Hump Week!

Hello Family & Friends!

I rejoice with y'all in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ. Isn't He just AMAZING! Thank you all for what you do, but mostly for who you are. 

This week was pretty rough, but that's ok. The Savior didn't always have easy days. There wasn't too many highlights for this week. We went and provided some service for some members in Prescott. We split some wood and helped stack it. That was real fun. 

One thing that I am looking forward to this week is being able to receive instruction from Elder Holland and Elder Uctdorf! They are going to be instructing the missionaries on Saturday, and I'm so excited!

I know that this church is the Lord's church established again in this day and age. I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I LOVE reading from the Book of Mormon. It has become the daily bread for my spirit and has enhanced my study of the Holy Bible. Jesus is the Christ. He is my best friend and I love serving Him and the good people of the South. 

I love you all and keep praying for me, and I'll keep on praying for you. God bless y'all and have a blessed week. 

Sincerely, 

Elder Skyler Glen Larsen

Week 48: Ministering angels, SLC broadcasts and Leadership Training

Hello Family, and Friends! 

I rejoice with you in the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Thank you for what you do, but mostly thank you for who you are!

This week has been amazing! Hard in some ways, but overall amazing. The highlights include leadership training, ministering angels and Salt Lake broadcasts. 

On Wednesday we had a leadership training meeting all about empowering the leaders. It was great and I feel a lot more confident in my abilities as the Hope district leader. We also learned how observing, listening, and discerning all come before speaking when it comes to teaching anyone. I am really going to work hard this week to listen twice as much as I speak. 

Here is an update for Dewon and Jodi. They are progressing so quickly! We have only known them for 2 weeks, but I know that they are some of the choice souls that the Lord called me on a mission to find and save. We have taught them almost everything and last week we came up with a plan to help Jodi overcome her addiction to tabacco. We had a tender moment on thrusday when we gave her a priesthood blessing to help with all this. I know that there were many angels ministering to all of us as we blessed her that through the Lord's divine Grace, and through her faith she would be made whole. I will never forget how I felt that day. I thank my Heavenly Father every single day for calling me to represent His Beloved Son as a missionary. 

What added more to my Joy this week was that everything with the ride situations worked out so that Dewon and Jodi were able to come to church on Sunday. The Hope Branch out performed my highest expectations and adopted them into the Hope Family. I'm struggling to find words to describe my JOY! AWE it was so amazing! 

What made Sunday even better was we received instruction from Salt Lake in a special broadcast for the Southern States area. We heard from Elder Solores of the Presidency of the Seventy, Sister Marriott of the Young Women's presidency, Bishop Davies over the Presiding Bishopric and Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. They talked about the temple, patterns in the Gospel for our lives, and of the inseparable connection between Faith & Repentance. My favorite quote is from Elder Bednar. "I can think of few Gospel doctrines more Joyful then Repentance."

How amazing is the gift of repentance!!! Through Christ We can be clean and set free from all our sins, shame, guilt, and regret. If I could not change & repent I would be woefully discouraged. I'm so grateful that the Savior condescended down to my level and is lifting me to where He is. I know that through His Grace I can be transformed little by little, time after time, into a better version of myself who is a little more like Him. 

"Amazing Grace! How sweet the sound, that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost, but now I'm found. Was blind, but now I see." 

 With Love, 

Elder Skyler Glen Larsen

Week 47:Recap of Past 3 Weeks

Hello Family and Friends!

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

Holy Mole! It's been three weeks since I've last had a chance to email you all. Sorry about that. I will try to give y'all the reader's digest highlight reel. 

The Christmas party that the mission put on was awesome! We had an amazing testimony meeting. The spirit was so strong as we bore witness to each other of the truthfulness of the work that we are engaged in as missionaries. 

After the party I had the opportunity to bless a sick child at the Arkansas children's hospital. I know that the Lord loves little children with a perfect love, and that he weeps with them when they suffer. It was a tender experience to be there and represent the Lord. 

Christmas was amazing! We spent the day with the Garcias and I have adopted them as family. We played games and enjoyed our time with them. 

I loved being able to see my family again on skype. The time went by way to fast, but it was a Joy to see them. They anchor me in life to all that is good and I wouldn't be half the man I am today without them. Thanks Family for being there for me. 

New Years eve was chill. We had a fantastic lesson with our top investigator Jodi and Dewon. Dewon is a recent convert and Jodi is his Fiance. They are planning on getting married and then Jodi wants to be baptized. We have had 3 stellar lessons with them this last week and they are on FIRE!

New Years day we went to go help a member who was having electrical problems in her home. The weather turned really REALLY cold recently and her heaters were not getting enough power to run. We had a member take us out there to help with the problem and we got everything worked out. 

Transfers are coming up this week and I'm tore as to what could happen. I have been in Hope for close to 6 months and I've started to love it here. I feel like it could go either way with me staying or moving on. Pray for me I guess. 

Anyway I wanted to bear witness to you all that I know that this is the Lord's true church. He set it up in such a way that we always have someone to look up to. One of the heros in my life is President Thomas S. Monson. He lived the way the Master did, showing pure love to all mankind. I know that He was indeed a Prophet of the Lord Jesus Christ. I know that prophetic promises that President Monson gave to us last April about the Book of Mormon are true.

If we read from the Book of Mormon then we will:
1. Be able to hear the voice of the Spirit.

2. Have the power to resist tempation.

3&4 Overcome doubt and Fear

5. Receive Heaven's help in our lives. 

President Monson's promise encompasses all aspects of life. The Book of Mormon is the cure all for the problems of life. PLEASE read from the Book of Mormon everyday, Everyday, EVERYDAY. I know that if you do then these promises will come into your life. I've done it and it has worked for me. 

I love you all! Please keep praying for me and I'll keep on praying for you. 

With Love, 

Elder Skyler Glen Larsen