Sister Bailey Anne Harrison: One Year Down, who knew?

6/19/2017

Man, what a week! So many miracles and so many laughs! It is getting really hot here in Klamath, and we just think it is because the work is literally on fire. And we learned from experience this week that Sister Roach and I will be putting on sunscreen everyday, because we may or may not have gotten sunburnt this week, and literally EVERYONE commented on it. Luckily Aloe is key and we now have nice tans. So the work is still on fire, but we will not be getting sunburnt!

This week we had our last Zone Conference with President and Sister Russell. It was an amazing meeting but at the same time it was super emotional because we knew that this was going to be the last time that we were going to see President and Sister Russell. We talked a lot about the Savior and his Earthly Ministry. In preparation for Zone Conference we had to study 5 miracles and 5 parables. And then President picked about 15 missionaries to get up and speak. And it was funny when we sat down right before that I turned to Sister Roach and I said "Are you ready to speak?" And she started freaking out, and then she did speak! She was the only one in our Zone to speak and she did a great job. We can learn so much from the Saviors Ministry and I was so grateful to learn from those miracles and parables. We then just talked a lot about the Savior and President and Sister Russell gave us some departing comments to always remember. I am really going to miss them. Weird to think they will be gone. But I am already feeling a great love for President and Sister Orton. Half way through the Conference the Assistants had prepared a video of all of us missionaries, I wish I could send it but apparently it is too long. Just of us missionaries talking about what we learned from President and Sister Russell. Then we ended by singing the EFY Medley to them. I don't think there was a dry eye in the room. The spirit that comes through singing is so powerful and so real. I am so grateful for the opportunity we had to go.

Oh my fan club, we had an awesome lesson with Vic this last week! We were able to teach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and then go over Tithing and Baptismal Interview questions! And he seriously, is just teaching us every lesson. I don't know how he has so much knowledge in that brain of his but he is so ready to be baptized on July 1st! He had his interview before church on Sunday and he passed! We started talking about when his baptism will be so we can just invite everyone. I am so grateful for the opportunity that I have had to teach him and watch him progress this much. When he talks about why this is the time to get baptized he talks about how he wants to do this for his kids, he is such a great guy! And he even came to church even though it was fathers day. His dad called him that morning and invited him to go out to Breakfast with the family and he said "no dad, I am going to church!!" WOW! I am so excited for him and the steps that he is taking.

This week the Zone Leaders informed Sister Roach and I that we will be speaking at their investigators baptism next week! Her name is Jessica and she is YSA, so it is summer time and not many YSA members are still around. So we met her a couple of weeks ago and she asked us to speak! I am super excited, I will be speaking on the Holy Ghost!

So I hit my year mark this last week. Time is going by so fast, but I still tell everyone that I am still brand new. I had one of the new sister missionaries fooled for a couple of days until someone mentioned my year mark, lol. Still working hard and still growing! I have tons of time to teach the gospel to all of Oregon!

This week Sister Roach and I decided to do something different with our tracting and finding time. I seriously feel like I have tracted all of our area after being here for 5 months. So we decided to go and contact a lot of formers and potentials. And guess what? We found 10 new investigators this week doing our finding that way! It is so awesome to find new ways of doing the same thing in the Lords vineyard! I am so excited to teach those new people that we found this week!

We were able to meet with Camiel this week. We taught her about the plan of salvation to her and it was such an amazing experience. When we asked her if she had ever thought of the questions "Where did I come from, Why am I here and where am I going?" She said those are million dollar questions that we all ask about it life! Although we found out that there are a couple of things that would be holding her back from being baptized so we are going to have to take her off date for the time being. But we are still meeting with her and she is still reading the Book of Mormon daily and progressing in the gospel! We are teaching her today at one and hope to be able to teach her more about the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She has such a strong spirit about her and even with her anxiety she is beginning to see the answers come into her life that she has been praying for.

We had a lesson with Valaurie this week, the lady that was smoking as we put her on baptism date. AND IT WAS A COMPLETE 180! We went outside and taught her a lesson and she talked about how she knew God sent us to her for a reason and that she really did want to change her life and be baptized in the Mormon church! She already knows about the Word of Wisdom and is willing to change those things so that she can find answers and be the person she wants to become. Seriously the spirit was so strong. We talked about the Book of Mormon and she said that she feels like it is true already, but we did tell her that she still needs to pray about it. Man, we think we are going to be able to move up her baptism date! We started inviting her to church and talking about how we would find her a ride, when suddenly I felt really prompted to invite her to the baptism that some other missionaries were having that day. AND SHE SAID YES but she needed a ride. So a name popped into my head of a member so right after the lesson we went to that members house and she was so willing to help out! so Valaurie went to Chuck Swanson's baptism (4th ward Elders investigator) and loved every minute of it! She said that she felt peace being in the church building and she loved how it was personal. It was so epic! She was supposed to come to church yesterday but she ended up waking up with a migraine, dang it! But next week for sure!

We had a really cool experience contacting people this week, we met a lady named Glenda last week and then this week we met her daughter in law Tori. At first Tori seemed like a young adult who just doesn't care about the things that we go around and talk about. But I sat there and talked to her for 30 minutes! She was so interested about what we do as missionaries and then as we talked I was able to teach the gospel. We focused mostly on families since she is going to be in that life sooner rather then later and she loved it. She talked about how she wants to grow closer to Jesus Christ and asked if we could come back! Ummm ya, I think we can. I love how when we least expect it that Heavenly Father puts us in the right place at the right time that we need to be. Thank goodness for the spirit.

This week I was able to watch the President Eyring and Elder Holland Face to Face event and man, I invite everyone who hasn't seen it to go watch it ASAP! There is so much to learn from our leaders in that short video, so take the time out of your day to learn from it, I think it is great for all ages! But there was a quote that I wanted to share from President Eyring, it says, "I give up- I just want what you want!" Man that hit me hard. I feel like I am to the point in my mission where I am that person. I am not trying to do what I want but I am doing what the Lord wants. Obviously I am not perfect and I make mistakes but I know that as we turn our lives to the Savior that we will not be able to go wrong and that we will find success in what ever we are doing. So I invite all of you to turn your will into the Saviors will and let me know how it goes!

Well fan club, this is the end for this week. I am so grateful to be serving the Lord and I am grateful to see his hands in all things. I love him and I know this church is true! Keep up the great work and be strong!

---Remember who you are and who God expects you to become!---

Love, Your Favorite Sister Missionary,

Sister Harrison

️

I love these sisters with all my

️ -- also please take a look at those tan lines.

Year Mark Ice Cream

I love to see the temple!

We had zone conference this week and it was a half mission meeting, which meant I got to see a lot of my favorite people. Soooo here is a family picture! Elder Stohl (left) was trained by Elder Mafi (right) at the same time as me in Melrose. So you know, family picture was needed because Elder Stohl and I hit our year mark!! CRAZY