Elder Jaron Larson: 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!