Hand Written Letter (Dated: 4/13/2015) [#82 from Tonga]

Family :)

This has been a very intense week for me. Just getting done with conference last week. It ahs been refreshing to receive the messages and promptings give to us by our living prophet and his beloved counselors! There are so many things to be learned and taken away from this conference! As I know many of you have noticed, our leaders focused heavily on the family. I could not help but think about my own family on conference Sunday. Oh how grateful I am for the support and constant love and encouragement. It has given me much strength!

I was touched by Sister Burton's talk about priesthood holder and especially her focus on fathers. Wow, how important is the role of the father in a family?! Why is it so important? As this is a role that I will soon play in my own life, this topic and these questions stood out in my mind. With ease, thoughts came back to me about my own father and the role he has played in my life. He has been my teacher on how to act as a priesthood holder, but not only that, he has been my teacher of how to raise children, how to love my wife, and how to make sacrifices for those I love and how to truly put the gospel and (My Heavenly Father) first BEFORE everything else! But again, as I pondered, why this is so important, the answer came easily. As we recall the words "Families can be together forever", the next words go "through Heavenly Father's Plan." These last words really stood out to me as I pondered. I want to bear my testimony about this experience that the Lord has shown me HOW I can. I KNOW our prophet and the apostles receive direct revelation from God himself that they might teach his word. These words are the guidelines that we need and show us how to return to Him!

As our leaders talked much on the role of the father in the home, I reflected how this role means nothing without the accompanying role of the mother. As our leaders spoke to the Elder missionaries, they told them their purpose and what they are supposed to become and that is to prepare to become READY FATHERS and HUSBANDS. We are to prepare ourselves because our wives deserve the most worthy and prepared husbands.

My favorite line of the entire conference was from Sister Burton when she said, "Thee lift me and I will lift thee and we will ascend together!" This tuck out so strongly in my mind because I have seen my own father and mother lift each other up and have seen them ascend together in this gospel with each other.

The next part I want to talk about is example. Today we had President Hulick from the Seventy come speak at our ward conference. He talked about what is done in the home. As we lift each other up, we will see our kids raise each other up, and as we ascend in the gospel, we shall see our kids ascend as well.

At home, I saw my mother and father do this beautifully. Even though they make their own mistakes, they are always trying! I bare testimony of the power of example and I bare solid witness that as we magnify our callings as priesthood brethren, we shall see blessings come to our families. We shall see our children strive to walk in our footsteps.

I have witnessed these blessings first hand and as I have seen the light shed forth upon me and my family. There will be challenges. There will be trials. But, you will have the strength to overcome these things as you, me, all of us take the challenge and apply the words of the prophets and ACT! For the Lord has shown me how I can do this. THE LORD HATH SHOWN ME HOW I CAN.

I bear my testimony that we have a living prophet here on the earth and he receives direct revelation from Heavenly Father our Eternal Head! I know we shall have eternal and everlasting life as families if we do as the Lord hath commanded. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

I love you family!
Elder Blake Daniel Harmon
We are Eternal!

E-mail (Dated: 4/12/2015)

Family, OK, somehow the time just flew today while I was ready e-mail. Did know i was that slow of a reader! hahaha Hahaha I honestly don't know how.... but I gotta go! Good thing -- I just sent two really big letters home today. A few things I wanted to share today was that we were able to go with our investigators to the temple!!!!! It was unreal!!! The temple president came out to meet them in his whites outside the temple and walk them into the waiting room and bear testimony of the temple and share what he could with them about its importance. The blessings he promised them were inspired. Awe, it was one of the favorite moments of my mission. It was beautiful to see that where fear once was, now there is hope, and where fear was before, now there is knowledge.

Awe, there are miracles occurring everywhere around us!!! I'm so grateful for this beautiful opportunity I have had to be a part of this work and join in the witnessing of miracles!!!! I have so much I want to talk about. Looks like i will just write an extra letter or two today. I just don't have any e-mail time. They only gave me 30 minutes today!!!!

I love you so much!!!!

YOUR ELDER AND SON AND BROTHER
Elder Blake Daniel Harmon Mom DUDE Brooklyn SYST

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Mom and dad i thought of you two when i heard this quote during conference! "Thee lift me and i will lift thee and we will ascend together!" 

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When we sent him pictures of Brittany's graduation this weekend, he made this comment about Brandon. "man check Brandon out!!!!!!! dang.... "

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 4/6/2015) [#81 from Tonga]

Family :)

I have been pretty excited all week to tell you all about my week. It is April 12th. I am just about to go to the first Sunday session of General Conference. My heart is full of love for my family. The teachings so far have been centered so much on the family. It has given me a lot of time to reflect on the blessings I have received as a member of the Harmon Family and it has given me a lot of time to think about the strong foundation on which we are built (the Savior). My favorite talk so far has been Sister Burton. I love how she talked about the roles of fathers and mothers being so important. "Thee lift me, I will lift thee and we will ascend together." I look at the incredible examples I have had for parents and it is remarkable how blessed i have been. As we look around us, there is so much attacking of the family. We truly need to be checking ourselves every day. Something that truly caught my heart is when Henry B Eyring said that when we pray for our families and with our families, "They will know what time it is at home." I know my purpose right now is to become the type of man and priesthood holder that is worthy enough for the wife that is being prepared for me....and to become the father that can be a role model for good to my children. So, at the end of it all, they can say I want to be like my Dad, and I will be happy.....Just like I can say that about my father. So, I loved conference. I cannot wait to spend the next one with all of you! Priesthood session is just not the same without being in Utah.....hahaha.

This all has a really fun connection to my week though. On Tuesday, April 7th, we got to go to the temple with Veisinia and Mele, our investigators. Veisinia is probably 32 years old. She has two kids and is married to a guy named Semi. He is always "busy" with work. Mele is 20 years old and is just trying to figure out life. Well, it was a really tender experience for both of them. We got to go inside the visiting room and learn a little more from the temple president (langi). It was very spiritual and the president promised some amazing  blessings! I could feel the spirit testifying to them. Afterwards, we went outside and walked around the temple and we talked about their desires and opes for their families. I twas really cool. I know it would have made the effort meant a lot more if Veisinia's husband Semi would have made the effort to come. The following day, we were able to follow-up and talk with them on what they experienced and testify of eternal families and our purpose upon this earth.

We had probably my last zone conference with President and Sister Tupou and the two AP's. It's a quarterly meeting they do. It's just like a zone meeting, but instead of me teaching, President and his wife do most of the teaching. We were able to learn a lot. We have been focusing on three talks lately. "How to Become a Preach My Gospel Missionary" -Elder Bednar, "Revelation by the Spirit" -Elder Bednar, and "Raising the Bar" -Elder Ballard. It's been amazing to put these talks into action and see the promised blessing occur in our lives!

This has been a good week. We are headed into the sixth week of the transfer. So, I don't know if I have a new companion now or not. When you get this letter, I probably only have 12 weeks to finish strong!

Love you all so much!

-Your Brother and Son
Blake Daniel Harmon

We are and ETERNAL family!

E-mail (Dated: 4/5/2015)

Hey Family and Friends,

This has been an awesome week and we have literally seen people be awoken unto the Lord by the power of the Holy Ghost!!!! Our family that we have been working towards with the baptismal commitment are doing amazing. Tomorrow we are taking them to the temple grounds and inside the doors to talk with the temple president and temple workers. They are so excited to go. It's been really fun. I know this will be a big step in helping them be able to feel the spirit and the truthfulness about eternal families. There is no doubt this is going to be a big step of their conversion process!:) I love to see the temple:)!!!

We have had some changes in the mission. Elder Harris is one of the new Assistants to the President. It's fun to see someone that came in with me be put in a position to make a great impact for the greater good.

Someone in my zone was dealing with anxiety really bad yesterday so I actually stayed home from church and tried helping him. I guess a lot of it was he and his companion were having a lot of problems together..... So, I think it was my first Easter Sunday not getting to attend church!!!!! But I did have a lot of meetings at 5:30 in the morning!!!!! hahahaha.

Family things are going very good! I love my mission! I am loving the challenge and Heavenly Father knows what He is making when we are put through the refiners fire.

I love you all. Elder Harmon.

MOM "Dude"

Brooklin SYST

Some of Blake's Neighbors

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 4/2/15) [Trek Letter]

Family,

I had the beautiful opportunity today to receive one of mom's letters. She mentioned that Brandon is preparing to go on his second trek in the last two years. I as touched when she talked about what Brandon had to say about the subject. Brandon said, "I Loved It!" Mom later said that she had never had the opportunity to hear my perspective about how Trek was for me, especially with it being so close to when I was entering the MTC. I'm writing this letter because I have been impressed by the spirit to do so. I was thinking it could be a good topic for when I am home but I know something in here needs to be heard beforehand.

So, I would love to share with you some perspectives that I had throughout my experience. As mentioned before, Trek was a really difficult thing for me to join and commit to. Not because of the physical requirement but because of the time commitment it was going to take (July 1st - 4th, 2013). As mom and dad know, it took a lot of persuasion and talking into! My heart was hard....especially the first day. I was not a big fan of many of youth in my family and the only person that was getting me through that first day was Karson Thompson. After the first day, I thought my legs were going to fall off (hahaha, I had originally thought that I was in shape). I remember pushing my cart into town (camp) and my mom was there cheering me on and yelling my name...all I remember is that my cart was so hard to push and I was murmuring. I look back now with much regret because my eyes have been opened. I remember the next day was different. My heart was beginning to change. It all happened when I saw my little brother Brandon pushing his cart and giving it everything he had. I remember my eyes filling with tears of gratitude for my brother at that moment. I started to think about those in my handcart company and how they were my brothers and sisters too. This changed my reasoning for pushing and allowed me to push until my legs gave out.

One time that ticks out in my mind is the day of the women's pull. My group just finished and we had pulled 500 yards ahead and we were eating lunch. We were on some sort of hill so I could see mom and dad's group were about to go to the women's pull. So, I ran back to their group! I will never forget the setting. Mom was at the bottom of the hill and Dad was at the top. As I ran over to the group of priesthood holders, I spotted Dad. It was like I had not seen him in two years. We embraced and enjoyed each other's company as my Dad expressed his love for my mom and his wife. One moment I won't ever forget. I remember leaving and not watching the women's pull because I knew I would not be able to watch my own mother struggle. So many of these experiences opened my eyes and gave  me so much gratitude to the pioneers of my family and all they did to reach Zion and follow the prophet.  I am sure mom and dad that you remember us embracing after I was able to read my letters from you. I will never be able to thank you for helping me see the light and making the path so clear to see.

Trek has been an experience that I have shared with all my companions. It has been a testimony builder to me and has brought me true joy. I learned the true meaning of forgetting myself and thinking of others (especially thinking of random people you don't know because that is what a mission is. Helping complete strangers and loving them how the Savior would)

I saw the power of family. I have truly never felt more love for my family than when I went through that week with them. I learned a lot about being humbled. Yes, it was hard...but to tell you the truth, I only remember the times and experiences that made an impact for the good and for eternity. Mom, I hope this helps answer your question :) I love you all so much! Ofa atu kiate kimatolu

We are Eternal!!

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 3/30/15) [#80 from Tonga]

Family,

This week has been full of amazing moment and full of the spirit. Just yesterday, I as able to attend and MLC meeting with half of the zone leaders in Tonga (just half because there are so many now they do two meetings). It was an incredible meeting. The spirit was so strong. The purpose of the meeting was to teach us how to let the Holy Ghost teach. So, the whole time we did role plays. It was actually very intimidating, hahahha, but it was also a blast! It is incredible how every thing I do in my life that seems like a challenge, I can just see my football coaches yelling "Love the Challenge"! I can't wait to thank them in person one day for the impact they made on my life. It was awesome that at the end of the meeting, President Tupou expressed is love for all of us and how blessed he feels to have us in hi mission. Honestly, I just feel so blessed to have him as my mission president. I know I am here in this mission because I can learn from him and he can change me for the better. I have found such a great love for the leaders that have guided me in my life! So, in this letter, I would like to say thank you for what part you have played in my life. I have realized at every point in life, we have leaders. They may have titles, but we may just refer to them as "heroes". When we look back, it seems as though the "title" disappears and instead, they become "heroes". For this reason, I would really like to talk about a few that have impacted me.

First ones that comes to my mind are my dad and mom. Dad, you were my first leader as I always went along with you on all of the scout camp outs and you eventually became my official leaders as I became a deacon. I looked up to you in all things. You never seemed to fail me. You continue to set that example day in and day out. Mom, you taught me everything from making my bed to loving everyone around me. It would take 1,000,000 pages if I were to describe all you have taught me and lead me through in my life.

Football is my greatest passion! At a young age, this sport won my heart. As I became a part of the High School team, there were two boys that seemed to have the biggest impact on me. These two boys were incredible athletes....but this is not what did it for me. It was their hearts and watching where their priorities were that made them my heroes. They were the nicest kids on and off the field. They would give the shirts off their backs to some random kid. They had the Christ-like attribute of love and charity....and that is what American Fork Football is all about. They set the example of becoming "Men Built for Others"! I thank these heroes of mine from the bottom of my heart because your example continues to impact me! Thank you Tyler Belliston and Silas Olsen.

The Young Mens was a huge part of my life and all my leaders made and incredible impact on me. They all taught me incredible life lessons! Jeremy, Fraser, Bishop, etc. Kurt Forsberg has become a lifetime hero to me and has helped me build my foundation on the rock of my redeemer. I cannot think of anyone that has made me feel more confident of myself than this man! He always had incredible faith in me and the spirit that he brought into my life was incredible. One thin that really sticks out is that he really was his brother's keeper!

Shayden is my brother from another mother. He is my flesh and blood...hahaha. Something that made a big impact on me is how Kurt Forsberg cared about Shayden just like his own son. I will never forget the service Kurt rendered in my behalf and in behalf of those that I love.

As I entered the priest quorum, I found a hero that I never saw before...probably because my eyes were closed. But, he brought a new sense of joy to my eyes about being in a quorum and being part of the priest group. Kyle Rusick led with an example of love and righteousness that reflected the light of the Savior. He desired that others see the light also and he continued to share it! Today I received the Highland 5th ward newsletter and Kyle said he has 6 weeks left. So, by the time you get this it probably means that he is done and home. Kyle, I want you to know you have become and are one of my heroes!

I could go on for days! I have had sooooo many people affect my life.  Many know because I have had the chance to share these feelings before, but I felt impressed that I needed to let you all know I love you and that you have made a difference in my life!

Your Son/Brother
Blake Daniel Harmon

We are a forever family!

P.S.  Sorry for the kind-of random letter. I just felt like many needed to know how grateful I am for them!

E-mail (Dated: 3/29/15)

Hey Loved Ones!

So sorry I'm running short on time today. I wanted to hit you up with a quick note.

We have been working with some awesome less active families and just yesterday we had the opportunity of seeing two big families go to church. These are the tender mercies of the Lord taking place right before us.

The families that we have set dates for baptism are progressing beautifully. They all came to church this Sunday. Wow--what an incredible feeling!!!!!

I'm sorry that I am so short on time. Hopefully my letters will help and hopefully you are receiving them!!! Love you all!

ELDER HARMON
MOM dude
Brooklin SYST
P.S- I think i will be home on the 11th of July now.... :) not 100%, but the Hamblins kinda hinted at it today to me:)



The church in Blake's area

Blake's Missionary Apartment

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 3/23/2015) [#79 from Tonga]

Family,

Man, it has been an interesting week for me. Monday we had interviews with President Tupou. It went really well. Weird to think that it is my second to last interview before I come home. I really love our mission president. At times I feel like I was called to this mission so that I could learn from this mission president. I know that he receives direct revelation for his missionaries! I feel of the great love that he has for all of us! I hope you all meet him one day!

This week we have don a lot of invitations.....baptism invitations. It has been so important for us to get the investigator to understand that the Holy Ghost will testify to him the tings he needs to know and that all truth and knowledge will come through the power of the Holy Ghost in answers to our prayers.

Anyway, that is waht we have been doing with everyone that we meet. So far our success levels have been crazy good. As we have sharpened our inspired questions and relied on the Holy Ghost, we have seen an increase. That increase comes through diligence, desire and preparedness. My companion right now has taught me more than I thought I could ever have learned. He is an awesome example of someone that wants to become better every day of his life. It has taught me a lot about becoming personally better every single day. We can only do this to ourselves by being accountable, checking and evaluating, becoming humble, and asking for advice on how to become better. Then we need to set goals and strive to achieve them!

Anyway, I am really enjoying learning and becoming better. It was awesome to see less active members, whom we have been working with for a very long time, show up to church today. It is the best feeling in the world to see progression in our loved ones. I have developed a vision for these people and when I see pieces of that vision develop, I get such a satisfactory feeling.

I know this has been such a random letter but I wanted to just try and help you understand what is going on :)

Remember...if you have any questions, hit me up on e-mail. I'm excited to see how you are all doing tomorrow! Tomorrow is our P-Day :)

I love you all so much!

Remember your son in Tonga loves and is praying for you:)

Your Son and Brother
Blake Daniel Harmon
Ofa Atu!
SYST

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E-mail (Dated: 3/22/2015)

Hey Family!!!!

This has been a really good week. It has given us a lot of opportunities to use what we have learned from our mission president in our last zone meeting and MLC meetings. Teaching people about the Holy Ghost and how he is "the teacher" has been our main focus. Our goal is to have our investigators awaken unto god Alma 5:7.

I have seen some really cool things this past week with this. We are currently working with an investigator named Misionali and he is awesome,. He is very bright and reminds me of Joseph Smith as he is very concerned with his spiritual life and his relationship with God. We have been helping him recognize and learn from the spirit.

Hahaha, something funny that happened to me this week was that we were at a stake baptism program....or a zone baptism....then, right in the middle of the program they called on me to go teach about the Holy Ghost...yeah this is Tonga haha! So, in front of the biggest stake in Tonga I had to go up and teach hahaha. Funny part is...they thought someone had already called me and reminded me or something :)  So, as I walked to the front, I was throwing tons of thoughts through my mind hahaha.....but the, when I got to the front and looked down, I was calm. The spirit was strong and it was a very humbling expierence for me to look down at these investigators who are making covanants with there Father in Heaven and follow His son's example into the waters of baptism. I was able to teach, share witness and promise blessings and it was all confirmed by the Holy Ghost through my words.

I love you so much! Things are going well. I am starting to get a little more used to my area. I will keep you all updated!!!! Love you!  Talk to you next week!!!!

Elder Blake Daniel Harmon
Mom "DUDE"
Brooklin SYST

Surprise Post by Elder Hamblin 3/16/2015

Shannon was looking at her facebook tonight and saw that Blake had been tagged on a video. It is a video of several Elders singing Happy Birthday to one of the Senior Elders. Blake is in the Video. He glances at the camera several times and smiles as if he knows we will get a chance to see it. He looks good. So fun!!!

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 3/16/2015) [#78 from Tonga]

Taking what we have learned and actually applying it is the most important thing we could possibly do with the knowledge we obtain....This lesson has been one of the wakening moments for me....seeing this take full effect in my life. We had our Zone meeting with President Tupou and all the Zone Leaders and I was able to learn some incredible things that have definitely taken me out of my comfort zone! We focused on baptism invitations....but it this time it was different than other times....the goal of this is to set up how you teach in order to be able to invite an investigator to baptism on the first teach, or even on the first time you might meet them on the street! It was difficult at first but eventually my companion and I got it. We kept on doing role plays for a couple of days and that helped us. President Tupou challenged us to do it with everyone we teach and come contact with on a day to day basis.

I'm so happy to say that we have kept that commitment this week....we have dates for three people!!! We are excited to see how the Lord's timing will bless their lives and teach them to to receive a confirming witness of the Holy Ghost of this incredible gospel! Two of these investigators are husband and wife and they also have children....although, they are very strong members of the Methodist Church. The other is a boy about Brandon's age. He is awesome! We have taught him about three times and he is progressing. I have never taught someone like him. He asks so many different questions! He reminds me of Joseph Smith when he had such a strong concern for his soul and his connection with Heavenly Father. He is someone that is going to be awesome at keeping commitments. I am really excited to see him and his progress in the next week!

On another note!!! Things are going well here in Touliki. I feel like I am still adjusting to the new area in many ways. I have gotten more used to the fact that there are more people around! Haha, it probably would have been a big shock for me if I returned to America straight from Ha'apai, haha!

Haha, my house here has so many rats! It's not even funny! It has gotten to the point that I just watch them run around and don't try to kill them anymore :)

Yesterday we were able to have our Zone baptism for this stake. There were five baptism from my district. It was a very sweet spiritual experience! Haha, when I was sitting down listening to the brother conduct the meeting, he announced that I would be giving the talk on the Holy Ghost. Funny thing, they never told me prior to that moment and this is a "stake" event. There are lots of people. Well, that is how it goes in Tonga sometimes. So, I went up and it was actually a really cool experience to stand up and see the faces of these five beautiful converts who were prepared to follow Jesus Christ! I promised them blessings and I could feel the spirit confirming the words that came from my mouth!

I can't believe it will be April when you get this. I'm excited that you will receive my letters a little quicker now! Well family, you know I love you! Just hold on a little longer and I will be there soon. For now, I gotta finish this last 60 meters of the race!

Elder Blake Daniel Harmon

Your forever Brother/Son

E-mail (Dated: 3/15/2015)

Hey Family and Everyone!!!

WOW, I don't really know where to start with catching you up with it all, just because everything has changed so much since I have been in Ha'apai. New place, new companion and new members!!!! SO I will try to catch you up quickly:)

First of I will have you know that I am driving the car that I crashed in Ha'apai. Somehow it all came back and kicked me in the butt hahaha :) I guess that's justice hahaha. I did get to see Elder Bunting on Friday when I was picking up the car at the office after the zone leader conference and we had a good laugh about it all!!!!

Weird how all the stories that I have heard from Bunting while we were companions about his time in Touliki and all the people. Now I know them all and I'm living all the stories....even sitting on the same broken toilet he told me about -- hahaha.

The people in my new area are awesome!!! Really good ward, but this stake has actually really struggled with missionary work these last few weeks--but hey, we are called for a purpose to make changes,... Crazy how 1/3 of the population of Tonga lives right here in my zone in Homakelikao!!! SO i am meeting a lot of people!!!!!!

I wrote this story in my letter home last week, but I can't hold back about it -- I have to tell you! So, sorry that it's kinda a repeat. Who knows you might get to see more detail or maybe just the same story twice hahaha:)

The day I got here in Touliki, I was at the church and I heard my name being called so I turned around to see a girl that looked very familiar but I could not recall how I knew her -- hahahaha. So, I walked up and we talked for a second and then I immediately yelled FIFITA! I remembered her name hahaha and that she was from my first area in Noapapu!!!! So she went on and asked me if I had heard about her family!!! I was like no??? Last time I had seen them the father was struggling with drugs alcohol and was struggling to support the family. Things were not so good! She was like, come to our house latter and see them and my mom will tell you what's going on.... (I thought they were divorced or something) So, I went there and it was an awesome reunion!  I was very close with their family. I have lots of pictures with them. If you remember the picture of the boys carrying my bag in Noapapu??? Those are her kids! Anyway, Tema is the mom's name, So, Tema came out and was like ELDER HARMON!!!! She was so excited that I could actually talk to her now (Remember, I couldn't speak Tongan in the first area very well) So, she went on to tell me that her family is getting sealed in the Temple!!!! Her husband Nela is strong in the church and just took out his endowment last week.!!!!! I was freaking out..... the next day in church I say Nela!!! He was so excited to see me...I need remind you that he was a drunk guy in Noapapu that didn't like me and Elder Price. He would get mad at us when we would try and teach him.

Now, his countenance was different and his spirit was bright!!! We talked for a while then we had priesthood. He is in the other ward, but was late to church so he came to our class. He told everyone his conversion of coming back to the Lord. I didn't know this at the time. He told everyone that right before Elder Harmon and Elder price got transferred from Noapapu they gave him a blessing because he was really sick.... the result was that Heavenly Father blessed him with FULL HEALING. As a result, he decided that he needed to change his life from that day forward.

I had no idea, and now, 16 months later I am witnessing this miracle!!! Heavenly Father's timing is everything! I bear testimony that I know God is a God of miracles and that He lives. This is His church! I love you all so much!

ELder Blake Daniel Harmon
MOM "DUDE"
Brooklin SYST

P.S. My responsibilities are very crazy here so I will probably not be on line when you write back. Just know I love you all so much! Sorry I didn't answer a lot of your questions. Just know I love you!! So happy for Kara Johnson and Pini Katoa!!!

Dad do you remember that letter you sent me about the football player at Stanford and his conversion story? Did you know that I am very good friends with Brandon Fanaika, the kid that helped him into the gospel!!!!! Small world ehh!!!!! I trained with him at Mike Stroshine!!

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 3/9/15) [#77 from Tonga]

Family,

This has been a very different week than all the others. It has been a big change. The atmosphere, the people, the food. It all changed! So let me catch you up with it all and what is going on! I have been crazy busy this week and actually didn't get here to Touliki until the 11th of March. Let me help you understand the area a little more. We work in a part of Tonga where 1/3 of the Tongan population lives! So, I went from a small island to a big city hahaha. It's actually a small area but just a lot of people. I don't know if you know this or not but the first two weeks I was in Tonga waiting to go to Vava', I worked here in this area with Elder Harris, Elder Riddle and Elder Montgomery. So, it has been a huge flash back of memories! I saw the first house I ate at. It's been funny and kind of a cool tender experience. I'm actually going to church at the first church I went to in Tonga. Crazy trying to wrap my mind around it all. It ahs really made these two years look really short. Everyone remembers me when I couldn't say a word to them. Now we can finally have a conversation and I can talk to them. It has been a huge tender mercy and I have seen how the Lord has blessed me these last few years!

Just yesterday, may companion and I were at the church and I heard some girl yell my name! I turned around and recognized that it was Fifita from Noapapu. I don't remember if I told you about the girl that I did surgery on her hand at 3am in the morning. Anyway, she was so excited to tell me that her family is getting sealed in the temple this very month! She directed me to where her family lives here in town. That night, my companion and I went over to their house. I cannot remember what I told you about this family before. Hopefully I told you something so you can remember. Their names are Tema and Daniella (nela). Elder Price and I worked with Nela forever to try to help him stop smoking. It was so difficult, he honestly had no desire to stop. This hurt his family because they wanted to go to the temple and be sealed. One night right before Elder Price and I left Noapapu, we gave Nela a blessing for his head and it worked. God blessed him with full health. After we left, Nela told us that he knew he needed to quit his bad habits and prepare to get sealed to his family! Now, 16 months later, they are both strong in the church. I am so excited and thank God for this incredible blessing. I have seen His work come to pass! I will be attending the sealing this next Friday. I could not be more excited!!! I have felt so blessed to be able to be a part of this families return to the fold.

I know God works in mysterious ways. I know sometimes we don't see the results of our work, but everything we do in Christ's name and all work that we bring to pass will pay off. Whether we witness it or not, it is worth it. No work is worthless!

I love you all so much. I'm so grateful for all of you and I love you so much! We are an Eternal Family!

Your Son/Brother
Elder Blake Daniel Harmon

E-mail (Dated: 3/8/2015)

Hey beloved Family and my loved ones!!!!

Moment we have all been waiting for hahaha. I will be leaving Ha'apai to a place called Touliki ... the heart of Tonga.... (buntings old area....) I will be companions with Hafoka... he was actually in my district here in Ha'apai for a while.... he switched out Bunting here in Ha'apai.... so he has actually been in Touliki for about 5 months so we will probably only be companions for a transfer, but I am thinking its going to be good!!! I'm really thrilled to start a new part of my mission... even though I'm going to have a really hard time walking onto that plane tomorrow..... At least I will know that I put everything I had down here in Ha'apai and I will leave with no regrets.  This will always be a place I can call my home.....

On my final note for Ha'apai, our recent convert from Uiha received the priesthood on Sunday and is preparing for a mission. I can't tell you how happy I am!!!!! I came on a mission to bring others the joy that I have from this gospel and right now I am witnessing it come true right before me! God is good... This is his work....

Love you all so much, sorry its short.
YOUR BROTHER FRIEND AND SON...
MOM 'DUDE
BROOKLIN SYST

Family Blake got close to in fangale'ounga. They are awesome!! The mom is from Noapapu!!!! His first area!

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 3/2/2015) [#76 from Tonga]

Family :)

What a trip I have taken down memory lane this last week!!! Finding out that I will be leaving Ha'apai has been really hard for me to take in.... I guess it won't actually click until I'm on the plane back to Tonga looking down on Ha'apai never knowing if I will ever see these people that I have given myself to for the last 8 months of my life! It's going to be really hard to move to a new area, receive and new companion, teach new people and live in a new house. But, this is missionary work and God is the one in charge and I will do where he needs me to go. Not going to lie. Even though aI have been out for 20 months....I'm nervous to go be the Zone Leader over a BIG zone in Tonga.

3/8/15
We just received the actual transfer. I will be companions with Hafoka. Don't know if you remember him but he was in Ha'apai with me for about 4 months. I will be working in Touliki. I'm excited about the area just not crazy or pumped about my house situation. I will be staying with four other Tongans. It was bound to happen at one point in my mission. My new companion is smart and his English is fluent. It's just that when lots of Tongans get together and there is just one white person it tends to turn into the Martin Luther King times and I will get left out of everything. But hey, I came here to do the Lord's work not focus on things that are just temporary. I just hope things go well! Sorry I'm writing without a light. The power is dead or something is wrong with it! Things should be good. By the time you get this, you should know a lot more!!

Do you remember Kavanga? The boy we baptized on Uiha? He got the priesthood this week. We ran into him on the boat dock and he seems to be doing really well and he is still really strong in the church and he is fulling his priesthood duties and following the teachings of the gospel! Best feeling in the world when I heard the news about the priesthood ordination. He is preparing for a mission! Imagine how big of an impact he will have on the people he comes into contact with! I feel so much comfort and accomplishment with my mission when I look at this boy. He has brought me so much joy and that is why I came out! I wanted boys, girls, families, husbands, wives, etc to receive the same joy that I have in my life! Here I am witnessing a miracle of this gospel take place in this young boy's life!

So so so grateful!

I love you all so much. Your prayers and fasting are appreciated more than you know!

Your Brother/Son
Elder Blake Daniel Harmon
Ofa Lahi Atu Ka Moutolu
We are ∞

E-mail (Dated: 3/1/2015) Happy Birthday to Little Brother

Hey Everyone,

I would like to start off telling my little brother Happy Birthday and I'm so proud of you for who you have let yourself become through the beautiful parents you have and the awesome examples you surround yourself with, but most of all because you strive to follow our Savior in His footsteps. You will be forever blessed for the decisions you are making in your life. You are just beginning to touch the lives of others through your humble example. Continue with this mindset of holding tight to the iron rod, for it is the word of God and none of those that treat you wrong or abuse you will ever have power over you -- know that all of your afflictions will pass. You have the power to lead so many to the light and blessings that come from this gospel.  I have seen you do this, so continue and shine bright! I love you so much and you are a blessing in my life! Know that you have a brother in Tonga that is cheering you on and is on your side and you have made and impact on his life for the eternities. NOBODY can take that away from us!!!!!

Family it has been a great week. I have been blessed to see some of the amazing gifts that this gospel has for us in this life!!!!

Ok computer is acting up one sec.......I will sign back in if possible!!!

------------- 53 Minutes Later ------------

Well, I don’t think I will be able to respond to messages after this, it will probably just let me send this, but let’s be grateful for that:)!!!! So, I will try to cover everything in this one email!!!!! We are actually still in Ha'apai. We have the meeting next week the day after transfers, they are making a lot of changes to the mission next week I will be very surprised if I have the opportunity to actually stay in Ha’apai! We shall see next week, I have a lot of pictures to send but the internet is way to slow right now.... so maybe next week!!!! We will just have to see how this works out!

Elder Buntings birthday has been fun, the stake President let us come shoot one of his pig so we could roast it for dinner:) Yes dad that is a Rugger .22 I think hahaha. Elder Bunting is a dead eye target though, it was fun hahaha:)

We did get a new car this week. It’s a 2014 Toyota Corolla...its way nice hahaha. It definitely doesn’t fit in with Ha’apai. We have had several people ask us if they can sit in it and take pictures hahaha... kind of embarrassing for us as missionaries, because the last thing we want to do is stick out because of material possessions, but its brought so funny laughs.

Mom, that’s cool how you say all the connections with the Hefy thing. Hopefully you can find some more pictures on that, I know they took lots!

Dad I am doing well health wise. I am even starting to gain some of my weight back. I know lots of zone leaders have been sick with it lately. I know that your prayers and fasting have made all the difference.  I am the only one that didn't get flown back to the Tonga hospital. I have been majorly blessed and we need to thank the Lord for answering all our prayers.

Well, I think that gets us caught up with all of that. I  would like to continue onto my other email that got disturbed by the computer turning off....

My companion and I have seen the blessings of the Lord in our life this week as watched the Twin’s (Tevita and Holas) father soften his heart and finally understand why they need to be baptized and come into this amazing and beautiful gospel!!!! We had an incredible day on Saturday as we walked the twins into the waters of baptism. What an awesome experience that my companion and I were able to share with this ward!!!! It has been a lot of years since this ward has had a baptism. The miracles of heaven have been witnessed through the preparation of these two twins as they have been able to become examples and bring their family into the fold of the gospel. Their confirmation on Sunday was very touching as all the boys their age watched, hugged, and high-fived them as they returned to their seats...... I was especially moved as I watched all the boys their age walk with them to the stand and bear their testimonies as new members of the church of Jesus Christ!!! Pretty amazing!!!!!!!

I’m so happy to be part of this gospel!!! We had some investigators and less actives at the baptism, and it seemed to spark some fire in them! Hopefully we will continue to see progress next week with this ward!!!! So happy to be a solider in God’s army!!!!

Love you all so much!!!!
Elder Harmon
Mom DUDE
BROOKLIN SYST

my cake box made it for buntings birthday!!!!!!!!! hahaha we totally burnt it hahahahahahaha

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 2/23/15) [#75 from Tonga]

Family :)

I am really excited to write today because of the beautiful experience that we were able to have today. It is actually the 28th of February. I have been quite busy this week until now so I have been unable to write. I'm glad that ti get to include in this letter the experience of Tevita's and Hola's baptism!

Their father's hear has been softened after many fasts and prayers on be half of him self and his sons. The twins were excited and looking forward to their baptism so it was a true blessing to them that their father was understanding of their desire to follow Christ. Remember that their dad used to be a member but is less active now due to things that occurred in the past. He still has his testimony of the gospel. He just lets some of  his bad habits take priority. The blessings of the gospel and the promises from the prophets and apostles are incredible. They tell us that if we live and stay true to the gospel that we will receive all the blessings Heavenly Father has in store for us.  I know this is why these twins needed the gospel so much in their lives. There will be a day when they together with their family will receive the blessings of the Father -- together. They have set the example and will make the difference. I'm excited about their fellow-shippers and how active the ward has been in helping them feel comfortable at church and all!

Their baptism service was beautify. They didn't have many clothes of their own, so one of their fellow-shippers grandma sewed them some skirts and polo t-shirts to wear to their baptism. They looked great! They were happy as they listened to their primary president teach them about the importance of baptism. The, afterwards, I had the opportunity to take them into the font and do the ordinance. It was beautiful! We had our ward mission leader give a short lesson about the Holy Ghost and had our bishop give closing remarks. It was beautiful! Wish you all could have seen it. It is crazy how so many people that have affected my life forever ... you will never have the opportunity to meet! Sometimes I wish I wasn't in Tonga on some little island so that you could meet all the people from my mission more easily!! It's alright. Maybe when I get home and tell you about everyone, you will be ablle to feel the love and impact they made on me!!

3/1/15
Crazy how time is flying!. It is already March. You will probably receive this in April or at least the end of March. We are nearing the close, but I want you to know how much I appreciate each one of you in my life and how much love you have rendered in my behalf and the sacrifices you have made for me. I am eternally grateful you all have been such a huge part of my mission!

The Savior lives. He loves every single one of us individually. He will always have his hand out stretched.  We have a prophet and apostles to help guide us in these last days. We have the word of God translated by Joseph Smith who restored the gospel of Jesus Christ by the power of the Holy Ghost and the power of God! I'm so happy to have this opportunity to share this message!

Kihi Kakai Katoupe!!

Love
Your Son/Brother
Blake Daniel Harmon
Our Family is ∞

E-mail (Dated: 2/22/15)

Hey Everyone,

So glad to be able to say I feel so much better and have been able to engage in this beautiful work this week. I know I told you this past week that we anticipated on seeing two of our investigators enter the waters of baptism, but the adversary has been working very hard on the hearts of their parents. We have not given up, just some set backs....but nothing prayer and acts of faith can't fix.  We are focusing on the positive and helping them continue to keep commitments and follow the footsteps of the Savior.

We have seen some awesome changes in our ward this week. We have gotten them very involved in the "inviting" processes. It has been fun to role play with them and see them have an increased desire to invite their neighbors and friends to listen to this beautiful message. We had lots of them get some of their friends to even to come to church, it was quite fun!!!!!

Me and Elder Bunting have actually been involving a lot of our efforts in the lives of less active members of the Koulo ward and some families in the Fangale'ounga branch. Success has been slow which is hard, especially as we continue to visit and teach these people and then right when you think you are helping them, they don't come to church or their commitment they made was broken. However, I have realized that there is no waste of time in this gospel when it comes to efforts of righteousness and seeking to do good in God's kingdom. Sometimes we do not see the fruits of our labors, but I know that God knows our efforts and knows our hearts.

After going to one of our less active families on and off for about a month, we hadn't felt like we have had much success. Then, just the other day they showed up to our house with a dog that they had killed for us to eat. It was awesome . . .because it truly helped us feel the impact of love that they have been able to feel from us. They expressed thanks for our efforts on their behalf. Afterwards we talked to our bishop and and he was so surprised that we have been able to teach and talk with this family the last few weeks. He said missionaries always get turned away when they have made attempts in the past.  It was an awesome testimony builder that God softens and prepares the hearts of his people - even the less active!!!!

Things are well. I love you all so much!!!! Know I am thinking about you and praying for you everyday!

Love You!!!
MOM 'DUDE'
Brooklin SYST

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 2/16/15) [#74 from Tonga]

Family!

What joy it brings me to be able to write to you today:) I have good news that my sickness has started to feel lots better! After e-mailing you on Feb 16, my companion took me to the hospital where they took my temperature and I was on ibuprofen at the time and my fever was 102. I was on fire. They told me that I needed to stay for the afternoon so they could take my temperature and wait for the doctor to come and take my blood. I had the couple missionaries, Elder and Sister Delong, invite me to go sleep in their extra bedroom at the mission quarter because they have air conditioning in their home. So, we stayed there for a little over 30 hours while I let my fever drop back down. I feel quite a bit better now. I would not say 100% but I am able to walk and do the work which I was called to do!!!

On Tuesday or Wednesday, the boat came and I received the birthday package from you all. It was very heart warming! Everything touched my heart. The book by Elder Holland is awesome! I loved loved loved the letters! The birthday cake and candles are awesome. We are going to save them for the 2nd of March (Bunting's Birthday!!) Thank you so much for all the big and little thoughts that you put into it. I thought it was great! It was also kinda fun. I received a bunch of letters from Mom and Dad. Some were from August, haha. 8 months ago! I was laughing very hard! It's cool to know that my parents have taken the time to write me weekly. It gives me a very strong sense of pride in my heart! I have a very deep appreciation and love for the dedication you all have made towards me in this time of my life!

I can not express how much strength you all have given me to do my best and to push through every trial that I am faced with. This week has been difficult for me while battling sickness. I though to myself, "Why am I going through these trial? Why is Heavenly Father allowing one of His faithful, obedient servants to suffer so much?" I soon found the answer while reading through my patriarchal blessing. It is short and simple. Heavenly Father needs me to understand fully the power of prayer. I was humbled. Heavenly Father knows me perfectly! I have been so incredibly amazed on my mission to see how he knows perfectly how I need to be shaped and become better. Something I struggle with once in a while is relying on my own strength. But, I don't need to do that. My Savior has already paid the price for all of us. Sometimes I am focused on the sins that Christ paid for us in Gethsemane and I forget that he also felt our sorrows, weaknesses, trials, disappointments, sickness, etc. The atonement covers so much more!

As I have learned how to rely more on prayer and communication with my Heavenly Father this week, I see why my patriarchal blessing focuses so much on understanding the power of prayer, because through it, we shall know all things which are important to us and through revelation we shall know what is important to our Heavenly Father and want is expected of us and through it all, we shall come to know more fully the atonement and our Savior.

I know that Jesus is the Christ. I know that His arms are stretched out to all that seek Him and they close to none...even those that turn away from Him. His hand is stretched out still.

Your Brother & Son
Blake Daniel Harmon
Mom "Dude"
Love You
Ofa Atu

E-mail (Dated: 2/15/2015)

Hey loved ones,

There's no trial too tough, and in no trial are we ever alone. My week has been filled with some pretty amazing experiences and some pretty tough things physically and mentally.

I have had a lot of time to write you letters about it all, but I would like to give you a little update, and I hope that the letters you get are not to big of a repeat.

This week we have been able to teach the twins we have been working on for quite some time!!!! We have their baptismal date set for the end of this week. They have a pretty sad background. I described it in detail in a letter I sent home. We have some pretty high hopes for this family of theirs.

On my birthday we decided that we wanted to go out to a lot of the part member families and the less actives. Thing is with less actives in Tonga is that they probably don't know one thing about the church. They were just baptized along the way some how and ended up in the records. It is a good way to bring up conversations with a family.  So, we were able to go to a family that is actually in the Church of Tonga. Once upon a time the father of the house was baptized. We found out at the age of 20 he decided to go to another church!!!! Crazy how he doesn't remember any of the doctrine from the church. Well while we were about to leave they told us how their daughter was possessed with the devil or evil spirits...... I don't really know how to say that in English. Well, they asked us to go home and pray for her, but me and my companion felt inspired by the Holy Ghost to tell them about the priesthood and how it has been restored to the earth and that we could bless their daughter with the authority given to us by Jesus Christ and we can cast those spirits out of her. We were then able to bless this girl and after the blessing she came back to herself and her personality and emotion came back to her body with tears in her eyes she told us Thank You. I know that Heavenly Father has work for us to do and we need to be ready when we are called upon.

So on another note, around 7 o'clock on February 14th I was driving and I felt my body over come with the chills and a fever quickly came upon my body. For the past 3 days I have been laying in bed. Our nurse told me that from working out in the sun all day Saturday re-triggered my fever. Man, it has been really rough. It is also 95 degrees here and 90 percent humidity. Our house is very humid with no air flow. Trying to get rid of a fever in that weather is hard hahahaha...... It's crazy that I have lost 15 pounds in the last couple weeks. I was hoping to come home around 210-215 but guess that isn't going to happen hahaha.....

Anyway, things are good. My sickness is feeling a little better today I have been out and about. I hope it continues to get better. It has just been rough the last few days....

So, on another note, I was just talking with Elder Bunting how its been 3 years since I rolled the truck on the 19th of February. Then, just today, I was backing up on a hill and I didn't see a car coming behind me. The other car didn't have a horn to warn me and it was in my blind spot since i was on a hill. I was going about 5 mph, but the car behind me was going about 20 and we smacked together. It took off my whole bumper and busted the frame and lights. Most likely totaled the car....... my weekend has been really rough.....I am really hoping that next week will have more ups than downs. I just feel like the adversary is working really hard on this little guy...

Good thing, President Tupou was really chill with it all. He just had me sign a little form, and they are just going to send us a new car next week, I just feel supper bad....but hey, things can only go up from here eh!!!!!!

I love you all, please don't worry. I don't tell you these things so you will worry.  I tell you because I promised that I would tell you everything. The Lord is on our side..... trials make us stronger people!!!!

Love You All
Elder Harmon
Mom Dude
Brooklin Syst

Blake's Neighbors Made Him a Birthday Cake

Picture Post 2/10/2015

We just saw that Blake was tagged on a picture from the Tongan HEFY group that went to Tonga this past summer. Pretty cool!

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 2/9/2015) [#73 from Tonga]

Family,

So much to tell :) What a week full of miracles and blessings! So, to start off, we have begun to teach these two twins. Their names are Terita and Hola. They have a pretty sad background. They live in a little shack. They honestly wear the same clothes every single day. Their mom is in New Zealand and their dad is always gone...drinking Kava in Tonga. It's so hard to show up at their house and see their sad situation. We have been trying to figure out how to help these kids. We recently found out that their dad was a really strong member once upon a time. I guess he actually grew up in the church. WE recently have been working with him and we started teaching his two boys. We have a baptism date for them and their dad is planning to attend the baptism. We are hoping that it will help him remember the covenants that he made at baptism and that he is able to feel the spirit touch him and remember the blessing he received from the church. We re excited  for this coming week. WE are excited to see the members be involved in helping us!

Yesterday, we had and experience that I will never forget. We were at a less active member's house. Actually, he had joined another church when he was 20 years old. Now he is in his late 40's. But, we have been going there every once in a while and sharing messages with their family. It has been really cool....This last time, while were there, they think that she might be possessed with evil spirits. In Tongan, they told us that the devil has control over her. So, they asked if we could pray for her. We mentioned to them that we could give her a blessing and cast ou those spirits. We told them that it ws the same way that Jesus gave a blessing and that it is the same power/priesthood. They were very excited and actually insisted on us blessing their daughter. We walked into the room and we could feel something was not right with their daughter. I was almost like she was not herself. I don't know here, but it was like someone took away her personality and any emotion.

After the blessing, tears were streaming down her face. I was like she came back. Definitely an intense experience and a huge testimony builder that God's authority is still on the earth today and we are able to be tools in his hands!

I'm so grateful to be worthy to have the priesthood to do what Christ would do if he were on the earth. So grateful for this incredible opportunity!

- Your Brother & Son
Elder Blake Daniel Harmon

We are Eternal!

E-mail (Dated: 2/8/2015)

Part One
Hey family I just jumped online, sorry it took me so long, this was our only available time for the computers.... but I have over 32 heart felt emails from so many loved ones that have been keeping me in their prayers and fasting, and I know that you have been the source of letting people know I needed prayers in my behalf. I am so grateful!

I don't don't have time to respond to everyone that wrote me, but I love them and I am grateful to them. I would love it if you could tell them THANK YOU for me, and let them know that I am doing a lot better. I am not have not having many problems with my fever and my mission president is also well now..... I did go to the hospital/clinic for the for the night to have my blood tested and they found that my blood was not infected so that was good. This means that I did not need to have a blood transfusion.  I have felt all the prayers and fasting and the Lord has blessed me.... Please let everyone know how grateful I am!!!

Your Son/Brother
Elder Harmon

Part Two
Hey Family how are you all??? Well things seem to be going pretty good for me and my companion out here in Ha'apai. This week we had an incredible meeting in Tonga (MLC) we were able to have some awesome opportunities to learn and to grow! The first half of the meeting we were able to have the opportunity of watch the new movie " MEET THE MORMONS"! What a life changing movie! The whole time I watched it, the only thing I could think about is how blessed we are to have been given so much. The gospel is such a blessing in everyone's lives. If the people would only let it inside......

I have been given so much in my life, I have been given a new view these last couple years and continually as the days go by. I know that we all have so much potential in the church to do so much good. We all have the opportunity to magnify our calling!!!!!!

OK, so the computer just said its shutting down in 5 minutes. I  didn't know it had a timer on it???? Hahaha, just going to send this just in case! Hahaha, if it doesn't die I will keep typing in another email.

Just know all is good and we are beginning to see success in our area and are hopeful to see some amazing people walk into the waters of baptism these next few weeks!! Heavenly Father's timing is everything!!!!

Love you all!!!!

Part Three
OK, sorry there was a pause and then a play kinda moment...the computer died, but then it did just start right back up for me.

So, once we got back to Ha'apai, we have been able to see a lot of missionary work momentum in our wards.  We have had some very successful family plans with people in our ward and they have been planning to work towards some of their own family members...cousins and such.

On Sunday me and my companion had the opportunity to give talks. The original topic of course is missionary work, but I wanted to get more depth with the members on thinking about what missionary work really is and why it is just important to them as it is to me....

So, I started to think about the reason I came on a mission. Going back to primary answers. I wanted everyone to have the same blessings that I have in the gospel, #1 being sealed to my family for eternity.....I thought about how many people here in Tonga are the only members in their families, There are so many part member families, and I talked about how we need to all start with the people in our own homes first. The prophet said the most important missionary work we will do is in the walls of our own home! Then I tied it into the temple in family history work. It was cool because we have been able to see lots of results lately from families working with family members... I am praying that after this week I will be able to tell you some incredible stories about these two twins we are going to begin teaching tonight!!!!! I love you all tons! You are all in my prayers!!!

Elder Harmon
mom dude
Brooklin SYST

Blake's Missionary Quarters on Koulo

Hihifo

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 2/2/2015) [#72 from Tonga]

Family,

We have had a pretty busy week. This Monday we went to Tongatapu (main island) so we could go to the MLC Conference. Thank goodness the plane was good this time! No problems! The first night I was still feeling very sick so the nurse took me to the doctor and the took my blood and they tested it for the Dengue Fever. the next day they called and said my blood is clear, but to just treat the fever. By Thursday I felt pretty good like it had mostly left my body. I want to say thank you for all the prayers and fasting and for putting my name in the temple. They truly helped me so much! I'm sorry if I worried you guys to death.

The meeting went really well.  We got to see the move "Meet the Mormons!" I thought I was going to have to wait to get home to see it, but President Tupou wanted to show it to us for motivation. I am so proud to be part of God's kingdom and to have grown up with these amazing blessings!

The people in the movie inspired me to always want to magnify my calling. We as members of the church have such an opportunity given to us to make a difference. We do make a difference!

While this week has been good, it has also been quite difficult. Many of our appointments fell through and things seemed to simply not be working out. It will pay off though. Hard work always does. Whether it is now or later, we will see the blessings of our labors.

We have been working towards some families in our area on inviting some of their family members to be taught. Just yesterday, the fellow-shipper came to us and said that his cousin has said "yes" to having us come and teach them! So, tomorrow we have some good teachings setup!

We have baptismal dates that continue to get delayed. It has been the most frustrating thing. We are trying to get support from the investigator's family but the biggest problem is that we don't have any support from the ward itself!! We will make it...just takes fasting and lots of prayers.

My zone has actually been difficult since Swan, Freer and Berry left. The missionaries that switched them out are making things very difficult. We continually have to enforce rules. Trying to do everything with love has been my goal. I'm getting better everyday but still not perfect.

By the time you get this I will have spent 8 months in the Ha'apai islands. What a life changing experience it has been. I'm grateful for the call!

Your Brother/Son
Blake Daniel Harmon
Ofa Atu

E-mail (Dated: 2/1/2015)

HEY MOM AND DAD!!!

I know that you might be in bed, but i was just letting you know that I am in Tongatapu right now, ( main island). I have a MLC meeting tomorrow.

I don't have a lot of time. I just wanted to tell you both I'm so grateful for your emails and your concerns, complements, updates and your heart along side with mine. It makes Mondays the  best day ever to read loving comforting things from my parents. I have felt so much love today on email. I know the Lord is watching out and knows us and our breaking points.

So, I received a lot of love today. I had you both write me today. I had Megan Hoyt, Brooklin, Blake Hansen, Ryan Parry, SHAYDEN LUKER, Brian lunt. and every single e-mail was filled with love and concern for me and how much I mean to them in their lives.... this meant a lot to me!!!

This week has been very hard for me. I have the Dengue Fever which is a sickness from mosquitoes and it is very miserable. It has kept me bed ridden for this entire week. I also cannot sleep because of the nonstop pain in my legs. It has been a little better the last few days. But, I am going to the hospital this week and we will see is there is something they can help me with...

Please don't worry though....I'm going to be just fine. We all just have our trials and this has to be one of mine..... President Tupou also has the sickness... hahaha so I guess its just going around the islands.....

Know I love you!!!! I'm happy and things are well... Its a bummer to lose Swan to a transfer, but 5 months is a short time to be separated.....

We have a solid missionary replacing him, it should be very good!
Mom, 'DUDE"

P.S. - Mom I know you love me, but don't call the main office about my sickness. They are already on top of everything:) mwauh

Hand Written Letter (Dated: 1/26/15) [#71 from Tonga]

Family,

Hey my beautiful loved ones. It's a very joyful day for me to be able to write to you and update you on my life here in Tonga (Ha'apai). This week has been a very up and down week for us, but I would love to give you some of the "UPs" we were able to experience.

We just barely started to teach a new family. This family has a daughter that is preparing to serve in Boise, ID. She is the only member in her family. She has little or no support. It's also crazy that here family has no clue what the gospel is all about. They have never talked about it before so it was an awesome experience to be able to have the daughter (missionary) and here sister and her aunt and her mother and uncle join the lesson! I could see that the missionary was nervous for us to teach her family and if you think about it, she put a lot of trust in us to go forth and teach them. We had an awesome lesson with them. It was powerful to have their daughter there to bear witness as well.

Elder Bunting and I brought up the point that reassured this family. We stated that we would not be in Tonga if this message were not true and we also stated that their daughter would not be leaving them to preach in another country if she did not have the same conviction. We then wrapped up our lesson by talking about prayer and the Book of Mormon. We told them that just like their daughter had prayed to know if this church is true, and just like we had done, we promised them that they can do the same thing and that God will give them an answer! It was amazing to see their hope and anxious desire in our words. We will be teaching them this coming week. It has been fun to see members get involved in the work. We are planning on teaching three new investigators that have been invited by our members. I really enjoy my ward in Koulo. It is just very tough though.

Well, time is short. I love you all so much! I will write to you next week!

Your Brother and Son
Elder Blake Daniel Harmon
Mom "Dude"

E-mail (Dated: 1/25/2015)

Na'e to mahaki 'i homau feitu'u

Family and Friends,

This has been a very full week for Elder Bunting and I. Personally, I have been able to learn a lot and to gain much trust in the Lord. Sometimes, being a zone leader get really busy, really fast!!!! Sometimes we get so caught up being busy with something that is so pointless and something that should not even be on our priority list, that we forget why we are in such a hurry for it all in the first place...

My mountain to climb these last few weeks has been finding ways to love the elders I’m serving with. I need to both serve them and lead them, and at the same time focus on my responsibilities in my areas. I often reflect back to the words of my mission president. He said, “You are not here to serve the missionaries as a zone leader, you are here with the same purpose as they have and that is to Invite others unto Christ and do so by helping them and teaching them the restored gospel.
Time is short here as a missionary. If I have anything that I want to get across today, it is to not waste the Lord’s time. Hard work and having an eye single to our goal is such an important thing to learn and to apply to our daily lives. The Lord works with us and he is with us, but we must be diligent in our works for they are His. I would like to stress the message that an Area Seventy shared with the people of Ha'apai just yesterday. The message was that of “being prepared for a mission.”  It ties in a lot with not wasting time.

I know this message may be hard to hear. I myself was not the most prepared missionary when I came out. Please learn from my mistake and take action! We must learn to become ready for the time that the Lord needs us. I was impressed while reading a letter from a very good friend of mine in Armenia. He talked about determination in this work and talked about how it comes down to how bad you want it. It is when we learn to sacrifice and act with diligence on our righteous desires that we earn a testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. This is what I am talking about when I say we must be prepared and we must not waste time. We must strengthen our foundations and we must build our faith now upon the rock of our Redeemer. I want to issue you all a promise about the power of the Book of Mormon. When you read it every day and you come to know it, it will be a protection to you and help you prepare for the mission in which I know you all want to serve.

I hope you understand my point.

To wrap things up I want to share with you a little about my week.....
We were supposed to receive two new elders this week that were to replace Berry and Freer. However, the two boats we own both broke down the same day…..bad luck!!! So, we were not able to make it to Nomuka like we had planned!!!! We were pretty bummed about that.
We had a couple lessons with mama, and we invited her to be baptized but she said that she is unsure. We are keeping her in our prayers and are teaching her again tomorrow.....
We have an investigator that we have been working on for several months that finally came to church yesterday! We were thrilled! It is very cool seeing little tender mercies. We were able to set up new appointments with her!!!! All in all, things are a bit tough right now. But, that’s what makes it all worth it in the end...

Love You All
Elder Blake Daniel Harmon
SYST

Freer and Berry Leaving :(