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