They brought in the big guns to our zone!

Gday family members!

I am sure that you are all curious about the week that we had. It was quite dandy indeed! But crazy! Sad, exciting, and everything in between!

So you wanna know about transfers I am sure. Well I will tell you in a bit. Mwhaahahaha! The beach was incredible!! We had the whole zone come and enjoy one another's company, food, walking along the beach for the view, playing ultimate frisbee on the beach, and plain awesomeness!!! It was great! (pictures to be included) I honestly think that it was one of the best zone P-days that I have had since I started my mission. Good stuff!

Teauiti's baptism!

Another highlight of the week: Teauiti's baptism! Well, it didn't happen.... on Friday, but it happened on Saturday! Woohoo! All week long, Elder Tai and I were busy preparing for the baptismal service/interview/everything else involved. That was fun! The program was actually really good! The ordinance went well, Elder Tai said it perfectly, and the talks were great! I ended up giving a talk as well, but the others were great for clarification! :D Jokes - mine was fun! I think that the best part was all the missionary work that resulted from the baptism.

Elder Tai, Teauiti, and Elder Larsen.

Heaps of the family are not members, and they came to support Teauiti at his service. Particularly, his brother has a fiancee that we talked to. Apparently she has read the Book of Mormon already, and looked a bit into the Church. That's pretty cool! She was really suprised and keen to learn when we told her about how we have a living prophet, and we should be meeting with her this week hopefully with Teauiti's mom. That would be ideal! The confirmation went well. We were just glad that he had so much support from the ward and from his family. It was swell!

Charlie was unable to meet this week so we didn't have a lesson with Perlita and Ocean this past week. This week for sure though!

Elders Larsen and Tai, Naomi and her brother, Cains.

My companion is Elder Bartholomew!

Okay, I am sure that you are wondering about transfers now.... So.... I got transferred! And released! Then, I woke up from my dream. Actually, Elder Tai actually got transferred.... :( Very sad. He had to pack his bags. On Monday we took him to Mortdale where I awaited my new comp. 

Drum roll........ My companion is.... Elder Bartholomew! He is the man! He is from Springville, Utah, and was just serving as a zone leader in Dapto! And previous to that he served in Liverpool 1st Ward! Wha?? The man! Honestly, Elder Bartholomew is one of the most Christlike, loving, hard working, and fun missionaries in the mission field. I was soooo excited when I found out who my comp was. He has been a zone leader for 6 months, was called at the same time as me. And he spent the whole time in Dapto. He is musically inclined, loves the Lord, and loves the mission. So I think that we will have an amazing couple of transfers together! I am so excited!

Elder Bartholomew, Elder Tito, Elder Fiu, Me.

They brought in the big guns to our zone!

Guess what else? Half our zone left! I am the only leader that didn't leave. They shotgunned out two areas (our district leader areas) and sent in two just released zone leaders and one just released assistant to the Mission President to our zone. Wooooaaahh! And guess who one of those released zone leaders is? Elder Tito! Hahahahahahahahahahahahaha, so Dad you got your wish (kinda sorta). He is in the Samoan ward, and will be training. Elder Fiu (Samoan also from Melbourne) was just one of our Assistants, will be taking Elder Macfarlane's spot (who is now a zone leader in Mortdale zone) and will be a district leader/trainer. He is the MAN! He served around Elder Cocker quite a bit, and knows heaps of his jokes that he always told. And Elder Brice is in the Chinese branch, and was a zone leader in Canberra prior to this. They brought in the big guns to our zone! Sweet as! This transfer is going to be much easier than last. Our district leaders are so experienced, and our missionaries are even more motivated! A very positive outlook on the future! (P.S., Elder Tito said he forgot to write you guys this week, but he will next week).

We went to the temple today as well. That was incredible! The first time I saw the most recent presentation. WOW!

Any questions about transfers? Man. we talked to president and he looked at Elder B (Elder Bartholomew) and I, and shook his head with a smile, and said "Man, you two together [continues to shake head and smile].... And your zone! Now, we put in the big guns there! so we will be looking forward to all of the baptizing that you guys will be doing right?" "Of course, President!" "Looking forward to it, Elders". Ha! President knows that he spoiled me. The man!

Oh, Pres and Sis Back came to our Zone P-day last week! That was awesome! They brought a kite, and got it stuck in a tree (see video on camera card). Wheeeeeelp that's pretty much the week! I will try and send some pics, but we gotta go soon!

Love ya heaps!

Elder Larsen

Last week's P-day at the beach.  Sister Back trying to be tall.  :)

The beach!

Elder Macfarlane is trying to get Sister Back's kite from the tree.

Elder Harry has retrieved a rugby ball from on top of what looks like a church?