Nine Months, 44 Students, 66 books... 1 GOD!

This is my Final application for the last book of my nine months SBS experience. I can't believe in nine months I have walked through the BIble completely. God has done so much... I wish I could say more, but words really can't describe... Read and enjoy:

Final Application: “The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing, whether good or evil.” Ecc. 12:13-14


These past 9 months God has taught me so much. He continues to amaze me at the truth that he speaks over me, and how He does it with such love and patience. This verse has basically summed up everything that I feel like I have learned this year: To fear God. I have learned not to tolerate sin, and that this life is not about me at all, it’s about Him and His glory, and I’ve learned to have an eternal perspective. With all the knowledge I have gained this year, at times I’ve found it so hard to shut my mind off; I began to over evaluate things and details but I have finally learned the simple basics that I always need to go back to: the beginning of wisdom is to fear God. As long as I fear God above all other things, then the rest of my life will line up within that fear of God.

I have had a huge revelation and realization of my own humanity and my need for a savior. I have come to see the wickedness inside of myself, my need for God’s grace and for His love; He has restored the joy of my salvation. I know that this is only the beginning of what else God wants to teach me, do with me and where he wants to take me. I don’t ever want the fear of God to leave me. I want to continually be in fear of Him and in remembrance of His might and power and glory so that I will always walk humbly at this revelation. I pray that these truths will truly be bound to my heart and mind.

God,
All I want and all I need is YOU. Thank you so much for what you have done in my life. I’m not deserving of any of it. Thank you for your patience, your grace and love in my life. Please continue to give me revelation of your glory so that I can truly fear you. I want to walk in a fear of you over a fear of man every single day of my life. I want this fear of you to bring a pursuit of holiness and a new level of intolerance of sin. I long to glorify you mightily in my life. May all that people see in me be nothing less than your grace and love. I long to give my life to you through love and devotion to you. I do; I give it all to you and I commit myself to you, your plans for me. I commit my life to glorify you, for the purpose of Your Kingdom. Whether in suffering or joy. You are worthy of it all. I praise you for your power, beauty and love. All that I can say is ‘thank you’.

Goodbyes -- Bittersweet

This morning I woke up at 6am (which is very early for me... I'm not a morning person) to say goodbye to the Spring Discipleship Training School(DTS). Since I've been here for 9 months we have seen 3 different DTS' go through but this one was the one that I have gotten to spend the most time with. These students were amazing! There were three girls in particular that I really got to know and became good friends with. It was amazing to be able to speak into their lives but I think that I benefited more from what they spoke into my life. They really helped encourage me and push me through this last quarter of SBS.

We said goodbye to them this morning because they are headed for outreach to India and the Ukraine. The last time I said goodbye to people close to me was when I left home to come here, but I knew that I would be back home in nine months. This goodbye was different. I had made these amazing friends and had to say goodbye knowing that I may never see them again (praying that I will) However, I couldn't help but to praise God in the midst of the sadness, thanking Him for bringing us together in the first place.
My heart really does hurt to leave such incredible God-fearing people. They have loved me and I have loved them so much! I began to realize that this same thing is about to happen in 3 weeks when I have to say goodbye to my SBS Class. It's bittersweet because I know that by saying goodbye I am releasing them to go and preach the gospel all over the world, yet I am sacrificing a friend. In my SBS class we have people preparing to go onto ministry in India, South Africa, Mozambique, Australia, Canada... I could go on. It's been incredible to see how God has blessed these relationships and I know that I will cross paths with many of them again, if not we will always stay in contact. These are sisters and brothers that will always be in my heart and prayers.

Please pray that I will not shrink into myself and keep from pouring into relationships out of a fear of having to say goodbye. I don't want to ever keep from investing in people's lives just because I know that I will have to say goodbye eventually. I have come to realize that I would rather invest in relationships and share a deep love with my brothers and sisters and have a heart breaking goodbye, than to never know them at all.

This is the life of a missionary, always serving, always trusting, always changing, always moving, always saying goodbye. It really is a beautiful life... but that doesn't mean it's not going to be hard. I think sometimes the struggles are the most beautiful part.

I love you all so much. You really don't know the amount of compassion that God has put on my heart for every single one of you.

Sad Story= sunny day, a lake and a phone

Yesterday was a beautiful sunny day here in Lakeside Montana so a few of us went down to the dock at the lake to lay in the sun and relax on our day off. I had a great conversation with my sister Grashia and when I went to hang up and put my phone in my purse it missed my purse and slipped perfectly through the crack of the planks of the dock. (and when I say "perfectly" I really mean you could not have reenacted the perfection of this slip up... ) I didn't even realize what had happened until I heard the "plop" of the water.

All this to say... accidents happen and I would love to get your phone numbers because they are all in the bottom of the lake on my phone. So, If you could email me your numbers that would be great. This is also a good time to mention that I got a new email address. It is at the bottom.

I hope that you have an amazing Sunday "Sabbath" and get some rest. I am really looking forward to being home with you all soon in 4 weeks. Love you all

sharis.harmon@gmail.com