~~Hi everyone~~
Well, this week is a little bitter sweet. It's exciting to have 2011 here. A new year. A fresh start.
At the same time, I just heard about Bud Wilson's passing. Bud has been a good family friend for as long as I can remember. Honestly, the news came as kind of a shock. Bud is about the same age (if not younger than) my parents. Bud has been such a great mentor and friend over the years. My heart is going out to Denise and the whole Los Gatos community. I am so grateful to know that through the promised blessings from God, we can all see our loved ones again, after we die. It definitely doesn't make death easy, but I think that it makes life a little more bearable. Here is a wonderful clip all about HOPE.
Please let me know if there is anything I can do to help.
In other news...here are some great stories that evolved from the week:
- THANK YOU FAMILY!!! Nicole, Brett, Mom, Dad (and L to the Q)...you all really made the holidays extraordinary. THANK YOU!! I can't really find the right words to explain how grateful I am for all of you. Other than thank you. Sincerely. I love you al SO much! You bring me JOY! Not just happiness. :)
- Sister Kinman and I were talking to Gertrude (yes.) in Ghana. Her brother is exploring more about the Book of Mormon, and has been meeting with missionaries there, so he asked if we could call her to see if she'd be interested in learning a little more about our faith. When we called, she was SO nice. Very friendly. She has a strong belief in God and in Jesus Christ. Here's what I loved the most though--she asked us a very valid question: "So, do you sing and dance at your church? Because to me, I go to worship, not to disco". Amen Gertrude. Amen.
- THANK YOU Kjestine for the AMAZING Dansk box!!!! I was SO happy and pleasantly surprised!! THANK YOU!!! What a wonderful treat! I tore open the Dansk garland and wanted to wrap it around my body. Danish love. Thank you so much!! And tak for ris!! So sweet of you. You are seriously one of the most thoughtful people I know. Pure hygge. 100%... Tak!!!
- And THANK YOU to the Redwoods Ward! I was so giddy to see the treats and letters from all of you! I miss you all so much! Thank you for thinking of me. It really meant a lot. I definitely feel the family connection. :)
- Just a thought I had today: I am really looking forward to getting to know Big Mac. (AKA Nicole + Brett's baby child). Today, I was thinking "I really want to hear Mckenzie burp". Yep. I thought that. And I started laughing. Because I know she will! Hahaha!! And it'll be SO darling!!
- To the infamous Mr. Hurley: thanks for your letter!! Bagel shop?! That's awesome! Blueberry bagel + strawberry cream cheese for me. Toasted. And wrestling coach? Perfect. You'll be hearing from me soon.....
Sister Kinman and I met The Olsen's a few weeks ago. Amazing family. So sweet. Rene is a friend of theirs. She is incredible. When we talked to Rene, she told Sister Kinman and I that she wanted to learn more about the beliefs that make the Olsen's so happy. She shared with us that she had recently had her leg amputated and was really struggling to adjust to her new life. She wanted to know how the gospel of Jesus Christ could help her, or not. With confidence, Sister Kinman and I assured her that no matter where we are in life, understanding and applying the gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives can help improve our lives. We called her twice, each time talking to her for about 10 minutes or so. She was studying the Book of Mormon and other materials on her own, in between time. The third time we called, she was ELATED. She was happy to report that she had been meeting with her local missionaries and had visited church a few times. Then she broke the news, "Sisters, I just have something to tell you...I am so excited! I want to be baptized. I'm getting ready for January 22!" The reason why I love Rene's story, is because, she really did everything. We just came in and invited. We invited her to learn for herself. That's the biggest thing we do as missionaries. No forcing. No convincing. Just inviting, offering and helping. I love that.
I love you all so much!
Thank you for the ENDLESS support.
I am so grateful for you all!!
Thank you!
Sister Amy (so 2011) Harmer
http://www.mormon.org/ (obsessed with this site).
http://www.lds.org/ (and this one too)
P.S. the pictures are all about the 2011. (Well, who are we kidding? 10:20pm on December 31, 2010). Godt nytaar!!
P.P.S. I love the new video: "Look Not Behind Thee"
