March 23rd Letter-after a rough start--Awsome companion, awesome area!

Well after the sickness from heck! (am I allowed to say that as a missionary...?) This was a good week. Because every week is a good week no matter the trials and stubborn investigators. This week Sister Acosta and I met a very special less active lady. She is in stage 5 of kidney failure and also has some major complications with diabetes. And yet she has the strongest faith. She just radiates. She reminds me of Aunt Melani. And so yeah maybe I had a fever and stomach problems this week, but I'm all better now. My sickness only lasted a week. And even though I don't have a flushing toilet, I still have a toilet. And even though I have to walk like a thousand miles everyday, at least I can walk. There's just so much to be grateful for! I need to be more grateful. My area is beautiful. And I love the people here. My kasama is hilarious. She stepped in cow poop, swallowed a bug on accident, and then broke her shoes all in one day. She's got talent. And  she makes me feel really, really tall because she is a whopping 4' 11'' I am sooooo excited for General Conference!!! One of the quotes on my count-down calendar from Elder Uchtdorf really helped me the other day. He said, "Falling is what we mortals do. But as long as we are willing to rise up again and continue on the path toward the spiritual goals God has given us, we can learn something from failure and become better and happier as a result." I like that we can not only become better but also happier. I know the kind of happiness that comes from living the gospel is not just laughing because someone told a funny joke. It's the kind of happiness that never ends. The kind of happiness that even on the hardest days you can still feel joy because you know you are following your Savior. That's the kind of happiness that I'm striving for. And the kind of happiness that I'm trying to help others strive for as well. And Bishop Hancock is right. The basics are what lead us to happiness! That's what we talk about almost every single lesson: reading the scriptures, praying, and going to church. Once we stop doing those little things, we get cooked! Like the frog in hot water. Don't be a frog! I love you!!! And I love this tropical paradise!

Mahal ko kayo! 

Sister Larson