New Years Eve 2012

Happy New Year! (Well Almost)

Hope everyone had a great Christmas and are ready to bring on the New Year! Christmas here was nice and warm, it was cloudy but still pretty hot. I had the privilege to talk to my parents and that was the best Christmas present I received, well right after the present of finding an entire family to teach this past week as well. We found a family and the parents are married, which is a miracle, and they have 3 beautiful daughters, 2 of which are old enough to be baptized. It was really a special experience finding this family and we're doing all we can to make sure they progress. We're super excited! It was something super special. Well I hope you all have a great and safe time bringing in the New Year!

HERMANA HARBISON

PS I hate bugs.

Christmas Eve 2012

Seasons Greeting from Ica!

I hope everyone is having a great and safe holiday season! Here in Ica life is going great. It's all a new experience that's for sure. Last week I got my new companion on Tuesday and then we arrived that night. On Wednesday we got to know a few investigators that we have, then the rest of the week we worked. We're looking for people to teach, getting to know the area. Here it is so hot during the day, but in the night it cools down. We have to drink A LOT of water everyday. But no complaints, because it's part of the work. It's pretty interesting opening up an area. There are already Elders here in our ward (we're a total of 4) they work in one part and we work in the other. Our house is SUPER nice. Pretty much a mansion when it comes to missionary standards, spacious bathroom, kitchen, dining room (rareity that's for sure), study area and sleeping area. We love it.

Here's a picture of me and my new companion, Hermana Rivera from Hondorus. She just came out of the MTC here in Peru and is super great!

I wish everyone a Merry Christmas! Enjoy the time with your family and friends as we think of the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ. I love this time of year, it's a little different being a missionary, being in Peru, and all the heat that's here in Ica, but that doesn't take away from what the season is really all about. I truly hope we all take time to remember our Savior this time of year and give thanks for all that He has done for us. I'm truly grateful to serve the Lord as a Missionary, for the expeirences that I have everyday.

Merry Christmas!

Love Always,

HERMANA HARBISON

December 17, 2012

"Hermana Harbison, you're changing zones.  You're going to open an area in Ica and are going to train."

That's the news I recieved Saturday night, but in Spanish. My companion and I are both leaving Pisco and they're going to put Elders there in the ward. Needless to say I'm totally and completely nervous because not only am I opening an area but I'm going to be training my companion while doing so. But I heard that in my area there are going to be Elders there as well so we won't be totally lost there in Ica. Ica is an hour south of Pisco, I've heard it's SO hot there. I'm really nervous but really excited and ready to work all at the same time. I know it's the will of the Lord for me to transfer to a different zone and I'm totally and completely ready to learn new things and to teach the gospel to the people of Ica. And that's the mission, changes left and right and I love it. I hope everyone is enjoying the holiday season. This week we're going to have a Christmas Conference with our Mission President so that'll be fun. Well that's all the news I've got. I'll let you all know how Ica is next week! Have a great week!

Love Always,

HERMANA HARBISON

December 12, 2012

Family and Friends,

I hope everything is going great up north in America! Nothing too exciting is going on here in Peru. The summer time is starting up and we can feel it. There is no air conditioning here in Pisco, but the nights are pretty cool so we open the one window that we have and let the cool-ish air come in. Everyone here we contact asks us if we believe the world is going to end on the 21st. We tell them that we don't know, only Heavenly Father does and then we share a scripture about how now is the time to prepare. Then they usually let us in and we teach them about the Gospel and repentance, it's working out really nice. Also, yesterday at church almost every row was filled with people, which never happens in our humble little ward, so that was great to see the fruits of our labors. All in all, life's going great here in Peru! Hope you all have a great week!

HERMANA HARBISON

December 3, 2012

Familia y Amigos!

Life as a missionary is going great! This week we had to travel to the big city of Lima because my companion had a doctor´s appt. It was a little shocking up there because life is a lot faster and busier and I kind of forgot what that felt like. That´s all that was super exciting this week. All is well in Pisco, Perú! Here´s a scripture for the week. It´s for those who might be passing through a trial right now it´s found in the Book of Mormon in Mosiah 7:33.

Have a great week!

Love Always,

HERMANA HARBISON