September 23, 2019 - Popping Jewel Weed (Week 28) - Susquehanna, PA

It seems like Mondays come and go so fast! 

Honestly not much has happened this week, and things here at the site has started to slow down a little. 

So, because the site has been a little slower I have been able to do a lot of pondering and the thought and idea of forsaking has been on my mind a lot. 

My older brother told me to read Matthew 19:29 which says, "And every one that hath forsake houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, of wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life."

I have grown to love this scripture and love the promise that if we leave behind the things he asks us for His name's sake He promises us everlasting life. In our mission calls he also gives us another amazing promise that says, " As you devote your time and attention to serving the Lord, leaving behind all other personal affairs, the Lord will bless you with increased knowledge and testimony of the Restoration and of the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ." 

I have seen it truly become true because while I have devoted my time and attention to serving my Savior and been diligent in these things my testimony has been strengthened so much! I have especially seen my knowledge and testimony of the Restoration and of the truths of the gospel of Jesus Christ increase. 

I have come to know for myself that Joseph Smith is the prophet of the restoration and that he was able to translate the Book of Mormon. And I wouldn't trade anything for these experiences and for the knowledge and testimony that I have received to get those things that I have given up back. 

So what can you forsake in your life for Jesus Christ? What can you give up to have these promised blessings of everlasting life and an increased knowledge and testimony of our Savior? 

I hope that you can find something you love to the God you love even more. 

Have an amazing week y'all!

Sister Larsen

p.s. If you're curious about jewel look it up.It super cool and very entertaining. And I promise that it's not a drug haha.

September 16, 2019 - The Tale of PeaceBunny Island (Week 27) - Susquehanna, PA

This week was a long one but lots of fun things happened!

First we had transfers and I am back with Sister Reynolds. The best companion to ever walk the earth. These next 7 weeks are going to be amazing. We are living with Sister Rodriguez and Sister Shepherd and so this is probably going to be one of the best transfers of my life. 

So Thursday was a fun adventure because we got two new elders in our area and we had their house key. They didn't get here until 11 and so we had to wait up for them and then they also ended up getting lost. So that was pretty adventurous besides the fact that we were super exhausted the next day, and that was the day Elder Christofferson came.

Yes, you read it right Elder Christofferson came to the Priesthood Restoration Site. One of the 12 apostles along with 3 other general authorities. Sister Reynolds and I got to take them on part of the tour and it was super awesome! 

So yeah that was definitely the highlight of my week. Other than that nothing really happened. 

I do however want to share that I know that prophets are called of God. I was watching President Nelsons birthday celebration about 2 weeks ago and I got a strong confirmation that I knew he was a prophet of God. And being able to serve here at the PRS I have been able to learn for myself that Joseph Smith was also a prophet of God. That he in reality saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. He restored His true church to the earth and he sacrificed all that he had to bring forth this His sacred work so we can enjoy these blessings today. 

Often times we may take this restored gospel for granted. We may not remember the things that the early Latter-day saints had to give up so that we could have the restored gospel today. But they gave up a lot, and because of them, we can enjoy the fullness of these things today. 

So this week try to remember the sacrifices that the people made before us. Try not to take these things for granted and hold them close to your heart. 

I love you all!

Sister Larsen

September 9, 2019 - Where did the time go!?!?!?(Week 26) - Susquehanna, PA

Wow one more transfer down and it flew by. And honestly I must admit that it was one of the greatest transfers of my life!

Serving at the Priesthood Restoration Site has been the greatest thing! It's amazing to see how me and all of us as sisters serving there are playing such a huge role in continuing the restoration. 

Last Monday we were able to go to a members house and catch some salamanders in their pond. It was so fun! All of us caught them with our hands and earned our "hic" badges so that was pretty sweet! I am officially certified to live in the country. 

Yesterday at church I was able to give a talk about keeping our eyes on the prize. And so I asked my companion what she thought the prize was. She said, "Being worthy to live in the presence of the Father, the son, and the Holy Ghost. Specifically the Father because in no other degree of glory can you be with the Father than in the highest." Because celestial glory is the prize and that is degree we can be the happiest. 

In my talk I also talked about how we can experience those happy moments by having glimpses of heaven here on this earth. I have found that I am happiest when I am centered on my savior Jesus Christ. 

I have loved being able to serve here at the Priesthood Restoration Site! It still blows my mind that every day I am able to walk where Joseph Smith walked. I am able to walk where an angel of the Lord appeared. And not only an angel of the Lord, but John the Baptist, the one who baptized the Son of God. 

My whole life has changed since being able to serve here and see the sacrifices that were made in order to bring forth this amazing work. And all of those sacrifices were so we could have all these things that we have today. 

I was able to watch President Nelson's birthday celebration broadcast. And because of the spirit during that broadcast I know that President Nelson is a prophet of God and that Joseph Smith is the prophet of the restoration. 

Have an amazing week and I love y'all!

Sister Larsen

September 2, 2019 - (Week 25) - Susquehanna, PA

Hey everyone! 

This week went by so fast I don't even know where the time is going. 

On Thursday we were able to host all of the new missionaries and it was the best! The spirit was so strong and it was so cool to be with so many young people who all had the same goal. 

On Saturday my dear Sister Hensley goes home, and that makes me so sad. But thank goodness Sister Filizola is stuck with me. haha. 

Sister Filizola and I took a tour, and at the end of the tour we asked them all if they could explain the Book of Mormon in one word what would they say. And the spirit was so strong! 

The spirit here is so strong. I truly do know that this is sacred ground. This is where 70% of the Book of Mormon was translated and the Priesthood was restored. I love this gospel and it is without a doubt true!

Sorry It's so short, I love you all so much! Have the greatest week of your lives!

Sister Larsen