Hello from Maricopa! Just 2 weeks until transfers and 1 and a half weeks until I find out what happens to me! It is funny how fast time goes. This transfer has FLOWN by! Hehe. Lots of exciting things are happening. This Friday we will be having a baptism for a wonderful person named Cedar. He lives in Ajo and he is very ready! We have had a lot of wonderful help from our Stake President and the Ward Mission Leader. I love seeing members in action. Every time it leaves me more and more resolved to be the same when I get home. What greater joy than helping bring souls unto Jesus Christ. I finished the Book of Mormon last Thursday which was great for me. I read slowly but I love every minute of it. My thirst for the scriptures grows daily. For that, I am grateful for Personal Study time in the morning. Elder Holland says that if we want to know what kind of day we will have...just look at what happens from 7-10 a.m. These moments are so crucial to prepare us spiritually for the day. I know that it can be the same in our every-day lives. We need to find a time for us that works in which we can give time to satisfy our spiritual needs. President Craig talked not too long ago about recharging ourselves Spiritually, Physically, Mentally and Emotionally. I know that these needs are very real and we cannot neglect any one of them. I am grateful for inspired leaders that are here to help me grow. They truly speak what I need to hear to be able to continue forward, building the Kingdom of God. I love my Heavenly Father and my Savior, Jesus Christ. I love this gospel and all of you for your support. Take care of yourself in all of these aspects so that you can become what your Heavenly Father knows you can be. Until next week!
-Elder LaPorte =)
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Sunday, August 23, 2009
Week 42 (Hold On, There's a Hole In My Heart... Format)
Hi!
Well, another good week in Maricopa! It seems like our continual efforts to reap and sew are paying off. Two people have committed themselves to better their lives and be baptized. I am thrilled that the Lord has privilaged me to be able to see this moment of success. Also, the branch has been getting stronger too. Families that have not been able to come as often are being blessed with the time and opportunity to come. They are feeling joy and the blessings that come from keeping their covenants that they have made with Heavenly Father. We went to the Temple today. It was SO great! I was looking forward to it more than usual. I met two Elders from the Phoenix Mission that knew Sister Eustice, so I told them to tell her hi. Tomorrow we get to have interviews with President Craig which I am also very excited for. A lot of things will be happening these last few weeks of the transfer and I am jazzed. Our areas, our districts and our zone are being greatly blessed. I love this work and the way that the Lord so mercifully and lovingly rewards us for our diligent faithful efforts. I have no doubt that this is His work. I hope each of you take the time to share the testimony that you have with someone else. Take care and thanks so much for all of your love and support!
-Elder LaPorte =)
Well, another good week in Maricopa! It seems like our continual efforts to reap and sew are paying off. Two people have committed themselves to better their lives and be baptized. I am thrilled that the Lord has privilaged me to be able to see this moment of success. Also, the branch has been getting stronger too. Families that have not been able to come as often are being blessed with the time and opportunity to come. They are feeling joy and the blessings that come from keeping their covenants that they have made with Heavenly Father. We went to the Temple today. It was SO great! I was looking forward to it more than usual. I met two Elders from the Phoenix Mission that knew Sister Eustice, so I told them to tell her hi. Tomorrow we get to have interviews with President Craig which I am also very excited for. A lot of things will be happening these last few weeks of the transfer and I am jazzed. Our areas, our districts and our zone are being greatly blessed. I love this work and the way that the Lord so mercifully and lovingly rewards us for our diligent faithful efforts. I have no doubt that this is His work. I hope each of you take the time to share the testimony that you have with someone else. Take care and thanks so much for all of your love and support!
-Elder LaPorte =)
Saturday, August 15, 2009
Week 41 (Don't Know Why I Didn't Come... N.j.)
HeLLo! Hehe, I think that I start all of my e-mails with that. I am not sure though. I guess I like the phrase. Speaking of phrases, I am really messing those up now-a-days. I mix-match them or just completely butcher them. Hehe, it is kind of funny. Kind of not. Hehe. Anyways, another week has gone by and temperatures are suprisingly cool right now. But I heard that it was just for a few days. One of our investigators, Juan Carlos will be getting baptized this weekend. He has been a LONG time in coming, going through lots of missionaries. He just popped up on the radar as of late and decided that it was something he was ready for. Also, I think that I forgot to mention the baptism of a sweet 10 year-old girl named Salma. She was baptized on her birthday and she is from the Gila Bend Branch. She was a joy to teach. When we asked her to read and pray, the answer that she got from her Heavenly Father was direct and clear. With the help of faithful church leaders I know that she will be able to achieve all that her Heavenly Father has planned for her. Today I will be talking about Hermano Banuelos. He is the Elder's Quorum President and is a faithful servant in the Lord's Kingdom. He is nearing his 70's but always willing to help. His diabetes keeps him pretty limited in what he eats, but he sneaks a few things here and there. We ask him for rides from time to time, but always there is a risk involved. In Arizona, the sun shines. And it is bright. So, Hno. Banuelos wears his sun glasses so as to not be blinded by the light. As a result, he still has trouble seeing a few other necessary things such as street lights and what not because he is without his glasses. Haha. The first time we learned this, it was a great surprise as he did a U-turn in front of one of the very rare no U-turn signs (not sarcasm) and then turned a left onto the freeway on-ramp when the protected left arrow was red. To say the least, we were grateful to arrive home safely. I love Hno. Banuelos for his dedicated service in always wanting to help us in whatever he can. He is a professional Mariachi singer with his own CD's and he still keeps a good sense of humor. I met him my first day here and have been grateful ever since. School is back in for Maricopa and I am sure that it is starting for many of you. Best of luck and never forget the blessing that it is to learn a little more of what our Heavenly Father has to teach us. Take care and best of luck this next week!
-Elder LaPorte =)
-Elder LaPorte =)
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
Week 40 (You're My Best Friend...qu)
Hello!
Hehe, well another week gone by! This week was definitely less occupied with monsoons like other weeks have been. Temperatures are still high, but I like it. Water has never had so much beauty. I do not have much time this week, but I will quickly tell of a cute couple in my branch. The Schellenburg's. I do not know why they have that last name because they are definitely Mexican, but that is alright. A phrase to describe them would be Brady Bunch. Brother Schellenburg brings 8 children from a previous marriage and Sister Schellenburg, 4. They feed us every tuesday and are very fun to be around. They are always acting like little children around one another. It is fun to see. It was at the Schellenburg house that I called home for Mother's Day. Brother Schellenburg likes to tease his wife and she reacts very quickly. They were made for each other. They are always willing to help and have a great love for their Heavenly Father and Savior. Meeting so many people and seeing their dedication to the Lord and to our Heavenly Father strengthens my testimony and increases my gratitude daily. With firm testimonies planted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, this work will go forth as Joseph Smith said, "Boldly, nobly and independent..." The Lord's hand is in our lives each day. We just have to ask for it, and then recognize it. I love this work and I love my life. Until next week!
-Elder LaPorte =)
Hehe, well another week gone by! This week was definitely less occupied with monsoons like other weeks have been. Temperatures are still high, but I like it. Water has never had so much beauty. I do not have much time this week, but I will quickly tell of a cute couple in my branch. The Schellenburg's. I do not know why they have that last name because they are definitely Mexican, but that is alright. A phrase to describe them would be Brady Bunch. Brother Schellenburg brings 8 children from a previous marriage and Sister Schellenburg, 4. They feed us every tuesday and are very fun to be around. They are always acting like little children around one another. It is fun to see. It was at the Schellenburg house that I called home for Mother's Day. Brother Schellenburg likes to tease his wife and she reacts very quickly. They were made for each other. They are always willing to help and have a great love for their Heavenly Father and Savior. Meeting so many people and seeing their dedication to the Lord and to our Heavenly Father strengthens my testimony and increases my gratitude daily. With firm testimonies planted in the Gospel of Jesus Christ, this work will go forth as Joseph Smith said, "Boldly, nobly and independent..." The Lord's hand is in our lives each day. We just have to ask for it, and then recognize it. I love this work and I love my life. Until next week!
-Elder LaPorte =)
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