Hand Written Letter (Dated: 9/29/14) [#54 from Tonga]

Family,

Awe, I have some fun things that have happened for me this week and I have been excited to be able to write you about a few things :) Before I begin, I just wanted to sen you all of my love . . . Momma, Daddy, Brittany, Michael, Brandon, Brook. I know we don't get tons of time on P-Days to really just talk, but I want each of you to know how much I love you and constantly pray for every single one of you. Right now I'm on the Lord's time. We will have eternity together and we will definitely make up the time! But, I would like to thank you fro everything and all the love for support is really what keeps missionaries with a drive and a purpose. Anyway, Thank You!!!!:)

So, just the other day, our Zone Leaders went back to Tonga for a Big Mission Leader Training and Elder Latai went back and visited Matahau (the area where I served with Latai). Latai went to church there and he said that every single one of our investigators that we baptized are still strong in the church!!:) That is incredible!!:0 All 21 of them are still in church and have callings! Do you remember Brian and Fina, the family I was teaching and going to baptize the day I moved to Sopu? Anyway, Latai sent me pictures of their baptism and it was very heart warming! I will have to send it to you! I have been on cloud nine hearing about all the people I came to love... It is impossible to stay in touch with all of them while I'm out here...so for me to hear anything is amazing!!:)

We had a really cool experience this week with our stake. A girl named Helen came from Tonga and she is a doctor. Instead of paying her for her services, she has the people listen to the missionaries. So, we had about 65 people come to the church every day this week and we split them into groups. All of the missionaries in Ha'apai came to teach them. It was an incredible experience. The usual experience is that people are shy listening to the mormon missionaries because the people judge them. But there were no problems with shyness in this situation and they were all supportive of one another. It was amazing because I know each and every one of them were able to feel the spirit. I loved it because every group fought over me and where I was going to teach because I was the only white missionary and they wanted to hear me speak Tongan, haha!! So this boosted my confidence a lot. Eight of the people were from Pangai, so we have eight current investigators that have heard all four lessons. They have been challenged and have made several commitments. This is a great start for my companion and I to drive the work:) I'm excited to see the impact in Ha'apai these next few weeks! Ha'apai is ready to see these changes and successes.

Ha'apai is still having a really big drought. There are also predictions from New Zealand of a hurricane coming that is twice as big as the one that hit the island last January. It is expected to hit in either November or January! So, please pray for Ha'apai. These poor people are still just living in tents from the last storm. Anyway, things are good. I'm healthy as can be. Dad asked in a letter how I'm doing on weight. I'm at 200 lbs, but not much muscle, haha. I will try and work on that.

I love you all so much!
Your Brother/Son
But always remember we are an eternal family!
Elder Blake Daniel Harmon

E-mail (Dated: 9/28/2014)

Hello Family,

I didn't seem to manage my time very well and the other elders are in line to use the one internet device we have on this island, so I have to give it up!!! Ha'apai is good.  We have been struggling really hard to work with the members and the missionaries as one. We have not had a bishop the whole time I have been here, so it has been quite difficult. We continue to work hard with our ward mission leader and pray that we can find ways to help the work in Ha'apai. We had a lot of people get mad at us this week haha. Door knocking is definitely one of my least favorite things...... I hope that as I serve here I can find the true reason why Heavenly Father sent me here. I feel like the members are ashamed to say they are part of the church, it makes things really hard here as a missionary. The best we can do is our part and lean completely on the Lord.

I love you all.
Elder Harmoni

My companion and I. He is 6'6" tall!

Church Building in Ha'apai

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 9-22-2014) [Letter #53 from Tonga]

My sweet family all the way on the other side of the world. I'm so so sorry it's taking months at at a time getting these letters from me. I think that means that they should be twice as fun to read, because they are so so rare. I definitely know the feeling about waiting to read all of your letters, I seem to get them about every two weeks, but they are always a month or two months old, haha, but they always seem to lift me! For, like we have always said, everything happens in the Lord's timing. I have been so grateful to have such diligent parents writing me! My companions are always so impressed at how consistent you both are at writing me! They (letters) truly are like Christmas presents to me! I especially love when I once and a while get a letter from one of my siblings. I love to see your growth and desires, and what brings joy into your life. I have truly seen this beautiful opportunity of letter writing unite us so tightly as a family! Ha'apai has been such an incredible opportunity for me so far, and in so many ways. I have found it to be humbling  me in ways that I didn't know I needed to be humbled. I have learned a lot about myself and my weaknesses & I have learned a so much about my Savior and all His goodness. I have had so many opportunities to strengthen my weaknesses and make them become strengths. For I have a great desire to try every day to become more like Christ. For that has to be my favorite chapter in Preach My Gospel. Chapter 6 - Christlike Attributes! There is an activity in the back of the chapter and it will help you find your weaknesses, then you can take those and work them until they become strengths! Ether 12:27

I have always loved the saying that we are not here to earn heaven, but to learn heaven (Brad Wilcox). For I want to share with you, my beautiful family, one of the Christlike attributes that I have been trying so hard to increase and become more like Christ. Throughout my life, I have noticed that my patience has been such a big weakness of mine. I have often acted in ways that have been out of turn or inappropriate, because I let impatience get the best of me. Even in the MTC and my first area, I saw my impatience get the best of me, but as I have trusted in the Lord and I have asked Him for strength, I have truly seen Him give me patience and help me make my biggest weakness into one of my new found strengths. I have been so grateful for this blessing/tender mercy in my life. For I know it will bless me immensely in the long run, but not just then, but I have seen it work complete miracles with me in situations here in the mission. For Christ knows us perfectly as does the Father. 1 Nephi 21:16. Trust in him who can make all the difference. For there is no greater need than now for His precious help in our lives. May we pray for a desire to be better and become more than we are now. This is my prayer that we all look into our lives and find something that could be strengthened! For I promise you all, that as we do so, we will be strengthened by our Father in Heaven and we will be brought closer to our Savior and become more like Him. This will personally teach us more about Him and help us truly know Him better. I would love to hear from you all on experiences and tender mercies as you take this challenge into your lives! Remember to have a vision and to make goals .... come up with a plan and be accountable. Without goals, a plan, and accountability, your vision will just remain a thought. Take that vision and take it to the Father in prayer and He will help you accomplish it! I love you family. You are incredible. The best thing you could ever do for me is to continue loving and living the gospel!

Your Son/Brother

But remember, we are an Eternal Family

Elder Blake Daniel Harmon

E-mail (Dated: 9/21/2014)

Hey everyone!!!!! Transfers are out and all of Ha'pai is staying!!!!!! I'm so so grateful  I couldn't imagine setting up all this work in this area and then just moving! The only change is that there are two more missionaries coming and working in Ha'apai,  So, we will now have 12 people in our district!!!!! I'm actually really excited!!!! Things seem to be going really good in our zone, in the past the work here has been one of the slowest in the whole mission, but its all starting to turn around!!!!!!! Being a district leader is a lot of of responsibility, and a lot of people are looking for an example to follow, even if they don't act like it..... I'm trying really hard! Being a leader by pure example is hard in the Tonga mission and sometimes it takes courage to stand alone and tell other directly the things they are doing are wrong ...... Like my daddy always said to me . . . take the initiative.

This week has been full of spiritual and powerful meetings, President Pierson from the Area Seventy came and gave one of the most powerful talks I have ever heard, I wrote a whole letter just focusing on it!!!! It gave me some big insight on how to try and be a good leader. We also had a really powerful zone meeting!!!! Our mission president has told us he has a lot of excitement for our area. Just yesterday we had our ward conference and in the middle I got randomly called by the stake president to bear my testimony. I was nervous and quite caught off guard, but I was guided by the spirit and felt like I was watching myself as the spirit directed my language and words. We have been working hard with our ward mission leader and we are excited to see how our plans and activities work out.
I LOVE Ha'apai, and LOVE these people!!!!

P.S. We went to a huge Church of Tonga thing. We were invited as the guests of honor, pretty cool!!!!!!!!!!

Hahaha still waiting for the package so no pics so so sorry!!! Love you all so much!!!!!

mom"dude"
Brooklin SYST

Hand Written Letter (dated: 9/15/2014) [#52 from Tonga]

Family :)

My dear family that I love so much! I gasp in Awe as I see how long we have been separated physically, but stand in gratitude knowing how I have never been left by you in spirit. Wow, 14 months out in the field and only 10 months to go....Time to turn up the speed because I just hit the 150 meter left mark in the 400 meter dash and I need to give it everything until I hit the finish line!  I really want to focus today on a talk that was given to me here in Tonga just 2 days ago. Our Area President came and spoke to us. His name is Elder Pearson.

His focus was on the Doctrine of Christ. I have never listened to a talk that I felt was so directed distinctly towards me. The way that he presented every thing was beautiful. But, after this beautiful message, he made us all a promise that I will never forget. He gave us a promise that if we diligently read the Book of Mormon every day, there will not be a trial that we cannot overcome and we will be able to complete all of the requirements of our Heavenly Father in order to return back to Him. Reading the Book of Mormon is holding onto the Iron Rod in these latter days. In 1 Nephi 15:23 we hear the question directly....What is the iron rod? And in verse 24 we receive the answer! The iron rod is the word of God! So, how do we consistently hold to the iron rod? We have to study the word of God. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things! Moroni 10:5

At the beginning of my mission, reading the Book of Mormon seemed like something I had to do other than something I wanted to do. As I continue to read daily, I see why the Book of Mormon is such a blessing in my life. I know at times we hear that a lot....The phrase "The Book of Mormon blesses my life daily and strengthens me"  A lot of us say "yes, I believe that", but HOW? I will share with you why I love reading the Book of Mormon. My biggest reason is that I search for answers to my questions that I have a desire to know the answer. For, I know that  Heavenly Father consistently continues to answer my prayers and questions through the scriptures! As we know, life and history repeats itself and continues to do so. The Book of Mormon is literally a map for life on how to make it through mortality. It will give us courage to stand, even to stand alone. And, when you feel your faith is weak, hold fast to the word of God for you will find comfort and will find hope!

As I have been on my mission here in Tonga, the importance of the Book of Mormon cannot be explained by words. The world is a trap of so many things. I have seen it take so many people close to my heart and I have seen the world consume the desires of man, even in the lives of young missionaries here in Tonga. For we must clench the word of God and hold it tight to our hearts! For, where our hearts are, there is where our desires are also.

For those of you that might be reading this, and you have felt a pull of the world tug on you, or you have given into traps that seem impossible to escape, I want to make you a promise right now that I never want you to forget. It has been a promise that has been made to all of us continually. As you pick up the Book of Mormon, and you pray to your Father who is in heaven, you ask him to receivee strength, and you ask to receive strength to overcome addictions or to overcome trials. I promise that as you read, you will find power and strength from our loving father who is watching over us! D&C 121:8, D&C 76:60, 1 Cor 10:13.

For we all have the Holy Ghost with us to guide us. But remember, oh remember, we must always seek for him to help guide us and for him to help direct us, especially with the word of God so that we might understand what the Holy Ghost is telling you personally.

For, I  know that we have been given an iron rod to hold onto in these latter days and I know it is the word of God. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

Hey family. I imagine that you are all in  the month of October or even in November. I imagine the Book of Mormon challenge is over....but this is my plea, that you continue daily to read and to ponder in the word of God and to do so with a full desire of heart. For these are some of the worst days the world has ever seen, and we need all the protection we can get!

I love you all and I am praying for you all. Our time is short being separated, but I just want to tell you how grateful I am for the constant feeling of support from each one of you :)

You are all incredible!!!

With Much Love Fu'u Lahi Ofa

Your Brother and Son

Elder Blake Daniel Harmon

But always your Eternal Family :)

Mom "Dude"

E-mail (Dated: 9/14/2014)

Hey Family and My Beautiful Friends!

I have so much I have to tell you, but I have written letters about most the incredible experiences, so I will just paraphrase! At least I think that is the word! But I have missed a couple weeks keeping you updated so let me try and catch up! So on the 4th of September, I went on a companionship exchange with one of our zone leaders Elder Puta........yes cookie his name is a swear word in Spanish hahaha......  Did I tell you Elder Latai, my old companion, is my zone leader out here???? Just another cool fact.

Anyway, Elder Puta and I went out to a little island called Uiha! I guess I should tell you first, the first day Elder Berry was here in Ha'apai, his birth mom came and met him!!!!!!!  I go into more detail in the letter about it....you should be getting it any day now. The island I went to is the island where Berry spent the first 9 months of his life! I got to hear the whole story from his mom!!!!!! What a cool experience to be able to have met and come close to Berry’s birth family! While we were at church in her ward we found out that she was inactive in the church until Berry came out on his mission. Way cool to see the impact Berry has had on his family!!!!! Anyway, we went out to go teach a beautiful little 11 year old girl!!! She has been taught by 3 sets of missionaries and there always has been some type of problem before the baptism (e.g. like the missionaries getting sent home for breaking rules) so they haven’t had missionaries there for seven months!  Another reason everyone was so happy to have missionaries! She was so anxious and ready for baptism. We did the ordinance on Sunday. Her name is Milei Mana Moui -- sooo cool!  That’s Berry’s middle name haha. I have been obsessed with it since the MTC. On Monday, we got picked up by Berry and Freer and we went and dropped off Elder Puta back with Elder Latai and I grabbed my companion and we made our way to the Lulunga Islands!!!!!! We dropped off Tu'itavuki and Freer on Fotuha'a. To describe it to you, it looks like King Kong Island!!! No joke..... It has no beaches and the waves crash on the cliffs like crazy!!! The only way on the island is to jump from our boat to another boat then they pull you in as close as possible and then you jump onto the cliff side then climb these ancient looking steps to the top.....and the village sits on the top in the middle of the bush!!!!!!!  Then, Berry and I drove about 45 minutes more in the boat to our island where we would be staying!!!! It was a place called Matuku!! Let’s just say it was like a little Hawaii with big beaches and waves crashing on the sand!!!!! I don’t want to ruin lots of details, but I’ll tell you one cool tender mercy. Berry’s birth sister lives on that island!!!! She is inactive so we were able to help her and her husband and we will be able to teach them…..way cool experience. On this island, there is no mission house so we slept on the floor of the church....... haha -- so we definitely got our Kolopoki experiences in........with so many cool and beautiful teachings, it was such a tender mercy to serve with one of my brothers that I came to the islands with!!!!

Right now I’m having a hard time working in the ward that I’m in charge of.  I am working hard with the ward mission leader. Our bishop is in Tonga because he is sick with diabetes ....... so things have been hard. Also, on top of that, trying to keep up with the president’s schedule for companionship exchanges is a challenge, but we are making it work.........Me and my comp are determined!!!
Lastly I just want to thank you all for the emails and love, I don’t have enough time to respond to them all but I appreciate you so much especially you mom and dad for taking such time to write me beautiful things!!!

Ofa atu

Elder Harmon
Mom"dude"
Brooklin syst

Pangai

Beach on Pangai

Island that Blake Visited on Companionship Exchanges

Closer Look at Uiha

Blake said that he visited some islands called the Lolunga Islands that were next to Tofua which is a big volcano.

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 9/8/14) [#51 from Tonga]

Family :)

I'm so grateful for this opportunity that I have to be able to write to you today :) I know I will not have the chance to email you today because I will be going straight from Vika to Haafeva! In letter #50 I was able to express my incredible week and my once in a lifetime chance to serve on the beautiful island of Uiha and Felemea!

Something that has been on my mind a lot is testimony . . . The power behind testimony is truly in it's own category. I would like to share an experience all of my own. Just yesterday, I was in "Felemea" (a town on the small island). We went there to go have bread with an old guy I met from Austria. While we were on the boat to Uiha, we ran into this guy and we helped him bring his bags to his house, so he promised to have us over for some bread! As we took him up on his offer, we sat and talked about life and I was able to bring up the subject of religion. I soon found out that he believes in God and a Savior, but has no faith in a church because he says they are all man made/ We got pretty deep in to the discussion when I tried to start talking about church and bring up certain doctrines we believe in....it was tough. He had excuses and things to throw at me for everything I brought up. I finally felt the spirit whisper to me to bear my testimony to this man and to bear my testimony of what "I" believe! I then started to bearing testimony to him that I know there is a prophet here on the earth today to direct and guide Heavenly Father's church through direct revelations from Heavenly Father himself. I told him about apostles and how the same church that Christ had established on the earth during his ministry has been restored!

I watched the amazement in his eyes as the spirit began to teach him. He no longer made excuses and he stopped throwing our words back. Instead, he listened and at the end, he was speechless.

For the first time in a long time I think his interest in religion has been rekindled. His urge toknow more is there. We had to end there, but tomorrow before going back to Pangai and then to Ha'afeva, I will get to teach him one last time! I know our testimonies are essential for all of us to have and for all of us to survive on in this church, but our testimonies are also our sword in a world that needs to hear the true word of God and His gospel. May we ever be so daring to use it in the time of need. This is my prayer and my hope in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

I know it wasn't long, but I hope you know I though about you! I love you!

Your Brother and Son
But remember we are a Forever Family
Elder Blake Daniel Harmon

Ha'afeva Island 

Ha'afeva Island

Uiha Island

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 9/1/2014) [#50 from Tonga]

Family!

I have so much to tell you. I am so so excited to write you this letter! :) It is actually the 11th of September but I'm going to go back and give you all the updates! I have been on a couple of little islands and have had no chance to write this letter! So, on Thursday, Elder Freer and Berry showed up for a big meeting with the APs and our entire zone. It was the best meeting I have ever been to in my life. The whole thing was focused on less active members and how to strengthen them! I have never had a plan make so much sense to me and how to execute the plan! I'm so excited to be able to go forth and help less active members return unto their Savior and help them obtain the eternal promise and help them along the steps to being sealed to their families for time and eternity! It's all about first helping them develop a vision! Then planning with goals. However, if you are not accountable for your vision, plan or goals then your vision remains only a thought. So, our plan is to help less active members and recent converts so that they can get that eternal vision then step by step reach for it with all their might! After the meeting, I got to go on an all day companionship exchange with Elder Freer! It was a blast. We worked like crazy and were able to teach a few families. On experience that sticks out .... we came up to a house and we were really nervous because we had an appointment with this family, but we both didn't now them, and we had never taught together. Right before we entered the house, the spirit was with us and we were guided through the whole lesson. It was beautiful to see how Heavenly Father can truly be by your side, if you only but ask. That's something I have really tried to focus on lately....To really make sure I am working with three people in my companionship and not just two! We need to have Heavenly Father in everything we do. For we can only do so much on our own, but when we trust and have faith, and ask, and consistently seek, we shall have Heavenly Father to double what we could do on our own.

The next day, I was able to go on a companionship exchange with our Zone Leader (Elder Puta). We got to go out to a little island called Uiha and Feleman, absolutely beautiful islands! We went from Thursday to Sunday. We went there to teach a girl that we got a referral from over the phone! We were told that three missionaries have tried to bring her into the waters of baptism but she has not wanted to. When we got to teach her, everything fell into place. She asked us, Can I be baptized?

We were able to baptize her right after church on Sunday before we went back. But, you will never guess that while I was there I was in Elder Berry's mom's ward. This is the island where Berry was born and grew up on! It was crazy! We have grown close to his mom. She told me the whole story of Berry's adoption. It was a tender story. We came back on Monday. I know I wrote you a letter on Monday, but I'm just going to finish talking about all the companionship exchanges because I didn't get to e-mail it to you. Anyway, we took the boat back from Uiha to Pangai, the main island. We came back and I dropped off Elder Puta and I got my companion and we literally got right back on the boat! Freer and Berry were also on the boat. So, we headed back out to the little islands of Ha'afeva! It was about an hour ride out to the island where we dropped off Freer and Tuitavuki. You wouldn't believe the island that we dropped them off on. Just imagine the movie King Kong, where the water is thrashing on the rock cliffs and there are no beaches and it looks like no one could live on this ancient looking island in the middle of no where! The only way to get on the island was to jump from our boat to another boat then they would pull you as close to the rock cliffs as they could. Then you would have to jump! If you fall, you would get crushed by the water against the rocks! But, everyone was safe! Anyway, after we dropped them off, we drove another 45 minutes to our remote island of Matuku! We got there and the only way to describe it is paradise. I'm so sorry, we had no camera, so no pictures! But, Berry said it just looked like an untouched Hawaii beach. The waves came from two directions and they would crash on the beach! It has been the first island I have been to that the waves came in on like Hawaii. It is because the coral reef is so close. SOOOO BEAUTIFUL!!!!!

But, it just so happens to be the island where Berry's sister lives!!! How crazy is that!! Wow, you could say some major tender mercies!!! The hard part was that every priesthood holder was gone snorkeling so it was literally us and the women. So, we went around doing role plays with them and then inviting them to invite their friends. It was way fun! Working with the members is a blast! We were only there on Monday and Tuesday, then went home Wednesday morning! So, it was short and sweet, but we had a lot of success. Berry and Freer are going back Saturday to follow up! As we traveled back, we had huge whales jumping around the boat. It was so so incredible! It has been a very long week a long week of nothing but companionship exchanges! I'm so happy to be back in my area, but it was a such a success this week!

I love you all so so much! Life is good. You are all in my prayers constantly. You all are the light of my life! Sorry it's kinda just a story-line kind of letter and not very detailed. It was just a bunch to catch up on!

Your Son and Brother
Elder Blake Daniel Harmon
Your Brother & Son Forever

E-mail (Dated: 8/31/2014)

Hey Everyone!!!!!:::)))

So it has been an Incredible week for me!!!! My first week that I have been full steam ahead with all of my responsibilities as a district leader!!!!!! I have written a really detailed letter about all this stuff, but I will try and explain everything without taking emphasis out of my letters!!!!!

So this week was my first week being able to have my fist District meeting!!!! It was Definitely difficult for me at first, but it has been an awesome learning experience for me all the way around!!!!!!

I was able to hold my first companionship exchange with the elders in Hihifo, the island south of us, its confusing, because Hihifo usually means east!!!!! We had an amazing exchange with everyone!!!!!! I had some incredible experiences that changed my perspective on everything in my mission!!!!!! I went into big details in my letter so I don't want to take away, but ill just say I was able to teach a man that lifted my spirits higher than I could ever have imagine.......something way cool is that I will be able to do companion ship exchanges with Berry and Freer next week. We have a speed boat with two 150cc v6 motors on the back, so I'm excited to take the amazing trip to their islands, we will then do splits and go around the island groups of about 8 little islands!!!! I'm excited to be able to be companions with elder Berry for a short time period!!!!!!!! I love how he told me that he will come together from someone from Ephraim and bring others unto the gospel, I have always told him that, that is me hahaha, even Freer is from Manasseh..... anyway just somethings that means a lot to me!!!

I was able to do my first baptism interview and it was one of my favorite experiences as a missionary, just because I was able to see her change of heart and her sacrifices to follow her savior..Very special experience to me!!!

We are working so so hard with our members right now and helping them with family history work and trying to get them to share all the family history stuff with all there friends, we are setting up firesides to bust and bring the work up.......

Ha'apai is so so slow, but we are doing so so much to try and boost our area. There is an elder in Hihifo that I did a companion ship exchange with and he change my perspective and he taught me a lot on how I need to go about strengthening a ward, so I'm excited!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyway the islands are good and I'm loving the challenge for as every missionary is called, and every missionary is given an assignment, it comes from one place and one place only and that is from god!!!!!!  I love you all. You are all in my prayers and my heart!!!!

I love you

Mom"dude"

Brooklin"syst"

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 8/25/2014) [#49 from Tonga]

Family!

I'm actually really excited to write this letter and give you some of the detail so my week and some of the fun stuff and adventures coming up! So I guess I will start with the adventures and end with the spiritual stuff. So, since I am the district leader, I get to do companionship exchanges with all of the missionaries in my district. So, we have a boat for us to use. It has two big 150CC V6 motors :) So we are excited! We also quite often go out with the zone leaders and interview their investigators on little islands. I actually gave my first baptism interview today! It was an amazing experience. The girl I interviewed gave up coffee and tea and she bore her testimony to me about the importance of dong what God asks of us. What an incredible opportunity I have been given to have the opportunity to see these changed hearts that are ready to come unto our Savior and make their first covenant with Him!

This Tuesday, I was able to hold my first district meeting. Not going to lie, it wasn't the easiest thing for me & I really don't like being known as the district leader. Out here, people put leaders on a pedestal and I really don't like it. In fact, it is really hard on me. So, I am just trying to fulfill my duty the best I can, for I am told in my Patriarical blessing that if I accept callings I will be blessed for the things I learn from my experience.I truly believe all the things I have been blessed with come through obedience to our Heavenly Father and I can feel the loss of control and direction in my life when I am not obedient. It has been a lot of pressure for me to be a district leader. A lot of that is because in our entire zone, there is only one district :) So, my duties include interviewing all of the investigators preparing for baptism and going on companionship exchanges. I also have the duty of collecting all of our numbers and reporting them to the zone leaders, So, for me this has been a lot of pressure! But, it's a good pressure that helps me progress mau ai pe (always)

I would really like to share some of my experiences this week. I know I will end up sharing a little on e-mail just so you will not have to wait until you receive this letter to hear anything but I will always try to go into more detail in my letters. So, I had the chance to go on a companionship exchange in Hihifo, the southern village of our island. I paired up with Elder Hofoka from Tonga, but yet again he was in the liahona presidence with Elder Talanoa, so his English is fluent! It's actually frun talking Tonglish! But, sometimes we just speak in Tongan, especially if we are near other Tongans - haha. But, we had an incredible experience of teaching a guy (age 52). He grew up in the Methodist church and is actually a preacher. His kids all grew up LDS. His wife went with her husband, but her heart has always been in the LDS church. Get this, their son, is on a mission in California Oakland. His name is Elder Vaivela.

Anyway, it was the Dad Teuita (David) that asked us to come teach him. His heart had been changed since his son has been serving his mission. He has a desire to know why his son left him and everything to go preach the word of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We began teaching him and I could feel the presence of the spirit, but mostly I could feel the light of Christ radiating from this 52 year old man. I could feel the desire he had to be with his family for eternity. AS we taught, he had questions, but as we answered, you could see the spirit working on him. The lesson came to an end and I was super sad because I knew that I would not be the one continuing to teach him. But, as we rescheduled with him, he wanted to do it early in the morning....so, I would still be there! As we came the next day, he bore testimony of how the Book of Mormon is another testimony of Jesus Christ. He told us he has felt it. He also has been praying  . . . . We taught him the first half of lesson #2 and we began to close....I then thanked him for the spirit that I  had been able to feel as we taught him. I told him that I would be returning to my own area the next day. As I concluded, he said that he wanted to say a few words. He thanked me from the bottom of his heart for making the sacrifice to come all the way from America to bring him the gospel. He said that he knows that I came to touch his heart specifically! Definitely one of the most tender and rewarding feelings I have had on my mission.  I have had the chance to bring a family together through the gospel. He also stated that he knows personally of the sacrifice I have made to come on a mission and to leave my family....because his son is on the other side of the world and he misses his son so very much and NOW he knows why the sacrifice is so important!  By the way, he is getting baptized next Saturday!!!!

I am so grateful for my opportunity to be here in Tonga (Ha'apai) and be sharing the gospel with the beautiful people of Tonga! I know the spirit is the most important thing in this work. Just think about it. This companionship exchange was setup by our AP's the night before. I know they were guided by the spirit! It's so important that we listen to and follow the promptings of the Holy Spirit!

As I have been here in Ha'apai for 3 week now, I have figured out that our ward really struggles. There are a lot of problems, especially what I would call lots of "drama". It has affected a lot of the members and contributed to them becoming less active. I have pondered this a lot lately. My companion and I have come up with some good plans, programs, ideas that should strengthen us as a ward.......We both know that his is where we are supposed to be. The lord has already shown us through many tender experiences. This is where we are needed and we CAN make a difference! It may not be bringing back every family, but we will plant seeds and we will make the difference that the Lord sent us here to make.

I love you family! I am so proud to wear the Harmon name tag every day! I were it with pride!
Your Son/Brother
Elder Blake Daniel Harmon
Ofa Lahi Atu

E-mail (Dated: 8/24/2014)

Life in Kolipoki’s Shoes

Hey Family and my loved ones!!!!

Life in Kolipoki’s shoes has been much different that I imagined it to be.... Ha'apai is very beautiful and the people are incredible.  I already feel like family. In other areas it took me a while to get used to the area and the people, but I already feel like part of the family here in Pangai. Yesterday after our meetings we went and sat on the beach and watched the sunset. I was able to take it all in. Brooklin can attest that I said this a lot back at home (Take it all in and enjoy it, because you never get that moment back!), but as a missionary it sometimes is hard to just sit and take it all in, the moments and the trials and the feelings of it all. But as I sat on the beach I was able to take in my blessings, my tender mercies and this “Once in a Life-Time” opportunity. I am serving in the area Kolipoki served in for the last 2 years of his mission, in the exact area and with a lot of the same people. I am so blessed to serve with the beautiful people of Tonga and in their sacred islands. There is a spirit here that cannot be felt anywhere else in the world, for this is a Land Dedicated to God.

Some cool things that have happened here is that we have been able to give a lot of amazing blessings to a lot of people, everyone has been sick.... it’s crazy no one was at church because so many are sick, but we have seen a lot of miracles!!!!!

So this week we were able to start teaching a family - Palee's Family. They are a young family, but they are very strong in the church of Tonga. The father is a future preacher for the church. But, we knocked on their door and they accepted us in and we were able to share with them the first lesson. The spirit was so strong. Palee told us that we have been an answer to his and his family’s prayers. We are continuing to teach them later this week when he gets back from Kavai a tiny motu(island). When we taught about Joseph Smith and the Book of Mormon, it was powerful! I just love reciting the first vision, it’s so powerful!!!!! But, their family filled with tears as we were able to testify that there is a true prophet here on the earth today!!!! So incredible!!!! We continue to search and to share, for I have felt that this is why I am here on the earth, to spread and share this message to everyone and let everyone feel the light of this gospel!!!!!!

I can’t remember if I wrote this in a letter or not, but just the other day I was on the beach with Berry and Freer and my companion, waiting for the boat to come take them, when a guy from Czech Republic came up and started asking us questions about where the nearest scuba diving area was but we didn't know. However, we got talking, and I pulled out an English pass along card that I have been saving for an experience like this, and I was able to bear testimony to him about the Book of Mormon and that there is a prophet and apostles on the earth today. He got excited and asked if the Book of Mormon could be sent to him in New Zealand to his new house. We gave him the email address and told him he could even get it in his native tongue and he was so so excited. Just a powerful experience in following the spirit and inviting others to follow Christ!

Love you all ,
Mom :dude"
Brooklin SYST

P.S.
My companion is awesome, he is from West Jordan and went to Copper Hills. He is about 6'5" and is an artist, plays sports.....he is a really cool guy. He is actually from the same ward as Lavaka and Laos back in Utah, so it's cool!!!!

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 8/19/2014) [#48 from Tonga]

Family!

Wow, so it's only been a couple of days since I last wrote you. I don't want to fall behind in writing you letters, but when I was on email with you, I wasn't able to respond to any of your emails. So, I just want to take the time to do so now. I'll start with mom. I remember that you told me about Paige's reception/shower and you talked about her mission. I think its cool to see that you and Brooke were able to go have the last encounter with her. I find it crazy that the first girl I ever kissed is now getting married - hahaha. That's when I know I am starting to get old! Wow, I just barely noticed that she isn't 20 until the 21st of September. I never thought she would have gotten married that early! But, she is very similar to Cassidy McCallister in that they are both very mature for their ages and I know that they are both "battlers" and they will both have successful marriages!

Dad, I was very touched by your email and the tender mercies of the Lord you were able to feel. How incredible that you were able to meet someone from the same place where I had been serving for the last 6 months. Especially in how it is on the other side of the world! The Lord really is looking out for my beautiful family. Before the mission, everyone talks about the beautiful blessings of our Heavenly Father and how he will bless our families if we serve him! But, you never understand how much until you actually get out in the mission field and witness it first hand. There is no better feeling in the world than to see blessings being poured down on my family! I can truly feel how it will be for me as a father one day and just thriving as I see my family blessed in the gospel!

Okay Brandon, your car is so so so sick! That was so hard for me not to just go off on e-mail about it! Awe, it was awesome that you and Dad got a good one. What size are the subs in the back? What size is the amp? I bet it just pounds with it being a hatch back! So, it's the GT version. Does it have the v6 or is it a 4 cylinder? It looks fun Bro! Make smart choices in it!!:) I would love to hear all the details! I think I saw that it was an automatic. That will be better for the snow! Is it front wheel or rear wheel drive? How many seats does it have? How fast is it? Does it have an exhaust on it? Do you want me to get you neon for it? Aw, it's way cool you got it right before your senior year! Crazy to see that school is already starting up & then when it's over, I will be about a month and a half from being back. Time is just flying!!!

Oh, so Ha'apai is kinda like Vava'u. I have to put all my letters on the boat. Then they get sent to the mission office and then they get sent to all of you :) So, I imagine it will be a month long process! I only send them to the office every month or so which means that all 4 letters will come an once each month. I know that it is not as convenient as it was for us when I was in Tonga, but hopefully, all the letters will eventually make it! In fact, I know they will, it's just a mater of 'time'!

Nothing is really new over the last three days. We just had our first Zone meeting in Ha'apai. I was actually really good! I got to teach and it just happened to be a topic that I have been studying a lot lately! Dad, when you sent me the talk about "Hope", I got really into it and studied it like crazy! I then got asked to teach it! So it was pretty good to be able to share what I had learned with everything! My comprehension of hope has been so broadened and strengthened!

So, on email, I remember dad telling me that I was supposed to followup with a story from letter #46, but honestly, I can't remember. I have been so busy switching to a new area! Haha, Tonga is really hard to switch, especially when switching islands! Read the Koilipoki book. He describes it really well as he is on the boat back from Niua!

I am excited to see what I can do to change this area! Did I tell you this is the exact area Kolipoki spent the last 2 years of his mission as the Branch President? So, I am living it! The Koilipoki Life!

I love you all. Sorry things are busy here. I just wanted you all to know that I appreciated the emails!

Mom, I had a really strong impression I needed to let  you know that I love you so much and appreciate you so much. I know our moms need to hear it more than anyone, but out of all the emails and letters, sometimes it's hard for the love to be felt directly or the care and gratefulness,  Just know momma that I love you and you are my momma forever and no one could replace the love I have for you! No one could take that feeling I have for you. For, when I am in your arms I feel home, and for when I hear your voice I feel comfort, for that is why you were always my greatest cheerleader! Thank you for your support and care and for your thrill in my passions and in my successes! I wish I just could sit on email for hours and respond to all your e-mails and tell you thank you and sincerely  respond to all your kind thoughts and stories, but it's just impossible. So, just know they mean the world to me. This goes for Dad too! Thank you for the e-mails. Your efforts and thoughts have not gone unnoticed! They build me up incredibly and give me courage and strength to be the missionary I need to be!

Your Son/Brother
Elder Harmon

P.S. Did I ever tell you I stepped on a nail and it went through my foot about a month ago? .... Well, it finally healed! :)

E-mail (Dated: 8/17/2014)

Ok so so so sorry this is going to be so short, but I just barely found email on this little island. I just wanted to send a little email and let you all know I love you so so much!!!!!! The Island has the most beautiful beaches here, but the houses are still all destroyed.  Everyone lives in tents.  I have also been sick for the last 3 days, its has been aweful..... They say it's normal when you switch islands to get sick for a while!!!! 

We have one invistigator. It has been really hard to get to know all the members well because of me being sick, but I have gone to all their houses and tried to get to know them!!!!! So sorry I have to go, I wrote a letter today,
because I thought I wasn't going to find internet, so it has all the details!!!! 

Mom and Dad, I got your emails and I loved them so so much!!!! So so sorry I can't respond, it kills me.  I loved your tender mercies dad. Brandon congrats on the car, it looks sick!!!!! Love you
so so much!!!!!!!

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 8/16/2014) [#47 from Tonga]

Family,

I have been trying to find time this whole week to write this letter - haha. It has been pretty intense moving from an area where I have been for 6 months and moving from Tonga to Ha'apai. Also, going from a missionary with no responsibility to a district leader. I guess this is a good letter for me to describe to you Ha'apai and what life is like on this island and about the whole experience getting here.

So, on Tuesday I was taken to the airport by President Tupou. When we got there, we met up with Elder Burger (he is like our grandpa in the mission). So, I stayed there with him. He was supposed to have come with my luggage, but he forgot it. So, he decided to send me to Ha'apai by myself withoutt my luggage! While I was waiting to get on the plane, a plane came back from Vava'u. It has Elder Lotulelei on it! It was so so fun seeing him and catching up for a short minute. Then, I was able to have a really tender experience.Another missionary walked off the plane. I looked at his face, and it was identical to Foi Kuliha'apai's face (my dad in the mission that passed away). It was his son. He had been on a mission and had been serving in Vava'u when Foi passed away. I was able to send his family's love to him and share everything about the funeral that he had missed. It was very cool for me and for him!

So, I finally got on the plane. It was a jet plane. I thing my first one I have ever been on. It was super fast! I have never seen so much of Tonga as when we flew away. It is smaller than I thought! As we started getting close to Ha'apai, I started seeing all the gorgeous islands. It is cool! I have seen them from a boat view, and now from an aerial view! Once I landed, I got off the plan, and nobody was there to pick me up... So, I just sat and waited. I eventually just got a ride with a member family to my missionary quarters. Along the way, we saw the Zone Leaders. So, we waved them down and they pulled over and I finally got with my companion! AS we drove back our missionary quarters (MQ), it did not take long for me to realize that all of Ha'apai is completely destroyed. Everyone is still living in tents. It's the saddest thing. The only buildings that didn't get touched were our churches! It has been a really really humbling coming to this place, especially as it becomes my new home! I would love to hear about the senior couple that is coming out here because they are right by my house when they get here!

Oh, so Ha'apai's beaches definitely did not disappoint. They are the most beaches thing! I am living in paradise! I have never seen more beautiful beaches in pictures! It is like our own private beach and literally untouched. Nobody goes to the beach and when they do, they just go play at the boat dock in the front of the island!

Berry and Free arrived on Thursday and they brought my suitcase, FINALLY - HAHA!!! We sent them to their small island on Friday evening! We actually had a really cool experience with Berry this weekend! He got a call from his biological mother that lives on Ha'apai. She wanted to meet him, so we went out and we met her at the boat. It was cool to be part of a big moment in his life! To be able to see her love for her son. I can't imagine having enough courage to give away your son to a family in America so that he can have a better life and not struggle on the little  island where he was born. She knew that she could not raise him with the amount of food and the things that she had, so she loved him so much that she gave him away. It was tender to see them reunite.

SO! Ha'apai is going to be an experience that will change my life forever. I can already feel it. Things are a lot slower and a lot harder, but I know I have been sent out here for a reason and now it's time to start figuring out what those reasons are.

Oh, just some facts . . .
1) We have one ward.
2) We cover one village.
3) We have only 4 missionaries in my district right now that can actually come to meetings.
4) You can see one side of the island to the other when you stand in the middle and the is no hill.
5) My place is called Pongai.
6) There is a volcano in the ocean in front of Ha'apai and I guess it is really active.
7) Most beautiful sunsets happen here!
8) We have the most beautiful beaches in the world!:)

Sorry the letter was more like a journal entry than a letter, but I hoped it made you understand a little bit about where I am! Oh, by the way, I have ELECTRICITY and my ROOF DOES NOT LEAK!!! :)

I love you all so much. I am excited to write to you on Monday and let you know what is going on here on the islands of Ha'apai!

Elder Harmon
Your Son/Brother
But always remember we are and Eternal FAMILY
Ofa lahi ato

E-mail (Dated: 8/10/2014)

Wow what a week!

I have had some pretty incredible experiences this week. I wish they were captured on camera so that you could see and experience them all. I will just take you all back in time to show you, for I know you would all feel the spirit burning in you chest testifying of the truthfulness of this gospel!!!! I know that through doing the Savior's work, He truly strengthens us in spiritually and physically.

This week started with me getting the opportunity to have family night with my first counselor and three people from America. I wrote a big letter all about it, but lets just say the experience was incredible! I had a strong feeling that I was going to get moved this transfer, even though I wanted to stay for a lot of reasons. So, I was determined to make sure we went knocking on all the doors:) We actually got into a few family's homes, some were interested, some we found out were baptized but they changed churches when they got married. It opened a lot of doors for us to bring the spirit into their lives!!!!! I'm grateful that I had the opportunity to plant those seeds of growth. We have two new families now that we are teaching and will continue to be taught:)

I also said goodbye to my favorite Tongan missionary from Australia. He has been my zone leader in Sopu, his name is Elder Nuku, he finished this week!!!! But we got a new zone leader. You'll never guess who it is!!!!! ELDER HARRIS! We came in together and we were companions while I waited to go to Vava'u last year!!!! It was an awesome reunion!!!! I remember how we were so close before I went to Vava'u and it was hard to separate. He was also the one that I sat on the plane with to Tonga!!!! But just on Sunday, we got asked by the people from America, to hold a fireside for them. Me and Harris gave talks and told about our mission experience. I felt like it was my home coming talk, giving it in English and seeing a bunch of 18-19 year old boys and girls!!!! It was amazing! The spirit was so strong and me and Harris really compliment each other! I would love to serve by his side in the future. Anyway, Harris gave me a call last night, and I will be serving in HA'APAI in PONGAI.....

(Dad Comment: This is a video I found that shows some of the life on Ha'apai. Don't know how real it is to today, but Blake can tell us when he gets home.)

There are about 8 missionaries in Pangai. I have been called as the District Leader. I have to admit that I'm really nervous. But, like my patriarchal blessing says, I can only grow through accepting callings and learning from them! I'm excited for this opportunity. I fly on a small plane there tomorrow! My companion is Elder Tuitavuki from Salt lake. He went to school at Copper Hills and came in with Elder Arcos. He also lives in Elder Lao's ward. I'm excited and we will have a blast together. Also, Elder Berry and Elder Freer are companions on Ha'apai in my district!!!! Elder Lotulelei and Elder Lao are companions here in Tonga together. How funny is that! MTC companions back together!!!! Anyway,  love you guys and please pray for me hahaha....

Mom"dude"
Brooklin "SYST"

So, I am very tight with this guy at the pizza place. When I told him I was moving, he made me a pizza for free!!

Pictures of Pangai in Ha'apai

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 8/4/2014) [#46 from Tonga]

FAMILY:) You know what they say, 11:11 are the numbers to make a wish on! I have 11 months and 11 days until we are reunited again as a family. I have one wish and one wish only, and that is that we take advantage of the time that we have before us! Not tomorrow, but TODAY! As I was in High School, I had a tendency to always be thinking of days and dates ahead..in the future, instead of focusing on the present! I remember counting the hours and minutes until Friday night, instead of enjoying the day in front of me! I look back wishing I would have enjoyed every moment and not just those Friday nights, but every night, for if we start waiting and counting on the Friday nights, they will all soon be in over in our High School lives! Just like they are now done for me! I want us to enjoy this time right here, right now:) Brandon, it is already your junior year. You are about to hit half way in your High School experience! Brooke, you are in 8th grade. Believe it or not, it feels like yesterday that I was walking through those halls... Take it all in! I already know that mom and dad understand this reality already...this truth about time.

I cannot believe that I only have one year left to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ as FULL-TIME missionary. One year left to be here among the Tonga people....I'm freaking out seeing Christmas start to creep up. I'm still listening to Christmas music....

Telu just wrote me, and said a line that stuck out to me. He said sorry I was only there for half of your experience so far....Can you believe that? It's been six months since he has been here! It has been eight months since I have been on my little island! Haha, so I recently talked to Elder Swan and he died when he found out that we send letters once a week to each other! I think I might have talked him into actually doing it! I told him how close it has brought us as a family and the joy we are able to feel.

So, I had a really cool experience today. I was able to go to a family night with our 1st counselor in one of our wards and he had three white people there from the states. They were from California, Provo, and Nevada! It was a blast! I got to translate for them and for the Tongans. It was my first time, so it was a little different. The kids in the group were so excited to see me. They all yelled, "The Missionaries!!!" They ran up shaking my hand! There are 27 of them! They are here building a house for someone whose house burnt down a couple of years back. They are here with "HEFY". Pretty cool little organization. But back to the family night, it was filled with the spirit! This boy from Nevada is a recent convert this year and his desire to share the gospel and be involved is truly incredible! He shared his testimony several times, and it was very touching.

I was able to give a little shore lesson to them. I did every other sentence in a different language so they knew what was going on. I talked about missionary work and temple work and how it's the same work and not separate work. I was able to bear my strong testimony to them. The boy from Nevada, right after, told us a story that just happened to him with family history work, then he bore testimony, it was very powerful. I'm glad I could be in tune with the spirit to share something that could relate to them. It was amazing for me to look at these 16-18 year-olds and feel so old and mature.... Even crazier is that I felt so so out of place with the white people. I found myself just going to an all Tongan group and talking with them. Hearing English everywhere freaked me out. I found myself trying to speak Tongan to the Americans, haha! I guess this next coming Sunday, I will be giving a big talk to all of them. My topic is missionary work. A lot of them are missionary age, but don't really want to go on a mission. So, I'm supposed to give experiences and things that are suppose to drive them to go on a mission. I'm actually really, really excited for the opportunity that I have to try and make a difference in their lives. I truly know how much a mission was needed in my life. I love the quote, "The mission doesn't need you, you need the mission!" The mission is the best two years for your life, and I feel like I am already a living testimony of that. I know that my testimony and foundation is permanently set because of my choice to come on a mission! It truly sets up your path on the road to eternal happiness. It gives you the chance of a lifetime. Invite others to come unto Christ FULL TIME!
Elder Riddle gave me a quote that he made up after being here for a year. It has become my saying, and I truly believe it's what the Tonga mission is all about. "The mission makes boys into men and men into men dedicated to God." President Monson is a book he wrote said that the Tongan mission is one of the best in the world, and I believe it! If you do it right, you receive a special gift of becoming a man dedicated to God! Read in the August Ensign, "Tonga, a Land Dedicated to God"

Today was a lot more random than normal, but I just wanted you to hear some of my week, along with some of my thoughts! Remember to take in the time right here, right now! Enjoy each other, enjoy school, work, even just those Sunday nights you sit down as a family, because trust me, you're gonna wish you had when your not able to be there any more!

Love one another and feel my love!
Your Missionary in the Islands of Tonga!
Ha, I still think that's incredible that I am able to say that :) ("Your Missionary")

Homo Faifekau Elder Blake Daniel Harmon
Son/Brother, but remember we are together for the eternities, so take in this time, for it is only a short time that we are separated!

- Elder Harmoni

God lets me feel your love every day.....mom, you need to know that I feel your comfort.... "Dude"

E-mail (Dated: 8/3/2014)

Hey Family and My Beautiful Friends!

Wow so this week started really well! Teachings all worked out and we were on a roll. Our lessons were awesome and our Investigators are progressing amazingly! They all have an amazing drive to listen and feel the spirit and to follow our Saviors example!!!

Taine, still doesn't have his birth certificate, but he continues to listen to our message and to come to church. His situation makes me want to cry every time we see him! We actually went around and collected clothes for him at the members houses to give to him because every day this week he wore the same old t-shirt to our lessons. We are doing our best to help out, along with helping him come unto Christ!

This week we taught one of our investigators whose name is Vili. During our first lesson we invited him to be baptized, but he just told us he needs to ponder it. At the end of the lesson we gave him a pamphlet about the plan of salvation and told him that we would be teaching him next time about where he came from, his purpose on earth, and where he is going!!!! He took it very seriously. The next lesson, he knew the answers by heart and was very involved in the lesson. He felt the spirit! At the end of the lesson we invited him to be baptized and he told us he thought about it and he wants to be baptized! He is 22 this year. I can't explain the happiness and joy that I know that this will bring him for the rest of his life and the path that he will now take. It will change his life from now on into the eternities!

Moses...he is incredible! It brings tears to my eyes to think about his devotion and love for his Heavenly Father. His testimony is so so strong and his obedience with exactness is inspirational. He was baptized on Saturday and given the Gift of the Holy Ghost yesterday, He told me his goals are to go to the temple and do baptisms for the dead. I want to be here to do that with him, but I know everything is the Lord's timing and the Lord's way. He will take care of things. I have been here since February, so I think this transfer there is a good chance I am leaving. We will see.

Now I want to share an experience close to my heart. The experience that made being away from you all worth it.

On Saturday, we took Sioeli, Siupeli and Vaka to the temple and did baptisms for the dead. I have never had such a tender experience in my life. As I stood in the baptismal font watching my BROTHERSs walk down into the font, AND having the picture of Jesus (salvation pic) behind them. The power was undeniable. I know families are FOREVER. I put every single one of your names in the temple. I want you to know I love you!

Family, We Are Eternal

P.S. By the way there are 27 Americans here from Utah and New York and they are having a family evening tonight at our church and I'm teaching because I'm the only white person. They are here building houses for people!!

Elder Harmon and Moses

Elder Harmon, Elder Noa, and the Uncle of Elder Noa at the Tongan Temple

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 7/28/2014) [#45 from Tonga]

Family :)

I'm so grateful every week to have this beautiful opportunity to write you and share with you my love and to share with you about the beautiful islands of Tonga and to be able to share my experiences and things I have been able to learn. It's amazing as I write to you. I feel like you are all right by my side! Mom always says that our love is strengthened through letters and it is so so true! Our testimonies are only strengthened when we nurture and feed them through study and prayer and experiences, just like how when we write letters, our love continues to strengthen! Just how we can never stop learning, we can never have a limited amount of love, no matter how full your love can feel for someone, you can always make the cup bigger, and I think it is amazing to see how our family has recognized this so well!

These past couple of weeks, my testimony has grown so much! I have had a blast looking up scriptures for our lessons and for our investigators. Before my mission, I never realized that most religions only believed in one God and that most don't understand the concept of Him having a body. The Godhead is one of the biggest things that we emphasize when teaching the people in Tonga! It has strengthened so incredibly my testimony that our Savior is the Son of God. (1 John 5:11-12)

I love the testimony of these two scriptures together (John 1:14) and then the testimony in (1 John 5:7). I know we have a Heavenly Father who loves us all and that he gave His only begotten Son! (John 3:16) For they are as flesh and bone for what you see all of us have! (Luke 24:36-39) And there is the Holy Ghost that is give to us all when we enter into the first covenant. Just like when Christ was baptized (Matthew 3:16-17) for he said "follow thou me"! 2 Nephi 31:10

Awe, I love the scriptures! Since I am not great at the language, I decided that who says it better than God's prophets or the Savior himself. So, I have really gotten into the scriptures more than ever on my mission and life! There is a power in the scriptures especially when you use the two books given to us from our Heavenly Father! For, like it says in the beginning of the Book of Mormon! With the Bile and Book of Mormon put together, it is the everlasting gospel (complete)!

I just wanted you all to know that I know we have a loving, caring Heavenly Father. His Son came to the earth to die for everyone and we will all be resurrected like he was resurrected, and we can make it back to our Father's kingdom because of the price our Savior paid for all of us in the Garden of Gethsemane. I want to bear my testimony that we all have the Holy Ghost with us. We have all been baptized in the name of our Savior and Father! (Matthew 28:19) We can all have his guidance if we will only listen and constantly seek his voice and heedings!

I think the thing I'm most excited about when I get back home is to help Brandon prepare for his mission! I can guarantee Brandon that you'll be 100% more prepared than I was! But, that's about a year away, so I want to sen out and invitation/challenge, to read a chapter at day. That way, you can finish the Book of Mormon in about 3-4 weeks from where you are now. Then you will know what you are doing for 2 years! Haha, my first time reading the Book of Mormon was on Noapapu. Can you imagine how incredibly prepared you will be by reading and pondering it sooner?! There is a Mormon message video clip called "Missionary Work, a Priesthood Duty" by President Monson. GO WATCH IT! I just only wish I would have taken 10 minutes out of each day to prepare for my mission. Instead, I watched movies or sat on the couch and did nothing. JUST !) MINUTES! Your knowledge, testimony, and spirit will grow and be strengthened! Remember how you felt at EFY? That can be EVERY DAY of your live, EVERY DAY! It's just a matter of if you will want to give yourself that opportunity! Pay attention in seminary. PARTICIPATE! Answer questions and be involved for it will prepare you for the rest of your life! Don't just listen to my emphasizing these words, for they are words from a living prophet. Heed his call and prepare, for I do now wish that I  would have! Please, please, please make this promise to me and to yourself! For, as a representative of Jesus Christ, I promise you that there will be power in your learning and knowledge given to you that will help you become the missionary that Heavenly Father NEEDS you to be!

I know a lot of this letter seemed very directed at Brandon, but this is for everyone! For, we are all part of the Harmon Missionaries! For we are told "every member a missionary!" Brooke, I know you would love to serve, and you would be an incredible missionary! As we read the purpose in the first chapter Preach My Gospel, we see that our purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ. I believe that is the purpose for each of us. We need to be an example to others!

Mom and Dad have been incredible examples of missionaries! I constantly have talked to mom and dad about all their missionary opportunities with their friends at work or friends that have fallen away. This is the most beautiful work, the work of the Lord!

I love you all! May God be with you always!

I thought I would send you this picture & the quote that I sent before. This is the picture that inspired me to write it. Just thought you would think it was cool!

Family, you are so so loved! AND you are so missed! For I love you more than words can explain! I was chocking on my own tears when I read this quote from mom . . . . about the definition of courage and leaving the family . . . .

Just know you are all in my prayers, fasts, my thoughts, and my heart!

Love, your son/brother
Elder Blake Daniel Harmon

Your Eternal Family :)
Families are Forever!!

OFA ATU