The adventures of Elder Kade Larsen while serving in the Colombia Bogota North Mission!
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
Dear Family,
My new year was really good but it was pretty boring compared to all of you guys. We had the other elders sleep over again and I think we had Ramen and Mtn. Dew. Oh yeah, we feasted, ha. No, we didn't have any rules about being in the house by 7 or anything. What we did that evening was cool. We went to a place called Puente de Boyaca. We went in a bus and its about 15 minutes outside of Tunja. We walked around for about an hour taking pictures and stuff. During this time of the year they have an insane amount of Christmas lights and decorations set up. This is where Colombia won its independence, I think. But it was really really cool.
We had dinner scheduled with a really neat family at 8 p.m. so we planned to leave just after 7:30 from Puente de Boyaca. There was one big problem. It's really really difficult to return to Tunja from there. REALLY difficult. It is not a designed bus stop so not many buses stop and the ones that are actually headed to Tunja are already crammed to extreme. Taxis are pretty expensive but after about 30 minutes of waiting and trying to flag down more buses, we decided we might just take a taxi, to no avail. We tried to get a taxi or bus for the next hour. After about an hour and a half we were about to start walking even though it is at least an hour walks from there to Tunja. We mentioned we should say a prayer and right when we were about to start, a bus was driving by so we tried one last time and there happened to be one of those white excursion van type things behind it. The bus kept going but the van stopped. We asked if they were going to Tunja and they offered us a free ride. It was a man, his wife, and their two kids, probably under age ten. It was great and we had a small lesson with them on the way back. We ran, literally, to the house we were supposed to have dinner just to say hi and happy New Year before we had to get back to our house at 9:30. It was a pretty fun night, ha.
Alex and Ines are on track to get baptized, I think. They are very interested in the gospel and want to keep progressing. They just want to know everything they are getting in to before they are baptized. We had a lesson with Ines on Saturday night. Alex was working. We invited her to go to church again. We offered to pay for her taxi and everything. We decided we would meet up at their house in the morning and then go to church. It's a ways from their house to the church. We got there in the morning and no one answered the door. Ah, come on! So we called them and they had forgotten we had said we were coming in the morning and were already headed to church! Cool huh?! They are fun to teach and I hope we can keep our date of the 19th. It was fast Sunday as well so it was fast and testimony meeting and it was great. I hope they were able to feel the power from other people's testimonies who are members/converts. As soon as the counselor announced we were opening up the meeting for people to bare their testimonies, like ten people stood up and walked up there. It was awesome to see. The members here have a lot of power in their testimonies and are great people.
That is insane that you guys are freezing that bad at home. When was the last time Aurora got that cold? I might feel like I'm freezing but that's because it's at night and I'm wearing a t-shirt and shorts or pajamas. During the day it's similar to a May day back home for me. That is crazy for you guys though. I honestly would hate being in that cold of weather so I am thankful I am not having to live in that right now. lol Bueno Suerte! haha
The ice fishing thing is pretty awesome and you guys got loads of fish. Thanks for losing my reel in Otter Creek, lol. I guess I can get a better one when I get back. I am not that mad about it. It's not like I can use it too much while I am gone, right? Just don't throw my rifle or shotgun down an ice hole. lol
This week I have felt the most Grinto I have probably ever felt in my life. It's just like everyone just glares at me the entire time and it's so annoying. It's hard to look past the glares somedays. I would pay some big bucks to be darker right now, just kidding. But yeah, it's been a weird week for some reason. I mean in the streets I get the looks, not at church. Anyways, I need to get going so sorry about that. I love you guys and hope you have a great week. I hope it warms up a bit for you guys because it sounds kind of miserable, I won't lie. Loving the pictures that you guys send. Love ya and miss ya! Elder Larsen
My new year was really good but it was pretty boring compared to all of you guys. We had the other elders sleep over again and I think we had Ramen and Mtn. Dew. Oh yeah, we feasted, ha. No, we didn't have any rules about being in the house by 7 or anything. What we did that evening was cool. We went to a place called Puente de Boyaca. We went in a bus and its about 15 minutes outside of Tunja. We walked around for about an hour taking pictures and stuff. During this time of the year they have an insane amount of Christmas lights and decorations set up. This is where Colombia won its independence, I think. But it was really really cool.
We had dinner scheduled with a really neat family at 8 p.m. so we planned to leave just after 7:30 from Puente de Boyaca. There was one big problem. It's really really difficult to return to Tunja from there. REALLY difficult. It is not a designed bus stop so not many buses stop and the ones that are actually headed to Tunja are already crammed to extreme. Taxis are pretty expensive but after about 30 minutes of waiting and trying to flag down more buses, we decided we might just take a taxi, to no avail. We tried to get a taxi or bus for the next hour. After about an hour and a half we were about to start walking even though it is at least an hour walks from there to Tunja. We mentioned we should say a prayer and right when we were about to start, a bus was driving by so we tried one last time and there happened to be one of those white excursion van type things behind it. The bus kept going but the van stopped. We asked if they were going to Tunja and they offered us a free ride. It was a man, his wife, and their two kids, probably under age ten. It was great and we had a small lesson with them on the way back. We ran, literally, to the house we were supposed to have dinner just to say hi and happy New Year before we had to get back to our house at 9:30. It was a pretty fun night, ha.
Alex and Ines are on track to get baptized, I think. They are very interested in the gospel and want to keep progressing. They just want to know everything they are getting in to before they are baptized. We had a lesson with Ines on Saturday night. Alex was working. We invited her to go to church again. We offered to pay for her taxi and everything. We decided we would meet up at their house in the morning and then go to church. It's a ways from their house to the church. We got there in the morning and no one answered the door. Ah, come on! So we called them and they had forgotten we had said we were coming in the morning and were already headed to church! Cool huh?! They are fun to teach and I hope we can keep our date of the 19th. It was fast Sunday as well so it was fast and testimony meeting and it was great. I hope they were able to feel the power from other people's testimonies who are members/converts. As soon as the counselor announced we were opening up the meeting for people to bare their testimonies, like ten people stood up and walked up there. It was awesome to see. The members here have a lot of power in their testimonies and are great people.
That is insane that you guys are freezing that bad at home. When was the last time Aurora got that cold? I might feel like I'm freezing but that's because it's at night and I'm wearing a t-shirt and shorts or pajamas. During the day it's similar to a May day back home for me. That is crazy for you guys though. I honestly would hate being in that cold of weather so I am thankful I am not having to live in that right now. lol Bueno Suerte! haha
The ice fishing thing is pretty awesome and you guys got loads of fish. Thanks for losing my reel in Otter Creek, lol. I guess I can get a better one when I get back. I am not that mad about it. It's not like I can use it too much while I am gone, right? Just don't throw my rifle or shotgun down an ice hole. lol
This week I have felt the most Grinto I have probably ever felt in my life. It's just like everyone just glares at me the entire time and it's so annoying. It's hard to look past the glares somedays. I would pay some big bucks to be darker right now, just kidding. But yeah, it's been a weird week for some reason. I mean in the streets I get the looks, not at church. Anyways, I need to get going so sorry about that. I love you guys and hope you have a great week. I hope it warms up a bit for you guys because it sounds kind of miserable, I won't lie. Loving the pictures that you guys send. Love ya and miss ya! Elder Larsen
Friday, December 28, 2012
Elder Larsen in front of the Bogota Colombia Temple
Three Elders from Sevier County serving in the Colombia Bogota North Mission.
Each representing a different school in the district.
Elder Brennan Franks, Richfield High School (left)
Elder Kade Larsen, North Sevier High School (center)
and Elder Chesley Gale, South Sevier High School (right)
We were able to speak to Elder Larsen on December 26th. He couldn't call on Christmas because they have to use a public computer and everything was closed on Christmas. He looked so happy and excited about being on a mission. He is serving in Tunja, Boyaca, Colombia. It is about 3 hours North of Bogota. The temperature there is usually around 56 degrees. February is the warmest month and it gets up to 66 degrees.
His letter says, "Tunja is very very different from Bogota. It's quite a large city yet there are only two companionships for the entire city. My companion and I are in the South area. My companion is from Ecuador and a pretty good Elder. We have SO many people in our area it's insane. Everywhere we go we walk. So it's pretty obvious why we had to have three pairs of shoes for this mission. Most of our appointments are 20-35 minutes away from our house. And thats like a powerwalking/jogging speed, lol. I have been having A LOT of pain in my knee and it's been hard to keep up all the time. It's on the backside of my right knee. Started the day before I got here.
Anyways, here they celebrate Christmas a lot differently! They have fiestas building up to Christmas. Like, for example, I think that on the 10th it is for Mary. They have concerts every single night in Central Square, which we can hear from our house every night, all night.
The city is very poor compared to Bogota. You've heard the stories about dogs being everywhere in South America. In Bogota, no nada. But here, yes everywhere. They don't really bother you at all and just lay there all day. So many though it's kind of disgusting. the people here are really nice and the ward is great. We have about 120 active members or so here. There is only 1 ward in all of Tunja. We had a ward Christmas party last week and it went great. The people thought my Spanish was actually very good, especially since this is my first area. Cool huh?! I can understand most people all the time but there are a few who I think are from the Coastal areas who speak SOO much faster.
Last night we taught a lesson to Alexander and his mom. He is around 40 or so. We taught about the word of wisdom and then after we invited them to be baptized on the 19th of January. They accepted! He has had problems with Tobacco but I think that this is a big step. Another great thing was during chruch. We had like 6 investigators come to church. Two of them are from my first lesson here in Tunja where we invited them to come but they said no. During sacrament meeting they showed up. Martha (60+) and her daughter (40) came in! I think they really enjoyed it so I am excited to have our next lesson with them.
Entonces, Grandma & Grandpa Webb and the Mattinsons, thank you for the money. It's going to be buying a few things I need for Christmas. We mainly need food. Our fridge is pretty empty but it's because we only eat breakfast at home. Members feed us lunch here and we kindof skip dinner which I don't like at all because I love having dinner. Elder Burt is in my prayers. I hope you all have a fantastic Christmas back home without me. Thanks for sending the package Caci and Tim. Thank you, Aurora 1st Ward for the package as well! I need to get going. Love you guys. Have a fantastic Christmas!
Love, Elder Larsen
Love, Elder Larsen
Wednesday, December 12, 2012
|
Dear Family,
I'm sorry about the few word emails that this
computer keeps on sending to you.. It's a pain in the butt. But
anyways, that “Wheres the Line to See Jesus” sounds pretty
cool and interesting. Did you guys go up to Temple Square for the
lights again this year or is that picture from something else? It
looks so cold there lol. Here it is a steady 70 degrees usually, I
think. Definitely never cold here. One thing about here is that a
lot of people have Christmas lights in the city. They are weird
Christmas lights but hey, they have them lol. The MTC even puts up
some lights along some of the bushes outside of the building. We
also have a Christmas tree at the end of our hall. It makes things
a little nicer here at the CCM.
And mom.... I hope that you forgetting the number doesn't affect it THAT much because I definitely still want something for Christmas lol. If it doesn't work out, I will be fine. When I leave the MTC next Tuesday I need to get to a store pretty soon and buy stuff like Shampoo, deodorant, and gel. I have been out of gel for quite a while now and it's horrible. There are other things too probably, but yeah. Caci and Tim said they sent something so hopefully that will be able to make it as well. Thanks for sending that you guys. I am wearing the green paisley tie you guys gave me right now! That's great to hear that you guys are all doing well on your finals and good luck to Lindsay who still has two, I think. Finals are never fun but it's the best when they are over, ha. I really don't miss that part of college AT ALL. I do miss baseball pretty bad and I don't think I will really ever get the chance here. We didn't get to go to the temple this morning because there was another talk from an Elder? from the Area 70. I never even got his name but it was a great talk. We will go to the temple tomorrow and that will be the last time we get to go probably for awhile because of being in the field. We will leave next Tuesday to enter the actual field and I think we find out which area we are going to on Monday afternoon or something like that. But yeah there isn't really a way for me to tell you guys until I am actually there. Today when listening to the guy talk I was able to understand probably 90% of what he was saying to us, in Spanish. Bam! Made me feel pretty good. My Spanish is definitely getting better and better as time goes on so keep on praying because it helps. This week our district gets the chance to go out as a companionship on the street for an hour and talk to some people. Elder Gale and I haven't been able to go yet but we will probably go in the morning which I am pretty excited for. Our District here is awesome and I am going to miss them. We just recently switched from playing volleyball in the morning to playing 21, the basketball game. We get into it but it is so awesome. Reminds me of home to tell ya the truth. Its funny because they are always talking about how high I can jump. I can dunk it with a little ball here but not a normal size ball. One day maybe... lol. But yeah, it's fun to surprise people like that. They think I have played basketball for years and years, ha. That is crazy to hear about Oakley getting arrested but also pretty awesome. Hopefully everything is going okay for him out there. I think about him a lot and want to get a letter out to him. Daniel as well. I sent one to Mike and Dallin already. Entonces, I need to get going and sort laundry and stuff and my time is just about gone. Hope you guys are doing great and I love you and miss you. Mom the Skype thing can work anywhere as long as the computer you're using has Skype installed and a webcam. Just got to know all of your login information, talk to Caci about it. Its not bad at all. Hopefully we can Skype though, who knows. Anyways, good luck this week with all that's going. Sounds like you all are keeping busy, that's good. Love ya, Elder Kade Larsen |
Wednesday, December 5, 2012
Dear Family,
Its good to hear that the week went really well. Thank you for the addresses. I got a lettter from Emily last week and she said she was leaving Provo on the 4th. I actually got the letter with the workout plans that day that I told you that I didn't get it. I got it like three hours after I emailed you, so sorry. The fourwheeler looks awesome! I am jealous that I can't be riding it up above town or up 12 Mile.
Yeah, Makenna and Chris were definitly lucky that the tire didn't blow out on them. I'm glad you guys were able to get it fixed before she she went back home. I love the pictures you guys send. I have now started saving them on a flashdrive so that I can actually view them later because when I open them in the email they are huge and you can't even tell what they really are. I need to go back and save the ones you all sent when I was in Provo, so I can actually see them too.
That is so crazy that Coach Johnson is now going to be the head coach at North Sevier. I bet and I know that he is nervous for that job. But he does know what the team needs. We talked about it all the time. He will be good for the program, I think, in the end. I am glad that those three guys got All state.
I am sorry to hear about Dahl Brown, I hate hearing about new people that are dying around town.. Seems like there is a new person every week but I need to know so don't just not tell me. This last week was pretty slow for me, probably because our p-day was on Tuesday last week and it just made the week an extra day. It's with all new people too, so it is moving slower I think. Yea, the elder related to the Bullards is Elder Franks from Richfield. We want to get a picture of all three of us in the Sevier valley and send it home for the Richfield Reaper or something. I think that would be cool, one elder from every school.
By the way, the laptop I am on is totally crappy and everything I am typing is not showing up until a minute or two after I type it. I am getting kinda frustrated with it. Besides the new Elders coming, there isn't much else that is new this week. I just wish I could write you guys a longer letter but this laptop is pretty set against that idea. Thank you for the pictures of the fourwheeler and stuff, they are awesome. Sorry that this is sent later at night then the usual time, you have probably been waiting for it most the day.
I am so stoked for Elder Burt and Hermana Judkins! I am also pretty jealous but I know I definitly need this last two weeks. Tonight we taught a CRE lesson and the teacher said I did a great job so that was kind of reassuring, ha. My Spanish is getting better but yeah it's always going to be hard. Present subjunctive stuff is just so confusing. Apparently they have like 15 total tenses in the Spanish language but we probably aren't going to try and learn them all because it's just so much to know.
I have only one more temple visit while being in the MTC. That is so crazy. Two weeks from yesterday (he leaves the MTC). Apparently if we are serving in the city of Bogota then we can go every 3 months or so. Not very often but I guess that is better than never getting to go right? When we got there today there was a bunch of Elders from the Bogota North Mission. They seemed like some cool missionaries and they said that they will be training some of the new missionaries when we come out. They have only been out for 3 months and they are already going to be trainers. Guess you got to learn pretty quick because of the big missionary boom that is supposed to happen right behind us. I am glad I am on the front of that boom, ha. Well, good luck with everything else. I love ya and miss you guys a lot. Sorry again that this letter is short. If the laptop worked I would write a better one. I will work on the invitation you offered, thanks! Good luck this week!
Love,
Elder Larsen
(It is good to hear that Elder Larsen finally received some mail. Sounds like he might get his Christmas gifts after all.)
Its good to hear that the week went really well. Thank you for the addresses. I got a lettter from Emily last week and she said she was leaving Provo on the 4th. I actually got the letter with the workout plans that day that I told you that I didn't get it. I got it like three hours after I emailed you, so sorry. The fourwheeler looks awesome! I am jealous that I can't be riding it up above town or up 12 Mile.
Yeah, Makenna and Chris were definitly lucky that the tire didn't blow out on them. I'm glad you guys were able to get it fixed before she she went back home. I love the pictures you guys send. I have now started saving them on a flashdrive so that I can actually view them later because when I open them in the email they are huge and you can't even tell what they really are. I need to go back and save the ones you all sent when I was in Provo, so I can actually see them too.
That is so crazy that Coach Johnson is now going to be the head coach at North Sevier. I bet and I know that he is nervous for that job. But he does know what the team needs. We talked about it all the time. He will be good for the program, I think, in the end. I am glad that those three guys got All state.
I am sorry to hear about Dahl Brown, I hate hearing about new people that are dying around town.. Seems like there is a new person every week but I need to know so don't just not tell me. This last week was pretty slow for me, probably because our p-day was on Tuesday last week and it just made the week an extra day. It's with all new people too, so it is moving slower I think. Yea, the elder related to the Bullards is Elder Franks from Richfield. We want to get a picture of all three of us in the Sevier valley and send it home for the Richfield Reaper or something. I think that would be cool, one elder from every school.
By the way, the laptop I am on is totally crappy and everything I am typing is not showing up until a minute or two after I type it. I am getting kinda frustrated with it. Besides the new Elders coming, there isn't much else that is new this week. I just wish I could write you guys a longer letter but this laptop is pretty set against that idea. Thank you for the pictures of the fourwheeler and stuff, they are awesome. Sorry that this is sent later at night then the usual time, you have probably been waiting for it most the day.
I am so stoked for Elder Burt and Hermana Judkins! I am also pretty jealous but I know I definitly need this last two weeks. Tonight we taught a CRE lesson and the teacher said I did a great job so that was kind of reassuring, ha. My Spanish is getting better but yeah it's always going to be hard. Present subjunctive stuff is just so confusing. Apparently they have like 15 total tenses in the Spanish language but we probably aren't going to try and learn them all because it's just so much to know.
I have only one more temple visit while being in the MTC. That is so crazy. Two weeks from yesterday (he leaves the MTC). Apparently if we are serving in the city of Bogota then we can go every 3 months or so. Not very often but I guess that is better than never getting to go right? When we got there today there was a bunch of Elders from the Bogota North Mission. They seemed like some cool missionaries and they said that they will be training some of the new missionaries when we come out. They have only been out for 3 months and they are already going to be trainers. Guess you got to learn pretty quick because of the big missionary boom that is supposed to happen right behind us. I am glad I am on the front of that boom, ha. Well, good luck with everything else. I love ya and miss you guys a lot. Sorry again that this letter is short. If the laptop worked I would write a better one. I will work on the invitation you offered, thanks! Good luck this week!
Love,
Elder Larsen
P.S 2. I sent you guys a letter last week so hopefully it gets there next week or within the week after.
(It is good to hear that Elder Larsen finally received some mail. Sounds like he might get his Christmas gifts after all.)
Wednesday, November 28, 2012
November 28, 2012
Dear Family,
To say the least.. This week has been really eventful and great. Your pictures look like you guys had a great time and I am pretty jealous. Thanksgiving is non existant here so yeah, it was the usual rice and chicken-beef haha.
Mom, I still havent seen the new 4-Wheeler! Your killin me! lol Sounds like a lot of fun going up and shooting the guns and stuff. I miss stuff like that a lot. I miss being able to go up on the mountain in general..The picture of Oakley is awesome, he is such a stud. The Graggs are an awesome family and I have actually wanted to write Don & Doug but I dont have their address either. Sorry for asking for addresses all the time. I just need them.
Anyways, sometime last week, cant remember the day, an Area 70 came and spoke to us which was pretty neat and he was pretty generous to us Gringos so he spoke slower than he usually would so we could understand it. Great man. Sunday was also an awesome day, like usual. We had the normal talks and movie type stuff going on but in what talk we watched it was a talk at the MTC on April 15th, 2012 and David Archuleta sang at the devotional. He sang the Spirt of God, Part of it was in Spanish as well. Man it hit me pretty dang hard, it was awesome. He sang with so much power I just cant ever forget it. Seriously I cried.
Yesterday, the best day ever. Yesterday was the day that we were able to hit the city of Bogota! We first went to the Temple like a normal Pday which was nice and then we went to the Museo de Oro (museum of Gold). We had to transfer money in a place next to the museum. I transfered $40 so not a lot. The Gold Museum was awesome, like 7-8 floors of gold relics, it was crazy. After that we were able to go shop at some of the mini market things by the museum. It kind of reminds me of the Mexico markets and stuff but I like these ones better. I bought a bag! It is a bag with a llama on it. It is handmade and super awesome! I would send pictures but no camera... I wish I could. Everyone loves my bag ha. It was fun walking around on the streets, it is a crazy place though I wont lie. After shopping we went to (Monserrate) which is like a big mountain with a catholic church up on the top of it. You have to pay to take the tram up to the top. It costs 15400 Pesos (Mil) for roundtrip. We got up there and took loads of pictures. The sun-clouds made it so awesome. You will love those picture if I ever get to even send them. I bet I wont be able to until I leave the MTC. But you will love them.
I talked to people up at the church and it was neat. Its a big tourist spot here I guess. You can see Bogota for as far as you can see and still cant quite see the end of it. Es muy loco pero chevere. We came back from that to the MTC and President and Sister Hall bought us Subway sandwiches for dinner, that was great. We watched 17 miracles after that. We were the only district in the mtc because all the latinos left for the field Tuesday morning. Kinda cool huh. Anyways, I need to get going which Im sorry again. It looks like you guys are having a great time with everything going on.
Kenna and Chris' dog looks pretty cool. I hope you all are having a really good week. I loved the pictures of everyone by the way, the Mattinsons, Oakley, Thanksgiving dinner, etc. Its always fun to see. Well Love you guys and Miss you a lot. The Spanish is getting better and I got a new companion today by the way, Its Elder Gale from Annabella (South Sevier). Kinda crazy how we are now companions, haha. We are excited though to get to work with our new investigators. Elder Casey, old companion, got a latino companion because he is way good at Spanish. Love ya and have a great week! Thanks so much for the addresses!
Love,
Elder Kade Howard Larsen
Elder Kade Howard Larsen
Wednesday, November 14, 2012
November 14, 2012
Elder Kade Larsen arrived in Colombia last Tuesday. He will be in the Colombian MTC for another five weeks. He said they are not allowed to leave the locked compound yet. They were able to attend the Colombian temple today. He was really excited about that and said they have a really nice temple. He understands quite a bit of the Spanish but said it was hard because they speak so fast there. It was funny last week because he said he feels like he speaks with a stutter because he speaks so slow and has to think about it so much.
He said that the food is pretty good there. Last week he said that they have rice for every meal except breakfast which was okay with him because he loves rice. This week he said, "We have rice at EVERY meal, except breakfast. Seriously, it's getting a tad old. We have had yellow rice, brown rice, white rice, etc." Kade is a pretty picky eater and it does sound like he is trying to venture out and try things that he's never seen before. He doesn't care much for plantains. He tried something that the American elders call Alien Eggs but it is actually called agrandenida. (not sure of spelling) He said you break open the orangish-yellow outside and inside it is similar to a pomegranate but the eggs are grey and black. You just have to put your mouth on the pile of 'em and suck 'em out! He says it tastes okay but definitely not the greatest thing they have had there. He did say they have some wonderful types of fruit there.
His companion was just made district leader and so that makes him senior companion. There are three elders in his class that are pretty much fluent. Everyone else is around his stage or a little better. He wishes he could learn it easier. "There are days when it just clicks and then other days when I feel like there is no chance for me, haha. I know there is so I keep on working on it. There is just so much to learn in so little time."
There is not a pouch mail system to Colombia. Apparently if they get it at all it has to go through Peru first. So if you want to mail him a letter mail it through the U.S. Mail to:
Elder Kade Larsen
Carrera 45, #57 B-26
Barrio Nicholas de Federman
Bogota
Colombia.
I do not think he has received any mail other than my gmail letters so far because he hasn't mentioned it. Any Christmas mail should be sent to his mission home at:
Elder Kade Larsen
Colombia Bogota North Mission
Calle 72 # 10-07 Oficina 1001
Edificio Liberty Seguros
Bogota, Cundinamarca
Colombia
Packages must have this phone number 57-31-210-4663
He said that he knows why they don't let the missionaries drive while on their missions. THEY WOULD ALL DIE!!! He said it is exhilarating though. At all times there is a vehicle on all sides of them within five inches and traveling fast. Motorcycles veer in and out at will as if there are no rules. He can't believe that they haven't been in a wreck yet. On a personal note *I am very grateful that he won't be driving in Colombia!!!
Elder Larsen seems to be having a great experience. He loves all of you and appreciates your support. Until next week....
Elder Kade Larsen arrived in Colombia last Tuesday. He will be in the Colombian MTC for another five weeks. He said they are not allowed to leave the locked compound yet. They were able to attend the Colombian temple today. He was really excited about that and said they have a really nice temple. He understands quite a bit of the Spanish but said it was hard because they speak so fast there. It was funny last week because he said he feels like he speaks with a stutter because he speaks so slow and has to think about it so much.
He said that the food is pretty good there. Last week he said that they have rice for every meal except breakfast which was okay with him because he loves rice. This week he said, "We have rice at EVERY meal, except breakfast. Seriously, it's getting a tad old. We have had yellow rice, brown rice, white rice, etc." Kade is a pretty picky eater and it does sound like he is trying to venture out and try things that he's never seen before. He doesn't care much for plantains. He tried something that the American elders call Alien Eggs but it is actually called agrandenida. (not sure of spelling) He said you break open the orangish-yellow outside and inside it is similar to a pomegranate but the eggs are grey and black. You just have to put your mouth on the pile of 'em and suck 'em out! He says it tastes okay but definitely not the greatest thing they have had there. He did say they have some wonderful types of fruit there.
His companion was just made district leader and so that makes him senior companion. There are three elders in his class that are pretty much fluent. Everyone else is around his stage or a little better. He wishes he could learn it easier. "There are days when it just clicks and then other days when I feel like there is no chance for me, haha. I know there is so I keep on working on it. There is just so much to learn in so little time."
There is not a pouch mail system to Colombia. Apparently if they get it at all it has to go through Peru first. So if you want to mail him a letter mail it through the U.S. Mail to:
Elder Kade Larsen
Carrera 45, #57 B-26
Barrio Nicholas de Federman
Bogota
Colombia.
I do not think he has received any mail other than my gmail letters so far because he hasn't mentioned it. Any Christmas mail should be sent to his mission home at:
Elder Kade Larsen
Colombia Bogota North Mission
Calle 72 # 10-07 Oficina 1001
Edificio Liberty Seguros
Bogota, Cundinamarca
Colombia
Packages must have this phone number 57-31-210-4663
He said that he knows why they don't let the missionaries drive while on their missions. THEY WOULD ALL DIE!!! He said it is exhilarating though. At all times there is a vehicle on all sides of them within five inches and traveling fast. Motorcycles veer in and out at will as if there are no rules. He can't believe that they haven't been in a wreck yet. On a personal note *I am very grateful that he won't be driving in Colombia!!!
Elder Larsen seems to be having a great experience. He loves all of you and appreciates your support. Until next week....
Monday, November 5, 2012
Kade and the other Colombian elders fly out of America tomorrow, Tuesday November 6th. It will take them all day long and they will arrive in Colombia around 10 P.M. I had asked Kade questions and he answers that there are no sister missionaries in his district and only two in his zone. He says he sees his cousin, Emily more than the ones in his zone and that is fine with him because she is "cooler".
They had a departure devotional last night covering a lot of things that he thought was common sense. There are around 8 missionaries going to Colombia this week however not all of them are traveling in Kade's group.
He has really enjoyed the devotionals and said one of his favorite quotes is "I fear no man. The angels are with me and I will not be afraid." (something along those lines) He said he would be spurting out quotes if he had his notebook with him but he hadn't brought it to do laundry.
I had sent his old scriptures to him as he requested and he was very grateful for that. He said they have insights he definitely needed to see. (thanks to great seminary/church teachers over the years) He is very excited to be going to Colombia tomorrow. His companion has been sick but they went to the doctors today and his companion was cleared to travel. There is one elder whose VISA didn't come through in time to go. Kade says it will definitely be hard to say goodbye to his two roommates that are called to Mexico. They had a small meeting to tell them what to expect at the MTC in Colombia. They don't have a bookstore or anything like that so they are allowed to go off campus to grocery stores and to buy other needed things. They can exercise across the street in the public park because they have workout machines there. He is excited to be able to call from the airport and we are excited to be able to talk with him.
I believe that the easiest way to write him is through dearelder.com. You need to click "write a letter" and then click pouch mail and his mission which is Colombia Bogota North. He would love to hear from everyone.
They had a departure devotional last night covering a lot of things that he thought was common sense. There are around 8 missionaries going to Colombia this week however not all of them are traveling in Kade's group.
He has really enjoyed the devotionals and said one of his favorite quotes is "I fear no man. The angels are with me and I will not be afraid." (something along those lines) He said he would be spurting out quotes if he had his notebook with him but he hadn't brought it to do laundry.
I had sent his old scriptures to him as he requested and he was very grateful for that. He said they have insights he definitely needed to see. (thanks to great seminary/church teachers over the years) He is very excited to be going to Colombia tomorrow. His companion has been sick but they went to the doctors today and his companion was cleared to travel. There is one elder whose VISA didn't come through in time to go. Kade says it will definitely be hard to say goodbye to his two roommates that are called to Mexico. They had a small meeting to tell them what to expect at the MTC in Colombia. They don't have a bookstore or anything like that so they are allowed to go off campus to grocery stores and to buy other needed things. They can exercise across the street in the public park because they have workout machines there. He is excited to be able to call from the airport and we are excited to be able to talk with him.
I believe that the easiest way to write him is through dearelder.com. You need to click "write a letter" and then click pouch mail and his mission which is Colombia Bogota North. He would love to hear from everyone.
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