Week 99 (California...P.P)

Hey! To start off, I don't want you to think I'm trunky from the titles that I will have on the coming e-mails. haha, they are just songs that I thought would go perfectly, that's all. Anyways, this week has been good. It is interesting to see the trials that come near the end. I have determined to improve the work in very specific areas and in these same areas, obstacles are surfacing. However, that is the work of the Lord. It is not easy to do what you should and what is best but it is always worth it. There are a few different people that we are working with and praying for so that they can enter the waters of baptism. As I review all the things that I know bring success to conversion, it is personal worthiness, the Book of Mormon, and solid, prayerful fellowship. As we work with the members, testify of holy scripture and live worthily to let the Spirit confirm that message we bring, great things happen. The Lord lays out everything for us. We just simply have to live it. I am so excited for this weekend where we can listen to the voice of living prophets. I am excited to bring people to see them for the first time. I hope that you all find it to be a time of revelation and change. Take care!

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 98 (..)

hey, not much time to write because I have to go teach a lesson in a sec. Wes can explain why I had to e-mail today and not yesterday. I am still here in MEsa and Elder Ries got transferred to Tempe for his last transfer and he will be doing english. My new companion is Elder Morgan who was serving in the other half of the ward that I serve in. He is from Riverton Utah and is an acquaintance with Elder Scott, my MTC comp. My grandson became a trainer yesterday so I snagged a 4-generation photo yesterday. Way cool. I'll try and send it next week. I am excited to hit this last one hard and improve on as many things as I can. I'll have to look at the pics next week. Love you all! Do good and feel good!

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 97 (A Kinder Reminder from...OZMA)

Hey all! Well, p-days are officially back to Wednesdays! It was kinda weird switching over to Tuesdays, but also weird switching back. Haha! I don't have too much to say this week due to time, but I thoroughly enjoyed the pictures that were sent to me. Elise, I hope you have a great time! Being up there can be a wonderful experience. The weather actually feels like it is changing now. I almost forgot what cool natural air felt like. (when I say almost, I did.) A couple of times I have felt a breeze that was slightly cooler than my skin which was warmed by the sun. It was nice. And the mornings when we run feel like room temperature now. However, I hear it will get warm again. This next transfer will be in one week and will decide where I spend my last transfer of the mission. I could say as much as I could go because the companion I am currently with I have been with for 3 transfers and we go home together. SO, someone is probably going. If not...haha, then that's that. It will be a fun ride. Anyways, the main thing that I would like to mention is an experience that I was privileged to have this last Saturday as I went to the temple to witness the sealing of a family that was baptized about a year ago; the Arredondo's. It was such a wonderful experience to be able to take it from the first time I knocked their door with my trainer the last week of transfer one, to walking with them up to the temple as they held their children by the hands and took them to the Lord's holy house. I don't think that there is anything better that can happen as a missionary than to see that. As of September 11th, 2010, the Arredondo's are a Forever Family. I have a testimony that this work is the Lord's work. When we seek to do it His way and by His spirit, wonderful things happen; to us and those we serve. The temple is the place where the Lord wants us to be; individually and as families. Go there. I love what I do. I love that I get 7 more weeks to pound the pavement and find those that are looking for the truth. It is here; all of it. Have a great week! I love you all!

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 96 (Jaws...BrandNew)

Hi all! Here we are and another week gone by. This last week was really nice. We had a chance to meet a few new people that will hopefully be really cool. Also, this Saturday we had a baptism for Alfredo Fuentes. That was really neat. He was the last person to make his family complete in the gospel of Jesus Christ. We are really excited for them and the many chances that they will have to grow as individuals and as a family. Random side-note. When we e-mail, we go to the MCC which is a local community college to e-mail because the library is HUGE. Way better than the public library. Anyways, there was this guy that we ran into this week who was ridiculously rude to another missionary and myself (we were on exchanges) in front of a group of people that we were talking to. The reason I bring it up is because he's sitting next to me and I don't think he notices it because I'm wearing my glasses and I cut my hair last night. It's kinda weird but kinda funny. Anyways, things are going along great. I thought it would be strange/difficult being with someone who has the same time out as me in the mission but it has kinda worked out. Being conscious of the fact that we are both nearing that time, we do a decent job at staying away from that topic and those thoughts. We're kind of extra sensitive about it. Haha. As we continually strive to go forward we see the Lord bless us. We have seen lots of opposition. But we have never ceased to see the hand of the Lord guiding us through. I'm not sure what transfers will bring in 2 weeks, because one of us have to go, but I am excited to push hard and finish this transfer strong; prepped and ready for one more time. The more I dig deep, and dedicate myself, the more the Lord blesses with me. I feel a fire for this work as I pray to the Lord each day to consecrate my efforts. Last week for our zone activity we did a combined broom-hockey tournament with the Gilbert zone. This week we are playing laser tag. haha! I hope that you all enjoy yourselves and that you find comfort and strength in the promises that you have made with the Lord. Go to church and go to the Temple to renew those promises as often as you can. There is great power in this. I love you all. Welcome home Jen, Rose and Mike! Until next week!

-Elder LaPorte =)