"hello Mom
My mission is going great i am getting more bapizsims more then you i am spiritualy fill and my cup runth over the mission presidency is making quite a view changes to the mission. and i and getting really discoriage about this topic can you give me a care package pleace so i xcan get this off my chest thank you very much and dont for get i have names that i have on family tree so you can do some of them i love you have a great wonderfull week. also i'm a distrct leader and i go to bountiful temple next friday on haloween"
Okay so I had a really hard time thinking of what to write so I turned to Elder Menke and told him that I'm having a really hard time thinking of what to write (he's my preparation day companion) and then he took my keyboard and typed the paragraph above. I thought it was so funny that I'm sending it to you. He was purposely making it look really stupid so when I told him that I actually sent it he got really scared so he wants you to know that he actually knows how to spell and that that was just the rough draft. (He's really funny and I get along well with him.)
Anyway, the companionship change was not an overnight decision or anything. President Workman has told us that he's been praying and losing tons of sleep over the decision and then he said that the answer came to him and that the Lord has always protected missionaries by sending them out two by two and we were no different. He's a very inspired man and I know him closely, and I know that he knows what's best for this mission because he's been given charge over us and was set apart by the prophet. So you don't need to worry about this change being a small simple thing he thought of.
I hope I'm not confusing you about all the companions that are now assigned to me because I can barely keep track of it. Elder Seitz is still my companion and we live and prepare lessons together. But during the day Elder Menke and Elder Dominguez and I walk to zone together because we're in the same zone, Elder Seitz isn't in my zone so it wouldn't be possible to walk with him and stay with him during zone. At 4:00 PM I have to run to the JSMB to get the mail and I go with Elder Tabor and Elder Liddiard because they're leaders like me, and we also walk to our weekly leadership meeting together. And I think that's about it.
I'm doing much better now and I had a really good week. Elder Menke is making me laugh a lot, and I'm making other people laugh a lot because I can be funny again (I couldn't act funny around a certain Elder because he would get out of control.) and yeah I think I'm okay now.
Like Elder Menke so movingly tried to describe, on Halloween we're going to the Bountiful Temple for a session and a fireside thingy by the temple presidency in the chapel. So that will be fun. And, yes I'm still a district leader and I'm still holding district meetings.
That's all I can come up with, sorry.
Love, Elder Larson
Friday, October 25, 2013
Friday, October 18, 2013
Week Forty
The following is Eric's response to the news that Neko the cat is so scared of everybody and everything that he spends most of his time under the bed:
I remember you telling me that Becca needs to adopt Neko because the poor thing is so scared of everything. I forgot to reply and say that she's supposed to be taking care of Viktor as well. Or someone is supposed to. Who's taking care of the poor thing?
Eric's response to the news from Dr. Yamashiro that he will have to wear a retainer for another two years:
Yeah sorry I explained it to the best of my ability but I knew I'd forget stuff. I'm okay with it. Yes I'm tired of wearing retainers, and singing with all sorts of junk in your mouth is really hard (another reason I never liked to sing until now.) But it's okay it's just two more years.
Did Eric get his flu shot?
No I haven't got my flu shot yet because there's a new nurse and she can't find where my insurance info was put and I still don't have that card that you gave me when I came out because it somehow vanished into the ether. So you might want to send me a new one or e-mail to me or something.
Was the library closed for Columbus Day?
No the library wasn't closed Monday on Columbus Day but I didn't go anyway because the night before I literally did not get one hour of sleep because I was so stressed about dealing with a certain elder that...I guess I just couldn't sleep because of it. Anyway I got up and even though my brain was awake my body wasn't and I felt like I was going to faint from fatigue. So I just told Elder Seitz that we're staying home today until I can get better. My head still hurts and I'm still recovering from that incident.
Any changes in the mission?
Oh yeah. A really big change happened in our mission. President Workman announced that for the safety of all the elders in our mission, we are no longer allowed to go anywhere without a companion. You probably remember that the most interesting part of our mission is that because of all the zones spread across Temple Square we were given permission to walk to and from our zones by ourselves (the "freezone" it was called.) Yeah well President Workman officially got rid of it and we're now glued to our companions 24/7 like any other mission. Many elders are furious over the new "change." That's probably because most of us stay sane by the fact that if we need alone time we can just wander around the apartment complex or whatever. But President Workman said that missionaries are supposed to be with a companion at all times and he doesn't expect any less from us. Because we all have different zones across Temple Square being with the same companion 24/7 is impossible, so we've been assigned "zone companions" along with our "apartment companions" It's all very confusing and there's a lot of growing pains but I'm dealing with it. (I just can't sleep is all.)
So how would Eric sum up his week?
Anyway in summary: Big changes, Stress, and Head hurts. That's about it.
Love, Elder Larson
I remember you telling me that Becca needs to adopt Neko because the poor thing is so scared of everything. I forgot to reply and say that she's supposed to be taking care of Viktor as well. Or someone is supposed to. Who's taking care of the poor thing?
Eric's response to the news from Dr. Yamashiro that he will have to wear a retainer for another two years:
Yeah sorry I explained it to the best of my ability but I knew I'd forget stuff. I'm okay with it. Yes I'm tired of wearing retainers, and singing with all sorts of junk in your mouth is really hard (another reason I never liked to sing until now.) But it's okay it's just two more years.
Did Eric get his flu shot?
No I haven't got my flu shot yet because there's a new nurse and she can't find where my insurance info was put and I still don't have that card that you gave me when I came out because it somehow vanished into the ether. So you might want to send me a new one or e-mail to me or something.
Was the library closed for Columbus Day?
No the library wasn't closed Monday on Columbus Day but I didn't go anyway because the night before I literally did not get one hour of sleep because I was so stressed about dealing with a certain elder that...I guess I just couldn't sleep because of it. Anyway I got up and even though my brain was awake my body wasn't and I felt like I was going to faint from fatigue. So I just told Elder Seitz that we're staying home today until I can get better. My head still hurts and I'm still recovering from that incident.
Any changes in the mission?
Oh yeah. A really big change happened in our mission. President Workman announced that for the safety of all the elders in our mission, we are no longer allowed to go anywhere without a companion. You probably remember that the most interesting part of our mission is that because of all the zones spread across Temple Square we were given permission to walk to and from our zones by ourselves (the "freezone" it was called.) Yeah well President Workman officially got rid of it and we're now glued to our companions 24/7 like any other mission. Many elders are furious over the new "change." That's probably because most of us stay sane by the fact that if we need alone time we can just wander around the apartment complex or whatever. But President Workman said that missionaries are supposed to be with a companion at all times and he doesn't expect any less from us. Because we all have different zones across Temple Square being with the same companion 24/7 is impossible, so we've been assigned "zone companions" along with our "apartment companions" It's all very confusing and there's a lot of growing pains but I'm dealing with it. (I just can't sleep is all.)
So how would Eric sum up his week?
Anyway in summary: Big changes, Stress, and Head hurts. That's about it.
Love, Elder Larson
Wednesday, October 9, 2013
Week Thirty Nine
Hey Everyone! It's Leif Erikson Day! HINGA! DINGA! DÖRGEN!
I haven't gotten any e-mails from the girls (I got one from Katie but it was sent 7 days ago so I don't know if it counts.) Both you, and Dad, and Andrew began with saying "I'm sure the girls will tell you all about the Aquabats!" but none of them did interestingly enough. So I guess I can only sit here and ask how on earth you managed to hang around with them all day? And are the Aquabats! now officially members of our family? And if you're referring to Elder Liddiard, my zone leader, you know the person I have to report to every night after check-ins, he has already forbidden me from talking about my family around him because like I already told Dad, he thinks he was supposed to be born into our family. He says that jokingly because he's been a fan of their music since he was little (but not the show which is all I really know about them because I didn't listen to the music before I left) and that he's a fan of the genre that the Aquabats! are part of and has always been.
(Note: The Larsons deny any knowledge of spending the day with The Aquabats! on the set of The Aquabats! Super Show.)
I told Dr. Yamishiro that I would let you make the decision. I really don't want to go through more orthodontic work (almost spelled orthopedic that would have been funny) but I feel like this was kind of my fault because there was so much confusion over whether or not I was supposed to wear my retainers once I got my implants and I haven't worn them and so that could have been what caused the relapse. Anyway, Elder Andersen told me he'd be okay with getting the retainer too because he said, "If your Mom's not happy then nobody's happy."
Umm, yes. Right after I sent the e-mail saying I had no idea what you were talking about regarding the Arnold Friberg shows I walked to the Joseph Smith Building to get the mail and I saw this display standing right outside it:
"Oh...Okay then," thought I. Sadly I never got around to even looking at the Lost Whatevers because I never had the time. But I guess you can be glad that you knew what you were talking about.
I can get a flu shot if you want me too and I can tell them that my insurance pays for it. I'll have to sign up because there is a list but I'll go do that today if possible.
(Note: Molly told Eric about what the dumb DJs on the radio said about conference. She told him, "Dad said the DJs on the dumb radio show he listens to were talking a lot about Pres. Uchtdorf's talk 'admitting' that leaders are not perfect and sometimes make mistakes. I guess they think that is earth-shattering news. They also think that eventually the Church is going to "give in" to social pressure and allow gay marriage in the temple. They obviously didn't listen to Elder Oaks talk, or several others." The following is Eric's reply.)
Yes the people on the stupid radio show are stupid. President Uchtdorf isn't the first to "admit" that they aren't perfect. In fact last year we have this quote from Elder Holland's talk:
"Brothers and sisters, this is a divine work in process, with the manifestations and blessings of it abounding in every direction, so please don’t hyperventilate if from time to time issues arise that need to be examined, understood, and resolved. They do and they will. In this Church, what we know will always trump what we do not know. And remember, in this world, everyone is to walk by faith.
"So be kind regarding human frailty—your own as well as that of those who serve with you in a Church led by volunteer, mortal men and women. Except in the case of His only perfect Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it. So should we. And when you see imperfection, remember that the limitation is not in the divinity of the work. As one gifted writer has suggested, when the infinite fulness is poured forth, it is not the oil’s fault if there is some loss because finite vessels can’t quite contain it all. Those finite vessels include you and me, so be patient and kind and forgiving."
And apparently they [the DJs] didn't pay any attention to the 20 some odd other talks denouncing gay marriage and blatantly professing in the most polite language they can muster that, "The laws of the land may change but God's law and requirements for marriage never will." I'm going to stop here because missionaries aren't supposed to talk about "political" stuff but yes, stupid DJs are stupid.
But yes, Conference was amazing. I was bawling like a baby during Elder Holland's talk.
Elder Holland is a wonderful man, and he knows a lot about this mission. One day he called Elder Brandon and asked him how he could help. And apparently he plays tennis with President Peterson every Thursday.
Attending all the sessions of conference are mandatory. We are only provided tickets for the Priesthood Session and we need to get the other tickets on our own. We aren't expected to get tickets though but we are expected to watch the sessions in the places they are broadcasted on Temple Square like in the theaters in the visitor's center and such.
The seats we had at the preisthood session were amazing. I was on the very second row and there was no chair in front of me so it felt like I was in the first. Like last year it was right in front of where the general authorities walk in. Elder Christofferson came down and shook my hand. Elder Nelson came down and said, "This is the a very good looking group of missionaries!" I already knew I was good looking but the witness of an apostle helps. As all the apostles were leaving when the session was over each one waved at us. President Monson acted very funny and pretended to poke the head of a security guard who was standing guard facing us. And Elder Holland blew a kiss at us.
I didn't bring my camera because I was told they weren't allowed but apparently they're okay as long as you don't take pictures once conference has started. But I asked an elder right behind me to take some pictures and send them to me and he thankfully did:
I watched every other session in the North Visitor's center except for the last one. The North Visitor's Center has comfy seats, but it's mostly filled with families that were probably turned away because they didn't realize you're not allowed to bring infants to conference. So there's lots of crying babies. I asked Elder Seitz if he wanted to try "stand-by" and he said yes. Stand-by is a line that shuffles into the Tabernacle. If there are any empty spots in the Conference Center they move you in by order of the line. The Conference Center was so full that nobody in the Tabernacle was moved. They have screens in the Tabernacle so you can watch conference but unfortunately you have to sit on hard wood benches for two hours. We could have tried to get into the visitor's center again but we decided to stay because how many people can say they attended conference at the Tabernacle?
And I got this picture taken as well:
Anyway, I don't have many other messages to respond too but Love,
Elder Larson
P.S. - Happy Leif Erikson Day! Yinga! Hinga! Dinga!
I haven't gotten any e-mails from the girls (I got one from Katie but it was sent 7 days ago so I don't know if it counts.) Both you, and Dad, and Andrew began with saying "I'm sure the girls will tell you all about the Aquabats!" but none of them did interestingly enough. So I guess I can only sit here and ask how on earth you managed to hang around with them all day? And are the Aquabats! now officially members of our family? And if you're referring to Elder Liddiard, my zone leader, you know the person I have to report to every night after check-ins, he has already forbidden me from talking about my family around him because like I already told Dad, he thinks he was supposed to be born into our family. He says that jokingly because he's been a fan of their music since he was little (but not the show which is all I really know about them because I didn't listen to the music before I left) and that he's a fan of the genre that the Aquabats! are part of and has always been.
(Note: The Larsons deny any knowledge of spending the day with The Aquabats! on the set of The Aquabats! Super Show.)
I told Dr. Yamishiro that I would let you make the decision. I really don't want to go through more orthodontic work (almost spelled orthopedic that would have been funny) but I feel like this was kind of my fault because there was so much confusion over whether or not I was supposed to wear my retainers once I got my implants and I haven't worn them and so that could have been what caused the relapse. Anyway, Elder Andersen told me he'd be okay with getting the retainer too because he said, "If your Mom's not happy then nobody's happy."
Umm, yes. Right after I sent the e-mail saying I had no idea what you were talking about regarding the Arnold Friberg shows I walked to the Joseph Smith Building to get the mail and I saw this display standing right outside it:
"Oh...Okay then," thought I. Sadly I never got around to even looking at the Lost Whatevers because I never had the time. But I guess you can be glad that you knew what you were talking about.
I can get a flu shot if you want me too and I can tell them that my insurance pays for it. I'll have to sign up because there is a list but I'll go do that today if possible.
(Note: Molly told Eric about what the dumb DJs on the radio said about conference. She told him, "Dad said the DJs on the dumb radio show he listens to were talking a lot about Pres. Uchtdorf's talk 'admitting' that leaders are not perfect and sometimes make mistakes. I guess they think that is earth-shattering news. They also think that eventually the Church is going to "give in" to social pressure and allow gay marriage in the temple. They obviously didn't listen to Elder Oaks talk, or several others." The following is Eric's reply.)
Yes the people on the stupid radio show are stupid. President Uchtdorf isn't the first to "admit" that they aren't perfect. In fact last year we have this quote from Elder Holland's talk:
"Brothers and sisters, this is a divine work in process, with the manifestations and blessings of it abounding in every direction, so please don’t hyperventilate if from time to time issues arise that need to be examined, understood, and resolved. They do and they will. In this Church, what we know will always trump what we do not know. And remember, in this world, everyone is to walk by faith.
"So be kind regarding human frailty—your own as well as that of those who serve with you in a Church led by volunteer, mortal men and women. Except in the case of His only perfect Begotten Son, imperfect people are all God has ever had to work with. That must be terribly frustrating to Him, but He deals with it. So should we. And when you see imperfection, remember that the limitation is not in the divinity of the work. As one gifted writer has suggested, when the infinite fulness is poured forth, it is not the oil’s fault if there is some loss because finite vessels can’t quite contain it all. Those finite vessels include you and me, so be patient and kind and forgiving."
And apparently they [the DJs] didn't pay any attention to the 20 some odd other talks denouncing gay marriage and blatantly professing in the most polite language they can muster that, "The laws of the land may change but God's law and requirements for marriage never will." I'm going to stop here because missionaries aren't supposed to talk about "political" stuff but yes, stupid DJs are stupid.
But yes, Conference was amazing. I was bawling like a baby during Elder Holland's talk.
Elder Holland is a wonderful man, and he knows a lot about this mission. One day he called Elder Brandon and asked him how he could help. And apparently he plays tennis with President Peterson every Thursday.
Attending all the sessions of conference are mandatory. We are only provided tickets for the Priesthood Session and we need to get the other tickets on our own. We aren't expected to get tickets though but we are expected to watch the sessions in the places they are broadcasted on Temple Square like in the theaters in the visitor's center and such.
The seats we had at the preisthood session were amazing. I was on the very second row and there was no chair in front of me so it felt like I was in the first. Like last year it was right in front of where the general authorities walk in. Elder Christofferson came down and shook my hand. Elder Nelson came down and said, "This is the a very good looking group of missionaries!" I already knew I was good looking but the witness of an apostle helps. As all the apostles were leaving when the session was over each one waved at us. President Monson acted very funny and pretended to poke the head of a security guard who was standing guard facing us. And Elder Holland blew a kiss at us.
I didn't bring my camera because I was told they weren't allowed but apparently they're okay as long as you don't take pictures once conference has started. But I asked an elder right behind me to take some pictures and send them to me and he thankfully did:
I watched every other session in the North Visitor's center except for the last one. The North Visitor's Center has comfy seats, but it's mostly filled with families that were probably turned away because they didn't realize you're not allowed to bring infants to conference. So there's lots of crying babies. I asked Elder Seitz if he wanted to try "stand-by" and he said yes. Stand-by is a line that shuffles into the Tabernacle. If there are any empty spots in the Conference Center they move you in by order of the line. The Conference Center was so full that nobody in the Tabernacle was moved. They have screens in the Tabernacle so you can watch conference but unfortunately you have to sit on hard wood benches for two hours. We could have tried to get into the visitor's center again but we decided to stay because how many people can say they attended conference at the Tabernacle?
And I got this picture taken as well:
Anyway, I don't have many other messages to respond too but Love,
Elder Larson
P.S. - Happy Leif Erikson Day! Yinga! Hinga! Dinga!
Thursday, October 3, 2013
Week Thirty Eight
There's a lot of stuff I need to remember from my visit with Dr. Yamashiro that I had yesterday. So he looked at my teeth and told me that my top teeth have miraculously stabilized and are officially done forever and that's probably why I was told I didn't need to worry about anything anymore. But sadly he told me that my bottom teeth have started to shift again and will need another retainer to wear AT ALL TIMES. But, he said I didn't need to worry too much about it because it won't be a gradual overnight thing and the retainer can probably wait until my mission is over if I'd like but he also said that he can't guarantee that my teeth won't move that much from that time. Basically I was told that in about 5 or 6 years my bottom teeth will be at a point where I would need braces again in order to fix it but if I don't want to get a retainer and deal with monthly check ups on a mission then that would be okay. He told me to tell you this and decide what you would like to do. (Oh and my old retainers are useless apparently.)
Becca told me that she loves the horse and that it makes her feel much better about herself so I'm glad to hear that from both her and you.
(NOTE: Becca won a scholarship through the Bridle Up Hope Foundation -- http://bridleuphope.org/ -- for 12 free riding lessons and a chance to be trained as a volunteer to help kids with disabilities participate in therapeutic activities with horses.)
I had no idea a Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2 existed until I read Andrew's e-mail saying (I'm sure everyone else told you about it) and I was like, "Wha?"
Yes I probably could get permission to see that show (NOTE: The Arnold Friedburg art show that Molly told Eric about, NOT Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs that Eric mentioned above). Arnold Friedburg is famous for drawing extremely buff Book of Mormon characters, I know that. Seriously, they're huge! To use Hank Smith's words, "He made Abinadi look like a ripped Santa Clause." Also I have no idea what that "lost painting" thing is all about and haven't heard a thing despite the fact that I'm in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building on a daily basis. So umm...sorry about that but I'll see what I can figure out.
Umm no I haven't shared any news about Mariah yet. Umm...she's in Finland and...Finnish is hard. That's about all I feel comfortable sharing other than she's doing a good job over there and is always happy to get letters from me. And yes I did promise more pictures. I don't have pictures of Ensign Peak right now...BUT I HAVE PICTURES OF CATS BECAUSE I WAS INVITED TO EAT AT A COUPLES HOUSE ON SUNDAY AND OH MY GOODNESS THEY HAD CATS AND I GOT TO PET THEM I HAVEN'T TOUCHED A CAT IN LIKE A YEAR AND I WAS SO EXCITED!
CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS:
Anyway sorry for not having any pictures of me being on a mission but for some reason I felt inclined to take a bunch of pictures of cats. Let's see what else I have...Oh hey hey I forgot to send this picture:
I did read that the Priesthood Session will now be broadcasted but I believe it still says that brothers are encouraged to attend at meeting houses.
So this was kind of a weird week.
I got a really nasty cold or something and was totally out of commission on Friday and Saturday. My district is being rearranged but I'm not moving. And things are getting crazy busy because there's a lot of tourists here for conference coming down to genealogy. I'm excited for conference though and hopefully will have some meaningful stories and pictures then.
Love,
Elder Larson
Becca told me that she loves the horse and that it makes her feel much better about herself so I'm glad to hear that from both her and you.
(NOTE: Becca won a scholarship through the Bridle Up Hope Foundation -- http://bridleuphope.org/ -- for 12 free riding lessons and a chance to be trained as a volunteer to help kids with disabilities participate in therapeutic activities with horses.)
 |
| Becca and her horse, Niall -- which means "champion" in Gaelic. |
Yes I probably could get permission to see that show (NOTE: The Arnold Friedburg art show that Molly told Eric about, NOT Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs that Eric mentioned above). Arnold Friedburg is famous for drawing extremely buff Book of Mormon characters, I know that. Seriously, they're huge! To use Hank Smith's words, "He made Abinadi look like a ripped Santa Clause." Also I have no idea what that "lost painting" thing is all about and haven't heard a thing despite the fact that I'm in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building on a daily basis. So umm...sorry about that but I'll see what I can figure out.
Umm no I haven't shared any news about Mariah yet. Umm...she's in Finland and...Finnish is hard. That's about all I feel comfortable sharing other than she's doing a good job over there and is always happy to get letters from me. And yes I did promise more pictures. I don't have pictures of Ensign Peak right now...BUT I HAVE PICTURES OF CATS BECAUSE I WAS INVITED TO EAT AT A COUPLES HOUSE ON SUNDAY AND OH MY GOODNESS THEY HAD CATS AND I GOT TO PET THEM I HAVEN'T TOUCHED A CAT IN LIKE A YEAR AND I WAS SO EXCITED!
CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAATSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS:
Anyway sorry for not having any pictures of me being on a mission but for some reason I felt inclined to take a bunch of pictures of cats. Let's see what else I have...Oh hey hey I forgot to send this picture:
 |
| I'll just leave it at this and let you try to guess the context. |
So this was kind of a weird week.
I got a really nasty cold or something and was totally out of commission on Friday and Saturday. My district is being rearranged but I'm not moving. And things are getting crazy busy because there's a lot of tourists here for conference coming down to genealogy. I'm excited for conference though and hopefully will have some meaningful stories and pictures then.
Love,
Elder Larson
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