Good Morning po,

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

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

Zone Conference

We loved zone conference last Friday. I love the focus on the Book of Mormon. I believe in that book so much. It's the first thing I do every morning and the last thing I do every night. I usually read the Book of Mormon in Tagalog. I've been working on it for the 3rd time on my mission. 

Brother Rafael was on our minds the whole time that Sister Tobias and I were in zone conference. I really want to do what President Nelson did and make lists of all the truths that the Book of Mormon clarifies and principles. I think that it would really help Brother Rafael. Sister Tobias felt the same impression to do this during zone conference so we feel like it was an impression sent from God. We didn't get to teach him this week because he has been in the hospital with his grandma and he is a very busy psychology student, but we know he started the Book of Mormon from the very beginning. We really feel that this young man is going to be a future leader of the church and an outstanding missionary. His desire is to be a missionary, and I am 100% certain that God has led him to this church. I often feel inadequate to be teaching, but I'm so grateful that this is the Lord's work and the Book of Mormon is the key to conversion and understanding the Savior. I have no doubts about Brother Rafael. 

We taught KC and Jarwin this week again, the young couple that lost their baby. they told us they had been talking about their first experience with the missionaries, and they are committed to joining the church. They are SOO prepared of God. They are quickly becoming close to my heart. i just want to talk about them all the time and I jump for joy when I mention their names to others and my companion. There is no doubt in my mind that we were led to them and they are going to be married for all eternity someday in the temple. We told them their baby is so excited that they found the missionaries and that he is waiting for them to go to the temple. They are so special. 

We have other investigators dealing with hard trials and the underlying problem is feeling forgiveness. But I'm learning that the Savior is willing and ready to forgive. He loves us. It is never too late. I love our investigators and see that their hearts are good and forgiveness and change. If I see that, I know that's just a taste of how the Savior loves me and our investigators.Some investigators of ours have lost hope because of the death of their returned missionary from sickness, or their husband has an addiction and wants to be baptized, or is afraid to come back to church because of the mistakes they have made in their lives. One recent convert has just been diagnosed with stage 3 cancer. It was such a spiritual experience to sing "Be Still my Soul" to him. My heart is being filled with compassion towards them.

I've been studying the Atonement of Jesus Christ in the Book of Mormon and the Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end. I learned this:

The miracle of the Atonement is not just that we can go home but that—miraculously—we can feel at home there. If Christ did not require faith and repentance, then there would be no desire to change. Think of your friends and family members who have chosen to live without faith and without repentance. They don’t want to change. They are not trying to abandon sin and become comfortable with God. Rather, they are trying to abandon God and become comfortable with sin. If Jesus did not require covenants and bestow the gift of the Holy Ghost, then there would be no way to change. We would be left forever with only willpower, with no access to His power. If Jesus did not require endurance to the end, then there would be no internalization of those changes over time. They would forever be surface and cosmetic rather than sinking inside us and becoming part of us—part of who we are. Put simply, if Jesus didn’t require practice, then we would never become pianists.
-- Brad Wilcox


3 Nephi 9 is becoming a favorite to share.

13 O all ye that are spared because ye were more righteous than they, will ye not now return unto me, and repent of your sins, and be converted, that I may heal you?

14 Yea, verily I say unto you, if ye will come unto me ye shall have eternal life. Behold, mine arm of mercy is extended towards you, and whosoever will come, him will I receive; and blessed are those who come unto me.

15 Behold, I am Jesus Christ the Son of God. I created the heavens and the earth, and all things that in them are. I was with the Father from the beginning. I am in the Father, and the Father in me; and in me hath the Father glorified his name.

This week wasn't easy. Even though we planned very very busy schedules and many investigators every single day, even though most of them were sure times that our investigators would be available, things didn't go the way we planned. We kept wondering why things turned out that way. We aren't perfect, but we are studying and trying to be obedient, even though we have many flaws. But we stayed positive and even though we still aren't sure why things went the way they did, we aren't giving up and we are going to try again. 

The gospel is about change and transforming into what Heavenly Father wants to make us. He is here to heal us, to change our nature through the principles of the Gospel into what he wants us to be. Jesus "ascended into heaven, having the bowels of mercy; being filled with compassion towards the children of men; standing betwixt them and justice; having broken the bands of death, taken upon himself their iniquity and their transgressions, having redeemed them, and satisfied the demands of justice." Because he did this we can change and he can give us mercy. We can become like our Heavenly Father. But we must choose to use His Atonement and repent and change. If we don't we won't be ready or want to meet our Father in Heaven again. I'm so grateful to find those of His children who want to repent and be changed through the power of the Atonement of our Savior. I know that the Book of Mormon contains these truths and are in no other Book.

Sister Porter

From Bauang to You

I just want to share a few miracles that happened to us this week. I am gaining more faith that if we truly open our mouths that we will find the people prepared by God to teach. I felt so blessed.

On Saturday we were trying to find people in a new area that the Sister Training Leaders left when they transferred to Bauang 1st ward. We ended up finding an older couple that had been baptized a little over a year ago but none of their family had been baptized with them. As we were talking to them we saw their granddaughter hanging clothes nearby and we were makulit and did everything we could to get her involved in the lesson. As we were getting to know her, her asawa came in and sat down and started listening. They are a young couple in their early 20s. As we started the lesson, we asked Sister how her belief in God has helped her in her life. That's when her eyes filled with tears and she explained that they had just lost their first baby. They were both distraught. But brother expressed his faith in God and in prayer that he has been given him to get a job to support his new family. They have great faith in God. After that we were able to testify of the Plan of Salvation. We asked them if they wanted to know where their baby was right now and their eyes lit up and looked at us with such eagerness and attentiveness. We started reading Moroni 8:

8 Listen to the words of Christ, your Redeemer, your Lord and your God. Behold, I came into the world not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance; the whole need no physician, but they that are sick; wherefore, little children are whole, for they are not capable of committing sin; wherefore the curse of Adam is taken from them in me, that it hath no power over them; and the law of circumcision is done away in me.

11 And their little children need no repentance, neither baptism. Behold, baptism is unto repentance to the fulfilling the commandments unto the remission of sins.

12 But little children are alive in Christ, even from the foundation of the world; if not so, God is a partial God, and also a changeable God, and a respecter to persons; for how many little children have died without baptism!

We told them their baby was with their Heavenly Father. Brother asked if they are growing up in Heaven and we were able to tell him that we know that he is learning and growing in knowledge to become like his Heavenly Father in the celestial kingdom. Then we shared verse 10:

10 Behold I say unto you that this thing shall ye teach—repentance and baptism unto those who are accountable and capable of committing sin; yea, teach parents that they must repent and be baptized, and humble themselves as their little children, and they shall all be saved with their little children.

That's when we testified of the Doctrine of Christ and that Brother and Sister must be repent and be baptized to be saved in the kingdom of God with their child and be a forever family. They cried and told us they want that more than anything. They are already reading the Book of Mormon and committed to a baptismal date and to go to church. It was the best experience. Sister Tobias and I were overjoyed.

We've been focusing on the Bacolcol family too. They are a whole family that goes to church. They have two kids that served such honorable missions. But one of them just died in service to their country and they are absolutely devastated but became open to the missionaries again. We've been boldly testifying of the Plan of Salvation in 2 Nephi 9 to them and it was like the verses were speaking directly to them.

1 And now, my beloved brethren, I have read these things that ye might know concerning the covenants of the Lord that he has covenanted with all the house of Israel—

2 That he has spoken unto the Jews, by the mouth of his holy prophets, even from the beginning down, from generation to generation, until the time comes that they shall be restored to the true church and fold of God; when they shall be gathered home to the lands of their inheritance, and shall be established in all their lands of promise.

3 Behold, my beloved brethren, I speak unto you these things that ye may rejoice, and lift up your heads forever, because of the blessings which the Lord God shall bestow upon your children.

4 For I know that ye have searched much, many of you, to know of things to come; wherefore I know that ye know that our flesh must waste away and die; nevertheless, in our bodies we shall see God.

5 Yea, I know that ye know that in the body he shall show himself unto those at Jerusalem, from whence we came; for it is expedient that it should be among them; for it behooveth the great Creator that he suffereth himself to become subject unto man in the flesh, and die for all men, that all men might become subject unto him.

6 For as death hath passed upon all men, to fulfil the merciful plan of the great Creator, there must needs be a power of resurrection, and the resurrection must needs come unto man by reason of the fall; and the fall came by reason of transgression; and because man became fallen they were cut off from the presence of the Lord.

7 Wherefore, it must needs be an infinite atonement—save it should be an infinite atonement this corruption could not put on incorruption. Wherefore, the first judgment which came upon man must needs have remained to an endless duration. And if so, this flesh must have laid down to rot and to crumble to its mother earth, to rise no more.

They are really improving in reading all the reading assignments we give them. Sister Bacolcol is feeling peace reading the Book of Mormon. Brother is still struggling overcoming an addiction and it is making it hard to read. They are having trouble deciding to be baptized and I'm reminded of the Abat family in Lingsat. But we know the time is coming just like the Abat family.

We taught Brother Rafael last night in the church. He is a minister of Iglesia. When we started teaching he just started bombarding us with scriptures he memorized in the Bible and even the Book of Mormon about prophets and the Godhead and we were a little worried at first as we were holding our ground that things weren't going to go the right direction. But when we asked him why he wanted to know these things he expressed to us that he was an honest seeker of truth and that he has questioned many churches and completely understands the apostasy. He told us that his greatest desire in life is to teach the word of God and we were able to testify to him that we were called of a living prophet to testify that these things are true and that he needed not a worldly witness but a spiritual witness of the Book of Mormon through sincere prayer. He asked us that if he were baptized in this church that he wanted to be baptized by immersion and that he wanted to be a missionary like us. He is only 20 years old. We told him that if his desire is true to seek the truth that he will find the truth and become a missionary and even a leader of the church and that God has a plan for him. As we were ending he asked to share a scripture with us. Jeremiah 1:16 and then basically testified to us that before this world was we were foreordained to the most important work and calling in the world- to be a missionary of the Lord Jesus Christ. We were so happy and we testified to him that it was true. I felt so weak during that lesson -- I just testified. But I am so grateful that I was able to witness a miracle.

On Thursday all of our appointments fell through so we ended up looking for old members in Calumbaya. We found an old couple that was baptized the 1980s. We felt impressed to talk to their neighbors. One man was shirtless and tattoed but ran to us and asked if he could listen and of course we told him yes. He ran back to his house, showered, and made himself presentable, came back, sat down, and then we started the lesson. We felt impressed to ask if there was anything they could ask God what would they ask. Brother told us that he has been searching and searching the Bible for the right religion but that he recognized that there had been an apostacy and that things were changed in the Bible. He wanted to ask for the true religion. Of course we testified that that was all true and that there was a boy named Joseph Smith that had asked that question. We gave him a Book of Mormon and asked if he would read before we came back and he told us that by the time we came back he will quote to us from the Book of Mormon. We were so excited.

Basically work was amazing this week. Rica and Charlene got baptized and Rica testified that she knew these things were true although she is only 14 years old. We are focusing on helping her family recognize the truth also. We worked hard. Things weren't perfect -- we make mistakes too. But we testified of these things and tried to serve and love others. I was able to testify in sacrament meeting about charity.

Sister Tobias is the most hardworking missionary. We are both so happy and positive working even when things don't always go the way we hope or plan and we make mistakes too. But we love to work, to study, and we are really happy as a companionship. Amazing things are happening here. Miracles.

Missionary work is the most wonderful work in the world -- bringing souls to Christ and His Restored Gospel. This is what I want to do for the rest of my life.

Sister Porter

Hello from Bauang

This week was a lot of hard work. But I already love Bauang with all my heart. (And it has a beach- I love the beach!!) I was welcomed so warmly by the members and I was so impressed by the spiritual maturity of the leaders -- all of which are recently returned missionaries, including the branch president. We have such wonderful and involved young single adults! I couldn't help but bear my testimony on Sunday that I felt such love for the people here even though I'm new and excited for the opportunity to serve, comfort, and help the people here.

I can also see that it's quite a big assignment. There are so many people here and we have quite a large area. We are finishing the training of Sister Tobias too. She is such a sweet, loving, positive, and wonderful companion. She works so hard, teaches clearly, loves her investigators and cares about their salvation and their lives. She is so kind and understanding to her companion too. I feel very blessed.

The first week we found some kind new investigators and I was excited to meet all the investigators here. People are very very humble and kind here in Bauang. Sister Joann just got baptized this Saturday. She is truly humbled and prepared for the gospel. Her husband hasn't quite softened his heart yet but we know they can make it. Sister Joann is always inviting him to church and telling him this is the way. But she comes to church with her little kids no matter what and has completely embraced the gospel and felt the Spirit confirm to her that this is where she needs to be. I feel so blessed for the opportunity to meet her.

Brother Rafael used to be a minister of Iglesia and is very smart and very kind and truly seeking for truth.  President came to help us in teaching him. I believe in Divine Design and that there is a reason that he walked into the church a week ago. I felt the Spirit as we testified of what we know to be true. I believe in the future of this young man and his potential to be a powerful leader in this church as he truly searches for the truth.

We met with President Tangalin and asked about the branch mission plan and are going to do our best to support him.

Rica Padilla and Charlene Calica are going to be baptized this Friday. Their mother needs a whole more help reading the Book of Mormon. But they are going to get married soon and want to get baptized. My only concern is that they are struggling with their reading but after watching the video about the Book of Mormon and missionary work I feel more committed to help my investigators read the Book of Mormon.

I see all the work and the people that are here in Bauang and I just always feel so inadequate and falling short of what is expected of me. But I'm going to focus on the Book of Mormon with myself and my investigators and I know that miracles will happen.

Cultural Notes: I'm the cook here! I'm cooking lots of Filipino dishes. Everyone is so shocked -- they say that if I didn't look American they would have thought that I'm Filipino -- personality, food, my Tagalog has improved.

Sister Porter

A Transfer to Bauang, La Union, Philippines

I just want to say that this week changed me. I had been struggling a little with my emotions but I learned SO much this week which I am 100% certain has changed my life. It was the devotional with Elder Rasband.

I had been fasting and praying for weeks to be prepared for this devotional. I had a question in my mind when I came. The talks were so powerful. I had brought a notebook to write down notes, but when Elder Haynie spoke and Elder Rasband, I could not write I was so completely taken over. All I could do was listen to every word that came out of their mouths. I realized many good things that we do -- how we treat everyone as a child of God that needs the gospel, our sense of urgency and not wasting time. But what Elder Rasband and Elder Haynie told us about giving EVERYTHING to the Lord -- all of our energy until we are absolutely exhausted at the end of each day, sharing the gospel with everyone, and the miracles that would happen because of it -- completely pierced my soul. I felt shock waves go through my body -- it really felt like shock waves. Elder Rasband told us that what we do now -- our obedience, our hard work, our love of the gospel -- will directly be how the rest of our lives will be like. That hit me so hard. I realized that truly I was not going to be happy UNLESS I gave it EVERYTHING I HAD. The miracles that Elder Rasband shared were beautiful -- I truly believe now in the DIVINE DESIGN.

After Saturday our work changed. Not only did we work hard but we worked smart. We followed the Spirit. We found an elect lady that cried, felt the Spirit the first lesson, and told us all of her questions of the soul about forgiveness and seeing her sister again in the next life. We met a couple that for years had been waiting for missionaries to teach them about temple marriage. We talked to everyone and made tons of contacts. We still weren't perfect -- but we felt the Spirit that day. We went to work early and didn't waste any time in the apartment. We loved the people. Every time we meet someone, we tell them that we were messengers sent from God to meet you and tell you about this gospel of happiness, that it wasn't a coincidence that we met you. I quickly saw how humble the Filipino people are.

We met this really sweet 22 year old Stephanie who has 2 little kids and her husband works in the army. She has been moving from house to house as her husband is assigned to different places. They have no real home and no permanent address. When we met her we knew it wasn't a coincidence because her close friend and neighbor growing up was Mormon. We have had a shortage of Book of Mormons for weeks now but I felt impressed to give her mine. She was completely overjoyed she almost cried. She's about to move again and so I may never see her again, but I am certain God has a plan for her. God has a "Divine Design.”

I'm so grateful for everything I have learned. It's taken a lot of trials, and I know there are a lot to come. Sometimes I wish that I had learned all this earlier in my mission, but then I realized that the Lord knows us and taught us little by little, line upon line. It's been hard with my medical trials, but I've been blessed with wonderful companions and wonderful areas. I see the conversion in my life becoming full. That my missionary work is for the rest of my life.

Arnold was baptized last week. We felt the Spirit teach Sister Wilma to come back to church and who she was and the divine plan there was for her. I love her so much.

I'm excited to know what the Lord has in store in Bauang with Sister Tobias. I know there is a FIELD of SOULS ready to harvest. I'm really going to overcome my worries by looking to Christ. Whenever those feelings come back again, I will just smile as hard as I can and talk to everyone I meet -- that's what brings the Spirit to me. I know there are so many people who need the gospel.

Love, Sister Porter

More from Naguilian

I know that it was revelation from God for me to stay here in Naguilian for a little bit longer. I am so so grateful. This week I saw incredible miracles. Last week I was hit with trials because things didn't work out right and I felt like I wasn't doing enough -- I felt surrounded by darkness. But so did Joseph Smith before the First Vision. At the very moment when you feel like you feel like you must abandon yourself to destruction or sadness, if you keep praying, the Light comes. And it came! 

This week we worked so hard -- from the time we wake up to the time we go to bed we are still working. We planned, we prayed, we trusted in God that he would give us words to say. And He did!!! We have the best investigators!

We are teaching a new family that was a referral from our recent converts. The Flora family is SO prepared for the gospel. The Spirit is working with them so much. The Spirit helped us teach one of the most clear and understandable lessons of the Restoration I have ever had. Their little 9 year old son has a sweet connection to the Spirit that he begs his family to come to church -- he's the first one ready every Sunday! They were touched at testimony meeting this week, started reading the Book of Mormon as a couple, and even though they are still confused about Joseph Smith they prayed to know if this is the right church for them and they said they received an answer that this is the right path for their family. In just two weeks they told us their family is changing little by little. They were thinking about another church to join but that was when they met the missionaries and they realized it was a sign from God. We are so so excited about their progress Sister Umpad and I were overjoyed last night.

Their neighbor Sister Gida, was the lady who stopped us on her motorcycle, who has been searching for a real family because she was abandoned when she was a child and now helps abandoned children. She has been working so hard ever since she was young to build a living for herself. And we knew their was a reason we met her. This week when we came to check up on her she has changed. She grabbed her Book of Mormon, explained to us that she had met with her pastor and asked about Joseph Smith. He told her that even Satan can appear and deceive people. So she explained everything to us and told us she was confused but she wasn't quite convinced by his words. She told us she felt she needed to read the Book of Mormon and she started reading the testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith at the beginning. After that I believe that Sister Umpad and I were filled with the Spirit and knew what we had to say. A scripture popped into my head - 3 Nephi 14: 16. And we told her that the Book of Mormon invites others to come unto Christ and nothing this good that brings forth such goodness and eternal life could ever come from Satan. Satan tries to counterfeit goodness and confuse us, but everything he does eventually leads us to be miserable like he is if we follow him. The Book of Mormon has the words of Christ and is the evidence that Joseph Smith was inspired by God. We then read 3 Nephi 14: 7-11 and promised her that because she was seeking for truth that God would answer her and bring her goodness. She came to church yesterday.

Brother Arnold is so excited to be baptized that he wanted us to move up his baptismal date. He said he would be active in all activities and even came to branch council. Brother Nuevo is such a great fellowshipper to him and to our investigators. He drops everything to work with the missionaries or come to an activity or meeting. We are going to try to finish he lessons this week. We have some commandments to finish but he is doing so good. He is giving up his old ways and starting new ones. Their baranggay is buzzing with news of how people are changing because of the gospel. That's why almost all our investigators are in that baranggay it's pretty funny.

Sister Erlina came to church too. They are getting married this Thursday. She is 20 years old and we brought the YSA to visit her and they loved her. After the lesson they came back the next day to learn how to make Baguio headbands. Sister Erlina felt so loved at church. They are a very poor family but prepared. We are teaching her more simply but she felt the Spirit when all the youth testified of the blessings of the gospel. She begs the missionaries to come back to her. 

Sister Emilia is a long term investigator but when we first met her she wasn't ready to be baptized. She still has things she needs to do but she has started reading the Book of Mormon seriously for weeks and the scriptures are talking directly to her and helping her change. The Book of Mormon is a miracle!!!!!! We feel the Spirit every time we read the verses she highlights with her and liken it unto her. 

Sister Rina that President allowed to come and research the missionaries, is 100% prepared by God to hear the gospel. She has been studying us and is so curious. After her survey we did EDPER in district meeting and Sister Umpad and I got to teach Sister Rina about the Book of Mormon and the First Vision. Afterward she got so curious that she testified to our zone that she felt something new -- she doesn't know it is the Spirit yet -- and said she was ready to meet with the missionaries. Hopefully the office got the referral we sent with her information.

We fasted with the leaders of the branch this week for our investigators and miracles happened at church. It was amazing. Brother Zaldy and Brother Arsenio blessed the sacrament today and did an incredible job. Brother Wally's girlfriend is leaving on a mission -- who knows what brother Wally will choose to do? (Hopefully he will serve too) I love the faith of the leaders here and I love Naguilian so much. I am so grateful for the counsel that the leaders have given me here -- they helped me feel peace and happy. I am actually learning that I like to plan and all the branch goals and meetings. I know that I stayed here for a reason. This week saved me because it brought back the peace that I was looking for that maybe I wouldn't have had otherwise because I see the fruit here in Naguilian. Truly the field is ripe and ready to harvest.

I know that there are still trials to come. I still feel inadequate because I make mistakes everyday. I have a lot of weaknesses. A ton. But everything that has happened here has been a gift from God and never because of our efforts. We can see that this is the Lord's work and not ours. That He knows His children and won't let them perish if they believe in Him. I, despite my innumerable weaknesses, believe in Him and keep praying and reading the Book of Mormon, and so I know He answers my prayers and gives us what we ask if we ask in faith. We have to be patient with the Lord's timing. Something I read from Jeffrey R Holland in (Tomorrow the Lord will Work Wonders Among You) is that the Lord knows the desires of our hearts. I know that I have struggles and I know they will come back. I know my weaknesses and I have a ton of things to improve. But we are being obedient and me and Sister Umpad are very happy. She is one of the best companions I have ever had because of her testimony, she makes me laugh and truly happy because of her conversion of her and her family, she is so humble and so bold and patient with me and our investigators. 

In my personal study I read John 21, and know that after my mission I can't go back to my old life either. I am not successful without the Savior, just like the disciples caught nothing when they went back to their nets. Christ is the one that gives success. Our work is nothing without Him, but we find strength and miracles beyond our capabilities. But more important is that Christ called us to feed His sheep. He can get fish is he wants -- but He wants us -- ourselves -- He needs disciples forever who will covenant with him to sacrifice our time, talents, to build the kingdom of God. I made that promise when I was called as a missionary and now I must be His disciple forever. 

Sister Porter