Lara’s Letter May
21, 2013
Hey Mom and Dad,
Monday was a fun day. We began with
our studies and then traveled to the Stake Center in Shreveport for a Zone
P-day. We played volleyball and crab soccer and some group activities like
“Adams Family” and “Animal”. “Animal” might be a fun game for FHE. After games
we went to lunch at panda Express, then the library, then Target! I bought a
new dress because I was feeling like I needed a change. I wore it yesterday with
my red Toms and it was so cute. It made me feel happy inside.
After
we skyped on Sunday we went to dinner at the McCabe’s house. The McCabes are a
younger family with 3 kids and a dog, but they are very gracious to us and a
lot of fun to be around. At church Brother McCabe was saying how he was super
excited to feed us because he and his oldest son (he’s 11) had just shot some
squirrels (they are big hunters and fishers). So yes, I ate a squirrel. And
goose (which would have been better if it wasn’t medium rare, but I ate as much
as I could). Then we spent the rest of the evening with the McCabe family and
the elders in our ward who had skyped at their house [it was Mother’s Day]. It
was fun talking about the church, likes and dislikes and the McCabe’s dating
story. I love them.
Today
Sister Johnson left us. Transfers aren’t until next Tuesday but because she’s
the new Sister Training Leader, she had to leave early to train and prep for
it. I’m so excited for her, but it was sad to see her go. Now I really have to
step up and take on more responsibility. I think I was leaning on her and her
experience too much when it came to things like taking phone calls and teaching
with Sister Cox. But, at the same time, I watched and listened and learned.
Hope
you are both doing great and your callings are wonderful. I love you Mom, again
happy Mother’s Day. Dad, I love you too and though I can’t skype with you for
Father’s Day I hope you know that I would in a heartbeat. Keep Strong!
Lucky Lara
Philippians 1:3 – I thank my God upon every remembrance of
you.
Lara’s Letter May
22, 2013
Hey Mom and Dad,
I’m
sitting here at home on what was planned to be a very busy Tuesday evening, but
that has been changed due to severe weather and tornado warnings. Don’t be
afraid though, I’m fine. Sister Cox is stressed but we are both safe and
currently just chillaxing, doing extra studies, watching “The Lamb of God”
video and eating granola that a member gave us. Two sisters are staying with us
tonight since it’s transfers. Sister Holbrook and Davenport, both have been out
a while but their area is Magnolia, AR.
Well
this has been an exciting week. 1) Saw a raccoon! 2) Ate fried catfish and
hushpuppies. 3) Saw a guinea hen at a members farm (strange bird). 4) Survived
a tornado Thursday. 5) Began feeling humidity; like I predicted, not my most
favorite thing. 6) Did a ward service project painting a man’s house.
Last
Thursday, Friday and Saturday were awesome! We tracted through the heat, met
some awesome people, and finally met actives and in-actives I have been hearing
about for 6 weeks. Sister Cox and I could feel God’s hand helping us that week.
I’ve really been learning how to depend on the Lord. I’ve had struggles I
didn’t know I would have and though Sister Johnson and Sister Cox tried, they
couldn’t help me get over it. Finally on Monday morning I was so fed up with
the feeling that I finally just told Sister Cox, “I’ll be right back,” went
into the next room and knelt and prayed. I can’t remember specifically what I
said but I asked for peace and joy and for the gloom to be washed away. As I
was kneeling I felt a warmth and my heart softening and I felt peace and joy.
That peace and joy has been with me since then and I pray it will stay with me
for my remaining 15 months.
Can you
believe it’s been 2 months already? I’m so grateful for that. It helps me
forget myself and go to work seeing how quickly time passes; it makes things
easier.
How is Sister Coon doing? I
never got the chance to say good-bye. Did Autumn and her husband find a house?
Dad, how is your bishopric calling going? When are Youth Conference and the
family campout? Mom you asked if there was anything I needed ….
GPS – it’s
easy to get lost and in a new area it’s almost a necessity. Right now Sister
Cox has hers. Do you still have an extra one?
CDs –
anything from Deseret book would be good.
Address book
- with address of friends and family. Also, I’d like to write down the address
of those I meet on my mission.
And remember
chocolate and cookies start with “C”.
Thank you for
supporting me in this endeavor; I am loving it. And I love you as well. All the
way from Louisiana!
Love, Lara
Lara’s Email June
3, 2012
Well I'm doing great. Last Monday my district met at
Shreveport’s Mall, The Boardwalk, and bought new sunglasses. It was so weird
all of us going into Rue 21 together. I felt like I finally have guy friends.
Afterward we went to downtown Shreveport. There's a historic street called
Texas Street which has lots of neat old buildings and a giant Methodist church
at one end. We took time to go visit and take lots of pictures. So much fun!
It’s funny how much the Elders feel like my little brothers.
Yes, "little". They may be taller than me, but I'm older than them
(first time out here I'm proud of my age). On Wednesday, Elder Earnshaw, my
zone leader, turned 21. I drew him a random picture of him riding a goat because
he kept raving about the district picture I had drawn for him. He was so
excited to have his own picture of himself. Sister Cox gave him
"signed" Wendy's coupons; he teases her that that's her nick-name
because she has red hair. (I try to keep the nick-name "Martha" away
from me as much as possible, but Sister Cox's slips it in every now and then,
no me gusta). It feels good to no longer be the only one who's 21 in my
district.
Finally ate Gumbo, then helped service the McCabe family,
great people. We worked in their garden picking green beans. Saw a cute yellow
spider and mushrooms! They are such great people I love them a lot. Saw my
first snake with Sister McCabe when she was taking us home, She ran over it a
few times before we realized the neighbors had already killed it; 3 foot
copperhead.
I'm getting tan from tracting. I have lots of tan lines too
but I'm putting on sunscreen so it’s not too bad. Walked 3 1/2 miles on
Thursday because we were running out of miles because it is the end of the
month. Whew! Fun!
So my bag is super heavy whenever I have my scriptures in
it. The pad on the strap does nothing and I have to have my scriptures with me
always so because it’s been giving me grief with my neck and shoulders, I made
sure to buy a good padded backpack while at Target. It was a bit more than I
really wanted to spend but its good quality and well padded so I think it was a
good buy all around. I just need to get used to the pocket situation in it.
Also considering getting a bike... We'll see.
Scripture of the day: Alma 39:5 (replace your name with
Shiblon's).
Love you all so much!!!!!!
-Lucky Lara