Military base 🪖- Week 82 - July 25, 2022

Crazy, crazy week! Must read. 

Transfers happened this week. I am living in downtown San Antonio; the drivers here scare me sometimes. However, I love this new area. Especially the military base. I've already been on it 3 times since I've been here. The first time was for a promotion for a member in the ward. He got promoted to a Lieutenant Cornel; it was an amazing ceremony to watch. Then we had dinner with a family on base. Then church on base yesterday. 

Church on base is AWESOME. I can't even explain how great it was. It was probably the most spiritual sacrament meeting I've had on my mission. During the passing of the sacrament we heard a bunch of solders marching and yelling chants. It was super cool. The talks were amazing too. We had to teach Sunday school. Everybody was in their military uniforms at church, so it wasn't normal in the sense of a dress code. I feel privileged to serve there. 

This will be a great transfer. There are some high expectations for being in the Mission Creek/Fort Sam Houston branch. They have gotten 7+ baptisms in the past 3 months. The ward is liking the way the missionary efforts are going, it's scary to know that the ward is expecting so much. It's a great motivator as well. 

Lastly, I read 1 John 4:18 the other day and that scripture hit me more than any other scripture and hit me in a very long time. The scripture says:

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love."

That is strong. It is true. "Love God and fear no man." That's what I tell myself when I leave the apartment daily. I love my Savior. What greater gift can I give Him than to work my hardest to help Him in His work. I try my best, I'm not perfect, but I love God's children. The mission has changed me!

Love, 

Elder Larsen

Transfer News... - Week 81 - July 18, 2022

This week we found 9 people and had a part member family that hasn't been to church in 4 years, come to church!

Let's get it. This week we found an awesome family that seems to have some great potential. We had an amazing lesson with a part member family. We also found a few other people who seem to have potential. 

My birthday was on Wednesday, thanks for all the birthday wishes. We were able to have a couple lessons and had a member take us out to Bahama Bucks for shaved ice. Great guy right there. 

Lastly, we got our transfer news and I'm going to the Mission Creek ward/Fort Sam Houston branch. It's right in the very middle of San Antonio. The area covers the Alamo and river walk. I'm really really going to miss New Braunfels.  

Love y'all!

It's too hot🔥- Week 80 - July 11, 2022

Time is flying out here. I felt like I just sent my email for last week yesterday!

This week was pretty good, I went on a couple exchanges. The first exchange was with the zone leader (Elder Corriveau). That was a really good exchange. Then the second was with my district leader (Elder Bennett) and that one went super well too. We got to teach a good amount of people. 

Michael who is a recent convert in our ward takes us out to dinner every week. This time we went twice. On Wednesday he took us to Longhorn steak house and the second time to a place called Buffalo Wings and Rings. It was so good! 

Other than that it was a normal missionary week!

Rejoice, in the goodness of God! - Week 79 - July 4, 2022

I got to meet President Fitzgerald, and he is awesome! I am really excited for them. We had a mini zone conference on Thursday when they came in. They introduced themselves and started right off the bat talking about the spirit. The importance to have the spirit in lessons; how to teach with the spirt; how to always have the spirit with you. It was amazing. It really gave me the inspiration to start working hard. 

That's exactly what we did, we started working even harder. This past week was amazing. We found and talked with everyone we crossed paths with. I'm blessed to have a good companion. At church we had 2 people come, which is awesome! We then had a less active/part member family come to a ward activity. I was so excited when I heard that; we heard it from a counselor in the Bishopric because we weren't there. 

Lastly, I wanted to share a quick spiritual thought. For the past 6 months or so I've been bummed and sad. I've been thinking a lot about myself. Recently, in my studies this week I was reading in 2 Nephi 4, which is when Lehi dies, then Nephi shares his testimony/feelings. I was reading 2 Nephi 4:28 and Nephi says, "Awake, my soul! No longer droop in sin. Rejoice, O my heart, and give place no more for the enemy of my soul."

I don't know if I've had a scripture jump out to me as much as this one did in a very long time. Here I have been drooping in my feelings of sadness. Awake, awake, awake....awake my soul. I no longer want to droop in sadness or even sin. I want to experience joy through Jesus Christ. "Rejoice", I said, "because Jesus Christ has overcome."

What can you/I do more to rejoice in goodness? 

What do you do to rejoice in the goodness of God?

How do your actions reflect how you view the Atonement of Jesus Christ?