Pictures from St. George, Utah

                                                       God's country or just "heaven?"

                                                             Moriah in her "element."

                                                                  A Zone "P" day hike.

    Sister Tornar (on the left) is headed back home to Paris, France after serving 18 months in Utah.

 

Dinner with Sister Lunt's family.

(Diana Hatfield Lunt is a high school friend of mine, haven't talked to her or seen her since the 80s

her husband is the ward mission leader. Diana meets my daughter and feeds her, IT IS A SMALL WORLD AFTER ALL! :) Thank You Diana for calling me and telling me all about your evening with my daughter! You made my week very happy!! :)

10 days till Sister Larsen is no longer a greenie!‏               Part of an email 10-10-12

Helllllo Family!!!

Dork dot....means you’re a new missionary at MTC and everyone has to say hi to you :)

 Sooo I have had so many things I have wanted to write about for this week but my mind is running 50 miles a minute today. We got to hike Zion again today but an actual hike this time and it was brutal! BUT soooooo cool. It normally takes 6 hours to do it and we did it in 3.5. It was pretty cool. I ran down the whole thing and Sister T thought I was crazy. She had a tougher time, but she did it and she’s still alive! :) ...We'll see in the morning ;)

I talked to a family yesterday that is Steve and Neola’s neighbors. Did you know they moved again? Still in Maricopa just different house. They said they will tell them I said hi hahaha small world!

 GUESS who came to UT??? ....The Medleys!!!! ooooh it was crazy and sooooo goood to see them!! It was just for a small time, but I am so grateful for the time I did have. I couldn’t stop smiling!

 CONFERENCE!!!! CrAzY!!! Wow it’s been the talk of the town around here.... we are getting so many YW who are wanting to ask us for advice now whether they should go or not. It’s kind of old now. I know that’s not a good attitude, but I honestly don’t think I would have gone at 19. I know that this is where I am supposed to be here and now at this time. It’s going to be great having a toooon of new missionaries  I hope all those that choose to go... go with a full and willing heart. Missionary work is not easy, but it is so worth it!!

I didn’t get to watch all of conference because of the VC and talking to people...but I got a good chunk of it. They started out strong on Sat. There was no messing around this time. I loooved all that I heard I thought I learned a lot and answered my questions I had. I think these men are so inspired and they love us! They want the very best for us. This is a crazy time in the world.

So the new RS President, we ate dinner at her daughters house. We were looking at her family pictures and noticed her mom...we couldn’t believe it was her. Her daughter was so humble and verrry down to earth. It was so cool.

So this week...  Did I tell you about our miracle baptisms???? By the end of this week we will have 6 more baptisms!!!! WE got a call sometime last week and the Cottam family who have been waiting for over a year to get baptized called us and said IT’S TIME! So Monday night we had 4 young girls FINALLY have the opportunity to get baptized :) . The bishop had special permission to do confirmations that night and WOW!! Each girl received such an amazing blessing. Each one was so personal and as I listened to each one I thought he was giving them a Preisthood Blessing. The blessings were so special. We have 4 more Sister Missionaries in the making!! :)

On Saturday Sister T and I will have the opportunity to see the Fessago Boys get baptized :) Their mom is not ready to be baptized yet, but her time is coming :) We are so excited for this family!

So as of now I think I will be staying in my area for next transfer and yes I’ll be getting a new companion....in 10 days!

This week we got a referral for a family, they have 10 KIDS!! Crazy! 8 of them are adopted from Ethiopia and barely speak English. So Sis T and I are trying to teach them verrrry slowly ;) great great family!! We are excited for them and can’t wait to see their progression.

Things at the VC are going well. I had a hard week because it was slow a good chunk of the time so we did a lot of sitting/studying. The days that were busy were reallly busy and I talked to so many people...I don’t even know what I taught haha

I talked to a lady the other day that is from Kentucky  and she is praying for Romney. She is not a member, but she said that if he becomes our leader... it’s going to be God's way of calling his people and telling them they need to come unto Christ. She also loves Glen Beck ha-ha ... Our world is ever changing!

 Well there isn’t much else to say.

 Just remember " Put Christ’s name on, until it feels broken in."

CTR ...what do you think that means??? Choose the right? Well yes...but NOW there is a new meaning... CURRENT TEMPLE RECCOMEND :) hahaha pretty funny huh? We had a member tell us that and I laughed for a good 5 minutes about it. People here in Utah are so funny!

Wellllll love you family!

Mom....Love you like a chipmunk loves PB&J sandwiches in the forest :)

Hola my dearest familia!                              Part of an email 10-1-12

 I LOVE BEING ON A MISSION! :)

 Sooo glad Leah and mom were able to attend the Women’s Conference together. We were not able to watch it because we were serving at the VC :/ ...we miss out on those kinds of things. We also will miss out on part of General Conference because president says we are to be working on those who don’t have testimonies rather than working on our own. He is very passionate about missionary work!! :)

So this week was fuullll of lovely things!

 On Monday we met with the Feesago family again and they invited us over for dinner. We were kind of worried because they wanted to talk to us about something...we had no idea! We got there and it was pretty normal and all of the sudden they said... "So it’s time!" ...we were thinking time for what?? They pulled out this piece of paper and said we planned our baptisms! We want to be baptized Oct 13th! Is that okay for you girls?  IS THAT OKAY!? Uuuuh yesssss! We are so excited for this family. We are still working with the mom, but we are planning on her being baptized that day as well with her sons. We will have 4 baptisms that day if all works out. :)

I had some interesting interaction with people as I have served at Brigham’s this week. I went almost every day. It was busy! I met people from all over the world and as I taught them I realized how hard it would be if I didn’t know anything about the church like them. I realized how lucky I am to know the things I do. I loved being able to teach them about Brigham Young and the church.

On Thurs... We taught Hannah again....she is getting closer and closer to baptism each time we teach her. This week we talked to her about the commandments. I got to teach her the lesson this time and I used a really cool analogy, sometimes we think of the commandments as a burden or something that keeps us held back but really they are there to help us. Think of a kite. A kite has to have a string to help it fly around and stay in the sky...right? We know that if we cut the string the kite will crash to the ground. Think of yourself as a kite. We need something in our life to keep us up and help stable us..right?  That is exactly what the commandments are. They are our string. Commandment have been given to us by God because he knew this life would be hard...we needed something to help make it a little easier. I hope you can think about this. What would life be like if we didn’t have rules? Would we really be free??

Friday was the best day so far!! So Thursday we had to eat at the Church because we didn’t have a dinner date with members... some other members found us and was so mad we were eating PB&Js. They invited us for dinner for Thurs. So Thursday rolls around and we go over for dinner. They didn’t prepare anything to eat they surprised us and wanted to take us out to eat... it was kind of a hassle because of schedules, but in the end it worked out and we eat and had a great time. As we were leaving we were behind this car... the lady was waving her hands so we thought she wanted us to go around her. As we started to drive around her she jumps out of her and starts yelling at us! She then goes us up to the members car and yells at the husband "CAN YOU PUSH MY CAR ACROSS THE STREET!" ... these dumb brods are too stupid to do anything...she was bashing us hard-core. Sister Tornar and I were so confused! We were like what did we do?  I was appalled at the names she was calling us. Sister Tornar didn’t know what any of them meant so she was super confused!  The member stepped back and said whoa! Actually these are my friends I just had dinner with. I could help you if you calm down! He was so mad at what she was calling us. She jumped back in her car and just sat there. So Bro. Woolley started to push the car... he couldn’t do it by himself, the car was huge and it was stuck in the groove of the street. Sooooo Sister Tornar and I jumped behind the car (IN OUR SKIRTS) and helped Bro Woolley push this car across this busy street. We had no choice but to push her out in the middle of traffic...we had cars slamming on their brakes and inches away from hitting us. It was pretty scary, but all we could do was laugh and laugh while we were pushing. We finally got her across this street and turned around and people were laughing because we were in skirts. The lady never got out of her car to talk to us. She was so embarrassed as to the way she acted. WE never really understood what was wrong with her but Sister Tornar walked away and said I’m so glad we helped her...I think we acted very Christ like with a huge grin. I was laughing soooo hard I couldn’t breathe! We thought about that for the rest of the night. We said "we wish more things like that happened to us..That was fun!" hahaha I hope that someday she sees missionaries again and ends up talking to them :) She could really use some happiness in her life :)

This week I got to go on many companion exchanges- So I got to go out in my area and teach with another Sister. I went on 3 different ones this week. It was such a great experience to be able to learn from other Sisters :)

Well this week has been full of laughter and crazy moments. I love it here!! Sister Tornar goes home in 3 weeks....we can’t believe its October already!!! I feel like it should be Feb still...where has my life gone all this time! I still can’t believe I am on a mission! I am learning so much here and really growing. Life is so full of complicated things, but really there is only one important thing, our Heavenly Father! Putting him in front of everything is the only thing that is going to help get us through this test we are trying to take.  I know that as you read your scriptures and attend church with the mindset that you’re going to learn something... your mind will be opened to so many great things. Try attending church with the Idea "today I am going to receive revelation"...go to church with life questions in mind... you will be answered. Enjoy church, love church. I wish I was able to attend it more often.

Thank you for your ultimate love and support :) Love you all...think about you often!

 Well I think that’s all for now...

Tell Paula I got her card :)

 Mom... I love you like a Dinosaur loves meat!

xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxox

Hiiiiiiii :)            Part of an email 9/24/12

I think the Lord is answering my prayers....Gail and her cats keep cancelling her appts with us. I feel bad...but every time I got there I die. OH! one thing about the box though...I was hoping to get my prescription nose spray that is at Walmart... remember the one they kept calling you about before I left and then I said I would just get after I was there. It’s not a big deal. I will use the one you got me. But if the cats keep bothering me.... I might need the prescription one you might be able to forward it up here and I can always get it too. Its only 10-15 dollars.

SOOOO this past week..... Crazy! Last P-day was the best day ever!! The Lord was really looking out for Sister Tornar and me. We went Grocery shopping and Sister realized she left her Mission Credit card at home and she was kind of worried because she wasn’t sure if she had money on her own card.... THEN all of the sudden this lady came out of NO WHERE and gave us this card, it had $100 on it! :0 .... it paid for all of our food! We couldn’t have been more grateful then we were at that moment. We just looked at each other in amazement almost in tears. The Lord knew we needed that that day. Then later that day, I went to a bread store with another sister.I didn’t buy bread when I went to the store because I was going to wait another week to buy it.The lady asked if I wanted anything and I said no thank you, maybe next week. She gave me a free loaf of HOMEMADE bread- just for me! I couldn’t believe it! I felt bad for taking it, but she said that by helping us missionaries and providing for them, that’s how she receives her blessings. I had to take it- I didn’t want to deprive her of any blessings :) Again, the Lord loves us!

 Wed. was our Temple trip! muuuuuch needed!!! All the missionaries in the field came to the temple and we got to spend the morning all together. It was such a powerful experience! I really tried to put my mind to the things I was being taught and I realized so many things I had never before. I learned to have a more sacred vision to the things that he had and were learning.

Speaking of Temples....Yesterday we got to attend the Brigham City Temple dedication! It was such a cool experience! I have only been to the snowflake one and that was yeaars ago...to be reminded of the setting apart and special things that take place in order for the building to be set apart from the world. I learned a lot more about my Savior and what it’s going to be like when we meet again. I will cherish these moments for life.

 This week we had some fuuuny things happen to us. We went to a dinner at a member’s house and they had 2.5 little boys. The oldest boy was crazy and wild but so fun. We sat down to eat and all of the sudden he was under the table....The mom wasn’t worried...she just let him sit under there... all of the sudden he takes my shoes off and starts giving my feet and massage!!! I was like uuuuuh what in the world!! He yells up to us and says...don’t worry she has no athlete’s foot...the kid is THREE! How does he know what that stuff is?!?!? :0 I was laughing so hard!! Sister Tornar and I couldn’t eat because we were laughing so hard. He did that for the rest of dinner... both of my feet. He also had to check and make sure I didn’t step in any gum: P hahaha we went home that night and still laughed at what happened! It was a really good experience for Sister and I to laugh together...he hadn’t done that yet. It was really a great night. Then 2 days later we went to a family’s house to each with them. They had toooons of stuff in their yard and we were confused because they were in a reaaally nice area. We later found out they are bee keepers!! They showed us all their bees and honey and such. It kind of freaked me out! One of their daughters in allergic to bees too... but she tries to stay away from them... some people think to do crazy things.

 Miracle this week!:

One of our investigators dad had been inactive for many years....he received the priesthood yesterday and is now able to baptize his kids finally!!! So we might have 3 baptisms this weekend! We were so excited and love being part of this family’s life!

Then another investigator we haven’t seen for over a month (the one that looks like Theresa?? remember me telling you about her??) They randomly showed up to the VC to see Sister and me! We couldn’t believe it!! We were able to pick up right where we left off. Which that never happens when you’re teaching someone! It was such an amazing experience for us.

Our area is slowing down a little bit, but every day we miraculously are able to find at least one potential investigator.

So this week I have been thinking about what’s important and what is the greatest thing I could teach my investigators. I found this video on Lds.org and it applies to Buddy and dad the most, but I want to share it with all. The message that is supplied in this video is so powerful and life changing. I hope you all watch it. Let me know what you get from it :)

http://www.lds.org/pages/mormon-messages?lang=eng#power-of-god

 Dearest family, I know with all my heart that this gospel is the true and everlasting path of happiness. I know that as we show those around us that this isn’t just a religion, it is a life style... that it will be better understood. Our father in Heaven wants all of his children to know of him and come to him :) I have seen the power in scriptures! Each verse and line applies to our lives! We can gain so much from this special book we possess. Instead of just reading it... take a pencil and mark every time you read or read about Jesus Christ- You will be amazed!!!

 Life is great, Life is beautiful!

 I love you like there’s no tomorrow!

I hope you have a wonderful week.

 xoxoxox

 Sister Larsen 

 

 

 

 

September 22, 2012

Hi,

Your daughter is serving in our Washington Fields stake!! We had her over for dinner last week we sure did enjoy her.

We have a son serving in the Sacramento, CA mission and will be coming home in 6 weeks.

We have so many members send us a pictures or cute emails about our son!!

When I was telling my sister we had the sisters over for dinner the first thing she asked was did you take a picture and send an email to thier parents??? Well I didn't and have felt so bad. BUT I just passed them 10 minutes ago and told them I had to get a picture to send home. They both seemed so happy!!

What a beautiful daughter you have you should be very proud!!

Take care
Sharlene Leavitt

 

9/18/12

Goooood Grief! Can you believe I have been IN Utah for 8 weeks now?!

Time is flying by so fast!

 

Love the pictures :)

Love the letters from the girls too :) They made my day!

Love the support I see all around me.

Tell Grandma Thank you for the Box....I sent her a thank you letter in the mail but to her house.

 Mom, Glad you were able to go to different events this week and not stuck on the couch. Sad I couldn’t physically be there...but I was in spirit. Alana looks so beautiful!! Tell Buddy and Kendra they are amazing!

 Ok ok ok... so this week was an emotional week for me. Wed. morning we had a hard morning trying to contact people and NO one was home! Sister Tornar and I were looking forward to the VC to actually talk to people. I walked into the VC and started working on a project I needed for a lesson that night. One of the Sisters came up to me and said those ladies sitting in the front are waiting for you... ME?! Why I don’t even know them! I walk over there and all of the sudden.... I see Beth and she just started crying! She was so excited!! She said who she was and gave me a HUGE HUG! I was taken back and didn’t really know what to do. I then met Penny and we talked for a few minutes. We sat at the Christus for a good while and just talked. It was hard for me because all we had to talk about was you mom... I tried to talk about as much church stuff as possible because I didn’t want to think about you more than I already do. I then asked them if I could give them a tour...that way I was doing something productive and the other sisters would stop staring at us. We went and looked at the new art exhibit we have and then I took them around the actual temple. Beth just wanted to take pictures of everything and all of me. She couldn’t take her eyes off of me (it was kind of weird, but I understood) I know she loves me and you mom. It was a neat experience. I couldn’t believe she called president!! hahaha I laughed for a good 5 minutes about it. President is a funny man. I can’t believe he didn’t tell me ;) All in all it was a pretty cool experience!!

That night Sister Tornar and I had an appt with Michael again. We were teaching him the Plan of Salvation.. He started teaching us about it. He remembered things he learned at church and started to tell us. It was soooo cool! This kid goes from not knowing ANYTHING about God...to teaching us about him! At the end we gave him a "Missionary Journal" we made for him to write down things he is learning or feelings he is having. By his reaction to it, I thought I gave him a million dollars. I couldn’t help but have tears in my eyes and he prayed and thanked God for the "spiritual tools" we gave him. Each day I get to see Michael, I realize how much I really have in my life. I see how grateful he is after all that has happened in his life and I strive to be like him for the rest of the week. We taught him how to pray, but really each time he teaches me how I should be praying. I love seeing how this gospel changes lives and how it strengthens us, even when we don’t expect it!

On Thurs. Sister Tornar and I went to this house to teach a lady whose house was dirty and she had cats :/ ... I almost died! The cat was all over my face :O ....I walked out of the house and told Sister Tornar that if I stop breathing well....it’s the cat. She freaked out and said oh man! I forgot about the cat!...The whole rest of the day I was in a fog and didn’t feel good. Fri I was eh and Saturday I woke up full on sick! I had a massive sinus infection! I was so not happy. I could barely function and yet I had to move on and continue with the day. On Saturday we had to teach the lady again I was scared! I was with Sister Muir this time and again the cat jumped on me... She grabbed it and through it to the ground so fast! I was trying not to laugh while teaching but I was so grateful!

Sunday morning hit and I was not in good shape. I was worse than Saturday :/ ... I got up anyway...and headed to our 7am meeting. I had to talk to all the Ward Mission Leaders :/ ... It was crazy!

Well that morning we were in the VC and I was struggling. I went to Elder Morgans office (VC director) and ask him for a blessing that I may get through the day and be able to go through my 5 lessons I had later that day.

As he laid his hands on my head I instantly started to feel better. The blessing was beautiful and he talked about many things that I haven’t talked to him about before. There was a part about family and I just started to cry...then he talked about my mission and comp...I started to cry more. He finished and said well now that your nose is running you might be able to breathe! haha I couldn’t help but to laugh. We ended up talking for a bit about different things... in the end...after many tears... he grabbed me and gave me a huge. It was weird at first, but I knew it was because he loved me and truly wanted to help. Elder Morgan is like a grandpa to me. I realized more than ever... How much I depend on the priesthood and blessings and that I shouldn’t be slow to ask. If I feel like I need one that is because the Lord wants to help. Blessings are not just a once a month deal. In times of need and with much faith... Priesthood blessings are a direct line given to us by God to help us. I was so grateful for that experience. Monday Morning I was alive again and felt almost 100% better. Today I am fighting the end of it all but I have never felt this good so quick before when I have had one of these. I know the Lord wants me to work and continue to do my very best.

Mom...Thank you for sending me Paula’s letter....I had to grab more tissues myself ;) That was just what I needed today. I know I can and am a good missionary, just sometimes darn Satan knows how to get to me and makes me think otherwise. I am learning more and more everyday how to be a better missionary. I am so grateful for the Sisters that are around me to teach me. Sister Tornar thinks that next Transfer President is going to make me Train. That’s a scary thought!!! If it happens or doesn’t happen...we’ve still got time haha....but I know it will come from the Lord.

 

There have been many miracles this week with people we are teaching, taught and will soon be teaching. We met this lady that was a member, but hasn’t been to church in yeeeears. We asked her if we could teach her kids... she said well I don’t think you can...they don’t know anything about God or church. We said well perfect...that why we are here... we would love to teach your kids and help them come to understand. She sat there for a few minutes and finally said okay...maybe this is what I am supposed to give them. I have been looking for a way to give them something more because I just don’t think I am doing a good enough job. We set up a time to teach. We have had to wait a whole week and tonight we are teaching them. Last night we talked to the RS Pres and she asked us if we really had an appt with this family...we said yes! :) She said they haven’t let anyone in for years and they tell everyone they aren’t "church go-ers" ...how did this happen? Sister Tornar and I looked at each other and just simply said "Miracle". The Lord knows they are ready for something more and now is their time!

 

The Lord works in mysterious ways!

I love being here and doing this great work.

 

I love you all - family and friends :)

May Heavenly Father bless you with all you need.

 

Love you like...you love Crystal Light! :)

 

Can’t wait for box! Tomorrow we get to go to the Temple as a mission :) Pretty cool!

 

Oh and the Crepes...we had them with a member for dinner JUST for Sister Tornar :) They were delish!!! haha

 

 

 

 

September 18, 2012

JUST IN! Pictures of a girl Sister Muir and I taught over chat...MIRACLES DO HAPPEN!!!!!

She changed her life forever just because she started chattting with us :)

I LOVE MORMON.ORG!!!