Opposition

Dear family and friends,

I don't know how many of you actually read this letter, or if you do, remember what I said last week, but if not, here's a direct quote: 

"What a week! Things have honestly fallen into our laps, so to speak. when we least expected it and probably didn't even deserve it.  People just opening their doors and letting us in, investigators reading and changing and progressing, etc.  It´s actually really scary, because "it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things."  Who knows what kind of crazy things could be waiting this week haha..."

There was definitely some opposition this week!! Haha our investigators are dropping like flies, so to speak, we've dropped 6 or 7 this week that weren't progressing very much.  And the ones that were progressing aren't really progressing anymore.  It was kind of the opposite of last week, an unusual amount of people were rejecting us.  All is well though, challenges are the best. 

The week ended with a blow: I'm leaving Bellamar! I love the members here so much, it's always such a difficult thing leaving all the relationships made.  Transfers are an interesting experience.  You sit there on pins and needles with the phone always in reach, waiting nervously for a call.  In that call, there's a high possibility that the voice on the other end says, "Pack your bags and say goodbye to all your friends and acquaintances there, you're moving in 36 hours." Is there any other experience in life that relates to that!? There are probably lots of people that have similar situations that I'm just unaware of, but that's never happened in my life before the mission and I hope it never happens after! It's rough, definitely the hardest part of being a missionary.  I'm hoping it's the last time I'll have to do it, and that I can just stay in Monserrate, Trujillo (my new area) for the rest of my mission.  4.5 transfers, so we'll see...

All that being said, however, it just makes you so grateful for the things you know.  For example, I was fascinated this week by Alma 42.  There are so many deep things there that I don't understand yet, but I'm so grateful for the knowledge of the Savior's atoning sacrifice! That was the only possible thing that could have worked; the only way to satisfy justice, overcome physical death, and still give fallen man the chance to conquer spiritual death through a period of probation, agency, repentance, and mercy.  He did it!! Death is conquered, man is free, Christ has won the victory! That knowledge puts my little bitty problems and sadness in perspective.  Again, how great the importance to make these things known to the inhabitants of the earth! 

I'll definitely miss Bellamar, Elder McMillan, and all the good memories made here.  But I know that many good things await in Monserrate! Love you all tons and hope you have a great week! Go Jazz!

Elder Tanner Hart

Semana Santa (Holy Week)

Dear family and friends,

Ammon says, "Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance." Elder Bednar emphasized the phrase "it is given" in teaching that it´s Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ that give us success, we don´t earn it or deserve it! That´s something that we´ve definitely seen this week.  What a week! Things have honestly fallen into our laps, so to speak. when we least expected it and probably didn´t even deserve it.  People just opening their doors and letting us in, investigators reading and changing and progressing, etc.  It´s actually really scary, because "it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things."  Who knows what kind of crazy things could be waiting this week haha... 

Another fun thing this week has been our exercising habits.  I haven´t had a companion who likes exercise in quite awhile, so I´ve gotten used to running the stairs.  That, however, was getting awfully boring.  This week me and Elder McMillan agreed to get out and take a little jog to a nearby park, which used to be against the rules but is now again permited.  My oh my, it was a treat.  The cool air, getting out and stretching the legs and sprinting and pull-ups, the whole deal.  I enjoyed it.

Also concerning my physical condition, I was playing goalie today and tried to stop a penalty kick.  I dove right in anticipation, but I guessed wrong--he kicked up and left.  I reached my left hand up and that ball zipped right through my fingers like it was nothing.  My left middle finger is now quite sore.  But come on people, are we really gonna play with penalty kicks from 12 feet away from the goal??

Also, can someone explain Psalms 110:1 to me?

I love Easter! It was a completely normal day for us, but I did have in the back of my mind the significance of the day.  What hope the resurrection offers!! I love Alma the Younger´s experience: "And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, I remembered also to have heard my father prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world....And now, behold, when I thought this, I could remember my pains no more...And oh, what joy, and what marvelous light I did behold."  It´s impossible to remain in darkness and despair when one comprehends and remembers the resurrection of Christ! He already overcame death and conquered Satan! I know He lives and directs his restored church!

I love you all!

Tanner

April 10, 2017

Dear family and friends,

Not lots of things are happening here.  Today should have been transfer day, but because of the flooding and such, the roads are pretty damaged! President informed us last week that there would be no changes, so this week was completely normal! It all feels weird, starting a new transfer when no one was transfered! I was a fan though, I love Bellamar a lot and look forward to (hopefully) six more weeks! President told us that there could possibly be mid-transfer transfers, so more news coming on that if it happens...

As far as the work goes...all is well.  One of the people we had that was progressing and we thought could be baptized (the flirty one, if you´ve read past emails) is probably not going to be baptized anymore.  We found out this week that the lady he was flirting with (and that flirted with him!) does not like him or want to marry him.  So all of that got pretty awkward pretty fast.  Hopefully we can find him soon, he also has a nephew in the ward that can maybe help us! 

We were told about a new room this week that we really want to move into, so hopefully that happens...it sounds big.  The fact of me including that detail in this email shows the scarceness of source material for this week haha.

I´ve been doing what President Nelson invited us to do in general conference about studying every reference to Jesus Christ in the topical guide, and I love it! It´s unbelievable how it changes my attitude, makes me more excited to do the work, and increases my love for everyone in this little part of Chimbote! And I´ve only been through 3 of the 57 different titles!

Also, I heard North Carolina won the national championship, so my bracket was almost good! Definitely picked the Zags.

Love you all, have a wonderful week!

Tanner

After a three week break....

Hello everyone! 

After a few weeks off, it´s good to greet you again.;)  The 20th there was no internet connection here in Bellamar because off all the rains and flooding in Perú, and the 27th I read two weeks worth of emails and had no time to do anything.  But I´m alive and well! Nothing happened here though, except one night of really hard rain.  That is, really hard for drain-less, gutter-less, adobe house Perú.  

I can barely remember all the things that happened the past three weeks! I guess the one that stands out the most was Keysi´s baptism, which took place on March 24th.  She´s been really converted, keeping the sabbath day holy and dressing modestly even in the face of mean comments from her family.  She went to both sessions of general conference yesterday and has lots of friends in the church.  It´s so interesting to watch a person change from the first meeting to their baptism.  She´s just different! There´s a new light, more confidence, something almost unexplainable.  It´s a really neat experience, a cool thing to be a part of.

In other news:
-I picked Gonzaga in the title game. I thought they would be facing Kansas...but still! 22 first round games right, 6 of the sweet sixteen, 2 of the elite eight, then just Gonzaga.  Go Zags. ;)
-Because of the rains and floods, the roads are pretty bad, and President Rios infromed us this week that there will be no changes! I´m excited to be here in Bellamar until May 22!
Of course, I loved general conference yesterday.  Everyone has a favorite talk right? Mine was Gary B. Sabin, just for his BYU football reference! Haha just kidding, though he did give a great talk, as well as all the others.  What a blessing, what an opportunity, to hear from leaders of the real, living church of Jesus Christ!  I loved the focus on Him and the chance I had to refocus on Him.  What an evidence of the truthfulness of the church! There´s just this feeling about the whole thing that has to come from God.  I know it´s Christ´s church, and that this is His work! I love it.

Love, Tanner