Mondays Mondays Mondays. Wow they certainly do come quick don't they:) I hope to have a little more time this morning to write a few words. I received a letter from Lance and Heather this week! I wont say that's was the highlight of the week but It was certainly up there. Thank you thank you both. Its been a long time since I've heard from my brother and every word thrilled my soul! Heather, As always, every word and thought you have penetrates deep into my heart and often sparks a thought or an impression that leads to a great experience here on the mission. I love you and will hand write you both a little later on today.
This week has been incredible and spiritually filling. Thoughts of wonder and questioning if I am worthy to be here and not uncommon. Zone Conference with Elder Kikuchi and his sweet wife was an experience I will never forget. He spoke with power and authority that not many people witness in their lives. His spirit shook every person in the room and there is no denying that he is a special witness of Jesus Christ. Every word out of his mouth reminded me of my grandpa Hammond, and again, feelings of gratitude and an overwhelming sense of love came pouring over my soul. Tears could not be kept in. I believe that was the case for most of the missionaries at the conference. He spoke of the healing power of our lord and savior Jesus Christ and the peace that comes in being obedient and clean. We talked about the simplified curriculum which was also incredibly powerful. We talked much of the time of Joseph Smith and the first vision. We talked about why we bring the gospel to families. There were many reasons spoken of but the ultimate goal and blessing of the gospel of Jesus Christ was to go to the temple and make those sacred covenants with our heavenly father that allow us to be sealed for time and all eternity as a family. That is the blessing of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Its an incredible time to be alive. To be a direct witness of the gathering of Israel. I testify that the lords work is being done. That we are in the last dispensation, the fullness of times. That we are gathering the lords elect to help prepare the way for the second coming of our Savior Jesus Christ. I know that all three members of the godhead are incredibly involved in every aspect of this work. There is nothing like repentance. I know that we can feel the healing power of the atonement in our lives. I know that there are incredible truths and hidden treasures that are waiting for those that align their will with the lords and who make their paths straight. I know that there is only one way to a peace of conscience and ultimate happiness in this life and it is through our savior Jesus Christ. I'm so thankful for the opportunity that I've had to be here and I pray that I can be worthy of the blessings that the lord has prepared for those that love him.
Grandpa and Grandma, Elder Kikuchi and his wife say hello and they wanted me to tell you that you are missed and that they hope you are doing well. It was so cute, when Elder Kikuchi said Hammond his little wife looked up quickly and with a great big smile on her face she said Oh I love Bonnie! haha I laughed. They were sweet sweet people, full of love. How incredible that you both had the opportunity of working so closely together.
Well my time is gone but I just want each of you to know that I love you and that this gospel is indeed true. Every little bit of it. The book of Mormon is gods incredible tool in bringing to pass this great and marvelous work. I stand in awe at the way it has come about. I'm so thankful to be apart of it and I pray that I don't offend the spirit and miss opportunities to share the gospel. I thank each of you for all that you do and hope to hear from you soon!
Mom, Don't stress out about Carlee's wedding. The celebration is over and done with so quickly, it just not worth getting flustered. She's getting married in the temple and that's all that matters. That's what will last forever. I love you and hope to have time today to write you a quick note! Love you Love you!
Monday, August 30, 2010
Monday, August 23, 2010
Lindsey: Letter 15
Hello Hello! Ryan and Mom, thank you thank you for you sweet notes! As always, every word thrills my soul and I appreciate you taking the time to sit down and write me, especially when so much is going on at home. You're too sweet and I hope you're not too stressed out with the wedding and all the goings this month. I wish I had more time to write you this morning. One of the elders planned an early activity, we're just getting ready to head out. Bryce thank you for your piece of advice with the language. I understand a little bit more every day but it definitely hasn't "clicked" haha its an interesting process but I love it! It is a beautiful language. Not coming out of my mouth... but I love listening to it:) Everything here is great! I will try to write a letter a little later on in the day. Love you all. The gospel is true!
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Lance: Letter 6
Dear Family,
I'm so happpy to hear everything is going so well. The package is still at the mission home but I'll get it as soon as I get back to the house... I think. So I'll thank you in advance because I know it will be sweet... so, thank you !!!
I love helping people! It is what I love to do and I feel it because of the love you give to me which is a love similiar to the love the Savior has for each of us which is love and love LOVE LOVE!!! Obviously love is a pretty big deal. I love what Pres. Uchtdorff says: "Love is what inspired our Heavenly Father to create our spirits, it is what led our Savior to the Garden of Gethsemany to make himself a ransom for our sins. Love is the grand motive of the plan of salvation, it is the source of happiness, the ever renewing spring of healing, the precious fountain of hope...." Dang I love you guys! Keep doing good things and I'll try to do great things here in San Jose.
Love you guys, FO SHOWWWW....peace.
Elder Lance Porter
I'm so happpy to hear everything is going so well. The package is still at the mission home but I'll get it as soon as I get back to the house... I think. So I'll thank you in advance because I know it will be sweet... so, thank you !!!
I love helping people! It is what I love to do and I feel it because of the love you give to me which is a love similiar to the love the Savior has for each of us which is love and love LOVE LOVE!!! Obviously love is a pretty big deal. I love what Pres. Uchtdorff says: "Love is what inspired our Heavenly Father to create our spirits, it is what led our Savior to the Garden of Gethsemany to make himself a ransom for our sins. Love is the grand motive of the plan of salvation, it is the source of happiness, the ever renewing spring of healing, the precious fountain of hope...." Dang I love you guys! Keep doing good things and I'll try to do great things here in San Jose.
Love you guys, FO SHOWWWW....peace.
Elder Lance Porter
Monday, August 16, 2010
Lindsey: Letter 14
Wow! What a fun week it has been to hear from so many members of my family! Carlee- You must have been inspired to send that little recorder my way. I cant tell you the feelings that enveloped me when I heard the voice of so many loved ones on the other side of the recorder. Thank you thank you! I cant thank you enough! Thank you all for you sweet words of encouragement and love. Thank you to the Hammonds for their sweet notes! Wow, I cant believe how big everyone is getting! I know I haven't been gone that long but It seems like yesterday that Mccall and I were naming our dolls after the new babies Megan and Haylee. Haha too funny. Now they are all grown up, dominating in soccer and everything else! Wow. Todd and Noelle, thank you for the standard you've set in raising your sweet children in truth and righteousness. There is nothing that brings more happiness into the home than parents who honor their covenants and teach by example and by love.
I had the opportunity to speak at a baptism yesterday right after church about the Holy Ghost. It was the sweetest program! These two little boys who had just turned eight, making their first covenant with the lord. I was a little nervous before getting up because the entire ward had stayed after to attend. So the program was held in the chapel. I said a little prayer and immediately my grandma Hammond popped into my head. I thought of all the times that I could remember she had gotten up to speak and the way she just builds and loves and laughs and glows. There's power in building and loving others. I was a bit overcome and by the time I walked up to the front the tears began to come. Brandon, Zachary, and I talked about the times they had felt the spirit in their lives and what it felt like. We talked about all the gifts of the holy ghost and how he will be your best friend all through your life. We talked about how much our father in heaven loves us. That he sends us this perfect helper, the holy ghost. We talked about David and Goliath, Daniel in the lions den, Nephi getting to the promised land, Ammon and the lamanites, Abinidi and wicked king Noah. We talked about what we could do to always keep him with us. Obeying our parents, reading our scriptures, saying our prayers. Oh it was tender. I'm so thankful for the holy ghost in my life! I dont know where any of us would be without him! Well, we'd simply be lost. I know many of us have felt that in our lives. Its a sad, lonely time and a bit of a dark time. I'm so thankful for the light and joy the holy ghost brings into our lives. The illuminating truths that he whispers and confirms. I'm so thankful for the mysteriess that he unfolds line upon line to those that seek and desire to know. I'm so thankful for the house of the lord on earth, where we can not only go to be sealed as a family for time and all eternity but where we can go to learn. Learn more and more. Drinking deeply of the beautiful truths our father in heaven has to offer if we will keep and honor our covenants. We never stop learning. Always progressing. There is so much happiness to be had in this gospel! In the temple, in our sweet families that never end. What an incredible blessing our father in heaven has given us, to feel that love in a world that is a bit unstable and scary at times. I'm so thankful for the education that comes from the holy ghost. I'm so thankful to be a part of this chuch, to be born into the convenant of celestial marriage by two people who love and honor eachother and continually try to be better each day. I cant think of a better gift for children. My sweet mother and father, I love you with my whole heart and I cant thank you enough for your sweet testimonies and righteous desires. There is nothing like this work and I'm so thankful to be apart of it. I pray that it never ends. That I can come home and continue in the work of the lord forever.
I had the opportunity to speak at a baptism yesterday right after church about the Holy Ghost. It was the sweetest program! These two little boys who had just turned eight, making their first covenant with the lord. I was a little nervous before getting up because the entire ward had stayed after to attend. So the program was held in the chapel. I said a little prayer and immediately my grandma Hammond popped into my head. I thought of all the times that I could remember she had gotten up to speak and the way she just builds and loves and laughs and glows. There's power in building and loving others. I was a bit overcome and by the time I walked up to the front the tears began to come. Brandon, Zachary, and I talked about the times they had felt the spirit in their lives and what it felt like. We talked about all the gifts of the holy ghost and how he will be your best friend all through your life. We talked about how much our father in heaven loves us. That he sends us this perfect helper, the holy ghost. We talked about David and Goliath, Daniel in the lions den, Nephi getting to the promised land, Ammon and the lamanites, Abinidi and wicked king Noah. We talked about what we could do to always keep him with us. Obeying our parents, reading our scriptures, saying our prayers. Oh it was tender. I'm so thankful for the holy ghost in my life! I dont know where any of us would be without him! Well, we'd simply be lost. I know many of us have felt that in our lives. Its a sad, lonely time and a bit of a dark time. I'm so thankful for the light and joy the holy ghost brings into our lives. The illuminating truths that he whispers and confirms. I'm so thankful for the mysteriess that he unfolds line upon line to those that seek and desire to know. I'm so thankful for the house of the lord on earth, where we can not only go to be sealed as a family for time and all eternity but where we can go to learn. Learn more and more. Drinking deeply of the beautiful truths our father in heaven has to offer if we will keep and honor our covenants. We never stop learning. Always progressing. There is so much happiness to be had in this gospel! In the temple, in our sweet families that never end. What an incredible blessing our father in heaven has given us, to feel that love in a world that is a bit unstable and scary at times. I'm so thankful for the education that comes from the holy ghost. I'm so thankful to be a part of this chuch, to be born into the convenant of celestial marriage by two people who love and honor eachother and continually try to be better each day. I cant think of a better gift for children. My sweet mother and father, I love you with my whole heart and I cant thank you enough for your sweet testimonies and righteous desires. There is nothing like this work and I'm so thankful to be apart of it. I pray that it never ends. That I can come home and continue in the work of the lord forever.
Friday, August 13, 2010
Lance: Letter 5
Porters!!!!! why are you so amazing????????! Sounds like everything is going good. i'm doing great! i love this! cant say it enough! we went to the temple with an investigator last saturday, we saw the Joseph Smith Movie with him. i love that movie......kinda selfish ha. looks like carlee and tim are doin good and thats sweet that paige and bryce are coming. they are an amazing family, they need to stick together in all things. maybe she should think a little more on the whole leaving bryce for the third semester???? i dont know..... welp thank you for all you do, there'e no where else i'd rather be..!!!!!!!!!! The Gospels true!!! never leave the faith!!!!!!
Monday, August 2, 2010
Lindsey: Letter 13
Wow wow! Carlee Faye! Wow! Too Too exciting! Haha talk about beaming! I'm beaming! I couldn't be more thrilled! I love Tim! What an exciting time for both of you! How thrilled I am to know that you will be more than well taken care of. That you will never have to wonder about where he's headed or what the end goal is for both of you. What an amazing pair you two are. Will you just love him and serve him with all of your heart and soul?! Take good care of him and treat him like the king that he is. What a thrill for you! My dear sister, how I love and cherish you. How I pray and think about you. I'm so happy for you and want you to know how great you are. Even the best! Congratulations to the both of you! I cant wait to see pictures;)
Melanie! Thank you thank you for your sweet letter of encouragement and love! I'm sure you know from having had two missionaries out how much those letters are appreciated and more often than not the fuel needed to stoke the fire. I love you and am so happy to find everyone in your family doing so well. How exciting for both Matt and Carlee to be starting this chapter in their lives with people they love and cherish. I couldn't ask for anything more for my family. I'm so happy for both of them:)
Well this week has been great! We have found and are teaching six new investigators! Four of them have committed to be baptized once they have come to know the truth of what we are teaching. This last week we invited all six of them to come to church multiple times with little follow up reminders as well;) Each of them said they would, so clearly you can imagine our disappointment when not one of them showed up on Sunday. Ouch! As we were singing the sacrament hymn one of our sweet little investigators (who we were about to drop) came walking in with her entire family! (She is not part of the six) Oh I could have cried! It was the sweetest sight! I hope this is the start of great things to come for this family. My companion and I went and waited in the hallway once again in hopes that one of the six might show up. Just as the sacrament was ending we turned to go back into the meeting. We heard someone calling for us and turned to see that is was Jorge. A boy we have been working on for about two months. It was his first time to church and an absolute miracle that he was there! He is not one of the six either. The Lord works in mysterious ways and hardly ever in the way that we plan or think. Clearly.... Ha. I was so thrilled to see so many members go up to La Familia Sandoval and Jorge after the meeting ended. Each of them felt welcomed and more than loved. Jorge stayed all three hours and said that he loved it! "Everyone is so happy" were his words. He mentioned after church ended that even though he felt like he was doing everything right in his life, keeping all of our commitments, saying his prayers, reading his scriptures, giving up drinking all together, that he felt his life was getting harder and felt that more and more trials were arising. Just as he said this the bishop was walking by and overheard what he was saying. He stopped and bore a powerful witness of the truthfulness of the gospel. He told him about Satan and how is wants all men to be miserable like he is. He shared with him his conversion story when he was 22 years old and how right when he truly wanted to know if the church was true all problems started to arise. He said that when you get serious about this work so does Satan. It was powerful and just what Jorge needed to hear. I'm so thankful for the timing and tender mercies of the Lord. He is right in the middle of his work and leads and guides it every step of the way. How blessed I am to be the witness of so many great miracles. I love being a missionary and am honored by the opportunity given to each of us to be servants of the lord and his children here on earth. How blessed we are! Thank you for your continuous prayers for the missionaries and the work of the lord. I love each of you with all of my heart and hope to hear from you soon!
Melanie! Thank you thank you for your sweet letter of encouragement and love! I'm sure you know from having had two missionaries out how much those letters are appreciated and more often than not the fuel needed to stoke the fire. I love you and am so happy to find everyone in your family doing so well. How exciting for both Matt and Carlee to be starting this chapter in their lives with people they love and cherish. I couldn't ask for anything more for my family. I'm so happy for both of them:)
Well this week has been great! We have found and are teaching six new investigators! Four of them have committed to be baptized once they have come to know the truth of what we are teaching. This last week we invited all six of them to come to church multiple times with little follow up reminders as well;) Each of them said they would, so clearly you can imagine our disappointment when not one of them showed up on Sunday. Ouch! As we were singing the sacrament hymn one of our sweet little investigators (who we were about to drop) came walking in with her entire family! (She is not part of the six) Oh I could have cried! It was the sweetest sight! I hope this is the start of great things to come for this family. My companion and I went and waited in the hallway once again in hopes that one of the six might show up. Just as the sacrament was ending we turned to go back into the meeting. We heard someone calling for us and turned to see that is was Jorge. A boy we have been working on for about two months. It was his first time to church and an absolute miracle that he was there! He is not one of the six either. The Lord works in mysterious ways and hardly ever in the way that we plan or think. Clearly.... Ha. I was so thrilled to see so many members go up to La Familia Sandoval and Jorge after the meeting ended. Each of them felt welcomed and more than loved. Jorge stayed all three hours and said that he loved it! "Everyone is so happy" were his words. He mentioned after church ended that even though he felt like he was doing everything right in his life, keeping all of our commitments, saying his prayers, reading his scriptures, giving up drinking all together, that he felt his life was getting harder and felt that more and more trials were arising. Just as he said this the bishop was walking by and overheard what he was saying. He stopped and bore a powerful witness of the truthfulness of the gospel. He told him about Satan and how is wants all men to be miserable like he is. He shared with him his conversion story when he was 22 years old and how right when he truly wanted to know if the church was true all problems started to arise. He said that when you get serious about this work so does Satan. It was powerful and just what Jorge needed to hear. I'm so thankful for the timing and tender mercies of the Lord. He is right in the middle of his work and leads and guides it every step of the way. How blessed I am to be the witness of so many great miracles. I love being a missionary and am honored by the opportunity given to each of us to be servants of the lord and his children here on earth. How blessed we are! Thank you for your continuous prayers for the missionaries and the work of the lord. I love each of you with all of my heart and hope to hear from you soon!
Saturday, July 31, 2010
Lance: Letter 4
momomomomomomomomoo mom......hello hello hello... everything is good eh????? dang i love you guys tons miss you like crazy....BUT i know this is what i was born to do. " i am doing a great work and will not come down!!!!!!!!" the gospel needs to be taught to everyone! that is the most important thing we can do. Be happy everyone. there is absolutly Zero room for Doubt and unhappiness. when i heard that mike did that on face book i busted out laughing, he's a stud, i love that kid. i got ryans letter and i can say it made me smile the whole week. you letters give me confidence and it's easier to be touched by the spirit. i love all of you so much and i will write a letter to you soon, i don't have a lot of time ha. oh can you send me a few CD's maybe ryan can burn them or somethin. like all though's songs on the mission list on Itunes, yep i have peaches, apples, pares, oatmeal , strawbarries, rasebarries. oh yes i'm eating like a king every morning, and dinner. I am so blessed and i don't deserve any of it.
i loved grandma and granpas letter, they all help so much. thank you all, espescially you mom. love you so much. i'll write you soon
father!!!! you are so awesome!!! i'm going to run every race with you when i get back from the mish. i'm getting so FAT. yes i dreaded that word but it's finally here. it doesn't help when my trainer wont exercise with me hahaha. oh well. no need to impress anyone ha. well i'm so glad you finished the race in such a good time and remembered your church callings, dang you know the gospel's true. you taught me everything i know, i'll never be the good man you are but i'm tryin like crazy. love you so much, can't say it enough. i'll write you soon.
Love,
Elder Lance Porter
i loved grandma and granpas letter, they all help so much. thank you all, espescially you mom. love you so much. i'll write you soon
father!!!! you are so awesome!!! i'm going to run every race with you when i get back from the mish. i'm getting so FAT. yes i dreaded that word but it's finally here. it doesn't help when my trainer wont exercise with me hahaha. oh well. no need to impress anyone ha. well i'm so glad you finished the race in such a good time and remembered your church callings, dang you know the gospel's true. you taught me everything i know, i'll never be the good man you are but i'm tryin like crazy. love you so much, can't say it enough. i'll write you soon.
Love,
Elder Lance Porter
Monday, July 26, 2010
Lindsey: Letter 12
Wow! I thank each of you for your sweet emails. Haha I'm sorry if this is a little short but there Isnt a whole lot of time... I was so thrilled to hear from Lance. I'm hesistant to send him anything because I dont think he'll have time to read it but I'll for sure write him a letter:) Thank you thank you for your words of encouragement and love. Knowing that the missionaries have so much support brings an added sense of excitment and urgency to the work. Knowing that youre never alone, that we are being prayed for on both sides of the veil and that we are enganged in the greatest cause that has ever been brings added power and strength to our efforts. I thank and love each of you dearly. Well my word what can I tell you? I've never been happier in all of my life! Life is indeed full for me right now and each day is another exciting adventure. Three of our top investigators didnt show up ot church on Sunday and when we called after to see what happened they canceled their appointments. Needless to say It didnt bring feelings of joy but after trackting for a while and running into the sweetest family who is excited to learn more about the gospel it replaced any feeling of discouragement and we are excited to invite them to make and keep commitments that will lead them to the waters of baptism and making and keeping covenants. We also knocked into a family that welcomed us in with open arms! They dont belong to a church but they love the bible and have done their homework on many religions. Wow, I was a little intimidated at first because of all that they knew. They had a couple bad experiences with attending the "mormon" church and I hope to clear away any wall that they may have built up. They are open to learning more about anyones beliefs and for that I am thankful. They have the most beautiful little girl named Mia. She is two and always gives us a kiss on the cheeck before we leave. The dad is black and the mother is hispanic and Mia is a beautiful mix of them both. They also have two older boys but they are from her former marriage. There is much more to say but we will all sit down together soon and talk about all the things we have witnessed that Lord has done and continues to do in the lives of his children. I love each of you and cant thank you enough for you prayers! Grandma Hammond! Thank you for you sweet letter to Elder Porter and I. As always your words bring comfort and peace and they keep me going. I love you dearly and hope you and Grandpa are doing well!
Thursday, July 22, 2010
Lance: Letter 3
July 20, 2010
Dear Porters in St. George,
How is everyone?! I’m sorry about the mix-up on what website to use, the only one I knew was g-mail. Ha, ha, that won’t happen again! Sorry. Well, what can I say? Hmm..... Oh,... we had TWO BAPTISMS on Saturday!!!! I never taught them but they’re in our ward so we got to set it up. They are just kids; one is 12 and the other 9. I had the opportunity to confirm them in front of the whole church, it was sweet. Their grandma helped them. Their mom is not a member and the dad is less active. I didn’t find your e-mails until today - so, so, sorry. San Jose has the best weather; you'd love it! About 60% of the people here are Chinese, 30% Indian and 10% White. More than half don't even speak any English so we communicate the best we can. Once again, I'm slow at typing and hard to understand… but I love the mission and I love the Gospel. Elder Engh is from Salt Lake and is white as can be. He kind of keeps to himself about the work but he'll definitely let you know if he has a problem with someone else – ha, ha! I try to act interested. He's taught me tons about planning, calling people and staying updated on everything; but as for changing peoples’ lives..., the Lord has taught us both. Elder Engh says this is the most success he's ever had on the mission. I hope it stays good, ha. You are all so awesome! There's absolutely zero time to write letters and almost no time to type them, so please don't be disappointed if you don't hear from me frequently. We're teaching the Gospel like crazy, but also trying to help people and relate to them which I think is the biggest key to having success. Oh, did you hear from any of the missionaries I told you about? And tell my friends....(girlfriends) to write me or something!! Ha, ha, just messing! I need to focus! Alrighty then, I'll talk to you soon. Peace!
Love,
Elder Porter
Dear Porters in St. George,
How is everyone?! I’m sorry about the mix-up on what website to use, the only one I knew was g-mail. Ha, ha, that won’t happen again! Sorry. Well, what can I say? Hmm..... Oh,... we had TWO BAPTISMS on Saturday!!!! I never taught them but they’re in our ward so we got to set it up. They are just kids; one is 12 and the other 9. I had the opportunity to confirm them in front of the whole church, it was sweet. Their grandma helped them. Their mom is not a member and the dad is less active. I didn’t find your e-mails until today - so, so, sorry. San Jose has the best weather; you'd love it! About 60% of the people here are Chinese, 30% Indian and 10% White. More than half don't even speak any English so we communicate the best we can. Once again, I'm slow at typing and hard to understand… but I love the mission and I love the Gospel. Elder Engh is from Salt Lake and is white as can be. He kind of keeps to himself about the work but he'll definitely let you know if he has a problem with someone else – ha, ha! I try to act interested. He's taught me tons about planning, calling people and staying updated on everything; but as for changing peoples’ lives..., the Lord has taught us both. Elder Engh says this is the most success he's ever had on the mission. I hope it stays good, ha. You are all so awesome! There's absolutely zero time to write letters and almost no time to type them, so please don't be disappointed if you don't hear from me frequently. We're teaching the Gospel like crazy, but also trying to help people and relate to them which I think is the biggest key to having success. Oh, did you hear from any of the missionaries I told you about? And tell my friends....(girlfriends) to write me or something!! Ha, ha, just messing! I need to focus! Alrighty then, I'll talk to you soon. Peace!
Love,
Elder Porter
Lindsey: Letter 11
Oh my word I'm so relieved to finally hear from Lance! Thank you my sweet mother for sending me his emails. He sounds like he's doing amazing! I couldn't wipe the grin off of my face as I read each word he had written. My companion kept looking over at me, wondering what in the world. Haha I love that boy and thrill at each experience he has. I'm cant stop smiling! I'm so happy right now. I've been so happy! I'm so sorry I haven't been writing about my experiences here on the mission. Let me assure you there have been many. Thus the reason for the happiness:) Hermana Hastings and I were invited to a four day leadership training on a brand new curriculum that will change the way we've been doing missionary work in every way. The spirit was incredibly strong the entire time we were learning and taking in all of these changes. I know each missionary invited walked away with an unshakable understanding that it was inspired of god. How thankful I am for continuing revelation! Nothing would get done without it! I wish I had more time to go into the details. I know that they'll be introducing it to the MTC in May 2011. Until then, everyone out in the field will be applying it starting now so when the missionaries coming out after may of next year it will be habit. I had the opportunity to go on splits with one of the English sisters during this leadership training session and as always the spirit works in mysterious ways. We couldn't find one of the houses that we had planned on contacting so as we were driving we just decided to park our car and walk. We made our way into a trailer park and knocked on one of the homes there. A man came out took one look at us and started yelling for his son. I didn't know if he was yelling at us so I started backing away. Ha thinking back on it I'm sure it would have been hilarious to watch from outside of the situation. A few seconds later a boy about 23 years old made his way out of the trailer. I think he had just woken up because he had no shirt on and was a little groggy. My first thought was oh dear, what are we doing I said a quick prayer as my companion was talking to him and right after that everything changed. I knew instantly that he'd been waiting for our message. It was incredible. He invited us in. I all but ran in after him. We found out his name was Kip and talked to him about his life for about five min. Talk about trials. He had been through a lot. I kept thinking I wish Lance was here. He would know what to say. We asked if we could kneel down and have a prayer. He looked a bit hesitant but finally consented. We sat down and through the holy ghost I was able to bare witness of the love his father in heaven has for him. That the lord has amazing things prepared for him and that through Jesus Christ he can turn away from his sins, repent, and become a new person. I told him of the potential he had. That his father in heaven has been preparing him- that everything he's been through (which was a lot) has shaped and molded him and prepared to him to receive these things. I told him his life was about to change and that he didn't need to feel trapped anymore. It was quiet for a min. He asked if he could show us something on his I-pod. He couldn't find it but said that he'd recorded a song about running away, about escaping and getting out of the life he'd had but not knowing how. We introduced him to the book of Mormon and read Alma 7:11-12. I felt prompted to read of alma the youngers experience. I had him turn to chap 36 of Alma and read vs 18-21 out loud. I testified of the joy and love that comes from repenting. The sweet feeling of being born of god, of being clean. We told him that as he came to understand that these things are true that he would want to follow the example of Jesus Christ and be baptized. We asked him if he could start preparing himself now for baptism on Aug 22. He said he would. We invited him to start reading the book of Mormon and to pray to know if what he was reading was true. I promised that if he would abstain form smoking and drinking he would receive an answer that it was the word of god and that he has a specific purpose in this life and if he would keep his mind clear, the holy ghost would speak all of this to him. We asked him how he felt. He said that he didn't know how to describe it but it felt good. He said he's never felt it before. I testified that it was the holy ghost bearing witness of the truth that we were speaking and that he would feel the same way while reading the book of Mormon.
It was an incredible experience. I have a testimony of this simplified curriculum. I know that Kip has been prepared to receive this message and change his life through the Savior Jesus Christ. He will be baptized and he will be renewed through the Saviors atoning sacrifice. Nobody will even recognize him. How each of us need that perfect atonement. We each need to be forgiven or there is no hope. What a blessing it is to have the sacrament each week to renew that first covenant we made at baptism. I'm so thankful for this gospel. For this mission! This sacred calling that I have the opportunity to be apart of. There is no greater blessing in all of the world than to witness the change that comes in ones life when repenting, becoming converted, entering the waters of baptism and with the gift of the holy ghost starting that wonderful journey that leads to eternal life. I love the gospel with all of my heart and soul. I love each of you with every fiber of my being. I know I've said it before but oh how I wish there exsisted words that could convince you of how I truly felt.
It was an incredible experience. I have a testimony of this simplified curriculum. I know that Kip has been prepared to receive this message and change his life through the Savior Jesus Christ. He will be baptized and he will be renewed through the Saviors atoning sacrifice. Nobody will even recognize him. How each of us need that perfect atonement. We each need to be forgiven or there is no hope. What a blessing it is to have the sacrament each week to renew that first covenant we made at baptism. I'm so thankful for this gospel. For this mission! This sacred calling that I have the opportunity to be apart of. There is no greater blessing in all of the world than to witness the change that comes in ones life when repenting, becoming converted, entering the waters of baptism and with the gift of the holy ghost starting that wonderful journey that leads to eternal life. I love the gospel with all of my heart and soul. I love each of you with every fiber of my being. I know I've said it before but oh how I wish there exsisted words that could convince you of how I truly felt.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Lance: Letter 2
Dear family,
I don’t know if this works…but if it does…how is everyone, eh??? I haven’t heard from anybody sice a few days before I left the MTC (except that phone call). I love San Jose!! I actually live in a town called Cupertino. I love the mission, I want to do this for rest of my life! I don’t know what questions you have, so ya. We moved out of our old apartment into the biggest dump! The missionaries before us left everything in it. The sink was full of the nastiest food and dishes, there was trash everywhere, and flies and spiders. No one had been there for at least a month or two. So we cleaned…and cleaned…and cleaned. No problem though, it’s muy bien now! I have oatmeal with apples and pears every morning and eggs and toast for lunch. Then the members feed us dinner. Every meal has been so tasty! We’ve talked to all kinds of people. One girl wanted to save us. Ha Ha!
The mission is everything I thought it would be; so I haven’t been disappointed in the least. I love it! We have a bench set in our new apartment, so that’s nice but we’ll probably have to give it back to the Tongans that lived here last. Missionary work is the most important work we can do and we are doing it! I love talking to people! The spirit lets me be real with them and also be spiritual at the same time. You can’t just go to the door and be a machine. We have to understand them and love them. The Lord has blessed me more than I deserve; way more, it’s almost overwhelming. I am so weak, I am nothing. I am as the dust of the earth, even a sinner, then why am I so blessed? I’ll never know, maybe it’s from all of your prayers? Who knows, but I am forever indebted to my Savior. I declare to you that I know Jesus is the Christ. I know He lives, he like his father has a body of flesh and bone as tangible as the bodies we have. He bled from every pore, he suffered beyond comprehension. He was bruised for our iniquities and crucified for our salvation. He arose on the third day, a resurrected glorified being. Many felt the wounds in his hands, side and feet; they felt the endless mercy. Always remember Him!
I love you all and I pray for you constantly.
I’ll write again, soon!
Love,
Elder Porter
I don’t know if this works…but if it does…how is everyone, eh??? I haven’t heard from anybody sice a few days before I left the MTC (except that phone call). I love San Jose!! I actually live in a town called Cupertino. I love the mission, I want to do this for rest of my life! I don’t know what questions you have, so ya. We moved out of our old apartment into the biggest dump! The missionaries before us left everything in it. The sink was full of the nastiest food and dishes, there was trash everywhere, and flies and spiders. No one had been there for at least a month or two. So we cleaned…and cleaned…and cleaned. No problem though, it’s muy bien now! I have oatmeal with apples and pears every morning and eggs and toast for lunch. Then the members feed us dinner. Every meal has been so tasty! We’ve talked to all kinds of people. One girl wanted to save us. Ha Ha!
The mission is everything I thought it would be; so I haven’t been disappointed in the least. I love it! We have a bench set in our new apartment, so that’s nice but we’ll probably have to give it back to the Tongans that lived here last. Missionary work is the most important work we can do and we are doing it! I love talking to people! The spirit lets me be real with them and also be spiritual at the same time. You can’t just go to the door and be a machine. We have to understand them and love them. The Lord has blessed me more than I deserve; way more, it’s almost overwhelming. I am so weak, I am nothing. I am as the dust of the earth, even a sinner, then why am I so blessed? I’ll never know, maybe it’s from all of your prayers? Who knows, but I am forever indebted to my Savior. I declare to you that I know Jesus is the Christ. I know He lives, he like his father has a body of flesh and bone as tangible as the bodies we have. He bled from every pore, he suffered beyond comprehension. He was bruised for our iniquities and crucified for our salvation. He arose on the third day, a resurrected glorified being. Many felt the wounds in his hands, side and feet; they felt the endless mercy. Always remember Him!
I love you all and I pray for you constantly.
I’ll write again, soon!
Love,
Elder Porter
Monday, July 12, 2010
Lindsey: Letter 10
My sweet family! Thank you for the fun update of Idaho and all the doings of your life. You are always in my prayers and thoughts and I thrill to hear that you're safe and happy. Thank you for attaching your email to Elder Porter. For the first time I'm not wondering what he's doing. If he's safe or who's he's with. He is in the lords hands and could not be in any better situation than the one he is in right now. I'm so glad you had the opportunity of spending time with the sweet Hammond Family. Truly, that could very well be the next best place than where Elder Porter and I are. I'm excited to raise a little family in truth and righteousness and to have a burning desire to do the saviors work here on earth and beyond. Oh dear I shouldn't be talking about that while here on the mission but I will say that learning more and more about Heavenly Fathers love and plan for his children and all that he wants for them doesn't help me in setting aside my feelings for a future family. Haha. Ok enough of that! Yes, I will try and answer some of your questions. Although they were many. Like I've mentioned my companions name is Hermana Hastings. Darling darling girl. In fact the first time we met I knew we'd be companions. That is the honest truth. We couldn't get along any better. Sometimes I feel that its a bit of a setback. We're not suffering enough! When I go through and read the ministry of Paul I get discouraged and wonder when the stoning and spit is going to come! We do have a few things in common however.... many people rejecting the truth. Ouch. That always hurts. Especially when you form somewhat of a relationship before you give them your most precious gift. The Gift of the Lord Jesus Christ and his perfect atoning sacrifice. However, a few of them, I know, gave room for the seed to be planted, and down the road it will stir in their hearts and they will search it out to see where this stirring is coming from and when they do, the lord will guide them to the source because he loves them and desires their happiness forever. We are teaching a boy by the name of Jorge right now. Well I say a boy. He's 27. I know that he is one of the elect that god has been preparing. My companion thinks that he's stubborn because he has many doubts and questions but I love it. This tells me that he wouldn't commit to something he didn't understand or think was truth. I know that the lord is working with him and he's in the process of gaining that sweet personal witness and testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel. He will be baptized and he will be given the gift of the holy ghost and he will be a mighty instrument in the hands of the lord in bringing others to the truth. I know it.
What more can I tell you? I love the Latino people! They are absolutely beautiful! Wow! Inside as well as out. I would love to move here after the mission. I love Katy! I love the weather and the people. I love how they drive! haha. Silly? Its true. I love the sky more than anything! However I will say that I miss the mountains. Oh how I miss the mountains! They were always my safe place when I was living in Utah. You all can relate to this I'm sure.
Bryce thank you for you sweet email. I cannot tell you how much it helped me. Thank you for sharing your experiences with me and expressing empathy. Ha. Its not easy having people look at you like you're speaking gibberish. Even though it is the case. (it makes sense in my mind) haha. How is Elder Lunt doing? I hope he is loving and cherishing every moment. I hope that for both he and Elder Porter. I know there are not many people that listen to me and reject my placing in their hands the book of mormon but how thankful I am to be here. To witness gods love for all of his children. To have the opportunity to partake in this glorious work. I know that each of us are being prepared for great things to come. More work! I glory in this thought. That it never ends. That we continue to help, to learn, to strive, to LOVE. Its perfect. This life is perfect and I thank my sweet family for following the lord in all things and raising me with this knowledge! I love each of you with all of my heart and want you to know how much your prayers of love and support make a difference. I feel them and see them answered daily. I love and thank you!
What more can I tell you? I love the Latino people! They are absolutely beautiful! Wow! Inside as well as out. I would love to move here after the mission. I love Katy! I love the weather and the people. I love how they drive! haha. Silly? Its true. I love the sky more than anything! However I will say that I miss the mountains. Oh how I miss the mountains! They were always my safe place when I was living in Utah. You all can relate to this I'm sure.
Bryce thank you for you sweet email. I cannot tell you how much it helped me. Thank you for sharing your experiences with me and expressing empathy. Ha. Its not easy having people look at you like you're speaking gibberish. Even though it is the case. (it makes sense in my mind) haha. How is Elder Lunt doing? I hope he is loving and cherishing every moment. I hope that for both he and Elder Porter. I know there are not many people that listen to me and reject my placing in their hands the book of mormon but how thankful I am to be here. To witness gods love for all of his children. To have the opportunity to partake in this glorious work. I know that each of us are being prepared for great things to come. More work! I glory in this thought. That it never ends. That we continue to help, to learn, to strive, to LOVE. Its perfect. This life is perfect and I thank my sweet family for following the lord in all things and raising me with this knowledge! I love each of you with all of my heart and want you to know how much your prayers of love and support make a difference. I feel them and see them answered daily. I love and thank you!
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
Lindsey: Letter 9
I'm so sorry to all for not being able to write yesterday! The school was closed for the holiday but here I am and all is well!
Thank you for your sweet email! The fourth was great! I didn't get to experience the beauty of the fireworks as I'm sure Elder Porter did but I had the splendid opportunity of listening to them throughout the night... (painful) No:) It was great! I thought of my sweet brother Ryan the whole day and his goodness and righteous desires for life. I'm so thrilled to hear he enjoyed every second of EFY. What cherished memories I have of those few years I went to BYU Provo for EFY. I hope he is able to go again next year. I hope he is able to take what he felt and apply what he learned so that those same feelings can remain with him. Ryan, If I could be with you for just two min I would give you a great big long hug and tell you how wonderful you are. How great you are. How much the lord loves and cherishes you. How much your family cherishes you. Oh how I miss you my brother. You have so much to offer all of Heavenly Fathers children on earth through the amazing gifts he has blessed you with long before you came to earth. I hope you take great care in developing and strengthening the talents and traits the lord has given you to serve his children on earth. Oh Ryan. I love you more than I can say and want you to know that youre doing just great. You keep going. You continue all that youre doing. Realize that with your Savior Jesus Christ you can accomplish anything that you stand you need of. Ryan I encourage you to search the scriptures. To understand the power that comes when you have faith and when you believe. I Love you my brother and I thank you for all that you are and all that you are becoming. I feel so blessed to sit back and watch the lords plan for you unfold. Its humbling and I'm thankful to be apart of it. Same goes for all of my siblings. I love each of you dearly and I thank you for yours prayers of Love and support.
Everything in Katy is going great! I have much to learn but I'm confident the lord in his timing is teaching me. I don't know that I always recognize it until a little later but when I look back It is easy to see the lords hand in all things. This week has been a humbling one but I know that is has been necessary. I often return home wondering if I did everything I could. Asking myself if my will is truly in line with my fathers will. Oh how many weaknesses I have. I have often wished that I could just strip all the pride away at once! Oh the things I have to learn. Regardless of my weaknesses the lord in his goodness continues to bless me, love me and teach me. How thankful I am for my Savior Jesus Christ and his perfect atonement. I'm so thankful for the experiences I have each day that testify again and again the love our Father in heaven has for each of his children. I'm so thankful for the boy prophet Joseph Smith who acted on his thoughts and feeling and inquired of the lord what he was to do. For his perfect faith that he would receive an answer. I know that the lord answers prayers. I know that he speaks to his children and cares about their happiness and well being. I know that he sees the end from the beginning and is with us every step of the way and stands ready to assist in times of need. I'm so thankful for this knowledge. For the Holy Ghost and the comfort and peace that he provides. For the truth that he whispers and confirms through a still small voice. I'm so thankful for the knowledge that I will have my family forever and that we will continue on in progression through all eternity. I'm so thankful to be here in Katy Texas to share with those who don't know that they have a loving Heavenly Father who loves them beyond anything we can imagine and that through baptism by proper authority and receiving the gift of the holy ghost they can enter into his presence as they continually strive to obey his commandments and keep their covenants. I love this gospel with all of my heart and i'm so thankful to be apart of the lords work at this time and forever.
My time is gone but I love each of you and thank you for everything you are and strive to become.
Thank you for your sweet email! The fourth was great! I didn't get to experience the beauty of the fireworks as I'm sure Elder Porter did but I had the splendid opportunity of listening to them throughout the night... (painful) No:) It was great! I thought of my sweet brother Ryan the whole day and his goodness and righteous desires for life. I'm so thrilled to hear he enjoyed every second of EFY. What cherished memories I have of those few years I went to BYU Provo for EFY. I hope he is able to go again next year. I hope he is able to take what he felt and apply what he learned so that those same feelings can remain with him. Ryan, If I could be with you for just two min I would give you a great big long hug and tell you how wonderful you are. How great you are. How much the lord loves and cherishes you. How much your family cherishes you. Oh how I miss you my brother. You have so much to offer all of Heavenly Fathers children on earth through the amazing gifts he has blessed you with long before you came to earth. I hope you take great care in developing and strengthening the talents and traits the lord has given you to serve his children on earth. Oh Ryan. I love you more than I can say and want you to know that youre doing just great. You keep going. You continue all that youre doing. Realize that with your Savior Jesus Christ you can accomplish anything that you stand you need of. Ryan I encourage you to search the scriptures. To understand the power that comes when you have faith and when you believe. I Love you my brother and I thank you for all that you are and all that you are becoming. I feel so blessed to sit back and watch the lords plan for you unfold. Its humbling and I'm thankful to be apart of it. Same goes for all of my siblings. I love each of you dearly and I thank you for yours prayers of Love and support.
Everything in Katy is going great! I have much to learn but I'm confident the lord in his timing is teaching me. I don't know that I always recognize it until a little later but when I look back It is easy to see the lords hand in all things. This week has been a humbling one but I know that is has been necessary. I often return home wondering if I did everything I could. Asking myself if my will is truly in line with my fathers will. Oh how many weaknesses I have. I have often wished that I could just strip all the pride away at once! Oh the things I have to learn. Regardless of my weaknesses the lord in his goodness continues to bless me, love me and teach me. How thankful I am for my Savior Jesus Christ and his perfect atonement. I'm so thankful for the experiences I have each day that testify again and again the love our Father in heaven has for each of his children. I'm so thankful for the boy prophet Joseph Smith who acted on his thoughts and feeling and inquired of the lord what he was to do. For his perfect faith that he would receive an answer. I know that the lord answers prayers. I know that he speaks to his children and cares about their happiness and well being. I know that he sees the end from the beginning and is with us every step of the way and stands ready to assist in times of need. I'm so thankful for this knowledge. For the Holy Ghost and the comfort and peace that he provides. For the truth that he whispers and confirms through a still small voice. I'm so thankful for the knowledge that I will have my family forever and that we will continue on in progression through all eternity. I'm so thankful to be here in Katy Texas to share with those who don't know that they have a loving Heavenly Father who loves them beyond anything we can imagine and that through baptism by proper authority and receiving the gift of the holy ghost they can enter into his presence as they continually strive to obey his commandments and keep their covenants. I love this gospel with all of my heart and i'm so thankful to be apart of the lords work at this time and forever.
My time is gone but I love each of you and thank you for everything you are and strive to become.
Monday, June 28, 2010
Off to Texas
Hermana Lindsey Porter
Katy, Texas
June 2010
Loves her Salad!
TEXAS
Her First Apartment
One of her first discussions
Lindsey's Trainer
Loves her Salad!
TEXAS
Her First Apartment
One of her first discussions
Lindsey's Trainer{Hermana Hastings}
District in Texas
Mission Presidency
Lindsey with Mission President and Wife
Houston, Texas
All the Hermana's in Houston
District in Texas
Mission Presidency
Lindsey with Mission President and Wife
Houston, Texas
All the Hermana's in HoustonHermana Porter's Last Days at the MTC
Lindsey had an AMAZING time at the MTC and is now serving in Katy, Texas. She LOVES it and all the work that she is apart of!! We're so excited to hear from her every week! I know it is a picture overload, but she cannot send pictures very often... ENJOY!!
Hoping for mail...
Lindsey and Hermana Ang welcome their darling new companion
Hoping for mail...
Lindsey and Hermana Ang welcome their darling new companion {Hermana Turnbaugh}
Classmates
Beautiful girl!
Lindsey and her companions before she left for Houston.
Classmates
Beautiful girl!
Lindsey and her companions before she left for Houston.Lindsey: Letter 8
!Hola Hola Hola! How is everyone?! My dear sweet mother, thank you for you faithful writing and updates on everything. You're too cute and I cant thank you enough. I'm so glad to hear about Lex, Aspen, and Gentry! It sounds like they'll be busy with life for awhile. Haha, if they only knew how true that statement is. Busy, trying to figure life out. We really are quite silly if you think about it. I've done so much thinking in the past two years its a wonder I didn't develop some kind of brain disorder. I'm coming to understand the importance of just pressing on. It doesn't matter if you don't understand everything. You're not supposed to. You just be a good person, honor your covenants and keep moving. Have faith that somebody does understand, that he does know the outcome, the plan, and the way, because he is the way. Our Savior Jesus Christ has prepared the way to return back to our Heavenly Father and we need not worry about a thing when we are following him. For heavens sake I'm on a mission! Is that not proof enough that everything is in the Lords hands?! Study your scriptures, speak to your father in heaven, keep the commandments, and press forward with faith and enjoy witnessing the miracles that take place in your life when you keep an eye single to his glory.
I'm so thrilled to hear that Lance is doing so well. How else would he be doing?! This is Lance we're talking about, made into an Elder with a mantle placed upon him! I don't know that there's another option for that boy but to be great! I want so much to have time to write him and talk like we used to upon things that matter, things of eternal significance. I miss those conversations. I'm learning to rely wholly upon the lord here in Katy. He is whom I speak with about the things of my soul, my desires, my concerns. He is whom I give my gratitude for where I am, what I am, and for who I am. I'm so grateful to be here! I truly love Katy. I love the weather. I love my ward, I love the people. Everyone is so supportive and encouraging. When I say everyone I really do mean that. Weather they've heard about your church or not, they want you to succeed! They want you to speak their language and to love their state of TEXAS. haha I saw a bumber sticker the other day that read I'm from Texas. What country are you from? Oh dear, that is a statement that everyone who lives here believes in their hearts to be true. Its kind of cute. The bishop asked me from the pulpit yesterday to bear my testimony. Clearly I didn't know what he said. All I heard was my name and witnessed heads turn in my direction. I knew something wasn't quite right... Then my companion pushed me off the bench and I stumbled up to the front. Oh dear, that was the longest walk I think I've ever taken and I've been on a good amount of walks in my life. Once I got up to the pulpit I thought, this ward just doubled in the hour it took me to get up here! There were so many people! Thankfully I knew most of them and they were all just smiling and giving me the thumbs up sign and great big nods of encouragement. I don't exactly know what I said but most of them told me they understood and that it was the funniest thing they'd seen all week. Most of the youth came up afterwards and hugged me, said that they couldn't stop laughing when I was up there and then told me they wanted to go on splits with me. I love my ward:) This is a golden area. We haven't found too many people yet but I know that as we press on and keep knocking, keep calling, and keep talking we will find them. The Lord will put them in our path. I cant speak Spanish yet but I have discovered more effective ways of communicating and it is through love and that is a language I know very well. I thank my father in heaven every day for this great gift that he has given me. I don't know how effective this work would be without it! I'm so thankful for these short 18 months that the lords has given me to discover the joy in his children. To be able to focus solely on his gospel and the vision of eternity. What a thrill it is to be here! I love you all and hope that everyone is happy and doing well. Talk to you in a week!
I'm so thrilled to hear that Lance is doing so well. How else would he be doing?! This is Lance we're talking about, made into an Elder with a mantle placed upon him! I don't know that there's another option for that boy but to be great! I want so much to have time to write him and talk like we used to upon things that matter, things of eternal significance. I miss those conversations. I'm learning to rely wholly upon the lord here in Katy. He is whom I speak with about the things of my soul, my desires, my concerns. He is whom I give my gratitude for where I am, what I am, and for who I am. I'm so grateful to be here! I truly love Katy. I love the weather. I love my ward, I love the people. Everyone is so supportive and encouraging. When I say everyone I really do mean that. Weather they've heard about your church or not, they want you to succeed! They want you to speak their language and to love their state of TEXAS. haha I saw a bumber sticker the other day that read I'm from Texas. What country are you from? Oh dear, that is a statement that everyone who lives here believes in their hearts to be true. Its kind of cute. The bishop asked me from the pulpit yesterday to bear my testimony. Clearly I didn't know what he said. All I heard was my name and witnessed heads turn in my direction. I knew something wasn't quite right... Then my companion pushed me off the bench and I stumbled up to the front. Oh dear, that was the longest walk I think I've ever taken and I've been on a good amount of walks in my life. Once I got up to the pulpit I thought, this ward just doubled in the hour it took me to get up here! There were so many people! Thankfully I knew most of them and they were all just smiling and giving me the thumbs up sign and great big nods of encouragement. I don't exactly know what I said but most of them told me they understood and that it was the funniest thing they'd seen all week. Most of the youth came up afterwards and hugged me, said that they couldn't stop laughing when I was up there and then told me they wanted to go on splits with me. I love my ward:) This is a golden area. We haven't found too many people yet but I know that as we press on and keep knocking, keep calling, and keep talking we will find them. The Lord will put them in our path. I cant speak Spanish yet but I have discovered more effective ways of communicating and it is through love and that is a language I know very well. I thank my father in heaven every day for this great gift that he has given me. I don't know how effective this work would be without it! I'm so thankful for these short 18 months that the lords has given me to discover the joy in his children. To be able to focus solely on his gospel and the vision of eternity. What a thrill it is to be here! I love you all and hope that everyone is happy and doing well. Talk to you in a week!
Thursday, June 24, 2010
Lance: Letter 1
Family!!! Whom I love!
Wow, the MTC is so great! There’s nowhere else I’d rather be! Everyone love’s the Gospel here! It makes me feel like I am the worst one here, but that makes me try that much harder. I know my letter is not as powerful as Lindsey’s but I assure you, I love this Gospel at least as much as her. My companion is Elder Joyce, he’s like my twin in personality but a hard worker. I love him; he has helped me so much. If I had any other companion I would be having a different experience. Ha, just joking! Seriously, I have loved every second I’ve been here. I expected it to be way hard, but it’s just been fun and not that hard. Everyone in our district (I think) is jealous of how well Elder Joyce and I get along. The food is great, I’m gonna get so fat – but that’s okay!
Yesterday Elder Joyce and I were pulled aside by our president and he told us that “Heavenly Father wants you to be the new Zone Leaders!” He said it is a huge pain in his rear, but that is what the Lord wants. Anyway, I’m writing two letters that are kind of the same because I’ve been writing at different times.
Elder Ian Gatchell is here and has been so awesome. He gave me a note in a fireside telling me about Mike’s (Sharp) call and I was so happy to hear it! It was nice of him.
Please know that I love you all so much! Thank you Mom for letting me stay in your home for all those years and for feeding me and just loving me! Dad, you have a gift and that gift is charity and I love you so much! Ryan, you are my hero! If I was as good at sports like you at your age, I would have been the future of high school. So that’s gonna be you! Make sure you always remember that you have something almost no one else has . . . .The Gospel. That’s what sets us apart from the world. Never forget ‘who you are’ and ‘who you were meant to be’ . . .a son of God! Please Ryan, be sweet to Mom and Dad . . .but especially to Mom. She gave you life and still gives it today. I love you all!
Elder Porter
Wow, the MTC is so great! There’s nowhere else I’d rather be! Everyone love’s the Gospel here! It makes me feel like I am the worst one here, but that makes me try that much harder. I know my letter is not as powerful as Lindsey’s but I assure you, I love this Gospel at least as much as her. My companion is Elder Joyce, he’s like my twin in personality but a hard worker. I love him; he has helped me so much. If I had any other companion I would be having a different experience. Ha, just joking! Seriously, I have loved every second I’ve been here. I expected it to be way hard, but it’s just been fun and not that hard. Everyone in our district (I think) is jealous of how well Elder Joyce and I get along. The food is great, I’m gonna get so fat – but that’s okay!
Yesterday Elder Joyce and I were pulled aside by our president and he told us that “Heavenly Father wants you to be the new Zone Leaders!” He said it is a huge pain in his rear, but that is what the Lord wants. Anyway, I’m writing two letters that are kind of the same because I’ve been writing at different times.
Elder Ian Gatchell is here and has been so awesome. He gave me a note in a fireside telling me about Mike’s (Sharp) call and I was so happy to hear it! It was nice of him.
Please know that I love you all so much! Thank you Mom for letting me stay in your home for all those years and for feeding me and just loving me! Dad, you have a gift and that gift is charity and I love you so much! Ryan, you are my hero! If I was as good at sports like you at your age, I would have been the future of high school. So that’s gonna be you! Make sure you always remember that you have something almost no one else has . . . .The Gospel. That’s what sets us apart from the world. Never forget ‘who you are’ and ‘who you were meant to be’ . . .a son of God! Please Ryan, be sweet to Mom and Dad . . .but especially to Mom. She gave you life and still gives it today. I love you all!
Elder Porter
Monday, June 21, 2010
Elder Porter enters the MTC
Please write to:
Elder Lance Porter
California San Jose Mission
Provo MTC
2005 N. 900 E.
Provo, UT 84604
Lindsey's Address
This is the Place!
Hermana Porter's first area is Katy, Texas.
Please feel free to write her at:
Hermana Porter's first area is Katy, Texas.
Please feel free to write her at:
Hermana Porter
2002 South Mason #1222
Katy, TX 77450
Lindsey: Letter 7 {Welcome to Houston}
HOLA HOLA!! I'm here! How is everybody doing?! My word I feel like I haven't heard from anybody in quite some time. ! Pero esta bien! I'm sure everyone is quite busy with their lives, however, I would ask my sweet mother to fill me in on a few things if she has time. How are my grandparents doing? How did Grandpa do on his talk? You may be asking which one because I'm sure that is a more than weekly occurrence, pues that being the case... I want to know about all of them! What about Gentry, Alexis, and Aspen? Ah! They're all getting so old! I'm telling you, time flys!
My first area is called Westgreen 2 in the beautiful city of Katy. I cant tell you how much I love it here. I stepped off the plane loving it and those feelings have only progressed as I've had the opportunity to get to know some of its residents. What amazing people! They don't know it but they truly are.
My Mission President and his wife are the very sweetest. President Hansen is an incredibly inspired man and I found that out the second I met my trainer. Great things will happen here in Katy as the Lord works through both of us to bring to pass his glorious and perfect plan. What a great time to be on the earth! To have front row seats to so many miracles. They may seem like small things to those that don't understand how the spirit works but to me they couldn't be more spectacular and each one has strengthened my testimony of this work and my Savior Jesus Christ.
They first day I arrived, bbefore meeting my trainer Hermana Hansen, I had the opportunity to go tracting with a couple of sisters who are getting ready to go home. They had set up an appointment with a family that has been inactive for years and didn't have a whole lot of desire to return to the church for whatever reason. The sisters told me before we went in that they visit this family occasionally just to see how they are doing. We walked in and they were all sitting in the family room. The mother was holding the most beautiful little baby boy, about Logans age. The dad was holding a little girl about Lucy's age and then sitting in between them was another darling boy about 4 years old. We hadn't spoken a word to each other but this position they were in hit me to the very core and I was overcome with the love Heavenly Father had for this sweet family. We sat down and one of the hermanas started teaching them of the plan of salvation. She had little laminated pictures so of course the kids hopped right up and wanted to come play with the "little people". After one of the sisters was teaching about the celestial kingdom and eternal life there was a lull and I couldn't hold back what I'd been thinking since walking into their family room. I looked at the father and said, Hermano, Look at your beautiful family. Tears started to fill my eyes. I said this is the most beautiful family I have ever seen. I know you love them. Don't you want know that you cant have them beyond this life If you aren't sealed in the temple. I wasn't sure he understood what I was trying to say but he understood enough because he too started to cry and he said Yes, I want them forever. The spirit was so strong and I know it was telling him exactly what Heavenly father wanted him to hear. I started to cry more! I couldn't stop smiling! The heremanas took over again and they made a plan and list of things that could help him get ready to take his family to the temple. What a miracle! I am telling you there is work to be done here! My companion and I walked down to a little strip mall to put pass along cards in the stores and met some of the greatest people. Granted... most of them wanted nothing to do with the gospel. I was warned by one of them that reading the book of Mormon would lead to my destruction and that Jo Smith was possessed by the devil. He told me he would pray for me:) Yes, there is lots of work to be done here. There was a man getting into a van and I ran over and said !Hola Hola Hermano! ?!Como Esta!? I don't know why but my mind went blank and I didn't remember a word of Spanish. I just smiled and started some form of sign language. I was trying to describe the pass along card. He kept laughing at me and I laughed and we just laughed together. It was too great! Haha. He gave me his phone number and address and told me I had a beautiful smile. I'm so happy to be here! What a beautiful place I have been led to. It is beautiful because the people are beautiful. I love all of them! Even those that think I bring destruction. They will see one day how wrong they are. This is the lords work. I love each of you with all of my heart. I truly wish there was a human way of expressing it. Know that you can feel the extent of how true it is if you will kneel down and sincerely ask your father in heaven how he feels about each of you. You will know how I feel about each of you. Thank you for your love and support. Your prayers are truly heard and indeed answered. The gospels true!
How is my wonderful brother doing!? Don't send this to him he wont have time to read it and respond back. I will write him personally in a letter. Love you Love you! I hope to hear from you soon!
My first area is called Westgreen 2 in the beautiful city of Katy. I cant tell you how much I love it here. I stepped off the plane loving it and those feelings have only progressed as I've had the opportunity to get to know some of its residents. What amazing people! They don't know it but they truly are.
My Mission President and his wife are the very sweetest. President Hansen is an incredibly inspired man and I found that out the second I met my trainer. Great things will happen here in Katy as the Lord works through both of us to bring to pass his glorious and perfect plan. What a great time to be on the earth! To have front row seats to so many miracles. They may seem like small things to those that don't understand how the spirit works but to me they couldn't be more spectacular and each one has strengthened my testimony of this work and my Savior Jesus Christ.
They first day I arrived, bbefore meeting my trainer Hermana Hansen, I had the opportunity to go tracting with a couple of sisters who are getting ready to go home. They had set up an appointment with a family that has been inactive for years and didn't have a whole lot of desire to return to the church for whatever reason. The sisters told me before we went in that they visit this family occasionally just to see how they are doing. We walked in and they were all sitting in the family room. The mother was holding the most beautiful little baby boy, about Logans age. The dad was holding a little girl about Lucy's age and then sitting in between them was another darling boy about 4 years old. We hadn't spoken a word to each other but this position they were in hit me to the very core and I was overcome with the love Heavenly Father had for this sweet family. We sat down and one of the hermanas started teaching them of the plan of salvation. She had little laminated pictures so of course the kids hopped right up and wanted to come play with the "little people". After one of the sisters was teaching about the celestial kingdom and eternal life there was a lull and I couldn't hold back what I'd been thinking since walking into their family room. I looked at the father and said, Hermano, Look at your beautiful family. Tears started to fill my eyes. I said this is the most beautiful family I have ever seen. I know you love them. Don't you want know that you cant have them beyond this life If you aren't sealed in the temple. I wasn't sure he understood what I was trying to say but he understood enough because he too started to cry and he said Yes, I want them forever. The spirit was so strong and I know it was telling him exactly what Heavenly father wanted him to hear. I started to cry more! I couldn't stop smiling! The heremanas took over again and they made a plan and list of things that could help him get ready to take his family to the temple. What a miracle! I am telling you there is work to be done here! My companion and I walked down to a little strip mall to put pass along cards in the stores and met some of the greatest people. Granted... most of them wanted nothing to do with the gospel. I was warned by one of them that reading the book of Mormon would lead to my destruction and that Jo Smith was possessed by the devil. He told me he would pray for me:) Yes, there is lots of work to be done here. There was a man getting into a van and I ran over and said !Hola Hola Hermano! ?!Como Esta!? I don't know why but my mind went blank and I didn't remember a word of Spanish. I just smiled and started some form of sign language. I was trying to describe the pass along card. He kept laughing at me and I laughed and we just laughed together. It was too great! Haha. He gave me his phone number and address and told me I had a beautiful smile. I'm so happy to be here! What a beautiful place I have been led to. It is beautiful because the people are beautiful. I love all of them! Even those that think I bring destruction. They will see one day how wrong they are. This is the lords work. I love each of you with all of my heart. I truly wish there was a human way of expressing it. Know that you can feel the extent of how true it is if you will kneel down and sincerely ask your father in heaven how he feels about each of you. You will know how I feel about each of you. Thank you for your love and support. Your prayers are truly heard and indeed answered. The gospels true!
How is my wonderful brother doing!? Don't send this to him he wont have time to read it and respond back. I will write him personally in a letter. Love you Love you! I hope to hear from you soon!
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