May 2, 2011

Hey Oh!
This past week was an amazing week, I cannot even express how much I learned and loved this week. On Tuesday our mission had a specialty training for the newer missionaries. It was so awesome and fun! I got to see the other 3 sisters I was in the MTC with which was so good! The mission Pres Wife, Sis Van Komen talked about how important it is that we dont hold anything back, "we dont have time to be shy!" It was such a good point that I loved because it is so true, in life we can never go back to yesterday. We watched a video with Elder Holland from Jan 11, 2011 when he spoke to the MTC. Of course that was amazing because its Elder Holland. But He explained how important it is to be persistent and said to be like those Mary Kay ladies! Haha. I love that, esp since my mom is one of those haha. He also talked about Paul and his crew out on the water fishing. How Christ asked him 3 times, "Do you love me?" and finally on his 3rd time he said yes I do love you and he realized how much he loved the Lord more than anything else in his life. And Christ told him to "forget your nets and feed my sheep". He used this to describe our life as missionaries, to forget our "nets" and go feed his sheep. To ask ourselves, do you love him?? Then forget the little things and go do what I asked of you. Christ asked us to be missionaries forever, not just for a week or when we want to but for eternity. We must endure for eternity. How beautiful and profound that truly is because we all must do our best and really ask ourselves if we love Him more than the other things in our life and focus on what really matters most.
Thursday I had exchanges with Sister Robinson out in Concordia and it was a long day! Ha, the appointment for the morning canceled on our way there and the rest of the day was full of finding or knocking on doors of less active members or people we think might want to talk to us. Well, we walked around for a good 6 or 7 hours and didnt teach one lesson! BUT, it was such a fun day because I learned SO much from Sister Robinson. Her happy attitude and way of approaching people outside was a huge example to me. She waves to everyone passing and just is so nice. It made the day really good! :)
Friday I had to teach a training to our district which ended up being really good! They said I did well, so I think that means I'm doing okay. But we went and did service at one of the single mom's house. Sis Powell and I showed up in our jeans (which felt like heaven just putting them on!!! FINALLY got to wear jeans! Whoop whoop!!) and we just went to town on her house with cleaning her kitchen. She has 3 boys that we are teaching, Brennen age 13, Braden age 11 and Hunter age 9 who are so awesome. We taught them on Saturday and had then write their names on these white shirts with the number 14 on the back. Because they are getting baptized MAY 14th!!! So awesome and stoked for them!
Friday night we taught Alyssa, our new investigator who is 28 and confined to a wheelchair because she got into an accident Sept 2010. We taught her in our Ward Mission Leaders home, Bro Bench and had one of the most spiritual lessons I've been in. She really has this amazing spirit about her and loves the spirit she feels. Her attitude on life, even after all she has been through is a HUGE example to me. I LOVE HER so so so much. And we invited her to be baptized on MAY 21st and she ACCEPTED! :)
This morning we got a call from Alyssa that she went into the hospital last night because she was so sick! We went and had 2 priesthood holders go and give her a blessing about an hour ago. It was kind of a whirlwind trying to get out to the hospital but she was still so grateful we got out there. She is an inspiration and has this amazing faith and hope for life. Gotta love the priesthood and this gospel!! It is truly amazing. I do not know how anyone could forget or want to experience life any other way after feeling the spirit in this church.
I love being a missionary. I love seeing people change and grow. This experience already has been such a hard but AMAZING experience. I hope everyone is staying strong and continuing to enjoy the journey you are all on because everything happens for a reason. Might as well enjoy the ride :)
LOVE YOU ALL!!!
Love,

Sista Larson