Week 27 Our Christmas Call

Merry Christmas!  Christmas Eve was wonderful.  We had a chance for exactly 45 minutes to talk to Elijah.  It was wonderful to see him and he looked terrific.  Some of the things he said is that it's been the toughest six months of his life, but its been the best six months he has had.  He repeatedly cried when he told us how much he loved the people in Costa Rica.  He said he couldn't imagine being any where else.  He cried when he told us about the two families that gave him birthday parties.  He told how humbling it was to go to these homes who had invited him, who had nothing and how they basically gave him everything they could to make his birthday special.  He told us how much it touched his heart and helped him want to be an even better missionary.  He told us how last week there was a big gun fight on his street and he peered out his window and saw police shooting.  We told him to save those stories till he comes home...  The whole family loved seeing and taking to him.  Olivia cried the whole 45 minutes.  Ethan cried when Elijah told him how much he missed him.  We all cried as he bore his testimony of the restored Gospel.  It seemed like it was a fast and testimony meeting that we won't soon forget!

Elijah emailed on Monday and let us know that he is being transferred to a small town called Samara.  He will be opening the area with a brand new missionary.  He will meet him Wednesday in the temple for the first time.  He is so very excited.  We can't wait to hear from him this coming Monday.  Feliz Navidad.

Week 26 "Two Birthday Parties"

Elder Larson had a busy week this week.  It was the week of miracles which means a lot of fasting, praying and work!  Elder Larson was lucky to be able to work with his mission president on his birthday.  He didn't mention to his president that is was his birthday all day.  The next day, Elijah got a call from the mission president saying how sorry he was that he hadn't told him Happy Birthday. 

As parents we were so worried that Elijah wasn't going to have a good birthday.  Some of the packages we have mailed him, have never made it to him.  We shouldn't have worried, Elijah's cook Ana had a little party for him with cupcakes, balloons, streamers and signs.  How grateful we are for Ana.  She has been good to Elijah. 

Elijah was even more spoiled when on Sunday a new member and her family had another birthday party for him.  He said that he had the biggest cake.  Maribel and Hector have been very good to Elijah.  He said that Maribel started crying and told hm that he was like a son.  We are very thankful for Maribel, Hector and their family.  

Week 25 "I got 8 million emails"

It's Elijah's birthday week!  Today on his P-Day, he said when he opened his email that he had 8 million emails.  He told me "Mom I don't even know how I can answer all of these back."  He asked me to send out a thank you to everyone who remembered him on his birthday.

He had a good week!  He said that he found a new investigator named Jordanny.  He said that he felt like it was a miracle to find a new investigator.  

He is excited to work hard this week.  He said that some members have a surprise for him this week on his birthday. We hope that he has a wonderful birthday. 

Week 24 "All is Well"

Elijah didn't have much to say this week.  He seemed a little discouraged.  A young man he was teaching, who was excited to get baptized, can't continue with the lessons.  Elijah was sad for him, but continues to pray for him.  He said that all of his investigators have fallen through, so now they must start from scratch.  We will continue to pray that he and Elder Geiger find those who are searching for the Gospel of Jesus Christ.