Week 22 Cherry Blossoms

Hey Everyone!

Armenia is finally starting to melt a little so things are looking up! For my birthday on Friday, we spent the entire day moving bricks and bags of concrete to help build a children's school. It was definitely the most rewarding, yet exhausting birthday I've ever had. My companion took a picture of me afterwards caked in dirt so I will make sure and attach that below haha. I truly think I've learned just as much about home rennovation so far this mission as I have about the gospel. Anyways, sometimes for language study my companion and I will go to the university here in hopes to contact more people. The librarians are very adamant that we are only there to study, and are not to draw any extra attention to ourselves. Well, last week I accidently drew a lot of attention to myself. As a missionary, you work so hard that you learn to fall alseep just about anywhere. I will seriously catch myself napping while standing up on the metro sometimes. The other day while we were in the library, I fell asleep while reading my book and had a full on spaz sleep-attack. I scared the crap out of everyone sitting next to me, so when I opened my eyes half of the library was staring at me. I was so embarrassed that I just packed up my things and asked my companion if we could go. Way to represent the church man!

Some Highlights:

• New senior couple from Idaho! (pic below)

• Soccer finding

• Building a children's school

• Entire sacrament meeting in Russian

SPIRITUAL THOUGHT

Last week this man asked us if we could give his new grandson a blessing. When we got to their house, it became obvious that there was something wrong with the baby. He could hardly make any noise and barely managed to grab onto my little finger. My heart started to break as the family explained to us that the child had no strength in his body and that he wasn't expected to live much longer. Out of options, they reached out to us in hopes that we could save the child's life. I was asked to give the Priesthood blessing and it was one of the most humbling experiences of my life. Even though I couldn't promise that the baby would live, I felt confidence as I held his tiny head in my hands, that God had a plan for him. After the blessing, this non-member family told us they felt peace in their hearts. We explained to them that what they were feeling was God's love. When life feels too confusing and overwhelming to handle on our own, Heavenly Father is always there. Just like this family, we can lean on that knowledge. God is always there! 

Elder Brennan Larsen

Vratsakan # 5

0051 Yerevan

Armenia