Die Letze Woche (The Last Week)

Hallo,

I leave next Tuesday at 3:30 AM, so I probably won't be able to check my email again till I'm in Germany. I'm pretty sure all I need you guys to send me is Zeke. Tell Savannah happy birthday for me, I can't believe she's already 2! (She's actually 6.) Give those other rascals a nice spanking for me. Tehee. Your German isn't too different from mine Joey, what you said is understandable but some of it is grammatically wrong. Quite the fun language.

It's hard to believe that I'll actually be leaving the MTC. It kind of felt like I'd be here forever (which wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing). It's crazy how after the first couple weeks time just started to fly. Due to receiving a pretty stylin haircut today, I don't have as much time for emails this week, so I'll end with this:

There's no aspect of life that can't be improved by the Atonement of Jesus Christ. There is never a time that we don't need His sacrifice and there's never a time that we can't improve. There's never a time we don't need to pray or read from the Scriptures. It doesn't matter how good, how bad or how average your life is. It doesn't matter if you're struggling with something major or something seemingly unimportant. If there is anything that brings shame, unhappiness, envy, hurt or anger into you're life, you can do something about it. Humble yourself, be willing to change, ask for forgiveness and everything can be made right. There is nothing you (or anyone around you) can do to change Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ's love for you. So (and I'm talking to myself more than anyone else), get over yourself and allow your will to become aligned with the Lord's.

I'll get off my soap box now. Ich liebe Sie!

Elder Larsen

Ehzikeahl

Did I spell Ziggy's name right?

In answer to Joey's questions, es geht mir gut, heute ich habe basketball gespielt und ich werde zu der Tempel gehen. Ich esse in der Kafeteria. German's coming along and I'm pretty sure that a German would understand most of what I'm saying, but I'm also pretty sure that in terms of grammar and sentence structure 80% of what I say is incorrect. It is a pretty fun language though, and as long as I can at least semi-coherently voice my thoughts that's probably all that matters in terms of a language. It'll be sad to miss the Dirty Devil, is Joey going this year with Marty Jake and Ziggy? Ziggy's a cute one (and the more I think about it the more I think Zeke sounds better). I think I've spent some time as both of those missionaries Mom, sometimes it's hard to stop myself from spouting out random movie quotes.

I never thought that I'd be leaving the MTC, but it's actually getting pretty close. Honestly it's a pretty great place; my district is starting to complain about the food, but compared to the mediocre meals I'll probably be making for myself in Germany, this is great! Everything's going pretty well, doors are opening in my mind in regard to language and gospel topics that I didn't even know existed. The thought of moving on and going to Germany is a pretty big mixing pot of excitement and anxiety, but it will be refreshing to start teaching and helping actual investigators rather than teacher-investigators.

A topic we've heard a few times here in the MTC is that of turning outward. Obviously the biggest example of this is Jesus Christ, who never thought about his own welfare (aside from arguably during that one time, you know, right before he suffered for the pains of billions of people). It's something that everyone can improve on and something that I really hope I can get better with; it sure isn't something I did much before coming on a mission. Am I thinking more about my own needs and desires or the needs and desires of other people? It's definitely not an easy one for me, but it's probably the one that will bring the most happiness, success and fulfillment both in and after this life.

Nothing too exciting going on this week, the time is going by and I've still got a lot to learn. But I know I'm not alone and I know that I've been called by God to do this work.

Ich liebe sie!

Elder Larsen

Little Tanoe Root Beer

Hallo,

I don't think I'll ever be opposed to peanut butter bars Mom, nor could I be convinced not to eat them, no matter how obese I could get. I think I need to at least try the retainers, lest my teeth go crooked beyond repair, I also could use another t-shirt/pair of basketball shorts, send whatever or maybe have Andy pick them. Thanks for them pictures, those will definitely be nice to have. I'll have to send you the many (0) pictures I've taken so far. Haha, Elder Bennett will send me some group pictures we've taken and I'll try to send those next week. Tell Paul and Sarah that I appreciated the note/cookies that Sarah sent me. It was a very welcome surprise. Andy, do you know Jacob Brogdon? He graduated the same year as you and he's one of my German teachers. Also, how's your girlfriend/truck/guitar/booze/horse doing? 

I think my favorite quote in General Conference (I keep forgetting who said it) was something along the lines of, "We only fail if we refuse to try to take another step forward," and he related it to a baby trying to walk to his parents. I hate to sound like a broken record but the best times I've had here so far have been the times (or at least the times directly following) when I've made mistakes. It's that time that I can dedicate myself to improving whatever I messed up with and there's no better inspiration for being obedient, praying and trusting in the Lord than when you've been humbled after making a mistake, and it was during one of these times that I felt the Holy Ghost stronger than I've ever felt it before.

Every week I see more of Heavenly Father's hand in putting me in my specific companionship, district and mission. Now I just have to try to do my best in living up to his expectations. It's hard sometimes, it seems like there's way too much to do in way too little time, but I've made tons of progress since when I first got here and I know that every day God gives me the strength I need. If He didn't then I guarantee you I wouldn't be here right now. Each day my testimony is strengthened and each day is an opportunity to improve myself and uplift others.

Random funny story of the week, at dinner one evening an Elder mentioned how in Europe they don't sell much root beer. Elder Bennett confirmed it, saying "They sell little-to-no root beer in Europe. My companion Elder Fritz thought that he was talking about some brand of root beer that they sell in Europe called "Little Tanoe root beer" and asked "Is it good?" The first Elder responded, thinking that the question was "Is it good that they don't sell root beer?" with "It's only good if you don't like it." Following that was quite a bit of confusion until Elder Fritz figured out what Elder Bennett had actually said. It was one of the funnier things I've heard in my life, hopefully in my poorly typed out version of the story you can understand/appreciate it.

Anywho, life is good. Elder Green in my district basically got a wedding proposal from his girlfriend, something along the lines of "I keep telling myself I can give you up for these 2 years, because I'll be able to have you for eternity." So I've had a good time harassing him about that. Life is good here and I hope things are going alright in the outside world.

Viel Lieben

Elder Larsen