Fare thee well, talk.

Here is a copy of my farewell talk, for any of you who may be interested. :)

As I have prepared to serve a mission, I have had so many people ask me all kinds of questions. “Are you going to eat guinea pigs?” “Is it really like 125 degrees there?!” And often, I don’t know the answer. I got used to saying, “We’ll find out!” or “Who knows! Let’s hope that’s an exaggeration..” But there was one question that I was asked that, when I didn't have a definite answer, it bugged me. “Sister Larson, what is your main reason for going on a mission?” I had so many answers. “Help people know the eternal nature of families, so they can be with them forever!” “Show them that repentance is real.” And while those are both noble, wonderful things that I hope to have the chance to help people to see, both answers were just part of a bigger answer. To Love them as Christ has loved me.

In preparation of serving a mission, one of the biggest lessons that I’ve noticed is that Heavenly Father is teaching me to love everyone. That, unfortunately, is not always an easy task. Sometimes, it’s hard to love someone. For whatever reason, you may find that finding love for every person is really difficult. I know I've found that trial. There are 2 major ways that I have found to overcome it. The first of those is service. This is the call of not only missionaries, but every person. It can be anything. A tiny smile in a hallway. Taking two seconds to ask how someone is doing. It doesn't have to be Oprah Winfrey style- “YOU GET A NEW CAR!!” More often than not, what a person really needs is to know that someone cares.
A couple years ago, I had a rough day. An average rough day, nothing incredibly bad happened, but it was enough that when I got home, I was feeling pretty discouraged and a little sick. Well, a couple of my close friends found out about how I was feeling and surprised me by bringing over brownies and a coloring book they had made for me. Those guys didn’t need to do that, but they did it anyway. That small act of kindness was just the comfort that I needed.
Oftentimes when we serve someone, it is not the act of service itself that is what the person needs, but the Christlike love and strengthening of friendships that warms their heart.
Devoted service and discipleship are the same. Alma told prospective members at the waters of Mormon that those who are baptized are to be “willing to bear one another’s burdens,” “to mourn with those that mourn,” and to “comfort those that stand in need of comfort”.
So many people who are in need of service are afraid to ask for help. Actually, every person could use service in some way. By showing Christlike love and being in tune with the spirit, you will be well on your way to being one of the best servants of the Lord that heaven has to offer.
Going along with that, I invite you to make a resolution to love one another. Life is easier when you take people for who they are and love them for their soul. Unfortunately, that is easier to say than it is to do. I can find it hard to love someone who has offended me or disagrees with me in a way that I find harsh, but I know that if we use Christlike love with everyone, we can grow to have new friendships that we never thought were possible. It is amazing. All of this through showing one another Charity, which is the pure love of Christ. How does one develop Christlike love for someone? That’s simple! Serve them! My older brother Erik has always hammered that into me. I would talk to him, make a small complaint about a person that upset me, and before I could even finish my thought he’d say, “Sofie, find a way to serve that person. You’ll love them. Guarantee it.” At the time it drove me nuts. I thought he was rude for interrupting me and not letting me talk, which he knew he’d done, so he’d make me serve him and then low and behold, I wasn’t mad at him anymore. While that was probably just a tactic to get me to do chores for him, it’s a thought that really has some incredible gusto behind it. Serving someone who you do not yet love helps to build a connection between you and the recipient. Not only do you have that memory of service and that experience, but also you learn a little about the person, which helps build connections and bridges. It’s hard to dislike someone who genuinely needs your help.

In Robert L. Backman’s 1985 talk, he tells this story:

Fern attended high school in a small town. She was one of those nice but unnoticed girls who don’t become much but a face on a yearbook page and a name on the rolls. Her family was poor, and they lived out of town. She was not part of the “in crowd,” and the only time her name came up in a conversation of other students was in that mocking, sarcastic way that seems funny when you are young, insecure, and need to ridicule someone else to take the pressure off yourself. Her name became synonymous with anything dumb or out of style. If a thing was unacceptable or ridiculous, the students called it “Ferny.” Young people can be so cruel. It was an annual tradition in the school to recognize the student who showed the most school spirit and support for the athletic teams. When the assembly came to honor that student, as expected, they called out the name of one of the more popular girls in the school. She bounced up the aisle smiling and waving to all her friends. But then a miracle happened. As she took the stage, she said, “I can’t accept this award. Yes, I have loved the teams and cheered for them at every game. But Fern has come to every game, too. I came in a nice, warm car surrounded by my happy friends. She came alone and walked all the way—two and a half miles—sometimes in the rain or snow. She had to sit by herself, but I don’t know anyone who cheered with as much spirit as Fern. I would like to nominate her for the most enthusiastic student in the school.” Fern was escorted to the stage to a spontaneous standing ovation from her fellow students. Youth can be so kind.

I absolutely love this talk. So often people fall through the cracks. They are forgotten, they are unnoticed, they are ignored. If you feel like that, I want you to know that there is always someone who sees you. Heavenly Father sees you. He recognizes your struggle. He recognizes your strength. He trusts you, He loves you, He knows that you are strong enough to withstand this trial. He loves you so much.
I think that it should be our goal to look for those people. To find those who do fall through the cracks, and serve them. Love them. Help them to know that they have a purpose! That  is my plan as a missionary. That is my answer to the question of why I chose to serve. To show every person I meet that Heavenly Father sees them. He loves them, He cares about them, He sees the bigger picture and He has so many great things planned for each and every one of us.

The second way that we can love as our Father does is to see everyone for who they truly are. Not as a dentist, not as a student, not that really tall lady, that really short guy, or that one person that you avoid for whatever reason. See them as a Child of God. As equally loved as you.

I have one more story for you:

When I lived in Utah, I had a particular ride on the Trax (for those of you who don’t know, that’s a lightrail train system that runs in and around Salt Lake City) that was a little bit.. well.. crazy. I got onto the Trax outside of my building and a lady got on with me that had a pitbull named Massacre. It was a really friendly dog. Truly. But you’re not supposed to have dogs on the train. She also had her son with her and a bunch of grocery bags she was desperately trying to juggle, so I called the dog over to me and tried to keep it calm for her. A man quickly got upset with me and told me, “You’re not supposed to bring your dog on the train!” So I told him, “I’m sorry, I’ll get off soon. Promise.” And he moved to the front of the train. The lady asked me why I pretended her dog was mine, and I didn’t really have an answer. I just told her I figured he was gonna yell so I’d rather he yelled at me. The lady got off the train not too long after and I continued on my ride to Provo. So, part of the ride to Provo was riding the trax to a mass bus stop, then getting on a bus and taking it the rest of the way. I got off the train and walked to my stop. I was chatting for a bit with a couple of girls when a lady yelled from across the station, “does that bus go to Orem?” We yelled back to her and told her it did, so she gathered her things and made her way over. Upon getting closer, I noticed that she had a “patient’s belongings” bag with her from the hospital. She walked up to me and asked me if she could use my guitar. My guitar is kind of a piece of junk, so I told her “Sure!” and warned her that since it was cold (it was snowing, hard) the strings were going to be terribly out of tune. She assured me by saying, “Don’t you worry about it. I’m the next Sara McLaughlan!” So I handed her my guitar, and she began twanging away at the poor strings. She played for a little bit, handed me my guitar, then stuck her hand out to shake mine and said, “My name is Sunshine! Well my real name is Shannon, but people call me Sunshine because I bring Sunshine into people’s lives! What’s your name?” I said back to her, “My name is Sofie! Well my real name is Sofia, but people call me Sofie because I bring Sofie into peoples lives!” We talked for a bit until the bus arrived. While riding the bus, I noticed Sunshine was going around to different people and showing people something in her hand. I kinda ignored it, but right before she came over to me, she showed some men in the back of the bus the things in her hand, and they took out their wallets and showed her they were empty. She came and sat behind me and whispered to me, “I just tried to sell my bus tokens but no one has money. Will you buy them? I just got out of the hospital and I haven’t eaten in days.” I told her I didn’t have any cash, but I offered her my bag of chips. She gladly accepted them, came and sat next to me, and started happily munching away. A couple minutes later, she stopped mid-chew and asked me, “Sofie- what makes you happy?” I told her that family, church, and my dog make me happy. She asked me about church so I started telling her about it, and pretty soon I was flat out bearing my testimony to her. It was such a neat experience!
I am so grateful for the opportunity that I had to get to know Sunshine and the lady with the dog. Heavenly Father really knows how to put things into perspective.
In Barbara Thompson’s July 2011 talk, she says:
As we examine John 13, we learn some of the most significant lessons the Savior taught during His earthly ministry, including:

1. Serve one another.
   2. Love one another.

As the Savior and His Apostles met to observe the Passover meal, the spirit in the room was likely subdued. The Savior knew that He was about to be offered up and crucified. I am sure that even if the Apostles didn’t then understand the significance of the events that night, they would soon learn and more fully comprehend the Savior’s mission.

After supper Jesus took a towel, poured water into a basin, and washed the feet of each man present. The cleansing of the feet was done in reverence and humility as the Savior undoubtedly dealt with feelings of sorrow for events that would soon transpire, including His impending betrayal.

Peter, knowing that Jesus was the Messiah and promised Savior, wanted to serve the Lord rather than have the Lord serve Him. “If I wash thee not,” the Savior said, “thou hast no part with me” (John 13:8). Then Peter readily consented to the Savior’s loving service.

Afterward Jesus explained:

“Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am.

“If I then, your Lord and Master, have washed your feet; ye also ought to wash one another’s feet.

“For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:13–15).

Jesus wanted the Twelve—and He wants each of us—to learn that humility and service are worthy characteristics we should seek to obtain. He taught that no one is too important to serve others. In fact, one of the things that make us great is our willingness to serve and give of ourselves. As the Savior said, “He that is greatest among you shall be your servant” (Matthew 23:11; see also Luke 22:26).

Our ultimate goal is to become like Christ. He is our older Brother who has sacrificed so much for us out of the most pure form of love. We, as saints, have the duty and privilege to pay it forward. That is my goal as a missionary.
To close, I would like to read to you a poem that I wrote recently, about becoming a missionary. It is a poem that is dear to my heart and helps to better explain the goal of a missionary:

Back before I lived on this earth

about 20 years prior, or so.

I stood with my Father, holding His Hand

and wondered where I was to go.

I had watched as many brothers and sisters

descended each one by one

each one of them facing joys and trials,

all saying, “Father, Thy will be done.”

I was curious, excited, nervous and scared

of what would lie ahead

Was I good enough to have the joys of life?

Then my Father turned and said,

“My Child, I love you, worry not of your worth

for you are stronger than you know.

I will be there, to help and protect you

wherever you will go.

Keep faith in Me, and faith in you,

do not fret about life’s test!
If you do all that you can to be righteous

I will take care of the rest.”

He then said to me, with a twinkle in His eye

and my hand still tight clasped in His,

“You will have much joy in your life,

But my Child, remember this-

My task for you will be great, and hard.

But I have faith that you will succeed.
In about 20 years time, you will act on My errand

to help your brothers and sisters in need.

Show them the Love I have for them,

bring them back to the fold.

Serve them in any way that you can.

Be gentle, loving, and bold.

My Child, with this, I send you now

to prepare a way for My word.

Live in faith, preach My gospel,

until every ear has heard-

“My Child, I love you, worry not of your worth

for you are stronger than you know.

I will be there, to help and protect you

wherever you will go.

Keep faith in Me, and faith in you,

do not fret about life’s test!
If you do all that you can to be righteous

I will take care of the rest.”

And with that, Father sent me down to earth

With faith, tools and knowledge to live His plan.

To help bring my family His joy and love

And bring to pass the eternal life of man.

So faithfully I’ll serve, with God by my side.

On His errand, I will stand

I’ll go where you want me to go dear Lord.

And I’ll never let go of Your Hand.

I love you all,
Sister Sofia Larson

I'll Go Where You Want Me to Go, Dear Lord.

You know what? I made this blog forever ago.. And I realized, I haven't posted anything in here. I leave in about 2 months, and I'm so humbled. I want to tell my story on how I decided a mission was for me.

Growing up, I always had the desire to serve a mission, but there was always a bit of a stigma that went along with serving a mission as a girl- "You can't get anyone to marry you, guess you're going on a mission!" It was kind of an internal battle for me. I did what I could to be a missionary, particularly in my last year of high school and since then. I would have gospel-related discussions with friends and offer to hook friends up with the missionaries. Only a few times did that ever really work.. but it was worth a shot. After my senior year of high school, I was a bit of a mess. I had just kind of assumed that things would take care of themselves and I would just go to school while living at home, then transfer to a college sort of nearby and become a nurse. That was my plan for a long time. September of 2010, I started going to school. I started casually dating a guy friend and I thought I had stuff figured out. Everything seemed pretty easy, and I didn't really think much about a mission because my life seemed "set." , and I most definitely didn't want to mess with the fine balance I thought I'd created. I was so close-minded. Every once in a while, when I would realize (or re-realize) the guy I was seeing was going to leave on a mission, the thought would run through my mind, "You can too, you know." But after a while, the idea of going on a mission really scared me. I lost the drive to serve and gained the desire to curl up and wait around for something good to happen. That was when things got crazy.
The boy and I broke things off, he was still my friend but I really didn't see him much. A guy who is very dear to my heart came home to await his departure to his mission, so I spent as much time as I could with him.. and once again, thoughts of serving a mission started popping up in my head. I wanted to go. I knew I wanted to go. But I was scared and there was that gosh dang stigma. Not to mention (and I know- this sounds terrible) I was really not looking forward to the fact that I would probably miss out on seeing my closest friends for around 3 years total. That just didn't sound appealing. I was being selfish and I knew I was, but I ignored it, and told myself I wasn't made to be a full time missionary and I left it at that.
Now we're in December of 2011. I discussed options for my future with a friend of mine. I told her how I wanted to go to school in Utah, I wanted to go to BYU, but I knew that because of my sporadically poor performance in high school, I was going to need to transfer there. She and I weighed out the options and I found the Business College in downtown Salt Lake City. All my credits would transfer, it wasn't far from BYU.. It sounded like a great idea! I quickly set to work on getting myself there. I started saving up money, I managed to get a 4 year scholarship, and I applied to school. Things were working out great. I had 3 jobs.. but I knew it would be worth it because something important was waiting for me in Utah. I didn't know what, and I didn't know why I needed to be there- I just knew that I needed to get there, and quickly.
Finally the day arrived that I moved out of my parents' house and to a completely new state, by myself, to live with a girl I had never met. My parents and I loaded up our big blue truck with boxes and the dog (Cooper), and drove through the night to Salt Lake. The entire way there I was anxious and sad, yet excited and so so ready. I hugged Cooper and prayed for safety and a clear mind. We arrived, I settled in, my parents left, and it seemed like it was only a matter of minutes before 3 weeks had passed. I was now a girl from a po-dunk little town in Oregon living in a (seemingly) great big city. I lived right across from Temple square. That was possibly the biggest blessing. I needed that constant (gigantic) reminder of a plan bigger than myself. Before my classes I would go do baptisms or walk around the Temple or I'd read my scriptures by the Christus. I was experiencing constant spiritual growth, and I felt it.
Every weekend I would take public transportation down to Provo and spend the weekend with my best friend or my cousins. It was fun, and I enjoyed it. I got along with my roommate great. She was really chill, we got along but didn't feel the need to get caught up in each other's lives, it was perfect. I kept up in my classes, actually managed to do a lot better than I ever thought I could do (especially taking 18 credits), and life seemed peachy keen.
Now we're at conference weekend. October 2012. I received a text from a friend from back home informing me that she and a few other friends had driven down to Utah for conference and had an extra ticket to the Saturday morning session. They offered it to me and I readily accepted the kind gesture.
I went to that session where our beloved prophet, Thomas S. Monson, made the incredible (and life changing) announcement that the age for girls to go on a mission was being changed from 21 to 19. I have tried many times to describe the feeling in the conference center when the announcement was made, and the only way I can think of to describe it for me, personally, was closure. I started crying before the words left his mouth, I knew that I was going to receive the answer to my questions and confusion over the last two years of my life. People were hugging, girls were crying, boys were crying, (a boy around my age in front of us said, very distinctly, "Well, there go all of my prospects..") and the feeling was amazing. Now, keep in mind, at this point, I was still 20 years old. I knew that the likelihood of me leaving before I was 21 was still slim, but it wasn't the age changing that pushed me to go on a mission. It was the feeling in that room. It was all of the desires of my heart that I'd been choking out with feelings of "I'm not good enough" and "I'm just not missionary material" being freed. I needed that experience to push me. I needed to know what it was like to live without my parents, to have reality placed in front of me without someone there to fix it when I messed up. That night, I called my parents and told them I was going on a mission. I remember my mom saying, "We already know." My parents anticipated it, and had already started discussing it. I knew it was the right choice!
I received texts and calls from friends back home for the next week, all saying, "You're going on a mission, aren't you?" or, "That change was made for girls like you, Sofie." It warmed my heart that people thought so highly of me, that they saw me as missionary material when for so long, I didn't think it was for me.
Remember that boy I that I said was dear to my heart and had left on a mission? I received a letter from him, advising me to seriously consider a mission, as well as a letter from another close friend with the same advice.
I went through and made plans with my parents. At Christmas, I moved home, got a job, started saving money, submitted my papers, and now, here I am! Preparing to serve the people of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil. I'm excited and nervous to go. It's taken a lot to get me to this point but I feel like it is what is best. There are times when I feel doubt, but I know that is Satan trying to persuade me that I can't do anything to further the Work. I am going to faithfully serve with all of my heart. I love this gospel more than life itself and I would walk around the world forever, bringing the gospel to all those who would hear it, if that's what was required of me. I love my support system of family and friends who have held me up when I have come so very close to falling down, and I know that this life is just a refining fire for the next. I can say with surety that our Father in Heaven will bless those who sacrifice much for the betterment of man and I hope to earn those blessings.
I say these things, in the name our Brother, Savior, Redeemer and Friend, Jesus Christ, amen.