Tuesday, September 26, 2017

AAAAAAHHHH MALILIPAT NA AKO!!!!!

Soooo...
I was really surprised last night (at 10:15 at night mind you) that I'm going to transfer this week! I am so grateful for everything that I have learned here in Lingsat. I didn't know when I gave a talk in Lingsat ward yesterday that it was going to be for the last time. Honestly in this area I think I have grown the most in my entire mission. From the kindness of my companions, to learning to teach and serve others and not be afraid to be bold, confident, and loving as a representative of Jesus Christ. I also am aware of all my weaknesses and perfections and sometimes I feel like Nephi in 2 Nephi chapter 4. But I am humbled and know that I will need to completely rely on the Lord my next transfer as I know that my skills are inadequate to train a new sister. I know that she is going to need so much love, compassion, loving correction, understanding, and teaching to make a transition into the mission field and set the tone for the rest of her mission. I will work my very hardest and not be shy. I will show her love and we will learn together the fundamentals of missionary work as equal companions.  We will fast and pray for our new area. We will be bold in extending baptismal invitations and we will teach the doctrine of Christ. We will focus on the Book of Mormon constantly. We will be happy and work.

This week was a miracle week. Radcliffe Abat is going to be baptized this Saturday!!! He came up to us yesterday and told us that he felt ready to make the step the following Sunday. He received great fellowship of Brother Mike this week. He is taking such a great step of courage for his family which is going to bless the eternal salvation of his entire family. What courage to take that step when his family hasn't yet! He is going to be a great leader and blessing to his family. The Lord had His timing for Him, and I couldn't be more grateful to see his progression and faith. I know that his family will follow his example. The Spirit of God truly testifies of the truth of this church and the Restoration. You can't help but feel it at church, and I especially felt it this week at Andrea Apigo's baptism. She is such a strong convert to the church and has stuck with it even though the hardest trials have come on her ever since she decided to investigate two months ago. She will be the means of bringing other youth into the church too. Miracles are occurring in Lingsat! I am seeing it especially in the youth. Almost all of our progressing investigators are between ages 18 and 28. They are so prepared to hear the gospel. Chris Loren, the partner of the less active Lubiano family, believes even though he admits he doesn't have a perfect knowledge. He works so hard for his family and truly has the Spirit moving upon him to know the truth about the Savior. It's incredible to see his faith and humility. 
Brother Lubiano is slowly getting reactivated. He's good friends with Brother Ciasiko and Brother Padilla. Hopefully that will help all three of them be more regular in church. Brother Lubiano has such great faith and knowledge of the gospel. He's been a wonderful support to Brother Chris and a great example. Hopefully they will continue to feel the love and support of the ward.

I'm so grateful to have had the blessing to work with Sister Daban and her love, understanding, and support to all the investigators. Miracles have happened this transfer. I know it will shape the rest of my mission and I hope there will be some souls that will come to Christ through conversion that I will see. I'm excited for the next part of my journey. I know that things are never easy, but I will do my best and just love others. I know that this is the Church of Jesus Christ on the earth and His work is truly going forward and cannot be stopped or halted. I will labor and the Lord will help us find people to harvest.


Sister Porter


Monday, September 18, 2017

September!!

This week was a pretty normal week. We are learning and trying to overcome every day. I know that there is so much to learn and time flies so fast every week. I just wish with all my heart that I could do everything for the mission. However, I just keep realizing my weaknesses -- kung gaano akong kahina talaga -- and I have this vision of what kind of missionary I want to be and I've never prayed more in my life than I have here. I cling to the hope that the Savior will help me overcome them -- I want to be the most hard-working, charitable, efficient, faithful, fearless, social, obedient missionary possible. I want to look back without any regret that many things were done because of my work.

This week we visited the Sanidad family and they are doing great. Cheryl Sanidad is becoming more and more active every week, getting involved in Relief Society and getting her kids to primary. It's a miracle done through the faith and diligence of the ward -- a true miracle happening slowly and surely in the Lord's time. It's solid proof that no matter what, God's love for us is infinite and unceasing and there is ALWAYS a way to come back to Him. Miracles are possible through Him. Brother Eddie Lubiano is making a huge comeback too. He's so diligent in his scripture study and church attendance now. He, and Sally his daughter, and Chris her partner, all came to the mission home for FHE and had a great time. It was so good for them to see the friendliness and love of the church members. Chris is so receptive to the missionary lessons. He has the blessing of the Spirit to believe on the words of God's servants. He always says, "I don't know everything for sure, but I believe and will do what you ask." He does have a hard time attending church because he is always on call and he is a truck driver that drives pigs all over Luzon. Lester Manzano is our other main investigator. He prayed so hard this week that he could see Thomas S Monson in person. It was a sweet and tender moment and I couldn't helping smiling so hard during his prayer. He referred his classmate and kapitbahay so hopefully we will get to teach them this week.

Something I realized this week is that God does soooo much for us every day that we don't recognize. He literally takes care of us every single day and when we are sad and don't recognize how much He does for us, He is sad too. Counting blessings really is so important. Even when we are discouraged. For me personally, it's been difficult to not have a baptism. I've wondered why and if I'm truly not doing enough. It's constantly on my mind and sometimes stresses me out. All I want is to be the best missionary I can be and love the people. Something I want to do every day is to pray for charity and strength to accomplish everything that God has in store for me!

Cultural Notes: Tag-Pasko na!!!! It's Christmas season in the Philippines! We start in September here I love it. Christmas music all over town and our investigators are putting up Christmas trees! It's the best! Basically this is the best country in the world.

I feel like I'm more Filipina than Americana by nature. Filipinas are so shy and don't like attention or compliments. They just love good close friends and family -- that's what matters to them most.

Picture 1: We have the cutest kids that come to church every week and love primary. Asia and Alex. We hope someday that they will all come to church as a family so they can be one big happy family together for all eternity!


Picture 2: When you find the most Golden investigator -- seriously in just a few short weeks she would be ready to be baptized -- and then she has to move to Davao! We were so sad -- but of course we are referring them to missionaries there. We just wish we could be there for our sweet sister Riya -- a truly elect lady prepared by God to find His church

Monday, September 11, 2017

Manininiwala ako

Marami akong natututunan this week. We focused a lot on finding new investigators to teach that might help this work get moving faster. In faith that the field is truly white already to harvest. But we quickly found out that it's not always that easy to reap, even if a person is ready to receive the gospel. Like Joseph Smith when he was seized upon by that dark unseen power before he witnessed the first vision, I think the same thing happens to missionaries trying to help investigators and investigators ready to receive the gospel. Hard times come before miracles do. We found investigators these past two weeks, and our goal is to strengthen them with the good word of God in order for them to fight against Satan's attempts to keep them from listening to us.

We found a women named Crizelda who was super sweet and wanted to listen and even accepted a date, but her husband was angry that she listened to us. Lester Manzano is a 20 year old who reminds us of Joseph Smith. He reads and goes to different churches to find out the truth. He felt something strong our first meeting and planned on going to church, but he kind of disappeared this week and we haven't been able to get a hold of him. We know that he has a little bit of difficult family circumstances, but we will definitely not give up. And Chris Llorien is a super receptive young man who lives with a less active family we teach, the Lubianos. I think he is one of the most humble investigator I have ever had on my entire mission. When he read the doctrine of Christ on the first meeting, he was so touched and told us we had better come back at least two times a week. When we taught him about living prophets, he listened so intently and told us that even though he didn't perfectly understand or know for himself, that he will believe that Thomas S. Monson is a prophet. What amazing faith! He is truly edifying my own understanding of what faith is. He is willing to leave his old ways behind and start new ones; he told us all the things he would do before we even got to teaching the commandments! He's coming to the FHE at the mission home later tonight.

Something I'm learning is that if we have the desire to repent and change and do our best, Christ will empower us to overcome all things. If we have the faith, it will come. Sometimes we really have to trust in the Lord's timing that it is better than ours and that every weakness we have and all that we are experiencing will turn out for our good if we trust him and move forward and not look to the past. Looking forward with faith in Christ. I know that will help our investigators face every obstacle they will face on the road to baptism and then to the temple and eternal salvation. It certainly counts for my companion and I as well. We are flawed and we are constantly going to be refined through the Atonement, if we have that desire. We have to want spiritual blessings and realize that what the world gives is only temporary pleasure that is tempting but doesn't last. I know that I'm not perfect and I definitely make mistakes. I know I was really bold with an investigator the other day and other times I don't say or do the right thing. But I truly am striving to be better every day and overcome weakness; I love what Elder Cornish said in last general conference that we can compare ourselves with you we are now versus before and see the change. I am definitely seeing change in my life that I'm definitely more devoted to the Savior and His gospel and I know that if I continue to do these things especially reading the Book of Mormon, being faithful in my calling and serving others, and praying, I will never fall away. I sometimes get discouraged that I am not doing enough, and that is something I still fight every day.

The Abat family needs prayers, but our focus with them from now on is the power of the Book of Mormon. I know it is the converting tool whereby the Holy Ghost can testify that this is the one true church of Jesus Christ, that Jesus Christ is our Savior, and that through the prophet Joseph Smith the church and the power of God was RESTORED on the earth.

Photos:
P-day -- we went to the Ma-cho temple and got to explore a little. So beautiful. Basically I just love Asia and the culture with all my heart

We treated ourselves to a little brownie place on P-day just because I haven't had a brownie in I have no idea how long.

I have the cutest companion.


And we have a very special member named Faith who loves the missionaries and we love her too. She celebrates her 27th birthday today!!!!








Monday, September 4, 2017

Working in Lingsat

This week was a great week! I've learned so much in just a few short days. I really feel like what I learned this week will change my mission. I know that things are never going to be easy because the Lord God is always refining us and the salvation of souls is NEVER cheap, but I felt such a renewed sense of faith that truly this is the Lord's work and it is going forth. Miracles happened this week and I feel like Ammon and his brethren right now -- rejoicing in the miracles that God does.

We had a MIRACLE in Less Actives and New Investigators this week. This week we have been really bold to our investigators, inviting them to make commitments and start acting to make it on the path to eternal life. Christ truly is THE ONLY WAY to salvation in the celestial kingdom -- I believe that a desired to never be comfortable where you are and to keep searching for truth and improvement is the way that we have to trust Christ and His Atonement. We don't want to settle for a lesser kingdom of glory because the plan of our Heavenly Father for all of us is truly to gain eternal life. This is the time to prepare to meet God. What we want for our investigators is to be sealed in the temple for time and all eternity with their families.

So Sunday morning we were discouraged because the investigators we went to to go to church didn't want to come anymore even though just a few days before they were crying as we talked about the temple. We were so confused and disappointed. But as we stepped in the church we were shocked at the miracle that happened, and I was completely overwhelmed with emotion. Our less actives all came to church at the same time, except for one who is confined in the hospital for pulmonia but the elders gave her a blessing of healing so hopefully she will be out soon. The Bishop truly has inspiration for the ward and I know that now.

Eddie Lubiano came to church and stayed for all of it. His testimony is so strong in the gospel and he wants so bad to have the blessings of the priesthood for his family. Little by little his life will change again as he starts following the commandments of God by coming to church. One blessing that came is that we got to teach his daughter's boyfriend. He is so ready for the gospel and he accepted a baptismal date right away -- he set all of our appointments with him and He says he will do our commitments. That is the mark of a strong investigator. He was so excited about the prospect of being with Sally Lubiano for time and all eternity.

Liza Manaois came to church too. We met her this week and they were so excited to see us because it's been a long time since they've seen missionaries. But they are so kind and her daughter Faith (27) is so special we love her with all our hearts. She always is smiling and laughing and loves all the missionaries. All she wants is to go to church and the temple. They came to church yesterday.

Irene and Mae Ann Domingo came to church too. They are 8 and 14 years old and do not have any support from their older siblings or parents, but they still read their scriptures and do the best they can. They are going to be wonderful missionaries someday. Mae Ann is a very strong and wonderful girl who takes care of all the little ones and doesn't have it easy.

The entire Sanidad family came to church too and we were so overwhelmed to see her eldest son come with his wife. It was so amazing to see them at church.

Then, Patrocenia Galvez walked through the door and we were so surprised. She has been going to Catholic church for awhile and something must have changed this week because there she was at the front door! That was a complete miracle and act of faith on her part because life for her isn't easy and she wants a change in her family.

And of course the Abat family came. We had had a bold lesson with them where we promised them that if they would sacrifice their work on the Sabbath day that they would find blessings beyond measure. They had work again this Sunday so they didn't stay for class, but the family truly does want to be ready for baptism they are just still having a hard time giving up the Sabbath day and being all in. They are truly a family changed because of the gospel and becoming better every day -- you can see it in their countenances. Sometimes you just have to trust in the Lord's timetable for them and they are changing and the Lord is refining them little by little. We still have their goal date for the end of September and we will do everything we can do for them to be ready for that date and the rest of that is up to the Lord and the faith of the Abat family. I know that they are truly a wonderful family. We love them with all our hearts.

The mission tour with Elder Schmutz was incredible and I feel like a changed person. I felt the Spirit confirm everything we were learning and that was truly a sacred time for me. I've never learned so much just about Heavenly Father's plan for us to be together forever and become perfect and truly heirs in God's kingdom -- the celestial kingdom. The infinite potential that truly each of us has. My faith was renewed that there are ELECT people waiting for us to share the gospel, and we have to find them. The field is white ready to HARVEST -- not just to plant but to HARVEST. Baptisms will come but we have to have the faith to find, the courage to share the restored gospel to everyone we meet, and the faith to extend baptismal dates. Sister Daban and I that very day took into heart exactly what He said. Elder Schmutz is a general authority and a man of God -- and I want to share my testimony that all our church leaders have power and authority of God to say His words to us. I know that was what Heavenly Father wanted Baguio mission to know, and I am 100% committed to meeting the baptismal goals that he set for us. Not because we want to increase membership in the church -- but because every person deserves the chance to hear the restored gospel of Jesus Christ and receive the ordinances of eternal salvation. I love the people of the Philippines with all my heart -- I have never been among a more sweet and prepared people to hear the gospel. The work here is rolling forward, and it is the biggest blessing of my life so far to see the Lord's mysteries unfold. I was reminded of a parable by Jesus Christ about planting seeds and harvesting as a missionary. It's heartbreaking when you see someone who doesn't want to hear, but when you share your testimony of the restored gospel and promise them blessings, and then sometimes you have to drop them after that. But that's not a bad thing. Christ said that the laborer can leave that seed to be planted and someday other missionaries will come to harvest. I am a laborer that will do this and then go find the people who are ready to harvest.

That day after the mission conference, we met a 20 year old who received the gospel with true humility and gratitude just like Joseph Smith. His name is Lester Manzano, a relative of Ram Manzano in Sevilla ward who got married in the Manila temple not too long ago. Lester has tried so many different churches but has felt a kulong in his life (something missing). He will be baptized in October. He comes from a broken family and life isn't easy for him. We saw the hardships in his eyes. But he is super smart and understands everything we teach. He reads the Book of Mormon when we gave it to his grandparents who were not interested at first but then he feasts on every word of the Book and lahat ng sinasabi ng mga missionaries. We were so blessed with a miracle. And we can't wait to see what other miracles will come.

I still feel like I struggle with the language still but my desire is truly to become fluent so I won't give up, even after my mission. I want to master it like Elder Holland said.

I am so grateful to my wonderful companion. She is incredible and makes me a better person, understanding and loving and bold to our investigators and others. She works so hard and is an incredible missionary and wonderful person. Her faith is strong, and I know faith brings miracles. True faith -- that's how Christ can't help but bring miracles with that kind of faith

JACOB 4:10

10 Wherefore, brethren, seek not to counsel the Lord, but to take counsel from his hand. For behold, ye yourselves know that he counseleth in wisdom, and in justice, and in great mercy, over all his works.