March 30, 2014

Hna Moffett..... She died (was released from her mission) with Hna Hurley.... I miss them so much!!

EVERYONE,
This has been the most stressful week of my mission thus far. I'm am so surprised that I didn't just quite. It seems so crazy that transfers were only on Wednesday. Hermana Hurley is home with her family and is feel so weird with out her. Just to know she is not in the mission any more breaks my heart...MY MOM HAS DIED. I'm an orphan :(

Why has this week been so stressful? I moved. It was the worst experience of my life. What I have learned from this experience is that I'm never going to own a house and I'm going to live in one place for a very very long time. We decided that the wise thing to do would be to pack on Friday morning because we were going to be leaving Friday afternoon. The Elders were going to come help us move, along with Elder Anderson in the afternoon. When we asked the Elders what time they were coming they said 10:00. We just about died. So Thursday night (after correlation) we went strait home and packed until 10:30. Then we work up at 6:30 and started packing again. The Sister Training Leaders came over around 7:45 to help us finish packing. We got most of it done before the elders came. We spent all day Friday moving until 5 when we had dinner and appointment. 

Friday we didn't get ANY missionary work done. We had service in the morning and then we had to clean our house. So this is what Saturday looked like. 

8:00- Elder Anderson came with dresser

9:00- 2:00- Egg-stravaganza

2:30- 4:30- Cleaning the house

5:00-6:30- General Woman's Broadcast

7:00-9:00- Quincenera 

It was crazy. We had totally forgot about the GWB and the STL reminded us about it that night. We were so stressed about it. I have been stressed about of my mind and I'm living out of boxes. In case you were wondering...this girl does not do well living out of boxes. 

The place we are living at is only temporary. We are living with an English family, The Crociers, they have 4 kids. Davy (15), Jeremiah (12), Laura (10), and Lucy (3). They are so cute and an awesome family. We are living in their garage that they converted into an office and a school room. The only thing that stinks about it is the fact that it is bad for my allergies and that the bathroom is inside. But is really nice to come home to a family every night. They are SO funny. 

Other than the move this week has been really good. We decided to drop all of our investigators because NONE of them were progressing. We felt really good about that decision. We kept one, Jesus Ramirez, because he came to church last week. We haven't been able to find him since so we aren't sure what to do with him. We have a lot of faith that the Lord is going to help us find this week and we are really focusing on listening to the spirit to find those people. We are excited to get out and WORK! 

One really cool experience we had this week. It was 8:00, the hardest hour for us to find things to do. Everyone in Galt goes to bed really early so we didn't know what to do. We said a prayer and we decided we should go see this guy we met named Carlos. He told us we could come back on Monday at 7:00 but he wasn't there. We felt like we should go back and see if maybe we could catch him that night. We stopped by and there were a bunch of people out side of his house. We asked if Carlos was home. They said yes, but he was sick. We said that we would come by another day. A guy told us to wait. He went into the garage and then came back out. He said that Carols had expected us the night before but had to leave. This guys name was Juan Carlos. He stood out and talked with us for about 20-30 minutes. He said he was really interested in our message. He would come over to hear our message whenever we came to see Carlos. 

That experience was really cool for me because it showed me that the Lord knows where we need to be and when we need to be there. It was a great lesson for me. That is why we want to try to listen to the spirit more...that way we can be there for who needs us. 

Alright, so I guess we can talk about the elephant in the room....Zayn left one direction....I wish I could say that I don't care and that I'm over that wordly stuff...but I'm heart broken. It was included in every single one of my emails today except for 2...needless to say, I cried...like a baby. I don't think my companion realized how sever my obsession was until today.  

Back to spiritual missionary stuff....

I made goals for this transfer this week. Here is what they are. 

At some point in my high school years I remember a prophet saying that he always wanted the Lord to know He could count on him if He ever needed an errand run. That has been on my mind a lot lately and I decided this is what I want. I need to change some things to get there. I want to be ready for whatever the Lord calls me to do and I need to be a lot more diligent if I want the Lord to feel like

He can count on my. I'm going to focus on that this transfer, being worthy to run the Lord errands for Him. 

Alright! I love you all. Can't wait until next week. 

Love, 

Hermana Porter. 

 

Hna Sellers bought that hat at the Flea Market.... she hasn't taken it off.

The Lighter was giving me a hard time.

Aurelio... he started calling me 'baby-face' this week... he made up a song and everything.  He said, "you got a baby-face!"

Happy 6 months (actually on my 7th month).  I finally got around to burning something,

 Don't worry mom... They aren't the Life Time Warranty socks :)

 

 There are like 10 little chicks living right outside our bedroom.  They are SO cute!

Me and Hna Webb at the Quince

Luz and Edward Cardona.  It was Luz's Quince and Edward was her escort.  They were so adorable.

The Elders came to help us clean.  We left while they cleaned.  When we came to lock up the house this is what was left on our driveway!  #lovelodi  We have some pretty awesome Elders here !  haha

This is Natasha.  She is Russian and super cool  We met her once in February and she came back to visit us and the Ku.  She is so cool!!!

Me and Emma and a puppy we found (dog whisper).

Me in our new place... It was weird going from a house to a room. :(

Me and Hna Webb dancing at the Quince.

 

 The Whole Zone: Hna Moffett, Sister Wilson, Sis Beck, Elder Padilla, Elder Gammell, Elder Snow, Elder Wendt, Elder Soper, Hna Sellers, Me, Hna Bowen, Sister Pisa, Sister Amos

 

Elder Padilla, Elder Gammell, and me.  Elder Gammell left to go to North Sac with Elder Ward.... that lucky duck!

 Elder Wendt and Elder Soper.  Elder Soper left me again.... I'm sure we will be reunited again.

 

Super cute kid named Dylan.  His family just moved back into the ward!!

 

March 24, 2015

Me last P-day.  I sent a ton of letters out.  I'm almost out of stamps..... Help a Sista out??

How's my girl this week?

This week has been great. We have been on fire and we are really starting to feel good about our efforts here in Galt. We are relying more and more on the Lord and learning to change the things that He wants us to. We are seeing so many miracles, IN OURSELVES. It is so beautiful when you can see something change in yourself. 

Did you get transferred?

I did not get transferred. Saying here is Galt :)

Any changes in your city, companion?

Me and Hna. Sellers are staying together. We felt like she was leaving so it is a bit of a shock to us. We were a little sad that we were staying but I think the move should switch things up for us. We are also switching drivers for the transfer so we shall see how it goes! 

What is the best thing that happened this week?

I cannot remember what has happened. That is so bad. I forgot my old planner at home and that is really making this hard. But here are a few stories that are funny. 

1. Yesterday we were contacting. It was a little later than we usually contact but we saw some guys close to our car so we figured that we would go for it. I walked up to them and said "Hi, we are missionaries. I know you are busy working on you car but would it be alright if we gave you a card?"  I think one might have been a little drunk and he said "I've already got a green card." I said "Oh, well that's great. Here is a multicolored card that you can have too." He said "OH WOW! I am finally a somebody." Me and Hna Sellers DIED laughing. It was so funny. He said he would check out the website though, lets see if he remembers it in the morning. 

2. We do service for Meal on Wheels. They give food for elderly people. We go and help April pass out food. As we were waiting and talking with April and lady came up and said "I bought some shirts for Randy. I notice that he always wears long sleeve shirts, summer or winter, and I a saw some at Kohl's the other day so I bought some for him." April said, okay, I'll give them to him. In walks Randy and April said "Randy, here are some shirts for you!" He said "OOOHHHH! Summer clothes?" Nope, not summer clothes but it was still a good laugh

How's the allergies?

Not too bad yet. They were really bad before I got medicine but I got pill and so I'm doing a lot better. 

How was church yesterday? Do you understand them?

It was good. It was our Branch Conference. It was really good. The talks were about missionary work and making sure we are fulfilling our callings. I kinda understood them but it was also in English because there were English people there. 

What will you do for p-day?

We are went to the Pulga (the flea market). I spent a ton of money but I only bought one thing for myself. Then we have emailed and then we are going to a zone BBQ. I will take a ton of pictures and send them next week. 

What is your new address?

I don't know. 

How much does your mom love you? :)A LOT!!!! More than One Direction! 

 This week has been really good. Me and Hna. Sellers have been really stressed about transfers and what not and so tensions have been high. We have been snapping at each other a lot. I'm really irritable but I think it was just because I was nervous about transfers and also about not having a house. Today has been better and we feel a lot calmer. We are excited to start this new transfer together. 

OH MY GOODNESS. I CAN'T BELIEVE I FORGOT THIS.  Prepare yourself. 

WE HAD A REAL, LIVE, EATING, BREATH, LIVING, INVESTIGATOR AT CHURCH ON SUNDAY!!!!. This is my first one ever. WE are and were so excited. He was even there early so he wouldn't be late. I cannot tell you how ecstatic I was. That was my only goal for the transfer and it happened! 

Also, Sinai is being taught with the elders and she also came to church on Sunday. She really misses us but she is so excited to be baptized. We are going to help her. She said the elders are weird but they are nice. We are excited that she is taking this step towards following her Heavenly Father. She is amazing. 

Also, Jorge, Hna Paniagua's boyfriend, is getting baptized. We can't be his missionaries because he lives outside the mission but he has a date for April 28. He is so excited and it cannot some soon enough for him. 

We are a little sad all these people we found turned out to not be for us to teach but we are so happy that we could build a relationship with them and help to unto the waters of baptism.

Alright, this letter is bad because, like i said i forgot my planner. Next week should be a lot better! 

Love you all, 

Love, 

Hermana Porter

 

Hno. Ku and potato sack races.

Reunited!!!!  Hna. Sheffer is training this transfer!  How crazy it that?

 A part-member family.  Ian and Liz are members but Nate is not.  He is thinking about maybe getting baptized.

 

 Hermana Sellers, me, Hermana Moffett, and Hermana Bowen at District Meeting.

 

La Familia Esparaza!!

Me and Rango.  Leave it to this Hermana to convert all the dogs in the world :)

All the Sisters/Hermanas in the Zone!

 

March 16, 2015

Me and Hermana Sheffer at the Elder Bednar conference

So I'm a little bit grumpy right now. My week has been really good except for last night and this morning. The ladies in the FHC are talking out the waazoo and it is making it really hard to type and concentrate. Bleh, they are interrupting my happy time.

I'm going to start off with the bad experience and then head to the fabulous part of my week. So I don't know if I've already told you but our district consists of Me, Hna Sellers, Hna Moffett (STL), Hna Bowen (STL), Elder Padilla (DL), and Elder Gammell (basically also district leader) and as you can tell it is a leadership packed district. I HATE it. It just feels really unbalanced but I'm getting used to it little by little. Anyways, at district meeting we decided to start a contacting game, because contacting is something Hna Seller and I struggle with. We would report our contacts every night and the companionship who had the least amount of contacts had to make treats for correlation. We all agreed to the terms. Hna Sellers and I were super excited because I would help us make the initial contact with people, we even biked a few days to see if we could see a few more people. We made this game on Thursday, Friday was Elder Bednar, Saturday was weekly planning, and Sunday was church. We did NOT have a lot of time. Anyways, last night during follow up call Elder Padilla was like 30 minutes late calling and I was G-R-U-M-P-Y. Then he said, Sisters, your numbers are really low, if you would just start contacting you would get your numbers up. I was pretty heated about that. It just makes me a little upset that this game turned into this. I've forgiven them though, I've just realized how hard it is to be in a district with a whole bunch of leaders...I don't find it very fun. 

This week has been awesome though. On Tuesday we had interviews with President Jardine. He just kept saying, "It is so good to see you happy, Sister Porter." It was really touching. I love him and Sister Jardine SO much. I really hope I don't get transferred to the new mission. I don't want to leave them. President and I just talked about the importance of missionary work and my view on it and we talked a lot about the scriptures in Mark 4 and Alma 26, none of which were the scriptures we were assigned to read. It was really nice. 

Elder Bednar was amazing. I got to see Hna Hurley, Hna Cuesta, Hna Kaaa, and Hna Clark (who is Hna Hurley's other baby, aka my sister). I also got to see Elder Ward, Rindlesbacher, Poulton, Gove, Ross, Packer, Steidley, and Simms. I LOVED seeing everyone I LOVE. 

Elder Bednar had us prepare by studying his talks about Asking in Faith, Conversion and Testimony, and acting. I love that he taught us that we are all living, breathing, moving people. We are NOT objects and we should not be acted upon. We should have the ability to choose whether we act or not. That involves us to change the way we teach. We tell people that they will see blessing when they pray and read but really we should be inviting them to look for those blessings as they pray and read. He did a great job showing this to us. 

I also LOVED that he told us we need to pray with a question in mind and we need to ACT. We need to have an action question. That is so simple yet so profound. I love it. 

There was a lot more that I learned but I don't have my notes with me, maybe next week? 

Mom said she wanted to know more  about my investigators. Right now we are teaching Maricela and Yareli. They are mother and daughter. They had known someone who was a member of the church before and they were really excited to let us in. Maricela really thinks this could help them and their family and she is really excited. This week we were going to teach them the plan of salvation but it didn't happen and the lesson we did have with them was super rocky. It was a really bad lesson but they are super sweet and understanding. They told us they couldn't come to church this last week but they really wanted to the next week. We are really excited. 

Sinai- she moved out of the Esparza's house so we cannot teach her anymore. She has a date but lost it because she didn't come to church. The other Hermanas are going to teach her if we can find her. She is really sweet though. 

Jorge- he is the boyfriend of a member who recently came back into activity. He is amazing. He doesn't live in the mission so we can't technically teach him. We sent him to the Oakland Missionaries. HE has been to church 5 times with us and went to church 1 time in Brentwood. He really wants to get baptized and he is hoping he can find a house here. Maybe we can start teaching him? Figures crossed. He is really awesome but we can't count him as an investigator. 

Lupe- she is amazing. We contacted them on the street a few weeks ago and every time we went back she kind of avoided us and wouldn't let us in. Then finally we went over after 3 last week and she invited us in. She said we had always stopped by when her husband was home and he is not interested. She is having some problems and she really seems ready for help. She said she kept getting the feeling that we have what can help her. She is really cool. WE have a lesson with her tonight. 

Jesus y Rosalea- we haven't added them as investigators yet but it is a really cool story. Their house was a potential for us that we had knocked 5 or 6 times this last transfer. The girl always blew us off and wasn't very interested. Then, our ward mission leader gave us their address in correlation and we said "Hno Ku, we've knocked this house tons of times." he said "no you didn't" we said "Yes we have." He then told us to go back and tell them that Jesus Ku commanded them to be taught. We went back and they answered the door. We told the lady that Jesus Ku told us to come and teach them. Then a man walked up and said "You are from Jesus' Ku's church? I need to know more. Come back MONDAY?" Of course we will be back Monday. WE are really excited to teach them tonight. 

This week has been amazing. 

Alright, a few reminders....

1. Transfers are in a week. So don't send stuff to the house anymore. I'm actually really nervous for transfers because it is very possible that I could leave. The house we live in now is being sold and so we need to find a place to live. Too bad we haven't yet and we only have a week left. 

2. Letters are welcome. My inbox was a little empty this week so feel free to shoot me an email. 

I love you all. Hope you have a great week. 

Love, 

Hermana Porter

P.S. Don't forget to write me your conversion story...please!

 

   

           My favorite Elders.  Elders Ward, Rindlesbacher and Poulton.        FOOD!

    

                                                    Me and Hermana Sellers

                                    Hna Paniagua, Jorge, Hna Araujo and Eddie

                                                                On the way to see Elder Bednar!!!

  

                                 Some pictures from Jose in N. Sac!

 

 

 

 

 

 

:) Me being a pony (again)