Meet Sister Rodriguez...from Honduras & Road trip to the Manti Temple

Welcome to Beaver... We're on a Whole New Adventure!                4/8/13

Deeeeear Mommasita….

 Ooooh it is sooo good to hear all the updates and also to be able to write you finally! This week was ….good…buuuut long.

 So Tuesday I got my new companion Sister Rodriguez. She is an awesome missionary. She just speaks Spanish annnnnd I don’t haha  She is pushing me more and more to speak Spanish and it’s good but I have no idea what I am saying :P Nor do I have an idea of what she is saying haha Her Spanish is a lot different than Sis Bo’s so it’s like I’m learning all over again. Our cultural sides are very different, but we are adjusting. I feel like most of the time I am training her even though she’s been out 14 months. For the first part of this week she cried because she didn’t want to be in Beaver and she didn’t want to be in an English area. This is her first English area. It’s tough but I think we are slowing getting over that and she is seeing that she can do it. She put 3 people on date for baptism so far, so I think she is doing well and needed around here. J

Sister Bo is now in Huntington Utah…it’s northeast of me about 2 hours. She is working on the Spanish work out there. Her companion is Sister Kim who is Korean…haha…but she speaks English so that won’t be an issue ;)… we miss each other like crazy. We got to see each other on Friday and it was really hard to say bye again. I can’t believe how close we got and how good of friends we have become. I know she’ll be one I’ll never forget.

GUESS WHERE I GOT TO GO ON FRIDAY?!?!?!.... MANTI UTAH! Yep I got to go to the temple! We had our mission trip and we got to go up north. It was the coolest thing I have ever seen. It was a live session which was waaaaay different but I liked it because I stayed awake and I could really ponder on things that were happening. It was a reeeeallly pretty temple. I wish we could have stayed there allll day. We will have to go as a family at the end of the year. Have you gone to a live session before? Have you been to Manti before?

CONFERENCE! Oookay it does not feel like it should have been conference! That means I have been out for two conferences on my mission and only have one more left. Ahhhhh! I officially hit my half way mark on Thursday and about had a fit. It was a little shocking to me! Time is flying by sooooo fast. This conference was a little different because we didn’t have to be at the VC …we got to watch it with our investigators and RC family. My comp only understood 1/3 of it so she was asking me a lot of questions about it. I was sad she didn’t get most of it. IT WAS AMAZING and powerful! All of the talks were like a hit to the heart. We need to do better! We need to be better people and stand up for what is true! My hand went into a huge cramp because I was writing so many notes. I had so many different thoughts going on while I was listening and trying to decide what I should share with my investigators in our next lessons. I couldn’t tell you which one was my favorite because I like of them for different reasons. I was surprised by Bednar because he was pretty stern this time and usually he is calm and smooth. He was passionate about his topic. It was great. Annnnd of course…..HOLLAND! Oh my, he is good! Even though it didn’t feel like it should be conference it was and it ended up being really good. I am glad we got to watch most of it and take notes. I know that I didn’t get to hear Anderson's so I will have to wait to read his….BUT I love that quote you sent me….that’s my motto ;)

Well I’m not sure much else is happening around here…

I hope you know…I love you lots!

Mom…I love you as much as I loved the MANTI Temple…and that was quite a bit ;)

PSS…DID YOU HEAR ABOUT CEDAR TEMPLE! That means we will have THREE temples in our mission! CRAZY!

 Xoxoxoxox

 Family… You mean the world!

Transfers came and went...Sister Larsen is where??

Welcome to ___________ Where the Surprises Never Cease!  

‏                              4/2/13

Thank you for the Easter notes :)

 I am feeling better, still blowing my nose all the time but that will hopefully be over soon. Glad you liked my story. I was trying to tell you in a way that you wouldn’t freak out ha-ha it was not fun but it wasn’t that big of a deal. ha

 Mom, I am so glad you got to talk to Sister McInelly! Isn’t she just awesome! She is one of my favorites here in Beaver. Her husband is the one we’ve been working with. She didn’t tell me much about your conversation but I hope you were able to give her some love. She really struggles. If you’d like...keep in touch with her. She is really an amazing lady! I think you two would have a lot in common. My birthday dinner was great! We had Mexican food...surprise ha-ha...but it was good and then we had ice cream cake! yummm yumm... I am now on a no eat diet so that I can fit into my clothes. We also had a party at our recent convert’s house. They are Hispanic...can you imagine what that was like....yeeea a party! She was upset we didn’t tell them so two days later we went over and she cooked us some awesome food! We are now trying to get this family to the temple and get them to do baptisms for the dead :) It’s awesome! The dad just blessed the sacrament this past Sunday...In Spanish in an English ward....it was awesome!!

Glad you all had a good Easter. Ours was okay. Not too special. It’s funny because for some reason every Easter I can’t help but to think about Steven and the Easter we had with him. That was my favorite. I thought about him all day and just thought, I hope he is doing well. I pray that his life is everything he wishes for. I hope he is happy and loves where he is. I miss that booger! I hope to see him again someday.

 I hope Grandpa Jack understood his "lesson" on us being Christians ;) haha

 I did get my card....thank you! You’re funny! We loved the card. I wear my bracelet ;)

 I was going to write Leah about her card....I did get it :)

 Soooooo Familia.... Can you guess where I am?...Yep! Surprise! I am still in Beaver for another transfer (number4). I have been here for 4 months and will be here for another 2. Sister Bo will be leaving me behind :(...my new comp is Sister Rodriguez or Sis R ha-ha she is from Honduras and speaks little English. I don’t even know the language! We were really surprised by this call this time. I really felt it was my time to go. I guess Heavenly Father thinks there are still people here for me to touch/teach. I am so scared about the language barrier. I served with her in the VC and she knows very little English. I fell like the last couple of transfers were my time to learn and to grow and now it’s my time to teach/strengthen my companion. I don’t really know what to think...but I will keep you updated next week and tell you how it goes. I am going to miss Sis Bo tons...but I know we both need new adventures and new experiences. Everyone here in town is sad about the split. One of our bishops said "NO! You’re like Peas and Carrots...you can’t have one or the other...you have to have both!" haha we laughed. We have gotten lots of comments like that. We even made a bishop cry. He wasn’t too happy to see Sis Bo go. Tomorrow is going to have tears I’m sure. ;)... I am so grateful I got the opportunity to serve with Sister Bojorquez. We had a lot of learning experiences together. She really is a powerful missionary. I know that I have become a better missionary because of the things I have learned from her. I am excited to see what happens with Sister Rodriguez.

This week in Beaver was a little slow. It was Spring Break for the schools so many of the people we have been working with have been gone this whole week. We did find a new investigator. Her name is Audrey. She has had a very interesting life and now wants to turn it around and make a better life for her and her son. She has met missionaries before because her son met with them and got baptized about a year ago. She does have word of wisdom issues, but other than that she is so receptive to the Gospel and the knowledge it has to offer her. We are excited to see her reach baptism. This week we also found out that one of our investigators has been exported out of Utah and can no longer come back. That was sad to find out. We hope and pray that now that he is back in California he will find the missionaries there and will continue to want to learn and reach his baptismal day. Along with the few we are teaching, we are still trying find. We have asked the Ward Mission Leaders to better help us in these efforts. Now that it is spring time around here... we are also trying to be out in the open more, walking, and talking to all those we see.

Well time to go....time to pack!

 Mom...I love you like Mary loved her son. She knew what his role in life was going to be and yet she still had the strength to go through it all with him. She was there till the very end. She could have given up on him. That is true love. I love you mom! I hope you have a great week.

xoxoxox

 Mo

 

UUHH OOHH..Nasty Flu Bug found Sister Larsen :/

Welcome to Beaver... Where the Adventure Never Ends! ‏                               3/25/13

Dear Familia…

I have a story for you…

So there was this one time, a little sister missionary who was doing all that she could. She was knockin' and a knockin' and talking to all that she could. There came a day however, she was running slow. She couldn’t figure out why she was so tired! She ignored it and kept doing what she knew. Then all of the sudden after one dinner she felt this funny feeling in her stomach and head. She pulled over the car and pheeeeeeeeew all went her dinner! All over the front yard. She said, “Well that’s weird! Why did that happen?”  Hermana! We’ve got a baptismal interview to get to…lets go. Sister Bo says…”uuuuuh are you sure you’re okay?” Yep! Says the little missionary, let’s go! So off they went. To help those in need. Not thinking of what just happened moments ago. Then over the next couple of days…the little missionary kept slowing down more and more, until one night. BOOM! It was all over with…she was down for the count! She had a fever, she had a headache, she had an earache, she had sinus issues, she was miserable!  Sooo from then forth… she was on the couch all the day long. The Stake President who happened to be a pharmacist gave her all the things she may need to fight this giant booger she was facing. BUT nothing was working. She was downright stuck with the flu! So for 4 days the little missionary and the couch of Sister Wollenziens were the best of friends. Have no fear little missionary just might make it to her birthday, she just might live another day.

I hope you enjoyed this story… that has been my week. Not so fun but a good learning experience. Heavenly Father and I had some good chats!

I hope this upcoming week is a lot better and has more success.

Love you all!!

Mom…I love you like allllll the Kleenex I have used in the past 4 days…..and that’s aloooooooot! My nose is still crunchy :P hahaha

xoxoxoxoxoxox

 

A Whole Family Baptism...Happy Day!

Welcome to Beaver...Where 73 is considered HOT!‏

 3/18/13

 Dear Mom, dad, brotha and Sista...

 Transfers coming up….Will Sister Larsen be leaving Beaver?

Yeah it’s not totally for sure...but president mentioned it. I’m really sad about it, but I know the Lord will provide and help me with whatever I am asked to do. I reallly love it here in Beaver. I hope to be able to come back in the future. We still have two weeks here though so we are going all out! :) Beaver has been PERFECT! We haven’t had our coats on or anything. Sadly because we haven’t shaved in about 23 weeks :0 Weeeee still have to wear tights. hahahaha people are going to think we are crazy if we don’t. So the reason we haven’t shaved is because we only get 5-7 min showers. Just enough time to wash my super long hair! It’s crazy.

Annnnyways....this week....

 We found a new investigator...but we have to drive about an hour to get to her. It takes a good chunk of our day, but it’s worth it. She is pretty knowledgeable of the church and gospel. We are hoping to see her get baptized this next month :)

SATURDAY! BEST DAY EVER! The Ramirez family got baptized!!!! ALL 5 :) We saw them every day this week and even got to eat dinner with them. Sister Ramirez is an amazing cook! We had pupusas and sopes. Yummmmm! I will send you a picture :) haha ....then on Friday they had their interviews. Our district leader was impressed with how prepared they were. It had nothing to do with us. They were already prepared when we got to them. Then Saturday was our big day! Friday night, after his interview, the youngest boy said..."Sister Larsen, I don’t want to get baptized!" I asked him why not? He came up with some excuse and walked away. He was just being a kid and changing his mind back and forth. Saturday night when it came time for the actual baptism... Fernando, the same kid, was soooo excited for it to be his turn. He got in the water with a huge smile on his face. when he came out he says "Sister Larsen! That was great! I’m glad I did It." hahaha all I could do was smile! I was so excited and happy for him. I knew in my heart that he would feel the spirit and know that what he was doing was right. The whole family had smiles all around the whole night. The Dad especially was so proud of his family. The mom said...I could not wait any longer for this day! I’m glad it finally came! Yesterday, the dad also met with the bishop to talk to him about getting the priesthood. He passed his interview and will be getting the priesthood to start passing the sacrament next week. How COOL is that?! This family is on the road to true happiness in the gospel! I know we will be long-time friends. Sister Bo and I are already planning for the day they get to go to the temple! :) We are definitely going to be there!

Yesterday bishop also asked us to help another recent convert of about a year to help her get to the temple. We are shooting for some time in May. So no matter where I am... I hope I get to go with them. We are so excited for this lady. She has been fellowshipping (being a missionary) people with us since we got here. We know she is ready for that next step.

This week we also taught Lalo and Jorge...they are brothers from Mexico. They have worked with many missionaries over the past several years. They have also attended church for the past 7 years. They live with members and love the lifestyle that they live. Most of the missionaries that taught Lalo and Jorge taught them in English so they have missed probably half of what was really being taught. So this time when Sister Bo and I started teaching them, we decided to teach them in Spanish. Until this week we have been struggling to put Lalo and Jorge on date because they'll say "someday" "someday, I’ll do it" ...This week we were finally able to talk to them about baptism again and Lalo said YES! He said he wants to have these "good" feelings all the time and he wants to have the life his "adopted family" has. He says, I want to have a wife like Sister Snyder...it’s so cute. Jorge has been waiting for his brother, so he said yes too. We are so excited for these brothers. We are planning on April! They know so much about the gospel and know that it is true.They will finally be able to have all the blessings baptism brings : )

That’s all for now... trying to find new people to teach:)

So on my mission I have learned that even though I am out here teaching people these things I know to be true... I still need to build my testimony and know that the things I study are true. So every time I study I pray and ask my Heavenly Father if the things I just read are true. It’s amazing to see what he shows me. When is the last time you ask Heavenly Father if the BOM was true or if the things you are learning is true. Try it! I want to hear your experience :)

Well Family.... I love you like alllll the pretty purple flowers in our front yard! Sister Bo says they are weeds, but nonetheless they are pretty ;) Just like my family! If you have any updates pictures you want to send me :)

xoxoxox

Sister RueRue Larsen

 PS...got Bailees picture!! Thanks!!!