March 12, 2012

What a great week! Elder Hancock and I are seeing the Lords mercy. We are so busy with administrative stuff and running around the zone for exchanges that we don't have a ton of time in our own area. Our zone covers a huge geographical area; it takes around 2 hours to travel from one end to the other. It consists of mostly small cities (100,000 or less) with a 2 larger cities, Windsor (which is only separated from Detroit by a river) and London (where I'm serving). E. Hancock and I travel around the zone every week and work with the District Leaders for a day in their area. We get to see a lot, but we're pulled away from our own area as well. It’s been incredible to see the Lord pour out success in the time we have to work here. We literally find for 1/5 of the time that other missionaries are able to, but we are seeing lots of success. We literally don't have time to teach everyone, it’s incredible. The Lord has seen our diligence, obedience, and hard work prior to being here and now he is blessing us. I have never felt more fulfilled in my life. The past 3 weeks have literally been the most spiritually satisfying time of my entire life. I have never been happier, felt better about who I am and who I am becoming, or had more faith in Christ and in our Father's plan for us. There are 3 things I want to highlight today from the past week.

We are still working with two Chinese girls that we found our first few days together. (Fan and Peipei from mainland China.) Their faith has gone from absolutely nothing to begging us for things they can do in their life to feel more of the sprit. Their faith has grown, and their desire to be better people and do more for others has increased as they have learned to have kneeling prayers on a regular basis, study and learn from the Book of Mormon, and come to church in preparation for their baptism. They are set for next Sunday, but it may need to be pushed back a week due to some family concerns that have come up over the past few days. Hopefully the spirit will encourage them to move forward with making these big, positive changes in their lives! I am blessed to feel the love that Christ has for them on a daily basis. As we study, pray, and fast for our investigators, we are blessed to feel the overpowering care and love that Father has for them-what a tremendous blessing!

Last year when I was here, right after a session of general conference my zone leader pulled me aside and asked me to come teach a lesson to a non-member who had strolled into conference. I remember the lesson vaguely, and didn't think much of it after that. Once I got into London, I realized that the man who I had taught was baptized, has received the Melchizidec Priesthood, and is actively working towards serving a mission this summer! He comes teaching with us all the time and is one of the most incredibly righteous and motivated converts I've ever seen. He's been struggling with some past habits lately and some very difficult decisions he's needed to make. We sat down with him earlier this week and he requested a blessing. I was able to lay my hands on his head, and give him powerful counsel and promised from God himself. I have never given a blessing with such ease as I was able to on this occasion. I knew the words I spoke were not my own. There was power and the spirit was very strong. He was able to act on the counsel he received in the blessing and the promises that were made have come to pass. The Priesthood is real!!

One more cool experience from this past week-we were having a discussion from a man from Brazil, he's a strong Christian but has had some problems with the Book of Mormon. He hadn't given it adequate attention before judging what was in it as false. We felt prompted to read the book with him. There was a particular chapter that came to mind as we opened the book. As we read, I offered a silent prayer that the spirit would be able to come powerfully to testify that this is God's word. As my personal prayer closed, the spirit immediately, quickly, and powerfully entered the room. I had never felt it come that quickly or powerfully before. As we read the chapter the room was on fire. It was a sacred personal experience that reminds me when we ask for righteous things in faith that Father will grand us what we seek. Many blessings are made conditional on us asking for them.

I love my mission. I love the gospel. It is real. Don't slow down or break your covenants, and the Lord's promised blessings will come eventually.

Until next week,

Elder Porter

March 5, 2012

This work is amazing. Missionary efforts in London are doing very very well as we are watching many people prepare for baptism during this month of March. This past Friday my companion and I were at Zone Leader Council in Brampton. It was such a spiritually intense experience as we were able to discuss with the leadership of the mission the direction in which things need to be carried out. Being surrounded by the best of the best brings such a fantastic opportunity to learn and grow on a whole new level. The missionaries in this mission are of a remarkable caliber. I am amazed just by who they are.

With the assignment that I have right now, my companion and I do not have as much time to work in our own area as we normal would. We are busy doing reports and driving across the province some days. You would think that the work and good things in our area would slow down by us now working on them as much, but I've found that as we work as hard as we know how that the Lord allows us a chance to meet the standard of what we are expected to do. We are finding new investigators, teaching so much we don't have time to find very often, and helping multiple people prepare for baptism this month as well as next month. We have perfect unity, perfect focus, perfect balance between having fun and working, and perfectly divided teaching and finding. I have never worked this hard at anything in my entire life, and I feel happier right now than I ever have before. I have more fulfillment and enjoyment out of what I am doing now than I have ever felt. It is a tremendous blessing. I know the gospel is true and that this is the Lord's work.

As time has gone by quickly and as I have felt happier and more fulfilled than ever before, I have been taught a valuable lesson. Through the past couple months I've been praying and putting lots of effort into strengthening my love, passion, urgency, and desire for my mission. I have learned that as I focus on PEOPLE, than the love Christ and Heavenly Father have for them is allowed to flow through me. If I focus on how many lessons I will teach, and how many hours I will go tracting, and how many people we will try to get to church, you find temporary satisfaction in hitting your goals. You can feel good about yourself if you tracted for 20 hours in a week or found 3 new investigators. As I fast, pray, study, ponder, and work hard to lift these PEOPLE to have spiritual experiences and develop faith in Jesus Christ, everything falls into place. The focus isn't on these "activities" of hitting goals, but rather on the ultimate measure of success-"achievement" of fostering and growing one's faith in Christ. I have focused on real people more than I ever have before, and as I do so I open myself for revelation to help them progress towards baptism. Again, I am able to feel the love that God has for them flow through me. It has changed the way I view my mission, the gospel, and my own testimony.

Since I came into the area 2 weeks ago, we've have more success than I've ever had. The secret is love, unity, and pure desire to follow God. We have 2 baptisms lined up for this month that we found my second day here, and 1 more lined up for April. They are all students at the University here from China, so teaching is different from anything I've done in the past. London is a white and ripe place. Our faith is high, and we're seeing success and results.

YSA work is still different. Going to activities and lingering after church to build relationships with the members is honestly what brings most success, so it’s been a bit of a change in focus. We have strong unity with the branch and because of that, their fellowshipping is fantastic! It’s such a blessing to see the diversity of the Lords work as a young missionary.

The church is true!

Love,

Elder Porter

February 21, 2012

I want to give a quick update on what is happening before I read any of your mail!

Sunday evening rolls around and I have no idea if I am going to get a transfer call or not. I wasn't sure if I was done, although I felt that I was. As we were driving home President Scott called us! We pulled over, answered the phone, and got our transfer plans. Elder Welch is staying in our area with another Elder, actually the same Elder that served with Elder Wendt right after I trained him. I spoke to President and I have received a new assignment to be a Zone Leader in the London Zone! I'M BACK IN LONDON! I was soooo surprised to get the opportunity to get right back to where I started my mission off at. But to add onto that, I am serving with ELDER HANCOCK! Round two! I'm sitting at the church emailing right now in London with Elder Hancock...talk about unexpected! I can't put into words how excited and happy I am to be here in this spot with my great companion. By the time we are done together, we will have spent over 6 months of our missions together. There really is no better way to spend my time. I've been built up and tried by my challenges and now I've been given a chance to lay out all I've learned and prepare to see the fruits of those lessons. I'm serving in the YSA branch here in London. We meet at the same building as London 2nd ward does. I couldn't be more excited to be here right now.

All of the District Leaders in our Zone I know very well...Elder Nash, Elder Roberts, and Elder Hales...2 of whom I've served with, and the third was my previous District Leader. I know there is so much more they can teach me and I look forward to relying on the Lord to keep moving forward, despite all the excitement and happiness I'm feeling right now.

As far as my work in Don Valley, I feel as if I'm done. I finished what I was supposed to do. Celine left to fly back to Germany the day I left. We were supposed to find her, teach her, baptize her, and prepare her for activity in Germany. I've learned so much and truly have part of my heart left back in Toronto. Those missionaries there are the best in the world and I've developed and made friendships and bonds that will last beyond the eternities. I am a very blessed missionary.

I know the Lord knows what’s going on. He is in control. His plan is what is best. It is so easy to forget. I have seen his support lead me to exactly what makes me happiest and what is best for me. Father knows His children.

I literally got dropped off here at the church straight from Toronto about 15 minutes ago, so I can't tell you much about the area. Other than we work constantly around University of Western Ontario which is one of the most party-ish schools in North America. Fun! Next week I'm sure will bring some good stories.

This I know-the gospel is true. Prayers are heard. Diligent commandment keeping is seen. Stretching to go the extra mile is noticed. We are rewarded in whatever way is best for us. The gospel is real and true.

-Elder Porter

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

February 6, 2012

A beautiful winter continues to bless us here in Toronto! The weather, just like Utah, has been unusually sunny and dry. I've only broken out my boots 4 times so far-it’s been great. The weather rarely drops below 20F-ish. We've had a few cold days but it’s been nice overall. It helps us smile more when it’s not freezing.

I love my mission. Right now the work is slower than we would like. We've hit some challenges, but are striving to move forward. I have grown to love the area I am in, and will be devastated if I get a call to leave. I love my District, my area, my investigators, my ward, and the remarkable people who travel to Toronto from all over the world.

Lately most of our work has been moving towards finding efforts. Rather than being out in the cold for hours on end tracting, we have the option of moving into big tall apartment buildings. 10, 20, 30 story buildings are common to tract in the city. There is never a lack of people in the city which is nice as well. There are always packed buses and subways at night that are full of people to talk to. It is so different from Utah here that I might have a culture shock going back someday! We rarely talk to true Canadians, almost everyone is from over-seas. Lots of people from the Philippines, Iran, Iraq, Afghanistan, China, Western Africa, the Caribbean, and pretty much every other place you can imagine. It is incredible.

Today I simply want to bear my testimony about prayer. I know prayers are heard and answered. Heavenly Father manages our lives to such small details; we will be astounded when we come someday to realize how deeply he was involved. If we are humble and pray with real intent, then He will answer us! I have faced a particular challenge in my companionship lately. It has been slowing down our missionary work and has been causing tension. I have many times wondered what the solution for our problem is. I have also wondered why I am still in my current area. Why I am with my current companion. What lesson am I supposed to learn from being here? What trait am I supposed to develop? What am I supposed to accomplish? I have many times gone to bed feeling lonely or discouraged because I didn't have answers for these questions. I haven't seen the success in the past month or two that I would like to see and I have been looking for what purpose I was fulfilling, if any. I had forgotten who is really in charge-who manages our individual lives and who directs specifically a mission by revelation. I wasn't able to find my answers until I fully turned to Him for help.

As we put our trust in Heavenly Father he can give us the answers we seek. Consistently throughout the past week my answer has come through scripture study, through experiences in my missionary work, and through new ideas come into my heart as I pray sincerely. I have my solution and I will work hard to fulfill the divine purpose I have being where I am. He will help each of us overcome feelings of doubt or fear. Many times we do not know ALL we are supposed to do, or HOW we are supposed to do it. Many times the only thing He reveals to us is the final result that surely comes from being faithful. With faith in the final result, we can move forward, being "led by the Spirit, not knowing beforehand the things which [we] must do." I testify that the Lord is mindful of us, and that he has given us a view of the final result, if we are faithful. Think of the temple's blessings. Think of your Patriarchal blessing. Think of the Plan of Salvation. We can have faith in the final result, and move forward as He would have us do.

Love,

Elder Porter

January 23, 2012

Being a missionary is debatably the best thing ever.

We get to watch people grow and change and progress and repent and become better, happier, more peace-filled people. I have developed a great love for the people around me. Some I know, many I do not. I love them and desire their happiness which can only fully come through baptism and confirmation. I know that this is the truth. A particularly interesting process to see is people pushing evil out of their lives, and enlarging the good. There was a talk in church the other week that illustrates my point.

The lady speaking told of how her front and back lawn has had a problem with a certain type of weed for many years. Every year the grass grows, looks great, but then the weed come and infests the front and back. The family hurries out every spring and pulls as many as they can. No matter the amount of time they spend trying to pick all the bad weeds, there are always more. They keep growing and they continually find weeds that they did not see or did not notice beforehand. There was no way, as time and experience had taught them, to get rid of the problem by picking the weeks alone. It just wasn't enough.

The family went to a landscaper and asked for advice. When he heard the course of action they had taken, he simply said, "Oh, well that won't work! You'll never be able to get rid of the weeds before they seed and produce even more problems." He explained to them that the true secret in pushing out the bad weeds was to not focus on plucking out the weeds, but to spent time and energy on making the grass stronger. Strengthening the roots of the grass eventually will push the bad weeds out, and in just a few months, the lawn should be completely weed- free!

The family put into action what they had learned. They used fertilizer, they watered an appropriate amount, and they took great care to simply strengthen the roots of the grass. In just a few months, the yard was free of the problems it had been experiencing for over 15 years.

How many times in our life do we stop, recognize all the problems, weaknesses, shortfalls, and carnal weaknesses that we have and try to pick and pluck them out? Simply focusing on getting rid of weaknesses is great, but it won't cleanse us of the long term problems. As we focus on the things that strengthen our roots-scriptures, fasting, prayer, good family relations, actively learning from church, then our new strength often times will overcome our problems and weaknesses from the past! Our problems will be thrust out, and we will enjoy a more clean, pure, healthy and enjoyable lifestyle. This is a repeatedly demonstrated pattern in the Book of Mormon. You fight the influences of Satan with more good. More spirit. More closeness to Father in Heaven.

This is a valuable lesson I have learned. Focusing on our roots brings lasting and fulfilling results as we work towards becoming more like our Savior, Jesus Christ.

January 9, 2012

I had with President Scott, we somehow got on the tangant of repentance and obtaining a well set place in the eyes of the Lord. It all comes down to establishing a righteous pattern of living. Of working hard. Of picking things immediately back up after you drop them. From not worrying or waiting, but from going out and doing! That is a lesson I learned while I was here. I did EVERYTHING within my power to qualify for the Lord's blessings. There is no such thing as personal time on a mission I have realized. It is all the Lord's time. Every second. Breaks, mornings, and evenings. The only way to find yourself is to lose yourself.

Status of investigator pool...things got flushed out pretty quickly a few weeks ago and we were left with almost nothing. The past 2 weeks we've found a lot of people and are seeing many of them this coming week. The next few days will strongly determine who will progress and who will not. I'll be able to better talk about it next week. Celine is doing incredible! She got her recommend for her Patriarchal blessing yesterday. She's doing great, reading like 10 chapters of the Book of Mormon a day and still keeping up her strong testimony. She has found out about BYU and is seriously looking into it. She is a convert, fluent in 3 languages, is a cute German girl, and wants to go into business and law. Her grades are perfect. Would there be a more perfect place for her than BYU? I don't think so. Missionaries aren't really supposed to encourage stuff like that so it’s hard to choose what to say and what to not say. We'll see I guess, but it’s possible you could get to know her quite well in the coming years! That would be awesome.

I love you. A lot. I miss you and I miss the rest of the family. Keep your faith high and keep moving forward! There is a plan and a purpose for everything.

Love your son,

Elder Porter