Durham - Week 11

Our District Leader is a Spanish missionary, so whenever we go on exchanges we aren't very helpful in teaching or contacting people.  I went with them to their area for the first time, and we had a dinner that night.  It was with an older member couple and there were 4 Spanish Elders there,  so one of them translated for me, so that I knew what  was going on. With the little Spanish I know, I asked some questions and simple stuff, and at the end I bore my testimony, in Spanish!

It was a really powerful experience for me.  It was a testimony to me that the Lord will fill your mouth if you open it... even if it comes out in a different language!

Then just this last Wednesday we had the wonderful opportunity to go the the Temple. We get to go every time there is General Conference. When I first stepped onto the grounds I had a feeling of peace that I really miss having so close and accessible. We did our session which was incredible and after the session I got to sit in the celestial room and read scriptures for an hour. It was really nice to have a chance to let my spirit "recharge!".  I have a new appreciation for what the Temple does for me and I look forward to going back in 6 months.

Lots of Love from North Carolina,
Elder Drake Harper

Durham - Week 10

Hello,

Last week was a really interesting week, in a way it was disappointing but it wasn't discouraging. We taught a lot of people that have such amazing faith and trust in Christ but they don't accept the Book of Mormon or they don't agree with some of the fine points of the doctrine. Reading and praying about the Book of Mormon is great, but you won't receive a true and lasting confirmation unless you read and pray with real intent.  That is what I have found that a lot of people don't have when it comes to learning about the fullness of the true gospel of Jesus Christ.

Conference was absolutely incredible! It is very different from how it is back home.  We watch it live and there is a two hour time difference from home so the first sessions started at Noon.

There are a lot of things that really helped me, but the biggest thing I am going to take away from conference is the feeling I got while listening. I might forget some of the lessons that were shared, but I will never forget the confirming witness I felt from the Holy Ghost, that the words that were spoken are true, and that this church is Christ's church and that I am where I am supposed to be and I'm doing what I am supposed to be doing.

Love,
Elder Drake Harper

Durham - Week 9

Dear Family and Friends,

I have been really humbled the last couple days.  On Friday,  we were totally led by the Lord all day.  We found an incredible new investigator and another one that also has a lot of potential, but it might be a little harder to get the process started with her.

A lot of times I feel weird  about contacting people on the street but you never know who is ready to accept the gospel,  so we talk to everyone we can, no matter how awkard.

Yesterday we actually contacted a man who spoke Spanish.  My companion,  Elder Guymon can't say much and didn't really understand anything that he was saying, but I was able to get bits and pieces.

Love,
Elder Drake Harper

Durham - Week 8

Hello Everyone,

Last week was crazy! On Tuesday we biked over 20 miles to contact some people, Wednesday was a little bit slower, Thursday we did service for an investigator, Friday we went out with the Zone Leaders, and Saturday we did a lot of service. We helped a family move in. Their last name was Hurlbut and his aunt and uncle live in Cascade 2nd Ward (my home ward!).   Kinda crazy.

Not much to write this week,

Love,
Elder Drake Harper

Durham - Week 7

Hello Everyone,

This week has been a lot of fun!  Elder Bowie got transferred and now we have Elder Young instead. This is his last transfer before he goes home.

On Thursday we were out knocking on doors,  we didn't have much success but on the way back we saw a man walking his dog so we started talking to him and teaching him about the Book of Mormon. Then a cop pulled up and said he got a report of two suspicious persons in the area wearing white shirts and ties. We told him who we were and what we were doing,  and then  we kept teaching the man. When we finished teaching him, we took about ten steps and these three huge dogs came out of nowhere and ran right at us. Luckily they were super friendly dogs, but we were really scared for a second. That has kinda been the highlight of this last week.

We are still teaching Donald but he still wants proof and we keep telling him the Book of Mormon is that proof.  We showed him how to get on lds.org so he could listen to the BOM on the computer.

Hope y'all have a great  week!

Elder Drake Harper

Durham - Week 6

Weekly update!!!

Last week was fun. We had zone training, which is basically the whole zone gets together and we are taught by various Elders and Sisters from the zone, and the zone leaders have a short lesson. Our zone leaders are great! One of them goes home at the end of this transfer so that is kinda sad.

The ward had a big cook out on Friday.  It was a lot of fun!!!  Elder Guymon and I got to play soccer and some other games with the primary kids in the ward. There are so many of them it's ridiculous (almost  50 I think). They are all so smart, kind, and very energetic.

Donald came to the cook out and had a really great time and told us he wanted to come to church on Sunday, so we found him a ride. When his ride went to pick him up for church they knocked on the door  for at least 4 minutes.  When Donald finally answered the door he said  9 o'clock is too early, I can't make it. So he didn't come to church,  but he is still eager to learn more about the gospel and continues to pray about what we teach him.

Love you all,

Elder Drake Harper

Men in Black!

This is a great Picture!!!

Durham - Week 5

Hello,

So last week was crazy! We had our first transfer training meeting for 6 hours on Tuesday, then District meeting for 3 hours on Wednesday, then we did 4+ hours of service both Thursday and Friday.

On Friday we did service for a single mother named Bridget. She just moved into a house with her three kids a few months ago and has needed some help getting it all put together. We helped her rake her backyard that had a layer of leaves that had been there for years. We killed 7 copperhead snakes that were just laying under the leaves. Bridget was so thankful because she absolutely hates snakes.

We did a lot of service for some less actives last week also, Brother Honeycut, Sister Wood, and Sister Gibb (sister Gibb is sister Wood's mom. she is 92 and still walking around like she is 50 (she's crazy : ) ) and Brother Honeycut is a good friend that helps take care of their 4 acre yard).

We went fishing yesterday for p-day in a pond that is in their backyard. I caught a fish but the fishing line was super old and it broke.... but it was still a lot of fun.

We are teaching a man named Donald who is older, has had 3 strokes, is very educated in religion, and he can't read anymore. He is so eager to learn more but he always wants us to prove it. We are also teaching a couple Jehovah Witnesses, Tyrone and James. We taught them earlier today and it was a little bit of a bible bash. Our beliefs are surprisingly similar but the differences put them WAY out there.

Elder Drake Harper