The sisters in my zone made peppermint popcorn with me!!

I LOVE my pillow case from the ward!!

This family of 10 has been in active but came to church this Sunday-Yeah!!

Kids came caroling and usually ask for money but we gave them "pass-along" cards:)

December 30 Letter-"I Love Being a Missionary"

This has been the most wonderful week! I love being a missionary! It's like Christmas everyday.  Because I'm sharing the message of Christ with everyone!! :) well you know, almost everyone.

Although our dinner appointment with the Mateo family fell through on Christmas, the Bishop's wife invited us over the day after Christmas.  We had bar-b-que (which means meat on skewers) rice,of course, some kind of fish stuffed with vegetables, fried chicken, and then homemade macaroons, homemade ube spread (made with fresh caribou milk) and buko salad (like jello with fresh coconut). It was a feast! Just a little different from the usual Christmas feasts... :)  

 We were able to see some little miracles in our area this December.  And I know that if we do our best to be obedient and do all we can everyday we will continue to have our eyes opened to the many little miracles that happen every single day.  One of these little miracles happened when we were following up on an OYM (Open Your Mouth: we just try to talk to as many people as we can and sometimes we can schedule a time to follow up and teach them for real) on a street that we pass by almost every single day,  We stopped and asked this lady if she knew the person we were trying to find. She didn't, but she agreed to listen to our message.  Apparently she had seen us multiple times and even asked about Sister Lazan(my 1st kasama).  But we had never had the opportunity to teach her.  As we began teaching about the Restoration it was hard to concentrate because of the rowdy kids outside.  But we continued to teach, and I continued to pray silently that this sister could feel the Spirit. As we got to the part in the lesson that we would usually share the First Vision in Joseph's own words, I just couldn't bring myself to share it word for word because I knew that the Spirit really needed to be able to testify to her and those rowdy kids were so distracting!  We kept going with the lesson and finally towards the end when we asked if she had any questions.  She asked us to clarify about Joseph Smith. I knew that she needed to hear Joseph's experience in his own words.  As  I began to recite Joseph's experience I noticed that it was quiet.  The kids had left.  As I looked into this woman's eyes and testified that Joseph Smith really did see God the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ I really felt the Spirit. My chest was warm and tight as I looked into her eyes and testified that what we were saying was true. I know that the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored through a simple answer to prayer and I know that our Heavenly Father listens to each of our prayers.  And apparently, this sister had listened to some elders during the time of Prophet  Spencer W. Kimball because she remembered the name "Spencer W. Kimball!" I don't know if now is the time for us to harvest the seeds that were planted years and years ago, but I do know that God heard my silent prayers and provided the perfect environment for His children to feel the Holy Spirit witness the truthfulness of the Restored Gospel.  

Also I forgot to tell you about how much Filipinos love fireworks! They like really really love them. And so for Christmas everyone was lighting off fireworks and having bar-b-ques. So basically it was the 4th of July. And I hear that New Years is even crazier. That's why our curfew for New Years Eve is 6pm...

It was sooooo good to see ALL of the family on Skype! I have the cutest niece in the entire world. Let it be written, let it be known. And I love my family!!!!! Thanks for the love and support! I'm so glad that your Christmas was a happy one! Now let's continue to live 2014 with Christ as the center of all we do. There are so many people that need the gospel of Jesus Christ in their lives.  How selfish not to share what we know! So don't be selfish, mag-bahagi ang ebanghelyo! 

Mahal ko kayo!!! -Sister Larson 

Dec 18 Letter-What a week!

What a week! The time goes by fast but our days are so busy it's difficult for me to remember what all happened this week. But only 9 more days til Christmas!! Our Zone Christmas conference is tomorrow and somehow I got roped into singing a few group numbers. So that should be fun.  It's my first zone conference type of event and apparently these things are kind of a big deal. This week has been a humbling week.  I had my first experience with exchanges.  My kasama and I exchanged with the Sister Training Leaders for one day and it was a great learning experience. Sister Reyes, the STL, makes loving others seem so easy.  It's not that easy for me.  She really understands that each person we talk to is a literal son or daughter of God.  That's something that I tend to forget.  And one of our less active members called me out on that this week.  We were teaching about the sacrament and I said something like "I just can't understand why someone wouldn't want to come to Church and partake of the sacrament."  and she looked me in the eyes and said, "Sister, you can't understand because you haven't opened your heart and tried to understand."  Boom.  That really struck a nerve.  Instead of being upset because she had hurt my pride, I was really grateful that she was bold.  She was the better teacher that day.  She was bold and loving and called me to repentance.  I know I'm not perfect and I am grateful that I'm not expected to be perfect.  Each day is a new day and another chance to love others as Christ loves each of us. I hope that this Christmas season we really do remember the Reason for the Season.  I love you all! Thanks for the love and support!! Mahal na mahal ko kayo!! Maligayan Pasko!!!

Sister Larson 

This is my home for the next 15 months!!

 

Elder Keats from Uncle Greg's ward

One of my buddies:)

The Mateo Family-One of my Favorites!!

Sister Lazon and I love the Kids!

 

This is our bathroom...yep, all of it...we brush our teeth in the kitchen sink.

 

 

December 9 Letter

What a week! I survived my first transfer! And with that transfer came a new kasama! (that means companion...) My new kasama is Sister Mailo.  She's from Samoa and she's been out here for about 10 months.  Usually you stay with your trainer for two transfers but my trainer Sister Lazan got transferred to be a Sister Training Leader.  And also President Martino tries to avoid putting foreigners together, but we have been getting so many new foriegners..plus the Lord is the one who really assigns the companionships so ta da! Two foreigners. So getting a new trainer who was new to this area means that I've been in charge of our area.  I have to lead the area which is awesome..ly hard. But it has helped me see just how much I've grown in the last 6 weeks. Neither of us know Tagalog very well (the language has been especially hard for Sister Mailo) and so everyday is a real adventure and we are learning to rely on the Spirit.  It's awesome.

But before S. Lazan was transferred we had a little friend in our house.  It was a mouse.  We've had mice in the house before but we were able to successfully get them out using a broom technique that I'm sure was handed down from the Incas.  Joke lang. But the night before transfers our technique of me opening the door and trying not to scream and S. Lazan using her broom to get the mouse out the door didn't go too well.. at least for the mouse.  Because the silly mouse decided to come  back in the house when I was closing the door... And then I accidentally sent that little mouse to mouse heaven. Let's just say, S. Lazan had to take it from there.

Things are good here.  There is still a ton of work to do, but it's good.  Although none of our investigators came to church this week..again..two families. including the priesthood holders, came to church for the first time since I've been in that area!! It was so awesome!! It warmed my heart to see them walk in and I'm sure I had a big cheesy grin on my face, but I couldn't help it. I was soooo happy! 

The ward likes my new kasama too.  Especially bishop.  When he met her and found out she was from Samoa he said, "But.. you're so... SEXY!!" Not joking.  He really said that.  You should have seen our faces. It was hilarious.  And the only way we were able to excuse that totally inappropriate comment from a bishop is because here, in the Philippines, if you are skinny you are "sexy".  It may or may not be a direct translation.  The word here for skinny is basically sexy.  But they don't just think that skinny are people are beautiful... Don't worry I don't get it either. 

But that's my week.  Time is flying and I don't know how I feel about that yet.  Only 66 more of these emails before I'll be back in the USA.  I've got a lot of work to do!! And if there's anything that I've really learned on my mish it's that the work never stops.  Even when I get home I know that I still have a responsibility to share the gospel.  I love it!! I'm so blessed and privileged to be here and to have you as my family (and friends) Mahal ko kayo!!! 

Sister Larson 

Where in the World is Sister Larson? Map with President Martino's first letter

October 24 Letter from President Martino when Rachael arrived in her area

Ube-one of Sis. Larson's favorite Philippine foods

Rachael loves Ube. This is Ube Rose Bread that she says is delicious.  It's a sweet potato that doesn't taste like a sweet potato.  and don't worry, Rachael is still Rachael...

Working with her ward

Helping the Young Women in the Philippines know that
Heavenly Father knows and loves them.

Thanksgiving in the Philippines

Pictures of P day at a WWII memorial in Cabanatuan

Letter from Sis. Larson, December 1st

So Thanksgiving here wasn't actually that different.  Well we didn't eat turkey, but we did have Chooks chicken which was pretty good.  But we had potatoes! Mashed ones. And one of the Elders in our zone got a Thanksgiving package which included some stuffing.  So I even got one spoonful of stuffing! And while we didn't have pumpkin pie, we did have pie! And I made the crust! Which was crispy and delicious thank you very much.  But it was coconut cream pie.  But you know what I think I've gotten over my pickiness.  I ate that pie like no body's business.  And I drink pineapple juice. Aint no thang.  So no football games, but I would say that Thanksgiving was a success.  One down one to go.

Dec 2! Pasko na! I don't really understand how this weather here can be qualified as "winter" but my kasma keeps saying "ooo malamig!" so I guess that means it's cold.  Nights are a little bit cooler, but really it just feels like a summer night in St. David.  But Christmas is here with a vengeance! We already have had many invitations for dinner appointments on Christmas and Christmas eve, so don't worry Mom I'll have a Christmas Eve Feast--but we probably won't have hot wings.. :( 

I think that I'm finally getting a little more comfortable with the language.  I've been told many times that I'm a lot better than the foreigners that were here before because of my training in the Manila MTC.  So that's good.  Even though I speak worse than a 5 year old kid.  At least the kids know which pronouns to use when.  Man, pronouns are going to be the death of me.  Oh and verbs.  Verbs are hard.  It's okay, keep it simple right.

I was asked to speak at our stake's YW anniversary.  I don't really know why but I did what I was asked.  I don't think that what I said really made that much sense, but as I was telling these young women that personal progress is important and will help them drawn near to their Savior, I felt the Spirit so strongly.  I knew that our Heavenly Father loves these girls so much.  He knows each of them and He loves them dearly.  And I know He feels that way about each of us.  He KNOWS us. Oh, I love Him!    

I am not a perfect missionary.  Which is not surprising at all, but still a little disappointing.  Of course I want to be perfect, because Christ was perfect!  However, through the repentance process this week I feel like I have taken one little tiny step towards becoming like my Savior.  This sacrament meeting was one of the most spiritual times I've had on my mission so far, and it wasn't because of any testimony that was born.  It was simply because I was able to draw nearer to my Savior through His Atonement.  This has been a changing week for me.  I have a desire to improve, improve, improve! It has also been a changing week for our ward! Part of Relief Society was spent discussing what the sisters could do to help bring back some of the lost sheep in our area.  It made us so happy to see the members desire to help us in the work and I know that we will be much more effective if we can work with the members.  I am still not a perfect missionary and I know that I will never be perfect.  But I know that each good decision I make, each time I listen to and follow the Spirit I am one step closer to the missionary that the Savior knows I can be.  

I hope this holiday seasons finds you all healthy, wealthy, and wise!! Mahal na mahal ko kayo!! 

-Sis Larson 

November 25th

This week was one of those times that you get a look at everyone else's trails and you are suddenly so thankful for your own trials.  We have 4 new missionaries in our Zone who were reassigned here from the Tacloban mission.  16 missionaries total came to the Angeles Mission.  And one of the new missionaries in our zone is actually from Uncle Greg and Aunt Sue's ward! Crazy little world we live in.  They really witnessed some serious miracles during that huge typhoon.  I really didn't understand how massive that storm was until this week.  Wow.  All I know is we really are living in the last days.  The LAST ones.  I don't know when, but I know Christ is coming soon! 

One of my major accomplishments this week was sharing Joseph Smith's First Vision in Tagalog.  I may sound like a very white American when I speak, but as I shared the words from Joseph Smith himself, I knew that was I was saying was true.  I love the times that the Holy Ghost witnesses to me that the message I am sharing is really true.  

And I have been called fat more times than I would like to count.  Yesterday at church two ladies in Relief Society took me by the hands and said something to the effect of "We've noticed that you've lost a few pounds! How wonderful! Now just keep eating vegetables, no meat, and only 1 cup of rice a day, during lunch ok? And then pretty soon you'll really be thin! When you go home you can get fat again." That really happened.  And as offensive as that would have been in America.  Not even a big deal here.  They were just stating facts according to them. And I really wasn't offended, I just smiled and said "Ok, Thank you" I think that's a sign that I'm learning to love the people and adjust to the culture.  

 I really love missionary work.  I have a LOT to learn, but I love it.  I love the Philippines.  The other day we were riding in a tricycle and thought to myself, "I could just ride in a trike all day!"  But then sometimes I have to admit I miss America.  Especially this time of year.  But who needs hot showers and mashed potatoes anyways.  16 months na lang! I love you all and miss you so much! But I wouldn't trade my experiences for anything.  Remember, Jesus loves each one of us and knows us each by name! 

Sister Larson 

Sisters that came from Tacloban where the typhoon caused the most devastation. A warm welcome by our mission.

November 18 letter from Sister Larson

Sounds like it's been a busy week like always.  Things have been pretty busy over here too.  Time is really starting to speed up.  As we've visited the members and investigators here we have been able to catch glimpses of the news here and there.  And wow.  I can't even imagine what it must be like over there in Tacloban.  And because of the circumstances in the Tacloban mission those missionaries have been (I think temporarily) reassigned.  Some of them have been reassigned here! So we have a few news missionaries in our zone.  

Thanks for being concerned about me over here, I feel loved.  Every once in a while I think to myself, hey I'm in a different country right now.  And it really is a totally different world over here.  But I really love it.  During our lessons we get all kinds of exciting visitors.  Like cockroaches, geckos, stray dogs and cats, chickens, and even the occasional goat.  It's a party.  Most of our investigators rights now are kids whose parents are members of the Church but are less active and so these kids haven't been baptized yet.  At first things were going really well and they were really receptive and would listen attentively during the lessons.  Now however,  some of them run away when they see us coming.  I don't really know what changed.  But it's just kind of funny to me.  I never really thought that would be one of the challenges of missionary work.  Some kids here really are genuinely afraid of me.  The little gang of boys that are always around our house crack me up.  There's one little boy who when he sees me will scream '' 'Cano, 'Cano 'Cano!!!'  to warn his friends that the Americano is coming and then once I get close he gets scared and runs away.  I never thought I would be able to invoke so much fear.  

One of my other favorite people in our area is this little old lady who rides around on her bike attached to a cart selling chicken nuggets.  She wears these big purple rain boots and I really can't help but smile when she calls out, "chicken nuggets!" Its like all of my favorite things combined into one person! I want to be like her when I grow up. 

I was never a huge spaghetti fan, but wow.  The spaghetti sauce here is great! It's like sweet but spicy at the same time and I love it.  Who knew?! I am so glad my kasama and I decided to broaden our horizons.  We usually eat random weird things.  Like weirder than the food I normally make for myself.  But we're always so hungry we don't really care.  Another thing that I really love here is ube.  Its some kind of sweet potato that is purple but they make it sweeter and put it with different things.  I had some ube-filled bread the other day that was DIVINE.  

The work here is different than I was expecting.  I figured I'd be out trying to share the message of the restored gospel with random people on the streets and walking from house to house to find people to listen to our message.  Turns out that most of our work is focused on the ward here.  Because if the ward isn't strong there is really no point in bringing new members in because they're not going to stay.  I don't know why I never understood that before.  Maybe because I had never seen a ward that didn't have basically all of the positions filled.  But I've realized that the members and the missionaries have to work together to accomplish anything.  

In PMG pg 220 President Hinkley says, "It will be a great day when our people not only pray for the missionaries throughout the world but ask the Lord to help them to assist the missionaries who are laboring in their own ward."  I really have gained a great testimony of the responsibility that we all have as members of this Church.  I want to be a missionary who when I come home I don't want to take a break, but a RM who comes home and wants to continue to help build up this kingdom.  Brother Yambot is a recently returned missionary here in Cabanatuan who the Sunday he got back, accepted a calling as the Young Men's president.  He has already been so helpful in this work.  He is a great example of what missionary work really is.  Being a missionary definitely doesn't mean you have to leave your home town for a year and a half or two years.  But I am very grateful for the opportunity and privilege that I have to be here in the Philippines.  I know that the message I share is true and I know that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer and it is only through Him that we will ever be able to return to our Heavenly Home.  MAHAL KITA!!! -Sister Larson 

Mission interview time with Pres. Martino

Interviews-Cabanauan

Rachael's "little sisters" on the 2013 Division I State Championship Volleyball team

November 11 letter. She's safe:)

I'm ALIVE!!! I'm sorry you had to worry about me, but I promise I'm okay.  The "super typhoon" or Baguio Yolanda, as we call her, didn't really reach us in Central Luzon.  There was a lot of wind and a lot of rain on Saturday and so Sis Lazan and I had to go back to our apartment a little early, but that's about it.  However, I know that there are many, many people who were not so lucky.  It was a Signal 4 storm, which is the highest level of storm that they have here.  I don't know very many of the details, sorry.

 Um but I don't really know where to start.  I still haven't learned how to walk in the rain without getting all muddy, and my kasama is always perplexed as to how my feet get so dirty.  Well. Walking is hard okay. I still don't really understand what goes on most of the time, but I've gotten really good at reading other people's facial expressions so I know when to smile and when to look concerned and so on.  We've had some really special experiences with this ward already. It amazes me every time how quickly people let us into their homes, their lives, and their hearts.  I definitely have found a very special place in my heart for them.  

One family here has been less active for a while because they were offended.  I didn't really understand the whole story behind it.  Still don't, even though my kasama has tried to explain it many times.  She's really patient with me.  Anyways the part that I did understand was when the daughter spoke up about her dream to serve a mission.  She had seen the sister missionaries in the other wards in the stake and wanted to have sister missionaries that she could work with here in Ward 1.  Well she prayed and asked Heavenly Father to send some sister missionaries to Ward 1 and she would come back to church if there were sister missionaries here.  Well.  Ta-da!! Here we are! and guess who came to church on Sunday! It was a very cool experience.  I know that there are many reasons that Sister Lazan and I needed to come to Ward 1, but this young girl is one of the reasons.  

It's hard to not get frustrated when I can't understand what's going on, especially when I ask our investigators a question but then can't understand their answer.  But I have found that it's okay because the Spirit speaks to everyone in a way that they can understand. My kasama and I ran out of propane for our little stove the other night and so we had to be creative.  Turns out you can cook just about anything with a rice cooker! Who knew?! We eat kind of weird things.  Like ramen noodles on bread.  And mystery meats out of a can.  But I think that Reo can rest at ease.  I have really been able to overcome my pickiness.  I didn't use to like tuna, but we eat it at least 2 or 3 times a week.  I'll eat anything.  Well, almost anything.  We do have guidelines for what not to eat.  Like avoid street food. Bummer, really because some of this street food looks masarap! (delicious) 

We walk a lot.  And when we don't walk we ride a tricycle.  It's like a motorcycle with a little sidecar attached.  They call Cabanatuan the tricycle capital of the Philippines.  We may or may not have fit 8 sister missionaries in one trike.  Don't ask me how.  It's more fun in the Philippines! 

Tell the Volleyball girls that I am so proud of them!!! That's awesome!! (The St. David Tigers Volleyball team won State this year!!!)

Oh and I've decided that I'm not going to miss out on Christmas this year because Christmas doesn't exist in the Philippines.  There's just this holiday that they celebrate for about 4 months and they call it Pasko. It's different than Christmas.  The weather doesn't get colder here and there's not any real pine trees so... (Pasko=Christmas, if you didn't catch my sarcasm) There is a store here in the mall called National Book Store and it is beautiful.  It reminds me of the store in the movie Elf and I have to stop myself from screaming "SANTA!!!!! Santa's coming!!!!"  every time we go in.  It's glorious.  

I'm so happy to hear about the happy times at home! Keep it coming! I recently re-read Elder Christofferson's talk about the honey bees and how each honey bee only contributes about 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey.  But each bee's contribution is vital.  I've been thinking about what my contribution is.  What will be my gift for my Savior this Christmas season? I think it's a good question for all of us to think about. 

Well this week I'll hit my two month mark! Pretty crazy to think that there's only 16 more months of my mission left. Gotta make it count! 

I love you!! Mahal Kita!! -Sister Larson 

Letter to Dad...

I knew that I was coming to a third world country but it wasn't until I saw it with my own eyes that I realized how tremendously blessed we are.  Even my comp who I can tell comes from a pretty wealthy family, according to Flipino standards, has always washed her clothes by hand. And there are six kids in her family too! I will never never never complain about having to do laundry again.  Right now we have a "nanay" that does our laundry for us, but I won't be surprised if later down the road I will have to start doing my own laundry.  We had a very special experience last night.  One of the ward members told us that she needed us to come help her husband.  I didn't really understand what she was saying but later my comp informed me that their daughter had been killed 3 months ago and they didn't know who killed her.  The husband had a lot of anger in his heart and had stopped coming to church.  When my comp told me that it was a very surreal moment for me.  I had heard stories of terrible things like that happening to people but I didn't feel like I had ever seen it first hand.  As we began our lesson with him, I had an ah-ha moment.  I had been praying to know what I could say to this man and his family.  What could I possibly say when I had never know that kind of heartache? And I realized that each time that we experience sorrow, or pain, or trials we are getting a little tiny taste of what our Savior felt in the Garden of Gethsemane.  I think that I understood that concept before on an intellectual level, but it wasn't before I was sitting in their humble home tesifing that Christ really does know how they feel that I really understood.  I am so grateful for parents that aren't afraid of sacrifice and who have sacrificed so much for me.  I know that the sacrificies you have made and are making aren't just for me.  It's for that family.  And for the many more people that I will be able to teach and hopefully help.  So thank you Dad.  I love you!! 

Sister Larson 

So you asked how I got to my area- I rode in a van with about 10 other missionaries from the MTC to our Mission Office.  It was about 2 hours.  And I thought I was used to the crazy driving here in the Philippines, but I still got a little motion sick.  There are no such things as traffic laws here.  Well if there is no one knows about them.  When I arrived we met up with the Zone Leaders at the Stake Center because neither my kasama or I had ever been to the area before and didn't know where our apartment was so they showed us.  At the Stake Center there were some teenagers, they laughed and made fun of me for not knowing the language.  I don't think they meant it unkindly but I may or may not have cried a little bit.  Embarrassing I know.  But it was just so overwhelming.  A place I had never been before with people I have never met before and everyone was speaking so fast, I couldn't understand anything. It was pretty rough.  But my kasama has been so patient.  This is her second time training a new missionary but her first time opening a new area.  It's just us two in our apt because this used to be an elder's area. Everyone told us that our apartment is one of the nicer apartments so I feel blessed for that.  And really it is a mansion compared to some of our neighbors homes.  I wish I could send some pictures, maybe next time.  I am trying my best to learn the language as fast as I can but I guess it really is true that Rome wasn't built in a day.  Sometimes the little kids laugh at me or can't understand what I say because of my "accent" and I'm learning that that is normal and I laugh along with them.  This weekend we helped the Cabanatuan Stake with a Mini MTC and I saw those teenagers that laughed at me when I first arrived.  We are good friends now :) I had been told that Filipinos are mirrors, what you show them is what you get.  So I'm trying to accept that people are just going to stare at the Amerikana and I smile and wave. President and Sister Martino are great.  They love you as soon as they meet you and really I felt Sister Martinos love before I even met her.  They are loud, kind Texans and I am so glad to be in this mission, "where only the finest serve" I'll be sad to see them go in July.  So you really shouldn't worry about me.  Also don't worry because the people here are the nicest people I have ever met.  There is a family here that is sooo kind to us.  The father is less active and so we have been stopping by to visit him. So far it's been pretty difficult to talk about the gospel with him because he is always feeding us and asking us about our lives and telling us crazy stories.  He'll even repeat parts of the conversation in Taglish for me to make sure I understand. His wife and daughter came to church yesterday but not him.  So I guess we'll keep working on that.  It still blows my mind how many less actives there are in our ward alone.  Last week our church attendance was about 50 and yesterday we had 82 people there!!! Huzzah for Israel!! There is a group of about 5 little boys that follow me and my kasama whenever we go in and out of our apartment.  One day there was a new boy in the group that hadn't seen me before and when he saw the white girl he got really scared and his first reaction was to strike a "hu-yah!" ninja pose.  It was so cute! Let's just say, they are my new best friends.  I am glad to hear that all is well back home.  I am learning more and more each day how important it is to be humble and wow do I have a lot of pride.  So I'm working on that.  It's frustrating to not be able to say what you really want to say but I have found that it's better to just open your mouth.  Words will come.  Sometimes they make sense, most of the time people turn to my companion so that she can translate.  But I know that the Lord knows I'm trying and hopefully through my clumsy efforts He can use me to help some of His struggling children.  I wish I could tell you guys every detail but there are really no words.  I love you all and you are in  my prayers!! Mahal kita!

Sis Larson 

https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?shva=1#inbox/14202c88b5edf87b

This is the link to see the letter from Sis. Larson's Mission President and the map of her area.

From the frying pan to the fire...arriving in the mission field

Sister Larson and Sister Lazon



President and Sister Martino

So yes I am officially in the field now.  This is real life now. I don't really know how to explain it but nothing here surprises me.  And not in a sarcastic, "Doesn't surprise me."  kind of way but a genuine I feel so comfortable here.  Not exactly like I've been here before but I'm familiar with this place.  I love it.  I guess one way to explain the feeling is like hanging out at The Ranch.  Because of the big typhoon that swept through a few weeks ago we still don't have power in part of our area.  So my new kasama Sister Lazan (which kind of sounds like Larson when Filipinos say it) and I have been having candlelight dinners.  It makes personal/companion study somewhat difficult, but it's an adventure. And honestly I don't mind.  If we were in America it would be the end of the world to not have power for going on 5 days but life goes on.  And because of the lack of electricity there are tons of people out on the street which helps us because we get to talk to more people! Also more people out on the streets means more people staring at the white girl.  Filipinos love foreigners.  And I am literally the only white person in our whole area.  Not exaggerating. So I have started using this to my advantage and smiling and saying hello to everyone.  And 9 out of 10 times they smile right back.  Some of them even call me beautiful.  Mostly the 80+ ladies, don't worry mom.  Just like how we want to be more tan, they want to be more white so they think my skin=beauty.  Silly.  My kasama and I are what they call "white-washing" this area.  Which means that neither of us has been in the area before.  They don't usually like to put a trainer/trainee companionship in a totally new area but with the increase of sisters I don't know if there was much of a choice.  Although I do know that this is exactly where I'm supposed to be.  It's just like any calling, the Lord has called me to the Cabanatuan Ward 1 area, not President Martino.  I love the area so much.  It's not super in the city and it's not just farms.  It consists of three barangays (or neighborhoods).  We have been trying to meet as many people as we can to figure out who is who.  It's good that Sister Lazan is so good at her job! I am so glad to have a kasama like her.  She is obedient but still knows how to have fun.  She has already started building great relationships with the ward members here. Which is going to be super helpful because our main job here is to support  the local leaders.  This ward has so much potential! I know that Sister Lazan and I, under the direction of the Lord, will be able to bring back many of the lost sheep in this area.  I love being a missionary! But you know what the weirdest part of missionary work is? It's the fact that I am the one doing it.  I have heard missionary stories for as long as I can remember and now I'm here in the Philippines walking up and down the streets and making my own memories as I help others come closer to Christ.   I know that where ever you are in the world, whatever you are doing you can help other come closer to Christ by simply bearing your testimony or inviting them to listen to a message from the missionaries.  Will you do that? Will you think of someone who you can help to come closer to Christ? And if you are less active or not a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, will you listen to a message from the missionaries in your town? I know that the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ is one of hope and love. I love my Savior with all my heart and I am so glad that He loved me enough to Atone for me and make it possible for me to live with Him and my Heavenly Father again.  The Church is true! Mahal kita!!! -Sister Larson

My first day at the MTC

My room:)

Inside the MTC

All of the sisters that are going Angeles this Wednesday

The only other sister here from Arizona

My Kasama

My district, Nephi!!

that's one of our teachers (in the blue) sister tibule

October 18 Letter

Well we'll have to see about the 2013 edition of the scriptures because I don't know if they have them here yet.  But I bought a triple combination in Tagalog today for 20 pesos.  That's like less than $0.50 I think.  We only heard about the earthquake in Cebu we didn't feel anything.  But one of our teachers served in Cebu and he said that some Roman Catholic churches just collapsed like there's nothing left.  And the only thing that happened to the temple in Cebu was Angel Moroni doing an about face.  Literally 180 degrees turned around.  Maybe they had him facing the wrong way before? joke-lang.  Rebekah and I seemed to have had a similar experiences this week. (Rebekah had a special experience while she was doing confirmations in the Temple last week) I was just a little frustrated and getting anxious to leave the MTC.  We had a proselyting activity where we get to go out to one of the missions near by and go on spilts with the in-field missionaries.  I think I told you about our last experience.  But our teacher originally told us that we would be going to the Quezon City Mission, which I knew was Elder Gillette's mission.  I had prayed to Heavenly Father asking that maybe if it wasn't a big deal that maybe I could just go to Elder Gillette's zone so that I could see a familiar face.  I just felt like seeing a friend from home would really lift my spirits.  Then the day of our teacher told us that we would actually be going to the Quezon City North Mission instead.  I was a little disappointed because I knew there was probably no way that I would get to see Elder Gillette before he went home.  Then I walked into the cafeteria and guess who was standing in line for lunch?? Elder Gillette! It was such a tender mercy.  We only got to talk for a little while but it was just nice to be able to talk about home with someone who knew what I was talking about. Apparently he had to come to the MTC because that's where they checkup the exiting missionaries.  I know that God heard my prayer and that I would have been just fine if I hadn't gotten to see Elder Gillette but I think more than talking to an old friend, I needed to know that Someone was listening to my prayers and that He was aware of me and loves me.  The gospel is true!! Sometimes I wish it was as easy as just saying it.  The main reason that I get frustrated (which I'm working on my Christ-like attribute of patience right now..I know, I know) is because there are so many missionaries here that just don't seem to get it yet.  I know that they know that this is the true Church but they sometimes forget to live like they believe. but we're all progressing. Just at different levels. When we went proselyting Sister Laulu (kasama) and I were waiting for our in-field missionary to come around the corner and while we were waiting we started talking to a lady named Gina who owned a little store.  She was packaging little chunks of onion for the people who couldn't afford the whole 5 peso onion.  And we were able to talk to her a little bit in Taglish about the Church and give her a pamphlet.  Our in-field kasama made a follow up appointment with her for the next day.  It felt so good to help those sisters in that area find a new investigator. Especially after we had just learned that the average for the Philippines is 3.5 new investigators per companionship per week.  That is not good.  I know that sharing the gospel may be intimidating, especially when it's sharing it with your friends or associates, but I also know that sometimes it really is as simple as just opening your mouth.  So do it! Open you mouth and the Lord will help you know what to say.  You get to say it in English!  Lucky ducks! I can't wait to hear some missionary stories from that side of the world! Love you!!! Sister Larson

October Mission Pics-Lovin life in the Philippines

October 10th Letter

So I've officially been here for a month! Exactly.  Can you believe it? I can't.  My first week here felt like a year.  and then the next few weeks have felt like a few hours! It's crazy.  We went out proselyting on wednesday (mirykoles, yep like spanish but spelled differently) and it was so awesome.  Some of the elders and sisters really got to go to the neighborhood, barangay, and see the serious poverty.  But I was only able to visit one lady with my in-field missionary because we had to ride about 4 jeepneys to get there.  The lady, Sister Abiog, owned a second hand clothing store and so she was a little better off than most.  She was so receptive to our message, but was having a hard time understanding that there is only one true church.  When the in-field missionary asked me to explain faith, pananampalataya, I just opened my mouth and the broken tagalog that came out surprised even me! It made sense and everything! I know that the Lord helps his servants if they will ask and I don't think I've asked for very many things as hard as I asked the Lord to help me say what He needed me to.  I am so grateful to be called to teach here in the Philippines because they are one country that loves foreigners.  They consider it an honor to have a foreigner speak Tagalog. plus most of them know some english. 
I am very very lucky.  I am also very lucky to have Sister Knudsen here.  She and I just hit it off from the start and i know that she is going ot be a life-long friend. I have realized that this is the first time that i've ever been around so many people of so many different cultures.  I love the Samoan, Fijian, Australian, New Zealander, Sri Lankan, and Philippino Elders and Sisters here.  My kasama gave me a lava-lava so you'd better believe that i'm rocking that! OK I think that's all for now.  But I hear that Gen. Conference is all about missionary work ( we don't get to watch it until tomorrow) so you'd all better get crack-a-lackin' and share the message that the gospel is here and Jesus loves us and His church has been restored! I know it's true.. -Mahal Kita! Kita Kits in 17 months! Sister Larson

October 3rd Letter

Hey Mom! Did you get my last email?? I know there was a storm and the connnection was bad so I wasn't sure if it went through.  I emailed Dad too with some snippets for the kids, but I haven't gotten an email from anyone in our family except for your Dear Elder thing.  Which I don't know about this dear elder thing.  I just got like a confirmation email that showed your letter, but it never came in like a letter form.  Weird. Anyway, each Friday our P-day schedule is a little different so sometimes I email later in the day but sometimes its earlier.  Right now it's about 8:00 in the morning on friday.  We're going to be heading to the temple soon.  That's probably my favorite part of P-day.  It takes a long time but it's so worth it.  I'd rather be in the temple than even taking a nap! Crazy huh? I'm so glad to get some news about baby Elisebeth.  What day was she actually born?  I don't really understand what exactly happened but i'm glad things seem to be going better now.  I jumped up in the computer lab and yelled "I'm an aunt!" last week.  So now just about everyone at the MTC knows my happy news :) We're about halfways done here at the MTC and it's bittersweet.  I am so ready to be out of here and actually talking to people about the gospel but at the same time I know I am far from where i need to be to be able to say what I want to be able to say.  We have been teaching "investigators" and it has been interesting to me to be able to feel the Spirit guiding and directing a lesson that isn't "real".  We've had some powerful experiences with our investigators and then we've had some times when the Spirit really isn't there.  I know that it might be the same way when we're out in the field so this is good practice.  One of our investigators always says he has to go right as we're feeling the Spirit the strongest.  Its so frustrating!!! But then I try to imagine teaching someone who really doesn't know about the gospel and what would I do if my real investigator did that?  We really try to treat these practices like they are real because we know that in just a few weeeks it will be really real and I can use all the practice I can get! Even next week will get a whole lot more real! We're going out with the missionaries here in Manila! Pray for me! We might be teaching REAL investigators! Sometimes it doesn't feel like I've really started my mission yet because I'm not doing all the things that I imagine missionarires doing, but i know that this time is super important.  I have a very strong feeling of responsibility and sometimes I get anxious about not doing enough or not studying hard enough or whatever.  My kasama on the other hand is very happy-go-lucky  and so I think we help each other. I am happy to report that I havve been very good at waking up happy(ish).  I've been trying to overcome the normal Rachael response to waking up early and so far so good.  Except for this morning when one sister flicked me in the head to wake me up, but we can't be perfect all the time.  One of the elders in my district, from Samoa, is great comic relief for all of us.  He doesn't speak very much English but one time during a lesson he just jumped in and totally interrupted his kasama and started telling the Joseph Smith story.  excpet this is how he told it, "Let me tell you a story! You know Joseph Smith right? Well one day Joseph Smith was 14 years old and one day Joseph Smith wanted to pray so one day he went to the grass! And you know what happened in the grass?? He saw two personages.  Do you know who the two personages were? That's right, it was God and Jesus.  And you know what they said to him?? Joseph, this is my Church, ENJOY it!" We have no idea where that came from but we laughed about that for a while.  Now we like to add "ENJOY it!" to the end of whatever we say :) Oh and here's a fun fact about the Philippines, there are about 600,000 members, only about 100,000 are active.  Crazy huh?! So it sounds like we will be focusing a lot more on reactivating the less actives members and bringing the non-members they know along with them! I have a thousnad things that I want to tell you about, in fact sometimes at night I compose my weekly email in my head before I go to sleep, but I can't really remember it when I wake up so this is going to have to do.  Well I have no idea what picture i attached to this file or if it will even work to send it. But hey, I tried! 
Mahal Kita!! Love you! -Sister Larson

A few pictures...

The view out Rachael's window at the MTC


Rachael's suitcase before she left.

Rachael's Kasama, Sis. Laulu, is Samoan
from Australia

Sept 27th Letter

MOm the emial isnt really working so i don't know if i'll be able to email you all the thing i want to .  theres a big rain storm.  i left my headbands, my yoga pants and my favorite black skirt at home.  my mission home address is philippines angeles mission F. tanedo st barangay san nicolas tarlac city tarlac 2300 philippines.  i would apprecitate it if you could send it now so that may be it will be there when i get there.  you can send dear elder letters to me through the mtc that i can read during the week btw so share that news with the world!! i also need justenes emial and katie larsons email if you ever can log on.  the mtc is going good  its funny to learn the differences between culutres.  just so you know rock paper scissors is not universal.  i have a hard time seeing so many people waste thier time and fall asleep in class etc.  im definitely not free of fault but i really try to use my time wisely.  i often think to myself how this is not our time.  its 100% The Lords.  We seem to forget that as soon as we decided to serve a mission we were choosing to pay a tithe of 18 or 24 months of our live.  i try not to think that this is my time.  i feel a strong responsiblity to become the best prepared that i can because in know that there are poeple that have been prepared for me to tat each and i dont want to be the reason that they dont get the truth.  because of that feeling that i have it makes it really hard for me to see missionarites being immature.  i just want to stand up on the tables and scream stop wasting the lords time! but then i started thinking that if the lord trusts 18 and 19 year olds to share his sacred message i can try to have a little bit more patience with them.  because i know hat at the lord has some serious patience.  i'm realize that part of my american culture tends to make me a bit critical, or maybe thats just me.   either way im learning that theres not any room for that here on the mission.  theres so much more to say but i have to go.  i'll talk to you next week i love you all so much!
  the first pic is my best friends sis knudsen and i taking the typical sister mission pics.  and the next one is on the day we got pizza and spagetti and ice cream... and no RICE!!! i'll send more next week    love sister Larson

I made it!! Sept 19th Letter

I"M ALIVE!!! I survived my first week in the MTC!! :) Our P-Days aren't until Friday so I haven't had a chance to email until now.  Ahhh I can't tell you how good it was to see everyone's emails in my inbox.  I feel so loved.  I miss America like crazy.  There aren't very many Americans here.  Mostly Samoans and Filippinos and some from Fiji, Australia, New Zealand, or Thailand.  I am the only American sister in my Disctrict.  So that is kind of different.  Most of the Samoans here like to speak Samoan to each other so about 75% of the time I have absolutely no idea what is going on.  We literally have rice for every meal.  I'm trying to be brave and try the food even if I can't tell you exactly what it is.  Every so often they give us ice cream so it helps keep us going.  I finally found some salt and pepper and now I feel like I could eat all the rice in the world! ..as long as I have my salt and pepper.  I couldn't stand it the first day here because I didn't know what I was doing at all, I just had to wander around like a lost little puppy.  Not fun.  My kasama (companion) and I were called as Sister Training Leaders so that made things even more difficult, adding another responsibility that I didn't really know how to do.  But thankfully some of the senior Sister Training Leaders here are good at giving us advice and hints.  I think that the highlight of the MTC so far was our devotional this last Tuesday.  Elder and Sister EchoHawk came and spoke.  It was so powerful.  I have been feeling the Spirit so strongly everyday, but at that devotional it was like electricity.  Elder EchoHawk told us his experience of going to sit in on a general authority as he assigned mission calls.  He explained the set up with the two computer screens and how each call is inspired, but then he went into a little more detail.  He was observing Elder D. Todd Christofferson and how he was so deliberate in each movement and word he spoke.  An application came up that showed the profile of a young man who was more than capable of serving anywhere in the world.  He had leadership skills and was physically strong, he had all the right qualifications.  Surprisingly Elder Christofferson slowly reached out and pointed to the United States.  Specifically,  the Des Moines, Iowa mission.  He looked at Elder EchoHawk and said, "This young man will be disappointed when he opens his call.  But he will be faithful and he will serve.  And someone that he will baptize during his mission will prove to be very influential for the church in these Latter days."  He said that was one of the many little prophesies that Elder Christofferson gave as he assigned calls.  I know that I was called by God.  I know that there is a reason that I am here in the Philippines and I know that I was supposed to come to the Philippines MTC instead of the Provo MTC for a reason. Even though sometimes I may or may not wish that I was still in America.  I will go forth and serve the mission I have been called to serve because I know that why I was called and I know how I was called.  I do not know what the fruits of my labors will be, but I know that I have a responsibility to work and to serve with all my heart, might, mind, and strength.  I wish I could sit here all day and tell you all the little details of my time here so far.  I am learning so much already and I have hope that I will be able to master this language sooner or later! We have already learned how to bear testimony, say a prayer, get to know someone, extend commitments, and teach through the scriptures.  We have gone through some role plays with "investigators" and even though I know that the person is already a member of the Church I know that I have been inspired and the Spirit of God has helped my kasama and I to teach what that person needs.  I am just trying my best to be a worthy vessel of this message and teach with that Spirit.  The gospel is being taken to all the earth! I am so excited to be a part of this work here in the Philippines.  I do not doubt that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church of God.  I testify that the Book of Mormon is true.  I love you all and miss you so much.  Please keep the emails coming, I don't know what I would do without them.  Love, Sister Larson :)