom.

Have a great week!

Elder Harmon

Fotos:
1) Exchanges with Elder Brede
2-3) Bad bug bite? Nope, It's Poison Ivy. Nasty stuff.
4) Saying bye to Fausta and family.

Monday, May 23, 2016

The Sweetwater Ward

Yesterday the Sweetwater Branch officially became the Sweetwater Ward! It's been great to see how much it has grown.

On Saturday we went to a flea market that was filled with Hispanics. It was a lot of fun. I felt like I was in Mexico. There was people everywhere selling anything and everything you can imagine. We talked to a lot of people and even found a less active member who we had lost complete contact with when I was here last year.

Last night we went with a member, for dinner, to a graduation party of a friend of his. First of all, Tacos de pastor are soooo good when they are done right. There was a lot of people there sitting at the table where we were eating. They all started asking us questions about who we are, how I learned spanish, and what we are doing. One of the guys said that he had a lot of Mormon friends in Mexico when he was a kid and one of them served a mission too. He said he liked the Family Nights and we exchanged numbers so that we could do one with their family. Sharing the gospel can be very easy and natural.

Probably the coolest guy we're teaching, Julio. We left him with a restoration pamphlet and he read the whole thing and even answered the questions in the back. That's the first time I've ever seen anyone do that. He's a pretty cool, sincere, smiley guy.

love,
Elder Harmon



Monday, May 16, 2016

I love the Temple!

Only enough time for a picture. Love y'all!

--
Elder Harmon

450 S Peachtree Pkwy Apt R303
Peachtree City, Ga  30269

Monday, May 9, 2016

Mother's Day

Things back in Sweetwater have been good. We've had some success visiting people that I had been teaching before. Namely Celeste, Fausta, and Luz Pico.

Luz was baptized about a year or so ago. She was doing good in the church until she went to Peru. She's back again, but she still hasn't been coming to church. She was excited to see me and come to the Mothers Day activity. We haven't been able to see her because her daughter doesn't want us to come over, but at least we have contact now. 

Fausta's been investigating for about 3 years. I went to her wedding about a year ago. I thought she would get baptized earlier but it still has happened. We talked to her this last week. She told us that she knows that the church is true. She told us that she has seen a change in herself as she's been learning about it. She is going to be baptized in Septiembre with her daughter and her son.

Celeste wants to be baptized as well. When I got her teaching record had been given to the Sisters. Yeah we have Sisters her that speak Spanish. But they only had visited her once and weren't really helping her out. So one of the first things I did when I got back was make sure we got an appointment with Celeste. We got the teaching record back and she's coming to church again. She really really wants to be baptized and she wants her son to do it. He comes back from his mission in June so we are just working on  getting her married until then.

Anyways that's whats going on out here in the Sweetwater. I have a companion that has been out for a year and a half. He's a great missionary and a super hard worker. It's been a change for me because I'm use to "being in charge" you could say. I always knew exactly what was going on and I was always planning ahead and preparing everything that we would do. Now I seem to have all this extra time on my hands. Probably partially because I'm not District Leader any more as well. I feel like because of the sudden decrees in responsibility I've relaxed a little bit. It's that Natural Man in me. Thank goodness for Repentance. Life's always changing and putting me in different circumstances and I make so many mistakes. I'm so very very grateful that I can change and repent. And that is made possible through Jesus Christ.

Have a great week!

Elder Harmon

New Address:

412 Rocky Ridge Blvd.
Douglasville, Ga  30134


Monday, April 25, 2016

Sindy's Baptism, Back in the Sweetwater,

Sindy's baptism was wonderful! I hope to soon be going back for the baptism of the rest of the family. Sweetwater has changed a lot, but yet a lot of things are still the same. I'm excited to be back.

Pictures:
1-10) Goodbyes
11-12) Sindy's baptism
13) My new companion Elder Montoya

--
Elder Harmon

450 S Peachtree Pkwy Apt R303
Peachtree City, Ga  30269

Monday, April 4, 2016

Words from the Prophets

I loved General Conference! We live at an exciting time. How blessed we are to have living day Prophets and Apostles. I felt uplifted and strengthen, I feel hope and excitement for the future, and I have a greater conviction to repent and come unto Christ. I felt of the love that he has for all of us. It seemed so clear that he will never forsake us, leave us, or forget us. He knows us and loves us and will always be there for us.

Throughout my mission I have come to see and appreciate General Conference in a different way. I feel like I'm coming to know and love each of the Apostles and members of the First Presidency personally and individually.

We watched the first session on Saturday with the Nannies family. They are a part member from Columbia. The husband is a member and is from Colorado. His parents and brother were visiting and they are still active in the church. We arrived about ten minutes before Conference started and met everyone. I was surprised that Conference wasn't even on yet. They were busy cooking and taking picture. I guess everyone doesn't get as excited as us missionaries do to see Conference. But we were able to watch it and they had lots of good questions. Every time someone got up to speak they would say, "who is that? Is that the Prophet?" And we would respond accordingly, "no, that's one of the apostles" "Ohhh..." and then they'd listen in attentively to what he was saying adding an occasional "amen."

I testify that Jesus Christ is the head of this Church. He leads and guides us lovingly through the Prophet Thomas S. Monson and the Twelve Apostles. May we follow their counsel and come unto Christ.

 
Elder Harmon

450 S Peachtree Pkwy Apt R303
Peachtree City, Ga  30269

Monday, March 28, 2016

Easter Sunday

What a special week it has been during this Easter Season. Elder Wilkerson and I loved to go around and talk with everyone about Christ and invite them to watch the video, Hallelujah. That is something that I love about Georgia, almost everyone believes in Christ and will talk about Him openly. One lady was sitting on her front porch with her Laptop so we were able to watch the video right there with her. Her little kids gathered around and we talked about our Savior. He suffered "the pains of all men." (2 Nephi 9:21) No matter who we are or where we come from. He suffered for us and He rose from the dead for us. It is so wonderful to be able to share that message with the world.

We saw the Nunez family twice last week. Jacob said he had a dream that he was dressed in white and I pushed him in the water. Cindy told us that she has made up her mind for sure and that she wants to be baptized. Rebecca said, "the sooner the better." But we were still concerned about the fact that they have had such a hard time going to church. So we focused a little bit more on the Mom this week, because if Mom decides she wants to go to church then everyone will go to church. And sure enough they all came to church!

A deer hit me. We saw deer crossing the road so I slowed down. One jumped out, I slammed the brakes and he ran right into the side of the car, turned around and ran back into the woods. It was scary but kinda funny. Didn't put a dent in the car but he did leave some hair and a little slobber.

I can't wait for General Conference!
 
Elder Harmon

450 S Peachtree Pkwy Apt R303
Peachtree City, Ga  30269

Monday, March 21, 2016

Spring time, Repentance

This past week has been a great week! I still feel extremely tired, but that's a good thing. There is just always something to do, but that's what makes life interesting and fun.

Elder Wilkerson and I are exercising hard in the morning and eating well. I love to make salads. I fell healthy and happy. The Nunez didn't come to church again. But we had a great lesson with them. I still love the scriptures. It literally snows pollen in Georgia. I love to see all the trees change colors, so beautiful!

I love being a missionary. I love the opportunity to testify of Christ. I know he lives. He is our Savior. He bore our sins and afflictions. Because of Him we will all live again. All of us! Because of Him death has no sting. Because of Him we can be clean. We can repent. We can be perfected. Because of Him we can find joy. I know He lives!

We had a Zone Conference on the topic of Repentance on Wednesday. There have been times throughout my mission where I felt like Repentance was a burden. I didn't want to focus on it because I thought it would bring me down. I felt like I was just noticing on all the bad things I was doing and becoming depressed. But as we talked on Wednesday I realized how my perspective had changed. Repentance is a blessing. How great is it to know that we can truly change and be forgiven. If there is something in our lives that takes away the peace of the spirit, then we can change it. Repentance is that change. That change makes us happy. Repentance is a gift given to us so that we can be happy. Isn't it amazing how Satan can make something so beautiful seem so scary and harmful.

Have a great week!

#Hallelujah
#Aleluya
 
Elder Harmon

450 S Peachtree Pkwy Apt R303
Peachtree City, Ga  30269

Monday, March 14, 2016

Elder Wilkerson

My new companion is Elder Wilkerson. He is from Southern Utah. He's been on the mission for 5 months and I'm very impressed with his Spanish. It's pretty fun to have a companion with so much motivation to learn Spanish. He loves basketball and we share a lot of similar interests. He's kinda quiet but very diligent. I'm super excited for this transfer.

love yall!

Elder Harmon

450 S Peachtree Pkwy Apt R303
Peachtree City, Ga  30269

Monday, February 29, 2016

Choose to be Happy

To be completely honest, I'm exhausted. We are working super hard. We live in an apartment with another set of Elders who do not get along at all (3 Nephi 11:29). It's exhausting to always have to clean up their pointless fights. The qualities of love, forgiveness, humility, and patience are very important when it comes to relationships.

The Nunez family slept in Sunday morning. They are learning slowly, but they are learning. It is slow because they haven't ever gone to church and know very little when it comes to the religious topic. I'm learning to love them a lot and pray for them everyday.

The Reyes Family is moving along as well. The mother is still a little cold towards us, but the daughters are interested and very smart. We taught them the plan of salvation the other night and Giovani (the dad) bore his testimony about prayer. He was baptized when he was 10 but feel away from the church when he came to the U.S. He said that even though he had stopped going to church he had always said his prayers. It was pretty cool to see the power of his testimony and the example of a father.

Yesterday we talked about this talk. I enjoyed it and thought it was a great reminder to see the good in life and to choose to be happy!


Elder Harmon

450 S Peachtree Pkwy Apt R303
Peachtree City, Ga  30269

Monday, February 22, 2016

A short one

Not much time today. Just know that I'm alive and well, working hard, and trying to enjoy every moment.

With love,
Elder Harmon

--
Elder Harmon

450 S Peachtree Pkwy Apt R303
Peachtree City, Ga  30269

Tuesday, February 16, 2016

Fwd: Fotos

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!!


Elder Harmon

450 S Peachtree Pkwy Apt R303
Peachtree City, Ga  30269

Monday, January 25, 2016

Oscar's Turn

We have been talking with President Foote about Oscar's situation. He spoke with SLC and we recieved the news that Oscar would be able to be baptized!! EVERYONE is excited and the baptism will be this Saturday at 6. The Ramirez Family has made lots of changes and big steps in their lives. They are a miracle.

I've gained a greater testimony of testimonies. Ask me about it later when I have more time. But I know that the Holy Ghost is a real personage. His job is to teach us, testify to us, and comfort us. He does just that. When a testimony is born and truth is stated, it gives an opportunity for the spirit to testify of that truth both to the bearer of the testimony and those who hear it. I love that!

My ponderizing Scripture:
Mosiah 7:19

 
Elder Harmon

450 S Peachtree Pkwy Apt R303
Peachtree City, Ga  30269


Snow in Georgia!!

Tuesday, January 5, 2016

Re: The Gospel is true.

Levi,

Thank you for the update! Sounds like you're doing well. The Lord will bless you and your companion as you continue to be obedient and faithful.

I love you!

Jacob Harmon
On Mon, Jan 4, 2016 at 9:07 AM Levi Harmon <levi.harmon@myldsmail.net> wrote:

This past week has been a whirlwind. We saw the Ramirez family last Sunday night. We helped them to plan a Family Night for Tuesday where everyone would be involved. As we finished up Elder Orellana invited Josefina to pray about being baptized. The spirit was strong. He told her that he knew that she was ready and that she knew it as well, and that she just needed to pray about it. We came back on Tuesday night. Josefina said the opening prayer for the family night and in her prayer she thanked Heavenly Father for answering her prayers and for letting her know that she was ready to be baptized. She finished her prayer, looked at us and said something along the lines of, "I'm going to be baptized this Saturday, January 2nd, at 6 o'clock, I hope you can make it." We both thought it was very thoughtful of her to invite us to her baptism. We later got in contact with President Sanchez and he decided it would be better to postpone it until next week. So Josefina will be baptized this Sunday at 8 o'clock in the morning, and confirmed later that same day. She is very excited.

Oscar is doing well, still working on the divorce. He has started listening to the Book of Mormon on his way to work and he loves it. He told us he was in 2 Nefi 30. Then he started telling us about all the prophecies of Isaiah. He told us that he didn't understand them very well, then he proceeded for another half an hour or so telling us about how cool it was that the Book of Mormon was preserved and prepared for this specific time and how he has friends that say "eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die" and he just went on and on about all these prophecies in the Book of Mormon that are coming to pass. It was amazing!! I never thought I would have a conversation like that with an investigator, and I can't wait until his baptism.

Patricia and Rene are loving the Church. We gave Rene some ties for Christmas and told him we would show him how to tie them. When he came to church I noticed that he still wasn't wearing a tie. After Sacrament we asked him if he brought it and sure enough he pulled out the tie. We helped him tie it. Later Patricia told us that he wouldn't let her touch the tie because we told that we would help him tie it. He is a good kid. He will be baptized this next Sunday as well. Hopefully Patricia will follow shortly after.

I hope y'all have a great 2016!!


Elder Harmon

450 S Peachtree Pkwy Apt R303
Peachtree City, Ga  30269

Monday, January 4, 2016

The Gospel is true.


This past week has been a whirlwind. We saw the Ramirez family last Sunday night. We helped them to plan a Family Night for Tuesday where everyone would be involved. As we finished up Elder Orellana invited Josefina to pray about being baptized. The spirit was strong. He told her that he knew that she was ready and that she knew it as well, and that she just needed to pray about it. We came back on Tuesday night. Josefina said the opening prayer for the family night and in her prayer she thanked Heavenly Father for answering her prayers and for letting her know that she was ready to be baptized. She finished her prayer, looked at us and said something along the lines of, "I'm going to be baptized this Saturday, January 2nd, at 6 o'clock, I hope you can make it." We both thought it was very thoughtful of her to invite us to her baptism. We later got in contact with President Sanchez and he decided it would be better to postpone it until next week. So Josefina will be baptized this Sunday at 8 o'clock in the morning, and confirmed later that same day. She is very excited.

Oscar is doing well, still working on the divorce. He has started listening to the Book of Mormon on his way to work and he loves it. He told us he was in 2 Nefi 30. Then he started telling us about all the prophecies of Isaiah. He told us that he didn't understand them very well, then he proceeded for another half an hour or so telling us about how cool it was that the Book of Mormon was preserved and prepared for this specific time and how he has friends that say "eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we die" and he just went on and on about all these prophecies in the Book of Mormon that are coming to pass. It was amazing!! I never thought I would have a conversation like that with an investigator, and I can't wait until his baptism.

Patricia and Rene are loving the Church. We gave Rene some ties for Christmas and told him we would show him how to tie them. When he came to church I noticed that he still wasn't wearing a tie. After Sacrament we asked him if he brought it and sure enough he pulled out the tie. We helped him tie it. Later Patricia told us that he wouldn't let her touch the tie because we told that we would help him tie it. He is a good kid. He will be baptized this next Sunday as well. Hopefully Patricia will follow shortly after.

I hope y'all have a great 2016!!


Elder Harmon

450 S Peachtree Pkwy Apt R303
Peachtree City, Ga  30269