Week 86 (Skies So Blue... T.R.S.)

Hey fam! Hey all! I don't have much time this week, but I thought I would let you know how everything is going. This last Saturday, we had Alma's baptism. She was so excited and filled with joy. I was glad to be able to be a part of this big step in her new family that she is starting off. Luis and Alma are a young couple with a little baby boy and are very excited and determined to do things the way the Lord would have them done. We have been finding a lot of people but not all of them seem to be truly looking for the gospel. That is the thing about missionary work. There is a fine balance between teaching those that like to learn and those that are truly searching. The hard part is sticking only with those that are truly wanting and desiring the truth. That is what we are trying to do. Lots of people, but not as many of them are truly desirous. So we move on. As we show the Lord that we are willing to make better use of His time, He blesses us with the elect. There is always someone ready for the truth. And whether we find them or the members, they are waiting and praying and ready when we come. It is a beautiful thing. I love this work and this gospel. I love my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ. I am thankful for the chance that I have to serve them all my days, but especially these precious 2 years. Thanks for all of your love and support! I hope to hear from many of you soon!

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 85 (Hello, Good Friend... T.R.S.)

Hey! Transfers were this week! They came a week early to prepare for the arrival of our new Mission President. I saw President & Sister Craig for the last time today. (last time for a little while at least...) Spurred from a few thoughts that I expressed to my Dad in regards to Father's Day, I was caused to reflect upon the blessing I have had in receiving such good parents, and why it was so. Through the time that I have been out here and the many, many families I have seen and known, the resounding factor for success, joy, and true happiness has been an active living of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have seen too many families that could have been, shattered. I could go on for a while with the many things that I have seen. And each time when I see something happen, whether divorce, infidelity or what-have-you, I sit and try and think of would I could give them, or what would have prevented it. Every time, I know the answer is the Gospel. When you truly know that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is guided by a Loving Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ Himself, it makes sense. It makes sense that the teachings contained within this church make things work out. It makes sense the love is found and shown as it should be. That children are had and raised as they should be. That happiness is had and lasts as it should. Because Jesus Christ is guiding our family and blessing it as we follow His counsel. For those who have not read "The Family, A Proclamation to the World," do it. Find it what your role is in bringing true happiness to your live. As the Savior said, we will never thirst when we drink from His waters. We will never be searching for something more. I know it is true and I am grateful for the special care that God has placed over my family through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I hope you all enjoy your weeks and become what you hope to be!

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 84 (Black Hole Sun... Copeland)

Good Morning! I haven't spoken of the weather lately but it has been interesting! Normally about a month and a half ago, we would be dancing around 100 and by now for sure set in the 100-110's. However, due to a long winter, summer has come slower and less potently to our desert home here in Arizona. It has been really nice. I couldn't tell you what it has been most of the time but probably in between 90 and 105 which is nice. Hehe, anyways, things have been good here. This weekend we will be having the wedding of a young lady by the name of Alma. She will then be getting baptized the following week. She is a really neat person. As we approach the end of our time with President Craig. We had interviews with him last Thurs and they were really nice. I remember thinking about this day but thinking it was a ways off. Oh well. Hehe, it's here. Nothing to do but go forward and do it for the Lord. One thing that I have been noticing lately is the Lord trying to teach me of a greater level of faith. Sometimes the thing that we have faith in, for example, that something which we need to happen will happen. Sometimes, a moment comes and goes and we think that that was it; that was the moment that the Lord would have answered my needs or answered my question, so if not then, then I guess it just isn't meant to happen. I have been realizing more how the Lord expects our faith to stretch even farther. If the Lord doesn't answer in such and such moment, it doesn't mean that the chance has come and gone. It means that He is giving us a chance to believe even harder and work even harder; a greater chance for miracles. I don't know if this makes sense but I have just noticed how not only do we have to endure to the end, but also endure to the end our trials to the very end, working and believing till the very end. That is when we will see the Lord shower His blessings on us and reward us for our faith. I love being out here. I love being able to watch people understand that the Lord's church is on the earth again for our benefit so that we might be happy in this life and return to live in joy with our Father in Heaven in the life that follows. It is all true. Every last part of it. I hope each of you are doing well! I hope to hear from ya! Thanks for the love and support that you already do send.

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 83 (Simple Pages... =w=)

Hey! This week has gone by way too fast. It seems as though they all do now-a-days. Today we had the chance to go to the Temple and as always, it was a wonderful experience. We started teaching a really nice young couple this last week. We had met them a few weeks before but simply couldn't touch bases with them for a little while. They came to church on Sunday and really enjoyed themselves. We hope to help them get married and enter the waters of baptism soon. There have been other people coming and going, some more interested than others. As always, the search continues, and in the end it is truly a joy; being able to find those that truly want to know what is right. And either way, regardless of the results it builds our testimonies and makes us stronger. We have a new Ward Mission Leader. His name is Hno. Valquinto. He is from Argentina and he is very well prepared. We went to meet with him expecting to have to explain certain things to him, but he already knew it. It was very refreshing. I am excited to see what rolls forth as he sets the standards and goals for missionary work with Bishop Merino. Tomorrow we have Interviews with President Craig. It is my last one with him. *Bitter-sweet* He has been a great influence on me over the year and a half that I have known him. What I am most excited for is the work that is rolling forth in Arizona. We continue to set goals with the Lord and they continue to be met. The lessons that I am learning about levels of discipline and the happiness and success that can come from it, is something that I am very grateful for. For any of you that haven't updated me for a while on the events in your lives, feel free to send me a letter! I would love to know how you're doing! Take care! Read and pray daily; simple but essential.

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 82 (El Scorcho... =w=eezEr)

Hello to all! This has been a week of many events. Probably one of the most exciting was the chance that we had, Elder Ries and I, to go to the sealing of a family that he baptized in the Rio Salado Ward of Tempe. It was a great experience for me to be able to go to another sealing, especially because I knew this family pretty well. It is a joy to see and feels me with an excitement that cannot be described. Later that day we also received permission to go and have dinner with that ward, because they were celebrating three sealings that took place that day. It was such a privilege to be able to go back and see so many people with which I had such a special connection. Last Thursday, President Craig had his last zone conference with us. It is weird to think that everything that is going on is his last this and that. Next week will be my last interview with him. It will be strange, but not difficult, I hope. I am excited to be able to put my faith in the Lord and His chosen servants. To trust that this new leader is here because the Lord willed it. One of the counselors of the mission presidency gave wise advice in saying, "Your love for President Craig will never change, nor should it. But your loyalty must." In the end, our loyalty is never changed as it is fixed on the Lord. Our loyalty to Him then helps us change our loyalty to any of those that He calls to lead and guide us in His stead. I love this work and the knowledge that I have that the Lord is at the helm. There is no doubt. I hope that all of us think of ways to grow just a little bit closer to our Father in Heaven and to have our relationship be just a little bit stronger. Bye!

-Elder LaPorte =)