December 28th-Maligayang Pasko at Bagong Taon! Happy Christmas!

Happy Christmas! It really doesn't feel like Christmas has passed, but that's because I believe everyday is Christmas. At least when you are a missionary. By the way, have I told you  lately...I love being a missionary. And I loved getting to talk to you all! I love you more than you know! 

So here's the thing. I wasn't lying when I said that I was feeling better. I really was. But except, I started not feeling good again. But it's okay because Sister Davis is like a really good doctor. And I'm almost healthy again. So don't even worry about it.

Well did Santa bring us lots of opportunities to share the gospel with our friends?? ;) 

We got a ward mission leader!!! That was a pretty great Christmas present...almost as good as getting to talk to your beautiful faces. 

I love you!!

Sister Larson

                        pics of our Christmas in the Philippines

                                          fun at the Christmas zone conf!!

December 21st-New Kasama!

SISTER DAVIS!!

AMERICAN! My new "kasama" is Americana! I think it might be a first in the history of the Philippines Angeles Mission. I've been assigned other foreighner companions but at least they've always been islanders who are very tan and could maybe pass as Filipinos. But nope. This is a real deal American. Her name is Sister Davis. She's from Sandy, Utah and I'm pretty sure that we are going to be eternal friends. She's 23 and so that means that all of my companions have been older than me. She's funny and we have fun together so. I love being a missionary. I feel like Sister Davis is going to help me catch that fire that I remember feeling as a new missionary and help me grow like the Lord needs me to. 

Anyways....I know that everything I am learning is helping to prepare me for who I need to be in the long run. I have been able to see and learn about the things that help a ward run smoothly and because of what I've learned I will be a much more low maintenance and high producing member of the wards I will be a part of for the rest of my life. I have learned about marriage from having a companion 24/7 and learning how to deal with differences. I have learned that the most important thing is living the Gospel and being a true blue disciple of Jesus Christ. The Atonement is real and I love that I can change. I love my Savior and I love this opportunity and privilege of being able to teach others about Him as we celebrate Christmas. 

I'm super excited to see your faces for Christmas! 12:30 on Christmas day for me, Christmas Eve for you. I got the packages!!! Maraming salamat! And I opened them so... I'm pretty sure Santa is coming to our house.....I'll let you know. And I just really really love you guys!!! 

Sister Larson

BAPTISM of Leizel

December 14th- Christmas came early

This has been the most wonderful week! I feel like Christmas came early! I loved na loved the 1st Presidency Christmas Devotional and feel so grateful that I get to spend another Christmas on this beautiful island because I feel like now I finally "get it." I finally truly understand the importance of Heavenly Father's gift to us. I feel so grateful to be able to spend Christmas in the mission filed and teach others everyday about the best Christmas gift ever! Everyday really is Christmas. 

This week we were teaching our 75 year old investigator that only speaks Ilicano and we sang "Because I Have Been Given Much" for our opening song and I really felt it. He lives in one of the smallest houses I've seen and owns almost nothing. He loves learning about the gospel. It's hard to explain the feelings of the Spirit but during that song the Spirit really taught me. He taught me that I am here for a reason in the Philippines Angeles Mission teaching the people here in Sta. Igancia. I have often wondered why I was born into the family I was, why I get to live in a country with religious freedom, why I have grown up knowing that I have a loving Heavenly Father, why I have never gone without food or shelter. I wonder why I have been given much. And during that song as we sang "Because I have been sheltered, fed by Thy good care" I felt with all my soul "I cannot see another's lack and I not share"! I know that I have been blessed by the great love of my Savior Jesus Christ and I now I finally understand why they always say that it's better to give than to receive. But now I know what the Gift is that I should be giving. He is the Gift!

PS: I'd love to hear about how you are spreading the news of the Greatest Gift!! 

Sister Larson

                                                              My Beautiful Island

                                         this is that 75 year old tatay that i was telling you about! 

                                                         the briz couple! i love them!!

December 7th-Another wonderful week!!

This has been the most wonderful week! I was invited, along with about 12 other missionaries, to be part of this special Christmas program at the mission home for all the stake and district presidents in the Philippines Angeles Mission. And..I think I'm a little rusty. But it was still really fun to sing and be a part of the Chirstmas spirit. We even went caroling!  It really helped lift my spirits. I think I'm just sick of being sick and I'm trying REALLY hard now to stop focusing on not feeling good but focus on others. I just feel this fire in my soul right now to do all that I can with the time I have left. Maybe seeing Sister Altea get ready to go home is helping me feel the importance of using every single day effectively in the Lord's vineyard. I feel unstoppable right now and I feel like I have so much more to give! We'll see if my body can keep up with me! :) 

We have been worried about our ward lately because they seem to just be so distracted and aren't very excited about missionary work anymore.  Our home and visiting teachers are especially lagging. So Sister Altea and I asked the Relief Society President if we could share about the importance of visiting teaching during Relief Society. It was a great experience. I was able to share about my awesome visiting teacher, Sister Tilton, who sends me the Relief Society newsletter every month and even though I'm thousands of miles away I still feel that I am loved. Sister Altea also shared about her experiences as a recent convert. At the end of the lesson one sister said, "Earlier today we raised our right hands after Sister Rosario's confirmation to show that we are willing to fellowship her. I think that we need to take that seriously and help our sisters, especially the recent converts. " Sister Altea and I just turned to each other and grinned. It was a miracle and an answer to prayers. 

Sister Rosario was baptized this week! Her husband came back to church in the last few months and now they are working on preparing to be sealed in the temple in one year! I love being a missionary! 

PS Rosario's daughter's name is RIO! It makes me think of my favorite REO :) 

Sister Larson

Rosario Bautista's Baptism