Thoughts from Chile

Hey :)

Yesterday was wonderful.  It it amazing to be in a ward that functions of its own accord.  To start off we were able to have Roberto come to church.  He seemed to enjoy it and was very willing to participate.  When you have 164 people in the church even if only 30% greet a visitor they`re constantly saying hello to people, which obviously makes them feel welcomed.  He`s now progressing towards his baptizmal date which is great.  We`ve taught a couple of less-active part-member families which have been powerful lessons.

Couple of thoughts/revelations of late: 
Science`s end is to manage/relate/understand the world.
Religion`s end is to manage/relate/understand morals, identity, and find fulfillment and peace.

Many times we think the Sacrament is a great way to start the week.  But, it should be the end of a week of repentence and preparation to partake of its emblems.

Members here are to help grow the church through converts and protect them.
Members there are to help maintatin the flock and grow the church through testimony.

I hope, and in reality pray, that you`ve had and will have a wonderful week full of love, testimony, peace, and joy. 

Tu misionero
Elder Parry Harrison

Reflections

Hey :)

First off, a breakdown of the week.

It was a struggle.  My companion became quite ill with the flu which challenged our abilitly to work.  But, yesterday we had two powerful confirmations of Diana and Bruno.  It was also Ward Conference and the Bishop and Stake President gave wonderful talks on preparing ourselves integrally (bad translation).

We are teaching a man named Roberto.  We found him on a reference slip in the house while cleaning it up, and have had 3 wonderful lessons with him already. He`d already listened to the lessons in the Sur before moving to Santiago and is the son of a pastor so he already knows a lot.  He's got a baptismal date for the 9th.

The four clearest sources of my joy in the mission are meeting people(investigators, members, or companions), feeling the Spirit during church, teaching, and learning from the study of the gospel, especially from talks from our living Prophets.

Now, to finish what I meant to write last week, a reflection on what I`ve gained and lost while on my mission.

Gained

A sure and firm testimony

Love for others

Gratitude for the abundance of blessings I have

Appreciation and perspective on life

A true acceptance and tolerance for those of other beliefs and the truth that they have in their lives

Lost

Doubts about the Gospel

Preocupation with self

Fear of sharing the truth

Judgments about others

And finally, the 20 years:

When one reflects on life`s milestones and markers to pass decades is significant. While my birthday was celebrated with little fanfare here in the mission (root beer floats from one thoughtful hermana and cupcakes from another), and as a result I had to be reminded 3 times that Friday was my birthday :), it did cause me to think about who I am and what I`ve passed through.

My life has been full of blessings and challenges: height (which clasification that falls under I`ll leave up to you :), intellect, legacy and example, family, family challenges, comforts, and a lot of support.  And when you work through the arithmetic of the first 10,512,000 minutes of my life, you come up with 66 inches, 124 lbs., 4 eyes, a lot of love, faith, and experience, and one child of God.

I`d like to express my appreciation for the influence you`ve had during a few of those minutes.  You`ve helped to make me who I am.

Mucho Amor

Elder Parry Harrison

Some Changes

Hey :)

So, back to two.  We sent Elder Larsen off today.  He was a great companion and will be sorely missed.  We`re going to be quite lost these first couple of weeks without him as the sector is really large.  I really enjoy this sector, though, and would love to be able to stay here for quite a bit longer.

We had two wonderful baptisms this Sunday and the Spirit was palpable. One is Diana, a 26 year old from Peru who has lived here 6 months, and the other is Bruno, a 15 year old son of a less active family.

I`m not doing very well at all emotionally, but life goes on....

From today`s President`s Letter:

"You might also enjoy the following words from a very recent email to Elder Willes from his brother in Paraguay:

P.S. Evidence the Book of Mormon is true – Our mission just opened up a new area where a bunch of Guarani Indians live.  Long story short – the chief came to the missionaries and told them they had to leave because they stole the story of The Book of Mormon from them.  After a few days of talking to them, however, they realized that it was in fact the same story (same names and everything) [but not a false story, so] every member of the tribe was baptized — 487 [of them] last week.  What more proof do you need?"

Photos from this past couple of weeks, most from the going away get together on the 24th floor roof of recent convert Cecilia`s apartment building (learning how to dance la cueca (National Dance) at one point) https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ypw1iwbzjl2gysx/-F-zcjYpnK

Sorry for the short letter again,  I`m going to pre-write next week's.

Mucho Amor
De Chile
Elder Parry Harrison

Life Moves On

Hey <):)

First, attached is a collection of three of the songs that have recently touched my soul.  Especially the first one.  Captures the Spirit of the Mission perfectly :) -

A thought that has come recently:  In trying to find what I admire about the Chileans, I realized they are especially willing to see the hand of the Lord in their lives.  They readily admit belief in Deity and attribute a wealth of their blessing to Him.

This week went well, my companions are great, and Elder Larsen is quite funny.  We`re having so good success in the sector, and the city is cool.  A lot of references and less knocking doors. The ward is huge.  175 yesterday.  A significant change from my last branch.  But all in all life moves on happily.  

I`ll write more next week,

Apologies

Elder Parry Harrison

P.S. - This link is to an extremely insightful paper about the Book of Mormon I was recently referred to.  It is called "Joseph Smith's American Bible: Radicalizing the Familiar" by Terryl L. Givens. A notable quote:  "The point is that a Christian audience of Joesph`s day would have considered scriptural history to move inevitably toward completion and closure.  In the Book of Mormon, scripture always moves toward proliferation and dissemination in both directions."

Just a Little POV

Hey :)

Answers to questions:  The weather is like a slightly more humid version of fall in Utah.  Sometimes more cold, at times warmer.  Here there are places to do recreational activities, but the people work too much to have time to do much, outside of playing futbol, flying kites, and occasional visits to friends and family.  The family I mentioned a couple of weeks ago is good.  We've taught them three times, and they are very friendly and listen, but unfortunately all excluding the youngest son (15) convive (live outside marriage).  We`ll see how their progress goes...

Changes
I`ve been changed to Campania in Huelen.  It's in Santiago centro but I don`t know much more about the sector yet.  I`m companions with a Mexican with almost a year left (Elder Garcia), and an Elder Larsen that was there 9 months already and will show us around until he goes home in 2 weeks.  It was terribly sad to leave Fontt.  I loved the branch and members.  (Small fact I think it's OK to reveal now:  there were two of Chile`s carcels, or prisons, in the middle of our sector, that we`d walk by several times a day.  I didn't want to alarm anybody ;)

Reflections on Pan
The bread in Chile is wonderful.  They have something called a maraqueta that is like french bread.  Fresh it is incredible.  And day old is great for french toast.  It`s something that I relate with my family`s missions to France :)

POV
It is all about our point of view, or perspective.  Just a view short weeks ago I was stuck in a vicious cycle of despair, angst, home-sickness, anger, and sadness.  Now with my view lifted back up, and the thought of an early termination gone from mind, I`m getting through life much easier.  These last few months have really shown me it`s all about how we look at things and what we focus on that determines our success.  I think its Alma 42 that talks about faith and how we just need a desire to believe to begin to grow our faith.  It all starts with simple desires that blossom into who we become.

Amor,
Elder Parry Harrison