January 31, 2011

Dear Family,
Congratulations on the birthday mom, and congratulations dad that you have done so many names.It sounds like things are good down there, but a lot sounds different.I am doing well this week, and we had some interesting experiences this week. We spent a fair bit of time with the Nehrings before they had left (They were a really nice couple, and I hope you meet them some day), and Monday night, we were at President Abagyan's home with him and his family. He and his brother had prepared meat shishkabobs for the missionaries and the Nehrings. They were pork with some greens and onions, and it was some of the best meat that I have had. There was also an Elders quorum activity on Saturday which seemed to help the men get to better know each other. It was not organized all that well, but it seems like they had a good time together. We had a dish called plov, and some played checkers. 
We have a few investigators, but we also found that another one of our investigators has a mother that is very against the church. It really seems to be her desire to be baptized and she really thought about it, but her mom will only let her have limited activity with the church. Another investigator we had told us that he does not believe in our church and wants to continue searching and studying in other directions. A few other potential investigators have just been difficult to set up meetings with and develop a good relationship with them. Hopefully we can meet and help them feel the Spirit and a desire to know more.
Last Sunday brought some large changes in the ward. President Abagyan was released, and валерий власов was called. Many of the ward members were shocked, and they had started to build good relationships with him. The sacrament program went well, and stressed the points of not comparing branch presidents and accepting the Lord's will. Naturally, some members do not like the change, but we will see how things go. They really are two different people, but rock solid members.
It has been snowing a lot here, but it is still not too cold. I am having a really good time, and I am learning a lot. I have really learned about the power of the Book of Mormon, and also that through the atonement, so much can be fulfilled. No matter our mistakes, or inadequacies, through Christ we really can make those weaknesses into strengths and develop into a person like him. I love you all Bye.-Elder Larson

January 24, 2011

Hello family!

Happy Birthday mother! I hope you have a great time there on that very special day. I was in Finland this past week, and it was really a cool opportunity because I was able to do it in Russian, and it was exciting. I hope that I get to stay in Perm for a while. It is glad to hear that Shane wants to stay in his area for a while. Some of my week was lost because I was in Finland, then my companion was there for a while, and then there was a special celebration for the senior couple because they will soon leave. I really know that Christ is my Savior and that repents is very very powerful. I have seen people change here because of it, and I also know that the Book of MOrmon has great power. I feel that ward members are really escited, and I am also very excited about the work. I do not have as much time for internet today because we are going to the branch president's home to have shishkobobs. He is really funny, kind, and he is armenian, so his culture is quite different from Russian culture. He is kind and does much work for the branch. I love you all. Bye. -Elder Larson

January 17, 2011

Hello family, I hope you are all doing very well. I am having a good time here in Perm. Right now my companion is in Finland, and tomorrow I will go for my Visa trip. Right now, it feels like we have about 6 investigators, but a lot of them have a lot of concerns, religious traditions, and previous thoughts about things. It is very difficult to break tradition, habit, and belief, especially since it is part of the country, but hopefully they can feel the Spirit and really decide to make a change. We actually met a man on the street who wanted to meet with us, which doesn't happen often, but we did meet with him, and we had a great lesson. He understood what we had said, and he also seemed willing to act and change. I don't know when we will meet next, but hopefully in the next few days. I feel that this will be a good transfer, and there will be great things happening in this zone. There are 2 brand new sisters, and it is interesting that I was in their shoes around 9 months ago. They were excited to be here, and they seem very optimistic. One is from Hawaii and the other from Utah. Another sister who has been on the mission a little longer has also come in to train the new sister here. The other change is that Elder Cordon, my former companion came. It was great to see him, and he seems excited to be in a new place and work here. Our mission is fairly small so that I almost know who are the missionaries are, and I have gotten to know quite a few of them. I have been thinking recently about how important the basic gospel is, and if we really keep it to the basics, everything in life falls into play. God looks out for his children, and he want every one to be successful. We just have to decide that for ourselves. He has set the plan and we just follow it. It sounds simple, can be very difficult, but with Christ's help, we can successfully follow the plan.

I love you all. It has not been to cold for me. I have become accustomed, but it is actually supposed to be a lot colder at this time of the year. there are still a lot of people out and about, and it is not too bad. I love you byee. -Elder Larson

January 10, 2011

Hello Family! New years was great. I did not write because internet was down at the majority of places in town because New Years celebration is so big. Many people are off work, places are closed. It is much bigger than Christmas here and there were fireworks, we stayed inside, my companion and I got to know each other better, and it was really a good time that we had, but it was also very weird. I am safe though. Sometimes, if I do not write at all, there is typically some sort of meeting, strange circumstance, but no need to worry. It sounds fun that you were able to go hunting. The senior couple Elder here used to like to go hunting, but he says that he does not think it is as fun as it used to be.

This week, there were cool ward activities, and one of the ward activities involved children, a play, and a Christmas tree. It was one of the best programs I have ever seen, especially for the children of the ward. It was very enjoyable, and quite funny to see some of the ward members act different parts.

A man that walked in the Church really wanted to know about the church. Maybe I told you about him. He has really nothing, and he lives in a social hotel. He really liked what we said about the church, and then we sent him to the other Elders because he lives there. He came back a few days later, and we taught him again, also telling him that he needed to go to the other church building and the elders there would work with him. After that lesson, we gav him a blessing so he could quit smoking. Before that lesson, he had read the Book of Mormon in the night, and said it just filled him with joy. He found work, he is happier, and he feels that God really loves him and answers his prayers. The other Elders met with him yesterday sometime before or after church, and they committed him to baptism. I hope that he can be baptized and really find happiness.

The commandments are really important and I am grateful that I had the gospel growing up. Recently I have seen some pretty poor situations, and I am overwhelmed at how much I really do have. I am grateful for what I have been given. Like Shane, I also know the Book of Mormon is true, and it really does hold a great power within that helps in every part of life.

I am having a great time, and I am learning a lot. Recently I have had some wonderful and exciting experiences, and for transfers, both my companion and I are staying here, so it should be fun. I love you all. Thanks for the pictures, the kind words, and it is good to see that Ashton looks bright and healthy. Bye. -Elder Larson

December 27, 2010

Hello family

I had a great week. I did not get to tell you everything that happened in the week, but I really enjoyed talking to you. I enjoyed the Christmas devotional our president put on. He came up to Perm and gave a spiritual thought. My Christmas did turn out to be one of the best that I've had. I talked to you, then we went and had tacos at the Nehrings. I made some origami snowmen for the missionaries in my zone, and we did have some time to get to know each other better. I feel like I am in good spirits and a good mood, but Elder Sare and I really want to improve our focus and get organized. I am getting along well with Elder Sare, and I am becoming more comfortable with the area and the people. Elder Sare and I are starting to work more together, so I am having a good time with him.

Shane sounds like he is doing well. It is fun how you all got to talk to him and Erik spoke to him in spanish. The mission really is a great time. and Merry Christmas Shane. They actually give gifts on New years and their Christmas is on the 7 of January.

On Sunday, the ward put on their primary Christmas program. A fair amount of kids showed up, and it was a fun program. Katya felt good about it, and she also felt a good support from her counselors. Saturday, the ward had a Christmas activity where they watched the church film joy to the world and then a Christmas film called Santa Clause. Some members brought their friends, and it seemed like a fun activity, but maybe if there were more involved activities, it would have been more enjoyable.

We had the opportunity to meet with a few investigators this week. One man, andrei is searching between a few churches to find the truth. We just started to teach a young lady who was found by the members in the ward. We did not have an opportunity to meet with Alekcei, the man who had went to the shaman to heal his father. Yes, last week we met with him, and he hold told us about witchcraft he had someone do for his father. It was very strange, but we want him to understand truth. Recently, there have been some people that had just walked into the church, and we have been able to share the message of the Restoration with them.

I live by the river, but not too close. I can see it from my home. I am not too far from the tram, but I am not near the center of Perm. The church is only about 10-15 minutes away, and it is by a cultural center. It is hard to give a good idea of where I live without giving specifics. I also live close to a hospital and some private home.

I really like it here, and the people are really kind. I know that Christ showed us the perfect way, and it is great to think about him in this time of the year and always. I have not yet made resolutions, but I think one of mine will resolve around giving up any selfish desires in order to serve someone when they stand in need of anything. New years will be a real good time to think though. It is an in day because there will be drunks out. I love you all. Bye.- Elder Larson

December 13, 2010

Hello Family,

Well, Shane, it is unfortunate that you had to do all that moving and stuff, but hopefully all went well. Now you are in an all different place, and you can really focus on the work and people in that area. I hope you get better mom, I hope Ryan and Jenny's child gets better. It sounds like you had some fun times dad going to watch the new chronicles of Narnia movie. I also enjoyed those little stories about the workers and the punishment. Erik, I am sorry I don't play soccer with the kids. There is snow everywhere, and I just don't have the opportunity, although the past few days have been oddly warm. It was just right at freezing, so it is not too cold out there right yet. It really did snow a lot though, and traffic was so bad. The tramb bus literally looked like a can of sardines there were so many people trying to shove themselves in.

For Christmas, maybe you can buy the phone card again and call me. It would probably be good to call around 7:00 in the morning my time Christmas morning, meaning around 7:00 Christmas eve for you.

This week, we met a Nigerian on the street. He is an 18 year old student. He invited us to his dorm, and we talked to some of the kids there. On the way out, we met 3 other Nigerians. They look so wierd being here, but they are so humble and kind. We gave our contact to the other elders because that is their area, but he has a strong belief in God, so hopefully he will be brought to come closer to Christ through his full gospel. The Nigerians are here becuase government and education in nigeria is terrible. They seemed so friendly and positive, while other people in the dorm seemed a little less positive with a more eat drink and be merry attitude. Vincent, the Nigerian, had talked about hopes, dreams, and making his family pround. It is amazing to see the difference in people's lives when they have more truth, and especially gospel truth. We have been working hard to help families come together in the church, and i have really been having a great time in this area. We are very busy, and the Lord is handing us many miracles. I really get along with my companion, and it has been fun while we have been trying to be open and be more like Christ. I love you all. share the Gospel with your friends. Invite grandma to the Christmas church activities. Bye.- Elder Larson

November 29, 2010

Hello Family!

Sorry, I have a little less time to write this week. It sounds like you are all doing well, and it is nice to hear about the kids coming for Christmas. Sounds like Thanksgiving was fun. As a zone leader, we really are like the eyes and hands of the mission president for that area. We try to help and instruct the missionaries so that they are doing well, getting along well, and move the work forward in their areas. We monthly get trained so that we can help to teach the missionaries and pass on tasks or teaching from the president. We collect statistics, and we also do companion exchanges and conduct interviews for the baptismal canditates. I am really enjoying Perm and my companion. Members are working hard here to find people, and it is a strong ward.

I know that Christ is my Savior, and he is the Savior of all mankind. Although I am amongst people that are in a completely different situation than I may have been used to, we really are brothers and sisters, and Christ is our Loving Big Brother. He is the perfect example for all of us, no matter where we live or what our heritage is. We all have the heritage of God in us, and we can only recieve that potential and become like him through his son Jesus Christ. This year, I will have a white Christmas for the first time in my life, and I am so grateful that through Christ's pure life and perfect sacrifice, we can become clean like the driven snow. I know he is my Savior, and his love is all around us. Let us always remember his love. I love you. Bye. -Elder Larson