Week 20 (We're gonna stay 18 forever...)

Hello, hello!
Another warm week in Queen Creek! It will be amazing when the "summer" comes to see how it is. It has felt like summer since a month ago. Hehe, we are nearing the end of this transfer and trying hard to help our investigators move along. We're all hoping that we stay together and help Elder Livingston finish off his mission with the 3 of us. Only time will tell though. I went on exchanges and rode bike last week. It's amazing how quickly you get bad tan lines. I have improved my watch tan and re-defined the helmet-strap tan, so I'm definitely looking the part of a missionary. I have a lot of mixed feelings nearing the end of this transfer as I think of the possibilities of what might happen to me; all good though. No matter what happens, I'm excited to be doing this work. This transfer went by so fast. On Sunday we took a family of investigators and another girl who is investigating the church to the Visitor's Center at the Temple in Mesa. I love going there at night because it's SO pretty lit up. Easter Pageant is coming up soon. I've heard a lot about it and I hope to be able to go. This Saturday, all of the Spanish Missionaries are going to the Temple to do a spanish session. I'm way pumped. Everything is going great, and I'm excited to see what next week holds. With that in mind, if you send letters to me, send them to the mission home within the next two weeks in case I get transfered elsewhere. Ok, have fun and Happy Belated St. Patrick's Day!

-Elder LaPorte =)

p.s. we thought st. patty's day was on saturday for some reason and wore green ties for nothing. we got it right yesterday. haha, ByE!

Week 19 (Only In Dreams...)

Hello, hello!
This wek has been pretty eventful. On monday we had interviews with President Craig. That was nice because I always enjoy talking to him. He's a Californian too so he likes us. haha. (but not in a biased way) On Sunday I gave a talk with my companions because it was missionary Sunday. I started off and spoke about the Atonement and how when we feel the healing powers of Repentance in our lives, we will have the desire to share it with others. I used the example of Alma and Enos. We had two families come to church which was really cool, because that's usually the hardest part, getting them to go to church. They enjoyed it a lot. They must have talked about feeding the missionaries in Relief Society because the Moms from both families invited us to dinner. haha. It's really good. One of our investigators who was gettin ready for baptism didn't make to to church this sunday and we're having trouble contacting her. We're working hard to get a hold of her and help her out. It's interesting to see the different phases of someone's conversion process. It's tricky because it's easy to get too focused on the people you have and to not do any finding. Achieving the right balance is difficult sometimes but necessary. Elder Livingston who will be going home in about one transfer likes to eat out a lot for lunch. Luckily he likes Subway which is "kind've" healthy. That's what I tell myself, atleast. The work goes by fast and is very exciting when your heart and mind are focused. Random fact that's kinda shocking; in less than two months I'll be 20! haha. Anyways, I am definitely seeing the blessings of working hard in every moment. Elder Perry when he came, promised us that we would never have less than 20 teaching opportunities a week (if we try our best). We've tried our best and haven't fallen short since. The hand of the Lord is in this work. I see it every day. I love it. Until next time!

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 18 (Lights will guide you home...)

Well hello! I have had a great week! Yesterday, we got to go to the visitor's center at the Mesa Temple with a family. It was a very nice experience, plus, the Temple looked beautiful at night. We have been busy teaching lots of people and trying to help them on their journey to living with Heavenly Father once again. Some of the people that we are teaching are pretty close to baptism and I have been there from the beginning of their lessons and such. What I am finding is how rewarding it is to see people take these simple but essential steps to come closer to God. Probably some of my most tender moments have been when they pray for the first time and express the desires and grattitude of their heart to their Heavenly Father. There is nothing that I would rather be doing right now, and I'm so glad that I can be here. Thanks for all of your love and support! I'll see ya when I see ya!

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 17 (I'm-a take you there...)

Hello, hello! Another warm week in Queen Creek. This transfer thus far is pickin up LOTS of steam. We're keeping way busy. One thing that might make things more interesting is the fact that there are 3 of us now. We just got another companion this last thursday. His name is Elder Livingston from Salt Lake and he was transferred from another mission to finish things off here. He has about two months left. He is a welcome asset because he can understand just a little better what people are saying. With three of us, it also gives us the opportunity to do more work by going on splits because we only need one person. Our ward mission leader is a big help with that. Our ward is starting to get really involved in helping out with the missionary work. It's a slow process, but with patience it will come. We had Zone Conference on monday with President Craig. It was nice. It's crazy how fast time is flying by already. I'm already going into my third week of the transfer and that is the half-way mark. Time goes by fast when you're busy with good work. I hear it will only go faster. In some ways I hope so, and it others I pray it never does. The more I do this, the more I love it. There are so many ways to improve and so little time to do it in. This work is great and from all of the things I've seen and experiences I've had, there is no doubt that the Lord is at the head of this work. As we read in Moroni, Ch. 10:4, if we pray with real intent to have missionary experiences, they will come. That means if we have the intention to do something with the opportunities that we pray to have, the Lord will give them to us. These opportunities are precious to him, and he gives them to those who truly will do something with those experiences. I love it! Have a great week! All is well in Queen Creek!

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 16 (There cannot be a close second...)

Hey! So, this was another good week in Queen Creek. I wasn't sure how it was going to go, seeing as I was responsible for remembering how to get everywhere and who to see. It hasn't been that bad. In a very real sense I have felt my memory improve and now I never fail to know how to get where we need to go. Plus, my companion has a GPS just in case. It makes things a lot easier. Things are speeding up quite nicely here now. We are finding ourselves very busy. Lots of opportunities to find people and teach are popping up. I was going to send some pictures today, but the attachments won't work. I'll send my card home soon. Happy Valentines Day to all of you lovers out there! haha, I kind of forgot that it was Valentines Day. We were helping with a walkathon-fundraiser and drivin around teaching teaching teaching. Because our house is not as central now, we use a few more miles (understatement) but that's ok. The Assistants to the President came on splits with us last night. One of them went with me while the other went with our Zone Leaders. My companion went with our ward mission leader, Hermano Santos, to some appointments we had. Elder Faulkner is the Elder that went on Splits with me. Anyways, as I think I said last time, my new companion is Elder Weller and we live in a little house with the Zone Leaders, Elder Lee and Elder Hillyard. I have decided to start making myself trail mix to keep with me as I go throughout the day. Eating less, more often. Elder Weller and I have been spending our extra time rearranging our room and settin up bunk beds. Our room looks way nice now. We bike a lot to help save miles, so that's good exercise. We ride fast too, so we actually get a workout on our legs. I'm liking all of the work that we have to do right now. We basically work work work, sleep, then do it all over again. "Eat, sleep, repeat" if you will. haha. Anyways, do not worry, I have been thinking of things that might be useful to have for my birthday. I know it's a few months of, but hey! why not? hehe. I'm finding that the longer I'm out here, the better I am getting on focusing on the work. I am loving this work and these people a lot. It sneaks up on you without any warning. I remember right before the last transfer, my old companion, Elder Suarez, and I were in a meeting at church and they asked if any of us would be transferred. He said he was for sure staying and that there was a chance that I was going. In my mind I was like, ya, probably. And then all of a sudden, I got a little sad. And I had only been there for 6 weeks. Regardless of the success that is had, when you serve the people with all of your heart, you grow to love them, without even knowing it. This next week will be busy and great. Until then...!!

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 15 (Here I sit waiting beside the tree...hehe)

Hey! Ok, well I don't have much time to type because today was transfers. With that said, I'm still in Queen Creek! They moved me to a new house, however, and I won't know it for certain until next week. So for now, send letters to the mission home address. I have a new companion. He is from the East Bay and his name is Elder Weller. For those of you from the East Bay, you might know him. We have a few mutual friends/aquaintances. With Elder Suarez gone, I'm taking over the area. If I keep the right perspective and give it my all I can grow a lot from this experience. I have to go, so I'll write one quick thing. There were some awesome clouds and sunsets this week with the storm that came from LA. Something I noticed...When the sun was setting only the white clouds took the color of the sunset. All of the dark clouds, well, they stayed dark. The clouds that were white became something beautiful through the sun. As I thought about it, I realized that it can relate to our lives a lot. When we are doing what we should by keeping the commandments and living clean lives, life becomes something wonderful and beautiful through Jesus Christ. When we are doing what we shouldn't, it is a lot harder for Him to make something beautiful of our lives. He can paint our lives in a beautiful way that can only come through living a clean pure life. Life can be beautiful through Jesus Christ. There's a lot of symbolism in nature I've found. This life is a learning experience and we can find something in every aspect of it. I love life and I love this work. It is changing people's lives for the better. Jesus Christ lives, and through Him, we can live with God once again. They love us and I know this. Until next time, take care!

-Elder LaPorte =)

p.s. I can't send it this week, but I'll send a picture of that sunset next week.

Week 14 (Just Watch the Fireworks..)

So this week was a pretty good one. I mean, they all are, even with the ups and downs, but this week was pretty cool. On friday, we, as a mission, got to go into Tempe and have a meeting with Elder Neil L. Andersen (sp?) and Elder L. Tom Perry. Before the meeting got underway he had us all shake his hand. For the record, he is TALL. and funny. When talking about this generations form of communication, he joked about our hands evolving to eventually only have thumbs because all we do is text. haha. I thought that was funny. Anyways, it was a very nice meeting listening to the both of them speak. The part that I was most excited for was actually the meeting that he had later that day with all of the Stake Presidents, High Council members in charge of missionary work, Bishops, and Ward Missionaries/Leaders. There ( we weren't there, but I heard) they really drove home the role of the wards' involvement in missionary work and how to do it. They emphasized studying chapters 8 and 13 of P.M.G. to help them in their responsibilities. Anyways, it was a really nice start to the day. Plus, I was able to see my 3 other spanish buddies who came out with me; Elder Scott, Elder Nielsen and Elder Ries. It's interesting to see the change in all of them. Especially Elder Nielsen. He says "that's righteous" to everything now. I guess his companion is a "far out" guy. haha. Anyways, maybe that's how he has always been, but he's just opening up now. There was a funny experience that we had this week. We were going to find this referral in this very rural neighborhood. We found the address, but were having difficulty finding the house. All that we could see were horse stables. So, we went up to this gentleman in a truck that we had seen sitting by the property the whole time to ask him what he might know of the location of the house. It turned out that he was a missionary of another church, waiting for his companion. No sooner did he realize that we were going to find the same person that he was going to teach, did he begin to start his car and drive onto the property, giving a hearty goodbye. haha. He raced off, without his companion, trying to beat us to the punch. We plan to go back another day, but it was just funny how quickly he acted once he knew what we were about. One thing that I'm reminded of constantly is the room that there is for personal growth while being out here. When it seems like you get over one challenge, another comes along, trying you some more. With the right attitude, it can be great, but it takes a lot of effort to make sure that you frame of mind stays where it should be. This experience is very rewarding as I take a step back and try to see what the Lord is trying to make of me with my experiences. haha, one last thing. actually, I thought of another, so two. First off, I heard this song that I think everybody knows that got stuck in my head, it goes, "Follow me, everything is alright. I'll be the one to tuck you in at night, and if you wanna leave, I can guarantee, you won't find nobody else like me." That last line caught my attention, because it's basically the worst ultimatum ever. To say that you won't find somebody else like me isn't too helpful when that's probably why she's leaving; to find someone NOT like him. haha. I just thought that was a funny line. I've heard that song since who-knows-when but have never thought about it. Item #2, Sunday was the superbowl and the Arizona cardinals were playing. Most of the english elders had trouble getting the work done because EVERYONE was watching it. Almost. We got lucky and found someone the day before who had to move out of their place by monday, and they were kind've in a bind. So, we helped them. The guy was playing it on the radio of the truck, and it was funny because whenever there was a big play, you could hear all of the neighboring houses cheering or yelling. It reminded me of back home how you could hear the football games if you kept the window open. It was funny. Everyone was way into it and way disappointed when they lost. That was the number one thing I heard talked about the next day when we went to talk to people. Ok, well, transfers are next week, so if you have anything to write, send it to the mission home address in case I get transferred. I'm excited to be here and to keep learning and growing as I teach others. Another cool thing was that we had the baptism of Sylvia last saturday. It was very nice. She is a very sweet lady. Take care! Happy V-day to those whom it may concern! haha. Bye

-Elder LaPorte =)