HEY WEEEK CUATROOOO

Hey family!

Sorry that I didn't write yesterday, everything was closed for Memorial Day.  Did you guys have a fun Memorial Day?  Soooo I forgot your letters at home so sorry, if there are any questions I'll respond to them next week.  We just got out of District meeting here at the stake center and I had to give a talk on patience.  The Quels tell me that I have a lot of patience with little kids cause their kids are always hangin on me, and ya know what I tell em?  I have a lot of Bro's and a Sis and I've had them my whole life, so I learned patience real young haha or at least I learned it ... not necessarily applied it =}  soooooo 2 things first, The California state courts or something like that has made the final say on Prop 8 ... took them a long time ... I don't know whether it was for it or not for it ... no one has told me ... but we've been warned to stay away from rallys and large groups of people sooooo yeah fun fun fun ... they never give up ... course we wouldn't either so ya can't blame them ... but then you can ... bleh.  2nd thing, not to scare ya or anything but we have been told that there is a DAM in some canyon above the valley that could break at any moment because of some structual flaw in the dam that has been getting worse over the years ... if it breaks we have 30 mins to evacuate before the valley floods ... I've heard the water will cover the houses and I've heard that it won't ... sooo yeah, just some FYI I thought I should just inform you.  But no worries, I'm safe and I can swim ... so can my comp ... sooo yeah ... plus we're not close to the mountains at all.  So this week we worked hard, it's not incredibly hot, but still in the 90's.  We have run out of miles in the car, we only have 20 miles a day for the rest of the month ... soooooo needless to say we biked a lot last week ... a lot ... and I used Elder Hawes' bike that has no spirit ... it's in bike heaven ... haha but yeah, I'm alive and kicking and bikin' like there is no tomorrow.  haha I've also taught my sweed ... that's what I call Elder Triana ... lots of new english phrases ... such as "lets blow this popsicle stand" and many others ... no bad ones though no worries.  How was Lorrin's farewell?  Send me pics of that kid!  Oh I was gonna ask for 2 things, well 1 thing ... Elder Hawes took my "Cast not away therefore thine Confidence"  talk ... so I was gonna ask for another one of those as well as just a want/wish maybe for my birthday or something ... that new gospel art book.  I don't know how much it costs but it is amazing ... one of the members showed me last night and it is quite a collection of pictures ... but yeah birthday/christmas would be a good gift if you were gonna get me something ;]  Dad I wish you luck this week with your interview, I will be praying that you make it to the next stage or get the job, you are for sure qualified, now it's in whoever is choosing's hands, and he'd better be fair or I'll send him some mean scriptures that would strike him with fear =]  Brandon ... you nervous yet??  Kenidee ... you gonna portate bien in class this final week?  Taylor ... how's them grades?  and Derek and Jordan are perfect ... hahah just kiddin guys ... if I have learned one thing out here it's that no one is perfect and even though someone may be excellent in one area of life...there is guaranteed to be something that that someone has need of improvement.  Through the Savior all things are possible, all changes, all necessities, all hardships, all faith, all trials, all everything.  The 1st law of heaven ... be obediant so that the Savior can help us improve our lives in the areas that need improvement.  AH I remembered what you sent me ... haha I remembered the manilla envelope and thought "I know they sent me something cause I have that manilla envelope ... now what was it?!"  haha my mind continues to slip ... thank you so much for the tie!  it is a very deep blue which brings out my eyes haha I wore it Sunday and got a lot of comments on my eyes ... kinda funny that they wouldn't compliment the tie ... anywho, thank you, it is a very linda/ermoso tie and I wear it with pride.  Those Chaps ties are top notch.  So I remembered/ learned a cool phrase that has been affecting me alot lately and I want to share it with you for the beginning of your vacaciones ... vacation ... "Satan don't kick no dead dog" ... this summer when the temptations come and when satan starts to kick ya ... remember ... that means your not a dead dog ... he wouldn't be tryin to get ya if he already had ya.  Many people think that missionaries aren't tempted because we're so spirit filled and stuff ... which in a sense is partly true, when you live how you're supposed to Satan doesn't have any power over you ... but when the temptations do come, because they do and they will ... that means that you aren't gone yet, that you have a fightin chance, and that satan wants you on his side.  Don't give in, rely on and in Christ, and as long as you do that, when the temptations come you don't have to think ... "why is satan tempting me ... am I doing something wrong?" ... this is something I've learned this week that I hope stays with me on my mission ... I'm almost 6 months old haha so I have alot left.  I'm halfway done with this transfer, I don't know if I'll get transferred or not, it's a possibility, hopefully no ... but we'll see.


Anywho I gotta start wrapping up, but I want you all to know that I have a testimony of our Savior, and that he is real and can change lives.  No matter how dark life looks, just keep sight of the final goal.  Have patience with all of lifes afflictions.  Romans 6:12 and 8:24-25 and 12:1-2.  And something that tells us not to flip out if we're not perfect D&C 67:13.  Remember that I love you, and that I'm always thinking about you and how you are doing with all of the things you all do.  Remember that the Lord loves you and that I love you.  Hasta la proxima lunes!

Elder Larsen 

PS thanks for forwarding that email from Elder Lowman dad, he was one of the Elders in my district in the MTC ... he's from Page, AZ and way cool ... so yeah if you could foward any emails that you think are important to me and kind of keep my email somewhat organized from time to time I'd be very appreciative ... thanks and again good luck this week!!!!

Letters Letters Letters !!!

Christopher loves hearing from you all and truly has some wonderful friends.  I thought you would enjoy these pictures of his mail system... he has a goal of replying to EVERY letter he receives and I think so far he has.  The typewriter helps for sure and how about his "system." Pretty ingenious ... and funny!  Gotta love the guy, don't we?!

PHOTOS PHOTOS PHOTOS !!!

For all of you who would like to see how Chris is LOOKING... I have posted the best pictures from his most recent camera card.  Just click on any link in the "Pictures of Chris" section and then you can look at all of the groups.  Enjoy!

Ya estamos en el tercero semana!

mi familia fantastica!

how're ya'll doin' terday?  english contines to go down hill poco a poco...bit by bit.  we baptized Jose and Steven Quel this past weekend, i baptized Steven and Jose was baptized by Hno. Jimenez, a good friend in the ward.  then yesterday i confirmed jose and Hno. Jimenez confirmed steven.  pretty cool cause now the whole family is baptized...now we just have to get the priesthood into their home and all will be good.  so Kenidee...Mom is having to sit in your band class eh????  hmmmmm i'm glad you like the mother's day card, it sounded like you had a good mother's day full of fun n stuff that mom's like.  love the pics of all the family...and the purple camioneta (truck) pretty pinkish....first thing i thought was "Tickle me elmo"...anywho...that should be fun, there are a lot more formal dances in Utah than in Texas...send me pics as always.  Health Days sounded and looked way fun...that's awesome thanks for the pics of the band and family and friends...i still remember the bag sales and sitting out in frount of Zbag waiting for the parade to come by...see i haven't completely lost my memory...not yet anyways...it's kinda sad cause more than once this week i've tried to find the english equivalent to a spanish word and i can't do it...kinda scary.  when i get back i'll run the Mile with you and Debbie mom haha...dad you're coming too...so get ready...

Jordan looked awesome in his costume...i hope he got to keep the costume...i'm sure he did a wonderful job...make a DVD mom...pull a Chris...and then i'll watch it in a year and a half...almost...sooo yeah the pencil was the right one...thank you so much for finding it and sending it to me...i find it a little ridiculos that the pencil is more expensive than the camera Card...but needless to say from now on i'm writing my name on everything and keeping a very close eye on all of my belongings.  and yeah the card that i lost was empty...i took like 2 pictures then decided that it wasn't a good idea to have pics on both cards at the same time...so all that's on there is the Vids of you guys...sooo yeah good luck with the lamb kenidee..probably alot more work than spot...don't let spot eat the lamb.

so this week was super hard, i aged like 10 years or at least i appeared like it last night...i could have been in a horror film haha...i looked like i was wearing maskera...spelling......anywho, we continue to work as hard as we can.  we do work hard, like we're not lazy in any means...we just don't teach as much as me and Elder hawes did...i don't know why either.  this transfer the Christ-like attribute we are working on is Patience...so as i study patience i learn how to be more patient...it's funny how the attribute we work on always is exactly what we are facing that transfer.  a memeber said that if we pray for patience life gets alot more hard cause the lord is testing our patience...he's sure tested mine this past week...both with myself and with my companion and with members and nonmembers.  so yes mom, i don't tell you guys EVERYTHING just mostlyl the good stuff cause the bad stuff isn't worth telling...but i will tell you one bad thing.....from here on out it is supposed to be 100+...it was 113 yesterday...and needless to say my knees didn't apprieciate it.  it is supposed to be just as hot today and tomorrow with it hopefully cooling down to low 90's on Wednesday.  super hot over here...and collared shirts don't agree with heat either.  oh well, we work anyways.  Elder Triana is dead set, no matter what i say, on riding bikes instead of cars alot this week...sooo hopefully i don't die and i'll get to write ya next week.  i just thank the lord that it's not Humid here...cause if it was it'd be alot worse.

but with all the heat and people that hate us and all the bad things in the world the gospel will still go forth because it is simply true.

Jose Smith Dijo: "Ninguna mano impia puede detener el progreso de la obra...hasta que haya penetrado en todo continente, visitado toda region, abarcado todo pais y resonado en todo oido, hasta que se cumplan los propositos de dios, y el gran Jehova diga que la obra esta concluida."

you guys probably recongize that quote...it's true, and we're here to make sure that it comes to pass...which it will.  i love you all and hope that you have a wonderful week...enjoy the weather...don't take it for granted....cause your son and brother and friend is melting in South Bakes haha.  love you all!!!

que pasen buen semana.

Love Elder Larsen

PS: hope you like the pictures!

Semana 2

Hey guys,

sooooooo i don't really know what to write considering the fact that i talked to you guys yesterday haha, but i'll try.  it was really great to talk to you all, you all seem to be doing excellent in all the things you guys do...Taylor keep up those grades...i'm very happy for you all.  so yeah.......ummmm haha it's still hot here, getting hotter, my companion is pretty cool, a little over the top with micro managing and stuff but we'll work with it, we both have to find our "middle ground", but i think that is part of what you have to do as a misionary, get used to alot of different kinds of people.  so i'm sending the camera card and busted camera home as well as my MP3 with a list of music that i would like to have.  sorry again for not getting the Mother's day cards to you and Grandma Larsen by Saturday...i forget that Smithfield only has one mail time...haha.  you should get them today sometime.  i hope that the end of school fever hasn't hit you guys too hard yet haha, graduation n all.  so we have zone conference tomorrow, a whole day of meetings and talks and stuff, should be long but fun.  Elder triana gets to call his mom on the 30th of may cause that is Mother's day in Sweden, and he has to call at a weird time cause there is an 8 hour time difference.  this past week was super stressful, i kinda followed Elder Hawes around everywhere...and didn't drive...so i didnt' know the area at all...only by sight.  so the first few days were super hard, scrambling around trying to find maps and where people lived and how to get there and what color (areas on our map) they lived in.  pretty crazy, usually spanish areas aren't as big as ours, but since there are only 4 missionaries it's basically half a zone.  we got lost a few times, but we're both learning, i'm pretty confident in the area now, i have a basic idea of the roads and such.  The Lord has helped me to remember the things that i need to remember about the area and investigators so we'll be just fine.  it might take some time to get back up to 30 lessons a week...that's our average...but we'll get there.  ahhh so there are fleas in our apartment apparently...i have a bunch of bites on my legs...mostly my ankles...elder triana says its fleas cause three of them are in a  row...i guess fleas jump from bite to bite...soooo i decided that i'd had enough of fleas and i washed my bed stuff....is that all i need to do?  dont' really know much about fleas except for the flea in "Bugs" and the fleas on dogs.  so there is something that i would like you guys to try and find.  I lost my highlighter pencil with 8 different colors...the brand is Pentel.  i used to have one cause the First Presidency gave us all one for Christmas...then it mystiricly disapeared a few weeks ago.  we're going to stop by a "Beehive Books" store on the way back from Zone Conference.  all the missionaries go to zone conference in East Bakes zone, and it just so happenes that on the way back we pass by the LDS bookstore...soooo we're gonna stop by as Elder Triana wants to find some stuff.  so i found a really cool scripture this past week, Alma 37:44-45.  it's a way cool scripture about how the words of Christ can help us through the hard times of life...it's awesome cause we can pretty much relate it to anyone anything at anytime in someones life.  it is all based on what someone considers the words of Christ...the scripturs, the prophets words, or the actions that result from the words of Christ.  pretty cool stuff we can find in the scriptures.  full of secrets and treasures that are just waiting to be found.  i've also learned how confuzed the world is with the bible...how differently people and religions interpret it.  the Jehovah's Witnesses are the most interesting...if a scripture in the bible doesn't agree with their doctrine or beliefs...they just take it out...kinda frusterates me...i'm not too sure how they justify such an action...but anyhow, i'm not out here to bash other religions...but it becomes more and more apparent how confuzed people are without the restored gosple and without revelation...anywho, i had better get going, got food and stuff to buy today.  i hope that you all have a wonderful week, i'm looking forward to your letters.  let me know what you are doing in your lives.  good luck with all of your endeavours.  stay strong in the gospel and in the family, those two things are the most solid things that we really have to hold on to.  Love you all!!!!  Que Pasen bien Semana

Love Elder Larsen

PS:  please don't shoot me...but i don't know where the 2 Gig card is....it's disapearance is a mystery to me...sorry....maybe if you could find a cheap 1gig card that would be sufficeient cause that would force me to send the card home more often cause i wouldn't be able to fit as much stuff on it...just an idea...sorry again for not taking care of stuff...i really am trying...i honestly can't figure out how i could have lost it cause i left it in the camera....anywho...sorry again....

Mother's Day Call!

Hello to all of Christopher's blog followers wherever you may be!  Christopher called us after Church on Mother's Day and we all got to talk to him for almost an hour.  It was way fun and he sounds just like himself (except for when he rambled off in Spanish to these little girls that came into the room of the house he was in).  He is doing absolutely great and really putting his whole heart, soul and might into sharing the Gospel with as many Spanish speaking people as he can.  One tidbit of info ... he now weighs 160 pounds!  For any of you that remember what he looked like before he left, this is a big change!  He says that his legs are "bricks" (I think he means muscular), and that that is where all his extra weight is now... I guess all the walking and biking is paying off in increasing in strength!  He had fun talking to us and even got to talk to a few cousins and Aunts and Uncles as they came over for Mother's Day while we were on the phone with him.  It was the best part of Mother's Day for me  ;)  !

Transfer number 3 is here!

HEY FAMILIA!

SO TRANSFERS WERE TODAY ... I'm staying here, Elder Hawes is going to be Zone Leader in Santa Maria, and I am getting Elder Triana as my new companion.  He was Elder Hawes' MTC companion.  He is from Sweden ... but his dad is Columbian ... so he speaks perfect native Swedish and Spanish ... and pretty perfect English I'm told.  I head down to Ventura tomorrow to pick him up.  Pretty crazy, he's supposedly a wayyyy good missionary, he and Elder Hawes are great friends.  Soooo yeah that's what's happening with me, no change in address yet.  I had the opportunity to baptize our investigator Jose Campos this past weekend, it was way awesome minus the part that whoever filled up the font didn't fill it up all the way ... soooo it was a bit difficult, but we got it done in one try so it was cool, my first Spanish baptism.  Sooo yeah, pretty cool.  K so for Mother's day I'll do my best to call you when you're not in church, I'm gonna call the house if that's ok ... then you can just call back cause you have long distance ... although most Mexicans have long distance here cause they talk to their padres in Mexico lots.  I need a picture of the "Pirate King" in all his Garb ... sounds pretty sweet to me.  I heard about Gary's new job.  Sounds fairly stable, IRS is government so he will get nice benifits hopefully, next time you talk to them give them my love and congrats on the job, I might try to write them today ... it's just gonna be a very busy day so I dunno how many letters I'm gonna get to.  Grandma, you're not supposed to get pneumonia anymore ... I hope that you are feeling better, remember, slow and steady wins the race!  Take it easy until you are fully better and hopefully the weather will warm up soon so it will be harder for you to catch pneumonia.  Have you heard about the swine flu thingy?!  Pretty crazy, all the Mexicans talk about it here, it's in CA so they told us all to be carefull.  Ok, so the Play of Joseph that the stake did was amazing ... I've never seen anything like it before in my life, I took a few pics and videos of it ... extremely professional, we ushered at 2 of the sessions, it was unexplainable, they had full sound boards and had built a full sized stage and everything ... professional lights and all.  Ok, so I could probably send the camera card home once a month if you want, I'll get a pic of my new companion and then I'll send it home.  And yeah I'll just print the pics that I want here and then send the card home, it's way easy to print them.  I don't need the album "A Child's Prayer" a member is going to give me it cause they give all missionaries it for some reason.  It's way cool though, although I don't remember it being very rocky ... so maybe we're thinkin about two different songs, oh well.  Ok and yeah a CD in English of General Conference, and I'd like to eventually get a DVD of GC so that I can use it with some of our lessons, but the CD first if that's ok.  Ok and yeah I got a Typewriter, it's kind of old but it's electric and it works just fine, I've taken pics of it so you'll see it no worries.  I bought it from an Elder who was going home last transfer, it makes letter writing so much faster and easier.  I love the pics of dad and the family ... even Spot (aka Texas) in the tu tu ... very attractive to the female dogs ... although it doesn't really matter for him ... haha ;}  

So this week there were some english Elders who are way cool that challenged us cause we hold the record for lessons taught, it was 30, and they got 34, so they were all happy that they beat us ... so this last week we decided to end with a bang and decided to beat them ... and then kinda forgot about it, we prayed for an increase in lessons and new investigators ... and by the end of the week 41 lessons and 15 new investigators!!  haha so yeah, we now still hold the record ... for now ... this week has been very short and alot of work.  Elder Bobo one of the Zone leaders that lives with us is going home this transfer, his mission is done, he is going home to Payson, UT, where Elder ... just blanked ... his name is Braxton ... from San Antonio ... dang ... my mind is going a little crazy, I mess up english and spanish alot now ... so the Quel Family, our awesome family, the husband and son have decided to get baptized, his parents didnt' make it here so he decided to not wait for them and just do it, so they are going to get baptized on the 16th of May. We're being blessed with alot of work here ... and it continues to be hot ... hot ... hot ... hot ... like almost melting hot ... although I haven't gotten sunburnt yet so it's all good ... it's just that a collered shirt and 100 degree weather don't really mix too well.  Ok well I gotta go, E' Hawes needs to pack.  Thanks dad for sending in the Drivers thing, I'll call the mission office and make sure that they got it n stuff, cause they haven't called me or anything.  And because Elder Triana is a foreigner we don't know if he has a license or not.  Anywho, I hope that you all have a wonderful week full of fun, summer is coming, graduation is coming, school is ending ... the beginning of alot of new stuff.  Stay strong, do what you're told, and always remember to laugh.  LOVE YOU GUYS!!!!  Until next week, can't wait to be able to talk to ya.

bye!!!!