These crocs are made for walking.....

 Sunrise on Kosrae

 Yum coconut milk!

"Lets burn a hole so we can climb out, of these paper walls and this empty house."

not sure why that is my song for this week, but its been in my head a few times over this past week.

So I want to start out by saying that walking over 6 miles a day has brought me back to my hiking days and all the good times I had with Aaron and Erick on them. Especially the night Aaron and I tried Grayson at night and wandered around aimlessly for 4 hours singing primary songs to keep the wolf pack away. Good times. I got the package from the young women,  loved it...can I have Sister Hipps address? But I will give a thank you on here anyway. Thank You Young Women!!   This past week, I have never sweat so much in my life. This crystle blue water has never looked more inviting. Anyway, I've really enjoyed this past week, Before I had felt like I was getting nothing but a cold shoulder from this area. I didn't know anyone. Like we were seperated by a "paper wall" if you will. Something meaningless like misunderstanding and fear. We've just been able to talk to everyone we passed this week and help them out if they needed help. Now when we walk, the kids walk with us, and the adults wave to us. Some call us over to talk to them and on a few occasions, we've been approached by two guys that tell us that if we ever need anything, talk to them.  some are wanting to know a little bit about what were all about. I've seen this area come alive and My skills in the language have grown immensely. The only down side is that I've noticed that I am thinking too much with my head now instead of feeling with my heart.

Elder Andrew is awesome. He's just as outgoing as I am and Is like a big kid.  He is sarcastic, and you can't say anything that will offend him. He's truely fearless and I'm learning a lot from him. I'm going to like this companionship a lot. But... he loves spam. ugh And I have written in my handbook that spam is not for the belly, nor for the body, and is not for the good of man. (Masap luhn Kosrae: rule 2) ha, wow we are way too isolated out here. but its all good. These friendships I've made with Elder Madsen and Elder Sturm will last way beyond the mission. I probably won't see much of Elder Andrew though since he is from Papua New Guinea ,but all is well here on kosrae. We are in a rather large slump since christmas but that just means there is a great harvest coming. take care, I love you all!

-Elder Lapeyrouse

Follow the Leader

A couple of post ago, Braydon wrote about an incident where a crab got loose in the car.  We just received the SD card in the mail this week. I love hearing him laugh!!



"Just ask him how he made it, he'll tell you Faith & Sweat"

 

So about 5 days ago we lost another one of our tires. This makes the third since I've been here. DESTROYED!. We had just replaced two with tires from Guam. So we put the spare on and went on. Elder Madsen called guam. Well two days ago our spare gave out. It's so worn down from the weeks we were on it from last time and its worn through now in some places. As I was checking it out the other day when it died, I noticed the almost worn away sentence that said "Tempory Use Only" printed on the side. I had to smile at the irony. But after some scrambling and some help from Elder Madsen and Elder Sturm we finally got the car back to our house. And there it resides...on a cylinder block because size 15 tires are near impossible to find on Kosrae anyway and it just so happens they are fresh out. The Earliest Guam could get us Some new ones is Probably the first week end in march.  so until then...we walk. the past couple of days Elder Andrew and I have walked over 6 miles a day and have barely been able to cover our area. Figures we live in the spread out area where 4 of those miles practically no one lives in. Just the lonely road, the Jungle, the ocean, and the Sun. So Yesterday I put on this tie that I traded Elder Andrew one of mine for. As I was putting it on I noticed some writting on the back from Elder Matthews who had originally owned the tie. "Fasr Kampare". So the translation of fasr kampare is "Walk on" go forward, endure, Be strong. you get the jist. I have one tie that has been through quite a few elders and has Chuukese and Yapese written on the back of it. I'll probably add some Kosraean to it if I ever pass it on. But any ways, everything is good. Elder Andrew and I played a game similar to follow the leader while we walked the other day with a bunch of little kids. We started with three and we ended up with like 15. It was really fun and I got some videos of it. Other than that everything is good. Just fasr kampare for me. I love you guys, hope you're doing well. Oh I get to go to Guam the second week in March for a big leadership training.  I will be gone from that tuesday until the next monday.  Oh, I need to send a shout out and a congratulations to Stephanie Remington and give her my best wishes on the marriage. God bless.

 

Gianluca is in a walking area I believe. Man I feel for him. I love being able to walk now. Get some exercise, work on the tan, talk to more people, but its still hot, and dress shoes are not made for walking. Kampare ma wiuhk.

 

So I figured after last night that I could really use some IcyHot. Can't believe I didn't bring any. So nunak muhnahs, could I get you guys to send me some. As well as Yours and Kylee's sizes for like skirts or something. There is a member that wants to make you guys skirts and I told here I would ask you. So I guess like waist size or mainly just leg height. I dont know what to call it but from like the floor to the waist measurement.

 

So hows everything at home? School for the chillin's, and work as well. Hows the ward doing? Keep working hard and I love ya,

Elder Lapeyrouse

Just Keep Swimming

---

"You've gotta swim. And swim for your life. Swim for the music that saves you when you're not so sure you'll survive. you've gotta swim, and swim when it hurts."

 

Figured I'd drop a little Jack's Mannequin in there. So this week being essentially on my own has been a whole different world. I've just been wiped out every night. With a new companion who doesn't know the language you basically shoulder everything. Elder Rufus did it, Elder Madsen did it and now I guess its my turn. Plus this very has beena very unproductive week. Everyone claims to be busy and nothing seemed to go right. But its okay, there was one night I was feeling overwhelemed but the 4Ordained cd is really awesome. Anyways I want to share a story

 

Yesterday in Priesthood, oh man, so here it goes. Its currently 45 minutes past the time church was supposed to let out. Were sitting in this little room probably as big as the school of the prophets around one of those tables that you find under the stage of the church. So Ronny is asleep leaning against the door. PahPah Kur is just out, slouched over in his chair, the Branch President is watching Ben 10: Alien Force with the primary in the other room. Elder Andrew has his head resting on his fist intently listening. Camrun Innok next to me is seconds from falling out of his chair because he's dozing off so far forward. I've got my elbow on the table and my left hand supporting and covering half my face. It's like 105 degrees in the room and Yulsin is just sitting in the corner going on and on teaching in Kosraean about some verse that says "The sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath." The air is heavy and I'm just thinking, you have got to be kidding me. When suddenly out of nowhere Yulsin askes: "Elder Lapeyrouse, could you please explain Afternoon Delight to me?" I cracked the biggest smile ever as my mind flooded with "Sky rockets in flight..." and images of Will Ferrell singing in a field. I'm trying really hard not to laugh and I look up and Elder Andrew is looking at me like hes got this answer hes just gotta get out but wants my approval to speak. I nodded as he says "reading scriptures after church." I just layed my head on the table and laughed silently to myself as Yulsin sastified with the answer, continued. The lesson went on for another 10 or so minutes but it was alright, that made my day.  I hope the Anchorman fans enjoy this. Nicholls would probably have a riot if he read this. Jayson too. Good times on Kosrae. Ill leave you guys with the line that got me through the week.

 

"the adversary trembles, when he hears the call, of the savior's chosen warriors defending truth for all...So fight on, spiritual soldiers that march boldly onward. Onward to victory. Firm and undaunted, in God we have trusted. Fighting with love, honor, and charity."

 

that and Ether 12:27 "And if men come unto me I will show unto them their^aweakness. I ^bgive unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my ^cgrace is sufficient for all men that ^dhumble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make ^eweak things become strong unto them."

 

Love you all,

Elder Lapeyrouse

My companion is here...

                                            Braydon with his fan club

                                            A Tarheel fan woot woot

                                              Yulsin

                                           A slightly different name tag!!!

My President is black, my lambo's blue... and I'd be ...sad ...if my rims ain't too.

 

There's a story to that I promise.

 

My companion really is black. And he's here. So Friday went about as normal. Till we got home. We had a message on our machine from Elder Wright. He said one of the members came by and there was somebody at the airport looking for a ride. He was going to figure it out. So we called Elder Wright back. He said "I know its after 9 but I need you guys to come over here...and bring your truck.  So we get there and Elder Andrew is sitting on the couch. Really tall, looks a bit like Denzel Washington. All three of us are just in shock. Nobody from Guam called us and told us that he was coming. Turns out he sat at the airport for 2 hours till that one member finally explained to him that he was a member and gave him a ride to the chapel and Elder Andrew spent the day with the Wrights. But Hes here and tonight I'm back in Utwe. Long time no see.

 

So the reference to Young Jeezy, remember Elmer Kilafwakihn? I talked about him a little bit when I gave my spill on Alu Pros. Anyway we were back at his home the other night and Elmer is just one of my favorite guys on this island already but we went and I was sitting there talking to his three year old son (E.R.) in their kitchen (a hut seperated from the house). Now E.R. is the man as well that kid is hilarious. But from behind me Elmer made a sound and I turned to see him decked out in a red hoodie, basketball shorts, and some big over ear headphones cooking chicken over a fire. He walked over to shake my hand and I heard "Jersulem" by Matisyahu playing through the head phones. I was like "you know Matisyahu?" and he laughed. So I took his Ipod (he has an Ipod) and looked through it. I found "my President is Black" by Young Jeezy on there and smiled because of how much I loved the fanfare intro to that song. And because I associate that song with one of the craziest stories of mine and Aarons lives. So I hit play. And as the Brass fanfare came through over the headphones around Elmer's neck he gave one of those oh yeah nods and put his fist up for me to pound it. When I leave I'm going to miss that guy.

 

Thats really the highlights of this past week. I'll be sending another camera card soon and Probably a CD your way. To all my brothers, to all my friends, to especially my family...keep holdin' it down, be strong, pray oft, and love like crazy.

I'll be back with you guys before you know it.

 

yurin luhngse nuh pwacye,

Elder Lapeyrouse

BYU language credits whoo hooo

So I really don't know what to write in this letter. I think last week I promised that I would lay down the house with some cool scriptures that I had studied during the week but I forgot my scriptures. So maybe next week. I can't believe this transfer is almost over and that soon I will be starting my 4th transfer in the field. Over this past couple of weeks we have been really striving to teach differently. And by truely doing as the lord says. Somewhere in D&C section 50 the Lord asks "To what were ye ordained?" and then says "To preach this gospel by the Spirit" and also in D&C 84:85 "Neither take ye thought beforehand ^awhat ye shall say; but^btreasure up in your minds continually the words of life, and it shall be ^cgiven you in the very hour that portion that shall be meted unto every man". I hope I got that right. Tried to do it from memory. But we've really tried relying on our impressions lately which is rather difficult because our knowledge of this language is rather limited. But none the less since we have been trying that we've put 3 new people on baptisimal dates (2 being in the first time we had a lesson with them and they were lessons that weren't planned) and our lessons with current investigators have gone so much better. Speaking of this language, I finished my mastery packet last night and I am mailing it in today. When President Dowdle signs it I will be a certified "Kosraean Language Master." That doesn't really mean much but I do get a semesters worth of language credits at BYU for it.  So I think I'm actually done with my language requirements now. So give me the heads up on what is happening at home or at least in the states. I saw that the tv was set to CNN as I walked in and it looks that there was opposition against the US in Egypt. How is school going? Hows work? How is the extended family? How are the Heels holdin up? Just anything. Sorry this letter is rather uninformative. Just not much has really gone on. The weeks are really starting to fly by. And I'm told the second year goes even faster. I sent a  camera card home, and soon will send another one. We've been getting up at 6 lately and walking across the street to the beach and playing catch while watching the sunrise. Got some cool pictures too. I guess you guys will just have to wait. But that pretty much sums it up here. I hope all is well. I want to leave with a scripture out of Luke chapter 9 verse 62. something like "And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the^aplough, and ^blooking back, is fit for the kingdom of God." I got it from the movie about John Tanner on the D&C resource dvd. which also has Joseph smith:Prophet of the restoration. But we are here to work, And work is what we must do. Love yall much. Nga luhngse komtacl!

-Elder Lapeyrouse

We are Family

"and a yoo-hoo bottle on the floorboard"

My song quote today comes from "summertime" by Kenny Chesney. Mainly because he's been on my mind a good part of the week. I would like to thank those for writting to me. Adam, it's good to hear from ya. Thanks for the update, Dont run Michael over with your 18-wheeler (till I can watch) and hit me up with that logo. Jayson, Glad ya made it to England, try some fish n chips for me.

So a week on Kosrae with Elder Sturm. With Elder Madsen on Pohnpei for a week and my companion still not allowed to enter the FSM, it was just us two on this island for the whole week. Well I guess the senior couple is here. So anyway, the week wasn't bad. I kind of enjoyed it. I guess I should finish explaining what I was starting. So the Kenny trip. It was all brought about by page 1 of PMG. The fact that everyone around us is our brother and sister. Our beloved siblings that we have the opportunity to spend eternity with. Hence we share the gospel. To show people the joy that comes from knowing that God is our loving Eternal Father. The relief and comfort from his Spirit as well as the joy. The saving Grace of our brothers Atonement that made it possible for us to overcome Spiritual Death and the wonder of his crucifixion death, and return to life that makes it possible for us to overcome physical death. All so we can be one big happy family. Thats why families are so important. To have close relationships you can reach out to. To have support when times get tough. To have joy when you sit there and do nothing more than enjoy your time together. The Family is a median where we can feel our Fathers love and charity and that we can share that love and charity with others. The family unit is most often the source of our GREATEST joy here on Earth. I was thinking about the story where the progidal son returns home, and about when Joseph Smith said that the worth of every soul is great in the sight of God. We are all his family. He loves us. And many of his Children have turned away, or are simply misguided or lost. We have to help them recieve the saving ordinances to get them back with the father. I was just thinking of all the joy I got from my own family and how excited I am to one day have a family of my own. And somewhere along the way I thought of "The Good Stuff" by Kenny Chesney. And that just set the stage. Then the Guitar intro for "I go Back" kicked up and I was sold. I just love country so much. Country keeps it real and just plays off the heart strings of the freely living soul.  I dont know, this week I just really gained a testimony of family and good friends. I'll hit you guys up with some good spriptures next week. love you all!

Como Estas

hola! como estas? wait, thats not right. Tu Wo mwet nuh kewa! Komtacl Fuhkah?

 

So Not much has happened this week except for craziness! We got transfer calls on Wed. Apparently I'm training now in Utwe. A 25 year old from P.N.G. (Papua New Guinea) In other words, he's really dark, probably super buff, and PNG is only place in the world that still practices cannabalism! This is going to be interesting. I also barely have reached the point where I can fathom one day getting a grip on this language. Anyway though, I have some comforting scriptures like mosiah 4:27, 1 nephi 3:7, Alma 38:5, and Alma 26:12 that give me some comfort and some hope. I'm actually pretty excited. How many other missionaries get a companion like this. Not some scrawny kid from the states or something. Also how many missionaries get to be district leader and a trainer at the start of their third transfer. I'm way excited!

 

As for Guam, no I dont get to go. Only Zone leaders. Pohnpei for a week...that I do. That is the next week too so If i dont write on mondaythats why. I'm glad Nips is excited for his super transfer or reassignment.  The Lord has wonderous ways in getting us where we need to be. Thats a cool story and he'll do well in sacramento. He might even get to see ben. Gianluca's testimony impresses me. He's quite the guy.

 

I wanted to tell you all today to look up the mormon message "None Were With Him" by Jeffrey R Holland. Its probably my favorite and has reshaped my view of the atonement and my purpose and duty as a missionary and as a person in general. If you could find that talk and send it to me that would be awesome. You can probably find the Mormon message on youtube or mormon.org.

 

Not much else is going on. The transfer is pretty big. Its an assignment from the Lord and I'm excited for it. I'll let you all know how it goes. By the way, (hows the weather?...) It's been rainy the past few days. Surf looks good though...........one day.....one day. I will come back here once im released. Just saying.

 

lots of love. take care. take it easy.

Elder Lapeyrouse