03/04/2013

Dear Family,

I am sending a lot of pictures, so I will try to describe most of them. There are some of me hugging a little kid. He is the son of our pensionista, and his hair is always a mess. Reminded me of me as a kid. Also, there are some baptisms that I had this week. One with my companion crying in pain, which I will explain, and some random pics.

I am going to try to explain the amazing week I had on my mission in the little time I have.

1. There is a package (don't know from who, waiting in the post). So to avoid problems, I am taking an hour drive with my comp to go pick it up because the missionaries in the office screw up all the time, and I don't want it to return to you guys AGAIN. I AM SOOOOOO EXCITED!!!!!!

2. We had two amazing baptisms this week. Once again, I have a testimony I was called to this mission for a reason. One sister is named Sherley. She has been receiving "charlas" since 2010. She finally accepted to be baptized. She has always wanted to, but she had bad feelings against her father who was a member but abandoned his family in 2010. We finally got her to realize that she had to let this problem go, and with a long LONG lesson and tears from everyone in the room, she accepted  The next day she was baptized. The second lady is named Dorkas (she has been receiving "charlas" since Feb 2011). Her parents would not give her permission to get baptized, but my companion and I had a lesson where we just got to know the parents and showed them that we were normal. The dad who is in the picture (he has white hair) said if the church has people like us, he wants his girl to be apart of this. He signed the permission slip and I saw the true happiness come to the face of Dorkas. It is one of my most favorite pictures of my mission, the one with the three of them so happy... He then asked if I or my comp could marry his daughter. It was a nice gesture, but we explained that we were here for other purposes, but that after the mission we would look for wives. hahaha....

3. My companion had a pretty bad ingrown toenail (gross), and the pictures i sent was the pensionista taking it out.  I could not stop laughing. Poor guy. haha. He really has been my favorite comp so far, and the companion with which I have had the most success and most fun.

4. I really want to say how lucky we are to get the ensign. I completely took for granted the amazing revelation that comes every month when I was at home. I challenge everyone in the family to not just read, but study and even memorize passages from talks and stories in the ensign. When I study like that I receive strength and help in lessons I have teach. Do not take for granted those scriptures that come every month like I did. 

5. Next week we will be able to go to the temple, but I don't know if i will be able to write... so in case I can't say it then, HAPPY BIRTHDAY LUKAS AND EMILEE!!!!!  Will someone please write Sarah an email and tell her happy birthday for me too.

6. Finally got some new shoes, but I tell you what, they get destroyed fast here because we walk only in hot sand all day. But hey, who's complaining....

7. I am so glad to hear the members of our ward who are going on missions. What a blessing to them and to the people they will serve.

8. Dad, I would love a copy of your newsletters and also I am going to send a copy of our letter from our president last week anouncing the mission split..... put it in google translate to understand:

    

  "Me siento muy complacido y emocionado al escribirles nuevamente como cada semana, es para mi un gozo el poder hacerlo pues al esciribirles estas líneas siento como si los tuviera frente a mi y eso me alegra, se que no puedo estar con uds cada semana pero mi corazón y mis oraciones si, al inicio de este año les dije que el 2013 seria de grandes bendiciones y que muchas cosas buenas vendrían a la misión, pues aparte de que tendremos otra gira misional que no es usual tan seguidas,   uds serán parte de un gran cambio en la misión, pues a partir del 1 de julio se creará la misión Peru Huancayo, esto significa que nuestra misión se ha multiplicado y uds pasaran a la historia como los misioneros que estuvieron e hicieron esto realidad, podrán decir que estaban aquí cuando esto sucedió,  el viernes la iglesia anuncio 58 nuevas misiones y nosotros somos una de ellas, ELDERES Y HERMANAS LES FELICITO , por hacer esto posible, con su dedicación y esfuerzo lograron que la iglesia pueda crecer y el evangelio restaurado pueda llegar a mas almas

Como dice en  DyC 38:33 “y desde allí  irán a todas las naciones los que yo quisiere, y les será dicho lo que han de hacer; porque tengo reservada una gran obra, pues Israel será salvo y lo guiare´ por donde yo quiera, y ningún poder detendrá mi mano”.

Elderes y hermanas ningún poder podrá detener esta obra, ni siquiera misioneros desobedientes, pero los de buena voluntad

y los obedientes comerán de la abundancia de la tierra de Sión en estos postreros días.   Uds son parte de este milagro, cuanto hemos aportado para que esto fuese posible?,  podemos decir con tranquilidad a nuestros hijos di todo y hize todo lo posible e imposible para que estos milagros fuesen posible?,   si no lo han hecho todavi hay tiempo. Les quiero decir algo

9. I love you all so much. It is a joy to hear from you every week. Thanks to every one of you for helping me all my life. I am here on the mission, I will always be grateful for family. 

10. Also Mom, will you write sister Carle and tell her thanks so much for that puzzle of the plan of salvation that she sent me. I use it to teach a lot... I also made my own portable plan of salvation card. I encourage you all to do the same. Have fun creating one in your own form and creative way.

11. Oh, I almost forgot one more story... I will tell you next week remind me next week there isn't time. ahhhhhhhhhh

02/25/2013

Dear Family. 

   I have so so so much to tell you, and so little time, so I will bullet point this letter.

1. I take back what i told you about my compañero last week. I have had the best and most successful week of my mission thanks to the companionship. He is one of my best friends. It's like having Dallin and Ricky as my companions. He told me that he gets frustrated fast with people who are lazy in the mission, and with his last companion he had had enough... and even though it was wrong, he gave him a reminder. I had the opportunity to meet his last companion, and I would have punched his lights out too.  jk. So don't worry about my compi, we are the best we've ever been. I gained a buddy and hope we can stay here another transfer.

2. Our mission is doing amazing, and like Emilee said, it will splitting into two missions. We will know June 1st what missiona I will be in. I am praying so hard to be in the Hauncayo mission. That has all of this province including cerro de pasco (the worlds highest city). But i know i will go where i should be.

3. I finally got my B-day package. Thanks so much for the cards and the cool pen from Jerusalem  You rock!!!! And Emilee, your Christmas package still hasn't arrived. I am just hoping it gets here before the missiona splits. hahahaha....

3. We had two baptisms last week and should have two sisters get baptized this week. The ward is chalk-full and i am dying every time I have to enter the chapel.

4. Congrats to Soren on the acceptation (?) to BYU. I yelled in english here in the computer lab, "my brother got into BYU!" I always yell important news. I don't even care the people that look at me.

5. I am thankful I haven't gotten any food sickness, but the rapid climate change gave me a pretty bad cough. I lost my voice, and a missionary without a voice is hardly a missionary (no disrespect to the sign language missions). So pray that I can kick this cough in the butt (or bum as mom says. haha)

6. I attached some fotos and you can see the dust bowl I am in, along with my comp and the baptisms we had.

7. I took some money out to get some boots so the sand doesn't keep entering my shoes.

8. i love you guys and hope that you are remembering that every member is a missionary. 

Love, Elder Larson

02/18/2013

My Dearest Family,

So much has happened these past two weeks and I will try to say it all in the little time i have.

1. Two weeks ago we had another two baptisms. One is Winnie. She is a girl that really has an amazing testimony. She has given us so many references to her friends and family, and we had so much to teach.

2. We also had a miracle. A lady who has been listening to the missionaries for a long time finally accepted last Thursday to be baptized THE VERY NEXT DAY, and she wanted me to baptize her.  BUTTTTTTTT the President called and you guessed it, I had emergency transfers. So mom, you were right. I didn't get to see her and her two kids get baptized which was hard for me.

3. The President wrote me and said that he had a special assignment. He said the companion that I was going to was having trouble wailing on his other companions.  The reason he put me with him is because I "could handle myself if a situation arose." I guess that means the president trusts me, and if I end up having to kick his butt I can. hahaha jk.

4. My new area is in Huaycan. It is outside of Lima, and if i could describe it in two words it would be hot and dusty. I feel like I am living in Palm Desert or Las Vegas because all of the roads are sand. I am burning up. The branch I meet in is small but nice. We rent a building to meet in and I can tell the president is feeling really tired. I have never sweated so much in a Sacrament meeting, and I am not even joking, I almost blacked out. Luckily we had a baptism but we are going to have to have the help of members because my area is gigantic.

5. The good part is that I am close to Lima so em your package should get here....

6. Also i never said happy birthday to John..... HAPPY BDAY JOHNªªª

7. I am so happy to be here. The fam bam enjoyed president's day. I honestly didn't even know or remember. haha.

8. I hope all the little chibolos "kids" of whit and Ian and Allison and Nate are fine.... 

9. Please pray that I can survive this heat.

10. I am sending a foto of my last zone and of my pensionista (the lady that feeds me) in my last zone.

02/04/2013

Dear Family.

    I LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!!!! Man, the weeks without being able to write you are hard, but you know what? I am just grateful for this time that I have.

1. first i want to say that i am glad Em got to show you guys the pics that I sent home.  The guy on my shoulders is a member named Kevin. He has a brother on a mission in mexico and is a huge help to the work the guy on the ground is my companion who absolutely hates his face in pictures, even worse than Whitney at 15 years old.

2. After working hard all of January, I was about ready to accept to not have a baptism for that month.  BUT a man named Cezar who is 17 came up to us and said he wanted to be baptized. All of his family are members and I thought he was too. But they all got baptized about three years ago and he didn't because he didn't have a testimony. He had been attending church and said to us, "I want to be baptized tomorrow." Wow, how strong he is. I am so blessed that the Lord is preparing people way before I even get to talk to them.

3. We also had the baptism of Mama O. She insists that we call her that because she says that from now on the missionaries will be her children. Me and my companion baptized her because she can't walk, so we baptized her in a chair. She is a spiritual light also, and I honestly don't know how much time left she has on this earth. I love her like another grandma.

4. I will not be sending any more fotos from these computers because every time I do, I get a virus and end up having to erase them all. I will be buying another big memory card and keeping them until the end of my mission. sorry.

5. It is so cool to be a missionary. It is way tougher than any other thing. I am so tired and destroyed after every day that I shouldn't be happy, but I am the happiest I have ever been. These people are my brothers. Their names and faces are on my mind (like you guys) all the time.

6. I had the best food yesterday with a member. It was delicios, but it was a food in quechua so I don't remeber what it's called.

7. I am sorry to hear about the packages mom and Em. The good news is that I did get all the little pictures from primary. hahaha.

8. I am trying to upload another fotos so you guys can see the baptism of Cesar.

9. I have completely destroyed another pair of shoes too. I will be taking out money to buy a good pair because packages from home don't really get here. haha.

10. I really do miss you guys, and you better write me on dear elder because its free, fast and I can read your cards throughout the week!!!!

I love you guys sooo much and I will talk to you soon!

Love, Elder Larson

12/31/2012

Dear Fam-Bam,

 1. It was so good to hear from you guys. Sorry I cut off right in the middle, but the time card I had ran out. But I think you guys know how much i love you :)

2. Mom a little package filled with pictures from the primary arrived. It was so fun (and funny) to read and look at all of the papers. Please pass on the message that I really appreciated every letter and that they helped me remember the Christmas season.

3. We almost had a problem with the baptism of stefany. Her dad didn't want to sign to give her permission to get baptized and wouldn't come out so we could talk to him. His daughter was actually pushing him to the door. He saw us and said something like "hey you're just kids?" I think he was expecting a pastor of the Mormon church or something, and after we talked he had no problem signing the paper... because if the church made kids into men like this he wanted his daughter there. He even came to the baptism and sang the hymns so loud.  I almost laughed. It was wonderful.

4. It is crazy to think that we will be starting a new year. Today won't be the same without having mom say "lets make our new years goals." 

5. Mi compi had a hard day this past week. Every missionary has that one day were he could really choose to go home because you miss your family so much. I told him that if he can make it to three months he will be so changed he won't ever want to go home. We talked about new goals and it seemed to help. I wish he knew how much of a blessing he is to me. A real break/blessing compared to the other missionaries I had before. He is all good now and I can't wait to see the miracles we see together. 

6. sorry to hear y'all got sick

7. Dad mi license is in the office of the mission and so I will call and have them give me the number and send it to you next week. 

I love you all so much and hope you have a great new year.

Elder Larson

12/24/2012

Dear Family, 

It was so wonderful to get that video and hear you all singing. I had to play it out loud so about fifteen missionaries and 5 other latinos were chuckling, but i didn't care. It was awesome to get that from y'all.....

Also, I am totally proud of Soren for fulfilling his role as member missionary. I can tell Soren will be an awesome missionary wherever he goes....

 Well training has been a BLAST!!!!! It was so awesome to have a "greenie" so excited to contact and teach and who really was excited about the work.  I will tell you, my comps from the city and is kinda of a baby when it comes to being out in the middle of nowhere where we are.  haha.  He complained really hard about the cold here and tried to call the president to say that the room we had was not up to par as a missionary should have.  I was so happy to hear the president say, to put it simply, that we have one of the best rooms of the mission and to suck it up!!!!! hahaha. But he really is awesome.  I think he will toughen up with time...

We had the baptism of Natily and i think this foto really describes how it feels after our baptisms.

I also had the amazing experience of having a less-active member come to church. We taught a lesson and I have never felt the spirit so strong. He and I both started to cry and at the end he said he was going to talk to the bishop to start his papers to go on the mission.  He is awesome and we are going to have him acompañarnos for a few citas to prepare him. It was awesome.

For the Christmas party I had to be Santa.... I got up on stage all dressed up and danced around for a couple of songs. It was hilarious.

Oh and I was coming back from Lima, picking up my companion, and I got a call from the President that he forgot to tell me I was also now District Leader, so needless to say I have been praying a lot for the help of the Lord.  One day while i was studying I was readying in prov. 27:23 and this scripture really helped me understand that in the mission I have my area filled with my people and i have the responsibility to look over them...... i don't know thought I would share that...

I am so excited to talk to you guys tomorrow at 8:00 here 7:00 there. You all look so different, especially Lukas. I wish i could skype but there really are no places to skype out here in "bumfly egypt".... (quote from dad).

Remember why we have this Christmas season, and hug all those less-active cats in your wards because a lot of times they just need a friend to go to church with.

love y'all nos vemos mañana,

Elder Larson

12/17/2012

Dear Family,


It was so good to hear from you all and I was so happy to hear that the family is a huge part of missionary work. I also want to say thanks to Em for the email and talk from Jeffery R Holland. That is literally going to be me this Christmas. Last night at 11:00 as I was leaving my comp in the bus station the president of the mission called the leaders of the zone and asked to talk to me. I head to Lima in one hour to train a new missionary...... WOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOO.... I can't tell you how excited I am to get a missionary that will be excited about the work. I really think he will help the work here and I am going to learn so much from him.

I got news also that one package arrived at the mission home.... I am going to see if i can bring it back with me :) 

I want you guys to know i love you. Every one of you has been an example at a time and i use muchas experiencas de mi vida para enseñar las personas aqui. Hope all is well in the states. I was saddened to hear the story of that kid who murdered those 28 people. It just goes to show that Satan, even though he knows is going to lose the fight, won't stop from dragging as many people down with him. Be quick to forgive and slow to anger. Do all you can to be the bigger person. You will be amazed at how happy you can be even when there are drunks yelling cusswords at you ;) haha I know this has helped me. 

Love you all and see you soon.

Elder Larson

I forgot my camera so the pictures will have to wait till next week.... however i will forward the fotos from a conference from my president

12/10/2012

Dear Family.....


First off i would like to direct my comments to Soren.... Soren, FREAK YEAH!!!!!!! WOOOOOHOOOOOOOOO  I cant tell you how proud i am of you. the minute i read that  i yelled out hear wooohhhooo with a big clapping, all the peruanos here looked at me, but I didn't care.... you're are the best example Soren. This story reminds me of the one that president Monson had about standing up even if you have to stand alone.... way to go lil bro....

Second, I would have gladly been shot yesterday night. I don't know what I ate but I have never been so sick in my stomach my whole life. I literally was up every thirty minutes to go to the baño and I had to sleep on the floor.... I took some pills that took the pain in the stomach away but i still got the boo pretty frequently.

Third, I had the opurtunidad a bautizar 2 people this week. A mother and her daughter. They are so awesome. I also had another "best two years" experience. I had a strong urge to contact an elderly man in the street. We talked and I told him about our purpose as missionaries. He didn't really seem interested so I invited him to church and we left... but the great part is the following day he arrived at church!!!!! I found out his name is Evangelio which in ingles is Gospel. The only bad part is that it was the primary program so he was a little confused, but he loved the priesthood hour and really participated. Cant wait to visit him tomorrow so we can really help him understand everything he learned in church.

Also em y mom, I have not received a package but it should arrive here before Christmas i hope....
about the calls home i have two options, they say that i have 40 minutes to talk to you guys, but that includes logging in and if there are problems that time too.... sooo you guys choose if you want a call or skype. i say skype because my pensionista has a pretty good connection. but y'all choose.

I love you guys so much and thanks everyone for writing me. Love you.

Elder Larson

12/3/2012

Dear family, 

Welp we are now in Christmas season. And it feels a lot more like it here than California. I had an amazing opportunity to have Elder Uceda, the 1st counselor of our area to speak to us. Wow, it was awesome. He talked a lot about how we need to face our fears of offending people and teach the truth.  He also said we need to leave the little sins we have on our mission.

We had the same rule that if we didn't bring an investigator we couldn't watch the Christmas devotional. So once again we looked hard for someone to come. One investigator named Stefani was able to come and got to see it. I really enjoyed Elder Eyrings talk. I couldn't help but think of the time that dad bought the boys a plane, and no matter how hard we tried it would not fly.... haha. But I had the greatest memory just being with the family that Christmas. I also began thinking about how we sometimes focus a little too much on giving material presents. I said to myself that I only have one gift to give this Christmas, and that is the hope that comes from the gospel. But it is the only gift that is really of worth to give. With this in mind, I am pumped up to work hard again

I am really happy to hear from Ricky and that he is doing so well, and that all of my friends are loving the mission. It's a help to me to know that the work is going forth so strong :)  I am also way stoked that the package arrived. On the outside of the package there is a envelope from the mission. Make sure you don't throw it away because it has a picture.

I love you all, thanks for your thoughts and prayers.

Elder Larson

11/26/12

Dear Family,

I am so happy to hear y'all had a great Thanksgiving. I am not going to lie, the Peruvians down hear have never even heard of this holiday and in truth I forgot that Thanksgiving was this month. Holidays aren't the same without the family, but I guess since I didn't remember it was a blessing because i wasn't home sick. :)


I had the opportunity to baptize a sister named Mercedes. She is the mother of two girls who got baptized last month. 
For mom-- who wants to know about the area-- I will talk a little more... the members are great. They all are really helpful in the work, and I can say it is thanks to them that we can enter houses to teach. My area is big and so is our zone. (Not like dad's mission, but still.) My bathroom of hour dormitorio is kinda funny. The shower is literally over the the toilet. haha.  I have the strangest urge to go to the bathroom and shower at the same time but we will save that story for a later date. haha, 

I am loving this work. Yesterday I felt the spirit so strong. There was a less-active girl of 16 anos that we were teaching. I started to explain that church attendance brings happiness and obedience. She told me that she didn't believe in happiness.  At first I was a little confused. She kept saying how happiness only brought more sorrow later on. I didn't know what to say.  I said a prayer and asked for the ability to know what to say. I started to say how there are two types of happiness-- a temporary happiness which we get from things of this world, and an eternal happiness that can't be bought or purchased. I then asked her if she knew about the Atonement. She said no. I said, not I nor mi companion nor the family understand her family, but I had a testimony that Christ knew her trials because he felt them personally for her. I saw her countenance change from night to day. Of course her life was sad, she didn't want to go to church.

Family, let me tell you that I know the Atonement of Jesus Cristo changes lives. It is our only hope for true happiness forever. I am grateful my family and my parents know that. 

Fam bam, know that i love you, and when I get back we are going to talk and laugh and play alll the time... BUT I have a mission I need to do here. I can't explain how, but I feel a love for these people. I no longer have fear to talk and share my testimony always.....I love these children I am serving, and I love you all.

Keep calm and carry on.....cant wait to skype..... i pray for you all,,,,, and soren we can grow mustaches when i get back :) thanks whit for the pic, allison for keeping up the blog and em for your emails, hannah stay away from those boys, lukas keep me upsated on sports. mom dad i love you and miss you....

Elder Larson

11/12/12

Dear Family,


I have officially experienced my first transfer. It was hard to leave the ward and my converts behind, but I want to get to know other parts of Peru. I am now in Huancayo and let me tell you.....IT IS FREEZING!!! I am now glad I came with gloves and a sweater. haha.  It feels like Ephraim in the fall here and it made me think of the deer hunt. Also, the elevation should help me to drop a few pounds (Mom, I don't know how much I've dropped because i don't have a scale). I have trouble walking up and down the hills but I am happy for the exercise. My Pensionista is awesome but i don't know why people think i can eat a truck load of food. I have to tell her to stop giving me food this week or my stomach will burst. 

My Companion is Elder Lopez he is also de Guatamala and will be finishing this change also. He works hard but I can tell he is excited to go home, but he works, so I am happy as a clown to be here with him. This Bishop here is hilarious. He reminds me of Brother Fifield and is a big help to the work. Also there are a lot of kids getting ready to go on a mission and they help us with exchanges.  The people here are a little bit richer than in Haunaco and don't really listen to us but I know there are people here ready and willing to listen. 

I know Christmas is coming up and i will be sending a package home in the next three weeks.... HOWEVER, you cannot open this package until Christmas!!! If you could send me the address of our house again that would be great!

I love you all so so so much i will send pics soon.... love ya hug those cats and if necessary eat them...

Elder Larson

10/22/2012

Hey fam bam,

This past week has been an adventure. We have officially been without water for ten days, and they say we won't see water at least until Saturday. A pipe broke under a 3 story house, and the owners won't let them enter to repair. Stupid. It has been pretty crazy watching people fight for water from trucks that hand it out. I can't imagine how a real catastrophe would be here. People would literally kill!  Needless to say, I haven't showered for a little bit, but luckily college life prepared me for this. hahaha.

We had the baptism of two children this week. They were cousins and the little girl was honestly the cutest thing. A member bought the girl a dress to be baptized in and the girl looked like a princess. She almost cried when she saw it. The boy on the other hand was baptized in my shirt because somebody took all of the baptism clothing. He actually liked it and asked to have the shirt to sleep in, but i need my shirts so I think I will just buy one for him.

This week I really tried to focus on finding less active members to bring to church. We went to the house of one lady who lived way way way up in the hills. She was an old lady who was so excited to see us that she sang to me in quechua. I took a video and partway through she burst out crying and said she felt like she had been forgotten and had prayed for a sign that someone loved her and the day despues me y mi comp arrived. She came to church this Sunday with her son who is also less active. He is 23 and very quiet but likes to talk to the Elders. They were a testimony to me that God never ever forgets his children.

I got an email that yes the package you sent arrived in Lima and would get to me in 2 weeks.  Can't wait to see what's in it. Also mom, I know it's your birthday coming up but I might not be able to get the package I want to you on time...we will see...

I hope you're all good and know that I miss you to death! Keep fighting the good fight... love you like the cool side of the pillow... chau

Elder Larson

10/8/2012

muy buenos dias to yáll

So this week for conference our president of the mission said that we were not allowed to attend conference unless we had an investigator in the session with us. He said we could wait to read the talks if we didn't get to see them.  My comp and I worked so hard and fasted for people to be able to come.  The miracle we had is that we had at least one investigator in every session. It was a testimony to me that if our desires and work are united you can see miracles, but man was I tired after.

This week I had the opportunity to teach to people that helped me grow my testimony. They were both named jhon. One has 45 years and the other 13. The 45 year old is the dad of his sons that we recently baptized. We were teaching about arrepentmiento and he interupted and said, "elders your apostol said something today about tithing... I can't explain why, but I feel like I have to pay my tithing. How do I do it so I can truly repent?" I was like, wow, you rock.

The other is a non-member. He also came to conference but we didn't have the opportunity to teach him any lessons. We left him a book of mormon to read. The kid marked his favorite scriptures and memorized 3 of them and then asked how he could be baptized.  He honestly has more faith than I have ever seen in someone and I wanted to cry when we were teaching him because he is better than half the priesthood holders his age.

I am so greatful for this blessing I have to work in this work... thanks for everything mom and dad... I show our fam picture to everyone, to teach how the gospel can make a family happier than any other thing.

love you

10/1/2012

Dear Family,

So my new companion arrived last Wednesday. His name is Elder Carpio. He is from Guatamala and has only 3 months 'til he finishes his mission. I am still in the same area, San Luis Huanaco Peru, and loving it.  My comp knows so much about the scriptures I can begin reading a verse anywhere in the bible and he will tell me what book and between 2-3 chapters of where it is.... he is awesome and knows so much. I get along great with him and we are working hard.

However, this week I had my first big experience with mormon haters. My comp and I were walking off to the side of the road. There was a pretty big puddle in the dirt, but it was off the asphalt road so we thought we were fine. Then this car swerved off the asphalt splashing water all over my companion and me, then turned back on the road and left. At first I was mad, but I looked down and I nor my comp were wet or dirty...call it what you want, but in my eyes it was a miracle.

Last Saturday was Johan, one of my recent converts birthday.  I passed by and gave him a white shirt and one of my ties. He showed up to church dressed and looked bombdiggity. That Sunday we taught him about the priesthood and he was excited to talk to the branch president about getting the priesthood.  He is a great guy and a real convert to the church.

This week I had what is called papas rellenos or refilled potatoes. They are different than refilled potatoes and when I get home I want to make everybody one. They are delicios!!!!!!!!!!!!

The work as always is hard, but worth it. I was feeling a little discouraged this week because we didn't have baptisms until I read in Preach my gospel pg 10.... it talks about how a missionary can really measure if they are having success, and list about ten points analyze yourself.  One of the ones that hit me hard was "you concern yourself with the salvation of souls of your investigators and their desires to serve god... " I am not trying to get into my head that I am not here to baptize only, but to really save the lives of people. It helped me to think like that.

As always, I love you guys and miss you like you wouldn't believe...but, I need to be here.

love everyone so much chau.........

9/24/2012

Dear Family!!!

I am so grateful for the Lord´s hand in the work this week. We had 5 very great, awesome people get baptized this week (johan-19 andy-11 jhon-11 chris-8 stevin-8 years old). They are all awesome and Chris especially has an amazing testimony for an 8 year old. Their parents are all also investigating the gospel. They have to wait to be baptized because they are not married, but are saving the money and attending church with their children. I want to get the Dads baptized so they can get the priesthood and ordain their sons when they turn 12. We are going to have family home evenings in their homes this week. It should be way fun. We (mi and my comp) are going to make chupetes (popsicles).

My new companion hasn't arrived yet and won't arrive 'til Wednesday, which stinks because I can't work in my area until Wednesday because I am with the liders de the zone until then. I hope my investigators will be alright...

I attached a photo of the baptisms, and one of Elder Barney. He has been out here for only 1 month more than me and will be going to BYU after the mission too... he is awesome...

I havent heard alot about my package yet? Has it arrived? I hope so because it had alot of cards for different people...

Sorry it is so short i hope you guys know i love you.... talk to you more later
Elder Larson

9/17/2012

Dear Family,

I am so sorry for not writing last week. I had an emergency exchange of companions and the day was hectic.

Elder Bareiro is now the secretary of salud and my new companion is from (you wont believe it) Perris, California. We know a few of the same people and it is pretty crazy. He will be leaving to go home, he finishes his mission this Sunday, so I won't get a lot of time with him. We have been working really hard (I mean really hard) and we have 4 people that will be baptized this Saturday. I learned a lot from him in these short days. Also, we have been focusing on looking for families to teach rather than people, solo. There is something awesome about teaching a family and all ending on our knees in prayer and having the Dad pray for the first time. It is a powerful experience to see the family learn and grow. Glad I had that opportunity to serve with him. 

The package is officially in the mail. I tried to send some things but it came out to 200 soles soooo I just mailed the cd of pics and some letters, oh and also inside there are letters with stamps from another missionary.... please put those in the mail for him also.

I will try to send more màs cerca de christmas..... i love you all and miss you so much!!!!!

Your Elder Larson

(also mom will you send me the recipe for pancakes and french toast as simple as possible....thanks love you)

09/03/2012

Dear Family,

Welp, tonight I will once again be traveling to Lima. This time to finish my capacitation of a new Elder. I also have some good news.  I am going to send a packet home with a CD of all my pictures. Hast ahora I had my pictures saved by a member with a computer.  Don't know how she had them. And also I am going to send a whole bunch of letters to you guys in a packet and if you could mail them to the respective persons I would be really grateful.

I had a great spiritual experience that really testified that every missionary is called to that place for a reason. My ¨pesionista,¨the lady who feeds us and who we live with, isn't a member. She has had a grand number of missionaries in her house and every one of them has tried to teach her.  But something always kept her from getting baptized, even though she went to church read the Book of Mormon and everything.  Well Elder Bareiro y yo had a lesson with her. She finally, after 1 1/2 years, told us what her problems with the church were. We were able to resolve it and she was baptized 3 days later along with her sister.  In all truth, the two are a latin version of Grandma Judy and her sister. It is so funny. And I got to baptize her. To celebrate, of course like Grandma, she wanted a big meal and invited the bishop and four sets of missionaries. We had...you guessed it...guinea pig, and the way it was prepared it was honestly the best meat I have ever tasted.  I mean like I crave it now... delicious.

HOWEVER, this week I also had what is called tokosh, a potato that smells like a turd and tasted about the same too. Look up a description online.  It will say the smell is terrible. The reason I had it was because we were tracting and the family who lives in a hut made of whatever they could find in the street invited us in. We walked in and the smell was horrendous. I asked my companion "what is that smell?" and he just said ¨oh no."  I ate it all and made the mistake of lying and telling the sister that it was good.  So of course she brought out another plate.  Needles to say the night was a long one. I felt horrible, but I am now better. haha

Hope you guys are awesome... and to all the returned missionaries who read this... any ideas on how to have appointments not fall through? Something I can say or do that will help them for sure stay in their house for our appointment.

*** Mail update: While the mail in Peru is still somewhat on strike, Sheldon is now able to receive letters from dearelder.com again and will be sending letters to the states soon.  Thank you to all who continue to write him!***

"The Baptism"

"Killing and skinning my guinea pig"

"Guinea Pig Head (delicios)"

The infamous"tokosh- took this picture when they weren't around"

08/27/2012

Hey everyone,

Wow, had a busy week this week. I had to take a nine hour trip to Lima for my visa and to print my Peru ID. Then, nine hours back and while coming back, a movie was playing and it was set in California.  I  couldn't help but think about all the fun times we had at the beach and how much I miss you guys....

The good news is we had a baptism this week and I was so excited for the 11 year old to be baptized.  Her mom was the only thing keeping her from being baptized and we finally got permission for her baptism.  She is awesome and has been wanting to be baptized for a long time.  I will attach a picture in another email.

For last weeks p-day we went to a museum and saw some mummies. It was pretty cool.  I will attach those pics too.

Hope everyone is alright. Miss you all. Sorry, short time to write... love ya

Elder Larson

08/20/2012

Dear Family,

I am not going to lie. This week has been a trying one. It is hard living in the mission where the motto that we say at every reunion de districto is "in the Peru Lima east mission we baptize and confirm  converts weekly" and everyone is doing just that except your area. It is trying, but I know I can learn something from these hard times. We are going to try every form of contacting we can and be way more direct in our teachings. We will see how it goes.
   
Saturday was the prophets birthday and there was a special broadcast. If you guys saw it, it was pretty cool. However, me and my companion thought that the prophet was going to talk and some apostles like general conference. We brought two investigating families to the transmission and explained that the prophet and maybe some apostles were going to give talks about the gospel. You can imagine the look on their faces when the boy scouts came running out all with American flags, and later they had to listen to 7 trombones all in English. It was something that made me and my comp laugh. However I was grateful I got to watch it because there were songs from Phantom and Les Mes and I thought all about my family.  And when Josh Groban came on I couldn't help but think about Grandma Larson. So I was grateful I got to watch. My investigators, not so much they left thirty minutes into it. haha....

I am glad you warned me about the "pocket talk" Dad because I literally have given a talk at at least one of my branches every Sunday.  It helps me practice my Spanish and now the members know my name, so yeah it's all good.

I hope you guys know I love and miss you.

Elder Larson!!!!

p.s.  Sorry i cant talk or spell in english or spanish now....
p.s.s I tried to say my prayer in english and I couldn't do it haha..... can't wait till 7 months from now haha...

08/13/2012

Dear Family,

So Presidente Ardila just cut our email time down from an hour to 45 minutes, so I will type as fast as i can.

Primero, this week had it's ups and downs. We have had lots of lessons and investigators but nobody will commit to baptism. It is frustrating. However, I am now taking part in the lessons more and the investigator can really understand me now... so that is good.

I have found the secret for success. The harder you work, the faster you walk, and the more people you talk to, the faster the day goes by... AND it is way more fun.

Also, to make my missionary change complete I did the unexpected.  I now have a comb-over haircut. I will try to take a pic for next week.

I also found out that the Peru mail is on strike so lots of letters have been delayed for weeks now, including dear elders.  Sending stuff out of the country is impossible now. Two letters I tried to send have come back, so I will try later in the year.

I need a favor from the family though.  Could you send pictures of our cars through email to show my companions because they don't believe I have a mustang back at home.

This past p-day we bought a whole bunch of meat and cooked it over a camp fire.....so friggen delicios. This p-day is p-day multizona and I will get to see Elder Burgi from the MTC. I am excited. Well, times up. Sorry I couldn't write more... chau chau

Elder Larson

Cooking meat on p-day