New Area round 2!

Hey guys! I told you last week, but I'm now in Eureka! I love it! It's probably the best place to be for the summer, while everyone is sitting at about 100°, we are up here sitting at around 70°. It's so beautiful here with the coast right next to us and everything. It's good. I'm also happy to be out of the "pink palace" apartment. The apartment I'm now in is probably double the size of my last one! So that's nice!! 

My new companion Elder Summerhays is from Syracuse Utah and he's been out for about 22 months. He loved to play golf back home so I was able to tell him about my hole in one at cedar hills. I thought I would "kill" (be his last companion) Elder Kelso before he went home but I was wrong on that one. Its likely that I will "kill" Elder Summerhays but I could be wrong on him too! He needs to get home a couple weeks early for school too! So we'll see how everything works out.

We have a few people we are teaching! One named Nicki is progressing pretty well but just needs to feel comfortable enough to come to church. She even has a favorite chapter and verse in the Book of Mormon. Hopefully she will gain that confidence to come to church. I know she'll enjoy it. Then there's another person we are teaching named Jim. He has been taught everything but has a concern with being baptized we need to resolve. Then there is a part member that also has been taught everything and comes to church every week but doesn't feel comfortable to be baptized either. So we will resolve both of their concerns with baptism and bring them into the fold.

I was reading a talk titled "With Hand and Heart" by Thomas S Monson yesterday and it was REALLY good. There was one quote that really got to me. "True love can alter human lives and change human nature." I pondered about that and other things in this talk for almost the entire day. You really don't know how much of an impact you can have by just simply loving someone. BE the difference you want to see. You truly will change someone's life and bring them so much joy, which in turn will bring you joy. Don't wait for other people. Love and lead by example. You are all so amazing. I thank God for you everyday. I love you guys! Have an awesome week! 

Love Elder Larson

Redwoods on the drive up 

We didn't have a pic yet so we took one late last night

Happy Father's day!!!!

Hey! As you can tell, I'm super grateful for all the fathers we have. Both my earthly father and heavenly father are so special to me. My dad is one of the most loving people I know. I've never heard any vulgar language out of his mouth, he never gets mad, he occasionally yells... but he's so special to me. He's taught me so much! I'm so grateful for all the discussions and conversations we've been able to have. I love him so much and I'm happy to be blessed with the best.

My Heavenly Father has never left me. Even at times when I felt alone, he was always there to comfort me. He's one of my best friends. About 8 months ago, I don't think I could've said that. I'm grateful for the relationship we have built. I'm so thankful for all the experiences he's put me in and the people I've met. I'm also thankful for all the trials he puts me through to make me stronger. 

Last P-day I was able to spend the day with the Bettencourts from Fairfield! So happy they could come up and see Elder Alvarenga and I. We were able to go to Montgomery Woods and lunch and bowling and hangout and the church and dinner, it was great. We had so much fun! 

 

Montgomery Woods with the Bettencourts

Taco bell

Bowling

Nothing too much has happened with our current investigators... the Khunes dropped us... so that was a bummer, but something really cool happened the other day! I saw on Facebook someone I taught in Fairfield got baptized! And another lady I taught got baptized too! I mean I only taught them both twice... but it was still cool to see them make covenants with god. I was literally filled with joy when I saw that.

We got transfer docs yesterday and it looks like I'm getting sent up to Eureka! I'm so sad to leave some of these awesome people but I will see them again:) there's so many great people here and I've come to love the small town of Ukiah. I am so grateful to be out servings the Lord. I love my heavenly father and all he has blessed me with in my life. All the friends and family I have mean so much to me. Hope all the fathers had a great father's day! Have an amazing week! You guys are the best! Love ya!! 

Love Elder Larson 

 I caught this today :))

God's love is perfect

Wow! Busy day! It's been crazy! Huge shout out to my most awesome best friend ever!!! I love my sister to the moon and back and hope she/you had the greatest day. You mean so much to me and I'm grateful for the memories we've made and had. Also shout out to the Bettencourts for driving up all the way from Fairfield to see me. I'm so happy I got to spend the day with them and be with them. 

Had another investigator drop us last week. It was the old man Elder Boehner and I found in the park that had the near death experience. When Elder Kelso and I went to meet with him on Thursday he pretty much just wanted to bash... in a kind way. He wanted to show us what he has conflicts with and there was no real way to help him because he stated he was a Christian-scientist.... someone who will just justify their reasoning with either side. Kind of sad he dropped us.... but that's okay, sake off our feet and run to other people god has prepared for us. All we gotta do is... our part, find them.

On a different note, I decided this past week that missionary work and the missionary lifestyle is a lot more different and difficult than anyone could imagine until you experience it yourself. We get looked at differently and treated differently just because we wear white shirts and ties and talk to people about Jesus. It was pretty funny, on... I think Saturday we went to the park to talk to the typical "stoner" friends we see every week. They make poor life decisions but they all still are great kids (they are teenagers). But, it was funny because when we started walking toward them and they saw us coming... a few of the kids that aren't normally there got up and walked away. Until we talked to the ones we knew for a good 10-15 minutes and they came back wondering how we're casually talking with teenagers that constantly smoke weed. They were able to realize we aren't all that bad and we were normal people ourselves. 

Even though some of those kids have made bad decisions... it's never to late to turn to god... never. I wish more of his children would know that. Sunday night Elder Kelso, some other missionaries, and I were talking about how God's love works. We talked about how man people use the word unconditional to describe it and it isn't exactly the right word. Because I/we believe he can and does love his children differently. He loves the child more if they follow his commandments rather than if they don't. But that doesn't mean he doesn't love the child who does not obey him. God will never hate any of his children. I think the word to describe God's love for us is perfect. He loves us perfectly. The amount of love for us will always be perfect. I'm so grateful I have a god who loves me and loves each of you. I hope you learn how to feel that throughout your week and throughout your life. He really does care for you. I love you all and miss you. Hope you have a fantastic week! 

Love Elder Larson 

Random pic with little kittens at a members house!

Sneak peak of today: Looking for a 4 leaf clover

Sneak peak of today part 2: Found a 4 lead clover

"Strait" not "Straight"

Hey everyone! It's been a pretty not horrible week! I mean... I'm not dead.. so that's always a plus. No I didn't feel that great literally all week. Constant headache, stomach ache, I was just out of it... it was just an off week. Probably the coolest part about it was, everytime we either went to go see someone (potential or investigator, etc.) or in for a dinner appointment... I felt fine the entire time we were there. I just remember feeling great, then I walk out the front door and it all comes back, icky stomach and headache.... Kinda cool to see that small little "God wink" throughout the week as we go see people.

We had that follow-up appointment with the mother and daughter from Wednesday. We shared another scripture and she started tearing up when we told her about missionaries, how we leave for 2 years to do what we do. I have high hopes for her to grow in the gospel. She's super nice with her 12 yr old daughter. They're super awesome. It's been a real struggle trying to meet with everyone else.

Something that I've come to learn is that being in Christ's church, living his standards in his gospel, it's not easy. In 2 Nephi 31 it talks about the strait and narrow path. Notice how it doesn't say "straight." Strait, if you look it up, means difficult. It really is difficult. But it's worth it. He's given us scriptures and other things to help us along the path. TURN TO HIM! He wants to help you. I know that even though things in life may be difficult, you can make it through whatever you are facing. God is aware of you and everything you go through. I hope you all have an amazing week! You all make me so happy! Love you guys!! 

(Sorry this email is short!)

Love Elder Larson 

Zone Conference 

Sleepy after zone conference 

I mean... I didn't know he was taking a picture 

Uplifting quote!