Mission Summary

Mission President

• President and Sister Tupou

Zone Leaders

• Swan and Dheil (MTC) - 1 Transfer
• Riddle and Lotulelei - First Two Weeks
• Taumoepeau and Tokuafu (Vava'u) - 2 Transfers
• Tukuafu and Lauti (Vava'u) - 1 Transfer
• Riddle and Mu'amoholeva (Vava'u) - 1 Month
• Riddle and Drake (Vava'u) - 1 Week
• Fonogalafi and Nuku (Sopu Tongatapu) - 1 Transfer
• Makasini and Valekoula (Matahou) - 1 Transfer
• Tukuafu and Nuku (Sopu Tongatapu) - 3 Transfers
• Katoa and Finau (Ha'apai) - 1 Transfer
• Puta and Latai (Ha'apai) - 2 Tranfers
• Harmon and Latai (Ha'apai) - 4 Weeks
• Harmon and Bunting (Ha'apai) - 3-1/2 Transfers
• Harmon and Hafoka - 3 Transfers

Assistants

• Napa'a and Lakai - 2 Transfers
• Napa'a and Taumoepeau - 2 Transfers
• Fifita and Taumoepeau - 2 Transfers
• Fifita and Moni (Montgomery) - 1 Transfer
• Fifita and Makasini - 2 Transfers
• Lotulelei and Makasini - 3 Transfers
• Puta and Taumoepeau - 4 Transfers
• Harris and Whyte - 2 Transfers

My Intake

• Elder Huntsman
• Elder Freer
• Elder Petie
• Elder Harris
• Elder Grant
• Elder Swan
• Elder Dhiel
• Elder Bunting
• Elder Jones
• Elder Summers
• Elder Crosby
• Elder Harmon
• Elder Tu'akalao
• Elder Vasla'a
• Elder Felemi
• Elder Lavaka
• Elder Berry
• Elder Lao
• Elder Lotulelei
• Elder Tuitavake
• Elder Ulukivailoa
• Elder Cruser
• Elder Vava (went to New Zealand)
• Elder Fifita (went to New Zealand)
• Elder Mulitalo (went to New Zealand)
• Elder Katoa (went to New Zealand)
• Elder Hopoate (went to New Zealand)
• Sister Sotele (went to California)
• Sister Williams (went to New Zealand)
• Sister Katoa (went to California)

Areas Served

• Noapapu/Matamaka (Vava'u) - 3 Transfers
• Matahau (Tongatapu) - 1 Transfer
• Sopu'o Taufa (Tongatapu) - 4 Transfers
• Pangai (Ha'apai) - 3 Transfers
• Koulo (Ha'apai) - 4 Transfers
• Touliki/Houmakelikao (Tongatapu) - 3 Transfers

Companions

• Elder Ulukivaiola from San Fransisco, CA - (MTC) - 6 Weeks (1 Transfer)
• Elder Price from California - (Noapapu/Matamaka) - 18 Weeks (3 Transfers)
• Elder Latai from San Francisco, CA - (Matahau) - 6 Weeks (1 Transfer)
• Elder Arcos from Atlanta - (Sopu'o Taufa) - 12 Weeks (2 Transfers)
• Elder Talanoa from Vaini, Tonga - (Sopu'o Taufa) - 12 Weeks (2 Transfers)
• Elder Tuitavuki from Utah/Hawaii - (Pangai) - 18 Weeks (3 Transfers)
• Elder Latai from San Francisco, CA - (Koulo) - 4 Weeks (1/2 Transfer)
• Elder Bunting from Utah/St George - (Koulo) - 22 Weeks (3-1/2 Transfers)
• Elder Hafoka from Pelehake, Tonga - (Touliki/Houmakelikao) - (3 Transfers)

Islands Visited

• Tonga (Main Island)
• Noapapu (Vava'u)
• Neiafu (Vava'u)
• Oteia (Vava'u)
• Hunga (Vava'u)
• Pangai-Lifuka (Ha'apai)
• Foa (Ha'apai)
• Fotuha'a (Ha'apai)
• Matuku (Ha'apai)
• Oleva (Ha'apai)
• Uiha (Ha'apai)
• Felemea (Ha'apai)
• Ha'afeva (Ha'apai)

Transportation

• Boat
• Plane
• Car
• Speedboat

Last Hand Written Letter (Dated: 7/6/15) [#94 from Tonga]

Family,

I cannot explain the mix of emotions I feel writing on my last piece of paper to my family as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! This is an incredible opportunity to finish off these 94 letters from Tonga! To be honest, I never thought when I started writing in the MITC that I would actually write every week for two years, but here we are and I guess we did it!

I could never thank you enough for all your support as I embarked on this journey in Tonga. I'm eternally grateful! May this last letter be a forever memory of this adventure that we took together because I could have never done it with out all of you! There is evidence of this all the way from the beginning to the end.

Last Monday we were able to have a family home evening with the Loisi family once again which involved a lot more less active families together as one group and have a family night! The Loisi family has grown immensely these last 3 weeks. They have continued daily to read the Book of Mormon! They have all seemed to grow with a testimony towards our Father in Heaven. We recently took the youngest daughter (9 years old) into the waters of baptism. This has been a huge motivation for the family to study together daily and it also helped them be committed to coming to church. Normally it is not such a big deal to the ward to baptize a little kid, but this is a whole family returning back to church. This is a really big deal! It has been a family I know I made promises with  in the life before this one. They are incredible! I'm eternally grateful to our Father in Heaven fro this opportunity to put my hand out. I know that if Elder Hafoka and I would no have been ready to be Heavenly Father's servants at this exact time, then these people would not have received the courage to return.  Yes, they may have returned soon, but I know that God ahs called me and my companion to hasten His work!

These are my last days here in Tonga. The word of dad echo through my ears as each day of my last week and days. Before my mission he would say, "Well, this is your last Monday as a kid and then tomorrow a missionary!"

Well, here comes the last few days here in Tonga. I won't have to write a letter at the end of this one. I will be sitting at your feet letting you know how it went. I'm so looking forward to this time!

The children in Tonga have been the hardest thing about this time coming to an end. From the beginning the are what kept me going and now they are going to make it feel impossible to separate from this place. I look at them and I feel as if I am fleeing my own family. I can't imagine never seeing these people again. The children have made an impression that will never be forgotten. The ward members are very close to my heart. This has been a long journey and I could not have done anything without the children. The ocean has become a replacement for my mountains while I have been here. The separation will be a culture shock....not to sound sad that I'm coming back, but it is hard leaving a place that has been home for two years. I can't wait to see you again.

It has been a long time........

Ofa Atu
Your Son & Brother
Your Eternal Family Member - Elder Blake Daniel Harmon

Last E-mail (Dated 7/5/15)

Hey EVERYBODY

It's weird to know that this is the last time I will sending you an email from over 8500 miles away. It's been very different than I thought it would be coming to the end. I still feel like I just got here...but then I look back and realize that it's been a while since I have seen all of your beautiful faces. I can only imagine that it's going to be a tough week emotionally.... The people of Tonga will forever hold a piece of my heart. I'm sure you can imagine....

This has been a very rewarding week.  The Loisis family, the less active family that we have been working with, has grown immensely spiritually!!! We got to baptize their youngest daughter Tina. This baptism has meant so much to me personally because I have seen first hand the miracles that the gospel has had on this family's life these past few weeks. This has been the best gift God could have given me before getting on that plane.

As for Panitita, we are still working with her. We have her new date set for this Saturday. I won't make the baptism but it will take place while my feet are still here in Tonga hahaha. She can do it, I know she can...but it's Gods will and not ours. She is just having some trials that I know she can over come! I am so excited for her!!!!!

We received a new investigator last week. Her name is Walker and she is 22. We have a date for her to be baptized as well. Things are going really well!  I have such a strong desire to carry this work home with me to UTAH.

Thank you everyone for your incredible support! I love you all so much!!! YOU ARE ALL IN MY PRAYERS! I will see you in a few....

Mom "DUDE"
Brooklin SYST

Tina's Baptism

Uasla'a!!!!!

4th of July Sunset

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 6/29/15) [#93 from Tonga]

Loved Ones!

This week we had the incredible opportunity to be able to attend the gift ceremony at the King's palace! Every missionary in the main island of Tonga was there! I was waiting in the line when a man walked up to me and said, " Elder Harmon, I am really good friends with your mom! She says to say Hi!" I was totally taken off guard and then asked for his name. He said that it was Sifa Topou. I was like, "Oh, you are President's brother." It was a very neat experience to have met him and to have heard that he loves my family so much.

The actual ceremony inside the palace gates was so incredible to experience. What an awesome thing to get to experience right before returning home! We lined up every missionary in Tonga down the road of the palace and there was another line of Tongans at the LDS church school. Then there was another line of members and presidents in the local church congregations. My companion and I stood at the font of the line. It honestly felt like we were waiting to storm the field for the opening season game. As the guards opened the gates, they had the missionaries go first. We walked in with the Liahona boys carrying the biggest pig in a cage and women walking with their nicest mats that they had made. Then more boys walking with the biggest root crops on the island. They even brought in a kava tree. We all walked in and sate on the grass probably about 30 yards from the front of the palace. Mission President and the Temple President and the Area Seventy sat right below the steps of the palace. The King sat right inside the door on the ground gross-lagged. Along the wall outside the door sat his royal servants and translators. The King cannot talk to us directly, he has someone talk to us and we cannot respond directly but rather, have to have a royal member represent us and speak for us! Turns out that all of the royal (Hoveiki) are all members of the church but mostly inactive. So, they pretty much preached about our church in front of the King.

It was very humbling to see our Mission President kneel on the cement right in front of all of Tonga and pray to our great and powerful Father in Heaven. After, President Tukukfu gave a beautiful spiritual thought. He told the King  what we did not come with a lot for his son the prince, but what we have blessed him with the power and authority of the Holy Priesthood. Then he went on to tell the king that his son can baptize the people in Christ's name and that he can heal the sick in Christ's name, etc. It was very powerful!

The communication back and forth was very old fashion. It was intense and I now know how it feels to be in the King's palace. You will have to ask me more detailed questions when I am home.

It was really cool because after the president and our AP's went and shook hands with the King, they had to crawl on their knees and bow before shacking his hand. It was definitely an experience for the history book. The church gave over $100,000 to the King. Anyway, it was incredible to witness this event. Hopefully my description helps you feel a little bit of what it was like!

Love You All!
See You All So Soon!!!

Your Son/Brother

Blake Daniel Harmon

E-mail (Dated: 6/28/15)

Hey Everyone,

It has been a very emotional roller-coaster these last few weeks, Weird to think that next Monday will be my last in Tonga and it will be my last P-day to receive letters and talk to you before we are in person.

I would love to share with you a experience I feel impressed to share. I am pretty sure I was able to share with you how last week we were able to start talking with some new less active families. One of these families has come so far in just one week's time since we last e-mailed.  Last Monday we challenged the family to read the Book of Mormon as a family. The next day we followed up and it turns out nobody read. We decided as a companionship to read as a family with them. We asked them to pull out their Books of Mormon (last time they told us they had some laying around somewhere). One little girl stood up and went to the back room and was looking for a while then walked out with 5 dusty Books of Mormon. The mom look very surprised as this little girl passed out the books to her siblings. We read in 2 Nephi 29. Each person read two verses and at the end of the reading would describe what is it they read and what the spirit taught them about the verse. As it went the spirit was strong and hearts were opened and they felt the warning voice of this great book.

At the end of the lesson after we bore firm testimony of this book. The mother asked us if she could have a few moments to share with us. We turned the time over to her and as she began to speak tears filled her eyes. She began to tell us that she has had a strong dislike toward the Book of Mormon her whole life. Every time missionaries, ward members or anyone would give their kids a Book of Mormon she would tell them to throw it out. You could see her broken heart and we began to feel her contrite spirit as she began to bear testimony of how she knows now for herself that the Book of Mormon is the word of God, another testament of Jesus Christ! It was powerful as she told us that she now has has strength and courage to share this with her husband who has not let the church be part of their kids or her life. She said, "I need to share this truth with my husband, because I have felt the spirit today and cannot deny it."

I am a witness of the Book of Mormon changing lives including my own. I'm so grateful to be part of these miracles! Love you all so much and I will see you in a short amount of time!

YOUR SON AND BROTHER
Mom DUDE
Brooklin SYST

 

Hand Written Letter (Dated 6/22/15) [#92 from Tonga]

Family :)

I have been blessed to have had such a lesson learned this week. I was in awe today when I realized that I will be shipping off this letter probably the day before I go home. This means that I will probably be sitting by your side reading it with you. That's a good thing! This way I can answer your questions and give greater detail to the best of my ability :)

I would really like to focus on less active women that we have been working with since I arrived here. It's actually a lady that Elder Bunting baptized. I will tell you a little about her. She is in her late 70's. She grew up as a Methodist out on a small island called Nomuka. As she got married and moved out of the house, here parents were baptized in the church. one of her brothers is now a bishop in a ward here in Tongatapu.

She is one of the last people in her family to be baptized into the church She lives in a little hut that has a broken roof. I literally have to crawl in when I teach her or I will not fit. She is a very humble lady and she is willing to listen. She has begun to receive answers to her questions and it has created a pathway for her faith and she is beginning to act on it.

She has a desire to go to the temple. She said, "I know I need to go as soon as possible! How do I do it?" This Sunday, she is going to go see the bishop. I 'm so excited to see her prepare to make covenants and take that extra step. The joy I have seen enter her life through understanding our Savior's plan and God's commandments in indescribable. She is a huge reason why I am here and seeing the gospel bless her life has surely blessed mine....being able to be a witness of this change.

This week has been amazing just to see all of the less actives we have been working with all go to church. Our ward on Sunday was almost double in size. The spirit was so strong because I know each and everyone of knew that they were where they belonged! It was awesome to see all the less actives that have become a little bit more strong over these last few months be the ones that were fellowshipping all of the other less active families.

We have truly seen the blessings of God's balancing act. Searching, teaching, inspiring, retaining, and reactivating. Sometimes we find it difficult to find people to teach, but as we look to strengthen those who are weak or lost sheep, we are surprised how often we find a new friend along the a strayed path and that now has a desire to bring themselves and others back to the path of righteousness.

God is perfect. He knows all things and this is His work, not anyone elses. He decides when an dhow things happen. But, as we trust in Him and stay diligent, we will get to witness and His part in miracles, even if they are 10 years down the road. For God is preparing the hearts of men. He is shaping them. Shall we ever heed the promptings of the spirit so we might know which key should unlock a hardened heart.

Such little time is left here on my mission. However, I know it is not over. I know it has just begun. I know there is a work to be done at home with many of my friends and family. I know I need to keep learning and growing because I have a family that I need to nurture on the foundation of the Lord.

Your Son & Brother
Elder Blake Daniel Harmon

E-mail (Dated: 6/21/2015)

DADDY! WOW I JUST BARELY FOUND OUT TODAY IS FATHERS DAY!!!!!! IN TONGA IT WAS CELEBRATED A MONTH AGO, I FEEL BAD I DID NOT KNOW!~~

I want you to know how grateful I am for you, your example and your constant support have brought me further in life than anything else in the world could because the path you guided me along was the path of righteousness. Thank you dad for who you are and continuing to be a leader for me!! 

--------

Okay, ran out of time. I'm not even quite sure how the time just flew that fast. It's actually really sad because I have so much to write about....some beautiful experiences I had with less active members in my area. I will have to somehow try and write you later about it!!!! KNOW I LOVE YOU ALL SO MUCH! Panitita is doing really good by the way her date is the 27th of June. Everything is going as planned. We will keep you in touch!!! Love you!  

ELDER HARMON 

-------- A Few Hours Later -------

Hey Family, 

Okay, I found another computer because I felt really bad about how bad I left you all hanging on my last email....especially last week when for some reason it did not send to you. I feel really bad about that! Hopefully this one makes it to you. 

This last  week was a really special week for me and my companion. We became really close with a lot of our less active families. We opened a lot of new doors with new less active families that we have never been able to open doors with. This last week was the King of Tonga's visit to all the little villages. It's a day that all the princess and princes go around and check all the little towns and all the villagers decorate and prepare for their visit. As my companion and I were walking around the village, we decided to visit some of the less actives whom we had received referrals for from our members. We were lucky to find one lady outside her house trimming her bushes with her machete. We quickly started to help her as I ran to the neighbor (bishop's house) and grabbed another machete. We started to help her out. Wee found out that she grew up in the church but she married a man that was catholic. We found out that she has never been back to the LDS church since she got married. It was kind of hard for her to open up about things, but the longer we stayed and helped the more happy she became to share. The next day we showed up to invite her to church. Her boys that are 17 and 16 were playing rugby outside and we decided to join in. It opened up a beautiful opportunity to invite her to church. She was hesitant, but said she would. Sunday morning we showed up to her house and she came out of the house already ready to go. It was such a great feeling to see her so excited. As we were on our way to the chapel she said none of her friends know that she is going to church (all whom are members). As we arrived the ladies saw her go through the front door and it felt like the whole relief society ran up to her and welcomed her. It reminded me of  the parable of the lost sheep in Luke 2........I saw how the gospel gives light to peoples lives and brings joy and hope to the soul.

As we were driving away from the chapel, I saw Hingano (the lady we helped quit smoking and help return to church) walking home with her two little daughters underneath her arms and she had the biggest grin on her face. This is the biggest gift Heavenly Father could have given me. As I saw this, a mix of emotions brought tears to my eyes. I felt joy, happiness and then sadness as I know these people, whose hearts I have seen changed, will only be apart of my life for 2 1/2 more weeks. I am so blessed to have served in the Tonga Nuku'alofa Mission.

This week for the first time in history, every missionary in Tonga will be led by the Prince of Tonga (who just got baptized). We will walk into the palace doors and thank the king in person for this opportunity to serve in Tonga and to have been able to baptize his son. I have witnessed the Lord hastening his work. I am his living witness. I know this to be true in the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 6/15/15) [#91 from Tonga]

Family,

The spirit has been incredibly strong this week in my life and in all the things that we have been able to do. This entire week, we have been painting the palace of the king. It has been incredible! I will talk about that on e-mail but right now I want to focus on a question that sister Tupou have me and the missionaries. Here question went something like this. "Hos does our purpose as a missionary compare to serving the king and painting his face?" I was able to answer her question, but in thinking about my answer this whole weekend, it bother me. I know there was a better answer. I decided to pray about it for greater understanding.

The next day, was stake conference. We were able to listen to a member of the Seventy (Elder Thompson). the beginning of his talk , he started talking about symbols and how important they are. He talk about the first symbol as the star in Bethlehem that representing the birth of Christ our Savior. His entire talk was focused on how we must show symbols/signs to our Father in Heaven that we are committed to Him. Show Him that we are diligent, that we are obedient, but most of all that we love Him!

Immediately, I thought back to the reason I came on a mission. I thought about the love I have for my Father in Heaven and how that is what brought me out to serve a mission. That is my purpose here. Then I thought about how service has to do with that, and it was simple as I thought about my favorite scripture in Mosiah 2:17.  That is what we are doing as we serve. We are giving our Father in Heaven a symbol that we love Him!

Family and friends, the reason that I share this is because I want to express the importance of seeking for the answers to our questions side-by-side with God. I have witnessed the power of personal revelation take place as we first seek God and we ask and we take on faith and we put it to work. This tool will bless you in your lives. This is something that we must do daily. We must approach God with a question. How do we expect to learn more if we don't ask? How do we expect to be directed if we don't ask where it is we need to go?

Joseph Smith demonstrated this as he asked God which church is it that he should join. He did not say which church is true, but rather he asked a question in an act of faith as he said, "Which church is it that I SHOULD JOIN?"

I want to bear my witness of the importance and power that comes from asking, because I myself have received.

In this I say, in Christ's name, amen.

Elder Blake Daniel Harmon
Your Son/Brother
Families are Forever!

E-mail (Dated: 6/14/2015)

Hey Family,

Wow it has been an overwhelming week of spiritual learning and growing through experiences. In my letter home that I sent today, I was able to focus a lot on the learnings and teachings that I experienced through the spirit of the Lord.

I would like to share with you a little bit of the story line of it all. Then when you receive the letter you can put it all together!

We were asked on last Tuesday to go to the Kings Palace in our nicest clothes that we had and to be ready to do service. As we showed up, I realized that it was most of my intake that was there. It was so fun to see everyone, especially coming to the close of this remarkable journey. It has been incredible to get some hours of work in with these men that have become best friends to me throughout these two years. Like my football coaches would say, there is no one like the brothers on your football team because you have bled, sweated, and sacrificed with them. The same goes with these boys for me!

We started on Tuesday scrubbing the rust off of these fences and we eventually got to the point of putting on the primer and finally painted them!!!!! It was an awesome experience of sacrifice and gratification of love that we have for these people of Tonga.

This week was full of awesome experiences with our less actives receiving answers to their prayers and inspired questions as they attended stake conference!!! Aw I have so little time. I want to tell you about all these experiences!!!!! Right now we are headed to help out a HEFY group build a home!!!! Man in less than 4 weeks we will be sitting down and I will fill you in on all the details!!! Know I love you and I am healthy and all is well. I appreciate all the love and prayers in my behalf!!!

MOM "dude"
Brooklin SYST

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 6/8/15) [#90 from Tonga]

Family (Forever),

So this last email, I spent a lot of the email focused on the car incident and didn't focus on much of what has been going on in my area. So I would love to share with you some personal experiences with some really close less active families of mine. We have been working on a family called the Vai family. The are so uplifting. They are very close to my age. They probably graduated with Brittany. They have a little daughter and she is just a doll. We have had the opportunity to have many family home evenings with them. In these family home evenings, we have given them different challenges. Tonight we went and checked up on the commitments they made and it is beautiful to see how they have been conquering and doing the things we are challenging them to do. They have been going to church every week. As I shared a little spiritual message that was personal to me and I knew that it could mean a lot to them, I could see their desire grow to become true examples of Christ. I shared the second verse "Teach Me to Walk in the Light" and I described how it has made the biggest difference in my life. How my parents taught me the gospel and have shown me the light. I applied it to them and how it is so important for them to do this for their baby as she grows, but that they must start now. For all things start to build from a foundation!

It has been beautiful to see this family walk through those church front doors these last two weeks in a row! There is a joy that I have learned here in Touliki that is like no other joy I have ever experienced in my mission. This last week of church, we had almost every single family that we have been working on show up to church!! It was incredible!! Our less active's class was a blast! We had so many people show up!

I think I mentioned on e-mail Panitita's baptismal date. She is preparing and I know that she will be ready. I believe she is one of the main purposes for me being here for my last transfer!

By the way, if you are reading this, I imaging that I have two weeks left. Well, we did it! This mission has been a team effort. Just like a band cannot perform or succeed without fans, I could not have had this experience without all of you! I will forever be grateful to each and everyone one of you. Family support has meant so much to me while I have been on a mission. you have all become so much more valuable to me in every single way in my life!

P.S. Just in case I didn't mention anything on  e-mail, ask me about services at the palace. I still remember like it was yesterday that Dad was talking about how the King's palace was not very big and we were so surprised how I feel like it is so nice! Weird how our minds can switch and become more used to other perspectives.

Your Brother/Son
We are an Eternal Family
Blake Daniel Harmon

E-mail (Dated: 6/7/15)

A story a Mom probably does not want to hear.

Hahaha don't be nervous by the title mom. Everything is all good, so take a deep breath before you read any more, haha.

So I guess I will start with my intense story of what happened this week to me and my companion, We were driving down the road in the main part of our area when we saw a group of people gathered together. It seemed like something bad had happened or that something was going on. We drove up to see what was up and when one of our members ran up to us crying saying that her grandchild had been hit in the head by a car and had been rushed to the hospital. She asked us if we could run and tell his mother and run her to the hospital. My companion quickly dialed the mission president as I rushed to the mothers house. My companion told president we needed to run a woman to the hospital whose kid just got hit by a car..... 30 seconds later phone rang again and it was president. He thought we were the ones that hit the kid.... After we clarified things he said, "of course" ... we could take her. Without trying to panic the poor mother, we helped her in the car and told her that her son is in the hospital and had been in an accident. He is about 5 years old by the way.

At this point we don't know if the boy only has a certain amount of time to live or what, so we were in a major rush. I know many of you have seen me drive and sometimes I'm not the slowest driver. Regardless, we saw this as an exception.  As we came to town (it was Friday so everyone was in town and this is a two lane road). As we drove, my companion turned on the hazard lights, and as as he turned them on he said fainga ketau alu ( time to get going)! He pointed to the middle section of the street and told me to drive in between both lanes...obviously no room to fit....but he held the horn on the car and I drove. It was very intense. It was as if we were watching the parting of the Red Sea with cars peeling off in both directions as we drove down the middle of the road.  I honestly felt like we were in the movies or something. I kept asking my companion if it was okay and he kept saying, "This is a must!"  We arrived at the hospital safely!

The boy is okay....he is alive and breathing. Turns out the car was at a dead stop and the kid ran into the car......so yup, the story got a little over exaggerated. Pretty intense week don't you think?!!

Panitita is doing awesome! We have a baptismal date for the 27th of June. My companion committed her and when she responded that the 27th of June is her birthday, my companion only repeated the question. The spirit was so strong and she said yes. I love seeing her progression.

Moale is still coming to church, but keep him in your prayers, he is still homeless and struggling.

I love you all so much!!!!!
Mom DUDE
Brooklin SYST

The thing I am kneeling on is for the King of Tonga to do his prayers.
I just happened to run into the person making it! 

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 6/1/15) [#89 from Tonga]

Family,

On e-mail, I promised I would fill you in on what has been going on and so that you can be filled in on all the details. These are blessed and sacred moments for me to look back on my week and share this powerful and remarkable experience with my beloved ones.

I believe that on email I told you about Moule and Sione and their beautiful experience at the temple! How blessed I am to be able to bask in these incredible experiences in their lives. I think about how the spirit works and when one teaches with it, he himself who speaks is taught as well as the person he is speaking to. This is the same as bringing others into the gospel and watching them partake of the fruits of everlasting words and eternal ordinances.

I told dad some of my goals that I have for myself and this area for my last transfer as a missionary. One of those goals is to bring the joys of this gospel to a lady named Panitita. She is a single parent who's husband left her after telling her he would go to New Zealand to earn money and he never came back. There is hope for this family and I see it. I have seen the miracles of this gospel and I have experienced them. I am currently living one!

I want to see others experience the same thing I did and be truly converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ. I want others to feel the power of God's words as they read the Book of Mormon and know what people mean when they say the words in the Book of Mormon apply to us personally. I have experienced this daily. I know we all can!

I'm not go to lie. I feel tired. I feel like I could coast now. I feel like I have done a good job up until now, but I know that I can't do that. I have never done that. I will finish with a bang! I will finish with my whole heart, might, mind, and strength.

So, I have a few families I want to tell you about. We are working with a lot of couple families that have all recently been married and we have been seeing progress with them as we teach them and get them to make commitments. All of them have little babies so we have been focused a lot on what visions they have for their children in the future. All of them have awesome visions and expectations. It is just a matter of putting them in place.

6/2/15
Awe, so last night we got to have our family home evening with all of these families. It was fun for us all to be gathered together and for every family to have similar situations so each person could be pretty open with their feelings and their needs! It was a blast to be able to associate with them all. They are about 1-2 years older than me. So, it was a somewhat familiar feeling to when I would be involved with people that I went to school with and could relate with.

It has been incredible to see hearts opened and people come to an understanding of the gospel principles and how important these principles are in their lives.

I have seen the effects of what the gospel does in one's life and I have also witnessed those without it and I can bear testimony that one with the gospel is one that has joy. I did not say they have a perfect life without hardships, but they have peace and joy because they know...they know of heavenly blessings that have been promised. They know that this is what Heavenly Father wants for us and this is how he wants us to live our lives and prepare to come unto Him!

Your Son/Brother
Blake Daniel Harmon

E-mail (Dated: 5/31/2015)

Hey Family,

Wow, just entered the last transfer of this beautiful journey that I have been on. I will be staying in Touliki my last transfer with Elder Hafoka. I'm excited to continue to keep learning and to continue working with all these beautiful people in this area!

We were able to go to the temple this last week with Moale and Siale...another recent convert!!!! It was beyond what words can describe...the happiness and joy that was felt!!!! As I stood in the baptismal font, the only words that I can say to explain it is that I felt like I was home. I felt peace calm and joy. You should have seen Moales face the whole night. He was so happy! He kept saying, "Wow, so these people are being saved because I'm here being baptized for them!" It was something that I will always remember!

I have fallen in love with the Houmakelikao Ward and the Touliki Ward. I feel at home with them. I knew this is where I was supposed to end my mission.

Our experiences continue to grow with our less active families. My eyes have been opened to see how much members, (friends) matter to these people. Everyone just needs someone to be there for them. People need to know someone cares about them. We (as missionaries) have just been the people trying to fit the puzzle together...and when the right pieces are in place, it is magical to see what take place.

We have seen some true miracles in our ward with these experiences. I will be sending a letter today touching on some of these incredible experiences!!!!

Elder Lao is now a zone leader as well!!!

We have a lot of new people coming into my zone.  Elder Arcos is coming into my zone. I'm way excited!!! He will be training!!!!

Love you all so much!!!!
ELDER BLAKE HARMON
MOM DUDE
BROOKLIN SYST

We asked Blake what was now on his mind and in his heart now that he knows where he will be finishing his mission. Here is what he said.

1) I have a woman that is not a member who I really want to walk into the waters of baptism before I get on that plane. She is 39 years old and has two kids. Her husband left her a year ago. This gospel is what she needs.

2) I want to see the less actives that we are  working with gain their own firm testimonies and stop leaning on others.

3) I want to know I gave it my all. I don't have anytime to slow down.

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 5/25/15) [#88 from Tonga]

Family Forever,

So I’m sorry my weekly emails have been so short. Things have been crazy! I was so excited to hear how birthdays went at home. They sounded like they went really well! The Italy trip sounds like a blast! It is definitely an experience of a lifetime. The Payson Temple looks very beautiful. I remember it was just getting started when I was home. Brittany sounds like she’s having great experiences in Chicago! It’s funny how you can go just to another state and yet can be in another world! I guess I had to go 8500 miles to find that out…..:) It was fun for me. I ran into a couple from Utah. They are the dentists for the church here in Tonga. I was able to talk to this lady about her kids. It was really fun to see it all from a mother’s point of view. “I guess here it, not see it”. But she talked about her boys serving missions and her love for them. It was really cool for me to sit and listen as I thought about how my own mom and dad feel about me. She also gave me some good advice that I am sure will help. I don’t know if I ever told you, but Elder Lotulelei is one of the new Zone Leaders. It’s been crazy to see how many of my MTC group have turned out to be leaders in this mission! We have over 18 altogether! I’m proud of how far they have each come! I remember mom and dad telling me that these boys from the MTC will end up being some of my best friends for life. I can definitely testify to that! These guys are going to be some of my best of friends! Every Monday morning, I go to the mission office to pick up needs for the missionaries in my zone and I get to see them all. Every time I walk in the door, one of them holds up how many weeks are left. It has just gone by too fast! Weird to think that the sophomores from when I was a senior are going to be graduating this week! I feel like that was just me! Hearing about all of the missionaries leaving is so crazy! I am sad that Taylor Larson is leaving right before I get home! That will be 4 years without seeing him. Just like how it was for me and Jordan Lowe. Well, here is a shout out to your Taylor! Hit the ground running! Return with Honor! Well, enough of all that :) haha, I still have 7 weeks to stay focused!

I would love to share with you some of the beautiful things that are currently happening in my area here in Touliki. As you probably know, we have been working with a lot of less active members in our ward. Wow, it has been such an incredible experience! It has been such a building experience for my own testimony and a confirmation to everything I know to be true! I have been watching miracles take place before my eyes daily because of the Holy Ghost working on the hearts of his children through instruments that he has slowly shaped and created to his specific sculpt for this area! I have the strongest testimony that God reveals his will to the leaders in this church and this is His work and we are placed in certain places and positions for reasons and God’s hand is in all that we do.

We have less actives right now fellowshipping “other” less actives and it is having a domino effect. People are seeing the fruits of the gospel and the joy and happiness that comes from this work! It is a joy that no other thing can replace! It is something so enjoyable to watch that it beats ANY movie!

This is my challenge and my promise as a disciple of Christ that as you see to reach out to others and share what blessings you have received in this gospel, you will find a fullness of joy and it will be a joy that you will not be able to replace. You will be filled with satisfaction and you will come closer to our Savior and he will bless you to have the beautiful desire to invite others in all you do! I promise you these things in Christ’s name, even Jesus Christ, amen.

Your Brother and Son
Elder Blake Harmon

E-mail (Dated: 5/24/2015)

Family and My Beloved Friends,

This week has been amazing. We have seen MANY tender mercies of the Lord. I am grateful for these incredible Mondays to reflect on how much the Lord has blessed us! It is something I hope to keep in habit -- to always look back and see what He has done for us in every single part of our lives!!!!!

Just yesterday we got to confirm Moale a member and he received the Gift of the Holy Ghost!!!! It was so beautiful. It was so delayed because of all the stake conferences and ward conferences, but was so relieving to finally see the ordinance take place!!! It was very special!!!!

This week we set up temple times for us to go do baptisms for the dead!!!! It is going to be an awesome experience!

This week we also had the opportunity to go to the temple and take a recent convert that Elder Hafoka and his companion had baptized, It was a great experience. I love the Tongan temple. It surprisingly has the most beautiful baptismal font I have ever seen!!!!! I'm excited to return this week!!!

We have so many things I want to tell you but I never have the time to write it. It will be nice in 7 weeks to sit down and fill you in.

This coming Sunday is transfers. I have been talking to Elder Harris and he thinks I will be ending as a Zone Leader and in Touliki so I think I will be staying but just in case it's just a warning if you don't get an email from me next week!

Its crazy we are going into the last round!!!! I love you soo much!!!!!

MOM "DUDE"
SYST
Dad and Brooke, I hope your birthdays were unreal!!! Love you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Elder Hafoka ( my district leader)

Temple

Baby that got named after Elder Bunting

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 5/18/15) [#87 from Tonga]

Family,

I realized I never wrote a letter to you about Moale and his incredible baptism! I read on e-mail how you were excited to receive it, but I realized with Mother's Day, I got a little lost with my letters, so even though its a little late, it will get there at the same time as it would if I would have written it last week!!!

So, we have been preparing for Moale to enter the waters of baptism for the last couple of weeks, but the biggest thing was helping Moale find the faith to overcome his addiction. As he prepared , he was strengthened as he sought strength from our heavenly Father and he found confidence and guidance from the Book of Mormon. Watching his conversion has been the most beautiful thing ever! To know how much his life's desires have changed from here on out and to know the affect that it will have on his live in the future and eternity! May 9th at 7:00 PM, Moale walked into the waters of baptism....an experience I will never forget! He is one of my heroes as I watch his faith and watch as he leaps with that confidence in his faith! After I baptized Moale, he walked to the top of the stairs and waited for me with his arms outstretched. I walked up and hugged him. In my mind and my heart, I said to myself, "I found you brother, like I said I would! I promised that I would come find you in your lost state on the other side of the world on a small island....These entire two years, I have looked for you and I finally found you...."

I felt it. Heavenly Father let me know. My heart sings to know I did what I said I would do. Now Moale will be able to do that same thing for those he promise he would find!

This gospel is beautiful!!!! I'm addicted to this work and it brings so much joy and hope to my soul!

I have such a strong desire to be involved in my own ward and stake when I return...to see those kinds of miracles happen among my own home!

God has blessed us with receiving the gospel at this time and He has said that it is time to hasten His work. It is our job because we have been given much. We need to spread the word and invite others by helping them receive all the blessings of this restored gospel!! :)

Family, oh how I love you and I rejoice in our knowledge of the blessing of this gospel. May we forever remember the covenants we have made and stay true and endure to the end...

Know I will always be one of those who fights by your side so long as you hold to God's side. Know that if you fall to the enemy, I will never stop fighting until I win and I have pulled you back. I hope I can always be someone you can turn to for help, but even more, I hope you know I love you and God loves you!

Elder Harmon
Your Son/Brother

E-mail (Dated: 5/17/2015)

Hey Family,

I'm excited to drop you a quick note about how my week went, its crazy how it has already been a week since I talked to you on the phone, its very overwhelming how fast time can slip away!!!!

This week has been full of fun experience with our less active families that we have been working on. It has been an eye opener and I have learned so much from it.

I have found one of the gifts that God has given to me. I usually have a hard time finding my strengths and going with them, but this one I know God needs me to use it and continue to develop it, and that is listening. Its such a big key to success as a missionary seeing that we don't teach lessons, but we teach people. It has meant a lot to me as I do my personal study every morning. As I think back to the people in my area and what it is they need, I'm able to discern what it is the spirit is telling me for those specific individuals.

It has been a blessed week continuing to see Moale progress.  Right now he is getting involved in family history work and getting ready to go do baptisms for the dead. It has been a fun road that we have been venturing together. Its the most beautiful knowledge to know that his eternity will be changed forever because of the choices he is making right here and now!

I love you all. I hope all is going well there. I see we are wrapping up May... so school must be coming to a quick close!!! I wish Brandon and Brooke the best of luck at their studies.

Next week is Brooke's and Dad's birthdays!!!!!! Brooke will be 14 and dad will be 50!!!!! I love you both so much, know I'm thinking about you!!!! Can't believe I'm missing the big 50!!!!!!! Know I'm their in spirit!!! Hope all goes well!!!!!

So, is the Italy trip on for sure now???? So awesome!!! Love you all!

MOM "dude"
Brooklin SYST

AP from Kara Johnson's Mission - Happens to be from Tonga!!

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 5/11/2015) [#86 from Tonga]

Family :)

I think there would be no better thing than to dedicate this letter to my mother for Mother's Day! There are not words to describe how grateful I am for my Incredible Mother! As I attended church on Sunday, it was hard not to have my own mother to hug and sit by in Sacrament Meeting. But, I want to let you know that these Tongan ladies did you proud mom as they all expressed a mother's love to me! A lot of them if not all of them kept asking, "When do you get to call your mom?!?" I would laugh and tell them that it is not until tomorrow because America is a day behind. Although I did not get to call on Mother's day here, you were in my heart and I felt you very close!

Mother's Day is a very special day and very close to my heart. I have to admit, it has not always been like that because I guess I just didn't get it before. I was blind to see it! It's a whole day dedicated to the person that went through nine painful months to get us here. The person that went many sleepless nights just to make sure the boogie man wouldn't eat us from underneath our beds. It's for that one person that would still love you even though you ate all the groceries she just bought from Costco.

This day is for the one that would turn up the music with her sons and sing with them at the top of their lungs to a Bon Jovi song! This day is for the mom that sacrificed hours to make sure her kids had hand packed lunches every morning and when they were still not out of bed, would turn on our favorite song to wake up to! This is the day for moms who sit on the side lines in freezing temperatures just to scream from the sidelines for her son! This is for mothers who love their sons enough to give them to the Lord for two years to a small country 8500 miles away.

This is for my mom who has not missed one week writing me a hand written letter of support and love...

Mom, you are my hero... You represent to me what it is to be dedicated to being a mother, but not just any mother, but a mother that God would have you be. I only hope that my wife can be half as incredible as you were with me. You have shaped who I am.

I want you to know I love you and I recognize ll your efforts and I will be eternally grateful to you!

I know that the Lord has a mansion prepared for you and dad for your dedicated service and for raisin us kids so diligently.

- Your Son
Blake Daniel Harmon
Ofa Lahi Atu

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 5/4/2015) [#85 from Tonga]

Family,

It has been an awesome opportunity to be able to receive so many beautiful and thoughtful emails today from my parents! I feel so bad that I have such limited time to be able to respond and let you know how grateful I am for your support, kind and gracious words, but mostly for the words and thoughts you send that are straight from the heart. Your words are power and strength to my soul every week. I'm so blessed to have both of you as my parents. I never go a Monday without being refueled with strength and support. I want you to know that I learn from your emails every week and I ponder the things you suggest and teach me. Thank you for being part of my mission with me. I has meant so much to share this experience with the ones that have raised me up from the beginning.
This week has been full of feelings of joy and happiness for my family that I have here on earth. I have reflected much on the blessing that has been given to me and all that I have received.

We have been teaching a lot of families that are broken. We are teaching individuals that are alone and lost and all of this stems from broken links in the family. It breaks my heart to see people forget the covenants they have made before God and angles. It is something that can not be described. It's painful to see wives w/kids and no father figure to help, or even the opposite....not having a mother to support and love their children! It is devastating to see these situations, but there is a plan. God has not forgotten them. He will bless those who stay diligent to their covenants! I can't get over the fact of how important it is to endure to the end. There is such a new meaning to this phrase to me since I have been on my mission. God wants us to be continually learning. Even after this life, we will continue to learn. We will continue to progress, so as we endure, we do not sit in neutral, but rather, it is when we throw it into sixth gear and when we feel there is nothing left, we hit the top (potential). We need to remember there is always more to learn. There is always an opportunity to progress. So, we press the button and inject the NOS.....Haha, this is just how I see it in my head. It must sound funny....haha.

But, as I see it, we are racing to the end and we are trying to beat the adversary. However, no matter how fast our car is moving, he can always sneak up on our blind spot. We must have the desire to never lose our spot in the race (1st Place). We can not afford to miss a skip with our clutch or let off the gas.

I think that too often in our lives we put our transmission in neutral without even noticing what we have done. So, instead of moving forward, we are sitting still and just revving our engine. We are not necessarily going backwards, but yes, Satan has caught up with you and you are not moving. I feel that we fall into this a lot in our lives. I know this because for a lot of my time in High School, I was stuck in "neutral".

So, what is it we can do to get out of this bad habit of slipping gears? That is for the spirit to teach us personally. If you have the desire to know, ask yourself, "What do I need to stop doing to involve God more in my life?" Then, write it down. Now, ask yourself, "What do I start doing to have God be a part of everything?" Now Do It!

God said that we shall be blameless if we put him first in all we do.

I want to bear my witness that this is true. God will pour the blessings upon us all as we become loyal and faithful to Him!

-Elder Blake Harmon

E-mail (Dated: 5/3/2015)

Hey Family!!!!

Wow, I have been reflecting a lot these last couple of days. Amazing to look back and see how far I have made it! It seems like a cliff drop looking back at it all...but that is when I am able to see the many leaps my Father in Heaven has helped me attempt and conquer. This is one mountain I would never want to climb again, but this is the mountain that has made me who I am today and it has been a journey (hike) I would not trade for all the money in the world.

I was touched when I read Bishop Newman's email today about making a dent in the mission because upon reflection, it is something that I have been able to feel this week. We started to teach a 17-year old boy. Recently one of his friends built up the courage to invite him to be taught by the missionaries. This last Monday we had the beautiful opportunity to be able to teach this young man. Throughout his life, he has struggled with drinking and smoking. He started at a very early age. He has made attempts to quit to no avail. However, as he has been keeping the commitments of reading the Book of Mormon, I have been able to see a change in this young man's heart and presence. He is beginning to see the light. Yesterday he told us he has not had a drink since we taught him the first night and now he is down to one cigarette a day. He is making a change and coming to know his Father in Heaven. He is learning faith and it is beautiful. God is playing a role in his life, not because he was not there before, but because this young man is now allowing Him to enter and take his hand. This is making an eternal dent not just on my mission, but on my heart...an imprint that will never be forgotten!

This wonderful young man will be baptized on May 9th. Please help by keeping him close to your heart and in your prayers...that he will have the strength and courage to overcome his addictions.

I love you all so much!
Your Elder Blake Daniel Harmon
Mom, Dude
Brookilin SYST

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 4/27/2015) [#84 from Tonga]

Family,

Tonga my home forever. As we were waiting to go to a lesson, I took a walk around our first counselor's yard. It reminded me of the walks that grandma (Emmy) and I would always take around our back yard and would just take in all the beauty and the hard work that my Father would put into it. As I took it all in, it hit me how fast this time has gone and how much has occurred in these two years. My heart filled with gratitude and joy for this beautiful opportunity on top of an overwhelming gratitude for my Heavenly Father. He is the reason for every blessing I have received in my life! It is because of His son's sacrifice that I can go on from day to day and be renewed.

This week we were blessed to hear from our Area Seventy and Mission President. Elder Pierson came and brought a message to me that I will never forget. It was beautiful His message was about becoming a Disciple of Christ. He focused on how missionaries make a lot of changes, but a lot go home and fall right back into how they were before the mission but that is what will earn us eternal life. It is when we change permanently on our missions and not falling back. He made an awesome point as he said that we don't receive Eternal Life. It is something that we have to CHOOSE! WE have to act and use our agency to receive the blessings that God has for us! We re able to make the right choices as we obey the first law in heaven! Obedience! Being obedient builds our faith and through faith, we will have desire to be like Christ and repent. Then we will make covenants with our Father in Heaven! But it does not end there. This is just the beginning. Once we have covenanted with our Heavenly Father, we cannot go back. We cannot say, "Oh...this is too hard, I give up." We cannot afford to take a rest. Once you have covenanted with our Father who art in heaven, you have used your agency to follow him!!! In our hard times, we don't throw in the towel. Instead, we kneel, we pray, and we lean on the one person who made it possible for us all to have hope. This is enduring to the end.

Family, I am so grateful for my mission and all it has done for me. I am so grateful for the leaders in this church who are inspired to teach us and to help us become more like our Savior!

My goal is that I can be someone who brings others unto Christ through my example, because that is what we are here on earth to do....to align our lives with our Savior's life. We are here to be perfected in Him!

Family, I want to leave you with Elder Pierson's words. I am truly impressed that they are words from our Father in Heaven when he said, "It is not good enough that we try. We must DO!"

Family, I love you with my whole heart and soul. You are my life and my everything. Let us remember always that it is because of the love of God that we have each other. We shall put Him first in all we do! I love this gospel and I will give my whole self to it.

Elder Blake Daniel Harmon

We are eternal!

E-mail (Dated: 4/26/2015)

Hey Family,

After reading all of your beautiful emails I feel prompted to share quickly with all of you a very special experience I had with one of my less active families. First, let me give you a little back ground about the family. They have five kids and the oldest is 14. They live in a small house. The family struggles to go to church. They seem to have many things that are distracting them from what is most important. The father is usually gone on Sundays and is not really focused on the family. The wife tells us that there is always contention in the home. We have visited them frequently with very little success. This last visit was something of a different result. The spirit was the teacher and not us.....As we we talked with this concerned mother about her family, me and my companion received the the distinct impression to teach about the Book of Mormon and the power that it can have in people's lives and the strength and peace that it can bring. We soon found out that they did not even have a Book of Mormon in their house....(good thing us missionaries have lots) Anyway, it was powerful for me to have the spirit work through me as I was impressed to share a personal expeirence I have had with the Book of Mormon and the importance it has with the family!!!! The spirit was strong as we testified and worked with this beautiful family to commit to the Lord!!!!

This week we had the oppurtunity to have a mission tour with Elder Pierson from the Area Seventy. He came and talked to all of us. It was just what we needed. It was one of the most beautiful talks I have ever listened to. It was about becoming True Disciples of Christ and continuing to be disciples for the rest of our lives!!!

Things are going very well. This week, I met the first white female missionary in Tonga! She was excited to hear I was from American Fork. I am the closet person to her home town she has met in Tonga.

Me and my companion are doing really well, we are becoming one in the work.

I love you all so much!

If you have questions or need anything please let me know!

ELDER HARMON
MOM Dude
BROOKLIN SYST

Elder Crosby and Tu'itavake in my intake 

one of our investigators!!! ( Mele) from eua making donuts!!! 

Saying goodbye to elder Berger, he is done today!!!!!

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 4/20/2015) [#83 from Tonga]

Family,

So fun to be able to hear from you all on e-mail. Sounds like so much is happening! Brooke and Brandon are finishing up their school years. Brandon is going to be a senior!!! Brooke is going to be a 9th grader. These are two years that I remember very well!! Brittany has graduated! So so exciting and probably very stress relieving!! Mom sounds like she has been crazy busy with showers and parties and every other thing that she has going on. Can't even imagine. Dad is looking good, losing lots of weight and working crazy hard at work! Sounds like the summer is going to be just crazy! Brandon's surgery, eagle, trek, etc! It's definitely going to fly by! Brook is going to EFY. It sounds so fun! :) Are you still going w/Michael's little sister? I'm excited for Michael and his opportunity in Chicago! That's a pretty cool opportunity! Looks like you will all be returning right before I get back! I cannot believe all the people that are getting married!! Ally Hardy, Brooke Anderson, Carly Latimer! Crazy, Crazy!

It was a very big shock to hear about David Norton. It was painful to know how hard it was on Brian Lunt. He was such an incredible example to David and he wanted what was best for him. I can't imagine his pain. I need to write him a letter or something. My Mondays are just so short on e-mail & I don't have his mission address. If I don't ask on e-mail, can you send it to me? Please somehow let David's family know I am thinking about them and praying for them.

I cannot believe how fast life can change. We never know when the says are just going to end for us. This past week, I know of four ladies that have passed away in my area. In one week!! Three were pretty old, but one was about 45 with cancer when she passed away. So sad. She had some really young kids. At the funeral, the littlest girl would not stop hugging her mom so that they could close the casket. Broke my heart. The incredible thing though is that there is a plan and this is not the end. This is just the beginning!

So, my zone is very small right now. There are only eight missionaries in my zone! Two sisters and six elders! We have the smallest zone in the whole mission. We are basically the size of a district. We used to have missionaries in Hoomakelikao (the area next to us) but now there are none. So we now have a pretty big area to cover. By the end of the day, we are pretty worn out!!

We have a lot of investigators but the progression part is what we are struggling with. Lots of our investigators have baptismal dates, but we are having to push the dates because they are not yet ready. I pray and fast that we can help them see the importance of keeping the commitments required for baptism. On the other hand, reactivation of our less actives has shot through the roof. I have never reactivated more members in my whole mission. I have felt so much success when I see their smiling faces walk through the church doors! This has truly brought joy to my life!

As for our housing, it has been good. I stomped on a rat the other day. I will have to send you a picture! :) I love you all so much and I am  grateful for your support in my life! I love you so much! You are my eternal family!

- Blake Daniel Harmon
Your Brother and Son and Friend Forever!

E-mail (Dated: 4/19/2015)

Hey Family,

I will probably find a way to write later, I just don't have the time right now.....

I want to send my love to the Norton family. I want them to know they are in my prayers. I want Brian to know I love him and know that he can find peace through our Savior. You are incredible Brian. You are an amazing missionary and you always were to David. I know he loves you so much. Know that I am here if you need anything. I am here.

Family I love you all and appreciate all the emails and care that you have sent to me.  I wish I had the time to respond. We only get 30 minutes at a time in this place, and its never enough to read every email and write. Transfers happened. We are staying and not much happened. We only have eight missionaries in our zone so my area is huge now!!! I now cover my area and Houmakelikau also!!!!

Love you all know your in my prayers!!!

ELDER HARMON

P.S. Don't worry...time is going so fast. I'm just trying to do all I can with these last 12 weeks. Then, we can sit for hours and talk about it all!!! Love you all soooooo much!!!!!

Main Dock in Tonga

Family we took to the temple that was met by the temple president

Back of the Temple

Building with Blake's Name On It

Girl we taught. She is getting married then baptized in New Zealand next week

These Girls are Awesome! They are Brooke's age hahaha. They make me laugh so hard!