Sister Bailey Anne Harrison: 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

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