Insights and Events in the Life of Elder Harps: Woche 71

Schönen guten Morgen, ihr Schlingel!

What a week. What a week.

This week was amazing.

So Ross first!!! Ross got baptized on Saturday!! It was such a cool experience. We got everything ready throughout last week and then on Saturday evening he and Mishal (an Investigator from the sisters and Shekh girlfriend) got baptized. So many people showed up to support them and welcome them into the ward. We had about 45 people there which is the most I've ever seen at a baptism on my mission. All the calls and fliers and efforts to get people to come paid off bigtime.

On Sunday Ross and Mishal showed up late to church and I had a mini heart-attack. It had been crazy hard to get Ross a free Sunday so he could be confirmed after his baptism, and if he missed it we would have to wait a month. Fortunately my our prayers were answered and he and mishal showed up in time and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost. (We found out later that the reason they were late is because Ross had passed Shekh and Mishal in his car and had stopped to pick them up and give them a ride haha).

It was also Fast and Testimony meeting (Stake conference last week) and Ross got up and bore his testimony. It was one of the more powerful moments on my mission. A member of the Stake Presidency stood up and helped him with translation , and the spirit was so strong. He told the story of his conversion. He expressed his gratitude and thanks for us and the other missionaries who taught him the message of Christ's restored church. He told of his love for the Book of Mormon and for the Gospel. He shared several experiences where he received answers to his prayers and questions and concerns during his time investigating the church. He truly understands and treasures this restored truth and Gospel as it ought to be. He loves his Savior and bore his witness that this church is true and that he is grateful that he finally found it. I love him dearly :)

Antony is also another miracle!!

So a few weeks ago (not sure if I mentioned this) Elder Heller and I talked to this man who had moved here from Kenya in Hagen as we were leaving a baptismal service. He was very cool, super friendly, and very interested in our message! We talked further in the train and exchanged numbers. His number wasn't working, and as we had to get off we told him to call us so we could have his number but he said he would text us when he got back from Lithuania in a few weeks after his Thesis defence. there. We watched the doors close and we were bummed, because people ALWAYS forget to text or call us (Satan is very good at distraction).

But a few weeks ago he texted us and said he was back and wanted to meet! Elder Christensen and I went over on Friday after a service project and it was so cool!! He had prepared us Kenyan food to eat with him and his family (which we didn't know about!!). He has a wife who has lived in Germany her whole life and an adorable 2 year old with another one on the way! They were so nice and we were able to give Antony a copy of the Book of Mormon. He thought it was so cool. He said that he had wanted to looks tuff up before we came but knew there are a lot of lies on the internet, so he waited until we came ourselves. At the end of our mini lesson, he said "I don't think it was a coincidence that we met". We agreed :)

We have another appointment with him tomorrow. When we asked how the Book of Mormon reading was coming, he said "I haven't been able to finish it yet, but maybe by next time" xD. We are way excited!!

We also had MLC (Mission Leadership Council) this week on tuesday. It is probably tied with the last one for my favorite ones so far. It was way powerful. After we split with the Assistants and I got to hang out with Elder Heller and Elder Larson again. They are awesome. Elder Larson and I had a way good split. We stayed today for pday as well and spent it in Frankfurt. We got to eat Chipotle for lunch (which I miss dearly).

This week was excellent. Been tricky trying to meet with everyone we want to while also spending 3 whole days in Frankfurt this week, but we are making do! Also while in Frankfurt, we got to eat dinner with a Senior Missionary couple serving in the Area Office named Elder and Sister Fager. Elder Fager was an old companion of my Grandpa and he told us some cool stories! It was a tender mercy!

I love you all! God is real and he is good. Miracles have not ceased!

Habt die beste Woche eures Lebens :)

Bis dann,

Elder Harps

These chickens we always laugh at by our house.
This chicken dug that entire hole with its head in order to sit in the dirt
when it has a whole grass field. It's not even in the shade! haha!