February 23rd Letter-Sobrang mabalis ang panahon!

Wow. So much.

So Sister Laiti and I got to experience our first Filipino hospital this week. She had been having some chest pains and a pretty constant cough so we finally asked Sister Martino what we needed to do and she told us to go to the hospital and get an x-ray. So we did. The hospital, although very different from a hospital in America, was actually pretty nice. And most of the nurses could speak English-ish. So it wasn't as scary as we thought it would be. But still scary. Neither of us really likes even the really clean and sterile type of hospitals so... but we survived! And now Sister Laiti has some anti-biotics that should help her with the infection in her lungs. We shall see. 

Also we had companion exchanges. Sister Laiti went to a different area with Sister Reyes (who is now at the mission home getting ready to fly home!) and Sister Davidson, from Utah, came over to our area. It was pretty fun to have two white sister missionaries together. Usually there's only one in a companionship, and now I know first-hand why. It was kind of nuts. Filipinos just love white skin. That's a fact. But it was really cool to work with someone for just one day and still be able to feel unified with them through the Holy Spirit. We were teaching our investigator, Maverik, Sister Davidson was explaining the importance of prayer and how important it is to talk to our Father in Heaven. And then she handed it over to me to continue. I felt like we needed to go back to the experience of Joseph Smith and how he had received an answer to his prayer. Later, after our lesson Sister Davidson told me how she really felt like we needed to talk about Joseph Smith but she didn't bring it up because she felt like she was talking to much. And then the next thing that I said was exactly what she was thinking. This really is the Lord's work. All we can do is try to be worthy of the Holy Ghost so that we will be able to know what we need to say and do. I really do feel so humbled that He trusts me to teach His children. 

In my person study earlier this week I was reading in Alma and one verse really stuck out to me. verse 38 in chapter 32 it says, "But if ye neglect the tree and take no thought for its nourishment behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out." I don't know if that verse felt especially applicable to me because the weather is starting to warm up over here and the sun sometimes feels scorching...but I know that if we don't take the time to be healthy we will have to take the time to be sick. Like Sister Laiti's lungs. We were working hard and we didn't realize how serious it was. And now she has to take gross medicine. For me, I know that if I don't continue to do the little things like read the Book of Mormon and have real, sincere prayers then I will not be an effective missionary and the Lord will "pluck me up and cast me out." In Jacob 5, the allegory of the Olive tree the Lord of the Vineyard says "Behold the tree" every time I read that I imagine the my Savior saying that about me. Am I doing those little things everyday that are going to help me grow into the tree that He needs me to be? What can I be doing better to help nourish my testimony and those that I am serving? Am I helping others deepen their roots in the gospel? If I stood before my Savior tomorrow would he be proud of the tree of testimony I have nourished? Just a little thought for your week I guess :) 

 

Anyways, I love you!!! Talaga. Love na love ko kayo!!! Ingat po doon. 

Sister Larson 

We have the same moon!!

The Philippine Moon                        

February 16th Letter-Glennel done got binyag-ed

I love being a missionary! Glennel was baptized! She is one of the people whose heart was absolutely prepared to receive the Restored Gospel. She has already started sharing the message of the Restoration with her family and friends. She is a great example to many. Hopefully her and Elize will continue to be great examples for our ward. Sister Laiti and I are really trying to dig a little deeper and find those souls that the Lord has prepared for us to harvest. 

 We also met some very special people this week. It was hard to see the burdens that some have to carry.  But I feel privileged to be one of the ones to help them carry those burdens and teach them how they can give their burdens to the Lord. I love the gospel of Jesus Christ! 

I know that my job here isn't just to bring new souls unto Christ but also to help those who have forgotten Him and lost their way. We taught an older lady that has been inactive for probably longer than she's been active in the Church. Boy were we surprised when she didn't know who Joseph Smith was or what a prophet was. And it wasn't because she was older and couldn't remember, she is sobrang matalino--she's very intelligent. But wow. It just taught me that we all have that potential to forget. And if we're not reading our scriptures and going to church, man we sure forget fast! So read the scriptures! It's like Laman and Lemuel, they witnessed how many miracles and still...past feeling, di ba? I have seen how important those "little things" are like personal prayer and scripture study and church attendance. Those "little things" are really the BIG things.  

It was one of those weeks that was emotionally and physically draining...but oh, so worth it! I know that there are people in our area that we have yet to find that need the message we carry. But the tricky thing is that you can't tell which people are ready by their outward appearance. It would be really nice if everyone had a red dot on their forehead to let us know if they were willing to listen to us. But rejection just makes makes it more sweet when we do find the ones willing to listen. 

Keep on keeping on! 

Sister Larson 

Glennel's Baptism

                                      Glennel's Baptism

Feb 10th Letter-what a long emotional week... but a good one, of course.

Well...what a week. This was one of the longest weeks. Ever. But it was good. The thing about being on a mission is that even the bad days are still not really "bad days."  It's pretty hard to have a bad day when you are constantly trying to not think about yourself. I accidentally let myself miss carpet and bathtubs and swimming and pizza...but then an investigator gets baptized and I wouldn't trade that for all the R&R breadsticks in the world!!

Elize got baptized!! And it was awesome. My face hurt a little bit from smiling so much. Her brother baptized her and it was just so special. Her and her brother are the only members in their family, but they have so much faith that eventually the rest of their family will all accept the Restored gospel and be sealed together. Their mom past away a few years ago and it was so sweet to hear Elize's testimony of the gospel and how she can't wait to be with her mom in the Celestial Kingdom. The reason that Elize's heart was opened to the gospel was because she visited the Manila temple with her brother and friend from the ward and felt the Spirit there. She is so excited to go to the temple and go INSIDE! Her heart was so prepared for the gospel. I feel so blessed to have been able to help her progress towards the covenant of baptism and work toward her goal of the temple. 

And next week her friend Glennel will join her! She's another one who was just simply ready. It is so true that there are seen and unseen forces helping this work move forward. "No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing..." -Joseph Smith. 

I know that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is real. He knows each of us and wants us to come unto Him through making and keeping sacred covenants. As a missionary I have made a covenant to find, to teach, to bear witness, and to invite. How great is my calling and covenant! 

Missionary work is not just for missionaries! I doubt that Elize and Glennel would be getting baptized at this time if it had not been for the members that were there to encourage, bear testimony, and invite. So many times Sister Laiti and I visit the less-active members here and are rejected. But then we return to that same house with a member and the doors open. I know that missionary work will not reach it's potential until the members and the missionaries are working together. 

I love my Savior, Jesus Christ! 

Sister Larson 

Our FHE Group...
as you can tell by the floor, this is a family that is medyo mayaman ...or well off.

and so kind.  Most of the homes we visit have dirt or plain concrete.

Picture Update

last monday we had FHE with some members and they gave me this native backpack made out of bamboo
and it's awesome!!! 

 

so I accidentally didn't really do my laundry for about a...while. like a few weeks. or a month. and that would be one thing if we were in America and could just throw the clothes in the washer and not worry about it but here it took me FOREVER to wash all my clothes by hand! the picture doesn't do the situation justice.

MAGANDA!!

Facebook Post from Ashton Mayberry's sister, Candace

How do you sum up the life of a dear brother in an insignificant social network status? My gentle brother, Ashton, took his life this morning after a mighty struggle with mental illness. This picture of him as a sweet little boy embodies the light and gentle spirit he was and is in the lives of all who knew him. You are SO loved, Ashton, and we miss you more than we can express. We are keenly aware of how many people love him and us and are so grateful for the love and prayers we will be receiving during this difficult time of shock and grief. We are never more grateful for the hope of the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the promise of Eternal families. ♥ ♥

February 2 Letter

My heart is in my head and it feels like the ocean.

I spent most of my email time crying in a noisy internet shop. I just have no words. I am in total shock about Ashton and my heart aches for his family. But I know where he is right now and I know that our Father knows his heart and his mind better than any of us could. So as hard as it is to hear about a friend who has been brought so low as to take his own life, I know that the Lord has a plan for him and that families really can be together forever! It's hard to express my true feelings over an email, but if anything, the news of Ashton's death has burned in my heart an even stronger desire to share the message of Jesus Christ with absolutely everyone that I can. How lucky and blessed are Bishop and Sister Mayberry to not have to wonder where their son is right now, they don't have to wonder whether they will be able to see him again. As I think of the great sorrow each person who knew Ashton is experiencing, I can't help but think of those who experience such tragedies without the knowledge of their Savior. I am so grateful for the example of Jacob and his choice to stay on his mission. I know that sharing this message of hope will be the best "balm of Gilead" he could ask for. What a strong family.

One of the General Authorities said that if 5 missionaries would deepen their understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ the baptisms in that mission would increase tremendously. I know that that is true. As each of us understands more fully what it really means to have a Savior and Redeemer our desire to share that knowledge increases. This Saturday will be my first opportunity to witness one of our investigators' baptism. I feel so privileged to be able to be a part of this wonderful work and help others gain a knowledge of their Savior. I know Our Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us. And that Plan is WONDERFUL. I love my Savior. 

I hope that each of us deepens our understanding of our Savior's sacrifice a little bit more this week. I know that miracles will happen if we do. 

Sis Larson