Grandma Larsen's 2013 Cousin Reunion - Heroes

This is the sticker book that I made for each of my grandchildren.  I used the Avery Label 22806 and once I had it created, I printed one, changed out the last sticker to another grandchild and printed one, etc., until I had a sticker page for each child.   The pages for the booklet are put together in a way that they can be printed double sided on four pages of cardstock and then stacked on top of each other.  I put the sticker page in the center and stapled through the "spine" of the book.                 We went through each hero one at a time and either portrayed them or engaged in an activity about them.  For example, they were each given a vinyl cape with a name sticker on the back.  This made them feel like a superhero, but we explained that they really cannot fly, see through buildings, etc.  It is fun to pretend to do those things, though.  We got a sword and helmet and simple clothing to dress up a child as Moroni.  We had a muslin cape on him that had words written on it and we raised it up on a yard rake, talked about it and took a picture.      When we talked about Jesus, we fished with a magnet for paper fish that had facts about His life on the back of them.  When we talked about Samuel the Lamanite, we had the grandson named Sam portray him, stand on a wall and the other children shot foam arrows at him.  The stick pull Joseph Smith would play was a huge hit.  We talked about historical heroes, family heroes, finished up with a real current hero and gave them a chance to be a hero.

Updates On Our Missionaries

Elder Larsen has faithfully served for several months in the mission office. Andrew has had some challenges as he has made the missionaries "legal".

Quote from his last letter: "This week was really good with Elder Papenfuss, who I am training here in the Offices. We did a lot of work. We made President Northcutt and Hermana Northcutt legal here in the Argentina and there were no problems, which is a pleasing surprise. We did not have any problems with the Government here and they are actually being a lot nicer. I am guessing it is because we now have to pay for all of the paperwork we do here."

He will be leaving July 14th for Jujuy, Alto Comedero. He is sooooo excited to serve close to his previous area. His new companion is Elder Fox from Canada. He speaks perfect Spanish. His mother is from Mexico and his dad is from Canada.

Elder Larsen also says: "I know the Book of Mormon to be a Book that is like a "Match" to start the fire within us. It has real power to make one want to receive the blessings that God wants to offer. If anyone just reads one verse, they can have their fire lit within. But if they will not continue to let it burn, the Pilot light will go out. Read it, Study it and Find out the Love that it will give you."

Elder Chase has recently changed missions. He is now serving in the Mexico Veracruz mission. Two missions were reorganized to make three. He is so happy about the change. He know has had 3 Mission Presidents. He has been made a Zone Leader. His new companion is Elder Lopez Pech from the state of Mexico. Last Friday, they went to Veracruz to have a meeting with all the Zone Leaders. On the way home, Saturday morning, they got lost on the way to the bus station. They got soaked in a heavy rainstorm, then froze with the air conditioning on the bus ride home. They made it in time for a baptism for Marcos.

"Well, our mission leader of the ward told us he couldn't make it and that someone else would have to direct the meeting, but he forgot to mention that he didn't fill up the font and the bishop did not have the white clothes for Marcos and that only one of the people that he invited to give a talk would come. So, we went into a room there and said a prayer, Elder Watts, Elder Lopez and I so that everything would be ok and that we could get through this test. We it turned out to be a good thing that not very many members showed up because we all headed to the beach in two cars. We started the meeting there and we had the talk and then there wasn't anyone else to be witnesses, so Elder Watts and I took everything out of our pockets and we were the witnesses. It was cool to walk into the water with all our clothes on and watch the bautizmo. I really had fun. I think I was just as happy to be in the ocean as to see the bautizmo. Marcos got confirmed the next day and we were very happy."

Our Missionaries

Elder Andrew John Larsen is serving in the Argentina Salta Mission

Quote from his last letter: "Well, we are having a good week this week and last week we found quite a few new investigators. This week we have been teaching a lot of youth. Next week we should have a baptism, MY FIRST!! I love seeing people progress. Anyway, I really love trying to help others come unto Christ. But you know what? I think that a lot of people don't listen to the missionaries because they are boring. So I am trying to figure out different door approaches and different techniques to teach and it is fun to do. I love to help and teach."

Elder Gavin Richard Chase is serving in the Mexico Tampico Mission

Quote from his last letter: "I am really excited and kinda sad. Well, something really great happened. One of our investigadores came to church! Well, we showed up at his house at 9:30 and he got dressed and came with us. Well, right now we don't have electricity at the church and it is really warm in a small building with 30+ people in it. Well, we did a grandpa or "abuelo" as they call it when you steal "luz" (electricity). ha-ha. We took an extension cord and ran it from the house behind us so we could have a fan. ha ha ha. Well, it was a little unorganized and he was just sitting there. I wanted to talk with him, joke with him, make him feel a little more at home, but I just can't talk very well and if he asked me a question I couldn't understand, he is going to feel more nervous. Well, they asked me to say a prayer on the sacrament and I can't read very well and it was paquito chafa but my comp did an excellent job on his talk and so did the other two. Well, sacrament ended and he was gone. I don't know for sure when he left but I felt kinda sad. And then I had to give the leccion and I don't think anybody got anything out of what I was saying, but it was okay. "

They are both giving it all they've got everyday. We are so proud of them and their efforts. Please keep them in your prayers!

Mom and Pop Larsen have started a blog

Hey Family and Friends,

We've talked about it a bunch and finally figured we'd just do it. We need a blog because we love looking at all of yours. We have found out things we are glad to know, such as who is having a baby, what the sex of the baby is, who is very happy in their new marriage and what everyone is up to. We have loved snooping. So, we figure we have things worth snooping into. So, snoop away! We will try to update now and then to keep it interesting.