February 10, 2015

*I sent them all pillowcases and Oreo's for a party for helping Hannah during her hard time*

  

  

  

TRANSFERRED

 

Yep. There it is. Hermana Porter is no longer in North Sac. My new area is.....are you ready?? G.....A....L....T

Also, my new companion is going to be Hermana Sellers. I have heard really good things about her and I am so excited to be her companion!! 

It has been a really hard 12 hours since I found out. I really did not think I was leaving at all. I had a major break down once I found out...but is that really surprising? Apparently I haven't changed that much! ha-ha. 

~Are you stressed about transfers?

Yes. Especially now that I haven't starting packing at all. I am really nervous about my first Sunday there because I heard they are not used to missionaries that don't speak Spanish well. But I guess that just means I need to working on my Spanish even harder...right? 

~When will you know if you are staying or leaving?

I found out last night. That way I have P-Day to pack and say goodbye to people. 

~What was the best thing that happened this week?

We had a really good lesson with Sister Marriott. (she is an English lady that feeds us occasionally.) We watched the Mormon Message "The Will of God" We had such a good discussion about it and the spirit was so strong. That video is so powerful and it really brings the spirit. The thing I learned is that I need to make sure I am always living by doing the will of God. My will has be aligned with His and I have to accept the challenges He puts into my path and accept His path for us. 

~Did you get milk before you opened the District box?

No. I got almond milk in that package you sent me so I just used that and kept the $4 for myself. 

~Do you have more sisters leaving than coming? (our mission has had a lot of sisters leave but we are not getting as many.  Our ward only has 2 sets of Elders now)

All of our Sister are being replaced (Spanish at least...who know about English...they don't matter:) So no. we are not shrinking. But the elders are. 

~Have you used any of the little stories Sarah made for you for families in your ward?

Yes! We use them all the time with the Rodriguez Family. They also work well for some investigators. But I love them A LOT. Sometimes I just study them for personal Study. 

~How many meals a week do you cook?

Does the Microwave count? Because if so, then 7. If not, then 0. Sometimes I make sandwiches too. So yeah. Sorry I am a disappointment. I did learn to make rice this week! That is exciting. 

~Do you drink lots of water?

Yes. I drink so much that we have to stop about every hour for me to go to the bathroom. I think I have a small bladder the size of a Cincy's bladder. But I'm not going to stop.

~Are you taking your meds?

Of course I am. Siempre. 

~Were you happy to get your ugly duvet cover?
So happy! And It smells just like home! I love it so much. Now I don't have to freak about all the time about getting my Down Comforter dirty. 

Sunday was the craziest day of my life. We got home from church late and I ate a ton of food because I always forget to eat before church, so I was starving. Then, and hour later after I had eaten all that food I went to Hermana Perez house and ate 4 pupusas and some rice (because Karina taught me how to make it) and then we went over to another families house to have a small FHE with them. They fed us donuts. As I was eating the donut, which I wasn't sure I was going to be able to stomach in the first place, their little kid threw up all over their living room floor. I was about to die but I was handling it pretty well. But then, all of the sudden I hear Hermana Gigger say "We'll clean that up for you." I gave her the craziest look and almost died. I was a bad companion and just let her clean it up on her own. ha ha It was nasty. I am never having carpet in my house... 

We found a few people this week and that is really exciting. Right now I am in the process of getting the area book caught up so the Hermanas who are shot-gunning our area have more of a start than I did when I was shot-gunned. 

I am trying to have a really positive outlook on this. I am really excited for change but really sad that I am leaving. I hope I will cope well. 

I love you all and hope you have a great week. 

Love, 

Hermana Porter. 

  

 

 

 

 

Her email to her Mission President.

President Jardine, 

This week has been really good. If I am being honest with you I was 100% and totally shocked that I was leaving. That was a complete plot twist. I'm kind of upset about it but excited about the new experience I will be having. 

I have made a few goal for this transfer. 

 

1. Be me. 

I need to make sure I am making my own decisions and doing what is best for me. I figured out about that last transfer. I had a really hard time because I never took up for myself or made any decisions for myself. I need to make some even if they are as simple as, I'm going to do this for language study. Or, I am going to do this for breakfast. I need to make sure I am taking control of my own life and not letting people, aka the senior companion, control it for me. 

2. Develop relationships. 

Once I forgot about not being able to speak the language well and just worried about connecting with people, I saw my relationships change a lot. Now it is hard to leave. But I'm glad I did it. I need to remember that when I am going somewhere new. Don't be scared if they judge my Spanish but just work on getting to know them and being a friend with them. I found missionary work is more successful when people feel that they can trust you. 

3. Be clean. 

I am going to stay clean and organized. (By clean I don't mean hygiene because I am okay in the category but clean as in not sloppy.) I need to have the gumption to do things when they need to be done. I will do it. That is what I need to do. 

This transfer is going to be great President. I feel it. I just have to let my mind catch up with that feeling. 

Thanks for all you do President Jardine. I will continue to pray for you and Sister Jardine.

Love,

Hermana Porter.

February 2, 2015

My District

This week has been great. I don't have a lot of cool stories but I tried to make this letter home really interesting. Enjoy. 

Did you ever get boots?  It looks like you are due some rain this week.

No. I never did get boots. I also broke my rain jacket. By broke I mean ripped the armpit out. How that happened? I haven't an inkling of a clue. I'm going to the mall today so maybe I'll keep my eyes out for those two things...If I'm being honest I am probably just going to buy some cardigans.

How are your clothes holding up?

Pretty good.  I feel like I wear the same 4 outfits every day and I get sick of that. The clothes themselves are holding up really well. I need to start not drying my clothes. It is really hard though because our apartment is really small and we don't have room for every one's clothes. Plus Hermana Cuesta is a neat freak, you thought I was bad, and wont let me hang them anywhere besides my room. Other than that, they are great.

How's your teaching pool?

Zero. Zip. Zilch. Nada. 

That describe it enough for you? Our goal this week is just to find. We have 2 people that we are teaching that we have been for forever. (Lula, she will probably be dropped soon. and Lourdes. She is great just hard to get ahold of because...well I'm not sure.)

We plan on working really hard this next week to get us some people to teach especially me and my next companion (because transfers are next week. So stop sending stuff to the house by like Wednesday?) We are praying for milagros and hoping to find those people who need to be taught in our area. 

How's the re-activation work going?

Kind of at a stand still as well. Hermana Gigger isn't quite as passionate about re-activation as I am so we have cut back on it. However I think she is starting to see the blessings of it because Jonathan Perez came to church yesterday for a fireside. He didn't come to actual church but he came to a fireside. That is the first time he has come to something that didn't provide dinner and was church related in over 5 years. He said, "Well I just needed an invitation" as soon as he said that I said "Well. then we would like to formally invite you to church on Sunday." He told us he worked but the would think about it. His brother gets home from his mission this Wednesday and I think that is softening his heart a lot.

What is the best thing that happened this week?

On Saturday I wore pants all day because we were doing SERVICE! It was such a fun day. We spent from 9 in the morning until 2 in the afternoon helping people register for a marathon. I spent that whole time on my feet handing shirts to them. Then from 3 until 5 moving Hermano Allan with the Hmong elders. It was a great day. I was so exhausted by the end of they day it was crazy.

Have you had a Zone Conference lately?  If so, how was it?

We actually just had zone conference this week. It was great. We talked about using the scriptures when teaching. Teaching FROM the scriptures not WITH the scriptures. One thing I learned is that when we teach FROM the scriptures the investigators are actually teaching themselves. We ask questions that apply to that scripture and the apply it and learn from the spirit. ALSO crazy thing. I know a missionary in this mission!!! His name is Elder Seaman, Matthew Seaman. He went to EFY with me and was in my company for 4 years. It is crazy.

Who leads your district meetings?  How often do you have those?

Welp, the district leader leads the district meeting...and we have them once a week. We have them every Thursday unless we have zone training or zone conference. But they are great except for the fact that they are in Spanish....

Do you need gloves or a hat or anything like that?

Nope. I am not cold what so ever. Rain coat?

Are you understanding more Spanish?

Yes. Well it actually depends on the day. Some days  I feel really confident in my Spanish but then other days I don't..so it really depends. But when I am feeling it I am really feeling it. If that makes sense great. If not....sorry.

Are you still seeing the counselor?Yes. Nancy is crazy. I canceled this week to see how I would do with out her. I am doing great this week so I hope that I can maybe stop going next week? We will see. I am feeling so much back to myself. 

I also got a lot of letters this week! Thanks to all that sent them. I got some letters from Bekah Landers, Jozi, Roxanne, Joleen, Judy, Mom, Laura Hodgkins, and I got a package from Mom and Amanda. Amanda that package was TOO much. The chocolate man...inappropriate. But I loved it! haha and YES I will be your Valentine. Thanks for the love and support! I love it! 

Also, Happy Birthday to my brother James.  The groundhog himself.  Hope you have a great day.

Alright. I love you all! Have a great week. 

Love, 

Hermana Porter

Elder Durtschi and The Orange

 Service with Elder Durtchi, Elder Kittleson, and Elder Barton

 Our Elders when practicing as song.  Yes, I did sing Alto.

 Elder Seaman (the person I knew before my mission)

 Us helping Hno. Allan move.

 The Elders are Elder Steidley and Elder Simms.

The Hermanas!!

January 26, 2015 (5 MONTHS!)

Guess who's back?  Back again. 

Hannah's back.  Tell a friend!!!!!

How was your week?

My week has actually been really good. I feel happy even when I am mad so that is great. I feel like I am finally getting back to my old self and that puts me in much better spirits. 

I've actually been feeling great since last Monday. My district had an intervention for me and that put me in much better spirits. They asked me how they could help and I have been great since then. 

We had a lesson with a less active who is an alcoholic and he said he wanted to start going to AA classes with us! WIN. we are super excited about that! ha-ha

Had a lesson with a man named Wilbert. He told me never to say the phrase "I wish" because I could be in the presence of a Genie and if that is true then I will be bound by a contract to that wish forever. That contract is bound by my soul. Wilbert was a kook but it was really funny! 

Did you meet with the counselor again?  How did that go?

I did. It went really well. She talked to me about expressing myself. I told her that when someone does something to make me mad I choose to keep it in because it isn't worth the argument to me. She told me about I statements, yuck, and how those should help me. I've actually been trying it and it helps quite a bit. She told me that when we assume things, which I do a lot, I make an "ass out of 'u' and 'me'" Words of Nancy, mom, not me. Ha-ha That piece of advice really helped. I assume a lot and that put an end to it quickly. 

How much mail did you get this week and who was it from?

I received 2 letters from mom.

Jessica, Brad, James, Karen Stamp, Laura Faulstick (emails and dearelder), a package from Aunt Gwen, and I think I am missing someone but I'm not sure. The one I'm missing is Diana!!!!

 

How was church?  Who spoke and what was the topics?

Ha ha. Church was okay. We have been in primary for the last month and it is so much fun. Mostly because it is in English and I understand English. The kids are SO smart and I think it is good for us to be developing relationships with them. They come up to us in the hallways and tell us they miss us and what not (because we sub for a different class every week.) I love those kids so much. Sacrament meeting was on Priesthood? I have no clue actually but I'm going to tell you that. 

What does a missionary do for FHE?

Tonight we are visiting less actives. That is what we try to do. We spend 8:00 with the Rodriguez family and that is about it. We are also going to a less actives house for dinner. We are going to teach the Rodriguezes about Alma 47 and the king who got poisoned by degrees. We are going to try to reenact it with them. We shall see how it goes. 

How was it talking (face time) with Diana?

So great. I miss that kid. She is literally the best. One day I will get to be her room mate and it shall be the best time of my life! How did you know I face timed with her? I really miss her but her mom says she's doing great at college and is looking up all the cool places for us to hang when I get there. :)

What is a lesson you learned this week?

Just be yourself. If I would have been that from the start of the transfer then this wouldn't have happened. I let other people influence how I was feeling and that wasn't good. I need to be me, Hermana Porter, so everyone has a fair chance. I also learned not to assume. also, not everything is my fault. I need to learn to distribute the blame evenly. 

How is your t-shirt quilt holding up?

Great! I love it. It keeps me warm and will be great for summer when my down is too thick. Speaking of down comforter, could you send me the cover you made for mine a few years ago? I don't want it to get dingy and I need something to protect it!!! 

Did you get your February Pillowcases?  (I think they are the cutest!)

I did! Hna Gigger was sad that both of our names were not on them but I loved them. They are so adorable and I love it. Not to romantic either! ha ha. I cant wait for next months!!

What is the most interesting meal you have had this week?

None of my meals were interesting this week....wow. 

Have you been asked a confusing question? if so, what was it?

I feel bad because I can remember anything.

How is your tooth?  Is it permanent? 

My tooth is great! As of Thursday it is permanent. I can not even tell that it is not the real tooth! He did such a great job. Okay, here is a bit of depressing news. The whole thing cost about $1,806.00 and insurance only paid $425.00. He lost $1,360 ish for fixing my tooth. I felt so bad. Hopefully I will be able to repay him one day!

Dad wants to know if you liked the photos he sent you?Loved them! I miss those people! When does Morgan leave for his mission? 

Alright, 

That is a summary of my week! It was great! The old Hna Porter is back and she is new and improved! This week is going to be great! I love you all!

Love, 

Hermana Porter. 

 

 That's Jose.  He always sends you pictures of me.

 Hermana Kaaa!  I love her!!

 Lixey

 Our fearless Elders.  They are so funny.  They bring so much joy to my life!

Exchanges this week.  The other Hermanas are Hna Burke and Hna Kaaa (Hna Kaaa came out with me.  I love that lady so much!)

 

January 19, 2015

SO this week has been really hard again.

On Wednesday I had a meeting with the mission President. We talked about my feelings for a good 45 minutes and he told me some ways I can improve. He gave me a blessing. After the blessing I felt so peaceful. It is the most peaceful and content I have felt in a really long time. I'm so glad I finally asked to get a blessing. He then told me he wanted me to see a counselor and  talk with the mission nurse and take a stress test so that is what I did. The mission nurse told me that I need to see the counselor and so they signed up with the people from LDS Social Services. 

Friday was my appointment with Nancy (the name of my counselor) and boy do I like that lady. (can you tell I was read Junie B Jones too much as a child?) She helped me learn a lot from what I was feeling. She gave me some really good ways to change my way of thinking and make me see positively. She said that it isn't a chemical depression which is good. She said it is situational and that I've met a force that is oppressing me. I just need to figure out a way that I can feel like I can be myself again and that should increase the process of making me happy. 

We taught a few lessons this week. We still have no solid investigators and the work is extremely hard. My companion and I have some different views on missionary work and that causes some conflicts. I'm working on my communication skills so I can learn to express to her the things that I think are important. We are working out our problems one step at a time. 

She is really teaching me how to work super hard and I'm grateful for that. That is really something I can use my entire mission. 

QUESTIONS
I want to know what your counselor told you to do to be happy. 

She told me to think "Is this in my circle of influence or my circle of concern." Circle of influence is things I can control and circle of concern is things I cannot control. Good advice huh? 

Also, she told me to feed the white dog, not the black dog. Feed the positive feelings not the negative feelings. 

Lessons taught this week. 

Not a lot. We just got a lot of door step lessons which didn't really get us anywhere. 

We had a really good lesson with a lady named Claudia and her husband Frederico. The whole family wants to come to the lesson on Saturday and they are really excited for us to return. We are really hoping something becomes of them. 

I saw pictures of a wedding. Who got married and how was it? Is it different from a reception/wedding here?

A family that the Hermanas married and baptized this week. A family of 4. Kind of a sore subject to me and I will tell you about it when I am not so sensitive. 

Who did you get letters from this week?

I got a letter from Porter Elmer, Diana, Kim Stephenson, Lisa Sodders, and I got a package from Sarah Harward, Lacey, and MOM. 

What are some things you need?

Toothpaste, floss, new tooth, deodorant, little socks, Joseph and the technicolored dream coat (Donnie Osmond version please). Also those EFY CD's I asked you about at Christmas time. A down east skirt just like the green and pink one that you have. I love that skirt and I want as many of them as possible. 

Did you do any splits this week?

No. We don't really have the appointments for splits....soooo. 

What are you doing to convert yourself?

Reading the scriptures and saying my prayers. I know I am doing something but that is a lot of pressure to put me under. 

How is your personal study going?

Great. I love personal study. My favorite time of the day. 

Love you all, 

Hermana POrter.

January 12, 2015

Debbie Downer

 

So this email is really depressing for the most part and I'm sorry. This week has just been extremely hard. I'm having a hard time seeing the miracles but and the same time I still love the work. I decided I didn't want to make it seem like I was doing really well I haven't been doing really well. Don't worry, because somethings got to give and I feel a miracle in our near future! 

This week has been the worst week of my mission thus far. That sounds really depressing but that is how my week has gone. I've been really sad and depressed all week and I couldn't change it. All the Hermanas in the apartment were super worried about me and they'd give me advice on how to be better and how to be happier but in all honestly, it just made me more angry. I knew everything they were telling me to do would help but I didn't have the desire to do anything. I would try and I would just get sadder and sadder. 

It has been a really long time since I had been that sad, years I would say. I had made up my mind a long time ago that I wanted to be a happier person and I have been since I have been on my mission. I smile all the time and I laugh and I'm so happy but to have that hit me, it was really hard. I didn't know what to do or how to handle it. I was angry at Hna Cuesta and Hna Hurley for being happy with their companionship and I felt the same way towards Elder Ward and Elder Poulton because of their happiness. Everyone was so happy and I was mad and sad. Then I'd get even more sad because I didn't feel that anyone was noticing how sad and unhappy I was. I realized I was being really selfish. 

One day, during personal study I had the thought that I needed to pray. Not just a silent prayer in my head but a real out loud prayer. I went into the bathroom and just started to pray. I spent the rest of personal study in there. The spirit was so strong in that bathroom (that doesn't really have a ring to it but it is the truth.) So that's what I've been doing. I've been praying in the bathroom and it helps. For a little while I feel a lot of peace. 

It was still really bad until we did service. It was super hard and I was not happy. But we did a lot of service on Saturday and we cleaned for a lady and I felt so good after that. I have been a lot happier. I'm not back to normal but I feel a lot happier. I've been smiling a lot the last couple of days and it has been easier. 

I hope this week starts to look up and I start to feel a lot better. I've started a gratitude journal and I really hope that helps. I'm also going to stop focusing on my and start focusing on those around me. i think that could help a lot. 

QUESTIONS

Did you get your pillowcases?

I did. It stressed me out a little bit to have those bills in there. Sorry I spent so much money. I was also a little sad that there wasn't a note from you in there :( But I loved them. It makes me so happy to get pillow cases. Hna Hurley was really sad not to get one this month! Haha. 

What do you like best about your companion?

She is a really hard worker. She just always wants to work and I really needed it this week. The times I felt the best is when we were out talking to people and working. I'd forget about myself and that'd help a lot. 

How's the chemistry in your apartment with the changes?

I feel off but it seems to be okay. We didn't realize how much Hna Sheffer balanced us all out until she left. We really really miss her. But we are getting into the swing of things with the new companion. 

What is the best thing that happened this week?

We had a lesson with Jonathan Perez. We talked about prayer and he sat in on gospel conversation. He talks to us with out a fight now! We were so happy! we are making so much progress with him even if it is really slow!

What is the funniest thing that happened?

Last night we went to see Hno Allan and he make some of this really nasty soup. It was so bad. He was so proud of it thought. I took a bite of it and I was for sure I was going to throw up. It tasted like strait up fish. It was so bad. It was a blessing that we have to sit outside with him. He went into the house to make us some cool aid and so hna Gigger started to put spoonful's of the soup into his yard. I felt bad doing that so I said. "Hno I forgot something in the car." and I went and I dumped the soup out bye the car. He thought we loved it and so he gave us more to take home. The funny thing is that we got some of the soup on us trying to dispose of it and so the rest of the night we smelt horrible. When we went to Hna Perez she kept saying "What's that smell." Finally we were like it was us. She just started dying laughing. 

Who are some of your favorite ward members?

Hna Perez. Hna Baltazar, Brenda, Jose, Hna Ochoa. I love all of them so much!! 

What are some of the activities the ward has planned?

None that I know of.

What was the favorite lesson you taught this week?

Jonathan Perez. Or a lesson we taught on exchanges. The Hnas have a family getting baptized this Saturday and I taught them with Hna Cuesta. I didn't say a whole lot but it was amazing to see people who actually wanted to get baptized and see actual investigators. The spirit was so strong in that room!! 

I hope this week didn't seem to horrible. We got to do some service and clean a lady's house that was cockroach infested. It was so nasty. Mom you would have been so proud of me! I only gagged once (or 20) times! We spent 5 hours there and it still wasn't close to clean but it looked a lot better! I felt so good after that service! 

Also, my camera died this week and I never charged it so I have no pictures...Sorry. 

Love, 

Hermana Porter

January 5, 2015

INTRODUCING HNA GIGGER!!!!

I lost my tooth again at a member dinner. Luckily I have no feeling in it because we cannot superglue it back on. It doesn't line up right. I did, however, receive revelation through dream that I should put my tooth in my retainer and wear it like that! Guess what, IT WORKS!! haha. This picture is mostly for Jessica.

Dear Family,

Questions first,

1)  How was your first week with the new companion?

Good. It is really hard for me to adjust to having a new companion. A lot harder than I thought it would be. I have to get used to the way she breath, sleeps, and walks and talks. I have to get used to where she puts things in the bathroom etc.. It is really hard. We do things way different than me and Hna Hurley did them so it is a really weird adjustment. Some of the things that we changed, I like, others I don't like so much. The adjustment has been harder than expected but it isn't unmanageable. It just wasn't what I was imagining it to be, if you know what I mean. 

2)  Most of us fasted for your Spanish to come quicker and for people for you to teach.  Amanda fasted the 28th and the Harward's and Dad and I fasted this week.  Any results yet?

 

I feel like I can speak a lot more Spanish and I understand a lot more. I think it is because of the fast! Specially the one on the 28th. Once I had Hna Gigger as a companion it just started to flow. I think it also had something to do with she didn't know how bad my Spanish was or how good it was so I could just start over. Hna. Perez said I am speaking a lot better. I fasted for it yesterday as well and last night in our lesson I don't think I've ever spoke that much good Spanish! I also understood almost everything!  The fasting has worked!! What a miracle! 

3)  What has changed the most since getting the new comp?

We have a huge new area with tons of new investigators. SO that part of the fast was answered as well. Hna Gigger and I decided we wanted a baptism on the 31 of January and so we've started fasting and praying for that. One way that was answered was by the adoption of this new area! We've gained 5 or 6 new investigators from it! 2 are REALLY solid. There is just a few things holding them back but they said they really want to be baptized. WE haven't met all of our new investigators yet but we hope to soon!

4)  How is the re-activation work going?  Is the one guy still going to Seminary?

Reactivation is going great! I'm not sure if Rafael went to seminary today. It was the first day back from winter break so there hasn't been seminary in almost a month. We are going over to their house tonight for FHE and we're going to talk about it then. We are seeing miracles with Hna Perez's son Jonathan. He sat down with us again last night and ate dinner with us! WOW and then he participated in the spiritual thought, again! Two weeks in a row...how amazing! We hope to see him as well. This is a lot of progress considering 3 weeks ago he would barely talk to us! We are so thankful for him. 

5)  What is the weather like out there?

Not to bad. It is chilly. I have to wear tights and when the sun goes down a winter coat. It gets really windy and those days are bad. But other than that, not too shabby. The low has been 48 and high 60.

6)  Can you give a few examples of how you see the hand of the Lord in your life?

Literally, in every single way possible. It is crazy how He just guides us to people daily. We met a guy named Jesus a few weeks ago and now we are teaching his WHOLE family! He lives with his wife and then there is his son and his wife. We are teaching both families and I know that I because of the lord. The Wife of the son was not interested when we stopped by a few weeks ago but she is now. MIRACLES I TELL YOU!!!  

Also he helps me feel a lot of comfort when I make mistakes. I know that before my mission when I would do something wrong I'd beat myself up about it for a long time. Now I just think, whelp it is something to learn from and I try to make it better. Plus, I hardly cry anymore when people correct me! also, what a miracle. 

Also, I really like people now. I thought I'd have a hard time adjusting to being around people 24/7 but I'm not. I actually miss people when there aren't people around me. 

Is that enough? 

7)  Who is in your apartment now?

It is Hna Gigger and myself and then Hna Cuesta and Hna Hurley.  Hna Gigger is the only new one! 

I actually covered everything I wanted to cover in the email in answering my questions...SO that's awkward. But it has been a great week and I am learning a lot. I love this opportunity to serve the Lord. The more I am out here the more I love it. Everyday I find something I love and it makes me sad that everyday I am getting closer to leaving. This is the last thing I wanted to add before I'm done...copied and pasted from my letter to President. 

I love you all! I hope you are doing well! 

Love, 

Hermana Porter. 

 

I've been having a hard time this week just adjusting to everything and one thing I thought last night, while on follow up call, is that I just need to forgive myself and then forget myself. Elder Ward asked me how it was going in our area and Hna Gigger said "Great!" I thought, "No it isn't, this is wrong and this is wrong...everything is wrong."

I expressed that to elder ward and he had some really great responses that I can't remember but what I remember thinking to myself is "Forget yourself, Hna Porter. Think about those in your area and your companion but not how you're feeling. " Talk about a slap to the face...but it actually helped me a lot. I feel like I was focusing a lot on myself and not on helping those around me. I was thinking about how comfortable I was not how others were. I was not being Christ like. I need to forgive myself and then forget myself

 

Hna Hurley, Elder Harris, me.  Before Elder Harris left to go to Stockton.  I miss this Elder (I took over his area)

Hna Hurley, Elder Echanique, and me before he went home, to Dubai!

       



 Last selfie as a companionship!                                      Hna Sheffer!  I miss her so much! She                                                                                           went to Stockton as well.

The Last District Photo.... goofy, of course.

The Good Last District Photo.... serious, of course.

Elder Ross, he left too but I am not sure where he went.  El Dorado, I think?

Elder Packer left!  We cried when we found out.  We LOVE him!  He also went to Stockton.

 

Our awkward pic with Elder Packer.

Elder Gove before he left.  I believe he went to Tracy.  Also, another reason we didn't glue my tooth back in is because he is gone..... just joking. jaja

 

My root canal.

President/Doctor Moser

She caught me off guard!!!

I can't remember if I sent these...... my last pic with Diana.  She left for college on Thursday!!  I'm so depressed.  Only 15 months until I'm out there and being her roommate at BYUI!

Jose!  Luckily he stayed!  He is so awesome!

The Rodrigues Family!! 

 

Jonathan LOVES Thimble Full of Water!

They try to act like they are too cool for Thimble Full of Water.... but the love it!!!

 

January 1, 2015

Alright, so I had my first transfer here in the mission. That means that I am officially done training!! Yah Bay Be!

So we all went to Chili's to get our transfer calls. We were sitting around the table and waiting for our phone to ring. I think I should clarify everyone...it was me, Hna Hurley, Hna Cuesta, and Hna Sheffer. Our phone started to ring and I started dying inside. I thought for sure something terrible was going to happen...and it kind of did. 

The good news is that I am still in Rio Tierra East aka I am staying in the same area. The bad news is, they are combining our area back to how it used to be. We are now covering twice what we used to. Also, Hna Hurley got transferred. She just went to Rio Tierra West (so we live in the same apartment still and go to the same ward. It is actually really weird to still have her around.) Also, my new companion is Hna Gigger. She is from Idaho. She has 6 other siblings. Also, she is a lot like James. She likes Political Science and to debate. I will let you all decide if that is a good thing or not. I love her so far and I think we are going to have a good time. This will be our only transfer together because she goes home after this transfer. 

This week hasn't been too crazy. I feel like my letters have gone really downhill and lack the usual pizzazz that they typically do. I've started having a lot of brain farts when I sit down to write and yes mom, I do have my planner with me. 

 

Questions:

Did you or your companion get transferred?

Hna Hurley did. I think I have 2 more transfers here. This one and then one more because Hna Gigger goes home at the end of this transfer and I don't think that they will shotgun it again. 

How's the broken tooth? could they save the little piece?  What did they have to do to fix it?

So the dentist is actually a member of the mission presidency. They did a root canal on Monday and are just going to leave the tooth glued on as Elder Gove did it....

Then I got back on the 14 Jan (Happy Birthday Jessica) and they are going to start the new tooth process. It is a little unclear to me if I will actually get the new tooth on that day or if they will just start sculpting it. They are going to shave the original tooth down and then just put a cap on top of the old tooth. We shall see how this all goes. President Moser is a champ though. He is just going to accept whatever our insurance pays and then wave everything else. What a sweet guy!

What did you do for New Years Eve?

We just came to the church. Elder Fernandez refused to let me play games this time because of what happened on Christmas Eve. So we played signs and thimble full of water (you seem to be the only person who hates that game, mom.) and I also taught them Happy Family. They loved it. We stayed at the church until 8:45 and then went home so we could be in by 9:00.

What are you going to do this week to improve your Spanish?

Hna Gigger wants to speak in hardcore Spanish this week. It is really hard to understand what she says. She has a weird accent and her voice cracks a lot. I have seen it improve just a little since being with her. We speak in a lot more Spanish than me and Hna Hurley. 

What are you going to do different this week to get some people to teach?

I'll tell you on Monday. This whole "shot gunning again" thing is really throwing a cramp in my style. Sometimes I really doubt if president knows what he is doing. (that was a joke, i hope everyone is laughing. ) We are probably going to trying to get to know some of the new people in our new area. We also have a lot of appointments in our old area that we need to keep. 

What day and time will you be emailing now?

We will be emailing on Monday. What I'm I have no idea. We do not find out until the night before...I'm sorry. 

Transfers here in the mission are a lot harder than I thought they would be. I had to say goodbye to a lot of my favorite elders. Elder Harris and Elder Gove and Elder Packer and Elder Ross left to different areas. Elder Espiritu when home...I loved that fella. and so did elder Echanique, he was my district leader. Elder Ward is the new District leader and I am covering his old area. It is really hard to say goodbye to everyone. It breaks my heart to pieces. Also, Diana left to college this week.So needless to say, it has been a really hard week. 

We added a few people this week. It is a Dad and a daughter. They have accepted a baptismal date for the 31 of January. Me and Hna Gigger are going to be fasting for a baptism on the 31. That is our goal/vision. 

I love you family and friends. Keep going strong. 

Love, 

Hermana Porter