Week 71

How do I even begin to tell all the things I've been through this last week. I've never experienced anything like this before. Right Now I am with the Zone Leaders Elder Van Wagoner(my old Companion) and Kohler. Last night at 6:30 I dropped Elder Smith off at the mission home, gave a last hug goodbye and now he is on a plane already heading home(New Jersey) I also left the car behind, because I am also Leaving CottageLake/HollywoodHill, they are bringing in a set of Sisters. I learned this news Sunday Morning an hour and half before church, so I had to hastily pack my things, at church we gave departing testimonies and everybody was sad to hear we were both going, especially the priests, we had a lot of good times with the Priests :) I'm sad I'm leaving, but I am used to transfers by this point... so far I know I'm going to Kirkland and I won't know who my companion is until tomorrow.... 

don't just Love the People, show them you Love them! that is the most important lesson I learned while serving here. Till next time...

With Love Elder Larson 

Our beautiful district!

Week 70

 Heyo!

 It's been good up here in SEATTLE, to be more Specific the Cottage Lake/Hollywood Hill Area, we have seen so many Miracles, we now have this Chinese guy who wants to know more about our church, we are stoked to work with him, he is very Polite and Humble, that's saying something, because he lives in a mansion!

The week started out Great, on Valentines Day my amazing Mother sent me a Package full of goodies! Had dinner with one my favorite families here the Copelands (we used to live in there basement for awhile) as always an amazing Steak and Potato Dinner!

Did a lot service for a sorta active Member, raking up seemingly endless amounts of leaves while in a mine field (Dog Poop everywhere) But hey she gave us Caffiene Free Dr. Pepper and it was still good!

Had Dinner with the Woods, which almost didn't happen, because I didn't even text them to remind we were coming over, yet by Grace we got a phone call 20mins. before from sis. wood reminding us that we were coming over. We had a great time, we even sat outside around a fire, making smores, telling stories, and my favorite part talking about Guns!

President asked to meet with me and my first thoughts were "Oh NO who Died back at home", Thank goodness it wasn't that at all, he wanted to see how I was doing was all, he asked if their was anything that I wanted and I said "Send me Back to Edmonds", he laughed and said "You never know". Needless to say Edmonds still has a lot of my heart.

Speaking of Edmonds,  I got to see Lyle and Bonnie Smith at the Redmond stake Fireside (usually we wouldn't have gone, but it was Elder Smith's last one so we went) It was good to hear how things have been going since I've left. I also saw many of my good Mission buddies. Most of which were surprised and happy to see me there...

Double Church just gets better and better every week, I am more fully awake in the classes and I also participate a lot more in discussions, I'm also starting to remember every bodies names finally! 

It's been Lovely, it Truly has been and this is Elder Smith Last week so High Hopes for this up and coming week. 

Listen to Your Heart and listen to that still small voice

Love and Prayers, Elder Larson

Week 69

Well did I have a good week or what? well I'm gonna tell you Y

After having it snow Beautifully outside for two days straight it then rained profusely(as in it rained a ton) for three days, then the sun came out  and it was colder than it was when it was raining, how dare the Sun lie to me like that...

Despite the usual weather, we were pretty happy with how the week went down, had a lot Fun to top it all off as well.

We had dinner with the Todescos on Wednesday, they fed us Roast Beef and Mashed Potatoes, the Goood Stuff. They are a super fun Family, got along well with them, they even said that next time we come by they will have a nonmember there to meet with us :) after that we went to the church Building to meet with Bishop Iverson, usually he texts us the day of, but he didn't, so we still went by and he wasn't in his office, but we heard commotion in the Kitchen. we go over there to find all the Youth Leaders and Bishop making a huge amount of pasta and prepping other foods. It was Etiquette night for Mutual, all the youth were inside the Gym sitting at Valentines themed tables, each table had an older person playing Host/Hostess. Bishop felt bad that he didn't text, so he invited us to stay and join in on Etiquette night with the Youth, so we did. We sat at Mary and Lisa's (our Recent Converts) table and ate a second dinner, just like a Hobbit (Still working on doing two breakfasts) It was a very Pleasant night

On Thursday we had Zone Conference, The main topic of discussion was "Who is Christ", it was very deep and touching, also it was nice as always to see my mission buddies!!! 

Saturday is a Special day, it's the day we watch Amazing people get Baptized! Elder Smith and I went to Highline Somoa's area, because they were Baptizing an Investigator that Elder Smith taught. Saw Elder Hales(my Trainer/Mission Dad) and saw Sister Malolo (now known as Kiri Malolo) It was interesting to see her there after she went home 4 weeks ago, I couldn't help but joke with Elder Smith saying "in two weeks thats going to be you ;)", He is both Excited and sad to go home and each day you never know which one he is feeling more. After the Baptism they had amazing food as expected, Chicken 'n' Rice. Went to a District Blitz in Kenmore, after that Elder Bermudes wanted to hear my Smeagol Impression, so I did it for the whole District, after all this time I still got it!

Sunday was a very Special day, First ward we talked about the importance of Optimism and choosing to be happy, second ward we were with the priests and discussed the topic of Agency!

Had a feast of a dinner at the Mann's home, not to mention the amazing Ice cream bar they had set up for us! We went to Pie Night after that, which is a Priest/Laurel Activity, which involves a lesson, time to get to know your fellow quorum members, and PIE! They brought out a pIng pong table and I was drawn to it, like Hawk Mosquitoe to a Porch Light. we played King of the Hill and I lost all my Charity, I beat everybody and I went mad with power, JK JK. I didn't want to win that way, but all those years of training kicked in and my body just reacted.

All in all I'd say it was a lovely week, which is appropriate since tomorrow is Valentines day. 

Remember to Work Hard, Learn Lots, Because the Party doesn't Stop!

With Prayers of Love, Elder Larson

That's my ride, she has a cold personality but eventually she warms up to you.

Selfie sticks are not as effective as I thought they would be...

Week 68

So I didn't email yesterday, due to some events.... 

First off it snowed a LOT and all the Libraries closed due to the weather 

Second of all, the Zone Leaders had everybody email at the Stake Center, but their isn't enough computers, so Elder Smith and I got the short end of the stick, but we didn't mind, more P-day for us and we still get to email. I call that a total win win situation!

Last week it rained a ton, well thats to be expected in good old Seattle! People were nicer at the doorstep, mainly because they pity our Freezing bodies... Still took advantage of that opportunity to teach and testify during the extra 30 seconds the give us. I have become exceptionally better at talking to people, I was on exchange with Elder Gale (He is by far one of the most down to earth Elders you could ever meet) and together we taught the Restoration to a Jewish man and he even took a Book of Mormon. Of course we Elder Gale and I did some catching up, reflecting on our Shoreline(Shorelove) days.

"Mother Nature" has been sending us very confusing texts, like shes having a conversation with us, but we never respond and she just keeps going... But hey everybody needs a crazy friend, I always say... We haven't visited her in two weeks, we better see hows she doing

Elder Smith only has three weeks to go now, with him it feels like the days go fast, but the weeks take forever. I enjoy being with him, because he laughs at all my jokes, most of which are not that funny. He may be a big guy, but he is very Loving and wants everybody to Happy!

Had the pleasure of meeting the Elledges and Pittsenbargers in our ward, they are fantastic people, super willing to help in our missionary efforts.

Had dinner with the Cedurlands an fun Loving Asian family, they invited their Asian friends over and we ate traditional Taiwanese food, the young boys were most entertaining, showing off magic tricks that I have never seen before and the Nonmember friends were kind and interested in what we do...

To top things off we had a Stake Conference and Elder Nattress of the seventy came, I only mention him, because he used to be the Gilbert, Arizona Mission President when the Gilbert Temple was dedicated!

Overall I rate this past week a SOLID GOOD!

With Love and Prayers, Elder Larson 

Week 67

Hello from the Seattle Washington Mission,

For those of you who don't know me, I'm Elder Larson a Renowned Knife Throwing Specialist, but thats not why you are reading this, you are reading to know more about my Adventures up here in Bothell Specifically serving in the Cottage Lake/ Hollywood Hill Areas. 

To Kick start this deal, we have a major update when it comes to the Missionary Schedule, which we learned this past Wednesday. If you have not heard about it, look it up. I could explain it here, but that would be easy... I will say this though, I like it a lot, It allows us(Missionaries) to be more Independent.

Work Update: As a Zone we blitz the Chili Cheese Dog out of our area, because of the combined efforts, we now have our hands on not 1, not 3, but 2 new Investigators, Thank you Zone!

Along with that, our friend has also shown interest in the church and will now be taking lessons from us, I am a little hesitant about her though, she is crazy and from what I've learned in my past experiences with crazy people, is that they are loyal and honest, but they are most likely going to do something, sometime it's good, sometime's it's not... 

Our Friendly Part Member Family the Grunkmeier's had us come by for dinner, we get there and dinner still has an hour before it's done, so we played ball and board games with the kiddo's. They have three boys and they are super full of energy.

Companion Update: Elder Smith still imparts words of wisdom upon me everyday, he really understands people and how they like to be treated, he can give a BoM to just about anybody, because he knows how to persuade, but he doesn't do it,because it's not right for somebody to only take BoM, because we convinced them too. No he prefers to let the Spirit to do it's job, even if it means we only pass out one BoM a week

Individual Update: I doing more then good this week, I got over some mental stumbling blocks. Now I'm ready to go and work hard! 

Recap God is Love, Love is naturally part of us, Therefore God is always with us

Love and Prayers, Elder Larson

Week 66

This past week felt Super Long, usually that would be because all we did was tract and it gets boring really Quick, but not this time.... 

We had loads of fun visiting all our LA's, on the Down side, none were interested in coming back, but the Positive is we had something to do. They were all home for the most part, we had good wholesome Gospel Discussions with each of them, they were all nice to us, and they said we could come back anytime! Our week felt Long, but it also felt super Productive, I haven't felt this way since my Edmond Days 

Elder Smith is real Ace, He is Dying this transfer, but that doesn't stop him, He is a really hard worker, Super Intelligent as well, he teaches me something new everyday! And with him dying, gives us a free pass to all the Missionary gatherings, Sweet!

Our good Friend Kari (NonMember) that we met awhile ago putting a new starter in her car is very nice to us now and wants to treat us with food and goodies

We had DInner with two awesome Families, the Parkers and the Woodlands. Both make amazing meals and are very friendly and hilarious to be around

Amazing News, Elder Van Wagoner is our new Zone Leader and Elder Gale is our new District Leader

Our District Contains Elders Van Wagoner, Kohler, Gale, Bermudes, Smith, and I. Which means we are going to tear things up

We continue to fight the good fight here and I hope that everybody continues to follow their Dreams and become the beautiful Butterfly's they are meant to become!

Love and Prays, Elder Larson

Had another George the Peacock sighting, we had just parked our car on the side of the street, we got out and the bush right by Elder Smith started Rustling and out came a Peacock, I'm embarrassed to say that I got scared when he popped out, he is a big bird after all and from what neighbors tell me, he has nasty bite... one day though I will befriend him!
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Elder Larsen came to our sacrament meeting to participate in a baby blessing, I saw his Tag and I had to talk to him, He is a Church Service Missionary from Mount Vernon, WA. We had a good time together, if only he could spell his name the right way... 

Week 65

First off I M GOING to start off with some great news, Elder Smith and I are staying together in Cottage Lake/Hollywood Hill. Hopefully I will get to be the Missionary that sends him home Honorable... He is a very Fun Elder and we got to know each other really well, so we are both excited for this next transfer. Went to the Member-Missionary Fireside in the Seattle Zone, saw my friends from Edmonds, the Webb's and the Nickles, I was very happy to see them again! 

Helped a crazy Lady put a new starter in her car, since I have done it before on the mission, we were able to do it in less than two hours, which beats doing it in eight hours. the Lady was very thankful of us, might I mention she is Clairvoyant, so she has the Gift and said that she will predict our Future, so will see how that goes...

Other than that, still working hard, got a solid referral, her name Brianna Bergerson 17yr old, she wants to learn how to pray from us, we are excited to meet her this week, we also have a list of new Move ins in the ward, will see how they take us...

Always Fun up here in the Seattle Mission, always busy with something...

Ill give you more goods next week, Till Then Bon Voyage

Love, Elder Larson  

Our Zone

George the Peacock