Three is a Party

As a missionary coming to the end of his mission does, I'm doing a little thinking about the nature of time. I hear from the wise the importance of cherishing the small moments. I am told by so many, 'Time moves so fast.'

We are taught in the scriptures time according to our Heavenly Father. 1,000 years on Earth is equivalent to a single day in the Lord's time. The average human life is a mere forty-five minutes to our prior home. Many of us are blessed with the knowledge of the life before Earth. Perhaps we have existed there for thousands of millenia according to our mortal time. There would be little wonder then why it seems time in this earthly experience seems so short.

I celebrated my birthday this past week. Turning twenty-one is not as exciting when you can't have any alcohol! You know you're a Mormon when you say, "Hold my Coke and watch this', or perhaps when the punch at the party is spiked with Mountain Dew. Instead of drinking legally for the first time I decided to serve at a soup kitchen. I remember being thanked by a member of the volunteer crew that night. I said, "There isn't anything else I'd rather be doing right now." It struck me how truthful I felt my response was. The Spirit washed over me in that instant and I felt a particularly powerful happiness from an experience that occured in half a moment.

Posing in front of amazing Christmas lights in Pratt

Because it's tradition

Playing with the photoshoot gift

Around the middle of the week I have occasion to be on an exchange with Elder Herbine, one of our zone leaders. Elder Herbine and I have some interesting proselyting experiences in our time together. First, we knock the door of a woman that tells us she is not the least bit interested until she discovers we are not Jehovah's Witnesses. This woman is running a daycare inside her home. From inside we hear a young girl speaking strings of profanities. Elder Herbine and I get a real laugh from the woman's story about this toddler-age girl in her care who learns these terrible words from her parents but does not understood why they are bad. This young child inadvertently teaches her peers resulting in a daycare full of chaotic vocabulary. *In the sweetest little girl voice* "Can I sit in the d--n chair?" and a response to the barking hounds, "Shut the h--- up!" Oh the innocence of children. Second, we contact a potential investigator that happens to be working on their dragster engine. I've never experienced something so loud. The candid video does no justice to the crippling din.

In preparation for the baptism of Kim Brown, the three of us are configuring a baptismal program at the Valley Center Library. Something special about this library is they have a live mascot named Pages. Pages is a jet black tabby cat. This feline is packing more of a belly than my pet Yorkie.

Kim's baptism follows Saturday. We have a great turn out, the talks are wonderful, the Spirit is there. Poor Kim has to be baptized not once, not twice, but FIVE times! Elder Miller just couldn't quite get her all the way under the water. The crowd applauded when Kim came out of the water after being fully immersed. This deters Kim not at all. Though I've not known her long, I've never seen Kim so happy. She graced me with the privilage of confirming her the following day in sacrament meeting.

Monday night my companions and I are knocking some doors and we hear loud music and lots of lights. Like moths to a flame we flock to the commotion and stumble upon this scene.

We are the only white people there and nobody seems to speak any English. Watching the dance is real fun though!

Twilight Town

I am so sad to leave Wamego! Goodbye Oz.. My companion and I are sure to go through Wamego's Oz Museum before we leave.

The transfer day is crazy. The situation is complicated. Elder Miller is training Elder Horton and I'm in the companionship, making three of us. So my companions are in training meetings as mandated in every case of training on transfer day. I have the pleasure of hanging out with Elder West who is leaving for home, and Elder Fluckiger the new assistant vehicle coordinator. We help the housing coordinators and make sure we snag another bed for Elder Miller.

Valley Center is a neat place. I've affectionately termed this land 'Twilight Town' because I have entered the twilight of my mission. The usual spot (where I live) is very different and quite small. It looks even smaller with three men sharing the place. It is a duplex we share with a middle-aged less active woman that comes to church every onve in a while. Unfortunately I have not met her yet. My wonderful family sends a package to the incorrect address I provide them. A hilarious wild chase ensues. In the end the package is obtained.

The three of us have a great blessing of teaching Kim Brown. Kim has been looking forward to her baptism for several weeks. A date and time is set for the ordinance. It will be this Saturday, the ninth. Mille, Horton and I are so very excited for Kim.

Friday and Saturday the Wichita stake sets up a massive event called The Pageant. In the church gym there are rows and rows of tables packed with nativity scenes. There is a room with many pictures depicting the life of Christ. Live music is softly playing in the chapel where the music is heard from the gym. The atmosphere is wonderful. We have the occasion of bringing our less active friend Victor. The companions and I did not find anyone there to teach right off the bat. I know this community event has touched many hearts and planted many seeds.

Sunday is a great day. I relish every moment of my final fast and testimony meeting. Kim enjoys the meeting. Elder Miller and I sit with her while Elder Horton sits with Donovan. Donovan is fourteen years and he has consistently come to mutual with the bishop's children and he loves it. We invite him to sacrament several days prior and play some basketball with him. The kid is a great ball player. Donovan loves church and we hope to be teaching him the first lesson this week, at least.

The highlight of this week is the Christmas Devotional. Elder Kevin R. Duncan's experiences he spoke of really touch my heart as I listen intently to how his faith and determination builds his life from tragedy enjoying many blessings. How great is our Father on Heaven! He loves all of us so much.

Thank you to all those who have wished me a happy birthday! It is wonderful to have so many emails in my inbox so close to my return. I love you squad. Thanks for your support and love.

The Sun Sets...

To begin I announce to you transfers has claimed me victim. I will no longer be serving the ward of Wamego. Instead my future lies in the northern reaches of Wichita, in the ward of Valley Center. As bummed as I am to leave Wamego, this is exciting news. I’ve heard great things about Valley Center from my trainer, Elder Hilborn. He served there nearly eight months of his mission. Elder Richins will be serving in Lamar, Colorado at the Western border of the mission. Wamego will be whitewashed. As for me, I will be in a trio with Elders Ethan Horton and Shane Miller. How funny, huh? In the beginning I was assigned two companions and here I am at the end in the very same boat.

I’m happy to report my last week in Wamego is a really great one.

Tuesday we have the opportunity to eat a fast dinner in the Kansas State arena. Brother Casy Winn is a rodeo coach for the university. Roping steers on horseback is his life. The entire family loves to rodeo. After scarfing down some tacos, Elder Richins and I get roping lessons. Unfortunately our roping could not be on horseback though we have a great time snatching the dummies.

Another night dinner with the Crouch’s brings about an opportunity to learn another skill: clogging! After Brother Crouch shows us the well-trained family dog, Bandit, Elder Richins and I tour the basement. Sister Crouch is an amazing teacher and teaches me well despite my slow learning. Brother Crouch shows his hand at another talent in addition to dog training and dancing and gives Elder Richins a great haircut. That man is a legend! He’s been cutting hair since 1963! What amazing people Elder Richins and I had such a pleasure to meet.

Our Thanksgiving is an experience to remember. I suppose the Winn’s liked our time together earlier in the week and wanted us again to rope with them and eat a great feast. The Ballard’s, Hayden and Casey, are there too and it made for a very memorable holiday.

Though I don’t know it in the moment, Elder Richins and I meet with Kolby Baker for the final time encouraging him to read the thirty-second chapter of Alma and educate himself about faith by reading the amazing sermon given of Alma the younger to the poor Zoramites cast out of their synagogues. I hope it leaves a mark on Kolby no matter how small.

Elder Richins and I are able to meet with Eric Sawtelle a couple times this week. Eric has some beautifully innocent and genuine questions about the plan of salvation we are able to answer by reading the scriptures. The final section of the Doctrine and Covenants, section 138, contains the miraculous vision given to President Joseph F. Smith concerning the visit of Jesus Christ to the spirits of the dead just prior to His resurrection.

The Saturday before the departure, Elder Richins and I spend the vast majority of the day working on the roof of the Vaile home. Brother Vaile is remodeling the old home. His progress so far is astounding. The task is to tear apart the roof and build a second story, in essence. I learn quite a bit about construction. Measure twice, cut once. Elder Richins and I have a great time serving in this capacity.

My last Sunday I am blessed with a opportunity to pass the sacrament to the congregation. I’m very grateful for this honor. The sacrament becomes a completely different experience while passing.

After church Elder Richins and I meet briefly with Micah’s wife. Micah hasn’t been feeling well, though he looks forward to meeting with us next week. Small joke on him, the missionaries that show won’t look quite like we do but they’ll get the job done.

Thank you for your support and prayer as always. Love you all.

Better to Light One Candle than Curse the Darkness

The week begins with an awesome opportunity to utilize the blessing of increased means to teach from the technology we are allowed to use. A great less active young man we have been motivating to return to activity in the church journeyed to the east coast to be with family weeks prior. Elder Richins receives word this man, Eric, is struggling with the conflicting religious opinions of his family. A relative of Eric’s degraded the church by insulting the prophet Jospeh Smith and, by implication, a church which firmly believes in a living prophet and the priesthood power of God. Eric did his very best to stand his ground but was relentless bombarded with what could best be described as little love and high criticism. He calls for help feeling dejected and sorrowful by the hard-heartedness of his kin. My companion and I organize a time to call him via Facebook video chat. Prayer and scriptures with honest and true testimony allowed the Spirit to work through imperfect teachers and bless the heart of Eric, boosting his faith and morale. Truly the Lord is a sympathetic creator who loves us and all our complex detail with enormous care. The prophet Joseph Smith was called of God. The Book of Mormon is true. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is the Lord’s church restored to the Earth.

The following day is spent frolicking in Manhattan while our vehicle is cared for at a local Firestone. Seeing as how we are stranded outside our area, what better to do than visit ‘The Top of the World’? With the Manhattan elders who so graciously provided us a ride, we enjoy the view and find an enormous gutter littered with tires. It’s not long before we decide to roll the tires down the slope. We aren’t adults. We are children grown bigger and hairier!

We take the opportunity to initiate an exchange. Elder Richins stays in Manhattan with Elder Fluckiger, and I bring Elder Timothy Holland home with me. How many missionaries can say they’ve gone on exchanges with an Elder Holland? I know I can!! I will not allow the exchange be boring considering the occasion. The same night we arm nerf darts with thumb tacks, tape balloons to the ceiling fan and open fire! It was a blast!

The very next morning near half-past the seventh hour the phone rings. It’s Fluke, “Your companion is defective. Come take him back!” I learn Elder Richins was up all night the night previous throwing up. How unfortunate! Poor Elder Richins is still not fully recovered.

It’s Friday, the day of the highly anticipated time to meet Elder Vern P. Stanfill of the area seventy. He has come to tour the mission and is making his last stop in Topeka where we have the opportunity to learn from him.

A most profound thing he says - he promises me there will be a time I will go through the veil in the next life; In this time there will be those I have influenced for good in my mortal life, ever so infinitesimally, that have passed before my mortal death, waiting to rejoice with me. This is so fulfilling to me. More than two years ago I wrestled with the option of going on a mission for the Lord. This particular truth Elder Stanfill promised is one of the very many reasons you are reading this right now. What a blessing! Elder Stanfill also promises every day on the mission sanctifies one ever further. He looks into my eyes and tells me I have changed during my time in Kansas.

His challenge at the end of his speaking is one perhaps each of you would like to take upon yourselves. Elder Stanfill encourages us, “During a time of meditating and pondering, think of yourself standing before the Savior in the Garden of Gethsemane.” He testifies the atonement is very personal. In the garden, one by one, all of us looked into the eyes of our Redeemer as He suffered for each of us.

Ian surprises us Saturday with a visit. He had been in Topeka visiting family and decided to say hello. It was wonderful to see him again.

Sunday afternoon following church, Elder Richins and I make our way to Micah Breshear’s house. Micah continues to be very open and curious about our message. We teach again the magnificent truths of the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ through the prophet Joseph Smith. Elder Richins and I challenge him to pray to our Father in Heaven and ask if the Book of Mormon is true. Micah heartily accepted the challenge. He looks forward to coming to a few ward activities the Elder’s Quorum is planning. Micah and his family will be a wonderful addition to the Lord’s church someday, I know it!

I’d like to take a moment to humbly ask for your prayers in the behalf of the Eck family. RaLee Eck has tragically passed this last week and her dear family would be so blessed by so many of your righteous utterances to our Father in Heaven in their behalf. Thank you.

You are in our minds, hearts, and prayers, Eck Family.

It has been a wonderful week. I’m so grateful to be enjoying every moment in the twilight of my mission. It’s been an enormous blessing to me.

Have a beautiful week everyone!

The Palisade of Atheism

The morning of preparation day last week was fantastic. Brother Slaven (slay - vehn) invited us to join him in his home to lift weights. If you have per chance seen the historical fiction TV series ‘Vikings’, then you may have an idea of how strong Brother Slaven is. As we are deadlifting, I come across a weight I have trouble raising level even with my knees. I take a quick breather and challenge my undertaking once again. With some trouble, I manage to completely lift the bar. Brother Slaven taught me a lesson. He says, “I’ve seen it only three times in the gym someone lift something they couldn’t lift the first time.” This may adequately indicate I simply made a conscious decision to stop being a pansy, but I also learned the power of faith and persistence. Psychologically, it’s not difficult to allow ourselves to become discouraged when the feat before us seems insurmountable after a first endeavor. At the times we see a similar moment in our lives, we can choose to realign our heart and minds. We can allow ourselves to be strengthened through an omnipotent, loving Savior and Redeemer.

Interviews this week was comical. I am on deck, ready to be interviewed, chatting with Sister McCuistion. In looking for a bin to throw away my fruit gusher wrapper, I manage to clumsily disarray the custodial closet. A row of ruckus later the custodial closet is cleaned up, albeit a tad reorganized, and a trash can was procured. In an instant later I am ushered into a room with President McCuistion. After some conversation of the required reading he asks me, “Anything else you want to talk to me about Elder LaMont?” I hesitate but gradually bring myself to ask a question I introduce with a sheepish smile, “Soooo I was reading in Abraham-“ “Of course you have!” President laughs. He knows I love to ask deep questions at the conclusion of our time together in interviews.

Had lots of fun on exchanges with Elder “Fluke” Fluckiger! We visited an investigator with a snake and lots of guns, ate ribs, and saw the sights of Manhattan.

Elder Richins and I have a couple fun experiences teaching those with an atheistic belief. The first man is kind and simply says, “Give me your spiel.” Fancy this: the definition of spiel is, “A long or fast speech or story, typically one intended as a means of persuasion but regarded with skepticism or contempt by those who hear it” (Apple Dictionary). I cannot find a more accurate manner to describe the scene! Though this man displayed skepticism rather than contempt, it’s unlikely he will make any progress.

It’s nearly the end of the week as we find ourselves visiting Brother Howard. Because we express our interest in guns, he finds his AR upstairs. Brother Howard was kind enough to show us a thing or two about taking it apart and letting us take pictures.

This night, Ian Englebright came to visit myself and Elder Richins. We caught up and ate at the local Chinese buffet, Imperial Garden. Ian told me fantastic news: Vaida is going to be baptized in the coming weeks. She wants Elder Bischoff and I to be there. With Ian’s help, we may be able to attend the baptismal service. Ian had me cut his hair and he went home shortly after. It was great to see him again.

After church Elder Richins and I meet with a new investigator, Trey. His roommate tells my companion and I up front he is a strong Atheist though at one time he was Southern Baptist. In a polite way, we told him to sit down and join the lesson because he simply has nothing to lose. The Atheist challenges, “I could not follow God unless his existence was proven to me.” Unfortunately our testimonies of faith fall upon deaf ears. Laman and Lemuel saw an angel and chose to disobey. On the other hand Alma the Younger saw an angel, but “fasted and prayed many days that [he] might know these things of [him]self” (Alma 5:46). Alma continues, “Now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made hem manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit.” Without faith, seeing an angel alone will do nothing for you.

Perhaps the message we share will stir the unbelieving soul unto repentance. Elder Richins and I will be following up this upcoming week.

Much love to all of you from Oz. Thank you for your love, support, and prayers!

Discipleship (noun)

Discipleship (noun)

- a position of someone who believes and follows

Our week began with a zone activity: football in Junction City. I saw Elder Bischoff again! We had a great time playing football and hanging out.

Halloween was glorious! After district meeting, many of the elders convened at Sonic to take full advantage of 50 cent corn dog day! Elder Richins and I received a referral in no-man’s land we attempted to contact. You would think because the terrain is so flat for miles we would spot the house with no trouble! On the contrary we had a difficult time, but the trip was not wasted. We found a really cool bridge!

All upon a sudden, it’s November! Satan tries real hard to throw a wrench in my day to start the month poor. Long story short, Elder Richins and I are teaching an investigator of ours and the door to her home becomes defective. It will not shut. A lightbulb turns on in her mind, “Oh! I will call my preacher!” Please don’t call your preacher... “Would you like us to come another time?” we ask. She replies, “No, stay. It’s fine.” Now I did not say it, but I sure am thinking, “Don’t you think this is going to be a little, you know, awkward?”

Sure enough, the kind preacher rolls up in the driveway and gets to work fixing the door. Not half a moment later did he say, “You guys out converting people?” LaMont’s brain: ‘uhmm I think it’s appropriate to say yes, but the Spirit is the true converter.. eh, I’ll just be friendly. I say with enthusiasm, “We sure are!” Not even skipping a beat this man rattles off all this critical, demeaning garbage. I tell you what: I’m going home in two months and I don’t have time for that refuse in my life. All I hear is “Womp, womp, WOMP, WOMP, womp,” he stumbles around with Galatians 1:8. I help him quote the verse and provide him the reference. “Let him be accursed,” we finish together. After more ranting, a pause. He asks, “Don’t you have questions about what you are told?” I smirk. “Every day!” I say with a smile. “I take my questions to God!” I shoot our investigator a big grin, *HINT, HINT* and think to myself, ‘not my preacher whose paycheck thrives on my being in the congregation.’ I’m sorry. Bad Keaton! Humility is a struggle!

After he is through telling me I’m being deceived he asks, “What translation of the Bible do you read?” Wryly I smile, “King James Version. It is the truest translation and the Shakespearean vernacularism has a most beautiful resonance to the soul!” I’m certain he shut out at ‘version’ because he calls out on his way to his Jeep, “Get a Bible you can understand!” Elder Richins and I wave as he leaves. It weighs on our hearts heavily a brother of ours will harden his heart so much to the fulfillment of the prophecy written in 2 Nephi 29. Murmur ye because ye receive more of my word?

My week was made when we met Earlisha (err-leash -uh). She has a real strong pit bull named Ginger that is my best friend. I love dogs. One of our investigators allowed us to draw some of his hunting bows. That was a blast too! Dogs and weapons.. Yup that’s about my happy place.

Elder Richins and I had the great blessing of home teaching with a semi-recent convert. We taught two families about discipleship. Mormon wrote in 3 Nephi 5:13, “Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.” Mormon may have been making a statement about being an apostle, but it interesting to note the word ‘disciple’ according to Latin means ‘learner’.

Let us all be learners, believers, and followers like Mormon of our Savior and Redeemer Jesus Christ!

Love all of you so much! Have an amazing week!

This plaque was hung on an exterior wall of the meetinghouse that doubles as the mission office.

The great ‘Kansas Witchita Mission’ of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. “Dang it, Mitch!” This is why we can’t have nice things! Enough with the Oz jokes already!