Eyes that gaze into the depths of your very soul!

Hiya!

This has been a looooooooong week. Holy smokes. So much has happened, I don't even know what to think!  I have forgotten lots of what has happened, well at least all of the minor details.

Short video taken on Elder Larsen's last night in Canberra Zone.

Eyes that gaze into the depths of your very soul!

One thing that I thought that I should share with you all was my experience at our mission conference with Elder Russell M. Nelson. That was crrrraaaaaaaaaazzzyyy cool! So, Elder Cocker and I drove up Tuesday evening to Sydney, and we stayed with Elder Searle and his companion Elder Withers in Parramatta, one of the areas in the city. We had fun catching up with Elder Searle, and the following morning we went to the Baulkham Hills chapel in the Sydney North Mission, like an hour before the meeting was supposed to start. Elder Nelson arrived around a half-hour before the meeting was due to begin, so we all had the opportunity to shake his and his wife's hand, and the accompanying Authorities hands, which included President Hamula (Pacific Area President) and Elder Orirdan (both of the Seventy), the one who came to our stake conference with Elder Pearson. Man! That was amazing! Elder Nelson has eyes that gaze into the depths of your very soul! Shuckaroonboons!

Elders Cocker and Larsen, the day before Elder Larsen transferred to his new area.

Then all of the above spoke to us. Elder Orirdan told us to reach out to the members, particularly Less-active members, part-member families, and prospective missionaries. President Hamula talked about grace and how it changes us slowly to make us the missionaries that we need to become. Their wives both spoke. Then Sister Nelson. All three of their wives had a lot of fantastic, inspiring insights to give us concerning missionary work. And then Elder Nelson got up. Man! It was so different from what I was expecting. He interacted with a lot of different missionaries. He knew all of the missionaries names who volunteered for things without asking. That was crazy!

He spoke about the nature of our calling. How unlikely the odds are for us. He related it to how unlikely it was for a 14 year-old boy to be called as a prophet. How unlikely it was for a virgin to bear the Savior of the World. How unlikely it was for Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. Then he told us that the Lord puts his servants in unlikely circumstances to prove that He helps his servants out. He related us to the Old Testament story in Judges 7, about Gideon's army of 300 versus the 150,000 or something like that. The Lord is always there to lift us up! To help us when we need it. That was cool!

I am going to miss Elder Cocker and Canberra

Another thing that happened this week; transfers. Hmmmmm. President called me up on Saturday and told me that I would be leaving Canberra, so that I should pack my bags. He also asked me to be a District Leader... The first things that came to mind; What?? I am too young in the mission to do that! What?? I like my area, don't move me! Whaaaaaaaaaaat?!

But I reflected on what Elder Nelson said, about how the Lord works through impossible means to prove that he assists his servants. Is this one of those impossible means? Definitely. Gosh. Well, I am definitely in need of extra help.... Man I am going to miss Elder Cocker and Canberra.

So in light of those two events this week has been a blur. I don't remember too much of what happened. I saw some of the members of our ward for the last time before I left. They really were my family. I hope to keep in touch with them.

Here is a happy district before transfer details came.

He is from Fiji.  He's the man!

We drove up to Mortdale Monday morning for our transfer meeting. I found out that I was assigned to go to Dapto! Which is close to Wollongong. Man was I excited! Dapto is where Elder Cocker served before Canberra! It is also on the Coast! And there are a number of other reasons why I was excited.

I met my new companion. His name is Elder Balenaveikau. He is from Fiji. He's the man! We share a flat with our Zone Leaders, Elder Olsen (who is from San Bernadino, California) and Elder Tito (from Australia). They are awesome! I am glad that I am with them. They will be able to help me out with this District leader stuff..

Dapto is beautiful. It is right on the coast, and is very green! As far as the work goes there is a lot of work to be done! I am excited for that! Oh yeah, apparently Elder Jenkins from the MTC is in my district! Yay! He is serving in a place called Mittagong. There are 8 elders in my district. 4 in Dapto (ZLs and me and Elder B), and 4 in Mittagong. Apparently we have the biggest district in the zone. Cool beans.

I can't wait to send you pictures of the Area. You are going to love them.

Ezra, yes there are Lego's in Australia! They are almost as cool as the American ones! Actually they are the same.  JJ, yes, there is heaps of ice cream in Aussie-land. It is pretty dang good too!  Kaysie, I actually don't need help spending my money. Thanks though! :)

Next week I hope to have awesome miracles to share with you all from Dapto. We will be working hard! I am excited!

Okay, that is pretty much it! I hope you all have a great week! Actually before I log off, I have an assignment for you.... Mwahaha... Can you guys share with me your favorite scripture next week? I would like to read those. That would be cool.

Alrighty! I love you guys! Talk to you later!

Ka kite (Spell check that for me, Dad)
Elder Larsen

BONUS EMAILS:
Sometimes Jarrad is online at the same time as his parents and they are able to trade emails. This latest exchange includes a surprising coincidence about one of his Zone Leaders, Elder Tito, who shares a flat with him.

Elder Larsen: "Hi guys! I am on now, I am just going to write to President Lew first...."
Dad: "Praise the Lord!!!"
Elder Larsen: "Okay, I am done with my letter to Pres. Lew, so I will write y'all!"
Dad: "Big week, huh?  We got an email from the H___ Family in Canberra.  How was it leaving your first area behind?  That was a hard one for me."
Dad: "You should be super pleased with what you and Cocker accomplished.  You literally started with nothing.  Nada.  Zippo.  Whitewashed in.  Now your old area is really prospering.  You and Cocker built up a pool of wonderful investigators that are progressing at different stages.  I am real proud of you!  I really feel like the Lord loves you for the work you did in Canberra area."
Elder Larsen: "It was kinda hard. But I knew I would have to leave sometime. Did you guys hear where I am now?"
Dad: "Yes! I cannot believe it almost. Except The Lord is in charge. He knows you perfectly. Pretty amazing that you're in Dapto! Pretty crazy! Can't wait to hear more about your area and companion."
Dad: "We will miss Cocker.  We pray for him too.  We expected he would be the one transferred and not you.  But it was time for you to take the lead.  You were ready.  You will have some awesome experiences in a different role now!  We are super excited for you.  It will be even more important to listen to the Spirit. But you will do amazing! Do you think you can track down the Fisher dude from Queanbeyan?  And you know Mutual Broadhurst's family (from Dad's mission) has been waiting for you to come see them!  I still cannot believe it!"
Elder Larsen: "I will miss him too.... Did the H___ Family tell you that President asked me to be a District Leader? Oh and who is it in Sister Broadhurst's family??"
Elder Larsen sent his main letter (above).
Dad: "OK.  You have to ask Elder Tito if his mother's name is N___.  I taught a N___ in Manurewa, New Zealand and her husband baptized her.  Ask him!"
Elder Larsen: "I'll ask..."
Dad: "If he has brothers named Spencer and Ezra, then I taught and baptized his mum (actually the dad baptized the mom).  That would be crazy."
Elder Larsen: "That is his mom!!!!!!!!"
Elder Larsen: "Craaaaazy!!! He just told me that they have a picture of you and your comp at home! Man! Who was your companion at the time? Was he an islander?"
Dad: "Yes!  Elder Mataio Scanlan.  Native Samoan.  He was from Apia.  I didn't speak much Samoan, but I tried!"
Elder Larsen: "Whaaaaaaaaaat??? That is crazy! Maaaaaan! You know everyone over here! That is craaazy! We have the T______ Family, Mutual Broadhurst's family, Elder Tito, the H___ Family, Bishop A___, and Elder Puriri's [grandfather]!"
Dad: "I was a slacker of a journal writer when I was teaching Elder Tito's mum, but this is what I wrote on the day of the baptism: "We had two choice people baptized today.  N___ Tito was baptized by her husband, T___.  During the service (the hymn in particular) I closed my eyes to enjoy the Spirit.  I was hit kind of hard by the Spirit and opened my eyes to see N___ crying.  She is cool." I love you Elder Larsen!  Work hard!  Eat the Food!  Love the People!"
Elder Larsen: "Thanks Dad! Kiwi connections! Crazy. I love you guys too! Have a good week!"