Monday, October 23, 2017

Naimbag nga malum!

Naguillian is the PRETTIEST area and the area I have been wishing for my whole mission. Lots of rice fields and farmers and people here are very poor but the nicest people I have met in my whole life. They share everything they have. Our leaders in Naguillian are wonderful. One of them reminds me of the Pilipina Jenay Hopkins. Sister Josie Manalo. She's like the missionary mom daw.

As far as training goes, it's going just fine. From the get go we have been equal companions because it just doesn't work any other way. We are learning tons from the training program and we aren't perfect though but we keep trying at least. I'm very well aware that I'm not the most qualified missionary for the job but we are enjoying Naguillian, even though it's hard to know how to help investigators sometimes. The only thing we know how to do sometimes is just be there for them and teach the lessons according to their needs. That's our job anyway.

This week I tried isaw from a member.  It’s a street food and I don’t usually eat it but I trusted the member’s food haha and I had it. It’s barbequed chicken intestine on a stick.  I am pretty proud of myself haha.  Next is balot (fermented duck eggs)!  Sister Ballesteros loves my omelets and rice:) I experiment sometimes and make a pasta that you used to make back home with macaroni and cheese and beans and ground beef. But of course I make it Philippines style.  People pretty much eat rice here and if they have money to add ulam onto it like meat or vegetables or anything fried.

We had some really interesting experiences this week. We helped people with their palay!  Right now is the season for harvesting palay -- rice that hasn't been shelled yet. We helped an old lady gather the palay that they lay to dry on the sheets and ended up giving her a Book of Mormon. She was super cool because she lived in China for 20 years and remembered missionaries there that were offering to teach her English. Her name is Clarita Micua. I've been wanting to do that forever so I was really excited to help!!

We also sat with a less active family last night -- Vilma Gonzalez is dying from cancer and diabetes and she hasn't eaten in three days or even spoken. It reminded me of the miracles that Jesus did to people suffering like that so we taught a lesson from Mosiah 3. President Baybay came and gave her a blessing, and we are waiting to see what happens. According to faith and the will of the Lord but I believe 100% in the power of God and in miracles.

We had a great zone conference this week.  It helped me realize that sometimes the hard feelings of disappointment are actually a very real and necessary part of life. But there are really two ways you can respond to those disappointments. You can act with faith in Jesus Christ, repent, and then improve every day, or you can get discouraged and eventually give up. Discouragement is a waning of faith, and no matter how hard things can get we must hold tight to the faith that God fulfills all his promises and the only failure is to stop trying and stop repenting. I love that so much, and already that doctrine of the gospel is changing my entire outlook on life.

Alma 26
22 Yea, he that repenteth and exerciseth faith, and bringeth forth good works, and prayeth continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed; yea, and it shall be given unto such to bring thousands of souls to repentance, even as it has been given unto us to bring these our brethren to repentance.

I have no doubt in my mind that if you do those things that 1000s of souls can be brought to repentance if we are truly converted to the gospel. We have to keep trying different finding tools, or improve ang sarili natin, but I believe that. It took 14 years for Ammon and the sons of Mosiah to teach the Lamanites, and sometimes we have to be patient. But I know that there are so many souls out there that need us so so much and in this area I've never been so encouraged that there are people ready for the gospel. And almost all of the success I have seen is humble youth.

One of the most prepared youth I have met on my mission is Wally Licuanan. From our very first meeting with him his countenance was enough for us to realize the Spirit of the Lord was working with him. He listens intently to everything we say. Our first meeting he said that even though it was really hard to get work off that he would immediately talk to his boss about getting to church. And he was true to his word. We love to teach him. We are teaching him at a less active member's house and hopefully this week his girlfriend will be able to join us and some other SA members in the ward. He's so so good -- basically all who know him tell us that wala siyang vices, he was no particle of bad in him. We love him so much.

Jerome Bautista is doing good as well. Aljean Garcia and Jerome Bautista love it when we come and teach them. Jerome Bautista has had a hard life, but you could just see how much he is looking for the truth and how to change his life. He brings the Book of Mormon with him EVERYWHERE -- at school, when he wakes up, at work, before he goes to bed. He is still a little nervous to pray because before this he has never prayed in his life. He is truly a humble seeker of truth and for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and we are so blessed to be able to teach him. Over time we are sure that with the Lord's help he can overcome all his hardships and will become a strong member of the church and even serve a mission. He's only 18!

Sister Ballesteros is an amazing companion and I couldn't be more blessed. She loves to serve and love others including me. She is so understanding, diligent to the Lord, and positive. She sees the good in everyone and has helped me to pray for charity so I can always do the same.

Sister Porter



Monday, October 16, 2017

Finally assigned in the BUKID!  Rice Fields!

Today was an interesting week. It was full of both learning experiences and miracles. We are learning a ton here in Naguilian and excited to press forward and see the changes and miracles that will happen in the next few months.

This week was my first sacrament meeting in Naguilian, which was really really helpful to get to learn the names of members and now we have names that are willing to work with us and show us all the areas that we still don't really know. Working with members, I am realizing, will really be one of the most effective ways to strengthen this ward. Finding less active and part member families, strengthening the testimonies of active members, preparing young men and young women and fellowshippers. I know that things are super bigla, but over time I know miracles will happen. We worked with sister Rea yesterday and I think it really strengthened her own committment to serve as a visiting teacher, remember why she was baptized, and why we need the Restoration. I have seen that every time that we teach the Restoration, even if others don't receive the message, that over time we as teachers become more converted to the gospel. Truly I am seeing that even though I am realizing more and more my own faults and weaknesses, that on the other hand I have found myself more converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ and for me, missionary work is what I wish I could do as a full time job for the rest of my life.

That doesn't mean everything is perfect. I am the first to confess my weaknesses and sins. I feel like Nephi often -- I am easily beset by weaknesses. But I pray every time I feel like I'm not doing something Christlike or I need guidance and He always gives me strength to overcome those feelings. I know in whom I have trusted. I don't understand everything in the past, present, or future, but I do know that God knows the desires of our hearts, and is willing to change us if we give our will to him. I read the Fourth missionary again before I went to bed the other night, and felt a renewed desire to give everything to the Lord -- all personal affairs. Box them up and pack them up. I know that even though I have had so so much to learn and starting to realize that especially at the beginning of the mission that I was a really really rough diamond that needs polishing and refinement. I am really really grateful to my old companions who helped me. I am really grateful to my companion now who helps me be a better more Christlike person every day. She is such a loving person and patient with everyone, always excited for the next adventure and next lesson. Her best quality is that she sees every single person as a son or daughter of God with the potential to become like Him -- every person needs love and someone to support and encourage them on the path back to our Heavenly Father.

We have some really really solid investigators. Aljean Garcia is the son of a less active member and was excited to meet us the day we found his house. It was really sweet. He feels attracted to the church and he is only 14 years old. He came to general conference and didn't come to church this week because he got sick. We are planning to get him some young men friends and try to get him to seminary. I think seminary will help him become solid in the gospel of Jesus Christ. From the moment we met him he wanted to be baptized. Our goals for him are to help him become an involved member and to help him nurture his testimony. He doesn't really know how to read so we are planning to start to help him learn how to read. He will be baptized at the end of November -- November 18th is our goal.

Jerome Bautista is the pamankin of another less active family right next to Islander Antonio -- a young man very prepared to go on his mission soon. He is fellowshipping Jerome and Aljean and lending them ties to come to church. We teach them both at the Antonios house. Jerome is a very good young man. He's 18 and was so excited to be taught by the missionaries. He is shy but listens to every word that comes out of our mouth -- even if I say trumpet in Tagalog on accident instead of a whistle for an object lesson. He opened up to us that he has things weighing on his mind and has a true desire to change his life. He is such a special young man -- truly humbled with a broken heart and contrite spirit. We are so excited to see the joy of the Atonement work on him. Our focus with him is to help him have support and come to seminary too.

Angelito Deleon has wanted to be baptized this month, but we moved the date to October 28th so he was for sure done with all the lessons, are planning to get the elders quorum involved, and to make it a special day for him. Our focus with him this week is the Book of Mormon -- really understanding why this is the true church on Earth. His son wants to learn piano, so we are trying to start some piano lessons with him. Rangelo is his son and is 10 years old and is a candidate for baptism as well in the coming months.

Emilia Rosario is getting there as well. She has a lot of member friends on her street. The relief society members all are excited for her baptism on November 4. She feels the Holy Ghost testify to her when she prays with real intent, when she comes to church, and when she reads the Book of Mormon. She still needs a better understanding of the Restoration and the Book of Mormon, and she hasn't been able to come to church because Bauang has been far for her knee -- it's been operated on multiple times and when she falls, sometimes she can't get up.

Those are our solid investigators, and we are sure that if we use the help of the members there will be many more part member families that we can teach. I have had to learn that missionaries have to work smart and do our best to strengthen the ward. I've had to learn patience. If I had my way, I would like to work all day and all night, but often there are things out of my control.

 I'm not a perfect missionary, but I will get up every time I make a mistake and I know that Christ will refine me and shape me into the person I need to be. We will never lose faith that there are people ready for the gospel, even though life is messy and we just do not see how things work out sometimes. We know in whom we have trusted, and miracles happen when we have faith. I hope to deepen my understanding of Jesus Christ and of faith this week. 

Love you all,
Sister Porter


Monday, October 9, 2017

Hello from Naguilian

I feel that this week was really a success. I have truly been blessed with seeing God's guiding hand in my life and I have seen my heart change more than maybe any other time in my whole mission so far. I feel more converted to my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ than any other time before. I just can't even believe what my Savior has done for me and how aware He is of what I need and how I feel at all times.  I believe I was sent here with Sister Ballesteros. Seriously, I know He sent her to me for a reason. I have seen power in my life that has helped me fulfill my calling that I have never had before. It doesn't mean I've been perfect; I have had to learn a lot. But I've seen myself change more than ever before. I'm very very optimistic about training and the future of Naguilian Branch and the people in it.

This week I've had to learn humility. I know that there are many things I still have to learn, to take correcting counsel, to recognize that the Lord has the perfect plan and that I just need to trust Him no matter what happens, and to just love people and see beyond what I see on the outside. That has helped me so much with my relationships with my companion, other missionaries, members, and investigators. That there are things we cannot see and it's so important to pray for the gift of discernment and practice inspired questions, listening and trying to understand their point of view and the struggles they have in their hearts. Every person has those kind of struggles with understanding their identity and purpose of trials and finding purpose in their life. It has helped me look at people with so much more charity. Sometimes I've felt frustrated or hurt or misunderstood, but when I prayed for Heavenly Father and told him the feelings of my heart, those feelings leave me and I can go and try to understand others or have the humility to confess my faults or mistakes, or to try to make decisions based on the needs of others.

I believe with all my heart that Heavenly Father sent my companion to me because I need to just LOVE her. We need each other to learn and grow, and I've seen so much improvement in our How to Begin Teaching and Teach People Not Lessons. We were trying to visit an investigator the other day and he wasn't there so we happened upon a member who invited us in to get to know her. Within 10 minutes she was crying about how she was left to take care of her 2, 6, and 8 year old children while her husband has been working in Saudi Arabia for 2 years to bring money home. She felt that her efforts were not good enough for God and she made mistakes. We were able to testify to her that God sent us to her at that time exactly to share with her the message that Jeffrey R Holland taught about perfection and relying on Christ. We testified to her of the power of the Book of Mormon in her life. We tried to be really cheerful and sing hymns as we tried to explore our area and find investigators. We tried to focus on their lives and show them how the gospel would change their lives and be relevant to them.

We found some teenagers this week with enormous potential. They will be baptized someday in the Lord's timing. Jerome is a friend of Islander Antonio, a 19 year old getting ready to serve his mission. We met Jerome for 20 minutes Saturday Night and offered to teach him later tonight and invited him to General Conference. Saturday morning we found him wearing one of Islander's ties for the first time in his life and listening to General Conference. Truly the Lord is pouring out His Spirit on the rising generation -- I believe this generation is truly a chosen generation as most of the progressing investigators I have met are teenagers or young adults searching for the truth and meaning in their lives. We received a referral yesterday in Lioac Sur -- his name is Wally Lacuanan and he is the 21 year old boyfriend of a member in Bauang. He came to general conference with his girlfriend and we are so excited to get to know him and his family and teach them the gospel.


We are trying to improve our teaching skills in clarity and with responding to the promptings of the Spirit's for the understanding and needs of the investigators. The Spirit is truly what converts and if there is no Spirit, nothing will happen. But I know that this is the true church and the power of the Spirit and the Book of Mormon and the faith of members, missionaries, and investigators works miracles. I am very aware of my imperfections, but I will put my trust in the Savior and trust in His perfect plan for me and improve every day and repent every day. I cried so hard during Jeffrey R Holland’s talk. It was the most powerful conference I have ever had in my life. God spoke to me individually this weekend.
Sister Porter



Monday, October 2, 2017

Yes!!!!

Soooo, Niimbag na malem sa kanyam! So much happened this week and I just feel so happy! All the time! It's the best feeling ever! I don't think I've ever been so excited in my life! There are miracles that are going to happen in the next 3 months.

So, don't laugh too hard, but I have the best trainee ever ever ever. Her name is Sister Ballesteros, she's from Quezon City, and I'm exactly 1 foot and a half taller than her. It's seriously hilarious. She's the sweetest, she's is so magaling, and we hit it off really fast because even though we may be FAR from twins physically, I feel like she is my Filipina twin spiritually and personality wise. We are so excited to share the gospel with everyone, in any situation given us. I LOVE IT. She's an exactly obedient companion and we are having a blast. We are both completely new to the area, but open areas are seriously the bomb. Naguilian might be the best area in the entire Philippines. It's the prettiest area ever. Trees and fields and the nicest and friendliest people I have ever met in my whole life. You can love everyone from the first 10 seconds you talk to them. Honestly we are equal companions and our intentions are the same so we just yield to each other and help improve each other in everything we do.


Sobrang masaya kami dito. I love my companion Sister Ballesteros and I truly believe that the Lord blessed me with the privilege of being her companion. We are so so full of excitement to share the gospel to everyone we can, no matter what. Even the first day we found people that were willing to listen to us. Sister Ballesteros has an incredible testimony of the gospel and we got to start kaagad with everything. The first day we had to figure out where we were but Sister Johnson and Sister Aldred were so helpful and welcoming and helped us get an idea of where to start. Everyone was so helpful, helping us clean the apartment and get settled, so trying to get everything oriented took a little time, but we are ready to get up and running this week full blast. We are full of energy, full of hope that everyone needs to hear this gospel. We had great studies and practiced TCing so Sister Ballesteros is already at an incredible start. I am feeling confident that this might be the best 12 weeks of my life.

We are preparing Sister Emilia Rosario this week for baptism. She is such a humble sweet lady who as soon as we met her told us how excited she was to be baptized. We will have her interview tomorrow with the zone leaders in Neguillion. She is fellowshipped by all the members and recent converts that live on her street. So she is at church. She has been taught all the lessons and believes, even though her knowledge isn't perfect. She notices the feeling that comes every time she is at church. She is willing to follow the commandments. So we feel she is ready for baptism, and is ready to start on the journey of gaining even more knowledge as she receives the gift of the Holy Ghost after baptism. She is getting baptized at the Naguilian chapel at 5:30 pm on Saturday, October 7th. We are so excited for her. We are hoping to start teaching her anak din.

We explored a little of our area and met some of the members. They were so kind and welcoming and it was so fun to get to know them. So so many of them are already asking to work with us -- teenagers and mothers especially. We found that many of those members are actually part member families and we have permission to teach them this week.

We met President Baybay on Saturday morning and he told us the ward mission plan and what he is hoping for us to do as missionaries. We are going to help him locate members in our baranggays and then find lots of investigators that way. In my experience in Lingsat I have found that our pinaka progressing investigators are results of part member families or less active families. We are going to help President with helping members work with us too. We are so so excited to work with the ward. We had an appointment with the Javier family too and helped establish a relationship with them. They are such great members of the ward. We met the Pimintelle family and the Manalo family too.

We had an idea to try to invite as many people to one big lesson of the Restoration just like the missionaries did in the 1800s. We are hoping to reach as many people as possible.

I feel overwhelmingly blessed with this opportunity to serve here in Naguillion. We are 100% confident that there will be a lot of baptisms in this area, and we are going to work as hard as we can.


Sister Porter