This week was good. A lot of things happened -- it taught me
that however imperfect of an instrument I am the Lord still uses me to
introduce the gospel to others. I know that sometimes plans don't go the way
you wish, you can't get to as many people as you wish you could, and sometimes
you aren't sure what to say. But Sister Tobias and I are happy.
Sister Mayla Lou and Brother Arnold were married this
Wednesday. Sister Tobias and I were running ALL OVER TOWN Wednesday morning to
make sure everything would go smoothly. It was so cute to see them stand
together and pledge to each other. It was a sweet small celebration afterwards,
and even though I stumbled over my words trying to give a quick lesson about
families, it went okay. I believe Brother Arnold is the key for their family,
because he reacts the most to our promising to him that through the gospel his
life can be better and they can be sealed as a family for eternity. That is the
most important thing in this life. We are going to be teaching Brother Arnold
the Restoration for the first time as a family this week. We are praying this
will change their hearts.
Speaking of the Restoration, we had a great experience with
the Bacolcol family this week. They were taught for a long time by missionaries
because their children Pearl and Harold were converted to the gospel and served
missions. But they didn't understand or have much desire to change. But they
love their children so very much and have seen what good children they have and
their sacrifices for the gospel. But when tragedy struck November 2017 when
their new police officer Harold suddenly died of a health complication, they
were completely distraught. They cry every lesson with the missionaries because
of the overwhelming hurt they feel -- why did this happen to their strong and
wonderful child -- a returned missionary? They started reading the Book of
Mormon especially Nanay and they could feel a lightened feeling when they read,
but their hearts hadn't changed -- they were having trouble making changes and
would not accept a baptismal date. But Thursday night we had them watch the
Restoration and how Joseph Smith was so confused by such conflicting opinions
that he went into a grove of trees and prayed and received the First Vision.
Sister Angie was shocked -- "Why didn't anyone tell us this before? So
this means this is the true church? None of the other churches are true?"
We just smiled and let them ponder for a moment. Then we took the opportunity
to tell them that this is the true church restored on the earth and that this
was the way for them to be reunited with Harold eternally - if they will reach
for the temple. That Harold was their cheerleader right now and had served a
mission -- but what he most wanted and was praying for right now was for his
family to be sealed to him. We asked them to be baptized and Nanay exclaimed
"OF COURSE!" She and her daughter are ready to be baptized. They are
just waiting for Tatay -- he is still struggling letting go of old habits and
old traditions and trusting that this is true. But we will keep praying for
him.
We had a sad experience with KC and Jarwin this week. Every
Wednesday night we visit them but when we came last Wednesday their room was
deserted. Their grandparents had fought with them and they had to pack their
things and leave in the course of one day. We were absolutely shocked and
devastated because they were golden investigators -- so prepared to hear the
truth. But we called them and found out that they had moved to Lingsat -- my
old area! So we made sure the sisters know and hopefully they will continue
their teaching. KC and Jarwin are still reading the Book of Mormon even though
a lot of bad things happened this week. We are really sad that we can't teach
them anymore but we trust the sisters in that area, we trust that God has a
plan for them, and someday they will join the church, even if things are
delayed.
We taught a Catholic minister that was a referral from the
second counselor in our branch. We actually received a ton of referrals this
week from the young single adults too.
We weren't able to teach Brother Raf this week. We called
him and called him but he hasn't answered. We aren't sure why, but we know he
is super super busy as a psychology student, and we know that he is truly
searching for the truth. He is so sincerely looking and seeking that we know
that the Lord will testify to him that the Book of Mormon is true. We are
continuing to text him and pray for him.
Sunday night we went to try to contact someone we met on the
street my first day in Bauang. We had felt such a sweet spirit come from their
family because they are a sweet young couple with a one year old. Christ is the
center of their lives -- they follow perfectly the Sabbath day, and all of the laws
of the gospel. They are so humble. They put aside everything they were doing to
let us into their home. Brother Billy explained that his faith in Jesus Christ
is everything to him but that he understood that over the history of time
churches argued and changed the gospel of Christ until there are numberless
religions in the world and he wanted to know the truth. We were so excited that
we showed him the Book of Mormon first thing, that Jesus showed himself to the
people of Old America. Brother Billy got out a notebook and started writing
down everything we said, asking clarifying questions and other questions of his
own. We had a little bit of a confusing lesson, with an overview of the
Apostasy, Joseph Smith, and the Book of Mormon. But we felt calm the whole time
even though I felt my weakness in explaining everything well. Brother Billy
told us that when he came to know that everything we told him is true, he would
be baptized.
We are seeing the future of the church and Bauang in these
wonderful elect souls prepared by God. I'm sure that when Brother Billy and
Brother Raf come to know the church is true, they will become the leaders of
the future Bauang Stake. These souls were valiant in their faith before the
world was. Sometimes I worry that my weakness will affect them, but I know in
whom I have trusted. I know that they are prepared of God and I have to trust
that the Holy Ghost will teach them. I'm so grateful I got to introduce the
Book of Mormon for the first time.
I have been doing the Book of Mormon challenge President
gave us, and I am learning more from the Book of Mormon than I have ever
before. I'm finding treasures for my investigators. I'm finding that truly the fullness
of the gospel and all the truths lost in the Bible are IN THIS BOOK. It is
becoming my favorite part of the day is searching the scriptures. It is the
first thing I do EVERY MORNING.
These are some of the highlights of our week. It doesn't
show the fact that we both got sick, we aren't perfect, sometimes things didn't
go the way we wanted, and we made mistakes. But I'm so grateful for the gospel
of Jesus Christ and I pray for humility, forgiveness, and diligence and
capability every day. Sister Tobias is such a hardworking missionary. It has
been such a blessing for me to work with her and being positive and happy in
any circumstance. That is a change from the beginning of my mission for sure. I
love working and being a missionary but wish we had more time to work and
proselyte!
Sister Porter
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