Learning From Elder Ulisses S. Soares

Elder Ulisses S. Soares

February 27, 2017

[February 23 – 27]

Thursday - Wow, today was a great day! The Mission Tour was amazing! We had a meeting that began at 11 and it lasted until 3. President and Hermana Pack only spoke for about 15 minutes of that time. The wife of Elder Soares spoke for about 15 minutes and then Elder Ulisses S. Soares had all the rest of the time. Wow...I can't even express how much I learned. There was no new material, taught but he taught it in a new way. He taught in a very open classroom style and allowed anyone who wanted to talk to make any comments they wanted. It was super bomb! 

Then after that, we ate lunch. Then we had a meeting with Elder Soares and his wife for all of the District leaders and the zone leaders. In there we reviewed the meeting and talked about everything we discussed. They asked where we were from and got to know us a little bit, then they gave us all hugs and left. It was super awesome! We talked about the vision that we should have as missionaries, as well what should our commitment level be and what are the promised blessings that we can receive. He is a great teacher and I feel like I personally learned a ton and that everyone there learned a lot as well.

Elder & Sister Soares (front, right) with the Canary Islands Missionaries during Mission Tour

Friday - This morning we did weekly planning. Then we had studies all this afternoon. We had a lesson with Patricia today. She is doing super good, and she is actually going to be at the temple all next week. We are so excited for her and the progress we have seen her make.

Saturday - This morning we played fútbol and we had a really good turnout. Two less-actives and 4 investigators. It was a super fun game. Then after that we went to Piso and I made pasta for everybody. This afternoon we did some contacting and didn't really have too much luck. The carnaval period is about to strike Fuerteventura so we don't really know what to expect but we are excited. Haha!

Some celebrators at "Carnaval"

EXCITING NEWS!!

Ropa Vieja 

Sunday - Today we had church. It went really good. John came today and told us some really good news. His dad is coming here on Tuesday which means he is going to get baptized on Saturday! We are super excited! We had to do some scrambling today to get a baptismal interview done but, it all worked out and we are having a baptism on Saturday. We ate lunch at Zenon's house as always. Then we had dinner at Yolanda's. She made us ropa vieja (like Cuban beef stew). Look it up. It's super good.

Monday - Today we played Padel for the morning. Then we went to the mall and ate at burger King. Then we did compras and went back to Piso. I took a power nap for thirty minutes and now we're writing emails. Everything is going pretty good. My headaches are gone and my health is good, we may need to talk about getting a new suit for me in a little while because my gray one may or may not have ripped super bad. I'm gonna see if I can get it fixed first though.

I love you all,

Elder Harris

More Blankets for Syrian Refugees

February 22, 2017
[TWO DAYS LATE -- mom may or may not have been freaking out a little...]

[Week of February 13-21] 

Dear Mom, Dad & Sam:

Monday - Today for P-day we did compras in the morning. Then afterwards we played Padel. I might seriously be interested in investing to bring Padel to the U.S. It's so fun! Afterwards we just chilled and wrote emails. It was a pretty good day.

Tuesday - Today was pretty good. We started the morning by going down to Castillo and doing some pass-bys down there. There wasn't any real fruits but at least it is a pretty area of Fuerteventura. After that we came to Piso and made sandwiches for lunch. We had a lesson with John tonight and he told us everything is going well and that he's doing everything he should be, like reading the scriptures and praying everyday. He's super cool and he almost always gives us a report about what's going on in the world. After the lesson with him we contacted and that was pretty much it.

Wednesday - This morning we had district meeting. Then we ate lunch at the Piso. I made carbonara pasta for everybody. After that my companion and I did the collection of blankets at the Chapel. After that we played ping pong.

Thursday - This morning we did weekly planning and afterwards we ate in the Piso. We had studies after that and then we went to go contacting. Today was kinda a boring day full of normal things.

Friday - For lunch today we ate with Bill, a British guy and his wife from Colombia. They made us "curry", it was pretty much just like sloppy Joes with rice. It was pretty good. Then we had studies. After that my companion and I did the collection of blankets for the last time because tomorrow we are packaging it all up.

Saturday - So today we got to the Chapel at about 10 in the morning we worked packaging everything until about 2. We collected a total of around 400 blankets and another 150-250 pieces of clothing. It was really fun doing all that. As a stake I think we collected a little over 5000 blankets. 

Packaging Up Blankets for Syrian Refugees

After the collection we ate lunch with everyone that was there. Then we had studies. After that we went back to the Chapel and cleaned it. Once every 3 months we have to clean the Chapel and it took the 4 of us about 2 hours to clean the building.

Sunday - Today we had a good church meeting. Then we went to Zenon's house for lunch. After that we had Correlation meeting. Then we had to finish packing some more blankets because a hotel brought like 50 more today. Then we went to Yolanda's house for a noche de hogar. I love Sundays because we get to spend so much time with members and helping to strengthen them.

Monday - Well today was a regular day because on Wednesday we are going to Gran Canaria and having a zone P-day. Also because Thursday we are going to be having the mission tour. Ulisses S. Soares from the Presidency of the Quorum of the Seventy is coming. We are super excited for the opportunity to listen to him and have the chance to receive revelation from him and the Packs. We contacted basically the whole day. It was a pretty boring day.

Tuesday - Today I went on intercambios with Elder Douglas, Elder Boyd's kid. We has a really great time. We travelled to the Pueblo of Gran Tarajal. We got to teach 3 lessons while we were there and give a member a blessing. We had a great time and he's a super good young missionary. Both he and Elder Monks speak way better Spanish than I did when I had been out 3 months.

Wednesday - Well today for Zone P-day we are going to Gran Canaria and we are probably just going to be playing sports and stuff the whole day. Then tonight during proselyting time we are going to set up two stands and send about twenty missionaries to each one to contact people.

Zone P-Day in Gran Canaria

I love you all,

Elder Harris

DyC 4:3

The Happiest I've Been in My Life

February 13, 2017

Dear Mom, Dad & Sam:

[Week of February 6 - 12]

Monday - Well today we played Padel for like 3 hours, and we wrote emails. Other than that we just have a chill day. I really like our new schedule that we have as missionaries because it allows for so much more free time and less stress on making sure you get everything done within 7 and a half hours. We contacted after pday but there weren't any real fruits.

Tuesday - Friday - Well I had migraines again all of these days. But, cool thing about Friday is that we had a branch movie night and we watched “The Other Side of Heaven.” It basically turned into a jas activity because no one else came but we did have two investigators come and they had a great time and loved the movie.

JAS Movie Night "The Other Side of Heaven"

HELPING THE SYRIAN PEOPLE

Other cool experience is that on Thursday night even though I had a rocking headache we helped get some blankets that they are collecting at a local radio station. When I say some blankets I mean like 500+. It's super cool to see how much the people are helping here to send help to the Syrian people. We will be collecting through the 18th of February and we are expecting another 2000ish blankets. Here is their URL with pictures of us http://www.happyfmfuerteventura.es/category/noticias/canarias/. You'll probably have to scroll down a little to find it but we are on there.

Saturday - Today we did weekly planning in the morning. Then it was my companions turn to have some bad health and so he was exploding both ways into the toilet all day. It was a rough week for us as a companionship health wise. Tonight we had a really good lesson with Patricia. The last couple of weeks she has been struggling and feeling like since she got baptized life has only gotten harder and that she felt like maybe she made a wrong decision. We taught her and asked her if she had been reading and praying everyday. She said the first week after her baptism yes she did and that it was one of the best weeks of her life that she can remember. Then since then she has just gotten kind of lazy about it. As we explained that by doing those basic things we make ourselves stronger and better equipped to fight temptation, she had an 'aha moment.' She's still planning on going to the temple in 2 weeks and has gotten her schedule changed at work so that she can. She told me that she really appreciates me because throughout my time here I have been able to explain to her a little bit about my life story and how I'm no "cookie cutter Mormon." She really appreciates the fact that I can be an example of making changes and how the gospel really works. This is the happiest I've been in my life and it's really cool for me to be to able to help her. I feel like that's why I came to this area, she needed someone like me who has been through relatively a lot and I'm pretty open about it and I think that helps her. I'm not saying I revealed all of my transgressions but I've been very real with her, and now I see the fruit of being that way.

Sunday - Today church was really good, we had good talks during sacrament meeting. Then second hour was good as well. Patricia came to church and looked immensely happier than the past two weeks. She said it's because she read last night and felt the spirit. Then we ate lunch at Zenon's house. It was a very good week even though the elements seemed bad. John is doing good but we are going to have to move back his baptism because he has missed church the past two weeks. He's doing well, don't really know what the problem is, but we are working on it.

Monday - Today we got haircuts. We are going to play Padel as well. And it's gonna be a pretty chill day.

Love you guys all,

Elder Harris

DyC 4:3

Searching for People to Teach

February 6, 2017

[Week of January 30  - February 5]

Dear Mom, Dad and Sam:

Monday - Today was a pretty good day. We did everything we had to get done in the morning so that the rest of the day we would have time to do whatever we wanted. For lunch we made salchipapas and drank soda. Haha! Then at 4 we played Padel with Fran. It is a very fun game. It's like racquet ball, tennis and squash all in one. I love It! Then we did some proselytizing until the end of the day.

Playing Padel (with Elder Boyd)

Tuesday - This morning we did a lot of different finding  methods such as door knocking and contacting. Then we had studies in the afternoon. We had English class at 6 and then we taught a lesson to John. He is on Fecha for the 18th of February. He's progressing super good and he's a great kid.

Wednesday - This morning again we were doing a lot of 'finding' activities. We had  quite a few investigators but recently they haven't been to great, so we are looking for new people. Then from 5-7 we worked a collection that our stake is putting on right now for collecting items for Syrian refugees. Then we had the Institute class that we are helping to teach here. Then right after that we played ping pong which is a hit right now because all of the JAS come right after Institute.

Thursday - This morning we did weekly planning. Then this afternoon my companion was feeling really sick so we ended up staying in Piso the whole day. He's feeling better now though.

Friday - This morning we had district meeting. It went really well and it was good to see the other Elders on Skype. Then we did studies during the afternoon. After that we worked the collection again. Then we contacted and that was our day.

Saturday - Today was transfer day. NOTHING changed in our district, so we are excited to all be together one more. Elder Boyd will go home next transfer on March 21. He's kind of 'dying' already but we'll see what we can do to help him stay working.

Sunday - Today was really good. Church went really well and I learned some new things about the fall of Adam and Eve. As well for lunch we ate with President Garcia and his family. Then we had Correlation with Zenon. Then we ate dinner with Yolanda and that was our day.

Monday - It was a normal pday. We did compras. Then we went to the Chapel and got emails. Then we played Padel for three hours just the 4 of us. And now I'm writing emails. Should be a good day.

Trying on leather pants...

That's crazy that Joe (Critchlow) signed with BYU. That’s so awesome!

GO TOM BRADY!!! [SuperBowl: New England Patriots pulled off a miraculous victory over the Atlanta Falcons 34-28, overcoming a 25-point lead, in the first EVER SuperBowl overtime. Okay, even Mom was impressed.] 

Love you all so much,

Love,

Elder Harris

Lots of Training Going On

January 30, 2017

[Week of January 23-29]

Dear Mom, Dad & Sam:

Monday - Today was a fun day. Like I said last week, we went bowling with a couple people. Their names were Yuber and Howard. Elder Boyd is actually really good at it! He scored upwards of 150 both games.

Tuesday - So today was a pretty cool day. This morning we had a specialized "Training for the Trainers" and the new missionaries. It was good. After that Elder Boyd and I did an intercambio. We went to the south of the island, otherwise known as we took a two hour bus ride to the South. By the end of the bus ride we were both feeling pretty car sick. But, we went to a town called Morro Jable. We visited with some members there, and, it was the first time this family had been visited in 7 years. They come to church almost every week but, because they live so far away no one ever goes to visit. They made us chicken wings and Rosquetes and cake. It was super good. I ate like 30 chicken wings. They were super Good! As well we taught a lesson to Elder Boyd's investigator named Nelido, he is getting baptized on Saturday. He's doing super good, and he's progressing very well.

Wednesday - Today the Elders from Lanzarote came over to do intercambios as well as watch the worldwide mission broadcast. I went on intercambios with Elder Douglas from my group. (Angus) We had a really good day, did some contacting and taught a couple lessons. We put John on date for the 18 of February. He's super excited for his date. He's a super prepared young guy. 

The Worldwide Training was AWESOME! I don't know if you guys have seen but the schedule for missionaries has changed. (READ DETAILS ABOUT CHANGES HERE)

We now have 10 hours on pday to do what we want. As well the overall schedule has changed every day. They have eliminated 5 out of the 9 old key indicators. We now only count 1) investigators baptized and confirmed 2) investigators on date 3) investigators at church 4) new investigators. The purpose I believe is to make us focus on the things that really matter, not just teaching a bunch of lessons every week. We also played ping pong tonight and we had like 5 jas come to play with us.

Thursday - This morning we did weekly planning and then we said goodbye to Elder Douglas and Elder Pulotu who headed out to Lanzarote this afternoon. Then my companion and I went to eat with Paco and Nati they made really good chicken fried steak. Then we were supposed to have Consejo but it failed so we cleaned the Chapel.

Friday - Well today I was feeling puky so we didn't leave the Piso a whole bunch. I played chess against my companion like 10 times and he beat me every time. He's pretty good at it.

Saturday - This morning we played fútbol. It was really fun. Then this afternoon we had time to do some contacting. Then the other companionship here had a BAPTISM! It was super awesome and John was actually able to come and watch, which we hope was a good experience for him.

Nelido's Baptism!

Sunday - Today was good. Church was good. Afterwards we had lunch with Zenon. Then we had Correlation and finally we ate with Yolanda to finish the day.

Monday - So today with our new 10-hour pday we played Risk. As well we are getting ready to go play Paddle which is similar to tennis and racquetball. I'm excited, it should be really fun. 

Learning to Teach Repentance

January 23, 2017

[Week of January 16-22]

Dear Mom, Dad and Sam:

Monday - So today for P-day we didn't really do anything too crazy. We cleaned the piso did compras and then went back to the piso and played Risk. After p-day we contacted and then had a lesson with John. It was a chill day.

Exercise....NOT

Tuesday - This morning we had a lesson with Patricia. Right now we are teaching her the new member lessons or better yet, she's teaching us the lessons. She taught us lesson 1 and she did a really good job. Then after her, we did some contacting and some pass-bys. For lunch we ate with Abinadi and his family. They are probably going to start feeding us every Tuesday now. I love their family and eating with them because the food is always really good.

Wednesday - This morning the Elders from Lanzarote came over for intercambios. I went with my friend and past companion Elder Pulotu. I seriously love that guy! We contacted for most of the afternoon and then we had a lesson with John tonight. We taught him about Tithing and fast offerings. He's super willing to pay it. He just doesn't get any money right now so he can't. As well we had a lesson with a member named Puri, basically it was us working together to try and make some plans as to how we are going to help her reactivate her two inactive sons. It was a really fun day. We had Tanquito for dinner.

Thursday - Today was fun. This morning Elder Monks and I flew to Gran Canaria for the  Zone Conference we are going to have tomorrow. Today when we got to Las Palmas we had interviews with President. Every time I meet with him or hear him speak I know that he is my mission President and that I'm supposed to be here working with him. I went on an intercambio with an Elder named Elder Hollist. He's from Georgia, and I actually knew him before I left, he's one of the few left like that. We had a really good intercambio and we actually got to teach a couple of lessons. He's a really good missionary.

Elders Boyd, Harris, & Monks

Friday - Today we had Zone conference. The Packs spoke about teaching repentance as a mission and how we need to do a better job of inviting others to repent. As well, they taught that for us to have any spiritual power when we invite others we must first be repenting on our end. We can't call people to repent of things when we ourselves aren't clean. The conference was really good. Afterwards I continued with my intercambio with Elder Hollist and then my companion and I flew home to Fuerteventura.

Saturday - This morning we did weekly planning. Afterwards we did some contacting. Afterwards we went to the chapel to start some preparations for the meetings on Sunday. We cleaned the chapel and it was actually pretty fun with the four of us there.

Sunday - Today was really awesome. This morning at church I gave a talk about Faith. Then we had some really good meetings and we also had a new man come to church who is progressing really well. He is the other Missionaries investigator. Then we went to Zenon's house for lunch. After that we had correlation. Then we did some more planning because this week we have to introduce some new plans for our branch. Then we went to Yolanda's house, and we ate meatballs similar to Dan's casserole. It was a really good day.

On the way home from Zenon's house

Monday - Today we went bowling and it was really fun. Elder Boyd is really good. And he scored upwards of 150 both games we played. Other than that it has been a pretty tranquilo p-day.

From front going left:
Elder Monks, Hollist, Boyd, YUVER, and Harris

Elders Boyd & Harris

Mom, I talked to President Pack about your work situation a while back and he said if things don't work out with whatever you are looking at doing right now, shoot him an email and he's got some hookups you could look into. Just a thought.

Dad, Well everything is fine with me and my companion. My ankle is fine now as well. The other companionship is going to have a baptism on Saturday so that is really exciting! And, I want you to cheer for the patriots of course. I'm a huge Tom Brady fan! 6 rings! So John is progressing pretty well. His dad is already a member and has been for a while. Our pdays have been fun recently. We've been trying to get out and about more. You only get so much time on an island paradise, am I right?

I love you all so much!

Elder Harris

Pres. Raulio Deniz & Salt Factories

January 16, 2017

Dear Mom, Dad & Sam:

[Week of January 9-15]

Monday - Today was really fun. We went on a pday excursion with our friend Jose Balaños. We went to Las Salinas and had a great time looking at the "salt factory." [In the south of the island of La Palma you will discover these curious salt fields, which have been declared an Official Site of Scientific Interest owing to the fact that many migratory birds use the site to rest. One of the most visited parts of all La Palma, here the earth, air and water join forces to form the salt fields of Fuencaliente, a hugely valuable human landscape where the contrasts of the white of the salt, the blue of the sea and the black of the volcanic earth paint a picture of immense beauty. Nature’s colour palette paints the salt fields in a spectacular manner.]

Salt Factory

Then we went to Gran Tarajal like I said before. It was really fun. The murals there are really cool! Then afterwards, we met with John. We taught him about the priesthood. He's a really awesome young guy. We still don't have a date for his baptism but he is really excited for it.

Some of the murals in Gran Tarajal

So beautiful!

Tuesday - This morning was really cool. We did some contacting all morning. Then we ate pizza for lunch. As well we did language study, and prepared for the afternoon. We had a lesson with Juan Avalos this afternoon. As well, we had a meeting with a young guy named Yuver for setting up the ward list. After that we had a noche de hogar with a member named Maria Parra, we ate some delicious empanadas for dinner.

Wednesday - This morning we had district meeting through Skype. Then we ate sandwiches for lunch. We did some contacting in the afternoon. Then we had a lesson with Patricia about the priesthood and callings. As well, we played ping pong and are trying to establish the weekly activity.

Thursday - This morning we did some more service with Zenon. We helped move a huge truck like those Lays trucks that aren't semis. He hadn't driven it in like 10 years so it was dug into the ground. We had to pull it with ropes and battering ram it with his car. Let's just say we broke some headlights and as well some blisters, but it's all good. We ate lunch with Paco and Nati and as well Diana and Ergual. Then tonight we had consejo. It was really good and we made good plans for the upcoming two weeks.

Elder Monks during Correlation

Friday - This morning we did weekly planning. Then for lunch we ate sandwiches. Then after medio Día we had a lesson with John. He's so awesome! Then we had English class and then we did some contacting.

Saturday - This morning we played Futbol. It was really good and we had two investigators there. Then because I rolled my ankle playing I stayed in the piso the rest of the day! Hahaha! Except not kidding.

Sunday - This morning we had church and the Stake President visited from Gran Canaria. He's awesome, his name is Raulio Deniz. He's a boss! He came and gave our branch a good kick in the rear to get it moving and to help the missionaries more. As well afterwards we ate with Zenon. Then we had correlation. After that we had time to do our daily training studies together. Then we ate dinner with Yolanda, she made something very similar to "chicka chicka saw." It was super good.

Today for Pday we chilled. I bought a Gran Canaria jersey for Christmas for myself with the Christmas money. It was 30€. See attached photo. 

Me & Elder Monks

Next week we are probably going to play mini golf or something. Yes, I received the letters. Thanks a ton!

I'm so sorry to hear about Aunt Corinne, I'll be praying for her.

I love you all,

Love, Elder Harris