Hallo vom MTC! 

Elder Harps and other missionaries at the Provo MTC

   This week was great, though it did have its ups and downs.

   This place is wonderful. I know I keep saying this but every single day I feel like I am learning so much. I feel like a new person every time I wake up.

   This week I learned that we have to look outward and serve others. I know that sounds really generic and I know we've all heard it a thousand times, but it's true. This week I worked really really hard at being perfectly obedient. I worked really hard at praying and asking God for help developing patience and humility. And it went nowhere. Every day I felt like I was more confused and unable to effectively study and work. I was really confused, because I thought I was doing everything I was supposed to, yet I didn't feel happy. It was really frustrating, and I asked God to tell me what I needed to do. The answer didn't come immediately though, He made me wait a day or two (which feels a lot longer here). But I finally realized that I was too focused on my self, and improving myself, which ironically is not the way to improve ourselves. Yes we have to be willing to make the changes God wants for us, but we have to serve and love His other children. THAT is His work. That's why I am here in the first place. I'm serving this mission so that I can bring God's children to a knowledge of His plan for us and His gospel. I was so focused on drawing myself nearer to God that I lost sight of my purpose. It really was quite ironic. So I asked God for help in looking outward and loving those around me. I'm trying to forget myself and not worry about me and my progress and just help those around me in whatever way I can. I'm not very good at it yet, but I know that as I try to serve and love the people around me, God will take care of me. He will help shape me into a tool by which I can help the people of Germany receive this wonderful message of hope and happiness. Look outward, try to love those around you and help them.

   I'd like to extend a challenge this week to find just one way to serve someone around you. Also try to introduce yourself to someone new once a day. Just make new friends, and help those around you. Just one a day. I promise that you will begin to love the people around you. It will bless you and them.

   Also, two scripture passages that I really liked this week were 2 Nephi 2 and 2 Nephi 9. They are really powerful scriptures that help explain where we came from, why we are here on earth, and where we are going. Excellent scriptures. The prophet Nephi is awesome.

   You guys are awesome. Keep up the good work. Love you all!

Tschus!

Elder Harps

(P.S. To my college friends, the MTC cafeteria somehow manages to be even blander and worse than the Cannon Center. I didnt even know that was possible)