More from Bauang
This week was a little crazy. On Monday night we received
the call to transfer to another house in Bauang and when we got there on
Tuesday morning there was a lot to do to fix up the apartment. We ended up
calling the other sisters over and we worked really really hard but now the
apartment is really nice. We spent two days showing our old area to the new
elders. They worked so hard in our new
areas and extended lots of IBDs. They are taking care of our area there and it
made us so happy that we completely trust those elders with our old area.
On Thursday and Friday we had to take care of the paperwork
for the marriage of Sister Mayla Lou and Brother Arnold. It was a long and
arduous process to be honest. I actually got frustrated at Sister Mayla's
attitude because it just felt like we were doing everything to help them with
their marriage and to help them with the gospel but she is just not doing it.
How much time and tears and prayers and work and she just doesn't get it. She's
been taught for months now. But then when I tried to understand her the way the
Savior saw her I saw a young mother overwhelmed with her many children and
trying to find happiness in a world of poverty and despair. I saw someone who
didn't have support from parents starting at an early age and didn't know where
to go and maybe made some mistakes in her life. Her husband has been much more
supportive to us when before he used to hide from the missionaries. But
starting a couple weeks ago he's been listening to the missionary lessons, has
expressed great desire to be with his family eternally, and been reading the
Book of Mormon assignments really early in the morning when he is alone before
he goes to work. I'm sure the Savior gets frustrated and sad when people don't
understand but He loves families and believes in them. His love changes hearts.
We taught Brother Rafael last night. Sometimes I get nervous
because I don't always know all the answers to all his questions and how to
explain it perfectly. When I share something I often stumble over my words. But
it is clear from what he shared that he is searching for the truth so
diligently and his deepest desire is to teach the truth. That's when we shared
1 Nephi 13 and read the whole chapter with him. Brother Rafael was so
intrigued! He loved the chapter because it taught the apostasy so clearly for
him -- his background on the apostasy is fantastic. He said that he believed it
was possible that a restoration was needed, that God could call a prophet in
these days, and that other scriptures could be brought forth. He said he would
continue to read from the Book of Mormon and pray if it was true.
KC and Jarwin are the young couple that are so prepared to
hear the gospel. They are truly prepared and reading the Book of Mormon. They
are starting to come to church. I have no doubt about them joining the church.
We are so excited for them. Someday they are going to be sealed with their
child that was lost -- sealed in the temple for time and all eternity.
Juliet is an investigator of the sisters noon. Yesterday she
explained the feelings of the Holy Ghost perfectly every time she reads the
Book of Mormon and the Bible, and how she shares it with her boyfriend and all
of a sudden wants to share the gospel. We explained to her that she was being
changed through the Spirit of God, and that she was exercising faith and
repenting, but that it wasn't enough. That she needed the ordinances of baptism
and confirmation to fully enjoy the blessings that Heavenly Father has for her.
She was scared of what her father would say -- because he is so against
changing religion -- but she accepted a date in April and to pray for strength
to do what she knows is right.
Just a few highlights of the week. District conference was
fun because I saw all the recent converts from Naguilian be ordained to the
Melchizedek Priesthood. They are all active in the church and have greatly
strengthened the Elders Quorum there. I'm particularly excited about Brother
Nuevo because he is now the ward assistant mission leader and Brother Wally
because his girlfriend is leaving to serve a mission and I'm starting to hope
that he will serve a mission too!
I'm so grateful for those things. But to be honest I still
have feelings of falling short and not doing enough. I know the first half of
my mission was really rough as far as circumstances go and I feel as if I have
wasted part of my mission. Even though my deepest desire is to serve and bring
others to the gospel-- sometimes I fall short, I don't get things done I wish I
had, I don't say the right thing, I get really tired, I have to be patient with
those around me and patient with time. Honestly I feel like the proselyting
hours go by too fast-- if I could I would spend all day and all night proselyting
because there are so many people that need the gospel. Sometimes I'm still shy
or don't know what to say. But I believe in the power of the Atonement to
change the lives of others so I know I must believe in it for myself.
Sister Porter
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