WEEK #83 - Colorado Weather Is...

 This week was the most crazy week weather wise in Colorado... I love it haha

Monday: February 15th

It was still really cold today (subzero)! Got roasted a bunch but that's alright ;) We met with the Allreds for a lesson and that was super awesome! We had a conversation about how understanding our Savior really is about what we go through. Our trials... our pains, worries, sorrow... He understands it all, and not only that, but He endured the exact same feelings. That's why His grace, His love, and His peace is  so fulfilling because it encompasses every aspect of our lives! Turn to Him for your needs, for He will always return to you. 

Sorry these are the only photos, but I made some spaghetti this week!

Tuesday: February 16th

The weather has finally gotten warmer. Now 30° feels like a sauna, haha! I had a really great personal study today that I'll share about in a Facebook post. 

Wednesday: February 17th

We called someone today and they actually just barely had been talking about us! Haha, I think it's pretty cool how God aligns things to happen like that. We taught Josh and his wife Lori about attending church with us this Sunday!! They were pretty excited and we are super happy that they are desiring to come. 

Thursday: February 18th

Airport again. We drove another missionary to the Denver airport, and thankfully it wasn't -9° this time! We taught a bunch of member lessons and were busy the whole day. 

Crossiant time!!! ;)

Friday: February 19th

Me and Elder Hawkes sat in our comfy chairs at the church from 9am-4pm straight! We trained the new missionaries and leaders but made it interactive since it was over zoom. Then we taught Cameron about baptism and he'll be praying for March 27th as his day! 

Saturday: February 20th

Happy 20th! I always love this time every single month! ;) We got to do some service for some shoveling mounds of dirt and leveling ground. It's been a while since we've been able to get out and serve so that was great. The weather was super nice, clear sunny skies, so we did our service in short sleeves. THEN, literally a few hours later we got a blizzard and 3 inches of snow! What?! A funny quote from someone is that "In Colorado, you can experience the four seasons in one day" haha :)

Sunday: February 21st

Great time at church today! We had three nonmembers show up in person to church, and we gave two of them tours of the building. It was so great! A member offered to make me and Elder Hawkes sandwiches so I asked for just a jelly sandwhich... and they roasted me! They said, "Does you mom know you're eating jelly sandwiches for dinner??" Haha, oh my goodness. Hey, I know I'm weird! Good thing I can repent and come closer to Christ :)

Funny quote of the week:

*Elder LaRose starts cooking eggs and waffles at the same time*

*Elder LaRose says, "Dang, I'm cooking like 400 things right now..."

*Elder Hawkes says, "You're cooking two things."

Enjoy the week!

Love,

Elder LaRose 

WEEK #82 - SubZero Denver

This week was COLD! But we got a lot done, so it was helpful to be inside our warm apartment all day long anyways :) I've been quarantined for almost 11 months.....

Monday: February 8th

Another good pday! We had a lesson with Brother Siler who shared a powerful testimony about how our Savior Jesus Christ has been able to help him change. And not only that, but help him FEEL forgiveness not only from God but from himself... a powerful principle I've been able to see reflected in my own life. 

Tuesday: February 9th

Amy came! Who's Amy? Only the best ever. She hemmed my suit pants of which I am super grateful for! She's a great family friend and one of my mom's BFFs and so they always talk about me cause she lives closest to where I am in Denver. So shoutout to Amy, she's amazing! #missionarymom

Amy!!! :)

Wednesday: February 10th

Today was CRAZY. We drove to the Denver airport to pick up 5 new missionaries. And nothing goes wrong at the airport, right?? Wrong. One missionary had their flight canceled, and another was wandering the airport lost for about a hour! We finally got everyone back and took them to their various areas. We had one of the new missionaries spend the night with us... oh my goodness. New missionaries are so innocent haha! It's so cool comparing who I was at the beginning of my mission to where I am now. So much has changed! And now I get to continue to progress with where I am now in order to become who Heavenly Father needs me to be :)

Elder Barnes and I at the Denver airport!

Thursday: February 11th

Transfer day... at 4am! We got everyone loaded on the bus in the morning headed off to Rifle and Grand Junction. Again, it was freezing in the morning... yay... :) We taught Cameron today about the Word of Wisdom which is really helpful health guidelines that we follow as members of the Church of Jesus Christ. He took it well! 

Drivin

Friday: February 12th

Crazy day! Denver got smacked with a super cold arctic front... we drove the departing missionaries to the Denver airport and we were walking in -9° weather!! Dang gina. This arctic cold was so bitter I had to switch hands with my luggage every few minutes or else my hand would freeze. I took my group all around the airport and got them through security. It was sad seeing another good group of missionaries go home. The one thing I learned today: Do not walk outside when it's -9° 

Out for a walk!

Saturday: February 13th

Met with Brother Littlefield over breakfast! He's basically the boss for our Mission President and we had a good conversation with him. Today me and Elder Hawkes made a lot of videos for Facebook! We are trying to contact people that live here in Denver and share messages with them about Jesus Christ. Everyone could use a little more of Him! 

Straight faced Valentines

My mom made us do this

Sunday: February 14th

Happy Valentines day!! A day for goofs for sure... :) My face was covered in hearts today and I made the traditional LaRose candy trail from my bedroom. You're welcome mom!! We went to church in -6° weather again... nice :) I can't believe how long this arctic cold has lasted over here in Denver. It was a good day though!

Candy trail...

I hope each of you enjoyed the week, and that you continue to press forward!

Love,

Elder LaRose 

keldon.larose@missionary.org

ADDRESS:
999 East Tufts Avenue
Cherry Hills Village, Colorado 80113

WEEK #81 - February Surprises

Another insane week. 

Monday: February 1st

Today was insane. We had a bunch of emergency transfers for the leadership in our mission and scrambled to get everything figured out. We drove to the airport to drop off another missionary, it was sad to see him go early! So....... I basically had no pday today! Yay... :) Also, happy February! I can't believe it. 

Tuesday: February 2nd

Woke up super early to get to MLC in Avon so we could setup the chairs and space them all 7 feet apart! And not just a guesstimate but we literally had a tape measure with us and measured it out. Better to be safe! :) MLC was great, we had a few new leaders because of the emergency transfers yesterday. It's crazy to think that I've been in the MLC for over a year now. 

I'm sorry I did horrible at taking pictures this week. But here is what most restaurants still look like in Rado!

Wednesday: February 3rd

It was 65° outside... how?! I'm literally in the middle of Colorado in February and I'm wearing a short sleeve. Sometimes Colorado winters are just different haha. Today we had a great talk with Josh about how to find answers to his prayers about the Book of Mormon being true! 

Thursday: February 4th

Today was packed. We had a meeting with the Zone, drove to an in person lesson, then sat down for 3 hours with President doing transfers for this upcoming one. Holy cow! It was definitely a busy busy day, but we were able to talk to a good amount of members. 

FUNNY STORY:

So... this is a classic Elder LaRose story... I needed a charger for my phone but we were at the church. So me and Elder Hawkes drove back to our apartment to make sure my phone wouldn't die and we finally got there. I walked inside, looked around the room, looked at Elder Hawkes and asked, "Wait, why did we come here again?" *Slaps forehead...* Then Elder Hawkes reminded my that my charger was on my desk and we continued on with my forgetful self... I forget so many things! The worst of which is my pen. I lose my pen ALL THE TIME! I can't some days haha :)

Friday: February 5th

Taught Cameron again about the importance of attending church, which for me is always a good experience! He may be able to get work off to come. I've finally been able to get most of the roads down here in Denver... it only took 3 transfers (18 weeks) of driving around to finally get it! 

Saturday: February 6th

FUNNY STORY:

So I finally decided that I would break out of my shell and bake some cookies! Granted all I did was place the pre-made squares onto a sheet and put it in the oven... :) But hey! I did it. We went to drop these cookies off at a members home we knew so we knocked on the door and out walked this random guy. Apparently it was the wrong house!! Awkward.... so we just gave the man the plate of cookies anyways and wished him a good day, haha. That must've been a fun surprise for him! Two random missionaries showing up at his door with cookies... oh what a mission I've had so far!

Sunday: February 7th

Happy fast Sunday! Today is the day we as members usually fast for a period of 24 hours or for 2 meals and pray specifically for desired blessings we or others need in our lives. It's really cool to see that as we give up our physical wants we can plead God to help us with our spiritual needs! 

Thank you all for sticking with me these past 18 months! I hope you all enjoy the crazy roller coaster my mission has been, and have enjoyed your own life's adventure each day. Trust in the Lord! 

Love, 

Elder LaRose 

keldon.larose@missionary.org

ADDRESS:
999 East Tufts Avenue
Cherry Hills Village, Colorado 80113

WEEK #80 - Old... and New Companions!

Exchange week for Denver side!

Monday: January 25th

We finally got back home from exchanges out west which was really fun! I learned alot and hopefully helped a bunch of other missionaries. Today I felt a lot of peace. That was really special for me. I often seek these moments because they are not only few and far between, but can become great moments to turn to our Savior. He is the source of all peace! 

President and Sister Rees!

Tuesday: January 26th

Exchanges today was with Columbine, and I went to the Belleview YSA with Elder Stones! We taught a bunch of good lessons and got along well. A hard workin day!

Wednesday: January 27th

Virtual exchanges with Highlands Ranch was different but we made the best of it! We had a great discussion with those Elders, one of which is returning back to his original mission in Chile... dang Gina! 

Thursday: January 28th

Exchanges with Elder Malm (my past companion) was so fun!! I love that Elder... we had too good of a day. We drove to the border of the Colorado Denver North Mission to drop off a Croation Book of Mormon to someone there. That was fun standing on the border! 

16 ounce steak dinner!

Friday: January 29th

Zone Conference today was great, we focused on how we can better work with others around us to feel the Spirit as we teach them the Gospel. It's so amazing to think that any heart can be softened as we open ourselves up to Christ, even our own!

Saturday: January 30th

Lots of meetings today. :)

Sunday: January 31st

Christa came to church again! It was great seeing her and all the ward members again. I love the peace of the sacrament – the symbols of Christ's love, sacrifice, and Atonement for us all! We talked with Jay again, who has really been receptive to sincerely studying and praying about the Book of Mormon, because it truly testifies of our Savior Jesus Christ! 

Love you all, I hope the weeks continue to fly by for you!

Love,

Elder LaRose

keldon.larose@missionary.org

ADDRESS:
999 East Tufts Avenue
Cherry Hills Village, Colorado 80113