Week 76 (Don't Give Up!... W.A.)

Hello, and happy week to all! As expected, the temperatures are slowly rising and reminding us that we are in Arizona. I am fully enjoying my chance to be back in the valley/city/Spanish work. The people and food have a great place in my heart. To share a funny story... Yesterday, we were teaching on some grass of one of the local community college campuses. We had brought a guy with us who would be leaving on his mission in a little less than a month. Near the end of the lesson a gentleman pulled up his bike and was curiously and anxiously eying us from a distance. (About 25 feet away, if that.) After the lesson was finished we approached him and introduced ourselves. He began to ask us of our motivation behind the service that we do followed by a series of other questions. It quickly became apparent that he had no intention of hearing the answers to his questions but only to quickly interject and instill us with his doctrine. We then spent the rest of 20 min or so, trying to direct him to the Church website or to the English missionaries who could address his questions at a more appropriate time. While walking back to the car we explained to Abel (pronounced Ahh-Bell) that he will find many situations like that and it will be his job to address the concerns of all when sincerely asked, and to politely interact with those who have no desire to hear but to simply tell us that we are wrong. We did, however, mention the sincerity and kindness of this young man in trying to help us see what he felt to be truth, which is generally rare. And how normally they are more loud, less polite and use more heated tones and words in addressing us. No sooner had we mentioned that, than a man who was crossing the street in front of us greeted us with a belittling statement concerning Joseph Smith, followed by a series of ill-mannered words and sentiments. After asking him for a referral and if he needed some service, we then told Abel with a laugh, "That is what we were talking about." Haha. It was pretty ironic. Any day can be cheery and bright, even when the day's events are delivered in a contrary manner. With an optimistic attitude and a disposition to find good in all, every day can be a joy. I hope that each of you can find peace in your trials and comfort during hardships. I know that it can come as we always remember our Lord and Savior who gave all so that we could have all. Take care!

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 75 (Don't Stop, Believin... Journey)

It is interesting to think about the trails that we are dealt in life. Since being here, I have had many opportunities to experience more profoundly the ways in which our Heavenly Father teaches us to turn our hearts to Him. Many people have said to me that they have had things happen to them that just weren't right. They have prayed for things that they just haven't gotten. That life seems to be telling them that maybe that being up above cares a little bit less than they were taught. For all reasons given as to why they feel abandoned, lost and betrayed, I see the contrary. Any trial that we receive, wasn't necessarily because we "deserved it", but because we can handle it; if we turn to the Lord to get through it. Every prayer that seems to be unanswered in the way that we seek could be a perfect showing of the kind and thoughtful watch that our Father in Heaven has over us as He gives us not what we want, but what we need. There is no greater love that I can see than that which comes from one willing to let sorrow come upon us, so that we might personally understand the joy; and understand our need for Him and His guidance. One who is willing to see us struggle as what is best for us is given instead of what we desire. What parent doesn't understand these truths, and yet in their own moments of struggle, trial and disbelief, expect something different from a perfect father above. For myself as much as anyone else, we must see this chance that we have to struggle, to stretch, to learn and to grow as the greatest outpouring of love that our Heavenly Father could ever show. The truth is that He is there and that He does care. And as we understand the greatest source of hope and reprieve that He has given us through Jesus Christ, we will never doubt or falter. I know that my Father in Heaven is mindful of me and the struggles that I have. I know that He is yearning always for me to turn my heart to His. I know that all things are possible through Jesus Christ whom the Father sent because Jesus Christ suffered all and felt all for each one of us so that we might not be alone in this mortal journey. I love this life. I love it all. And I'm grateful to have the chance to share what makes it such a joy, with all around me. I hope that all goes well for each of you as you turn your hearts to God. Take care and never give up! See ya next week!

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 74 (We Were Walkin Downtown... Copeland)

Hey all! I would say writing from Show Low, but I'm not there. I'm in Mesa. There was an opening down here in a spanish area in mesa because a missionary just finished his mission, so the Lord sent me here. It is bitter/sweet. We have a lot of good things lined up this transfer with a lot of good people, but I am very excited to be able to come back to the speaking spanish. This branch has been known for a lot of good things with 60+ convert baptisms last year. There is a lot of good support from the members and lots of very prepared people to find and talk to. It is also nice being in the city again. I like both types of places I guess, but I always feel nice where things are busy and people are around. Although I would have liked to stay a little longer in the mountains, the Lord knows what is best. Plus, it would have been a greater shock to have to come down in July in the middle of the summer. My new companion is Elder Stroh from Spokane, WA. He has 2 transfers left and goes home with my former companion, Elder Weller. He was the trainer to another former companion of mine, Elder Shiffler, and he was with my MTC companion, Elder Scott, for 3 transfers in Yuma. So, there is a lot of good history and a lot of good things that I believe we will be able to do. We all have our weaknesses but together we will be able to lift one another up and bring the best that we can to this area. The missionary that I trained, Elder Bradshaw, became a trainer this transfer, so that is exciting knowing that 3 generations are in the field right now and a possible 4 if this new one trains before I go home. I am excited for the change and the new opportunity to grow. As long as I am constantly trying to understand what it is that the Lord wants me to change, and DOING it, I know that the Lord will bless us. I hope that you all enjoyed General Conference and had a Happy Easter!

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 73 (Should I Stay or Should I Go...Clash)

Hello! Welcome to one of the fastest transfers of my life! Hehe, it seems as though the more time goes by, the faster it flies. (like it or not. hehe) We are very excited for this weekend's events seeing as it will be General Conference. It is interesting how exciting it can be for us as missionaries. It is also neat to know that all my friends around the world will be doing the exact same thing at the exact same moment. I have been reading the e-mails of Elder Clark and his letters put me to shame. Haha. Maybe sometime before I go home I will be able to capture a week the way he does. One exciting thing that I have been working on is making sure that I am a faithful and semi-detailed journal writer. If, (jk), WHEN I write in my journal tonight I will have written every night this month. I have enjoyed knowing that I am keeping a meaningful record of my life. It is weird going back to other days and seeing what was going on in my life out here. I am excited to be able to review all the adventures of these 2 years in my journal. Interviews were a pleasure as always with President Craig. They were bitter-sweet, however, because I only have two more of those left with him before he goes home. Then I will have about 4 months left with my new President. It is also interesting seeing my pool of missionaries that I know change from those older than me, to those younger than me. Whether I get transfered in a week or in 2 more transfers, it will be funny because I will have been thrown up here in the dead of winter and thrown back down to the valley in time for summer. We are having a lot of nice progress with our investigators and also with the ward members. Next transfer should be a wonderful experience for whomever stays. Hopefully Elder Knaphus at the least, if not the both of us. He has worked hard with a few of these people. What a coincidence that Easter falls on Conference weekend. I am excited for the both. The celebration of Easter is what gives us hope for what we know as the purpose of this life, which is to return and live with our Heavenly Father. I am excited to see what Easter-focused messages exist on this special weekend. I hope that all of you prepare yourselves to accept the messages shared this weekend and the feelings that come as we remember the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Happy Easter and Happy Conference!

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 72 (There Cannot Be a Close Second... Copeland)

Well, first off, in honor of Copeland I put this song title that I am pretty sure I have put before. They apparently did their final tour. R.I.P. On a more important note, things are going well up here in the White Mountains. We have been working very hard with our wards to try and help them be more involved and do so in the way that Elder Perry has outlined. I am pleased as more and more in prayers I hear them ask, "Bless us to find someone for the missionaries to teach, " vs. "Bless the missionaries to find someone to teach." We can sure do it. But the members can do it better. Especially in a community like this where in a population of around 12,000 there are 5 wards. There are a lot of members and everybody knows who the missionaries are. They either love us or they hate us. Haha, and either way, they're not interested. Except for those select few which we could find a lot more easily with the help of the good members. We have a really neat investigator who is very dedicated to studying and very receptive to the Spirit. After a week and a half, (as of yesterday morning) she had already read to 1 Nephi Ch. 17. We have a lot of other good people progressing and moving along that just need a little more time. Bit by bit opportunities are popping up and I look forward to what even greater opportunities come as we work together with the wards. We have interviews on friday which I am excited for and we went to the Temple today which was great. This is a very choice time in my life for the which I am greatly blessed. Take care!

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 71 (Testing the Strong Ones... Copeland)

Hmmm, well good day to all. As I come to write today, there is only one real thought that comes to my mind. As missionaries, you find many that are selfish about "their p-day." And, even without noticing at times, it can get the best of those who never want to hold that sentiment. Today while driving over to help someone clear out his art gallery, I saw two people down the road working on a car. After a second's debate in my mind, I told Elder Knaphus to turn around. We pulled up and got out of our van (a.k.a. embarrassing car. haha) and went up to them and began to talk. We introduced the message of the Restoration and left them with a copy of the Book of Mormon and our testimonies of how this Gospel can bless their families. I am glad that we took that moment to stop and speak to them. One, because we promised the Lord that we would. But two, because I found once again what I have found time and time again. The joy that comes from testifying and bearing witness of truth. They didn't tell us that we could come back. They said that they were fine with their Christian church. But what a joy it was to tell them what they can have if they find that the Book of Mormon is true. We can all take time in our day. Especially when it seems like "our time." That is when the Lord will place them in our paths. We who lose our lives for the Lord's sake, shall find them. Let us never think that we are too busy or too rushed to testify of what is everything to us. For if we seek to find our lives, we shall lose them. I love this work. And I love knowing that even after my time here is done, it is still not over. And neither will my joy have an end as I always seek to share the Gospel with those around me. Take care! I hope to hear from you!

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 70 (Oh Nothin Else Compares... Coldplay)

Well hello! Another week in Show Low. The work has been going along and we have been reaping the rewards of missionaries past, but when I think of what has gone on because of current efforts, we see a stagnancy. Not due to a lack of work, nor effective work, but something else that has repeatedly come to both of our minds in thinking of how we might better our efforts; the members. In listening to the April 2009 Conference Address of Elder L. Tom Perry in the Sunday afternoon session, I was reaffirmed that the members are the greatest means of success in the missionary work. We have been working to re-emphasize the need for the involvement of the members in this work and we won't stop. In a small community where the majority are LDS and the rest don't care to be, it makes members that much more important. We can spend our days walking and talking to those that have said " No thank you" dozens of other times, or we can go to those who members know are ready to hear the truth. I am seeing over and over again the need for members in this work. In big cities or small, with many members or few. We cannot be everywhere and know everyone and cannot get through to them like the good members of the Church can. This gospel is a gift, and it is something to share. If we " Take [our] gold and sit on it," as the dragon told Grendel, we will have lost the purpose of what this gospel is meant to be. Like anything we love, whether a movie, dessert, or song, we share it. How much greater need have we to share what is most precious, most lasting, and most essential to life with our Heavenly Father. I love this gospel. I love the Lord and my Heavenly Father. I look forward to the day when I might be with Them once more. Take care and don't forget to share!

-Elder LaPorte =)