One kind of interesting thing from a week or so ago was that President Rodarte asked the Spanish zone leaders for locations and times for all the different english classes our zones had started, because the next day he was having a meeting with Elder Soares, and that was going to be part of his report! It is kind of cool to think that one of the 12 apostles heard or saw something that we typed out.
Our good friend Andres has come a long way on his journey in the church. He first met missionaries in another mission online in English classes, and afterwards we were able to start teaching him over here. I mentioned earlier that he said we were some of his best friends in the United States. We had a great time bringing him to different members' houses and practicing our song for the talent show that ended up getting cancelled for COVID. Anyway, this Sunday we had his baptism, and it was an awesome experience. A bunch of ward members came, and the elders quorum gave him a white shirt and tie. My trainee Elder Parker was able to come back to see the baptism. Our new trainee Elder Shepherd practiced hard and did a flawless confirmation blessing. At the end, Andres shared his testimony. He said that he finished his decision to be baptized the first time he came to church. He just felt so good and knew it was where he needed to be. He hadn't ever told us that before, but it was so cool to hear that someone could come to church just one time and already know it is the truth. I love that guy.
Also, on the same day as Andres, another guy I taught got baptized! He was the brother-in-law of a member in our ward, and they invited them over to hear some messages from us. After we taught them a little, we were able to set them up with the missionaries over where they live. So anyway, my part was pretty small, but it was super cool to see someone that had their first missionary lessons with us get baptized.
The English class we started has just been a miracle worker. I admit that a couple months ago, I just did not like the idea of teaching English classes. My mentality was kind of that I wanted to teach people the gospel and didn't want to spend a ton of time doing english lessons instead. But it has been awesome! We've brought about a dozen people to the chapel for their first time, and we had someone from the english class come to church already. Another guy had a chapel tour a separate day. It is just amazing how much a little friendly service just opens people to the gospel without us even bringing it up. I think very few of them would want to let a couple random missionaries that knock on their door in, but when they come to an English class, they suddenly are happy to stay for a spiritual thought at the end and often ask us questions about church. We texted one of our English students the other day to get to know him a little better, and he chatted with us and then said, "I am interested in knowing more about what a Mormon is." We were super excited. We set up a videocall with him, and in our first individual lesson, it just felt really natural to invite him to be baptized. He said he'd never really been a part of a church before, but that he thought that would be a good step to take and wanted to do it! After just three weeks of English class, I think those are some awesome results. Big testimony to me of service. I had to be a little more humble and realize the importance of doing good like that.
There is a family in our area that Elder Gastelum had taught when he was here about a year ago. They recently had some extended family get baptized, and we were just barely able to start teaching them again! The family has a single dad with three teenage kids. They are all so nice, and as we visited with them the first time, it was easy to see that they were just so humble. They were just looking for more happiness and meaning in their lives. The next time we met, we invited them to be baptized. They said they were willing to consider it but weren't quite committed yet. Then . . . we couldn't get ahold of them for a week. Finally we made them some cookies and delivered them and were able to get in touch again! When we had our lesson, we walked in, the dad sits down on the couch, and the first thing he says is, "Well, we've been talking about baptism and decided we'd like to go ahead and do it." We were so worried after not being able to contact them forever, and their openness was just a huge miracle. The members have been awesome helping out with them. One family brought them some cinnamon rolls, and the ward helped get their family a turkey and potatoes and a bunch of food for Thanksgiving. There is definitely a difficult journey still ahead, but we are so excited.
They just announced that in Nevada they are putting in some more restrictions again, which is too bad. Now at church only missionaries, nonmembers, and people that don't have a priesthood holder in their family can come (at least in our ward). That'll be too bad, because I always loved seeing the whole ward come out on Sundays.
In other news, we've started keeping a multi-day score tally on Boggle, which we sometimes play during lunch. So far I have the edge on my companions. We'll see how it goes.
As a last Thanksgiving tribute, I have much to be grateful for. I have such an awesome (and giant) family. I had the best group of friends (many of which get these emails) ever. A bunch of solid guys with high standards. And my awesome ward at home that has helped me grow up in the gospel. So anyway: thanks! What a blessed life we all have who are part of the work of the gospel and the business of God.
Elder Harris
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