A Susquehanna Thanksgiving

Due to technical difficulties, Sis. Larsen was not able to send any pictures this week.

Dear friends and family,

What a wonderful Thanksgiving week it's been! Transfers, holidays, moving apartments, service, finding... You name it, and we did it this week! 

On Tuesday, Sister Gomm was transferred out of Susquehanna, so I said, "See you in April," to my trainer and friend, and got my new companion, Sister Robison.  She is SO. AWESOME.  She plays volleyball for BYU and is 6'1.... We make quite the funny looking pair, but we love it!  She is an amazing missionary!!  We haven't even been together for one week and I've learned so much from her already.  We work hard, talk to everyone we see (literally. Sometimes we stop the car and pull over to talk to someone) and have a ton of fun together!  At least one really good laugh every day!!

With the transfer, we went into "winter mode," here at the Priesthood Restoration Site-- meaning, less sisters, serving shorter shifts and not as often.  There are six sisters here now, all serving part time.  I was part time before, but now it's different.  Sister Robison and I go to the site for only 3 hours, 3 or 4 days a week... Which means we have a lot more time for proselyting!!! Woohoo!!! I LOVE PROSELYTING and am so excited for this area now that we have so much more time!  Because a lot of this area is country, it can be up to a 45 minute drive to get to the edge of our area, so now we have the time to make it out to those areas and stick around to knock on doors, do service, teach lessons, etc.  Sister Robison and I are both gung-ho to do the work and put our best foot forward, and we are already seeing miracles come about because of it!

Thanksgiving day was the busiest day I've had on my mission yet, and we had so many places to go! We had 8 appointments (luckily we only ended up eating 2 dinners, still a lot though!!), and spent a couple hours at the site, so it was a very full day! We ate dinners with members and nonmembers who invited us over, which was great to talk to so many people and their families!

We had Thanksgiving dinner with a woman from Croatia, named Vinka, and her son, Jynx. Vinka asked me what part of the turkey I'd like and I said the white meat, and the next thing I knew, I had a half a turkey sitting on my plate! She made sure we were stuffed to the brim...and then some! Jynx and Vinka both came to Sacrament meeting on Sunday and really enjoyed testimony meeting. We stopped by their house on Sunday afternoon and talked to them, answered some more of their questions about church services and they want to start taking the lessons this week. We can't wait to start!

Sister Robison started teaching a man named Tom who has been coming into the PRS several times a week and has come to church before because he loves the way he feels when he comes and the people who are there. This past week we taught him the Restoration, and he accepted our invitation to baptism! We are so excited for him!

Another one of our investigators, Robin, had us over for dinner this week and we also helped her pack up her fall decorations and set up Christmas. We had a great lesson about faith and courage, and she wants to begin taking lessons very soon!! 

Everywhere we went on Thanksgiving we asked people what they were grateful for, whether it was at a dinner appointment or strangers out standing in their yards. We got a variety of answers, and I loved talking to everyone we saw, but it really made me reflect on what I am most grateful for, which ultimately is our Savior Jesus Christ and His restored gospel. If I had everything taken from me, I would still have everything if I had the gospel of Jesus Christ. I've been able to see the importance of making Christ and His gospel the center of our lives more here on my mission than I have ever in my life. 

We asked every person we talked to about gratitude to write down one thing they were thankful for everyday for the next week, because living in an attitude of gratitude doesn't just have to come once a year, but it should be everyday! In Alma 34:38 we read, "...that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you."  So ask yourself, "What am I most grateful for?" each and every day. It will help you recognize your blessings, tender mercies and the Lord's hand in all aspects of your life, and make you a happier person because of it!

Have a wonderful week everyone, and happy December! What a wonderful month to be grateful for the greatest gift given to us, our Savior, Jesus Christ. 

Love,

Sister Larsen

Gratitude, Dude

Dear friends and family,

Happy Thanksgiving week!! This past week we got transfer news.  The zone leaders called on Friday night, and like we had predicted, Sister Gomm is being transferred out and I'm staying here in Susquehanna!

 

Goodbye to Sis. Gomm

I will miss her like crazy because she has taught me SO much and we've become like two peas in a pod, but I know there are many more good things to come.

So the Slater family... Wow, I love them!!! They have been members for just over a year now, but they decided to start the lessons over again with us to strengthen their testimonies of what they already know. It is also giving me a great opportunity to teach all of the lessons! So we taught the Restoration and it went really well. We had them start off by writing on a piece of paper why they began taking the lessons, and at the end of the lesson why they are continuing to stay in the church and do what they do. It's amazing the growth they have experienced through the gospel, and that they recognize it too! Brother Slater also taught the gospel principles lesson and did a great job and is a natural. 

We also met with the Davis family, who are also recent converts. We just stopped by the see how they were doing, set up another appointment and share a quick message. We read Mosiah 2:41 with them, and talked about how keeping the commandments and loving God really do bring us true happiness. They have 4 kids and they were all getting a little crazy, but we got them to sit and follow along when we read the scripture. Their 6 year old told us that he loved Heavenly Father and so we talked about how praying is a commandment and Heavenly Father loves to listen and answer our prayers. He really wanted to say the closing prayer, so of course we let him, and it was the cutest thing ever and such a great example to the rest of the family. 

We have been unsuccessful in finding people to teach lately (like going 2 hours of knocking doors and talking to absolutely nobody) but this week we met a man named William who invited us back next week, and a woman named Jennifer who invited us back next week as well, and another investigator who we have been trying to see since I first came to this area and invited us for Thanksgiving dinner at her house. I'd say that's a pretty successful week!! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

I am so grateful for the little things that make life sweet! Those tender mercies which our loving Heavenly Father gives us. In Alma 34:38 it says, "That ye contend no more against the Holy Ghost, but that ye receive it, and take upon you the name of Christ; that ye humble yourselves even to the dust, and worship God, in whatsoever place ye may be in, in spirit and in truth; and that ye live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you." I LOVE the idea of "living in thanksgiving daily"!! We have been given so much, but are so much happier when we recognize our blessings, and express our gratitude, especially to our Heavenly Father! Several weeks ago during a visitor center training meeting, Sister Walker, our director's wife asked each of us to make a list of our blessings. Since that time I have gone back to my list of blessings again and again, adding something new every couple days or so, or just looking back on it. I just can't list all the blessings I have in my life!! Everything from "30 degrees and NO WIND! :)" to more serious things like the "The Atonement of Jesus Christ," have made it onto my list, and I feel happier just looking at all I've been given, and thanking my Heavenly Father for them in my daily prayers.

We had a "PRS family" Thanksgiving dinner before Sister Simmons (she's amazing!) went home.   We went around the table and all said something we were thankful for. Something that kept coming up was everyone's gratitude for being on a mission, in this place, at this time. I realized that "because I have been given much, I too must give," and that is one of the reasons I'm here on a mission right now. I am so grateful to be staying in this area because I know there is so much more I can do here for Heavenly Father's children who come to our site or whose doors I knock on. I've blessed with wonderful companions and experiences I wouldn't trade for anything.

Looking back - meeting everyone on day 1

I hope each of you will live in an "attitude of gratitude," and recognize the Lord's hand in your life daily! He has blessed us each with so much, and continues to do so! Have a happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

Love,

Sister Larsen

A Christ-Centered Concert

Dear friends and family,

It's been another wonderful snow-free week in Susquehanna!

 We were busy trying to teach lessons and trying to find people to teach with whatever time we had.

This cat followed us for 2 hours straight
as we were out knocking on doors!

But all the little struggles this week were well worth it when Friday night came and we were able to have our "Music and the Spoken Word" type performance!

It was the big concert weekend at the site! We were at the site from 2-9 everyday this past week in preparation for the musical event, practicing, perfecting, running dress rehearsals... the whole nine yards!  And the turnout made every minute worth it! We had members from our branch, our investigator, Robin, newly reactivated members, all our friends from the Methodist Bible study group Sister Gomm and I go to, President and Sister Anderson, and even people from neighboring towns about an hour away! It was awesome!! We sang lots of songs, in lots of different arrangements, and I got to play my violin for 3 numbers. It's interesting that when we practice, we could always feel the Spirit because the words we were singing, or the melody I was playing, were always about Jesus Christ, and that's what our event was-- a musical Thanksgiving tribute to our Savior. But I think my favorite part of the event was being able to look out into the audience and see people's countenances change when we began to sing.  At the site we talk about Emma Smith and her call to arrange the first hymnbook for the church, and how she was able to use her talents to spiritually uplift the lives of thousands, and even us today, and that's what we saw on Friday night.

Waiting for the start of the concert

In our last piece, "Savior, Redeemer of my Soul," something changed. I was playing the violin and couldn't see what was going on with the sisters next to me, but felt something that I hadn't felt in our practices. Afterwards, I found out that Sister Simmons had started to cry, but Sister Gomm was on her right and reached down for her hand. Sister Eckman was on her left, and did the same exact thing. Out in the audience people began to cry as well. The spirit was so strong and I know it changed hearts! It doesn't matter what our missionary "numbers" are like, how many tours we give, lessons we teach, people we baptize, etc. because our purpose as missionaries is to invite others to come unto Christ, and I think people saw a little bit of Christ in us and heard a little bit of his words through the thoughts that were given and words that were shared. Testimonies were strengthened that night, and I know mine was one of them!

I was also asked to speak in Sacrament meeting on Sunday, and spoke about becoming truly converted to Jesus Christ. The steps in becoming truly converted are evaluating the condition of our hearts (making our hearts softened and open for the Holy Ghost to dwell and testify), taking Christ's name upon us and always remembering him, and then becoming and actually putting action behind our faith.

I know that Jesus Christ lives and loves each one of us. I love Mosiah 5 when it says in verse 12, "I say unto you, I would that ye should remember to retain the name written always in your hearts..." It has made me think that every day I put this name tag on and get to wear Christ's name right next to mine, but do I really have his name always written on my heart? Do I have his name written in my actions?  My thoughts?  I know that as I have made more effort to become more like Christ and represent him, I've been able to see him more clearly in my life. Like President Uchtdorf said, "Whatever you focus on expands," if we try to better focus on Jesus Christ, He really will become the center of our lives, and in Him lies true and lasting happiness! His way provides change, clean slates, love, and peace in this life and the life to come.

Have a wonderful week everyone! Turn to Christ in times of hardship and happiness, and life will only be better! Hurrah for Israel!!

Love,
Sister Larsen

With a Willing Heart

Dear friends and family,

I will have been out 3 months this week, I can't believe it! I also can't believe this weather... All the locals say there is usually snow by now, but it hasn't gotten too cold this week, and I'll take it! All I can say is that prayers are answered and Heavenly Father must be looking out for a little Arizona missionary in for her first-ever east coast winter! 

Beautiful blue skies, but sadly no more leaves

Thursday was a great day at the Priesthood Restoration Site! We had over 100 youth and their leaders from stakes in New Jersey come as part of their youth conference. (Talk about an awesome youth conference seeing all the church history sites on the east coast!!) But they were such a great group of kids with such strong testimonies! We had them all come into the chapel to watch the film we typically begin with, but before we started all of us sisters sang "Savior, Redeemer of My Soul," and I was able to play violin. Music is such a great way to invite the Spirit! Then Sister Agado and I introduced the film, and I decided to share part of 2 Nephi 33:1 with them. It reads, "...for when a man speaketh by the power of the Holy Ghost the power of the Holy Ghost carrieth it unto the hearts of the children of men." I explained how the key word in that scripture is "unto." The Holy Ghost can testify of truth unto us, but it is our choice to let the things we learn and feel into us, and shape us into who we become. That is how it is for all our guests at the PRS-- the missionaries could give information, scriptures, history, testimonies, facts, background, etc. but it is ultimately up to them to decide what they will take away. The same can be said about anything whether it be church, scripture study, or prayer; it's all up to us to choose to let the Holy Ghost work in us and like King Benjamin's people in Mosiah 5, have the Spirit, "wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts."

We finally got back in contact with one of the recent convert families we had been trying to meet with, the Davis family. When we caught them at home this past week and were talking about scripture study, they told us how much they loved when we sent them a text with specific verses to read. They told us that each time we have done that, what they read always seemed to apply to them! They are such great examples of "likening the scriptures" and letting the Holy Ghost work in them! That is something I'm trying to do better this week -- recognizing how the scriptures I read apply to me, because they were written for us and our day.

Companionship "twinners"

We also met with Cody and Shauna, and their two boys. Something President Anderson has asked all of us to do now is sing before every lesson we teach. We thought it would be a little awkward to sing to our investigators, but it was actually the sweetest thing to see Cody and Shauna's little boys just light up when we sang "I am a Child of God" for them. We talked about how God loves us so much that he wants us and our families to be happy, eternal families. Shauna, who is not a member, seemed especially interested, and Cody, who is a member, was happy to invite us back! We are looking forward to seeing them again! 

I feel so blessed to be a witness of tiny miracles every single day. I have the privilege of wearing Christ's name on my name tag every day, but we all have the choice to write His name on our hearts. Making Christ a part of who you are means actively applying gospel principles to your life. Sister Bonnie L. Oscarson said, "True conversion occurs as you continue to act upon the doctrines you know are true and keep the commandments, day after day, month after month." I do the same things every day as a missionary, but I can't ever let living the gospel become routine, because I should be constantly striving for improvement. Christ isn't asking for us to be perfect people, but to have a willing heart as we follow Him and try our best to be our best. Hurrah for Israel!

Love,

Sister Larsen

Halloween fun:  All of the PRS sisters decided to "dress up"
as a crayon box for Halloween.  They were invited to dinner
at the PRS Directors' apartment that night.

Abandoned building?  Nope, guess again...

This is Sis. Larsen's apartment

Rain or Shine...

Dear friends and family,


We have had our fair share of ups and downs here this week, but always are looking on the bright side!

Out finding - rain or shine!

The truck she and her companion drive.
An unusual mission vehicle 
(at least compared to AZ) but it's a rural area.

In this past week, Sister Gomm and I have been trying really hard to find (a.k.a. knocking doors) new people to teach.  We want to meet and talk to people who are ready and willing to receive the gospel of Jesus Christ, because we know the happiness it has brought to our lives.  While we haven't been too successful, we have experienced many tender mercies this past week!

Tender Mercy #1: We finally got in contact with a member of our branch, Cody.  He is a great guy and we are excited to meet with him and his girlfriend, Shauna, who is not a member.  We know that the Lord blesses families and has so much in store for them!

Tender Mercy #2:  We have also been meeting with a family from our branch regularly, and while we have seen good and not-so-good with them, they are finally committed to getting back on track!  We have been texting them a scripture everyday to read because they have been having a difficult time finding time to read from the Book of Mormon with kids, work, etc.  But they have been reading since we have done that, and they have also been praying!  Just yesterday, the father texted us and said that he had been doing a lot of thinking, and while he had not been doing what he should be doing, he was back and ready to be committed to the church and continuing his personal conversion 100%!   Best. Text. Ever.  It may seem like a small thing, but it is moments like these that make us feel like successful missionaries!!!  For even one person to have the desire to change and apply the atonement of Jesus Christ is something that makes us, as well as our Heavenly Father so, so happy.  It is one thing to understand what the atonement can do, but another to act upon it in faith.

Tender Mercy #3: On Thursday the second half of our mission came, and it was an amazing day! I loved seeing all the missionaries in our mission. There is something so special about uniting so many people together in their faith and love of the Savior, Jesus Christ. One of my very favorite things about being here at the Priesthood Restoration Site is hearing people's stories and testimonies, and that is no exception with the missionaries. We have already been getting stories back from missionaries who attended saying how that closer they got to our site, the stronger they felt the Spirit and how their testimonies were strengthened and deepened. The Holy Ghost is real, and the ultimate teacher. When we listen, and act upon the promptings we receive, that is when change and miracles come about.

Tender Mercy #4: The Priesthood Restoration Site sisters are putting on a "Music and the Spoken Word" Thanksgiving tribute to our Savior, and it might bring in so many people we won't have enough room for them.  It sounds more like a problem, but it is such a good problem to have!  When we have been out finding we have been inviting people to the musical event and every person we have talked to has been so excited to come, member and non-member alike! Sister Gomm and I attend a Bible study class at the Methodist church in town and Sister Hurley from our branch also attends. Before we could say anything, she piped up and invited everyone in the room to come and hear "the girls down at the new church on 171" put on a musical performance, and everyone got so excited and wrote down the date and the time! It should be a great opportunity for the whole community to come together!

I don't have enough time for them all, but I invite each of you to look for the tender mercies in your life! I have been thinking a lot about a quote from Dieter F. Uchtfdorf, which says, "We sometimes think that being grateful is what we do after our problems are solved, but how terribly shortsighted that is. How much of life do we miss by waiting to see the rainbow before thanking God that there is rain? Being grateful in times of distress does not mean that we are pleased with our circumstances. It does mean that through the eyes of faith we look beyond our present-day challenges. This is not a gratitude of the lips but of the soul. It is a gratitude that heals the heart and expands the mind." Remember to look to the Lord in all times, and He will help you! 

Love, Sister Larsen

Nearing the end of the Fall colors

The Church is True, and the Book is Blue!

Wishing you all a FANG-tastic Halloween! :)  
Fangs courtesy of a care package she received...

Dear friends and family,

No snow and plenty of sunshine here in Susquehanna.  What a blessing!!

It's been another crazy but great week.  I've decided that on a mission there is no such thing as bad days, just hard ones.  But when we have faith and "try our best try," miracles are sure to follow!

A highlight from this past week was having half of our mission come up to visit the Priesthood Restoration Site. It was so, so fun to see so many missionaries together!  We had a devotional together before we took missionaries on a tour, and I wish every tour we have started off like that because the Spirit was so strong.  One of my favorite parts was the talk by Elder Walker, our visitor center director.  He talked about the importance of our site, but how it only makes a difference if we act upon what we feel, see and learn.  He invited two of the PRS sisters up to the front of the chapel and they began to sing ‘Abide With Me.’  As they sang, one companionship of PRS sisters got up from their seats and joined in until all 12 of us were singing together.

After we finished singing, Elder Walker invited all the missionaries to stand up and sing one of the verses again with us. That was one of those moments I wish I could replay over and over again because there is something so special about getting missionaries together to sing. Music is one of the best ways to invite the Spirit, and in that moment, the Spirit was so strong it was almost tangible. After we finished singing the hymn, Elder Walker explained how the Priesthood Restoration Site, how God's restored priesthood authority and The Book of Mormon can have a ripple effect on the lives of people who each of the missionaries come in contact with, their families, friends, eventually reaching out to every part of the world. Just like the ripple effect of a pebble on a pond, or the ripple effect of voices coming together in song, the Priesthood Restoration Site can have a spiritual ripple effect on millions. President Anderson (the Mission President) then announced that missionaries within 3 hours of the Priesthood Restoration Site are now allowed to treat the PRS like the temple, in that they are able to come once a month if they are bringing an investigator who has never gone with them.  Exciting news for the mission which will hopefully add to the ripple effect of our site on the PPM and the world!

When Joseph Smith first came to Harmony and was living here he was only 19  years old, and 20 years old when he began he translation of the Book of Mormon.... which makes me think of myself.  I am 19 years old, living in Harmony (now Susquehanna), Pennsylvania, trying to do the will of the Lord and teaching others about the Book of Mormon. 

Our home away from home... the PRS Visitor's Center

 There is so much comfort and joy that can come from the Book of Mormon that we can't find anywhere else.  Together with the Bible, it is another testament of Jesus Christ, and it truly is the keystone of our religion, what holds everything together.  I know that it is true and is something we shouldn't take for granted.  It gives us the "how to" on the way we should live our lives, in order to find true and lasting happiness in the life to come.  Not only can we read about our Savior, Jesus Christ, but the Book of Mormon teaches how to become like Him! When we had stake conference in September and President Nelson and his wife came to speak, Sister Nelson talked about the importance of the Book of Mormon, and how we should use it more fully in our lives by taking every opportunity we get to share it.  Sister Gomm and I have made it a goal to always share at least one scripture from the Book of Mormon when we take guests on tours.  It's one thing to talk about the book, to hold the book, to see the book, but real spiritual power comes when we read the book.  Whenever we read from the Book of Mormon with people come through, the spirit is invited and can witness to those who come through our door of its truthfulness.

This past week we had Thanksgiving dinner with the Slaters... Yes, a month early, but why only have it only once, right?

The dad asked if I'd like whipped cream with my pie.  I said "yes"...

Anyways, we talked about what we are grateful for and the Book of Mormon and family seemed to be a reoccurring blessing.  I thought about how those two things go hand in hand.  God loves us and wants to bless our families, so he gave us the Book of Mormon to teach us how to return to Him with those we love.  As families we love God and want to come closer in unity with Him and His son, Jesus Christ, so we read the Book of Mormon together.  Heavenly Father loves us each so, so much, and the Book of Mormon is just one sign of his love for us and our families, as we are part of His eternal family.

I can promise that when we seek out opportunities to share the Book of Mormon, blessings will come! It is a privilege to be a missionary and share my testimony of the restored gospel, especially The Book of Mormon, with everyone I meet and I wouldn't trade this time for anything else in the world.  Hurrah for Israel!!

Love,
Sister Larsen

A surprise email!

Dear friends and family,

We had our FIRST SNOW I can't even believe it!!! I was sitting in Relief Society during the lesson, looked out the window and saw a snow flurries EVERYWHERE. I just about had to pick my jaw up off the floor, but not to worry, nothing stuck. So while you all "enjoy" the 100 degree weather back in AZ, soak up a little extra sun for your sister over here getting ready for a long winter ahead!

First snow!!

This week we met with Kim again and taught her about the restoration of the gospel. It went pretty well, and I know she felt the spirit because after I shared with her the First Vision in Joseph Smith's words, she couldn't stop smiling and said she got the goosebumps.  Everyone feels the Spirit differently, but we helped her understand that, and that the feelings she had were the Holy Ghost testifying of truth to her. But one of my favorite parts of the lesson was when she told us she loved a scripture we had her read-- Alma 32:21, which is all about faith. She said that she loved it so much, she wondered if she could get a tattoo of it. Sister Gomm and I were totally caught off guard, and said something along the lines of, "Oh... Yeah, isn't that scripture on faith so good?" Needless to say, we will probably be talking to her about how our body is a temple and gift from our Heavenly Father a little later on, but it gave us a good laugh! We will be meeting with her again is Wednesday and can't wait to see her!

So proselyting missionaries go on 24 hour exchanges with a different companion once a month, but we exchange between several PRS sisters once week because everyone gives tours a little differently and it helps us from getting in a rut of saying the same things.  We want our guests to have more than a "feel good" experience... We want them to have a "converting" experience. Our hope is that people will walk away a little better, a little closer to our Savior than when they came in.

During our exchange day Sister Simmons and I were companions and we started off a tour for a large family reunion group. Everything went well, they saw the video, the baptismal site, the homes, the cemetery, etc. But as their group was getting ready to leave, we were stopped by a man on the trail. He asked both of us if we would bear our testimonies on what we had learned or felt while serving at this site with the grandpa of the family, and 4 teenage cousins who were standing with him. We agreed, and Sister Simmons shared a story about how a less-active man decided he needed to get back to attended church while he visited. Then it was my turn. I initially started talking about the importance of faith, but then was impressed to talk about how we can experience change through the Atonement. I explained that because the priesthood was restored, we are able to partake of the Sacrament, and by doing so, access the Atonement of Jesus Christ. When we take the Sacrament each Sunday with a broken heart and contrite spirit, a willingness to change and become closer and more like our Savior, our sins can be forgiven, we can start anew and truly change through Him. And if we don't know if that really is true, if the Atonement really works, we can try it out and pray to know, just as we are directed in Moroni 10:5 to find truth. After talking to this group of high schoolers, the man who asked us to share stayed behind for a minute and thanked us for our testimonies, and they left to join the rest of their group and be on their way.

You never know whose heart you will touch! I've noticed as I seek for opportunities to share my testimony with others, those opportunities to do so are practically handed to me. I'm reminded of the painting of the Savior, knocking at a door without a door handle. It is our choice to let Christ into our lives. 

He waiting at our door, but we have to be the one to open it and let him in. When we do this we can experience change through His Atonement and become who He wants us to be!

Have a wonderful week! And hurrah for Israel!

Love,

Sister Larsen

Some pictures and a short update

Note from Alicia:  Tiffany sent some pictures and short letters to her Dad and me in response to questions we sent, but we didn't get a group email.  I am sure she drafted one but forgot to send, as she had a shortened Pday yesterday (not her normal day) and she was hurrying to get things done.  So I'll include some pics and a bit of what she wrote.  Next week I'm sure we'll get the rest of the story.  :)

This past week was INSANE at the PRS because everyone out west was on Fall Break. It was absolutely nuts!! I'm not sure when it will slow down.  Seeing the Ridings, the Kittlesons, and Bro. Snow’s parents is so crazy!  Sister Kittleson was so cute, I don't think I've ever gotten that big of a hug from such a petite lady!!

So my p-day is today because the mission is coming up to the PRS!!! Half of the missionaries from our mission will be here tomorrow. That will be weird/fun to take the missionaries in our mission on tours with us. We are excited!  

I don't know how long I'll be here... Transfers were last week, but we all knew the PRS sisters were staying put.  But out of the 6 companionships here, only 4 sisters will be staying through the winter, so everyone is really interested to see who will be going.  Sister Gomm and I think she's out of here because she's been in this area since June, but we can't decide whether I'll go or stay.  Oh well, it's a ways out, the day before Thanksgiving.

Love, Sis. Larsen

Instruments in His Hands

Fall has arrived.  Gorgeous, right?

Dear friends and family,

I've been out for two months as of yesterday, can you believe it?! Time is flying by!!! Something that has been on my mind this past week is how often the Lord uses us, ordinary people, to be the answers to others' prayers. As a missionary you pray A LOT. Looking back on my pre-mission life, it seems as if I hardly prayed at all. Now anytime we leave the house, go exercise, start and close our studies, eat, wake up and go to bed, get out the car to go to an appointment, we pray... And of course all the silent ones in between. But it is only when we are in tune with the Spirit and seeking out opportunities to serve others when we can be used as a instrument in the Lord's hand (Alma 26... Go read. Seriously good stuff.) just as Alma and his brethren were in days of old.

I know I mentioned Kim in my previous letter, who was a referral given to us by other sisters at the Visitor Center. This weekend was Homecoming and Kim got put in charge of making decorations for the parade floats that go through town on Saturday morning, so we offered to help her paint signs. On Wednesday we went over, painting together and getting to know her. She is one of the nicest people I have ever met! She and her husband Mike have two little boys, Mason who is 9 and loves football, and Connor who is 4 but has learning disabilities and can't communicate. They are the cutest family! 

After we finished our painting projects, we sat down and talked about what our role is as missionaries and what she wanted to get out of meeting with us. We shared the "He Lives" Mormon message with her, and introduced the Book of Mormon, which she had never heard of. At first she was just telling us that she was mostly interested in seeing the differences between our religion and Catholicism, which is the religion she grew up in. As we were talking and bearing testimony to her, out of the blue she said, "You know, a few weeks ago I was having a really hard time with Connor and couldn't figure out what to do. I was so frustrated and lost on what to do that I just prayed to God and asked him to give me help. The next day two of your sister missionaries came knocking on my door to introduce themselves and told me they would send other sisters to come teach me, and now here you are." She told us she didn't believe in coincidences and that she knew that God had answered her prayer, so she felt that rather than pushing away what we might have to tell her, she would let it in. Kim agreed to read and ask God if the Book of Mormon was true, and we will be meeting with her again tomorrow! I am SO excited for all that Heavenly Father has in store for her and her family!

This week Sister Agado's (my MTC companion) dad got baptized and we all got special permission from President to be a part of it via Skype!! Sister Agado's dad had been wanting to be baptized for several years, but was waiting for confirmation from Heavenly Father. He believed everything about the church was true, he had been attended church with his wife since they were married, but was waiting for a big spiritual "a-ha" kind of moment. He kept saying things to himself like, "I'll get baptized before Hope (Sister Agado's younger sister) turns 8 so that I can baptize her." Or "I'll get baptized before Destiny (Sister Agado) goes off to BYU-I," which came and went, and then the time for Sister Agado to go on her mission came and went as well. Brother Agado was so upset after she left because it seemed to him that he let every big milestone or reason to be baptized pass him by. But in his anger he prayed. He told Heavenly Father that now he would never join the church. Not if his wife asked him to, not if his friends asked him to, no way was he ever going to join because he had never received an "answer." Except he left Heavenly Father one condition, that being, he would only ever join if his daughter asked him to be baptized.

Now flip to the side of the story I was part of. At the MTC one of the teachers Sister Agado and I had, Brother Anderson, had us practice the invitation to be baptized on one another. He had us all think of someone back home that we could invite to be baptized, and Sister

Agado thought of her dad. So on our P-day she wrote him a letter asking him to be baptized so that their family could be one step closer to becoming an eternal family. That letter ended up being delayed from Provo to Pocatello, ID for 8 days, making it arrive the day after Brother Agado prayed. Brother Agado contacted his bishop, the missionaries, and wrote Sister Agado he was going to be baptized on October 7th.

Heavenly Father is so aware of each and every one of us. When we turn to him, and try to become more like him and our Savior, Jesus Christ, he can help guide us in a way that allows us to be the answer to someone else's prayer. Did the sisters who live by Kim knock on her door thinking about much more than introducing themselves as neighbors? No. Did Sister Agado really think her dad would accept her invitation to be baptized? No. But in both of these cases, those involved were seeking out opportunities to lift those around them and bring them one step closer to Christ. Like it says in Alma 37:6, "...by small and simple things are great things brought to pass..."

When we turn our hearts to the Lord, he trusts us and can use us as a way to answer prayers and bring about miracles. Look for opportunities to be a extension of the Lord's hands in someone's life this week, and I can promise that it will bring added joy to your life!

Love,

Sister Larsen

Last time at the "Old church on the hill" since we are now meeting
at the newly-dedicated Visitor's Center/Church building