The Larson Letter 2008

The Larson Letter 2008 is here!

Click here to view it!

Merry Christmas!
~Kelly & Suzanne Larson :)


JESUS IS THE GIFT THAT KEEPS ON FORGIVING!

It's SNOWING in Bishop!

It's our first snow in Bishop since we moved here in July! It's SO pretty! We went for a drive this morning, and a walk this afternoon. It's supposed to snow for 3 days!

Fullerton Home For Sale

Please pray that the Lord will send the perfect buyer for our home in Fullerton. It's 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom on 3/4 acre in a fabulous neighborhood.

Here's what the listing says about our house... Exclusive Skyline Dr. Home featuring double pane windows and sliders, granite kitchen counters, open floor plan, huge driveway and parking area for multiple cars/RV, unparalleled privacy surrounded by nature. Views of the canyon with mature trees everywhere. Plumeria - Palms - Bananas - Jacarandas and more. Don't miss this unique home.

check it out... (you'll have to cut and paste the link)
http://idx.diversesolutions.com/search/389/4#PropertyTypes=17&PerformSearch&MaxLatitude=33.91344889764405&MaxLongitude=-117.84313201904297&MinLatitude=33.84204727583369&MinLongitude=-117.95316696166994&ZipCodes=92831&PropertyID=10426197

MLS Number P663043

Thanksgiving Updates...

NEW HOME...

We moved from the apartment we were staying in to a house on November 1.   It was built in the early 1900s.  The mother of one of our friends was born in this house!  It's about 1200 sq. ft., but it has room for us to host Bible Studies and room for guests, so I absolutely love it!  (Kelly would have been fine staying in the apartment, but he was willing to move for me... what a great guy!!!)  We've had people over for dinner, and people are just stopping by for a visit... it's great!

THE TRUTH PROJECT...

We just started The Truth Project (Focus on the Family DVD study) last week... and we had 23 adults and 9 kids at our house!  WOW!  We expect more tonight, as many were out of town, had meetings, or were sick last week!  :)

CHURCH GROWTH...

When we came up to Bishop for the first time (January 2008), there were 29 people... including kids... at church.  Two weeks ago we had 55 (42 adults and 13 kids!).  

CITY-WIDE MINISTRY...

It is exciting to see things happening here!  The Bishop Ministerial Association (all Christian ministers) hosted a harvest festival on Haloween, and there were 1200 people there!  Each church had a game booth, and a church booth.  At Bishop Creek Community Church's church booth we passed out 50 comic books... ok, they were really the book of John... word for word... in comic book form.  It was exciting!  While some of the kids came up and only wanted candy, others came up and only wanted the book!  WOW!

PASTOR'S WIVES...

I'm hoping to start up a consistent gathering for the pastor's wives.   I have four ready to go already!  (We will probably start with them and add more as time goes on.)  

WOMEN'S STUDY...

A few women have been talking about the book "Love and Respect," so I'm praying about starting up a women's study that's connected to this.  (Pray for curriculum, timing coordination, funds for child care,...)  

LOVE & RESPECT...

We think doing LOVE & RESPECT as couples would be better, so we'll probably start that up in the Spring, after we finish The Truth Project (which is a 13 week study).   Pray with us about these things!

HELPING OUT...

A few weeks ago we went up to Mammoth... Kelly had been asked to preach at a church up there.  They are a new church looking for a pastor, and have asked Kelly to help with the process.  We are going up again next week for Kelly to do a "mock interview" with them... to help them iron our the interviewing process.  They have 8 people they are considering, but want to make sure they have their ducks in a row before they begin the interviews!

NEW FRIENDS...

We have become good friends with the pastor of the Southern Baptist church and his wife.  They call us the mega-church... as they have just a handful attending each week.  We've gone the last two weeks to encourage them, and last week we led worship for them.  (They meet at 10am, and our church meets at 4pm... which allows us the flexibility to do these things.)  Please pray for them as they pray about the Lord's direction.  They are at the Southern Baptist Convention this week, so we're praying for that to be an encouraging time.  They've been in Bishop almost a month longer than we have, and they have amazing hearts for the Lord, but it's tough to have the church so small.  

NEW OFFICE...

The Southern Baptist Church building is actually the building Bishop Creek Community Church was looking at leasing in January, but the offer was pulled off the table by the previous pastor.  (We have always met in the Seventh Day Adventist Church building.)  We are trying to be an encouragement to them, and they are to us as well.  The Southern Baptist pastor has allowed Kelly to use one of their storage rooms as an office!  He told Kelly that they believe in our ministry up here, so they want him to have an office (he was working at home or at Starbucks or Looney Bean up until a couple weeks ago).  This allows for more times of fellowship and encouragement between these two pastors as well.  God is good!

RESOURCES..

Please also be praying about the finances of our church.  We are thankful that the church has savings, but it's tough having to dip into it to help pay some bills out of it, rather than paying all bills out of what comes in each week.  We don't want to ram money issues down anyone's throat.  The reality is that the church has committed to having us here for a year, and if the money doesn't pick up, we may have to leave in July.  The good news is... GOD IS STILL IN CONTROL!  He will provide if He wants this church to continue!  

STEWARDSHIP...

Please pray for Kelly as he teaches about stewardship, and as we offer up to the Lord the offerings given each week.  Please pray for the families as they give... as you know these are tough times, and many have never heard about giving to a church.  (This church has always had an offering box in the back, but never passed the plates until two weeks ago.)

SEVERAL FIRSTS IN MINISTRY...

In September we had our first child dedication!  Then, in October we had our first baptism!  Seven of our youth were baptized!  WOW!  How great is that!  Since then, others have shown interest in getting baptized, and at least one of our attenders accepted Christ!  WOO-HOO!

BIBLE NEED...

We're getting low on Bibles!  What a good problem to have!  This church has always encouraged people that want a Bible to take one home.  We are getting low, and Kelly is preaching out of the ESV (English Standard Version), so we've been thinking about getting them for the church.   Please pray that the Lord provides the resources needed to purchase pew and give-away Bibles at the best price!  The ESV was just updated, so we want to make sure we also get the most updated version.

GROWING UP...

Bishop Creek Community Church was a church plant and just became a full Evangelical Free Church in 2008.  On March 1 we will have our annual church business meeting.  At that time we will vote on the church bylaws, membership, and elders.  Please pray as the preparation of these things are worked out ahead of time.  Kelly is currently preaching out of Colossians.  Once he finishes that up he will start a series that covers the updated statement of faith of the Evangelical Free Church, which will help with establishing the membership, bylaws, and elders!  

There is so much to tell, but I'll stop for now.

So many praises... and prayer requests!  Our Lord is good, and we are excited to be serving Him!  

Thank you for your continued prayers, support, and encouragement!  We love you and are thankful for you!

So much to say!

There is SO much to say!

So much has happened... and I want to update you on it all... but it's late, and we're headed down to Orange County tomorrow (Tuesday, August 12)... and then up to Arrowhead and Green Valley Lake.

Update on Kayla... WOW!  She's HOME!!!  She came home today!  Check out the pictures!  We lined the street to welcome her home.  Read the TEAM KAYLA blog to catch up on the amazing miracles God has done and is still doing!!!

The installation service was great... and so was the party afterwards!  :)  Click here to watch the videos of the speakers/prayers!

I have posted several of Kelly's sermons... Click here to check them out!

I've been busily working on the website... and all kinds of stuff... for the church.  (Kelly has too... not the website, but other stuff!)

The people are amazing here!  They already feel like family!  We're settling into our condo/apartment, and starting to look for a house to rent.  We hope to have our house in Fullerton on the market soon... so pray for the perfect buyer!  

I'd better get to bed... we've got a long drive tomorrow!

Schedule for this week...

Tuesday - drive to Fullerton... work on house

Wednesday - run errands, take care of business, drive up to Arrowhead... dinner w/Don & Marcia Bode!

Thursday - Larson picnic in Crestline, Sandon & Laura's Rehearsal Dinner in Lake Arrowhead

Friday - hang out w/Don & Marcia, hang out w/Larsons, Sandon & Laura's wedding (Kelly's doing the ceremony... his first... pray for him!)

Saturday - Green Valley Lake

Sunday - Drive back to Bishop... church at 4pm... pray for safe travel!

Thanks again for all your prayers and support!

www.BishopCreekCommunity.org

4 weeks in Bishop...

July 28, 2008

Hi!  Hope the Lord is touching your life in a mighty way!

We have been in Bishop for almost 4 weeks… and today will be our 4^th Sunday.  We have averaged 30-40 people each week… pretty good for having so many out of town!  Kelly is doing a series on The Church.  We are trying to post his sermons online (hitting some glitches, but there are two on the site so far), so check out our website and listen in!  www.BishopCreekCommunity.org.

There is beauty all around us, and the people are fabulous!  We have been spending time with lots of people… which has been great!  We’ve met at local restaurants (one of our favorites is Jacks), or at the local coffee shop (Looney Bean), or at people’s homes… oh, I almost forgot… Kelly’s been meeting with people a couple times a week at the local golf course… Bishop Country Club.  With gifts from Kelly’s mom and Suzanne’s parents, we were able to purchase a membership for him!  How wonderful!  It’s amazing how many people in our church LOVE to golf!  (What a great fit!)

Kelly spends a lot of time preparing his sermons (at home, Starbucks, or at the church) while Suzanne works on the website and other administrative or “tech”y things.  Suzanne joined Weight Watchers this week, and really enjoyed the people there.  It will be good for her in many ways. 

We had our first visitor this week!  Debbie Miersma and her friend, Marilyn, came up to go hiking… and stopped by to say, “HI!”  How fun!  Yesterday Kelly and Suzanne drove up to Mammoth to have dinner with Suzanne’s cousins… Jeff & Becky Stamps!  They were honeymooning at another mutual cousin’s condo up there!  How fun!  Tomorrow Suzanne will go up and pick them up, and they will drive down to Orange County with her.  (The timing worked out perfectly!)  She will be working at the house trying to get the rest of the stuff packed up, and the house ready to put on the market.  She will head back up at the end of the week.

Next Sunday, August 3, there will be an Installation Service up here.  Wally Norling (Kelly’s mentor) and Steve Elliott (Kelly’s coach) will be running the show.  Afterwards the Pratt family has invited everyone over for a potluck/BBQ celebration.  (Sherrin calls it the Coronation Ceremony Celebration.) 

Neat things are happening here!  We hope you keep in touch, and covet your prayers for us, the church, and the community of Bishop!  Thanks for all of your prayers and support!!!  We appreciate you!

In Christ,

Kelly & Suzanne J

PO Box 1271  Bishop, CA 93515
www.Larsons4Jesus.com
Larsons4Jesus@gmail.com 

Visitors!!!

We had our first visitor today!  Debbie Miersma was on her way up to Mammoth and stopped by with her friend Marilyn!  Yeah!  We met them at Carl's Jr. for something cold to drink!  How fun!  Debbie & Marilyn will spend the night in Mammoth and then go backpacking for the rest of the week.  (Better them than me!)

Who will be our next visitor?  Will it be... YOU?

All Roads Lead to Bishop... We Hope!

Hope you can visit us here in Bishop!  We would love to see you!  Let us know when you're headed our way!!!

We have been here for two weeks now... but it has been a whirlwind few months!!!  Let me try to bring you up to date!

On July 1, 2008 we loaded up the cars and headed to Bishop.  Wish it was that simple!  Suzanne managed to hit her head REALLY hard on the edge of her car door and had a big knot on her forehead for about a week... there's still a bit of a bump now.  Luckily it didn't knock her out or bleed!  We could only take what we could load in both of our vehicles, so we had to really pick and choose what went with us.  So, it was all boxes... the only "furniture" that went with us was the bird's cages.  (They, of course, traveled inside the vehicles with us... one in each car.)  We had planned on leaving at 10am... but at 2:30pm we were finally on the road.  We arrived in Bishop at about 7:30 or 8:00pm.

We were so blessed by what we found!  Around 10 people from our church came over and helped us unload both cars!  They even brought us care packages and dinner!  WOW!  What an amazing group of people the Lord has allowed us to be a part of!  We already had a bed, beach chairs, and some kitchen stuff in the condo/apartment, so once everything was unloaded we were able to warm up dinner, hang out in the living room, and then hit the sack!  No problems sleeping!!!

Since then we've spent our time sorting, unpacking, organizing, and re-arranging... people have brought over a couch (Lazy Boy sofa bed!), lamp, tables, and chairs... and we've been thrift shopping and garage sale-ing and picked up a couple temporary desks, bookshelves, table, side tables, toaster,... and broke down and went to K-Mart and bought a fan and humidifier (did you know that the average humidity in Bishop is 7%???).  This lovely, little place is feeling more homey every day... but there's still lots to do!  

Ok, you may be wondering why ALL our time is spent here in the condo/apartment?  Well, it's not.  Kelly walks down the street to Starbucks most mornings and spends time studying there.   I walk next door to the fairgrounds and talk to the horses... and bring them carrots.  We have met with most of the core people in the church... a few have been out of town, or we haven't been able to set up a time yet.  The core group here is amazing!  They are serious about going deep in their walk with the Lord!  It is so exciting!  

I've been working on the church's website a lot.  Check out what I have so far... and keep checking back, 'cause I'm adding more all the time!  www.BishopCreekCommunity.org  I'm even working on getting Kelly's sermons on there!  I've gotten SOME of my "Thank YOU!" notes written, but have tons more to do... so if you've not gotten your yet, PLEASE forgive me!  I hope to get them done soon!

It's been really hot most days... in the upper 90s or low 100s.  We have a wall AC unit in the living room, and use the fan in the bedroom at night.  It does cool down at night, so we open up all the windows... and that helps a lot!  Sunday evening after church we were hanging out after church talking when it started raining... it was great!  The kids and I were all out enjoying the coolness and the moisture!  The rest of the adults opted for shelter.  :)  Monday night we got rain around 8pm.  Kelly had just finished golfing with a couple from the church.  It POURED!!!  We got rain off and on almost all night!  Wonderful!!!

We will probably go back to Fullerton sometime soon to finish packing and organizing the house so we can put it on the market.  Once we sell or lease it we will be able to figure out what we're doing here (buy or lease).  Until then, we're enjoying this little place that's close to everything!

Thank you for your prayers, notes, encouragement, and support!  They mean so much to us!

Hope to see you soon! 

Update on Kayla... WOW! Check this out!

Sunday, June 29 we went down to LaJolla and visited Kayla and Laura.  AMAZING, MIRACULOUS things are happening!  She is now speaking, reading, and eating!  Check out her blog for more information.  Thanks for your past and continued prayers!

Click here to see what's happening with Kayla!!!  

Generations Commissioning Service for the Larsons Photos

On June 8, 2008 Generations had a commissioning service for us.  We have some great photos from that day, so I thought I'd share them.  I uploaded them so if you click on this link, you should be able to see them... http://gallery.me.com/zanluvskel/100008  The user name is generations and the password is larsons4jesus.  Enjoy!  

Back in Fullerton...

We're back in Fullerton!   

Here's the latest!

~ On June 26 the National Conference of the EFCA voted to adopt the new statement of faith.  This is historical... and we got to be a part of it!  The statement of faith is even stronger than it used to be... clarifying some things that were a bit weak on the original.  This is so exciting... especially in a day when some denominations are voting to allow things in that weaken their statement of faith.  We are so thankful we were able to go to this conference!  It was great!  We both learned a lot and met a lot of great people!

~ Suzanne is still trying to get well... she now has a deep voice and a tight chest and wakes up with a sore throat.  But... the headaches are gone!  PTL!!!  Thanks for your continued prayers!

~ The Crawford's picked us up from the airport and took us to Chin Ting (our favorite chinese restaurant, which is owned buy a couple guys that Kelly went to high school with) and surprised us... they had five others from Generations there to hang out with us!  We had a good time!   (and mmmmmmmm.... delicious!!)

~ Saturday we had five people come by and help pack up!  WOW!  They got so much done!  Thank you, thank you!!!

~ Saturday afternoon we got together with Kelly's sister and mom, and then went over and had dinner with Kelly's niece and her husband.  It was a busy day, but a good one!

~ It's now Sunday morning.  We're off to La Jolla to visit Laura and Kayla.  (check out Kayla's progress at www.kaylatalbot.blogspot.com)  We've not been able to get down there for awhile, so we're excited to see them before we move!  Tonight we go to Evening Chapel Praise for the last time, and are getting together with some friends afterwards.

~ Monday we will finish packing and load up the car/truck.  We are having dinner with some friends in the evening.  

~ Tuesday we head up to Bishop.

Thank you again for all of your prayers!!!  We need them!  We appreciate you!

God bless!!

June 24... Update from St. Louis

Wow! It's been a whirlwind month!
~ Suzanne finished up her 14th year teaching at Eastside Christian School on June 6.
~ On June 8 Generations (Kelly & Suzanne's Adult Fellowship group at EV FREE Fullerton) hosted a commissioning service... and Wally Norling (Kelly's mentor) gave the charge. Many family members and friends were in attendance... it was a wonderful time. Speaking of time, Generations presented Kelly & Suzanne with a beautiful, personalized clock! Thank you, Generations!
~That evening Kelly spoke at Evening Chapel Praise (on anxiety... appropriate, don't you think?) and they interviewed and prayed over Kelly & Suzanne. It was a special time... and again, many family members and friends were there.
~ If you'd like to hear Kelly's talk, here's the link... http://www.evfreefullerton.com/worship/sermon_chapel.html and scroll down to the 6/08/08 date... and you'll see Pastor Kelly Larson... click on the words Fear and Anxiety.
~ June 9-13 Kelly & Suzanne attended the EFCA's Church Planter's Bootcamp... which was held at Talbot. They learned a lot of stuff... which still needs to soak in... but it will be useful as they start their time up in Bishop! They also met some neat people... amazing what a small world it is and how easy it is to connect with other people who have a heart for ministry!
~ June 14 Kelly attended a Leadership seminar, which he really enjoyed.
~ June 16 - 21 was spent going to getting our teeth cleaned, eyes checked, and other appointments... and PACKING! Thank you to all of you that helped us pack! There's still more to do, but it's coming along!
~ June 22 Generations decided to go out to lunch one last time with Kelly & Suzanne... so about 20 of them went to Hometown Buffet for lunch... mmmmm....
~ June 23 Kelly & Suzanne flew out to St. Louis, MO for the EFCA's National Conference. Suzanne woke up that morning with a headache, cough, earache, and tight chest. Thanks for all the prayers! She was fine for the flights. The headache didn't come back until about 30 minutes after they arrived in St. Louis. That's where they are now. Suzanne missed most of the first day of the conference, but her headache is much better now (thank you, all those who are praying for her... and for Tylenol Sinus Congestion & Pain SEVERE!!), and she is looking forward to the seminars on women's ministry and being a pastor's wife on Wednesday and Thursday! Today (June 24) Kelly enjoyed the 6 hour class on expository teaching. Wednesday and Thursday he will attend seminars on the proposed revisions for the EFCA statement of faith, Developing the Leaders You Need, and Simple Church--Making it Work, and a men's ministry luncheon.
~ June 26... Kelly & Suzanne will celebrate their 9th anniversary while in St. Louis, and will fly home on June 27.
~ June 28... Power Packing of the Kitchen! A few friends from Generations have volunteered to come over and help pack up the rest of the kitchen! Wanna help?
~ June 29... we hope to go down to San Diego to visit Laura and Kayla, and then come back to Fullerton to attend Evening Chapel Praise for the last time.
~ June 30... packing up the cars...
~ July 1... driving up to Bishop! Please pray for this to go smoothly! We will be staying in the Talbot's condo (thank you, Tom & Laura!!!) until we find a house... so you can pray that we find the right house too! At some point, our house in Fullerton will be on the market... so let us know if you know of anyone interested!

Thank you again for all of your prayers and support! There are many that have sent special gifts or have committed to supporting us monthly! Thank you, thank you! We have been so blessed by the outpouring of love we've received!

June 8

Sunday, June 8... 10am & 6pm

You are invited to a commissioning service for Kelly Larson. It will be at Generations Adult Fellowship at 10am in North Campus Room 180.

That evening Kelly will be teaching at Evening Chapel Parise, which meets in the wedding chapel on main campus at 6pm. There will be a prayer time for Kelly & Suzanne, and there will be an opportunity for fellowship afterwards.

We'd love for you to join us!

Where?
First Evangelical Free Church of Fullerton
2801 N. Brea Boulevard
Fullerton, CA 92835
Here is a website with directions... http://www.evfreefullerton.com/findus/directions.html

Late May

Kelly has his master's degree!!! Yeah! The graduation Friday was wonderful! I thought I was excited when I got my master's, but I was more excited for Kelly's! I couldn't stop smiling! I'm SO proud of him!

This was Biola's 100th anniversary. Kelly was glad that he got to graduate with our friend, Paul Poelstra.

We left Saturday morning and drove up to Bishop with Kelly's mom. We got there around 3:30pm and went straight to the park to check out the Mule Days booths. We saw Susan Flaherty and her SeneGence booth.

Sunday morning we went to Cowboy Church... it was really good. Then we started getting ready for our church. I helped lead worship and Kelly preached.

After church we headed over to the Pratt's house for a Potluck/BBQ (it was that, but actually it was a surprise party for Kelly... Graduation & Birthday). There were so many people there! It was SO fun! The church gave Kelly The Bible... for Dummies, and Accordance... the Bible software Kelly has been wanting. We had a great time hanging out with everyone! What a great church we're going to! We love them so much!

Monday was Kelly's birthday (the 26th). We had breakfast at Jake's... it was yummy! We met some of the people that work there... and the whole restaurant sang to Kelly! Then we went home, took a nap, and then went to the Barrett's house for dinner.

Tuesday we drove home and met my parents and my Aunt Pat & Uncle Art in Ontario. My aunt and uncle were flying home from a weekend visit with my parents. So, it was great to get to spend a little bit of time with them!

We've talked to three people about buying or leasing our house. The family that was considering buying it has decided it's not the right time to move. There's a couple and a family that are interested in looking at our house to see if they want to lease it. The couple that's getting married in June will be checking our house out next week. The family will be checking it out too.

We are so thankful that the Talbot family has allowed us to stay in their condo as a transitional home. When we get up there, we will start looking for a house.

Suzanne has one week and one day of school left! Wow! After 14 years at Eastside Christian School, it will be hard to leave. But, Suzanne really feels like she's supposed to help with church stuff rather than teach. She's really looking forward to pouring herself into the church and community!

June 9-13 Kelly & Suzanne will be at Church Planter's Bootcamp. June 23-27 they will be in St. Louis at EFCA's General Conference. Sometime in there, they are hoping to finish packing so they can be ready to move to Bishop in July!

Mid-May Update...

Kelly's teaching at Generations went very well. Thank you for your prayers!

Kelly is now done with all of his classes... with one possible exception. He turned in his doctrinal thesis last week and asked to the teacher to let him know what corrections were needed. At this point he has not heard back from him... so we're thinking that it's good! Yeah! Praise the Lord! Kelly has finished well! Graduation is one week from today!

On May 24-27 we'll be up in Bishop. We will be experiencing "Mule Days" for the first time! This town of 3,500 turns into 35,000 for the weekend as mule lovers from all over the world descend upon Bishop! Check it out! http://www.muledays.org/

Kelly will be preaching on May 25. He planned on speaking about donkey's in the Bible, but as the time got closer, that wasn't feeling right, so he will be in John 15 instead.

Three weeks from today is Suzanne's last day at Eastside. She's taught there for 14 years, so it's both exciting and sad! The staff had a celebration for her at their staff meeting this week... she felt loved and appreciated! :)

Suzanne is still plugging away at packing. She's trying to be really organized, which makes it take longer... but it will pay off!

She has decided to get rid of her Dell desktop and laptop... so let her know if you're interested in buying either at a good price. :) She's also decided to say goodbye to some of the craft things she's not used for years... keep your eyes open for a blog listing those items! If you are interested in rubber stamps (& stuff!) or scrapbooking supplies (books, refills, adhesives, stickers, paper, etc.)... let her know! She'll make you a good deal! She also has some really big (several feet tall and across) established Plumeria trees that she will sell (pink, red, yellow, rainbow, white).

The laundry room/pantry is now painted. Little by little we're plugging away! Still praying for the right buyer... but I guess we actually should have it on the market! Someday! We still have a few rooms left to paint... and that's getting done as time allows.

Thanks for all your prayers and words of encouragement!

Upcoming Dates... Teaching, Commissioning, Training...

Kelly taught this past Sunday in Generations, and this next Sunday (May 11) will be his final time teaching at Generations.

Kelly graduates on May 23, and we'll head up to Bishop on May 24 for Mule Days! On Sunday, Kelly will share a message on donkey's in the Bible. :)

Generations has decided to have a commissioning service for Kelly! Wally Norling (Kelly's mentor) will issue the charge. If you would like to be there, it will be on June 8 at 10am. Generations meets on North Campus in room 180.

Kelly will be teaching in Evening Chapel Praise that same night (June 8) at 6pm. There has been talk of some sort of a reception, but we don't know when it will be. Come if you'd like! :) Evening Chapel Praise meets on the main campus in the wedding chapel.

Kelly & Suzanne will attend the Church Planters Bootcamp June 9-13. This session meets at Talbot... so that's handy!

Kelly has another training on June 14 in Yorba Linda.

On June 23 Kelly & Suzanne fly to St. Louis to attend the EFCA's National Conference. They come home on June 27.

Kelly & Suzanne will be in Bishop full time starting in July.

Studying and Packing... Things to Do!

Kelly & Suzanne are busily working on getting things done.

Kelly has to finish his doctrinal paper and has a final to study for. Then he will be done with school. Yeah! He graduates on May 23... with his MA in Apologetics! WOW!

Suzanne is trying to finish out the school year (teaching) strong. She's also trying to get boxes packed and organized.

Please pray for Kelly & Suzanne as they work toward selling the house... there's lot's to be done before it can be listed! If it doesn't sell, and they have to rent it out, please pray for the Lord to provide good, clean, trusworthy, reliable rentors!

Praise the Lord that they have a transitional place to stay in Bishop! (Thank you, Tom & Laura!) Pray that they find the right place to settle. Rent/Buy??? They would both love to have an extra room for guests to stay in and a big room for Bible Studies!

In the midst of all the business they are trying to keep their focus on the right things! Pray for peace and clear direction!

Thank you for your support and encouragement!

Raising Support...

We have gotten the clearance to start raising support! If you would like to partner with us in ministry, we would love to have you on our team!

First and foremost is prayer! The need for prayer support is immense! We are moving to a new geographical area and transitioning into full time ministy as God has called us! We are excited to be able to serve and love on this community, and be used by the Lord to draw people to Him! We also look forward to walking with those who are in relationship with Jesus... into a deeper relationship of loving and serving Him! Impacting the community for Christ is a huge part of what we see as our ministry to Bishop! We are looking forward to visiting people in their homes and providing opportunities for the community to join together for outreach events... like a homework club, women's craft nights, men's breakfasts, movie nights,.... Let's partner together to love Bishop for Jesus! We can't wait to see what He does!

We would love to know who is partnering with us in prayer! Please email or send us a note letting us know! Our email address is Larsons4Jesus@gmail.com. Our mailing address through June is... 2220 Skyline Drive Fullerton, CA 92831. Starting in July we will be in Bishop full time. Our mailing address there is P.O. Box 1271 Bishop, CA 93515.

If you feel led to support us finacially, that would be a huge blessing! We would love for monthly support to be sent... 'cause that will remind you to pray for us at least once a month! :) Any amount would be a blessing! If you'd rather send periodic or one time gifts, that's fine too! We don't want to stiffle the Lord's leading! :) If you are unable to support us financially please pray that Lord will provide what we need! Your prayer support is our top priority! Your prayers can be used of the Lord to supply our needs through others or in unique ways!

We are church planting missionaries... with a twist... this is actually a church re-plant! That has made it challenging to figure out the support issue. We've now found two ways to receive support!

You can send support directly to Bishop Creek Community Church... and attach a post-it or a note saying that the support is for the Larsons (otherwise it goes into the general church budget). The mailing address is P.O. Box 1763 Bishop, CA 93515.

You can also send support to Eleazar Partnerships... and attach a post-it or a note saying that the support is for Suzanne Larson (do NOT write it directly on the check). The mailing address is 4195 Chino Hills Pkwy, #100 Chino Hills, CA 91709.

To send checks directly to us, mail it to our address listed below. We will make sure it gets sent to the right place. Make checks out to Bishop Creek Community Church or Eleazar Partnerships. You should receive a tax receipt however you choose to do it, so let us know if you don't get one.

If you would like to receive updates on our ministry, let us know! We will be updating this blog, sending out emails, and mailing newsletters! Choose which way to receive updates... or choose them all!

Kelly & Suzanne
P.O. Box 1271
Bishop, CA 93515
Larsons4Jesus@gmail.com

Please Pray for Kayla!!!

Blog for Kayla... Kayla's family has created a blog to keep us updated on her progress... you can check it out at... http://kaylatalbot.blogspot.com/.Thanks for your continued prayers!!!

Saturday, April 26, 2008... PLEASE PRAY!!

We got a call that one of the girls from our new church is in the hospital. She's a college student in San Diego. Apparently she had a strep infection that went bad. Her name is Kayla. She's in a coma... her body is septic, and she's on a ventilator and dialysis. Please pray!

Sunday, April 27...

Thank you for your prayers! Kayla is at Scripps Hospital in La Jolla.

ePrayer...

"Jesus, we come to You right now on behalf of the this family. Thank You that Kayla knows You! Please comfort her and speak Your Truth and Your Peace to her heart! Please give the doctors wisdom and insight into her condition! Give them and the nurses the discernment that they need! Thank You that several of the nurses know You! Lead and direct them. Please allow Your Holy Spirit to be felt in a powerful way in that room! May all who enter sense Your presence and be drawn to You! May Your comfort and Your peace rest upon Kayla, Laura, Tom, Kelly, Tim, Ashley, Cara, and the others who are hurting right now because they love Kayla! Thank You for Laura's prayer partners... please be with them in a powerful way as they lift all these things up to You! Give them insight into how to pray, and how to be your hands and feet! Thank you for Laura's relationship with you! Thank You for her passion for You, Your Word, prayer, and people! Please be holding her close and giving her the nourishment and rest that she needs! Please reveal Yourself to each of us in a powerful way and give us more of a hunger for You and a desire to be in a deeper relationship with You! Help this time, and the body of Christ in action, draw those who don't know You to You in a deep and personal way! Show us how to pray! May Your will be done! If it is Your will to heal Kayla, then we pray for a miraculous healing and complete recovery! We pray for her organs to be able to recover, for no long term damage, and for every part of her body to work correctly! If it is Your will to heal her by bringing her home to Your presence, then we pray for healing and comfort for the Kayla's family and friends! We pray for Your provision and protection! We pray, above all, that YOU be glorified in this situation, and that YOUR name be lifted high, and that others would see You in each of us and be drawn to You! We leave all these things in YOUR capable hands! Thank You for Your love, peace, joy, and comfort! We love you! Amen. "

Thank you again for your prayers! Please keep lifting them up to our heavenly Father!

~Suzanne

The Story... The Short Version...

Kelly & Suzanne will be moving to Bishop, CA this summer.  Kelly is new the pastor of Bishop Creek Community Church, an Evangelical Free Church.   They will be in Bishop full time starting July 1, 2008.   This was an unexpected, yet welcomed, surprise for the Larsons, who assumed they would be moving to Kauai after Kelly finished school.  Kelly graduates in May with a masters degree in Apologetics from Biola.

The Story Behind The Story

Kelly’s Mentor, Wally Norling, encouraged Kelly to put in his application with the EFCA (Evangelical Free Church of America) and get the process started.  In late November, 2007, Kelly & Suzanne met with Dennis Baker, who spoke with them about the possibility of going on staff with a church in the EFCA West.  They had planned on meeting with him for 1-2 hours, which turned into 4 hours.  They told Dennis about their desire to minister on staff at the Evangelical Free Church  on Kauai (Ohana Christian Fellowship).  He told them about a small church in Bishop, California that needed a pastor.  He asked Kelly to help with pulpit supply (preach one Sunday), and they decided to do that. The first weekend in 2008 Kelly & Suzanne drove up to Bishop.  They had been praying for the people of this church for just over a month. Almost a year without a pastor, this body felt the call of God to stay together.  The Lord has done amazing things in the hearts of this body of believers.  Kelly & Suzanne quickly felt their hearts knit to this group of people.  By the time the weekend was over, they both felt they wanted to be a part of what the Lord was doing in Bishop… IF it was the Lord’s will.

...a few weeks later they were asked to candidate.  Kelly & Suzanne candidated at Bishop Creek Community Church the weekends of February 17 & 24.  On February 24 the call was extended and accepted.  The Larsons will be in Bishop full time starting July, 2008.