http://www.mormonchannel.org/watch/series/mormon-messages/shower-of-heavenly-blessings
Short little Mormon Message that I think captures my feelings this week.. ¨Men are that they might have joy¨ Be unique, be happy, and be a loving disciple of Christ :) Enjoy conference weekend! E´Larsen Hello family and friends, I hope everyone is enjoying the spring season as weather begins to change and that you are soaking in all the college basketball possible over these next couple weeks ;) General Villegas has been quite the hoot this past week as the work of the Lord continues to progress ´little by little´.This past Tuesday, Elder Man and I took on the roll of the Relief Society and made a dinner for the Avaka Family... It wasn´t anything too hard, just some mashed potatoes and some fried chicken but hey, they´ve been going through some harder times and with Elder Man´s always creative ideas we fulfilled with what we thought was helpful in the moment. After puting it all in a pan we made the long walk out to their home, sneakly set it by the front door, then as if we were little 14 year old boys hit the door a couple times and ran! I´m sure it was quite the scene for the mate sipping neighbors but hey, you do what ya gotta do.. When we made it back to the apartment we were happy to see a large thank you text from Hermana Avaka, reassuring us that they had gotten there before the street dogs :) The other night we were making some street contacts in the street and came across a lovely older women named Clara. Clara is an 81 year old who reminds me much of my own great grandmother Lora. Growing up in humble settings, she now enjoys a wonderful life with the accompany of her family. At this time especially however, she feels lonely and sad due to the recent passing of her husband during the holidays. She is a realist in her comments and a disciple of Christ in her loving serving to all. We feel the hand of god led us to her and will continue our efforts in helping her recieve the restored gospel of Christ. This past Saturday turned into quite the adventure.. As we were preparing the font for the baptism of Mateo Ojeda we quickly saw the rusted out pipes were not going to hold a full tank of water this time. Elder Man and I set off in search of a metal man and finally came across Gerrado, a marvelous man who kindly accepted to work through the siesta that we might have our font ready for a baptism on Sunday morning. After recieving the reinforced metal frames E´Man and I set to work on painting and constructing.. at 10 o´clock we had finished and the work and everything was prepared for a lovely baptism on Sunday morning. Sunday morning, with the help of President Castelli and his family, we finished organizing the small details and had a wonderful baptismal ordinance. While the water was a wee bit chilly, the Holy Ghost accompanied our small group as Mateo Ojeda was baptized through immersion. It was a beautiful day full of smiling faces, warm hearts, and one happy mom (Hermana Ojeda). The celebration continued that night when we were invited to help celebrate Mateo´s 8th birthday party! With foosball and ´futbol volley´ the Elders had quite a bit of fun reliving our glory days of competition. Even came across a beautiful StarWars shirt.. The Gospel has been restored in these the Latter-Days, and we as children of our Father in Heaven have the oppurtunity of living it bringing forth the joy we all seek in this life. I love where I am and love what I´m doing, ´little by little´may we all continue coming closer to the Savior, even Jesus Christ. Keep on Keepin´on.. Elder Larsen We have been having technical difficulties. Sorry, not sure what happened exactly but just found this message from last week still in my Draft box. Hello Family and Friends! I hope and pray that everyone is enjoying the beginning of spring as the winter snow begins to melt away. Down here in Argentina it is beginning to cool down again in the nights, so I have once again pulled out my sleeping bag cacoon. This past week has truly been incredible, ever grateful for the the opportunity to work here in General Villegas. Maria, a young women Elder Man and I were able to meet in the street last week, has always been a christian, but never really practiced a religon or studied the bible. We taught a brief lesson on the scriptures and invited her to read the chapter 7 from the book of Alma to learn more of her Savior. After setting plans we returned back to her house to find her waiting outside at a small table with the Book of Mormon. She had done as we had asked and with the help of the Spirit gained her first testimony of the Book of Mormon.. verse 25 änd may the lord bless you, and keep your garments spotless, that ye may at last be brought to sit down with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob¨touched her heart and, following her desires, we were able to teach her the doctrine of baptism and see the manner in which our garments may be cleaned so we may be brought forth before God, cleaned from sin. He lives, and He loves, and He´s given us the oportunity to read his words found in the scriptures. When one reads the Book of Mormon they are allowing our Heavenly Father´s love to touch their hearts, the hearts of all, hearts like Maria. Yesterday in the church we had the attendance of 32! Our little building was llenito! )really full= Twelve of the the people in the Sacrament mtg werenonmembers investigating more about the church.. It was truly amazing to see the hand of the Lord helping members, less actives, and investigators make it to the Sunday reunions, General Villegas has been prepared by the Lord of the vineyard and it is truly a great blessing to work here. However, something we still fault is the power of the priesthood. President Castilla came down from Cordoba this past Thursday to some visits, upon his arrival he excitedly shared who we were going to.. Christian Avaka and Gerrardo Chichiri.. two future leaders of Villegas who need a little push right now. Unfortunatley, neither of them were home but nonetheless the lesson of Pte. Castilla has stayed with me. ¨Priesthood Power¨is real and is necessary in establishing Zion in all parts of the world. Hoping that ´little by little´the hearts of men here in Villegas will soften and that they may follow they example of their faithful in coming unto Christ each Sunday.. I don´t why we´re so stubborn sometimes.. boys will be boys. While cleaning the church with Hermana Ojeda this past Tuesday I was flooded with great memories. Over the course of my life I have had the priviledge of cleaning many church buildings from the Seventh ward in South Jordan with my dad, to the Heber Lakecreek building with the Matthews family, to the MTC bathrooms with my Chick'Fil'A Georgian friend Elder Forsyth, to the holy Celestial room of the Provo Temple, to scrubbing the dirty tile of Capitan Bermudez barefoot.... I love these wonderful memories of time spent freshening up the sacred buildings of the Lord. Just like these dedicated grounds, we too need to keep our inner spirit clean and pure, our Savior Jesus Christ provides the supplies, time, work effort, and example.. Our job is to pick up the mop and work alongside him now. I love what I´m doing and where I´m at.. Thankyou for your prayers and thoughts, I know they are a blessing to my life and the lives of those here in Argentina. Have a good week and keep on cleaning on! Elder Larsen Good Afternoon family and friends, I apologize for not being able to send a message last week I hope to summarize the progression of the work here in Villegas from the past couple of weeks.
Last week was transfer day and the news was reported that Eldee Krizsan would be sent to a neighboring zone. It came as quite a surprise to all of us as he was entering his final transfer as a missionary and had so little time here in Villegas. Fortunately, for one of his last days in Villegas we were able to enjoy a special lunch with thte Ojeda family... upon finishing the meal little Mateo came into the room with a raquetball in hand, with a sly grin across his face he said ¨Vamos a jugar beisbol¨ I could hardly contain myself! After springing from the seat we set off into the street in search of a worthy stick that could be used as a bat. After findind a small palo the four us spent the next half hour trying to explain, teaching, and enjoying America´s pastime in the fields of Argentina. Even though he´s from Canada it was a fun last memory to share with a dear friend and great young man whom I admire, Elder Krizsan. With our growing little group of members here in Villegas we were recetnly given the option to start a 30 minute Gospel Principals class. Hermana Avaka, a wonderful women always excited to help in the church happily accepted the calling with only one condition.. The Elders would provide a Primary class for the children.. The past two weeks Elder man and I have really improved our crayon skills and remembered the wonder joys of ¨Snack Time¨ It is amazing to be apart of the progress here in Villegas and I´m forever grateful for the blessing it is to be here, ¨little by little¨ restoring the Church of Jesus Christ to my family of this little Argentina town. With the help and creativeness of Elder Man we have recently been able to find succes in helping familes and investigators set and reach attainable goals. In the street we try to always have a blank calendar on us, one that with the guide of the spirit can mark up with scriptures, lessons, prayers, all things in helping others see that living the Gospel is truly lograble and that reaching the waters of baptism is not far from reach. Here in the mission field I have gained a true testimony of setting a goal, and the creating map of improvements in order to reach the treasure at the end. For this cause, the cause of Improvement are we on this Earth.. We have been given the perfect example and by learning of him we can live more like him, walking even as he did, our Savior, even Jesus Christ. Thank you for your love and prayers they are always felt, take care and have an excellent week! E´Larsen |
AuthorElder Larsen is serving in the Rosario Argentina mission. Look here to follow his journey! Archives
June 2016
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Argentina Rosario Mission