Letter from 6/25/2014

This week in Mission Santiago:

A zone conference took place the Friday after transfers, much to the surprise and delight of the missionaries... all of Santiago- half of the mission- was in attendance. Former zone leader of Navarrete, Elder Gifford is now assistant to the president. In an interview with your favorite reporter, Elder Gifford confessed to already having nearly wrecked the AP truck. Nearby listeners did not understand, for he was speaking English, but had they understood, they would have sympathized. Dominican driving is not easy. Elder Gifford gave a talk about being more like Christ to obtain the power of heaven. He was followed by the stunning and hilarious Sister Douglas, who spoke about the importance of gratitude. As it turns out, gratitude can add more years to your life than refraining from smoking. Experts still advise that you do not smoke. This reporter and her companion are now keeping their journals of gratitude with diligence. After lunch, President Douglas asked select missionaries to bear their testimonies. This was expected, as all who were called on are in their last transfer of the mission... except one. The last one. ME. o.o Hearing my name was like being struck in the heart by lightning.

Yeah, I bore my testimony in front of 115 missionaries and the mission president.

In other news, my arm was asleep when I woke up today, and I accidently punched myself in the nose.

The salvation of Moca is in my prickly hands. Moca has yet to comment on the situation.

Also... I am eating much less meat these days. I learned that when you eat animal fat, your body absorbs more toxins. Booo. Also that your brain is 80% water. Fact.

In the way of spirituality... I have been particularly drawn in by family history this week. It really is the coolest thing ever in the history of history. Because it IS history. I was reading Alma´s counsels to his sons, specifically Helaman, this week. It was so powerful to me. I have decided (tentatively) that I will write a book for my descendants. Because they will never be permitted to read my journals ever ever ever. haha. But in all seriousness, I get so absorbed when we start talking about pioneer saints throughout the world and their legacies. I love love love it.

Also: Mom, remember how you found out you are a kinesthetic learner? Turns out you might feel the Spirit more in the same manner. Check this out. Helping Children Recognize the Holy Ghost

Anyway, I hope you all have a spectacular week!!!

Hermana Harden

Letter from 6/18/2014

Helloooooo!!!!! I am still here in Moca... today was transfers. Wow, time is FLYING BY these days!!! Let me think about what´s new...

I sang with the ward mission leader on Sunday, at the dramatic request of the bishop. haha. He invited me into his office with his two counselors and the ward mission leader and delivered a speech about my talents, then proposed that we sing Un Pobre Forastero, or A Poor Wayfaring Man of Grief, in sacrament meeting. We said yes, and that was that. haha. It went really well. It´s really neat, the difference music can make in terms of inviting the Spirit. I received lots of kind words and compliments from the members. Super grateful for that experience.

English class is going well! My favorite students are a brother and sister, who are about 8 and 6, I want to say. They start to panic when I start to erase something from the chalkboard. It´s hilarious. They are members of my favorite family in Moca. I will try to get a picture to send soon.

On Monday, my companion went to Puerto Plata with another companionship. There were american dentists there (friends of the Douglas family). I stayed in the mission home because I had no desire to pay lots of money and travel long distances. haha. They dropped me off early, and President let me in. He had no shoes on and was in khakies, an unbuttoned polo, and bed head. haha. He gave me free reign of the house, including the computer... which may or may not have been a test, but I didn´t use it anyway. haha. I started to pick up where I had left off in Jesus the Christ, but the doctrine became too deep and I had to meditate. President walked by as I was half sleeping on the sofa and asked me if I was studying hard. lol. Then my wildest dreams came true. I spent the day as Sister Douglas´s companion! We went shopping and bought mosquito nets for all of the missionaries, as well as food for the newbies and those who go home tomorrow. It was a long four hours, but Sister Douglas bought me Subway, because she is number one. haha. It was also her birthday! That will be a special memory, I think. Afterward, I started making pancakes and President helped me out. He is a pancake pro. Pretty sure that is a universal dad skill. Way fun.

I am addicted to chocolate milk. Bet you didn´t see that coming. haha. There is a cocoa powder here called Sobrino, which is delicious and full of sugar. Add that to lactose-free milk, and BAM! I am putty in your hands. haha.

I read lots of really great articles in some old Liahonas this week. One had a great quote: ¨Friends are people who make it easier to live the gospel of Jesus Christ.¨ I loved that. I want to be the best friend that I can be. I challenge each of you to do the same! I hope this is a great week for each and every one of you. I love you!!

Hermana Harden

Letter from 6/13/2014

Wow, what a week! It has probably been the hardest for me emotionally, but also really good. Looky here.... we had a baptism!!! This is Juanly, our investigator, his stepmom and Sister Winger, who was in Moca before me. I sang a hymn with our ward mission leader for the special musical number and we made brownies for refreshments. Juanly is already attending institute and thinking about serving a mission. I'm so happy for him!

I made chili this week, as I remembered making it back home. They don't sell beans already seasoned, but it turned out pretty delish. I ate that for like 4 days and shared with my companion, too. haha.

We also had a SISTER CONFERENCE. It was way super cool. President gifted us roses. It was really nice. We also watched the part of Dead Poet Society where Robin Williams whispers, "Carpeeeeeeee dieeeeeeeeeem." haha. It was a really great way to break up the week. They made a chicken salad and served it to each one of us in a fourth of a hollowed out pineapple. I forgot my camera, otherwise I would show you! It was super elegant and delicious. I'll try to get my hands on some pics.

Wow, I feel so brain dead! I guess that happens sometimes when you are going non-stop like missionaries do. If you want, I could probably teach you about prophets and the Restoration of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, but I think I have almost emptied out everything else there was in this cranium of mine before the mission. I got some emails from friends this week, and I am SO glad all is going well with you wonderful people! I got a letter from Amarie today. QUE TAL, AMARIE?? haha. I will be writing back soon. I am committing to write a more interesting email this Wednesday. I might even make a rough draft beforehand. haha. Anyway, I wish you all the best and want you to know that each of you has a cozy space in my heart. I love youuuuuu!!!

Letter from 6/4/2014

That is so cool!!!!! I will totally be praying for you, OF COURSE. Wow, mom!! I hope that not only they offer the position, but that it is a totally sweet gig!! Wow... how far is that from SVU? haha. That would be SO neat to be close to DC and Raleigh and everything, but I'm totally shutting up now, so that we're all in control if it doesn't work out. haha. I read at least one of the Odd Thomas books, and I really liked it. You should check those out! I will definitely want to see the movie. Just add that to my long list... haha. I saw that the new Hunger Games and Hobbit movies are on DVD in PriceSmart today, and I just had to take a moment to mourn. haha. I AM SO EXCITED for Eric and Janessa! I will totally make the "sacrifice" to go over there and visit them and assure them that we all still love them. haha.

By the way, I bought five pounds of frozen strawberries today with no regrets. Although they were a little expensive... 649 pesos, [cough]. Those were my travel expenses that I reimbursed for the last two transfers. haha. I am getting big on using the blender these days. I'm pretty sure that will last me a month or possibly an entire transfer. haha. Sister De La Cruz and I went to.... TACO BELL today!!!!! It was so good and exactly how I remembered it, if not better!! haha. They even left the onions off my burrito. Classy folks.

I talked to Sister Carroll today, who is in charge of the mission finances. She and her husband hail from Nauvoo... they are really nice. We were talking about how I don't want to teach english because it's hard to simplify and she doesn't want to teach piano because it's hard to simplify AND translate into Spanish. I'd like to learn piano, because there isn't anyone who plays in our ward, but ain't nobody got time for that. haha.

I received one of the boxes you sent!! I am expecting to see the other one with this weekend's batch of mail. The one I got had the cookbook! I am getting ready to make some delicious food!! We have already begun on the fruitsnacks, my companion and I. As soon as I saw the toothpaste, I made a ceremony of it and enjoyed that minty blast.

Speaking of my companion, she is such a champ. She helped me this week as I was feeling frustrated with not finding ways to use my talents to serve. (I don't count speaking english as a talent... just a particularly well developed skill.) The sister who is in charge of music in our ward had already asked me if I would sing before I left Moca, and Sister De La Cruz told me that they were hoping to start a choir here, so maybe I could help out with that. We report our service every week, but she agreed with me that we could do this service off the books. I'm such a rebel by nature... I don't like doing anything that I feel obligated to do. haha.

Anyway, I have a feeling that this will be an awesome week. Next Wednesday is supposed to be a very special day, so hopefully I will have really good news in two weeks. haha. We had three strong investigators come to sacrament meeting on Sunday. I am very hopeful in each of their cases!

Anyway, gotta run! I love you all very much!!!

Hermana Harden