The Temple & No Coincidences

Well hello everyone!! How are you all doing!?!

I had a really great week but I'm gonna have to sum it upp! The best part of my week was going to the temple. You guys, I cannot stress the importance of temple attendance. The temple is seriously the most precious place we can go to on this earth. We had a specialized training with President Pingree and the temple president, President Crane. This was seriously the coolest thing ever! We had over 60 missionaries in this endowment session and then we all went into a study room after the session and we could ask anything we wanted!! I have never felt the Spirit so strong in my entire life. President Crane asked us the question; "Who are you?" This really made me think of who I am. Who is Elder DeLuca? There are a number of answers, but I invite you all to find out who you are in the eyes of The Lord. I have made so many changes in my life, and I know who I am and who I want to become. The Savior has given me the strength to do so. I could not be here if I didn't have somewhat of an understanding of the Atonement. I know how much it has blessed me in my life and I strive to use it every day.

We also met/ran into people this week that were not coincidences. I know without a doubt that everything happens for a reason. A few weeks ago we met a lady that was outside her apartment and I asked her if she knew where building # 3 was and she told me. I then invited her to learn more about the unique message we share to which she responded: "I used to be Mormon." That is always a surprise. That was actually the second person so far on my mission to say that. However, I asked her what happened and stuff and she said her husband was excommunicated and they never went back. I still asked if we could come back another time to share a message with them and she said yes! So this past week we went back and we were really late and knocked on the door and no answer. Knock once for their salvation, twice for yours. So I knocked again and still no answer. Right as we were about to leave, her husband walked up with his daughter and he immediately was like, "Let's talk!" This was a miracle of its own. We talked for quite some time and we are scheduled to meet with him this week. 

Also another thing that was cool is that we were having a tough day on Saturday cause we had a member freak out on us because he basically doesn't have a testimony about the gospel and he was just baptized for his wife. So, when we got out our scriptures to share a message, he flipped out! I won't go into details but I was in shock. We also had appointments fall through and it just wasn't the best day we've had. So we were debating whether to go get a shaved ice at Bahama Bucks and try to talk with people there, or go to a neighborhood to go finding. Obviously we chose option #1 cause it was so hot outside! (: We got there only to find two really sweet, young LDS couples. They were ecstatic to see us and it made our night. They even bought us our shaved ice! 

I know that The Lord is with me. I know he watches out for all of His missionaries. My testimony is being strengthened every single day. i am growing up quick being out here on a mission. This is the best time of my life, you guys. I love being a missionary! It's so tough at times, but so worth it. I love you all so very much and please email me personally if I can do anything for you! I love you! 

Love me, 

Elder DeLuca 

​I'm gonna miss them soo much. this was at new leadership training in Magnolia, TX!

One of our investigators has a Buick Regal that is a total sleeper!! this car is so sweet. It is like a high 11 low 12 second car! All naturally aspirated

​We buzzed each others head's. comp unity baby! If Im goin bald, he's coming with me! Hahah it is actually wayy nicer with the heat! 

Transfers, New Calling, Utah Companions & Baptism

Hello everyone!! 

So, I was transferred last week to a new area and I was called to serve as a district leader!  I tell everyone that President Pingree made a mistake!!  Hahaha.  (( : I taught my first district meeting last Friday and I was really nervous at first, but the Spirit was there to help me out.  We are on bikes now, so I was already sweaty when I arrived at the church so that didn't help much but the meeting went really well.  We talked about the role of the Holy Ghost in conversion.  To sum it up, it's everything.  I am nothing without the Holy Ghost.  The Spirit is what does the converting so we need to be doing all that we can to qualify for the Spirit to be with us! D&C 42:14 tells us that if we do not have the Spirit, we won't be teaching and that is soo true!! 

     

My new comp is from Cedar City, Utah.  That's a shocker!!  Hahaha....it seems like over 90 percent of our missionaries here are from Utah!!  His name is Elder French and he has been out like 3 in a half months. 

     

So, my new area is really great.  I am still learning the roads but all is well here.  We had a baptism this past Saturday! I didn't teach the guy but I was at the baptism.  We are teaching his wife and hoping to get her a baptismal date sometime in the near future.  It seems like people here are way more receptive to what we have to say so that is really great!!

     

Well, I don't mean to be short but I need to get going soon cause we still have to go grocery shopping!  I love you all and thank you for everything.  You guys are great!!  My new address is: 

Elder Brock DeLuca

6777 Sommerall Dr. #422

Houston, TX 77084

This is my last Bishop and his wife. They are incredible people and I will miss them, as well as all of College Park Ward!

This is Bishop's neighbor Roy! He is the man!  We did a lot of service with him and we formed a super good relationship with each other.  I always cleaned my shoes with his air compressor haha. ((: That is a bb gun so don't worry. I wasn't shooting any real firearms!!  I love you, Roy!

​I still hit the bulls eye, if you are wondering. Ha!!

​I can't say I look good with this goofy helmet, but I can say that it will help my noggin from being hurt if I crash! I gotta protect that little brain I have!! ( :

Transfer, Squirtle, Selfies & Brother Higgins' Lawnmower

Well guess who is being transferred!?  Elder DeLuca is.....I am excited to see other areas but I am gonna miss College Park! 

This week was pretty good.  Last Monday we had a zone activity at the Chappell's house and we played this, like, get to know everyone game so we all wrote something on a piece of paper and then President Chappell read them out to all of us while we guessed who it was.  Mine said "I love getting my teeth cleaned."  Hahaha. ( : It's so true though!  I love going to the dentist soo much!  Brother Wood in our ward was gonna clean my teeth this month but I am leaving so now he can't! 

     

So, we had a specialized training this week with our mission President and we talked mostly about how we can use the Restoration lesson when talking to people.  That is something we always try to do anyways, but President Pingree gave us a lot of advice! 

     

Yesterday, we went to Brother Higgins' house to teach him a lesson and that was sweet!  When we were there talking he said that his lawnmower was not starting and that he was trying to have his daughter help him with it, but they didn't have much luck.  So, I was like, "Let's go take a look at it!"  I wasn't sure what was up with it, but I worked my magic and it fired right up.  I tightened the blade as well and then she was ready to cut some grass!  His daughter was super happy too and she started to go mow the grass right after I was able to get it running.  It was Sunday, but I wasn't about to tell her to wait till tomorrow!  Hahaha.  His daughter is not a member of the church and she could probably beat me up if she wanted to, so I just smiled as she went to mow the grass! 

     

Well I know this is really short, but I have a ton to do today! I gotta go pack and then say bye to some of the members here!  I love you guys and Ill let you know when I find out my new area.  I love you, but Heavenly Father loves you more!  Have a great week!!

Love, 

Elder DeLuca

P.S. - My new address is: 

Elder Brock DeLuca

6777 Sommerall Dr.,

 #422

Houston, TX  77084

​I found Squirtle again! He went pee pee all over the car.

​Selfiezz for dayzz! 

This is Elder Weaver on the left and then Elder Bird behind me.  We picked them up for a specialized training we had because they are in a bike area!

So we were out finding at this apartment complex and it was super hot outside, so I thought I'd take a pic just in case I didn't make it!  Hahahaha

This is Brother Higgins.  Coolest guy ever!!  This is after I fixed the mower.

Howdy, Y'all!

Howdy ya'll! 

Well this week was pretty sweet!  We have been so low on investigators, but this past week we found three new ones! We actually taught one of them twice, but he doesn't live in our area so we may have to hand him off to the other missionaries that are in his area.  He works over here though, so that is why we have been meeting with him. 

     

So, I saw my first snake here in Texas! Ill show you what I did to him. It wasn't the nicest thing to do to a living creature, but all snakes are poisonous to me soooo.....I had to do what I had to do.  I later came to find out that this particular snake wasn't actually venomous, but it was too late.  The damage was already done! 

     

Well nothing TOO exciting happened this week, but we have been working really hard.  We do a lot of finding because our teaching pool has been pretty low!  It will fill up soon enough though!  We also are able to get in with members everyday and teach them and ask for referrals. 

     

So, yesterday our Bishopric spoke and they are so awesome.  Our Bishop talked about preventative spiritual maintenance.  That was so cool 'cause he explained it by talking about a car.  Don't wait for it to break down and then get it fixed!!  Take care of it so it keeps running!!  I am totally butchering it, but then he related that to our spiritual maintenance.  We have to constantly be nourishing it! 

     

We have transfers coming up this next Tuesday and I can see myself leaving, but I don't know for sure.  College Park still has a lot of missionary work to be done and it is a great place!  If I do leave it will take a while to get any letters that come after I leave.  So if anyone is gonna send one (Bailley), send it sooner than later please!  Haha, my little sister is seriously the best.  I love you so much Buddah!!  I have the best little sister ever.  She even takes after my good looks!  ( : 

I want you all to know that I am so grateful to be out here serving a mission!  It really is a miracle of it's own.  I never really had the desire to serve a mission until like two years ago and once I found out for myself that this gospel is true, I knew that I was gonna be out here!  The mission life is the sickest!  I love being a missionary.  Thank you all for everything that you do for me.  I'll talk to you soon! 

Love, 

Elder DeLuca

So, this is what I did.....I don't mess around, you guys!!!

​I look so goofy!  I was testing out the timer thing on the camera! Hahaha.  (( : Don't worry, my desk is cleaner than my comps!

Soooooo Hot Here!!!!!!!!!!!!!

It is sooooo hot here!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Hahaha I sweat soooo much. 

Well, I have been gone for over four months now.....cray!  I don't know where the time goes..  All I can say is I love my mission so much.  This is seriously the best decision I have ever made.  Missionary work is hard work.  This is not an easy thing to do for me but it is so worth it!  The things that I learn out here will be things that will bless my family now and especially my future family. 

     

So, we had a super busy week!  My weeks seem to just fly by.  I just wanna share a couple things from this week.  So There is a lady in our ward who was dating a non-member named Stan and he passed away on Tuesday.  We had been out to dinner with them a few times and Stan was very respectful to us but not very receptive to anything that we shared.  However, one Sunday after church Elder Christensen and I went over there and we were talking about something and I said something to Stan and he said, "Most of the things you guys say goes in one ear and out the other, but its times like this that actually make me listen."  I honestly don't even know what it was I said to him but Stan and I kinda clicked.  We were really cool with each other and I was sad to hear that he had an unexpected heart failure that resulted to his death.  Sister Cason had called and asked me to speak at his funeral.  I was honored to do so but I was so nervous cause like 98 percent of the people who attended were not members of the church!  Anyways it all went pretty well and I just wanna say to all of you that we never know when it is gonna be our time to go home so we need to be doing the best we possibly can. 

     

We also had another death in the ward this week.  Brother Haagenson passed away on Monday due to stage 4 lung cancer.  This was actually caused from him being exposed to agent orange during the Vietnam War.  So Sister Haagenson asked Elder Thomas and I to be some of the Pall-bearers.  Both of these funerals were this past Friday. 

     

On the way home from Brother Haagenson's graveside service, we were in the car with Brother Workman and Elder Thomas had the best idea everr!  He was like, "Do you mind if we share a message?"  This ended up being the best car ride ever, and I wasn't even driving.  Basically, this is what I got from our amazing conversation;  We have to know what we want, because we are going to get it.  Think about that.  What do you not have that you really want?  If there is anything, you aren't putting fourth all the effort you need to be.  Our minds are constantly working subconsciously to do things that get us what we want even if we don't realize it.  Soooo, we have to train ourselves to want what God wants, more than anything else.  Period.  If we do this, we will have eternal happiness.  Our houses, cars, clothes, etc. are nothing that we are taking with us after this life.  Think about what matters most and get r' done!  We are not mortal beings having a spiritual experience, but rather we are spiritual beings having a mortal experience.  Our spirits are sooo much stronger than our physical bodies, so we really can do anything we put our mind to.  If we are being righteous and doing God's will,  He will help us accomplish anything!  I know this to be so true! 

     

We had some other really neat things take place this week, like I gave girl advice to this guy that was wayyyy older than me and many more things, but I have to goo!!  I love you all and do all that you can to qualify for the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost.  I seriously could not do this without the spirit helping me along the way.  I am way too weak.  Have an amazing week and Ill talk to you soon! 

Love, 

Elder DeLuca!!!!

 ​

This is Sister Cason after the service.  I found some glasses and I though they made me look smarter!  hahaha, I didn't wear them when I spoke though!!

I got a goofy haircut!! Brother Richter tricked me. He chopped my sideburns!!!! It's all good though. It's only hair, plus they were too long!!  

​I seriously love my companion.  We work so well together!  We are almost opposite, so we learn from each others' strengths and help out each others weaknesses.  We are defs supposed to be together that's fo sho!!!!