Monday, January 30, 2012
Elder M. Russel Balard came
Hey Everyone,
This Week was a great week. We started the week with a meeting with an Apostle of God, Elder M. Russel Balard visited our mission last tuesday. It was great, he was making jokes and every once and a while he would make a coment in spanish, I think that he thought in Brasil the people speak spanish. When we ended the meting with Elder Balard everyone was excited to go out and teach the gospel.
Our investagators are Claudiono and Joice who are married and they have already recived an anwser about the Book of Mormon and Joseph Smith, it´s so great to teach them because the spirit is strong and there excited to learn. They are marked for baptism, the 18th of febuary. Antônio and Mariana, they were not sure if they wanted to get married because they said that they fight all the time. Mariana said that she wanted to live Antonio, but we talked with them and they seem very happy. Arlindo is still having problems with the divorce papers. And francisco(our 21years old Golden investagator) was baptized on saterday!
I love you guys , I wish I had more time to tell you everything but... Don´t worry I am safe, healthy, and happy. Have a great week everybody.
Elder Stephen Larson
Miracle
Hi My Family,
This week was also a good week even though the numbers don't show it.
We taught Luis and he told us all about his past and he is looking
positive. but we might be giving him to the spanish Elders because he
might understand better in spanish. We had planned on getting three
investigators to church this week but they didn't make it. Big Jo
actually was waiting for us but we got there a little late and one of
her friends picked her up to go to thier church. She has short term
memory loss so she forgot that we were coming. Man she makes me laugh.
Saturday we went to the Adult Session of Stake conference and it
was very spiritual. This Lady talked about her daughter who had gotten
in an accident and she was in serious shape. Her mom couldn't even
recognize her. She had broken her spine is 7 places and her foot was
messed up and her vains on her neck were cut like a cat on curtains.
The Docters said that she wasn't going to make it and if she did she
would be a vegetable. They said there was nothing they could do. But
her mom comely and couragously she that she could do something. She
called her hometeachers and they came and gave her daughter a
priesthood blessing. Everything was calm and it was in the lords
hands. The daughter came out of the coma that she wasn't supposed to
come out of. The girl had bad head trauma and would be able to
remember anything but when her mom came in and asked her "do you know
who I am?" she squinted her eyes open and said," your my Mama." It
was a miracle and the Miracle doesn't stop there, The girl made a
COMPLETE recovery. I was so touched by this mothers experience and
when she was finished speaking Her daughter got up and I couldn't
believe my eyes. I had seen this lady sitting on the stand before but
I had no Idea this was the same girl. She was absolutey beautiful and
whole and healthy. the Lord can heal us completly. What a powerful
manifestation of gods love and power.
Then the next day I had the blessing to give 4 blessings one of
which was heart peircing. We got a call for a lady named Millie who
was in a nearby hospital. she wasn't a member and she probably had no
idea what a blessing was. We never saw her before or talked with her
so it was a blind walk in. When we walked into her room she was
weezing as she slept. We were about to leave but she called out in a
raspy quiet voice. At first I didn't know what we could do, But then
she cried out and just wanted the pain and the sickness to end. I felt
so much love and compassion. We gave her a blessing and I felt a good
peace afterwards, And she opened her eyes wider after that and thanked
us for coming. We are going to stop by again to see her. I have no
doubt in my heart or mind that she can be healed and better.
I love these people so much. I love you all aswell. have a wonderful
week and be safe.
--
Elder Spencer Larson
This week was also a good week even though the numbers don't show it.
We taught Luis and he told us all about his past and he is looking
positive. but we might be giving him to the spanish Elders because he
might understand better in spanish. We had planned on getting three
investigators to church this week but they didn't make it. Big Jo
actually was waiting for us but we got there a little late and one of
her friends picked her up to go to thier church. She has short term
memory loss so she forgot that we were coming. Man she makes me laugh.
Saturday we went to the Adult Session of Stake conference and it
was very spiritual. This Lady talked about her daughter who had gotten
in an accident and she was in serious shape. Her mom couldn't even
recognize her. She had broken her spine is 7 places and her foot was
messed up and her vains on her neck were cut like a cat on curtains.
The Docters said that she wasn't going to make it and if she did she
would be a vegetable. They said there was nothing they could do. But
her mom comely and couragously she that she could do something. She
called her hometeachers and they came and gave her daughter a
priesthood blessing. Everything was calm and it was in the lords
hands. The daughter came out of the coma that she wasn't supposed to
come out of. The girl had bad head trauma and would be able to
remember anything but when her mom came in and asked her "do you know
who I am?" she squinted her eyes open and said," your my Mama." It
was a miracle and the Miracle doesn't stop there, The girl made a
COMPLETE recovery. I was so touched by this mothers experience and
when she was finished speaking Her daughter got up and I couldn't
believe my eyes. I had seen this lady sitting on the stand before but
I had no Idea this was the same girl. She was absolutey beautiful and
whole and healthy. the Lord can heal us completly. What a powerful
manifestation of gods love and power.
Then the next day I had the blessing to give 4 blessings one of
which was heart peircing. We got a call for a lady named Millie who
was in a nearby hospital. she wasn't a member and she probably had no
idea what a blessing was. We never saw her before or talked with her
so it was a blind walk in. When we walked into her room she was
weezing as she slept. We were about to leave but she called out in a
raspy quiet voice. At first I didn't know what we could do, But then
she cried out and just wanted the pain and the sickness to end. I felt
so much love and compassion. We gave her a blessing and I felt a good
peace afterwards, And she opened her eyes wider after that and thanked
us for coming. We are going to stop by again to see her. I have no
doubt in my heart or mind that she can be healed and better.
I love these people so much. I love you all aswell. have a wonderful
week and be safe.
--
Elder Spencer Larson
Transfers are coming
Hey dad kris and kids.
I am doing good. This week was a little hard but good.
I am still hard in the language, but hopefully it starts coming.
This week, nothing too exciting happened, I have almost been here in Pasig 3 (my first area) for 6 months. In Feburary, I will have been in the field for 6 months. I am learning a lot, hopefully I learn everything I need to, Like this language. Sometimes I wonder if I will get better at it after I have a 2nd area, maybe it will force me to open my ears and mouth more and stuff. At the same time I don't want to leave the people, here. I love them, the families are great, and I am getting closer to some of our frequent investigators. I know it will all work out.
The reason why I am talking about transfers right now is because they are next week. I think i might be transfering. I will know by tuesday I think. Or wednesday. Our P-day next week I think is on wednesday.
Oh I gave a talk in church yesterday. I spoke on service, cause saturday we helped this family, the Cinco family (my favorite) move to a different house, it wasn't far, just another street in the town, but we and only like 3 other members showed up. So we ended up only getting 3 lessons that day cause we were busy helping them move all there stuff. I was so tired, and sore the next day. They didn't have many stuff, but the heavy stuff I had to carry, cause no one else could lift them, and then their new house is at the top of the building, 4th floor. I was stinky and exhausted at the end of the day. But I was glad to help them move, and see them settle into their new house.
Also my talk, I thought it was pretty good, then the second councelor in the bishopric leaned over to me after I had finished and he told me I wasn't close enough to the microphone, no one could hear me, my voice was too weak. Well that's that. I felt pretty dumb, but it's ok. I have that feeling a lot out here.
I love you guys. And Davo I am so proud of you and helping your friend learn the gospel, good job buddy. And Anni, you are probably so beautiful!! All the boys asking you to dances! Just remember, no dating until you are 16, and on that day, I get to talk to you date and ask him a billion questions and embarrass the crap out of you in front of him. haha, no but really, Listen to your parents, they know what they are doing, and you will be happier if you obey them, I promise.
I love you all, and hope you are all happy.
Love
Elder Benjamin L. Larson
I am doing good. This week was a little hard but good.
I am still hard in the language, but hopefully it starts coming.
This week, nothing too exciting happened, I have almost been here in Pasig 3 (my first area) for 6 months. In Feburary, I will have been in the field for 6 months. I am learning a lot, hopefully I learn everything I need to, Like this language. Sometimes I wonder if I will get better at it after I have a 2nd area, maybe it will force me to open my ears and mouth more and stuff. At the same time I don't want to leave the people, here. I love them, the families are great, and I am getting closer to some of our frequent investigators. I know it will all work out.
The reason why I am talking about transfers right now is because they are next week. I think i might be transfering. I will know by tuesday I think. Or wednesday. Our P-day next week I think is on wednesday.
Oh I gave a talk in church yesterday. I spoke on service, cause saturday we helped this family, the Cinco family (my favorite) move to a different house, it wasn't far, just another street in the town, but we and only like 3 other members showed up. So we ended up only getting 3 lessons that day cause we were busy helping them move all there stuff. I was so tired, and sore the next day. They didn't have many stuff, but the heavy stuff I had to carry, cause no one else could lift them, and then their new house is at the top of the building, 4th floor. I was stinky and exhausted at the end of the day. But I was glad to help them move, and see them settle into their new house.
Also my talk, I thought it was pretty good, then the second councelor in the bishopric leaned over to me after I had finished and he told me I wasn't close enough to the microphone, no one could hear me, my voice was too weak. Well that's that. I felt pretty dumb, but it's ok. I have that feeling a lot out here.
I love you guys. And Davo I am so proud of you and helping your friend learn the gospel, good job buddy. And Anni, you are probably so beautiful!! All the boys asking you to dances! Just remember, no dating until you are 16, and on that day, I get to talk to you date and ask him a billion questions and embarrass the crap out of you in front of him. haha, no but really, Listen to your parents, they know what they are doing, and you will be happier if you obey them, I promise.
I love you all, and hope you are all happy.
Love
Elder Benjamin L. Larson
Big Jo
Dear Family,
It is so wonderful to receive all your thoughts and words of encouragement in your emails. This week was a really good one with some challenges. We have been trying to get Mia and her Family and Jannett and her family to make it to church. They both didn't make it this week but one of our investigators did. Big Jo did. She sat with us and even though she didn't quite understand what was going on she had fun socializing with all the members. As Jo was walking up the church building she grabbed Elder Ryan Larson's hand and held it. When I saw the situation I laughed and Elder R. Larson was just feeling all awkward. We came to the conclusion that 83 year old ladies know that they can get away with stuff like that. What can we do.
We had an amazing experience with Jeff this week. We brought Bro. Ojukwu who is from Africa, and played College Basket ball because he is so big and tall. Jeff has been struggling with life and just want to find that peace and enjoyment of life. So we asked how he has been doing and about the Reading in the Book of Mormon. He was depressed and not reading the Book Of Mormon. Then as we talked Bro. Ojukwu share his life and conversion. Jeff is very opened minded and very honest with how he feels. He didn't feel like a story like that could happen to him with his experiences. But we all persisted and bore our hearts to him. Once we started talking about his relationship with his family he began to feel hope and at the end of the lesson we were all laughing so much and we were all filled with the love and joy of god. I love Jeff so much. He said that he would like to continue to meet with us. That was a miracle.
On Sunday we had a lot of success in finding new investigators, we also found a Alligator .............. Snapping Turtle. Jess and mom don't worry I didn't touch it. I still have all my toes and fingers. When we were in that part of the neighborhood we talked to this guy named Luis who was very open to us. He is into drugs but he is open to listening to us.
We went biking for the first time with elder Elizondo last week and he almost crashed about 5 times. We also ran out of english planners so now I am using a Spanish planner this transfer.
Davo and Annika I am so proud of all the choices that you are making. I always wished that I could've grown up where I had to be the example to others in living the gospel. Davo you are a great missionary already.You are a great example to me of the courage. It takes courage and faith to share with your friend something that can change their life for ever.
Kris here some of the answers to your questions.
I do get to teach the Plan of Salvation A lot. We actually just finished teaching Mia the Plan of Salvation. She really likes it. and I have gained a great knowledge and testimony of it as i have studied and taught it.
Most of the people we run into are catholics or Baptist so it is kind of hard to get them to listen passed their Family traditions.
Concerning My living quarters, I live in a pretty nice apartment complex, with hundreds of people living in them. All the people in our building know or have at least talked with us a little bit. The lady down below us really likes us and she even told us one day that she had a book of Mormon and she read a little of it.
On P-Days in this area it is hard to get together with a lot of missionaries together because everything is so spread out. but we usually try to go to the stake center and play some B-Ball. I actually have gotten a lot better at it.
Well I love you all, Take care and have fun.
--
Elder Spencer Larson
It is so wonderful to receive all your thoughts and words of encouragement in your emails. This week was a really good one with some challenges. We have been trying to get Mia and her Family and Jannett and her family to make it to church. They both didn't make it this week but one of our investigators did. Big Jo did. She sat with us and even though she didn't quite understand what was going on she had fun socializing with all the members. As Jo was walking up the church building she grabbed Elder Ryan Larson's hand and held it. When I saw the situation I laughed and Elder R. Larson was just feeling all awkward. We came to the conclusion that 83 year old ladies know that they can get away with stuff like that. What can we do.
We had an amazing experience with Jeff this week. We brought Bro. Ojukwu who is from Africa, and played College Basket ball because he is so big and tall. Jeff has been struggling with life and just want to find that peace and enjoyment of life. So we asked how he has been doing and about the Reading in the Book of Mormon. He was depressed and not reading the Book Of Mormon. Then as we talked Bro. Ojukwu share his life and conversion. Jeff is very opened minded and very honest with how he feels. He didn't feel like a story like that could happen to him with his experiences. But we all persisted and bore our hearts to him. Once we started talking about his relationship with his family he began to feel hope and at the end of the lesson we were all laughing so much and we were all filled with the love and joy of god. I love Jeff so much. He said that he would like to continue to meet with us. That was a miracle.
On Sunday we had a lot of success in finding new investigators, we also found a Alligator .............. Snapping Turtle. Jess and mom don't worry I didn't touch it. I still have all my toes and fingers. When we were in that part of the neighborhood we talked to this guy named Luis who was very open to us. He is into drugs but he is open to listening to us.
We went biking for the first time with elder Elizondo last week and he almost crashed about 5 times. We also ran out of english planners so now I am using a Spanish planner this transfer.
Davo and Annika I am so proud of all the choices that you are making. I always wished that I could've grown up where I had to be the example to others in living the gospel. Davo you are a great missionary already.You are a great example to me of the courage. It takes courage and faith to share with your friend something that can change their life for ever.
Kris here some of the answers to your questions.
I do get to teach the Plan of Salvation A lot. We actually just finished teaching Mia the Plan of Salvation. She really likes it. and I have gained a great knowledge and testimony of it as i have studied and taught it.
Most of the people we run into are catholics or Baptist so it is kind of hard to get them to listen passed their Family traditions.
Concerning My living quarters, I live in a pretty nice apartment complex, with hundreds of people living in them. All the people in our building know or have at least talked with us a little bit. The lady down below us really likes us and she even told us one day that she had a book of Mormon and she read a little of it.
On P-Days in this area it is hard to get together with a lot of missionaries together because everything is so spread out. but we usually try to go to the stake center and play some B-Ball. I actually have gotten a lot better at it.
Well I love you all, Take care and have fun.
--
Elder Spencer Larson
Arlindo
Hey everybody,
Here are some of the poeple that we are teaching. Arlindo that youguys already know is a boyfriend to a member. They were livingtogether and then they felt the desire to come back to church andfollow christ. The only problem was that they weren´t married so theygot married on the 17th of December, but then 3 weeks later the civilmarriage office called them and said that the marriage wasn´t valid because she was still married with x-husband. And now we have to wait for them to cancel the marriage with Arlindo to get the divorcefinalized with her x-husband. What a crazy mess. But Arlindo will getbaptized sooner or later. Cicero and Sara said that they don´t want to get baptized anymore. Antônio, we can never find him at home. We have a couple that we arereally excited about, there names are Claudiono and Joice, they´remarried, so we´re not going to have any problems with that stuff. Our week was good, we had interviews with our mission President ontuesday which were great, we helped a member move into another houseon thursday which was a pain, and we did an activity on friday whichwas realy awsome.
I know that god loves us, Have a good week.
Elder stephen Larson
Monday, January 16, 2012
Awesome pic
I found this picture of Ben in the MTC at my Dads house when I was there for New Years and I just had to put it up.
He's crazy!!
Hey Everyone,
On Saturday the 14th of January Gildásio was baptized. And then on the next day he was confirmed a member and then he received the Holy Ghost. At Gildásio´s Baptism his mom, brother, sister were there and we had some other non-members that whached the Baptism. Erivaldo was choosen to baptized his friend Gildásio, erivaldo was so nervous I thought that he was going to faint in the font. Erivaldo had to repeat the baptism 3 times, the frist time he forgot to say ´Amem´ then the second time Gildásio´s elbow didn´t go under the water.
We are teach Arlindo(39), Cicero(26) and Sara(30), Antônio(34) and Mariana(19), Antônio(20), Claudiono(about49) and his wife Joice(about33). These are the people we focusing on.
I love you guys, I hope you all have a great week. and everything is going great here in brasil.
Elder stephen larson
On Saturday the 14th of January Gildásio was baptized. And then on the next day he was confirmed a member and then he received the Holy Ghost. At Gildásio´s Baptism his mom, brother, sister were there and we had some other non-members that whached the Baptism. Erivaldo was choosen to baptized his friend Gildásio, erivaldo was so nervous I thought that he was going to faint in the font. Erivaldo had to repeat the baptism 3 times, the frist time he forgot to say ´Amem´ then the second time Gildásio´s elbow didn´t go under the water.
We are teach Arlindo(39), Cicero(26) and Sara(30), Antônio(34) and Mariana(19), Antônio(20), Claudiono(about49) and his wife Joice(about33). These are the people we focusing on.
I love you guys, I hope you all have a great week. and everything is going great here in brasil.
Elder stephen larson
Trio Still
Hey Everyone,
We had a very good week, but it seemed like it was very slow. We have been working a lot on trying to find some new investigators and we are starting to find them along with all the other crazy people. Since last week we have seen Big Jo a lot. She has a case of short term memory loss so every time we go over she says the same phrases like, "I am short but I make up for it with my big mouth and my left hook." She is from new jersey so she has an accent that makes her sound like a tough old grandma. I love her a lot and was very excited that she was coming to church this week but she forgot that we were coming and went to church with her other friend. I am just glad that she is still a live and well, It made me nervous when we knocked on the door and nobody answered.
Nothing has happened with Donnell last week but we are seeing him today. We have net with Mia a lot as well and she came to church. She brought her son and her nephew with her. They are both primary age and after church i asked them if they would like to come back next week. Mia's nephew replied," I want to come back every day!" That made me giggle inside. Mia is doing so good, she is really being serious about baptism and really looking for the truth. I asked her how the Book of Mormon has made her fell as she read it. She said that it made her spirit or heart feel good and expand from with in her. She knows.
Jannett is another investigator we have.She is from the virgin Islands, has four kids and lives in a trailer with her mom Rosa. She was taught before but she really didn't get anything of what the missionaries taught her. She has a hard time understanding gospel concepts the way we would usually teach it. so we are working on teaching her with pictures and movies. I think she likes me a little too much. She calls me "sweet" because I guess I say "sweet!" all the time.
I went on exchange with Elder Glover this past week and it was so much fun. He is a very good guy. We also had an experience with a non-active Lady who was looking to leave the church. Elder Glover and I convinced her to let us come back and teach her what she doesn't understand. When we went back she had her son with her who was very anti to our church. He showed us a video about why we are wrong in our religion and he told us how we don't believe in the same Jesus. it was Really sad to listen to this Former member speak this way to us. But through it all I was very calm and i felt inspired to bear my heart felt testimony about the gospel and the plan of Salvation. The spirit was strong as i did so. He wouldn't listen to the spirit or my words and continued to deny what was true. That experience really strengthened my testimony of the plan of Salvation and Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that we have the gift of choice to choose eternal life through Christ or to choose captivity and death. And it is never to late to turn to the savior. Never. He loves us all and pleads all the time for us to come to him.
I love you all and wish that you all have a happy week.
[Elder Spencer Larson]
P.S. i am staying with Elder Elizondo and Elder Ryan Larson for another transfer. Yeah!!!!!!!!!
We had a very good week, but it seemed like it was very slow. We have been working a lot on trying to find some new investigators and we are starting to find them along with all the other crazy people. Since last week we have seen Big Jo a lot. She has a case of short term memory loss so every time we go over she says the same phrases like, "I am short but I make up for it with my big mouth and my left hook." She is from new jersey so she has an accent that makes her sound like a tough old grandma. I love her a lot and was very excited that she was coming to church this week but she forgot that we were coming and went to church with her other friend. I am just glad that she is still a live and well, It made me nervous when we knocked on the door and nobody answered.
Nothing has happened with Donnell last week but we are seeing him today. We have net with Mia a lot as well and she came to church. She brought her son and her nephew with her. They are both primary age and after church i asked them if they would like to come back next week. Mia's nephew replied," I want to come back every day!" That made me giggle inside. Mia is doing so good, she is really being serious about baptism and really looking for the truth. I asked her how the Book of Mormon has made her fell as she read it. She said that it made her spirit or heart feel good and expand from with in her. She knows.
Jannett is another investigator we have.She is from the virgin Islands, has four kids and lives in a trailer with her mom Rosa. She was taught before but she really didn't get anything of what the missionaries taught her. She has a hard time understanding gospel concepts the way we would usually teach it. so we are working on teaching her with pictures and movies. I think she likes me a little too much. She calls me "sweet" because I guess I say "sweet!" all the time.
I went on exchange with Elder Glover this past week and it was so much fun. He is a very good guy. We also had an experience with a non-active Lady who was looking to leave the church. Elder Glover and I convinced her to let us come back and teach her what she doesn't understand. When we went back she had her son with her who was very anti to our church. He showed us a video about why we are wrong in our religion and he told us how we don't believe in the same Jesus. it was Really sad to listen to this Former member speak this way to us. But through it all I was very calm and i felt inspired to bear my heart felt testimony about the gospel and the plan of Salvation. The spirit was strong as i did so. He wouldn't listen to the spirit or my words and continued to deny what was true. That experience really strengthened my testimony of the plan of Salvation and Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that we have the gift of choice to choose eternal life through Christ or to choose captivity and death. And it is never to late to turn to the savior. Never. He loves us all and pleads all the time for us to come to him.
I love you all and wish that you all have a happy week.
[Elder Spencer Larson]
P.S. i am staying with Elder Elizondo and Elder Ryan Larson for another transfer. Yeah!!!!!!!!!
I saw David Archuletta at church
Hey Dad Kris Kids. and all you other wonderful people.
I am doing good her in Philippines, It is still very much hot. and I sweat a lot of the times. Tell Grandma Martin I got her christmas letter, and that it was good to hear how she was doing.
So nothing really cool happened this week, pretty normal. Oh yeah, yesterday at church we had a bunch of people attend, mostly from the other wards, then David Archuletta showed up too. Ha what a coincidence. I never thought I would see a famous person at church in the Philippines.............. He bore his testimony.
Also I taught the Gospel principles class all by myself, it is the class for the Investigators/Less actives, but it was only less actives who were there. I had to teach, because the usual teacher was in another class and my comp had to interview someone for baptism, so with out a plan, during the opening prayer I felt like I should teach about sacrament meeting, so I did. I opened a scripture about the sabbath and asked everyone why church is so important to them, and then with their answers I guided the lesson towards Sacrament, then I sang the song, Nearer my God to thee, I was only going to read it, but then they made me sing it. I liked it, I don't know if they did. But the coolest part is that I really felt the lord helping me, especially with the language. I didn't really have any brain farts or anything, it went surprisingly smooth. Man, God is very nice to me!
We have been teaching Dhalia a lot, she is the Investigator we are focussing on really. And on sunday, we taught her, and her sister was with her. They are both the religion Iglesia Ni Cristo, and her sister is very firm. I guess they don't believe in having pictures of Jesus Christ in their church, because Dhalia's sister brought up the picture subject. At first she was asking (well stating really) that we worship the pictures not Jesus, then we told her, that we know that pictures are just pictures and we only worship God the father and his son. Then she went on this whole thing, of "why do we have pictures of christ?" "Did the artist see him to know what he looks like, or how do you know what he looks like, how do you know the pictures are right." I was a little frustrated with her, (Dhalia's sister) because she wasn't asking the question to learn, she was asking it to stump us and make us feel like retards. We did our best, and we gave our testimonies that We know Jesus has shown himself to many prophets in history, including Joseph Smith, (we were trying to focus on him). As I was baring my testimony, and as I looked at her face, I noticed she was laughing a little. During my testimony I really felt the spirit, I was a little emotional too, as I told how this Gospel has blessed my family, and she was just laughing at me. I quickly closed at that point and then stayed quiet. I was trying not to dislike her very much. I just hope Sister Dhalia is still having a good spiritual experience and desire to learn this gospel.
So I am having very many growing and learning experiences here. The lord is helping me through them all, I think he always has, and always will, as long as I do my best to follow and love him.
Anni and Davo, I miss you guys a lot, have fun in school, and in your sports, and remember your big bro Ben loves you and is praying for you. Dad and Kris, I love you guys, thanks for your e mails, and support to me in the mission. it is good to feel it like this.
I love you all, and know that this church is true. It is Christ's church, and he is LEADING it.
Love
Elder Benjamin L. Larson
I am doing good her in Philippines, It is still very much hot. and I sweat a lot of the times. Tell Grandma Martin I got her christmas letter, and that it was good to hear how she was doing.
So nothing really cool happened this week, pretty normal. Oh yeah, yesterday at church we had a bunch of people attend, mostly from the other wards, then David Archuletta showed up too. Ha what a coincidence. I never thought I would see a famous person at church in the Philippines.............. He bore his testimony.
Also I taught the Gospel principles class all by myself, it is the class for the Investigators/Less actives, but it was only less actives who were there. I had to teach, because the usual teacher was in another class and my comp had to interview someone for baptism, so with out a plan, during the opening prayer I felt like I should teach about sacrament meeting, so I did. I opened a scripture about the sabbath and asked everyone why church is so important to them, and then with their answers I guided the lesson towards Sacrament, then I sang the song, Nearer my God to thee, I was only going to read it, but then they made me sing it. I liked it, I don't know if they did. But the coolest part is that I really felt the lord helping me, especially with the language. I didn't really have any brain farts or anything, it went surprisingly smooth. Man, God is very nice to me!
We have been teaching Dhalia a lot, she is the Investigator we are focussing on really. And on sunday, we taught her, and her sister was with her. They are both the religion Iglesia Ni Cristo, and her sister is very firm. I guess they don't believe in having pictures of Jesus Christ in their church, because Dhalia's sister brought up the picture subject. At first she was asking (well stating really) that we worship the pictures not Jesus, then we told her, that we know that pictures are just pictures and we only worship God the father and his son. Then she went on this whole thing, of "why do we have pictures of christ?" "Did the artist see him to know what he looks like, or how do you know what he looks like, how do you know the pictures are right." I was a little frustrated with her, (Dhalia's sister) because she wasn't asking the question to learn, she was asking it to stump us and make us feel like retards. We did our best, and we gave our testimonies that We know Jesus has shown himself to many prophets in history, including Joseph Smith, (we were trying to focus on him). As I was baring my testimony, and as I looked at her face, I noticed she was laughing a little. During my testimony I really felt the spirit, I was a little emotional too, as I told how this Gospel has blessed my family, and she was just laughing at me. I quickly closed at that point and then stayed quiet. I was trying not to dislike her very much. I just hope Sister Dhalia is still having a good spiritual experience and desire to learn this gospel.
So I am having very many growing and learning experiences here. The lord is helping me through them all, I think he always has, and always will, as long as I do my best to follow and love him.
Anni and Davo, I miss you guys a lot, have fun in school, and in your sports, and remember your big bro Ben loves you and is praying for you. Dad and Kris, I love you guys, thanks for your e mails, and support to me in the mission. it is good to feel it like this.
I love you all, and know that this church is true. It is Christ's church, and he is LEADING it.
Love
Elder Benjamin L. Larson
Teaching sister Dhalia Garcia
Hey Dad Kris Anni and Davo, and family,
This week has been good, and a little hard too but mostly good. I am good, by the way, I am going well, here in Philippines.
We have been teaching Sister Dhalia Garcia, we found her through a less active family that we have been visiting. She lives with them and when we came over, she had so much questions for us. I don't remember really if I had told this to you so I guess I will tell again.
She is belongs to the Iglesia Ni Cristo church, it is HUGE here. Anyway, we taught first a part of the Plan of Salvation because her sister had died, and she had questions which was wonderful. And then the word of wisdom came up, and she really had questions there. She doesn't have a problem really at all with the WOW, she doesn't drink smoke or drink. She is great.
We gave her a pamphlet of the Restoration, as well as the Plan of Salvation, she read them both!! Ha this is a cool thing because many times the people we give the pamflets to don't read them, but she did. And she has like a freeking true desire to learn and know the truth! I Have never felt the spirit so much as I do when we teach her and her husband, with the Less Active family. This last lesson, she Prayed! I have never heard a more sincere prayer. We didn't even have to teach her how to pray, (which we do a lot actually) she read 'how to pray' in the Restoration pamflet, and she really has an understanding that prayer is communication with our father in heaven.
When she was praying, I remember she asked to know of the truth, and she expressed thanks for us being sent to her. And as she prayed these thing, her voice began to crack and the tears began to poor, and the spirit flowed through all who was in the room. When she was done she burried her face in the neck of her 2 year old baby girl to hide her tear wetted face from us. We expressed our great thanks and left, with tears also in our eyes!
Holy Crap the spirit ROCKS!! Nothing like it!! With the spirit all things are possible, through the spirit people change, and in the spirit we become stronger. So that is a good quote I think we should all remember. And I Just made it up so, the spirit is sweet. Moral of the story is that.
Also I realized this week while riding on a Jeep-nee that the lanes here, are pretty much just for looks, the cars don't even fit in them, but its ok, cause they don't use them, they just drive where ever there is space. Also a drunk man thanked me for Jesus this week. Like those were his exact words. "Hey Joe" he said, "thank you for Jesus" What a nice drunk man. Also there is this old guy in our ward who bares his testimony 3 times usually, in fast and testimony meeting. He is my favorite! He always, talks about the BOM and Joseph smith, and he has the most passion in his voice than a usual old man can have.
So this week, was good. And the Language is a still little bit harder, but I can see a growth in my learning and understanding. Speaking is the harder one.
I love you all and hope you are all so happy. You are so great, and I am grateful for you very much.
Love
Elder Benjamin L. Larson
This week has been good, and a little hard too but mostly good. I am good, by the way, I am going well, here in Philippines.
We have been teaching Sister Dhalia Garcia, we found her through a less active family that we have been visiting. She lives with them and when we came over, she had so much questions for us. I don't remember really if I had told this to you so I guess I will tell again.
She is belongs to the Iglesia Ni Cristo church, it is HUGE here. Anyway, we taught first a part of the Plan of Salvation because her sister had died, and she had questions which was wonderful. And then the word of wisdom came up, and she really had questions there. She doesn't have a problem really at all with the WOW, she doesn't drink smoke or drink. She is great.
We gave her a pamphlet of the Restoration, as well as the Plan of Salvation, she read them both!! Ha this is a cool thing because many times the people we give the pamflets to don't read them, but she did. And she has like a freeking true desire to learn and know the truth! I Have never felt the spirit so much as I do when we teach her and her husband, with the Less Active family. This last lesson, she Prayed! I have never heard a more sincere prayer. We didn't even have to teach her how to pray, (which we do a lot actually) she read 'how to pray' in the Restoration pamflet, and she really has an understanding that prayer is communication with our father in heaven.
When she was praying, I remember she asked to know of the truth, and she expressed thanks for us being sent to her. And as she prayed these thing, her voice began to crack and the tears began to poor, and the spirit flowed through all who was in the room. When she was done she burried her face in the neck of her 2 year old baby girl to hide her tear wetted face from us. We expressed our great thanks and left, with tears also in our eyes!
Holy Crap the spirit ROCKS!! Nothing like it!! With the spirit all things are possible, through the spirit people change, and in the spirit we become stronger. So that is a good quote I think we should all remember. And I Just made it up so, the spirit is sweet. Moral of the story is that.
Also I realized this week while riding on a Jeep-nee that the lanes here, are pretty much just for looks, the cars don't even fit in them, but its ok, cause they don't use them, they just drive where ever there is space. Also a drunk man thanked me for Jesus this week. Like those were his exact words. "Hey Joe" he said, "thank you for Jesus" What a nice drunk man. Also there is this old guy in our ward who bares his testimony 3 times usually, in fast and testimony meeting. He is my favorite! He always, talks about the BOM and Joseph smith, and he has the most passion in his voice than a usual old man can have.
So this week, was good. And the Language is a still little bit harder, but I can see a growth in my learning and understanding. Speaking is the harder one.
I love you all and hope you are all so happy. You are so great, and I am grateful for you very much.
Love
Elder Benjamin L. Larson
hey family,
This week was a learning week. we didn't have a lot going on because everything kept falling through. The good thing is that we prayerfully studied out in our minds how we can improve and make our efforts more effective. One thing that i learned to improve on was talking to people at the door. I have done it a lot on my mission in the heat of the sun and I had had a lot of good experiences like when I found scott and margie. but it seemed to not be working. I learned to seek the lords way instead of my way, but we still had to try on our part. We were one day driving around in an area that we thought would be a good place then a street stood out to us and we started talking to people who were in their drive way. The next door down this 91 year old lady opened up to talk with us. she said she had a church but that she was some what interested in what we had to say. As we walked away she called us back and said that she would like to come to church tomorrow with us. I was very happy and surprised and she expressed greater desires to meet with us. she didn't end up coming to church because her ride fell through and she went to the hospital.
The next day we had more experiences like it and it is the greatest experience to meet someone who is genuinely open to hear what we have to say. We also talked to a Born again Christian and that was a long conversation. hehe. But he was a very nice guy.
We also got in contact with a guy named Donnell who we taught the first lesson a month ago. When we read the promise in Moroni he was touched by the spirit. We had given him a Book Of Mormon and he by himself has read about a third of it and is very positive about it. I am so excited to teach donnell again.
I guess that is all for now. Take care guys.
[Elder Spencer Larson]
This week was a learning week. we didn't have a lot going on because everything kept falling through. The good thing is that we prayerfully studied out in our minds how we can improve and make our efforts more effective. One thing that i learned to improve on was talking to people at the door. I have done it a lot on my mission in the heat of the sun and I had had a lot of good experiences like when I found scott and margie. but it seemed to not be working. I learned to seek the lords way instead of my way, but we still had to try on our part. We were one day driving around in an area that we thought would be a good place then a street stood out to us and we started talking to people who were in their drive way. The next door down this 91 year old lady opened up to talk with us. she said she had a church but that she was some what interested in what we had to say. As we walked away she called us back and said that she would like to come to church tomorrow with us. I was very happy and surprised and she expressed greater desires to meet with us. she didn't end up coming to church because her ride fell through and she went to the hospital.
The next day we had more experiences like it and it is the greatest experience to meet someone who is genuinely open to hear what we have to say. We also talked to a Born again Christian and that was a long conversation. hehe. But he was a very nice guy.
We also got in contact with a guy named Donnell who we taught the first lesson a month ago. When we read the promise in Moroni he was touched by the spirit. We had given him a Book Of Mormon and he by himself has read about a third of it and is very positive about it. I am so excited to teach donnell again.
I guess that is all for now. Take care guys.
[Elder Spencer Larson]
Gildasio is getting baptized
Hello Family,
I hope that everyone is doing well and happy. I doing good in Brasil, and here they celebrate the new year shooting off fireworks every where.
This week we will have a baptism, Gildásio will be getting baptized. He is really excited to get baptized. Arlindo was going to get baptized next week but there are some problems with there wedding papers, and divorce papers, it´s just a mess.
I love you all, I know god loves us and this is hit work, tchau.
Elder stephen larson
I hope that everyone is doing well and happy. I doing good in Brasil, and here they celebrate the new year shooting off fireworks every where.
This week we will have a baptism, Gildásio will be getting baptized. He is really excited to get baptized. Arlindo was going to get baptized next week but there are some problems with there wedding papers, and divorce papers, it´s just a mess.
I love you all, I know god loves us and this is hit work, tchau.
Elder stephen larson
Happy New year from Tampa
This Christmas/ new years was a funny one. On new years eve the Whites invited us over for dinner and they told us to meet us at another members house. So we go and actually we ended up crashing a wedding reception of someone in the ward. it was really nice to see everyone that I didn't know and i had no idea who got hitched. But despite the situation the lord provided us someone to talk to. we sat down with our new years dinner next to a couple who were nonmembers. They were so nice and we had a good discussion about what we did. We didn't get their information but we planted a good seed there. The next funny thing was that it actually got cold that night and I didn't bring a jacket. If I am having a hard time with this I wonder how I am going to be back in Utah. ahhh! But it is going to be ok. That night we were supposed to be indoors by 8pm so we got home and broke out the tim tams and did tim tam slams. it was very delicious. And to top off the night we watched The Testaments.
This week we saw Mia and are trying to help her be happy and trust in god that he will take care of her. That seems to be the doctrine that everyone forgets these days. We get so caught up in ourselves and what is wrong with me and why me. but really we just need to be grateful about what we do have, who we are, and where we are in this life of changing and progressing. I noticed that I myself was caught in that trap, thinking that I was not good enough to get better and I can never become a better missionary. but that is a cold blooded lie from that evil one Satan. what a jerk. but even with his whisperings we don't have to be miserable and unchanging. That is exactly why Jesus suffered and died. It was for us so we can become clean and pure and live with god again. Mia will catch the vision soon, pray for her and her kids, Eden, Hyrum, Jamiles.
There has been one reoccurring lesson that I have learned this year. I was reading a talk titled " the 4th missionary" and it talks about the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th types of missionaries. The 1st isn't a good missionary, he does what he wants whatever it is whenever, and is eventually sent home. The 2nd stays out his whole mission but is disobedient to the rules and doesn't get much accomplished and is a heavy burden on the mission President and whoever he serves with. The 3rd is a great obedient missionary who is very successful in bringing souls to christ. but their is a difference between the 3rd and the 4th missionary, the 3rd is not bennefitted from all of his 2 years of service. I was surprised and thought why? In D&C 4 it says if ye serve him with all your heart, Might, mind and strength ye shall be blameless at the last day. the 3rd missionary doesn't give the lord his heart or his mind. while he is still doing what the lord wants he is still fighting within himself wanting to do what he wants secretly. It is a slight difference that make all the work we missionaries do worth it not only for the people we serve but we are also befitted. If we give all of our selves to the lord those christ like attributes with become us. That blew me away. And I may not be the 4th missionary but I am striving everyday to give myself up to the lord.
I love all of you and pray that we all become what the lord intends for us to become. Take care.
[Elder Spencer Larson]
This week we saw Mia and are trying to help her be happy and trust in god that he will take care of her. That seems to be the doctrine that everyone forgets these days. We get so caught up in ourselves and what is wrong with me and why me. but really we just need to be grateful about what we do have, who we are, and where we are in this life of changing and progressing. I noticed that I myself was caught in that trap, thinking that I was not good enough to get better and I can never become a better missionary. but that is a cold blooded lie from that evil one Satan. what a jerk. but even with his whisperings we don't have to be miserable and unchanging. That is exactly why Jesus suffered and died. It was for us so we can become clean and pure and live with god again. Mia will catch the vision soon, pray for her and her kids, Eden, Hyrum, Jamiles.
There has been one reoccurring lesson that I have learned this year. I was reading a talk titled " the 4th missionary" and it talks about the 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th types of missionaries. The 1st isn't a good missionary, he does what he wants whatever it is whenever, and is eventually sent home. The 2nd stays out his whole mission but is disobedient to the rules and doesn't get much accomplished and is a heavy burden on the mission President and whoever he serves with. The 3rd is a great obedient missionary who is very successful in bringing souls to christ. but their is a difference between the 3rd and the 4th missionary, the 3rd is not bennefitted from all of his 2 years of service. I was surprised and thought why? In D&C 4 it says if ye serve him with all your heart, Might, mind and strength ye shall be blameless at the last day. the 3rd missionary doesn't give the lord his heart or his mind. while he is still doing what the lord wants he is still fighting within himself wanting to do what he wants secretly. It is a slight difference that make all the work we missionaries do worth it not only for the people we serve but we are also befitted. If we give all of our selves to the lord those christ like attributes with become us. That blew me away. And I may not be the 4th missionary but I am striving everyday to give myself up to the lord.
I love all of you and pray that we all become what the lord intends for us to become. Take care.
[Elder Spencer Larson]
Happy New Year!!
Hey Dad Kris Anni Dave and Family,
Maigong Bagong Taon!! Happy new year!!
So New Years here is crazy!!! We had to be in our houses at 6:00 pm because of all the fireworks. The day started with some fireworks going off every now and then, but once it hit around 5:00 it started getting more and more, and at 11:25 or so, it is so crazy, non stop fireworks really, we sat up stairs and watched them while eating something called, mango float, or Gray Ham, is what they call it here, it is basically a cream and Grahm cracker layer frozen cake thing, with Mango's in it, they call it "Gray Ham" because when they read the Grahm cracker box, they think that's how you pronounce it. Ha ha, So we couldn't get to sleep until like 2:00 because of all the fireworks. And I thought the 4th of July was a lot of Fire Works.
We taught a drunk guy on sunday. He was funny, ha first he asked us to pray for his wifes sister cause she recently passed away and he wants her to go to the good place, then we started talking about the word of wisdom a little cause he knew a little about what we can and can't drink and eat. He asked, "so for you, you guys think it is bad to drink alcohol? Why?" instead of answering right off, we asked him what he thought, he was slammed. And this was his answer, "it is ok, if you only drink a little bit," then he went off about thing that has happened and why drinking is dangerous sometimes, then he answered again, "You know, drinking is bad, we shouldn't do it." Ha He was funny, I bet ya 25 bucks he'll be drunk again next week, and not remember our lesson. Ha maybe.
But this drunk man's wife was the real focuss, for me anyway. We had taught her a little bit before, but she was always pretty hard headed, She is a member of Iglesia ni Cristo, The church of Christ. The founder of this church used to be a mormon, but he wanted to be a general authority or something, so he started his own church. It is probably one of the biggest churches in the philippines. Any way, we shared with her of the Plan of Salvation, for the first time I saw a real spark! Something like, this was an answer to a prayer type of look, and it is something I have never really seen before. I felt the spirit, and even though I did a crap job teaching it, I felt the spirit, and I bared my testimony of it's truth and it's importance to our happiness. This is an experience I will never forget.
So I hope you all know that Our Father in Heaven Loves us, and he has a plan for each and every one of us. And we can all know and learn of this plan through asking, and searching and praying.
I know our Father in Heaven loves us, I know he knows each one of us and knows all of our problems and concerns in our life. And I know he is THERE for us, he is ALWAYS THERE for us, if we let him be. He Has a plan for us, if we accept it, we WILL find what true and lasting happiness is, and we can be with our families forever. I love you all, and pray for you always.
Love
Elder Benjamin L. Larson
Maigong Bagong Taon!! Happy new year!!
So New Years here is crazy!!! We had to be in our houses at 6:00 pm because of all the fireworks. The day started with some fireworks going off every now and then, but once it hit around 5:00 it started getting more and more, and at 11:25 or so, it is so crazy, non stop fireworks really, we sat up stairs and watched them while eating something called, mango float, or Gray Ham, is what they call it here, it is basically a cream and Grahm cracker layer frozen cake thing, with Mango's in it, they call it "Gray Ham" because when they read the Grahm cracker box, they think that's how you pronounce it. Ha ha, So we couldn't get to sleep until like 2:00 because of all the fireworks. And I thought the 4th of July was a lot of Fire Works.
We taught a drunk guy on sunday. He was funny, ha first he asked us to pray for his wifes sister cause she recently passed away and he wants her to go to the good place, then we started talking about the word of wisdom a little cause he knew a little about what we can and can't drink and eat. He asked, "so for you, you guys think it is bad to drink alcohol? Why?" instead of answering right off, we asked him what he thought, he was slammed. And this was his answer, "it is ok, if you only drink a little bit," then he went off about thing that has happened and why drinking is dangerous sometimes, then he answered again, "You know, drinking is bad, we shouldn't do it." Ha He was funny, I bet ya 25 bucks he'll be drunk again next week, and not remember our lesson. Ha maybe.
But this drunk man's wife was the real focuss, for me anyway. We had taught her a little bit before, but she was always pretty hard headed, She is a member of Iglesia ni Cristo, The church of Christ. The founder of this church used to be a mormon, but he wanted to be a general authority or something, so he started his own church. It is probably one of the biggest churches in the philippines. Any way, we shared with her of the Plan of Salvation, for the first time I saw a real spark! Something like, this was an answer to a prayer type of look, and it is something I have never really seen before. I felt the spirit, and even though I did a crap job teaching it, I felt the spirit, and I bared my testimony of it's truth and it's importance to our happiness. This is an experience I will never forget.
So I hope you all know that Our Father in Heaven Loves us, and he has a plan for each and every one of us. And we can all know and learn of this plan through asking, and searching and praying.
I know our Father in Heaven loves us, I know he knows each one of us and knows all of our problems and concerns in our life. And I know he is THERE for us, he is ALWAYS THERE for us, if we let him be. He Has a plan for us, if we accept it, we WILL find what true and lasting happiness is, and we can be with our families forever. I love you all, and pray for you always.
Love
Elder Benjamin L. Larson
The Christmas Story
Hey Dad Kris Anni and Davo, and the rest of you.
So first, the way you say Merry Christmas in Tagalog, is Maligayang Pasko! Ha fun stuff. Also I am so happy I got to talk to you guys. You all sound so great and like you are having fun in the new house, and in Wyoming. I hope you are enjoying every new moment there!
So Merry Christmas!! I hope you all had a wonderful day, and I hope you remember that this is the day we celebrate Christ's Birth!! It is so great to have that opportunity. It is definitely a blessing from god. The whole Christmas season and meaning really is a gift. Not just getting gifts but giving. I know that is kinda cheesy and we all know it's about giving, but I have kinda learned a different way to think of it now..
So Christ came to earth, and that is what we celebrate! Christmas! The wise men, (Wise Ben's) (Calling the 3 wise men the 3 wise Ben's is a family joke if you didnt get that) came to Christ and gave him presents. Theirs that word, GAVE! So that is like the first one. then others came and also praised and gave him presents. the shepherds. And of course all through out his life Christ was always giving to all those around him, he gave them blessings, he gave them life, he cleaned many, physically and spiritually. He healed also physically and spiritually. Then he gave his life, he gave his WILL for us. HE did what no one else could do, he gave what no one else could give. He gave us eternal life, a chance to be made clean of all our sins, the opportunity to be with our families FOREVER! It is only through him that these blessings can be received. He gave the ultimate sacrifice.
There was another who sacrificed greatly for us as well. He has the same love for us as our savior Jesus Christ did, He is our Father in Heaven. He GAVE his SON! Imagine for a second, that all but one of your children were lost and there is only one way to save them. You must give up the one you have, and even then it isn't a sure thing that the others will be found, but it is the only way. Would you do it, could you do it? Well our father did it for us. He sent his ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, the only child that wasn't lost because he is perfect, and he sent him to die. This was his mission to die for us. And he willingly did it! I can't imagine how Our Father In Heaven, GOD, felt as he watched his son, suffer in the garden of Gethsemane for the rest of us, I can't imagine his feelings when his other children took bound, judged, and killed their brother. It was for sure the greatest sacrifice, and at the same time the greatest blessing of all, given to us, because our FATHER IN HEAVEN loves US! HE has PERFECT Love for us! HE gave his son, our brother Jesus Christ for us. And he also gave us AGENCY, the choice to accept his gift, or deny it. I Pray that we all realize the greatness of this gift, and accept it in our lives. I hope we learn and realize how we can use this knowledge to bless the lives of those who maybe don't have it or don't realize they have it.
So Christmas is great. It is a time of giving, but it is a time for receiving and accepting as well. Lets not only give, but ACCEPT the sacrifice, and the gift the savior Jesus Christ and OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN has given us.
I love you all, and hope you are all happy and ready to give to those around you.
I love you guys, Maligayang Pasko. and Maligayang Bagong Taon. Happy New Year.
Love,
Elder Benjamin L. Larson
So first, the way you say Merry Christmas in Tagalog, is Maligayang Pasko! Ha fun stuff. Also I am so happy I got to talk to you guys. You all sound so great and like you are having fun in the new house, and in Wyoming. I hope you are enjoying every new moment there!
So Merry Christmas!! I hope you all had a wonderful day, and I hope you remember that this is the day we celebrate Christ's Birth!! It is so great to have that opportunity. It is definitely a blessing from god. The whole Christmas season and meaning really is a gift. Not just getting gifts but giving. I know that is kinda cheesy and we all know it's about giving, but I have kinda learned a different way to think of it now..
So Christ came to earth, and that is what we celebrate! Christmas! The wise men, (Wise Ben's) (Calling the 3 wise men the 3 wise Ben's is a family joke if you didnt get that) came to Christ and gave him presents. Theirs that word, GAVE! So that is like the first one. then others came and also praised and gave him presents. the shepherds. And of course all through out his life Christ was always giving to all those around him, he gave them blessings, he gave them life, he cleaned many, physically and spiritually. He healed also physically and spiritually. Then he gave his life, he gave his WILL for us. HE did what no one else could do, he gave what no one else could give. He gave us eternal life, a chance to be made clean of all our sins, the opportunity to be with our families FOREVER! It is only through him that these blessings can be received. He gave the ultimate sacrifice.
There was another who sacrificed greatly for us as well. He has the same love for us as our savior Jesus Christ did, He is our Father in Heaven. He GAVE his SON! Imagine for a second, that all but one of your children were lost and there is only one way to save them. You must give up the one you have, and even then it isn't a sure thing that the others will be found, but it is the only way. Would you do it, could you do it? Well our father did it for us. He sent his ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, the only child that wasn't lost because he is perfect, and he sent him to die. This was his mission to die for us. And he willingly did it! I can't imagine how Our Father In Heaven, GOD, felt as he watched his son, suffer in the garden of Gethsemane for the rest of us, I can't imagine his feelings when his other children took bound, judged, and killed their brother. It was for sure the greatest sacrifice, and at the same time the greatest blessing of all, given to us, because our FATHER IN HEAVEN loves US! HE has PERFECT Love for us! HE gave his son, our brother Jesus Christ for us. And he also gave us AGENCY, the choice to accept his gift, or deny it. I Pray that we all realize the greatness of this gift, and accept it in our lives. I hope we learn and realize how we can use this knowledge to bless the lives of those who maybe don't have it or don't realize they have it.
So Christmas is great. It is a time of giving, but it is a time for receiving and accepting as well. Lets not only give, but ACCEPT the sacrifice, and the gift the savior Jesus Christ and OUR FATHER IN HEAVEN has given us.
I love you all, and hope you are all happy and ready to give to those around you.
I love you guys, Maligayang Pasko. and Maligayang Bagong Taon. Happy New Year.
Love,
Elder Benjamin L. Larson
I health, learning, and happy
Hello everybody,
I am doing very well here on the mission, I health, learning, happy, and I´m serving the Lord. This week just flew by, me and elder araujo are running all around trying to do everything that have been planning. But we are weak and we are not able to do everything that we had planned.
Me and my comp are having a good time together. We laugh and joke around most of the time, and the other half we´re just tired.
Good news Pamela went to church yesterday and recived the Holy ghost. We had some members help us out to take her to church. I had called her before church and she said that she wouldn´t come because she was sick, but I told her that she could recive the Holy Ghost even with her being sick and that she shouldn´t let a little sickness keep her from reciving an ordence of salvation and going back to live with god. Have a good day I love you all.
Love elder stephen larson
I am doing very well here on the mission, I health, learning, happy, and I´m serving the Lord. This week just flew by, me and elder araujo are running all around trying to do everything that have been planning. But we are weak and we are not able to do everything that we had planned.
Me and my comp are having a good time together. We laugh and joke around most of the time, and the other half we´re just tired.
Good news Pamela went to church yesterday and recived the Holy ghost. We had some members help us out to take her to church. I had called her before church and she said that she wouldn´t come because she was sick, but I told her that she could recive the Holy Ghost even with her being sick and that she shouldn´t let a little sickness keep her from reciving an ordence of salvation and going back to live with god. Have a good day I love you all.
Love elder stephen larson
Mosiah 2:17
Hey Family,
It was really nice to talk with you all and i was very happy to see Stephen's face again. This Week I realized that this was the hottest Christmas I have ever experience in all my life. Last year was freezing here and before that I was used to all the snow. it is so weird. One thing that stuck out to me as I talked with you all is the feeling that I must finish out strong and with great enthusiasm and love. I remembered this morning about what Kris said about the spirit in lessons and waiting for that heavenly inspiration and then opening my mouth. That is something that is so important to do, because believe it or not I am a talker out here. I have been out here awhile and I think I know what I am doing. But even more important than gaining confidence in myself is gaining confidence in The Spirit of God. So at 2pm today at our appointment with Jeff, I am going to do exactly that.
Their is one good experience that I would like to share. This last Thursday we had a dinner appointment with the Jennings family. Of coarse they forgot about us so instead they took us to a Greek place and I ate a lot of lamb sandwiches called Euros. Then afterwards i went with bro Jennings to help him deliver presents to members of the ward. one house we went to was of a family that lived in a crowed trailer with a very little Christmas ahead of them. so it was a joy to bring them presents to put under their tree. Then me and bro jennings ended up carrying a big refrigerator in her house as well. I cut my finger on the bottom and we both got very sweaty and dirty.
I felt so good about that experience that I was able to help them in their time of need. "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your god," Mosiah 2: 17
Take care and have a happy new Year.
[Elder Spencer Larson]
It was really nice to talk with you all and i was very happy to see Stephen's face again. This Week I realized that this was the hottest Christmas I have ever experience in all my life. Last year was freezing here and before that I was used to all the snow. it is so weird. One thing that stuck out to me as I talked with you all is the feeling that I must finish out strong and with great enthusiasm and love. I remembered this morning about what Kris said about the spirit in lessons and waiting for that heavenly inspiration and then opening my mouth. That is something that is so important to do, because believe it or not I am a talker out here. I have been out here awhile and I think I know what I am doing. But even more important than gaining confidence in myself is gaining confidence in The Spirit of God. So at 2pm today at our appointment with Jeff, I am going to do exactly that.
Their is one good experience that I would like to share. This last Thursday we had a dinner appointment with the Jennings family. Of coarse they forgot about us so instead they took us to a Greek place and I ate a lot of lamb sandwiches called Euros. Then afterwards i went with bro Jennings to help him deliver presents to members of the ward. one house we went to was of a family that lived in a crowed trailer with a very little Christmas ahead of them. so it was a joy to bring them presents to put under their tree. Then me and bro jennings ended up carrying a big refrigerator in her house as well. I cut my finger on the bottom and we both got very sweaty and dirty.
I felt so good about that experience that I was able to help them in their time of need. "when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your god," Mosiah 2: 17
Take care and have a happy new Year.
[Elder Spencer Larson]
Saturday, January 14, 2012
always have the spirit with you
Hi Everybody,
It was great talking with you guys, everybody looks like there doing great, I even got to see spencer kind-of. Yesterday was a great day, we went to church and while I was sitting there I could feel the spirit. That peaceful, wonderful feeling and then I thought `thats what it means to always have the spirit with you`. You always feel peaceful, calm, and happy when you have the spirit, but when you something wrong or sin you drive the spirit away and thats when you feel nervous, annoyed, angry, and just plain unhappy. When you repent then those bad feelings go away and then you feel peace again. This is possable because of the Atonment(suffering) of our savior Jesus Christ, because of him we can live in happyness and after this life live with god again.
Well right now its rainning and my comp said that he´s freezing haha. Me and Elder Araujo(my comp) have been laughting a lot, but I think we laught the most when are trying to help one another speak english/Portugês. I am trying to lose my american accent so when he helps me say the words right I am not able to and then he starts laughing and then I start laughing. It´s way fun. I love you guys bye
Stephen Larson
It was great talking with you guys, everybody looks like there doing great, I even got to see spencer kind-of. Yesterday was a great day, we went to church and while I was sitting there I could feel the spirit. That peaceful, wonderful feeling and then I thought `thats what it means to always have the spirit with you`. You always feel peaceful, calm, and happy when you have the spirit, but when you something wrong or sin you drive the spirit away and thats when you feel nervous, annoyed, angry, and just plain unhappy. When you repent then those bad feelings go away and then you feel peace again. This is possable because of the Atonment(suffering) of our savior Jesus Christ, because of him we can live in happyness and after this life live with god again.
Well right now its rainning and my comp said that he´s freezing haha. Me and Elder Araujo(my comp) have been laughting a lot, but I think we laught the most when are trying to help one another speak english/Portugês. I am trying to lose my american accent so when he helps me say the words right I am not able to and then he starts laughing and then I start laughing. It´s way fun. I love you guys bye
Stephen Larson
A night in Bethlehem
This week was a very good one for me. I am finally getting out of my sickness and I feel great. It was the perfect timing because we had to meet and greet a lot of people at a church christmas activity called "The night in Bethlehem". It was kind of like a walk through show in bethlehem. It was so much fun. I even learned how to spell my name in hebrew. It went on for 4 days and every night got busier as the days got closer to the weekend. I got about 15 referals from it in total and it was very fun to talk with so many people. I think that it was a very useful way of finding. And I got a little fat from eating so much cookies and hot chocolate.
Elder Elizondo is doing very well. He is teaching a long right with us and having a fun time on his mission so far. One of my most favorite successes that happened this week involved a less active member named Flora. She is spanish and has a hard time reading the Book Of Mormon. So we sat down with her and read the first chapter of the Book Of Mormon with her and talked about in great detail on how it applies to her life. In doing so the spirit led the conversation to other things such as the word of wisdom. Flora has struggled with this for a bit and we challenged her very boldly and lovingly to stop for two weeks and see what happens. I called her to see how it was going the next day and she said that she wasn't having any tea or coffee. We also challenged her to come to church with us. She actually came, for the first time in all my time being here she came. and she stayed for all three hours. The best part is that she The whole week she didn't drink a single drop of tea or coffee. Instead she drank Lemonade. I am so proud of her, and I let her know it.
I love this work. My testimony of Jesus is growing day by day and It is wonderful. I feel hope and peace as I pray. Take care and have a good week.
-- [Elder Spencer Larson]
ps. I can't wait to talk to all of you. except you my brothers. I miss you guys so much, have a good christmas where ever you are.
Elder Elizondo is doing very well. He is teaching a long right with us and having a fun time on his mission so far. One of my most favorite successes that happened this week involved a less active member named Flora. She is spanish and has a hard time reading the Book Of Mormon. So we sat down with her and read the first chapter of the Book Of Mormon with her and talked about in great detail on how it applies to her life. In doing so the spirit led the conversation to other things such as the word of wisdom. Flora has struggled with this for a bit and we challenged her very boldly and lovingly to stop for two weeks and see what happens. I called her to see how it was going the next day and she said that she wasn't having any tea or coffee. We also challenged her to come to church with us. She actually came, for the first time in all my time being here she came. and she stayed for all three hours. The best part is that she The whole week she didn't drink a single drop of tea or coffee. Instead she drank Lemonade. I am so proud of her, and I let her know it.
I love this work. My testimony of Jesus is growing day by day and It is wonderful. I feel hope and peace as I pray. Take care and have a good week.
-- [Elder Spencer Larson]
ps. I can't wait to talk to all of you. except you my brothers. I miss you guys so much, have a good christmas where ever you are.
Hey everybody
Hey everybody,
This week Pamela was baptized, but on saterday after her baptism when she went home, her X-boyfriend chassed after and started threating her and her family, and on sunday she didn´t go to church for some other reasons. And this saterday Luis will be getting baptized and on sunday Luis and Pamela will be confirmed members and will recive the Holy Ghost.We have been teaching a lot of people and a lot of these people have the desire to get baptized. I am execited to see them progress.
Elder Stephen Larson
This week Pamela was baptized, but on saterday after her baptism when she went home, her X-boyfriend chassed after and started threating her and her family, and on sunday she didn´t go to church for some other reasons. And this saterday Luis will be getting baptized and on sunday Luis and Pamela will be confirmed members and will recive the Holy Ghost.We have been teaching a lot of people and a lot of these people have the desire to get baptized. I am execited to see them progress.
Elder Stephen Larson
Pasko #2
Hello my mom and Jess and family!How is it all going!?
I hope you are all happy, and enjoying that weather, it is still hot here, I sweat like a sinner in church every day!!! Ha but I like it, I am getting used to it I think, Or just used to dealing with it.
So 15 hours time difference. I don't know exactly how it will work, because we have transfer's on the 21 of december, so right before christmas, I don't know why they did that, but it's ok. I don't know if I will stay or go, I have mixed feelings about it cause I like this area, I have been here for 4 months, it is my first area. Ha, there is an elder in our zone who goes home this transfer, he is basically done, his parents came and they are going to stay here for like a week or something, ha it was kinda wierd thinking about that.
So I am doing good here, lets see, the language is still hard, I feel like I just keep saying that to you guys, ha hopefully one day I will be able to say, "I am fluent!!" And I hope that is soon.
In our mission we have made a big shift. Instead of focussing on investigators, we are now focussing on Less Active members. Because it is estimated in the past 5 years there has been 75,000 baptisms, I think, but only 10,000 are active, so we have lost like a lot, the real stastistic is like 8 out of 10 baptized go in-active. So that is a big thing that we are switching and focussing on now. I like it, We have even found so much more investigators from finding new Less active members. Ha it is sweet.
We had a good district meeting this morning, and also last week. I have really had my testimony strengthened since I have been here, especially in Jesus Christ. I made a goal in the MTC to be able to say that my relationship with the savior is like a very close friendship, and I feel like I am reaching that goal and exceeding it, every week. I love my savior he is the rock of my testimony. I know I am weak, and I have doubts, but I have faith in Christ, and with that faith, those doubts are flushed down the toilet! I love it.
Faith is one of my favorite things! I like the scripture in Moroni chapter 7 verses 30 I think to whatever like 40. It talks about miricales and if miricals cease it is because of the lack of our faith, I like that a lot, cause sometimes I do have doubts, in miricles or whatever, but I know that christ can do all things, and If we have faith in him, we can also do all things.
I love this church, and I love Christ, he is my Best Friend, and in the times I have had no where else to turn, he has always been there to lift me, and to carry me through my burdens and trials. I know he is there for ALL of us, IF we ACCEPT him and ALLOW him to help us. Just pray for it, out loud and you WILL feel the love of god for you! I know it!
So No drunk people have kissed me or anything, too bad, maybe next week we can have a good laugh. I hope you are all happy, and Healthy. Mom I hope your foot gets better and Jess I hope you find a good happy job, Pray about it. I love you all, and am excited to talk to you on christmas!!!
Love you so much Mom, and Jess!! And mom again.
Love Elder Benjamin Lamoreaux Larson
I hope you are all happy, and enjoying that weather, it is still hot here, I sweat like a sinner in church every day!!! Ha but I like it, I am getting used to it I think, Or just used to dealing with it.
So 15 hours time difference. I don't know exactly how it will work, because we have transfer's on the 21 of december, so right before christmas, I don't know why they did that, but it's ok. I don't know if I will stay or go, I have mixed feelings about it cause I like this area, I have been here for 4 months, it is my first area. Ha, there is an elder in our zone who goes home this transfer, he is basically done, his parents came and they are going to stay here for like a week or something, ha it was kinda wierd thinking about that.
So I am doing good here, lets see, the language is still hard, I feel like I just keep saying that to you guys, ha hopefully one day I will be able to say, "I am fluent!!" And I hope that is soon.
In our mission we have made a big shift. Instead of focussing on investigators, we are now focussing on Less Active members. Because it is estimated in the past 5 years there has been 75,000 baptisms, I think, but only 10,000 are active, so we have lost like a lot, the real stastistic is like 8 out of 10 baptized go in-active. So that is a big thing that we are switching and focussing on now. I like it, We have even found so much more investigators from finding new Less active members. Ha it is sweet.
We had a good district meeting this morning, and also last week. I have really had my testimony strengthened since I have been here, especially in Jesus Christ. I made a goal in the MTC to be able to say that my relationship with the savior is like a very close friendship, and I feel like I am reaching that goal and exceeding it, every week. I love my savior he is the rock of my testimony. I know I am weak, and I have doubts, but I have faith in Christ, and with that faith, those doubts are flushed down the toilet! I love it.
Faith is one of my favorite things! I like the scripture in Moroni chapter 7 verses 30 I think to whatever like 40. It talks about miricales and if miricals cease it is because of the lack of our faith, I like that a lot, cause sometimes I do have doubts, in miricles or whatever, but I know that christ can do all things, and If we have faith in him, we can also do all things.
I love this church, and I love Christ, he is my Best Friend, and in the times I have had no where else to turn, he has always been there to lift me, and to carry me through my burdens and trials. I know he is there for ALL of us, IF we ACCEPT him and ALLOW him to help us. Just pray for it, out loud and you WILL feel the love of god for you! I know it!
So No drunk people have kissed me or anything, too bad, maybe next week we can have a good laugh. I hope you are all happy, and Healthy. Mom I hope your foot gets better and Jess I hope you find a good happy job, Pray about it. I love you all, and am excited to talk to you on christmas!!!
Love you so much Mom, and Jess!! And mom again.
Love Elder Benjamin Lamoreaux Larson
Pasko
Hey dad kris and Kids!
So first Pasko means Christmas in Tagalog. Ha thought you might want to know that.We have had some good district meetings these past two weeks. I have felt my testimony in Christ grow so much. I love him and know he loves me too. In the MTC I told myself by the end of my mission That I wanted to be able to say that christ is my Best Friend!! And each week I feel like I get closer and closer to that goal, and even like I am surpassing it. I have so many weeknesses and doubts, but with my FAITH in Jesus Christ, those doubts and those weaknesses somehow deminish, and I am able to overcome them. I can't explain it, but every single time here on my mission when I feel overwhelmed, and don't know what to do, I recieve strength, and most the time I don't even realize until the day is over and I think to myself, wow, I did it. And then I think about it and realize it has all come from christ. It has all come from faith and acting on that faith. I know that faith is such a simple-ish thing to a lot of people, but to me, it is my best and surest sorce of strength, It is my direct help to god! I love it. Read Moroni chapter 7 if you get the chance, I like it a lot, especially about the part of miricles and faith and hope. It is great.
I love you all, Anni I am so proud of you, so good at basketball, and david with soccer. You guys are so talented!!!! I am proud to call you my brother and sister. I love you all family, and pray for you always.
Maligayang Pasko! Merry/happy christmas.
Love Elder Benjamin L. Larson
So first Pasko means Christmas in Tagalog. Ha thought you might want to know that.We have had some good district meetings these past two weeks. I have felt my testimony in Christ grow so much. I love him and know he loves me too. In the MTC I told myself by the end of my mission That I wanted to be able to say that christ is my Best Friend!! And each week I feel like I get closer and closer to that goal, and even like I am surpassing it. I have so many weeknesses and doubts, but with my FAITH in Jesus Christ, those doubts and those weaknesses somehow deminish, and I am able to overcome them. I can't explain it, but every single time here on my mission when I feel overwhelmed, and don't know what to do, I recieve strength, and most the time I don't even realize until the day is over and I think to myself, wow, I did it. And then I think about it and realize it has all come from christ. It has all come from faith and acting on that faith. I know that faith is such a simple-ish thing to a lot of people, but to me, it is my best and surest sorce of strength, It is my direct help to god! I love it. Read Moroni chapter 7 if you get the chance, I like it a lot, especially about the part of miricles and faith and hope. It is great.
I love you all, Anni I am so proud of you, so good at basketball, and david with soccer. You guys are so talented!!!! I am proud to call you my brother and sister. I love you all family, and pray for you always.
Maligayang Pasko! Merry/happy christmas.
Love Elder Benjamin L. Larson
Pamela is getting baptized
Hey everybody,
This week was a good week. Pamela is going to get baptized this Saturday day the 17th, she´s excited and we are too. Our friend Arlindo got married this last weekend, but now that he´s married he doesn´t know if he wants to get baptized or not. Manoel hasn´t gone to church for 5 weeks now, maybe he´s just not ready yet. Eliete is amazing, she has gone to church 5 week in a row, she knows the book of Mormon is true, she has recived answers from our Heavenly Father, and she wants to be baptized, but she not married. Eliete wants to get married to keep the comandments but it looks like her husband (edinilson) doesn´t want to get married, but we are going to talk with him about getting married, but he´s always working. We are having a lot of people that want to get baptized here at the moment, but the person that is the most incredible is Luis. Luis is a miracle, he has received a answer from God that this is the Restored church of God on the earth and that the BOOK of MORMON is true, before we even taught him and the spirit is so storng when we teach him.
I love you all, This is ture. God has testified of it. tchau
This week was a good week. Pamela is going to get baptized this Saturday day the 17th, she´s excited and we are too. Our friend Arlindo got married this last weekend, but now that he´s married he doesn´t know if he wants to get baptized or not. Manoel hasn´t gone to church for 5 weeks now, maybe he´s just not ready yet. Eliete is amazing, she has gone to church 5 week in a row, she knows the book of Mormon is true, she has recived answers from our Heavenly Father, and she wants to be baptized, but she not married. Eliete wants to get married to keep the comandments but it looks like her husband (edinilson) doesn´t want to get married, but we are going to talk with him about getting married, but he´s always working. We are having a lot of people that want to get baptized here at the moment, but the person that is the most incredible is Luis. Luis is a miracle, he has received a answer from God that this is the Restored church of God on the earth and that the BOOK of MORMON is true, before we even taught him and the spirit is so storng when we teach him.
I love you all, This is ture. God has testified of it. tchau
Greenie
So, funny story. Elder Larson and I have been super excited to get our new greenie and teach him how to be an obedient missionary. We got him on Tuesday morning a long with all the other trainers. His name is Elder Elizondo. He is from New Mexico, he is kind of short and has brown hair and glasses. Elder Larson and I gave him a big Larson sandwhich of a hug when we found out it was him. One of the coolest things about Elder Elizondo is his contageous Laugh and he can quote practically every Disney movie in the world. We get along great, we have pretty much heard town movies worth of quotes now since he has been with us. What is even cooler is that Chris Olinquevitch(Renan's cousin), one of my best friends is best friends with his Sister, Cassandra Elizondo. Cassandra Wrote me a letter before she even knew that Elder Elizondo was coming to this mission. What a funny thing and what a small world I live in. this First week was really good for all of us. We met with Eric multiple times this week to make sure he was good for his baptism on the 10th and he was baptized and confirmed. Not only that but he is now a priest in the Aaronic Priesthood. He is solid in the gospel and he is running with it very well despite all the family opposition. He is a beacon not only for his family now but he is a great blessing to the Ward and is going to be the means in bringing many to the truth and happiness of the gospel.
Brian is struggling with his addictions and is never ready to listen to us when we come over to teach him. so I am kind of bumbed out about that. I hope we can get him to church and help him feel the spirit more.
Mia is doing well, but she gets a lot of stress headackes and it kept her from coming to church yesterday. We had a nice visit with her afterward and challenged her to pray and then read the Book of Mormon every time she feels down.
One cool experience we had was with a lady who had gotten Locked outside her door on sunday evening. We were just following up with a less active member and we got to talking with her. She was a very nice lady and I think that she got locked out of her apartment so we could talk to her. So I invited her to the " Night in Bethlehem" at the stake center. She said that she would come to it. Also during emails today I got to talking with a lady who lives in the apartment next to ours and we were able to invite her to the night in bethlehem as well, and she seemed very excited about that. So it is funny the oppurtunities we have to share the gospel.
I haven't gotten any of your packages yet but I am excited for it. Have a good week and take care.
[Elder Spencer Larson]
Brian is struggling with his addictions and is never ready to listen to us when we come over to teach him. so I am kind of bumbed out about that. I hope we can get him to church and help him feel the spirit more.
Mia is doing well, but she gets a lot of stress headackes and it kept her from coming to church yesterday. We had a nice visit with her afterward and challenged her to pray and then read the Book of Mormon every time she feels down.
One cool experience we had was with a lady who had gotten Locked outside her door on sunday evening. We were just following up with a less active member and we got to talking with her. She was a very nice lady and I think that she got locked out of her apartment so we could talk to her. So I invited her to the " Night in Bethlehem" at the stake center. She said that she would come to it. Also during emails today I got to talking with a lady who lives in the apartment next to ours and we were able to invite her to the night in bethlehem as well, and she seemed very excited about that. So it is funny the oppurtunities we have to share the gospel.
I haven't gotten any of your packages yet but I am excited for it. Have a good week and take care.
[Elder Spencer Larson]
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