The homecoming!

There are 52 weeks in a year. Since missions are 2 years, then Trenton should only be gone for 104 weeks. For everyone out there who has been counting, as I have, this week was post week 103. So that means Trenton comes home next week! Woot! I'm so excited! Now you can all call him. don't be shy because we all know Trenton isn't! Also you are all invited to his homecoming talk will be Sunday, November 14th @ 11:00 a.m. at the Morgan Hill Stake Center, 1790 E. Dunne. Hope to see you all there!!! :))

Week 103 (Landed...Ben Folds)

Hey! Well, one last chance to dance and I'll be doin it here in Mesa, AZ. Honestly, it has come SO fast that I don't have much to say about it. At one moment you're like, "Woah, it is getting close! 5 months, 3 months, 2!" But the closer you get the harder you try and ignore it until you're like me, less than a week away and I don't feel like it is happening. One thing more than all else that this experience winding down is teaching me is the important role of the Spirit in Enduring to the End. There are many thoughts, dreams, worries, needs, the list goes on... that pass through ones mind. As we try our sincere best to finish with honor and with an eye single to the glory of God, it is the Spirit that keeps us in line. It is the Spirit that lets us know what we should think, what we should let into our heart, what we should do, what to watch out for so that we stay diligent and not distracted. For me it is of the utmost importance to give my all till the end. For that I am so grateful that my Father in Heaven has provided me with the greatest help which is the Gift of the Holy Ghost. I'm not perfect but it has help me be the best I can and will continue to help me to the end as long as I hearken; that is, to listen, understand and then act. Similarly, I believe it plays the same role on a big and small scale throughout our life. The Lord asks us to be obedient to the end and to come home with clean hands and pure hearts. It is only through the Holy Spirit that this can be done. And when it is in our life, and when we pay heed to it's promptings, this journey through life becomes exactly what it should be; one of love, joy, peace and faith (Gal. 5:22) because the Spirit is with us. Our Heavenly Father wants this life to be all that we hope it will be. With the Gospel of Jesus Christ it can be. I know that He watches over us and His hand is always stretched out towards us. We just need to take hold. I love my Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. It is my greatest prayer that I serve them well always, until the great and last day when I am called to our heavenly home. I love this work and I love each of you. Thanks for spending these 2 years with me. I'll see you on the other side ;) So come pick me up... hahA

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 102 (I've Never Seen Wonderful... Rascal Flatts)

Hello all! Well another good week has gone by! Some of the big events being that yesterday we had interviews with President Howes which was nice. It was a bitter-sweet reunion though because they had me give my departing testimony. I guess I'm glad that I got to do it later than sooner though since I have been trying to keep it from the zone that I'm goin. hehe. Today we go to go to the temple. It was neat because Elders Ries, Scott and Nielsen were there. The last time that we were all together in the temple was in Utah. The strange part was that it felt like just yesterday. We looked the same, the spirit was the same, but the cool thing is that there are so many stories and experiences that are unseen on the surface. That is what makes life interesting, especially when I think about missionaries. Knowing what I know now about what it is like thus far, when you look at the face of one who has spent this time in the service of the Lord, you can't even begin to comprehend what that means for them. So many personal battles, and struggles; triumphs and victories. I love what the Lord makes out of us in this time. I love what He makes out of us in this life. We go through so many experiences so that He might shape us into the right thing. We all have stories to tell. We can never think we know somebody too well. Through the refiners fire of the Lord, we become something of infinite value and infinite worth that is beyond comprehension of the human eye. Through it all however, He knows us and He understands us, every last part of who we are. I'm not sure if I'm making sense, but I just feel that life is such a wonderful chance we have to become something of infinite worth in His hands. And not because we're perfect. But rather, because every flaw that makes our life ours, is what charts our course and marks our path, teaching us how to one day be like He who IS perfect. I know that Heavenly Father has a purpose for all of us and that we are beautiful in His eyes. We simply must go forward with faith, trusting in what He is shaping us to be. It's wonderful.

A couple other details before I go...this week we got to take Hno. Fuentes with us to a couple of lessons. He was baptized about 6 weeks ago and it is such a joy for him to be able to come and share his testimony. I love this work! It is what the Lord wants for me. Take care until next time!

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 101 (Stop This Train...JM)

Fam! Hey! Well another week in Mesa Arizona and dry as a desert this week ;) hehe, anyways, things are going good here. We are seeing some good progress in the people that the Lord has blessed us with. One of my favorite things to do as a missionary is be able to see how time and time again the key to conversion is a testimony of the Book of Mormon and of the Restoration. Coming off of the tail of conference I found a scripture that meant a lot to me. I hope I cite it right but I believe it is 1 Nephi 10: 17-19. It is a great scripture that shows us what a great opportunity that we have to gain or develop a testimony of something after hearing the testimony and words of others. Nephi heard his father speak of his vision and Nephi too wanted to know and feel. He does this earlier on in the Book of Mormon too and his heart is softened as he is visited by the Spirit of the Lord. We too can have these personal moments where on the wings of inspiration shared with us by another, we ourselves take flight as the conviction of the Spirit takes us to personal heights that we have never found before. Not only do I think it wise to pray for the same conviction that we hear from others, but necessary. For until it is our own, it means nothing. In those moments when someone speaks, and you feel it...write it down, remember it and live it. Preach My Gospel tells us that applying the scriptures is to connect the bridge understanding them and living them. Whether from times of old or today as we apply the scriptures that we have been given from the Lord, we will feel the Holy Ghost working in us to develop our testimonies, making us firm and immovable. I love this gospel. I love the power that it has to work change in our lives because of the power to change that there is in Christ. This is His work and we are His servants. Until next time!

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 100 (Cliffs of Dover...Johnson)

Hey all! Well another great week gone by! This week as you might know, was especially exciting due to conference! I loved it! It was especially exciting because we were able to bring someone that we are teaching. Her name is Ana and she said that she really enjoyed it. She brought her 6 year-old who was VERY well behaved. The whole week from last Wednesday to this has been pretty crazy because we had trainings on Thursday and Friday. I enjoyed it for many obvious reasons, but a more unique reason was that Elder Shiffler was up from San Luis where he has been for 9 months and we got to go to our favorite hot dog place for lunch. It was about the time that we became companions a year ago so it was like a blast from the past; weather and all. Speaking of weather, yesterday was crazy. Arizona always gets destroyed when a taste of weather comes. It just doesn't know what to do with itself. There were a series of hard showers and just after the first one which lasted about 20 minutes or less, some of the streets were completely flooded and looked more like little streams. hehe, you would think that they would have that solved by now. Oh well. It ended up that branches and trees fell everywhere like always, but to add to the norm of rain showers, 6 power lines split in half. It made me laugh even though it is actually pretty serious. Nothing lasts in the rain here. This next week we will be singing at the baptism of a little girl from the ward. Haha, we shall see how that goes. Things look like they will go great as long as I give my all! I'm excited. I hope that you are all doing well and that you found the answers that you needed in conference. Bye!

-Elder LaPorte =)

p.s. congrats to Elder Stroh on your marriage ;)
(if you even read this... haha)

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 =)