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Week 26 (I Am For You...)

HeLLo! Another week gone by in Queen Creek Arizona! We have a lot of exciting things going on right now. There are 5 people that are preparing for baptism right now. They are all very special people with strong desires to better their lives. They want the satisfying things that come from from living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Because of the progress of these people, I want very much to stay. As time never stops, the time has come for transfers next week. I will have spent 4 and a half months here and two transfers with my companion, Elder Weller. So, it is probable that I go. If I go, then I go and that is fine, but it will not be easy. Every day I find myself happier and happier as I learn how to better serve. Working is the key to joy in this work. And not just working to be busy, but working with a purpose. With a purpose in mind for every person we speak with and every lesson we teach; with a purpose in mind for every hour I study and every moment I pray, this work becomes fulfilling. It is important to always know what we are trying to achieve and how we are going to get there. This life is one of progress and growth. And when we focus our desires and our efforts on what our Heavenly Father wants us to be, we will be blessed with peace and satisfaction, every step of the way. If we pray to God, read the scriptures and go to church, we can know of His will for us. There is peace to be had every step of the way of this life. It is in the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Here we learn of our purpose and what direction we need to take in life and how. That way, one day, we can live with our Father in Heaven again in joy and happiness. I love this work that I am doing and the chance that I have to bring this joy to others. Think about your testimonies. Strengthen them. As you do, you will find a desire to share what you have too. Thanks for all of the support!

-Elder LaPorte =)

p.s. Happy 6 months today! haha

Week 25

No letter

Week 24 ( In the passenger seat...)

Hello, hello!
Well, Happy Easter weekend! Mine was sure good! Saturday night we had two baptisms. It was great! Easter Sunday was nice too. Lately, we've been working on finding more people to teach. I have found that as a missionary, it is not a good feeling when you don't know who you're going to be able to teach or where to find them. These moments come in waves but they can be avoided if one stays diligent in finding. We have been trying so hard to make the most out of every person we are coming in contact with and it seems like it is starting to pay off again. It reminds me of the beginning of last transfer. We had appointments lining up for us. I'm hoping that we can make a lot out of these opportunities that the Lord has blessed us with. It is way more exciting to teach. There are a few weeks left in this transfer and there is a good chance that I will be moving on, so I hope to make a lot of good things happen out of these days that I have left.
On a lighter note, I was reminded of a funny experience that happened to us last transfer. It was when Elder Livingston was with us. We were walking back from a house and getting into the car when these two large pitbulls started running down the street at us. I made sure to get myself in the car in sufficient time, but Elder Livingston (who was sitting in the passenger seat that day) decided that it would be fun to pet them and say hi. Note: one of the two pitbulls was fairly overweight. As the two dogs get closer, he starts to say hi to them. Next thing we know, the smaller one jumps in the front seat and starts licking the life out of Elder Weller who is in the driver's seat. the other dog wanted to get in the car too, and he tried jumping in the footspace of the passenger seat but was too big. The bigger dog quickly realizes that he doesn't like where he is and tries to back out. Meanwhile, we are all sore with laughter and can barely do anything to deal with these crazed dogs. Finally, we get the smaller dog out of the front seat, and all the while, the overweight pitbull was still trying to back out. He was stuck! I felt so bad but I couldn't help but laugh cuz we were too weak to help him and we were not sure if he would bite. Finally, he got out and we got in and drove off. The dogs were not finished however. They continued to chase us down the street and around the corner where some teenager was getting the mail. We watched as they made him their next victim of love-licking. haha, it was so funny. It made our day.
I hope you are all doing well and trying to continue doing your best! This Church is true!

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 23 (He is Risen)

These past few weeks I have had an extra special opportunity to carry the message of Jesus Christ and the miracle of His death and ressurection. We have invited many people out to Easter Pageant/ La Pastorela trying to help everyone remember the true meaning of Easter. I went to the Easter Pageant last week and it is a wonderful program that testifies of the life and divinity of Jesus Christ. Later, the opportunity that I had to view conference was wonderful as well. I've always loved conference but I definitely love it more out here. There are many needs that are realized as one is out here serving on a mission. The chance to be humble and plead with the Lord for help is a great blessing. One of the ways that God gives us help is through the blessing of a Prophet and Apostles who speak with God and receive guidance on our behalf. I was very grateful for the chance that I had to find the strength and support that I needed from their words. Every day is a struggle to go forward and be what is expected of us. But in that struggle is the blessing if we go to the right sources for help. Each one of us have challenges that, at times, seem impossible to overcome. But with faith in our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ we can find the peace and strength that we need always. They send their peace and comfort through the Holy Ghost which can always be with us if we live worthy of it's companionship. But first we must enter into the waters of baptism and receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost to have this promised companionship. Faith, Repentance, Baptism and Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost are the first steps that we must take to live a life in accordance to the will of God. As we take these steps, we will be blessed with happiness and peace. God wants us to live with Him again, and we can. This is the beginning. The sacrifice of Jesus Christ and His life made it all possible. He lived, died and lived again so that we might live forever. May we all remember and cherish the gift of His life to us as we celebrate this, the Easter Season. Take Care and Happy Easter!!

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 22 (Don't Slow Down...)

Hello from Queen Creek!
It was a nice week here in the creek. Yesterday I went on exchanges with my Zone Leader in my Area. That meant that I was the only one who kind've knew how to speak spanish. Hehe, personally, I enjoyed the experience because it gave me a chance to see where I'm at doctrinally and linguistically. Elder Lee almost fell asleep in a couple of lessons because he knew nothing of what we were saying. Easter Pageant is coming up and I believe I will be going. I'm pretty excited. Things are also going along well for Laura and Vanessa. They will be baptized soon. They are both very special and very prepared people. It's funny to notice the "swings" that one goes through out here. Some weeks seem to fly by like days, while others take just a little bit longer. But either way, it goes as long as you keep your heart and mind focused on the work and how you can help the people. April fools is today. I played a pretty good trick on one of my Zone Leaders. I live in the same house (yes, i know, it's so weird...una casita. i never imagined saying that on my mission) as my zone leaders and one of them went golfing with my companion, so me and my zone leader stripped the sheets from the bed of the other zone leader and wrapped his mattress in saran-wrap and then put his bed back together. That way, when he lays down, it will make a weird, plasticky sound and he won't know why. We also did his pillow inside his pillow case. It was an idea I had a couple of days before. I'm exicted to see how it goes because he can't take a joke for his life. haha. Luckily it is p-day today, or we wouldn't have had time to do it. There are a lot of things to be grateful for out here. I'm excited and pleased with the chance that I have to serve. Enjoy every day! It's just more fun that way :) hehe

-Elder LaPorte =)