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
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