I know I said Happy Thanksgiving last week. Apparently I was premature in my gesture of goodwill. Today, I just as sincerely and genuinely wish you all a Happy Thanksgiving for tomorrow! Today started off nicely by going to the Temple. One thing about Arizona that reminds me of home are the cold, crispy mornings. They do not really seem cold to me, but more like refreshing. Such a pleasant treat every day. This past week has been pretty eventful. Our district has been having a lot of baptisms, so that has meant that I have been running around doing interviews. I really like it. It is a great chance to reaffirm my testimony as here hear the beautiful testimony of these people. I see the gospel in a slightly different light each time, for the which I am very grateful. We, ourselves have also been able to commit a few more people to set a goal for baptism and we hope to see them through. A lot of people are in tough spots, barely getting by. It is hard sometimes for them to focus on the message that we bring, or rather, hard for them to think that they have time to focus on it. However, when they do, they find a peace amid their trials that is a long-awaited reprieve. Watching people to change and learn to rely on the Savior instead of themselves builds my testimony greatly.
I also had the privilage of having interviews yesterday with President Craig. I always love talking to him. He is a very wise man with a very great love for the Lord. People like him, along with the members I work with, are great sources of inspiration and guidance for who and how I want to be when I finish this time of service. I want to be able to give all I have, whenever possible. I want to better want what the Lord wants and better do what he does. I love this chance that I have to be molded and changed. I love this work, and I love the Lord!
-Elder LaPorte =)
Wednesday, November 25, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
Week 55 (Good News... So-cO)
Hey there! Well, another week gone by and might I say, a quick one at that. There is a week and a half left in this transfer and it never ceases to amaze me how much faster things happen and time passes. Concerning my expressed resolve last week to avoid Christmas-specific seasonal treats until the first of December, I now write to inform that I take it back. After many moments of passing the Jack In the Box Egg-Nog Shake sign, I was caused to think long and hard about my decision. Realizing that this transfer ends before December started, I quickly realized that half of my wait would be in vain due to the chance of Elder Shiffler or myself getting transferred. I have now accepted the terms of delving into Season Sensations beginning the last week of the transfer. I am satisfied with the conclusion that I have come to and will leave it at that.
On other terms, we have a girl named Evelia that we have been working with who has decided to get baptized. She just needs to ask her Mom in Mexico for permission. She calling her today! We are really excited for her. She has a special testimony. We are about to launch our Branch Mission Program on Friday and we are excited. It should bring a lot more excitement and involvement to the members of the branch, which should consequently bring blessings. I am grateful and privilaged to be involved in this work. Thank you for your letters of love and support. Happy Thanksgiving!!
-Elder LaPorte =)
On other terms, we have a girl named Evelia that we have been working with who has decided to get baptized. She just needs to ask her Mom in Mexico for permission. She calling her today! We are really excited for her. She has a special testimony. We are about to launch our Branch Mission Program on Friday and we are excited. It should bring a lot more excitement and involvement to the members of the branch, which should consequently bring blessings. I am grateful and privilaged to be involved in this work. Thank you for your letters of love and support. Happy Thanksgiving!!
-Elder LaPorte =)
Thursday, November 12, 2009
Week 54 (Brother, I'll follow you...)
Hello all! Well this year, like always, never ceases to amaze me as to how fast people prepare for Christmas when Thanksgiving, let alone Halloween hadn't even started. I am now being tempted by my favorite festivities which include Egg NOg, eGG nog shakes at Jack in the BOx, Peppermint Ice Cream and Egg nog ice cream and many wonderful christmas sweets at trader joe's. (i can walk to trader's in 6 mins. drive in 2.it's a dream) anyways, i'm holding out till december to partake of these treats so as to not spoil the fun of the different seasons.
With the rest of things, it is going well. The weather is warm and the work is slowly progressing. Elder Shiffler and I are almost finished creating our program for the Branch that will hopefully jumpstart their involvement and excitement in the missionary work. Tomorrow we get to go and listen to Elder Evans of the 70 speaking to us as he tours the mission and gives President Craig a report card. (so-to-speak) I am very excited. We are bit by bit getting more solid people to teach which is what we need. I know that the Lord's hand is in this work and that he blesses us when we are ready for it. I know that I am called of God to serve and that He loves each one of us. Thanks for all of the support and take care!
-Elder LaPorte =)
With the rest of things, it is going well. The weather is warm and the work is slowly progressing. Elder Shiffler and I are almost finished creating our program for the Branch that will hopefully jumpstart their involvement and excitement in the missionary work. Tomorrow we get to go and listen to Elder Evans of the 70 speaking to us as he tours the mission and gives President Craig a report card. (so-to-speak) I am very excited. We are bit by bit getting more solid people to teach which is what we need. I know that the Lord's hand is in this work and that he blesses us when we are ready for it. I know that I am called of God to serve and that He loves each one of us. Thanks for all of the support and take care!
-Elder LaPorte =)
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Week 53 (Semi-Charmed...T.E.B.)
Hello from Tempe!
Well, as I said, this last week for Halloween we were not allowed to proselyte after 6:00 p.m. so my companion and I went to the Trunk-Or-Treat party at the Church so that we could meet all of the new people there. It was fun to be able to talk to everyone from the branch and see everyone in their costumes. We found a few people for the other spanish Elders and the Sisters to teach. None for us. Hehe. But it was good. President and Sister Craig also came by because it is right next to the mission home. There was a sister from the branch making posole that was really good. I didn't get the chance to try some but I heard that it was amazing. Then on Sunday we had a nice meeting with the Branch President where we talked about a program that we are making to present to the branch on the last week of November to help increase the missionary work in the branch. Elder Shiffler and I are pretty excited about and hope that it will be able to bring success and joy to the members. I heard that this January transfer we will be receiving 8 or 9 spanish missionaries. For one transfer that is a TON. The work is difficult here but in a different way. It will be fun to see what we can do to find the elect here. I am enjoying the city atmosphere, a nice clean apartment, and a cheery companion. The Lord always blesses us and gives us what we need, when we need it. I know that this work is real and true and that a testimony has the power to change lives. Take care! Thanks so much for your support!
-Elder LaPorte =)
Well, as I said, this last week for Halloween we were not allowed to proselyte after 6:00 p.m. so my companion and I went to the Trunk-Or-Treat party at the Church so that we could meet all of the new people there. It was fun to be able to talk to everyone from the branch and see everyone in their costumes. We found a few people for the other spanish Elders and the Sisters to teach. None for us. Hehe. But it was good. President and Sister Craig also came by because it is right next to the mission home. There was a sister from the branch making posole that was really good. I didn't get the chance to try some but I heard that it was amazing. Then on Sunday we had a nice meeting with the Branch President where we talked about a program that we are making to present to the branch on the last week of November to help increase the missionary work in the branch. Elder Shiffler and I are pretty excited about and hope that it will be able to bring success and joy to the members. I heard that this January transfer we will be receiving 8 or 9 spanish missionaries. For one transfer that is a TON. The work is difficult here but in a different way. It will be fun to see what we can do to find the elect here. I am enjoying the city atmosphere, a nice clean apartment, and a cheery companion. The Lord always blesses us and gives us what we need, when we need it. I know that this work is real and true and that a testimony has the power to change lives. Take care! Thanks so much for your support!
-Elder LaPorte =)
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