Just another week in paradise.

Hello, hello everybody!

The weeks are just whizzing by...it's so weird to think that I'm only half a month away from being out for a year.  This has been the fastest year of my life, I'd say..but I digress.

Well, first things first.  I'm staying here in Santa Maria with Elder Agle for another transfer.  This next transfer is only 5 weeks, so it's a comfortable transition for President Felix when he comes in.  (So transfers end June 22nd).

Last night, Elena Thomas, the single mom with 4 kids that I had the chance to teach for a little while, got baptized!  I was able to give the talk about baptism at the service, and the four of us elders sang an a Capella harmony of "I Believe In Christ".  We sounded great, and the spirit was really strong.  What's also cool is that Rachel was able to attend the service!  She said that she was glad she came, and she said that she felt the Spirit!!!  We had a lesson with her on Thursday at the church, and we were able to answer some questions she had about the Book of Mormon, like how it related to the modern days and why the Book of Mormon is so important.  We told her that the Book of Mormon is one fruit that shows that Joseph Smith is a prophet.  If the Book of Mormon is true, then Joseph Smith was a prophet, and he did restore Christ's original church here on the earth.  She understood that, and she's always just so happy now!  Rachel went out to lunch with the Relief Society President and a few other sisters, and she walked up to them at the baptism and started talking to them!  It was so good to see.

We were able to render a lot of service this week as well.  We helped some people move out, and we set up chairs and tables for a wedding reception.  As always, our payment was food...Don't worry, Mom, I'm being wise with what I'm choosing to eat!  I made a commitment not to drink any soda, and it's been going pretty well so far.

On Wednesday and Thursday, it was 105 degrees outside!  We were riding our bikes all over the place, and people kept telling us to go inside.  It was a hard couple of days, but things ended up alright.

Going to the temple on Tuesday was huge blessing as well.  We were able to do 2 sessions, and I read my patriarchal blessing in the Celestial room, which was really powerful.  I love the temple so much.  I want to set a goal when I get home to go to the temple at least twice a month.  Every time I go to the temple, whether it's for baptisms, endowments, etc., I always walk out wanting to be a better person, and my love for the church always grows too.

Well, I guess that's all for this week.  I love being a missionary.  There's nothing else that I would rather be doing with this time in my life.  It's useless to worry about things that I my miss or anything that may happen back home, because it's all in the Lord's hands, and He is in control of everything.  I know that I came out here for a good purpose:  to assist the Lord in His work.  The Lord IS hastening His work of salvation, and it's an honor, blessing, and privilege to be on the front lines of this mighty work.  I love you all so much!  Thank you for everything you do!

Elder Harper