August 24, 2015

Did you get letters or emails from James and Laura?

I did. Thank you, thank you. I LOVE LETTERS. Alright, they were acutally emails but I still loved it. Also, James sent me a ton of pictures. That's right, pictures are worth a thousand words.

How goes the work in a YSA ward?
Y.S.A work is good but HARD. I'm so lost and I have no clue how to find people in YSA work.  Sister Maukeni and I have been trying to work really hard with members and finding though using them because that is about the only way it is possible. We don't have a college campus in our area or anything. We are going through the ward (actually branch) list one person at a time. We have actually found a lot of these people have moved. Not every helpful for us but it is helpful for the ward. Hopefully the ward appreciates it. 

How was it seeing your old mission companions?

Aw man. It was amazing! I miss them SO much. It brought me back to North Sac when we all lived together. It was so good just to catch up. Only 6 more months and I won't feel rushed for time trying to talk to them and get all the drama in one load! Haha They are doing so good though, and they look even better. They had the post mission glow.

What is the best thing that happened this last week?

I got to see Hurley and Cuesta. It was the best dinner of my life. They are so cute and we had so much fun. Hermana Cuesta is wasting no time getting to the dating game (Yes, hermana, I did tell the world that.)  and Hurley is looking like a babe. It made me my week.

What is the most spiritual thing that happened this week?

WE had a really good district meeting this week. The spirit was really strong as we talked about member involvement and how we gained our testimonies of the gospel. We all felt the spirit really strong as we talked about the things that we know are true. I have found that when we testify it strengthens our testimonies. I've been focusing on testifying in lessons. I find that people argue with you less when you just tell them things you know to be true. 

What is the funniest thing that happened this week?

Last night, Hermana Hurley surprised me at Manteca's leadership meeting. I was walking out of the kitchen and in she came. I was so excited. The funny part of this story is that I was asking her if she shaved her arms but right before I asked her that she asked what we were all doing there. I then went back and started talking about what we were doing there and I said "Oh, it is a meeting we all get to. The sister training leaders, the zone leaders, and the district leaders." She thought I was still talking about the arm shaving thing and we all got together to shave our arms. IT was SO funny.

What was your favorite thing that you studied?

I've been studying a talked called "The Fourth Missionary." It talks about how we can give ourselves over completely to the Lord where he wants us to be learning.

What is your apartment address?

I'm not sure

Are you still getting along with your companion?We are getting along swelling. I love her so much. WE are doing great. We are extremely lucky because we DO get along. There are quite a few companionship that are not getting a long in the mission because of the change up. We just use the white hand book quite often and we are doing really well. 

Mom said the emails have been too short. Next week I am going to make sure I pay attention to these things so you all can have more to read about. 

I love you so much. 

Love, 

Hermana Porter

August 17, 2015

 Hello Sister Maukeni!

 

Welp, not a lot happened this week except for the fact that BEATRIZ AND ENRIQUE GOT BAPTIZED. One year deep and we had a baptism. The spirit was SO strong in the room. You could just tell that they were so prepared and they were so happy. A lot of their family came to support them as well. It was so beautiful! 

Aso, this week I got to come to my new area. Let me tell you, YSA work is different and weird. I'm not sure how I like it. My first Sunday and all the topics were about marriage and it made me a little trunky. Hopefully we can get the focus on missionary work? Can I get an amen, porfa? A lot of our members are returned missionaries though and it makes things really fun. WE are excited to get the work moving because we came in and don't have any investigators or anything. Shotgunning, ain't it the best? 

My new companion is Sister Maukeni. She is from Samoa and she is SO funny. We are like best friends already. She is a SUPER hard worker and she is teaching me so much. I'm so glad she was the Fresno missionary I was paired with. She is really helping me get my fire back! 

Alright, here are mom's questions from this week. 

How is the work in the YSA branch?

Well, we don't have any investigators but that will change soon. We are both super lost because neither have us have been in YSA before. WE are not really sure how to find or do anything like that with the YSA. WE are focusing on members though because we think that will help us out the most. 

Do you have people to teach there?

NO. But will! 

Did you get to go back for the baptism?

I did! It was so beautiful and the spirit was so strong. I'm so glad I got to be part of their life and part of their conversion. They are SUCH great people. 

What do you like most about your new area?

THERE IS A MALL!!! WE get to go shopping because Momma is in need of a few new shirts and skirts. 

Did you get your birthday package before your birthday?

I did! And I opened it before my birthday as well. It has been a great birthday, even though I didn't get my face shoved in a cake :(

Do you know anyone in your new area?

Area, no. Zone, yes. I know Elder Yuson, Elder WIlliams, Elder Nielsen, Elder Ricks, and Elder Murdock. Those are all the missionaries from Sacramento. There was a lot of transfers this transfer. Over 80% of the missionaries were affected by a change. 

Are you even busier now?

Yes. We are trying to find investigators and find time for exchanges and what not. It is crazy. Plus, there are a ton of meetings that we have to attend because we are STL and so we have even less time to work. Thank goodness for planners! 

How have you seen the hand of the Lord in your life this week?I've been struggling to get my fire back. I've been a LOT better but the super high energy I had before wasn't there. This week I have felt it come back and it came with vingence. Hopefully I can get the wardrobe at the mall to show the outer change as well! I just am so excited about every aspect of the work. I don't dread going out to work anymore and I"m so happy that I get to be here, in Modesto with Sister Maukeni, and working with the YSA. I feel like it is going to be a great transfer and we are going to get a lot done! 

Thank you so much for all your prayers and support. I know that they have really helped me over the past several weeks. I'm so grateful for this chance I have to serve the Lord and be His servant. The Lord is blessing me so much, I don't even have room enough to receive it! 

I love you all. 

Love, 

Hermana Porter

 

Hello new shirt!

Goodbye Hermana Cuesta

Hello Familia Bautista

With Elder Perry at the baptism

Goodbye Familia Bautista

Goodbye Old Companions

Goodbye Old District

Goodbye Noe

Good Bye Familia Mediola

Goodbye Familia Paniagia

Goodbye Elder Anderson (he's home)

Goodbye Sister Wilson (she's home)

Goodbye Elder Palmer

Elder's Anderson and Graham

 

Goodbye Elder Bell

Goodbye Sister Allen

 

August 11, 2015

Exchange Photo  

I want to say thank you to all those who have emailed me these last few weeks. I don't have time to respond back to each one but there is a list of you that I thank.

Scott Grey

Deborah Pace

Momma Misty

Mark Ferguson

Michelle Martin

Teresa Hebert (thank for the package too)

Christie Kasteler

Katherine Chartier

Aunt Gwen

Jamie Quist

Jana Wiseman

Uncle Tim

Sarah Faulstick

Miranda Hoffman

Carole Jones

Duane

Joyce Dillow

Lisa Sodders (the package too!)


Alright, are you ready for this? Because I was NOT. You are not going to believe what happened this transfer. Go, make you final guesses, but let me warn you, whatever you guess, it will be wrong. Let me tell you a story with telling where I'll be transferred.

So we got our calls on Saturday night. We were at the church with the Zone Leaders because Beatriz and Enrique were having their baptismal interview. (They passed, just in case you were wondering.) We were mid giving Elder Anderson advice on to give compliments when the phone rang. Hna. Carpenter went to answer it and I continued to give examples to Elder Anderson and Elder Graham on how to give nice, sincere, and yet not creepy compliments. I heard Hna. Carpenter say a name that wasn't to Spanish and I started to freak out a bit. I said "Who was that?" Then she said "Yes, President, Hermana Porter is here." President Palmer gave her her call first. When she passed me that phone she said "I'm going to Manteca to be an STL with Hna. Sheffer." With that information I though "Psh, I'm totally staying here." Here is how the conversation went. 

"Sister Porter, the Lord has chosen you to go to Modesto 2nd YSA Ward to be a Sister Training Leader with Sister Maukeni." 

The thoughts going through my head at that point were "That is NOT a Spanish sisters name because I know ALL the Spanish sisters names." Then I said "President, is that English work?" I heard a shuffle of papers "Yes, indeed it is sister Porter." That is when the tears started. Hna Carpenter said "Oh, Crap." The Elders "Oh no." Luckily, I recovered quickly and I became really excited. Things are going to be so much fun. 

So there it is. Yours truly is no longer a Hermana...although I still expect all of you to call me Hermana. I'm really excited for this new opportunity that the Lord has given me. There is SOMETHING that I am going to learn from this experience. I'm sad to be leaving this Branch but I'm excited for the new adventure that is ahead. 

Alright, another crazy tidbit of information. CODY PERRY is going to come into my old area. He is going to finish teaching Beatriz and Enrique and he is going to plan the baptism. You should expect pictures next week of us together at our joint bautismo. I am SO excited. I was telling everyone about him on Sunday. 

Like I stated, Beatriz and Enrique are getting baptized!!!!! They came to church and Sunday and we told them about the transfers. They were SO sad. They said "But you are part of our family!!!! We aren't going to be seeing your faces every day?" They were heart broken but she said "We are going to write each other and you are going to come back after your mission." It was so sweet. They are AMAZING. I would be surprised if she wasn't relief society president or something. Elder Anderson gave Beatriz her interview and he said after wards "Wow, that was the most spiritual moment ever. She is amazing." You can say that again Elder Anderson. I love them so much. They are such great examples for all of us. 

I'm sad to be leaving Lodi but I am so excited to have this new adventure. I hope I like English work and I am ready to learn what the Lord has in store for me. 

I love all of you. 

Love, 

Hermana Porter. 

 

PS Could you send me some pictures (printed out) of the grandkids and Brad and Jess? and James?

 

Goodbye Julian

Goodbye Nicko

Goodbye to my mission MOM

District Photo

Last Aurelio Photo

Puppies!  Beatriz is in the background.

SMACK PIE!

Classy Act.

What happens when you ask the Sisters to send a letter for you?  You're welcome Elder Anderson!

Dreams coming true.

They LOVED the pillowcases.

 

August 3, 2015

 

 

Thank you for ALL your letters. I feel the love from New Albany and also all over the world. Thank you so much for the encouragement and the love. I'd write all your names of who wrote me but I don't have time for that. ( I spent all my time reading them.)

This week has been really good. I'm just going to rant a little bit about Beatriz and Enrique. They are the CUTEST people in the entire world. We are teaching them and they are taking it all so well. Beatriz has given up coffee and is doing great. We taught them about Diezmo and they LOVE it. They are so willing to do everything and they couldn't get enough of reading the scriptures. When ever we come over for our lessons they have a list of questions for us to answer and they want to know more and more and more. 

This week they came to church with their granddaughters and one of them is 22. She is super interested in the church too. During relief society Beatiz was explaining the concept of tithing to Ana and they were like "wow. I love that concept." They are progressing so well. 

I'm so grateful that Heavenly Father has given me this opportunity to work with them. They are teaching me so much about continually learning and soaking up the gospel. 

This week I learned a lot about service. Have you ever seen the video LIFT? It is a mormon message and it is so good. there is a part where they guy talks about how Service Heals the Soul. I believe that so much. That is something I've been trying to focus on this last week. Service. Helping others. I want to be that person who just does kind things for all people. I think that is so important because I love when people do that stuff for me. 

I know that this gospel is true. I can testify over and over and over again that this is the ONLY true church here on the earth. I have such a strong testimony of the power of the priesthood and how important it is, not only for saving ordinances but also for communication with the Lord. So many blessings. 

I love you all so much. Thank you for all the support and the uplifting messages. 

Les quiero. 

Con amor, 

Hermana Porter. 

 

 

July 27, 2015

Service at a ranch/farm

I'm really tempted not to write anything today. It seems as if my family has forgotten me. I had a total of 5 emails in my inbox this morning and I only received one card this week...that didn't really didn't include how anyone was doing. I've going to come home to a family of strangers who all know me. So please, repent and get better...thanks.

This week has been hard. I had a break down basically every single day. I've realized that I have only 7 months left in the mission and I feeling a little blue about that. 

The only thing I look forward to is Beatriz and Enrique. They are so amazing. This week I had the opportunity to give them my only set of scriptures and my gospel principle book. I've never seen anyone so happy in my life. It was such a humbling experience for me. They were so grateful to have all the scriptures. I realized how much I take the scriptures for granted. All they want is to read and learn more. Church is such an exciting experience for them. I'm go grateful that I have the chance to be apart of their life. They have taught me what it means to continue learning more and treasuring up the word. I hope I can follow their example. 

This week I gave my first talk in sacrament meeting. I gave it all in Spanish and I didn't read it word for word. PROGRESS. It helps that the man who went before me only speaks Portuguese. So it seemed really good. 

alright. 

thats all for this week. 

Love you

Hermana Porter 

July 20, 2015

Selfie Sunday

Personal Study this morning

We are the 3 best friends!

It has been a hard week but this week will be different. We had to drop a lot of our investigators due to the fact that they just weren't progressing. We have been working on finding when you teach and teaching when you find but it is HARD. Me and Hermana Carpenter realized this week that we are not spending our time as wisely as we should and some changes need to take place. We are both struggling with our own battles but we need to forget ourselves and get to work.

This week we had the pleasure of going out with Sister Palmer. She is the sweetest lady in the whole wide world. Her heart is of gold. She took all of the sisters in our zone out for lunch and then we went to see Aurelio. She doesn't speak Spanish hardly at all but she tries. She can't speak very well but she reads amazingly. She helped Aurelio with so much. For the first time in a long time he actually listened to us. 

We also had zone training this week. Unfortunately we were at the doctor for the majority of it so we miss most of what was said. I did learn that I need to rededicate myself to the work. I have been thinking too much of myself and not enough of the Lord or the people he has put me here to work with. There are so many people who I have the ability to touch but because I've been thinking about myself I haven't been able to do the Lords work. 

Beatriz and Enrique are progressing nicely to their baptism date of the 15th of August. Enrique had to work on Sunday but Beatriz was there with their granddaughter. They have this light about them since they came to church and accepted a baptism date. They KNOW that this is what they need to do with their life and this step is what is best. Poco a poco they are making their way to the font. 

Les quiero

Con Amor, 

Hermana Porter

Hno. Hernandez birthday

Hno. Hernandez birthday

Hno. Hernandez birthday

They call me Hermana Juan

We are Juan

Juan in purpose

Out to dessert for the birthday girl.  We went with the English Sisters.

Our Mexican pics

Hermana Carpenter loved her birthday package

I love my Aunt Hannie Poster.