WEEK #10 - Transfering? Goodbye Nucla?? Goodbye Trailerhome?!?

Hey everyone!!

Looks like I get to stay another transfer in Naturita! I already LOVE this place so much as I hope you all can tell from these emails haha :) And before your heart rate accelerates dont worry I DO get to stay in my flippin awesome trailer home! Yessssss ;)

Colorado Avenue, Telluride

Who's ready for yet ANOTHER week of craziness??

Monday: September 23rd 

I totally have to cover the rest of what we did in Telluride... well, more of what we DIDNT do haha. We were finishing up some last minute emails and rushed out to catch our bus. Well... we got on the wrong bus going UP to Mountain Village! I asked the bus driver, "Does this take us to Norwood?" And she literally said nothing, turned around the bus and gunned it on the gas pedal back! Luckily we did catch the ride bus back home :) Telluride was really fun, but rather expensive haha

Missing the bus in Telluride!

Tuesday: September 24th

We went up again to Montrose for District Council which was really awesome! We had to combine districts because Elder Allen (our former district leader) finished his mission. Once we got back we talked with this girl named Melissa who has a baby boy. As we were reading scriptures with her the baby THREW UP all over the floor AND I cleaned it all up for her! Haha! I can't say I've ever done that before... At least I got to share a really cool quote I heard from a really awesome person, "Coincidence is God's way of remaining anonymous." ;) Later on we got to talk to Tina who said she was really appreciative of how much we've helped her. I've seen her in a matter of a few weeks go from leading a really careless lifestyle to wanting to clean up her life and get rid of some really bad influences. And it's all because of the Gospel of Jesus Christ! The fact that such a message can bring so much joy to people's lives is a testimony to me that it IS true! I really hope we can continue to help Tina on her path towards baptism and finding joy through following our Savior :)

I love nametags....

Wednesday: September 25th

Today we got to talk to Dan! He's another one of our people here in Nucla interested in being baptized and being able to follow Christ more fully in his life. He's very soft hearted and humble, I have faith we can bring him closer to Christ through the message we share :) Elder Gunson and I are really excited for this next transfer, we made a goal to work even harder and to be more faithful, diligent, and obedient to our purpose! And our purpose is simply to invite others to come closer to Christ. We actually got our transfer calls yesterday and the new thing that happened is that Elder Gunson is the new district leader! Basically a few missionaries left and a few came into our area and now whenever we go to Montrose for district council he will be the one to direct and lead everyone there. 

Thursday: Septemeber 26th

Talked to our "patch in the back" friend today and she wouldn't shake our hands. I'm glad because she had weed on them from harvesting it haha! She said that she couldn't quit using weed or else she'd have really bad symptoms. A few minutes later she also claimed that weed had no withdrawals and that it was fine for "old people like me" to use it.... Wow. I really hope and pray for people like that, I love them but I also love them enough to tell them they are wrong. So many people here in Nucla are like this, that's why it brings me such great joy to see people actually want to change like Tina and Roberta! Pray for them please :) Also today we went back to the SAME house with the turkey that was chasing me around, haha! But this time..... they had a HORSE in their yard! I booked it to the nearest tree and it was walking around the tree trying to eat me.... I swear I'm going to die from all the animals wanting revenge on me haha :)

should I jump in?

Friday: September 27th

First of all good luck to my good friend Elder Midgley on his flight to Australia! Go serve your hardest in the down under :) Today we went to the church to watch another one of those new Book of Mormon videos. Those things are SO HYPE! It's like the only form of video entertainment we have so Elder Gunson and I were getting so hyped at everything, haha. It's all we have out here in the desert, just some people, some sagebrush, and a whole lotta Jesus! Haha, we walked outside the church only to come upon THREE sheriff cars, a fire truck, and two ambulances!! There was a totalled truck literally TEN feet from our car that was parked outside the church! Dang! Luckily no one was hurt, that was close.

Casual truck in Naturita 

We ended the day with yet another powerful lesson with Roberta! We taught about the priesthood (God's power to act in His name) and then we invited her to be baptized if she found out that our church had that priesthood authority and she said yes!! She still has fears about coming to church but each time we meet with her I usually cry cause the Spirit is so strong and I can feel the love that God has for her! I admit, I'm a cryer! ;) Haha, I guess when I cry that just shows how much I really do care for Roberta and for the people here in Naturita. I love being a missionary! There's such a strong presence of the Holy Ghost in each lesson and it brings me great joy to help others find the light that's missing in their life :) My advice: simply love others. When you see past what they were, or what they are now, and love them for who they can become THAT'S when we feel the pure love of Christ for them!

Dannnnng Gina :)

Saturday: September 28th

Soooo..... I get to drive now.... permanently. Haha! For the rest of this transfer I'll get to drive because Elder Gunson got his DP's (Driving privileges) taken away for driving too aggressively haha. It's now my responsibility to NOT die, but at least I get to drive around this amazing country doing the best thing I love to do, missionary work! :) We had another lesson with Melissa, the woman with the baby boy, and while we were there the baby THREW UP AGAIN!! Holy cow, all I said was "time for my calling" and cleaned the throw up again for her... even CRAZIER (how can it get crazier you ask?) Well do you remember Matt and Jamie? They are the classic nacho cheese chips/weed plate story people :) Well... they got ARRESTED! What?! That's why they weren't opening to door to our knocks this week... Dang! Well they got their little baby taken away and then got put in prison so we might have to now write a testimonial to the State Court to advocate that they are good people and deserve to get their baby back. Wow. So much happens in such a little town! 

 My lungs hate me

Sunday: September 29th

Church was really awesome! I went up and bore my testimony on Helaman 3:34-35 which covers how we must be willing to humble ourselves, grow firmer in our faith in Christ, and yield our hearts unto God if we truly desire to receive His guidance and build a strong and sure foundation upon Christ. This foundation can and will last forever! So I invite you all to build upon your foundation in Christ and trust in His perfect plan for you :) Also at church they introduced a new children and youth program that focuses on strengthening young kid's faith in Christ and help them progress with their families to better face lifes challenges. I love how amazing the revelation from God is, He truly knows how to best direct His church and further His ways!

 "And no man knoweth of His ways save it be revealed unto him; wherefore, brethren, despise not the revelations of God."

We cannot know the plan God has in store for us unless we diligently seek to receive personal revelation for ourselves from God :) Simply, pray sincerely and ask Heavenly Father in faith for His guidance and you will receive it! For the rest of today we had dinner with some members and got to drive home through a glorious sunset. Dang, I love the Naturita Area! It may look like the forsaken desert land of Narnia but it for sure is the promised land!  And yes, Narnia is green I know... ;)

I love you all so much, and especially love getting all your emails! I'm free every week, well I dont know about next week.... wait... nevermind, I'm free for two years. Email me anytime ;)

Love,

Elder LaRose

P.O. Box 821

Nucla, Colorado 81424

EMAIL: keldon.larose@missionary.org