People you meet that give you purpose and reason

Our meeting was foreordained

Do you ever feel like there are people you meet that give you purpose and reason for being somewhere? People that impact your life significantly? Maybe people you have met at school? Or at work? Or at church? Or family members that particularly mean a lot to you? I've met a few of those people on my mission.

There are some members that I have met in various areas that know Dad from when he was serving his mission in Auckland, New Zealand. There is a family that actually had Dad attend their wedding reception [when he was a missionary]! That is one example of what I mean. Another would have been meeting Elder Tito, who's mom was baptized by Dad on his mission.

A lot of the time since I have been here, the people that I have met that have been important to me have been because I am connected to them somehow through my dad. But there have been some individuals that I have met and established relationships with on my own that I know will last beyond the grave, and that our meeting was foreordained.

I have a purpose -- greater than simply serving

We met a new investigator, named M_, this past week who I know will be one of those individuals. He is so prepared for the Gospel. Finding and meeting with M_ has helped me to feel that I have a purpose -- greater than simply serving. I am here with my companion to help this individual. It is interesting to think, what individuals in my area did I promise to find and teach the Gospel while in the Preexistence?

Anyways, I just wanted to let you know that I feel that I have a purpose in being here in Wollongong. I really feel that I met M_ and promised him that I would help him receive the Gospel. What a special experience to find individuals like him!

We met with M_ this past Saturday, and he showed us around the area (he lives at the very northern border of the area, in a beeeeaaaautiful place called Stanwell Park. It's basically a 40 min. drive right along the beach to his house, and there is some breathtaking scenery, that's for sure! I'll send some pictures in a minute.... Anyways, he showed us around and even bought us a burger! What a great guy! We were able to teach him then, and even on Sunday after church. He has been attending church since last November, but never had the lessons! And he soaks it up!

Apparently he has already had some spiritual experiences with the Book of Mormon, and believes it to be the word of God. He has so many questions and is so prepared for the Gospel! We invited him to be baptized, which he agreed to. His only concern at the moment is that he is going through a bit of a nasty divorce, and he wants to wait for baptism till after that finishes (in December). Do you guys have any ideas of things we could share with him to help him be comforted and feel that he can be baptized before that? Homework:) haha!

A beach not far from M_'s house he showed us yesterday.

My computer is reserved, so I have to get off in 30 seconds. I will try and get another computer to finish telling you about the week, but if not, love you heaps!!!! Talk to you soon!

Elder Larsen

Okay, got another computer!...

So yeah, I would say that meeting with M_ was the highlight of the week!

Don't take it lightly, guys! 

We also had Zone Conference with Pres and Sis Back. That was pretty awesome! I really enjoyed learning from them. I especially enjoyed Sister Back's comments about the Atonement. That was the focus of her entire training. My favorite quote from Preach My Gospel was actually the core of her message: "As your understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ grows, your desire to share the gospel will increase" or something along those lines. And how true is that!! Very true. As we come to understand that the Restored Gospel is the only way for all of God's children to receive the fullness of the Blessings of the Atonement, we will realize the importance of sharing the Gospel with all we can! So don't take it lightly, guys! 

A new ward mission leader was called in our ward, which will really help the work take off (I reckon). His name is Matt Hardwick. He served in this mission about 15 years ago. His wife was also called to be a ward missionary. We really hope that the member-missionary work will ignite, because that is what the ward needs!

I had a couple of sick days this week, Friday and Saturday, so Sister Back basically commanded me to stay in the flat, except with appointments. Boy was I glad we had a couple [appointments] on Saturday. We will meet with the Chilean family again this upcoming week, and I am excited to read the talk you guys suggested (I took a picture of it). 

Oh yeah, A_'s baptism was pushed back to the 11th of July. It looks like she is getting baptized with 2 of her brothers!! That's pretty exciting! Older than the 9 year old that was baptized with the mom! Cool stuff! We will still be able to go, and it will be Elder Coats' last Saturday! He is pretty nervous! But excited. Missions are quick!!

That's pretty much the highlights! Good to hear from all of you! 

Love you heaps!

Elder Larsen

Video of Elders Larsen and MacFarlane helping get Elder Harry off a church roof in Sydney: