Hello Family,
Well things are going well in Hampton. We had a really good mission conference. It started at 10 oclock and went until 4. The Spirit was very strong there. We had the opportunity to hear the testimony of a recent convert, and also President Millburn read us notes and impressions from his study journal that he gathered throughout his time as a mission president and that he had selected to share. So those were fun to write down. And then at the end there was a testimony meeting which lasted longer than it was planned to go. But it was really good, and of course everyone was crying. Well, I wasnt, but lots of people were. President Millburn bore his testimony at the end, and then we sang God be with you til we meet again, and then when that song ended all you could hear were sniffs from people crying. Lol. i guess it was a good bittersweet moment. I think one of the biggest lessons a mission teaches is how to get used to change. I was also very joyed to see Elder Shelley and Elder White again. They are doing good, and it was fun to talk to them. Also, we did have transfer calls last night and Elder Haley and I are staying, which I am happy about.
Well Joylyn and Nicole are both doing great still. Joylyn came to church with her kids, and she liked it again and wants to keep coming. She really likes us and the church alot but I dont think she quite has a testimony yet. It is hard for her when she comes to church because she has three kids that are pretty roudy. She has a 5 month old baby, a 5 year old, and a 9 year old and the two younger ones dont sit still. I tried to really help her out with the kids though, luckily I have some practice doing that. :) She sat with us, so I felt like I was back at home being the one in charge to keep the kids busy and quiet. I gave them papers from our area book to draw on and also gave them my planner to draw on and to look at and to beat up to try to keep them occupied. It worked, but Joylyn still has a handful with her little baby. I wish I could help out with the baby but we arent allowed to hold kids, so I cant do much. It was funny I wanted them to come to sacrament meeting so much but then I just wanted it to end so the kids could be taken to primary, which they really enjoy. So I think it is hard for her to focus and enjoy the Spirit as much as she could. But she is still doing really well, and we had another lesson with her yesterday where we were able to take over a member and have them meet each other. Nicole is also doing wonderful. she is out of town this week but she remembered that there were transfers so she wants us to call her and tell her whats happening. But we had a really good lesson with her last week. We actually taught her the Law of Chastity. It was kind of a skip ahead and Elder Haley and I were pretty nervous to teach it but it was what we felt she needed and what we thought would help her out the most. So we taught it. And it went so good. I said a couple silent prayers as we were getting ready to teach it, I dont know why I was so nervous, but my heart was pounding, but then we taught it and it basically went perfect. She accepted all of it, and was so happy we taught it to her. She started thanking us for teaching it to her because she realizes it will help her become better. So I guess thats our little miracle for the week. And we were also with Brian who was doing the mini mission with us and Im pretty sure he didnt say a word the whole lesson. So Nicole is just wonderful, she hasnt come to church yet but she definitely has the light of Christ in her because she recognizes what is right and wrong. We are fortunate to be able to teach her. And thank you for your prayers because I am sure they helped.
Dad, happy birthday. Im trying to picture you with an Ipod touch. :) I cant believe there is an app for a stake. Thats pretty neat. I guess there really is an app for everything. And what kind of car did you get?
Well thank you for the email and support and prayers. We are doing really well in Hampton and are excited for another transfer here.
Love,
Elder Larson
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
June 9th, 2010
Hey,
This week has been great so far. Everyone is doing awesome. Although no one came to church on sunday, but thats ok, because everyone is doing great. Last week on Thursday we had great lessons with Nicole and Joylyn. Nicole told us she knows the Book of Mormon was true, and we asked her what that meant to her, and she told us that it means this is where she needs to be. And before we asked her that we reviewed the Restoration, and we were very clear about the apostasy of the Priesthood and how it has been restored and exists only in the church of Jesus Christ, and she agreed. She is golden. I think she wants to come to church and she definitely knows we want her to, but hasnt been able to because of something with her family. I dont really know. We also taught Joylyn and she is wonderful. We taught her the Plan of Salvation and drew out the three kingdoms with sidewalk chalk, cause we teach her on her porch. And she understood well, and she told us she wants to go to the celestial kingdom. She is a really fun investigator too. We visit her alot and she likes talking to us. She gives us a hard time about our wrecks, and she has a strong accent so sometimes we dont understand her, and she makes fun of us for not being able to understand her. And in resonse we gave her a hard time about not coming to church, so she is going to come this week. She is fun, and she is from Grenadia, which is an island somewhere. And its been great being able to take members over there and to go on exchanges with them. Because they get to become involved with the missionary work and then they always ask us about the people we are teaching on sunday, which is good.
So this week has also been fun. There is a young man named Brian Stant in the ward about to go on a mission, and he is going on a mini mission with us for a week. For this week he is basically a third companion. He is with us all day, but stays at his own house at night. It is a very good experience for him to see what missionaries do all day, and to be involved with teaching people and seeing them understand and progress in the gospel and it has also been great for us having him with us. It was our Ward Mission Leader's idea, and he told us about how when he was on a mission he did that with some of the young men he was serving around, and he told us that during those mini missions it seemed like everything went really well and they had alot of success. Well so far that has been true this week. We have found new investigators, and we have tried to see people that we found earlier that said they were interested but we kind of lost contact with them just because they were never home when we went back, well we have gone and seen those people with Brian and we have been seeing lots of people.
We have two great new investigators, which we taught the Restoration to, and they told us they want us to come back before we even asked and they want to come to church sometime soon. And all of our scheduled appointments this week have held, which is not common in missionary work. So Brian has really been a boost to us, and when things are going well thats when missionary work is the funnest, so it has been alot fo fun for all three of us.
I still have both of my suits I am just down a pair of pants for each of them. And its unlucky because back when I was in Newport News I bought a cheap walmart pair of black and blue pants that I could where while biking. That way I could just save my suit pants for days when we have meetings or church etc. Well that has worked out well except this wreck and my dog bite just happened to be on days that I was wearing my suit pants, so those are the pants that got ruined. But I still have another pair for the green and black as well as my two cheap pairs so I am fine.
Yes the pavement comes very fast. This time I didnt even have time to think or to try and fall in way that might do less damage to my body. All I remember thinking while i was falling was a simple "no, not again."
I enjoyed reading Spencers story about repentance. Everytime we teach repentance I start off the lesson by saying ok today we are going to teach one of the greatest ways we can feel joy. It usually gets them interested. I am excited to see your baptism pictures.
Another thing I am excited about is tomorrow is Mission Conference. It is President Millburn's last transfer so we are having a mission conference. I am really excited for it, mostly because I get to see Elder Shelley and Elder White, and talk to them and ask them how everyone is doing in Kempsville. And then next tuesday is transfers, which is crazy because this transfer has flown by, but I am pretty sure I am staying here, which is what I am very much hoping for. I really like it here and we have found alot of people who are ready for the Gospel.
Another interesting item is my lifelong pursuit of trying to figure out how to throw a curveball has been fulfilled. Elder Haley was a high school baseball player so he taught me how. And it was funny he brought his glove and baseball hoping that there would be other missionaries for him to play catch with, but no one brought a baseball glove except him. Well he wanted to play catch really bad, and he asked me if he bought another glove if I would play with him. So I said yeah cause I really like playing catch, and so he bought himself a glove so he can play catch with whoever his companion is. So anyway, we were playing catch a few p-days ago and he taught me the curveball. It was fun, I was throwing it to the right of him and then watching it curve back to being in front if him! Its really easy too, and it all depends on how you rotate your wrist.
Well thank you for your prayers. They are working. Please keep them up, as I know you always do. We are doing great here in Hampton.
Love,
Elder Larson
This week has been great so far. Everyone is doing awesome. Although no one came to church on sunday, but thats ok, because everyone is doing great. Last week on Thursday we had great lessons with Nicole and Joylyn. Nicole told us she knows the Book of Mormon was true, and we asked her what that meant to her, and she told us that it means this is where she needs to be. And before we asked her that we reviewed the Restoration, and we were very clear about the apostasy of the Priesthood and how it has been restored and exists only in the church of Jesus Christ, and she agreed. She is golden. I think she wants to come to church and she definitely knows we want her to, but hasnt been able to because of something with her family. I dont really know. We also taught Joylyn and she is wonderful. We taught her the Plan of Salvation and drew out the three kingdoms with sidewalk chalk, cause we teach her on her porch. And she understood well, and she told us she wants to go to the celestial kingdom. She is a really fun investigator too. We visit her alot and she likes talking to us. She gives us a hard time about our wrecks, and she has a strong accent so sometimes we dont understand her, and she makes fun of us for not being able to understand her. And in resonse we gave her a hard time about not coming to church, so she is going to come this week. She is fun, and she is from Grenadia, which is an island somewhere. And its been great being able to take members over there and to go on exchanges with them. Because they get to become involved with the missionary work and then they always ask us about the people we are teaching on sunday, which is good.
So this week has also been fun. There is a young man named Brian Stant in the ward about to go on a mission, and he is going on a mini mission with us for a week. For this week he is basically a third companion. He is with us all day, but stays at his own house at night. It is a very good experience for him to see what missionaries do all day, and to be involved with teaching people and seeing them understand and progress in the gospel and it has also been great for us having him with us. It was our Ward Mission Leader's idea, and he told us about how when he was on a mission he did that with some of the young men he was serving around, and he told us that during those mini missions it seemed like everything went really well and they had alot of success. Well so far that has been true this week. We have found new investigators, and we have tried to see people that we found earlier that said they were interested but we kind of lost contact with them just because they were never home when we went back, well we have gone and seen those people with Brian and we have been seeing lots of people.
We have two great new investigators, which we taught the Restoration to, and they told us they want us to come back before we even asked and they want to come to church sometime soon. And all of our scheduled appointments this week have held, which is not common in missionary work. So Brian has really been a boost to us, and when things are going well thats when missionary work is the funnest, so it has been alot fo fun for all three of us.
I still have both of my suits I am just down a pair of pants for each of them. And its unlucky because back when I was in Newport News I bought a cheap walmart pair of black and blue pants that I could where while biking. That way I could just save my suit pants for days when we have meetings or church etc. Well that has worked out well except this wreck and my dog bite just happened to be on days that I was wearing my suit pants, so those are the pants that got ruined. But I still have another pair for the green and black as well as my two cheap pairs so I am fine.
Yes the pavement comes very fast. This time I didnt even have time to think or to try and fall in way that might do less damage to my body. All I remember thinking while i was falling was a simple "no, not again."
I enjoyed reading Spencers story about repentance. Everytime we teach repentance I start off the lesson by saying ok today we are going to teach one of the greatest ways we can feel joy. It usually gets them interested. I am excited to see your baptism pictures.
Another thing I am excited about is tomorrow is Mission Conference. It is President Millburn's last transfer so we are having a mission conference. I am really excited for it, mostly because I get to see Elder Shelley and Elder White, and talk to them and ask them how everyone is doing in Kempsville. And then next tuesday is transfers, which is crazy because this transfer has flown by, but I am pretty sure I am staying here, which is what I am very much hoping for. I really like it here and we have found alot of people who are ready for the Gospel.
Another interesting item is my lifelong pursuit of trying to figure out how to throw a curveball has been fulfilled. Elder Haley was a high school baseball player so he taught me how. And it was funny he brought his glove and baseball hoping that there would be other missionaries for him to play catch with, but no one brought a baseball glove except him. Well he wanted to play catch really bad, and he asked me if he bought another glove if I would play with him. So I said yeah cause I really like playing catch, and so he bought himself a glove so he can play catch with whoever his companion is. So anyway, we were playing catch a few p-days ago and he taught me the curveball. It was fun, I was throwing it to the right of him and then watching it curve back to being in front if him! Its really easy too, and it all depends on how you rotate your wrist.
Well thank you for your prayers. They are working. Please keep them up, as I know you always do. We are doing great here in Hampton.
Love,
Elder Larson
Sunday, May 30, 2010
May 26th 2010
Hey,
Well I am glad you are all doing well. It sounds like everyone is busy. We have had a pretty good week too. We another good lesson with Nicole, and she basically knows the book of mormon is true. She told us she was feeling very worried and stressed (i dont know why) and then she thought that she should read the Book of mormon, so she did. And then she said it all went away and she felt much better. It was cool to hear her tell us that. We didnt even ask her about it either she just brought it up to us because she was excited to tell us about it. She wants to come to church too and she is a firefighter, and but right now she doesnt have a job but she wants to get one, and she was asking us if it is ok if she had to come to church in her work clothes in case she didnt have time to change after work once she gets a job. We told her of course. :) So she is doing well. The Keatons are still sick. The parasite thing apparently has gotten worse, and we havent even talked to Sis keaton this past week, because when we went over there on friday she was actually in the hospital, I think just to make sure they had gotten rid of the parasite. But when we went over there the husband was home and he told us they still want us to come over. I think sister keaton forgot we were coming over, but thats ok. So we are giving them a little time right now. The Whisler family is doing pretty good. We talked to them about church and they are going to try and come this Sunday. So we will see if they do.
For lunch we been having to eat out at fast food places, which stinks. We got in kind of a pickle. Our baptist friends are not serving their food anymore and so we were going to pack peanut butter and jelly sandwiches but then we ran out of jam, and we really didnt have any other food that we could pack, so we have had to eat out. Its weird as a missionary you almost feel like you are getting jipped when you have to pay for your own food. You get so used to people feeding you that having to spend money seems like a ripoff. I guess thats probably an attitude I should change. Anyway, after today though we will be able to pack lunches.
Well dad, I am glad you are getting some opposition to your changes. If you didnt it wouldnt have been the right decision.
Well I am happy here in Hampton and Elder Haley and I are working hard. The Lord has continued to lead us to new investigators and I am excited to teach them. Thank you for your faith and your prayers.
Love,
Elder Larson
Well I am glad you are all doing well. It sounds like everyone is busy. We have had a pretty good week too. We another good lesson with Nicole, and she basically knows the book of mormon is true. She told us she was feeling very worried and stressed (i dont know why) and then she thought that she should read the Book of mormon, so she did. And then she said it all went away and she felt much better. It was cool to hear her tell us that. We didnt even ask her about it either she just brought it up to us because she was excited to tell us about it. She wants to come to church too and she is a firefighter, and but right now she doesnt have a job but she wants to get one, and she was asking us if it is ok if she had to come to church in her work clothes in case she didnt have time to change after work once she gets a job. We told her of course. :) So she is doing well. The Keatons are still sick. The parasite thing apparently has gotten worse, and we havent even talked to Sis keaton this past week, because when we went over there on friday she was actually in the hospital, I think just to make sure they had gotten rid of the parasite. But when we went over there the husband was home and he told us they still want us to come over. I think sister keaton forgot we were coming over, but thats ok. So we are giving them a little time right now. The Whisler family is doing pretty good. We talked to them about church and they are going to try and come this Sunday. So we will see if they do.
For lunch we been having to eat out at fast food places, which stinks. We got in kind of a pickle. Our baptist friends are not serving their food anymore and so we were going to pack peanut butter and jelly sandwiches but then we ran out of jam, and we really didnt have any other food that we could pack, so we have had to eat out. Its weird as a missionary you almost feel like you are getting jipped when you have to pay for your own food. You get so used to people feeding you that having to spend money seems like a ripoff. I guess thats probably an attitude I should change. Anyway, after today though we will be able to pack lunches.
Well dad, I am glad you are getting some opposition to your changes. If you didnt it wouldnt have been the right decision.
Well I am happy here in Hampton and Elder Haley and I are working hard. The Lord has continued to lead us to new investigators and I am excited to teach them. Thank you for your faith and your prayers.
Love,
Elder Larson
Wednesday, May 19, 2010
May 19th 2010
Hey,
Well it has been another good week in Hampton. We have had some good and bad things happen. I guess I will start with the good. We have continued to see small little miracles where it is evident the lord has placed us in a spot where he needed us at that moment. On friday, we picked out some part member familes to go and see. And so far it hadnt been a super good day. Nobody had really been home and it just seemed like it we were as successful as some days. So we were going to see this part member family that we had picked out the night before, and we went to the street that she was supposed to be on. And we went up and down the street but her address didnt exist. So we decided that we were here, and that we should do some finding around this area. I even said maybe this is a divine place for us to be. I was just joking. Well, the second door we knocked on we found this girl named nichole. She is a very nice girl and she was very receptive. We taught her the Restoration and she liked everything we taught. Then after our lesson we were jsut talking and as we were talking she told us that the night before she could not sleep because she was uncomfortable with where she was in life and she didnt really know what to do. And then the next day we showed up. :) She was so grateful that we came by, and on Monday we taught her the Plan of Salvation and she liked all of that as well. She has read the first 8 chapters of the Book of Mormon, too, and right now she believes it could be true. But she has been prepared, and the Lord lead us right to her. Our next lesson with her is on Friday. Then that night, we were riding home, and a less active stopped us on the side of the road. He told us he wants us to come over, and have lessons with his family. So we went over there and taught them the Restoration. It was a good lesson, and we rescheduled with them to go over there again on Sunday, so hopefully then we can talk to them about church and see if they want to come back, and resolve whatever concerns they may have. But it was another little experience where the Lord put us right where he needed us at the time. We didnt do anything. That family's name is the Whistlers. Sister Keaton, Bianca 's mom, is a great lady. We got to meet her on Thursday and she talks alot. We werent actually able to have dinner with them though, or a lesson. On the day we were supposed to go over for dinner, her kids got sick, and it was some 48 hr parasite that is super contagious, basically a perfect ploy by satan to keep us away. But thats ok because when we went over there we got to meet and talk to Sis keaton alot, and become friends with her, and we also got to reschedule for this Friday. And on Thursday she did make us dinner though to take home with us, because she felt bad we couldnt come over, so that was nice of her. And it was good food.
And also Victor, he is not doing so well. On Saturday we had a lesson scheduled with him but he called us and told us that he couldnt meet with us that day or the next week. He told us that his neighbor "shared some scriptures" with him and now he wants to try his neighbors church before ours. I was not happy at all. So we gave him a couple days and then on Monday we went over there. I asked him if his neighbor told him he should not visit with us and he said no, that he still wants to meet with us but he is too busy right now. So its not quite as bad as I thought at first, but its not going the way it was initially. I really dont think he is too busy to meet with us, especially because his he is without a car right now, but I will keep my hopes and faith up.
So thats the update on Hampton. We have still been eating out at the Baptist churches, and its continued to be delicious. Yesterday was definitely the most awkward one, the farthest out of my comfort zone. So yesterday we went to this baptist church. and it was the same as before, we just felt awkward, its like being on enemy territory, except they just look at you. And so we were still outside and we were wondering if we should even go inside, A because it is awkward and B because the lunches are more for poorer people anyway. Well finally this guy walked outside and said to us go in there and eat, dont be shy. So we followed his advice and we went in. And then the leader came over to talk to us and he asked, are you guys here for food? and I just kind of hesitated and then said yeah, and I didnt say anything else because honestly there wasnt any other reason that we were there. But then he said ok and told us where to go. And it was delicious, and then once they saw we were just there to eat and not convert them all they started talking to us and they were very nice to us and one lady even told us that she admires us so much because of the work we do and she said that there is a godliness to us that she see in us. It was a very nice compliment and made us happy. I thought to myself thats called the Holy Ghost. And as usual I was really glad we went.
But unfortunately those lunches are not served over the Summer, so that was our last meal from the baptists. So I am not sure what we will do in the future, probably eat out or pack a lunch. Well figure it out.
Thank you very much for the package. It has been great. I really enjoy the snacks and I liked the program from Stake Conference. I enjoyed seeing that. And thank you for your prayers because I believe they are working. Keep them up.
Love
Elder Larson
Well it has been another good week in Hampton. We have had some good and bad things happen. I guess I will start with the good. We have continued to see small little miracles where it is evident the lord has placed us in a spot where he needed us at that moment. On friday, we picked out some part member familes to go and see. And so far it hadnt been a super good day. Nobody had really been home and it just seemed like it we were as successful as some days. So we were going to see this part member family that we had picked out the night before, and we went to the street that she was supposed to be on. And we went up and down the street but her address didnt exist. So we decided that we were here, and that we should do some finding around this area. I even said maybe this is a divine place for us to be. I was just joking. Well, the second door we knocked on we found this girl named nichole. She is a very nice girl and she was very receptive. We taught her the Restoration and she liked everything we taught. Then after our lesson we were jsut talking and as we were talking she told us that the night before she could not sleep because she was uncomfortable with where she was in life and she didnt really know what to do. And then the next day we showed up. :) She was so grateful that we came by, and on Monday we taught her the Plan of Salvation and she liked all of that as well. She has read the first 8 chapters of the Book of Mormon, too, and right now she believes it could be true. But she has been prepared, and the Lord lead us right to her. Our next lesson with her is on Friday. Then that night, we were riding home, and a less active stopped us on the side of the road. He told us he wants us to come over, and have lessons with his family. So we went over there and taught them the Restoration. It was a good lesson, and we rescheduled with them to go over there again on Sunday, so hopefully then we can talk to them about church and see if they want to come back, and resolve whatever concerns they may have. But it was another little experience where the Lord put us right where he needed us at the time. We didnt do anything. That family's name is the Whistlers. Sister Keaton, Bianca 's mom, is a great lady. We got to meet her on Thursday and she talks alot. We werent actually able to have dinner with them though, or a lesson. On the day we were supposed to go over for dinner, her kids got sick, and it was some 48 hr parasite that is super contagious, basically a perfect ploy by satan to keep us away. But thats ok because when we went over there we got to meet and talk to Sis keaton alot, and become friends with her, and we also got to reschedule for this Friday. And on Thursday she did make us dinner though to take home with us, because she felt bad we couldnt come over, so that was nice of her. And it was good food.
And also Victor, he is not doing so well. On Saturday we had a lesson scheduled with him but he called us and told us that he couldnt meet with us that day or the next week. He told us that his neighbor "shared some scriptures" with him and now he wants to try his neighbors church before ours. I was not happy at all. So we gave him a couple days and then on Monday we went over there. I asked him if his neighbor told him he should not visit with us and he said no, that he still wants to meet with us but he is too busy right now. So its not quite as bad as I thought at first, but its not going the way it was initially. I really dont think he is too busy to meet with us, especially because his he is without a car right now, but I will keep my hopes and faith up.
So thats the update on Hampton. We have still been eating out at the Baptist churches, and its continued to be delicious. Yesterday was definitely the most awkward one, the farthest out of my comfort zone. So yesterday we went to this baptist church. and it was the same as before, we just felt awkward, its like being on enemy territory, except they just look at you. And so we were still outside and we were wondering if we should even go inside, A because it is awkward and B because the lunches are more for poorer people anyway. Well finally this guy walked outside and said to us go in there and eat, dont be shy. So we followed his advice and we went in. And then the leader came over to talk to us and he asked, are you guys here for food? and I just kind of hesitated and then said yeah, and I didnt say anything else because honestly there wasnt any other reason that we were there. But then he said ok and told us where to go. And it was delicious, and then once they saw we were just there to eat and not convert them all they started talking to us and they were very nice to us and one lady even told us that she admires us so much because of the work we do and she said that there is a godliness to us that she see in us. It was a very nice compliment and made us happy. I thought to myself thats called the Holy Ghost. And as usual I was really glad we went.
But unfortunately those lunches are not served over the Summer, so that was our last meal from the baptists. So I am not sure what we will do in the future, probably eat out or pack a lunch. Well figure it out.
Thank you very much for the package. It has been great. I really enjoy the snacks and I liked the program from Stake Conference. I enjoyed seeing that. And thank you for your prayers because I believe they are working. Keep them up.
Love
Elder Larson
Tuesday, May 18, 2010
May 13th 2010
Hey,
Well we have had a good week so far here in Hampton. We are teaching Victor, our investigator who came to church, tomorrow. He is doing well and is excited for us to come over. He wants to feed us lunch too, so I think he likes us. He calls Elder Haley and his brothers. We have had some success finding too. We have been doing alot of contacting people that have been taught by missionaries in the past, and also contacting referrals from the Gladys Knight fireside. Most of them have already been contacted, but we are still revisiting and seeing what they thoguht of the package Gladys Knight gave everyone that came, which includes a Book of mormon. After we contact these people ew try to find around them. So far, we have had success.
On monday we found 3 people that we were able to set up return appointments with and we found another person yesterday. The people here are all very nice and mostly receptive, but we will see if they can keep their return appointment. So on Friday I told you how we were able to get a free lunch. Well part of the story was one of the guys there who was eating came and started talking to us, and he told us places that we can get free lunch for every day of the week. :) So on Monday the place was a big baptist church. And we went there for lunch, and I was really nervous to walk inside. Everyone was baptist and we are clearly mormon missionaries, and I thought it would be awkward to have everone look at us but we kind of just figured oh well, we'll see what happens, kind of like we did on Friday when we parked in fornt of that other pastor. anyway, as we were walking up to the one of the guys there yelled out to us, hey we are having free lunch, come and join us. So we did, and everyone there was very nice and welcoming. And its good because we get to talk to lots of people. We are not allowed to proselyte on church grounds, but its still good because we get to make ourselves known and talk to people. And all the baptists who were serving lunch were very nice and friendly and welcoming. It was cool. So these lunches have been our little miracle workers lately.
And I have another story. On Saturday, we had a meeting with the bishop in the morning. And the meeting went a little longer than we expected, and so we weren't able to go to our source of free lunch. So we decided to eat out somewhere, and we picked the cheapest place that we knew of, which is Taco bell. So we ate there, and then as we were about to leave, this lady came up to us and told us she is a member, and her mom is also a member, and that her mom was going through a hard time and needed some missionaries. So this lady, her name was bianca, gave us the phone number to her mom for us to call her. So I called her, not really knowing what to say at all, but I just told her we were missionaries and we ran into her daughter bianca, and then she got super excited and she told me that she had been wanting to call the missionaries for a long time because she wants to have us come over. She also wants to start coming to church again and her daughter, who i cant remember how old she is, wants to take the "baptism lessons."
so the daughter must be a little older than 8 and wants to be baptized. And her husband is also not a member, but is open to learning. So we are going over to their house tomorrow for dinner and a lesson. Her name is Sis. Keaton. I am really excited for them. The Lord is definitely putting miracles in our path, so it would be good if you could pray that we will have a good lesson with the Keatons tomorrow, please.
Well thats pretty much it. Oh our lesson Sunday night went alright. The people were very nice but they were pretty strong baptist. We invited them to read from the Book of Mormon and they said they might. They were very kind and friendly and gave us cookies but they didnt really see things the same way. And we were only able to make it to one lesson so we rescheduled the other one for this coming Sunday. I think the family this Sunday will be a little more open, so i am excited for them.
I did miss Kempsville alot- the area and elder shelley and elder white. I wasnt expecting it at all. I havent gotten homesick my whole time in Virginia. But for some reason I did the first few days I was here. But I know the best way to get over it is to stay busy amd keep working and thats what we have been doing. And its worked, I am not homesick at all anymore. And talking to you all on the phone helped alot too. I think the Lord planned it so I would be able to talk to you when I did. We have already seen so many little miracles or tender mercies that its clear this is where I am supposed to be and that he is watching over us.
Oh and I was just thinking, can you include the thumbdrive next time you send me something. That way I can send it back with more pictures for you.
Well thank you all for the phone call and the emails. It was great talking to you all. I was really impressed with Spencer, beacuse his speech has improved a lot since I talked to you all on Christmas. Well, I love you.
Love,
Elder Larson
Well we have had a good week so far here in Hampton. We are teaching Victor, our investigator who came to church, tomorrow. He is doing well and is excited for us to come over. He wants to feed us lunch too, so I think he likes us. He calls Elder Haley and his brothers. We have had some success finding too. We have been doing alot of contacting people that have been taught by missionaries in the past, and also contacting referrals from the Gladys Knight fireside. Most of them have already been contacted, but we are still revisiting and seeing what they thoguht of the package Gladys Knight gave everyone that came, which includes a Book of mormon. After we contact these people ew try to find around them. So far, we have had success.
On monday we found 3 people that we were able to set up return appointments with and we found another person yesterday. The people here are all very nice and mostly receptive, but we will see if they can keep their return appointment. So on Friday I told you how we were able to get a free lunch. Well part of the story was one of the guys there who was eating came and started talking to us, and he told us places that we can get free lunch for every day of the week. :) So on Monday the place was a big baptist church. And we went there for lunch, and I was really nervous to walk inside. Everyone was baptist and we are clearly mormon missionaries, and I thought it would be awkward to have everone look at us but we kind of just figured oh well, we'll see what happens, kind of like we did on Friday when we parked in fornt of that other pastor. anyway, as we were walking up to the one of the guys there yelled out to us, hey we are having free lunch, come and join us. So we did, and everyone there was very nice and welcoming. And its good because we get to talk to lots of people. We are not allowed to proselyte on church grounds, but its still good because we get to make ourselves known and talk to people. And all the baptists who were serving lunch were very nice and friendly and welcoming. It was cool. So these lunches have been our little miracle workers lately.
And I have another story. On Saturday, we had a meeting with the bishop in the morning. And the meeting went a little longer than we expected, and so we weren't able to go to our source of free lunch. So we decided to eat out somewhere, and we picked the cheapest place that we knew of, which is Taco bell. So we ate there, and then as we were about to leave, this lady came up to us and told us she is a member, and her mom is also a member, and that her mom was going through a hard time and needed some missionaries. So this lady, her name was bianca, gave us the phone number to her mom for us to call her. So I called her, not really knowing what to say at all, but I just told her we were missionaries and we ran into her daughter bianca, and then she got super excited and she told me that she had been wanting to call the missionaries for a long time because she wants to have us come over. She also wants to start coming to church again and her daughter, who i cant remember how old she is, wants to take the "baptism lessons."
so the daughter must be a little older than 8 and wants to be baptized. And her husband is also not a member, but is open to learning. So we are going over to their house tomorrow for dinner and a lesson. Her name is Sis. Keaton. I am really excited for them. The Lord is definitely putting miracles in our path, so it would be good if you could pray that we will have a good lesson with the Keatons tomorrow, please.
Well thats pretty much it. Oh our lesson Sunday night went alright. The people were very nice but they were pretty strong baptist. We invited them to read from the Book of Mormon and they said they might. They were very kind and friendly and gave us cookies but they didnt really see things the same way. And we were only able to make it to one lesson so we rescheduled the other one for this coming Sunday. I think the family this Sunday will be a little more open, so i am excited for them.
I did miss Kempsville alot- the area and elder shelley and elder white. I wasnt expecting it at all. I havent gotten homesick my whole time in Virginia. But for some reason I did the first few days I was here. But I know the best way to get over it is to stay busy amd keep working and thats what we have been doing. And its worked, I am not homesick at all anymore. And talking to you all on the phone helped alot too. I think the Lord planned it so I would be able to talk to you when I did. We have already seen so many little miracles or tender mercies that its clear this is where I am supposed to be and that he is watching over us.
Oh and I was just thinking, can you include the thumbdrive next time you send me something. That way I can send it back with more pictures for you.
Well thank you all for the phone call and the emails. It was great talking to you all. I was really impressed with Spencer, beacuse his speech has improved a lot since I talked to you all on Christmas. Well, I love you.
Love,
Elder Larson
Sunday, May 9, 2010
May 5th 2010
Hey,
Well thats really exciting about the ward boundaries. Sounds like everything that happened was in our favor. lol. Well I have some news too. I am getting transferred again. Its funny six weeks ago President told me he knew Kempsville was where I needed to be and now the Lord wants me somewhere else. I have full faith in President Millburn and I am sure he is doing what the Lord wants. I am excited to go to my new area. It is called Hampton, and it is in Newport News, and its right near my very first area. My companion and I are opening the area up, meaning right now there are no missionaries there. So I feel kind of the same way I did when I went to Powhatan, Im going in with a fresh start. My companions name is Elder Hailey, and he has only been out 3 months. I am pretty excited but a little nervous. Right now there are sisters for the Hampton ward, and I guess they are splitting the ward up, so there will be two pairs of missionaries in the ward. Thats what I think, transfer calls are so quick because they have to call so many missionaries and they didnt explain it to me too much. Ill find out more when I go there tomorrow. What Im hoping is that they are splitting it up because they are teaching so many people right now they need more missionaries. That would be the best, but well see. So for Mothers Day, I am very excited to talk. I dont know what my new number is so it will be random. I think the area code is 757 though. I will call sometime between 11-3 my time. It will depend on what time church is for me. If it is in the morning at 9, I will call after church around 12:30 my time, if it is at 11, I will call after church around 2:30, and if it is at 1 I will call before church at around 11:30. So sometime between 8am to noon for you.
Well, John and Sally are still doing great. I am going to miss them. This past Sunday they came to church and this time they said they would come to two hours. They didnt think they would be able to sit long enough to stay for all three. But we had there fellowshipper ask them to sit with them and they did. They get along great. :) And then in Gospel principles they were participating and making people laugh. It was wonderful. The members asked them if they were just visiting and they said no this is our church now. :) They are going to get baptized. They are slowly stopping drinking coffee too. :) Its so great to teach people the commandments and then see them live them. I am so happy for them. And Sally was telling us how she doesnt swear anymore too, but sometimes she still does accidentally and she covers her mouth because she knows she did something bad. And John is really nice to Sally too. They are a great couple and I cant wait for them to be baptized together.
K well, I am doing great. I am excited to go to Hampton, although I will miss Elder White and Elder Shelley. I look forward to talking on the phone this Sunday! Oh and one other thing thats kind of exciting, and funny. We all really liked Elder Hollands talk, and my favorite part of the talk was when he said "So watch your step." So today during pday we are making t-shirts that say "Watch your step" on them. We are going to bleach the letters in them. They are going to be sweet....... And I have realized how important it is to keep your thoughts clean, and thats something we have all been working on (as a companionship), so these shirts are going to remind us to watch our thoughts. Anyway, it will be a fun little activity, and I thought you might like to hear about it. Have a great four days, and I will talk to you on sunday! I love you.
Love,
Elder Larson
Well thats really exciting about the ward boundaries. Sounds like everything that happened was in our favor. lol. Well I have some news too. I am getting transferred again. Its funny six weeks ago President told me he knew Kempsville was where I needed to be and now the Lord wants me somewhere else. I have full faith in President Millburn and I am sure he is doing what the Lord wants. I am excited to go to my new area. It is called Hampton, and it is in Newport News, and its right near my very first area. My companion and I are opening the area up, meaning right now there are no missionaries there. So I feel kind of the same way I did when I went to Powhatan, Im going in with a fresh start. My companions name is Elder Hailey, and he has only been out 3 months. I am pretty excited but a little nervous. Right now there are sisters for the Hampton ward, and I guess they are splitting the ward up, so there will be two pairs of missionaries in the ward. Thats what I think, transfer calls are so quick because they have to call so many missionaries and they didnt explain it to me too much. Ill find out more when I go there tomorrow. What Im hoping is that they are splitting it up because they are teaching so many people right now they need more missionaries. That would be the best, but well see. So for Mothers Day, I am very excited to talk. I dont know what my new number is so it will be random. I think the area code is 757 though. I will call sometime between 11-3 my time. It will depend on what time church is for me. If it is in the morning at 9, I will call after church around 12:30 my time, if it is at 11, I will call after church around 2:30, and if it is at 1 I will call before church at around 11:30. So sometime between 8am to noon for you.
Well, John and Sally are still doing great. I am going to miss them. This past Sunday they came to church and this time they said they would come to two hours. They didnt think they would be able to sit long enough to stay for all three. But we had there fellowshipper ask them to sit with them and they did. They get along great. :) And then in Gospel principles they were participating and making people laugh. It was wonderful. The members asked them if they were just visiting and they said no this is our church now. :) They are going to get baptized. They are slowly stopping drinking coffee too. :) Its so great to teach people the commandments and then see them live them. I am so happy for them. And Sally was telling us how she doesnt swear anymore too, but sometimes she still does accidentally and she covers her mouth because she knows she did something bad. And John is really nice to Sally too. They are a great couple and I cant wait for them to be baptized together.
K well, I am doing great. I am excited to go to Hampton, although I will miss Elder White and Elder Shelley. I look forward to talking on the phone this Sunday! Oh and one other thing thats kind of exciting, and funny. We all really liked Elder Hollands talk, and my favorite part of the talk was when he said "So watch your step." So today during pday we are making t-shirts that say "Watch your step" on them. We are going to bleach the letters in them. They are going to be sweet....... And I have realized how important it is to keep your thoughts clean, and thats something we have all been working on (as a companionship), so these shirts are going to remind us to watch our thoughts. Anyway, it will be a fun little activity, and I thought you might like to hear about it. Have a great four days, and I will talk to you on sunday! I love you.
Love,
Elder Larson
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
April 28th 2010
Hey,
I am glad you all liked my pictures. I am fine even though that dog bit me. It is all healed up. I wish I could bring a gun home, but I cant because they are not mine. Sounds like you had a fun mountain man. I cant believe Jeremy brought a computer like that. That was pretty funny. And I did get to see the picture of your motorcycle. Its sweet. I tried to print it off but it wouldnt let me.
Well I am doing great. And I have good news. John and Sally are doing wonderful. They are the older couple we are teacing. We have been meeting with them regularly still for the past couple weeks and they love us. They always smile big when we come over and they thank us for teaching them. So on Saturday we decided to get them a fellowshipper, to get the members of the ward more involved. So on Saturday we brought over this man named Brother Norell, who is also older and him and John connected perfectly. They talked about trains alot, and they both like gardening so John showed Brother Norell his garden. It was great. Brother Norell invited John to church himself and on Sunday John and Sally showed up to church together. :) And Sally complained about all the little kids again but they really liked it. We went over there on Monday and talked with them for awhile. We taught them the Plan of Salvation. They understood what we were teaching and then we committed them to pray about it and to read the first chapter of the Book of Mormon. And then yesterday we went over there again and John just kept reading. He read the first 5 chapters. :) And he really liked them all. He believes them. So we decided to teach them the Word of Wisdom, because they drink coffee. And we were teaching the part about hot drinks and told them that that means tea and coffee. And Sally was like you mean I have to stop drinking coffee? And so we said yeah and explained how it was a commandment and it was addictive and then John was like, "Well we'll have to stop buying coffee." And Sally kind of rolled her eyes at him but then she asked if she could still be baptized if she drank coffee and we told her no, and reexplained that it was something they needed to pray about to find out for themselves. But then afterwards Sally told us she will try to give up coffee. And I am sure she can if she tries. They are great. They are so humble and willing to accept what we say. I love being able to teach them. They made us lunch too yesterday, which was nice. Sally was making us sandwiches and I told her "thank you grandma," to be funny. And she said your welcome, and then she said dont call me grandma again or Ill slap you upside your head. Lol. She always makes us laugh. I hope you think that sounds funny cause it was.
Well that is the highlight of the week. Vicki Silberman is doing good too. She came to church as well on Sunday. We are seeing her on Saturday. Oh and on Monday it stormed so hard. I could barely see. We were biking in a few inches of rain. It was alot of fun though. But I could barely keep my eyes open because the rain kept hitting my eyes. We were completely drenched. When we got home Elder White went and slid on his stomach across the grass like a slip n slide, cause we were so wet it didnt matter. Lol.
Well, thats about it. Thank you for the email. I am doing great. Have a good week.
Love,
Elder Larson
I am glad you all liked my pictures. I am fine even though that dog bit me. It is all healed up. I wish I could bring a gun home, but I cant because they are not mine. Sounds like you had a fun mountain man. I cant believe Jeremy brought a computer like that. That was pretty funny. And I did get to see the picture of your motorcycle. Its sweet. I tried to print it off but it wouldnt let me.
Well I am doing great. And I have good news. John and Sally are doing wonderful. They are the older couple we are teacing. We have been meeting with them regularly still for the past couple weeks and they love us. They always smile big when we come over and they thank us for teaching them. So on Saturday we decided to get them a fellowshipper, to get the members of the ward more involved. So on Saturday we brought over this man named Brother Norell, who is also older and him and John connected perfectly. They talked about trains alot, and they both like gardening so John showed Brother Norell his garden. It was great. Brother Norell invited John to church himself and on Sunday John and Sally showed up to church together. :) And Sally complained about all the little kids again but they really liked it. We went over there on Monday and talked with them for awhile. We taught them the Plan of Salvation. They understood what we were teaching and then we committed them to pray about it and to read the first chapter of the Book of Mormon. And then yesterday we went over there again and John just kept reading. He read the first 5 chapters. :) And he really liked them all. He believes them. So we decided to teach them the Word of Wisdom, because they drink coffee. And we were teaching the part about hot drinks and told them that that means tea and coffee. And Sally was like you mean I have to stop drinking coffee? And so we said yeah and explained how it was a commandment and it was addictive and then John was like, "Well we'll have to stop buying coffee." And Sally kind of rolled her eyes at him but then she asked if she could still be baptized if she drank coffee and we told her no, and reexplained that it was something they needed to pray about to find out for themselves. But then afterwards Sally told us she will try to give up coffee. And I am sure she can if she tries. They are great. They are so humble and willing to accept what we say. I love being able to teach them. They made us lunch too yesterday, which was nice. Sally was making us sandwiches and I told her "thank you grandma," to be funny. And she said your welcome, and then she said dont call me grandma again or Ill slap you upside your head. Lol. She always makes us laugh. I hope you think that sounds funny cause it was.
Well that is the highlight of the week. Vicki Silberman is doing good too. She came to church as well on Sunday. We are seeing her on Saturday. Oh and on Monday it stormed so hard. I could barely see. We were biking in a few inches of rain. It was alot of fun though. But I could barely keep my eyes open because the rain kept hitting my eyes. We were completely drenched. When we got home Elder White went and slid on his stomach across the grass like a slip n slide, cause we were so wet it didnt matter. Lol.
Well, thats about it. Thank you for the email. I am doing great. Have a good week.
Love,
Elder Larson
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