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
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