Hello hello!
Man it was so good to hear from you all this week! I have had such an amazing week! Good news I am fluent in English. Bad news Russian is hard. No the Language is coming I can hear a lot more then I can say. The hardest part is structuring sentences because they are so different from English sentences.
Mom, Thank you Thank you for the stale cupcakes. They were a little hard but I broke my two weeks of no sweets to eat 3 of them within the first 5 mins of picking up the package. They still tasted pretty okay ha. ….
Dad, Thank you for the pictures! I loved them. I sent them around the room and showed everyone my cute family and my beloved dog. ….
Chase, thank you for the letter and the story. It really made my day. …..
Ashley, how is married life? I am glad to hear that you and Chase are adjusting okay. ….
Brynn, I am so super excited for you letter! You will be proud to hear that I have been running 2-3 miles every day (except today we only ran 1). There are 2 sisters that love to run here. Sister Clark and Sister Walker, we run every gym period. But Sister Walker kicks our trash! She runs so freaking fast!
So I guess the big news this week is that Sister Burke and I were called to be the Coordinating Sisters for our branch. We are in charge of all of the Sisters in our branch!!! Man that really freaks me out ha. But all the girls in our branch are really awesome. Next week, all of the sisters that got here 6 weeks before us are leaving along with 5 native Russian sisters that are going back to Russia serve. In about 2 or 3 weeks we are getting about 90 new Russian missionaries and then the week after that we will be getting 6 sisters from Russian, Ukraine, and Kazakstan. We have to help them go to the temple for the first time, got shopping at Sister Missionary Mall and make sure that they understand all of the Mission rules. Good thing I know Russian ha. I am really excited though. It has really given us an opportunity to get to know the sisters in our branch and our branch presidency. One of the counselors I really want you to get to know his name is David Wilkey and he and his wife have really taken a special interest in me. They have really been a great support for me these last few weeks. They remind me a lot of the two of you, mom and dad.
Other then that I don't really think we have any huge news. The language is coming very slowly. It is hard stuff but I am understanding quite a bit, except when the native Russians speak to us. They speak so fast. Oh I wanted to tell you a little about these Russian sisters. They are awesome! Most of the are the first members in the families. Some of them are really the only members in their towns. They have really amazing stories. The first week they got here they all had to get all of their shots and get their recommends to go through the temple for the first time. One of the sisters is from Ukraine and I saw her the night before she was going to go to the temple and while I was talking to her she ironed her skirt and shirt at least 3 times. She is was so excited and even more excited that she will have a temple in her country. Another sister who is going to Ukraine got up really early to get ready. I saw her as she was sitting in the locker room waiting to go up to the ordinance rooms and she had sprayed glittery hairspray in her hair so that she would look extra special. I almost started to cry because it was so sweet. This sister has been waiting for this opportunity for 10 years and she was so excited. One of them said that it is so special to be here and that we all take it for granted. I know that she is right in every way. I love that the Salt Lake temple is our temple! We are so blessed to have the gospel and to be so close to the center of everything.
I want you all to know that I love you all so much and that I am so thankful for all of your support! I know that this is the only place that I could be right now! I know that the gospel is true with all of my heart and I hope that I can share the happiness that it brings me!
Thank you for sending that blessing it came at a perfect time. Could you all do one favor for me. Will you all write down what you remember from my setting apart blessing. I totally spaced writing in my journal and I have forgotten a lot of what was said. Thank you again!! I love you all so much!! I hope you all have an amazing week! Tell Terry and Shyann Congrats for me! Tell Steve and Dennis and Holly and Jeff and Jane and their families that I say hi! Take lots of pictues!!!!!!! And will someone give Kota a kiss for me!?
love you all,
Cectpa Larsen
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Week 4 is complete!
Hello hello!
Man it was so good to hear from you all this week! I have had such an amazing week! Good news I am fluent in English. Bad news Russian is hard. No the Language is coming I can hear a lot more then I can say. The hardest part is structuring sentences because they are so different from English sentences.
Mom, Thank you Thank you for the stale cupcakes. They were a little hard but I broke my two weeks of no sweets to eat 3 of them within the first 5 mins of picking up the package. They still tasted pretty okay ha. And thank you for the tights. They are dearly needed here. You go through those things so fast and the tights that they sell here make you look like you have jaundice (?). It is really really bad. But it is super funny. I really like the name that you picked out for your store!! And it is really badly needed! And thank you for sharing the story of Judy and Julia. It is so hard not compare yourself to everyone here because everyone is so amazing!!
Dad, Thank you for the pictures! I loved them. I sent them around the room and showed everyone my cute family and my beloved dog. It looks like you have been having a little bit of fun! I am excited about all of your trips! You better enjoy your time around the country while I look up at my covered walkways! ha.
Chase, thank you for the letter and the story. It really made my day. I never knew that we were even related to him. How did you find that story? How is working at the firm?
Ashley, how is married life? I am glad to hear that you and Chase are adjusting okay. Chase said you have been looking for a job? How has that been going? Did you get that job at the dance studio? That would be such an amazing job for you! I hope that you got it!
Brynn, I am so super excited for you letter! You will be proud to hear that I have been running 2-3 miles everyday (except today we only ran 1). There are 2 sisters that love to run here. Sister Clark and Sister Walker, we run every gym period. But Sister Walker kicks our trash! She runs so freaking fast!
So I guess the big news this week is that Sister Burke and I were called to be the Coordinating Sisters for our branch. We are in charge of all of the Sisters in our branch!!! Man that really freaks me out ha. But all the girls in our branch are really awesome. Next week, all of the sisters that got here 6 weeks before us are leaving along with 5 native Russian sisters that are going back to Russia serve. In about 2 or 3 weeks we are getting about 90 new Russian missionaries and then the week after that we will be getting 6 sisters from Russian, Ukraine, and Kazakstan. We have to help them go to the temple for the first time, got shopping at Sister Missionary Mall and make sure that they understand all of the Mission rules. Good thing I know Russian ha. I am really excited though. It has really given us an opportunity to get to know the sisters in our branch and our branch presidency. One of the counselors I really want you to get to know his name is David Wilkey and he and his wife have really taken a special interest in me. They have really been a great support for me these last few weeks. They remind me a lot of the two of you, mom and dad.
Other then that I don't really think we have any huge news. The language is coming very slowly. It is hard stuff but I am understanding quite a bit, except when the native Russians speak to us. They speak so fast. Oh I wanted to tell you a little about these Russian sisters. They are awesome! Most of the are the first members in the families. Some of them are really the only members in their towns. They have really amazing stories. The first week they got here they all had to get all of their shots and get their recommends to go through the temple for the first time. One of the sisters is from Ukraine and I saw her the night before she was going to go to the temple and while I was talking to her she ironed her skirt and shirt atleast 3 times. She is was so excited and even more excited that she will have a temple in her country. Another sister who is going to Ukraine got up really early to get ready. I saw her as she was sitting in the locker room waiting to go up to the ordinance rooms and she had sprayed glittery hairspray in her hair so that she would look extra special. I almost started to cry because it was so sweet. This sister has been waiting for this opportunity for 10 years and she was so excited. One of them said that it is so special to be here and that we all take it for granted. I know that she is right in every way. I love that the Salt Lake temple is our temple! We are so blessed to have the gospel and to be so close to the center of everything.
I want you all to know that I love you all so much and that I am so thankful for all of your support! I know that this is the only place that I could be right now! I know that the gospel is true with all of my heart and I hope that I can share the happiness that it brings me!
Thank you for sending that blessing it came at a perfect time. Could you all do one favor for me. Will you all write down what you remember from my setting apart blessing. I totally spaced writing in my journal and I have forgotten a lot of what was said. Thank you again!! I love you all so much!! I hope you all have an amazing week! Tell Terry and Shyann Congrats for me! Tell Steve and Dennis and Holly and Jeff and Jane and their families that I say hi! Take lots of pictues!!!!!!! And will someone give Kota a kiss for me!?
love you all,
Cectpa Larsen
Man it was so good to hear from you all this week! I have had such an amazing week! Good news I am fluent in English. Bad news Russian is hard. No the Language is coming I can hear a lot more then I can say. The hardest part is structuring sentences because they are so different from English sentences.
Mom, Thank you Thank you for the stale cupcakes. They were a little hard but I broke my two weeks of no sweets to eat 3 of them within the first 5 mins of picking up the package. They still tasted pretty okay ha. And thank you for the tights. They are dearly needed here. You go through those things so fast and the tights that they sell here make you look like you have jaundice (?). It is really really bad. But it is super funny. I really like the name that you picked out for your store!! And it is really badly needed! And thank you for sharing the story of Judy and Julia. It is so hard not compare yourself to everyone here because everyone is so amazing!!
Dad, Thank you for the pictures! I loved them. I sent them around the room and showed everyone my cute family and my beloved dog. It looks like you have been having a little bit of fun! I am excited about all of your trips! You better enjoy your time around the country while I look up at my covered walkways! ha.
Chase, thank you for the letter and the story. It really made my day. I never knew that we were even related to him. How did you find that story? How is working at the firm?
Ashley, how is married life? I am glad to hear that you and Chase are adjusting okay. Chase said you have been looking for a job? How has that been going? Did you get that job at the dance studio? That would be such an amazing job for you! I hope that you got it!
Brynn, I am so super excited for you letter! You will be proud to hear that I have been running 2-3 miles everyday (except today we only ran 1). There are 2 sisters that love to run here. Sister Clark and Sister Walker, we run every gym period. But Sister Walker kicks our trash! She runs so freaking fast!
So I guess the big news this week is that Sister Burke and I were called to be the Coordinating Sisters for our branch. We are in charge of all of the Sisters in our branch!!! Man that really freaks me out ha. But all the girls in our branch are really awesome. Next week, all of the sisters that got here 6 weeks before us are leaving along with 5 native Russian sisters that are going back to Russia serve. In about 2 or 3 weeks we are getting about 90 new Russian missionaries and then the week after that we will be getting 6 sisters from Russian, Ukraine, and Kazakstan. We have to help them go to the temple for the first time, got shopping at Sister Missionary Mall and make sure that they understand all of the Mission rules. Good thing I know Russian ha. I am really excited though. It has really given us an opportunity to get to know the sisters in our branch and our branch presidency. One of the counselors I really want you to get to know his name is David Wilkey and he and his wife have really taken a special interest in me. They have really been a great support for me these last few weeks. They remind me a lot of the two of you, mom and dad.
Other then that I don't really think we have any huge news. The language is coming very slowly. It is hard stuff but I am understanding quite a bit, except when the native Russians speak to us. They speak so fast. Oh I wanted to tell you a little about these Russian sisters. They are awesome! Most of the are the first members in the families. Some of them are really the only members in their towns. They have really amazing stories. The first week they got here they all had to get all of their shots and get their recommends to go through the temple for the first time. One of the sisters is from Ukraine and I saw her the night before she was going to go to the temple and while I was talking to her she ironed her skirt and shirt atleast 3 times. She is was so excited and even more excited that she will have a temple in her country. Another sister who is going to Ukraine got up really early to get ready. I saw her as she was sitting in the locker room waiting to go up to the ordinance rooms and she had sprayed glittery hairspray in her hair so that she would look extra special. I almost started to cry because it was so sweet. This sister has been waiting for this opportunity for 10 years and she was so excited. One of them said that it is so special to be here and that we all take it for granted. I know that she is right in every way. I love that the Salt Lake temple is our temple! We are so blessed to have the gospel and to be so close to the center of everything.
I want you all to know that I love you all so much and that I am so thankful for all of your support! I know that this is the only place that I could be right now! I know that the gospel is true with all of my heart and I hope that I can share the happiness that it brings me!
Thank you for sending that blessing it came at a perfect time. Could you all do one favor for me. Will you all write down what you remember from my setting apart blessing. I totally spaced writing in my journal and I have forgotten a lot of what was said. Thank you again!! I love you all so much!! I hope you all have an amazing week! Tell Terry and Shyann Congrats for me! Tell Steve and Dennis and Holly and Jeff and Jane and their families that I say hi! Take lots of pictues!!!!!!! And will someone give Kota a kiss for me!?
love you all,
Cectpa Larsen
Sunday, August 9, 2009
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Week 3
Good afternoon Family,
I was so excited to get all of your emails today. I have had a very packed week and it is good to slow down and be able to read them. By the way dad I don't know what you are sending the pictures with but I can't get them. Maybe you could send them on dearelder.com or mail them? It is really nice to get letters throughout the week and I would love some pictures because I forgot to grab other ones besides the book you made me. I am glad that grandpa is doing okay. I have been praying about him. Also tell Grant that I say Happy Birthday!
Mom, I am excited for you to have a week of nothing! And you are not a brat! You are the greatest mom ever and I can't even imagine how you can do it all.
Dad, thanks for your letter. I hope you are excited for your trip? Your letter today made me think a lot about all of our happy memories together. I wrote both you and mom a letter that I will be sending today hopefully you will get them at the same time.
Brynn, you are still amazing me with how much you do! You said you had some goals? what are they? I am following your example and my entire room is trying to go without treats for the next 2 weeks!! We will see how that goes haha! The only good food here are the sweets so we are not liking our odds if we continue to eat 2 cookies at every meal.
Chase, I hope you and Ash had fun at Powell I wrote you guys a letter but I don't have your address so I will try and send it soon. I hope you are taking care of Ashley!
Ashley I thought of you on Sunday. I saw a bunch of little kids at the Temple and I tried to say what I thought you might say to them. I am excited for you to finish school and start teaching. You will be amazing! Keep me updated on what is going on with you two!
Well week 3 has come and gone. It has been a week full of ups and downs and probably some of the most amazing experiences that I have had this far. I am learning so much about the gospel that I never even stopped to think about. I never knew how much you could learn by just focusing on the basic principles of the gospel. I guess I have never really had the questions that people normally have but I have been able to read the scriptures as if I was reading them for the first time and new things have been brought to my attention. I have never looked at baptism in the same way. I love it!
Your day can change here in an instant. You can be having the worst morning and everything can go wrong but the minute you step into class you know that this is a place of God. The spirit is always so amazing. Sunday was one of those days, I can really feel my self esteem being worked on here, and I had and interview with a member of the branch presidency that has really impacted the way that I view myself. He has helped me to see that even if I feel inadequate the Lord will not let me be inadequate. He helped me see myself through the Lord's eyes for a few days. It has really helped me to be confident in my teaching and to teach what the spirit wants me to teach. It has really been the most amazing learning experience I have ever had. I feel like this week will be a million times better now that I have that confidence in myself.
I haven't had to crack the whip in my district anymore. All of the Elders are good kids. Sometimes we all get a little off task and I contribute to it partly because I can't focus for 12 hours of class everyday but we had a lot of fun and we learn a lot. We can almost teach the entire 1st lesson in Russian!!! I don't know if anyone will know what we are saying though. Tomorrow we are teach the 2nd lesson in the TRC. We are teaching the Plan of Salvation in English which I am really excited for. Oh and we had our first experience in the RC (Referral Center) this last week. People can call in and request a bible/BOM/Church video and we talk to them and either mail them a copy of whatever they ask for or send over 2 "representatives" to talk to them. I got hung up on my first time ha but Sister Clark and Sister Walker are teaching a lesson this next week over the phone with a lady that Sister Clark talked to. It is really amazing how some of these individuals are so prepared to hear the gospel and what motivates them to pick up the phone and call.
I love you all so much and miss you a ton! I am glad things are going well. Please encourage letters?! I love getting letters throughout the week. Dearelder.com is a great thing because they just print them out and give them to you like a letter. Just a little side note. But I love you all and thank you so much for your support. I will talk to you next week!
Cectpa Larsen
I was so excited to get all of your emails today. I have had a very packed week and it is good to slow down and be able to read them. By the way dad I don't know what you are sending the pictures with but I can't get them. Maybe you could send them on dearelder.com or mail them? It is really nice to get letters throughout the week and I would love some pictures because I forgot to grab other ones besides the book you made me. I am glad that grandpa is doing okay. I have been praying about him. Also tell Grant that I say Happy Birthday!
Mom, I am excited for you to have a week of nothing! And you are not a brat! You are the greatest mom ever and I can't even imagine how you can do it all.
Dad, thanks for your letter. I hope you are excited for your trip? Your letter today made me think a lot about all of our happy memories together. I wrote both you and mom a letter that I will be sending today hopefully you will get them at the same time.
Brynn, you are still amazing me with how much you do! You said you had some goals? what are they? I am following your example and my entire room is trying to go without treats for the next 2 weeks!! We will see how that goes haha! The only good food here are the sweets so we are not liking our odds if we continue to eat 2 cookies at every meal.
Chase, I hope you and Ash had fun at Powell I wrote you guys a letter but I don't have your address so I will try and send it soon. I hope you are taking care of Ashley!
Ashley I thought of you on Sunday. I saw a bunch of little kids at the Temple and I tried to say what I thought you might say to them. I am excited for you to finish school and start teaching. You will be amazing! Keep me updated on what is going on with you two!
Well week 3 has come and gone. It has been a week full of ups and downs and probably some of the most amazing experiences that I have had this far. I am learning so much about the gospel that I never even stopped to think about. I never knew how much you could learn by just focusing on the basic principles of the gospel. I guess I have never really had the questions that people normally have but I have been able to read the scriptures as if I was reading them for the first time and new things have been brought to my attention. I have never looked at baptism in the same way. I love it!
Your day can change here in an instant. You can be having the worst morning and everything can go wrong but the minute you step into class you know that this is a place of God. The spirit is always so amazing. Sunday was one of those days, I can really feel my self esteem being worked on here, and I had and interview with a member of the branch presidency that has really impacted the way that I view myself. He has helped me to see that even if I feel inadequate the Lord will not let me be inadequate. He helped me see myself through the Lord's eyes for a few days. It has really helped me to be confident in my teaching and to teach what the spirit wants me to teach. It has really been the most amazing learning experience I have ever had. I feel like this week will be a million times better now that I have that confidence in myself.
I haven't had to crack the whip in my district anymore. All of the Elders are good kids. Sometimes we all get a little off task and I contribute to it partly because I can't focus for 12 hours of class everyday but we had a lot of fun and we learn a lot. We can almost teach the entire 1st lesson in Russian!!! I don't know if anyone will know what we are saying though. Tomorrow we are teach the 2nd lesson in the TRC. We are teaching the Plan of Salvation in English which I am really excited for. Oh and we had our first experience in the RC (Referral Center) this last week. People can call in and request a bible/BOM/Church video and we talk to them and either mail them a copy of whatever they ask for or send over 2 "representatives" to talk to them. I got hung up on my first time ha but Sister Clark and Sister Walker are teaching a lesson this next week over the phone with a lady that Sister Clark talked to. It is really amazing how some of these individuals are so prepared to hear the gospel and what motivates them to pick up the phone and call.
I love you all so much and miss you a ton! I am glad things are going well. Please encourage letters?! I love getting letters throughout the week. Dearelder.com is a great thing because they just print them out and give them to you like a letter. Just a little side note. But I love you all and thank you so much for your support. I will talk to you next week!
Cectpa Larsen
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Week 2
Hey everyone!!
I got all of your postcards from Sun Valley and I am so glad that you are having so much fun! I haven't opened the pictures or the workout plan yet because I wanted to get this letter off before my time runs out. I am so sorry to hear about Holly's Dad. Tell her that I love her and my prayers are with her and her family. I am also sorry to hear about Grandpa I hope that everything goes okay with his leg!
Brynn: Tell Ben I said congrats that is awesome that he did the Spudman! He is such a Stud. That is good that you had fun in Idaho I think it was! And I am impressed that you are training for a marathon I don't think I will ever be able to do one. You seriously amaze me every day! Every day I hear your voice in my head with a quote to add a little humor to the day. You have been such a solid example in my life thank you.
Mom: Thank you so much for the packages and the letters. Everyone is jealous of the support that I get from my family. Those packages and words of encouragement have come at times when I have needed them so badly! You brighten my week everytime I get a letter! I have used you in my classes as examples this week! You have always been such a believer in prayer and I have had to draw on that example a lot this week.
Dad: Thank you for the email! I really am so blessed to have such an amazing family! You are the best! I was picturing you and Kota walking today as I was reading your letter and it made me smile to hear her bark in my head. I miss you all so much!
Chase: Thanks for the dear elder last week. It is crazy how just a small letter can lift your spirits so much. I saw Jonny Kats today and it made me think of how it must have been for all of you to be in here. I think about you daily and draw on your strength and example.
I have made it through week two without too much pain. It has actually been an amazing week! Time goes by so weird here. The days seem to drag but when you look back the weeks fly by, it feels like you just barely got here. There is so much to learn and so much to take in that by the end of the night you are so tired but your mind is swimming in your own thoughts of the day, doctrine, and Russian. It is hard to discribe. I just lie in bed and wait to fall asleep. Sometimes it feels like you are in a dream and when you got back to your room you will wake up and be in real life again. It is tiring but every night I go to bed knowing that I am accomplishing so much in one day. I can go to bed knowing that the Lord is happy with my day's work.
This week has been interesting as we have learned more of the Russian Language. We found out that everything we learned the first week was just to make us feel good and feel like we are learning Russian but in reality everything is not as it seems. We have started getting into the grammer of the language and man it is impossible!! They have so many different cases (I think German has the same thing). But each word has its own case and it changes every word in the sentence. It boggles my mind to try and understand it but I think it is starting to click.
We taught our first lesson last Wednesday and it went really well. The spirit here is so strong! We introduced ourselves in Russian and then taught our first lesson in English. It is amazing how the Lord can take your preparation and turn it into a lesson that can influence someone's life. I felt like we did a pretty good job ha. We teach again tomorrow, we have to teach more of it in Russian so we will see how that goes. Poor soul who has to listen to our broken Russian haha.
You are the best family a missionary could ask for. You have all taught me well and I draw strength from past experiences and from your letters. Thank you for being so supportive of me. I want to leave you with a lesson that a teacher shared with us this week that I thought was interesting about missionary work.
D&C 75:2 It talks about giving up your name. A missionary gives up his first name to take on the name of Christ on their badge. He works with them side by side. Lifts them up and shares with them the knowledge that he has gained throught the atonement to speak to the souls of those who are ready to hear the gospel.
I love you all and hope you have a great week! Thanks again for your support.
Cectpa Larsen!
I got all of your postcards from Sun Valley and I am so glad that you are having so much fun! I haven't opened the pictures or the workout plan yet because I wanted to get this letter off before my time runs out. I am so sorry to hear about Holly's Dad. Tell her that I love her and my prayers are with her and her family. I am also sorry to hear about Grandpa I hope that everything goes okay with his leg!
Brynn: Tell Ben I said congrats that is awesome that he did the Spudman! He is such a Stud. That is good that you had fun in Idaho I think it was! And I am impressed that you are training for a marathon I don't think I will ever be able to do one. You seriously amaze me every day! Every day I hear your voice in my head with a quote to add a little humor to the day. You have been such a solid example in my life thank you.
Mom: Thank you so much for the packages and the letters. Everyone is jealous of the support that I get from my family. Those packages and words of encouragement have come at times when I have needed them so badly! You brighten my week everytime I get a letter! I have used you in my classes as examples this week! You have always been such a believer in prayer and I have had to draw on that example a lot this week.
Dad: Thank you for the email! I really am so blessed to have such an amazing family! You are the best! I was picturing you and Kota walking today as I was reading your letter and it made me smile to hear her bark in my head. I miss you all so much!
Chase: Thanks for the dear elder last week. It is crazy how just a small letter can lift your spirits so much. I saw Jonny Kats today and it made me think of how it must have been for all of you to be in here. I think about you daily and draw on your strength and example.
I have made it through week two without too much pain. It has actually been an amazing week! Time goes by so weird here. The days seem to drag but when you look back the weeks fly by, it feels like you just barely got here. There is so much to learn and so much to take in that by the end of the night you are so tired but your mind is swimming in your own thoughts of the day, doctrine, and Russian. It is hard to discribe. I just lie in bed and wait to fall asleep. Sometimes it feels like you are in a dream and when you got back to your room you will wake up and be in real life again. It is tiring but every night I go to bed knowing that I am accomplishing so much in one day. I can go to bed knowing that the Lord is happy with my day's work.
This week has been interesting as we have learned more of the Russian Language. We found out that everything we learned the first week was just to make us feel good and feel like we are learning Russian but in reality everything is not as it seems. We have started getting into the grammer of the language and man it is impossible!! They have so many different cases (I think German has the same thing). But each word has its own case and it changes every word in the sentence. It boggles my mind to try and understand it but I think it is starting to click.
We taught our first lesson last Wednesday and it went really well. The spirit here is so strong! We introduced ourselves in Russian and then taught our first lesson in English. It is amazing how the Lord can take your preparation and turn it into a lesson that can influence someone's life. I felt like we did a pretty good job ha. We teach again tomorrow, we have to teach more of it in Russian so we will see how that goes. Poor soul who has to listen to our broken Russian haha.
You are the best family a missionary could ask for. You have all taught me well and I draw strength from past experiences and from your letters. Thank you for being so supportive of me. I want to leave you with a lesson that a teacher shared with us this week that I thought was interesting about missionary work.
D&C 75:2 It talks about giving up your name. A missionary gives up his first name to take on the name of Christ on their badge. He works with them side by side. Lifts them up and shares with them the knowledge that he has gained throught the atonement to speak to the souls of those who are ready to hear the gospel.
I love you all and hope you have a great week! Thanks again for your support.
Cectpa Larsen!
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
Brooke says "Goodbye"
So, on July 15, 2009, Brooke Larsen became Sister Larsen and said goodbye to some of her favorite things--cute shoes, Diet Coke and her hair!
She also said goodbye to friends and family at a party in her honor on July 11. Thanks for all of your love and support!
And then the time came to say goodbye to Brooke, tears mixing with smiles and laughter. We love you Brooke a.k.a. Sister Larsen:
Sister Brooke Larsen survives week 1 in the MTC
Hey,
So I got everyone's postcards yesterday! Thank you so much! It made my day! I also got a package from the Etcheverry's full of Lyndie's cookies from Sun Valley. You will have to tell them thank you from me! I love them!
How is everyone doing? How was your trip to Sun Valley? Did you see Arnold or go to his party? Did Ben and Ashley survive? I hope you guys had a lot of fun!
So I have made it through week one and I don't know if Chase can remember but it feels like I have been here for a month. The third day an Elder asked how long we had been here and I answered "about a week." It really has been a really great experience! I have learned so much. I already know how to introduce myself as a missionary, bear my testimony, and pray in Russian. It really is the hardest language ever! But it is coming slowly. When I write you I will write my testimony at the bottom. I met sister Walker and she is one of my 5 roommates. She is an awesome sister I am really excited to be serving with her. My companion is named Sister Burke. She is from Georgia and she is such a nice girl. She is so thoughtful and she is such a hard worker. She keeps me on task when my mind starts to wander, which happens a lot. But she is going to Donetsk, Ukraine. Of the 6 of us in my room only 3 of us are going to Kyiv. And there are about 10 Elders going from our branch. Sister Clark is the other sister that will be coming with us to Kyiv. She is so sweet. We have a really good group of sisters.
Tuesdays are our Prep days, as you can tell. We went to the temple this morning and it reminded me of going to the temple with mom every Tuesday. Walking around the temple grounds both today and Sunday made me a little homesick I am not going to lie. It is weird sitting at the temlpe and hearing the BYU bells and not going to meet someone from lunch. But as weird as it is other then that I haven't really been homesick. We are so busy that we barely have time to shave our legs. I was talking to another sister from Olympus and we were talking about how easy it was to make the transition to being a missionary. I thought it would be so weird walking around in long really attractive skirts and only listening to church music but I have really enjoyed being here. I really have grown so much in the last few days even though I know I still have a very long way to go.
...
Well I miss you guys so much! I hope you are all doing well and having so much fun with everything. I look forward to hearing from you.
Cectpa Larsen
So I got everyone's postcards yesterday! Thank you so much! It made my day! I also got a package from the Etcheverry's full of Lyndie's cookies from Sun Valley. You will have to tell them thank you from me! I love them!
How is everyone doing? How was your trip to Sun Valley? Did you see Arnold or go to his party? Did Ben and Ashley survive? I hope you guys had a lot of fun!
So I have made it through week one and I don't know if Chase can remember but it feels like I have been here for a month. The third day an Elder asked how long we had been here and I answered "about a week." It really has been a really great experience! I have learned so much. I already know how to introduce myself as a missionary, bear my testimony, and pray in Russian. It really is the hardest language ever! But it is coming slowly. When I write you I will write my testimony at the bottom. I met sister Walker and she is one of my 5 roommates. She is an awesome sister I am really excited to be serving with her. My companion is named Sister Burke. She is from Georgia and she is such a nice girl. She is so thoughtful and she is such a hard worker. She keeps me on task when my mind starts to wander, which happens a lot. But she is going to Donetsk, Ukraine. Of the 6 of us in my room only 3 of us are going to Kyiv. And there are about 10 Elders going from our branch. Sister Clark is the other sister that will be coming with us to Kyiv. She is so sweet. We have a really good group of sisters.
Tuesdays are our Prep days, as you can tell. We went to the temple this morning and it reminded me of going to the temple with mom every Tuesday. Walking around the temple grounds both today and Sunday made me a little homesick I am not going to lie. It is weird sitting at the temlpe and hearing the BYU bells and not going to meet someone from lunch. But as weird as it is other then that I haven't really been homesick. We are so busy that we barely have time to shave our legs. I was talking to another sister from Olympus and we were talking about how easy it was to make the transition to being a missionary. I thought it would be so weird walking around in long really attractive skirts and only listening to church music but I have really enjoyed being here. I really have grown so much in the last few days even though I know I still have a very long way to go.
...
Well I miss you guys so much! I hope you are all doing well and having so much fun with everything. I look forward to hearing from you.
Cectpa Larsen
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