HOMECOMING

 

WEEK #106 - The Final Moments

Thank you! Thank you everyone for everything. All the support, emails, letters, packages, and overall just reading these emails. I ask the Lord for a special blessing to be given to you :)

Monday: July 26th
My last pday. All I did was pack. Haha! It was great though.
CRAZY STORY:
It wouldn't be an Elder LaRose mission without one of these... I was driving down Colfax today (of course it was on Colfax street) and all of a sudden this random crazy man starts walking out in the middle of the road! We almost hit him because he didn't even try to dodge any of the cars that went past him or even look across the street. Thankfully I slammed on the breaks in time but us three Elders were not too surprised we encountered a crazy person on "thee" Colfax

Tuesday: July 27th
MLC day! A great day discussing with others in the mission how we can continue to move forward and more fully focus on becoming better missionaries but most importantly becoming more fully converted disciples of Jesus Christ

Elder LaRose shenanigans 

Wednesday: July 28th
Elder Proctor and I trained our Zone and it went really well! I was impressed with how much my wonderful companions have progressed and improved. It's just a testament to me that the Lord can help each us become who we need to be through our challenges and experiences! Also, I had my last lesson with Sue today, she is doing absolutely amazing :)

Elder Stott with me in the hotel before the airport 

Thursday: July 29th
Worked hard before transfers came. It was so weird being on the receiving end of all of the departing missionaries stuff. I got to stay in a hotel with Elder Stott who I went on many exchanges with throughout my mission! Reflecting upon my mission and in preparation for the transition home a scripture comes to remembrance– 1 Nephi 4:37. Now it's best explained in with the context of the chapter but I know that my fears have ceased because of the oaths and promises the Lord has made to me! Seek the Lord <3

President and Sister Rees!

Me and Elder Wilson scared at the Denver airport

Friday: July 30th
Today was crazy. It started off with going to the Denver Temple! I haven't been inside one of the Lord's temples since August 13th, 2019. I was overwhelmingly peaceful and I received precious revelation. 

Colorado Denver Temple

We had breakfast with all the departing missionaries and then drove to the airport in the van. The same van I drove so many others with, haha! None of it felt real. I flew to Atlanta, Georgia 

and then to Connecticut where I met my family. It was a joyful reunion and I met people I haven't met for the first time! Everyone called me skinny haha... I've heard that already once before ;)

Saturday: July 31st
I was able to attend the temple again today with my wonderful family! It's my parents anniversary and this is the first time all of their kids have been together in the temple. Later today I was released as a missionary and let me tell you how much of a hot knife it felt like! As a missionary a nametag represents everything, but most importantly it represents that WE literally represent our Savior Jesus Christ... now THAT was hard to give up. Now I get to lead lifetime dedicated to the Lord and to this I find no greater joy :)

Sunday: August 1st
I saw a lot of people that I haven't seen in two years. I spoke in church today about my mission and the many things that I learned from it. If you would like I made an audio recording of my talk and you are more than welcome to email me at keldon.larose@gmail.com for me to send it to you! If you missed it or want it then I can definitely send it. Being an RM (returned missionary) now has definitely been an adjustment but I love my family, I love my friends, and I love the Lord. What more need I?

My former wrestling coach!

At the conclusion of it all, thank you!! Thank you all for sticking with me. Please review this scripture to discover one of the reasons that I chose to serve a mission:

Isaiah 41:10

Love,
Keldon LaRose

MORE FOOTHILLS PIC

WEEK #105 - Sue's Baptism

 ***SAVE THE DATE*** 

Keldon will give his Homecoming talk Aug 1st 10am-12pm with an Open House to follow at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 275 Warpas Road, Madison, CT 

******

A hardworking week on the good ole Colfax!

Monday: July 19th

We got to visit Red Rocks Park and I have to say this place is AWEsome! I'm definitely going to bring my family here. We taught Sue about temples and you can tell how happy she was when she realized she could help her fellow ancestors follow their Savior Jesus Christ too because of her example and efforts. :) I know this to be true! 

Red Rocks!

Tuesday: July 20th

HAPPY 20th!!! <3 Today was an amazing day. We taught Sharon a lot about the purpose of the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. The purpose is in the name of course, but the reward is within the spirit of the pages! Please diligently seek the Lord's hand in your life as you study from His word. 

Wednesday: July 21st

Sue was pretty sick but determined to still prepare for her baptism, she is the definition of endurance! We talked alot about the Refiners Fire and how sometimes Heavenly Father needs us to be more patient until we grasp a full eternal perspective on the reason why behind the trials we all face. Hold onto hope! 

Yep. That's a spray painted brass knuckles right there... we were walking around an apartment called "The Zoo

Thursday: July 22nd

Went on my last exchange today and that was my 90th exchange I've done on my entire mission! Wow, lots of hard work. I also had my departing interview with President Rees, we talked alot about some important decisions in life and the counsel that the Lord has given us for those situations! Trust the Lord. Fear thou not... :)

 Outside the Tufts building for my interview 

Friday: July 23rd

Thorough and hard working day! 

Rose! Who doesn't love La–"Roses"?

Saturday: July 24th

Sue's baptism! And also, my 2 year mark in the mission! It was a powerful and unforgettable day. I'm so glad seeing Sue so happy! She invited many friends and it was absolutely amazing to see her on her path of discipleship with a clean slate. I know that Jesus Christ set the perfect example for us and if there be any flaws it is the flaws of mankind. I know my Savior lives!

New CO Gear of course

Sunday: July 25th

Church was awesome, they snagged me to speak again so I talked alot about Christlike love and how to spark a desire within others to see the blessings of coming to our Savior Jesus Christ! Jesus Christ is everything to me. I am deeply grateful and humbled to the depths for the many many refining trials I have experienced throughout my mission as a type of the things I need to be prepared for in my life. Thank you Heavenly Father! I love being a missionary :)

Work hard, hand in hand, with the Lord <3

Love,

Elder LaRose 

WEEK #104 - Faith to Climb Mountains

***SAVE THE DATE*** 

Keldon will give his Homecoming talk Aug 1st 10am-12pm with an Open House to follow at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, 275 Warpas Road, Madison, CT 

******

Besides our A.C. sounding like a dying cow all week we've been having a blast in our 85° apartment! :)

Monday: July 12th

Had a great conversation with Sue today about her baptism! We talked faith like a mustard seed. To think if we had faith that small we could move mountains... that makes me think– then how small is my faith? Haha, I believe the Lord is really teaching us to exercise our faith in meaningful ways. He wants us to plant our seed of faith and become deeply rooted in the soils of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! 

Sorry, no pictures this week! Just working hard but here's a sneak peek into more for next week :) 

Tuesday: July 13th

Today was my last Zone conference. We focused heavily on the principles of love, share, and invite. Everything in this Gospel should and should always be connected back to the pure love of our Savior Jesus Christ <3 I gave my departing testimony and talked about three pieces of advice I'd give to every missionary... the last of which is to never lose focus on the Savior. 

YOU ARE INVITED!

Wednesday: July 14th

Today we heard our friend Sue was rushed to the hospital! Many prayers and fasting were given to the Lord for her, please include her in your prayers! The Lord is very mindful of all the challenges we face. A wonderful friend of mine reminded me this week of the phrase, "If it's hard, it's worth it." Nothing worthwhile in this life usually comes without some sort of divine sacrifice. 

Thursday: July 15th

Lots of teaching skills worked on today as we talked with people over zoom and Facebook! Our friend Sue is recovering well and is oxygen tanks now, she is so determined to still get baptized! Wow, what a heart. It won't be this Saturday, but she's been fighting a lot so I thank you for your continued prayers. 

Friday: July 16th

Some thorough planning done today, it was a hard working day! I'm grateful to be a missionary for the Lord :)

Saturday: July 17th

Did some service at a trailer park (shoutout to Naturita, haha!) and overall it was a great day serving others. 

Sunday: July 18th

Sharon came to church and asked us lots of great questions! She said many things just clicked for her this week and she's seeking to come to know if the Book of Mormon is true. She sincerely wants that confirmation from God and I can promise that anyone who follows a similar, but personal to YOU, pattern will know from Heavenly Father what is truth. 

I know each of you can develop the Christlike Capability you need to move the mountains in your life. Please know that when a mountain is moved– it is still there, so you might as well just climb it to discover the beauty above the clouds... Love you all!!! <3

Love,

Elder LaRose 

keldon.larose@missionary.org

1710 Robb Street, APT #14-203

Lakewood, CO 80215