The Best Two Years

Well, just like the movie, it really has been the best two years. 

I´m humbled to say that this is going to be my last letter as a missionary that I will be able to send home. 

Over the past 2 years I´ve grown a lot. Not in height, and I´ve lost a lot of weight, but I´ve grown a lot spiritually. I´ve come to a knowledge of what the Lord expects of us. And just like Elder Holland, Words can´t describe how much my mission means to me. I´ve never been so grateful for the time to represent my family, my church, and more importantly, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

It’s been a very high bar to try to reach, but with the Atonement, I´ve seen my heart open to these people of Argentina. I love this country, I love these people, even the weird things that they do, I love all of it. There is something magical about being a missionary. How we can be so involved in the world, yet so blind to everything that really is happening. I´ve talked with people that I normally wouldn´t talk to, I´ve associated with people that 2 years ago, I probably would´ve looked the other way. I´ve sat and testified of our Savior in some of the poorest places I´ve ever been, and I´ve seen smiles come to the faces of these people as they are learning and accepting daily our Savior into their lives. 

If I have learned anything I´ve learned the importance of having a gospel centered home. Starting with a mother and a father who love each other and are willing to lay everything on the "altar of sacrifice" for the Lord. 

I´ve also learned how the Lord communicates with us, and the importance of not only listening, but when we do hear, acting. I had a very special experience with President Heyman back in January 2014 on this very subject.

I´ve seen the Atonement change the hearts of people. I´ve seen the Savior personally take people into his hands, mold them, and make them into better versions of themselves. I´ve seen as it says in Isaiah 1:18 Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.

I´ve truly seen the Lord forgive sins and change them to be "as white as wool".

It’s really been a great journey. If anyone that is reading this is even questioning of going on a mission, or possibly thinking of not going - Go. Just take a leap of faith and go. You will never regret it. There are few things in this world that I will say are really important to me, but my mission has been one of them. 

There´s nothing that puts a smile on my face more than sitting on a chair, or a tree stump, or even on the ground, and sharing the message of the Restoration with these beautiful people. In Argentina, we have come to a conclusion that it’s a nation full of religious confusion. The best part is that our message clears up ALL of that confusion. It gives them a clear answer to all of their questions, yet, the churches that teach the false or not complete doctrine are usually the ones with more "followers". 

Just this week, one of my favorite investigators decided to stop meeting with us. I was brought to tears that night but joy filled my heart knowing that I planted a good seed with these people. They will forever remember the kindness and love that they felt from the Mormon Missionaries.

It’s been a dream. I can honestly say, just like Paul that I´ve fought a good fight. I might not have baptized as many people as I had planned to, but I´ve kept the faith. 

I love you all,

You know what they say.. "See you next week!"

Til we meet, 

in Salt Lake City. :)

Elder Cody Harris