Welcome to the 40 lbs. Mission !                                       8/20/2012

Helllllllo Familia J

Yes ....40LBS.... that is the average weight gain a sister missionary gets on this mission :0 scary! Dinners, Dinners, Dinners...Candy....snacks from VC because senior missionaries spoil us......I’ve been running A LOT and starting a full cardio system every morning :) I think my skirts might be a little tighter hahaha but I refuse to gain 40LBS!!!

Thank you Thank you for all the little notes in the email! LOVED IT!!! Love hearing from everyone! Glad everyone is doing well :)  Glad everyone got their card thingys :)

John’s kids crack me up! I was laughing out loud in the library.... Sis Tornar was laughing at me and said I looked crazy! hahaha

 Sister Tornar and I have been working really hard and learning to better understand one another. We are making strides. I think for me it is a matter of having someone at my side 24/7 ... I am really having to get use to talking to my "partner" and letting someone inside for once. Being independent and always to myself is hard to get out of. Everyone says this is going to help me when I get married.... and you’re probably laughing or saying I told you so! hahaha soooo yep! I’m learning how to be a better "wife" right now :)

Got my letters from the girls.....came at a time I really needed them! I loved them they really made me smile! I have some of them on my wall with my picture shrine :) THANK YOU!!

Thank you for the pictures of Alana! Love seeing her beautiful face!

Soooooo this week! What a weeek!!!

Wednesday we didn’t get any time in our area because I had to spend the morning in a new sister training. President Leonard taught us... and it was so good! Lots of thoughts and things that I can improve on.

 The VC is an interesting place... My world just keeps getting smaller and smaller. I meet so many people that are changing my life. I never thought I would be able to love random people...but I am slowly learning how :)

I had the opportunity to talk to someone on the phone the other day... and he seemed really crazy! He had all these weird questions and was just frustrated with the church... He said he wanted to believe in the church but how could he if we believed in all these weird things. I didn’t know how to answer his questions, but I did know how to bear my testimony. All I could do was bear what I know were truths and then I had to let him go. I just had this gut feeling he was truly interested in the church...he was just confused. So I kept his number. I called him back a couple of days later to see how he was doing and to see if he got his BOM... He said he hadn’t got the BOM yet, but he did stop smoking because he had a feeling he needed to. He knows it bad for him....but he couldn’t ever do it. He said every time he wanted to smoke he would just pray....he was on day four. He said....I just thought you would like to know. I WAS ECSATIC!!!!! I was so happy for him. I talked to him a few more minutes and bore my testimony that the thing he was doing was from the Lord. I told him that because his prayers were coming from his heart....the Lord wanted to help him.... he got choked up a little and said I believe that too and said I have to go.... I am calling him this week to see how he is doing and teach him some more :) This guy is soooo amazing and I don’t even know much about him...but I do know that the Lord wants him to have a better life.

 I have been on two exchanges this week...soooo awesome! I love seeing how other people teach. Both days... my new comps and I saw miracles! We had someone commit to baptism and also found a new investigator. I had to drive both times....so I had to learn my area REAL quick!! I was soooo nervous we wouldn’t accomplish anything because I would get us lost....but the Lord provided and helped me find the places I needed to go. We talked to many people and I was able to be more confident in my area and gain trust in myself that I could be there and teach people.

 SATURDAY was a big day for me! FIRST baptism! :) I was sooooo happy. Watching this family come together and go through many struggles... really taught me many lessons. Aiden was the last one that needed to get baptized and now they can all go to the temple. How cool is that?! Aiden’s dad got to baptize him...and the whole time him, his wife, his daughters...they were all crying. I was trying so hard not to cry with them. It was a really special day. During it... there were times I was thinking about how excited I was and then I had to step back and say....Moriah this isn’t your day... hahaha I just wanted to help with everything. I wanted Aiden to know how proud I was of him. I can’t wait to see this family go to temple! I wish people that are inactive could see through this family that the Gospel really does bless families.

 We have several baptisms coming up in the next week or two... I can’t wait for those as well. This area is just blowing up with people interested in the Gospel.

 We recently ran into a 17 year old boy. He is in foster care and has lived a rough life. I look at him and I remember all the boys Merna(sp?) had in her home and I keep thinking about Steven a lot! This young man is living with members right now and recently went to their son’s baptism... when the son was put under water Michael said...That’s what I want... That right there.... That peace that I feel right now...I want that forever... How do I do that?? ... The next day we were over at his house teaching him! He is so open to the Gospel and the things we have to say. I love seeing his smile because no matter all the things he has been through he still can smile and feel Gods love. We told him God loved him... he said... and he loves you too with tears in his eyes. I can’t wait to see Michael progress and all the great things he decides to do with his life. I know he was meant to be placed into this home he is in for the moment. The Lord works in Mysterious ways :)

I think that is it... hahaha I have to type so fast I forget what I’ve said ;) Sorry if these are super long... I just love telling you about everything! haha

 Love you bunches of yummy almonds ;)

Please send my love to those around. I think about everyone often.

I got my huge package from Sister Worthen :) Looooved it!! ...going to write her today.

 Have a superb week... until next time!

Next week my P-Day will be on Tue :)

 Thanks for keeping up the blog... I hear from many people because of it :D

 Remember always...You have the light Christ within you...never let it run out.

Sister Moriah Larsen

Note: To my dearest Moriah, you are welcome! I have gotten a little behind on getting emails edited and posted. I think I’m up to date now. Things get busy when the school year starts!

Thank you to all who keep in touch with Moriah. She really appreciates it and so does her family. J

Best wishes for a peaceful week.

Mom :)

"We can’t go to church...Today is our boating day!" :)                                     ‏               8/14/12

Hiiiii ya'll,

Welcome to Utah where everyone has a boat and ATVs AND nice cars!! Everyone we come across are doctors with huuuuuuuge houses! I wish you could see these pictures I have taken! Their houses look like hotels :)

Second week of the mish was welllll interesting! Our area is doing soooo well. We have our first baptism this Sat. :) I am sooo excited! Aiden, who is 9, is so ready to be baptized! We gave him a prayer rock and every time we see him now, he reports whether or not he hit his head or bumped his toe. It’s so cute! He has been doing really well with his prayers.

I got to teach Tanner all by myself this week. We were at the VC so Sis Tornar had to do tours, so I got to teach :) I asked him how his prayers were going and he said good, I asked him how is reading of the Book of Mormon (BOM) was going and he said good... I wanted more from him... he doesn't talk much... So I asked him where he was reading....you know what he told me??? He said, well I’m all over...you know I pray every morning and ask God what I should read and I read what he tells me. Uuuuuh my mouth just dropped open! uuuuh okay! This kid is seriously sooooo rockin! We are trying to get him baptized this month, but he is very adamant that his uncle baptizes him ....and that won’t be till Sept. :/ ... I hope we can get him to bump it up earlier :)

For the first time. Yesterday I got to spend the afternoon at Brigham's... that was really cool! It is funny that people can come just to see a house, but there is some really rich history and really cool stories. We are growing pomegranates there, almonds (I ate a bunch haha), we have grapes evvvvery where and you just pick a bunch and eat it...they are pretty heavenly ;) I almost got to do a tour allll by myself, but then I had to leave. Next time!

Dinners are still pretty good! They are the typical American LDS dinners.... no potatoes yet and not very much meat... We have a lot of lasagna type of stuff...

I want to send pictures to you....but the computer we use doesn’t let us :/ Sorry! Still trying to figure out time to do all the things I want... It’s hard when you have to drag someone along with you everywhere...LOL

The Visitor’s Center( VC) is a crazy place! I am meeting so many people that know people I know and/or people that we might be related to. I met a woman yesterday; her family is from the Gila valley... Her father was a teacher....ask Grandma if she ever knew "Mr. Dean"? The lady said he was well known around there taught Spanish classes and some other things too... I told her we are Jarvis’s there and she said she knew many Jarvis's ... pretty cool!

Soooo this week was a tough week for me... I wanted so bad to just pick up the phone and call you, mom. I didn’t think it would ever be like this. My companion made me cry twice this week. And it wasn’t because I’m a wimpy girl and can’t handle it...I just got sooo frustrated and couldn’t handle it anymore. I really try to listen to her and apply the things she is teaching me, but I also try to teach her things as well and help her understand myself and she wants nothing to do with it. It’s her way or the highway. ...I got a reassuring comment from our Stake President this Sunday and also yesterday one of our Ward Mission Leaders gave me confidence. We had an investigator cancel on us and  Sister Tornar was upset... I felt like it was my fault. She doesn’t like the way I teach, so I felt like I messed it all up. So I was talking to our WML about it and he said that it doesn’t matter that you both teach differently...It matters that you are here...You are here for a reason! If they cancelled because of your lesson...it because they know the things you told them were true and they need to change. They'll come back...we'll see them next week.... Wow! I was really grateful he told me that. That was exactly what I needed to hear in that moment. I know that I am supposed to be here...and even if my comp and I don’t get along right now... there will be someone that I will mesh with and we will be able to reach those that need the both of us. I am working on figuring out how to be myself and blend in. Being a new missionary is tough (for all of us newbies) but we know that if we are ourselves it will work out eventually. I love meeting all the people here and I am trying to talk to everyone I walk by.... I am hoping that this will help me be more myself, open up, and also help me with our door contacts.

The heat here isn’t too bad...pretty use to it by now... most of the girls and even the natives are having a hard time... it’s been pretty hot but once they find out imp from AZ they say oh! You can handle this! hahaha it’s kinda of funny! I always felt bad for the missionaries in AZ... But it’s funny now to see the Elders just dying here.

Every morning I play Ultimate Freebie for an hour and it is juuuust a blast! The last couple of days it has been light...but we are heading out of summer now because the mornings are getting darker and darker... I almost got smacked in the face, because we couldn’t see the freebie hahaha.... I wish I could tell you everything that is happening here and in my life. I am trying so hard to be really good at my journal...maybe I’ll send you some of those, mom ;)

loooove Alana’s picture :) She is a cutie!!! Kendra looks fabuuuulous!!! Such a wonderful family!!!

Well I hope this one isn’t too crazy!

xoxoxoxxo looooves :)

I love you all!!! You are so special to me and I am soooo grateful to call you family!

Love you Honey Bunches of Oats!!

Sister Moriah Larsen

How’s My Obedience?... 1-800- Mission-Home                             ‏                       8/07/12

Hellllllo!

Yep! Welcome to Utah! The wonderful place where everyone watches you like a hawk and calls the president every day to report what they saw you do that day. CRAZY!  We have to be so careful around here.

BUT....

I.                  AM. STILL. ALIVE!!!! I feel like I have been out in the field for a year now. I can’t believe it’s only been a week!

II.                So here goes...

 Made it to St. George... Met President. Ate breakfast with him and the assistance and all the incoming missionaries. We went through training and 1st interviews. Nothing too special. Then we got to meet our trainers! ....weird story... so apparently all the other trainers didn’t get to find out who they would be training till they announced at the meeting. BUT my trainer already knew me and everything about me before I even get there. President assigned us together 2 weeks ago! :/ ahhh... He also told Sister Tornar I was a "firehouse!" He said that training me would be the best ever and that would become a powerful team. ....pressure much?! I don’t know what people are thinking about me around here, but president must be crazy ;) ... The other trainers are all sooo awesome and really peppy. Sister Tornar is from the outskirts of Paris. She has been out 15 months- I will be "killing her" off her mission... That was the first thing she said to me when I met her. haha... She is pretty serious most of the time, so it’s pretty quiet around. We are starting to laugh with one another, so I think the ice is breaking a little bit more. She is a powerful teacher and knows her stuff. There are many times throughout the week I don’t see her very much, because she is a "Lead sister" ... She is at the level of a district leader for us sisters at the VC. She is also in charge of the French tours... so I really never see during those. They happen every day! The French people are crazy!!

Well by 5pm on Wed I was out in the field! I threw my stuff in our apt and got to work. They wouldn’t allow us to unpack....I’m STILL not unpacked! I’m digging through my suitcase every morning trying to figure out what I still have hahaha  I am living across from the Temple in the apts (we were told about one time). I am working part time at VC (Visitor Center) and also in Washington Fields. We cover a whole stake that has 10 wards!! Its soooo many people! I met my first investigator at 6pm. His name is Tanner. He is dating a bishops daughter...He knows everything already and is just waiting to be baptized! :) Pretty cool! Sis. Tornar and I both have a very different teaching style!! So sometimes in our lessons I just sit there and don’t say anything. I didn’t say anything all day on Wed during out lessons. Later that night we taught a 9 year old boy, Aiden, and he too is ready for baptism. It’s funny because everyone in Utah is either members or less-active. So their kids are not members, so we teach a lot of kids or young adults. Thurs was our full day area; we did our studying in am and then headed out to the field. We met for the first time, a girl name Dakota. She has been reading BOM with friends and has just been really interested in the church. When we met her we started talking about Doc of Christ. We wanted to give her a BOM of her own. As we were talking I just got really excited. I loved hearing her story and all the things she has learned over the years. I asked her if she would be committed to baptism-- she Saied YES! maaaan first lesson and I asked her to be baptized! I was so excited and also so nervous! It was crazy!!! THEN later that day we met up with a girl named Hannah who has talked to the missionaries before, but never got baptized. We knocked on her door and she was soo happy to see us! She welcomed us in and said she would love for us to come back and teacher her! Whaaaaaaat!? Two in one day?! This is crazy!! I couldn’t believe it! ... My first dinner with members was on Wed and we had Hawaiian hey stacks. I feel like I am right at home!! :) It was great! The members really do try to take care of us. When we don’t have our car, they drive us around to our appts. On Friday was my first shift at the VC. I had to learn the ins and outs of the VC and all the things I can take people to. My mind was soooo full I couldn’t take it all in. I was soooo tired and just overloaded. By Fri I felt like I was drinking out of a fire hydrant. I didn’t do much while at the VC because I had no idea what to do, so I spent a lot of time talking to myself trying to gather all the info :) Sat was a day of contacting and tracking....IT WAS HOT! I forgot what it was like to walk on asphalt in the summer. Luckily we found a member that was willing to bring us back home when we were finished. We met lots of different people and picked up another investigator. I don’t know much about her because we didn’t have much time to talk to her, but we are seeing her again this week :) I can’t wait!! ....Random....Did you know there are specific only Spanish Patriarchs (sp?)? We have one here in our area... I had no Idea they did that. Sorry random thought. Sat night we had another shift at the VC and I got the courage to do 2 tours, and 8 contacts ALL BY MY SELF :) I was so proud! They weren’t the best tours of the VC, but I think they learned something. I know I learned things from them! Many people here are either members...or NOT members. Those who are NOT members have lived here for 15-20 years and know allllll about the church and still want nothing to do with it! I talked to a lady that knew more about the church than I did, and yet she still didn’t want to be part of it. She said "organized" religion is of man. She doesn’t need a building (temple) to feel the spirit of God. She studies all different religions and makes her own thoughts and puts together only the things she wants to apply to her life. I was amazed by her theory. Also the fact that she would still come to the VC and walk around. People are so weird! I think someday something will click and she will realize how much the "Gospel" really does play in her life. I hope anyway!!!

First Sunday on the Mish was a tough one!! We had to work the VC in the am. When this happened, we only get to go to Sacrament and then we have to go back to the VC. Well a French bus came, so one of the senior missionaries came and pulled my comp and I out of church just to go talk to the people. I was really broken hearted. I would think we teach people about the importance of church, and yet we can’t even enjoy it. I didn’t feel the spirit very much after that. I was sad. ...We spent the afternoon teaching our investigators. And ate dinner with members again. I was sooooo hungry I couldn’t wait to get to their house. They opened their door and it smelled soooo good. I said oookay great! This is going to be wonderful.... well it was AMAZING!!!! We had homemade teriyaki Chicken with veggies and rice. I was in HEAVEN! Then for dessert...they pull out all this Chocolate their son sent from his mission. It was Dutch desserts! I seriously ate a years’ worth of food and desserts. I left verrrry happy! :) We love members who have missionaries out because they feel the need to take care of us :) hahaha

Monday: I got to be part of my first baptismal interviews. Sister Tornar taught this family before I got here, but there will be 4 kids getting baptized! It was the coolest experience to see this family come together and finally fuuuulllly accept the gospel. The mom is a member, but the kids were not. We had to wait for permission form the dad. Crazy mess, but in the end, it all come together :) I love this family already and I have only talked to them once. It’s amazing how close you can come to people in such a short amount of time. Mon night I finally got to teach a lesson. My comp is scared of this family because the wife is a tough less-active lady that has gotten into drinking and smoking.... I walked into their house and instantly felt at home. They had huuuuuge animals on their wall that they had hunted we talked about that for a while and then we got into the lesson. For the first time, out in field, I was able to teach powerfully by the spirit! We talked about the Plan of Salvation and how here on Earth we are here to change and be better. The husband, who reminds me of Dad and uncle John mixed together, really soaked in the message! He kept talking about how he knows he needs to get on the strait and narrow. He knows He needs to learn about God and Jesus. I can’t even explain it in words how I felt to hear this man who had been through so much and hardened so much against everything, was breaking down and finally admitting that things needed to change. I realized for the first time while out here, that the things I learned in the MTC and the power of teaching I have developed, wasn’t just for the MTC.... IT IS HERE! It is how I am supposed to teach and it is how I am supposed to reach the hearts of these tough people. We are talking about Word of Wisdom next week and we are going to try to get them to agree to stop drinking and smoking. Idk how it is going to go, but I know if we cont. to teach them with the spirit and not just teach them lessons; we can get them to change!!

Today, we got to go to the Temple :) I was soooo happy! It’s HUGE and soooo BEAUTIFUL!! I had a wonderful time doing sealing’s. I couldn’t stop thinking about grandma and all the work we were able to do for dad’s family. It’s a real treat doing sealing’s.

I finally get to go buy my own food today instead of eating all of Sister Tonars... I can’t wait to get some yummy stuff! I might have to use my card to buy stuff that Ill only need once. I don’t want to use all of my money on my Missionary card.  ooooooooh shoot real quick funny story.... for the past 3 nights, sister Tornar and I have been waking up in the middle of night realizing we teach each other lessons. Last night was the worst! We talked alllll night! I woke up looking at the clock trying to get her to go to a lesson with me and it was 2:45AM! I was like what the heck am I doing!?!? ....Then I found myself presenting the wall to someone and teaching a full on lesson. The both of us woke up soooo tired this morning realizing we taught each other all night and couldn’t do anything about it! She teaches me in French alll the time too....it’s kind of scary, but funny at the same time. I knew that happened to people, but I never thought it would happen to me so early in the game. I’m going to be a pro teach by the end of my mish! hahahaha

Welll time to head out! I think that’s all...it was a crazy week.

Would love to see letters in my box ;)

 PS my box of clothes made it here safe!

 Much love!!!

Love love love!!

Honey bunches of oats!!!

Sister Larsen


NOTE: Here is Sister Larsen's address if you would like to send her a letter or just a quick note to say Hi.  :)
Sister Moriah Larsen
Utah St. George Mission
1075 S. 1470 E. Ste 304
St. George, Utah 84790

Quote from President Monson:

"None of us will honor our Heavenly Father and our Savior more than by serving as a devoted, compassionate missionary. Missionary work is hard work. Missionary service is demanding and requires long hours of study and preparation that the missionary himself/herself might match the divine message he proclaims. It is a labor of love but also of sacrifice and devotion to duty. Some of you may be shy by nature or consider yourselves inadequate to respond affirmatively to the call to serve. Remember that this is the Lord's work, and when we are on the Lord's errand, we are entitled to the Lord's help."

Excerpts from Moriah’s email

 Riding the elevator with Jesus :)                                               ‏           7/31/12

 Hola Familia (YES! Moriah Larsen is learning Spanish. Not officially, just enough to communicate with people at times)

FINALLY!! I finally got to go to temple! It opened back up this past week and so we got to go. It was soooo good to go back and relearn everything. I had a hard time remembering, but I know the more I go, I’ll get it back. PS--- We were told Pres. Lenard lets the Sisters go to the temple every week.... soooo I might need my clothes :) sweeeet!!! I’ll let you know for sure!

Reading your Mormon.org right now :) Made me think of you and I felt like I was really close to you :) Sister Muir asked me if that was my sister :) hahaha I laughed and said yeees yes of course, no that’s my mom. I love when people think we are sisters!  (OK this would have to be my favorite part of the email!  LOL)

"Riding the elevator with Jesus"... Sis Muir and I had to walk around with our Christus Statue and take it to our other classroom. WE scared many people coming up and down the stairs. He was pretty heavy so we decided to take him in the elevator with us. When the door opened an elder screamed and said YOU SCARED ME! hahaha we laughed. I said you shouldn’t be scared. Christ is your friend! He got so awkward...it was pretty funny. Walking around campus with Jesus was quite the experience. We got some crazy looks! ...So last night we learned how to use our Christus to teach people and also how to use some of our videos. We taught a young college kid about family and temples. He doesn’t have a set religion, but he likes to learn about other religions. He had lots of questions. He was confused about what happened in the temples and why he couldn’t go in. He also wanted to know why the temple was only place families could end up together forever...doesn’t God want that for everyone? ... Sis Muir and I talked to him for about 6 minutes on Temples and their purpose...and then we took him to watch "Gods Plan" the video... at first he was making random comments and seemed like he wasn’t really interested. I was praying so hard! I just wanted him to feel something! I asked Heavenly Father to help him feel something and that he could better understand why Temples are so essential in our lives. As I was praying, I wasn’t paying attention to the movie... I had forgotten about it. After I said my prayer I look over and he was sobbing! I looked back at the video and I was like whaaat just happened! I realized it was on the part that the grandfather passes away and they are talking about how they will see him again. The movie ended and we talked to him about what he was feeling. He explained to us that his father had passed away this past semester and it was still really hard for him to think about. He said the video really put into perspective what life is really about. He said he was beginning to recognize why temples were important. Sis Muir and I both testified that spirit was teaching him and the importance the temples have.

On Saturday I got the opportunity, first time and last, to be an official missionary on Temple Square :) It was a really cool experience and my co-sisters (sisters in my class) had some reallly awesome missionary opportunities. I learned things that I should do as a missionary and things that I don’t want to do. I know that everything I have been doing here, my Heavenly Father has had a hand and is preparing me in ways I can’t explain. I have an idea of what I am supposed to be/become, but I know it’s going to be a work in progress. This week we had to learn how to teach lessons and bear our testimonies in 5 min or less. It’s pretty intense! We also had to learn how to talk to people on the phone and teach them. It’s so weird to teach on the phone but I know it will end in many blessings. Teaching has progressed so much over the years! Heavenly Father really wants everyone to hear the word :)

Looooved the pictures! I am in the referral center chatting and I checked my email real quick. I was crying looking at the picture of Buddy changing Alana's Diaper :) sooooo cute! I am so glad to hear everything went well and everyone is doing well :) (Note: My son, Moriah's brother & his wife had their first baby, a girl on July 28th. It's been a very BUSY past week!)

My dearest family you are so amazing, and I love sharing things about you every day in my teaching. Today is my last day at the MTC wootwoot!! I fly out at 4am tomorrow. FYI: mom I will be calling you at 430ish am tomorrow morning to say a quick I love you :) If you’re not awake, I’ll leave a message :) I am so proud of myself...I am officially ALL packed!! 

 GUESS WHAT?! ....so I sent my box. It was 38lbs hahahahahahah HUGE! But the coolest part about it is the box only cost me 5 dollars. YEP I said 5 dollars. I was so stinkin happy!! Sister Muir had to send one that was 41lbs for $6 hahaha

(Note: They had to have clothes etc shipped to St. George because their suitcases were tooo heavy for the plane! Do you think any Elders have ever had this problem, thinking it's just the Sisters??  haha :D)

 Looooves to all

You’re all awesome!

So I did talk to Moriah on the phone this past Wednesday. She called 4:30 am our time (5:30 Utah) We talked for a lot loooonger than 15 minutes. :D  Their flight didn't leave for St. George until 7:30   I got all caught up on her MTC experiences. She had some funny stories to tell and we talked about all the people she knew at the MTC from her "growing up" years. (School, church etc) The call really made me happy allll day long! :) I'm anxious to hear all about her next adventures out "in the field." She didn't know what part of her mission she would be doing first so I'm sure we will hear about that in her next email.....stay tuned!
Count Your Many Blessings, name them one by one & Have a great week! :D
Mom