My BEACH experience, #loveme

All of you probably forgot about the holiday

July 24, 2017

Hey Fan Club! Man, this week, it has been an adventure in the Bend! I think the trial that Heavenly Father is giving me right now is that I really like my companion, so much that all we want to do is talk. But this area is really struggling so we have our work cut out for us! I know that I have been sent to North Bend for a reason. In Klamath Falls I was finding like 5-10 investigators a week. Recently here they have been finding 1 maybe 2. There was one person on date for baptism here when I arrived here in North Bend, yeah she dropped us this last week. So you know, lots to work on. In Ward Council they talked to the Elders for 20 minutes, then us, maybe 2. Because we had literally nothing to talk about. But you know, that is going to change. We are going to find many solid investigators this next week and get this area on the map again!

So some of you might be wondering about who my new companion is, well this is her.

She may not look happy, but we spend 90% of our time laughing, so you know it is pretty good. She is from Herriman, Utah! This is her last transfer of the mission, so she goes home at the end of August. So in Missionary terms I will be killing her. She loves Taco Bell. Literally every members house we have had dinner with talks about her obsession with Taco Bell, everyone knows. She jokes about getting a tattoo of the Taco Bell, Bell one day. Lol. She and I are getting along really well. She has 3 sisters at home, is a huge Harry Potter and Star Wars fan... yep. That's Sister Lunt. She is great. And she is ready to work hard which is one thing that I am pretty excited about.

So the first couple of days we tried really hard to get ahold of the lady the sisters put on date a couple of weeks ago, her name is Ashley. We finally saw her. Apparently the sisters met her while they were walking down the street. She just got out of an abusive Marriage so she is very timid around people and suffers from a lot of anxiety. We met with her two times this week and then the third time she dropped us. It was all too much for her. But she told us to come back in a month. Hopefully things will slow down a little bit for her. The gospel blesses so many people lives and I know it can bless hers!

One day this week we got a text from a member, Sister Hemsley (you know the missionary mom for the ward), saying she was making cotton candy and for us to come give it out for free and teach people. So we did! So much fun. We walked around the park handing out cotton candy and just sparking conversations with people. I love it when we can do those kinds of things, also if we have free food in our hands, way more people are willing to talk to us!

Funny Story: so there was a family in Klamath Falls, the Mencls. Great, super nice family. Well they had been planning for months that they were going to move to the coast. So when I found out I was coming the coast I told the wife and we then found out we were going to be in the same ward! So they moved in on Saturday and some member told us what Street they moved to. Sister Lunt and I walked down and contacted and tracted on that street for so long and never found them! I am feeling more and more like a stalker. But if you think about it, that's all missionaries do. Stalk people. Lol. But at least we stalk them to give them the gospel!

This week we had he really cool opportunity to go to the temple! That was a pleasant surprise for me! Apparently the first person that Sister Lunt taught and baptized went to the temple to receive her endowments. What a cool experience, this is literally what it is all about people! We drove 3 hours to get to Medford, a member in the ward, Sister Jones, drove us. It was an all day thing but I just love going to the temple so it was okay. Sister Lunt told me after, "you know, I thought my life was made when I saw her in white on her baptism day. When I saw her in white today in the temple, it brought a whole new meaning!" I can't wait to be able to experience that with people that I have taught on my mission. It was a very happy day and it was much needed. We only have planned temple trips in the mission every 6 months, but in you have concerts going to the temple, you can go! It just gives us more incentives to baptize (; 

So North Bend is in a Bay, so when you look out and see water, you aren't seeing the ocean but you are seeing the bay. It is beautiful, but I am serving on the coast so I wanted to see the ocean. Well Sister Lunt and I decided that we would spend our lunch time at the beach. We cooked a burrito in the microwave and went. When we got there is was beautiful and I loved every second. On our way back to the car we saw a ticket. What the what?!? I was so mad! I looked around and I saw no signs about it costing money to be there! We were there for 20 minutes and guess how much it costs, 5 DOLLARS! So mad. But I paid it because I honor and obey the law. But I did pay attention the rest of the time and looked for signs, still didn't see any. But then we were tracking later and this lady asked where we were from, then asked if we had gone to the beach. Apparently you can go to one of the local stores and buy a beach pass for all the local beaches and it is only $10. So that is happening.

We went tracking the other day and found a really nice lady named Michelle. We taught her about the Restoration of the gospel and it was really cool to see how receptive she was. Sister Lunt kept having his feeling that we needed to tract this Street and so we went and literally no one was interested to begin with. Then right when we met Michelle, she became our first new investigator together! She works for the coast guard and said that she has met a lot of Mormons through her service with them, but has never really known what they believe. She asked if we could come by Tuesday and we happily agreed! She even gave us water and let us use the restroom, very nice lady! Can't wait to teach her soon!

So as a missionary we don't have very fancy phones. It has a touch screen and a sliding keyboard but that is about it. Well Saturday night we got a text and I went to go look at it, and nothing. Apparently the touch screen broke! Right now I think we have 10 unread texts on our phone and we can't look at them! We figured out voice command so we can call people but that's about it. We have had to call the Elders a million times to get people's numbers. So we called the Assistants to the president yesterday and apparently one of the senior couples was willing to drive us down a new phone today! Awesome! So we come to church early this morning to get it, he opens the box, and it is EMPTY! He drove all the way here for nothing! We felt so bad. So apparently we are not going to have a phone for over a week. At least we will be able to call people #roughingit

Apparently the Zone Leaders and the Sister Training Leaders didn't really get along last transfer... like when I got here Sister Lunt told me she hated the Elders... no good. So I have been really trying to get us to get along lol. We had a really good correlation on Friday and the Elders were like, what do we even need to talk about? I had a list. I ran that correlation and they liked it! We are really trying to work together as Leaders. It was really cool because it all went together with the District Meeting that we had. It was about companionship Study and really centered on unity. And in correlation I talked about how if we as Leadership are not unified that we are not going to see success in our Zone. They understood that so we were really able to start working together, thank goodness! I am excited for this transfer, we have 2 brand new missionaries in our Zone training and they are excited to be here and work hard! I love being able to train new missionaries, their fire is unbeatable!

Well we set a goal with our district leader last night that we are going to find and put 5 people on date for baptism this week! And he said if we do, he will buy us Taco Bell, I am not sure if Sister Lunt is more excited about the baptisms or about Taco Bell (;

Well fan club, today for Pday, I don't know if you know what BIG HOLIDAY is tomorrow, but I am sure you all forgot so I will tell you. IT IS HALF CHRISTMAS TOMORROW!!🏻🤶🏻 So today as a Pday activity we are celebrating by having a white elephant, but it is 1/2 white elephant. So we are only supposed to bring half of something. I broke a picture frame I found in our apartment in half this morning and found this picture in the Ensign of pioneers, I know PERFECT! 

In honor of Half Christmas I found this quote on LDS.org that I would love to share!

In my family we have a tradition on a Christmas, after all the presents are opened we have one last one. We go around the room and ask what our favorite gift was, and ask if we would trade if for the greatest gift of all, well the greatest gift of all is our Savior.

Our Savior, Jesus Christ, is the greatest gift that we could have ever been given on this Earth. Because of him it is possible for us to return to our Heavenly Father. To be able to repent for the wrongs that we have done. To be able to find more happiness then we could ever imagine. Because of our Savior, I am here on a mission doing what I love and serving the people of Oregon. Never forget the things that we have been given because of our Savior. He loves us. And wants us to come unto Him. So today, tomorrow and ALWAYS, don't forget about our Savior, who truly is the greatest gift of all!

Well Fan Club! It has been a great week and I am grateful to be here on the coast, best place in the world to serve! I am really trying to find an excuse for us to go down to Brookings this transfer, if you have any bright ideas please email them to me, thanks! I hope you all have a fabulous week and that you are able to work hard and have fun! And don't forget to email me next week (;

Because you know, the MormonAd says it all ⬇️⬇️⬇️

Love you lots!!

---Remember who you are and who God EXPECTS you to become---

PS Also, Happy Pioneer Day! I wish I could be celebrating it with Fireworks and BBQs like all of you back in Utah, but you know, in Oregon today is just another normal day. So celebrate for me!

Love, Your Favorite Sister Missionary,

Sister Harrison ️

These flowers are HUGE and they are EVERYWHERE

We went McDonalds and ordered floats, well the guy was new and messed up, so we got another one for free. SCORE

HAVE FAITH SISTER!

July 17m 2017

 

Hey Fan Club! This week has been so fantastic, we have been busy basically every second, which is good but by the end of it I am exhausted! But it is always good to earn your pillow every single night. But first things first, I am getting transferred! I am being sent to the COAST!! I am going to be a Sister Training Leader in Coos Bay with a Sister named Sister Lunt. This will be her last transfer in the mission, so I will be missionary killing her, which should be a lot of fun. And I am going back to the Coast for the end of the summer! Seriously, so blessed. And I was already looking at the area I am going to.... and they need some help. Soooo I am going to take the things that I learned in Klamath Falls and put the coast of FIRE!!!

Alright so on Monday we went and did some Mini Golf with Sister Burton and the 1st Ward Sisters. It was so much fun, and I feel like I talked about it already, but it was like a real gold course but made miniature. Super fun. I have loved all of the adventures that I have been able to go on with Sister Burton, I will miss the Pday fun!

On Tuesday we were able to go up to Eugene for Missionary Leadership a Council. We left at 5:30 in the morning and drove up. We love the road trips that we get to go on! We got there a little early so we were able to go and get some breakfast before the meeting. The actual meeting was a lot of fun. It was President Orton's first Leadership Council. It was different being there without President Russell, so the set up was different. But the spirit was there so that was the same. There was one segment in particular that really stood out to me. The Assistants began talking about all the strong leaders in the Book of Mormon, Bible and in Modern Day. Captain Moroni, Nephi, Brigham Young, Alma, all of these men that had leadership qualities that we are striving for. They talked about the rallying cry that Captain Moroni had, The Title of Liberty. My rallying cry should be my purpose as a missionary. At the end of the presentation the Assistants talked about how they invited a set of Elders who are great leaders to come up and talk about how they have been able to strengthen their zone through their leadership roles, all of a sudden our Zone Leaders, Elder Murphy and Elder Falatea, get up. They read Alma 26:12 "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever." In the Klamath Falls Zone we know that without God, we wouldn't have been able to see all the miracles that we had seen in this zone the last 2 transfers. They then talked about all the things they have been able to do, and suddenly they asked Sister Roach and I to stand up. As we stood up they thanked us in front of the whole leadership in the mission. Elder Falatea said "These sisters had the driest area I had ever seen in this entire mission, and because they baptized, our missionaries are baptizing!" In that moment I felt like we had seen so much success in Klamath Falls, after the Elders sat down President Orton came over and thanked them for their comments and told us to keep up the great work. But, without God we are literally nothing. So we can't forget that.

(We had to match for out last MLC together, pink was the color!)

So after MLC we literally drove home... and by the time we got back it was time to go to sleep. So then Wednesday we had the opportunity to go up to Girls Camp! It was at this camp called Ester Applegate, and it was beautiful. Sister Roach and I helped the girls pass off a personal progress experience under Individual Worth. We had 4 rotations for the different years. Sister Roach and I thought the idea was kind of silly but it was a HIT, one leader even wanted to do it for a mutual activity and copied down the entire idea. Weird haha. So we read a couple of scriptures like D&C 18:10 Remember the Worth of souls is great in the sight of God. We talked about how our Heavenly Father wants us to think about ourselves, the girls were really involved in a discussion. Then we read a story about being a bucket filler or a bucket dipper. In the story when you are a Bucket Filler you say positive things about yourself, but when you say positive things about others you fill up yours and theirs. But when you are a bucket dipper, you try to dip into others peoples bucket to fill yours, but that never works. In return you are just dumping out your own, this is like bullies and such. So we then went out side and played a little object lesson. The girls were in two teams and had two buckets each. One of the buckets was filled with water and you were trying to fill your other bucket. But to do that you had a cup and you had to pour it into your other team mates cup by pouring it over your head. But every time they poured they had to say a positive comment about themselves or one of the other girls. It was so great! We always went back in and asked the girls how they felt after saying all those positive feelings. With out a doubt they always felt really happy and excited. We gave them a quote and invited them to think about someone in their life that needed their bucket filled and challenged them to reach out to those people. I loved being up and spending time with those girls! It was a blast!

(A picture that we took of the girls doing the activity, so much fun!)

(Sister Roach and I at Girls Camp, we stayed away from the water while the girls were down there, they had a lot of talk about throwing us in, so we waited until they were done :) )

This week we had a lesson with Vic, our recent convert. We were teaching about the Plan of Salvation and got to the Atonement. When we were talking at first he was telling us about how much he is loving the scriptures. He kept saying"I feel jacked up!!" I still don't think he knows what the word means. But he is loving the gospel and is so grateful for the opportunity he has to be a member. He read a chapter about how easy the gospel is. He decided that he needed an easy button because it was just so easy! We then started teaching and he basically taught the lesson. Then I got to teach about the atonement and I got to testify about why I came on a mission. In Preach My Gospel it says "As your understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ grows, your desire to share the gospel will increase." And I was able to testify to Vic that as he continues to come to understand the gospel more in his life that he will want to share the gospel with everyone, and he is already starting to see that! Then Vic started asking about transfers and I was a little nervous about it, he looked at me in the eyes and said "Sister, you need FAITH!" So I got called out by my recent convert, so nice of him, hahaha but I probably needed it.

We had a lot of opportunities to go out and contact different people this week. Last night we had a really cool experience. We went to go see a lady named Glenda. I had taught her a couple of times and we felt really prompted to go see her. She has a lot of potential. We talked to her and she told us that she had to put her dog down and she was having a really hard time with it. We talked about prayer and about how her Heavenly Father loves her and knows her personally. I began telling her that I was being transferred, but testified that there is a reason that missionaries stopped by when we did. That God has a plan for her and that she needs to continue down this road. She and I began to cry, the spirit was so strong. I know she is a choice spirit just like all of us are, I can't wait to see the miracles that happen with her.

The other day someone during sacrament meeting said a quote that I have heard a million and one times but it's one that really hit me. "Make it a good day or not the choice is yours!" I think I heard this on the school announcements everyday for years. But it really hit me. In this life we have the opportunity to be happy. We really do! I have see. So many people going through life's hardest trials and they are the happiest people around. Positivity is key. I know that as we apply the gospel in our lives that we will find the happiness that our Heavenly Father wants us to achieve. It all starts with the simple things, reading the scriptures, saying prayers and attending church. This is where we will be able to make it the good day or not! And don't forget, the choice is always yours.

Well fan club, it has been a pleasure to tell you about the last week I had with the Klam Fam. I am so sad to leave, but I will go where the Lord needs me, and right now that is on the Coast in North Bend! I know the Lord knows us personally and is willing to give us miracles if we put in the effort! So I hope you have a great week and do something fun so you have something cool to email me about (; LOVE YOU ALL!!!!!

---Remember who you are and who God EXPECTS you to become---

Love, Your Favorite Sister Missionary,

Sister Harrison ️

Sister Nowell and I at MLC, I love my Mission Momma!

Our last road trip selfie that turned into what could be an album cover 🏼

You can take the girl out of Klamath but you can't take Klamath out of the girl

God is Good!!!

7/10/17

HELLO FAN CLUB! This week has been a great week here in the Klamath Basin. We have been able witness many miracles, teach many lessons and find many investigators. The missionary work is going very well, and as President Orton said it "the Klamath Zone is very blessed." We all agree, as Alma 26:12 says: "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever." As missionaries here in the OEM we are nothing, but with God we are everything, without him we couldn't do the work!

This week we were able to meet President and Sister Orton, when they walked in the chapel we all stood up and sang Called to Serve, the spirit was so strong and that was the moment when I just felt an overwhelming feeling that they have been called of God. We were able to get to know them quite a bit and have short 3 minute interviews with President Orton, and this week they will be planning transfers for next week. Crazy. There was a moment when he asked for comments and Sister Roach and I were able to bare testimony, Sister Roach said "You might be stuck here in Klamath, but you are supposed to be" and that really hit me hard. I think sometimes I feel like I have been stuck here. But this is where God needs me to be and it has been a fabulous experience. President and Sister Orton left Klamath just as fast as they came. But I am excited to get to know them more and more.

Everyone last week was asking how we celebrate the 4th of July on the mission. Well this is basically what happened. We had interviews in the morning, then we went to work like any other day hahaha. Not a lot changes. We were on exchanges so Sister Fiagle and I went tracting and no one wanted to listen to us, but you know what, we were obedient and that is all that matters. For lunch a member texted us and invited us because they had a lot of food, so you know classic American BBQ. Then we continued working and then went to dinner. Then at 7 pm we had to be in our apartment. From 7-9 we studied in our apartment. Then 9-10 we did a puzzle. Hahaha good 4th of July. We ended up sitting on the grass outside for a few minutes and we got to watch some fireworks. It was really fun. So maybe not the normal 4th of July, but it was so much fun in missionary standards. Also because we were on exchanges we were able to have a sleepover with the Lakeview sisters, so that was pretty fun!

This week we were able to go on exchanges with both of the sets of sisters in our zone. So much freakin fun. It was weird leaving it to the end of the transfer but I love being with my sisters. I went with Sister Fiagle (who has been out a month) then Sister Francis another day (who has been out 6 months). Both sisters are really hard workers and I learned a lot from them. I hope they learned a lot from me as well. But let me just tell you about an experience that Sister Fiagle and I had. We were walking down a street that Sister Roach and I had found a new investigator on a few weeks ago. I wanted to go contact her and as we were walking up to the door we saw a paper on the door. It said... in this English and everything "If you are here to deliver you CULT!!! Literature, we don't want it Don't knock on I will open the door & let my PITBULL EAT YOU *on the side Mormons or JWs*" So we left because we figured they were talking about us. But I of course took a picture of it to show Sister Roach. Well we had to go find the Elders to get something from them, and we showed them the picture and realized IT WAS WRITTEN ON A PAMPHLET. So Sister Fiagle and I went on a secret mission to take it down. Well after much effort it is now down and in my journal so I can show my kids one day that persecution on the mission is real, but it is SO worth it. Hahaha

This week Sister Roach and I have been listening to this song from Nashville Tribute and I feel like it goes along so well with our life the lyrics go "God is good, God is good, we've come so much farther then we thought we could, keep walking now God is good", So I just want you to know, that GOD IS GOOD! And he can help us through whatever path we need him to.

We had a funny experience with this lady named Glenda this week. Sister Roach and I had talked to her a couple of weeks ago so we came by to follow up and we ended up talking to her for like an hour and explained the Book of Mormon to her. At one point she was like "you know what, I used to go our with a Mormon once, he was hardcore! Wore the white shirt and everything!" So funny. But she said that she would read it and she had a few misconceptions so she was excited to see what it was really about. We have a lesson with her tonight.

This next week Sister Roach and I are going to put 6 people on date for baptism. We had a goal at the beginning of the transfer to end with 7 people on date, right now we have 1. So we have our work cut out for us, but you know God is Good.

So apparently we are going up to Girls Camp this week to be able to speak to the Young Women in our Stake. We are pretty excited, also a little bit stressed because we only found out yesterday morning. Good thing being a missionary has helped me overcome these stressful situations a little bit better then before. We also get to go up to Eugene tomorrow for a meeting, so many things happening this week and I just cant even wait!

Today for Pday Sister Burton in our ward took us to go Mini Golfing at the Running Y. Which is like the rich part of Klamath Falls, it is literally a Resort. And this mini gold course is like a golf course made mini. It was so much fun, the 1st Ward Sisters were able to come and it was a lot of fun. I love little Pday Adventures with Sister Burton!

This week I had the opportunity to reread the Book of Mormon from the beginning once again. So many different insights come to me as I read the pages, and one particular verse stood out to me at this time.

1 Nephi 1:20

But behold, I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance.

While reading a talk entitled 'The Tender Mercies of the Lord' by Elder David A. Bednar, I found this quote:

"I believe I have come to better understand that the Lord’s tender mercies are the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindnesses, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ."

Whenever I study about tender mercies I begin to recognize and understand those little things in my life that show that my Heavenly Father loves me personally. 

Last night we had a dinner with a family in our ward. This mom is a returning less active and her husband is not a member. Some Sundays it can be hard for her to sit in sacrament meeting with her 3 young daughters, one of whom is in the terrible 2s. She talked about how she felt like she was being a disturbance and expressed that she was going to leave right after sacrament with her 3 kids because of "scene" they had made. But after sacrament many people came and expressed to her love and greetings that made her know she was supposed to be there. When she told this story I talked about these tender mercies. Tears came to her eyes as she expressed that she knew God was aware of her and her situation. How grateful am I for a loving Heavenly Father, who is willing to take just a few seconds out of our day to express his love for us! Take the time to recognize your tender mercies this week. They may be big, or small but I know they are there!

Fan Club, I know I say this probably every week but I just want to say it again! I am so grateful to be an instrument in the Lords hands here in the Oregon Eugene Mission. So many miracles are happening here in Klamath Falls, and we all just feel so blessed! Thank you for all your love and support that you give me. Don't forget to email next week! Love you all and have a safe week!

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

PS. Next week is transfers, and who knows I might stay in Klamath for another round, but just in case I don't please email me the night before, LOVE YOU ️️

Love, Your Favorite Sister Missionary,

Sister Harrison ️

Our Zone Picture with the Klamath Falls Zone!!! Welcome to the Best Mission in the World President and Sister Orton!

For the 4th of July we found this flag and HAD to take a picture. Happy Birthday AMERICA

The Lakeview Sisters had to experience my favorite Snow Cones, they are both from Utah so they understand my cravings.

Golfing this morning with Sister Francis & Hawkes, too much fun!

This could be the last week with Sister Roach, I have to live it up! Love her!

Baptisms, Snow Cones and Crater

July 3, 2017

The weeks are just flying by faster and faster. But this week was one for the books. So many miracles and to top it off Vic got baptized! So much spiritual leakage happened this week! I am just forever grateful for the opportunity that I have to be an instrument in the hand of the Lord. And I thought spending 6 months in Klamath would be hard, but honestly I have had so many missionary pay days here in Klamath because of the miracles I have seen! 

I had a funny experience his week, a lot of members are starting to realize that I have been here for a long time, well this week the Young Women had a fundraiser dinner. They served Navajo Tacos and it was cool because two members ended up buying us tickets so we took home leftovers! Anyway, a daughter of our lady in our ward is less active and she was there and she said, "Man Sister Harrison, haven't you been here since Easter?" Me: "Actually I have been here since January 30th" her: "wow, I hope you like it here..." hahah don't worry don't worry I do I do!

This week we were able to have two amazing lessons with Vic. When we teach him lessons it is more like he is teaching us you know? It is so awesome. We talked about Missionary Work and apparently Vic is already posting quotes from prophets and apostles on his Facebook for everyone to read! At one point we all got super emotional, Sister Burton was at our lesson and she asked Vic, what do you think has changed the most since you decided to get baptized. And he talked about his entire like has changed and his is a completely different person. And then he talked about how an Elder missionary not long ago told him that he was going to be an important asset to the church wherever he goes and whenever he gets baptized. And right then I knew it was true. Vic is going to go far in life because he has accepted the gospel. This week Sister Roach and I were thinking about it and we remembered the first time we met Vic about a month and a half ago. It was the week that we didn't have a car. Vic texted us saying we could stop by at 10 in the morning... well he lives 3 ish miles away from our house. So Sister Roach and I walked all the way there and when we finally got to his house and didn't really talk before hand what we would share with him. Suddenly he starts bearing testimony that the church was true and that he knew it (background he had probably met with missionaries for 5 years-- he was an eternigator). Suddenly the spirit took over and I was inviting him to be baptized on July 1st! And he accepted, and now Vic is getting baptized on that day. This has been a long time coming and he is more then ready!

We met with our investigator Valaurie this week and went over the qualifications for baptism. One of them being living the Word of Wisdom. When we talked about it she was all on board! We said so when are you willing to quit smoking? She said well ideally I would love to stop tomorrow, realistically, I will quit Saturday! And sure enough she did! She wasn't feeling good so she couldn't come to church but she is still on track to be baptized, I love these miracles!

Last Sunday the fourth Ward Elders had a non member come to their ward and apparently her son is a member and has taken the missionary discussions before, but lost her Book of Mormon so wanted to meet with us sometime. So guess what, we went over there the next day! We hunk it ended up being more her son who was interested in having his mom take the discussions but we still had a great conversation with all of them either way. Her name is Knell and she sat there and listened to the whole Plan of Salvation and we talked and she said we could come back, so who knows!

This week Sister Roach and I decided that we needed a new way to destress so we went to the Dollar Store last Pday and bought a dollar store puzzle. Well during our 9:30-10:30 hour we were able to finish our puzzle and it is missing 6 edge pieces and has 11 duplicate pieces for the inside. I guess that is what you get when you buy a dollar store puzzle.

Alright so President Russell had a cool inspired way for us to find more qualified new investigators. Apparently on the pacific coast it takes about 40 new investigators to every one person to be baptized. Well in the OEM it is actually a little bit more then that. So what he wants us to do is go tracking or contacting to find people, then 5 minutes after we find them, to call them and confirm your appointment and commitment. At first Sister Roach and I weren't really excited about this change because we knew it would result in fewer new investigators each week. But then we realized that was very prideful thinking, and there should be no pride when it comes to doing the Lords work. So we decided to change our thinking. This week our goal was to find 10 new investigators, but in the end we only found 4. Yet they were 4 solid people with solid return appointments. One of the people we found her name is Nicole, I actually found Nicole when I first got to Klamath and haven't been able to get ahold of her. But this week we did it! And we had a 45 minute lesson with her on families and it felt so good to know that we are helping her truly progress to baptism, which is our purpose. Thank goodness for inspired men of a God who are called to guide and direct our missions!

Speaking of inspired men President Russell left the mission on Saturday, President Orton was supposed to come Friday but his father passed away so it pushed off him coming for a day. But we called him yesterday to ask about some things and he sounds really excited to be here! We have interviews with him tomorrow and we are excited to meet him!

Alright now about the baptism, the day went along with 2 baptisms! The last couple of months we have had the privilege of teaching a girl named Lauren Phillips who is a member in our ward. Her mom asked if we could teach her the lessons and we did, so we know her as our own and we were able to attend her baptism. It was a great experience. Although, there were 4 children getting baptized Saturday morning and apparently the drain (which is totally 1970 and needs fixing bad) started letting the water out too soon. One of the boys had to be baptized 6 times! So we started freaking out a little bit for Vic's baptism later that night. We came to the church and Vic was wearing a BLESSED church and he knew he was feelin it. He had a huge smile on his face the entire time and everything. The spirit was so strong until during the talk on baptism we heard the drain draining.... when Vic got in the water was down to his knees. But some how Brother Teeples was able to pull out a wrestling move and baptize him the first time! Thank goodness!!! The baptism was a success and I was grateful to be a part of it. Then the next day his confirmation went so well. Then Sister Roach and I went to go bear our testimonies and we were walking down and Vic was walking up! I cried the whole time. He just talked about his journey and was grateful for everyone who had been apart of it. He is going to do great things!

Ummm also the other day Sister Roach and I decided we needed an Ice Cream Cone! We went to McDonalds and their ice cream machine was broken, so sad. We started driving to Dairy Queen and suddenly there was a shaved ice stand!! I yelled at Sister Roach and told her to pull over the car! Soooo we got a snow cone! I haven't had a snow cone in forever, and guess what the best part was! It is owned by members and they gave us free ones! I think I am going to keep those guys in business.

So the reason why this weekly email is a little later then normal is because we went to CRATER LAKE this week for Pday! The Burtons were willing to take us that the Zone Leaders to Crater Lake and it was absolutely beautiful! This is a place that everyone should come and see. Basically 7,700 years ago Mount Mazama was there and then it erupted, it used to sit like 12,000 feet, now there is Crater Lake in the middle. No water enters in and no water leaves. It is blue and has been told it is the clearest water. This is a breathe taking place that really shows the beautiful things that our Heavenly Father has created for us. I LOVE OREGON!

For my spiritual thought today I figured I would just let you know that I was able to finish the Book of Mormon this week. And I just wanted to testify that I know that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ, and I know that as we read it with a sincere heart and our Heavenly Father will testify to us through the Holy Ghost that it is true. This next week is Book of Mormon week for the Klamath a Falls Zone and I can't wait to find those who Heavenly Father is preparing to receive a Book of Mormon!

Alright fan club, this week has been fab and I hope yours was too. This week will bring even more miracles I am sure and I am so grateful to be apart of it. I love you all and miss you tons! Have a fantabulous week!!!

---Remember who you are and who God EXPECTS you to become---

Love, Your Favorite Sister Missionary,

Sister Harrison ️

A member took us to Black Bear Diner and he bought us a pie to go #piefordayz

I could go on and on for days with pictures but time is running out. love you all! ️ ️ ️

How is it Monday already?

6/26/2017

Okay Fan Club, I really have no idea how we are already at another Pday for the record books, but you know they come and they go, so I am just going to live it up. Lets just start with the night that Sister Roach and I had last night. We probably got about an hour of sleep. Neither of us were feeling very good, I had a terrible migraine and was so nauseous that I couldn't stand up. But I had no idea that Sister Roach was also awake so I just laid there for hours until I could finally get up to take something and I realized that Sister Roach was awake. So then we were both suffering together. When we woke up after the hour of sleep that we received we decided that we weren't going to go on the hike that the zone had planned for the day. Well, the Zone Leaders called us and convinced us to go. So terrible. We were sick the whole 6 MILES! They just kept telling us that it was a nature walk. Um no. I learned a few things from this experience 1. Never trust Elders 2. If you are feeling sick, don't go on a hike 3. Drink lots of water 4. More deodorant is always the good decision 5. Klam Fam bonding time is fun. It was a terrible experience but you know, the view was so worth it. And we survived. So you know, it was great.

We had many miracles this week. One of them being that last night, we literally had 15 minutes until our correlation with the Zone Leaders. And we realized that we had only found 8 investigators that week and our goal was 10. We started complaining just a little bit saying you know what, we had so many lessons this week and we just didn't have time to go finding. But instead we went and tried, and I felt like we should go see this potential who we have tried contacting like a million times, basically since I have been here. WELL we went and she was home AND her mom. They both became new investigators and we were able to meet our goal. GOD IS SO GOOD!!

This week we had an awesome lesson with Vic, our investigator who is getting baptized on SATURDAY! And we were teaching about the commandments and we were talking about scripture study and he starts telling us about how he is addicted to reading the scriptures, best thing to be addicted to. He talked about how he is starting to teach his kids about the things that he is learning! Seriously he is getting so ready to be baptized and I am just getting more and more excited! Although, I was super disappointed when I came into sacrament meeting after ward council and I didn't see him. He texted us after church and apparently he sat down on the couch after his grave yard shift and fell asleep on accident. He felt so bad! But luckily, he has already been to church 3 times so the baptism is still on for Saturday! And he is going to be meeting with us 2 times this week!!! SO EXCITED! It is going to be such a good time. I can not wait to tell you all about it!

So we are teaching a man named Edward and he was a Mormon.org referral. (Side note, when I talk about Edward I picture him as Edward Cullen, so I have to call him Ed) He was the man that was kinda a basher but that he still wants to meet with us. Well this week we sat down with him and instead of him asking questions Sister Roach and I just started to teach the Restoration and really it went so great! But the problem is that he started talking about what happens if he doesn't find his answer. He said the first time that he started to read that he felt hopeful, but then suddenly he felt hopeless. He felt like the Book of Mormon was telling him that he had to be perfect. It was an interesting conversation. From his questions I am not really sure if he has the true intent. But he did say that if he finds the answer that he will be baptized. So we will see!

This week as a zone we had a goal to invite everyone to baptism. So as a zone we put 10 more investigators on date to be baptized. So as a total we have 28 people on date!!! This is double what all the rest of the zones in the mission have. We are trying not to be prideful. But we are excited. So many people are wanting to follow the example of Jesus Christ and I couldn't be more excited.

One of the people Sister Roach and I were able to put on date was Sharon. We went to her house and I felt really prompted that we needed to put her on date for September 9th. So we started talking about her and about her faith in Jesus Christ and all the things that brought her to that faith. I was able to state our purpose as missionaries and asked her if once she finds out this is true if she will be baptized. She said yes and I told her that she would be prepared by September 9th, and she doubted. After 6 times of me inviting her and asking her, I felt prompted to ask her about her family. She began to feel emotional and talked about how she lost her husband. We talked about eternal families and promised her that the first step to living with her family together will be being baptized. AND SHE ACCEPTED! It was amazing. The spirit was strong and I was so glad for the prompting to go and see Sharon.

So we hadn't heard from our investigator Valaurie for a couple of days and we were getting a little worried about her. So we finally got ahold of her and she told us to come over as soon as possible. We sat down and began to talk to her and decided to teach her about the Restoration, again. And this time she was able to soak it in so much better, she even took notes. She expressed that she truly wants to get baptized especially after being to the last 2 baptisms that she was able to see. But she already knew about the Word of Wisdom and knows that she has been in a rough life and she has to stop quite a few things. We asked her what we can do to help her, and she suggested us coming by every day! Wow. BRILLIANT! So now we are meeting everyday. We committed her to come to church and to read the introduction to the Book of Mormon. Suddenly I walk into sacrament meeting and she was THERE! It was awesome and she loved it. Then, after the meeting she sat down and she showed me her Book of Mormon and she had read all the way to 1 Nephi chapter 4!! And she is understanding it quite a bit! It was awesome. And she has become best friend with the member who has been bringing her to church, we didn't really even have a chance to talk to her because they were getting along so well. It was great. We even moved up her baptismal date!!! SO EXCITED!

I had the opportunity to speak at a baptism this week! Her name is Jessica Carlson and it was such a great service. She is in the YSA Branch and most people who go there are out of town because you know, it is summer time. So the Elders who taught her asked if Sister Roach and I could speak. I was able to talk about the Holy Ghost and it was such a fun experience. I think there was all of 14 people there. But it was great. The Holy Ghost is literally the greatest gift that you are ever going to receive on this earth, and I am so grateful for it! Jessica's parents didn't support her in getting baptized so she didn't tell anyone she was doing it. She waited until after the confirmation, she is a courageous soul, but she was old enough to make here own decisions.

Alright, so spiritual thought for the day, I have been sharing this a lot with members and investigators and I think it is something that we need to remember. This quote is from our Prophet Thomas S Monson, and it is from his last conference talk in April, and it says:

"We live in a time of great trouble and wickedness. What will protect us from the sin and evil so prevalent in the world today? I maintain that a strong testimony of our Savior, Jesus Christ, and of His gospel will help see us through to safety. If you are not reading the Book of Mormon each day, please do so. If you will read it prayerfully and with a sincere desire to know the truth, the Holy Ghost will manifest its truth to you....

My dear associates in the work of the Lord, I implore each of us to prayerfully study and ponder the Book of Mormon each day. As we do so, we will be in a position to hear the voice of the Spirit, to resist temptation, to overcome doubt and fear, and to receive heaven’s help in our lives."

President Monson promises us 5 things if we read the Book of Mormon daily

1. We will be in the position to hear the voice of the Spirit
2. Resist Temptation
3. Overcome doubt
4. Overcome fear
5. Receive heaven's help in our lives

I don't know about you but I think we can all use and need those blessings. I am so grateful for a living day prophet who can give us counsel and direction. I love this gospel and I love the things that we can learn from it!

Well Fan Club! Thanks for all the emails and all the love! I am so grateful for all of you and I love you! I hope you have a great week and that work hard and that you stay safe!!!!

---Remember who you are and who God EXPECTS you to become.---

Love, Your Favorite Sister Missionary,

Sister Harrison ️

Our hike this morning!

We have smiles on our face, but you know... we were still dying lol

Jessica Carlsons baptism!!!

District Selfie