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 =)

Week 95 (Career Day... The FormAt)

Hey there! Crazy to think that another week has gone by but so it has. This last week was a jumble of things but the highlights are ones to remember for sure. Elder L. Tom Perry was visiting the valley for some stake business and he along with Elders Wright and Hallstrom from the Seventy came and spoke to us. I was very grateful for the visit seeing as this time in a missionaries journey leaves one with lots of questions. It was a great chance to simply go and let the Spirit teach me of the things that I needed to do. He spoke of many basic principles such as; Jesus Christ, The Restoration, The Book of Mormon, Priesthood Organization and Authority. Then, he simply testified of these things. He is now 88 years old and still running. Almost literally. His stride and pace is incredible. haha. This Sunday a mother of some children that got baptized just before I arrived in the area came to church. They are going through a lot of tough times right now and it was just great to see her come and then tell us of the good things that happened to her afterwords. She had been battling a lot, feeling like she couldn't make time for such things, but when she finally did, she was blessed. I hope she comes again. This Sunday we also had the first Mission President's Fireside in pure Spanish. It was really neat because Viki (Gustavo's wife) who got baptized about a month ago, got to bear her testimony and share her story. Today I was able to go to the Temple and it was a joy as always. I have to get going but I hope that you are all doing well! Take care! Congratulations to the Barnes!

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 94 (So Give It Up...The FormAt)

Hey all! This week has been a great one. My schedule was quite opposite than the week past. This week I actually got to go out for the majority of the days and preach to people and it was great! Haha. It is funny how exciting that is for us as missionaries. We were able to talk to lots of people and find lots of new people to teach which was really neat. I am just really excited to keep the momentum going. Lately I have been reading the account of the First Vision and I have felt it be a great anchor in my days. We talk to lots of people that don't have much to say, nor do they have the desire, but then on occasion, we find someone who does want to talk but usually trying to dissuade us. As we listen and then simply invite them to read The Book of Mormon and testify of the Restoration, I feel a great peace in my heart as the Lord sustains us and lets us know that the work we are about is true. Several moments this past week that I can remember in particular, when things fell through and we were just confused and wondering why, Heavenly Father blessed us and gave us what we needed. It reminded me a lot of the scripture in Alma 26:27 -Now when our hearts were depressed, and we were about to turn back, behold, the Lord comforted us, and said: Go amongst thy brethren, the Lamanites, and bear with patience thine afflictions, and I will give unto you success.-

Like the scriptures say, His eyes are on the sparrow. Not a day goes by that I am not reminded that His eyes are on me. He is watching me, protecting and guiding me, and hoping that I listen to His pleas to come unto Him. Only as we continue with faith do we see His hand in our lives. Never doubt and never give up. I hope that you all have a great week as you prepare to go to school. Best of luck!

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 93 (Dark Blue... j.M.)

Hey all! Thanks for all of your love and support!

This week was pretty different from any other week that I have had on the mission. Our new mission president came out to Arizona with the instruction to give us some training that would help us be better missionaries. The training spanned three days for six hours each day. I personally really loved it. Whether I was getting something out of what they were teaching me or not, I was always learning something because the Spirit was there to teach me and answer questions in my heart. That went from Thursday through Saturday. Then on Monday morning a group of us had a chance to meet with President Howes and the Assistants to the President. I was really grateful for that moment as well as I was able to listen to him and let the Spirit testify to me that he was called to lead this mission. I don't exactly know how to express how inspiring it was for me, but it was a meeting that I won't forget. He showed a great example to me of a dedicated servant of God. On Sunday, Elder Ries and I had the chance to dress up and recount the story of Peter and John, finding the tomb empty on the day of the resurrection. I made a fake beard that I cut out of paper. All the kids loved it. Overall, I have been in meetings all this week, but luckily not for the whole day. Haha. Happy Birthday to Dan! Take care!

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 92 (Try Again... Keane)

Hello all! Not much time today, just like last week, but a quick update is that transfers were today and I am STAYING in Mesa! I will do 6 months here and I will be do a third transfer with Elder Ries. Lots of exciting things are happening as the Lord helps us become better messengers of the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. I love you all!

-Elder LaPorte =)

Week 91 (There Cannot Be a Close Second... Copeland)

Hehe, I know I have used that subject title before, but I feel it very fitting to the way I feel today. This past weekend I had the chance to watch Gustavo and the Arredondo's go to the temple for the first time. What a special experience it was for me to be able to see it happen. The only thing that will be better will be to see them sealed as a family. When we are baptized into the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, it is important to remember that baptism is not the end, but only the beginning. For a missionary, it is our hope that they take this commitment to God, and continue on to prepare themselves for eternity by going to the temple. It needs to be the same with our lives. Many a time it might be convenient to hold ourselves to a low standard, but it is important to remember, if we are not living to enter the temple, we are missing the point of being baptized. There is not much time today, but I hope it is everyone's hope, and goal to make it to the House of the Lord that is the temple. There is no greater place to understand the will of God and how to live it our lives than in that sacred, holy house. I love this work and I am grateful that I can serve. I am also grateful for the support from each of you! Until next week!

-Elder LaPorte =)

p.s. I have to run because we are having a combinded-zone talent show. haha, byE!