SOS GAINED 30 POUNDS SEND HELP

Just kidding I didn't really, but I thought if I said something like that then people might read my email.  The first day we got dropped off here we went right to work. I saw Elder Roberts right when I got my room and he helped send me off to my first class! It was fun to see someone I knew so early and I love every time I get to see one of my old friends here. I have seen Elder Harris, Elder Evans, Elder Akina, and so many other PG friends. I love seeing them and it really does make my day better. I met my companion, Elder Padbury, in the first class.  He is from Portland Oregon and he is just a happy guy and a really hard worker. I am glad I got a companion who is here to put in a lot of work and we have learned a lot here. The thing that stood out most on the first day was our hymn at night with all of the Elders in our zone. We sang ye elders of Israel it was super loud and fun to sing with that many elders!

Companion Elder Padbury

Found Elder Christian Evans

Thursday:We did a class called people and our purpose. We really worked on getting our purpose as missionaries in Preach My Gospel memorized and soak in what it means. We talked about it so much during the first week and it really has changed how I view my job as a missionary. My job is just to invite them to come unto Christ and then the spirit will teach them as they act and learn of his gospel. My companion was apparently really good at food eating contests before he came here to he finishes a solid 15 minutes before I finish my food EVERY MEAL! We taught our first investigator Jenny on the second day. I was pretty nervous before because we had just had so much information poured into us but I just said a little prayer before we went in and it was the craziest thing! I would remember scriptures that I didn't even know I remembered and could help Jenny with her concerns. I also got called as District Leader. For some reason I just knew it was going to be me so when they asked me I wasn't surprised at all!

Friday: We finally got to play some basketball! My companion was sooooo worried that I was going to be awful at basketball. He said it would have ruined our companionship if I wasn't good so he was glad when I was ballin it up. I go and get the mail for our district which is actually super fun! I love seeing everyones excitement when I tell them that they got a letter! We had lots of classes and taught Jenny again which didn't go as well, it was good though because it really humbled me and taught me that I need to really pray let the spirit guide the lesson. Me and my companion always see who can get the most compliments on their tie and I always lose. So if you have a cool tie please help me out. I just need to win once. 

Saturday: This was one of the funniest times of the week. One of our goals was to go to all the meals together as a district to form that bond so I went into the room right next to ours and told them to hustle up and me and Elder Broadbent were wearing THE EXACT SAME TIE!! It was so funny and we got a picture and laughed about that for a while. We got Jenny to commit to baptism on the previous day but she still had some concerns. We taught a lesson on repentance and she was feeling pretty good she said so onward to baptism! It was our last lesson with her though but it was a solid way to end it with her.

Same tie as Elder Broadbent!

Sunday: I had to get up early to go to some Branch meetings so I went on an exchange with Elder Rigby, the other new District Leader in our Zone. Sacrament meeting was really cool and I was so excited for it! The sacrament is such a blessing to take to take advantage of it! I prepared 2 talks but wasn't called on to give either which is a bummer because they were BOMB. Calories don't count on Sunday totally came into play and I have a cougar tail and byu ice cream for lunch.... not doing that again, way to much sugar!! But we watched the Character of Christ which was an amazing talk that Elder Bednar gave here at the MTC on christmas it is was so amazing! I can't even describe it but basically the character of Christ is turning outward.

My District

Monday: Today was hard. It was long and we had 3 investigators to teach. after the 3rd one everyone in our whole district was just out of energy and we weren't really feeling the spirit. But Elder Broadbent came in crying and he shared such a powerful story. He said while they were preparing they had brother reis helping them. He said to give the lesson like it was his last minute with his mom. So he tried but he stopped him and said again give it like it is the last minute with your mom. Then Elder Broadbent started crying because he was so overcome with love. His mom had just passed away recently and he was there when she died. He said it was exactly what he needed to hear to help him and he completely changed his lesson and just went in and loved the investigator. It was so powerful when he shared that with our district. I have never felt the spirit stronger then I did there. 

Such A good week and I love hearing from all of you! I have a tablet so I'm able to read emails all week which is super fun! Keep living and loving everyone! Talk to YALLLLLLLL next week! (Ill send my photos in a little bit when I get them)

Elder Larson


Mom's Questions:

What surprised you most about the MTC?
I guess what surprised me the most was how much I would like my district.  Even after like 2 days I loved everyone in our district so much so it has been a lot of fun getting to know them and be around them so much.

How is the food?
The food is pretty good actually.  They do a good job and you can actually eat pretty healthy if thats what you want to do.  I think since I stopped biking I haven't gotten as hungry because the first night I thought I was starving so I got so much food and then I couldn't eat like any of it so I have humbled myself a little bit and don't get as much!

How many are in your room?
There are 4 Elders in our room.  Me and my companion, Elder Padbury, and Elder Child and Elder Robison.  They are so funny so we laugh a whole bunch during our time we have together.

How many are in your district?
We have 11 Elders and 4 Sisters.  It is split between the Little Rock Arkansas mission and the Texas Houston East Mission.   Everyone in our room is going to the same mission as me so it has been fun getting to know them.

Did you get your package?
Yes I did!  It was nice to get!  Eating dinner here at 4 can be rough sometimes so it is nice to have a little something to eat when we get back from class.  I loved sharing the donuts with the other Elders!  It got me a lot of friends for sure!

What is your daily schedule like?
We wake up at 6:30 and get ready for the day.  Then it is either planning or breakfast at 7:15.  It kind of just depends on the day but we have 2 classes a day that are 3 hours each.  It may seem like forever but they actually go by pretty quick.  This week we have started TRC's which are Teaching resource center or something like that.  We go there 2 times a day and we have 2 different investigators.  Some are non members and others are members that are addressing real questions or concerns that they have had.  Lunch is around 12 and dinner is around 4, those stay pretty the same but the rest of the schedule moves around depending on when you have TRC or exercise time.

CASUAL study with Elder Broadbent