Pilgrim Chic

I would like to start off this email with a few miracles from this week.

I was super tired and rode my bike off the side of the road and then immediately crashed. But guess what. I didn't even rip my new Uniqlo pants. 

All my hair that fell out in Antique is growing back and when I get sweaty I suddenly have bangs again. 

Ok this one is real- I got to see Ronica again! She was my first baptism in the field but more on that later.

NUMANCIA

We had transfer calls this week and I'm finally getting transferred!!! I've been in Numancia for forever so…… wait….. wait…. IT'S ANOTHER PRANK. I'm not getting transferred. Uswag Numancia. But Sister Castañaga is going home on Wednesday and I'm going to not be ok. We've been companions for almost 5 months now (longer than any relationship I've ever been in). JOKE LANG. But for real there will be tears.

I'll tell you who my new companion is next week because I'm trying to be mysterious. But yep I'll be here for literally 6 months. #stillinmythirdarea

(see pictures)

MLC

This MLC was one for the books. We watched a scene at the very end from Facing the Giants (I think that's what it's called), it was this football coach yelling at one of his players while he crawled across the field blindfolded. I don't know if I did the best job explaining that but it was the motivation I needed. It also made me think of Remember the Titans when the coach says “ I don't want them to gain… another yard”. If you say it in his voice you get the motivation. But yeah my main takeaway is if that's how motivated high school football players are, I can be way more motivated than that for missionary work. So from now on satan is not gaining another yard in Numancia. That would sound better if Denzel Washington said it.

I also really realized again that this calling gives both power and authority. We are acting in the name of Christ. That should be inspiring, humbling and the best reason to be obedient. 

Pondering KIs

USWAG KALIBOOO ZONNNEEEEE. Feat. camping gear ni Sister Larson.

(see pictures)

RONICA

AHHHHH. So the day before MLC we took the forever bus ride to Iloilo except Manong was in a rush that day and didn't stop at one of the stops so we were super early. We stopped by SM (thus, my Uniqlo pants) but then we still had time to work with the Oton Sisters. Long story short we texted them and found out they were working in Ronica's Brgy. so I snatched the opportunity.

When we got to Ronica's house her younger Sister saw me and started jumping up and down and ran to get Ronica. She gave me the biggest hug. Then I got to talk with their family for a few minutes and I actually understood what they were saying (big improvement from last time). Ronica was so excited and told me she only has two more years before she can go on a mission. Sheesh. That one got me. 

God is very aware of me. I'm so grateful for the opportunity I had to follow up with and see Ronica and her family again.

(see pictures)

CHIC PILGRIM

The biking everyday has significantly changed my aesthetic. I used to be mamma mia, boho chic and now I have upgraded to anemic pilgrim chic. If you get it you get it. But seriously I be wearing white socks with black dress shoes, some seriously cuffed pantaloons and a button up shirt with a low ponytail. I think it's giving mayflower. 

There will be no pictures thank you. But legit I'm working on the anemia. My eye bags are a wee bit purple for my liking.

“CARRY ON” - FUN

Please play this song in your head while you look at these pictures. I'll start  it off “ when you're lost and alone, when you're sinkin like a stooooone……..” keep going.

Left the Bautista family with an Ultimatum *to be baptized or not to be baptized* 

Dinner with the Pizaro family! We did some legit mountain biking to get to their house. There were hills and valleys, rivers and roads, scary bamboo bridges and many near accidents. Also I was too white I had to shade my face so viewers would not be blinded.

The Saradolla family, some of our new members!!

Kuya Niño another new member, very jejemon.

THE CRISPINO FAMILY!!!! Everyone pray for them because we are so excited for them. Sister came to church and her entire family joined in the lessons. They are praying about the Book of Mormon and are so hopeful for their family!!!

One of our new members, Jamela, came to church for the first time in months!

(see pictures)

THE PATH I FOLLOW

From last week's Come Follow Me I read the talk “Be ye Therefore Perfect, Eventually” by Elder Holland. There were so many parts that felt like they were literally written for me. But the part I want to focus on is a quote from Leo Tolstoy. It says….

“Attack me, [if you wish,] I do this myself, but [don’t] attack … the path I follow. … If I know the way home [but] am walking along it drunkenly, is it any less the right way simply because I am staggering from side to side?”

I have seen so many people on my mission leave the church because of the example of other members. They allowed their testimony to be swayed by the ever changing tides of mistakes and trials in the lives of other members. Just because we do not follow the path perfectly does not mean the path is not perfect. Just because members of the church are not perfect does not mean the church is imperfect. This is Christ's church run by imperfect people. “Is it any less the right way simply because I am staggering from side to side?.” 

Let give ourselves and others a little grace. If you know it is true. Stick with it. Let's not let our eternal destination be altered because we noticed someone else's imperfection. 

I love this gospel. I love being a missionary and I know what I share is true.

SISTER LARSON

PHILIPPINES, ILOILO MISSION

AUGUST 2023- DECEMBER 2024