New Beginnings... September 29, 2014

Hello everyone! I have news: I'm being transferred. ):

Livermore has by far been my longest area and it's hard to leave! I sure am going to miss all of the brown hills, the vineyards, the people, the heat, and the wonderful experiences I've had here. It was hard at first, but I have loved every minute of it!
It was hard to say goodbye to Kevin and all of the members, but I'm a little bit excited to see what adventures are in store for me in my next (and last) area. 

Ah! Whirlwind! I started bawling during sacrament meeting yesterday because they had a musical program and they just happened to sing all of my favorite hymns. I felt like it was just for me! I was fine until we all started singing 'Army of Helaman' and then I lost it. Dangit!

I'm also going to miss Sister Gregerson and all of our fun times, but I'm also happy for her because she'll be training a new missionary! She'll do great!

The work has been going well and I know it'll pick up in Livermore. We have put so much time and hard work into planning for this next transfer. So needless to say, this weekend has been CRAZY.  

I feel sad, happy, excited, stressed, and a little bit nervous, but I know it'll all be okay. 

This transfer, I have learned a lot about myself. I have learned a lot about other people. I have learned about pure love and the importance of it in all that we do. I have learned of the desperate need for obedience to the Lord's commandments in today's world and I have seen that desire and need within myself. I have learned the importance of integrity and virtue and the relationship between them. I have learned that service to others really is service to God. I have made changes and goals in my life because I've been here in Livermore. 

I have had a wonderful experience here and I hope that my experience in my next area will be just as amazing! I love my mission so much! You probably get tired of hearing it, but I just love being in the service of the Lord and being in California. There will always be a piece of my heart here. <3

I love you all and I hope you're all having a fabulous week! 

Enjoy general conference; write questions, pray about them, and they will be answered!! I love how that works. 

 Sister Julie Catherine Harris

Life is a Party... September 24, 2014

Okay, so my life is a party. 

We had a Luau at Quail Garden, an elderly facility where we do service on Fridays. It was so much fun! I love all of the residents there and we get to do the funnest things with them! 

And yesterday, we got to go to the Monterey Bay Aquarium!! It was so much fun! We went with one of our ward mission leaders and his family. It was a blast! We saw a lot of cool things including jelly fish, an octopus, shark, sting rays, otters, penguins, and lots and lots of fish! It was so fun and I especially liked the jellies. (:

Things have been going really well! The work is going well and every day I get a little more sad to leave Livermore. This is the last week of the transfer, so we'll see what happens. I absolutely love each of the people here and I love that it's getting a little cooler! This summer has been waaayyy too hot!

Kevin is still doing well! He's in the same situation as far as his divorce goes, but he wants to get baptized soo bad! He is honestly one of the most prepared people I've ever met. 

All is well with the work. I'm loving it every day even though I've been a little under the weather. I'm happy. (:

I've been reading conference talks recently from last conference and I love them! I especially love the talks in the priesthood session. It makes me really excited to watch conference in a couple of weeks with some questions in mind. I absolutely love the spirit I feel when I listen to a prophet's voice. Ain't nothing like it!

Anyways, I don't have a lot of time, but I love you all and I know the Savior loves you all as well!

Love, 

Sister Julie Catherine Harris

Set the pulpit ablaze!!! September 15, 2014

Hello everyone! 

This week was a little more rough than last week, but we're still alive! Mom, 

Sister Gregerson and I were freaking out because us and our families were 

having a slumber party at the same time!! So fun!

Anyways, things are good. Livermore is still good. I can't believe I've been here 

almost 6 months already! Time really flies when you're having fun. I have learned sooooo much in Livermore! 

Run down:

I have had 4 companions in 4 transfers.

I have covered 3 wards in the stake without ever getting in-zone transferred.

I learned how to work in a small town.

I learned to love all people regardless of who they are.

I learned that faith precedes miracles.

I learned that the Beatles were right: love IS all you need.

I learned the difference between table grapes and wine grapes.

I have learned that I can definitely do hard things.

I learned how to be a good friend.

I learned the relationship between virtue and integrity.

I learned a lot about the Atonement.

I learned to enjoy the good things in life instead of worrying or getting anxious.

All good things! 

This week was great. Yesterday, we had stake conference and Elder Alan Packer of the 70 came and spoke to us. President and Sister Mella also spoke and it was a really good meeting! A funny thing happened: While Sister Mella was bearing powerful testimony, the fire alarm went off! It was soo loud and no one really knew what to do. Turns out, a little kid escaped and pulled the alarm. It was funny because her testimony literally set the pulpit ablaze!

Kevin is still doing really well. We love him and Staci so much! They are some of my favorite people ever! 

Everything's going well; Sister Gregerson and I are still enjoying every minute of our work and time here in Livermore. All is well!

I love you!

Sister Julie Catherine Harris

Livermore is on Fire!!! September 8, 2014

Happy Monday! 

This week was soooo good! The Lord blessed us so much with miracles! Tons of them! 

Our first miracle is that we got a new investigator on Saturday. Not just any new investigator, a really solid one. Her name is Daisy and she is so sweet! We found her through her brother who we had met outside the week before. He said he was interested in learning more, so we set an appointment for Saturday. When we showed up for our appointment, he wasn't home but Daisy answered the door. When we found out Edgar wasn't home, we were about to leave but then we just had the feeling to ask if she wanted to learn more. She said yes and got really excited and let us in. We had a really good lesson with her and she is really sweet and sincere. The Spirit was so strong and she had a lot of really good questions. We asked her what it would mean to her if there was a living prophet today and she said, "that would mean everything for me and my family." It was a total miracle! We invited her to be baptized and she said yes! She said we can set a date this Saturday when we go back over. It was really exciting and just what we needed to break the drought in Livermore! It was an answer to our prayers and the prayers of our wonderful ward members. Miracles do happen! Even in places that may seem forsaken!

                           

On Saturday night, we got to go to the temple visitors center with Kevin and Staci. We had a wonderful time with them and it was so good to be able to feel the spirit of the temple with people I love. It was a wonderful evening and on the way home we had a really good lesson with Kevin about fasting.He fasted yesterday that he would be able to take the next steps to be baptized.

Sister Gregerson and I cannot comprehend all of the miracles that are happening. Things are so good and we're so happy. It makes me feel good because I've been working hard in Livermore for 4 transfers and now we get to see the fruits! I love my mission and I love the Lord!

I want everyone to know that the Savior lives and love all of us! Yes, that means YOU! The power by which He blesses us is our faith and our faith is exercised by action and work. Enduring to the end is the way to receive those blessings that He has in store for us. Those blessings are part of our divine nature! I love it. A lot. 

I also love everyone who's reading this! Have a wonderful week and stay tuned for more miracles next week!

Love, Sister Julie Catherine Harris  

yep! September 2, 2014

This week was so good! I can't express through email the happiness I feel right now! 

Yesterday we had a fun p day and now I'm sore (from a spill on the soccer field), but I'm so happy! I love my area, I love my wards, I love my companion, and most of all, I love my mission!

This week I learned more about love. That really is what it's all about. Without charity, we're literally nothing because charity is everything! It's how we can truly become like Christ! Good stuff.

So not much to report this week; things are going well and the work is moving forward at the classic Livermore pace. Slowly but surely with miracles along the way. 

I rejoice every day in the gospel and in the blessings and peace that come from it. It's just so goood! I also rejoice that I'm a missionary and I cherish every moment because it doesn't last forever ):

I'm learning a lot, experiencing a lot, loving a lot, serving a lot, working a lot, and enjoying a lot. 

I love everyone and I'm happy. (: 

Love,

Sister Julie Catherine Harris