Tuesday 22 April 2014

I am so excited to be an Aunt!!!!!!!!

I am so excited to be an Aunt!!!!!!!! I didn't think he would come this early but I am so excited that he is here. 

-the split our area into two! Delray north and Delray south. Sister Price and I are in the north area. 2 sisters now share the apartment with us. They are so sweet and nice I love them so much already. One of them really reminds me of Sariah. How she talks, acts, everything about her just screams Sariah! I love living with sisters! It is awesome. We handed over lots of our teaching pool to them because they are no longer in our area. It was hard to do but I know it is for the best. We will find many wonderful people in the coming days in addition to the ones we are already working with. 




Temple open house.  The tents where we taught and introduced the temple.

Elder Sommerfeldt being himself.  I love them so much.  They really spoil me. We get along well. They are from Cardston.

Last day of temple open house.  The North sisterhood

-Yesterday was a big day in the Delray ward! It was the first sunday since the ward started that all Aaronic Priesthood holders passed the sacrament! Usually it is a lot of Elders! It was so good to see! 2 of them were recent converts! The ward is strengthening. God is hastening his work. 

-O my the conference with Elder cook was AMAZING!! Shaking his hand and meeting him was so SPECIAL! Apostles are so special. The spirit was so strong the entire conference. All the leaders mostly talked about how God is Hastening his work. He said all the first presidency and Q of 12 feel a strong sense of urgency to move everything forward... Not just missionary work but in all aspects of the kingdom. What an exciting time to be a member. I recorded the whole conference so I plan to type up some of the talks and send them to Katelyn and others. 

-The Temple open house has come to a close. Sister Price and I finally got to go into the reception tent. It is where people come after the tour and ask any questions they have. It is the best place to be in my opinion. People have great questions. Many ask how and when they can be baptized or what they need to do to join the church. It is amazing to see the light in there eyes. The spirit touches them so strong. I love every minute of it. People have lots of amazing questions to that really help me to know what I know well and what I still need to study more.

A goal that I have been diligently working on is having more charity for all. As I have prayed earnestly for this gift and sought opportunities to serve, God has blessed me with many wonderful miracles as he helped deepen my capacity to love. I would like to share a few experiences that relate to this:

The first is while we were harvesting. We blessed a wonderful lady and immediately after the prayer she had tears in her eyes. The spirit was undeniably present. She openly shared that she could feel the love we had for her radiating off of us and she felt God's love as a result. She didn't want to let us in but because she instantly felt the love we had for her she couldn't turn us away. As a representative of Jesus Christ, I am so grateful for the opportunity we have to help others see and understand how much God loves them. The more obedient we are, the more faith we have, and the more the atonement is written on our hearts, the more we will be able to emulate God's love. This is undoubtedly a lesson that I have learned this past week. 




The mission.  I look like a giant.  Can you see me?

The second is a Temple miracle. We frequently go to dinner with a part member family. The mother is a member but the daughter is not. Her heart was always very hardened towards us as she had little interest in what we had to say. However, we invited them to the Temple open house with us and she readily agreed to come. Not only did she love the Temple, but we were really able to develop a personal relationship with her as we spent time driving. She saw us as real people. She saw us for who we really were and not just robots programmed to baptize. She realized that we were the way we were because we lived the Gospel. She saw how happy we were and she wanted that for herself. She was touched by all the volunteers at the Temple and she could see that they to were happy and good people because they lived what they believed. She came to church yesterday and was amazed at how sincere and real everyone was. She was in tears multiple times. It has been amazing to see her heart soften right before our eyes. She accepted a date and couldn't be more happier. This experience really taught me how powerful love is. We can't open people's hearts only they for themselves can do that. But through our love there hearts can be softened. They are touched and open there hearts to the spirit. I know that our success will multiply as we have more love. She is undoubtedly someone that I know that I was sent here to teach. She is like me in so many ways and we relate so well to each other. We truly share something special. Her baptism will be a joyous day. 

Thanks for all the love, prayers, and faith! 

Love,

Sister Hartley 
Sister Hartley and Sister Price
Coloring Easter Eggs

We had a member feed us gizards.  Welcome to the South.


Tuesday 15 April 2014

The Temple is so amazing!

O My!!! Can you say MIRACLE TEMPLE WEEK! I don't even know where to start. I will start with the transfer news... I am staying here in Boynton with Sister Price. We are both pretty shocked by it but know that it is what God wants. I have learned never to predict what will happen, nor listen to anyone else predict what will happen. President is inspired and what ever happens is what God wants. 

 We were riding our bikes home from an appointment and were running late. Even though time was limited, we both knew we needed to stop and contact. We each were talking to different people and turns out that one of them was as a good friend of a less active member who we had just visited! He knew a little about the church but had no interest in learning more. We left him a card and continued on our way. The next week we were visiting the less active Sister and shared a message of the Temple leaving her the commitment to pray and ask who he wanted her to invite to the Open house. We even role played inviting with her to make her feel more comfortable. Days went by and we continued to follow up on the commitment only to find out she hadn't done it yet. We kept the faith. On Saturday we got a phone call from her. She was at the open house with her friend that she invited. It was the same friend that we met at the bus stop! He loved the Temple and told her that he wants the two girls on bikes to come and teach him! We had a powerful restoration with him yesterday and he is so excited to be baptized! It was an OYM/member referral/member commitment/ TEMPLE miracle! God orchestrates everything beautifully. 

Both Sister Price and I were determined to heed your council and get people to the Temple. We didn't have any solid investigators to go so we got the ward directory and started calling part member families and less actives. We felt inspired to keep encouraging a particular less active to go. She related that she really wanted to go with her son but was scared to. We told her that if her nonmember son came we could go to. Knowing that we would accompany them, she readily agreed. We went on Saturday and not only did her son come but his girlfriend came to! They both were deeply touched by the Temple. Emotions were high the entire time. The Son came to church the next day with there 2 teenage kids. They are so elect. The Dad related how he has waited his whole life to join the church with his Mom and have his family active he was just waiting for his girlfriend's heart to soften. The Temple was that catalyst for her. They are so excited to be baptized. 

The Temple is so amazing! It touches peoples hearts deeply and it is amazing to see. We are seeing so many miracles because of it. We had a ward member take her whole Presbyterian bible study group that she attends. They loved it and wanted to know more! They invited us to there next bible study to hear more about the church and have there questions answered. It was an amazing experience. We went to there church and everything. We were able to talk to a dozen ladies about the church. They had so many questions. It was so good to share whole and complete doctrine with them. All were amazed and touched.They were deeply humbled by our young age, knowledge, and excitement. They kept saying, "All young people need to be like this. What is that you believe that makes you like this? I want my kids and grand kids to have this." They had questions about so many things life after death, prophets, families, temples, the atonement, and Joseph Smith. We were able to share so much doctrine with them. It was an amazing learning experience. I was never once nervous. I have learned never to sugar coat anything but to just be bold and say it how it is. All were touched. The Temple is opening peoples eyes! They want to know more about "These Mormons". They want to know why we are how we are!

The Temple is awesome. It is so BEAUTIFUL! I can't wait to take you all there. I love the Cardston Temple but the Fort Lauderdale Temple just might be my favorite. : D 

Open house with part member family


 Went to a Nature place.  Unfortunately, we didn't see gators, just lots of turtles.






Last night we had a really cool experience. We were harvesting and felt good about a particular floor of an apartment building. We had just knocked at a door when one down farther opened up and people were leaving. I felt good about hurrying to contact them. We approached them and it was evident they were in a hurry we testified that God had sent us and that he wanted us to bless there home and family. She seemed annoyed but turned around to let us back into there apartment. Her boyfriend, who was inside, immediately recognized us and exclaimed that he was a member but hadn't been for a while. Fast Forward... turns out he was baptized not to long ago and Mark Olsen was the one who found and baptized him! He kept talking about "Olsen" who was from Canada... I quickly connected the dots. Turns out they still keep in contact and everything. It was really neat. He was excited that we had found him again. He is pretty impressed with Canadians... ha ha. We testified of the Temple and he is so excited to take his fiance and get back involved with the church. God is so Good. 

Guess what is happening this saturday? Mission Conference! We are so excited for it... This is what President said:

 Remember I said we need to keep preparing for the Prophets! We will have the blessing of a Missionary Conference on Saturday, April 19th . We will be taught by Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Council of the Twelve Apostles. We will also have Bishop Gary E. Stevens of the Presiding Bishopric, Elder Erich W. Kopischke of the First Quorum of the Seventy and Elder Stephen E. Thompson of the Seventy attending as well.

Isn't that awesome!!!!!! It is going to be so good. We had no idea that this was happening! It is going to be so good! I feel so spoiled to be in the FFLM mission right now. God is pouring out his blessings here. 

Love Sister Hartley

Wednesday 9 April 2014

I am so grateful for the power of the Temple

I am so grateful to be here at this time. In the area of Boynton Beach South and in the Florida Fort Lauderdale mission. I can't imagine being anywhere else. I absolutely love being at the Temple. The Spirit is so strong as people enter the tents. You can immediately sense those who are yearning for truth. There hunger for peace and knowledge is evident. We are asked so many wonderful questions in the short few minutes we have with them. Since I have seen the 12 minute video countless times, I have directed my attention to observing the people as they watch it. I love seeing the Spirit touch them especially as Elder Holland testifies of eternal families. The Spirit is so strong as many people are moved to tears. I am so grateful for the power of the Temple. 
The temple is on Shot Gun Road.  That will look good on wedding invitations!

We took Dorie to the temple open house and she loved it.  It wanted to be baptised.

We had the wonderful opportunity of taking our investigator to the Temple this past week. It was so special to just watch her reactions and see the evidence of the Spirit working within her. I loved answering her questions and reminding her to pay attention to how she felt. She kept repeating, "Nothing will keep me from leaving". On the comment card she wrote "Getting baptized soon. . . Send in the good word to President Monson" It was priceless. I am so grateful for the power of the Temple. 

Conference was wonderful as always. I think that I greater appreciate the Mormon Tabernacle Choir now since that is all we listen to. ha ha They are so good. I loved Elder Ballard's talk. I think every missionary was jumping inside for joy when he "followed up". Best moment ever. Without following up accountability is absent. With no accountability there is no motivation. True principle for life. I love being accountable to others. Especially the Lord. I love his call to all members to study Preach My Gospel. What a difference this would make! If all members did this there would be no fear. Only strong unwavering faith. After Conference I was talking with a member and she was expressing her fear to share the Gospel. She said that she wants so bad to open her mouth and share the Gospel but doesn't know how or what to say. The Spirit truly gave me the words to say as I shared with her that studying Preach My Gospel everyday would give her the strength she needed. I told her that she would not learn exactly what to say or how to say it but rather her faith in Christ would deepen giving her greater trust in the promise that if she would open her mouth it would be filled. How true this principle is for all of us, not just missionaries. As we study every morning yes we better understand the Gospel and can teach it more simply but the most important thing that happens is that our faith in God increases. It becomes unshaken. Our covenants made with him become real and motivating. His promises are made sure. We know that he will always give us the words to say. So it is with members as well. Study Preach my Gospel and The Book of Mormon every day and then go forth with faith to share the Gospel! Miracles will come. This I promise. 
This gives you an idea of how crazy the roads are.

I think they put the turn around there just for me.

There are so many road and exits and one wrong turn takes you to Miami. We are slowly learning our way.

In the front of the tent at the temple open house.  This is were the first film is shown and we help the people.

We have an exciting week ahead as we focus our efforts effective planning so that we will be able to find and teach God's elect children. I am looking forward to seeing many wonderful miracles. 

Love,

Sister Hartley 

Friday 4 April 2014

Beautiful Fort Lauderdale Temple

Beautiful Fort Lauderdale Temple

It has been a wonderful week. I don't know where to start but here it goes.
Today has been a much needed, fun and relaxing preparation day. We had a lesson in Sister Hunt's home a few weeks ago and ever since then she is so excited about missionary work! It has been wonderful to see. This morning she texted us and said that she wanted to take us shopping at a really good thrift shop in Boca. Lots of wealthy people live in Boca so the thrift shop is really good. We had so much fun with her this morning. She told us that there were 3 rules that we had to comply to before we went. 1. We each had to get three things 2. There was going to be a competition to see who could find the ugliest thing 3. There had to be chocolate involved ha ha it was so much fun. Sister Hunt is hilarious. Both Sister Price and I found some very nice things. I found 2 skirts that are nice and light for summer and also perfect for biking. It was a win win. Sister Price found so many fun skirts as well. It was definitely a success and the chocolate was pretty good to. We have so many amazing members that take really good care of us.

Sister Price and Sister Hartely Temple open house

We had the Temple training on Tuesday with Elder Walker and the best part is that he trained us inside the Temple while giving us are own tour! The Temple is beautiful. Very Florida. The colors and artwork in it are amazing. I love it so much. The outside isn't white either. It is a sand color perfect for South Florida. Saturday was the first day of the open house for the public and Sister Price and I were very blessed to be in the first group of sisters to work at it. The people come and an usher directs them to one of six tents each tent consisting of one companionship of sister missionaries. We welcome them and give them instructional information and then watch a 12 minute temple telling more about the purpose of temples and the history of them. We then hand them off to a tour guide to go through the Temple. This cycle repeats itself every 20 minutes. Sometimes we have 5 people in the tent sometimes we have 50+ it just depends on the group. I love it though. The spirit is so strong in the Tents as we watch the Movie. There are many tears shed. You can definitely tell who is a member and who isn't and also who is a member but not active. Regardless if they are living the Gospel or not the Temple touches them. Our morning started out early 5 am and we got back to are area at 8 so we had one hour to work. It was a long day. They have a senior couple at the Temple all day to relieve us so we can go to the bathroom or grab a snack but for the most part we are in the tents all day. Time goes by fast though. There was a family from Lethbridge there. I also met many people have family in Cardston. It is a small world in the Church. On Wednesday we will go to the Temple with our investigator Dorie. I am so excited she is going to just love it. We work again there on thursday. We cycle through about every 4 days. In total we will have 6 full days at the Temple. I am so excited.
We have really been working well with the ward. I love getting to know members and getting them excited for missionary work. Role playing with members is pretty much the best thing ever. It really helps them see how easy missionary work is. Our Bishopric is so great. Our meal calendar was looking a little bit empty so yesterday during 5th sunday lesson I made sure to target the bishopric and politely let them know that I was hungry. They got a kick of it and when Bro. Yates was conducting he said that the Sisters were hungry so if they had it in there heart they better sign up to feed us. Everyone laughed. It did the trick though. Our Calendar looks pretty full now and we even had a sister offer to by are groceries for us. I have definitely learned that if I need something just ask for it. My Mission has also taught me to be very bold. I think my trainer may have had something to do with that. ha ha My personality has sure changed. I am known for my excitement and boldness. ha ha Missions truly change you. I have learned that when I am excited others are to. If you can make someone laugh they will instantly trust you. Laughing works wonders. The Ward is great. They all hold a special place in my heart.
Up bright and early to to to the Temple                                                     


We saw many small tender mercies of the Lord this week. Little things that just helped me to remember that the Lord knows who I am. We really wanted these particular kind of granola bars but when we went shopping the store didn't have them. We were pretty bummed because most times unless we have a meal appointment a granola bar is our dinner. Anyways yesterday Sister Archie handed us a grocery bag and inside of it was the exact granola bars we wanted! Small thing I know but it made a big difference. Another thing was that last night I was accounting with Elder McMullin our district leader who is from British Columbia. I asked him to guess what I was eating and he said "Shreddies" He was exactly right and then he asked me to guess what he was eating and I had no idea. He said "Wine Gums" haha they don't make those in the states did you know that? Us Canadians got to stick together. We both got a kick out of us both eating our Canadian treats. Our district gets a kick out of the two canadians. They all say that we speak way more polite then Americans. We say "pardon" when we don't understand and americans just say "uh" there a few other canadian words that people don't say here. Anyways I am pretty proud to be a Canadian.