Week 52-Halfway There?!

Well, it looks like this week I'll officially reach the point where I have less time left than I've served!  I'm just grateful that that means I've got a long time left. :P

This week's been... Well, a lot of fun, actually!  I always find myself lifted when I'm anxiously engaged in the Lord's work- even if it means tracting because we have absolutely nothing else to do.  We tore through our lists of potential investigators, and are extremely focused around finding at the moment.  Hopefully we'll be piecing together a member-missionary fireside soon.  It might also help that Church Headquarters phoned our stake and organized another stake conference: The second within two months.  There have been rumours that the stake here will split, but the Stake Presidency have stated that's not the purpose of the meeting: The General Authorities just want to talk to us.  I really hope it's about missionary work. :)

Okay, I'll try to answer the questions mom asked and still throw in some other info she probably would have asked. :P  Elder Fairbanks (who was born here) and I cover the Airdrie 3rd ward, which is the eastern portion of town and several outlying areas (Kathryn, Irricana, Beiseker, Acme, and Balzac). We share Airdrie with three other companionships: two sets of Sisters and another set of Elders.  In our district, there's us, the Sisters from 2nd ward, and the Elders who cover Drumheller (the most northern point in our mission).  Everyone's always talking about how small our district/zone is (the other district has 3 companionships as well), but it's exactly the same as any other district I've been in... So it feels just fine.

We email here in the public library (Which I hate.  They have this little box in the upper right-hand corner that counts down the amount of time you have left, and it gives me a little heart-attack every time I see it!!); it's actually pretty nice.  MUCH bigger than any of the libraries I've been to as of yet on the mission- but, again, Airdrie's just big.  As far as mail goes, now that I'm closer to the mission office, the Zone Leaders go and get our mail once a week- every Friday afternoon.  It's... weird.  It was kind of nice getting a stack of mail all at once! Now, it's kind of like if you were to open one of your Christmas presents every week instead of all on one day.  ...But people's letters are also a lot more current, which is nice.  I'll get used to it. :P

Haircuts?  Hm... It's been a little different everywhere.  In Sparwood, it was Sister La Barbera, Sister Jeffries, or Elder Downing.  Pincher Creek, it was always Sister Ludwig.  Because she's the best.  Man, I miss her... Tell her "hey" from me, okay?  And here in Airdrie, it sounds like most of the missionaries have just cut their own hair.  I bought a set of clippers in Sparwood in case this ever happened, buuut... I'm going to ask around and see if I can't find some more experienced hands. 

Our apartment is, arguably, the fanciest in the mission.  We live in the Bishop's basement, and he's a lawyer.  A good one.  Unfortunately, the apartment is a lot more fashion than function, and we lack many of the amenities that would be available in most other apartments in the mission (i.e.., shower water that doesn't give you hypothermia, study desks, and a stove)...  However, the granite counter-tops and stone floors help ease the pain. :P  The family actually left for Mexico the day before I got here, so I won't meet them until this Saturday; it'll be kind of sad to have them back, though.  It's been really nice to go upstairs after daily planning and practice piano on their not-quite-concert grand.  Their little kids might not appreciate that at 10 pm. 

I apologize for neglecting to mention my appreciation for your Valentine's Day package!!  D: I enjoyed every bit of it.  Here's a picture of my favorite part!

I meant to give the valentine you sent to Sister Butler (I thought she might appreciate it), but... I left it in my bag... So I might eat it.  Or mission mail it.  Whichever comes first. :)

Is grandpa doing okay now?!  It's interesting to think of a fall as a blessing, but I'm certainly glad they discovered the more severe issue.  I'll definitely be including him in my prayers.  Is there anything more I can do from here?

I'm certainly glad that Mom's enjoying her calling; I'm sure it's been stressful, but it also sounds like it's been a lot more help than not.  Mom, as I've been thinking about member-missionary work, I've realized that you've always done a lot- particularly in helping the sheep that have wandered from the fold.  I'm sure this skill is being put to good use at the stake level as well, now.

Perhaps my favorite experiences in the past week have occurred in the Bautista home.  They have some struggles in attending church, but their faith in Christ is particularly astounding.  They've got standing supper appointments with us for every Friday and Sunday, and it gets better every time!  They're from Mexico, but they left there well over a decade ago.  After several moves, they're here in Airdrie, where we get to benefit from the fact that they owned a restaurant in Mexico. Cow-tongue tacos, anyone?! Definitely one of the weirder experiences I've had; I could still see the taste buds. :P

Anyway, they prefer to speak Spanish, but their English is pretty good.  They speak English with us on Fridays, and then they invite the Spanish Elders from Calgary to eat with us on Sundays.  Because my Spanish is, well, garbage, I've enjoyed sitting back and listening, picking out what I understand.  Yesterday, after supper, Elder Fairbanks and I played Como Hallar Fe en Cristo (Finding Faith in Christ) for them.  After the movie, Sister Bautista began to bear her testimony in Spanish.  ...I understood maybe 1/64th of what she meant.  But I was absolutely amazed at the spiritual power that emanated from the words she spoke.  This might not be surprising, but, with tears in my eyes, all I could say in response was, "Yo no se como su hablar, but I felt the Spirit of it."  I proceeded to bear my testimony of the Saviour, and I felt my testimony of the language of the Spirit skyrocket.  The Spirit speaks in real, tangible ways.

Well, I should get going, but I hope to be able to attach a couple photos/sound files for you.  The sound files are recordings of Elder Heuer and I practicing the special musical number we performed in Sacrament meeting; unfortunately, I'm not sure which recording is actually any good, so... I'll send them all. :P

I love you, and I do sincerely hope that this week will be absolutely wonderful.

With much love,
-Elder Jared D. Larsen

Sister Huntley and I at the dinosaur museum!

Elder Heuer and I jamming out :)

My first day in Airdrie, teaching ESL!  Nooch, our investigator, bought us all cake pops. So good. :)  I think she's the one taking the photo, though... Sorry! 

The World's Largest Dinosaur 

 SIDE NOTE FROM FAMILY: We haven't actually received any of the sound files mentioned in this letters.  If we do, I'll be sure to post them for all to enjoy! :)

A Little About Airdrie

Airdrie is a city in Alberta, Canada and is located just 10 minutes north of Calgary.  It was first established as a railway village in 1889 during the construction of the Calgary and Edmonton Railway.  It appears to have been named by William McKenzie, who was a contracting engineer for the railway.  He named it after a village northeast of Glasgow in his native Scotland.  Only railway buildings existed until 1901 when the first farmhouse and barn was built, followed by a post office and store in that same year.  Today, Airdrie is a bedroom community and industrial center.

The current population of Airdrie is 49,564 with a land area of 12.8 square miles.  There are three public high schools in the city.  Airdrie offers a full slate of resident services, with any services not available in the city easily obtainable in nearby Calgary.

Nose Creek, which runs through Airdrie, is the focal point of a number of city parks and green spaces including Nose Creek Park.  Nose Creek Park hosts the annual Airdrie Festival of Lights in the Christmas season.  Other annual festivals include the Canada Day Parade and the Airdrie Pro Rodeo.  Airdrie's primary cultural venues include the Nose Creek Valley Museum and the Bert Church Live Theatre.

Airdrie is home to several sporting franchises.  Major teams include the Knights of Airdrie (a senior men's lacrosse team), the Airdrie Thunder (a Jr. B level hockey team), and Team Aidrie (a Jr. C level hockey team).

Week 51-Love and Greetings from a new area!

Gooood evening!!!  Wow, it's been a long time since I last emailed; hopefully mom didn't wring any necks! ;)  Yesterday there was a Canadian holiday called Family Day, so the libraries were all closed; then today, the missionaries from Drumheller needed a lift out of Calgary due to a damaged vehicle, followed shortly by District Meetings, dropping the other Elders off in Beiseker... And now we're here!

...So where's here, you ask?  I'm in a city called Airdrie.  By population, it's over 12.5 times bigger than Pincher Creek was.  I'm so lost, it's not even funny.  Really, it still has 40,000 fewer people than Orem, so I shouldn't be gawking at the size, but it's weird not hearing cows when you're trying to sleep!

To recap the week, after I found out I was getting transferred, Elder Heuer and I went for lunch with some of our favorite less-active members.  He brought out his guitars, and we all had a little jam session!  After that, I spent most of the day packing, went to my last supper appointment, sang with Elder Heuer for the last time, and stayed up pretty late to finish packing.

Wednesday morning we went to breakfast with two of our investigators and said goodbye, went back to the apartment to clean everything up, and left.

...I honestly didn't think it was going to be as difficult to leave as it was.  I found myself thanking God that Elder Heuer always falls asleep in the car, because it might have been a bit embarrassing if he'd heard me sobbing quietly to myself as I drove out of the city boundaries.  I didn't realize just how much I'd loved it there until I knew I'd never be returning as a missionary.

We arrived at the transfer station, and Elder Heuer and I were immediately separated.  We didn't even really have time to say goodbye! Since I was going North, they had me sit on the opposite side of the chapel.  I did, however, get to meet Sister Almeida, who is apparently from our stake!!  That was cool.  I talked to Sister Butler for a maximum of 5 seconds before President Nicholas put his hand on my shoulder and told me the transfer bus was waiting for me.  Soo that was lame. :(

We drove North, got to Calgary, and sat for the transfer meeting.  I was legitimately terrified at the prospect of so much change at once, but I soon found out that my new companion would be Elder Fairbanks: 18 years old from Grand Junction, Colorado.  He's been out for 7 weeks now, which means I'm his follow-up trainer!  I guess I'll never get out of the 12 week training program. :P

Elder Fairbanks is a great guy with a lot of zeal for... well, EVERYTHING.  I'm not sure how he does it.  I love hearing him tell stories because he'll tell every story as if it was the most exciting thing to ever happen in the history of living organisms.  Often times, it is. :P

Ever since then, I've been having a blast here in Airdrie.  On day one, we taught ESL to our investigator, who is awesome.  Her name is Nooch.  Sort of.  She's from Thailand, so she doesn't want to confuse us with her full name.  She's got a good Buddhist background, but knows very little about Christ.  I'm really looking forward to teaching her more!

Church on Sunday was intense.  I always forget what it feels like to not know ANYONE.  I guess that should help me relate to our investigators a little better.  We got to teach a portion about the importance of members in our Preach My Gospel class, and I think that was a helpful introduction to the ward.

For P-day yesterday, we went out to Drumheller to see the awesome dinosaur museum there.  It was actually pretty fun, but it was even more fun because I ran into a certain Sister Huntley (AKA Sister Butler's "daughter")!  She's serving in Calgary and got some members to take her out to Drumheller.  We got to talk for a good long while, and it was great to see a familiar face in a place where there were none.

And today was our district meeting.  It was definitely different being in charge of a meeting where the attendants know more about the building than I do, but I feel it actually went pretty well overall.  I can tell I do things differently than the last District Leader who was here, so it might be a little bit of a rough transition... We'll see.  The district seems supportive, and they're willing to work with my  mistakes. :P

At this point, I feel I'm rambling... But that could just be because I've given you too many facts.  You asked how I'm doing, and with the complexity of emotions and situations I've felt and been in in the past week, it's a tough thing to answer.  I find myself praying, with Alma of old, "O Lord, wilt thou give me strength, that I may bear with mine infirmities."  Every day I'm reminded of another weakness I have, or another chink in my armor.  I remember that I'm not living up to my potential.  And I remember how close I am to having served longer than I have left.

It's a lot of things to think about all at once, and with the anniversary of Dad's passing on top of it all, I've definitely found it difficult to cope.  But I'm reminded continually of a promise in the Book of Mormon:

"And the Lord provided for them that they should hunger not, neither should they thirst; yea, and he also gave them strength, that they should suffer no manner of afflictions, save it were swallowed up in the joy of Christ. Now this was according to the prayer of Alma; and this because he prayed in faith" (Alma 31: 38). Sister Bradley actually helped me find this one.

Alma and his brethren were not without afflictions in their ministry.  They were not without pain, heartache, or sorrow.  And they were not without depression (Alma 26:27).  But also, they were not without Christ.  Every day here on the mission, I learn more about Jesus Christ.  I learn more of His character, His love, and His friendship.  I also learn more of His suffering in Gethsemane.  I cannot go a single day of hardship or woe without feeling connected with my Saviour as He plead with His father, "If it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt" (Matt. 26:39).

Every time I feel a pang of regret or remorse, I'm reminded of His pains of redemption and remission.  And I have a special bonding moment as I realize how much He truly suffered amidst those olive trees.

While unable to attend the temple myself this last week, I drew significant strength from the ordinances therein, and I truly felt a force connecting our family across all barriers, both spiritual and temporal.  The Priesthood is truly amazing.  The Sealing ordinance is real.

I should probably get to replying to a couple other emails, but just know I love you, okay?  I'm eternally grateful for the time that's been granted me to serve the Lord, and I know He's blessed us for it.  And I want those blessings to continue.  So I'm going to hit the pavement, and teach my step-son what it means to be a missionary!

Much love,
Elder Jared D. Larsen

Week 50-Trials and Transfers (and Pictures)

"More holiness give me, more strivings within. 

More patience in suffering, more sorrow for sin. 

More faith in my Savior, more sense of His care. 

More joy in His service, more purpose in prayer. 

More gratitude give me, more trust in the Lord. 

More zeal for His glory, more hope in His Word. 

More tears for His sorrows, more pain at His grief.

More meekness in trial, more praise for relief. 

More purity give me, more strength to o'ercome, 

More freedom from earth-stains, more longings for home. 

More fit for the kingdom, more used would I be, 

More blessed and holy, more, Savior, like Thee."

This has been my prayer all week as I've faced what I know has been and think will be the toughest week of my mission.  Elder Heuer and I have referred to it as, truly, the refiner's fire.  So many hardships.  And so many miracles. With only 10 minutes to tell you about any of it!!!  I might just have to upload some pictures and call it good.

But first, before I lead you on any longer, I will indeed be heading up North.  I need to be at a stake centre in Lethbridge by noon tomorrow with all of my stuff, where I'll catch the transfer van going that direction.  It'll take me to another building in Calgary, where I'll be told where I'm serving and with whom.

I'm eternally grateful for the gospel and for all that it's done for me in my life, but particularly I'm grateful for all that it's done in the lives of my family and friends.  Every day I'm reminded once more of the choices we make every day to come closer to one of the two great "powers" of the spiritual world, and every day I'm reminded of an example from home where I've seen you all select the good.  It gives me the courage I need to do the same.

I think many people sensed this would be a rough week for me, as I received many kind and thoughtful emails these two P-days.  Unfortunately, time is short, so I download them to read later:  But they always bring the Spirit into my life in such a way as to motivate, encourage, lift, and inspire me.  Thank you all for your kind words and love.

This week will bring with it a lot of change, and a lot of heartache:  But I think we'll be okay.  Dad lived his whole life as a model of St. Francis of Assissi's oft-quoted phrase, and as such, we all were given perfect opportunities to accept the joy of the gospel.  And that gospel is love.

I love you all very much, and can't wait to tell you about the joys this week will bring.  Until then...

-Elder Jared D. Larsen 

Proud son, brother, cousin, grand-son, nephew, and friend.

P.S.-Sorry if I left anyone out... I'm proud of you, too. :)

Us and Adecia: Fun stories to tell there haha.

Us and the Westrops!

Xav and her Irish boyfriend.

 Wow, those captions are terrible: But we're late for an appointment.... :(

Week 49-Thoughts on Repentance

"When I'm stuck with a day that's gray and lonely, I just stick out my chin - and grin - and say, 'The sun'll come out tomorrow! ...Just thinkin' about tomorrow clears away the cobwebs and the sorrow 'till there's none!"

...And that has truly been the motto of the week.  Woah, I promise it wasn't as full of doom, gloom, and misery as it sounds!!  Mostly, I've just found the focus and theme of this week to be "Repentance:" Both with those we've taught and with myself.

With transfers coming up in the next week, I'm feeling I'm fairly liable to be relocated.  That could also be because I had an interview with President, and it came up that I've been out 11 months (crazy) and haven't served in Calgary.  And he got a glint in his eye as he "Hmm"ed to himself.

...I think I'm definitely leaving. :(: -Emoticon of mixed feelings-  I definitely feel that I'm leaving this area much stronger than I found it, but we're only just starting to uncover it's true potential!  Elder Heuer and I have both seen the availability of missionary work in Pincher Creek go above and beyond what most people expect of it.

Anyway, back to repentance: Preach My Gospel (marvelous book; have I mentioned it before?) talks about it like this-

"Repentance includes forming a fresh view of God, ourselves, and the world. When we repent, we feel godly sorrow, then we stop doing things that are wrong and continue doing things that are right."

Pretty cool, eh?  Mostly, I've really enjoyed that first sentence- particularly forming a fresh view of ourselves.  I've seen so many peopled burdened down by sorrow, sin, and sacrifice this week, with myself included; and I've seen what kind of an effect it can have on self-image.  When we beat ourselves up, down, or any other direction, all we do is help Satan accomplish his end of crippling us for this life and the next.  When we come to the Physician, the only Healer with the balms and salves necessary for relief and repair, we send a blow of love back at the source of hate.

No matter who we are or what we've done, as we come to view our Father in exactly that light, we come to understand who we are- rather than "what" we think we are.  And the world around us changes.

...I wish I had more time, but I'm already half an hour over!! It doesn't help when we started 1.5 hours late... :(  I love you, and I'm looking forward to another week full of miracles here, knowing you're experiencing just as many back home!

Much, MUCH love,
-Elder Jared D. Larsen