This week was unbelievable! At the beginning of the week we set a goal of teaching 8 investigator lessons. And we did it!!! 2 Member Presents, 6 other lessons, and 5 less-actives/ recent converts. We also found 3 more new investigators, and have another already attending church, and now wants to be baptized... piece of cake!:)
I think Elder Haueter and I have hit a groove and now reaping the benefits of having exact obedience and working hard with one goal in mind: to invite others to come unto Christ.
This week I also went on exchanges to the Victorville Samoan ward. Which was so much fun! Met a family from Brisbane, Australia and another family from New Zealand. It was pretty much a vacation that day. Haha but met one of their potentials and he is only 21, and already saying he is prepared to be baptized and wants to go on a mission! Like what??? Where can I get one of those in my ward boundaries???? hahaha.
FYI: My ankle is doing much better just still bruised and a little swollen still, but nonetheless still trucking along, and no I didn't play basketball earlier today;)
So over the course of the transfer Elder Haueter and I have been working hard to teach better because in this area it is easy to find investigators but difficult to get them to progress. We have changed our teaching and now have 3 progressing and hopefully more this next week. But there is so much more I have to work on. I have noticed how important the spirit is in lessons. Some of the new investigators we picked up don't have time for a 30-45 minute lesson, so Elder Haueter and I have been practicing, practicing, and practicing on short powerful statements, short testimony, and looking for inspired questions. Well we came to the mutual agreement that we have to put it to the test. So last night we taught A (who has come to church twice now!) and some of her family. We taught the Plan of Salvation in 15-20 minutes and it was amazing. Elder Haueter and I work great with one another and the spirit was there! This ward is bomb! Don't tell anyone but I love it more than Chino! So yesterday was awesome. Jared Grahm got home from his mission in Chile so he gave his homecoming talk, and Ben Metcalf gove his farewell talk as he leaves to Denver, Colorado. We have been taking Jard out with us, and he is super awesome! And he is teaching us a little Spanish. I have never got this in my whole life, but everyone that we come in contact with think I am Latino hahahaha.
SHARING TIME
So lately at nights Elder Haueter and I have been reflecting on how we even got here. Just looking back and seeing the Lord protecting me so that I may be out here. Why? I am just a 18 year old kid who has only been out for 7 months and still have no idea what I am doing. I talk to everyone, everywhere, at all times but I am still scared to death. As you know I have been studying Joseph Smith, who is amazing, but we all start off somewhere. I remember reading something but this is all I remember but it starts off like:
You may think, "But my life and earthly destiny will never be like that of Joseph Smith." That is probably true. But it is also true that your lives matter to God, and your eternal potential and that of every soul you will meet is no less grand and significant than that of the Prophet Joseph himself. Thus, just like our beloved Joseph, you MUST NEVER give up, give in, or give out when life in general gets utterly painful, confusing, or dull. Rather as Paul teaches, you must see that "all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose" ( Romans 8:28). Just as He did with young Joseph Smith, God is shaping you and directing you every single day to ends more glorious than you can know!
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So you ask me for what insights I have on the mission and honestly everyday I have studies therefore receiving insight every single day and I have them written down in study journals, but I guess the most useful thing for us all to know God's miracles are not happening just in my life, or in a land far away. Look around you! In the recent General Conference talk Neil L. Andersen said,"As you keep the commandments and pray in faith to see the Lord's hand in your life, I promise you that He will open your spiritual eyes even wider, and you will see more clearly that you ARE NOT ALONE!"
So before I left on my mission dad told me he can't wait to hear what my prayers sound like when I get home. I was thrown off by that statement because I thought my prayers were going to, for the most part, stay the same. Now days I am so honest with Heavenly Father I feel His presence more. I remember one day I was feeling particularly exhausted when 6:30 rolled around. I got out of bed and onto my knees and said, "LOrd, I am miserable...." And sure enough I had that sweet feeling of the Holy Ghost assuring me I will be just fine. Everyday is like that, but having that knowledge of how prayer is so powerful I enjoy waking up and kneeling, I enjoy praying at every chance I have because I recharge. The mind and heart open. And just like the followers of King Benjamin, my door is facing Him. If you can always invite the spirit of the Lord everyday in your life you can jump over any obstacle. But remember it has to be sincere and takes effort "all the energies of the heart." It is such a small insight, but leads to mighty changes.
Well that's all the fun I have to report right now! I am doing swell and loving my mission which is going by too fast! Can't believe we are already in week 5 of transfers. It honestly feels like yesterday I just got to this area. Time goes fast when you are having fun I guess hahaha. Glad to hear you all are well! I pray for you all all the time! Love you guys so much! Have a great week!
Elder Harris
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Elder Jorvik Ty Harris
Rancho Cucamonga, California
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