Week 90 (Lola Stars and Stripes... The Stills)

Hi there! Well I quite honestly was very surprised that Wednesday had approached so fast! But here we are! This week was good. Some people that we were hoping for, came to church on Sunday, so that was really neat. Lately we have been meeting a lot of people that are interested in hearing what we have to say. This weekend I will have the privilege of attending the temple to see Gustavo, Lorena and Carlos who all got baptized in May 09, go through the temple for their first time. On the same Saturday, Gustavo's wife will be baptized and the family will be complete! Tomorrow I will have the chance to have my first interview with President Howes. I am thoroughly looking forward to it. I think he will be able to share some things with me that will really help me out. The past couple of days we have been visiting a missionary from our Zone in the hospital and it has been interesting to see how many people from the church work there. In fact, last night we ran into someone from the second quorum of the 70. haha! It is interesting to see the opposition that comes from the adversary as we strive to do the Lord's will. One thing that I really love is never giving up. It is exciting to know that the Lord has told us that we can accomplish something, so we work and find ways that we hadn't ever imagined to make sure that these things happen. If we just push a little more and try a little harder, we see miracles. It is a great blessing for me to be able to serve. I am excited to be able to keep it strong until the end. I know that there is a simple peace that comes as we read the scriptures and pray daily, and as we partake of the sacrament weekly at church. There is confidence and assurance that comes as we keep the commandments. It is promised that if we keep the commandments, we will prosper in the land. I know that this gospel is true, and I know it because my Heavenly Father and Savior love me. I hope that you all have a great week as you prepare to go back to school and what-not. Bye!

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 89 (Here Comes the Sun... Beatles)

Hehe, kind of ironic the subject title today. I had wanted to do something that has to do with the sun, but looking out the window I realize that it is a very un-sunny day. Haha. Perhaps the monsoons are coming. I don't remember when they came last year but they seem to be a little late. WHo knows. This week has been good. There are a couple of people that we are working with that we are pretty excited for. They know that it is all true, they each just have a few challenges to get through and then they will be able to follow-through with their desires. Sunday we had what is called the Mission President's Fireside which is held every 3rd Sunday of the month. This time it was my responsibility to stand up front with the Spanish person baring their testimony, and translate. This time it was Blanca who got baptized on Mother's Day. She wasn't too aware of the fact that I don't have an eternal memory and so her first phrase that she left for me to translate was about a minute long. Apparently my face looked more and more concentrated/flustered as time went on (some people told me after) due to the increasing amount of things to remember. When it finally came to for me to speak for the first time, everyone burst out laughing. Hehe, it was actually pretty funny. Blanca took it well, because she understood. While there, before the meeting started, to my excitement I saw Gustavo and his family. Gustavo and his daughter got baptized a little over a year ago. This whole time, the missionaries have been working with his wife, Viki, to help her take the same step. Elder Ries playfully asked, "When are you getting baptized Viki?!" She replied, "July 31st! YOu two better come!" Oh boy, we were SO happy! Gustavo that same morning will being to the temple to become endowed. I also heard that that is when another family, the Arrendondo's are going to do the same. And the following weekend they will be getting sealed. It was great news! We are for sure going to be able to go to the baptism. We are just hoping that we can go to the temple as well. Everything is going well with the work in our Zone. The Lord is really pleased with what is happening. People keep popping up that are ready and so desirous to come unto Christ. It is a beautiful thing to see. Today we went to the Temple. It was such a wonderful and peaceful experience; more than normal. I am really excited to make it a more regular habit when I get home. Our Heavenly Father has provided us with so many precious means of finding comfort and guidance in this world. And all of it comes to mean more to us as we come to understand better the Atonement in our lives. I was listening to the talk by Elder Richard G. Scott- "He Lives! All Glory to His Name!" Listen to it. It gives a lot of insight on how to constantly better our understanding and gratitude for the greatest gift offered us which is the Atonement. I love this work. Every last bit of it! I hope each of you enjoy your weeks as you try to better understand your relationship with our Heavenly Father and what He would have you do. Take care!

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 88 (I'm Lovin' Angels... D.A.)

Hello all! This past week has been a great one. First off, happy 3 months to Elder Faulk tomorrow! I know you're workin your tail off down there! Lots of things are happening here in the Mesa Zone. As the weeks have gone by, the Lord has been blessing us constantly in leading us to those that are ready. Many people's lives are being changed as they prepare to enter the waters of baptism. Last week, Francisco got baptized and it was a neat experience. He was taught by some previous Elders and had been coming to church for a while, but just didn't feel ready. We would ask him from time to time if he was ready to take that step in his life. On Tuesday he said yes, so on Friday he got baptized. He is a really neat guy and will be a great example for his family. There are a lot of people that we are excited to be able to teach because the Lord has been preparing them. One is a girl who went to girls camp with her friends and has been to mutual a lot. She went to church for the first time two weeks ago and has been loving everything. We are going to teach her for the first time on Friday. When we set goals with the Lord, it is our responsibility to always be looking for a way to make things happen. He expects us to. It will never be how we planned and will only be completed after diligent, obedient efforts. As members, we have the great opportunity to share the gospel that brings such joy, peace and comfort to our lives. The future of the world is uncertain. But the future of our lives and those of our families can be assured as we plant our families firmly in the gospel of Jesus Christ. The home is such an essential part to providing the rising generations with what they need to come off conqueror, true and faithful to the Lord Jesus Christ. I am excited for the future. And I am even more excited for now. There is so much to enjoy and so much to experience. I hope you all enjoy your week and enjoy becoming better day by day!

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 87 (I Believe In Miracles... Hot Chocolate)

Hello! Well, there is much to say so let's see how I do. On Friday we had the opportunity to meet President and Sister Howes for the first time. It was a great chance to get to know them, and receive a confirmation that the Lord has called them to serve at this time. Saturday we went as a Zone to have a "Meet and Greet" where they formally introduced themselves to our group of 16 missionaries and opened up to us a lot. To be honest, I do not see a problem with the transition happening smoothly. At the least, the missionaries where I serve seem to love him already. Sunday, Alma was able to get her baby boy blessed and we were able to participate. It is always a joy to see families so young promise to rear their families the way the Lord wants. Although we are only two weeks into this 7 week transfer, we are seeing so many wonderful things happen. The Lord set a high standard for what we are to achieve this transfer and it has been amazing to see each missionary companionship take their faith, obedience, and a determination to do the Lord's will to the highest standard that they can. As such, the Lord has already blessed us immensely as He does His part to bring about this work. The more I serve the more I love faith and what a powerful tool it is in making things happen. We cannot doubt or fear. Those feelings come from the Adversary. There are too many things to do to NOT let it be pushed forward with a firm faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. There is so much we miss out on accomplishing or that we delay getting done when we let our faith weaken. It is great to hear about all of the wonderful things happening to each of you in your lives and I hope to hear from more of you soon! Until next time!

-Elder LaPorte =)