"I Would Ask, Can Ye Feel So Now?"

We back with it everyone!! I hope all is well and everyone had an amazing Thanksgiving!!

We have had a good couple of weeks recently. We have had some solid lessons so let's get into it.

Familia Lux

This is the family of Guatemaltecos that we are teaching currently. We had a super awesome lesson with them this last Saturday!! We taught them the plan of salvation, and we really focused on families. To them it made complete sense and they told us that it looks like an amazing and loving plan and then they bore testimony to us about what a blessing it is that we come and share these amazing messages with them, it was really awesome. Also on a little side note there's some things that a member told us that Sofia (their daughter) said in class that we should watch out for. Apparently Sofia talked about how the dad heavily drinks or used to, and that some pretty horrible things would go down in the home. Which is really weird to me because they all seem so loving and supportive of each other, that would be the last people I would think to have done that. So hopefully that is all in the past and doesn't happen now. Especially because they live with a member so I feel as though that has stopped. We are going to see though the situation when we get deeper into the lessons. It's hard to meet up with them and we only can once a week due to work schedules but I'm happy we can meet at least once a week.

Claudia y Adolfo

We started teaching this couple that is from Colombia. We found them through English class and they ended up coming to church!!! We passed by their house and we just hopped straight into the book of Mormon and gave them a quick rundown of what it is and read half of the first chapter. Well adolfo read the first half, we said we will read one verse each and go around in a circle but he I guess took that as he'll read everything, lol. He just ate it up. It went super well, they were super interested and liked what they read. We invited them to finish reading the chapter and to come to church!! Something I learned on exchanges to ask that saves you so much worry and stress in the future is asking how long they have been married for. There are so many Latins that do this and it's super common to say that they are "married" but they really are not legally married. Which of course if you aren't married it just brings up a bunch of issues. But I asked that to them and they said they aren't actually married lol. So we might have a wedding coming up here pretty soon :))

Elder Jimenez and I are on the grind on calls right now. We are doing 50000000 calls a day, lol. We are just tryna set a million lessons up and keep the ball rolling. We have also been focusing on our priority families and the inactive members in our area. It's tough because our area covers the west, like pretty far west, and the chapel isn't even close to our area. We have so little members, yellows, or even grays in our area. So it become really difficult to get members activity helping in the work so we are just trying to turn to more digital and just calling them up lol.

Kathia

We have been working with an inactive member that is from Peru. She is super sweet and lives in a house of only woman so we always meet in the backyard. She has a pet rabbit that I always want to pet but she said it will bite me...... I still want to pet it tho.. But we have been going over just some of the restoration, book of Mormon, plan of salvation with her and answering any and all questions that she has. We invited her back to church and she came!!! And it was such a blessing because the relief society just snatched her up and welcomed her so well. They got her number, added her to the group chat, talked with her a ton, and took her to class. All without us doing anything, which was so awesome!! The thing is, is that we were a little stuck on what to do because shes on the younger side and we thought about the YSA but we found out that it's only in English so that was a no go lol. But she's getting really connected with the members!!

Thanksgiving

Just super fast we went to a members house for Thanksgiving and we had potatoes, turkey, and sparkling cider. It was super awesome and tasted so good!! It was funny because they had a ton of Christmas decorations up and it felt weird having Thanksgiving surrounded by Christmas, lol.

Speaking of...... CHRISTMAS IS COMING!!!!!!!

My blessed mom, just made my whole year. She sent me a package with a million Christmas decorations... And Thanksgiving night, we went all out on the apartment. It looks so good and actually gives me Christmas vibes which I felt like was impossible not only on the mission, but in Florida as well, lol. I ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT!!!

Spiritual thought

Okay I really love this scripture that was shared in a video I saw recently. The scripture is

Alma 5:26

26 And now behold, I say unto you, my brethren, if ye have experienced a change of heart, and if ye have felt to sing the song of redeeming love, I would ask, can ye feel so now?

I love this scripture because it caused me to really reflect. In my mission I have definitely experienced a change of heart and have heard and felt the song of redeeming love so much in my life. And I love the question that he asks that's low key a call to repentance, Asking if you can feel it now. I would like to also ask that same question to each of you... Can you feel it now? And if the answer is no, really think about what it is that is holding you back from that and to reflect and ask yourself if it truly is benefiting you. I love you all so much!!

Have a good week, I'll see ya next time!!

Elder Harbs

"I Will Show Unto Them Their Weakness"

What's goin' on everyone!!  We had a super good week this week!!

Christian

Some big news happened!!!! Christian was baptized!!!! Elder Beckstead and his new comp finished teaching the lessons with him and he was baptized the other week and I was able to call in and watch it and to say a quick hi after!! He seemed really happy and Elizabeth was too. There has been no update on Cesar, he has picked up another job and Elder Beckstead hasn't been able to chat with him. 

Gustavo/Jhon

Well Gustavo and Jhon have both been really lame and frustrating lately. Literally both of them are not responding to anything, calls, texts, passing by, everything. It's super frustrating, but it's out of my control, so I'm trying to let go of it. 

Guatemaltecas

I don't know if I have talked about this amazing miracle family but 2 weeks ago a member brought a family of 4 to church, and for the first time they actually live in our area, lol. We have so little members and dots (that show members on a map) that live in our area so we just have been grinding trying to find people because we have hardly anyone in our area book from the last Sisters (they were office Sisters so they didn't work in the area very much so we basically started with a fresh area book). But we have met with the family and they are absolutely amazing and have a ton of faith. Their names are (Mom) Heidy, (Dad) Esteban, (Son) Jose, (Daughter) Sofia. They are the cutest little family that arrived in Florida like 9 days ago. They talked about the crazy experiences they had and how much they had to rely on God in all that they did to get to arrive in the States. We gave them a couple invitations that they actually did!! And they came to church this last Sunday too so they are doing amazing!!!!! Super happy we got this miracle family so let's see where this takes us.

Halloween Party

Our Spanish Ward had a trunk or treat with the other English Ward that we chapel share with. We had a bunch of people show up and fun cars decorated. Us missionaries decorated a car which was super fun!! After that everyone went into the gym for a ton of games and food. When we went in, I saw Carlos, a straight Colombiano with that thick accent and slang lol, he's super funny, with a mic and the Sisters with him. The Sisters lock eyes with me and wave me over, and I get scared instantly, lol. They told me that I need to translate for the English people for the instructions for all of the games and everything that Carlos says, and to be hype about it, lol. So super stressful but I did it and it was super awesome!!!! It was hard to understand Carlos with his thick accent and through the loud muffly speakers but I think I did a pretty good job, lol. There were like 150 people there so the stress hit hard but after getting into it, it went a lot better and smoother, overall a confidence booster and a party with all the missionaries and members.

Elder Craft

Sad news but transfers hit and Elder Craft is now home. We had a short but super awesome transfer together, we grinded hard and had a ton of fun together. What's cool is that he lives like 6 min from my house back home, lol. He lives in AF (American Fork) and his dad works at the temple, and so does my dad, lol. So maybe they will see each other, but I told him to visit my family and to play with puppies :))

NEWSS

I'm now a District Leader so woooo hooooo!! I am the District Leader of the APs, STLTs (Sister APs), STLs, and a trainer and his trainee. So a pretty hefty District but it's about time to get this going, lol. ANNNNDDDDD I'm also training which is super amazing!! I've wanted to train my whole mission and here I am!! My greenies name is Elder Jimenez, who's straight outta Ecuador. He's super awesome and knows a little bit of English so I have been helping teach him and he has been super helpful and helping teach me Spanish. He's super fun and an amazing Elder!! It's only been a couple days but I love him to death, lol. 

MY BIRTHDAYYY

Bless my parents for sending me the best packages in the world that makes the mission birthday 1000000x better in every way!!! It was super fun tho, our whole District bought Orbeez guns and we had a war at the church. It was so so so fun and we ended up with welts all over ourselves. We set up a bunch of tables, chairs and chalkboards and everything. It was the most fun I've had in a fat while. And we also got Wendy's for my birthday dinner because we all don't have any money, everything is so expensive here in Florida!

Everything's going good right now, I got a little Trunky seeing Elder Craft pack all his stuff up for the last time. I help him a lot with weighing his stuff and all that because of course my clutch mom has the perfect thing for it, lol

Super short scripture because I got to get going, but this fire scripture came to my mind I haven't thought of in a fat min.

Ether 12:27

   And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.

The Lord has humbled me so hard and so many times in my mission and I am extremely grateful for it. I have learned so much about myself, the Lord and the Savior to a level I never could've outside of my mission. I have strived to obtain Christ-like attributes throughout my entire mission and the Lord has played a massive hand in it. I have been stretched tremendously and have grown so much. I can truly testify that the Lord wants us to learn and grow, which means we must make sacrifices and get uncomfortable. I heard last Zone Conference that the Lord doesn't care about your comfort, but that He cares about your growth. Which I agree to some extent, lol. 

 I think He also does care about our comfort, but I have truly seen the blessings that come from a mission so far and I am so excited for this next year.

I love you all, look for the miracles in your lives, every day. I PROMISE you they are there, just open your eyes and look for them. 

See you next week :))))

Elder Harbs

1. Welts from Orbeez war

2. Birthday mug, IYKYK

3-4. Always finding dogs

FINALLY!! And One Year Out!

Hey hey everyone how's it been....? I'm alive and well, don't worry, it's been way too long and there's a lot to catch up on, so apologies in advance!! 

Elizabeth was finally baptized!! I am super happy it finally worked out. Cesar and Elizabeth was supposed to be baptized with her. But a couple days before he brought up how he is still having issues with coffee and alcohol. He said he wanted to leave it behind him before he gets baptized, and we told him we completely understand and can help him. 

The day before the baptism, Elizabeth shot us a text and expressed some worries that she didn't feel ready and wasn't sure. We went over to talk to her in person and she explained further. As I was sitting there, I felt a very strong impression to testify. I testified of God's love for them, and felt the spirit so strongly, I started tearing up, and Elizabeth and Cesar started tearing up as well. It was one of the most amazing and spiritual experiences I have ever had. After that she said that she felt that she was ready and it was right. Overall an amazing experience.

Then Sunday came around and we had the baptism after church. It was great overall!! We had everything done in Spanish even tho 90% of the people didn't speak Spanish lol. But it was all good, had some great talks and it was super spirit filled. I was also able to be the one to baptize her!! It was great and I talked with Elizabeth after and asked how she felt. She said that she felt super calm and peaceful.

After that we have really been focusing on her son Cristian. He speaks good English so my comp can help out a lot since he switched Spanish not too long ago. We plan on getting him baptized here in a couple weeks so we are excited for that.

Okay now flash forward to the Sunday and our bishop told us earlier that he wanted to meet with Elizabeth and get to know her because he had been out of town for like 2 months lol. So for second hour we took Elizabeth to his office and translated for them. He got to know her and then he said that he wanted to have the temple interview questions. We were super surprised but we got right to it and she passed with flying colors!! It was super amazing timing because that Saturday there was a ward temple trip and someone will be there to watch the kids and to give rides so it was absolutely amazing and a miracle!!!

So that weekend we got a ride for her and went to the temple with her!! When we got there she was in awe at how pretty and nice the temple was and instantly started taking pictures lol. (mom take this part out) *we talked with her and I was giving her a rundown of what was going to happen when she goes in because we won't be with her, and I talked to her about how she will go and get clothes and get changed to be baptized and she looked at us all scared and goes "I'm going to go into water??" and i say yeah like we explained earlier you are going to be baptized for people that have past. And she shyly goes behind the member we with with and explains. The member tells us that it was her time of the month and didn't want to go in water. We realized and made sure she was alright and we went in there and worked everything out. With the temple workers and a member. We ended up having her witness so she could go in the font room and help out even though she didn't go In the water. She then did confirmations.* (mom you can continue) After the temple she said she felt super calm and relaxed, and was having a super spiritual convo with the member in the car. Overall she had a really great experience and we hope to get her back real soon!! 

That next Sunday we had a super great experience of having a missionary Sunday. Where almost everything that was done for sacrament was by missionaries. 3 of us gave talks and the other 3 did a musical number. It was overall a really incredible experience. I'm getting better and better with talks and I feel a ton more comfortable just speaking off bullet points. I'm becoming more and more like my dad each day, ha. It was a very spirit filled meeting and we had so many members say they were crying and we should do that every week, lol. 

Transfers hit and I got moved to an area called River Side Park West. It's basically Fort Lauderdale but more inland. My new companion Elder Craft is finishing off his mission here, this is his last transfer, so I'm sending another one home so wish me luck lol. He's actually from American Fork which is crazy and he lives like 8 min from my house back home, which is wild!! We both white washed into this area and we got this area from 2 sisters that worked in the office. So there is literally like nobody in our area book. So we have been grinding trying to find new people to teach. We also have been trying super hard to meet all the members and get to know them. 

General Conference was amazing!!! Elder Craft and I got the chance to watch it with some members at the church, and also with this Cuban family in their home and had some super good pizza after!! I've really come to appreciate General Conference so much more on the mission and realize how important and amazing it actually is!! Super sad to hear about president Nelson and Elder Holland, however I'm super grateful that we could hear from our prophet still!! Pensar Celestial!! 

Already from arriving in this area, my Spanish has gotten a whole lot better. Elder Craft and I only speak in Spanish outside of the apartment, and his Spanish is great!! That and there's just so many more Latins, and we are in a Spanish ward which has helped so much!! This last Sunday we all had to introduce ourselves in sacrament and that's the third time I think I have been up there speaking Spanish, but it went great!! 

Also the apartment we are living in is so so so bouge, the complex has a super nice gym, sauna, steam room, and more. It's been nice to have an actual gym and to get to work out. Me and an Elder I live with workout everyday. I'm cutting and he's bulking, eating a 2,500 calorie shake, lol.

We found and taught 2 guys named Jhon and Jose, we have gone over some basic principles but they seem pretty promising!! These last few days I have been on exchanges, and my comp said that he had  a lesson going over the restoration with Jhon, and he said that everything made a ton of sense and that he believes it to be true. My comp started talking about baptism and Jhon said he would be completely down!! He came to church yesterday and there was a baptism after church that he also attended. He said he really really liked it. One problem is that he doesn't have a car which makes it difficult when they get baptized and continue coming because we need to find rides or someone to consistently give his transportation. But we are super excited. My comp and I need to pray for an official date to give him but that's something really amazing to look forward to! 

A little update on the new ward, it's absolutely amazing!! First off it's kinda weird because we are ward sharing with 2 other companionships. Of which 1 pair of sisters from a different district, and one set of elders from a different zone. That's like unheard of lol so it's kinda weird but super fun. We met the Bishop, Elders Quorum President, and some really awesome lessons!! We get fed almost every single day by these members, they try really hard to take care of us missionaries which is such a blessing. They have sports that they play as a ward almost every week. We played some church ball the other day and that was super fun. It will be a great way to get connected to the members and to get some of our friends involved in the ward and to meet some people!! I'm really looking forward to getting to know this ward more and befriending them all!! 

I have been going through a little bit of a rough spot in the mission, trying to work on motivation, looking on the bright side, learning patience, and trying my best in all that I do while having the best attitude. Something the mission does to you, is it drives you to your knees, and forces you to turn to your Father in heaven. Normally if you are going through something hard, you have your friends and your family right next to you to support you and help you out. However when you don't have that, you have your comp. And for the most part that's not enough, and forces you to turn to the Lord which I absolutely love. I have gained such an amazing relationship with my Heavenly Father and have grown so much. I have really gained a testimony of prayer and exercising faith, how God truly hears our prayer and helps us in our times of need. I bear witness of His love for me. He is truly there, ready and willing to bless us. No matter what we do and what we think, He will always be there with open arms ready to accept us. I love Him and his plan for me. I love how He loves us enough to give us living prophets to lead and guide us today. I love that He gives us peace and comfort through the Holy Spirit, and how we can feel His support and love in our daily lives.

ALSO I'M AN UNCLE!!!!! My brother Cam and Mel had their daughter Hadly!!! So crazy to think that I'm an Uncle, and I'm so excited to meet her after the mission!!

I have been super sick lately but I think I'm getting better, just been sitting in bed dying these past two days.... 

I pray for all of you, and I'm sorry for the break in emails, my mom is really good at getting on me lol. I'm actually going to have weeklies now, lol. Get ready for a picture haul!

Elder Harbs