Answangs And Dange

Hey besties. 

We didn't take a ton of pics this week but here we go.

Sorry I put another random rice field but looooook its so greeeen.

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TATAY JAYME

Tatay Jayme is one of our interested friends. His wife is a member but they lived apart for years now because brother was working abroad. He just recently had a stroke so he came home. When we first visited them I was frankly hesitant to teach Tatay. He was completely paralyzed on the left side of his body. I saw no way he could come to church. Luckily Sister Castañaga saw the potential and helped me remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God. Over the weeks now as we have been visiting and teaching Tatay his physical healing has been closely correlated with his spiritual growth. And even though we are teaching him in Tagalog and Ilocano, he is slowly gaining an understanding of God's love for him.

This past week we asked some of the brothers in outward to give tatay a priesthood blessing. At the time of the blessing it was nice and Tatay clearly felt the spirit. But, it wasn't until the next visit that Tatay shared how he felt during the blessing. He shared that while he was being blessed he felt something cold on his paralyzed leg. After he shared this with us he also told us he was able to stand up now. Later he joined us for lunch and was able to walk to the table. Only a week ago he was unable to sit himself up in bed. Tatay is anxious to come to church and be baptized. Priesthood power is real and God will bless us as we keep him commandments.

NOT DANGE

Health update: for those who are interested Sister Castañaga and I both had fevers and other fluish stuff going on Friday night and all day Saturday. When I woke up on Saturday I think the Niquil was still going strong and I kinda passed out. When I regained consciousness I was on the floor and I called to Sister Castañaga but the only thing I could get out was “Sister, I didn't mean to be here”. Good one Sister Larson. Anyway we called our mission leaders because I was like “ I have dange” . And they were like “no- just take some ibuprofen”. Anyway we were not able to work on Saturday and I felt like dirt biscuits on Sunday but we still worked. I also wanted my Mom and chicken noodle soup. Anyway just feeling grateful for modern medicine and that I probably don't have Dange.

EMORY COUNTRY EXCHANGES

I’m a fake central utahen I don't know if thats the real spelling of Emery (emory? Emry?).

I had exchanges with the only other person in this mission who knows where Duck Fork Reservoir is. Sister Hulse! Behold.

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It was very bright on my eyes

Saradolla Family

See you at the GrubBox ses.

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ASWANGS

Sister Castañaga and I were trying to locate a member family this week and we followed our map to her location and it led us to this sketcho house in the middle of nowhere so of course we tagbalayed. Nanay answered the door and let us in. It was real clear from the beginning that nanay had been by herself in that house for a really long time. She had us sit down and she told us about how her kids are aswangs. She not only thought I was an angel but also 9 years old. Then she got mad at me for wearing pants and asked me if I was an Elder. Slay. We visited her kids later and found out that they are not in fact aswangs. 

MISSION PREP

On Sunday we had 4 youth/ysa who are preparing for missions work with us! I seriously wish I had had the opportunity to work with missionaries before I came on my mission. They are already so confident in their testimonies.

The team

The focus of this picture is the tryke in case that wasn't clear lol.

I always see people wearing Jordan Clarkson Utah Jazz jerseys and I'm always like “ I know him” “I'm from there”. Someone tell my bestie Jordan he and Steph are every Filipino's favorite basketball players.

BECAUSE I FORGOT LAST WEEK

@SisterBentley batch 766 peeps at MLC

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JOHN 14:15

“If ye love me, keep my commandments.”

I think sometimes it is easy for us to remember the commandments we need to keep. You know, don't drink, don't kill people, go to church and all of God's other, very important commandments. But, sometimes we overlook some of God's equally important but less obvious commandments.”

Like in John 13:34 it says,“ A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.” 

Isaiah 43:1 “Fear not”

Luke 8:48 “Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace.”

John 8:11 “go, and sin no more”

Alma 37:34 “never be weary of good works”

Matthew 7:1 “ Judge not, that ye be not judged.”

It is a dangerous thing to pick and choose the commandments we follow. If we always keep the sabbath day holy but forget to love our neighbor, possibly we have missed more than half of what God wants for us. If we never break the word of wisdom but forget to judge not, we've condemned ourselves still the same. At the same time if all we do is be of good comfort but forget to keep the law of Chastity we've missed the point. 

God's commandments are here to help us become as free as possible. As Elder Patrick Kearon said,“ The intent of the Father’s great plan of happiness is your happiness”. As we strive to keep all of God's commandments we will be blessed in all aspects of our life and life will actually get easier. Not easy, easier. 

I know my savior lives, I know the Book of Mormon is true and I know families can be together forever. 

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SISTER LARSON

PHILIPPINES, IOLIO MISSION