A mission is full of ups and downs. Crazy ups and crazy downs. Satan is real, but so is the power of the Lord. The first part of the week was really tough. Spiritually, physically, emotionally, mentally. The latter-days of the week were full of miracles and awesome finding situations. We found 4 new investigators this week, with quite a few set up for next week. We also have two baptisms scheduled to happen this coming Sunday. Our very hard work is paying off, and we're about to see some visible results.
We're teaching very close to our weekly goals of 20 lessons in all. We're achieving our goals for finding hours as well. Our tripanionship is working in unity as we're entering the final week of the transfer. We've only got another week together-there is no way our tripanionship will stay together. Elder Hancock is going somewhere else for sure, and nobody can guess what will happen with Elder Roberts and myself. Here is my tan line from my watch. Unfortunately, it will only get worse!
We're teaching very close to our weekly goals of 20 lessons in all. We're achieving our goals for finding hours as well. Our tripanionship is working in unity as we're entering the final week of the transfer. We've only got another week together-there is no way our tripanionship will stay together. Elder Hancock is going somewhere else for sure, and nobody can guess what will happen with Elder Roberts and myself. Here is my tan line from my watch. Unfortunately, it will only get worse!
As I'm now PAST my 7 month mark, I am starting to become more and more comfortable in my role as a missionary. I can be asked just about any question and be able to "pull the gun" and answer anything just off the top of my head. As a young missionary I looked forward to the day when I could do the things I am doing right now. But now that I "know many of the answers", I understand missionary work (and life in general) on a whole new level. It is NOT about knowing all the answers, or being eloquent or quick or smart or cunning. Everything a real missionary does completely boils down to having spiritual power. A very real, almost tangible influence and power that flows straight from the divinity of the Godhead through yourself. If you don't have that you are nothing. If you have that, you have everything. Baptisms are handed to you as you are always trying to improve your skill set, as you are obedient, and as you truly purify yourself and work in diligence. Everything about using the power of your calling as a missionary comes down to having, using, and exercising the POWER you are blessed to be endowed with. In my farewell talk I mentioned a scripture in D&C43..."Sanctify yourself, and ye shall be endowed with power...” At that time, I thought I knew what it meant, I really didn't, but I thought I did. I feel like I understand now. I've been a witness of people who have sanctified themselves, and they have been endowed with the power the Godhead has trusted all of us with as we earn the right to use it.
There is always another step you can take. Life isn't entirely about jobs, or schooling, or random activities...it comes down to having spiritual power, and keeping the covenants you've made with God. Elder Ballard challenged us to rise to a new sense of competency and commitment as we understand the true significance of the Baptism, Priesthood, and Temple Covenants that we have entered into. The final line from an apostle of the Lord is...Take the next step, and you will be very, very blessed.
May we all have the strength to take another step in a proper direction. Myself as a missionary, and you, in whatever assignment you are currently serving in. It doesn't matter.
This coming Sunday, we have got 2 baptisms scheduled!
The first is a man named Damine. He is part Jamaican, but has lived in all his life as far as I can remember. He has always grown up with a Christian background, and has been investigating the church for over 6 months now. We looked at all the teaching records (nearly filling the 3rd now) and he has been visited nearly 40 times. Crazy. Long. Conversion. Some people it just takes longer. We're gone through all the lessons more than once with him, and we've been doing our best to help him recognize the spirit and truly see the spiritual growth that he has made since reading the Book of Mormon and since meeting with us and coming to church. It has been a long, long road, but a few weeks ago he committed to a baptismal date. He is finally feeling ready. The solution was not crazy complicated and cross-referenced lesson plans. It was simply coming to him home, and reading the Book of Mormon with him for 30 minutes. We've had some spiritual-powerhouse lessons from simply reading the Book of Mormon. It is the pure vehicle for the spirit to flow through, because it is the pure word of God. He is progressing continually and will be baptized next Sunday (according to plans.)
The second is an 11 year old girl named Annie. She is Haitian, and she came to Canada when the really bad earthquake hit her country a few years ago. Her life was shattered from the disaster, so she came to live with her aunt and uncles family who was at the time investigating the church (in Brampton). Her aunt and uncles family was baptized into our ward, but she was not because her mother was still in Haiti, and was an active member of another church. We went through the long process of teaching her with a Creole/French translator so she could understand. Her English is not well. We've gone through everything, and she's read most of a children's Book of Mormon. She has CRAZY amazing understanding of Christian doctrine and principles. She was active in her mother’s church growing up. The reason she wasn't baptized earlier was she needed permission from her mother. After many weeks of fasting and diplomatic reasoning, she has permission to be baptized, and her service will be held this coming Sunday.
Hopefully all goes as planned!
Next week should be an eventful week! I'll fill you in next Monday.
With much love,
-E. PORTER
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