Week Nineteen

We had a nice visit with Eric last Sunday when he called home for Mother's Day.

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It was fun to talk on Sunday too, but it was the quickest hour ever and I don't remember a thing I talked about.  I think I pretty much just babbled the whole time about...whatever.

I do feel like I need to clarify how zones work in our mission a little bit better since you guys asked.  Because of the special nature of our mission, think of the zone you are put in as the place you are called to serve.  So basically if you are put in a zone you're expected to serve in that zone for your whole mission because that is your calling.  But like I said, if a higher position is needed you can be called to a different zone, but that rarely happens.  Getting put in a zone isn't just a pick and choose thing.  The APs and the Brandons spend all the two weeks of training when you first arrive analyzing and praying about all the new elders and looking at their interests and abilities and when they've thought it over thoroughly and prayed about it (thoroughly) they send it to the president.  Then he does the same thing.  If he feels differently, he'll tell the Brandons and they'll start the process over.  So me being put in British Services was a calling from God and that's why I'm flourishing in it.

We do change companions as often as other missions, as well as districts.  Like I said, a district leader still serves in his zone, but he has some special leadership over his district and he reports to the APs, who report to the Brandons, who report to the President.  Like you've probably noticed I've already moved apartments 4 times and have been through 3 district leaders, the newest one being my companion.

Anyway, I know Grandma is already getting me stories about her ancestors and such, but I was wondering if Dad could talk to Grandpa and see if we can [get] info on his dad, grandparents and so forth.  And I also want to know a lot more about the Crockett line because I really don't know much.

Becca singing a solo is wonderful news, I'm surprised she didn't tell me about that.  Well actually I'm not really surprised because she doesn't make her reply close to Thursday.  But I'm happy for her, she sounds like she's doing so much better.

I've never heard of a Temple walk but I would totally do that.  Good for Katie for going on that.

Janetta doing softball is also really amazing.  Thanks for those pictures and tell her I'm happy for her.

Janetta plays catcher

You'll be shocked to know that every pun you told me is already on the wall.  We got some pretty good ones up there some of my favorite ones are:

• I was wondering why the baseball was getting bigger, and then it hit me.  
• England doesn't have a kidney bank, but it does have a Liverpool.  
• Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.  
• The frustrated cannibal threw up his hands.  
• Someone stole all the toilets in the police station, the police say they have nothing to go on.

Yeah and we have a lot more if you can comprehend that.

This week was pretty awesome.  Did you know that I got to call home on Sunday?  Oh wait...

I got a new mattress and it's awesome, all the mattresses in the apartment complex were replaced and they're all new and comfortable now.

I spent a lot of time in the Temple yesterday (about 3 1/2 hours).  I was sealed to Kenneth Harbert's parents in behalf of him, and I did a session for another guy...forgot his name.  And I did a lot of research on the Larson line.  I got a baptism record for Mons Larsson:

And I got a baptism record for Lehi Larson Sr.:

And I got a household record for Mons Larsson's family in 1857:

What I found cool about this is that it says that they're moving to North America soon.  On the very far right they're listed as "Mormoners."  And the consultant that was helping had a hard time reading a lot of the other stuff, but she said that she thinks it says something about them not offering tithes to the Lutheran church because they're part of some crazy new church, which I find pretty hilarious.

Today I'm teaching a class to my zone about Ireland Maps and Gazetteers.  And I'll teach it again tomorrow.  I'll attach a copy of the handout I'm giving them while I teach.  

I'm still serving well, and helping many people.  It's always a good feeling to help people discover their ancestors, and they always see me as their hero.  (Yes I am letting all the I love yous get to my head sorry.)  Like I said on Sunday, my mission is starting to wiz by in a horrible blur and I'll probably be home before I know it because I'm enjoying it so much.  Although it probably won't feel like that to you.

Love, Elder Larson

P.S.- I forgot to tell you on Sunday that I've known when my release date will be since January, but I'm not going to tell you yet because you'll be really surprised by the day.  Have fun wondering when it will be.