Elder French, The Temple, The Sacrament....and Riding My Bike Down the Stairs

Alright, I wanna start off by telling you all that I love you! I want you all to know that I think of you throughout my week and I try to think of ways that I can share things to help you have a spiritual uplifting experience when you read the bloggy. I have a lot I wanna share, but I am terrible at writing. I will do my best to express my thoughts. 

Okay, so first off, Elder French is being transferred tomorrow. I'm gonna be straight up here. I've only told a couple people this, but I wanna share this with all of you. When I first got to this area, Elder French and I did not get along very well. It was super difficult for us and it was mostly because he was used to doing what he did with his first companion, whether it be good or bad. I came from being with Elder Thomas and he is one of the most obedient missionaries, if not the most obedient missionary, in this mission. That was why I was with him. He taught me so much! He taught me how to surrender myself to the Lord. At first, this was hard for me, because I have a tendency to be slightly tenacious. I do not like to give up on anything. A lot of it was little things, like having my sideburns more than halfway past my ear. It's something so small, however it is a rule we have. I held on to them cause that was my pride and joy! If I can't have hair on top of my head, I wanted to at least have a little on the sides! Now, I make sure they are halfway or less! When I see people with long sideburns, I think to myself  "man go cut those things!" Will I always have them that short? I dunno. But as long as I am a missionary, the answer is YES! 

Anyways, Elder French and I learned a lot from each other. As we both came closer to our Savior, we grew closer and became unified. I got his okay before mentioning all of this, but it is so neat for me to see how the Lord works everything out in the end. I will miss Elder French, but he is supposed to be somewhere else for now. 

I had the best time in the holy temple this past Thursday. I brought my Patriarchal blessing with me and I read it in the celestial room again. Awwwww, I love it! I love my life so much. I am more happy now than I have ever been before, and it is seriously because I am closer to my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ than I ever have been before. 

We had a great Sacrament meeting again this past Sunday. We all need to think more about what it means to take Jesus Christ's name upon us, always remember Him, and keeping His commandments. Those are the three things we promise at our baptism, and whenever we partake of the Sacrament, and in return we are promised to always have His spirit to be with us. Those are very big promises and we need to take it seriously. 

So, I occasionally ride my bike down the stairs at our apartment complex because there is like 20 steps and sometimes I just would rather ride them than walk them. One day after I went down I heard "Wow that was sick man! Watch out we have Evil Knievel over here!" and it was a guy named Mike that we never met. This guy has been so good to us ever since we have met him. He is a tractor trailer driver, so he is always on the road, but he has cooked us burgers one night when we didn't have a dinner appointment, and then gave us some ribs another day. Don't worry, I am mindful of the portion sizes I eat. He is not an investigator, but we are hoping to start teaching him soon. I'll let you know whats up! 

Well we taught our investigator Chris the Gospel of Jesus Christ lesson this past week, and it went really well, but he didn't make it to church. Please keep him in your prayers. 

I just want you all to know that I am loving my mission more and more each day. It makes me sad that a quarter of it has already come to pass.....Now I just have a sister mission left. :/  I am working hard and being obedient. I wanna shout out to Michael Costello! When I went on splits with Elder Costello in Ogden, he taught me so much. He taught me how to be an obedient missionary, but at the same time still have my own personality. Michael, you are a boss! Thank you for everything bro. It is tough to be yourself, while losing yourself, and you were a good example of how to do it. 

There is no way I could do this work if the church was not true. Missionary work is hard work, but I want you all to know that I know with all that I am that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the only true and living church on this whole earth. D&C 1:30. Yes, that is a bold statement, but it is true. Don't get me wrong, other churches have truth to them, but in order for a fullness of truth we needed a restoration to happen and I know within my heart that this did happen through the Prophet Joseph Smith. If this was not so, I couldn't be here. But it is true and I am here sharing this with as many as will listen. I love my sacred calling and I am so grateful for the opportunity I have to be where I am. I love you all so much and I look forward to writing you next week. Ill have a new comp when I talk to you next!!!!

I love you! 

Elder DeLuca

You gotta be pretty cool with your comp to be goofy together! 

​Peace be with you!

Missionaries are not supposed to have weapons, however I never leave the apartment unarmed((; 

Yes, I still rock the birks in the apartment. I love those shoes! 

Flossing & The Atonement

Hello everyone! I am gonna be so short with this email but I hope that someone can take something from this email.

This past week was great! We had a really nice District Meeting and the training was on teaching people, not lessons. The three main things we focused on were: teaching for understanding, asking questions, and listening, located on pages 182-186 in Preach My Gospel. Don't quote me on that, but go check it out because all of us can share the gospel with others! 

We had a really nice Sacrament meeting yesterday. We have been helping pass the Sacrament because our ward doesn't have a ton of youth, and a lot of them have been going on activities with their quorums. I wasn't very active in church attendance when I was a teacher or deacon so passing the sacrament is kind of a "new thing" for Elder DeLuca. Luckily, I don't mess up too much. (; Haha....it is actually pretty fun. 

So, I have the opportunity to go to the temple this Thursday and I cannot wait. I seriously love going to the temple SO much! It is the best place on this earth. If you haven't been in a while, GO! If you have things you need to do in order to go, get them done. The temple is the best!

I wanna share with you all why I love flossing my teeth so much. I know this sounds silly, but this is real talk here. Floss is like the Atonement. We can do all that we can (brush the heck out of our teeth) but there is always going to be some stuff in between our teeth that we cannot get with brushing alone. We need to floss. We need to use the Atonement. Whether it be the cleansing power from sin, or the strength we need through tough times, we always need to be using the Atonement. We cannot do it all our own you guys. Rely on The Lord to help you in all that you desire in righteousness. I promise you that as you strive to use the Atonement daily, you will come to have a better understanding of what The Savior did for you personally. I have not missed a single night of flossing since I have been a missionary, and I will not miss one. I won't do it. I have come to love flossing my teeth ever night, and I especially love the Atonement. The Lord helps me so much its crazy. I could not do this work on my own. I know that for a fact! 

I hit my six month mark next week....That is so crazy for me. Time goes so fast. It seems like just a few weeks ago I was crusin' around in the row dog jaming out to my 90's country music. Now I am rolling around on my bike and I jam out to EFY music in the apartment, which is a miracle of its own. I actually love EFY music! Check it out yo! It's good stuff. 

I love you all so much and I hope you have a great week! 

Love Elder DeLuca

​I know this looks weird, but it was actually really good! I have been eating so much healthier and I work out hard! I am now 30 pounds lighter and I feel so good!

Elder French's bike broke so we were walking for like two days! 

Dont worry! Because of my cat-like reflexes, I saved it! I don't do wheelies in front of people though, so don't worry. I gotta have a little fun behind the stores though!

Who'll Stop the Rain?

Wow this week went by really fast for me! Where does the time go?? 

I'm gonna be pretty brief today 'cause I take forever to type and we don't have a lot of time. This week, we had the opportunity to have interviews with President Mortensen and that was awesome! We had a training from the assistants while others were in interviews and that was great.Elder Christensen is actually an assistant now, so it was really nice to see him. One of the first things he said to me was "Man you are lookin good!"  to which I responded "Well, duh!" Hahah....no, just kidding. I think I was like "Yeah, I have lost a couple pounds." I really have and I feel so good! Anyways, President Mortensen is seriously wonderful. He committed all of us to keep the mission standard of making 25 or more invitations to learn each day. I don't know about other missions, but this is not easy here! Our area now is pretty tough for finding, but we have been able to do it ever since last Thursday!  

Yesterday, we were out finding trying to get 25 invitations and it was hard! It started to rain on us and we had like 30 more minutes 'til 9 so we were like, "What should we do??!!"  We decided to just stay out and contact more people and. We were talking to this one guy and we were all getting pretty wet from the rain, and after we got all his information, Elder French was like, "How many was that?" and I was like, "That was 25." and immediately it started pouring on us. You don't know what rain is until you've been to Texas! It was really neat to see how Heavenly Father was holding the rain back just a little bit so we weren't drenched while talking to people. 

I am sorry for being really short today, but I hope you all have a great week. I love you guys!!!!

Love, 

Elder DeLuca

I just had to buy this shirt. It was only 5 bucks!! 

​This is what we look like when we do service!! Sorry both of my pictures  of me are of me all sweaty! 

I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!!

Hey there! 

I wanna start off by saying I LOVE BEING A MISSIONARY!!!! This is seriously the best time of my life! I want to thank all of you for your love and support you show towards me. 

Well, the highlight of this week would be that we all had the opportunity to meet the Mortensens. Mission Presidents really do have a special spirit about them. After each of his family members introduced themselves, President talked to us about some things. He drew three circles on the board and (starting from the left) it was God, Us, and Satan. He explained how they both can and will influence us and it is up to us who we will follow. We will always be given the strength to overcome any temptation that the adversary throws in our paths. 

President Mortensen is a very powerful teacher. I hope some of you can relate to this so I don't sound like I am crazy, but sometimes when I feel the spirit I get the chills. Most of the time it is just like my arms, legs, or back. However, when President was teaching I literally got the chills throughout my entire body. Everywhere!!!! I had a nice clean shave when I went in the church building, and when I left my face was all scruffy. I was happy to feel the hair on my head stand up. I may have even formed some new hair pores!! Who knows?

We have also been visiting a less active couple that hasn't been to church in years. We went like two weeks ago and then again on this past Saturday and guess what!? They came to church this Sunday! (: I was SO happy to see them walking into the chapel. When we were in their home they had explained to us that we always seemed to come at the right time. When they really needed to hear a message. Honestly, that is the Spirit that makes it workout that way because we weren't even planning on going to their house but we just stopped by because. I see miracles every. single. day. I know that God lives and that Jesus Christ is The Savior of this world. I know that with all of my heart. I love my life! It is such a privilege for me to be out here. I love you all and Ill talk to ya soon! 

Love, 

Elder DeLuca

This is Elder Anderson from Gilbert, AZ!!!! We are so weird....

​Don't judge!

We have only had a couple battles so far, but all is well here!

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.