02.21.11

Elder Msibi and I had a great week.  We had many lessons and we're working on baptisms this Saturday.  Tomorrow we'll go on exchanges with the other guys and get the interviews taken care of.  This Sunday I'll be hitting my 18 month mark, that's kinda hard to believe, time is just flying.  I think Elder Bakker and I will be burning some pants :)  haha it'll be good. Today we went on a little hike above Kisumu.  We got to a point where we could see the town and surrounding area and also the lake.  We stopped by this little traditional house on the way down and talked with the old baba and right there on his house was this huge spider!  just chillin in it's web.  the guy didn't speak english and his swahili was rusty, but we had a good conversation, took a couple pics and then went on our way, but that spider was big.  So i hope that you guys enjoy the snow while you can.  the weather over here is hot, all day, everyday.  although there was two consecutive nights where a storm came through and it rained.  that was nice, it cooled down enough to turn off my fan at night.  usually if i don't have it on all night then i just sweat to death.  Ever since Elder Msibi came up here, i've learned what it means to "cry repentance unto the people"  that is what we literally do, every person we meet, we'll teach them to repent and then tie it to the restoration somehow.  before we've always just gone straight to the restoration.  but now we teach them how to repent and why it's important.  i think Elder Msibi is so funny, he always has this one line that just cracks me up, but it makes sense.  he'll always say, " one day we will die"  and with his accent, when he says die i just want to laugh.  he's such a great missionary, i've learned a lot from him so far.  he has to be the most polite and respectful person in this mission.  I've thought a lot about the message that we share as missionaries lately.  Repentance is so awesome!  we have the opportunity to clean ourselves and start fresh.  We can change, improve and become a better person while leaving the past behind us.  one thing i've learned lately is that no matter how good we are, we can always be better. There is always something we can leave behind because there is something better for us.  That's what the Lord wants us to do, to change and become like Him, and its possible with His atoning sacrifice.  we can start fresh every week as we partake of the sacrament and renew our covenants with our Father in Heaven.  It never ceases to amaze me how simple and yet profound the gospel of Jesus Christ is.  All we need to do is live it and we'll see the windows of heaven open.  Well take care and have a wonderful week. 
Love ya
Elder Larsen

here's some pics of my flat and Elder Msibi.

here's another pic, for ya.  this truck full of mattresses caught on fire so we were able to catch a few pics.  talk about some smoke!