WEEK #62 - The Return to Rita...

 You WON'T believe what happened this week!

Monday: September 21st

Today was just sooooooo AWEsome! So many things gone well, ya goof. We got to drive to... Ridgway!!! Me and Elder Malm decided and prayed about how to best help the Naturita Elders who were struggling a bit. And so our conclusion was to go on a special exchange with them! I got to go with Elder Angelo.... BACK to Naturita!!! Driving back that night brought so many memories, we got home super late but seeing the beautiful night stars and the Trailer again (just as beautiful;) was SO awesome!

Naturita selfie!!

Elder Angelo is a STUD

Tuesday: September 22nd

Waking up in the Naturita trailer was the BEST sleep I've ever had.... it was SO good, haha! We called and talked to alot of people I knew from when I served here back in January. Almost everyone answered and we setup 15 return lessons with people here!! We had an in person lesson with Roberta, and she is SO awesome. It was so weird being at her house again, teaching lessons with her again, and feeling the wonderful spirit that she has. Roberta has the kindest of hearts, and is so strong in the Gospel it's amazing seeing how much peace it's brought into her life. Keep being a Stud!

Oh my... it's, the Trailer! <3

Teaching with Roberta!

Wednesday: September 23rd

This morning I actually also got to say goodbye to Candelera, Roberta's daughter! Me, Elder Garstin, and Elder Hibbets got pretty close with her and her family. Driving out of Naturita was sad, but I hope I was able to help a lot of people in the time I got to spend back in RITA! :) Me and Elder Malm taught some lessons then exchanged with Mt. Sneffels Elders. I got Elder Mendoza who is new, but absolutely hilarious, haha! 

 Classic Naturita squad (when we all had pink eye)

 A classic Rita meal :)

Thursday: September 24th

Elder Mendoza and I worked hard today! We taught 3 lessons and he asked a lot of questions. I've always admired new missionaries who are willing to learn! We taught Angela again over video chat, isn't technology so unique? Before COVID I don't think I taught even one video chat lesson, or even a phone call lesson haha! The work of the Lord never stops moving forward. 

Friday: September 25th

Virtual Zone Conference was amazing. Elder Ringwood of the 70 came and gave this great talk on our purpose as missionaries. Our purpose is simply to focus on Jesus Christ and bring others closer to Him. What greater cause need we march for? I know that our Savior Jesus Christ is in the details of your life. You reading this have such great potential, and He is going to be there every step to help you discover it! 

Saturday: September 26th

Today our schedule was packed tighter than a stadium at a BYU vs Utes home game! I got to speak with Megan and Staci again, my cousin and aunt, and help them continue to understand the Book of Mormon! I love how we can just sit down and talk. Just talk about what the Book of Mormon brings to the table, and how we can apply the Savior's teachings into our own life!

Sunday: September 27th

Sherril came to church!! Ahh!! Yay :) We had a great lesson after with her, even Angela joined too! It was so awesome seeing her teach the very Gospel to others that she herself has come to know is true. So AWEsome! :) 

Enjoy the week, learn something new, be teachable, and keep pressing forward!!

Love, 

Elder LaRose

keldon.larose@missionary.org

NEW ADDRESS:

1107 South Cascade Apt. 16

Montrose, Colorado 81401

WEEK #61 - Sloppy Joe's With Some... Extras...

 Great week! Lots of fun stuff :)

There IS peace in Christ <3

Monday: September 14th

Shoppin round Walmart as always... :) I've been getting better at buying the necessities such as cereal, milk, pretzels, and cereal! It's such a great diet, you should all try it, haha! ;) Goofs... I had my interview with President which was fun! 

Tuesday: September 15th

Had a great all mission meeting, we get a lot of training on how to help members! I've always enjoyed working with them because they have the Gospel in their life, and what better way than to help them share it! We also got to drive out to the middle of nowhere to have lunch with a member. Colorado is so beautiful! 

Great sunset

Wednesday: September 16th

Today was exchanges with the APs! I got to go with Elder Stoddard who was actually my compaion before for a week last November 2019! We taught a ton of lessons together, it was so great. We ate Crashburger with all four of us, it was so much fun. The Spirit was definitely strong today, we got a lot of good work done! 

 Exchanges with the APs!

Thursday: September 17th

Today we had exchanges in Delta and I stayed there with Elder Earl! If was so fun being in a different area. We talked with a lot of members and... DISGUSTING STORY:

We were having dinner at this one member's home and they had no chairs! So we sat in this baby swingset and it was such a tight fit for me it totally killed my whole left leg. It was straight numb, haha! Then, we ate sloppy Joe's and of course MY sandwhich was the ONLY one to have, not one... but TWO FAT hairs in my sandwhich as I took a bite.... I'm glad my childhood foods trained me for this moment, haha! ;) It was a great exchange nonetheless...

Humming bird mid-air!

Friday: September 18th

Today we taught someone about coming to church and they said sarcastically, "If it happens it happens that's the best we got for you." Oh my goodness... I don't get why people aren't straight up sometimes, just tell us no haha. It's alright though, we're still teaching him about what the Savior can help him with in his life! I know sometimes us as missionaries ask people to do hard things, but when they can actually feel the genuine love we have for them and our desire for them to progress, the Spirit can come in quietly and strongly to testify these things are true. 

Saturday: September 19th

Did lots of service today. Met as a Facebook Council and had a few lessons with members!

Our room!

Sunday: September 20th

Got to go to church with the Black Canyon ward, they finally raised the limit to 99 people. Before we had to leave if it exceeded 50! I always love the Sabbath day cause it seems like I can more fully remember my Savior as I dedicate that day to Him. We taught Angela again, she's such a stud haha! Still so funny how I followed her down to Montrose. 

Please have a great week, stay safe, and for heavens sake wear your mask. ;)

Love,

Elder LaRose 

keldon.larose@missionary.org

NEW ADDRESS:

1107 South Cascade Apt. 16

Montrose, Colorado 81401

WEEK #60 - Krazy Kevin

 Another week rollin by!

Monday: September 7th

Empathy is a really cool to develop. I've been learning and experiencing about it alot recently! We need empathy in order to tap into the understanding power of our Savior's Atonement. We won't ever be able to fully understand one another's pain and trials... but He does... so let Him guide you together! :) Today Elder Malm went fishin, I didn't have a pole but it was a great day. 

Elder Malms GIANT fish!

Tuesday: September 8th

Today I was on in person exchanges with Elder Gerber! It was so fun actually being with another Elder. We haven't had exchanges since February! We were able to teach two lessons to members which was great. It was so cold when we went on our walk. We heard in Denver that yesterday it was 95 degrees and then today it was snowing... wow, thanks Colorado! Learned a lot from the exchange, I'm glad they're back. 

Wednesday: September 9th

Me and Elder Malm had a great time with some Facebook meetings. We met our WML to coordinate some plans for the Black Canyon ward. It's so awesome working and being on the same page as members!

Elder Malm!

Thursday: September 10th

Another exchange! I was with Elder Robinson here in Black Canyon, he's been out for 2 weeks. I remember when I was that young... ;) We worked hard and got to teach Angela again which was AWEsome! I then ate some cereal for a late night snack at 10:15pm.... I love how that's supposed to be "super late" on the mission, haha! Good day. 

Friday: September 11th

CRAZY STORY:

We met a man named Kevin. Krazy Kevin... he started talking to us as we were walking and took Elder Malms New Testament out of his hand. He then proceeds to bash us about reading the scriptures and how foolish we were for thinking they brought us eternal life. We testified that it was only our Savior Jesus Christ who could do so, and then he prayed over us by touching our shoulders with only four fingers while yelling, LORD GOD THANK YOU! It was quite the experience... I haven't been this unnerved in a while, haha! Me and Elder Malm got out of there real quick. There's krazy Kevin for you! What a day. 

Saturday: September 12th

Happy Birthday Londyn Loo!!!! I can't believe you're a legal adult now... haha! I hope your day goes well traveling around in MAINE! Maine is so AWEsome... ya goof! Hope you enjoy the day, Love you Sis :) 

Another one...

We got to do some more service today! It's always great to serve others, and we can do it in multiple ways. Christ served others throughout His entire life, and He did it out of sincere love. There was no reward, no expectations... and that's something we should all strive to develop! As we come closer to our Savior, we realize that this life is not about us. It never was. It's about turning outwards, away from the natural man (Mosiah 3:19) and returning to become more like our Savior... humble, loving, generous, understanding... ALL things we must keep working on each day! I can promise you, that as you come to understand how to follow Him each day in your life, you'll realize there are many people placed onto YOUR path for you to help along. They really need your help, just as much as you need His <3

Outside my apartment!

Sunday: September 13th

Sherril came to church! That was a surprise, but the ward was so happy to see her. Also, lesson learned: NEVER ever let Elder LaRose cook your chicken for you because it may or may not actually turn out to be slightly burned...... just some food for thought ;) We finished the night with a bunch of phone calls!

I've learned a lot this week, and I hope you have too. See you again later, keep loving and keep working hard!

Love,

Elder LaRose 

keldon.larose@missionary.org

NEW ADDRESS:

1107 South Cascade Apt. 16

Montrose, Colorado 81401

 

 

WEEK #59 - Black Canyon Life!

 Another close of the week! I'm loving it over here in Black Canyon. I'm excited for what's to come, feel free to email me anytime. 

Rivaa!

Monday: August 31st

AWEsome day today! ;) We went on a fun District hike to Cimarron with this cool river.

Cimarron Hike!

 I then got to go shop at my old Walmart! When I was in Naturita we would come to Montrose to shop... and now I live here! Overall a good day, I love the people and the Zone over here in Montrose! Such goofs, ammirite? 

Montrose 1 District 

Tuesday: September 1st

We woke up extremely early to drive 3 HOURS to MLC! Woohoo!!! I absolutely LOVE long drives ;) The drive was crazy in Rifle. The whole left side of the highway was completely burnt while the right side was still all green trees. It's so sad seeing how much destruction these caused. MLC was intense, we discussed a lot of new things, and can now do in person exchanges again! I'm super excited for this next month to come. :) Also, happy September!

Wednesday: September 2nd

We got to pull some weeds in the morning, it was good to be out helping others. I got to have another lesson with my aunt Staci and cousin Megan! They are both just so cool to teach, and I love seeing them learn more about this Gospel that I've come to know and love too. 

Service day!

Thursday: September 3rd

Today we had in person combined District council with the whole Zone! It was crazy seeing everyone actually there. We trained on the September plan and then covered our personal conversion to Jesus Christ. I cannot overemphasize the importance of finding our own path to conversion. We need to follow Him, we need to leave our nets behind, not only leave them but CAST them aside. The Savior may direct us in which way to cast our temporal nets here in this life, but His invitation is to leave our nets and follow Him... forever. To become His disciples, forever. To become converted to His Gospel and the Father's will, forever. For in doing so brings eternal life, and we will Choose Joy! (John 21:6, Matthew 4:19-20)

Friday: September 4th

Had an AWEsome leadership training, then got to teach lessons to Marilyn and Sherril. We have plans on helping them come to church, which will be a great opportunity for them to partake of the sacrament! I love how such simple symbols of our Savior have such powerful meanings behind them. 

Saturday: September 5th

We had a couple good Facebook meetings. I got to see Elder Samojla again on Zoom, he's so hilarious. He roasted me for being late to the meeting, and we laughed about old times ;) I still can't believe I'm not his companion anymore sadly, but such is life. I'll be excited to meet up with him and others after the mission! ;)

Sometimes, life is like a red flower... it's beautiful. 

Sunday: September 6th

We met with our Stake President and made some really good plans for September! Angela came to church today too, it's so funny that she moved down to Montrose out of Lands End only for me to be transferred to the EXACT ward that she's in! She was beyond excited. I'm so proud of her, she's been such a great influence on my testimony as I've seen her overcome nearly impossible challenges through relying on her Savior. And I know that YOU reading this email can get through your current trials as you come to recognize and plead for the Savior's enabling power from His Atonement! 

Enjoy the week, work hard and love hard!

Love,

Elder LaRose

keldon.larose@missionary.org

NEW ADDRESS:

1107 South Cascade Apt. 16

Montrose, Colorado 81401