The Happiest Time of My Life

September 29, 2012

I am in love with my life. I represent the Savior of all mankind. I have a special connection with the heavens because of the name that I bear over my heart day after day. My sacred and kept covenants endow me with power and revelation to know how to lift others out of the ruts of life and to lead towards being cleansed from all unrighteousness. I am grateful for His mercy and His love that I feel daily. I love Jesus Christ and know without a shaddow of a doubt that His glorious latter-day work is REAL.

This is the happiest time of my life. This past week has been stellar. Just yesterday we were able to go on our first Zone Leader exchanges of the transfer. I went back into my previous area, London YSA, and got to work with my previous companion and the Elder who is filling my posission there. They are the two youngest Zone Leaders in the mission and are moldable, teachable, and willing to stretch themselves to grow and become better. We had a great day full of street contacting at the University, teaching recent converts, and visiting with members prior to an activity. I love that branch and have formed lifelong friendships by sharing powerful spiritual experiences with them.

One new aspect of work that comes with my assignment is office work. Working on excell, figuring out travel plans for transfers, working with key indicator reports, sitting in long meetings with President Scott, ect. To be honest, I absolutely love this kind of missionary work also. I am totally happy in the office if I am focused and still working to help the work move forward. I'm learning and developing new talents and skills that I wouldn't be able to develop anywhere else. I spend 4-5 hours a week on the phone with Zone Leaders working with them to set goals and make plans to help other missionaries, help investigators, and helps sturggling areas pick things up. I love this role and can literally feel at times the Lord magnify my efforts to help me carry the mantle of my calling.

On top of the busy week that we had, we also have a few hours of proslyting that we fit in! We have been working as effectively as we know how, and we have been praying that despite our circumstances of not being able to focus on proslyting as much as we would like to, we would be able to see miracle baptisms and have those who are prepared to be baptized fall into our sphere of influence. Over the past week we have got two new investigators who both are commited to work towards Oct. 14 to be baptized. One is from India, and was introduced to the church by his friend who was baptized a number of months ago. This is his third friend who is working towards baptism. He has a strong desire to change bad habits and wants to experience the same sort of magnificant changes that he saw his friend go through before and after his baptism. The other is a former investigator who dated a member a while back. She has been feeling something inside prompting her to go back to church. She is already developing habits of scripture reading, daily prayer, consistant institute attendance, and is making lifestyle changes to get away from the party life. They both have humble and strong spirits about them and have received remarkable fellowshipping from the ward. They should both be baptized on Oct. 14! They are both complete gifts from God. My testimony is growing that if you do everything within your power to fulfill your responsibilities, the Lord will now allow you to be unsuccessful.

I love my companion and the chance to be around President so often. He is truly inspired. The Lord is truly at the head of this work. I'm grateful for the powerful influence of the spirit and the changes that it can bring if we heed its promptings. I hope time slows down a bit so I can soak up this incredible opportunity to develop into who Heavenly Father needs me to become.

-Elder Porter

A New Assignment

September 22, 2012

It has been a week full of excitement and full of changes! As the transfer was ending last week I knew that getting a call to another area was a pretty big possibility seeing that I had been in London for 7+ months. Transfer calls are usually on Sunday evening, but on Thursday morning President Scott called. He extended a call for me to serve as his new assistant. One of the assistants was leaving at the end of this week and I was chosen to fill his position!

Thursday and Friday was a day full of goodbyes to converts, members from London 2nd ward and London YSA branch, and investigators. It was sad to leave the city that I love so much. I spent over 10 months of my mission in that blessed place. I'll love it forever and will always tie many memories of my mission with the amazing people there. Friday evening we met up with the assistants and I left with Elder Henderson and Elder Green. For the next few days we slaved in the office to prepare for transfers. There is so much work associated with preparing a mission for transfers. President Scott is so inspired. On Sunday evening I was able to make transfer calls to about 25 companionships. I think everyone wonders what it is like to be on the other side of those calls, and now I know!

With incoming missionaries on Monday and departing missionaries on Tuesday, I have been to the airport 6 times in the last week. Picking up the new group of incoming missionaries was a blast. The 3 of us assistants each drove a transfer van (15 seater) to the airport and loaded up the 21 new missionaries. We look them to the stake centre, office, and mission home for various orientation and training. I remember so vividly and distinctly those first few hours and days in Ontario. It’s a true blessing to be a part of those memories for the new Elders and Sisters. Being a part of the departing instruction and departing testimony meeting for the outgoing missionaries was equally as special.

The past week has been a blurry haze of activity. Getting up early and going to bed late for various things wears on you when it is "go go" go all day long. Being able to assist the key holder in running the mission is a great and sacred responsibility. I can feel I am learning and growing in ways I couldn't from any other assignment. I'm humbled as I am having new weaknesses shown to me and as I see a different view of the greatness and glory of God. I love Him and am grateful to serve in this capacity for the remainder of my mission experience.

E. Porter

School Has Started!

September 10, 2012

School has finally officially started! We are busy again. It is nice to see that my faith or work ethic hasn't changed even now that the summer is over and there are lots more YSA to find and teach. My faith in this area and in the Lord's work has remained constant, despite challenges or brief moments of discouragement in the past. We are happy to be more busy and associating more with the members now that they are back and ready for school and willing to be involved in missionary work.

This past week at church we had 6 nonmembers! It was the best turnout we've had in a few months. We've been really focusing on trying to meet the friends and acquaintances of our investigators. YSA are so open minded with ideas and are willing to share and do missionary work-even our investigators. We had 4 investigators at church and 2 of them each brought a friend.

With all the students moving back in over the last couple weeks, we tried to think of how we could take advantage of the situation. We thought up the idea of helping students move in/out for free. We posted flyers stating that we could help anyone move for a few hours, and we had 5 or 6 people call us with a need for help! In our first move, we helped 4 Nigerian PHD students move in. 2 of whom we have return appointments with to share the gospel. The Lord will always provide with a way for us to be successful if we work hard and ask him for help.

At this point in my mission it is no secret that I've been out for a long time. I don't think about it very often, and don't really want to either. Last week I had my last zone conference and was asked to give my testimony as one of the "departing missionaries". It is tough to see all this begin to come to a close. Over the past several months I've been praying daily and fasting often to be able to completely let go of myself, and surrender everything I have to the Lord. I've had special times when I feel my desires be taken away and are replaced with what the Lord wants. Jesus Christ felt this many times I am sure, and it is possible for us to "suffer the will of the Father", and have our will swallowed up in His, as Christ did. His Atonement makes this possible. It allows us to have a change of heart. I know strongly that this power is real. I've been transformed as a missionary and know that it is by His power.

Many of our investigators have potential to be baptized in the coming weeks and months. We are working towards baptismal dates with a few of them. I'll have a good report next week!

Love,

Elder Porter

"I'm in Love . . . With My Mission!"

August 27, 2012

We're excited for the coming 2 weeks here in London YSA! Students are just now starting to move back into the city, and that means more and more people for us to talk to. We don't need to YSA hunt any longer, but we'll be surrounded by people with whom we can share the gospel with.

During our weekly planning the other week, as we were planning to find new investigators, we really tried to think about more than contacting people on the street. We had the idea to post up flyers advertising us being able to help students move in our out for free. It would be an excellent way for us to meet more people in a different way and also to bring members of the branch to help and start forming friendships with nonmembers. We didn't know if the idea would work or if anybody would call. We started posting up the flyers and we have scheduled several moves already! We look forward to inviting these people to learn more about the restored gospel.

I really am in love with my mission. I am grateful for the chance to forget about everything else except for serving others and helping them come closer to Jesus Christ. Last week I really felt the buffetings of Satan trying to slow me down and confuse me in the final months of my full-time service. I felt it would be a good opportunity to fast and petition the Lord for extra focus, strength, and desire. Once again, I bear my testimony of fasting. The feelings of commitment that I felt after my fast were stronger than I had ever felt previously. I saw the grand importance of the gospel and felt so strongly a desire to help people accept it. I felt more invested than ever before. I know that feelings like these are gifts from God. There have been times as well where my commitment hasn't been at its highest for a number of minutes or hours, and just as the Lord did for the Nephites at the request of Enos, He brought down upon my head sorrow for my transgressions. I am grateful for the divine discontentment that I have felt, and I'm grateful for the peace and faith that is a product of acting the way I know Heavenly Father wants me to act. We are all entitled to these feelings of commitment and peace as we go throught our day as deciples of the Lord.

The zone is really preparing well for a powerful September. There are lots of new missionaries who are ready to be taught and shown how to be effective misisonaries.

Thanks for the support and love that you all show me!

Elder Porter

Elder Hancock Goes Home

August 20, 2012

Well, the work keeps rolling on! After 9 months of serving with Elder Hancock we were finally split up! Johnny Hancock is on to new and different things in life as he's going to BYU in a few weeks. Being split up was really, really tough. We were together for so long that we had everything down to a science in our zone, area, and companionship. Things were very difficult for the first week or so. Very stressful. Running a zone is tough work, but now that Elder Burgess is getting used to things, it is a lot better. Elder Burgess is a GREAT missionary. He is very young, only 7.5 months and is the youngest zone leader in nearly 2 years. He has a lot of talent but also has a lot to learn. Our teaching is becoming unified as we've practiced and studied together over the past weeks, and we have faith that we'll see success together. I love my mission and the opportunity I have to learn how to adapt to changes even as small and simple as this one.

Over the past week we were on the road a bit! Our zone is big enough that we get to travel and spend days in other areas when we conduct companion exchanges. We held two separate zone training meetings in two different locations to accommodate the distance. The zone is building now to have a great month of September.

We have seen several miracles in our area this week! With the lack of students over the past few months, YSA work has been a bit tricky. I really feel like the Lord is trying to teach me something with the lack of visible success. We have a great investigator who we've been teaching for several weeks now come to church yesterday for the first time! We visited him last night and had a great lesson, and he committed to work towards baptism on September 9th! He is beginning to recognize changes that come as one qualifies for the Holy Ghost in their life more and more. Seeing others make these changes only helps my testimony expand as I see the fruits of the gospel in the lives of people around me.

Over the past months my testimony of fasting has grown. I have huge faith that by fasting for a specific purpose with a meek attitude, the Lord's will can be manifest in our life. The Lord has answered my prayers and fast from this past week and taught me exactly what I need to do to fulfill His will. Focusing on others TRULY is the way that we find ourselves. Jesus said it from the beginning. Those who lose their life for His sake will find it. I've experienced this and I know it is a true principle.

Most of our time lately has been filled with finding. We're downtown mostly, YSA hunting. There are a few apartment buildings that still have lots of student that we knock frequently. It is amazing to see the Lord allow you to achieve your goals as you set them in faith. Faith is the key!

Until next week,

Elder Porter

The Blessing of the Spirit

July 16, 2012

The past week has been full of hard work! London has around 60,000 students here in the school year. During the summer there is obviously a LOT less than that, and seeing that we're working in a YSA branch, we've had to be extra creative with our finding and other work we do here. We've been pushed hard and stretched to find people to teach. We've tried SO many different finding ideas and approaches. We've taken every avenue we know of to find people to baptize. It feels at times that our efforts are falling on stony soil. It’s amazing to see that through all of this I've developed more Christ-like attributes, better teaching skills, and more love and dedication to my Savior than I have ever had before. I love this sacred work and the wondrous blessings of the Atonement that flow to anyone who is involved in it.

The Chinese girl we have come so far with moved back to China this week. We knocked on her door my first week in London back in February, we taught her all throughout the school year, she gained a testimony of Christ and His Atonement by feeling her nature change, but still was not able to muster enough faith to be baptized. She has moved back to china, but will be returning back in September for the next 4 years to finish University in London. She will be baptized in the future. I love such genuine Christ-like love for those whom I teach. I want them to experience the blessings of the Atonement of the Lord. My mission has helped me love this great province and the great people here. Not only that, but I have experienced profound love for people of all ethnic backgrounds as I've served in the most multi-cultural city in the world. My companions have taught me so much as well as both of my mission presidents. I know this mission call was inspired and the Lord has had His hand in my service.

One of the greatest gifts I have been thinking about lately is the blessing of recognizing the identifying the spirit. I have developed this as a missionary, as I am sure many others have. It is easy to feel the presence of the Holy Ghost. I've learned exactly what I need to do to keep its close presence. I'm grateful for its quiet promptings that shows me how to make a great difference in the lives of others.

Elder Porter

Staying with Elder Hancock!

June 25, 2012

Transfers are rolling and rolling. The time is speeding up quicker than I thought possible. Months seem like days and seasons are all meshed together. I love Ontario and the people here. I love the university students which I get to associate with daily. I love the gospel and the converting power of the Atonement. I love the missionaries in my zone and the good companion I've been blessed with.

Last night was transfer night-nearly all the companionships in the London zone are changing. We got a call as well, but we were told that we are STAYING together for transfer number 6! We aren't even shocked that we're still together anymore. We make such a seamless team. We've become best friends and love where we are at. We will serve together for this coming transfer, and then Elder Hancock will end his mission and head home to Arizona. I may be in London this coming September when school starts up again! It will be exciting to see 60,000 students come flooding into the city after the summer.

The past 2 weeks have been very interesting in the work here in our YSA area! We've had so many good things going on. As was predicted, when the most good is happening, that is when Satan is working his hardest to stunt the work and tear down the things that have been built up. Here is a rundown on what is happening in our area.

There is a young Chinese girl who we've been seeing since I got here in February. She is been to church every Sunday except one. I have never seen an investigator have more knowledge about the gospel as she has. She has felt the power of the Atonement of Christ after repenting of things she knows is wrong. She is make changes in her life and has felt the spirit witness to her that the gospel is true. Her family is opposed to the church, and for one reason or another she has not decided to be baptized. She will go back to China in 2 weeks for the summer and then come back to London in September. She wants to wait and re-evaluate when she returns. It’s been absolutely heartbreaking to see her not accept the light and direction she has received. I know the Lord will continue to work with her.

Another Chinese student we are working with is close to baptism! She is living all the commandments right now and has felt the spirit as she has developed a habit of scripture reading and prayer. It’s amazing to see and feel the spirit that comes as people begin to develop a relationship with Heavenly Father through their first prayers. This is one of my favorite parts of my mission. I know the Lord is mindful of us because of the spirit that is felt as we expand our relationship with God.

We have many progressing investigators who have fallen off the map in the past week for various reasons. Randomly moving and changing universities, having problem living or accepting certain commandments, being scared of commitment, and not keeping commitments. It’s hard to see baptisms so close and then watch them move away and move backwards. Agency is a hard thing to completely respect sometimes. It’s so important to be filled with Christ-like love in this work or you will never succeed. I know the spirit is the single most important element in missionary work and in life if we are looking for success.

My testimony is continuing to expand. I've found specific answers to my prayers. The spirit can answer our questions, prompt us to develop in a certain direction, give us peace and comfort, and teach us new truths. I have experienced all of these things during my mission. I know that we must be born again to experience the true joy that the Lord has in store for those who diligently follow and seek to obey His commandments.

E. Porter