Wonderful Investigators!

April 10, 2012

We have had a great and exciting week! Elder Hancock and I are working as hard as we possibly can, and the Lord has begun to pour His blessings out on us. It’s been incredible to see the explosion of success and good things we've been part of lately. We have such a rhythm and tight unity that the spirit is able to help us make a difference in people's lives. We are finding by the spirit, teaching by the spirit, and helping people work towards baptism. I've never felt more connected to the Lord in His great work than I do right now. My role as a leader and with a great companion has let me develop the sharpest skill set I've had my entire mission. We are being effective, and making every second of our day count.

We have 3 investigators just on the brink of baptism! We are fasting and praying with one Chinese girl who is so close. We knocked on her door about 7 weeks ago, she didn't believe in God, she had no faith, she'd never prayed before. Now she prays like a lifelong member of the church, she has insights from her scripture reading, she recognizes the spirit in her life, and she has faith and hope that Christ can bring healing and a better life. Her unsupportive family in China is her biggest setback. We've been reading the Book of Mormon with her lots to help her faith grow to overcome her fears. She is SO CLOSE.

We have another girl who loves the church, its activities, and the restored gospel. She is working to overcome her deep-rooted smoking habit before her baptism which is scheduled for April 22. It’s amazing to see the spirit teach different people individually how the Atonement can apply to them and heal them.

Another person who is very close to baptism is a girl from Toronto. She was born in another country but has been here in Canada for a few years now. She had no previous background with Christianity, and had a small faith in Hinduism. She has felt the spirit enlighten her view of the world as she has learned about the Atonement and what Jesus Christ did for her. She loves the Book of Mormon and has received answers to her prayers. She is set for baptism on April 29.

Other than these great investigators, the Lord is leading us directly to people who are prepared. We have started tracting apartment buildings around the University, and 2 of our baptismal dates are on the same floor of a building. We are teaching and helping our investigators be integrated into the church almost constantly. We are finding people to baptize. We are feeling the spirit bear strong witness to those we find that Christ is real. My testimony of this work has grown a lot in the past month. The Lord keeps his promises. He will not abandon us if we keep our covenants.

My mission has been the greatest, most exciting time of my life. It’s been hard and dark at times also, but through all the trials I've grown the capacity to feel true joy. I wouldn't trade this experience for anything. God loves us, and he wants us to succeed.

Elder Porter