So This Is Christmas.

12/23/13

What the wild what? I cannot believe it's almost Christmas. Where is time going? We are so excited for Christmas here. We are having district meeting on Christmas and on Christmas eve we're going to go Christmas caroling and take treats to all the branch members. It's going to be a party. This last week was really good. I had my first visa trip (our visas here only last 6 months so every 6 months we have to leave the country. We got to Latvia for two hours and then come back to Russia.)  which was so fun to see all of my MTC district. It's crazy we've already been in Russia for six months. It was so fun to hear about everyone's adventures and all they were doing in Russia. When we were going through security when we got to Latvia they had to search my bag because I had scissors in there that I had forgotten about. Awkward. Causing scandals all around the world. Holler. We had a really good day at church. We were asked to teach Relief Society which was nuts because that's like a 45 minute lesson. But we did it. And it was actually a good lesson. In Russian. What the what? Life is so crazy. Anyways, we're happy and healthy and loving life. I hope you all have the best of Christmases! I love you! Love, Cectpa Harris

BAPTISMAL SERVICE.

12/15/13

Oh my lands. Our investigator got baptized on Saturday!!!!! It was so great. I'm still freaking out. So many miracles led to her getting baptized but the service itself was so beautiful and so perfect. We got our picture with her dressed in white standing by the font. I'm getting chills just thinking about it. Another man from our area was also baptized and it was so great. They both bore their testimonies after and said how happy they were and how much joy they felt. Ah. It was so good. Our investigator is so cool because we legitimately met her a month ago and within that month she was taught all the lessons, gained a testimony, and was baptized. That is one crazy, great month. I also have my new greenie straight from the MTC. She's so great. I like her so much. She's from Idaho and we get along really well. I haven't killed her yet so things are going well. I also have my first visa trip this week! That means I've been in Russia for six months. I'm way excited because I'll get to see everyone from my MTC district. Life is so good right now. I love you all! I hope you have the best of weeks. Love, Cectpa Harris

The Craziest Week Of Our LIves.

12/08/13

Oh my goodness. This week couldn't have been more crazy or filled with more news. I don't even know where to begin. Okay, I'll start with Friday. So Friday we had a meeting with this girl that we've been trying to meet with for the last six months. At one point in time she was super interested in the gospel and progressing really well. Then she just dropped off the face of the planet. So we were out of our minds excited when she agreed to meet with us. We chatted with her for about an hour but we were thinking she was not interested in the Gospel too much so we would just do a short spiritual thought and call it good. So we transition and do our short spiritual thought but were blown away when she pretty much pours out her soul and tells us she's been severely depressed. She said she didn't believe that anything good would come from her life and that there was no God because she had no hope. So we decided to call the Elders and see if they could come and give her a blessing. Miraculously, they were super close and got there within three minutes. This girl is an interpreter so she was given a blessing in English. I wrote it down while the Elders were giving it. (Some background information before I tell you how unreal beautiful this blessing was: Her dad died about a year and a half ago and she has really been struggling since then. The last two weeks my companion and I have been praying everyday for angels to guide and protect our investigators.) So in the blessing she was promised a knowledge of the Plan of Salvation. A knowledge that she is a Daughter of God and that there is a purpose for her on this earth. She was told she will live in the Celestial Kingdom with her family. HOW CRAZY IS THAT. Seriously. Mind blown. So cool. And one of my favorite parts was this: "You have come to this earth to meet THESE sister missionaries who are your angels. You have been sent angels on your left and on your right to bear you up." Blown away. Blown away. I have never felt God's love so strongly for someone else before. It was the most spiritual lesson I have ever had. Blown away. Then that night we got transfers calls.... I'm training!!! Crazy, huh? I will be training a sister straight from the MTC. I will also be staying in this area which means by the time I finish training I will have been here for 9 months. Crazy Town, USA. I'm so excited. I love this area and this branch so much. Okay, next item of news.... WE HAVE A BAPTISMAL DATE. Huge miracle. The last month or so we've had a goal to have a group baptismal service  where five people get baptized. Last week we were feeling kind of sad because we didn't think we would be able to contribute to the goal. But yesterday, one of our investigators agreed to be baptized on this Saturday. She's someone who I contacted on the street about a month ago. I remember talking to her and hoping she would come to English Group so we could talk more. And now she's getting baptized. What the crazy what. I'm so excited. Missionary work is the coolest. I'm legitimately blown away by all that is happening right now. Yesterday, I was kind of panicking about training because I don't really know the Russian all that well. One of our branch members came up to me and said that I would be a good trainer and that I didn't have to worry because they would be there to help me. Gah. So good. I've worked so hard to earn the love and trust of these people and I'm just so happy to be here, even if it's snowy and cold. I also fell on the ice this week. Awkward. Very awkward. Anyways, life is pretty great here. I hope you all had a good week! I love you all. Love, Cectpa Harris 

Hey There, Hello

12/01/13

So, Thanksgiving in Russia is probably the coolest thing ever. I loved it. We had a big dinner with all the missionaries in our area at the senior couples' house and we all went around and said what we are grateful for. I love being a missionary. There's no bigger blessing in the world than being able to share this gospel at this time. I'm blown away by how many miracles we are seeing. Our investigators are all progressing and getting testimonies of the book of mormon. They all read everyday. I love it. Anyways, I'm doing so well! I cannot believe it's already December. A year ago I opened my mission call. What the crazy town? Insane. Anyways, I love you all. Have the best of weeks! Love, Cectpa harris 

Only The Coolest Week Ever.

11/24/13

Well, hey there. So this week was so cool. We had a member bring someone to church last week and she is so golden. We've had three lessons with her in the last week. Our second lesson I got to commit her to baptism. We did a soft baptismal commitment and she agreed to be baptized when she knew it was true! Way the coolest. Our other investigator is progressing way good too. She reads the Book of Mormon for 15 minutes everyday. And she comes to Institute and stays for all three hours of church. Holy cow. She's just the goldenest of the goldenest. I'm definitely freaking out. Besides teaching the coolest people in the world, my week was good. We got to do service and I wallpapered for the first time in my life. Russians love wallpaper on an almost unhealthy level. But it was fun to do. Also, we got to wear normal clothes for part of the day so that was the buns. That's about all I have for you! I hope everyone is loving life and things are going way well. I love you all! Love, Cectpa Harris