"I Cannot Say The Smallest Part Which I Feel"

I can't believe this is my last email. There are no words to describe how I feel right now. This is the best decision I have ever made and I will forever be grateful I got to serve in the Philippines.

MY JOY IS FULL

Alma 26:16

“16 Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.”

…

Here's some moments from my last full week in the mission.

First of all….

(see pictures)

Because I forgot last week

BACK WITH MY EX

(see pictures)

I had my last exchanges this week and I got to work with Sister Pecundo again. My 4th companion in the field. From “ok lang magtugro kami kang picture ni jesucristo kanimo?” To “ok lang maghatag kami sang Book of Mormon sa imo?”. Palangga taka kag kitaay sa states gurro. 

LAST AND FIRST

(see pictures)

I also got to work with the pinnaka baskog Sister Ambaoooooo. Fun fact she was my very first exchange as an STL and now she was my last exchange as my STL. The circccllleeeee of liffffeeee. We also worked with my most favorite tatay ever, he’s almost 70 but still works with the missionaries. He was one of the first members in Iloilo and has a fire for missionary work. Tani tanan. It rained a lot. 

ZARA

(see pictures)

Too many missionaries got hit by cars and stuff so we all got reflective gear. It feels so very silly wearing it in public so I tried wearing it like a Zara model and now it's good. If you don't get the Zara joke…. must be tough.

WHO CAN GLORY TOO MUCH IN THE LORD

Meet the Monte family. We first met them because their son, Zion, was super friendly. Then we met sister Glyzel. At first she would barely open the door for us. The second time we went back she told us she had been trying to find the true church. We shared the Book of Mormon and asked her to read 2 Nephi 31. When we went back she had read it and said she felt “ the presence of God”. We asked her if she wanted to be baptized and follow Christ’s example and she said yes! She said her husband is also searching for truth and has been studying with multiple religions. She told us they would come to church. And they did. And their whole family came. They said they will come next week as well. 

God's plan is perfect.

These are my Nanays from Jaro 2nd. I have many pinay nanays.

Sister Leizel

(see pictures)

CHRISTMAS PARTY

We had our Jaro 2nd Christmas Party and it did not disappoint. There were tatays dancing. Random Karaoke, Letchon and that Yellow rice stuff. Everyone told us to eat more and the kids called me out for not being able to finish my rice. I'm gonna miss it here.

We had to hold a card in our mouth and then pass flour down a line of people so we look a little ummmmmm.

(see pictures)

NUMANCIA UPDATE

(see pictures)

Nanay Lilia, one of our new members, is doing great. I miss them so much but you know I'm video calling them the second I get home.

Brother Jasper got baptized! I met him my very last week in Numancia and we extended baptism right away. USWAG NUMANCIA. Thank you din kay Sister Panuelos Kag Sister Kiratabwebwe for getting them to the waters of baptism!

“I cannot say the smallest part which I feel”

Here is the part where I try to explain everything in my heart and mind right now. I wrote out some thoughts for my departure testimony last night so I thought I would share a few.

I did not originally plan or want to serve a mission, but God knows better. I did not ever dream I would serve in the Philippines, but God knows me better. I thought I could never learn these languages, but God knows better. 

Whom the Lord calls He qualifies. 

Forget yourself and get to work. Once I began to care more about the salvation of others and less about my own personal comfort, preferences and occasionally health, I found myself. 

Yes, missions are hard, that's what makes it worthwhile. Waking up at 6:30 every morning, still exhausted from the day before, is hard, but it is worth it. Biking miles through mud and typhoons just to have no one be home is hard, but it is worth it. Just getting the hang of one language and then transferring to a new area with a new dialect is hard, but it is worth it. Leaving my family and everything that was familiar to me was hard, but it is 100% worth it. Now I find myself days away from home and absolutely wishing I could just stay here forever. 

The Book of Mormon is true. Once I read the Book of Mormon, I mean really read it, Jesus Christ changed from master and Messiah to best friend and my personal Savior. A once distorted and confusing world has been clear and beautiful. I know the Book of Mormon is true with every fiber of my being. And because of that I know Christ lives and that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is His church here today. He is the way, the truth and the light. 

I am changed. 

God has made me whole. 

He made me more than I believed myself worthy or capable of becoming. 

The Philippines is holy ground. These people have my heart. 

I will forever cherish my time spent as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ. I know this to be true and I will not give it up. Nothing means more to me than my mission and I can't bear the thought of taking my tag off.

But I know its time. 

I love my savior and I love this work. 

In the sacred name of my savior Jesus Christ Amen.

SISTER LARSON

PHILIPPINES, ILOILO MISSION

see you soon.

☆I’ll send out information for my homecoming next week because I can't remember when it is.