Spending a few seconds in Gethsemane

Hey everyone! So much has happened in the past week! It was good and bad and up and down! We've felt just about everything! I had the craziest Monday ever! We got haircuts... and for some odd reason I thought it would be a fantastic idea to say "sure" when I was telling her how I wanted my hair cute and she asked if I just wanted a hard part... lol. So i got one! Never thought I'd do that! I haven't taken too many pictures because of it... but I don't look all that bad! I feel like a completely new person though! Then right after haircuts we walked across the street to Ross for Elder Boehner and I to get our companionship ties. While we were in there... I found black water!? It is somehow naturally black... tasted exactly like water... no food coloring no nothing. It was so strange! It was one heck of a P-day! 

 Here's a weird/bad picture of my hard part 

Another strange picture with my black water

We were also able to have zone conference on Thursday which went really well! There was a whole ton of good instructing information, but I loved one of the testimonies at the end. Sister Ison shared her testimony which was powerful. Often times we relate ourselves as missionaries as investigators. Theres a quote by Elder Holland that goes "Remember, everything in the conversion process must happen to you before it can happen to them, everything." We had talked a little bit about the importance of following up with our investigators throughout zone conference and Sister Ison talked about how God is gonna follow up with us. He's gonna follow up with the commitment we have committed to do. It really put things into perspective. It was so powerful. 

Practicing a song for Zone Conference 

Zone Conference 

As far as our teaching pool goes... this week was hard... really hard. Hard enough for Elder Boehner and I to get blessings from our district leader and his companion. We got a little down on ourselves about mid day on Fridaybecause we had just talked to ANOTHER investigator/friend who doesn't believe in god because he had a loss in the family as a child. He's been through a LOT. There's so many people here in Ukiah who don't believe in God because something hard has happened in their life. It's so sad to see these people we love have that lack of knowledge. They don't believe they are a son or daughter of god (which was a great talk in general conference). Then the rest of the people here are high on weed.... they can't feel the spirit after they've done that! Its true though... We are in Mendocino county... weed is legal here... but thats kinda why we were getting down. 

We were talking to our district leader's companion Saturday night and he basically said do you have the faith to not succeed? Submit your will completely to God's? I'm not saying we don't give it our all... but just trust God. Elder Boehner and I also looked at things from a different perspective... We thought... Wow! This must be how god feels! Hoping there's a change in people he loves so much... hoping we would just understand and choose the better way. We thought that this is probably just a small spec of what god must feel towards us. Another thing is... we may not see the results now... but they will come in time. It's just hard when you have all these people you love so much not just open and soften their heart.  

We did have a pretty cool experience that kinda shows how our efforts may not show right now. We were going around visiting these members that we haven't heard of (probably because they're inactive) we came to a short street where there were only 3 houses and a member was on each end. As we walked past the middle house we got a small impression to knock it. So we did! We met this very kind lady who apparently has a lot of family members in our church. She said about half of her family was Catholic and half of them were Mormon. She said when she was moving up to Ukiah from Santa Rosa about 2 years ago... 2 elders helped her move! So she is now always willing to talk to missionaries. Really cool to hear about other missionaries creating experiences like that.

Another topic kind of off subject... we get fed SO MUCH lasagna and spaghetti haha! Like 2 or 3 times a week. Just thought I would let everyone know... if you feed the missionaries, we get fed lasagna and spaghetti a lot! And I don't mean to sound like I'm complaining! Because we are super grateful to even be getting fed! But it's good for you all to be aware :) 

I'm so grateful to be a missionary. I'm so grateful to be blessed with the happy moments and also the hard ones. I know this church is true. I am so grateful for the scriptures and the things we can learn from them. I know we can feel comfort in reading them. I am so blessed to have the knowledge that we have a Heavenly Father who loves us and wants the best for us. I absolutely know that. I know there is no sin that puts you outside of the infinite power of the atonement. I love my savior with all my heart for all he's done for me. I love you all. You mean the world to me. I hope you have an amazing week!

Love Elder Larson 

God's investigators, not ours

Okay, if you haven't read many of my emails... read this one, or at least the end of it. Its a good one. Anyways! It was awesome week. We got to see President and Sister Wright and so many miracles happened. I told President Wright there is so much potential here in Ukiah! There are so many great people here. We also were able to go up to Fort Bragg and go to the beach!!! So nice to see the beach and water! 

Beautiful drive to and from Fort Bragg 

Hermit crab at glass beach

A different beach 15 minutes north

So on Tuesday, we had a great lesson with a boyfriend (named Daniel) of a member in 1st ward. He said he knows the bible has flaws and has been tampered with so he doesn't trust it. Which also made him skeptical and edgy on reading the Book of Mormon. We asked him if he would at least pray and find out if he should read it. At the end of the lesson he said the prayer! After he prayed (and asked God if he should read the Book of Mormon) he felt the spirit so strongly. He felt so different and a little light headed and just off! So he decided he would read it! We talked to his girlfriend yesterday and she said he had been talking about us all week! So that felt nice. Then we had a follow up lesson yesterday after church with him to pass off to the 1st ward elders because he's technically in their boundaries, and we had another great lesson! We started in the Book of Mormon because he didn't have time to read it... and he actually got into it! I'm not sure how many of you have read the Book of Mormon.... but it's kinda hard to get engaged. Somehow he loves it! I can see so clearly how Lord has prepared him for the gospel.

Then on Friday we had a lesson with Jacob (the one that we walked into when he was going to the cemetary). The lesson went so fantastically well. Jacob was excited to go to church, which sadly he didn't come because he couldn't get a ride from his dad.... He was also excited to pray that night to ask god if he was there, he did and felt the spirit! Looks like god came through on his end  haha.... And last He was super excited to learn more about the Book of Mormon and start reading it, we haven't followed up on that... but I can also see how he was prepared by the Lord for the gospel! Sadly, again we are passing him over to the Ukiah 1st elders because he's in their area too! It's okay though! Elder Boehner and I both realized that overall.... they aren't our investigators they aren't our baptisms and they aren't our children. They are God's. This is his work. It doesn't matter who teaches them, as long as they are growing in faith and happiness.

I know a few months ago, I talked about how awesome my mom is and how appreciative I am for her when I haven't always been. Well I was reading another awesome talk (sorry I've shared so much on different insights and so little about the area), but I read something that made me relate 100% to my mom! Hopefully my siblings can relate too! 

"A young mother recently shared with me a story called “The World’s Meanest Mom,” and I would like to share it with you here. She said:

       “I had the meanest mother in the whole world. While other kids had no breakfast, I had to have cereal, eggs, and toast. When others had pop and candy for lunch, I had to eat a sandwich. My mother insisted on knowing where we were at all times. You’d think we were on a chain gang. She had to know who our friends were and what we were doing. She insisted that if we said we’d be gone for an hour, that we would be gone for one hour or less.

“I am ashamed to admit it, but she actually had the nerve to break the child labor law. She made us wash the dishes, make beds, learn to cook, and all sorts of cruel things. I believe she lay awake nights thinking up mean things for us to do. She always insisted that we tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.

“By the time we were teenagers she was much wiser, and our lives became even more miserable. None of this tooting the horn of a car for us to come running. She embarrassed us to no end by making our dates and friends come to the door to get us.

“My mother was a complete failure as a mother. None of us have ever been arrested or beaten a rap. Each of my brothers has served a mission, and his country. And whom do we have to blame for this terrible way we turned out? You’re right—our mean mother. Look at all the things we have missed. We never got to take part in a riot, burn draft cards, and a million and one other things that our friends did. She made us grow up into educated, honest adults. Using this as a background, I am trying to raise my children. I stand a little taller and I am filled with pride when my children call me mean. You see, I thank God that he gave me the meanest mother in the whole world.” (Orien Fifer, Phoenix Gazette)

    How truly blessed is a person who has a mother who cared." 

Now I don't know if I'd call her mean... now looking back. But I do know she cared and still does care. Think twice about the reason why your parents raised you or are raising you the way they do. I love her so very much and hope she had the best birthday yesterday.

Tuesday morning at the end of district meeting, our awesome district leader shared something that can't be stated better at all. I wish I could take credit but I won't. He said 

     "I won't lie, missions aren't easy. We still get homesick, we still get down, we still fall, and we still have Satan throwing temptations at us left and right. I myself have moments where I hurt physically and mentally, but I KNOW with my whole heart, that this gospel brings happiness not only to me, but to ALL who are just willing to listen with an open heart! That's why we do this. It's not to increase numbers in the this church, its not so we can sell you on our religion over others, and it's dang well not so we can leave our families and loved ones to go out dressed differently than other people, getting laughed at and yelled at and doors slammed in our face. It's because we have trust in Jesus Christ and we have happiness that is never ending that we want to share! I am thankful to be a missionary and I wouldn't change it for ANYTHING!" -Elder Dixon

Every word of that is so true for my self as well. We are out hear sharing the gospel to others because we want everyone else to feel that happiness we enjoy. I am here to share the love of God with others. I know I have a father in Heaven who is always cheering us on. He wants the best for us. I am so blessed to be a missionary. I love it with all my heart. I love you all. You have no idea how much I appreciate each and every one of you. Have a fantastic week :)

Love Elder Larson 

We got to paint a garage for some service

Uplifting Quote for the week 

Search for the Wanderers

Hey everyone! Not too bad of a week here in Ukiah. There was a little bit of rain, so I was able to pull out my umbrella for the first time haha. Last p-day we were able to go up into Montgomery Woods so I was able to see redwoods... but probably the smallest of them haha. But it was a lot of fun! We had a zone p-day and played capture the flags in the woods! Which maybe wasn't the best idea because since I've sprained both of my ankles before they are just prone to roll while running. It's all good though, if I was able to play basketball on Saturday... they're fine!

Redwoods with the Zone last week

Yes Elder Stromberg photoshopped in because he was taking the picture... lol... 

don't ask why he chose that picture 

It was really cool though, we decided to go from a different angle this week as we went out. Instead of just looking for a whole ton of new investigators... we decided to go down a part-member list and also visit less actives. We were able to get in contact with a few of them and we might start visiting some of them more frequently! We actually found a less active who hadn't been for about a year and she didn't know what time church was or anything! She will probably be coming to church sometime soon. 

We weren't able to meet with Jacob again because his mom will be out of town until the end of this month but we are excited to meet with them again! We have a few investigators,  but it's been hard to meet with them since they all have very busy schedules. Hopefully this next week we will meet with them and I can tell you more about them (I still haven't met half of them). 

On a different note.... what kinda led me/us on this search for less actives was a talk called "Search for the Wanderers." I'm reading all the general conference talks, starting with the ones from 1971! A few things that stood out to me in this specific talk.... "By saving one, we might save a family. We might even save a generation. By losing one, we may lose not only the individual but a family and his posterity." We cant lose anyone. Everyone needs and deserves salvation. Even those who have fallen away. N Eldon Tanner goes on and says "We have planned outlines and teacher help for those who do attend church, but we are forgetting, neglecting, and ignoring those who don't attend." This next week, visit someone you haven't seen at church in awhile, invite them to church or a different activity. Maybe you will save an entire generation, just by saving one.

I sure hope anyone who reads this has not gone less active or does not go less active because someone offends them. N Eldon Tanner says "Often some little thing, some slight, or a misunderstanding causes one to become inactive." That seems to be a big thing, especially in Ukiah... Someone offends you, so you leave the church. Jesus Christ said "Come follow me," not  "follow the saints until one of them hurts your feelings." Are you going to church because you love your savior? Or are you going just for a social aspect of it? A while ago I sent an email that talked about finding your "Why." Figure out why you go to church, why you obey the commandments, why you follow Christ. Finding that "why" or even creating it can take some time, but it's something we all need to do. I hope you have a fantastic week! I love you guys! Visit someone you haven't seen for awhile!

Again, here my new address/addresses haha! Don't send packages to the first address because it might get stolen from our porch... have a great week! 

For letters: 582 N State St. Unit D Ukiah CA 95482
For packages: 570 N State St. Unit 6 Ukiah CA 95482

After a busy day

Uplifting quote of the week 

General Conference! New area!

Hey guys! Did you all enjoy conference as much as me!? I felt the spirit SO strongly as I sustained President Nelson as our new prophet. Never have I ever felt so much love for a living prophet. The talks were all amazing but to summarize what I got out of it... I feel as though they are putting a lot more pressure on the members to put in their efforts. It is their job to see members, it is their job to receive personal revelation for themselves. Relying on other members and their testimonies will no longer be enough. One of my favorite talks was the one by Elder Durrant. I often receive a lot of comments with how great my dad is. "You all think my dad is pretty great but, he's an even better man at home." I'm so grateful to have the loving father I do. I wouldn't want anyone else.

Taco bell bell after Saturday's sessions (keep the tradition alive dad!) 

  

My new companion Elder Boehner is pretty awesome! He loves to work hard which is perfect! He's from Kansas City and he's been out for about 8 months (2 transfers more than me.) The area is awesome and I've already met a lot of really nice and really great people. I'm also really happy we are still in the car :). The area is beautiful! In the Ukiah zone we have both the beach and the redwoods. I'm super excited to see the redwoods! I'll for sure take some pictures!! 

We "caught" a Magikarp (a pokemon) in the park yesterday

We had a pretty cool experience this last week! We were walking to the park and on the way we met this guy who was actually on his way to the cemetery to talk to his brother that passed away about a year and a half ago. We shared a quick message to him and answered some questions about the afterlife. We then set a return appointment for Saturday. Well Saturday comes and we go follow up with the return appointment (It was after general conference), but it turns out that he wasn't home but his mom was. She shares with us that he's never had a dream before and the night we met him, his grandma that passed away about 2 months ago appeared to him. She also said that he had been talking about us a lot all week. Now they are both SUPER interested in the gospel and wondering who the heck we are. I can see the Lord's hand in their preparation. I'm so excited to teach them more.

I love listening to our prophets and apostles. I hope you all took advantage of the opportunity and listened for yourself. Go seek personal revelation for yourself. Go visit members in your ward who have been on your mind. It will brighten both your day and theirs! I hope you all have an amazing week! Also my new address is 582 N State St. Unit D  Ukiah, CA  95482 so send away! Love you guys!!!! 

Behold, the pink palace (ours is a 1 story tiny place haha)

Love Elder Larson 

Quote of the week (I forget which ones I send so sorry if I ever send the same one)