Hey Family:)
So I thought today I would take the opportunity to tell you of a really cool experience I was able to have while I was on a companionship exchange with Elder H. from Hihifo. We had an appointment set up over in our area. It was with a family that is living in a little hut here because they are from one of the outer islands, so they come and stay here so that their kids can go to school. We received them as a referral family and we took the opportunity to go get to know them. The story that we had been told is that the parents are in the Church of Tonga and their kids are baptized members of the church (LDS) and that the kids go to school here in Pangai (the one Kolopoki setup). Anyway, we went in there expecting to try and teach the parents but when we got there, it was just the wife and the kids. We asked where the husband was and I guess that he stays in Kavai (one of the little islands). We found out that she is also a member of the church, but that since she married someone outside of the church, that is the reason that they attend the Church of Tonga. We were able to have a really good conversation! Towards the end, Elder H. told them that we were not there to be a burden on them or to criticize or to tell them that their church is wrong, but that we were there to bring blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Then he told them that we are disciples of Jesus Christ and we act in His name. He then told them that we can promise blessings. He then looked at the kid next to him and promised him incredible blessings too sacred to write. He also promised them that if they continue to fulfill their baptismal covenants, they shall prosper. He then went over to the mom who looked at us with tear filled eyes and he then promised her with power that her family will see the blessings of the gospel in her lifetime and they would be sealed as a family for eternity as long as they do their part.
I have never felt so much power in one's words. I know it was the spirit working through him. It's incredible how we all have promised blessings in our lives if we first fulfill our part and keep our sacred covenants and keep the commandments! For nothing in this world is worth giving up our promised blessings from the Lord, yet it is so easy to slip and fall.
I am asking you all to hold fast now! We need to find our firm foundation, plant our feet, and grab hold of the word of God. For we need it's constant warning voice to keep us standing firm upon the foundation upon which we are built.
The adversary is working so hard on those that are younger. It is my plea that we do whatever we have to in order to push off temptation and frustrate the adversary's evil plans and ways. For God's blessings are there for you and for me! He has promised us that we shall have everything that He has if we will only but follow Him! It may be hard, it may require sacrifice including (XBox, Facebook, Texting, etc). I urge you all to avoid the things that hold you bound!
I love you all!
Your Son/Brother
Elder Blake Daniel Harmon
The Eternal Family I Hold Close to My Heart!
Sunday, October 26, 2014
E-mail (Dated: 10/26/14)
Hey family and my beautiful friends!!!!
Awe, I love getting the opportunity to be able to write you every week. Technology is such a blessing and a huge tender mercy. To be able to have it on our small islands out here in Ha'apai is amazing!
So our Bishop is back here in Pangai. Such a huge blessing to the work and to the ward. The day he got back we went over there to report our work and to set up some knew game plans. I'm so grateful I was not moved this transfer, because it has been really hard on me not having a bishop and not knowing him well. We have already built some great connections. I don't remember if I ever told you about Finau Taumoepeau???Anyway, we were able to go to our follow-up appointment with her and it was incredible........ it was a real testimomy to me about role play!!! What is role play exactly though??? It is practicing with the spirit and it is preparing yourself to help others come unto Christ.
The Mission of Tonga has a moto, its the mission that is a mission of:
1. Obiedence
2. Repentance
3. Preach my gospel
4. Role play
5. Joy
We have been taught to do role plays and to use real names and real situations. At first I thought it was just to increase our language skills but it is truly to help us become fimilar with the spirit and how to help the needs of our iinvestigators. It was beautiful to see us be able to help Finau understand the importance of reading the Book of Mormon. It was amazing to see the exact results from our role play occur in real life. She is currently readimg the Book of Mormon and knows that it is testifying of Jesus Christ, I'm so excited to see the changes that are bound to happen/occur in her life!!!! As for Uhila, he is actually baptized so we will be working on bringing him back to the ward. We saw our less active list yesterday, and almost every family has someone that is a member. So we have decided to change our outlook on work here and focus on bringing those thst have lost their way back to church and to remember the covenents they have made!!! We are excited to see the results as we change focus. We hope to see some great results. Those who think by doing the same thing over and over again we will get a different result are crazy.
Love you all so much!!!
Elder harmon
mom dude
brook syst
Awe, I love getting the opportunity to be able to write you every week. Technology is such a blessing and a huge tender mercy. To be able to have it on our small islands out here in Ha'apai is amazing!
So our Bishop is back here in Pangai. Such a huge blessing to the work and to the ward. The day he got back we went over there to report our work and to set up some knew game plans. I'm so grateful I was not moved this transfer, because it has been really hard on me not having a bishop and not knowing him well. We have already built some great connections. I don't remember if I ever told you about Finau Taumoepeau???Anyway, we were able to go to our follow-up appointment with her and it was incredible........ it was a real testimomy to me about role play!!! What is role play exactly though??? It is practicing with the spirit and it is preparing yourself to help others come unto Christ.
The Mission of Tonga has a moto, its the mission that is a mission of:
1. Obiedence
2. Repentance
3. Preach my gospel
4. Role play
5. Joy
We have been taught to do role plays and to use real names and real situations. At first I thought it was just to increase our language skills but it is truly to help us become fimilar with the spirit and how to help the needs of our iinvestigators. It was beautiful to see us be able to help Finau understand the importance of reading the Book of Mormon. It was amazing to see the exact results from our role play occur in real life. She is currently readimg the Book of Mormon and knows that it is testifying of Jesus Christ, I'm so excited to see the changes that are bound to happen/occur in her life!!!! As for Uhila, he is actually baptized so we will be working on bringing him back to the ward. We saw our less active list yesterday, and almost every family has someone that is a member. So we have decided to change our outlook on work here and focus on bringing those thst have lost their way back to church and to remember the covenents they have made!!! We are excited to see the results as we change focus. We hope to see some great results. Those who think by doing the same thing over and over again we will get a different result are crazy.
Elder Tu'itavuki's ward/stake are coming to Ha'apai this next week to bring food/clothes. So, we will be doing a lot of service. We pray that it will soften the hearts of the people so that they listen to us. We hope the less actives will comeback unto the fold!!!!
Love you all so much!!!
Elder harmon
mom dude
brook syst
Monday, October 20, 2014
Hand Written Letter (Dated: 10/20/14) [#57 from Tonga]
Family :)
Well, we just found out transfers and I will be staying here in Ha'apai at least until next transfer which won't be until the 15th of December. We are doing an 8 week transfer because things kind of got all messed up with the intakes from the various MTCs. We now have a lot of Elders and Sisters in our mission waiting for their visa to go to other countries. So, we have an overflow of missionaries:) So, it's amazing to see an increase of missionaries! 88,000 missionaries is incredible!!
This next few weeks are going to be pretty crazy because our APs both finish in 2 weeks and our four zone leaders are finishing at the same time, so we are losing all of the zone leaders that were here when I first arrived in Tonga. Time is really starting to change and it's my intake this is turning into the Senior Class )
To be hones this week was one of the slowest weeks I have had here in Ha'apai. We didn't have many people to teach and the weather was terrible. We had 3 days in a row where our power was knocked out by the lighting. But all of our craziness of the week with all the different things going on, we had a really cool experience with one of our investigators (Finow Taumespeau). She is actually our next door neighbor. She is the wife of one of the head missionaries for the other church here (Methodist Church). Anyway, we went to her house last week and we taught her the first lesson and she was very responsive to our message. She started to even read the Book of Mormon in front of us and she got really excited. Well, the next time we went over we brought up the Book of Mormon and started to ask her inspired questions. My companion and I were really clicking and were able to answer her questions and her needs through the spirit. She didn't read the Book of Mormon liked we had hoped, but we were able to start reading with her and pointing out similarities from the Book of Mormon and the Bible. We were able to share with her how it truly is another testament of Jesus Christ! I know that the spirit is able to speak to us when we open our hearts and minds and read the Book of Mormon!
I truly feel Heavenly Father's love when I read and ponder on the things that I have read. I know this isn't a super long letter, but I'm running out of paper and I still have one letter to write before I can buy new paper! So, next week I will be able to go back to longer letters! :)
Before I finish, I want to say one last thing and it concerns Brandon and Brooke (mostly) but we can all use it.
Free yourselves from the pull of technology. I know that there is so much good in technology and it is so convenient. But, lately as I walk down the roads, I see people that can't walk without holding the phone...I see missionaries that have to have the phone in their hands 24x7. Don't be that person. Experience life and enjoy the details. Look people in the eyes and find the fullness in life. Give up gaming so that you can enjoy the beauties of life! I know you both are awesome, but I also know that I had a little addition to my phone and my times, I wish I could go back and put the phone in the pocket and spend the time enjoying lively conversations and life itself!
I love you all so much! Your my family for Eternity!
Your Son/Brother
Elder Blake Daniel Harmon
Well, we just found out transfers and I will be staying here in Ha'apai at least until next transfer which won't be until the 15th of December. We are doing an 8 week transfer because things kind of got all messed up with the intakes from the various MTCs. We now have a lot of Elders and Sisters in our mission waiting for their visa to go to other countries. So, we have an overflow of missionaries:) So, it's amazing to see an increase of missionaries! 88,000 missionaries is incredible!!
This next few weeks are going to be pretty crazy because our APs both finish in 2 weeks and our four zone leaders are finishing at the same time, so we are losing all of the zone leaders that were here when I first arrived in Tonga. Time is really starting to change and it's my intake this is turning into the Senior Class )
To be hones this week was one of the slowest weeks I have had here in Ha'apai. We didn't have many people to teach and the weather was terrible. We had 3 days in a row where our power was knocked out by the lighting. But all of our craziness of the week with all the different things going on, we had a really cool experience with one of our investigators (Finow Taumespeau). She is actually our next door neighbor. She is the wife of one of the head missionaries for the other church here (Methodist Church). Anyway, we went to her house last week and we taught her the first lesson and she was very responsive to our message. She started to even read the Book of Mormon in front of us and she got really excited. Well, the next time we went over we brought up the Book of Mormon and started to ask her inspired questions. My companion and I were really clicking and were able to answer her questions and her needs through the spirit. She didn't read the Book of Mormon liked we had hoped, but we were able to start reading with her and pointing out similarities from the Book of Mormon and the Bible. We were able to share with her how it truly is another testament of Jesus Christ! I know that the spirit is able to speak to us when we open our hearts and minds and read the Book of Mormon!
I truly feel Heavenly Father's love when I read and ponder on the things that I have read. I know this isn't a super long letter, but I'm running out of paper and I still have one letter to write before I can buy new paper! So, next week I will be able to go back to longer letters! :)
Before I finish, I want to say one last thing and it concerns Brandon and Brooke (mostly) but we can all use it.
Free yourselves from the pull of technology. I know that there is so much good in technology and it is so convenient. But, lately as I walk down the roads, I see people that can't walk without holding the phone...I see missionaries that have to have the phone in their hands 24x7. Don't be that person. Experience life and enjoy the details. Look people in the eyes and find the fullness in life. Give up gaming so that you can enjoy the beauties of life! I know you both are awesome, but I also know that I had a little addition to my phone and my times, I wish I could go back and put the phone in the pocket and spend the time enjoying lively conversations and life itself!
I love you all so much! Your my family for Eternity!
Your Son/Brother
Elder Blake Daniel Harmon
Sunday, October 19, 2014
E-mail (Dated: 10/19/2014)
Toe nofo pe a maua!!!!! (Were staying again!)
Hahahaha well we aren’t really sure to be honest we were supposed to have a transfer yesterday, but it really didn’t take place hahaha. We were supposed to do it right now because Monty Schaap's MTC group comes in on the 22nd.....but we will see if any of us actually leave!!! Haha, I think everyone will end up staying in Ha'apai, but it’s alright I love the people and the area, even though the area is really hard.
We now have 14 elders and 2 sisters in Ha'apai .... so district meetings are more full now. This last week President came up and did an awesome meeting with all of us. It was so full of the spirit and afterwards we were able to all have personal interviews with him. He was able to give me guidance for my area and for myself and also guidance for my district. It felt really good to see my mission president. I don’t think it happens out here as it does in most missions. I think I’ll see him a total of 20 times when I’m done.....
We were able to have our musical fireside yesterday, and it was very beautiful. The down side was that not one person in our ward invited someone to attend....... haha yeah it was a big bummer. I did give a short talk and Tu'itavuki and I sang “I Need Thee Every Hour” in Tongan..... it was pretty cool;) I have fallen in love with my ward. If there were a group of people that I want you all to meet one day its these people here in Ha'apai, they are amazing!!!!! They truly make me feel like this here is my home. I truly wish for you all to see it here someday.Who knows, maybe Brandon will be a billionaire and can fly us all here one day.
So, our bishop is supposed to come back here today!!! It has been sense my first week here since I have seen him. So that is exciting!!!! I just wrote letter #56 yesterday and started #57 today, so I’m a little written out hahaha........ I’m excited for you all to get letters 54-57 I will probably send them here in the next week!!!!! It’s just hard, because I always have to wait and find someone I trust so they actually make it to you haha.
I have been super excited to see the work in Ha'apai improve since I have been here. If it’s improving on this little island, I can’t imagine how much progress it must be making in the rest the world!!!!!! For Heavenly Father’s work is hastening!!!!! Pangai is still getting there, but my companion and I will make it happen if the Lord says it is time. For nothing can happen without his hand!!!!
We are currently working with one progressing investigator and several others who aren’t quite progressing. Our progressing investigators name is Uhila. He is about 35yrs old and he has 4 brothers - all in other countries playing rugby and one brother here in Ha'apai that is paralyzed from rugby. His brother is a member. Uhila seems to know a lot about the church and seems to believe but doesn't yet have the faith to give up some of the worldly things like drinking and smoking. However, he is someone that I could honestly see the gospel changing his life. This is where faith, prayer, fasting and completely relying on the Lord comes in. There is no way that me, nor him is going to break that habit for him. Only the hand from somewhere higher can bring that healing. But first we must find and build faith with Uhila. I love the opportunity to work with God’s children. It’s a big responsibility. I have thought a lot lately about the saying, “Where much is given much is required!!!” For this is my duty and how grateful I am for it!
I love you all and hope all is well!!!!!
mom "dude"
Brooklin Syst
Hahahaha well we aren’t really sure to be honest we were supposed to have a transfer yesterday, but it really didn’t take place hahaha. We were supposed to do it right now because Monty Schaap's MTC group comes in on the 22nd.....but we will see if any of us actually leave!!! Haha, I think everyone will end up staying in Ha'apai, but it’s alright I love the people and the area, even though the area is really hard.
We now have 14 elders and 2 sisters in Ha'apai .... so district meetings are more full now. This last week President came up and did an awesome meeting with all of us. It was so full of the spirit and afterwards we were able to all have personal interviews with him. He was able to give me guidance for my area and for myself and also guidance for my district. It felt really good to see my mission president. I don’t think it happens out here as it does in most missions. I think I’ll see him a total of 20 times when I’m done.....
We were able to have our musical fireside yesterday, and it was very beautiful. The down side was that not one person in our ward invited someone to attend....... haha yeah it was a big bummer. I did give a short talk and Tu'itavuki and I sang “I Need Thee Every Hour” in Tongan..... it was pretty cool;) I have fallen in love with my ward. If there were a group of people that I want you all to meet one day its these people here in Ha'apai, they are amazing!!!!! They truly make me feel like this here is my home. I truly wish for you all to see it here someday.Who knows, maybe Brandon will be a billionaire and can fly us all here one day.
So, our bishop is supposed to come back here today!!! It has been sense my first week here since I have seen him. So that is exciting!!!! I just wrote letter #56 yesterday and started #57 today, so I’m a little written out hahaha........ I’m excited for you all to get letters 54-57 I will probably send them here in the next week!!!!! It’s just hard, because I always have to wait and find someone I trust so they actually make it to you haha.
I have been super excited to see the work in Ha'apai improve since I have been here. If it’s improving on this little island, I can’t imagine how much progress it must be making in the rest the world!!!!!! For Heavenly Father’s work is hastening!!!!! Pangai is still getting there, but my companion and I will make it happen if the Lord says it is time. For nothing can happen without his hand!!!!
We are currently working with one progressing investigator and several others who aren’t quite progressing. Our progressing investigators name is Uhila. He is about 35yrs old and he has 4 brothers - all in other countries playing rugby and one brother here in Ha'apai that is paralyzed from rugby. His brother is a member. Uhila seems to know a lot about the church and seems to believe but doesn't yet have the faith to give up some of the worldly things like drinking and smoking. However, he is someone that I could honestly see the gospel changing his life. This is where faith, prayer, fasting and completely relying on the Lord comes in. There is no way that me, nor him is going to break that habit for him. Only the hand from somewhere higher can bring that healing. But first we must find and build faith with Uhila. I love the opportunity to work with God’s children. It’s a big responsibility. I have thought a lot lately about the saying, “Where much is given much is required!!!” For this is my duty and how grateful I am for it!
I love you all and hope all is well!!!!!
mom "dude"
Brooklin Syst
Monday, October 13, 2014
Hand Written Letter (Dated: 10/13/14) [#56 from Tonga]
Family :)
What an amazing opportunity I have to be able to write you from across the world on a tiny island. In about a month's time, you will have this letter in your hands and be able to hear from your son and brother in the Islands of Tonga. So what a privilege it is to be able to write this letter to you! As I ponder on what to write, I start to think about all of you personally. Mamma, Dad, Brittany, Brandon, Brook, & of course Brandi hahaha. I think about things life has going for you & things the Lord has provided. I think of the seasons we are entering there in Utah. Halloween is coming up & Thanksgiving is just around the corner....which means Christmas can't be too far away. It really is just a season that we are separated.....time seems to play games a lot of the time. At times, it feels that time is going quickly and at times it feels like it has been a year and a couple of months since we have seen each other. But, I think the most important thing that I understand is that I will never get this time back.....time is a gift. I have two years to devote to the Lords' work & spread it the best I can..... and right now, I'm looking at 9 months left! Something important I am learning is that it doesn't end when I come home, for this is really a beginning. The beginning of bringing others unto Christ. The beginning of building a generation to grow up in the gospel, the beginning of trying to know my Savior better, the beginning of trying to know the Savior's plan for all of us. Something I have grown to love about the mission is that I learn something new every day. My hope is that a portion of what I learn each week, I can take a piece of it and help you all in some small way so that it will benefit you. It has been a couple of days going back and forth writing this letter and trying to feel what it is that I am supposed to write. I know now it was a much needed thing for me to wait until now to finish writing, for I know things that need to be said, for they come from the heart.
As I was in church today, it was a very special experience for me and it was filled with a lot of emotion from the heart. I know the experience I had was not a coincidence but it was a tender mercy from the Lord and a true gift. Mom and dad, I think you both will understand quite quickly once I start explaining the experience I had today at church. As I entered the chapel door, then set my eyes on the scene around me, I was taken back! I saw beautiful displays of flowers and children dressed in their best Sunday dress. I said to myself...."Awe, today is the Primary Program!!! :)" HaHaHa you are all probably laughing...the only thing you probably remember about me and the primary program is me crying and saying that I was scared to go up and say my part, hahaha.
But what I want to share with you are the things the spirit taught me and the things I was reminded of and the tender mercy of the Lord opening my eyes. In BIG letters up on the wall behind the primary children as a sign that read, "Oku Tae'ngata ae Famili" (Families Are Eternal) The whole objective or theme was based on how to build families, raise children in the gospel. Where does it start? We all know the answer to that question. Raising children and teaching them the ways of the gospel starts at HOME! I was touched as the kids began to sing "Teach Me to Walk in the Light" (in English). I remembered my own Dad and Mom taking turns coming and singing to me at night. Remember the words, "come little children and together we'll learn of His commandments that we might return. Home to His presence, to live in His sight, always, always, to walk in the light." I pictured my parents singing that song to my my whole life and it was saying to me, "come little child and together we shall learn." I remembered my parents shining the light on the gospel so that I could see. I see now that everything I have is because of the loving guidance and teachings that I received my whole life. As I watched the primary children today, I remembered my parents pushing me to be good in everything I wanted to pursue and to everyone I came in contact with. We all need a foundation and we need that support in our homes to help build us. I look at Brittany and Michael and the amazing opportunity you have now to accomplish Heavenly Father's plan for the both of you! To raise and eternal family in this beautiful gospel. Today I stand in thanks and I stand in complete humility of heart and thanksgiving to my parents. Mom and Dad, thank you for being brave, thank you for being courageous, thank you for your patience and for enduring! Thank you for your obedience, thank you for always wanting to be better and following the path of repentance! I thank you for showing me the light. I would like to remind you of the last verse in Teach Me to Walk in the Light, but I am going to make a word substitution of "I" instead of "we" and "me" instead of "us". "Father in Heaven, I thank this this day, for loving guidance, to show me the day. Grateful I praise thee with songs of delight! Gladly, gladly, I'll walk in the light."
Mom and Dad, you need to know how grateful I am for the both of you. For you have truly shown me the way. I'm so grateful for your incredible examples. Nobody could ask for more incredible examples and parents because others can truly tell that your relationship is based on the Lord. Dad, I only wish that I could be as good of a father as you were/are to me. And Mom, I only hope that I can marry a daughter of our Father in Heaven that has as strong of a testimony as you and that shows it through every single act she does!
Brandon, Brooke....continue to listen to thy parents and love them. For they shall lead thee to they Father!
Brittany and Michael, I urge and ask you to become the examples for your children and lead them into the light! I know you both are already incredible and already are ready for the task. For now is the time to fulfill God's greatest commandment!
I love you all. I am so grateful for our Heavenly Father and for how blessed we are to have grown up in this incredible gospel and as part of such a miraculous family. I hope we can hold close to us the responsibility of our calling as missionaries to share the gospel with the world and be an example unto all the nations!
I love you all
This is my hope and my prayer. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!
Your Son/Brother
Remember we are a family for eternity!
Elder Blake Daniel Harmon
What an amazing opportunity I have to be able to write you from across the world on a tiny island. In about a month's time, you will have this letter in your hands and be able to hear from your son and brother in the Islands of Tonga. So what a privilege it is to be able to write this letter to you! As I ponder on what to write, I start to think about all of you personally. Mamma, Dad, Brittany, Brandon, Brook, & of course Brandi hahaha. I think about things life has going for you & things the Lord has provided. I think of the seasons we are entering there in Utah. Halloween is coming up & Thanksgiving is just around the corner....which means Christmas can't be too far away. It really is just a season that we are separated.....time seems to play games a lot of the time. At times, it feels that time is going quickly and at times it feels like it has been a year and a couple of months since we have seen each other. But, I think the most important thing that I understand is that I will never get this time back.....time is a gift. I have two years to devote to the Lords' work & spread it the best I can..... and right now, I'm looking at 9 months left! Something important I am learning is that it doesn't end when I come home, for this is really a beginning. The beginning of bringing others unto Christ. The beginning of building a generation to grow up in the gospel, the beginning of trying to know my Savior better, the beginning of trying to know the Savior's plan for all of us. Something I have grown to love about the mission is that I learn something new every day. My hope is that a portion of what I learn each week, I can take a piece of it and help you all in some small way so that it will benefit you. It has been a couple of days going back and forth writing this letter and trying to feel what it is that I am supposed to write. I know now it was a much needed thing for me to wait until now to finish writing, for I know things that need to be said, for they come from the heart.
As I was in church today, it was a very special experience for me and it was filled with a lot of emotion from the heart. I know the experience I had was not a coincidence but it was a tender mercy from the Lord and a true gift. Mom and dad, I think you both will understand quite quickly once I start explaining the experience I had today at church. As I entered the chapel door, then set my eyes on the scene around me, I was taken back! I saw beautiful displays of flowers and children dressed in their best Sunday dress. I said to myself...."Awe, today is the Primary Program!!! :)" HaHaHa you are all probably laughing...the only thing you probably remember about me and the primary program is me crying and saying that I was scared to go up and say my part, hahaha.
But what I want to share with you are the things the spirit taught me and the things I was reminded of and the tender mercy of the Lord opening my eyes. In BIG letters up on the wall behind the primary children as a sign that read, "Oku Tae'ngata ae Famili" (Families Are Eternal) The whole objective or theme was based on how to build families, raise children in the gospel. Where does it start? We all know the answer to that question. Raising children and teaching them the ways of the gospel starts at HOME! I was touched as the kids began to sing "Teach Me to Walk in the Light" (in English). I remembered my own Dad and Mom taking turns coming and singing to me at night. Remember the words, "come little children and together we'll learn of His commandments that we might return. Home to His presence, to live in His sight, always, always, to walk in the light." I pictured my parents singing that song to my my whole life and it was saying to me, "come little child and together we shall learn." I remembered my parents shining the light on the gospel so that I could see. I see now that everything I have is because of the loving guidance and teachings that I received my whole life. As I watched the primary children today, I remembered my parents pushing me to be good in everything I wanted to pursue and to everyone I came in contact with. We all need a foundation and we need that support in our homes to help build us. I look at Brittany and Michael and the amazing opportunity you have now to accomplish Heavenly Father's plan for the both of you! To raise and eternal family in this beautiful gospel. Today I stand in thanks and I stand in complete humility of heart and thanksgiving to my parents. Mom and Dad, thank you for being brave, thank you for being courageous, thank you for your patience and for enduring! Thank you for your obedience, thank you for always wanting to be better and following the path of repentance! I thank you for showing me the light. I would like to remind you of the last verse in Teach Me to Walk in the Light, but I am going to make a word substitution of "I" instead of "we" and "me" instead of "us". "Father in Heaven, I thank this this day, for loving guidance, to show me the day. Grateful I praise thee with songs of delight! Gladly, gladly, I'll walk in the light."
Mom and Dad, you need to know how grateful I am for the both of you. For you have truly shown me the way. I'm so grateful for your incredible examples. Nobody could ask for more incredible examples and parents because others can truly tell that your relationship is based on the Lord. Dad, I only wish that I could be as good of a father as you were/are to me. And Mom, I only hope that I can marry a daughter of our Father in Heaven that has as strong of a testimony as you and that shows it through every single act she does!
Brandon, Brooke....continue to listen to thy parents and love them. For they shall lead thee to they Father!
Brittany and Michael, I urge and ask you to become the examples for your children and lead them into the light! I know you both are already incredible and already are ready for the task. For now is the time to fulfill God's greatest commandment!
I love you all. I am so grateful for our Heavenly Father and for how blessed we are to have grown up in this incredible gospel and as part of such a miraculous family. I hope we can hold close to us the responsibility of our calling as missionaries to share the gospel with the world and be an example unto all the nations!
I love you all
This is my hope and my prayer. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen!
Your Son/Brother
Remember we are a family for eternity!
Elder Blake Daniel Harmon
Sunday, October 12, 2014
E-mail (Dated: 10/12/2014)
Dad/ Mom......I had a feeling this needed to be what I wrote about today. I hope that it can make some difference somewhere, maybe in Sunday school class, sacrament meeting, or just on my blog. I know you will be guided by the spirit on what to do. I pray the things I wrote can have an impact to show the reality of the importance of the Savior in our lives and our responsibility to serve Him. I hope I have made of myself, someone that others can look up to as an example for my desire is to bring them unto Christ who has been my eternal example.
♡Famili:)...pehe foki kihe ha niihi kohi te nau lau pea fanongo kihe imeli koeni (and all the others that will be able to read and hear this email) . I love every one of you!!!!! This week has been full of trials and things to learn from. Yesterday, I wrote a letter that covers a lot of what took place. So for right now, I would like to focus on a short email that might be able to encourage those of you that hear it. I hope it gives you some motivation to anyone that might need it.
I would like to talk about being a missionary. This past week has made me look at my life and look at where I started and look at where I am now. It has given me perspectives I never would have seen unless I would have taken this path of being a missionary. Priesthood holders prepare now for what will be the best two years FOR your life. Become worthy if needed, give time and sacrifice the things of the world that are holding you back if necessary. For I tell you these things from experience. You will not engage in any work more powerful than this and you will never share a more important and powerful message than the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ!
As I have been able to be a missionary, I have seen miracles and I have witnessed lives changed. I have seen new found commitments in people wanting to become better, including myself. I have witnessed this conversion in so many people, but I have seen this conversion take place mostly within myself. Young men, we owe it to our families, our future children, and our future wife's. But brethren we also owe it to ourselves to become men built on the rock of our redeemer. For as we do His work and we start to walk paths that He has walked, then will our eyes be opened. This is my prayer--that all of our young abled men decide now to put your shoulder to the plow and commit to serving the lord and giving yourself to Him. There are so many reasons, good reasons why it could be hard to get on a mission--but none is of greater purpose and none should come before the Master. For as you sacrifice for the work of the Lord, you shall see the many mighty tender mercies of the Lord. For He will build you, He will shape you, He will guide you. It will not be easy, for nothing of great worth is easy to obtain. Sometimes you will fall, but our Savior will be there to pick you back up. This is the process we must learn to lean on in order to come close to our Savior. For without Him, we can accomplish nothing of any worth. I bare solid witness He will never leave you.
And his hand is stretched out still. Come unto Him. Give Him your all and prepare for this once in a life time opportunity to change people’s lives by bringing others unto the light of the gospel and to help those return back to the fold. As I close, I feel impressed to share with you an experience I was given the other day. If you recall, I recently shared the experience of an investigator named Tevita Tongaoneva. This was a man I was able to teach in the past while I was on a companionship exchange. I had the opportunity to teach the first two lessons to Tevita. These lessons were an incredible experience and full of the spirit of the Lord. At the time, I told him later that day that I would be returning to my area. He expressed his thanks to me and said that I had changed his life forever. At the time, I didn't know for sure he would be baptized (even though it felt like it, I had all the faith he would). Well, anyway….I was able to attend a fireside the other day as he gave a talk (which means yes he was baptized!!!:) and bore testimony with power and conviction. He said that he is preparing to seal his family for eternity in the Nuku'alofa temple next year!!! Then he looked at me in the crowd and he said my name and thanked me and said that because I sacrificed to come from America and leave my family that I had changed his life forever.....
My friends, my brothers--any of you that read this and have doubt, or are second guessing this great opportunity…STOP and prepare now! God is preparing His people and He has called you to the work! Not just some of you! I bare testimony that God will provide a way, if you seek Him, He will guide you and the doors of light and strength will be opened unto you. Some of you may be thinking--awe the mission thing and the mission life is not for me, oh but it is, and it is my prayer that you may be able to see so now. May we all fulfill our responsibilities with faith and trust in the lord, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Love you all
Mom"dude"
Brooklin "SYST
♡Famili:)...pehe foki kihe ha niihi kohi te nau lau pea fanongo kihe imeli koeni (and all the others that will be able to read and hear this email) . I love every one of you!!!!! This week has been full of trials and things to learn from. Yesterday, I wrote a letter that covers a lot of what took place. So for right now, I would like to focus on a short email that might be able to encourage those of you that hear it. I hope it gives you some motivation to anyone that might need it.
I would like to talk about being a missionary. This past week has made me look at my life and look at where I started and look at where I am now. It has given me perspectives I never would have seen unless I would have taken this path of being a missionary. Priesthood holders prepare now for what will be the best two years FOR your life. Become worthy if needed, give time and sacrifice the things of the world that are holding you back if necessary. For I tell you these things from experience. You will not engage in any work more powerful than this and you will never share a more important and powerful message than the message of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ!
As I have been able to be a missionary, I have seen miracles and I have witnessed lives changed. I have seen new found commitments in people wanting to become better, including myself. I have witnessed this conversion in so many people, but I have seen this conversion take place mostly within myself. Young men, we owe it to our families, our future children, and our future wife's. But brethren we also owe it to ourselves to become men built on the rock of our redeemer. For as we do His work and we start to walk paths that He has walked, then will our eyes be opened. This is my prayer--that all of our young abled men decide now to put your shoulder to the plow and commit to serving the lord and giving yourself to Him. There are so many reasons, good reasons why it could be hard to get on a mission--but none is of greater purpose and none should come before the Master. For as you sacrifice for the work of the Lord, you shall see the many mighty tender mercies of the Lord. For He will build you, He will shape you, He will guide you. It will not be easy, for nothing of great worth is easy to obtain. Sometimes you will fall, but our Savior will be there to pick you back up. This is the process we must learn to lean on in order to come close to our Savior. For without Him, we can accomplish nothing of any worth. I bare solid witness He will never leave you.
And his hand is stretched out still. Come unto Him. Give Him your all and prepare for this once in a life time opportunity to change people’s lives by bringing others unto the light of the gospel and to help those return back to the fold. As I close, I feel impressed to share with you an experience I was given the other day. If you recall, I recently shared the experience of an investigator named Tevita Tongaoneva. This was a man I was able to teach in the past while I was on a companionship exchange. I had the opportunity to teach the first two lessons to Tevita. These lessons were an incredible experience and full of the spirit of the Lord. At the time, I told him later that day that I would be returning to my area. He expressed his thanks to me and said that I had changed his life forever. At the time, I didn't know for sure he would be baptized (even though it felt like it, I had all the faith he would). Well, anyway….I was able to attend a fireside the other day as he gave a talk (which means yes he was baptized!!!:) and bore testimony with power and conviction. He said that he is preparing to seal his family for eternity in the Nuku'alofa temple next year!!! Then he looked at me in the crowd and he said my name and thanked me and said that because I sacrificed to come from America and leave my family that I had changed his life forever.....
My friends, my brothers--any of you that read this and have doubt, or are second guessing this great opportunity…STOP and prepare now! God is preparing His people and He has called you to the work! Not just some of you! I bare testimony that God will provide a way, if you seek Him, He will guide you and the doors of light and strength will be opened unto you. Some of you may be thinking--awe the mission thing and the mission life is not for me, oh but it is, and it is my prayer that you may be able to see so now. May we all fulfill our responsibilities with faith and trust in the lord, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Love you all
Mom"dude"
Brooklin "SYST
Monday, October 6, 2014
Hand Written Letter (Dated: 10/6/14) [#55 from Tonga]
Family:)
Hey my Beautiful Family that I love so dearly. This week has been a week full of trials and learning opportunities. I would love to share with you a couple of experiences in hope that I might be able to share something that could bring strength, add courage, or lift your spirts. Hopefully my point of view on things can help you in struggles you all might behaving in your day to day lives.
These last few weeks have brought struggles of door knocking and getting shut down, even to the point where as we walk away, we hear cussing and vulgar language about us. Often times, work is hastened by the hand of missionaries and members working together. This has been a big struggle for this area for a long time. We recently have had many leadership meetings trying to increase our efforts and the members increasing theirs. As days and weeks pass, things don't seem to be getting that much better. It is hard to work with members when scheduled appointments with them don't go through. It has been a heart ache and struggle. Just recently we had someone come from Tonga (main island). I was able to talk about her in my last letter. Here name is Helen. It is actually not as good as I had thought it to be. Everyone has told us that they are pretty much being forced to listen to us, so they just want to hear all five lessons and be done with us. And everyone knows that is not a place where the spirit can dwell. President Uchtdorf said that we must study with an intent to hope it is true and must be open to feeling if the word is the word of God....But, when the tell us they won't accept the Book of Mormon and tell us that they are just listening to get it over with, then they will never be able to know the truth. This approach only pushes away the spirit before we even begin.
This week we taught twelv new people. As we headed into the 3rd lesson (same day with all of them), they all said at the beginning, "Helen said this could be our last time." Going into that lesson, we had hoped to invite them to baptism. We had been so excited. We were like little kids on Christmas morning. When we heard them tell us that they didn't want to listen anymore, it was like Santa lit the Christmas tree on fire before he left and we walked into a room full of ashes instead of gifts. The story goes on in more detail, but I want to stop there. I want to focus on why I told you all of this. I want you to understand the bigger picture. It goes with this saying by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. "I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this is the truth, and He is our great eternal head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never easy for him?
I am humbled by this quote and by the truth of this statement. Part of being able to "earn and learn" heaven or how to put upon us those Christlike attributes, we must first be able to feel a little bit of what it was like for Him. Even after all that pain, being outcast, spit upon, denied, tortured, and put to death....he kept it all. He was loving, humble, virtuous, faithful, diligent, patient and full of knowledge.....He was perfect. He is a leader to us all. He is perfect.
This is what I want all of us to learn and know and be reminded of. We need to turn to the Savior and cry unto Him! He is there and He will answer your prayers! This general conference emphasized in several if not most talks that we need to cry unto our loving Father in Heaven in the name of Christ and then become perfected in Him. This is how we find compfrt. This is how we will find strength and where we will find happiness! Whether we come unto the Father because our hearts are broken from having the gospel message rejected or if we come unto the Father because we are struggling with sin and trying to return back to the fold, the answer is to RUN! RUN as fast as we can into our Father's care. I know that as we come to know our Savior and our Heavenly Father, we will find courage. We will find strength. We will find the spiritual light of which it seems there is never enough of. This is my prayer. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Elder Blake Daniel Harmon
Your Brother/Son
But never forget we are an Eternal Family
Mom "Dude"
Hey my Beautiful Family that I love so dearly. This week has been a week full of trials and learning opportunities. I would love to share with you a couple of experiences in hope that I might be able to share something that could bring strength, add courage, or lift your spirts. Hopefully my point of view on things can help you in struggles you all might behaving in your day to day lives.
These last few weeks have brought struggles of door knocking and getting shut down, even to the point where as we walk away, we hear cussing and vulgar language about us. Often times, work is hastened by the hand of missionaries and members working together. This has been a big struggle for this area for a long time. We recently have had many leadership meetings trying to increase our efforts and the members increasing theirs. As days and weeks pass, things don't seem to be getting that much better. It is hard to work with members when scheduled appointments with them don't go through. It has been a heart ache and struggle. Just recently we had someone come from Tonga (main island). I was able to talk about her in my last letter. Here name is Helen. It is actually not as good as I had thought it to be. Everyone has told us that they are pretty much being forced to listen to us, so they just want to hear all five lessons and be done with us. And everyone knows that is not a place where the spirit can dwell. President Uchtdorf said that we must study with an intent to hope it is true and must be open to feeling if the word is the word of God....But, when the tell us they won't accept the Book of Mormon and tell us that they are just listening to get it over with, then they will never be able to know the truth. This approach only pushes away the spirit before we even begin.
This week we taught twelv new people. As we headed into the 3rd lesson (same day with all of them), they all said at the beginning, "Helen said this could be our last time." Going into that lesson, we had hoped to invite them to baptism. We had been so excited. We were like little kids on Christmas morning. When we heard them tell us that they didn't want to listen anymore, it was like Santa lit the Christmas tree on fire before he left and we walked into a room full of ashes instead of gifts. The story goes on in more detail, but I want to stop there. I want to focus on why I told you all of this. I want you to understand the bigger picture. It goes with this saying by Elder Jeffrey R. Holland. "I am convinced that missionary work is not easy because salvation is not a cheap experience. Salvation never was easy. We are the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, this is the truth, and He is our great eternal head. How could we believe it would be easy for us when it was never easy for him?
I am humbled by this quote and by the truth of this statement. Part of being able to "earn and learn" heaven or how to put upon us those Christlike attributes, we must first be able to feel a little bit of what it was like for Him. Even after all that pain, being outcast, spit upon, denied, tortured, and put to death....he kept it all. He was loving, humble, virtuous, faithful, diligent, patient and full of knowledge.....He was perfect. He is a leader to us all. He is perfect.
This is what I want all of us to learn and know and be reminded of. We need to turn to the Savior and cry unto Him! He is there and He will answer your prayers! This general conference emphasized in several if not most talks that we need to cry unto our loving Father in Heaven in the name of Christ and then become perfected in Him. This is how we find compfrt. This is how we will find strength and where we will find happiness! Whether we come unto the Father because our hearts are broken from having the gospel message rejected or if we come unto the Father because we are struggling with sin and trying to return back to the fold, the answer is to RUN! RUN as fast as we can into our Father's care. I know that as we come to know our Savior and our Heavenly Father, we will find courage. We will find strength. We will find the spiritual light of which it seems there is never enough of. This is my prayer. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Elder Blake Daniel Harmon
Your Brother/Son
But never forget we are an Eternal Family
Mom "Dude"
Sunday, October 5, 2014
E-mail (Dated: 10/5/2014)
Feels like something new!!! Am I still in Ha'apai? :)
Family and Loved Ones!!!!!
This week has been full of amazing tender mercies of the Lord in Ha'apai. It has been a completely different experience than the previous two months. I saw unity and I felt the hastening powers of missionary work been done the Lord’s way as we were able to work unitedly with the members. It’s a whole new feeling of happiness and joy when we are able to actually share our message with the beautiful people of Tonga. I have not experienced the people being so hard to teach since I have been in Noapapu. The people here are really shy and often embarrassed being seen with the missionaries. It’s one of the hardest difficulties being able to teach someone. And another interesting thing is most families have someone that either grew up in the church but married outside of the church or some that are converts and left the church. I thought at the beginning these would be the easiest to teach, but in reality they have turned out to be some of the hardest houses to get into.
However, this week we truly saw a tender mercy as a girl from Tonga named Helen came here for work. She is a doctor. As she treats people, instead of having them pay money for her service, she tells them to go listen to the missionaries. So we did a huge program all week where all the missionaries from Ha'apai (except Berry and Freer) came to the church every day at 7 and we taught tons of investigators!!!! We had 65 people every day!!!!! We were able to be instruments in the hand of the Lord. It is a true miracle that we were able to bring the true message of the gospel of Jesus Christ to so many people at one time. We were able to answer so many questions and straighten out so many things that people thought about the church. I was able to teach in a couple different groups. So when I would change groups, the ladies would be like “we want our palangi back” – hahahaha, it was so funny. It felt special that these cute old ladies wanted me to come teach them. Haha they would always ask me to talk Tongan to them. At the end of the week on Friday we did a big musical fireside and the spirit was very strong and there were some amazing solos and songs sung......we also had to sing a song as missionaries, it was a pretty cool experience. It was a special moment looking out at all of our investigators and seeing the light shine in all their eyes.
We are continuing to teach this week. Since there are so many people, we are teaching the lessons really slow. I’m excited to see the miracles that are about to take place in Ha'apai.
It rained!!!!!!!!!!!!! Awe biggest tender mercy for these people. All of their water tanks were out of water!!!!!!!!! Such a sweet tender mercy!
So we received a couple from Ogden Utah. They are here to help build new houses for the people. They are the nicest people. Their name is Delong. He is a famous painter...... so maybe I can talk him into making me a cool picture hahaha:)
Oh, I also received my package. I am so so grateful!!!! Thank you so much for everything. It’s so nice to be able to have a camera and finally be able to see with glasses...... and we have already killed two chickens with the knife.....yummy:) hahahaha but thank you for everything!!!!!! Love you all.
I would love it if you would all take the time to read Doctrine & Covenants 76:51-60. My faviorite part is the last verse!!!! Te tau lava ke ikunai ae ngaahi mea kotoa pe! What a beautiful promise!!!!!!
momma"dude"
Brooklin SYST
FOR REMEMBER ALWAYS WE ARE AN ETERNAL FAMILY ♥
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