CON FE

Reasons Why Serving a Mission is the BOMB

1. Members around the world are amazingly strong. I don´t want to say it feels like they appreciate it more than people home, but for many people here it is literally the ONLY THING THEY HAVE. their faith in Christ.

2. When someone walks up to you and says, ´´I am going to die if you have a change this week´´ (Chances that I will leave are likely this next monday)

3. When you lay in your bed and are able to sleep within 5 min. because you are so tired from working hard.

4. When you can be your complete self even in a different culture or language

5. Experiences like this happen: Your pastor of an investigar asks you if you have the priesthood. We explain that we have a different gift. I pulled a Jake Larsen from the baby blessing ´´We have the power to create something inside of us´´ We all start laughing super hard and then the pastor points at me and goes. ´´Oh Hermana Larsen I am never going to be able to forget you´´.  This made everything that is hard about the mission feel like it isn´t that big of a deal.  

6. Everyday I am reminded to teach, love, and serve more like Jesus Christ. What better thing could i be doing right now.

This week i am reminded of everyone has their own agency to choose for themselves. We had a great lesson with the PASTOR and he told us that he wanted 15 more days. We went through everything that he has felt and he said I know that the book or mormon is true. I know that joseph smith was a prophet called of god. I then asked him why he knows these things and he said because when he reads he feels peace. I shared the scripture that the fruits of the spirit are peace love ...etc. and then i asked him, what more could you ask for? What more of an answer do you want? He thought and goes you have a good point. we told him we would wait for him Saturday in the font. It was strange the whole day preparing for something we didnt know but i truly felt that he knew the answer. just needed a little pressure. well....he didnt show up. haha My comp. didnt really want to go visit him in the night, but i truly felt we needed to talk to him. When we went he said, I know for sure now. I am now asking you if i can be baptized thisnext week. Can you do it this next saturday? He wants to feel completely free of his past religion and went to tell his congregation. the pastor chose the date 24 of January and I am so excited to see this day. More than the acutal baptism, i am so thankful to have been here and truly feel that i needed to be in my area for him.  about a month ago we were just walking down the street. I stopped and got out some thigs from my backpack and a man told me that it is dangerous to leave things on the sidewalk cause someone might pick it up. I said thanks so much, that is nice of you to care for some strangers. I began talking to him, he wanted to buy us some chicken, my comp was scared out of her mind, but i set a day where we could talk. Now look at where we are only a month later. He has a testimony of the restored gospel. WAHOOO!! Pray for The Pastor for this saturday!!

I love you all, thanks for the prayers. It is hard but when I think of everyone praying for me it ain´t so bad haha 

Things i have done to keep me happy

Taught the following phrases to my comp in English

1. Why is it so hard president

2. You have no chill

Happy Half Birthday to Me!

You know what it is?????!! January 12th. Just hit 5 months. wut? Cuttin right to the chase.........basically the family that we gave the christmas too that has hardy anything has some new guests in their house. Her daughter and her family. so now there are 6 kids and 2 adults in 2 beds and not much space. The daughter is pregnant her spouse is in jail, and she hadnt been eating cause she didnt have enough money. We are trying to figure out if she can be baptized because the problem is she isnt married to her spouse, but he is going to be in jail for the next 20 years.  We have been visiting her alot and they just need a lot of support. Their mom is a rockstar and so faithful, i sat next to her during church and she was paying tithing. Their faith is what is helping them. 

Another heavy, is one of the recent converts has had a hard time again. We went to visit him, and he wasnt there but we were talking to his family and thought we would share a scripture and leave with a prayer anyway. At the end of the prayer the daughter broke down and then every member of the family spilled their sorrows.

Missionary work is hard because the people you teach unload problems on you and then we carry them. I am emotionally tired everyday, but everyones prayers keeps me going. At least they feel more relieved for a while about their struggles. I am learning so much of the Atonement every single day.

the pastor. #prayfor  He may or may not be baptized this week. He came to church and even cleaned the chapel the day before-ROCKSTAR. He told me ´´I think you have something different for me´´ Super true. 

Things with the comp were really picking up at the beginning of the week. I felt like we were on the same page, she shared with me her desire to be more obedient and to be better and that i was helping her. We were truly on fire and happy laughing.  Then saturday and yesterday it was like we were back to square one. All i can do is keep going. 

Love you all,  I am off to another hike. called. wait for it. SOGAY hahahahahahah 

your fav.. latina

Hna. Larsen

FELIZ AÑO NUEVO a todos

Hey hey hey. 

New year. New me. jk. same old me commin atcha from AREQUIPA PERU! Miracle of the week: It rained for the first time in about a year and this morning there is snow on MISTI!! unfortunately it is still about 78 degrees....haha JEALOUS of all the skiers and all that are playing with some real snow! 

Imma be brief today cause SO OUT OF TIME ALREADY! 

 THE PASTOR  This guy is more than a pastor in his church he is equal to our prophet for his christian orginization and.....he is awesome. One of the coolest lessons i have had so far in my mission.  The first lesson was good but when we were preparing for the second lesson we both said if he isnt going to change or something we need to spend our time doing something else. I felt the spirit so strong guiding me during our lesson and know it was because i had studied and prayed extra hard to have the support of the lord with me for tito. I asked him what he wouold do if he came to knowing that LDS churhc is true and he sat and thought and said. ¨¨I would ask forgiveness from the Lord and change my ways´´ I further asked him if he would be baptized when he comes to know that the book of mormon was true and promised he could know by a certain day and he said, Do you know how much I have to lose with this decision. In this new year I know the lord is preparing me for something better´´ I shared my experience of leaving for the mission and said i left a good life doing good things for something better and he said that he would be baptized if he got his answer. The next time we came, he told us he had a dream that the prophet joseph smith came to him and he woke up feeling a beating in his heart that he couldnt describe. pause. (I dont know what it is with peruvians and dreams but EVERYONE and their dogs are having them these days)  He then went off on how the book of mormon and bible are super similar and honestly i could tell you a million things that he said and tat i said but the coolest thing ever is that I truly felt the gift of tongues and after our lesson we cooked with him and his mom ROCO RELLENO! yummers. and then after we taught again cause he was really thinking it through and said i am going to have to find a new job and everything. He is really willing to change, just has fear of losing everything. I told him to read the story in alma 22 whwere the king said he would give up his whole kingodm to know the truth. He is awesome and i told him that I knew he felt the spirit when I asked him to be baptized and he goes, you felt that too?? AGHHH i love when they recognize it. 

The pastor is the only person we got going for us. 

I LOVE TEACHING. sometimes it is hard when i know my comp doesnt want to do it, but i know that is what we are called to do and by golly i am gonna do it! 

HAPPY NEW YEARS, we were in our rooms by 9 and woke up at 12 to the fireworks and went out to the street to watch them for a bit.  NEW YEARS we got an email saying that we would wake up new years day and start it off right. READING THE WHOLE BOOK OF MORMON. it was super hard focusing for more than 9 hours but i loved feeling edified and that i needed to share certain stories or scriptures for certain people, and read some scriptures that i needed to hear. I will send this page that is the Book of Mormon in 90 days that we are asking everyone to read. I encourage every single one of you to do it. it is not hard cause they are verses and chapters specifically super easy, not long. just a little erry day. 

30 And we have suffered all manner of afflictions, and all this, that perhaps we might be the means of saving some soul; and we supposed that our joy would be full if perhaps we could be the means of saving some.

 31 Now behold, we can look forth and see the fruits of our labors; and are they few? I say unto you, Nay, they are many; yea, and we can witness of their sincerity, because of their love towards their brethren and also towards us.

I needed to read this scripture. the fruits of this labor arent little, seeds are planted erry day. now go read this wonderful book yall.   

Luh u all wish you the worlds best week. Hit the gym for all of you who set the goal to lose your winter coat! haha 

ciau!

xoxo hna larsen

What is in Water here?

NAVIDAD en Peru>>Navidad en Utah

Alright erryone lemme tell you about my week:

I ate enough paneton to feed all the Juans here in Peru.

At 12:00 I watched the whole city light up in fireworks and screams of a Feliz Navidad. I had tears in my eyes cause the sight was so beautiful! 

The family i was with opened their few gifts and then after they talked of how blessed they were to have these things and turned into a testimony thanking their heavenly father. I was so happy and just grateful to pass this time with these humble people. It was such a beautiful night. 

The next day I got to SKYPE and cry and laugh with my family. luh u all.

That night we got to carol at the plaza and ERRYONE was gathered around just clapping and listening. After we contacted all of them and then that was Christmas! 

So yesterday in church is principles of the gospel class which is where all converts and investigators attend, the preacher was telling about the second coming meanwhile one of the specials was asking questions and didnt stop talking and the other one heard that our ward was having a party for the new years and starts singing, A new year has come around...haha the poor mission leader had to take a break from the class it was quite funny, but through it all i really think this experience has helped me see the worth of every soul. Before the mission i seriously had a fear of talking with people with disabilities, i dont know why exactly and honestly i felt bad, but now I know that you just need a little patience and the love of christ and everything will be good. 

Yesterday i just looked at Jorge and was thinking. He has changed SO SO much and i am so happy i can be here to witness it. His countenance has changed. I never understood when people would testify of seeing someone the light in their eyes change, but I truly have seen him change. He is so much happier. AGHH I just love teaching him. Also, a man named salvador wasn't my convert, but we are teaching him, and now he was stopped drinking and says that because he is the head of the family, he needs to be able to habe the spirit to direct the Family Home Evenings. How cool is that. 

I wish so badly you guys could witness some of the experiences here. The laughs of the locitos and schizophrenic and the tears of people who realize the blessing of the atonement. 

loves loves

xoxo hna larsen

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It doesn't look like Christmas…but it feels like Christmas

The desert of Arequipa is getting a little hotter erry day.

I dont have much to say except that i did witness a miracle for christmas. A less active that we have been meeting with since i got here came to church for the first time in YEARS! She is so sweet and want to have her whole family come to church again!

PANETON: everyone and their dogs are feeding us paneton and literally dont accept no as an answer. it is a huge part of the culture for the navidad to give out hotchocolate and paneton. 

MY NEW COMP: Hna Olana is awesome. I have learned a lot from her teaching style and i lover her. 

NEXT.

SECRET SANTA: one thing that i am so so excited for is we are giving a huge christmas to a family who has nothing and it is secret! We bought pillows and plates and real forks and other things and games for the kids. i cant wait to hear about their christmas from them! 

So excited to skype the fam! I will talk to you soon and a lot better lolz. 

xoxo Hna. Larsen

The Zone bites the Dust

CRAZY changes in the zone this week. One of the gringos dropped about 10 pounds in a week and after many tests went home Friday cause he had Diabetes. It was a shock for many but he and his family took it really well. It was really hard on the zone, everyone was sad, especially because half of our zone left finishing their missions. Turns out rice, bread, and soda aren´t very good foods for people with Diabetes....starches for dayz. 

My companion is leaving today, so we have been running around the ward saying goodbye to people. She was here for 6 months and had a lot of trust with the ward, i hope that i can continue working well with everyone even though she will be gone. I am mostly nervous for a few people that are less active that she has a really good relationship with. I just want to be able for them to continue progressing even though she is gone.  One thing that did make me happy though is one of my favorite members came up when she found out about the changes and goes, thank heavens you arent leaving, you are my favorite. haha I love teaching and helping others, I pray that i will be able to lead the area well. I will miss hearing her chow down my goodies, teaching her solid english phrases, and just giggling in these crazy streets with her. 

MIRACLE OF THE WEEK: Elisabeth is pregnant and was recently married which is just SO rare. So she told me I did what you explained for me to do, pray specifically about being baptized, and i had a dream and I was reading in the bible in a specific verse that i forgot...and it talked about following Jesus.. How cool is that? she couldnt come to church this week because she was pretty sick BUT hopefully the next week so she can continue progressing. 

CRAZY OF THE WEEK: Some random came up to us on the street asked what he needed to do to be baptized. So i said well we can teach you all about that and you need to go to church and stuff then he just started rambling that his girlfriend was baptized and realized it was a huge mistake and wants her name taken off the records of the church. Meanwhile, i still thought he wanted to be baptized until he said...´´your church is the reason bad things are happening in the world. When I have more economic power, i will do all i can do destroy your church.´´ Crazy right? My comp. had tears in her eyes as the guy stormed off and i just couldnt help but to laugh a little. 

Every day I study the restoration of the gospel, the deeper my testimony goes inside of me of the simple truths that The Church of Jesus Christ of LatterDay Saints was restored by a prophet. That is is the same church and teachings Jesus taught when we was on the earth. We have the authority of god on the earth. 

FUNOF THE WEEK: We had ANOTHER wedding to plan this week and it was awesome. She asked me to sing and i practiced it a lot and then when we got there the USB didnt work with the program that the DJ had so....whoops. The song is really cool Te Voy Amar. It was fun to prepare for haha spanish love songs so perff. 

I love sharing the christmas message this holiday season. I am excited to help others have a christmas centered on what really matters. Prepare to see a fat alex on skype because they eat a ton of chocolate and every member for christmas wants to give things to us missionaries. Paneton specifically. It is interesting. Gummy fruits in dry bread and they LOVE it. haha 

Dont really know the plans for Christmas yet, but one day when I have time, I will find out! Love you all.

He is the Gift

As for the subject of my email. GO WATCH THE VIDEO. like right now. Tears of the spirit when i watched it. I am so excited to watch this video with all the people that we are teaching, i know that it will help them have a christmas centered on Christ. Fun culture note: They celebrate at midnight here and have a feast and fireworks and also open presents at midnight. Also, they have a chocolate fountain and celebrate. But anyways, we have been sharing the video and have been finding many people this way. 

We have been looking for new investigators who are interested, and i am so thankful for the opportunity i have to just talk with anyone. 

WEDDING BELLS: We helped our zone leaders plan a wedding and it was in the chapel and it was just so fun. While we were setting everything up I was just laughing way hard dancing to all the music they were pumpin cause it was just me and another sister. Probably one of the funnest times i have had so far in the mission. I wished we could have danced with everyone but rules are rules. They played american party music and it was just a good break from spanish. hah Right after they were baptized and it was a very sweet experience. Right after the wedding we helped members make cinnomon rolls and saltenas for their relief society show in the stake and then I was a lion for the talent show :) SO SO SO FUN. erryone wanted pics with the leoncita! The church here is so different it is so cool, everyone is like little kids and just work so hard for the skits and stuff. 

JORGE CHAVEZ: We have a list of people to find in the ward that are less active. Went to this persons house and this old ancient man came out and we ask for the guy that is less active. and he doesnt live there. but then Jorge goes, hey you guys are mormon, i want to talk to you. He is so amazing and wants to introduce us to his neice. 

PERROS: My comp and I were running down a street and this dog came out from nowhere and started running straight for me barking and naturally i screamed really loud and just about peed my skirt because i refuse to use many bathrooms here. anyway, my comp started laughing SO hard and then i did we couldnt stop for a long time. 

JELLY BEANS: Refer to the picture below of the warning label. Saw this label while me and a few others were eating them, we laughed way hard. Then, the next day we shared experiences. Luckily it didnt affect me like it did them. Just want to warn you, if you eat these jelly beans, start with 8 beans. LOL  

Love the mission. I love christmas. I love llamas. I love my family members here. (dont worry they could never replace the Larsens) I love sharing my testimony 50 times a day. I love missionary work.

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEK MY FRIENDS AND FAM.

xoxo alex larsen

also laughed way hard that 10 sisters got together and had a mini conference. what did we do you may ask? sewed christmas socks! hahah inside my head i was just like if my brothers were here. So this is what the sisters do. Bless their hearts.