Week 44: Living in the Moment

Hello Family and friends! I rejoice with you in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I thank you for all you do, but mostly for who you are! 

I'm kinda short on time this week so let's jump right in. The highlights of this week were Zone conference, a temple sealing, and Golden referrals! 

But first - a funny story: We got a flat tire on Saturday. That makes 3 flat tires so far on my mission. We had to drive 80 something miles on a donut tire to get it fixed. We spent the whole day in Hot Springs getting it fixed.  I'm getting pretty good at changing these things.   Haha what a life this mission is. 

So first one of the members in the branch that I've been helping in their temple preparations went to the house of the Lord in Dallas and were sealed together for time and all eternity. I'm so happy for them! They were so well taken care of and they had an amazing experience. The Gospel is true my friends and the Lord blesses those who make it to His home. 

This week we saw miracles in Hope! I was feeling real discouraged last week, so I made a Massive Action Plan or a MAP to help me feel better. As I put my MAP into place my positivity increased and the Lord blessed us with golden referrals. When I say Golden I mean GOLDEN & prepared of the Lord. One referral we went to see has had many spiritual experiences throughout her life and we were an answer to her prayers. She literally prayed us to her door. It was so amazing! God,  our loving Heavenly Father,  really knows everything and will answer our prayers. 

Probably the highlight of the week of miracles was Zone conference. I was richly taught by the Spirit of the Lord. I learned more about the Plan of Salvation, and what love for the Savior really is. Love = Loyalty. If we REALLY love someone we will be completely honest, obedient, and loyal to them. This impacted my heart strongly.  I love Jesus so much. I can not even begin to express the tender feelings I have for my personal Savior, Jesus Christ. Without Him I am nothing, but with Him I am able to do all things because His grace is sufficient for me. I make mistakes all the time, we all do, but our Savior's Grace is sufficient to help, encourage, inspire, and bless us. I know that my Redeemer lives, that He knows my name, my struggles, my desiresfor good,  and my potential. 

I hope that we can all remember the reason for the season. "For God so loved the World that he gave His only Begotten Son..."(John 3:16) What does the precious gift of God's divine Son mean to you? Maybe take some time to thank God for His Beloved Son this Christmas. 

Sincerely, 

Elder Larsen

 

Week 43: "Light" the World

Hello family and Friends!

I rejoice with you in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I want to thank you all for what you do, but mostly for who you are. 

This week has been pretty good. We were on bikes in the freezing Arkansas humidity, but other then that it went well. Probably the highlight of the week was Saturday and Sunday. 

Saturday we went helped out 2 families. One family we replaced some electrical plugs at. Elder Anderson is a jack of all trades and He came in handy. The other family we helped put up Christmas lights for the annual Oakhaven Ilumenary. That was really cool. It is where the whole town of Oakhaven puts up lights for Christmas. Then people go driving down the one street in Oakhaven and look at the lights. One guy there went all out and had his lights programed to music and broadcasted his Christmas music over the airwaves for all the people to listen to on their radios.  It was something to behold. I've attached pictures a videos. 

Sunday was absolutely delightful. I LOVE Sundays. I have the blessed opportunity to go to the house of worship and bless the sacrament every week. The sacramental prayers are so important and sacred. The words just fill me with awe every time I read them. I love being able to renew my covenants with God each week and associate with amazing people. 

If any of y'all are struggling to be happy and cheerful this Christmas season I would recommend you participate in the #LightTheWorld campaign that the Church is sharing. Each day there is some way that you can shine the light of Christ into people's lives. 

Y'all know what to do, keep reading the Book of Mormon, praying with Heavenly Father, and going to church. By small and simple things are great things brought to pass. 

God bless Y'all and have a blessed week!

Your friend, 

Elder Skyler Glen Larsen

Week 42: Hope for the Holidays

Hello Family and Friends! I rejoice with you in the Gospel of Jesus Christ! I thank y'all for what you do, but mostly for who y'all are. 

This week has been incredible! I hope y'all are participating in the #LightTheWorld compaign that the Church has put on. It is definitely inspired. 

As y'all can probably tell I am staying in Hope for the Holidays. I'm really excited as we are working with a lot of amazing people. Right now we are working with Latoya, Lisa, and Kedrick and his family. We are trying really hard to help them all commit to be baptized before the end of the year.

The whole mission has a goal of 80 baptisms by the end of the year. President Hansen received this guidance from the Spirit and I know we can do it. We must help 46 people enter the waters of baptism by the end of the year. PLEASE pray for this. We need all the miracles and tender mercies we can get. 

Two investigators from my past area were baptized on Saturday. Jordan and Andy are a Father and son from Blytheville. Jordan was baptized, received the Aaronic priesthood and in turn baptized his son. Now the whole family is united in the faith and I am so happy!!! I love how the Lord works things out so that many people can be blessed. 

This week we had a fantastic meeting with Elder Robins of the Presidency of the 70. He taught us about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and how much our Savior loves us. One scripture that stood out to me that he used was Isaiah 49:13-16. Isaiah compares the Lord's love to the love of a Mother for her child. It was amazing to learn from Elder Robins. 

I'm running out of time y'all, but I know that this church is true. I have felt the Spirit of the Lord witness to my soul that this is the Lord's church. If we want a personal connection to our Savior we need to read the Book of Mormon. The whole book talks about Jesus. Don't forget to Pray. Heavenly Father wants you to talk with him. He is so kind and wants to listen to you. 

Please keep praying for me and I will keep praying for you. God be with y'all and have a blessed week. 

Sincerely your friend, 

Elder Skyler Glen Larsen