19 Months Out - and Great Things are Going on in the Blessed Land of the South!

Hello my Brother's and Sisters! I rejoice with you in the Gospel and Doctrine of Christ! I want to thank you for what you do, but mostly for who you are.

I know it's been a while since I wrote to y'all last. Sorry about that. This week has bee. Awesome, so let's hop right in. 

We had many great lessons this week with some incredible people. We finished teaching Kamber the lessons and reviewed the baptismal interview questions so that she was ready for her interview. We also set 2 more baptismal dates! One is with a man named Veeto, and the second is with an awesome young man named Mark. We had incredible lessons with both of them and they are both set to be baptized on the 22nd of September! Woot Woot! 

This week we also had zone conference and that was great. President Hansen instructed us on the importance of keeping the law of Chastity and how that can bless us so much in this life. It was really inspiring. We were also instructed on what we can do to help our people being taught come to church. 

One funny thing that happened this week was when we went and got corn dogs from sonic. It's close to the end of the month and the 4 Elders here were broke, but we heard that sonic had their 50 cent corn dog deal. So we broke out the piggy banks and started counting change. It was really funny 😂

Preparing for Kamber's baptism was kinda stressful, but we got it all done. The Baptism on Satuday was amazing!!! It was such a spiritual experience. It was very humbling being able to Baptize Kamber and help her get started on her journey along the Covenant path. It is days like these that we remember for the eternities.

I was also given the opportunity to talk in church on Sunday about obedience to the Commandments of God. As I studied for the talk I was reminded again about the critical need we have to obey the Commandments to live the happy and blessed life. Obedience brings blessings. The greater obedience on our part the more blessed and happy we are.   

A Commandment that I want to highlight with you all is the commandment that we study our scriptures Daily, especially the Book of Mormon. Through the voice of President Thomas S. Monson the Lord declared that "We must read the Book of Mormon everyday everyday everyday." The Promised blessings that will come into our life if we do so are... 

1. we will be in a position to hear the voice of the Spirit. 

2. We will have Greater ability to resist temptation. 

3. we will be able to overcome doubt and fear. 

4. We will be able to receive heaven’s help in our lives.

Those are 4 incredible promises that will come into our lives as we simply pray and read from the Book of Mormon. 

I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I love reading it, and feeling the peace it brings into my heart. If you are not reading it, I would ask that you start reading. Start today and begin a new chapter in your relationship with God. 

Thanks for the prayers everyone. Please keep praying for us out here. 

I love y'all!

Y'all stay blessed where ever y'all are! 

Sincerely, 

Elder Skyler Glen Larsen 

MTC Reunion Group

Elder Larsen, Kamber, and Elder Patterson

The Elders and the Hall Family

I hope he didn't eat those by himself :)

New Opportunities in North Little Rock

Hello Family and Friends!

I rejoice with you in the Gospel of Jesus Christ! I want to thank you for what you do, but mostly for who you are. THANK YOU so much for all the prayers that y'all have given in our behalf. They really do make a huge difference. 

So this last Saturday we received transfer news and I will be staying in North Little Rock, but I was released as an office Elder and called to be the district leader of the NLR District. I am literally just moving across the hall, so that was pretty funny. I will also be serving with Elder Kayden Patterson again. And what's a super awesome bonus is that Elder Raish and Mair are coming to the office! I love both of these amazing elders. I'm really looking forward to doing exchanges and enjoying how awesome this new transfer is going to be. 

We are also having more success with Jacob and Kamber. For those who don't know Jacob and Kamber are a part member couple and they are SO AWESOME.  They came to church on Sunday and stayed for the first 2 hours! They had a marvelous time. I'm really excited to keep teaching them on a regular basis now. We are going to use Facebook messenger to teach Kamber while Jacob is working in Russellville this week so that will be a new experience for us. It is going to be great. If y'all could pray for Kamber that she will be ready for baptism on the 25th of August that would be much appreicated. 

We also have a bunch of service opportunities lined up for this week so that's awesome. I'm really glad that I will be able to get back into the swing of things here in North Little Rock. 

This last week we traveled probably over 1000 miles. We went to Stuttgart and taught some great lessons there. We went there and spent a day with Elder Barnes (who is a great missionary) and taught some lessons. It was great to be back in the field again.

We also drove missionaries to west Memphis for doctors appointments this week. That was a very enjoyable day because the people we took I love so much. I also love driving the assistants Mommy van. It is seriously so much fun to drive. I now know why so many mothers love vans. Lol. 

We also had a call to drop off some media down in Hope for the Watermelon festival down there. It was a great excuse to go down and see that wonderful place again. 

After getting back from Hope we traded out cars with the Assistants and loaded up for Southaven Mississippi. We pulled in close to 11 PM. The next morning we went to Holly Springs Mississippi and helped some missionaries quickly move out of a bad living environment and into a new apartment. That all went well and we had no complications so that was a real tender mercy. I like driving, but 3 hours in the truck is pretty long. 

We did an estimate and in 4 months we think we traveled over 15-17 thousand miles, and spent over 300 hours driving. That's a loooonnng time. 

Anyway it's been a good run in the office. I'm really pleased with how everything has gone. I couldn't have imagined how many lessons I would learn in such a short period of time. 

The scripture for the week comes from Alma chapter 32. This is one of the greatest discourse on faith recorded in scripture. Alma is teaching the people who have had hard circumstances come into their lives and they were wondering how they could increase their faith in Jesus Christ. The parts that I want to share with y'all come from verses 21&28

21 And now as I said concerning faith—faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.

   28 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed ... it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me.

My dear friends, that's the test. If reading the Book of Mormon brings good feelings into your heart and you feel closer to God, then it must needs be that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. If the Book of Mormon is the word of God then Joseph Smith was a Prophet of God. If Joseph Smith was a Prophet then this church is the Restored church of Jesus Christ.  I testify that the Book of Mormon is the word of God. I have read it many times, and each time I read it fills my soul with such heights of love, and depths of peace. I know that because of Jesus Christ sin's curse has lost its grip on me. He is my comforter, my strength and my all. I will stand as a witness of Christ is all the world. He is my best friend and I will serve him with all my heart until he returns or calls me home. Here in the love of Christ, I stand. 

I love you all so much! Please email me if y'all have any questions. I would love to here from you. 

Stay blessed my Friends!

Sincerely your brother in Christ, 

Elder Skyler G. Larsen

Hope, Arkansas is famous for their watermelons - and being the birthplace of Bill Clinton

Elder Larsen and Elder Carter

18 Months Down - 6 to Go!

Hello my Family and Friends! I rejoice with you in the Gospel of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! Thank you all for what you do, but more importantly for who you are. 

Can you believe that we are at the 18 months mark? How crazy is that? It seems like just the other day that I was a brand new missionary in my first area. At the same time though it feels like an eternity has gone by. The saying for this feeling in the mission is "The weeks are days, and the days are weeks". So true, so true. 😂

Anyway this week has been mostly the same old stuff, lots of driving, moving furniture and "Going about doing good." (Acts 10:38) 

We did have zone conference this week and we were instructed on finding those of our Brothers and Sisters who are ready to accept the Gospel. Nothing in missionary work moves unless we have someone to teach. The more we teach the more will come to church and be baptized. We were also instructed on how we could use the Bible to teach LDS doctrine so that people would be more accepting of the Book of Mormon. 

President Hansen made a helpful book avaliable to the missionaries to help us increase our doctrinal understanding with the Bible. It is incredible how much the Bible has in it. Aren't the scriptures just amazing!😉

We also had interviews with the President this week. This last interview was really good. I was able to set some really meaningful goals to improve and become even better. 

That was pretty much it.... But wait there is more 😂

Spiritual thought for the week: Mosiah 2:41 "And moreover, I would desire that ye should consider on the blessed and happy state of those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual; and if they hold out faithful to the end they are received into heaven, that thereby they may dwell with God in a state of never-ending happiness. O remember, remember that these things are true; for the Lord God hath spoken it."

I know that the Commandments of God are not barriers to our happiness, but are guide posts to the happy and productive life. I have seen in my own life how obedience to the Commandments of God has brought my family and I such joy. 

What are some blessings that you have seen in your life from keeping the commandments? 

What are some things that you can do to better keep the commandments?

I want y'all to know that I know that God lives. He loves us. His Son Jesus Christ really did die for our sins so that we can be made clean. I love him, because he first loved me. (1 John 4:19) I am so grateful for his patience and long-suffering with me. This mission hasn't been easy, but oh how grateful I am for it. Because of all I have experienced out here I know that it is only through the Savior's atoning sacrifice that mankind may be redeemed and brought to eternal glory in the heavens above to live with our Heavenly Father in never ending happiness. I also know that we must choose however to live our lives in accordance to the Commandments of God to be redeemed. It won't be easy, but oh my, will it be worth it. We will find the joy that we all seek if we keep on trying our best everyday Everyday EVERYDAY! Let us all press on in the work of the Lord is my humble prayer. 

In the name of Jesus Christ, 

Amen. 

P.S. 

Y'all have a blessed day! 

Sincerely a missionary in Arkansas, 

Elder Skyler G. Larsen

The Beginning of July

Hello my Friends! I rejoice with you in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Thank you so much for what you do, but more importantly, thank you for who you are. 

I'm sorry for the radio silence these last few weeks. The office has been keeping me really... Really busy.  Anyway I think the grand total is over 4000 miles driven and over 110 hours in the car for the month of June. I know that it is only because of the Good Lord that I am still here. 

For the next transfer I will still be in the office. I think that even though I have had trials and hard times while I have been here I can still make it work. As mortal beings we are all a "Work in Progress". We can only try our best every day to become who we need to be. To the Savior our direction is ever more important then our speed. If we try our best then the Lord is happy with us, and He will make up the rest. That is something that I have had to keep in mind constantly the last few months. 

Sometimes in life it seems that even though we try as hard as we can it doesn't seem enough. Sometimes we are given trials that we don't think we deserve. In the midst of these trials remember what the scriptures say, Hard times didn't come to stay, they came to pass. Remember that the Lord does indeed know what he is doing. This ain't His first time at the rodeo, or His first time around the block.  All things have been done in the wisdom of him who knoweth all things. (2 Nephi 2:24) He loves us and everything he does is for our eternal benefit and is done with love. 

I love y'all. Thanks so much for your faith and prayers. They mean a lot to me. Keep on praying for me, and I'll keep praying for you. 

Y'all stay blessed!

With love, 

Elder Skyler G. Larsen

Is it June Already?

Hello my Brothers and Sisters! I rejoice with you in the Gospel of Jesus Christ! I thank you for what you do, but mostly I thank you for who you are!

Can you believe it? It is already midway through June. Time seems to be moving by faster and faster the older I get. Before I know it I'll be home, married, and have 5 children haha. 😂

Anyway this week was busy, busy, busy here in the Mission office. We actually had to do some office work today that's why this is a bit late. We were blessed and only had to drive to Memphis once last week haha. We also found great favor with the Lord and we were blessed to get caught up on all the office work. #TenderMercy

This week though we will be driving to Memphis and back twice in 2 days. I'm not really looking forward to the drive, but hey the temporal needs of the mission need to be taken care of somehow. The work of the Lord must go forward. 

It is really interesting to me just how involved in our lives our Heavenly Father and the Good Lord are. For example we received a new 2018 Chevy Crew Cab Silverado last week (Which is so awesome!) and we were running into some difficulties with the Tiwi device and the truck's computer. For those who don't know the Tiwi is the tracking device in the mission vehicles that tracks the car and helps us to drive better. When we speed or drive aggressively it will prompt us to change and repent haha. 

Anyway the technology wasn't wanting to play nice with each other, and after about 2 hours (and much work and prayer) the Lord blessed us that things worked out. I mean how petty and insignificant is it that we were having trouble with our car and the Supreme Governor of the Universe who lives in Heaven above looked down with mercy and love and blessed us that things worked out. I mean He works with stars, galaxies and worlds without end, and yet he loves us all enough to take the time, listen to us, and bless us in our times of need. This magnificent eternal truth never ceases to fill me with awe, wonder, and profound love for our Loving Heavenly Father and his Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. They really do hear and answer our prayers. 

I love being a missionary and helping others realize that there is a source to true and lasting happiness in this life and eternal joy in the world to come. This is possible because of Jesus Christ. Oh, how I love him!

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

Y'all stay blessed!

Sincerely, 

Elder Skyler G. Larsen

Master The Tempest Is Raging - Amidst these Long Road Trips

Hello my Brothers and Sisters! I rejoice with you in the Gospel of Jesus Christ! I thank you for what you do, but mostly for who you are!

I'm sorry about the lack of weekly emails. Time is a rare luxury in the office. I will try to do better in the future. 

My, oh my I have a lot to tell y'all about. This week has definelty been one for the books. I traveled over 1300 miles and visited so many cities. So let's hop right in. 

Tuesday: We had district meeting and packed up and drove a mattress down to Monticello for a missionary down there. That as a 200 miles round trip. 

Wednesday: I went to a doctors appointment and had a wonderful conversation with the front desk lady named Kaylin. We shared the Book of Mormon with her and she wanted to take the lessons. What was interesting was the light all around her when we talked with her. I could tell that she was elect and will be baptized soon. We referred her to the missionaires in Cabot.  

After that doctors visit we drove over to Memphis to prepare to drive missionaries back to NLR the next day. 

Thursday: I drove missionaries from Memphis to North Little Rock then back to Memphis later that day. While the missionaries were having their Missionary Leadership Council Elder Carter and I were running around doing many, many errands and little tasks. I was blest with the small chance to take a nap before we drove back. #TenderMercies in total for Wednesday though Friday we drove over 600 miles. 

Friday: We woke up early and drove to Staff meeting in North Little Rock. We were blest with no crazy traffic and made it on time. After staff meeting and lunch I had the chance to drive the Assistants Mommy van. That car drives like a race car and is such a joy to drive. We were able to also go and teach some lessons to some people. We taught Donna who is a mother of 2. She recently lost a Son, and has been having a hard time with the grieving process. We were able to share the Book of Mormon with her and how it can be her "Balm of Gilead". It was a wonderful experience. We also saw another referral named Bobby. He has gone through some really hard trials recently and was looking for peace in his life. We also shared how the Book of Mormon could help him receive grace in his life to have the strength to keep moving forward. It was a good experience, even though there was an intense thunderstorm outside that knocked the power out twice. 

Saturday: Here is the day where things get interesting. We drove down to Poyen Arkansas to pick up a Tiwi tracking device that was in a mission car, then drove over to hot springs to drop off a study chair. After grabbing lunch and loading up again we drove to Mountain View, Pocahontas, Paragould, Jonesboro, Newport, Searcy and all the connecting towns imbetween. We were trying to make it home to sleep, but after travel delays and the storm of the century we stopped in Searcy close to midnight. 

I want to describe to you in greater detail the storm that hit us just outside Jonesboro. We knew it was coming and after talking with the Assistants and praying for guidance we felt the Holy Spirit constrain us to keep moving forward in our plans in haste,  and not stay in Jonesboro. It was about 9.30 Pm when the storm hit us. Now imagine for a moment the most horrific thunderstorm you have been in and times it by 10. We had torrential rain, severe lighting, and 60 MPH winds. It was a very harrowing experience to have to drive through that for close to an hour and a half. After praying our hearts out and going slow we were blessed to make it through. That was probably one of the scariest experiences of my life up to this point, but it increased my faith in a Loving Heavenly Father who hears and answers our prayers. What a tender mercy it was to pull into the Searcy apartments that night!

My Brothers and Sisters, I want to testify of a Loving Heavenly Father who cares deeply about each and every one of his children. He will listen and answer each prayer. I know this is true. I have felt his love in so many instances in my life. He may not cause the storm to cease, but he will give us the strength and will see us through to safety. 

I love my Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. I love being a missionary. 

I want to invite y'all to make your prayers more meaningful this week. Take a little more time to listen when you pray and you will be rewarded. 

Y'all have a blessed week!

Sincerely, 

Elder Skyler Glen Larsen

 

Arkansas Weather

Feeling a little stuck on the job :)

Having Fun

Service Project

The Office Elders

Transfer Week In the Office

Hello my Brothers and Sisters! I rejoice with you in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I thank you for what you do, but mostly for who you are. 

I know it has been a few weeks since I have written to y'all, and I'm sorry about that. Most of my P-days have been spent running to and fro. 

Anyway, Let's hop right in. 

Most of this week has been spent doing office work. We drove places, visited many people, dropped off media, and "went around doing good." A lot of the work of an Office Elder goes unnoticed by the missionaries, but it sure does make a difference. How can the work of the Lord move forward unless the temporal needs of the mission are met? How can the missionaries help people become converted to the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ except they have the media that they need? The solution is having the amazing Office Elders!

There were a couple tender Mercies this week other then staying safe on the road that I would like to share with y'all. We are going to be moving to a new apartment complex, so we went and took a tour of one of the complexes in town. While taking that tour our tour guide mentions that she had taken lessons from missionaries in Kansas in the past. Long story short she is a less active member with 3 kids that could be baptized, and she wants us to come and share the Restored Gospel with them! 

The other tender mercy was when we were able to find the missing transfer van keys. So.... Long story short we lost the transfer van keys on Sunday. After looking during our free time ever day, and much Prayer and wrestling with God we found the keys. I know it might seem kinda petty and lame, but it was a faith promoting experience for me. It goes to show that nothing is so small that we can't take it to God. He does indeed hear, and answer our prayers. Sometimes it will take time to get an answer, and it may not be in the way we expect, but God does listen to his children. Nothing is more important to him then His children. 

The last few weeks I have had to "wrestle with God". It has been mighty hard to maintain my positive attitude, because of feelings of failure. I love my Savior, Jesus Christ, because he understands how I feel. Because he understands how I feel, he is able to give me the strength to keep moving forward. Some counsel I have received from dear friends rings true. I can do hard things! The same is true for you. You can do hard things! Paul the apostle of old put it this way, "I can do all things through Christ which strengthenth me". I know that with Jesus Christ, we can accomplish anything. 

My Dear Brothers and Sisters, I know that our Redeemer Lives! He lives to bless us with his Love. He lives to Plead for us above. He lives to calm our troubled hearts. He lives all blessings to impart. He lives our mansions to prepare. He lives to bring us safely there. It is my prayer that we will all strive to come a little closer to the Savior this week so that when all is said and done, we may all return to live with him up there. 

I love you all, God bless you, and have a wonderful week!

Sincerely your friend, 

Elder Skyler G. Larsen