6 Jun 2011

Hello,

Well we have had a good week. The highlight would be on saturday we had the baptism we were hoping for! Her name was P*atsy B*ragg. It was great. She is an older lady so it is harder for her to come to church, but she has an awesome testimony. She has a pretty cool story. She had a son who passed away in a bicycle accident but when he passed away he had been meeting with missionaries, and after he passed Patsy found alot fo the material that the missionaries had given her son and so she started reading it. And very soon after that the missionaries just happened to knock on Patsy's door. And Patsy let them in and Patsy knew that it was right and told us she knows that her son was pleased when she got baptized and said she knows he was at her baptism. It was pretty neat. I believe her.

So that was neat, and then yesterday some friends wanted to hang out with her and she told them no, and that sunday was her church day so she came and got confirmed. She is a very strong lady.

Well that is pretty much it. On Friday there was a zone meeting and I am in the same zone as Elder H*aley and Elder L*andry so it was sweet to see them again. The meeting was on obedience and unity. This Friday I have another District Meeting so I am thinking about what to do for that. I do like that poem I might share that.

I think it would be great to go and see grandma and grandpa. I dont know how I am going to feel when I get home but I would like to see them, so I think I will want to go. Well the days are dwindling down it is crazy. This past week I got my going home papers. I found out all about my flight and everything about gonig home... Maybe if you have some free time you could search for a company that ships bikes, or find out what the best way to do that is.

Thanks. Well I love you, I am doing great. I am emotionally confused cause of going home there are just alot of emotions fighting for attention lol. But thank you for the email and tell everyone at home I am excited to see them and I am doing well. The church is true. Have a good week.

Love

Elder Larson

30 May 2011

Hello,

Well it has been a good week. We are having lots of fun in Norfolk. We had a district meeting Friday that went really good. Everyone said it was great. We talked alot about atonement and sticking to the fundamentals of the Gospel. Ever since Elder Jensen of the Presidency of the Seventy came a few months ago I have spent ltos of time studying the atonement and I love studying it and learning of God's love for us.

But I am enjoying this area alot more now. I feel like I am more comfortable as district leader and Elder Kohler and Elder Wolfgramm and I have a blast together. We are always laughing. They kind of remind me of having little brothers. lol. Cause they love to argue about little things and do these little funny immature things to each other but it is always in a fun way. For example, the other day we were at Wendys having lunch, and we were sitting at a booth and Elder Wolfgramm and I were on one side, and Elder Kohler was on the other. And Elder Kohler had a frosty that Elder Wolfgramm wanted, and every time Elder Kohler turned his head Elder Wolfgramm stuck his spoon into his frosty cup to try and steal some of it. And then he came saying stuff like whats that over there and pointing to the back wall to try and get Elder Kohler to turn around. I was just laughing at them. Little things like that happen all the time. lol Sometimes Elder Kohler walks into the kitchen and Elder Wolfgramm is just eating his food. lol. Its hilarious. And Elder Kohler does his share of things to Elder Wolfgramm too. This companionship might not survive if the only change after this transfer is me leaving. I dont know if they could ever stay focused without me lol.

We might have a baptism this saturday. We had two of our investigators show up to church on sunday which was good and it was the first time they came in a while. However the one with a date this saturday did not come so we will have to see how she is still ready. We are seeing her tomorrow.

Well, I am getting scared to come home... The closer it gets the more it is setting in and I feel like the excitement I once had to see everyone is getting buried by the realization that it actually is going to end and this wonderful time I have to be a missionary will be over. I dont want it to end. Just thinking about all the stresses that I am suddenly going to have to worry about once I get home doesnt sound good at all and I would rather just keep being able to only have to worry about serving others. Realizing that it will soon be over has made me realize how much I love doing it. But, I know that is it the Lords will so I am sure it will work out and be for the best.

Well, I love you, and thank you for your email and advice. James, if you get to read this, you are about to start the best two years of your life... There will be hard times, fun times, times where you hate your companion, times where you feel like a spiritual bomb went off and your testimony will be so confirmed, just do your best and all of it will work for your good. Sometimes it takes awhile to see how things are working for your good but the time always comes when you will be able to see. Well I love you. I love you all and thanks for your prayers. Take care

Love,

Elder Larson




NOTICE: This email

23 May 2011

Hello,

Well thank your for the email. First of all, my new address is 6411 crescent way apt 203, Norfolk, VA 23513. And i am glad you got my box there is another one on the way which is a little bit bigger. It is actually pretty big and I don't know how I accumulated so much stuff but i did and it is also stuff that I have not needed so you should be getting that box soon too. I think the predicted day was wednesday.

Well I really appreciate your help in paying for my mission and whatever money transfers you make are fine with me.

Well this new area is good. it is fun being in a threesome. It is getting really hot and we do a lot of biking. We have a couple of investigators that have baptismal dates soon but they havent really been coming to church from what I've heard so we need to work with them. This area has alot of poorer areas, like most of the areas I have been in. Its good though the people are more humble.
I dont know how to handle this district leader position. President Perry told me to call the sisters every night and that i need to really get to know them and be involved with them. I just dont know, I feel like I am terrible at talking to girls and i honestly have nothing to say and the sisters here are to be honest are pretty good looking. SO i feel like its impossible to get to know them without flirting and they all live together. I just dont know what to do. I feel like if I am trying to not flirt they will think I do not like them and if I do flirt i have a quilty conscience, and then on top of that conflict I am somehow supposed to empower them and inspire them and I am still completely knew to the area. Anyway, I know it is not as bad as i think it is I just wish I was better with these types of situations. It would be so much better to just have a district of elders.

Oh well, like I said last time Im sure it will just be a good learning experience. But if you have any advice feel free...Well I am super excited to see you all. I love you and hoep you have a good week!

Love

Elder Larson