Milagres depois Jejuem!

September 30, 2013

Olá queridos(:

The beginning of this last week was a little on the hard side. We just were not finding people who were interested or who wanted to listen. We found out one of our progressing investigators is already a member and she was just kind of leading us on. I think she is lonely and just liked to talk to us. But we are going to help reactivate her! So we all decided to have a fast together as an apartment because we live with 2 other sisters! After we broke our fast we went to find some old investigators, the first two didn't work out one of them moved and one wasn't home. Then we decided to go to a third house that was a little far away from our next appointment in 20 minutes but we decided to go for it! So we went and knocked on the door and a woman answered the door, we asked if Yanick is there (they have fun names??) she said no yanick is my grandson.... welll turns out Yanick still isn't a member but he wasn't home. BUT she is an inactive member the bishop asked us to visit but we didn't have the address! But it just gets better, we shared a brief message with her she offered us food (EVERYONE FEEDS US) then she was like can i tell you something? she told us that when we knocked on her door she had been praying to know if God really knew her and loved her. And we were her answer! We truly were lead to her house by the spirit. Like we probably have 200 old investigators we could have visited and at that time it was just soooo amazing!

then after we were walking to our appointment and started talking to this older man who was a little on the weird side and he invited us over to his house.... well his family is awesome! and they said they will be baptized if they know it is true! WAY sweet. Fasting has so much power! 

Our relief society president got married and we met a few inactives and also a recent convert so that was awesome. We also met Linda who came to church drugged, and tried to lay on our investigator... it was pretty eventful! The other sisters had a baptism Sunday! So exciting for them(: It was a lady who just came to church one day and I sat by her... she tried to put money on the sacrament tray and I had to explain to her that we just do tithing! haha Shes adorable. 

Also its raining season! Which is fun cause I brought NO winter clothes. Like a few cardigans.... apparently this is normal for Portugal? Who would have known. Its fun though I love the rain. Just a little hard contacting people in the rain. 

Oh and I officially have over 3 months in the mission! Exciting stuff! 

We eat at members houses like 4 times a week which is crazy for Portugal! Like my last area we probably ate 4 times at a members house the whole transfer. Everyone tells me to eat more and that i need to fatten up.... não obrigada! haha its funny the portuguese are funny people and i can finally understand their jokes more!

Well i love you all and hope you are doing well! Pray for ways to be a missionary(:

xoxoxo

Sister Larsen

The pasteries are the size of my face... we are just going to gain 50 pounds! we live across the street from a pasteleria

The bride is our relief society president shes awesome!!!

RAIN!!! This is a road kind of close to my house but not in my area.... i don't live in my area(:

Barreiro!!

September 23. 2013

olá queridos! 

This week was so great! We arrived in our area late last Monday, and it has been crazy since! The first day was hard cause we were like okay what do we do now? Its a new area to both of us! This area is a lot smaller than my last area so we already know the way around! We had Irmão Samuel show us around and visit a few inactive members! He is super sweet and even has references for us (follow his example). That day we met so many members! We just ran into them on the road, and ALL of them were SO excited to have Sisters serving here. We kept hearing "Sisters Sisters come here"   They haven't had sisters in 27 years, so they were like come to my house here we have food for you do you need anything? like super ready to just help us out. So our ward is amazing, and every missionary's dream! Like they just come up to us with references! We also get lunches all the time here! 

We met a lady who isn't a member and thinks she has visions like Joseph Smith so thats an adventure. She introduced us to her bird and said "they are missionaries from America and Barrack Obama is their President" it was strange(: 

but, then we had a really awesome lesson with Ana and we taught her about the restoration and when we showed her the picture of the 1st vision she just got so excited and said she had goosebumps and like she was filled with the spirit! She said she knows she needs to get baptized and such... so that was amazing(: 

People here want to talk to us(: This area is elect! I love them all already. Only problem is the Bishop is moving to Australia and their isn't

 that many priesthood holders in this ward so we are working hard to strengthen less active members, and find men who are prepared to be baptized and receive the priesthood.

There is so much power in a prayer of faith. 

Well I love you all and hope you have a great week(: 

xoxo

Sister Larsen 

I Have Big News!!

September 16, 2014

Olá gente!

 I have big news!!

I'm being white washed, in my new area! 

So a few days a go we found out we will be leaving our beloved Linda-a-Velha! We found out yesterday that we will be separated, my companion and I! My new colega is Sister Dudley, but I'm sure she is great! I will just be serving across the river from where i am at now! But we will both be new to the area! sooo crazy stuff... Linda velha will also be getting elders and white washed! 

We found a great family this week who are all super sweet!

We had a great Lesson with our friend Noberto last night.. he wants to get baptized and has so much faith! His story is amazing, we just found him on the road and was like sure i'll go to church and was like a i love the missionaries oh i OK i'll read the book of Mormon... so elect! He just doesn't feel prepared so we tried to tell him he doesn't need to be perfect... but i think he needs the elders(: It was a way sweet lesson, and he hasn't prayed in front of us but he gave the last prayer! and he started crying during it, seriously such a beautiful experience. The spirit was so strong. I told him next time i see him he will be baptized(: and he was like of course... he kept saying how happy he is after we talk to him, and the joy the church brings! It is amazing to see these people change(: This is the greatest work! I love each day. I feel so blessed to be here in Portugal even when EVERYONE rejects us(: It is amazing! 

I love you all!

xoxo 

Sister Larsen

I have included Sister Larsen Photos of Sintra the Castles that she visited last week.

The Castle!!!!!

Hey i´m just chilling at a castle! in PORTUGAL!!!

  

Happy cause i´m on a hike... but feeling weird cause I´m not in a skirt???

hey i´m just chilling at a castle! in PORTUGAL!!!

September 9, 2013

Hi i love you all!
We just got back from castles!! In Portugal.... seriously so gorgeous!!!
I love it here. we went as a district! expect pictures next week. it seriously was like a dream come true!
unfortunately we left late and p- day is just about over, I will write you all more next week if I am not transferred... if am transferred i may not get a chance to email so we shall see(: 

xoxoxox

Sister Larsen

Meeting with the Mission President :-)

September 3, 203

Olá gente!

This week was craziness! We had to leave our beloved area for three days for training and meetings and such. BUT I  had my second interview with my Mission President! Such an amazing man. He truly loves this work and is called of God. He pretty much told me I need to relax and have joy in the journey and be patient. It was a rough week and I was getting a little stressed and worried if i was really doing all I could. I felt that I was kind of at a stand still and that I wasn't helping anyone! Well obviously these we not thoughts Heavenly Father put into my head! It seemed like everything was falling through. We lost an investigator who had accepted the gospel but was not willing to change, which was hard but he has his agency. But when everything was falling apart and I almost felt like I couldn't do these miracles started to happen.  All of a sudden people who had rejected us at first started to listen more! Investigators who wouldn't keep commitments started to keep commitments. Our friend Dionisio that we gave a book of Mormon to a week ago has already read 137 pages! WE DON'T EVEN SPEAK THE SAME LANGUAGE... he speaks Spanish. But we all can speak through the spirit! He is awesome, and preparing to be baptized. So just like my Mission President said just be patient! Heavenly Father is always there! 

Love you all

Sister Larsen 

 I am grateful for President Fluckiger and his divine calling that he has. And all the encouraging words of advice he gives my sweet daughter.

At Zone conference eating Brazilian food!

In honor of her Dad, the true Iron Man! :-)

Taking a picture with this sweet Mozambique girl <3

Two months Today!!

August 26, 2013


Sister Larsen has been serving two months today!

Olá! So this week was CRAZY! It had so many highs and sooo many lows. It was an adventure.
Teaching is starting to be fun because i actually know whats going on and can say stuff in Portuguese! 
So right now we are teaching 3 different men which is also an answer to our prayers because there is only about 3 active members who have the priesthood in this ward. So Heavenly Father has really been answering our prayers and we have seen many miracles this week. 
Sister Larsen show us her bedroom and how tiny they are. We are so spoiled in the United States. She also has a scenery shot, it is with chickens on the street she says you can see them every where. Also this week Sister Larsen counseled her sisters to remember who you are. You are Literal Princesses! It's pretty amazing our King, our Heavenly Father in Heaven loves you more than you could ever imagine. So keep your head high when times get hard, remember your Divine Nature. 

Chicken on the Street

Eating Portugese candy!! YUM

 My Bedroom

Portugal is great!

August 19, 2013

This is a direct quote from Sister Emily Adaya Larsen "Portugal is great! I HAVE SOME REALLY EXCITING NEWS! We had 2 baptisms this passed Saturday!" We are very excited for her. She continues to learn more and more Portuguese everyday.
The picture is Emily having dinner at a members house with these two Adorable princesses. She is doing well and loves the people of Portugal. Sister Larsen said she has felt our prayers. Thanks to those who offer prayers on her behalf. She loves the work and encourages us all to do our part, and help the missionaries out around the world.

August 12, 2013

Sister Larsen first email from Portugal. She is in an area called Linda a Velha which literally translates to "old beautiful". She compares her Portuguese of a 5 year old. LOL She had an investigator come to church, her very first Sunday in Portugal. Her investigator is supposed to get baptized next Sunday. :-) Sister Larsen has been teaching a lot of Africans they are super nice. The language barrier is hard because Portuguese is their second language. But manage by teaching by the spirit. She briefly tells us about 3 experiences that she has had during her first week.
First day there and old man asked her to go to the beach :-) her companion had to tell him "NO"
Second: she hears at least 50 times a day  eu sou Catolica which translates to "I am Catholic".
Third A culture difference is that everyone really does Kiss you on the cheek to greet you. "not used to that at all" LOL She is doing well and would love to hear from anyone who would like to write her. Her current address i
Rua Vasco morgado Nº 4, 3ª D 

Linda A Velha

2795-192 Portugal

August 6, 2013 Let the travels begin. Emily started her day at the Salt lake city airport, then continued on to Dallas Fort Worth after a brief layover. she was then on a very long journey across the pond to London England the land of her ancestors.

Emily enjoys some lemonade while waiting at the airport. The lemonade is in honor of her mom.









Sister Larsen arrived in Portugal on August 7, 2013. Where she meet up with her Mission President Fluckiger, and his wife. She also has a very sweet companion who is from Brazil.

Sister Larsen with her companion while in the MTC. Her companions name is Sister Swassey She is from Orlando. Sister Larsen says she is picking up more and more Portuguese everyday. Her and her companion are teaching an investigator, "She said if I don't understand a thing being said I just smile and try to teach by the spirit". The MTC is great!!

Our first letter!

Sister Larsen tells us of her typical day at the MTC " get up at 6, get ready have breakfast at 6:30. Study,  then go teach our investigator."Lunch at 11, dinner at 4. "I am on the geriatric schedule" ha ha. Sister Larsen says that her Portuguese has improved so much already:-) She loves getting letters and it is the highlight of her day. Emily's companion is Sister Swasey, she is from Orlando, Florida and  and sister Larsen quotes  " and kills me at Portuguese". " I love the CTM or MTC"! 

Cabo Verde, Land of Light

Cabo Verde, Land of Light

Inspirational story of the growth of the LDS Church in Cabo Verde.

The Little Things In Life

Every night before bed Sister Larsen looks up to see pictures and letters that people have written her! She loves getting letters and pictures from everyone!! So make sure you write her!

Sister Larsen and Sister Swasey smelling a tree! Sister Larsen wrote, 

"This is an MTC half to photo... the tree smells like cream soda! Its pretty cool and you feel really awkward doing this."

Sister Larsen's district all wearing paisleys.

Loads of Fun

Sister Larsen's laundry friends

"The first week they didn't know how to do laundry so we helped them out!"

To Acquire Knowldege, One Must Study

So many books!

Studying inside the classroom.

Go Ye Into the World

Sister Larsen and Sister Swasey pointing to Lisbon, Portugal in the MTC!

Companions

Sister Larsens first companion Sister Swasey!!!

Adeus Irma Larsen

Sister Larsen waves goodbye as she walks off into her new life of being a full time missionary.

Families Are Forever

Before taking Sister Larsen to the MTC our family took a quick picture at the Provo Temple.

Beautifully Written Farewell

Thanks to everyone who came out and supported Sister Larsen at her farewell on June 23, 2013!! 

I Love to See the Temple

I just adore the temple, and feel so blessed to live right down the street. Just another reason to love BYU-I(: I had the chance to go today with one of my friends, and every time I go it is such a beautiful experience. Even just walking on the temple grounds brings so much comfort(: 

Which is exactly what I needed today. It has been kind of a CRAZY week. 

Sadly, it's my last full week with my amazing roommates...

but thankfully we are road tripping this weekend down to Salt Lake for conference(:

They are the best, and i'm going to miss them like crazy; they have all been such great examples to me! Love you ladies <3

I also said goodbye to this handsome Elder this week(: 

He is so prepared to be a missionary, and I know he will do great things in Brazil!

I look up to him so much, and he has been such a great influence to me. 

We also get to write each other in Portuguese! How cool is that?(:

I have been blessed with some of the greatest people in my life. I really am extremely grateful. 

Then of course there is the stress of finals...

But when it comes down to it, all these things that I thought were "stressful" were really all blessings in disguise. I am quite blessed to go to such an amazing school, and have such great friends and family.  

I am so grateful for the path the Lord has put me on(: 

oh yeah and only 83 DAYS!

Also this weekend is general conference!! I am SO excited(: 

Last conference changed my life; let it change yours too!

Even if you aren't LDS you should definitely take the time to watch! 

http://www.lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng

You can watch/listen online, on the radio, or on your tv!

Called to Serve

Researching Portugal has become a recent obsession of mine...

Okay, so maybe not super recent, but it's all I've done since I got my call in January. 

Ok but seriously how blessed am I to serve in such a beautiful country?

Opening my call... the anticipation was just killing me. My grandparents took me out to lunch, and I was literally jumping up and down. My call was sent home and so I met my family that weekend in Utah. (I'm at school at BYU-I right now) They made me stand on the fireplace so they could see it all, and so no one would sneak behind me and peek;) haha

My cute cousin and her boyfriend before opening my call(:

I have been called to serve in.... 

Portugal Lisbon

 I report to the Provo MTC June 26, and will be in Portugal August 7(: I report in only 86 days, time is just flying by!

Receiving my call is one of the most amazing moments of my life, and every time I think about it I just know that is where I am supposed to go. Nothing has ever felt so PERFECT. I know I was called of God. I seriously cannot wait to be serving in this beautiful country, and bring our brothers and sisters back to the truth(: I love this gospel, and my Savior! I feel so blessed for the opportunity I have to serve, and have seen countless blessings come into my life already since deciding to go on a mission. I have seen his hand so much in my life, and with him I am strengthened. 

Alma 26:12 "Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever. "

This is what I believe in(: http://mormon.org