Sister Larsen in the City of Brotherly Love : Lead Me, Guide Me, Walk Beside Me

Facetiming on Mother's Day!

Dear friends and family,

I remember being at BYU-I last year and at every Tuesday devotional President Clark would open with, "It's another great day here at BYU-Idaho," so it seems fitting to say, "It's been another great week here at the PRS." Rain, still almost every day, but now tons of flowers and green, some fabulous families on tour, and Facetiming on Mother's Day of course :)

We gave a tour to the cutest mom and her little boy and girl, who were 4 and 2. They were adorable!! The mom, who is originally from Brazil, was telling us all about her love for the gospel and how it has blessed her family even with her husband who is not attending church with them. She was a "woman of great faith," and taught her kids so well. As we came to the doors of the Hale and Smith home she would crouch down to her kids and whisper, "This is a very special place, so we need to use our reverent voices and be good." We were caught by surprise when we were talking with normal voices, and the children would whisper back and fold their arms. So we continued through the rooms all whispering together. And the second they stepped foot outside the homes it was back to skipping down the path, or collecting rocks or picking dandelions to blow. But this sweet tour gave me so much respect for this mother who was able to foster a spiritual experience for her kids even though they were so little.

Last interview with President T. Gary and Sister Pam Anderson

Here in the PPM we have interviews with President Anderson every other transfer, and with them leaving in 6 weeks, we had our last interviews with them this past week. Lucky for us, they love the site so much it won't be the last time they visit before they leave. Sister Anderson brought "the mission quilt," which is a quilt she had made with the mission logo on it for all of the departing missionaries to sign their names and release date. Speaking of which, I can't believe I hit HUMP DAY (my halfway point) on Thursday!! Where has the time gone?!?! Time on a mission really is the strangest thing! In interviews with President Anderson he gave everyone a temple recommend case with a picture of the new Philly temple on the front and our mission motto inside, on one condition.... that I stay worthy to hold a temple recommend for the rest of my life. He also talked to me about how he absolutely loves all the missionaries in the mission, but doesn't necessarily trust all of them. Talking about that trust he has with the PRS sisters and about the temple, made me think of our Heavenly Father. He loves us, his children, so so so much, but he doesn't always trust us to do the work he needs to be done. It is only when we do our part to do our best, keep the commandments, be like our Savior and place our trust in our Father, that He trusts us enough with his sacred work and gives us the blessings He so willingly wants to give.

I love the story of the 2,000 stripling warriors who loved God and loved their mothers. Pieces of Alma 56 say, "...behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth... And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it... They had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them." We have heavenly and earthly parents who can help, lead, and guide us. As individuals and as families, if we have faith and make our will our Heavenly Father's we will be more and more aware of His love for us. I am so lucky to have been taught in a faith-filled home, and to be out here in Susquehanna helping families strengthen their faith in the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

Have a great week everyone! Remember who you are! Hurrah for Israel!

Love, Sister Larsen