We Need a Booking Agent

Dear friends and family,

First, to get the random stuff out of the way.  This week we ate kwek-kwek given to us by a member, which is quail eggs fried in flour and has something that makes it orange.  It was surprisingly delicious although I was afraid to try it.  

Second, last week when I mentioned that my dad had been in a motorcycle accident *again* while I was on my mission, my Bishop said, "Oh no, was anyone in his sidecar?"  HAHAHAHAH.  I reminded him that our motorcycles in the U.S. are not "trikes" as they call them here with metal deathtraps built around them.  We had a good laugh about that.

We also went on exchanges this week with the Sister Training leaders.  Sister Taufa went on exchanges with my trainer, Sister Ordiz, and I went with Sister Ordiz' companion.  It went well, and the Sister I was with said, "Sister Larsen, your Tagalog is really good, but sometimes on rare occasions you speak so fast that people can't understand you."  Hahaha, I never thought I'd reach the point where I was speaking too fast (and mostly correct) Tagalog to be understood.  Our ward mission leader also told us the same thing, that our Tagalog is good and correct but since I phrase things a little bit differently and speak it quickly it's hard for people to always let all the words sink in right.  Sometimes, because my English is kind of slurry-southern-Virginian, Sister Taufa doesn't always quite catch what I say to her/  If I say something twice in English and she doesn't get it, then I say it in Tagalog and she gets it.  We have a lot of good times together.

We sang in sacrament meeting this week, at the request of Bishop. (note the picture - matching belts too!)  He played the piano, and we sang the song - (Jesus was) "No Ordinary Man."  It's a very pretty song and Sister Taufa and I were happy to have the opportunity to sing it for the ward.  It must have been at least pretty good since the speaker right after us (a 25 or so year old man) cried at the beginning of his talk and said it really touched his heart.  We certainly felt the Spirit as we sang it.

I wanted to share with you the lyrics, because the message is so true and applicable for all of us to remember to never personally apostatize in our belief in Jesus Christ and the wonderful things he did for the entire human race.

"Jesus was no ordinary man.  But there were some who did not understand.  They saw him working miracles, but some were still decieved.  Why did they not believe?  When with few loaves and fishes, the multitudes were fed.  When showed them His power to heal, and even raised the dead.  When he walked upon the water, and he calmed the raging sea... why did they not believe?  When his faith filled the fish nets, gave sight unto the blind.  When they saw at His bidding even water turned to wine.  When he offered all He had to them, if they would but recieve... why did they not believe?  Jesus was no ordinary man.  The power to bless and heal was in His hands.  They saw Him cleanse the leper, they saw him heal the lame.  They must have sensed divinity and known from whence he came.  But understanding not his cause, they crucified the Son of God... and even then they did not understand.  That Jesus was no ordinary man."

Those words of testimony are true - that Christ gave all to us, and we have a charge here on this Earth to accept and heed His teachings.  It won't be easy, but it will be necessary and important.  I know that as we become more Christlike in nature and action, great blessings and true, lasting happiness will be ours.  People can debate it, but I have seen firsthand here on my mission and my own life that those who accept Christ as their Savior and live in the manner He would have them live are truly so much more happier than those who have not yet chosen to do so.

Sister Taufa and I were asked to sing again at Zone Conference on Wednesday - we hope that we will be able to effectively invite the Spirit singing "I Need Thee Every Hour"  in Tagalog.

I love you all!  Always remember to improve every day, and make good goals.  Using time wisely throughout our lives is such a very important principle, and good planning and goals make that happen.

Love,

Sister Larsen

Sister Taufa had companionship shirts made for us.  They're pretty legit.  We kind of look like super heroes in this picture; this is right after we played volleyball and I got a bajillion bruises all over my arms.  I still will never get why people love that sport that pretty much just equates pain ;D