Trio

This week was Sister Powell's last week and also my first week taking over the area here in Odessa! On Tuesday night, transfers came out and I was told that my companion would be Sister Moore who I was in the MTC with! I was pretty happy about staying in Odessa but also that I knew her already. Wednesday while having the last lunch outside with Sister Powell, President Van Komen had called. My heart was POUNDING! I called him back, he asked me about my living situation in Odessa so I thought, oh sweet I am probably going to move to a new house or in with a member. Then he asked if there is enough room for 3 because Sister Tafradzhieva (said like Ta-Frrrra-Gee-A-va) from Bolgaria is coming in from the MTC on Thursday and Sister Moore and I will be training her! AH! Sister Powell laughed because her and my district leader said that I would be training which I of course denied. But so far it has been a fun surprise.
With the last few days with Sister Powell, we still went out and worked very hard up until her last day. It was such a fun experience being her companion and hearing her testimony every single day and sometimes multiple times a day. She was a great trainer and we saw SO many miracles together which I am very blessed to have seen and be apart of it all.
In our trio, we have already had some wonderful experiences visiting with the members but also with teaching our investigators. We taught Walter, Denise and their grandson Zack again which was unreal. Sister Powell and I were inspired to have Brother Attaway from the ward be their fellowship so I called him to come to the appointment which ended up being the most ideal person to have there, his experiences and history and conversion to the church helped answer many questions Walter had. The spirit in their home was so beautiful, by the end of the lesson everyone had testified and felt the spirit. They finally agreed to coming on a church tour on Saturday next week, Walter always tells me he is a hard sell but loves the spirit we bring in his home and knows that I am relentless with him haha, very true :)
In companion study this morning, we all were talking about our trials we individually have gone through to be converted in this church. It was such a spiritual experience. Sister Tafra is the only member in her family and her parents are very supportive of her mission, she has one of the strongest testimonies. There are about 1000 members in a 5 million populated country. I love her example to me. Sister Moore is a convert and because of her, her mom joined the church 2 years ago and went through the temple last month. As I see how much happier I am today in comparison to any of the rough times where I wasnt doing what I was supposed to or praying/reading like I should have...life is better when the gospel is included in every day activities. What Joseph Smith went through with the people who wanted to kill him or how he and Emma had to bury multiple children through their life is another testimony to me that I can do hard things and so can everyone else. As we trust the Lord, put Him first and really do what the Lord commands of us then we can see blessings from it.
I am very grateful for the emails/letters sent to me and for the laughter and warmth they bring into my heart. I feel the love so strongly and it's so awesome how that is possible. Thank you all for everything and for your prayers and for all those who I look to as an example or who have helped shape the person I am today! Love you all

Sistaa Larson

Pictures: I spray painted baby binkies gold to be :Blingies" for the Brown family (inside joke but still funny), Sister Powell Loves QT just as much as me (I'm so proud) and little Miena Brown and Sister Brown are so awesome and pretty :)