NEW BLOG

I started a new blog for Zach.  His blog address will be: 

http://elderzacharyroque.blogspot.com/

I thought it was time to have a blog dedicated just to his mission experiences, and that would allow me to use our family blog to keep everyone updated on the rest of the clan.  I will still have his addresses and pictures on our family blog, (with the link address to the new blog).

With Zach nearing his year mark, his letters are more inspirational than ever, and I wanted a venue just for that information.  I hope those of you that visit our family blog for information on Zach will enjoy the new one.

Thanks,

Lari

New Area

I am now in Bayonne. I have really seemed to have come into my own and am now teaching more powerfully than I ever have. It is amazing when you prepare and are obedient, how well the spirit works through you.  My new companion is Elder Brasga, we served in the MTC together.


I do like Bayonne. It is another walking area; keepin the weight off. The branch we serve is very smal, we average 20 people at church each week. Even though it is small I know with the Lord's help it will grow tremendously.

We are teaching a lot of teenagers and I have been pretty bold in calling them to repentance, but it is exactly what they need. Elder Brasga and I have been working our tails off. Yesterday I taught about 18 teenagers at the park.  I taught them the whole restoration and the whole plan of salvation. We are going back tonight to teach them again.  We get to go to the temple next month!!!!!!! I love the temple.  It is such a blessing in our lives.  I love You all And you are always in my prayers.

Mother's Day

Mother's Day was wonderful.  Ivan did his homework, and helped the kids with a present for me. I received a Barnes and Noble "NOOK" e-reader.  So cool!  I know that it probably annoys my family when I fall into a book and read non-stop, but I truly LOVE to read. One problem; my aging eyes cause me to make some rather unflattering faces when trying to read the rather tiny print in many books.  This in turn causes loud laughter, and what can unequivocally be termed "evil speaking" directed at my rather funny faces. I suppose I should be thankful that I make them laugh.  At any rate, the nook allows me to increase the size of the font of any book that I download, so, I hoping that loud laughter will be a thing of the past.  (At least at my expense!)

I do have to say though that the icing on the cake was speaking with Zach on the phone. It's amazing to hear the change in his voice.  He is truly enjoying his time in New Jersey,and loves those he has been called to serve.  He has grown both spiritually and temporally.  The mission experience has given him the opportunity to view the world through truly unselfish eyes.  This time has been set aside to serve the Lord and those in the communities he labors in.

I know that these two years, although a sacrifice when it comes to education and other desires; will prepare Zach more effectively than if he had chosen not to serve.  The experiences he is having now cannot be replicated at any other time in his life.  The joy in his voice when he shared recent experiences warmed my heart.

Zach was transferred the Wednesday following Mother's Day to a new city called Bayonne. It looks like it is just across the water from Newark.  He is still in a walking area, and has lost about 20 pounds. I am thinking that he possibly might lose more weight as the summer is upon the Jersey Shore.  Zach says it is hot, hot, hot and very sticky.  So, from extreme cold to extreme humid heat. GOOD TIMES!

Amazing experiences

This past month has been really good. We have had some amazing experiences.  Alexandria Garner recently was baptized, following in her mother and Savior's footsteps.  She told us it was the happiest day of her life.  It is wonderful to see what happiness following Christ can bring into someone's life.

Recently, on our way home, Elder Stettler and I were stopped by a young man in his 20's.  He was speaking to me in Spanish and I really didn't know what he was trying to say to me.  So, I said a prayer with him in English, asking for guidance and help so that I could communicate.  After the prayer, the young man began speaking in Spanish again, and I'll still didn't know what he was saying.  When he finished I began to respond to him.  As I did, I realized that I was speaking Spanish!  I had no idea what I was saying, but it seemed to touch him and brought tears to his eyes.  I finished speaking and he started speaking to me again in Spanish.  Once again, I had no idea what he was saying.  But, at the end I understood one sentence.  "Because of you brother I want to be a better person and stop drinking."  AMAZING!  I couldn't tell you what was spoken, but I know through the Spirit I was able to communicate with him and hopefully help.  I saw a miracle at work through me.  The Lord uses us all to answer prayers of others.  (I guess the 2 years of Spanish I took was worth it...)  I feel so close to the Lord and I have learned so much and continue to learn every day.


This week was AMAZING! we had a chance to have Elder Kevin W. Pearson of the seventy speak to us at zone conference. The spirit was felt so strongly. We talked about having a change of heart and truly becoming diciples of Christ. It is amazing how smoothly the work goes when your emersed in the Spirit. Elder Stettler and I have been truly focusing on being dedicated to the work. No talk about anything other than the gospel of Jesus Christ. It has been a blessing to be obedient; although it is difficult, the price is worth the reward. We have truly been tools in the Lord's hands. Its amazing to see that the things we promise investigators and members are happening. We find power in stating that we ARE disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ and the message we share changes lives.