Hello Everyone,
Hope y'all had a happy “National Fat Kid Day!” We spent Thanksgiving with a recent convert and his wife, and that is what they called Thanksgiving!
Last week started off pretty smooth, but got hectic very quickly. Monday and Tuesday were pretty normal days. Wednesday we went on exchanges and I was with an interesting Elder. I can't tell you exactly what it was, but something about him was just kinda weird. He's a really nice person but something is just a little off. His area is an hour away, so we had plenty of time to sit in the car and listen to MoTab. It was kind of an awkward 24 hours!
Thanksgiving was kind of awkward also. We went to the Cutler's house to eat like fat kids. They had some other people over. Nobody that we really knew, and everyone else knew everyone, so we mostly just ate and listened to everyone else talk. There was this newlywed couple there being newlyweds and somehow Elder Kiddle and I ended up sitting right next to them. There was a man there from Nigeria that was really fun to talk to. We were able to give him a Book of Mormon. He had only been in the US for 5 days, so it was fun to talk to him about all the little things that are different from Nigeria. Our light switches apparently are the opposite of theirs. So he will go to turn the lights on or off and try to push the switch the wrong way.
Then on the night the Black Friday sales started, we went to the mall and passed out cards. Which was again super awkward! No one would stop and talk to us so we would just give people cards without really being able to say anything to them.
There was a lot of awkwardness going on last week. Highlight of the week was Sunday night. Sunday night at 8:15 we still needed a New Investigator to achieve our goal for the week. Elder Kiddle looked at me and said that we wouldn't find one until 8:55 (because success never comes till the end). We started knocking on doors, and we found 2 potentials but no one to teach on the spot. Sure enough we knocked one last door at 8:55 and a man named Travis stepped out and started talking to us. We shared the Book of Mormon and a brief restoration lesson, had him read Moroni 10:3-7 and he said he really liked the book and that we could come back this Wednesday. If you ask in faith, you shall receive.
Love y'all!
Love,
Elder Harper
Monday, November 30, 2015
Monday, November 23, 2015
Fort Bragg/Fayetteville - Week 3
Hey y'all!
Not a lot happened last week but we had a good time!
We went on exchanges with the Assistants on Tuesday. I went to their area. We drove pretty much all day delivering stuff to other missionaries and all kinds of administrative stuff. Not the fun stuff!
Wednesday we had our Zone Training. That was fun! :) The theme was conversion, and how we need to be constantly strengthening our own conversion. It was really interesting.
Most of the week we spent knocking on peoples doors. Not a whole lot of highlights there, but we had Stake Conference over the weekend and there was an area seventy there, Elder Bluth. He shared this story... (it is trimmed due to lack of time)
When Elder Bluth was young his Dad had lots of sheep. One year there was a late frost after all the sheep had been sheared and that killed a lot of the sheep. It left 350 baby lambs without their mothers. Without theirs moms they had no way to eat because they were too young to eat the grass because they didn't have teeth. So, the Dad went to Elder Bluth and his brother and told them if they helped him care for the baby lambs he would split the profit with them in the fall. They got right to work. They built a feeding trough and put some milk in it and herded the sheep to the trough but they wouldn't eat. After trying and trying they came to the conclusion that they would need to take each lamb in their arms and feed each one with a bottle or the lambs would starve to death. At night coyotes would sit on the hill and howl. In the mornings they would come and find their handiwork, 3 - 4 dead lambs here and there. When their Father was home, he would go out and fire his rifle into the air to scare off any coyotes. They were safe while Father was home. With all their efforts some still starved and passed on. Over time they got used to disposing of the dead lambs. Until they named one. It had a black spot on his nose and would stay at their feet while they worked. He knew their voice and would come when they called. Then one morning they came to find him under a tree. Elder Bluth picked up the dead lamb and carried him in his arms to his Father and said, "is there anyone to help us feed our sheep?" His Father held him while he cried, then they dug a grave and buried the lamb. Then his Father reminded him of when the Savior said "Feed my lambs. Feed my sheep. Feed my sheep."
I really liked this story. I pulled a lot of symbolism out of it. Hopefully y'all enjoy it! Love y'all!
Love,
Elder Harper
Not a lot happened last week but we had a good time!
We went on exchanges with the Assistants on Tuesday. I went to their area. We drove pretty much all day delivering stuff to other missionaries and all kinds of administrative stuff. Not the fun stuff!
Wednesday we had our Zone Training. That was fun! :) The theme was conversion, and how we need to be constantly strengthening our own conversion. It was really interesting.
Most of the week we spent knocking on peoples doors. Not a whole lot of highlights there, but we had Stake Conference over the weekend and there was an area seventy there, Elder Bluth. He shared this story... (it is trimmed due to lack of time)
When Elder Bluth was young his Dad had lots of sheep. One year there was a late frost after all the sheep had been sheared and that killed a lot of the sheep. It left 350 baby lambs without their mothers. Without theirs moms they had no way to eat because they were too young to eat the grass because they didn't have teeth. So, the Dad went to Elder Bluth and his brother and told them if they helped him care for the baby lambs he would split the profit with them in the fall. They got right to work. They built a feeding trough and put some milk in it and herded the sheep to the trough but they wouldn't eat. After trying and trying they came to the conclusion that they would need to take each lamb in their arms and feed each one with a bottle or the lambs would starve to death. At night coyotes would sit on the hill and howl. In the mornings they would come and find their handiwork, 3 - 4 dead lambs here and there. When their Father was home, he would go out and fire his rifle into the air to scare off any coyotes. They were safe while Father was home. With all their efforts some still starved and passed on. Over time they got used to disposing of the dead lambs. Until they named one. It had a black spot on his nose and would stay at their feet while they worked. He knew their voice and would come when they called. Then one morning they came to find him under a tree. Elder Bluth picked up the dead lamb and carried him in his arms to his Father and said, "is there anyone to help us feed our sheep?" His Father held him while he cried, then they dug a grave and buried the lamb. Then his Father reminded him of when the Savior said "Feed my lambs. Feed my sheep. Feed my sheep."
I really liked this story. I pulled a lot of symbolism out of it. Hopefully y'all enjoy it! Love y'all!
Love,
Elder Harper
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Fort Bragg/Fayetteville - Week 2
Hey everyone!
Last week felt really long but I can't really remember a whole lot that happened so I'll focus on the highlights.
I went on exchanges with Elder Conteh, in Pembroke, on Wednesday. He is originally from the UK but he moved to somewhere in Utah. He has a British accent which is always fun to imitate. They live in a trailer. I wish I would have taken a picture of it because for some reason it is pretty hilarious.
We got to bike a good ten ,which is always fun, and I got to meet, James. He is a recent convert, used to be a drug dealer, has one leg, is in a wheel chair, black, and awesome. He was baptized around April and he has already read the BOM twice. He cooked us some deep fried fish and some fries.
On Friday we went to teach Brian and Tristen. Brian is our investigator, I think I mentioned him last week. The Spirit was super strong and he said he wanted to get baptized. Hopefully we will be able to set a date this Tuesday.
Sorry I don't have a whole lot to say this week.
Love y'all!
Elder Harper
Last week felt really long but I can't really remember a whole lot that happened so I'll focus on the highlights.
I went on exchanges with Elder Conteh, in Pembroke, on Wednesday. He is originally from the UK but he moved to somewhere in Utah. He has a British accent which is always fun to imitate. They live in a trailer. I wish I would have taken a picture of it because for some reason it is pretty hilarious.
We got to bike a good ten ,which is always fun, and I got to meet, James. He is a recent convert, used to be a drug dealer, has one leg, is in a wheel chair, black, and awesome. He was baptized around April and he has already read the BOM twice. He cooked us some deep fried fish and some fries.
On Friday we went to teach Brian and Tristen. Brian is our investigator, I think I mentioned him last week. The Spirit was super strong and he said he wanted to get baptized. Hopefully we will be able to set a date this Tuesday.
Sorry I don't have a whole lot to say this week.
Love y'all!
Elder Harper
Monday, November 9, 2015
Fort Bragg/Fayetteville - Week 1
Hey everyone! This last week was a whole lot of fun!
On Tuesday I got transferred to the Fort Bragg Ward and the Fayetteville YSA Branch. Covering two units is lots of fun! We get to meet a lot more people!
Tuesday we got to our area and went to see some people. Wednesday, we went on exchanges with some other Elders, so I wasn't even with my new companion, Elder Kiddle, or in my own area for my first day here. Thursday I don't even remember what we did. Friday we had a meeting in Raleigh and Saturday we spent most of the day knocking on doors.
The Highlight from last week was a referral we got. We went to contact the referral and it was a married couple (they are both 19 (younger than me)). She is a member and he isn't, but he said he knows the Book of Mormon is true and he feels really good when he is at church. So we are pretty excited to teach him.
Well not much else for this week. Love y'all!
Love,
Elder Harper
On Tuesday I got transferred to the Fort Bragg Ward and the Fayetteville YSA Branch. Covering two units is lots of fun! We get to meet a lot more people!
Tuesday we got to our area and went to see some people. Wednesday, we went on exchanges with some other Elders, so I wasn't even with my new companion, Elder Kiddle, or in my own area for my first day here. Thursday I don't even remember what we did. Friday we had a meeting in Raleigh and Saturday we spent most of the day knocking on doors.
The Highlight from last week was a referral we got. We went to contact the referral and it was a married couple (they are both 19 (younger than me)). She is a member and he isn't, but he said he knows the Book of Mormon is true and he feels really good when he is at church. So we are pretty excited to teach him.
Well not much else for this week. Love y'all!
Love,
Elder Harper
Monday, November 2, 2015
Wake Forest - Week 19 (Training Week 12)
Hey y'all! Last week was nuts!!!
On Monday we had a zone activity in Raleigh. There were about 30 missionaries at the activity. We were all playing baseball, tennis, volleyball, football, etc. and having a great time!
We had a pile with all our stuff in it and our keys apparently ended up on top of the pile. Someone picked up our keys while we were off playing games and drove our car away. After we finished our games we went to get back in our car and I thought another missionary had the keys, and they didn't, and they thought I had the keys, but I didn't, and then we realized our car was gone.
Luckily our mission President was at the activity and he called the police. We also called the vehicle coordinator and he pulled up the GPS tracking information for the car.
Elder Bleckner, myself, and President James all jumped in his car to go track it down, but the thief ripped the GPS out of the car and smashed it. Then on Friday we got a call telling us they found the car and that it was in an accident and it was no longer driveable. That was a rough day!
I gotta get going, but I love you all! Have a great week!
Elder Harper
On Monday we had a zone activity in Raleigh. There were about 30 missionaries at the activity. We were all playing baseball, tennis, volleyball, football, etc. and having a great time!
We had a pile with all our stuff in it and our keys apparently ended up on top of the pile. Someone picked up our keys while we were off playing games and drove our car away. After we finished our games we went to get back in our car and I thought another missionary had the keys, and they didn't, and they thought I had the keys, but I didn't, and then we realized our car was gone.
Luckily our mission President was at the activity and he called the police. We also called the vehicle coordinator and he pulled up the GPS tracking information for the car.
Elder Bleckner, myself, and President James all jumped in his car to go track it down, but the thief ripped the GPS out of the car and smashed it. Then on Friday we got a call telling us they found the car and that it was in an accident and it was no longer driveable. That was a rough day!
I gotta get going, but I love you all! Have a great week!
Elder Harper
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| Elder Harper and his Companion, Elder Bleckner |
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| Elders in good spirits after their car was stolen!!! |
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| Elder Harper knitted himself a scripture case, since his scriptures and case were stolen with their car last week!!! |
Monday, October 26, 2015
Wake Forest: P-day (10/26/2015)
On P-day this week, Drake and some of the missionaries planned on playing baseball, during a zone activity. A very kind ward member, Sister Howell, helped them gather up baseball equipment from many of the ward members, so they could play a baseball game.
I am told they were playing baseball in a very safe area of town, next to a library even, and during their baseball game, Elder Harper and Elder Bleckner's car was stolen. This is what I know so far, I will update this post if I get additional information.
Elder Harper and Elder Bleckner had their mission bags in the trunk of the car. Elder Harper's wallet was inside the car. Their car keys ended up on a pile of stuff next to them while they were playing baseball. Someone picked up their keys and took off in their car. I received a phone call (after receiving a few calls from the mission office, I have decided that phone calls are always bad news!!!) around 3 pm on that day from the mission office telling me the Elder's car had been stolen and I needed to cancel Elder Harper's personal debit card. I did cancel it. I had many more questions...what else was stolen? Driver's license? Scriptures? Camera?
I sent a message to Sister Howell, who is such a kind person. She was able to get in touch with the Elders by going to their apartment that evening. She was unable to contact them by cell phone, since that had been stolen with the car. She told me that somehow they had recovered Elder Harper's wallet. I guess whoever stole the car decided they didn't need it since there was no money in the wallet and he must know missionaries are poor, so he threw it out the window of the car!!! Thank heavens I didn't have to try and replace Elder Harper's driver's license. Drake lost his bag, scriptures, camera (with all of his mission pictures), and some other personal items. Most things can be replaced...except his pictures and the markings in his scriptures! This makes me so sad! I am very thankful that none of the baseball equipment that they borrowed was stolen. That would have been very sad too!!!
I am anxiously awaiting his email this next Monday, so hopefully I can get more information from him. Through the whole experience, Sister Howell said these Elders had the best attitude. They stayed positive and were smiling!!!
Thanks for taking the time to get caught up on Elder Harper's mission experiences, good and bad!
Love to you all,
Elder Harper's Mom
I am told they were playing baseball in a very safe area of town, next to a library even, and during their baseball game, Elder Harper and Elder Bleckner's car was stolen. This is what I know so far, I will update this post if I get additional information.
Elder Harper and Elder Bleckner had their mission bags in the trunk of the car. Elder Harper's wallet was inside the car. Their car keys ended up on a pile of stuff next to them while they were playing baseball. Someone picked up their keys and took off in their car. I received a phone call (after receiving a few calls from the mission office, I have decided that phone calls are always bad news!!!) around 3 pm on that day from the mission office telling me the Elder's car had been stolen and I needed to cancel Elder Harper's personal debit card. I did cancel it. I had many more questions...what else was stolen? Driver's license? Scriptures? Camera?
I sent a message to Sister Howell, who is such a kind person. She was able to get in touch with the Elders by going to their apartment that evening. She was unable to contact them by cell phone, since that had been stolen with the car. She told me that somehow they had recovered Elder Harper's wallet. I guess whoever stole the car decided they didn't need it since there was no money in the wallet and he must know missionaries are poor, so he threw it out the window of the car!!! Thank heavens I didn't have to try and replace Elder Harper's driver's license. Drake lost his bag, scriptures, camera (with all of his mission pictures), and some other personal items. Most things can be replaced...except his pictures and the markings in his scriptures! This makes me so sad! I am very thankful that none of the baseball equipment that they borrowed was stolen. That would have been very sad too!!!
I am anxiously awaiting his email this next Monday, so hopefully I can get more information from him. Through the whole experience, Sister Howell said these Elders had the best attitude. They stayed positive and were smiling!!!
Thanks for taking the time to get caught up on Elder Harper's mission experiences, good and bad!
Love to you all,
Elder Harper's Mom
Wake Forest - Week 18 (Training Week 11)
Hey y'all!
Last week was way good but it was super exhausting! It was week 11 of training, that is the week when the trainee is supposed to completely take over the area (planning, teaching, finding, etc). Elder Bleckner did great! At the start of the week he was really struggling with having the confidence to lead and now he is solid. We had a lot of conversations that went like this:
Bleckner "Elder Harper what should we do?"
Harper "Elder I have no idea."
Bleckner "No really, I have no idea what to do."
Harper "You say that like I am supposed to know."
Bleckner "Okay, does ____ sound like a good plan?
Harper "....................... :) ......................."
It was way fun because he knew what to do the whole time, he just needed to trust himself.
We had a miracle come to pass this last week. There is a medically less active in this ward named Bro. Larson. He has been sick for almost 5 years now. He is one of the most spiritual people I have ever met and he loves to do missionary stuff, but because he is sick he isn't able to do much. On Monday we got a referral from some other missionaries and we went to contact the referral on Tuesday. Turns out it was right across the street from Bro. Larson. After we talked to the referral, whose name is Joe, we went to tell Bro. Larson and sent up a lesson at his house for Thursday. It went really well and Joe is a very open minded person and said he would read the Book of Mormon. During the story Brother Larson shared this story about Faith.
There was a man who had climbed to the top of a mountain. As he overlooked a large cliff at all the beauties of the world, a strong wind gust caught him off guard and blew him over the edge. As he fell he was able to catch on to a tree root. As he held on for his life and not knowing what else to do he pleaded with God to save him. As he prayed a voice came to him and asked, "Do you believe that I created all things?" He responded, "yea, Lord, I believe." Then the voice asked, "Do you believe that I created all things that thou canst see?" He responded, "yea, Lord, I believe." "Do you believe that I created the mountain that you climbed and the wind gust that blew you over the cliff?" He responded, "yea, Lord, I believe." "Do you believe that I can create a wind gust strong enough to blow you back to the top of the cliff?" With a little hesitation, he responded, "yea, Lord, I believe." Then the voice came to him again, "then let go."
I loved this story because it illustrates how, I'm sure a lot of people have felt in their lives. Everything seems to be going just right, then some trial or hardship comes and we feel like nothing can save us. As we trust God he will always catch us, often in ways that may feel like we are being carried by the wind. Love y'all!
Love,
Elder Harper
Last week was way good but it was super exhausting! It was week 11 of training, that is the week when the trainee is supposed to completely take over the area (planning, teaching, finding, etc). Elder Bleckner did great! At the start of the week he was really struggling with having the confidence to lead and now he is solid. We had a lot of conversations that went like this:
Bleckner "Elder Harper what should we do?"
Harper "Elder I have no idea."
Bleckner "No really, I have no idea what to do."
Harper "You say that like I am supposed to know."
Bleckner "Okay, does ____ sound like a good plan?
Harper "....................... :) ......................."
It was way fun because he knew what to do the whole time, he just needed to trust himself.
We had a miracle come to pass this last week. There is a medically less active in this ward named Bro. Larson. He has been sick for almost 5 years now. He is one of the most spiritual people I have ever met and he loves to do missionary stuff, but because he is sick he isn't able to do much. On Monday we got a referral from some other missionaries and we went to contact the referral on Tuesday. Turns out it was right across the street from Bro. Larson. After we talked to the referral, whose name is Joe, we went to tell Bro. Larson and sent up a lesson at his house for Thursday. It went really well and Joe is a very open minded person and said he would read the Book of Mormon. During the story Brother Larson shared this story about Faith.
There was a man who had climbed to the top of a mountain. As he overlooked a large cliff at all the beauties of the world, a strong wind gust caught him off guard and blew him over the edge. As he fell he was able to catch on to a tree root. As he held on for his life and not knowing what else to do he pleaded with God to save him. As he prayed a voice came to him and asked, "Do you believe that I created all things?" He responded, "yea, Lord, I believe." Then the voice asked, "Do you believe that I created all things that thou canst see?" He responded, "yea, Lord, I believe." "Do you believe that I created the mountain that you climbed and the wind gust that blew you over the cliff?" He responded, "yea, Lord, I believe." "Do you believe that I can create a wind gust strong enough to blow you back to the top of the cliff?" With a little hesitation, he responded, "yea, Lord, I believe." Then the voice came to him again, "then let go."
I loved this story because it illustrates how, I'm sure a lot of people have felt in their lives. Everything seems to be going just right, then some trial or hardship comes and we feel like nothing can save us. As we trust God he will always catch us, often in ways that may feel like we are being carried by the wind. Love y'all!
Love,
Elder Harper
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