December 29, 2014

Wow what a slightly disappointimg week! this week we had in the teens amount of lessons but everyone we normally teach and see where gone or busy! Sad Panda

 

But we were able to start to make contact with family and set up a weekly visit with them every saturday night we will go over there and a have game night and of course we will share a message of some kind. but the family has three kids that are not members and one shows intrest in learning and the other two not as much. But best way to spark intrest is to go over and just talk about the gossple in normal conversation.

 

On christmas day we ran at out of time to visit all the famillies we had planned on seeing it was really cool to see how many people wanted us to come visit them. O yea and on christmas eve day we got 4 new investogators. 

 

Well this letter isnt going to be like the others Its going to be shorter and less info cause i am learning names and faces and places. I think the saddest part of this area is that i havent found and chinese buffets or chinese food.

 

 

I want everyone of you to know that I know this church is true

                                                          I know that the books are blue!

                                                          I know that Joseph Smith was a proghet of god

                                                          I believe that the god has saved me for this time 

             He has also sent me to this place to reach people that have been prepared just for me 

     I am God's choosen servent and as long as i remain worthy mighty miricales shall come forth

                                                           AND BY THIER FRUITS YOU SHALL KNOW THEM              As the lord has prepared me he has also prepared others to recieve me............ and my comp

         

Well i am out of words and time but i love you all and wish you all a Very happy and fruitful new year!!!

 

Love 

Elder Stephen Larson

December 8, 2014

Hi bet you didn't think you would hear from me today!!!! but I am here POOF!!!!

 

Well I just want all yall to know that I am feeling kinda better, I have an awesome cough and it doesn't show signs of stopping. the work is so delightful let me cough let me cough. 

 

Its transfer WEEK!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!\

 

Never looked forward to this week so much my whole mission so far. I have had struggles but I have finely figured out that I need to just seat back and just stop jumping the gun!! keep my cool and let the dirt roll right off my shoulders!!!! "Take things with a grain of salt"??

 

A wise women informed me of these things!!!! 

 

Many people have been asking for gift ideas but all I want is my Family!!! Pictures work great as well..... cause I still have a year here in Nebraska!!!!!

(by family I mean all the families that love me and that I love) (nudge, nudge wink, wink you get what I mean) 

                                                 

I can print them off my email or I will take letters with the pictures im really not that picky!!! 

 

;D ;D

 

Well its about time to jet out but I just want yall to know that it is now the holiday it is not Christmas day after you open all you gifts and you have boxes of things laying around and wrapping paper thrown about no is the time. love your families now cause the spirit is here now it goes away after all the build up!!!

 

That's my story and im sticking to it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Well Love you all

 

Love Elder Stephen James Larson 

 

November 24, 2014

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!!!

Fall/ winter is here and there is no way but in to the cold!

So updates the baptism we had this weekend was a no go!!! :(

We had the interview on Wednesday night our Zone Leader conducted that. At the end he asked her if she wanted to be baptized and sadly and to the shock of a lot of people the answer was she didn't feel ready.

But fast forward to Friday night at the ward chili cook off. she told us she was being baptized we had to tell her she wasn't because she said she didn't want to be on Wednesday. telling a nine year old little girl she cant be baptized was one of the hardest things I have had to say on my mission. But we have since seen her twice and we have started addressing her concerns our ward mission leader has reset her baptism date. And instead of Elder Millett we are going to work with her dad to hopefully have him do it.

Well I really don't know what else to say or write. So ill say peace out!!!!!

Love

Elder Stephen Larson

November 17. 2014

What a POWERFUL week!!!! And what a week to come!!!!

 

Well this week we had a bit of a road trip. down to Lincoln and we got to meet Brent H. Nielson of the Seventy!!!!! Not of the area but of the seventy!!!! and he was also in the Philippines before be called to be in the California and Hawaii area..... And what a treat he got here this week snow and freezing weather. He was here from Wednesday to Sunday and then flow out. He was here because our stake president was being changed so I got to not only hear from him Thursday but also Saturday and Sunday as well it was so powerful.

 

We found out that our mission is having issues with awaking on time but other then that our mission is pretty obedient. we were also told where most of our finding and teaching is coming from and compression that to who is being baptized. Most of our baptisms are coming from referrals we get from members so that we should be working with members. Elder Nielson related a story to us about his times in the Philippines the story was about retaining members and strengthening those less active. Elder Nielson went to Elder Holland and asked for his permission to stop all finding efforts and to focus on retaining those already taught, Elder Holland said yes and in that year that they focused on retaining the baptized double the people they had the year before. It was because they were finding new people in the homes of where members used to live the found part member families and the find additional people in the house that weren't there before. So amazing!!!!

 

His wife Sister Nielson focused a lot on working together as a companionship embracing your comp no matter what. Even if he or she is super different from you. because if we were all the same this mission would not be a going experience to learn what we are doing that bug others and what bugs us but the lord has but every companionship together for a reason.

 

One other thing Elder Nielson said that kinda struck me was that often times Elders and Sisters are called to a mission president and his wife rather then an a mission area. 

 

He also told us that if we didn't get anything else out of the meeting in Lincoln that he and his wife loved us.

 

So I guess I should follow up with some old news now. My ankle is doin better not healed fully but I can walk and do a little bit of jumping on it so today we played volleyball. This is the greatest game ever invented!!!!!

 

We have not rode the bike yet or rode bikes lately it has been to cold to ride so we just walk when we don't have the car. 

 

So most of our work consists of LARCs. Less active, Recent converts. Much to Elder Milletts and my pleasure we have been assigned 75 home teaching names, most of them are people that no one knows or people that aren't really sure if they live there or not, so our other job is hunting.

 

For other finding ideas we have done a little bit of knocking and Elder Millett says he doesn't want to do any knocking I tried just walking up to doors and knocking but he kept walking and left me on the door step by myself so I will not be doing any knocking any point soon. 

 

Most of our teaching is through finding people on the ward list. (Unless the address is a FedEx building......) Random person living in a FedEx store lol.

 

We do have a baptism this weekend!!!!!! It is Haley Miles she is so excited. Her family is still struggling but it has been improving a lot. Except for thee bio mom. Boy howdy ill tell you what!!!!

 

So the whether is more crazy then in Utah..... just saying it can be sunny and its still only 20 degrees and that's not counting the wind chill.

 

Well its time for me to bounce!!!!!!

 

Love y'all 

 

Elder Stephen J Larson

 

Ps 

Thank you all for all your support and everything that you have done for me.

(Thank you Nebraska families)

 

 

 

 

November 10, 2014

Well this last week we just went crazy working and did alot of finding less-active members of our ward and we found a good number and had two come to church yesterday. So it was a pretty awesome week. The lady we taught the week before that taught us the restoration she did the same this week and taught us part of the plan of happeness. So we have told her to keep reading and pray about the truthfullness of what you are reading and what we are sharing.

 

So this past week on sunday i also twisted my ankle on saturday and got grounded to the house so saturday was not our most busy day. when i twisted my ankle the pain was so sharp i thought i was going to throw up. but i didnt!! elder millett and i will be trying a new way of biking this week we got a tandum bike!!!!!!!! (pictures will be taken)

 

this week we also have a mission tour...... Some kinda big deal i guess. We will be traveling to lincoln at 6:40 am and having Elder Brent H. Nielson and his wife speak to us. This will be pretty sweet minus the 6:40am van ride to lincoln. which means 5ammorning for us so we can get ready and go get the Elders we are in a car share with. Also i will be able to see half the mission i am sure that almost everyone from my mtc group will be there and also Elder Taylor(he is going home this transfer) but it will be a way sweet learning experiance.

 

really not a whole lot and a ton to talk about. We do have a baptizm set for november 22. hopefully all will go well cause we are now starting to fight against the clock. we have two more lessons and an interview to get done before she can be be baptized.

 

coming from a devoriced family is hard but working with a devoriced family adds a whole new level of diffuculty to the whole thing. If I might ask could you awesome folks please Pray for Haley Miles, Brother Miles, Sister Miles, and Julie.

 

Long story short Haley is our baptizm on the 22. Brother and sister miles are her dad and stepmom, Julie is her birth mom. Dad and stepmom are going through some really rough and bumpy roads. Julie is not a church going person and she is not fighting against haley but she is not supporting her also. So just some prayers for this family would be fantastic. Also some prayers for Jo-Jo Young as she is reading and learning about the church that she can learn of the truthfulness of it. 

 

Well Elder Millett is walking around like a lion at the zoo in the cage. so i best be ending my Email.

 

Love you all i hope all is going well

 

Much love from

 

Elder Stephen J Larson

 

 

 

 

 

November 3, 2014

Well the fall is here you can feel it, you can see it, you can taste it, you can touch it............ Or stomp on all the cruchy leafs!!!!!!!!!

 

So late emails today decided to go play volleyball this morning but i am now paying for it, sore and tired have little energy. but o what a blast.

 

So this past week was a not a good week but we pulled through and taught a golden gator. she basically taught us the beging of the restoration.... we just agreed and then taught here why a restoration had to happen, about Joseph smith and what the book of mormon was and how it all fits together cant wait until Wednesday to go talk to her again. 

 

We found out yesterday in our moring meeting that we need to work a little faster with our 9 year old investagator her family is planning down to bellvue which is very sad cause that family is so awesome.

 

You know football is in full swing so teaching on saturdays is a bit tough even trying to teach the members or get in with the members the sure do love thier football here in the midwest!!! at least nebraska isnt lossing so then no one will talk to us after the games. I can say go huskers keep winning so people of nebraska will be happy and want to talk.

 

The last few weeks i have been giving out chapters of the book of mormon to read and its the same ones mosiah 23 & 24 i dont kniow why but it is the scripture that is stuck in my head the past little bit. 

 

Right now driving around is really sweet when we see bean fields or corn fields you can see big trucks driving through the fields and harvesting the crops.  Its pretty awesome to see.

 

Well i really dont know what to say any more besides all of you keep being awsome!!!!!

 

Love 

Elder Stephen J Larson

October 27, 2014... I forgot to post this from last week

Well planner number eight is about to find its way in to the suitcase for a long winters nap!!!! this week is transfers Elder Millett and I may finely have things more flowy with less bumps, hiccups and speed bumps. It took five weeks but we did it and the possibility of one us being transferred is a  possibility. I was in the eagle run for four transfers so I could very well be leaving and he has gotten some help that he was needing so its possible that he could be going as well but you know we could just stay together for one more then her well only have 12 weeks remaining.

 

The lord knows but not me.

 

So I guess over the last few weeks I have really began to question things. We have found people that believe we only need the Bible ( A Bible a Bible we have a Bible and have no need for more Bible)(sorry for the miss quote) and that  the BOM is just a book written by a man and that we worship "Joe Smith" that he takes the place of god and that we are not a Christian believing people. So I have been diving in to the bible a bit more then I would ever think about. the Bible is good yes. does it have the whole truth of Jesus Christ's teaching? no not really. Does it have some truths? Of course it has some truth as does every church and religion on the face of the earth! Joseph Smith leaned that many churches draw near unto the lord with there mouths but they are from him in their hearts. These people we have come in contact have help strengthen and make my testimony grow!!! That have brought to my attention that I don't know everything and what I do know its maybe not as solid as it could be so it makes me want to learn a bit more and be able to more fully testify! I know that what I'm out here preaching is the true word of god and that there is a prophet of god here on this earth today he speaks directly to the lord and he receives guidance from the lord on how to more better live our lives and how we can improve. I know that the atonement of Jesus Christ was provided for us all to use more fully in our lives to make mistakes. When we fall short (for me almost daily) I know that if I ask for forgiveness and try again tomorrow with the goal to improve and grow from those stumbling blocks. I know that this church is the one and only true church. As I have been reading the Book Of Mormon and looking for certain thing I have found myself more fully aware of the love that GOD and Jesus Christ have for me. This is but a part of my testimony that is within my heart and I just want to share this part with you at this time.

 

Thanks y'all fer all y'alls doin fer me!!!!!!!

(I'm starting to learn my language.... YAY)

 

Love 

Elder Stephen James Larson

 

Ps Keep on smiling and doing your very best because that's all we can do. and improve every day!!!!

October 6, 2014

This week has been a bit of a challenge I have been sick. With a sorrow throat and coughing and funny head pains. so these area has had much work/ stuff done.

 

Spiritually I have taken a huge blow from conference. A lot of thoughts have been going through my head if I am out here for the right reasons or not. More then a few of the talks that I really heard and spoke to my heart really talked about not just being a member but doing all that we can do to magnify our callings and honestly I don't feel like I have magnified anything since I have been out on a mission. I feel that I have done the bare necessities of being a missionary. 

 

Its interesting how as I am feeling down I am starting to kinda reflect the things and the people that have gone right. But what more can I do???

 

1. Start now!!!- Many times I have found my self in life just happily going with the flow of things not really showing much potential or really showing the skills(talents) or even using them to grow.

 

2. Ask-  Ask our Heavenly Father ask our families our friends those that we know care and love us. take their advice and words to heart and know you are loved(for those giving the advice if it is a bit hard or harsh remember what the D&C says Give it and then show an increase of love)

 

3. Seek-  Answers from both our Heavenly Father and our loved ones!! To seek is not to simple just have them tell us what we are doing wrong or what we could do right its also is finding answers in different ways. That we are selves help solve. 

 

4. Apply- We can not always apply everything but we can apply the things that we can see doing the best to help us change and improve and if those things do not help or seem to hard to do try new things from the advice given.

 

I know this Email has been kinda weird/odd/ different but these Email is MY SOLM SWEAR TO NO BE HAPPY WITH THE FLOW TO BE THE ONE TO NOT ONLY REACH THE BAR WHICH HAS BEEN RAISED BUT DO IT IN SUCH A WAY TO SHOCK THE HECK OUT OF ALL YOU READING THIS EMAIL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

From this day which is the 6th day of October 2014, I will magnify all calling and tasks and duties which shall come to me.

 

Signed

With much love and devotion

Elder Stephen James Larson   

September 29, 2014

Well it seems that email time is flying by with 17 or more emails a week and only an hour to answer its not a whole bunch of time. right now I am just so tired and feel dysfunctional.

well elder Taylor is gone and I have elder Millett. we did move in to a new home we are now on our north west boarders not moving closer to the area were we have a lot of people but I guess that means we need to find where we live!!

The Winter Quarters Temple is one of the most beautiful temples I have had the chance to attended the temple three to four times I think.... maybe more!!!

This week has been a change that is for sure a new home a new comp and being in charge of the area. 

the last few mornings I have woken up with a sore throat but other then that not a whole heck of a lot happing here.

I guess the biggest news is that football season is in full kick and Saturdays during game times is a bad idea to knock doors unless you have a death wish!!!!

Husker fans are super crazy......... but I didn't say it!!!!

My thought we should watch football so we can talk football and get in more doors but I don't think that is approved!!!

Well time is up once again and I need to read a few more emails.

Much love and gratitude from the land of the big red!!!!!!!!!!!

Missionary

Elder Stephen J Larson

September 8, 2014

What a treat two weeks in a row!!!!! I guess I am getting faster at typing..... or something of that nature!!

So where to start is the question. Well with transfers knocking on the door and Elder Taylor and myself are prepping the area for change at this point it is a complete toss up who will be staying and who will be going although he has been here for two more transfers longer then me he also only has 14 weeks remaining in the mission field which means after this transfer he will have two transfers left. which is just enough time to train a greenie. but the only one that knows is the lord and the mission president.

We will be hearing about transfers next Thursday the 18th or 19th.

This past Saturday during the husker game instead of knocking doors and upsetting people we built a retaining wall for a member in the cottonwood ward. that was a blast we used railway ties so they were a little heavy but a blast to work with the retaining wall was three tall and 4 wide. We worked on that plus tilling up a large area to get ready to plant grass seed.......... the seed the use I guess is like super seed or something the seed starts to grow within a week and is ready to cut within 2 weeks!!!!!

I bet my dad would like some of those super seeds!!!

This past week I can hardly remember it because of the fastness of it. President Weston gave us a commitment at our last zone training to read the Book Of Mormon in 16 weeks which by his math is 5 pages a day and right now I am 10 pages behind the pack. But not only are we reading but we are high lighting and marking every time we see God or Jesus Christ or any other name that they are called. We are also circling the word heart. It is amazing how often you see the word heart in the B.O.M.

Well I guess I just would like to say I am super grateful for the people I have meet all who I am starting to know and I am looking forward to meeting many new people!!!!

O yes. Elder Taylor and myself went fishing once again this week this time we went with our ward mission leader and a less-active member of our ward. between all the fishers we caught 17 fish. it was such a blast.

Love

Elder Stephen J Larson

PS Keep Smiling and being the awesome peoples I know!!!!!!!!

      Miss you all but will you soon!!!!!

August 18, 2014

So here are some bits of Stephen's emails to me today. He is struggling a bit still but is looking at the positive. In the letter I got today he has had an attack of chiggers, his bike is still trying to kill him and his area has a lot of religion questions but lazy when it comes to really wanting the answers. Says they want to know the truth but don't want to listen to what the missionaries have to say.  He is going to try to write more often still struggles with that.                                                  

Moira and family, he said he will get you a thank you letter out but in the meantime, he loved the package and is very grateful for it.

 I am still in Ralston / La Vista Ward, With The Elder James Taylor!

I have been trying lately to have a more positive out look with my mission and being here, not just enduring but enjoying and helping and talking to everyone....... even the people that flip us the bird!!

Being positive is not easy when other peoples agency is involved.

That is one big thing I have been working on as well. working with others agency and trying to help them.  

I know you love me and will be support for what I ever I choose. That's what makes you such an amazing mom!!!!

Its to bad not all moms can be you!!!

August 11, 2014... I missed talking to him today :-(

He apologized for not sending written letters but says it is hard for him to try and fit that in even Pdays are busy.
He has some members in the ward he is serving in that has a niece the went to Union and will be going to Hillcrest this year. He said is was crazy but nice since he got to talk to her about here and his home.
He was going to write and send a letter out today. We will see if he is able to.
Stephen seems to be doing well. I wish I could have chatted with him but I missed him by about 10 minutes.

August 4, 2014

This week was a week of many moves we helped three familys move in the ward and more then a few none member familys move out of the ward boundries. we also got dropped by a less active who we have been cutting her lawn since before i got in to ralston. why she dropped us we went over and tryed to teach her now she is going to pay someone to cut her lawn. Well i guess she has that right to choose to pay......

 

So this week in a nut shell was a poor week my bike tried to kill me again!!! This time it was just my leg and knee was scratched up but i kept biking its been a few days of healing no it itches like crazy. O yes my last crash i now have two lovely scars on my wrist. This time i guess the seat was to high and the seat fell backwards and the tire caught my leg a little bit. so one thing i have decided i am not riding my bike around mockingbird St. 

 

This week teach consisted of three lessons very sad week. but this week we already have at least five lessons planned. so it should be a good week, plus we have the car so my leg can get a rest.

 

So we spent all day friday moving and a painting project. the day started at 8am and i forgot to shave and by that night i had a nice little beard growing that is one thing i have been having a hard time once again with shaving daily but hey as long as i do it...... I think!!!!

 

So we are doing not a whole lot of nothing but working with members to try to get people to teach through them cause it seems thats the best way to do it here.

Well with the humidity staying hydrated is a bit of a trick cause i am not thirst very often so i have to force my self to drink some water. but other times i just drink it like it is candy...... So the place we are staying the members have been gone for almost the whole transfer and the come home the day the changes happen. but the left and told us the set the temp to 75...... Elder Taylor has a clock that tells the temp and we have seen it at 85.... yea its a bit hot sleep has not been fun sleeping spred eagle and still cooking to death but we have a box fan!!!! ha ha ha hot air blowing around, and we open the window, then when we have our 1am or 2am storms i get a puddle of water on my bed........ And no i didnt do it myself.

 

Well i guess its time to make like a tree and leaf this forest.

 

Love

Elder Stepen J Larson

July 29, 2014

I know I haven't updated this that much but Stephen doesn't really give me much to update he is not much of a writer or emailer. He is doing well for the most part. He is still struggling with some demons that he has a counselor helping him with. A lot of it is just stemming from some past issues that he is having a hard time releasing no matter how hard he tries. He sends his love and is enjoying his mission for the majority. He is not liking his area as much as the first one so that is not helping him. He does. Like his companion though so that is good. He is staying positive and in touch with us so that is also good. Thank you for your continued support.

June 23, 2014

I know I haven't updated this for a couple of weeks but I haven't received much so her are some things in emails he has sent me.
This all came from him asking me to bear my testimony on families and combining them as he has quite a few investigators that are blended families.

Well your emails brought tears to my eyes you are my mother and you always will be all though at times I thought you treated me different and you didn't love me I know you treated me different because you loved me!!! I needed the tough love that you provided to me cause if it wasn't for you and the love you provided I do think I would be where I am today.

 The last few weeks families have been a huge topic flowing freely around in my head and being taught. every lesson I have spearheaded I have always said my mom(you) and dad and I tell about you guys and the tough times we have gone through and the good times the lessons have the spirit there and there are normally tears for a lot of people.

 Elder Taylor keeps telling me is it may not be fair or even now but everything in heaven will be made fair and even!!!

The last few weeks I have been thinking of throwing in the towel on the mission I have been thinking that I am not doing anything good out here and I just should go home and move on with my life. but I have recently had an experience that has changed my mind. I have started making progress with a investigator that has had a rough life. She was put up for adoption and the people that adopted her just use her as a personal servant. I gave her my testimony and she has been trying to read the book of Mormon and be the best she can. When I came to Ralston / La Vista I lost my purpose I didn't feel I was needed or loved. I AM LOVED AND NEEDED.....

I am going to make it to my year mark that is my goal but when I get there my goal will go to 18 
months and from there to 24 months. at times I feel beat but like you said we just need to get on our knees and pray.......
I love you don't worry I am doing awesome I have days that are tough but don't we all??

Give everyone a big giant huge hug from me!! tell them I love them and I miss 'em. I miss you tons and love you even more and cant wait to see you in the airport!!!!

Of course I responded to all of these things he said to me in these emails but these were his words and this is his blog so that is what I decided to share. I know he is happy and enjoying his mission. Growing a ton and doing great. Thank you for your support and love. 

June 2, 2014

Okay.... running a bit behind with Tyler and Stephen"s blogs sorry been a bad back week. Enough about me.

Elder Stephen Larson had his birthday June 1, he is now 23 oh my where does the time go?
As always he is concerned about all of us here what a great man he is and as always I tell him we are good even if sometimes we aren't but he doesn't need to worry about all our minor aches and pains now does he?
He had a nice dinner and dessert for his actual birthday on Sunday but then Janel (his mom for those that don't know her name) sent some money to a sister that lives in Nebraska and had her take him to lunch on Monday which I am sure was a great surprise for him and we are looking forward to hear about that experience from him this week. We sent him a great huge package to help him celebrate that he had a ton of fun with and his companion and him were able to share some treats and enjoy them.
Stephen has been able to do some family history work while he has been out in the field and is growing a huge love of it. He shares a lot of fun names and experiences with us and has suggested that Ashlee and I go to this is the place to learn and enjoy it. He and Ashlee have a shared love of family history so they are sharing stories of what they each are finding and that is an amazing bond that they are sharing. I love it.
He was also able to speak in sacrament meeting on the Sunday before last. He said he didn't cry and that it was a wonderful experience.
He is working really hard and him and his companion get along great. His companion is a go getter which is great to help keep Stephen from getting to homesick.
His mission President is in the ward he is now serving, he thought that was fun.
Stephen is working on getting letters out so if there is anything different in the letter I will update you all.

May 27, 2014

So a new area, a new comp and new rodes to ride!!!! So this means new areas, hills, dips, bumps, it seems the bike and i are not as one yet this past week Elder taylor and i were going to a service project and flying down a hill unknown to me was a part of the sidewalk that basicly is a straight drop off. i was flying down the hill and right as i saw it i thought to my self i am dead so me being the quick thinker i am i turned on to the grass and bypass the drop off but the tire of my bike got caught in between the grass and the sidewalk and was airborn!!!! a few scratches and bruses is all i have thank you helment.

 

In the new area there a more then a few people that are in the final stages of investagating..... the waters of baptism!!! It seems to me that i am a finisher of the work i go in to an area and basicly the people are ready for the water. its such a blessing to be in nebraska so many people so much work just need some more hearts softened.

 

also this week i was asked to give a talk in church.............................. Yes it went much better then my farewell talk I was not saying yall in two years. I was the last speaker once again and both of the people before me covered my topic or thier topic but that is ok i just confermid what they said and told a little about my life so it was good.

 

much love from the land of the Big Red................................... Missionary

 

LOVE

Elder Larson

May 19, 2014

Well Stephen is doing well. He was transferred to Papallion, Nebraska and his new companion is Elder Taylor. He loves him already. They have been riding bikes since they have been together and Stephen loves it. He is excited to see hills again. He said the major thing he has learned so far on his mission is that families are super important and each family member needs to be respectful and loving to one another. He said in split families that is even more important because there is more people to respect and love and if that is not happening then it isn't being done right. I really love the heart this boy has always had. I know I will for sure be taking what he said to heart and doing a better job of respecting and loving those around me.

Here are some photos he sent by mail:

May 5, 2014

Stephen didn't have too much to say this week really. He is getting ready for transfers as well. He is also making plans and getting excited to call home for Mother's Day. Other than those 2 things that is all we really had time to talk about.

April 28, 2014

Well all morning i was thinking of what i was going to send but now that i am here i have nothing to say and my mind has run a blank............. This week was a hard week once again we had the car but Elder summers was sick!! which means three days of not much going out!!

 

Well Other then dinner appointments we were in the house so lots of reading and pondering(Naps). So this week we have been in and thinking of how to improve are teaching together skills cause i am very silent in lessons. My thoughts are that i don't really know how to express what my thoughts are.

 

So I received this package this week and in this package was this awesome amazing tie it was gold with green clovers on it so i wore it to church!!! A few people commented/ asked if it was a bit late in the season to be wearing the tie??

 

I looked them straight in the eye and with the most firm and tough face i could manage I said its never to late to show the Irish Pride that is deep in my heart!!!! YEA Ireland!!!!!!!

 

So i have found myself with the discouragement of people really not progressing and not really caring about their spiritual welfare or anything we have to say. it is very disheartening when you find yourself an increasing amount of love and desire for them to be the very best they can be and they are "happy" and don't feel they should or need to do more. So prayers are what i am practicing a lot more to soften hearts and to help them with the desire to want to listen. 

 

Well Tons of love from Nebraska home of the Big Red........... Missionary.

 

Love

 

Elder Stephen J Larson

                  

April 14, 2014

Yes i am sending a mass email!!!! I figured it out. Well i don't know if any of you follow the weather or check it very often for Omaha but on Saturday we were in the 80s yesterday we had crazy amounts rain and a high of 45ish this by dinner time at six it was 34. When left the families home it was snowing...................... Yes snow. in fact most of the grass and dirt is cover with it but not the sidewalks thankfully. according to the mission weather boy(Elder Ingalls) we are going to be in the 40s once again!!!! Yay

 

Well i guess in away it is a blessing to me.. Saturday for me was the one of the worst days in my life not only was it hot but muggy and sticky and just blah........... Any guess what the rest of the summer will have in store????

 

If you said hot and muggy and sticky and one not so happy Elder Larson you are right. I know that the other Elder Larson is in the same thing hot and muggy but he doesn't know or will never know the polar opposite -40 with wind chills.

 

Well time the really mission stuff everyone wants not just Elder Larson the weather man!!! lol I'm so funny even in Nebraska....

 

Alright so this week we started off with a bit of bump and hiccup. We had the car this week so it was no car. Monday night after saying nightly prayers and crawling in to bed laying down and sleeping for about an hour my body decided that dinner that night was not what it wanted in it....... i was up the rest of the night driving the school bus. about 2:30 in the morning i finely layed back down in my bed and noticed my comp Elder Summers move! i quickly said "Elder Summers you asleep" in response I hear "not anymore" i said "O could i get a blessing" he gladly gave me one. the very second he said amen I was playing tackle football with him to get back to the bathroom and hop right back to driving that bus. I ended up with about 3 to maybe 4 hours of sleep and Motazumas revenge the next day.

 

So Tuesday i was out which normally means so is your comp. but the Elders we share the car with on wasn't feeling well so we did a mini exchange approved by the assistants of course. but no the less i got to sleep a few more hours that day. After being in bed and in the house all Tuesday and most of Wednesday, Thursday was the day i was feeling better so we run with it. This week we taught 15 lessons, set 3 people for baptizum, had 1 investigator at church, 5 less-actives return. So all of this we did Thursday thru Saturday.

 

The people we have set are not set for any near dates the all have alot of work and i mean ALOT! So we are buckling up and getting ready for a long bumby ride. So i have a favor to ask of you folks(lol my nebraskin is coming along very well) I have a few names that i really would like for you to pray for.

1. Austin Green (Less-Active)

2. Natasha Gould (SET)

3. The Camenedies (Need Blessing) Going through health big issues.

4. Kristina (SET)

5. Liz and Evan Peavy (Need Blessing) Going through health problems.

6. The Billie Family (Trying Visit) They are a hard family to catch and having family problems.

 

Thank you all for the prayers for these people. Thank you for all the prayers/blessings  that come out here to the Nebraska missionaries. \

 

From the one and only red headed

 

Elder Larson 

 

April 8, 2014

So once again I am 2 weeks behind. What a surprise huh?
Stephen is doing good. He just had his third transfer, he is with the same companion. They did move from their 2200 square foot  house to a studio apartment so that will be a big change for the both of them. He really enjoyed conference a ton and hoped we all did too.
I got a surprise email from him on Thursday of last week (April 3) he was at the library teaching a computer class as a service project and sent me a quick hello, that was super exciting and so very nice to hear from him.
He told me how he ate some tomatoes ( he really hates tomatoes) and he didn't die just like I always told him. What a funny kid he is.
That is really all he had to say in 3 different days of talking to him but he is doing well, seems happy. Missing home still a bit but that will subside one day I am sure.
Until next time....

March 24, 2014

Stephen is doing great. He send us a package with some stuff he has collected. A whole bunch of ugly ties for Tyler, a Nebraska tie for Harvey, a Nebraska jacket for Ashlee and some Alice in Wonderland figurines for when he comes home. A ton of my coke reward point for Harvey and I mean a whole bunch, I will be entering them for months to come.
He learned that his mission president will go home 4 months before he does, a little bitter sweet for him really but kind of exciting too.
He is having to back off from one of his investigators which makes him really sad, she is a non member, her boyfriend is inactive. She wants to join but until her and him either get married or don't live together she can't get baptized. They have gone to church a couple of times even had their baby blessed but still having some hesitation so they have to visit less often for now to maybe get them thinking and it is killing Stephen just a little because he really liked them and had a ton of hope. I think he was meant to plant the seed and then see where it goes from there, I know they will always love Stephen though.
He said he would write more so we will see.

March 19, 2014

Stephen is doing well, he has also gained 30 pounds since he has been out. He says it is helping him keep a bit warmer since it is cold enough there to freeze a polar bear.
He was saying people ask him and his companion if they are brothers a lot because they both have red hair which makes me giggle.
His companion and him have had some difficulties seeing eye to eye but they have decided to put their differences aside and work together because they are both there to serve The Lord nothing else.
Sounds like they have a baptism set up and are working on another one. Keeping busy with those is helping lift his spirits quite a bit. They also have another investigator that they are seeing his heart open up as well. They have a member family that they love and since they have been around them more their kids have decided to start their mission papers as well. Stephen is very excited for them.
He sounds like he is doing great, really happy, growing a ton and just overall the amazing man we always told him he would be.
He doesn't write a lot as he feels he is not good at this but he does great. We love hearing from him and all.

Until next time.....

February 18, 2014

Stephen is getting ready for transfers this coming up week and he is a bit nervous that he will be the one transferred but I think either way the Lord chooses will be good for Stephen. They have had a hard time of it in this area so maybe he will get sent to a little bit of an easier area.
He really doesn't give much info so it is hard to keep this going but I do what I can.
He said he would be sending letters so when I get those I will update again

Until next time....

February 10, 2014

I know I haven't posted in awhile but Stephen doesn't send a ton of info and I missed him the last 2 weeks so I finally connected with him Monday.
He is still struggling with being homesick but is pushing through it. I know he has had a few people write him and help him with some amazing advice. He is still freezing and trying to get used to the weather maybe next winter will be better for him.  They are getting ready to move from the house they have been staying in to an apartment in the older part of town, he is really excited for that.
I am so grateful for his always looking for the positive and for all of the support you all give to him and our family, we couldn't make it without it.

Until next time......

January 21, 2014

so time to kinda tell you how the work is going!! teaching is going great to the investigators we already have but we can not get any new ones to save our lives. its very sad to see how many people wont even open the door. Elder summers and i went knocking on Sunday after church during the football game guess how many houses had nice polite people answer?........................ If you said none you are wrong if you said two you are wrong but if you said one you are correct. curt grimes was the mans name he loves missionaries but he goes to the church he goes to and wont convert cause he has friends at the church and that is the issue ran in to everyday. the people don't seem to be looking doctrines or principals of a church the seem to just follow friends and parents and grandparents.

 

its funny that's how we all are at some point but we all need to learn what the church means for our selves. although i am not all understanding or all knowing try every day to make my mission worth your time my time and the lords time. I feel i have excepted this calling and have ran with it although i have fell down on my self and have many challenges thrown to me i know through prayer and scripture study i will progress and grow every day. 

This is Stephen's update for the week. Hopefully next week I will have a working computer.
Until next time....

January 13, 2014

So Stephen had his first transfer today, he stayed in the same place but his companion got moved so he now has a new companion/trainer. He is already missing his old companion which makes me giggle since he had a hard time with him but I guess that is a good thing too. His new companion has been out for 18 months about, is from Idaho and he also has red hair.
This last week was a hard week because they didn't have much luck in teaching, he said their numbers were all zeros but he did say there is always next week so he is staying positive.
Today is Stephen's two month mark. It has gone by pretty fast honestly.
He sends his love to everyone.
Until next time.....

January 8, 2014

Stephen has sent us quite a few letters in the past week. He says he is doing better and is always wearing a huge smile on his face. He says there are a lot of Catholics in his area that are very stuck to their religion so they get the door shut in their faces a lot but he tries to keep his smile and keep going. He says on the really cold days he feels like he is going to die ( yes a bit dramatic) but I am sure he really will live and get used to it at some point. I do know there have been a few days they have not been able to go out because it is way to cold so I am not down playing the cold I just really don't think he is going to die. He did sing in the choir for the ward he is serving in, he had a lot of fun doing it. He did say he isn't sure what they thought since he can't sing but it was a great experience for him. He struggles with his companion a little bit but don't we all struggle with the people we are with constantly here and there?
He did receive his Christmas packages from all of us and he really felt loved by the quilt Janel sewed for him and all of his family and some of his loved ones signed it. He said it was a great gift and really felt the love and support of all of us.
One of his cousins on Harvey's side is serving in Sioux City, Iowa and Stephen saw his name on a roster, he thought that was pretty cool and is hoping to meet him.
He is really growing in his testimony and in his ability to reach out to people. He is happy and doing good.

Until next time....

January 1, 2014

Well Stephen didn't say too much this week. He is starting to do a bit better with his homesickness. He enjoyed Christmas and all of the gifts he did receive. Still waiting to hear on the package that Janel sent him.
He thanked everyone for their strength and support that we are sending his way.
His mission President and his wife absolutely love Stephen and working with him. They have sent me a couple of messages about how great he is. That makes us all very happy and super proud of him.

Well that is all for this week

Until next time......