Out talking to people, almost all Canadians know about and make a comment on Mitt Romney's campaign. It seems that these Canadians are WAY more involved and concerned about our country than they are their own, which I find amusing. Nearly all comments and opinions I hear about him have been positive. He is doing a great work for the church weather he realizes it or not-he's getting our name out there and causing a lot of curiosity. It will be very interesting to see if he takes the crown or not...

Well, here are some pictures I took recently.

Elder Conner Jasperson and Elder Matt Porter at a traning meeting

Elder Webster and Elder Porter

French Toast with REAL Quebec maple syrup. It really makes a difference! Notice the can is in French.

Typical street in North York

Typical apartment

Typical building we tract in

On a mission I have learned the principle of accountability. Not accountability to my leaders, my companion, or my mission president, but to myself and to the Lord. Anybody who develops this automatically has an invincible sense of self-enforced integrity. I account every night and wait for a spiritual confirmation to know if my efforts were accepted and smiled upon today. Anybody can ENDURE by STAYING HAPPY no matter what they are going through if they know the Lord is pleased with their chosen course of action. It’s quite simply really. Just account and do your best and you will be happy!

I wanted to leave a quick note and story. I know very strongly that prayers are answered. Lately I've been going through another rough patch.  It is so frustrating that often times, although I may not act on it, I have huge levels of frustration and annoyance inside my heart. I try to get rid of it of course, but even Christ got frustrated with people when they were in the wrong. I do my best to prayerfully respond to my situation with love, humility, and care. Often times I succeed and feel great about my reaction, other times I am not 100% at peace with the way I act. I am not perfect, and feel that I expect myself to be. It causes a lot of times when I am too hard on myself for it. My district is doing great right now! The other English area had a baptism yesterday, and the two Farsi areas had 8 people to church between them, which is great! Our area has had 2 people at church the past month and I've been working my tail off.  Over the past month my confidence has gone down. My finding has become ineffective due to contacting 1000's of people in a row with not even one break. I feel my finding is hollow and my approach rote. I have had feelings of inadequacy, self doubt, depression, and frustration. I just wasn't sure if I was doing what I was supposed to be doing. I didn't know if I was succeeding or failing and it was so painful being where I was.....I fasted and prayed to know my standing with the Lord concerning my missionary work. In the evening our District had an ESL class. After ESL, Elder Hyatt, a missionary in my district, asked if he could talk to me. We went into a classroom and closed the door and he expressed his thanks and gratitude for me. He said that I needed to be here because of the incredible influence I have had on others around me. He said I have no idea what I've done for the missionaries in this area. He encouraged me to keep going and keep pushing when things get hard, because I have no idea how much influence I am having on people around me. He told me I am the best, well put-together missionary he's ever seen and that he loves me.....

These things are quite the opposite of what I had been feeling and had thought about myself. It was easy for me to recognize this as an answer from my Heavenly Father that I am on track. That I am performing and acting in the way He wants me to. I am not perfect or at the standard I want to act at, but it’s impossible to do so. My daily repentance and recommitment has been adequate to make the Lord proud and fulfill His purposes in having me be here in my exact spot for the last 6 months. I have trust in Him. 2 Nephi 4 was especially helpful and conveys my feelings and thoughts. I have a testimony that this is the Lord's work. That he is in control, and that He loves us. I know prayers are answered and that Father loves us so much. I want literally more than anything else in my sphere of existence to do what Heavenly Father wants me to do. Nothing else compares. Nothing. I know this gospel real. Keep going. Keep pushing. The storm and winds and sleet and whirlwinds will stop eventually. All will be alright if we trust in God and continually look forward to His promised blessings. I leave my testimony in the name of Jesus Christ.

I love you tons! My District is going downtown today! Transfer calls are this Sunday, I've been here for 6 months, and I’m probably gone. This is my last P-day here so we're hitting downtown! Don't worry; I'll take lots of pictures!

Love,

E. Porter