Week 68 (This Is It! Make No Mistake About It... )

Hello!! Well, this is the last week of my first transfer here in Show Low. It is kinda strange to think about because I cannot remember where the days have gone. Time has flown by SO fast. Happy Birthday to all of you who have a birthday in February! I haven't had much time to write letters so I wish you well from here. We have a baptism planned for this weekend which we are looking forward to and I will now have a memory card with which I can take pictures. Haha. My Mom, at the end of one of her e-mails said, share with us your hopes and your dreams. I realized I have not done the best job of expressing some of those daily things that make this experience so important to me. From time to time my point of view changes as to what I see this experience as. Obviously, in all moments I recognize the reality of my purpose to bring others to Christ through Faith, Repentance, and Baptism by immersion and the Holy Ghost. However, from time to time, I have a little moment where I realize the gravity of how much more this affects. This time, as I have tried to constantly remember, is preparing me for everything else that I do in time and eternity. Thus, my hopes and dreams result in simple improvements in who I am because of what I know it will prepare me to be as a husband and father. Patience, love, communication, hope, faith, diligence, thoughtfulness, kindness and forgiveness take on a greater role in all I do. These things not only serve in how I deal with my companion, ward members, fellow missionaries and investigators, but they also help me see how I can develop these attributes to the benefit of my future relationships with my wife, my children, my friends and family, and those of my work and community. Keeping the importance of these habits and dispositions in mind, helps me step up to the plate and do things that I might not otherwise render important. I not only serve with a hope of how it will affect those in my immediate missionary life, but also those with whom I will assosciate with forever. Most importantly, all of these things serve as motivation because of my desire to be like the Lord. I want Him to recognize me because He is seen in my countenance. I want to recognize Him because I have come to know Him throught the life that I live. I want to be considered faithful and worthy when I see Him and my Heavenly Father once again. I want to please them. I know that it is possible and I know that it is real. I will see Them again and great will be the day. I love the hope that the Gospel brings and the way that it can affect all that we do and say. This life IS a time for me to prepare to meet God. Be ready. Thank you for all of your love. I feel it daily.

-Elder LaPorte =)