Hola Familia and Amigos
This week has been amazing and filled with many miracles.. My mind is constantly running, something I love and hate... One connection I made this week was when I moved to Heber I was unsure about the decision and had doubts and a desire to return to South Jordan.. this example mirrors that of my mission experience. At the MTC the mission was the coolest thing ever, but when you hit the field, boy is it a different isolated foreign culture then you thought.. Similarly during Basketball tryouts at wasatch it was awesome! I was surrounded by people with similar interests and was one of the better athletes. Then I was cut, or rather my 'MTC' experience ended. I once again felt isolated and had a desire to return home to something familiar. In both these decisions I had doubts beforehand of making the decision. I knew it was the right thing just wasn't what Makord really wanted to do... Simililary during my short 19 months in Heber I grew up, made changes I didn't think were possible. It ended up being the best thing that ever happened to me. I know my mission expereince will be similar, just to continue relying on the love of our Savior, adopt the culture, and LOVE it!
This week we were trying really hard to come up with ideas on how to include the branch in the missionary efforts. We recieved revelation from the Spirit to ask the members to pray specifically for the families we are currently teaching. During lunch appt's and other conversations these family names became the topic of the conversation. It was awesome to see the spark it lit in the Branch and this past Sunday President Gomez kept the revalation going!
At branch council He expressed his love for the idea of sharing slips of papers with members of our investigators, while also adding the importance of praying for the gift that our investigators would understand the teaching of the gospel and its importance in their life. He also announced over the pulpit for the entire branch to participate in a special missionary work fast this thursday! Beautifully teaching on how to include the entire family including children for maybe just an hour on the special fast. After the meeting in the morning Elder Ashby and I ran to the library to make more copies of our investigators to make sure everyone in attendance would have a copy!
Yesterday me and Elder Ashby were also able to give talks in Sacrement meeting.. It's really quite amazing to think where my language is at right now.. I just gave a talk in another language to native speakers from Argentina.. The Gift of Toungues is real!! I can feel the spirit working through me throughout the day to help relay the message of our Savior. I know that with continued diligence we all can improve at anything we put our mind to. The spirit of Missionary work is flowing here in La Emilia and we are extremely excited to work this week! :)
This week during some extra study time I chose to start reading the Liahona in Spanish. It's a little easier wording then the scriptures and I was shocked to actually understand! This month there is an amazing article on the recipe for a Happy Family. One part that really stood out to me was the "work"section that talks about family history. Here in the mission field we have the oppurtunity to do 1 hour of Family History work a week. It has been really cool to look at my family tree and the generations of those who have gone on before me. Thier legacy is one I hope to continually remember in my heart. I know that family history is a great way to serve our family both in the past and in generations to come! The Liahona has excellent activities and ideas for bringing the family unit closer, a blessing I took for granted before the mission... WE have decided to began utilizing the Liahona as the focus of our message with members. It's switching things up ad hopefully helping them see the amazing blessing the liahona can be to the family and the home. The gospel of Jesus Christ is here to bless families. :)
"Its good to be perfect, but it's better to be better" -Elder Ashby
May we always be trying to be a little better each day, each hour, in every aspect.
Thank you for your love and support, prayers are always felt :)
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Love, Elder Larsen