November 6, 2011

I'm feeling at home serving in the city finally. It took a long time to adjust from the "small-town/country" attitude to the "city" attitude. The differences in missionary work styles are so different. Both are great and both are inspired.

Great experience this past week-we were contacting last Tuesday and we ran into a girl named Celinne. She is YSA age and from Germany, we talked to her on her FIRST day in Canada. She is awesome! Super open to learning and receptive to the truth. We met with her twice over the week and got to know her a bit and taught her about the Restored gospel of Jesus Christ. She came to church yesterday and liked it a lot. In Relief Society I guess they were having a discussion and D&C9:7-8 came up. It talks about finding answers to prayers through a "burning" or "peaceful" feeling. Right after church Celinne was so excited to find us and tell us that she already knew about that! That is how she has been making decisions and praying to God most of her life. It was a big faith booster for her to be able to learn that in a church her first day. She had never really learned anything of value at a church before, and she loved what was talked about this past Sunday. She is doing great and hopefully will continue to progress in the gospel!

The past 2 months have been the toughest of my mission. I feel as if I've been stretched in every way possible. However, I am so grateful for the lessons that I have learned and the experiences I have obtained. They are the most valuable of my life because they have been purchased with the highest price. Heavenly Father gives us just what we need when we need it. My growth has been hard, but it has been so, so worth it.

A mission is the greatest thing ever.

-Elder Porter

October 24, 2011

So last week with transfer calls they split our proselyting area in half! We worked hard and got things done, and they thought 2 companionships should work on what we were doing. With the split, we moved apartments into an old Sisters apartment...which was weird. It was cleaner than a typical old Elders apartment which was great!

Last week we had a baptism! Jackie Outridge from Guyana was baptized. It was a great service and had a special spirit. We saw Jackie at Stake Conference yesterday and she had loved hearing our mission President and Stake President speak. She is awesome and loves the church. Baptism and feeling the spirit through the complete, restored, church of the Lord changes people. It’s amazing to see.

At Stake Conference, the Toronto Stake President, President Wong, spoke. He had a great message about being grateful and thankful for what we have. I'm not as eloquent or powerful as he is, but the message was that we have so many things! We can afford food, we have two feet, eyes, ears, a voice, and a quick and sharp mind to aid us through life. We have families, and we have the gospel!

Later in the day, I had a humbling experience that built off what I was taught earlier in the day. We were tracting in an old ghetto-ish part of the city. In this rundown apartment building we knocked on a door and we were let in. We sat down at the table, and started to get to know the people who had let us in.....The boy who opened the door for us is named Alex. He is 16, he is actually homeless, he was just visiting and staying with his friend (the apartment owner) for the weekend. His dad is abuse and his mom kicked him out his home about 6 months ago. He's been living on the streets of Toronto since then. He has been running from violent people from his past, and dealing with many drug and alcohol related addictive behaviors. He is on the run with Veronica, the other person in the apartment. She is 17, and she is 6 months pregnant. She ran away from home after suffering abuse most of her life. She has been in and out of pregnancy homes for the past few months, and struggles to have enough food. She is staying with Alex to stay safe. Neither of them have a home, and neither of them have anybody in their life who loves or cares about them. They have so many obstacles to overcome, starting with themselves, before they can progress. And they aren't the only ones. There are many who are in similar situations as them. As we are teaching about prayer and Jesus Christ, I survey the scene and see open alcohol bottles and a bag of weed sitting on the table. I take in the environment that I am in and I realize how truly blessed I am. I was born into a wealthy country. I have two great parents who love me very much, they work for my well being. I have wonderful siblings who I have great relationships with. I've always had enough money and live in a nice, beautiful, clean, and safe part of the world. I've been blessed to have the gospel and on top of that I've been blessed with a testimony that it is true. I get to be a missionary and share this with others. What more could I ask for? How can I ever complain about my circumstances ever again? The feelings that came into my heart during this experience can't be explained. And they can't be conveyed through an email either. Simply put-we are blessed. We don't even realize how blessed we are. Heavenly Father loves us. He micro manages our lives beyond what we give credit for. He wants us to be happy and all we need to do is listen to the spirit.

I know the gospel of Jesus Christ has been restored through Joseph Smith. It teaches us how to be happy. I'm happy for hard experiences. That is really why we came here. To grow through painful and difficult adversity. It’s part of the plan! It prepares us to be better in the future. Enduring with humility is the key!

Keep moving forward with steadfast faith in Christ!

Elder Porter

October 11, 2011

The work in Toronto city is moving as it always is! Some exciting news...a dear sweet lady from Guyana we've been seeing for the past 6 weeks is getting baptized this coming Sunday! No amazing stories or noteworthy lessons, but it’s been great to simply feel the sweet spirit of peace that comes when people accept the true gospel of Jesus Christ. Her name is Jackie, and she's been a long time great Christian. She's accepted nearly everything without hesitation, and she's loved coming to church and to General Conference a few weeks ago. She'll make a great member and we're so excited and happy for her!

The weather has been unusually warm here. It’s been in the high 70's all week, but it should drop soon and start snowing before we know it. Canadian weather is unpredictable.

The great Canadian Thanksgiving was yesterday!! As missionaries we got a sweet deal....we've had awesome Thanksgiving dinners for the past 3 days! Turkey and everything. It was like a little slice of home at every gathering, so it was real nice. The ward members really like the missionaries...and they really rely on us too. The ward is extremely multicultural. There aren't a lot of "Canadian born" members in the city anymore, so the ward dynamics are very interesting. Two of our Thanksgiving dinners were with Phillipino families! Phillipino parties are crazy...lots of food and lots of people. Its rude not to eat everything they give you so we've been dying the past few days.

Yesterday we had interviews with President Scott. He's a great guy and he'll be a great leader for this magnificent mission. His leadership is just what we need here. There were slight unintentional hints dropped during my interview that my companion and I will probably be staying together for another transfer. There is always a lot of growth that comes during those last 6 weeks, so it will be a blessing with the increased unity that is sure to come.

In the past months my testimony of the Book of Mormon has grown so much. I wish I could be an institute teacher or something-to be able to give so much more time to the scriptures. They give us specific instruction in our lives of what we need to do be become better people. More refined, more Christ-like. I can't thank my Father in Heaven enough for the blessings that have come from my gospel study in the scriptures.

The work of the Lord moves on! I'm excited for this Sunday when I'll be able to fulfill my purpose as a missionary!

-E. PORTER

September 26, 2011

I don't have much to say this week. Mission life is a roller coaster. Tough times are the only way to progress-the only way to learn the next required lesson of mortality is to be stretched. The Lord allows us to struggle to be lead by the spirit in all things because it helps us grow stronger.

I had a great personal experience this past week. It felt as though Satan was buffeting me all week-implanting doubts and questions into my mind. At the end of one of the days, I got home, we planned, and I started in with my personal routine of writing in my journal, getting ready for bed, and praying. When it came time to pray, I was so overwhelmed I didn't even know what to say. It came down to the fact that I was in a situation or a state of mind where I could not go any further by myself. I couldn't. I was at a point where it was necessary that I either quit, or received divine support, enabling power, or what people sometimes call "grace". At the height of my plea for support I felt a very subtle particle of peace in my heart. It grew until my spirit could taste it. As Joseph Smith has taught, we as God's children can know when we are receiving divine truth, support, or knowledge because our soul can taste it in a similar way that our tongue would taste a piece of fruit. Our soul and spirit recognize the touch of Divinity, and can know of its reality when we experience it. It is tangible. It is real. The peace grew until it spread and gave me a new-found sense of direction and peace that I sometimes need in the frail uncelestial state of development I am struggling to progress through.

It is a small and simple lesson. I must bear my testimony. I know Heavenly Father answers prayers. I know that His love is far reaching, and as we do all we can, "grace", divine support, or enabling power will carry us the rest of the way.

On another note, city life in Toronto is still pretty intense. We are teaching all day every day. Except for the hours that we spend in the car. Its ridiculous. Still trying to solve the puzzle of being 100% effective. We're working with some great investigators. One has a solid baptismal date of October 16! Her name is Jackie-she's from Guyana. We're also working with a Japanese YSA girl named Yoko. She is here alone working in Toronto doing an internship of some sort. She was found through the chruch's ESl program that we teach at. She is progressing and will be baptized sooner than later if we can help the spirit touch her heart in the right way. The work is exciting! Its the greatest thing I've ever done, and I will miss it dearly, more than words can express, when I can't put on my tag every morning. I treasure this time I have to serve the Lord with all my energy.

I love and support all who I have known throughout my life that have helped me become who I am today.

-E. PORTER

September 16, 2011

Finally an update on my new life in the city!

Just 2 weeks ago I was in Brampton with the missionary that I was training-Elder Wendt. We had a great time together and learned lots of good lessons. Brampton treated me well. A perfect ward, a perfect area, and lots of success. Fantastic way to learn about the joys of missionary work. I got my transfer call to the Don Valley ward in the city, and that’s where I've been for the past 2 weeks.

I was transferred to serve with Elder Ondre Tomsik! He is 20, and he's from the Czech Republic. He is only 1 of 3 missionaries from the whole country. He was baptized 2 years ago and left a life of worldly pursuits and crime for the higher lifestyle of following the gospel of Jesus Christ. His story of accepting the gospel and being converted to the high law is truly an amazing one. Elder Tomsik is a big man. He is taller than me by about a half an inch, but is a lot heavier. He is actually assigned to be a Spanish missionary, but he's also doing Czech work and English work-so he's a trilingual missionary. Pretty intense.

Our area is just north of the "city" city of Toronto. It consists of almost solid high-rise buildings and heavy commercial areas. There are always people no matter where you go-lots different than in either of my past areas. With the city being different than the towns, the work is also different. I haven't knocked a door since I've been here. We've been teaching, and doing other forms of finding such as hosting activities at the church like sport nights, F.H.E., and teaching English. I am an ESL (English second language) teacher, which is awesome. I love it! We've had 2 new investigators in the past two weeks from it, so whatever is effective is worth doing I guess....

Our area is really unique, because just a few weeks ago it was two areas that were combined into one. We have 2 area books, 2 sets of lists of investigators, we had 2 phones for a while...it was crazy. There is so much to do there honestly isn't time to "find" in the traditional way. It’s nice but a little different as well. Rush hour is our worst enemy so we've needed to learn new ways to be effective, it’s been interesting.

The ward is nice...lots of great and humble people. The ward is VERY unique...there are 6 missionaries in the ward. 2 English, and 4 FARSI! There are only 4 Farsi speaking missionaries in the world, and they are all in our ward. The ward is about 50% Persian (Iranian, Afganastanian, middle-eastern). It’s crazy! Lots of Phillipino as well. The Caucasian people are definitely the minority, so it’s a little different. The Farsi missionaries teach mostly Muslims, and actually baptize more than any other missionary companionships in the whole mission. It’s a really interesting situation.

A great principle that I have the privilege of learning in this area is simply that there is always a lesson we can learn! No matter what situation or circumstance you are in, the Lord always has given it to you to learn. Isn't it great? Everything we deal with is for our benefit, even if we cannot immediately see so or see how. Just as 2Nephi2:2 teaches us, "[we know] the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate [our] afflictions for [our] gain"! Think about what an amazing promise we have received from a loving God. If we obey the gospel and keep the commandments, no matter how bad things get, 100% of the time everything will end up being for our gain. I know this principle is true. I myself often get discouraged or have moments of doubt or fear, but I know that if you push forward, endure just a little longer, be diligent a little longer, then the promised progression and blessings will come. God always keeps His promises. I know that to be true.

Continue to pray for the missionaries around the world. We are crippled without heavens support.

-E. PORTER

September 6, 2011

There is a time and a season for everything I suppose! My time in Brampton city is finally up. It’s been a good 5+ months. I've seen people change and accept the gospel. I've seen miracles in small ways throughout my time here. I've had the privilege of teaching by the spirit and feeling the undeniable power that comes along with it. But the greatest thing I've seen in a clear sight are the many blessings that I've been blessed with. I didn't even realize until the morning after I got my transfer call. The Lord has blessed me SO much. He knows who I am and knows what I need to progress. It’s easy to forget who you are-as a rep of Jesus Christ I mean. The world can dim your own view of your calling sometimes. But it’s so, so true and so important to remember that the Lord will carry your actions and words further than you can imagine. Your labors are magnified to those around you because of the spirit of the Lord. I know this to be true by the power of the Holy Ghost.

I am leaving my trainee after 2 transfers...quite typical. I've been here for 4 transfers, which is also quite typical. I've loved my time here, and I'm happy and excited to be going to DOWNTOWN TORONTO. Yeah. I'll be serving in one of the four downtown areas. The Don Valley ward is what it called. My ward has 3 companionships of missionaries. 1 English, 2 Farsi. The only 4 Farsi missionaries in the world as a matter of fact. I will have a bus pass, a subway pass, and a car. Luckily. My area is huge and has more than 500,000 people in it. Lots of people to find and baptize I suppose, eh? I'm excited, and also nervous. Downtown "on your toes work" is something that isn't my strength. Guess I'll have to be changed yet again to be what the Lord wants. My new companions name is Elder Tomsik! He came out with my trainee, Elder Wendt. He's been on his mission for about 3 months. He has been a member for about a year and a half, and is from Czech Republic. He is about 3 inches taller than me and he has lots of muscles. Which will be nice because we have lots of scary places and gang violence in our area apparently. But also a lot of nice areas, and amazingly humble and prepared people in both without a doubt. I'm headed out for the switch on Wednesday.

The gospel is sooo true. So true. The Book of Mormon helps us feel the spirit. I know it does. My testimony of the gospel has come through the Book of Mormon even stronger as a missionary. Lots of memorable experiences in the quiet hours of study time where my prayers have been answered or my concerns have been resolved. Heavenly Father loves us so much.

Keep it up! Chose the right.

E. PORTER

August 29, 2011

Summer is fleeing quickly. The snow is coming back to good old Canada sooner than later. The weather is really cooling off. Not many hot days anymore. Perfectly pleasant with chilly evenings, nights, and mornings. It’s only a matter of time till its winter again. My last winter in Canada. Weird.

This week was fantastic. Lots of teaching. Member referrals. New investigators. Spiritually powerful lessons. A week where you can come home and say 'I fulfilled my purpose." It feels nice.

Something amazing about your mission is that you are blessed with a testimony. A testimony that the Lord is going before us in all things. ALL things. We'll pass from this life someday and see how much He was involved in all that has happened and we will be humbled. I heard in a district meeting from an old experienced missionary that when you find somebody to teach, it is because they asked the Lord for you to come. It’s not because of chance. Its because they asked God for answers. They asked Him for direction. They asked Him for more peace. They pleaded for Him to answer their prayers and fill in many missing pieces in their lives. And when you point out to these people you've only known 30 minutes that THEY asked God to send you, it’s a powerful moment when you see them realize that you are right. The spirit will work with people as you testify of true things. The work of the Lord is pretty simple. God has a will for everything and we get to help Him accomplish it. What a blessing.

Transfer calls are next Sunday. My time in Brampton has been much too quick. I was just arriving here a few weeks ago it feels like. When you are connected to your purpose, it doesn't matter if you are leaving an area in 5 months, or in a week. You want to work and lift where you stand to fulfill the will of our Father. It’s how I feel. And I couldn't have gotten to this point without the Atonement.

I love my mission. I love the gospel. I love the Atonement. I love my Savior. I love His church.

Make this week a great week.

E. PORTER

August 22, 2011

To put my recent feelings into words, I want to bring out a scripture. I don't have them with me right now but I believe it is in Alma13:27-29. It brings us straight into the middle of Alma's experience as High Priest of the Church of God. Alma had experienced a HUGE change of heart throughout his life. Not just of heart, but desires, thoughts, actions, and beliefs. He says something to the extent of "I wish from the innermost part of my soul, even with great anxiety unto pain....." that the people he was preaching to would cast off their sins and become followers of Christ. He has such URGENCY. And it is a blessing too. Months ago I wondered how I could feel the same urgency. It truly does come through the power of the Atonement of Christ. Think about the hymn More Holiness Give Me...

 "More holiness give me, more strivings within, more patience in suffering, more sorrow for sin, more faith in my Savior, more sense of His care, more joy in His service, more purpose in prayer. More gratitude give me, more trust in the Lord, more pride in His glory, more hope in His word, more tears for His sorrows, more pain at His grief, more meekness in trial, more praise for relief. More purity give me, more strength to overcome, more freedom from earth-stains, more longing for home, more fit for the kingdom, more use would I be, more blessed and holy, more Savior like Thee."

Nearly all of those aspects this beautiful hymn talks about are aspects that can only come through the redeeming power of His Atonement! It is the source of all spiritual progression! I bear testimony that it is real! I can testify of its reality and divinity because I have experienced a similar change that Alma experienced through his own missionary service. I know what it feels like to have my nature molded to include aspects from this beautiful song. It is so painful. Because it takes true and sincere repentance. Repentance hurts. Your spiritual matter is refined through repenting and partaking of the sacrament. It is a process that can bring you your darkest hours, but at the end awaits more love, light, glory, understanding and truth than you have yet experienced. The promise missionaries receive in their mission calls and in Preach my Gospel...that "more happiness awaits you than you have yet experience as you labor among His children" is so real. Father loves us so much. The gospel is true.

Just as in any chapter of mortal life, a mission will prove to be a refiner’s fire. Dark and lonely moments of learning and understanding are transformed into moments of inspiration, testimony building experiences, and growing love. It’s been a little tougher lately. Everything has a purpose, and leads to greater blessings and light in the end, but it is definitely hard along the way. It is a blessing. Just as the church of God in Alma and King Noah's time, the Lord seeeth fit to chasten His people, because He loves them. Lessons are required as we climb the latter leading to salvation. Required circumstances and favored reactions bring progression and more Christ-like conduct. Such a blessing! (EH?)

I am grateful to serve as a representative of Christ. He is my Savior. His act of love allows us to progress toward more peace and happiness. Living the gospel refines people. It is true. Progression comes in small and simple ways that are so easy to miss. Search for them. Our Father in Heaven loves us very much. I know these things to be true.

E. PORTER

August 8, 2011

The weeks and months are like days in the mission field. Ever-increasing time passing scares me. It makes (as it should) any competent missionary stop and think. Am I doing the right things for the right reasons? Am I learning all I must? Am I keeping my covenants? Am I being transformed from social, to honorable, to sacred? Am I acting in the way the Savior would? Is the Atonement taking an active role and spot in my day to day life?

The answers to these questions don't come from anything except counsel and conversation between you and our Father. Only the medium of the spirit can teach us these truths, thus allowing us to return from our assignments with honor and peace. Peace is what everybody wants.

The past weeks have been interesting. Lots of stretching, learning, and growing. The spirit has taught me much. The keys of the Priesthood are real.

We had a great week. On Tuesday, we set up an appointment with our investigator, Chander, who is progressing from Hinduism. We had lessons with her at her fellowshipers home. It was a very powerful lesson-we were able to review the importance of the Restoration, and create an environment where the spirit could teach all of us, including her, what we must to do find answers and eventually return Home. Chander accepted a baptismal date on September 4th. The spirit was powerful, and you could see the influence of the Lord working and cranking the spiritual cogs and gears inside her soul as she was taught what steps must be taken. There is lots and lots of progression to happen before then-but September 4th is the goal we're working towards. Exciting evening. The members who we worked with obviously had not had a spirit filled lesson for quite a while. They are more than enthusiastic every time they spot us and invite us to bring investigators or to come for dinner every time we chat. The key to getting missionary work moving is member work. There is nothing more powerful than a sincere member's testimony. Good evening.

We're still working to find people to teach, but my testimony is every increasing of inspired planning. Having 15 minutes to find you can still find people to teach, set up appointments, and fulfill your purpose.

I'm continuing to learn and grow. We had a big zone conference this week-4 zones were included. My trainer is now a zone leader of a neighboring zone, so it was good to see and meet with him. Every time we have a big zone conference or mission conference, it really is like Alma and the 4 sons of Mosiah meeting up again. So joyous and happy. Beyond what I've felt before my mission. The gospel and the spirit creates bridges and relationships that nothing else could. On a sad note, President Brower leaves on August 29. I will miss and love that man for the rest of my life. Truly.

All in all, great week. Still working hard. I've got 4 weeks left in Brampton (probably). I'll be sad to go. But in the mean time I'll keep working hard and relying on the Lord.

E. PORTER

August 2, 2011

More times of character, mental, and spiritual growth here on the dandy mission. The Lord stretches you just how he knows you won't like it, haha! Just where you're weak is where he tugs at.

I'm continually learning the importance and how much of a blessing having the gospel knowledge is to us. It really is a great thing. Not many people have it. You go finding and get an unfavorable welcome by the world that lasts the whole time you're outside, then you come back to the car and turn on some hymns and you feel the spirit so strongly lifting you back up and helping you feel how great this really is. It helps you keep your purpose in mind.

One of the fruits from the spirit is learning from your own instruction. I had the experience yesterday teaching a less-active member. I was giving instruction and at the end of my sentence I felt I learned something I didn't know before. It was something that has and is helping me in my current assignment as a missionary. The Lord works in so many small and simple ways it is very easy to miss if you aren't constantly searching for the lesson you are supposed to learn or the personal obstacle you are to overcome.

We're helping a recent convert finish off his smoking habit. He's waiting to get the Aaronic Priesthood, Patriarchal Blessing, and do baptisms for the dead until he can kick the habit. He is one of the most sincere church members I have ever met, and he has the strongest testimony of nearly all people I know. We had a powerhouse lesson with him and helped him see it was possible to overcome the habit. We gave the "stop smoking lesson", gave him a blessing, and left. It was pretty much a spiritual bomb and we were out. He is doing great. The gospel is true.

Love, E. Porter