How To Begin Dating--Preach My Gospel Edition; Photos from Beach

Dear friends and family,

So, one day, after a solid day of work, us four Sisters were sitting at our kitchen table eating some food and chatting.  We were feeling kind of silly since it had been so hot and we'd done a lot of walking.  We then started talking about how hard it must be for missionaries to start dating once they get off their missions and return to "normal life."  Then Sister Jones started quoting some of the points of "How to Begin Teaching" section from Preach My Gospel (the guide all missionaries use) and altering them.  We came up with some really good ones, and I decided to go in and modify all of them cuz it was just too funny.  These will be funnier to missionaries who also know Preach My Gospel like the back of their hand, haha.

1. Because we are both part of this relationship, we are now dating.  I would like to refer to you as "girlfriend" and you to me as "boyfriend."

2. Each person has dating life challenges and concerns.  No matter what they might be my superior dating knowledge and experience can help you.

3. Our relationship will enable you to improve the quality of your life.  I will help you with the problems and challenges you will face in life.

4. Our relationship, which is centered on eternal marriage, is of great value and importance.

5. We all make dating mistakes in life, and those mistakes can create feelings of anger and confusion.  These feelings cannot be relieved without moving on.  They can be fully relieved by getting a new, better boyfriend - me.

6. My potential as your future spouse cannot be discovered all at once. Understanding will come over many dates.

7.I have weaknesses, just as everyone does. I may not always buy you flowers every day or remember your birthday every year.  But I know through personal revelation we're meant to be together.

8.I will be your guide so you can learn "we're destined to be together" for yourself.  It is your choice to accept and act on my future proposal to you.  Therefore, you should feel free to openly express your feelings of devotion. 

9. As you sincerely seek to fall in love with me, you may face obstacles, but I will help you overcome them.

10.  As you accept my proposal, you will be able to make promises to marry me.  You will learn how to make changes in your life so our dating and married life will be more perfect.You will want to follow the counsel of the Prophet to be married now and not wait until after your own mission.

Commitments:

Will you follow the example of Adam and Eve by committing to multiply and replenish the Earth?

Will you pray to know I'm the right man for you?

Will you commit to December the 21st as our wedding date?

May we set up a time for our next date?  before them, I ask you to commit to read "The Family - A Proclomation to the World."

Will you attend church with myself and my family this Sunday?

Hahahahaha.... alright.  Don't really follow these or you RM's will never get married.  But we had a good laugh about it.  

Back to real missionary work - we've had a lot of success showing "The Restoration" video to people.  That video is amazing and really helps explain the story of Joseph Smith more effectively than we (or especially myself) ever could in Tagalog.  Speaking of which, if you really wanna know what Tagalog sounds like, pop that video in and watch it on the Tagalog language setting.  Happily, I understand most of what they say on there at this point, but probably also cuz I've seen the video in English enough as well.  When our investigators watch that video, it's hilarious because they freak out about the snow (no one's ever seen it before here), the geese (the geese here look really different), they've never seen blackberries before, they say "He should use a carabou (huge ox) rather than those cows to plow his field", they love the planting and harvest of the corn (they have corn here but not very much), and in general just think it's an awesome cultural experience.  When  tell them my homeland looks a lot like New York that's shown in the video, they always think that's cool :)

That's what I've got.  transfers are in a week and a half!  We now know Sister Bechachino is training, which means I'm getting transferred - there's a high chance I'm getting transferred off of Palawan and back to Manila.  I have mixed feelings about that, but I know that all things on our missions are established by God for our best growth and service to the people in our areas!

Much love,

Sister Larsen 

Dagat = beach.  This is all the rocky area before you get to the water.  Super dang awesome. 

 

Also at the beach, I was standing calf deep in deliciously warm water.

 

All Soul's Day; A Better Place Now

My dearest friends and family,                                          written Oct. 20, 2013

 

I thank you so dearly for your prayers you have offered for me during this week. On Tuesday, at District Meeting, the opening hymn was "Abide with Me - Tis Eventide."  I couldn't handle it.  I just started crying uncontrollably, which then continued through the entire meeting even though I tried really hard to control it.  Afterwards, I asked for a priesthood blessing.  I received great comfort from the words, "Christ will be right beside you, shoulder to shoulder, and you'll feel His presence" and "You will be as steel going through a flame, and become stronger spiritually through your trials" and most especially, "The prayers of your family will be answered."  I can't tell you how much that blessing brought me the peace and comfort I needed. I now feel that I understand what is going on. The power of the Priesthood is so incredibly real.  The power of the Atonement is also something that I never think I even scratched the surface of until now when I needed Christ's love and support more than ever before. I'm happy that I have such great friends and family that love and support me - I've really felt your prayers this week.  I know all will be okay as I continue to follow Christ steadfastly and realize that sometimes we just have to accept our trials, even our hardest ones

 

Technically, Nov. first is All Soul's Day, but they celebrate Halloween and All Souls Day here.  In accordance with the title, I'll tell you a fun story.  One of the member families here, a VERY old couple who are very nice shared with us a story about the time Nay (the mom) was in the hospital.  Apparently, she was on the verge of death, and then when Tay (the dad) woke up her eyes were wide open and she wasn't breathing.  The nurse came in, shined a flashlight in her eyes, and there was no response.  They pronounced her dead.  Tay was upset, and so was his family, but after they called the morgue to pick her up Tay felt before they took her they should check one last time.  They shined the light - no response.  Then Tay started to call out to her "Nay.. nay... can you hear me?"  Somehow, she sqeaked out a small "Ehhh..."  They then checked her breath, and although she hadn't been breathing before, she suddenly was!  She received a Priesthood blessing, and literally came back to life.  I actually understood that story in Tagalog, aren't you impressed, haha? There's a lot of miracles like that which happen here.  

One day, we were supposed to travel to a further part of our area called "Bagong Liwanag."  We said to a motocab  "Bagong Liwanag" and he said, "Tara!"  Get on!  We did... and we were driven... and driven... and driven... and... I was thinking, why are we going into the city?  Our area is far out in the country.  But, as he was the driver, I assumed he knew what he was doing.  We were then the last people on the motocab and he says, "Sige, dito Barangay Liwanag..."  BARANGAY LIWANAG???  He thought we had said "town of Liwanag" but "Bagong Liwanag" is a totally different place.  We then had to catch a different motocab all the way back out of the city into the country.  Careful with those motocabs, they'll getcha every time, haha.

Yeah, that's all I've really got this week.  It's election week here, so that's pretty cool.  I totally plan on bringing home some of the sweet election fliers they have... they look like wild west "wanted" posters, haha.  

Oh, and Conference was SUPER AWESOME.  I watched the Saturday morning session in Tagalog and understood like... 20% of it.  Not enough, haha.  We watched all the other sessions in English at the other chapel.  I really really enjoyed it, there's nothing better than listening to the living 12 Apostles and the Prophet called by God.

I hope everyone has a great week!

Love,

Sister Larsen

Nakakapagpabakabag

Nakakapagpabakabag 

 

^That word has nothing to do with anything, but is awesome.  It means "guilt."   

 

 

The picture epitomizes all that I really need for happiness - a kitten and the Word of God.  Srsly.  I felt SO MUCH JOY.  I mean... yeah, maybe I'll get married eventually too.  But if I don't also have the cat and scriptures, my joy will not be full, hahahaha.

First off, we had the opportunity to have our branch president accompany us with some members to go visit less actives.  That was a novel experience, and at one point they were all telling some stories when suddenly our branch president lifts up his shirt and starts showing off weird scars on his stomach.  I didn't understand it at all, so I was just going "Uhhh... what's going on??"  Turns out he was struck by lightning and survived and he knows he was spared to do this work in the branch now.  Pretty neat!  Although when it happened, I was a lil alarmed, haha.

Also, on Monday we got a text from the mission president's wife asking if she could work with us the next day (go with us to some of our appointments.)  In my head... I was like, "AAHHH!! Why??  Panic!!"  But it all turned out okay.  Sister Stucki is one of my favorite people ever, that's for sure.  Her testimony was in English, but through translation (and the limited understanding people have here of English) all went well.  She has a powerful testimony and she really loves every single missionary in the mission, and is a huge inspiration to me.

One cool thing - if you're an American Sister and you come to the Philippines on your mission, you'll probably lose half your hair.  Apparently I'm not the only one experiencing this,so I'm not worried.  Now I won't be able to win hair floofiness contests with Deb anymore though until it grows back :(

I'll be straight with you all... this is a super hard, super stressful time in my mission.  Prayers sent my way would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks for all you do, and I love you all.

Love,

Sister Larsen

 

 

"Baka" means maybe;  "baKA" means cow.

 

 

Don't Eat the Green One.

Dear friends and fam,                                written Oct. 6

So, last P-day, we went to this place we always go to eat and I ordered the same thing I always ordered - this delicious marinated chicken thing.  I was eating it, when I looked down and buried in my rice looked like something green.  I didn't think much about it and thought, "Oh, some gulay (vegetable.)"  I bit down on that bite... and my entire face erupted in flames.  NEVER EVER EVER EAT THE GREEN TINY PEPPERS.  If you come to the Philippines.. just don't.  I was crying for a good 3 minutes and my mouth was literally on fire and my body tried to make me spit it out but I wasn't gonna allow that.  True story.  Hottest thing ever.

We haven't watched General Conference (the video broadcast when our leaders speak to us from Salt Lake, including the Prophet) *yet* since we get it a week later.  We watched the Relief Society broadcast Saturday and it was awesome (and in English... all of them are in English here since people kind of understand English.  Whew.)  So, I'm super looking forward to that this weekend.  Like, a lot.  We also have Zone Meeting this week, so it's gonna be fun!!

Here's some words I came across this week - 

"pagngilngil" - whinnying

"ngisngisan" - grinning

I couldn't even have made up this language in my wildest imagination.

I caught myself speaking Tagalog in my sleep twice last night.  Good sign!

And that's all I have this week.  Short lang... I hope everyone continues to learn, progress, and love everyone.  Spread joy and hope wherever you go.  I love you all and I hope that we all continue to progress and become the best people we can possibly be, even when it's hard.

Love,

Sister Larsen

P.S. the picture is at the croc farm.  THAT CROC IS SO BIG.  That's Elder Belnap (Idaho shirt) our ZL and his trainee (now no longer trainee because of transfers) Elder Osguthorpe.  We like to have fun in our Zone!

Not really, but every time we squish into one of these motocabs with like 25 people I feel like I'm a clown getting out of a tiny car.  They are not made for medium sized Americans, that's for sure.... good times with all the District on P Day!

*Almost* Virginia but not quite.   Asian style Massanutten mountain, diba?  No?  Hahaha.  Super pretty here, forreals.

Planking on a crocodile; New favorite animal

Dear Friends and Family,                                  Written Sept. 29, 2013

I'd like to introduce you to my new companion in the picture.  Her name is Sister Bearcat and even though she's a lot smaller than me, I'm used that now since everyone's smaller than me.  I feel like she's pretty attached to me already, especially when she wraps her tail around my neck (that's a strong tail!)  She doesn't talk much but sometimes when she's mad she hisses.  That's taken some getting used to.  

Joke-lang!  This was at the crocodile farm, and for the equivalent of a dollar, we got to let this adorable bear cat crawl around on our shoulders!  There's other good pictures of that, but needless to say... I was in heaven.  Bearcats are replacing my third favorite animal, anteaters.  Naturally first are cats and dogs, but there's just nothing quite as sweet as an animal that's a cross between a bear, cat, and sloth. Maybe a raccoon or something else too.  They live here naturally, along with the crocodiles.  Haven't seen any in the wild, but maybe eventually... our areas are probably still too populated for them to want to hang around.  But yeah.  Like... sheer, unadulterated joy with that bear cat.  I want to get really really rich and then buy one as a semi-legal pet one day.

My real new companion is Sister Bechachino!  I don't have any good photos of us yet, but she's somewhat taller than Sister Ordiz but I'm still a giant.  She's already been well prepared, both out of her own efforts and her previous trainer before me.  She's helping me with my Tagalog, and is a good example to me in many ways.  I'm very happy to have her as my companion now, and I know we're going to learn a lot from each other.  It's a little rough being Senior companion since I still don't speak very good Tagalog... but the Lord is blessing me with the skills and talents I need right now to communicate and make things run *mostly* smoothly.  Before now, I was too scared half the time to really speak much in general or speak much Tagalog.  Now that I have to... well, suddenly everyone is really surprised (including myself) that the "gift of tongues" seems to be manifesting itself suddenly.  Not perfectly, as there's still a lot of times I don't know how to say things, say it wrong and they can't understand me, or I can't understand them.  But when we worked with a bunch of members the other day, they all said, "Sister Larsen!  Filipina ka na!"  (You're a Filipina already!)  

I also learned one word of the local dialect of Palawan, Cuyunin (that's probably not the right spelling.)  I was just out of curiosity asking Sister Jacqueline (our baptism last week) what some of the words were in their language, and I asked her what the Cuyunin word for "Bulaklak (flower)" is.  She said, "Burrak!"  It sounds like the Ferengie language from Star Trek to me.  So I repeated it really emphasizing the rolled "r" BURRRRRRAK!!! It's kind of my favorite word now.  We've had a lot of fun times working with members, that's for sure.

One time, we were teaching a lesson this week in a part of our area that's quite jungly.  Towards the end of the lesson, suddenly our investigator looked behind us into the garden she had behind her house, her eyes wide. We turned around and she said "ahas!!!" (Snake!)  There, slithering towards us, was this long green snake.  Her house was up on stilts so we weren't scared, but as soon as the snake saw us he reared up then slithered away quickly.  She said, "It's Satan and he's scared of the word of God" joking with us - we thought that was pretty funny.

I think that's really all I have this week.  I love you all and hope you have a great week!  Also... letters are greatly appreciated.  It's nice to feel remembered sometimes through letters, and you all have my address on Facebook if ya wanna write me.  This is probably the only time I'll say it, and props to Brooke for stickin' with it this whole time as well as Rachelle :)

Love you all!  

-Sister Larsen

We went to the crocodile farm and it was awesome!  They raise crocodiles there and there's some HUGE ones and some babies and... yeah.  But anyway, I figured when you have the chance to plank on a plaster crocodile in Palawan, you might as well take the chance.  More pictures of the crocodile farm will probably follow later when I don't have different pictures to send back home.. since we rarely are allowed to have our cameras with us.

 This was national Philippines family week so we had a lot of activities.  one of them was cleaning up a beach!  I found cool shells there too while cleaning up.  It's like.. .mind blowingly gorgeous there.  Also, I want everyone to admire my calves.  I don't know if you can tell, but because of jump roping every morning my calves are now huge and muscley and stuff.  I mean, they're certainly getting there.  Pretty proud of that, haha.  I remember when my brother came back from his mission and had huge muscled calves and for me, as a fourth grader back then, I was really freaked out why his legs were deformed.  Muscles, here I come!!

 This is a photo of myself and Sister Jacquiline at her baptism last week.  She's already been out working with us this week as our member present at our lessons!  She's amazing, and we're good friends.  She's had a hard life in some ways, but she's progressed SO MUCH just in the time we've taught her.  She really has the light of Christ in her life, and is a good example to me of changing to become closer to God.  I will definitely miss their family when I get transferred. 

"Buntis Na Ko" = Pregnant

Dear errybody,                        written Sept. 23, 2013

Not a lot of time to write this week, but next week will be awesome cuz I'll send you pictures of the Crocodile farm which we just visited.  The biggest news - I'm "pregnant" in the mission sense, because I'm about to train a new missionary.  Now, it's kind of a different situation because somehow she's already been out 6 weeks apparently so I won't be fully training her (when you train a new missionary, you become their "mom" or here in the Philippines, "nanay")  but this Wednesday I'll get to meet my new companion and I'm super excited!  It'll be hard having my nanay, Sister Ordiz, leave me, but... that's the way of mission life.  Transfer transfer.  This also means I'll probably only be on Palawan 6 more weeks unless something weird happens.  It's the Palawan pattern - trained here, follow up training (or training someone else) then leaving.  That's the main and most important news, for sure.  Pray that all will go well, even though it's going to be hard since I still don't speak the language very well.  

We were walking through Palawan State University (part of our area) and I had my hair down (a rare thing here for me.)  A student started singing a Taylor Swift song as we walked by and when we had passed by he yelled, "BYE TAYLOR!!!"  The Young Women in our ward ask me often "Sister Swift, when's your new album coming out?"  Yep.

And most importantly - baptism!  Sister Jeannic's mom (S. Jeannic works with us all the time and we baptized the second week I was on Palawan) was baptized!  We are soooo happy for her, and that she was ready for that sacred covenant with God.  She's awesome, and even though I often don't understand her cuz her Tagalog is particularly hard to understand, we're really good friends nonetheless :)

Love you all a whole lot!  If my pictures don't upload this week - sorry, there'll be a lot next week then.  We're at a different computer cafe that doesn't work very well all the time.

Look for missionary opportunities (or opportunities to help everyone around you) whenever you have the opportunity.  We definitely take service and missionary work too casually in the U.S. - or at least I know I did.  

Gniti!  Smile!  Mahal kita!  I love you!

<3 - Sister Larsen