Week 21 (Don't Stop Believin...)

Good Morning!
Hehe, I heard that song at lunch one day this week. It made me think of a lot of fond memories. Especially Wesley and Dan's lipsinc back in the day. Hmm, where to start. Well, just as he came, Elder Livingston left before the transfer was over. There was another Elder leaving this last monday and they needed Elder Livingston to fill in for the last few days. He left promptly saturday night at 9. We found out earlier that afternoon that he would be going. It's weird being back to two now. I have been in a companionship of three longer than I have been in one of two. Because I am here e-mailing right now at this time, it means that I did not get a new companion. Elder Weller and I will both be staying, along with our Zone Leaders. So, the South-Butte house stays together for another transfer. Actually, our whole district stayed. Out of 12 companionships in the Zone, only 4 stayed together. Elder Weller is now the district leader, so this will be my second time with a district leader learning the ropes for the first time. It's good for me, so that I can be prepared for whatever is asked of me. Also, living with the Zone Leaders helps me see a bit of what they do as well. I am happy to be staying here, although it's kind of weird to think about that fact that by the end of this transfer, I will have lived in Queen Creek for 4 and a half months. I will hit my 6 month mark during this transfer at the end of this month. I will turn 20 at the beginning of the next one. The work is moving along, and so are our investigators. 2 of them have a baptismal date for the 11th of April. We're doing all we can to help them feel prepared. We have a lot who have desires to be baptized but despite our best efforts, feel like they need more time, more knowledge and so-forth. It's interesting to see this temor with so many people. The ironic thing is, the ones that we have that are ready and want to be baptized, can't because of marriage issues. Hehe, oh well. We're doing our best with that too. It just get's complicated with the laws for people from other countries, but we're trying to get a handle on it. I know my way around town really well now. Easter is coming up. There is this event called Easter Pageant that's really big that they hold every year. It's one of the largest in the world. It's coming up two weeks from now from the 1st to the 4th of April. Now that I'm going to be here for another transfer, it will be very hard when I have to go. I felt attached after 1 transfer, and now it will be two transfers later. The feelings that come from serving others all day every day are invaluable and "irreplaceable". (i haven't used that word in a long time, and when i used it, it made me think of that song by BeyonCe. hehe) In all honesty, at times it is hard, but also, always worth it. I would give up this experience for nothing, only to do it again better. I love this work, and I love the Lord. I love having the chance to see people realize what their Heavenly Father has in store for them, and helping them have it. It's the best. I hope you all enjoy your week and have a fun 1st of April.

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 20 (We're gonna stay 18 forever...)

Hello, hello!
Another warm week in Queen Creek! It will be amazing when the "summer" comes to see how it is. It has felt like summer since a month ago. Hehe, we are nearing the end of this transfer and trying hard to help our investigators move along. We're all hoping that we stay together and help Elder Livingston finish off his mission with the 3 of us. Only time will tell though. I went on exchanges and rode bike last week. It's amazing how quickly you get bad tan lines. I have improved my watch tan and re-defined the helmet-strap tan, so I'm definitely looking the part of a missionary. I have a lot of mixed feelings nearing the end of this transfer as I think of the possibilities of what might happen to me; all good though. No matter what happens, I'm excited to be doing this work. This transfer went by so fast. On Sunday we took a family of investigators and another girl who is investigating the church to the Visitor's Center at the Temple in Mesa. I love going there at night because it's SO pretty lit up. Easter Pageant is coming up soon. I've heard a lot about it and I hope to be able to go. This Saturday, all of the Spanish Missionaries are going to the Temple to do a spanish session. I'm way pumped. Everything is going great, and I'm excited to see what next week holds. With that in mind, if you send letters to me, send them to the mission home within the next two weeks in case I get transfered elsewhere. Ok, have fun and Happy Belated St. Patrick's Day!

-Elder LaPorte =)

p.s. we thought st. patty's day was on saturday for some reason and wore green ties for nothing. we got it right yesterday. haha, ByE!

Week 19 (Only In Dreams...)

Hello, hello!
This wek has been pretty eventful. On monday we had interviews with President Craig. That was nice because I always enjoy talking to him. He's a Californian too so he likes us. haha. (but not in a biased way) On Sunday I gave a talk with my companions because it was missionary Sunday. I started off and spoke about the Atonement and how when we feel the healing powers of Repentance in our lives, we will have the desire to share it with others. I used the example of Alma and Enos. We had two families come to church which was really cool, because that's usually the hardest part, getting them to go to church. They enjoyed it a lot. They must have talked about feeding the missionaries in Relief Society because the Moms from both families invited us to dinner. haha. It's really good. One of our investigators who was gettin ready for baptism didn't make to to church this sunday and we're having trouble contacting her. We're working hard to get a hold of her and help her out. It's interesting to see the different phases of someone's conversion process. It's tricky because it's easy to get too focused on the people you have and to not do any finding. Achieving the right balance is difficult sometimes but necessary. Elder Livingston who will be going home in about one transfer likes to eat out a lot for lunch. Luckily he likes Subway which is "kind've" healthy. That's what I tell myself, atleast. The work goes by fast and is very exciting when your heart and mind are focused. Random fact that's kinda shocking; in less than two months I'll be 20! haha. Anyways, I am definitely seeing the blessings of working hard in every moment. Elder Perry when he came, promised us that we would never have less than 20 teaching opportunities a week (if we try our best). We've tried our best and haven't fallen short since. The hand of the Lord is in this work. I see it every day. I love it. Until next time!

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 18 (Lights will guide you home...)

Well hello! I have had a great week! Yesterday, we got to go to the visitor's center at the Mesa Temple with a family. It was a very nice experience, plus, the Temple looked beautiful at night. We have been busy teaching lots of people and trying to help them on their journey to living with Heavenly Father once again. Some of the people that we are teaching are pretty close to baptism and I have been there from the beginning of their lessons and such. What I am finding is how rewarding it is to see people take these simple but essential steps to come closer to God. Probably some of my most tender moments have been when they pray for the first time and express the desires and grattitude of their heart to their Heavenly Father. There is nothing that I would rather be doing right now, and I'm so glad that I can be here. Thanks for all of your love and support! I'll see ya when I see ya!

-Elder LaPorte =)