Fountain of Miracles/ If You Give A Pikinini Candy../ Shark Bait Closes in On a Year in the Islands/ Nutmeging The Adversary/The Nick Rimando to Our Morales and Beckerman

Dearest Family and Friends!! Once again I am so grateful for the time I have to write to you. How great The Lord is to provide modern technology where we can email from all the other side of the world! This blessing of communication has blest my life and soul in more ways than you can imagine. My words cannot even come close to explain the great feelings in my heart for you. Thank you for your support, prayers, and belief in me. May God Bless you for your loving hearts. I have quite the week to share with you! It has been one of my favorite of this transfer and I dare say one of the very best of my entire mission. Hold onto your Socks! Here we go! 

I think we will start by one of the biggest surprises I have ever received while here in the mission. So, before our big Santo Trip we had a baptism for Sophie (Who is 9 years old) planned for this Saturday. Bishop told us he planned to do it Wednesday of this week instead, right before we left and we forget. We got back Tuesday night and had some things Wednesday morning we needed to help Président with. We were then able to get out to the area and headed for Sophie's House still thinking the baptism is on Saturday.

 We had a pray in the truck before going to try and get a lesson with Sophie. I remember I specifically asked in the prayer that we would have help to make sure here baptism would happen and that we would be guided by the spirit. As we lifted our heads from our awesome prayer we saw Sophie and her family coming out of their house dressed very nice! We looked at each other both wondering what was going on. We got out and walked up to them trying to figure out where they were going. Sophie's Mom looked relived to see us and proudly proclaimed, "We are going to Sophie's Baptism!" Elder Hable and I both exchanged concerned glances. We had finished most of the lessons with Sophie, but not every single one. We had not even had an interview yet! Quickly, we formatted a small companionship huddle and made a plan. We called President asking for his advice, and were glad when he agreed with us in our plan that because she is only 9 she had been taught all the lesson she needed to hear before baptism. We had not gone through, "Tak Blong Waes" (Or Word of Wisdom) and President told us to make sure she understands that things like Kava and cigarettes are not for our body but we were good to have the baptism as long as we got an interview. We called our District Leader (who are actually the Travel Elders) and told them about our situation. 

I am happy yo report that everything worked out okay and Sophie got baptized! Out District Leader rushed over to give the interview and it all worked out in the very end. It is honestly no surprise that so many things go wrong when a baptism happens. There is a dark force attempting to suffocate the great light of the Everlasting Flame of the Gospel. No matter how many times the adversary attempted to block this baptism we went right through Him (Haha! Dad. :)We nutmeged the adversary for sure) It was amazing! My heart was touched my Sophie's courage to be baptized even though she is afraid of the water. We can All Do Hard things. Our Father in Heaven will lead the way! 

We had even more miracles this week! Miracles truly are around us wherever we are. God the Father is a God of Miracles and works through our (Moroni 10:7) Faith to make them happen among His children. Everyday I know we can see The Hand of God in Our Life. Do all you can to see it more and to build up your faith so God can work through you. I testify with all my soul He lives. Heaven is a prayer away my Family and Friends. " I Know My (Out) Father Lives and Loves us too. It is the Holy Ghost which whispers this to me and tells me that it is true." Part of my Testimony of This Great and Restored Gospel can be found in 2 Nephi 22:2:

"2 Behold, God is my salvation; I will trust, and not be afraid; for the Lord Jehovah is my strength and my song; he also has become my salvation."

The Miracle, which Happened. We meet with Emily this week (A woman we contacted before Efate Zone Conference) and taught one of the best lessons I have ever been apart of. Elder Hable and I did not start out our companionship as best friends. In full honesty, it has been super hard. The Devil has challenged us many times (perhaps He knew how good we would become or knew of the Help we needed to give our new Mission President) and it has been hard. I only tell this because we have set aside our differences and frustrations to come to know Our Father in Heaven and do the Work of His Son and ultimately the work of the Father to help all gain Eternal Life. We have become very good friends. And I would consider him my closet friend in the mission. He certainly has helped me decide what Baseball team to follow. Especially in lessons (and I would say in all phases of the work) we have become like Kyle Beckerman and Javier Morales. An unbelievable team and I would say one the Devil's least favorite duos. Morales and Beckerman are very different players but their combined efforts led  RSL to be Champions in the 2009 MLS Cup Season (eventually beating LA Galaxy in the final... a worthy yet evil opponent just like the adversary)  Dad, You may have to translate this out of soccer language for me because you speak this language as well. Basically, we are becoming a really really good team and doing some amazing things through the spirit. 

Anyway, Our lesson was so full of the spirit. In Soccer language the spirit was our Nick Rimando and kept us in the game making us invincible. We taught Emily who is a mother who has 3 kids (They stay with their grandma as she works because he husband left her. Once again the pure love mothers in this situation demonstrate for their kids makes me cry like a baby. It is amazing all the love, which every Mom shows for their children. Special shutout for my own :) Mother who has always given me a special love, which has blessed my life significantly. You are an angel My Dear Mother.) and struggles. We told her about how the Book of Mormon would bless her life and especially the spirit, which would come as she reads from it. Elder Hable and I almost at the same time received a very tiny but yet very powerful spiritual conformation to invite her and her friend to be baptized and they agreed to a date! Truly both Elder Hable are in wonder as we now have 3 people on date for baptism despite our insane schedule of travel. Loaves and Fishes given to us by a Loving Savior. 

A Beautiful Hymn Always comes to my heart these days. "I Believe in Christ" :

I believe in Christ; he is my King!

With all my heart to him I'll sing;

I'll raise my voice in praise and joy,

In grand amens my tongue employ.

I believe in Christ; he is God's Son.

On earth to dwell his soul did come.

He healed the sick; the dead he raised.

Good works were his; his name be praised.

2. I believe in Christ; oh blessed name!

As Mary's Son he came to reign

'Mid mortal men, his earthly kin,

To save them from the woes of sin.

I believe in Christ, who marked the path,

Who did gain all his Father hath,

Who said to men: "Come, follow me,

That ye, my friends, with God may be."

3. I believe in Christ--my Lord, my God!

My feet he plants on gospel sod.

I'll worship him with all my might;

He is the source of truth and light.

I believe in Christ; he ransoms me.

From Satan's grasp he sets me free,

And I shall live with joy and love

In his eternal courts above.

4. I believe in Christ; he stands supreme!

From him I'll gain my fondest dream;

And while I strive through grief and pain,

His voice is heard: "Ye shall obtain."

I believe in Christ; so come what may,

With him I'll stand in that great day

When on this earth he comes again

To rule among the sons of men.

I want to end with a small testimony of The Savior. I know He lives! I know He loves everyone of you. He is mindful of us in our hardest and even happiest times. When no one else seems to get it He gets it perfectly because he already experienced it. I don't know how I will even begin to thank Him when he Comes Again and when I am reunited with Him. Certainly I will bathe his feet in my tears and try and form the words thank you. I know He only Asks that we give a Broken Heart and Contrite spirit in order to obtain perfect cleanliness from hardships, illnesses, and sins to be raised up to meet Our Father in Heaven in the Celestial Kingdom with a Perfect body. I know He lives. He is Our Lord and Savior He is the great Jehovah, the Messiah Foretold by ancient Prophets and I will testify of His Name forever. I know the Book of Mormon is the Word of the Lord and it perfectly testifies of Him. This is only a small portion of the burning testimony I hold in my heart and I know it is true because of The Holy Ghost whispers it to me as I read the scriptures, pray, and go to church. Never Forget How much God love you. How much Our Father in Heaven Love you. This church is true. Leave your doubts and enter into His Marvelous Light! He will always be there. I testify of these things in the Sacred Name of Jesus Christ, The Son of God, Amen! 

I Love You All so much and everyone of You is in my Prayers! Keep Going! You Got This.

Love Forever, 

Elder LaMont, Your Alekken Ty, Shark Bait, Comeback Kid, Kyle Beckerman, The Whitest Elder in All of Vanuatu

I will send pictures in another email. Let me know if it makes it to you. Hope your weeks are great! 

Dad! I love the RSL updates. Thank you so much! Thank you for the uplifting things from your emails and the sports updates. I do still love to hear updates about RSL! If it is not too much trouble I would love to keep getting them! 

If you give A Pikinini Candy.... She might want a hug to go with it! Look How cute this photo is! Love it! This little girl was at church and she always asks me for candy. :) So Sweet! 

Can you believe my Farwell was about a year ago?? Time flies! 

It's The Ol Shark Bait tie... It's my favorite! Got to love pictures:)  

Here is me wearing it on pur flight to Malekula... I only wear it on special days! 

Me in New Caledonia playing Guitar and Dancing we are going back soon! 

We ate with Duquettes because we had to stay late to help with transfers so they gave us aprons to wear.. :) Good day!!!  

Check out these shirts!!!

Sophie's Baptism Yay :)

Nouvelle Calédonie/ Shark Bait's Dance Skillz are Back/ Alors On Danse

Bonjour mes chères famille et Amis !! It has been a week which has gone as fast as a snap of the fingers! I am grateful for the things I have learned, experienced, and felt this week. Missions really are super hard but are worth every moment! I love to work hard and then being able to climb in your bed and then fall asleep with the satisfaction that you weren't perfect but sure tried your best. Then while you fall asleep you can already think of a 100 different ways the Lord has helped you. (Momma don't worry I still make my bed :D) I am loving life and grateful for the time I have to enjoy these two wonderful years. It is true I miss being able to talk to Family and old friends. However, I know we will see one another again. Alma 17:2-3 says,

 "2 Now these sons of Mosiah were with Alma at the time the angel first appeared unto him; therefore Alma did rejoice exceedingly to see his brethren; and what added more to his joy, they were still his brethren in the Lord; yea, and they had waxed strong in the knowledge of the truth; for they were men of a sound understanding and they had searched the scriptures diligently, that they might know the word of God.

            3 But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.

And of course, a personal favorite of mine:) Alma 17: 11- 13

11 And the Lord said unto them also: Go forth among the Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls.

            12 And it came to pass that the hearts of the sons of Mosiah, and also those who were with them, took courage to go forth unto the Lamanites to declare unto them the word of God.

            13 And it came to pass when they had arrived in the borders of the land of the Lamanites, that they separated themselves and departed one from another, trusting in the Lord that they should meet again at the close of their harvest; for they supposed that great was the work which they had undertaken." 

While we have been in a companionship Elder Hable and I have really tried to record the Hand of God in our lives. A missionary in a Zone Conference told us how they record 5 Miracles every day and then put it on their fridge. We have started doing this idea a few months back and I must say, it has been a literal eye opener for the both of us. I have learned so much about The Love Our Father in Heaven has for us. I have seen His hand present in our lives. Do we even comprehend how much Our Father in Heaven cares about even the smallest of things? Does He care about Math Tests? Your hopes? Dreams? Wishes? ALL Yes!  I dare even say Sport teams! ;) He Does. He lives my friends and Family. I will proclaim this forever as I know it is true with every part of my heart!

 Recently I have been praying for how I can be better. Yes, often times I am hard on myself but I wish I could be 10 times more the man I am for God, for my family, and all of those I love. I find myself often knees constantly asking for forgiveness seeking to rid myself of sin so I can teach more with the spirit. I am thankful for an ever patient and loving Father in Heaven who seeks to Love and bless us. I was blessed to receive an answer. An amazing missionary sent me this quote which really helped me out. It says, "One Does Not Aspire to be a great missionary; rather, he aspires to be a servant." This one hit me hard and about had me in tears as I came to a realization of something. I am good enough! No, not perfect, but I am trying. If I want to be a better missionary for the Lord all I need is to serve and love others and seek to truly be a servant.

This of course reminds me of a beautiful song I have loved since Primary. "I’m Trying to be like Jesus; I'm following in his ways. I’m trying to love as he did, in all that I do and say. At times, I am tempted to make a wrong choice, But I try and listen as the still small voice whispers, "Love one another as Jesus loves you. Try to show kindness in all that you do. Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought, for these are the things Jesus taught. I’m trying to love my neighbor; I'm learning to serve my friends. I watch for the day of gladness when Jesus will come again. I try to remember the lessons he taught. Then the Holy Spirit enters into my thoughts, saying: Love one another as Jesus loves you. Try to show kindness in all that you do. Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought, for these are the things Jesus taught." Oh, how I love the special truths and knowledge which come from the Primary Songs. I am so thankful for my parents who raised me on this true Gospel so I can sing the songs I learned in Primary when it gets hard here in the mission field. I Love you all! :) 

Right after getting off the plane from the Solomon Islands we had a day in the Office taking care of things and had a lesson with Sophie!! Sophie is this adorable nine-year-old in our ward. Her Mom is a very active but her Dad is very less active. In the midst of all the confusion she was not baptized at 8 and needs to be taught by the missionaries. We definitely want her to be baptized and I am happy to announce this Saturday she will be baptized into this church! We will be flying to Santo Friday and will miss her baptism but it makes me happy the ward members are awesome enough to take care of things and play a big role while we are gone. There is a big problem in Vanuatu with The Ward relaying too much on missionaries and the Priesthood Men not stepping up. But we really feel it has gotten better as we have worked with them in our ward. Am I sad we are going to be missing the baptism? Yes. But she loves Her Heavenly Father and I know she will feel more of His love as she takes this step. I will never forget her excited, "Yes!!" when we asked her if she wanted to Follow Jesus. Children are such angels! I Love them :) Go Sophie!

The next day we headed to New Caledonia!! Because of the Flight situations we had to go a day early to New Caledonia and arrived on New Cal's P-Day which is on Wednesday. We went with the Zone Leaders to a local Library so they could do emails! Of course, we looked through the emails we already had received and some new ones we got ( :) Thanks for all the support. I love reading anything from your wonderful people) Then suddenly Elder Tetuaiterai (The Tahitian Zone Leader who doesn't speak English and only a little bit of Bislama. We have become pretty good friends even though we can only speak through my broken French or his Broken Bislama, and Cave Man Speech or grunts/Charades) told me to come with him and there was a man in the outside patio of the library teaching Hip-Hop dance classes. Of course, he thought we were just going to "interrupt his dance class by trying to teach but was totally stunned when Elder T. and I started learning the steps with the other students! 

We learned the entire dance and I'm not going to lie.. I got pretty good at it! Momma, you would have been proud! My head was up and I was smiling and performing the whole time. Then we kept dancing and all the students and us had a dance battle until they had to go home (we were dancing with a bunch of teenagers and young kids! So cute!) Everyone (including my companion) were astonished that the white boy could dance. I kept it missionary appropriate of course! I guess they have never seen a white man do a body roll before or Cha-Cha/ Jive! It was great! After all the dancing, he came and asked me tons of questions in French and wanted to know where I had learned to dance. Thankfully my companions who speak fluent French came over and we gave him a Pass Along Card. He looked like a man that would never want to talk to missionaries but through dance the spirit softened his heart. And maybe in 20 years when the missionaries knock on his door he will remember this moment we danced with him and that the missionaries are actually pretty cool! Sometimes it gets hard in missionary work so we dance or in French "Alors On Danse!" The Lord is preparing many for us to teach, don't give up my friends on missions. Heaven is cheering you on. NO EFFORT OUT HERE IS EVER WASTED!!! You are doing amazing:)! 

One more thought for ya!! An Elder told a story in NC Zone conference (He shared it in English which was nice) about how him and his companion loved to share an Easter video which shows the angels proclaiming the tomb is empty. Both him and his companion said it would both be awesome if they were angels proclaiming Jesus Christ does live when suddenly, they both looked up at one another and said the same thing. We are. We are! We are proclaiming that He Lives! We are his angels proclaiming this great truth! Go share your testimony! Live your testimony and be this light on top of a hill. I testify with every fiber of my body and soul that this beautiful Gospel is true! He Does Live!! 

I Love You All so much! :) Grateful for each one of you. Keep rocking it and know I am praying for you. 

Much Love to You,

Elder LaMont/Shark Bait/ The Come Back Kid/ Robin Van Persie Missionary Version/ A Ballroom Dancing Missionary

Health Update for Momma: I did get sick again. It's just the common cold and is only slowing me down slightly! It can't beat me though. I lived through Edema and Dengue! Nothing some Water and sleep won't Heal. Love you Forever my Angel Mother. :) Happy and Almost Healthy!! Your Boy Loves you. 

Barava Spiritual Taem Yet/ Solomon Island Trip/ Sharkbait's Surrvial Through Rugby Exploring Gudal Cannel

Hello Once more to my Dearest Family and Friends! How it does my heart good to take another opportunity to email and share of my experiences. This has not been your average week (what even is an average week in this Assignment given to both Elder Hable and I? Our Assignment as Assistant sure does provide some interesting times. Loving it!)  but one which has again provided much growth, challenging times, and wonderful memories. A beautiful recipe for a fantastic mission which is what I am experiencing! Hold on to your socks here we go! 

Wanted to share some things, which really stuck out to me this week during personal study and trying to hear The Voice of The Lord more in my life. I really have been seeking how I can be better. One thing I want to improve is Faith! Faith really is a principle of action. As we go put in missionary work or do our best to share this wonderful gospel it gives our Faith a chance to grow and develop. I know when we do our best to put Faith on top of our fears Our Loving Father in Heaven will support us in our trials and show His great love for you. 

Well, we went to Solomon Islands this weekend! We are just getting back today and it has been a long trip. Président Duquette wanted to start of this transfer's Zone Conferences in the hottest part of the mission! And let me tell ya... It's really hot here in the Solomon Islands! I Marvel at how awesome our ancestors were for fighting the Japanese in these kinds of conditions. It's amazing! 

The spirit and feel of Zone Conference was fantastic! So great! Solomon Islands are not my favorite place to visit in the mission. It's hot, the girls here are scary/ crazy, and there is this stuff  called Beattle Nut. Allow me to explain. The woman here... Ewww. It seems they would do anything to have white children.  They are very forward even with missionaries. Haven't had too many problems. They remind me of the sirens from Greek Mythology. The one that really made me feel uncomfortable is when one called out (Your translation provided by yours truly): "Hey tufala blue eye you go where? Or "Karem mi home (bring me home in Pidjin) I really wanted to tell them, (thought this might make you laugh Momma) "You need Jesus is what you need!!" Don't worry though. That crud doesn't work on me. I have got a thing for virtuous and righteous women. Solomons has really solidified this in my mind. 

Now to explain Beattle Nut. It could be summarized as well as some of the girls in Solomon... Pretty much Nasty stuff. Basically they chew a nit and mix it with this lime to give them selves a buzz or high. This turns into a red blood liquid that they spit out and it is everywhere. Nasty! Red teeth, red lips, and red smiles give a freakish welcome! 

The first day in Solomon Islands meant Zone Conference! It was a blast! We were all sharing ideas and the spirit really touched my heart. I loved all of it!! 

Although the conditions in Solomon Islands are not my favorite. The Elders here sure are amazing! We were there for 3 days (Most of which poor Elder Hable was sick from Solomon Heat is not good for those who are ill so we spent a good amount of time studying and resting) and my favorite day was P-Day today. We played Ping Pong and Rugby! That's right! The whitest dude in the South Pacific played against a bunch of Giant Togans and Samoans. My greatest asset was my speed, ability to keep running, and not giving up. I even scored twice! One of them.. my team totally set it up so I coild score! The other one wasn't too shabby if I do say so myself!;) My nickname was Palangi which just means white man in both Togan and Samoan! 

Sorry this email is shorter than normal. Our travels have made it hard to email and I am exhausted. Please know I am happy, healthy, and LOVING my missionary experience. It's very hard. But aren't the best things that way? It's all very worth it. Never forget that God does live and answer our prayers. He hears you. And I testify with all my soul that He Lives along with our Savior Jesus Christ! 

Much Love to all of you,

Love, 

Elder LaMont, Shark Bait, Smallest/ Whitest Rugby player in the South Pacific, Your Alekken Ty 

Health Update For Momma: This is because I promised you I would be better at this. Feeling very healthy and energetic! I did play Rugby without shoes because I did not think to bring P-Day shoes. Don't worry we played Touch Rugby. But one of the Elders was playing with cleats. Let's just say I got the touch in stopping the play that would surely have had them scored on us again but he stomped on my foot. It did in fact hurt. My toe got the worse and I just have some bruising under nail. Totally fine and I walked it off! So, my health is the best it has ever been in my mission!:) 

Here are some pictures from our Zone Conference! 

 The last picture is that of Beetlenut spit on the ground! Eww! Enjoy!:)