Week Twenty Six

Molly had an unintentional encounter with Eric on Saturday, June 29. The whole family was on the way to the Vans Warped Tour, but we stopped at the Family History Library to drop off a package (a pull-up bar that fits in a doorway) for Eric. Molly had told Eric in a previous email that we would leave it at the front desk for him. But a senior missionary didn't seem to understand what Molly was doing and here is how she describes what happened:

Please forgive me for breaking the rules and delivering a package in person.  I had no intention of doing that, but Elder Harris at the front desk didn't seem to understand what I was asking him to do.  I said I had a package for Elder Larson, who works in British Services.  I asked if they at the desk could hold on to the package until Elder Larson, who knows the package will be there, can take it home.
Elder Harris:  "Oh, are you part of his family?"
Me:  "Yes.  I'm his mom."
Elder Harris:  "Well I'm sure he's working down there.  Just take the elevator on down."
Me:  "But . . . um . . . then I might . . . see him."
Elder Harris:  "Yes, yes.  I'm sure he's there.  Just take it on down."
Me:  Looking confused, then looking at the other senior missionaries standing around the desk and smiling at me.  "Uh . . . ok."
So I warily approached the elevator, thinking security was going to tackle me any second.  On the ride down, I wondered if you might be busy somewhere with your back turned and I could just leave the box on the desk.  Nope.  The elevator dinged, I stepped out, and the surprised look on your face was priceless!  Your teeth look fabulous.  I hope you didn't get in trouble and get demoted.  And I hope the other missionaries aren't upset, either.

And now, Eric's latest message to the family:

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Being a district leader is very hard, and very stressful.  There are a lot of elders here with problems that I now have to try and help fix.  For example there is one elder who will go to Temple Square by himself and just flirt with the sister missionaries all day.  He's been caught and scolded so many times that they've actually banned him from Temple Square.  Yet there I see him walking over there to talk to some sisters.  I had to drag him away and it was really awkward for all of us.  Then I had to report him of course.

Last Thursday and Friday were really hard days.  On Friday, two elders were sent home early with a dishonorable release because they continued to disobey the rules.  One of them and I were actually really good friends.  Seeing him sent home early was really hard to see and I was pretty depressed on Friday.  So when you came down [on Saturday] and accidentally saw me I probably looked pretty burned out.

Let me tell you something about our mission.  The old people are not aware of how we young elders operate...like at all.  Which is why the night before I told all the young elders in hosting services (the guys that work on the main floor) to look out for you because they'll know you're not supposed to see me.  Elder Tabor, a young elder, actually saw you and thought about interfering because he knew that he was supposed to be looking out for you.  But he thought to himself, "That lady looks too young to be Elder Larson's mom."  So take that as a compliment I guess.  Anyway once you left I went upstairs to complain to him and he was all like "Aww man that was your mom?!"  and then we talked to Elder Harris about how he wasn't supposed to do that and he apologized and admitted he was in the wrong.  So no I didn't get in trouble and when I told the APs they just laughed and rolled their eyes with me when it came to our dear seniors working here.  You didn't do anything wrong don't worry.

My pull-up thingy works fine and I got it together well.  It's good to hear Andrew had a good birthday, I guess.

Dad sent me a very vivid report of your trip [to the Vans Warped Tour] and it sounded very exciting.  Elder Liddiard is a huge fan of the Aquabats (and has been since he was like 8, and he's currently 24) and when I showed them all the pictures of the girls with the Aquabats! he nearly strangled me with excitement   (He basically rocked me back and forth in my office chair telling me how cool that was but he wanted me to send you an e-mail saying he almost strangled me because he found that so exciting.)  He also said he's a fan of Reel Big Fish and got even more excited when he saw that. He also said that he couldn't believe that everyone in our family likes bands like that (bands like The Aquabats!).  He says he wishes he was born in our family (jokingly). 

It's been a long week.  I'm still a district leader obviously but everyone says I'm doing fine.

Today we're doing a big indexing extravaganza and we as young missionaries are trying our best to get in as many names as we can. (woo.)  Tonight we're going to be watching the movie "The Ultimate Gift" and we're having a big dinner.  And I think that's about it.  

It took me forever to type this because I'm so busy right now but I enjoyed hearing about your week.

Love, Elder Larson

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Eric didn't send any pictures this week, so I'll just post a couple of pictures of our "Super Rad" encounter with The Aquabats! at Vans Warped Tour:

After waiting and waiting in the 105 degree heat, The Aquabats! finally take the stage (left to right: Ricky Fitness, MC Bat Commander, Crash McLarson, and Jimmy the Robot)

Eagle "Bones" Falconhawk plays guitar while the MC Bat Commander sings.

MC Bat Commander battles a giant cactus while Janetta, Becca, and Andrew watch from the front row (the rest of us were there too, but we are hidden behind the Commander).

This is how close we were to the stage. That's Katie, Janetta, and friend Miah on the front row. Becca, Andrew, and Brian are behind on the second row. This picture was taken by a Salt Lake Tribune photographer. You can find the original at The Salt Lake Tribune. This picture is number 29 in the slideshow.

Janetta was so overcome to finally meet her idols that she could barely speak. She gave each member of the band a picture that she drew of them. In this picture, Ricky Fitness has the picture Janetta drew of him and Crash McLarson is signing her helmet. MC Bat Commander said that they would put Janetta's drawings on their Instagram page. 

It was a dream come true for Janetta to have her picture taken with the band.

Katie also had a picture taken with the band.

And Becca too.