Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Week 38: Lighthouses are the Coolest Things Ever!!!

Hi everyone!
Well, we got the call on Saturday night. Sis. Bee is getting transferred. :(  I'm so sad to see her go! But I know that she'll do great wherever she goes and that we'll both get awesome new companions! We're going to Manchester, NH tomorrow for transfer meeting, so it'll be a long day with a lot of driving! I'll let you know next week who my new companion is!
Last Monday we went to a lighthouse with the other missionaries in our district and it was so fun!!! We had the most perfect weather and it was just so beautiful!







Tuesday, I went on exchange with Sis. Collins in Yarmouth, ME and that was super fun! We got to tract by the ocean!



On Wednesday we saw Samantha again! We went into the lesson planning on teaching the Restoration, but we basically ended up teaching the Plan of Salvation. Our visit with her was totally by the spirit and it was a lot like in the Book of Mormon when Ammon was teaching King Lamoni where the investigator just asks questions. She asked so many great questions and it was the coolest lesson ever! Samantha hadn't gone to church in 6 years, then went on Easter Sunday, and then we found her a couple days later. She said she feels like God lead us to her, and I totally feel like he lead her to us! She is seriously so prepared!!!
This week I did a Topical Guide study on the Abundant Life and it was so good! Some scriptures that I liked were 2 Chronicles 20:20, Isaiah 1:19, John 10:10, 2 Nephi 4:35, and D&C 93:27. Jesus Christ is the way to the abundant life!
Church yesterday was so good! The Elders in our ward taught about the Atonement. The Atonement is so cool because it's redeeming and enabling! But when we don't use the Atonement or live the principles and ordinances of the gospel, then it hinders our eternal progression. Just like a dam stops water from moving forward, so do our choices and actions when they don't lead us closer to Christ. Damnation is not being thrust to hell, it is a limitation in our eternal progression. Please don't spiritually dam yourself! Do something everyday that leads you closer to Christ!
Wow sorry it's so short this week, but I'm running out of time! I love you all and hope you have a wonderful week!
Love, Sister Harper

Monday, April 13, 2015

Week 37: spring might finally be here!

Hi everyone!
Sorry I don't have a whole lot of time this week, but I'll tell you about a super cool miracle we saw this week! We were out tracting and we met this girl named Samantha. Super nice and has 3 cute little boys! We showed her the "He Lives" video and she loved it! She said that she'd been looking for a church for her family and that she wants to come check ours out! Also her boss is a member in one of the neighboring wards. We're seeing her again on Wednesday and I'm super excited!!!

If you haven't already, please check out the April 2015 Ensign! http://media.ldscdn.org/pdf/magazines/ensign-april-2015/2015-04-00-ensign-eng.pdf
It's super good! I read a few articles towards the beginning of the issue and here's some quotes that I really liked from it:
-true faith is faith in principles 
-if Heavenly Father were to free us from our challenges simply because we asked, He would deny us the very experiences necessary for our salvation
-with God, our potential is endless

The article I really love is called "Go Forth In Faith" by Elder Anthony D. Perkins. It's based on a BYU devotional called "Nevertheless, I Went Forth." 
Here's some things I really liked from this article:
-obeying the commandments qualifies you for the spirit and revelation
-perfection is not a prerequisite to personal revelation--the prerequisite is repentance
-having all the answers right now will not help you become the person you need to be
-you will experience greater progress in life when you wholly commit to your decisions and strive to excel in your current circumstances even while you have an eye open to the future

This was seriously such a good article! I'm really excited to read the full devotional! 

I finished the Book of Mormon yesterday! I love the end of the Book of Mormon! Well, I love the whole book haha, but the end is so powerful! A verse that really stuck out to me this time was Moroni 9:25 which says:

"My son, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which I have written grieve thee, to weigh thee down unto death; but may Christ life thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever."

I love this verse! Always remember the Savior and His Atonement. He is the only source of true and lasting joy and peace. He is the hope that is an anchor to our souls (Ether 12:4). And I love the Book of Mormon! It is true!!! 

Well I gotta get going, because we're going to a lighthouse today! So exciting! Also, Saturday is transfer calls. I really want to stay with Sis. Bee! She is seriously so awesome! We work so hard and have so much fun together! I love her to death! But she's been in Augusta for 6 months, so she'll probably get transferred. We'll see what happens! Have a fabulous week! Love you all!
Love, Sister Harper

Snow? In April? 

Yay spring!!!

Monday, April 6, 2015

Week 36: I love General Conference!!!

Hey everyone!
I hope everyone had a great Easter and that you all enjoyed General Conference! I loved it! And I'm so excited about the 3 new temples they announced! Ivory Coast, Haiti, and Thailand! Holy cow! General Conference is seriously so cool! It's like Christmas but better haha! I hope you all learned a lot and will really ponder the things you learned and felt during this conference. And if you weren't able to watch it, please make sure you do! 

Here are some of the things that I learned during conference:

President Henry B. Eyring
-observe the law of the fast
-fasting helps you to resist temptations 
-"failing to observe the law of the fast by omission is a sin" Pres. Spencer W. Kimball

Pres. Boyd K. Packer
-true happiness comes through eternal families
-eternal love is complete, romantic love is incomplete
-"bridle all your passions that ye may be filled with love" Alma 38:12
-we can't escape the consequences when we sin against the laws of God
-the Lord will not remember sins that have been fully repented of
-the Atonement bears no scars, can set you free and move you forward
-the Atonement will work

Sister Linda K. Burton
-create a home where the spirit of the Lord may reside
-seek to complete, not to compete
-Thee lift me and I’ll lift thee, and we’ll ascend together

Elder Dallin H. Oaks
-what do we do with the Savior's teachings as we live our lives?
-we need firm and lasting conversion to the gospel of Jesus Christ
-spiritual food is necessary for spiritual survival
-increase your exposure to spiritual truth
-addiction impairs agency 
-our commitment is supposed to be a test
-really living what you believe needs to be a priority in everything you do
-always be focused during the sacrament (no texting, games, etc)

Elder L. Whitney Clayton
-no matter how bad things are, rescue will be worth it
-if we search for it, there will always be a spiritual light
-it starts with our willingness and desire to believe
-belief and faith require personal faith and action
-choose to believe!
-belief, testimony, and faith are not passive principles 
-put your belief into action
-you will find spiritual light when you choose to believe
-don't give up on your belief in Christ!
-believing in Him and His redemptive power is the true path to peace in this life and eternal life in the world to come

Elder L. Tom Perry
-the Restoration centers on families 
-families are the basic unit of eternity
-family is the key to eternal life

Elder David A. Bednar
-fear is dispelled when we have a strong knowledge of and faith in Jesus Christ
-we need to have a constant look on our heavenly destination
-Jesus Christ is the only source of enduring peace
-one of the blessings of devoted discipleship is peace
-His doctrine provides purpose and direction in our lives
-1) look to Christ 2) build upon the foundation of Christ 3) press forward with faith in Christ
-ordinances and covenants are the building blocks to a solid foundation built on Christ
-Godly fear=reverence and respect 
-Godly fear dispels mortal fears
-Godly fear is loving and trusting in Him completely 

Elder D. Todd Christofferson
-your body is an instrument, not a master, of the spirit
-no one is predestined to receive less than what the Father has

Elder Wilford W. Andersen 
-our happiness is based on our ability to hear and listen to the spirit
-be in tune with the spirit; align with the correct frequency to hear the spirit
-you know how to follow the Savior
-D&C 121:41-42 those attributes tune your heart to the gospel
-dissonance cannot be corrected by criticism 
-be patient and keep practicing to feel the spirit in your home

Elder Dale G. Renlund
-a saint is a sinner who keeps on trying
-God cares a lot more about who we are and who we're becoming than who we were
-God cares that we keep trying
-repentance=twas I, but tis not I
-one of God's greatest gifts to us is the opportunity to try again
-God expects us to keep on trying
-once we decide to try again, then the Atonement can help us
-encourage others to keep on trying
-all of us are in the same need of the infinite Atonement 
-if we don't try, then we're latter-day sinners; if we don't persevere, then we're latter-day quitters; if we don't help others, then we're latter-day hypocrites

Elder Michael T. Ringwood
-great people are always more anxious to serve than to have dominion
-the service that counts the most is usually recognized by God alone

President Thomas S. Monson
-new temples-Ivory Coast, Haiti, Thailand
-attending the temple will help us to better overcome trials and temptations

Sister Rosemary M. Wixom
-the Lord can only teach an inquiring mind
-you are not so much in the dark as you think
-Christ doesn't leave you when you have questions
-you have to have your own spiritual experiences
-you must build your foundation on Christ
-"hold fast to what you already know and stand strong until additional knowledge comes" Elder Holland
-answers come in quiet, simple assurances
-answers come as His will becomes ours

Elder Jose A. Teixeira
-the fullness of joy can only be achieved through Jesus Christ
-1) visit church websites for resources 2) subscribe to church social networks 3) make time to set aside your electronics
-life is not confined to a 4" screen

Bishop Gerald Causse
-to marvel at the wonders of the gospel is a sign of faith
-is the gospel still wonderful to you?
-1) never tire of discovering or rediscovering the gospel
-remember sacred, spiritual moments
-the gospel is a fountain of knowledge that never runs dry
-there are always new things to feel and learn in the gospel
-2) anchor your faith in the plain and simple truths of the gospel
-3) seek and cherish the companionship of the Holy Ghost
-your testimony needs to be constantly renewed by the Holy Ghost
-don't forget the miracles and signs you have witnessed
-never do anything to deny yourself the gift of the Holy Ghost

Elder Brent H. Nielson
-let people make their own decisions and continue to love them
-follow the father's example in the prodigal son
-watch and wait with renewed love and kindness
-love, watch, wait, and pray for the Lord's hand to be revealed
-let people come to themselves
-we all need the Savior's love and Atonement
-we're all on the same path back home

Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
-the Atonement is central to our eternal happiness
-we cannot fully comprehend the Atonement
-Christ will catch us when we fall and will lift us as we obey the commandments
-he stands triumphant over death on wounded feet

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf 
-never lose your sense of awe and gratitude for the sacrifice of the Son of God
-God loves us deeply, perfectly, everlastingly
-His grace refines us and helps us become our best selves
-do we love the Lord more when he forgives us more?
-salvation cannot be bought through obedience--it's through Jesus Christ
-we obey God's commandments out of love for Him
-enlightenment and understanding come as we are obedient
-the Savior's grace allows and enables us to overcome sin
-see the eternal significance of the Savior's Atonement

Elder Robert D. Hales
-moral agency is an essential part of God's plan to all His children
-commandments help us know who we are
- it's not too late to follow Him
-don't walk, run--run to receive the blessings of agency

Elder Kevin W. Pearson
-2 of Satan's most powerful tools are distraction and deception
-"hanging in there" is not a gospel principle
-enduring to the end means always growing closer to Christ--total commitment to the Savior and your covenants 
-1) don't forget to pray 2) come unto Christ and be perfected in Him 3) press forward with faith 4) the Book of Mormon is the key to spiritual survival 5) don't be distracted and deceived 6) stay by the tree of life
-obedience builds faith in Christ
-strait and narrow=strict and exact
-prayerfully study Lehi's dream (1 Nephi 8)
-the Holy Ghost changes our nature and helps us be truly converted
-if you lose the spirit, you are lost
-once you make covenants with God, there is no going back
-average is the enemy of excellence
-prayerfully study the Book of Mormon and live its principles everyday, everyday, everyday

Elder Rafael E. Pino
-understanding the Plan of Salvation will help us keep the commandments
-all commandments are of eternal importance
-have a gospel perspective for your decisions 

Elder Neal L. Andersen
-His cause is the greatest in the world
-can you see the hand of God in His work and in your own life?

Elder Jorge R. Zeballos
-be responsible to Heavenly Father
-1) learn your duty 2) make the decision 3) act accordingly 4)willingly accept the Father's will
-words of Christ and the Holy Ghost help us learn our duty
-we need to repent, be obedient and patient

Elder Russell M. Nelson
-the Sabbath is the Lord's gift to us
-the Sabbath is a perpetual covenant
-we are under covenant to keep the Sabbath day holy
-the home is the basis of a righteous life
-parents have a sacred duty to teach their children
-choose to delight yourself in the Lord
-it is our privilege to consecrate our money and time to the Lord
-true believers keep the Sabbath day holy 

Wow so many notes! Sorry it's super long, but it's all awesome spiritual goodness! 

So this last week our ward started what's called the 40 day fast. Basically we have a period of 40 days (April 1-May 10) and everyone signs up to fast for one of the 40 days. So that way there is always someone from our ward that is fasting during the 40 days period. The purpose of the 40 day fast is for the missionaries to be able to find a family to teach who is ready and prepared to receive the gospel. The 40 day fast started last Wednesday and on Wednesday and Thursday we found like 7 families that invited us back over to share a message about Jesus Christ! Oh my goodness! Fasting is so powerful! I'm so excited to go back and share the gospel with these families! I know that we'll be able to see miracles through this 40 day fast! 

I hope all watched the new "Because He Lives" video! If not, check it out at helives.mormon.org! Also they have this super cool thing they're doing! They have these little pink place markers that you can print out and then take a picture with it and post it on social media using #becausehelives. They have lots of cool examples on helives.mormon.org. And I encourage all of you to do this and share your testimony of the Savior through social media! 

I think that's all for now! Have a great week and I love you all!
Love, Sister Harper


We got Wicked Whoopies!! They're so good!