Hey,
Thanks for the email. I enjoyed reading it. I had a great birthday. We kind of celebrated it on Monday because yesterday we went on exchanges with the Zone Leaders. One of the zone leaders came down here for the day and Elder Comer went with them for the day. So we celebrated my birthday on Monday so we could all be together. We went to dinner with this lady named Sister Whitley. She's like 80 years old and she loves being with us and we enjoy spending time with her because she is pretty funny. But anyway we went to dinner with her at a Mexican place called rey-azteca and when the employees found out it was my birthday they all sang to me, and made me where this really big hat (a chombrero) and they gave me free ice cream. It was fun, and made me happy.
And I got your letter and box on Monday as well. Thank you. I enjoyed opening the box and I needed some new socks. And I always enjoy candy too. But I had a really good birthday yesterday too. We were on exchanges with one of the zone leaders. We had fun together and we invited a lady named Pam to be baptized. We weren't really planning on it beforehand but then she started telling us how she wanted to change and be made clean from all her sins so we taught her about repentance and baptism and then invited her to be baptized. She said that she would and so we set a date for October 3. She hasn't been able to make it to church though because she is busy with school. So you could pray for her that she can find the time and be able to come to church each Sunday because you have to come to church 4 times before you can be baptized. But its wonderful that she is willing to get baptized and it made us all very happy. And that definitely made the day go really good. :)
And then later in the day we were going to an appointment and a guy standing on the corner of the street yelled out to us. He was a pretty funny guy. He told us if we fed him spiritually he would rap to us. lol. So we shared some scriptures with him, one of them was mosiah 4:30, and then he rapped to us and he was actually a pretty good singer. lol. It was funny, and enjoyable. We took pictures with him which i will send pretty soon. It was funny. He was a cool guy. His name was Rodney but his nickname is "Iron" because he said his lyrics are hard like iron. lol. It was sweet.
But backing up, for Thursday and Friday and Saturday of last week we were in Richmond with the training assistants. There names were Elder Petersen and Elder Craig. On the Thursday I went on exchanges with Elder Petersen and I went with him to all of his appointments. And then on friday Elder Carter and I were with Elder Craig and we went on exchanges with him. It was a lot of fun. The purpose of it was for them to tell us what we need to work on and where we are doing good at but we had alot of fun together. They were fun to hang out with. They gave us some good advice. They taught us how to use the area book (which is a book that contains all the people missionaries have taught and contacted before in the area) more in our planning each night. And then on Saturday we came back to Newport News.
We had interviews with the Mission President which went well. They were really short and he basically just asked how we were doing and what we were working on. Then Saturday night was sister Cherry's baptism. Overall, the baptism went really well, and the Spirit was really strong, but there were some things that could have been better. lol. First of all, it takes like two hours to fill up the font, and we are in charge of doing that. So we got there around 4 to clean it out and to start filling it. And while it was filling we would just check it every few mins. There isnt really too much to do while its filling because we have to stay at the church while it is filling. But anyway, somehow we kind of lost track of time, and we walk in to the font, and it had flooded all over the carpet. There was like an inch of water on the carpet. lol. And the baptism started in like twenty minutes. It was pretty bad, somehow the drains on the side of the font (which are there to drain the water so it doesn't overflow) were clogged and the water got everywhere. So we immediately started mopping it up and drying it with paper towels. And then people started showing up which didnt help. But we called the branch president and he knew someone with a wet/dry vacuum and so we were able to use that to vacuum most of the water. So it really wasn't that bad but it was a good story for the journal. lol. And then the baptism took like an hour and a half and they are only supposed to be 30-40 mins. People kept getting up to say stuff. And one guy started talking about how science is discovering other universes and how soon people will be able to be invisible and how that relates to the fact that science is catching up to religion. lol. I was confused. But I'm not complaining cause the baptism was great. There were just some funny memorable stories that happened. And like i said the spirit was really strong and afterwards sister cherry said that she "had never felt like this in her whole life" and she said that she felt like she "had been looking for this feeling her whole life." It was cool to hear. And then on Sunday we confirmed her. The branch president (President Pettaway) did the confirmation but we were all standing it and right after it Sister cherry gathered us three missionaries all in and hugged us. So Saturday and Sunday were pretty neat days that I will remember. And I'm looking forward to having more highlights throughout my mission too.
Well I think that's about it. It was a good week. Oh and I did not get transferred. Elder Carter is heading to a city called Poquoson. But Elder Comer and I are staying and we are getting a new missionary named Elder Beckman. We should see him tomorrow. So that'll be good. And one transfer is already done. :)
Thanks again for the letters and emails. I enjoy them. I'm glad you had a good birthday mom and you all had a fun weekend. Thanks for the prayers. I love you.
Elder Larson
Friday, August 28, 2009
Friday, August 14, 2009
Aug 12 Letter
Hey mom and dad,
I am doing great! Yeah, we do have a very small branch. I counted once all the people in sacrament meeting and it was like 30. Which sounds alot bigger than it really is. But everyone is really nice and they all love the missionaries. And the we are in charge of teaching the gospel doctrine class, and sometimes the priesthood lesson. So yeah we do get to do our share of work. And when I taught the gospel doctrine class there were like 5 people in the class. lol.
Thats really neat you get to meet with all the general authorities. I agree, it is so cool to be in the presence of a general authority. They always have a strong presence about them. I'm sorry about sister campbell and your bike. Thats too bad. I don't need a lock for mine, it came with one. Thanks though. But one thing I've noticed is you can never have enough ties or socks here.
Everything is going well here though. The work is going well. There are a couple of baptisms happening this weekend in our district that we are plannig on attending. And we are still set to have one on the 22nd. Hopefully we will have more set up soon. And transfers are coming up pretty quick too. Next week is our last full week. I hope I stay where I am at though, I really like it here and my companions. I'm sure something will change though. And lets see, last Wednesday after we were done emailing I went and got my Virginia's driver license. Everything went smoothly with that. But right now I am only riding bikes. Oh and yesterday it was so hot. It was like 115 with the heat index. I was so sweaty lol. And every appointment we would go to people would give us water bottles and you drink the water bottles like they are small galsses of water, just a nice little drink, cause you sweat so much.
Last Wednesday night we had like an hour left and we didnt have an appointment so were about to start knocking doors. And we had jsut got done with an appointment and a storm had started moving in. And there was lots of lightning but it was really raining too much. So we weren't sure what to do, cause a little rain is nothing but we didn't want to be dumb and be in the middle of a lightning storm, cause you could see the lighting hitting the ground a mile or two away. So anyway, we weren't sure what to do, but we decided to start knocking until it got worse, but right as we started a guy came outside his house, and yelled to us. And he said, "Hey do you guys want to come inside?" So obviously we were said yeah :) and we went inside. We started talking to him and he asked us what we do and we told him and then he told us that he never lets people in his house but he had a feeling he should invite us in. :) So we gave him a book of mormon and we read from it and taught him the Restoration. It was a good lesson and he was really interested. :) But we haven't gotten to see him since cause he works a ton. But it was a really neat story how we found him and I know the Lord was rewarding us for being diligent. :)
Then Thursday we had a zone conference with the mission president and the zone. It went well. He told us we need to wake up, step up, toughen up, grow up, and measure up. So he wants us to work hard. :) And our companionship got to do a role play in fornt of the zone. We role played teaching a member the principle of obedience. I used the scriptures Helaman 10:4-5 and used the example of Nephi. It went really well. I was happy about it.
And that night we had dinner with President Pettaway, the branch president. It was a great dinner and he makes amzing shrimp. lol. It really was so good. Apparently once he ate shrimp so much trying to perfect his recipe he lost his gall bladder. lol. But he is a really nice guy and I like him alot. He visited Clara with us (the lady set for baptism on the 22nd) and she is really excited to be baptized. She has to make it to church this Sunday to be baptized on the 22nd but she said no matter what, if she misses church, she is going to be baptized at some time. :) And she has some health concerns so its somewhat likely she could miss church.
And sundays are the best. All while I was growing up I thought Sundays were the worst day of the week but now they are my favorite cause you get to come home from church feeling great. We call them spiritual boost days. Well, Im doing great. Thanks for the emails and the letters. I always like reading your response to my emails. :) Well have a great day and week. All of you are in my prayers everyday. I love you.
Elder Larson
I am doing great! Yeah, we do have a very small branch. I counted once all the people in sacrament meeting and it was like 30. Which sounds alot bigger than it really is. But everyone is really nice and they all love the missionaries. And the we are in charge of teaching the gospel doctrine class, and sometimes the priesthood lesson. So yeah we do get to do our share of work. And when I taught the gospel doctrine class there were like 5 people in the class. lol.
Thats really neat you get to meet with all the general authorities. I agree, it is so cool to be in the presence of a general authority. They always have a strong presence about them. I'm sorry about sister campbell and your bike. Thats too bad. I don't need a lock for mine, it came with one. Thanks though. But one thing I've noticed is you can never have enough ties or socks here.
Everything is going well here though. The work is going well. There are a couple of baptisms happening this weekend in our district that we are plannig on attending. And we are still set to have one on the 22nd. Hopefully we will have more set up soon. And transfers are coming up pretty quick too. Next week is our last full week. I hope I stay where I am at though, I really like it here and my companions. I'm sure something will change though. And lets see, last Wednesday after we were done emailing I went and got my Virginia's driver license. Everything went smoothly with that. But right now I am only riding bikes. Oh and yesterday it was so hot. It was like 115 with the heat index. I was so sweaty lol. And every appointment we would go to people would give us water bottles and you drink the water bottles like they are small galsses of water, just a nice little drink, cause you sweat so much.
Last Wednesday night we had like an hour left and we didnt have an appointment so were about to start knocking doors. And we had jsut got done with an appointment and a storm had started moving in. And there was lots of lightning but it was really raining too much. So we weren't sure what to do, cause a little rain is nothing but we didn't want to be dumb and be in the middle of a lightning storm, cause you could see the lighting hitting the ground a mile or two away. So anyway, we weren't sure what to do, but we decided to start knocking until it got worse, but right as we started a guy came outside his house, and yelled to us. And he said, "Hey do you guys want to come inside?" So obviously we were said yeah :) and we went inside. We started talking to him and he asked us what we do and we told him and then he told us that he never lets people in his house but he had a feeling he should invite us in. :) So we gave him a book of mormon and we read from it and taught him the Restoration. It was a good lesson and he was really interested. :) But we haven't gotten to see him since cause he works a ton. But it was a really neat story how we found him and I know the Lord was rewarding us for being diligent. :)
Then Thursday we had a zone conference with the mission president and the zone. It went well. He told us we need to wake up, step up, toughen up, grow up, and measure up. So he wants us to work hard. :) And our companionship got to do a role play in fornt of the zone. We role played teaching a member the principle of obedience. I used the scriptures Helaman 10:4-5 and used the example of Nephi. It went really well. I was happy about it.
And that night we had dinner with President Pettaway, the branch president. It was a great dinner and he makes amzing shrimp. lol. It really was so good. Apparently once he ate shrimp so much trying to perfect his recipe he lost his gall bladder. lol. But he is a really nice guy and I like him alot. He visited Clara with us (the lady set for baptism on the 22nd) and she is really excited to be baptized. She has to make it to church this Sunday to be baptized on the 22nd but she said no matter what, if she misses church, she is going to be baptized at some time. :) And she has some health concerns so its somewhat likely she could miss church.
And sundays are the best. All while I was growing up I thought Sundays were the worst day of the week but now they are my favorite cause you get to come home from church feeling great. We call them spiritual boost days. Well, Im doing great. Thanks for the emails and the letters. I always like reading your response to my emails. :) Well have a great day and week. All of you are in my prayers everyday. I love you.
Elder Larson
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
5 Aug 2009
Hey,
First I'll reply to your email so I don't forget to do that. That's exciting to hear about Kyle Baird. He's going to love it. And Ill keep an eye out for those sister missionaries. President Millburn said the Virginia mission is increasing in size so its cool to see so many people being sent here. They'll love it. :) My bike came with two extra tubes and tools for all the bolts and stuff but it doesn't have a repair kit. But I can get one for cheap at walmart though so I don't think you need to worry about it.
Yeah we are still in a 3some. transfers are near the end of August so things could change then. We'll see. And yeah they are great companions. They are both really good at teaching and talking to people. And they are nice and fun to be with. WE are good friends. So things are going well. We don't have any real cool stories this week though.
Oh but here's a funny story. Yesterday we knocked on this lady's door. We tell her who we are and stuff and we ask her we can teach her. And she says, "Well actually I'm kind of busy right now." So we are like ok, when is a better time? And she is like, "Well actually... I'm atheist." And we laughed and were like oh ok, well just out of curiosity, why are you atheist? And then she was like, "Well actually I just don't want to be Mormon." lol. We were laughing, and we were like, next time, just tell us your not interested. lol. It was funny.
oh and Elder Carter is from Colorada and elder Comer is from Utah.
I'm sorry church is stressful. But I'm sure you can handle it. :) I guess my only advice is to remember the Lord gave us a brain so we can think for our selves and he is not going to give us the answer to every question.
I'm glad you had fun camping. That sounded fun.
Well things are going well here. I'm trying to think of whats been going on. We found this one guy named Vernon. Whenever we get media referrals (when someone orders a dvd or BOM or something) we tract around the area because often times we are sent to an area and not a specific person. So we were tracting around the house and we ran into this guy named Vernon. He is an ex-marine who just got out of jail for the last 6 yrs. Idk what for though. But he also used to be a pastor but he wants to find a different church. So we have been teaching him and having him read out of the BOM and he really likes it. He also reads alot more than we ask him too. :) He wants to come to church too but hasn't yet because his wife had to work and he wants to go with her. So he is a pretty solid investigator so far. :)
And on the 3rd it was Elder Carters birthday as well as Annette's and Presidents Grimes. Happy Birthday by the way. :) So on the 3rd there was a birthday party (well we had cake and ice cream and then taught a lesson) for Elder Carter and me so that was fun. They had a cake with both of our names on it and wrote us each a card. So that made me really happy. :)
Well I have to go. I'm sending a memory card with pictures on it in the mail today. So you should get those soon. :) Thanks for the mail and emails.
Love Elder Larson
First I'll reply to your email so I don't forget to do that. That's exciting to hear about Kyle Baird. He's going to love it. And Ill keep an eye out for those sister missionaries. President Millburn said the Virginia mission is increasing in size so its cool to see so many people being sent here. They'll love it. :) My bike came with two extra tubes and tools for all the bolts and stuff but it doesn't have a repair kit. But I can get one for cheap at walmart though so I don't think you need to worry about it.
Yeah we are still in a 3some. transfers are near the end of August so things could change then. We'll see. And yeah they are great companions. They are both really good at teaching and talking to people. And they are nice and fun to be with. WE are good friends. So things are going well. We don't have any real cool stories this week though.
Oh but here's a funny story. Yesterday we knocked on this lady's door. We tell her who we are and stuff and we ask her we can teach her. And she says, "Well actually I'm kind of busy right now." So we are like ok, when is a better time? And she is like, "Well actually... I'm atheist." And we laughed and were like oh ok, well just out of curiosity, why are you atheist? And then she was like, "Well actually I just don't want to be Mormon." lol. We were laughing, and we were like, next time, just tell us your not interested. lol. It was funny.
oh and Elder Carter is from Colorada and elder Comer is from Utah.
I'm sorry church is stressful. But I'm sure you can handle it. :) I guess my only advice is to remember the Lord gave us a brain so we can think for our selves and he is not going to give us the answer to every question.
I'm glad you had fun camping. That sounded fun.
Well things are going well here. I'm trying to think of whats been going on. We found this one guy named Vernon. Whenever we get media referrals (when someone orders a dvd or BOM or something) we tract around the area because often times we are sent to an area and not a specific person. So we were tracting around the house and we ran into this guy named Vernon. He is an ex-marine who just got out of jail for the last 6 yrs. Idk what for though. But he also used to be a pastor but he wants to find a different church. So we have been teaching him and having him read out of the BOM and he really likes it. He also reads alot more than we ask him too. :) He wants to come to church too but hasn't yet because his wife had to work and he wants to go with her. So he is a pretty solid investigator so far. :)
And on the 3rd it was Elder Carters birthday as well as Annette's and Presidents Grimes. Happy Birthday by the way. :) So on the 3rd there was a birthday party (well we had cake and ice cream and then taught a lesson) for Elder Carter and me so that was fun. They had a cake with both of our names on it and wrote us each a card. So that made me really happy. :)
Well I have to go. I'm sending a memory card with pictures on it in the mail today. So you should get those soon. :) Thanks for the mail and emails.
Love Elder Larson
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