Muslim man yelling at us

This week has been crazy! I will just go over some of the highlights really quick..

Monday we played basketball, Mortdale Zone vs. Bankstown. And President Back let us play full-court. :D Bankstown was victorious!!!! We beat them 21-17. It was scary at the beginning of the game, they were up by like 5 or 6 early on. But we caught em, and gave them a hiding! Wooohoo! Bankstown pride!

Some success working with member families

We have had some success working with member families this week. One family in our ward is preparing their cousins for us to teach them. That's really exciting! It is cool that we have the trust in us as missionaries to allow us to help their family receive the gospel. Hopefully we will have an update in the future about how that goes! There is a less-active brother who also wants us to start teaching his nephews, son, and father, none of whom are members. We have an appointment for tomorrow with them. That should be awesome! We are looking forward to that, and will let you know how that goes.

Muslim man yelling at us

This week has been interesting for the number of people of the Islamic faith we have run into and "chatted" with. I can't remember if I have mentioned it before, but Bankstown has a large population of Muslim people. This week, we met some Muslim men sitting on their porch, who invited us over to sit next to them, and then they began ripping into us. That was fun.... They said that we could come back and share a bit more with them. We didn't exactly have a whole lot of opportunity to open our mouths and share our beliefs and bear testimony. We were kinda cut off every time by a Muslim man yelling at us telling us we were wrong. So we decided to fight fire with fire..... :)

That is a mosque here in Sydney. It is massive! So many Islamic people.
They are among some of the kindest people that I have met here.

There is a recent convert in our ward who is Lebanese, and he speaks all of the languages of the Middle-East, as well as French and English. He is quite an emotional man... (he is very enthusiastic about his new-found faith) We took him to the same place for an appointment, and exchanged a few pleasantries, and then one of them pulled out a piece of paper from his bag with scripture references from the Bible, and then basically tried to prove that the Bible is faulty. Unfortunately, our friend and this Muslim man got a bit heated, as he defended our beliefs and attacked theirs all in Arabic, so we had no idea what was going on. It must have been entertaining because a crowd of neighbors slowly trickled around us, and found chairs to sit and watch. Sigh...

We didn't even get to share the message of the Restoration with them, which pretty much validates the points he was trying to make about the Bible, although not all of them I must add. Hahaha one funny thing about it was that apparently they started talking about how they are from the same place in Lebanon, and we couldn't tell. The volume they were speaking with was the same, and our fellowship was using the same facial and hand gestures, so we only found out when we left.... Hahahahaha..... Good times...

This missionary had run away...

We had some fun this week with missionaries. One day, a couple of the missionaries in our zone got separated at a train station. One went to the next appointment to wait, and the other (with the phone) stayed at the train station and called us. So we picked him up, put him with another missionary and went on the prowl. We had noooo idea where to look, (our impression was that this missionary ran away) so we searched aimlessly around one suburb for 4 hours, checking train station, parks, members homes, and other likely areas. Eventually, we decided to check the missionary's flat. and there he was! Sitting outside, patiently waiting for someone to find him. What the heck??? we had checked their flat previously, but because he thought his comp would come look at the appointment's house, he was there for 3 hours! Then he made his way home. Sigh.... Lucky it was a misunderstanding, and the missionary actually didn't run away. Hahaha

We had a good appointment with Allen, the American protestant guy we found that one P-day a couple weeks back. That was fun! Next time we meet with him, we will hopefully have more of an opportunity to teach the Restoration. He kinda controlled the conversation this week. But he agreed to hear us out again.

Less-active investigators

P_ and O_ are less-active investigators. A funny phrase, but true. We haven't taught them or even seen them for ages! That's a bit frustrating. Our other investigators are also a bit less-active :). J_ and S_ were busy this week (they actually canceled on us as we were searching for missionaries, which I think was a tender mercy).

We found a Coptic Orthodox man who was reaaaallly interested, but lives out of area. That was a great miracle. The missionaries in the North Mission will do well with him.

That was pretty much the week. Hope to have lots of good stuff to report next week!

Ofa'atu!
Elder Larsen

I love Tongans! I love Otai too!

G'day!

This week has been swell. We had a couple trade-offs, some choice teaching experiences, and good fun!

I love Tongans! I love Otai too!

We traded off with Elder Fiu and Elder Chu Shing (trainee) this week. I was working in our area with Elder Chu Shing. He is the man! He is serving from Melbourne, and got to the mission field about 5 weeks ago. What a great missionary! The whole time we were together, I kept on being reminded of when I was at that stage in the mission. Wow! It has flown by. Elder Chu Shing helped me to get excited about the work again! We had a miraculous trade-off (remember, trade-offs bring miracles).

We were walking around one of the suburbs that we work in, contacting some investigators of ours, and we passed this particular house with plants that clearly identified the family as an Islander family. So we decided we should knock that door. We knocked, and a Tongan man probably in his 50's came to the door, saw us and said "Wait here, I will go get you a drink". So he walked off, and came back with some Otai (a Tongan drink normally made with coconut cream, milk, watermelon, and other varieties of fruit). He then invited us into his home, where we sat on mats weaved from leaves. He and his wife started talking with us as if we were best friends! We eventually found out that the husband used to be a member, even a Ward Mission Leader. And since he married his wife, he started to go to her church. They were busy then, but they said to come back and we can teach them. Man! I love Tongans! I love Otai too! I need to learn how to make it...

Sometimes missionaries feel a little left out...  Please let them in!

Picture taken by Elder Tai, Jarrad's previous companion

Turning Elder Larsen Pink

We also had a trade-off with our Assistants to the President. I went with Elder Roberts, serving from Canada. And Elder B went with Elder White, my first zone leader (with Elder Shafer). I worked in the Assistant's proselyting area in Mortdale. Man it was awesome! Elder Roberts is such a great missionary! We had heaps of fun together. We decided to walk around all day, so that we could talk to more people, and Elder Roberts wanted me to turn pink. So we did so, and we had quite a bit of success with finding new people to teach, as well as turning Elder Larsen pink!

Elder Roberts and I had a lot in common. He used to work on a Church farm in Canada, a cattle ranch, and is basically a cowboy through and through. He loves working hard. It was cool to be able talk about the mission, about difference experiences that we have had, and what we have learned from them. He is the man! A funny experience that we had: One of the part-member families they are working with is from Lebanon (the middle-east for those of you who don't know). A few of them are members, most aren't.

That family is craaaaazy! They had some really funny little girls, age 6 and 4 (I would guess, anyways). Far out, the 6 year-old was naughty! She had a wider vocabulary than a 6 year old should have, for sure (she swore a bit). Well, anyways, these two little girls ran up to us as we were walking down their street, and started running back towards their house a little bit in front of Elder Roberts. The 6 year-old stopped and made a very bad noise. Man it was loud! The two little girls laughed, ran a bit more, and then she did it again! What the heck?? They thought it was sooo funny! Okay, we were busting up laughing too. I will be honest. HAhahahaha!

Elder Roberts and Elder Larsen (a little pinker...)

Resolve any of life's questions

Something that I am thankful for is the Book of Mormon. This week in my reading, I have tried a bit of a different approach. I normally do different things to help me to get the most out of my reading, and this week I decided to study for some of the elements of teaching. Basically, I wanted to learn more how the Lord and the BoM prophets use inspired questions, how they extend commitments, and what promised blessings they give people. The idea was to allow me to model the questions, invitations, and promised blessings that I use to those used in the scriptures. It has strengthened my testimony that the Book of Mormon can answer and help resolve any of life's questions as you search, ponder, and pray to receive inspiration and guidance. And it has payed off as I have applied what I learn. What a blessing to know that we can receive continuous revelation from the Lord!

Strange weather

This week had strange weather conditions here in Sydney. Sunday was HOT-AS!! Monday, we caught a rainstorm that carried over to Tuesday, then Wednesday through Saturday we had variations of heat and cold, wet and dry. What the heck, weather?? Make up your mind! It made me want to cry!!! Monday evening, returning to our flat to begin proselyting after our P-day was over, we got outside just as it started dumping heaps and heaps of water down. MAN! We were soaked!!!! Lucky we only had to walk from our car to the flat, or we would have been soaked! Far out!

P_ and O_ went on vacation this past week, so they are not going to be baptized for a bit. However, we should have an appointment this Wednesday. So hopefully we can get them on track. There is another part-member family that we are working with, J_ and S_ who have two kids, London, and Jayda. It was their party that we went to a few weeks ago. They are doing really well, actually. I have visited them a few times since I have been here in Bankstown, but they have never progressed this well. They almost came to church Sunday, but J_ found out he had to work last minute (grrrr.. shift work....). But I have a feeling that this week is going to be incredible.

That is pretty much it for Elder Larsen in Aussie world! Hope yous have a great week!

Love,
Elder Larsen

You guys have matching uniforms!

Hi family!

This week has indeed been pretty short. But we have had some good experiences over the past several days.

You guys have matching uniforms!

Last Wednesday, while searching around a couple stores for some stuff that we need for our flat, we met this guy named Allen. Allen is the man! He is an American fellow from North Carolina, married here, and now lives in our area. It was pretty funny how we met him, we were just going up the escalator, and he was just in front of us, and said "you guys have matching uniforms!" Immediately we noticed the American accent, and we started talking with him more. He has been all over the place! But most importantly, we swapped contact info, and he is keen to have us over hopefully sometime this week to teach about the gospel! I think that he is Anglican? Not positive on that. I think the main thing for him is that we are American. So, sweet as!

It is neat how the Lord blesses you as you simply do what is asked; on Preparation Day, we are asked to go around in proselyting clothing unless we are doing an activity that requires other attire. It is very easy for missionaries to not do so, but because we obeyed, we were blessed. How cool is that?! If we were in non-proz (non-proselyting clothing) then we wouldn't have been able to meet Allen. As we obey, the Lord will immediately bless us.

The Bankstown Zone (aka the Celestial Zone)

And again

He was going to take the Book of Mormon to his church for scripture

We also had a bit of success doing some street contacting this past week. We were walking around one of the suburbs that we normally work in, and there were a few kids playing outside on the grass, and they said "Hi!!" We said "Hi" back, and they just came up to us and started talking! For ages! Man, these kids were only 11 and 12 (one boy and one girl). They were trying to tell us jokes and stuff (but we knew all of the punch lines! Hahahaha) and that was funny. They were astonished to hear us say that there is a living prophet on the earth today, and they immediately wanted to know more. We gave them copies of the Book of Mormon. The boy said that he was going to take it to his church for scripture (apparently he was assigned to read their pastor a scripture that Sunday), I wonder how that will go over... Hahaha! Hopefully we will be able to meet the whole family sometime this week.

We have been struggling to be in contact with most of our previously progressing investigators. Which is why these little finding miracles are so meaningful. Unfortunately we were unable to meet with P_ and O_ this past week, because our main fellowshipper was not able to fit time in his super busy schedule. We will see for this week...

General Conference was fantastic!!!

General Conference was fantastic!!! There were so many great talks! One that I really liked (and President Back really liked too, he told us, because we go to the mission office for general conference) was Lynn G. Robbins' talk. "Which way are you facing?" I don't know if you guys caught it, but that talk was fire and brimstone! It was really neat. Are we facing others around us, or are we facing the Lord? That was the question to be asked.

I LOVED President Uchtdorf's talks (here and here). He is so inspiring! I love the analogy that he used for us as we seek spiritual light and truth. We need to use the proper instruments (read and ponder the message of the BoM/other things, ask God with faith and sincerity if is true, live and apply the principles in our lives) in order to be able to discern and gather celestial light, and know truth, just as is the case with deep-space information-gathering. Definitely something that I want to share with people here.

I enjoyed Elder Ballard's talk about "Stay[ing] in the Boat". I pondered a great deal on the rafting/canoeing/boating experiences that I have had in the past. And the experiences that I have had when I went down the river w/out a boat, just a life jacket. And I tried to apply the principles that he taught in the message. Please stay in the boat!!

I also enjoyed President Monson's talk about the importance of having a functioning rudder to guide us through mortality. I personally am a fan of war stories, maybe that is why I liked his talk so much. But everything that Pres. Monson said struck home with me. As we have purpose and know where we need to go, we will be able to navigate ourselves back to the presence of our Heavenly Father.

Elder Bednar's talk was great. "Why do we as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints desire to share the gospel with such zeal?" It is because we have had powerfully experiences in the past that has healed wounds. We have overcome trials and difficulties  through the Atonement of Christ only fully accessible as you live the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The story of his kids was also pretty cute. I did in fact think of my brothers as I heard it.

Do not abandon the Gospel's safe embrace

Because we were out of our area at the Mortdale chapel, and we didn't want to waste k's by driving back to our area in between every session, we went on trade-offs with the Mortdale Zone Leaders, Elder Anderson and Elder Macfarlane. That was great! I was with Elder Mac most of the time, and we had positive experiences with inviting people to come to conference and such. I did hear some sad life experiences that really have motivated me to not abandon the Gospel's safe embrace. I know that more often than not it is my standards and understanding of the Gospel that keeps me safe.

We had ZTM (Zone Training Meeting) this week as well, I think that I forgot to mention it last week. ZTM was good! I did a follow-up training on effective studies, following up from last month. And Elder Bartholomew trained on focusing on teaching Faith and Repentance. The meeting went well, the Spirit was felt, and we are hopefully all better as a result of it!

We have done a few services this past week. Just this morning we mowed a lawn, which tends to be the service we render most often. I think that the strangest service that we offered was back in Canberra, when we went through a garage and sorted what needed to be thrown out. It was strange because of the stuff we sorted through... Lots of raaaaandom stuff. Also lots of cool stuff. Ex) indian wallets, detailed maps of Australia, old serviceman equipment etc. Fun stuff!

The most rewarding service that we have rendered.... Hmmm... Probably just the services that have helped us to get closer to the people that we serve. For example, we did service for some of our middle-eastern investigators this morning and last week, and they want us around so much! They call us their "sons". The family has soo much potentiel. They also have so much improvement to make! But that's just like us all. I need to improve. And fortunately, I am at a moment in my mission where I can evaluate what has been done, and set goals and make plans to improve.

On my year mark we didn't have a whole lot of time to do too much. But we did have time to study, which was probably my most benificial study session on my mission. I looked over the past year of my mission, at my regrets, at my successes, and decided that I don't have room for any more regrets. Which means I have some work to do. But I am proud of the person I am becoming. I am more and more like my Saviour. What a transformation! And I have a year to go, still!

That's pretty much what has been going on over here. My companion is still the Man, our zone is celestial and all is well!

Love ya heaps!
042!
Elder Larsen

Half way? Tomorrow?

G'day familia!

How goes it? This week has been pretty good. It has been a long time since we last wrote!

Half-way? Tomorrow?

Well I guess I have to confess.... I have no idea where my mission has gone... Wow! Half-way? Tomorrow? That's crazy! Has it seemed like a year since you last saw me? This week has been a week of reflection for sure. What have I done over the past week? What have I learned? What experiences have I had that I will treasure forever? What regrets do I have to learn from? What can I do to more fully consecrate myself to serving the Lord? It seems like just yesterday we touched down at the Sydney airport. But at the same time, so much has happened since then. I am not the same missionary that got off of that plane and walked around with purpose, but without being able to understand anyone. Changes that I have seen in myself? Well I could go on and on.

Is your companion the best? I think not. He doesn't make waffles for you.

Ahh. Cute.

Greetings and common phrases in 16 languages

One, I know greetings and common phrases in about 16 languages: English, Spanish, Maori, Tongan, Samoan, Pigeon English, Fijian, Cantonese, Mandarin, Cook Island Maori, Japanese, Tagolog (Philippines), Kiowa, Australian, Kiwi, Arabic, and Aramaic. Oh, and Vietnamese. And there is probably a couple that I forgot to include. Is Sydney diverse? Why yes, I believe so.

I love the people from all of these different places

Two, I love the people from all of these different places more and more every day. I have come to realize more and more how we are all children of our Heavenly Father. And I desire to help them more than ever before. It is not something that I can describe very well with words. But it is quite a different love than what I had when I arrived.

Three, I am far from perfect. I have so many shortcomings and weaknesses. I cannot overcome them without the help of my Saviour Jesus Christ, who overcame all. Something that Elder O'Riordan said one of the most recent times that we heard from him (I think MLC a couple months ago) is that the first half of our missions are to sanctify and purify ourselves so that we can perform in the second half of my mission. I strongly desire to do so. I think that I have a lot of sanctification and purification to do still, and I know that it will bless me. Quite honestly, even as I write this, I am still in shock. My mission has floooooown by.......... I guess that means I just have to dig in and work even harder than ever before. I wish I was training so his greenie fire could rub off on me again!!!

My testimony has grown

Four, my testimony has grown insurmountably. I continue to be nourished by the teachings of the scriptures and the leaders of the Church. Most importantly, the Holy Ghost has changed my heart. I am becoming more and more capable of recognizing the Holy Ghost. And I want it with me constantly.

And finally, my conviction that Jesus Christ is the Son of God has solidified like no other. I have had my testimony tried and challenged, and racked by those that don't believe in Christ. Especially here in Bankstown. As I defend and stand for my beliefs, I exercise my faith like a muscle and it grows and grows!

Harder than you think

Over the past week and a half, we have offered quite bit of service. It has been getting HOT! Man! But it feels so good to help people when help is needed. I feel as I believe Christ did when he served others. I am not able to help them all in the same capacity that Jesus Christ helped others, but that isn't what matters.

We have also been finding new people to work with. From MLC, that really is going to be the focus for the upcoming months: Finding New Investigators. Finding prepared people leads to Conversion. I am trying to exercise faith by opening my mouth more and more, by trying to make sure that I don't let anyone walk past without hearing the Gospel message. That is harder than you think, especially when you meet people who don't have a basic belief in God, or have contradicting beliefs concerning the Role of Jesus Christ. But we are promised that the Lord will provide as we do our part.

Maybe I will burn a shirt

Oh, you also asked what we are going to do in celebration of my 1 year mark. I don't know. Maybe I will burn a shirt. We are definitely playing some sport with some of the other Elders of our zone in the morning. And there was word of a breakfast... We will see! It is pretty crazy. Probably comparable to 40th birthday. I don't know...

We will be watching General Conference this weekend. That will be fun!! I am so excited! It's gonna be amazing. Any highlights from your conference experience? I am going to get more out of conference than ever before. I  know that much.

Earlier this morning we had interviews with President Back. Those went really well. I always enjoy the time that I get to spend with our mission parents as I have said in previous letters. They are called by inspiration. I am much closer to President and Sister Back than I have been to my last mission presidents and wives. I don't know if that is because I am serving physically closer to them, or if it is because I am a zone leader and see them quite a bit. But I admire all of my mission presidents equally. They all have something different to offer (as you expressed in the letter, Dad).

Mom! You are working! That's awesome! But weird! How are you liking that? Looks like my brothers are having fun with basketball. Good on ya's!

Next week, will you's share a missionary experience that you had over the past week? (Hint: you have to have a missionary experience) :)

That's about it! Hope you's have a great week!

Love you
Elder Larsen

Bwahahaha!

Giant blackberry?