WEEK #75 - 2020's Merry Christmas!

 Merry Christmas to all reading this!! If you've made it this far with following my mission, then congrats for you :)

Monday: December 21st

Lots of good gifts given today! We had a great lesson with this lady named Madison, who we're now teaching. She is trying to understand  the Bible, and so we've been teaching the Gospel of Christ using scriptures from there. It's so amazing how powerful the scriptures are, and that by studying, pondering, AND applying it we can come closer to our Savior Jesus Christ! 

Heck ya. I can make breakfast. 

Tuesday: December 22nd

Me and Elder Hawkes gave a training to the whole mission talking about extending the baptismal invitation. It was fun studying all over the place pulling in scripture and PMG  references to help missionaries get over their fears and start exercising faith in Jesus Christ! Amy and Bode drove up again, and she hemmed my suit pants for me since I have no flippin clue whatsoever how to sew anything, haha! I'll learn how to do it... hopefully :)

A new suit and scarf :)

Wednesday: December 23rd

It's Christmas Adam you could say haha. Today we got to study the transfer board for this upcoming change, and it was really cool receiving revelation for which missionaries should go where! This upcoming transfer will be a fun one for sure. This'll be the 3rd transfer I'll be with Elder Hawkes, he is absolutely hilarious and the days have flown by! We started teaching someone named Josh from... Facebook! It's so amazing to be able to use social media to help others truly come closer to our Savior Jesus Christ!

Thursday: December 24th

Christmas Eve! Today we made so many cookies... like, ALOT. We drove all around Denver dropping them off to members and people we're teaching. What a great way to spend Christmas Eve! Especially when I get new pajamas haha. 

Cards for all our members!

Christmas socks and PJs!

Friday: December 25th

Merry Christmas!! Today did NOT feel like a wintery white Christmas that I'm used to. It was literally 60° outside in Denver... there was barely any snow on the ground! We opened presents from loved ones and family under our tiny little Christmas tree... I got a scarf! I've never worn one in my life so I'm going to have to figure out how to tie this thing, haha. We got together with a couple other missionaries, called the fam, and had a mission wide zoom devotional. Overall it was a good day! 

O Tanen Baum, O tanen baum!

Saturday: December 26th

We talked with Jay Johnson, and he said a super powerful prayer, praying for a spark of truth in his life. I know that Heavenly Father answers sincere prayers in His own timing, but that He truly loves each of us! I've come to know this through continual trial and error, and through experiences that teach me of reliance upon Him. 

Sunday: December 27th

Today was the last sunday Orchard Ward sacrament meeting in the year 2020! I'm pretty sure everyone just wants 2020 to be over with haha. Well 2021 may not be all that different, we just need to change our mindsets and that is what truly makes each day and year great! 

FUNNY STORY:

So in our apartment complex we live on the 4th floor and have this trash chute where we throw all of our trash. Well... since we got so many boxes from Christmas me and Elder Hawkes decided to throw them away, simple right? Well, we may or may not of clogged a 30ft trash chute with all our stuff... haha! Oh my goodness, we were trying to get everything to go down but a box got caught mid way and now everything is clogged. What a way to finish the night, haha! Us goofs. 

I hope you all enjoyed your Christmas! Have a Happy New Year and best of luck in whatever you're doing that's good. 

Love,

Elder LaRose 

keldon.larose@missionary.org

Here is my new address:
999 East Tufts Avenue
Cherry Hills Village, Colorado 80113

WEEK #74 - Denver Car Keys... in Utah...

 Another week gone by, it was surely a crazy one! 

Monday: December 14th

AWEsome day today, haha. I haven't said that in a while! Today was great talking to the family. We got a lot of good things done!

Tuesday: December 15th

Today was virtual exchanges with Craig. Crazy how we can talk with missionaries who live so many miles away, technology can be a pain but also a huge blessing! We called a TON of people today, sometimes I feel like a telemarketer but other times we get to make super cool connections with all the people here in Colorado. The message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ is definitely worth sounding in every ear, families truly can be together forever, and lives truly can change through sincere repentance. This is what I teach, and I'm so blessed to have come to know it's true value in my own life. Feel free to email me if you have any questions about how you can receive lasting peace in this life, and in the life to come!

An amazing drawing of our Savior Jesus Christ! 

Wednesday: December 16th

Our last virtual exchange with Littleton, my own Zone. We taught this great man named Aurelio who was so grateful for the knowledge of the Plan of Salvation! Meaning, that God truly has an individual and specific plan for each of us. He knows us each by name, for we are His children. But with our Father in Heaven we can be guaranteed that He won't forget our names despite how my dad would always mix up me and my siblings names, haha! Hey, I still love you Dad! :)

Thursday: December 17th

Today was today person Zone Conference where we got together with a bunch of missionaries all socially distanced with masks on... yay! Who wouldn't thought that we get to live in a time as this? A worldwide, global pandemic... something this world has never seen before, and we have the blessing of navigating our lives to more fully follow our Savior Jesus Christ in these times. 

My district!

Friday: December 18th

CRAZY STORY:

Today was WEIRD. I got to drive home the next group of missionaries to the Denver airport today and the crazy thing is – this was the group of Sisters that came out with me at the beginning of my mission! Now it's just me. All alone. Just kidding, haha that would be illegal I have my companion Elder Hawkes ;) It was a packed day trying to figure out transfers. We even had a missionary FLY HOME that had forgotten he had the keys to one of the mission cars with him in his pocket!! We were scared to tell President that the keys to one of the Denver cars was all the way in Utah, haha! Luckily we got it figured out haha. 

Hashtag Van Life

Departing Missionaries!

Saturday: December 19th

We had a bunch of good lessons and meetings today. We even got to meet Brother Whitney over zoom! We've had just phone calls the past 7 lessons so it's nice to actually "see" people haha. 

A classic LaRose mom meal for breakfast...

Sunday: December 20th

Happy 20th!!! I flippin love this day :) I can't believe how much time has flown! Today we got to attend a special Christmas service at our church! It was all focused on Luke chapter 2 and our wonderful Savior's birth. What a great day to reflect upon the love that God has for each of us through His Son Jesus Christ... we got to talk with Jay and he agreed to prepare to be baptized on January 23rd! He truly has changed his heart, and is excited to finally have that peace that he desires in his life. Good day!

I hope you all enjoy this week, and MERRY CHRISTMAS! Enjoy the season and know that Heavenly Father loves you very much. I love you all too!

Love,

Elder LaRose 

keldon.larose@missionary.org

Here is my new address:
999 East Tufts Avenue
Cherry Hills Village, Colorado 80113

WEEK #73 - Winterized

 Another week down! I'm so glad to have the opportunity to serve so many others, and teach them about Jesus Christ. Annnnnd.... we got snow! Time to winterize my life. 

Monday: December 7th

Today was fun! I love planning :) It's always so interesting, because I've learned that no matter how many good plans and goals we set, Heavenly Father just decks them all... lovingly though, of course. We at times need to trust that our plans are not aligned with what He wants, therefore furthering our trust and faith in Him. That's what He truly wants. He truly wants disciples that follow His covenant path, not blindly because of strict obedience, but out of genuine love and desire to choose what truly is right. Good stuff!

This is the new normal we live in... 

Tuesday: December 8th

We were training today on stress management.... yay! I got roasted by the Spirit telling me that I needed to organize my desk, haha! :) I'm sorry, I just have so many notecards strewn everywhere... it was a great day, we even had virtual exchanges with the Rifle Elders. 

Wednesday: December 9th

Today we went on virtual exchanges with Grand Junction, back to Lands End! I love that area. I even got to teach my good friend Carol as she continues to read in the Book of Mormon! Funny enough, I taught her for over 7 months, twice in person and the rest over the phone... and now she has zoom! It was a blessing haha. 

Thursday: December 10th

Today we sadly had to pick up Elder Mu from the airport. He's the Samoan who was going home, but now the flight got canceled and he's back here in Denver with 32 months on his mission... Holy cow! It was a little sad to hear him say, "Hey guys..." when he saw us, but the Lord will provide compensating blessings to the sacrifices we have to make. I know that to be true because I've seen His hand in my own life. You are not excluded from this clause. Heavenly Father loves you and wants you to receive joy throughout your life... just time and trust.

Friday: December 11th

We got tons of SNOW today, it was so cold... Denver winter is coming up fast! We also got to virtually exchange with my last companion Elder Malm from Montrose! I taught Angela again, who is so hilarious. She was glad to see me again. She roasted me and my virtual companion Elder Stott for being too skinny and that we needed to fatten up, haha! Hey... I'm not that skinny! Maybe... alright. I'm working on it okay, I eat at least two bowls of cereal ;)

Really cool snow picture!

Saturday: December 12th

Lots of meetings with President but we got to teach a new friend named Cameron! We taught about what Jesus Christ did in the Bible and how it applies today. There is so much confusing out there, so why not learn about how we can receive answers from God, the source of all truth? It's a fun and patient process!

Sunday: December 13th

Today it was so cold! I haven't been this cold in a long time... welcome back Colorado winter! Today we watched Stake Conference, meaning a bunch of good local speakers came and talked about faith in Jesus Christ. It was all virtual of course. We then taught Jay about the importance of having a Savior in Heavenly Father's plan, it was a powerful lesson! Nothing is more important than coming to understand the role Jesus Christ played in each of our lives. Please pray for Jay to feel a spark of truth as he continues to pray and read from the Book of Mormon!

I hope your holidays are going well! I miss you all and wish you a merry Christmas!

Love,

Elder LaRose 

keldon.larose@missionary.org

Here is my new address:
999 East Tufts Avenue
Cherry Hills Village, Colorado 80113

WEEK #72 - Remember December

 Another intense week, with much to learn!

Monday: November 30th

Today we got to teach a few people in the evening after the classic shopping at Walmart! Pday is just an amazing day, haha :)

Avon snow selfie...

Tuesday: December 1st

We had MLC bright and early in the morning! The roads were all snowed over but we got to drive with a heavy truck so it was pretty safe. There were so many people who crashed, it was insane! But thankfully the roads weren't too dangerous, just definitely don't forget to pray for safety before you drive. MLC was intense, we covered a lot of ground and me and Elder Hawkes trained all the ZLs and STLs. 

The roads of Vail Pass!

Wednesday: December 2nd

Today we had virtual exchanges... back at it again! The state of Colorado has a new rule where only one household can get together. So what does that mean for me? That means me and my companion get to be in our apartment all day long! :) Holy cow, this whole Covid pandemic has really changed alot of things... I am so thankful that at least I'm in control of one thing – my attitude. I love serving the Lord, and I'll forever serve Him in His way, even if that means staying in my apartment like I have been for the past 8 months. The Lord will assuredly provide compensating blessings :)

Thursday: December 3rd

Another virtual exchange! This time with Columbine. We had a powerful lesson with Melissa, helping her resolve more concerns but she's still facing alot of opposition from people who should really be supporting her decision to come closer to Jesus Christ. 

President and Sister Rees, with us

Friday: December 4th

Another virtual exchange with Front Range! We made some good plans and President Rees got the whole mission excited talking about Vision 100. Meaning, we have a Vision of helping 100 people make more promises with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ all in the same month! 

President and Sister Rees!

Saturday: December 5th

Today we had lots of meetings and contacts in, but luckily me and Elder Hawkes realized that we had only spent 27 hours in our apartment straight... holy cow!! This quarantine missionary life sure is crazy, but I love it. At least I should say, I've come to learn how to love it haha :) Keep your spirits up! The Lord is on our side <3

 Yep. I made Mango Chicken!! 

Sunday: December 6th

Today we had a really powerful lesson with Jay about how God is our loving Heavenly Father and how He wants us to feel forgiveness through repentance. The Spirit was so calming and present as we discussed the basic and core values of a belief in God. I know my Heavenly Father is a loving God, who doesn't have a hovering gavel over us to condemn us with every mistake we make, but He has an outstretched arm... waiting, and ever so willing to receive us back into His merciful arms. I love my Savior!

Fear thou not. God is with us. 

Love,

Elder LaRose 

keldon.larose@missionary.org

Here is my new address:
999 East Tufts Avenue
Cherry Hills Village, Colorado 80113